This is a 20″ x 24″ oil on canvas painting called Mating Lions. It was painted many years ago and was absconded by my younger son just after I signed and dated it and while the paint was still wet. I haven’t seen it since. Nevertheless, he did provide a photo of it.
This song is an international collaboration of the great author, photographer and lyricist, Rajiv Chopra of India and swo8 Blues Jazz of Canada. This is Memorial Day in the U.S.A. and it is observed on the last Monday of May. It was formerly known as Decoration Day and commemorates all men and women who have died in military service for the United States. Unfortunately, war is universal and most countries have had their battles. Let us remember the good men and women who gave their lives for the best of reasons. Let us also remind our leaders not to be so hasty to battle for it is the innocents who suffer the most. If war wasn’t so profitable we wouldn’t have so many. 3:23 min. 2 MB.
This video is called Midnight in Manaus by swo8 Blues Jazz. Manaus is located deep in the Amazon full of magic and mystery. The Amazon River floods every year and it is this flooding that came to mind. We are having a lot of rain and flooding here. They are better prepared for that flooding in Manaus. All our music can be streamed from most streaming sites. Check out our Youtube Channel for our other videos. Don’t forget to like and follow to support the artists. 3:30 min. 2 MB.
No paintings today. I’ve been busy in the garden and Jim of mnghostt.wordpress.com asked me to post some pictures of our vegetable garden. The lettuce is all self seeded. I just moved them to another area. The corn is behind a big cage because otherwise the racoons always beat me to the corn. The rest of the garden has chicken wire around it because the rabbits seem to love the other stuff. The terraced area has potatoes, tomatoes, basil, leeks, parsley and sage.
This video is called Epidarus by swo8 Blues Jazz from the album Efharisto in iTunes. Apollo was worshiped at Epidarus in Mycenaean times (4th century B.C.). It was a sanctuary for the sick. Today it’s a 3rd century theatre, and it’s not the sanctuary that brings the crowds. Epidarus is renowned for its acoustics. If you whisper from the centre of the dias you can be heard from the farthest reach of the stadium. It is still used today for theatre and concerts. You can view the other videos from this album on our Youtube channel so check it out, like and subscribe to support the artists. 3:17 min. 2 MB.
This video is called Varanasi by swo8 Blues Jazz from the album Black Taj in iTunes. Varanasi, also know as Kashi or Benares has been the place of pilgrimage for Hindus since the beginning of time. It is considered to be the oldest city on earth. Hindus believe that to die in this city is to attain salvation and freedom from the cycle of birth and re-birth. It is a center of learning and civilization for over 3000 years. Sarnath, just 10 Km. away, is the place where Buddha preached his first sermon after enlightenment. Ayurveda is said to be originated at Varanasi and is believed to be the basis of modern medical sciences such as Plastic surgery, Cataract and Calculus operations. A lot of the spiritual events occur at the Ghats, which are pictured here. If you ever have to the opportunity to go to Varanasi you will be touched by it forever. You can access all our songs and videos on our Youtube channel. To support the musicians check us out, like and subscribe to our channel.
This is a 12″ x 16″ oil/acrylic on canvas board painting – not quite finished yet. So it isn’t signed or dated. This is the season for Lilacs and they make the air smell like heaven.
Do you know the story of the Black Taj? If you come from India you do. The Taj Mahal was commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the remains of his cherished wife, Mumtaz Mahal. She died giving birth to their 14th child. Legend has it, that Shah Jehan decided to construct another Taj Mahal in black marble on the other side of the river Yamuna and to connect the two by a bridge. As he began to build his own tomb on the other side of the river, a war with his sons interrupted his plan and he was unable to complete it. 3:57 min. 2 MB
This video is called the Mother’s Waltz, a bitter sweet tribute to mothers and families everywhere, especially on Mother’s Day. It is a collaboration with the great American Author and Photographer, Marilyn Armstrong. The photographs in this video are a combination of Marilyn and her husband’s family and 6 generation of my family. It is times like this when family brings comfort. Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there.
This is a 9″ x 11″ acrylic on canvas board called Spring Garden painted in 2009. Spring is here and summer is soon to follow. Our tulips are out and fading fast. This is a busy time of year in the garden. The green is fresh and lighter in colour than later in the season. The colours in acrylic are more intense than oil paint.
