Author Archives: JMN

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About JMN

I live in Texas and devote much of my time to easel painting on an amateur basis. I stream a lot of music, mostly jazz, throughout the day. I like to read and memorize poetry.

What Huge Imago

Posted on November 11, 2019 by JMN

On this Veterans’ Day I salute military persons past and present who have honored their country, including my son, a Navy man currently serving on a far shore. I’ve undertaken my periodic re-memorization of W.H. Auden’s epoch-spanning poem “September 1, … Continue reading →

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“I’m a Bit Worried”

Posted on November 11, 2019 by JMN

Jim Kay, who lives in Sussex, England, talks about his work as an illustrator of Harry Potter novels. How would you say your style has evolved over the years? I haven’t found a style yet. I’m desperately trying to find … Continue reading →

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A Week of Orgisms

Posted on November 9, 2019 by JMN

I’ve recently seen mention of cubism, orphism, synchromism, and now suprematism. This last is what Kazimir Malevich called his movement. Art history is a geyser of isms. This article illustrates the masterpiece-or-fake-ism that sprinkles journalism. Internationally [Malevich] is probably most … Continue reading →

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Humbug Goes Virile

Posted on November 7, 2019 by JMN

Rights groups also say that an increasingly bitter political climate surrounding Brexit has fueled the flames — as did recent remarks by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on the treatment of female lawmakers… In a parliamentary debate in September, Mr. Johnson … Continue reading →

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Shades of Black

Posted on November 7, 2019 by JMN

Stories in today’s press foster a rumination about “misconduct.” The monarch of Thailand banished two courtiers from his entourage for “extremely evil misconduct.” Unpacking the phrase’s implications suggests there may be three shades of misconduct: Misconduct (White) Evil misconduct (Grey) … Continue reading →

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Get the ‘Lead’ Out

Posted on November 5, 2019 by JMN

She has lead the way, but all the candidates need to come clean about their health care proposals. (Elisabeth Rosenthal, “Elizabeth Warren Throws Down the Gauntlet,” NYTimes, 11-4-19) The error in the NYTimes subheading is more exciting than usual. It … Continue reading →

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A Descendant of Ralph the Wrecker

Posted on November 5, 2019 by JMN

A mighty union that had lasted hundreds of years, running from the Orkneys to Cornwall, from Belfast to Llanfair Pwllgwyngyll, would have been torn asunder…. (Nicholas Kristof, “Will Great Britain Become Little England?” NYTimes, 11-2-19) I would like to visit … Continue reading →

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George Condo

Posted on November 3, 2019 by JMN

Mr. Condo, 61, is best known for his bold figurative paintings that blend old master techniques and cartoonish characters, capturing a range of emotions from many perspectives in a method he calls “psychological Cubism.” “In the early days of Cubism, … Continue reading →

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Meaning vs. Making

Posted on November 2, 2019 by JMN

I do wish [the show’s curators] had enforced a bit more critical distance. Mr. Haacke, as each gallery proudly proclaims, has written every single wall label himself — which offers helpful context, but turns the show into an uncomfortable act … Continue reading →

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The History of Art, Minus Art

Posted on November 1, 2019 by JMN

I want to find this slightly bizarre article interesting, but I’m distracted by astonishment that it does not show a single illustration of the work of the artists it discusses: Stanton MacDonald-Wright and Morgan Russell. Well, unless you count the … Continue reading →

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