James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art
On Saturday April 10, 2021, we visited the James Museum to view a traveling exhibit “Go Artfully Wild.” The exhibit showcases Artist for Conservation (AFC)’s International “Nature in Art” exhibit. The exhibit features “60 paintings and sculptures that awaken our responsibility to conserve the diversity and wonder of our natural world.” The exhibit is on view from March 13 to May 23, 2021.
AFC is a non-profit Canadian-based organization, founded in 1997. The work of John Seerey-Lester, a signature member of AFC, is included in the exhibit as a special tribute. John Seerey-Lester (1945-2020) was a British-born painter who became a citizen of the United States of America in May 2011.
AFC is the world’s leading artist organization whoses mission is to support wildlife and habitat conservation and to promote environmental education. They have hundreds of members from five continents and thirty countries. Each work of art in the “Go Artfully Wild” exhibition is dedicated to their mission.
The James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art is located at 150 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. Founded by businessman Thomas James (https://www.raymondjames.com/about-us/art-collection), the museum opened in April 2018. The 26,000 square feet museum gallery space houses contemporary and traditional premiere works of art (sculpture, paintings and jewelry).
“The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art provides experiences that inspire human connection and transformation through art depicting the peoples, landscapes, and history of the American West, and wildlife of the world… The museum engages the community through programs and educational opportunities, for all ages, that bring our history to life and amplify voices that are not often at the forefront of mainstream western art”. For more information on The James’ Mission/Vision go to https://thejamesmuseum.org/mission-vision-values/.
Quantum Haiku #1
Quantum Haiku #1 …circa 1979
Possibilities
are endless in the mind’s eye —
Creativity
Quantum Fiction — it’s a thing
Friday night at the Blue Rooster
We had a front row seat to hear Ariella at the Blue Rooster and I mean right up front next to the extra mics and equipment cases.
We could almost reach out and touch the fabulous Ariella McManus, who was so kind to sing my favorite song, McGinn, in honor of my favorite Irish lass who has a birthday this month.
If you missed it, they’ll be back on April 30!
The food at the Blue Rooster, on 4th St. in Sarasota, is modern Americana, with updated versions of fried chicken, meatloaf and mashed potatoes. Their fried green tomatoes are exceptional. We couldn’t resist the pecan pie served with a little whipped cream.
The only issue with sitting so close to the stage are the dancers. It’s fun people watching, but you risk some of their antics landing in your lap.
OUR OWN RESURRECTION
For most Christians, Easter is a celebration of the ascension of a man named Jesus Christ. The interesting thing about this is that Christ is not the last name of the man named Jesus. Christ is in truth, a level of consciousness that this man Jesus ascended to. For those of you I have not yet offended, and are still reading, I hope you will follow me through here.
Easter, the Spring Equinox, is indeed a day of ascension, a culmination of a journey that happens every single year of our existence and in the existence of everything in nature. From birth, to living our lives, to death, and renewal. It is indeed a cycle of life to be celebrated.
I believe the man Jesus was born, lived, worked his ministry and walked his path to his personal ascension of the Christ consciousness, all the while preaching to anyone who would listen, that we too are capable of the same exact thing. For many of us it is much easier to ascribe that “responsibility” upon someone else and make ourselves unworthy or incapable of our own personal ascension.
There is no one group, no one religion that owns the franchise of ascension, of renewal. It is inherent in all things of nature, the very core of existence.
As a creation of God, of nature as whatever the God of your understanding is, what is the resurrection going to be for you? How will you make it experiential for YOU?
I believe the resurrection message is powerful, but not for the usual reasons. It is not rooted in the message of the cross, it is rooted in the demonstration by Jesus that death has no real power. While fundamental religion would have you focus on the shedding of blood, the sacrifice, the agony of crucifixion, or perhaps we can see a deeper message that the cross, is a crossing out of all our negative, limiting thoughts of lack and limitation. I submit that the cross represents a state of consciousness turned to the mortal mind. It is the thoughts of mortal mind that burden the body with its’ erroneous beliefs. All the stuff we do to ourselves every day. I believe metaphysically that the symbolism of the crucifixion is the crossing out of the consciousness of error. How can we claim we are one with God and then immediately call ourselves unworthy, and stupid, and being of sin? How can you exist in both realms?
It is the consciousness of lack and limitation that have become a fixed state of mind. The crucifixion is the surrender, the death of the whole personality in order to attain the Christ mind, and for that Christ mind to be fully expressed in us. Just as Jesus did, we must sacrifice our mortal mind. We dissolve the thought of the physical body so we may realize the spiritual body.
We have a choice to keep ourselves on the cross, in lack, limitation, agony, pain, sorrow, and shame. Or we can choose to take ourselves down from that cross and go into the darkness, into the silence, into the tomb. Metaphysically the tomb is an elevated state of consciousness. Like the bulb of a flower, planted deep into the darkness of the soil, quietly building energy, gathering life and strength to burst through the ground and reach for the light. We take our own place in the darkness, in our tomb of introspection and silence, to grow, to re-energize, to rebirth ourselves.
Whatever you celebrate at this time, whether it be Easter, the Spring Equinox, or the Easter Bunny, I wish for you peace, happiness and your own personal ascension.
Morning coffee
Hebrews 13.2: Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
Unsettled Spirits Stir Amidst Florida’s Balmy Spring Night Air
The light of the silver moon and the fiery orange sunset silhouette the winged ones spooked by the Spirits of the Tocobaga Indians.
First one, then two, then many explode from the trees covering the sacred mounds.
Are the spirits restless questioning why “white men” are a warring people full of thirst of others possessions?
Sunlight folds into the night, the Gulf breeze blows inland and all becomes quiet as the Spirits settle.
Note: History of the site can be found at https://www.trailoffloridasindianheritage.org/narvaez-mound-jungle-prada
Art in the yard
Gulfport FL is known for its resident artists and this Saturday they are displaying their art in their yards. It’s a fun casual way to meet the locals and find a special piece for your home.
You want to check out the display by Gulfport local artist, Tony Treadway between 11th and 10th Avenues on 60th St. He expresses deep emotions in a sometimes surreal way with vivid colors and thought-provoking images. You can purchase his oils on canvas for very reasonable prices. Here is a whimsical mural painted on a shed.
I’m off to the south side, what we call weird Gulfport, to search for other treasures.
Saturday morning farmers market
St. Petersburg FL has, in addition to its natural beauty and tourist attractions, one of the best farmer’s markets in the southeast. The array of fresh organic vegetables and fruits are a feast for the eyes. Worden Farms from Punta Gorda had the most gorgeous red kale and fat bunches of red and green leaf lettuce. I picked up a few heirloom tomatoes on my way to our friend John’s booth, Florida Fresh Live Herbs, in search of a spearmint plant. When I said that I was looking to replace one that had died, he told me that spearmint is native to the Northeast, and it’s too hot for it to thrive here. He recommended the Yerba Buena from Cuba, known for the distinctive flavor in a Mojito.
He also has very nice herb gardens housed in handmade pine boxes. Perfect for your window or patio.
Don’t miss the fabulous food vendors. My favorite is the Twisted Indian. This morning I had a mango lassi with a chicken tikka masala in a buttermilk naan wrap with added avocado, heaven in your hand.
Kindred Spirits Community 