Androgyny

few artists have been able to unriddle the force of personality with the power that Romaine Brooks brought to her images. What has always captured my interest is how people have responded to her Self Portrait of 1923. It has never failed to engaged viewers and their impressions have ranged from absolute revulsion to admiration. I have often mused on this wondering if others are as intrigued by this particular image and why it grabs so many eyes.

Recent reviews of Hide and Seek show

in blogs and newspapers all seem to give it a thumbs up. Certainly it raises issues that are contemporary and well worth exploring concerning sexuality and gender. The whole area of "cross dressing" vs. fashion and style in the work of Romaine Brooks and other women of her circle needs a much closer look. We need to contextualize attire for women in regard to sexual politics, history and personal taste.

Walt Whitman on Thanksgiving

Walt Whitman on Thanksgiving Thanksgiving is one of the few holidays I can celebrate without thinking about the rag-tag so-called religious know nothings with lint between their ears where brains should be. To say nothing of hearts filled with gratitude and compassion. So let's enjoy this little tale by that great gay American journalist, nurse and poet, Walt Whitman.

Romaine Brooks paintings

Going down to D.C. to see the three Romaine Brooks paintings that are currently on display at two shows in Washington. The Hide and Seek which has been positively reviewed as a must see and another at the archives of American Art. Should be delightful.Thisi is her studio with several of her paintings and some of the objects she used in her paintings.

ARTnews

ARTnews Really smart article on Lowry's latest efforts. She's a risk taker and we are richer for her keen insights and risk-taking vision.

Dickinson College - Professor's Book Lauded by Critics

Dickinson College - Professor's Book Lauded by Critics Here's yet another book that pulls no punches about Foster homosexuality. How refreshing the truth is.

The Night Before Thanksgiving by Sarah Orne Jewett

The Night Before Thanksgiving by Sarah Orne Jewett This is a soft and sentimental story but one I value because of what it tells us about acts of human kindness and what they mean in hard times. Reciprocity is so fundamental and so ill served in our uncivil society. Sarah Orne Jewett's little story should remind us all of timeless values.