Mr. X is Gerald Thornton

Gerald Thornton is a man who deeply cares about history, equality, his family and art. When he lived nearby, he was always working on an art project of some kind. He signed his work "X" to align himself with the nameless slaves who were ripped from their families and their culture and brought to a new world. Mr. Thornton used materials which were at hand and many of his most magical works had elements of collage worked into the art. Gold and silver foil was used for the medals of Haile Selassie, a powerful painting that I still cannot get out of my mind after not seeing it for decades!

But if you ask your parents to take you to the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore, you can see his "Flag Funeral", which proudly takes it's place among other masterpieces in the show, Life, Liberty & The Pursuit of Happiness, curated by Roger Manley. The somber widow and her child fall in step behind the flag draped coffin, while an invisible jazz group leads the way to the cemetery. Mr. Thornton is a man who continues to celebrates life, and he now lives in a new town with his new wife, and continues to make wonderful art. This lovely painting is available for sale and will be released in a year when the show comes down.

Real Art for Real Kids!!!!!

Bird houses equal art in England! A Challenge....

In exploring the bird houses created by genius designer, sculptor, painter and " inky wings" herself, Judith McNicol, kids can learn that art can be found anywhere. They might even be motivated to try it themselves, which is a splendid reaction to this whimsical and refreshing sculpture by one of England's most imaginative artists. And the birds which approach such houses, well they too poke at the imagination of kids and parents alike. Could you, would you Sam I am? Try making houses out of twisted grapevines, bittersweet, sunflowers, or what have you. And send me pictures at Beverlyskaye@aol.com. I'll post the best on this blog!