The master

When I lived in Santa Fe many years ago, I was acutely aware of the presence of Georgia O'Keeffe.  I don't recall if I found her work before visiting Santa Fe for the first time, or if that visit inspired my search into her life and work.  But she had a profound effect on me nevertheless.  


O'Keeffe is an artist's artist, and she's a layman's artist.  Her works hold so much beauty, and her life distilled her craft.  She was what all artists hope to be - independent, fearless, dedicated, focused and prolific.  And the public adores what came out of that.  She is a master.

During my "Santa Fe years", I studied her art and her life.  I read every book I could find about her and let the essence of it all seep into my skin, to my bones and my soul.  I walked the neighborhoods and surrounding trails nearly every day too.  Now when I look at her work, I smell pinyon pine and hear mineral earth crunching beneath my feet.  And I remember the holiness of that place--the "city of faith".



On a recent trip to Santa Fe, I visited the Georgia O'Keeffe museum which didn't exist yet when I lived there.  I walked through alone, looking at each painting and reading the descriptions.  Then I walked through again, just sitting with the images.  Letting them soak in and move me as they did all those years ago.  And as I did, I resolved to spend more time in Santa Fe, to let the city of faith inspire me again, to let its light seep into me and awaken long forgotten spaces in my heart.








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O'Keeffe painted many subjects as well as abstractions.  Despite being most known for her flowers, my favorites are among the landscapes, bones, buildings and abstracts that she painted while living in Abique.  I've included photos that I could find of some of these.

My Obsessions

Today as I was driving to the grocery store, I was listening to my current favorite song and thinking about how obsessed I get with music.  Whatever song is the "song of the moment" for me, I listen to it compulsively, sometimes over and over like an 11 year old.  I know this, because I have an eleven year old son, and he does the same thing.  


I was also thinking about how I obsess about other things too.  This is something I know about myself and have known for some time.  And I remind my friends and family of this from time to time, so that they can at least have an expectation that somewhat matches my reality, instead of just wishing I would STOP.  But sorry, that ain't gonna happen.  I've tried.  And its just the way it is.  


So in the meantime, I thought that I should just begin writing a blog about my current obsessions--and maybe other people's obsessions too.  This does two things.  One - it lets me do one of my obsessions legitimately--writing.  Two - it relieves my friends and family of my too long emails because I have no other outlet for my writing.  At least we hope it works out that way.  But don't hold your breath please.


Today's obsession will come in the form of the aforementioned song which got me thinking about this post.  There's just something magical about that whole intro with the -- is that a violin? so cool -- and then Matthews lilting/raspy voice sliding between those notes which hits a sweet spot in my ears and in my heart for sure.  And then that funky bass sax.  As you can see, I am not a trained musician, but I know what I like.  And I like this.  


Dave Matthews' "Two Step"  


ENJOY!!