John Belushi Bacchus

John Belushi Bacchus

I was lying in a hammock, under the grape arbor, when John Belushi appeared before my wondering eyes. Belushi announced that he, before his death, was the human incarnation of the GrecoRoman God Bacchus. In his inimitable humorous manner John explained that he had resided in human form on earth to liberate people from the oppressive restraints of the powerful. "I symbolize all that is dangerous and unexpected, that which escapes reason", he said. "I am the protector of those who do not belong to conventional society. I have supported liberation in many guises since prehistoric times. In the fifteenth century I incarnated as the painter, Carravagio. In that life, I was notorious for brawling, and I was criticized for using a beautiful, famous prostitute, Madelena Antoguetti, as a model for The Virgin Mary."

Belushi continued, "As Carravagio I painted a picture of Bacchus or Dionysus, would you, Janet, please repaint that picture for me using my Belushi face?" I protested that I was not competent to repaint his masterpiece. "I am sure to butcher your awesome painting, I am just not as talented as you were." John/Carravagio, agreed that since he was the greatest painter of all time, he did not expect me to attain his degree of perfection, but that he would settle for my poor efforts.

So here is my modest attempt to do as he requested. I sincerely apologize to Carravagio for this desecration, but how could I resist the charming request of John Belushi?

Charles Neville, New Orleans Fabulous

Charles Neville, New Orleans Fabulous

Aaron Neville, The Golden Voice of New Orleans

Aaron Neville, The Golden Voice of New Orleans

Fats Domino with his Guardian Angel

Fats with his Guardian Angel

Dr. John

Dr. John
The New Orleans music experience is tops

Barbie Tee Vee Head

Barbie Bug Eyes Flowers

Barbie Bug Eyes

Barbie Tee Vee Head

Barbie was born in 1959. She sprang fully developed from the shoulder of Venus. Tragically, her poor little feet were deformed, she could not stand on her own. Fortunately, her perky smile was pasted on. She immediately sashayed her firm little butt into every American girl's toy box. She took her place, and Betsy Wetsy was demoted to the bottom of the box. American girls dressed and redressed Bauble in faux chic prom dresses. Little did Barbie know that she was preparing the way for medical practitioners to be lucratively employed in the "female low self esteem industry". In 2009 she was awarded "Shopping Motivator of the Year". Her contributions to the economy are only now being recognized as the breast augmentation industry is flourishing. She is responsible for 32D percent of the Gross National Product. In addition, her unrelenting perkiness sells a gazillion antidepressants each year. I created these lovely pictures of Barbie to celebrate her place as a top ranking icon.

Barbie Tee Vee Head

Dreaded Artist Statement

So, I wrote recently about the dreaded "Artist Statement". All my words seem foolish. It is an exercise in contracting a rich and deep experience into words. I did some web research and made a collection of words and phrases that other people have written.

List of a collection of words that may or may not be useful in an Artist Statement:


the minds eye

other realities

just suppose

whispers of blended shadows

Deepen life by creating and expressing meaning thru paint and pixil.

"Not by the fancied gift of absolute or transcendental knowledge, but by suggesting questions which help one to detect the passion, strangness and dramatic contrasts of life." This by a writer of the Bloomsbury school, concerning philosophy.

great art created in attempt to deal with childhood pain

Okee Dokee

visual textures of heightened complexities

is in fact a religious mythologist, himself

hopeless dreamer

zen koan heaven

freedom from rational control

speaks language of ancient fables with irony

deliberate passionate assault on the mundane

all history is now ours

thrill factor

desperate attempt to escape boredom (I just made that one up)

Hey, hey, have a wonderful day. Be good to yourself. Love one another.

Okee Dokee, bye now.