Today’s Artist is Willem de Kooning. I don’t pretend to understand or fully appreciate abstract art, but apparently de Kooning was a pretty influential member of the New York School along with Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko. However, the coolest thing about him (besides his incredibly messy studio) is that he came to America in 1926 as a stowaway aboard a British freighter. I also find it fascinating that the early work of many abstract artists is technically quite good, in a classical way (as in the charcoal still life below, click on image for larger view).

Note: There are many sites listing artists by their birthday and presenting their biographies. My project differs because I am focusing on the artists’ process whenever possible, and giving just a brief summary of their work along with my comments. Being able to peek into artist’s studios is fascinating to me.  I’m hoping to learn more about how artists work and maybe find some artists who are new to me.

I was going to travel to DC and March for Science. I even knitted a hat. But for several reasons, notably a need to stay home plus some anxiety, it just didn’t happen.

Nonetheless, I defend and revere science on a daily basis. And here are the reasons, which include both personal and global:

1.  I have a a love for science which was nurtured while getting a degree in a science field (entomology-plant pathology, minor in biology, graduate work in genetics).

2. Science saved my life (Thank you Dr. Slamon). 

3. I love the internet, my cell phone, and color changing mugs.

4. It enables me to understand and make sense of any domain I wish to tackle: physics, paleontology,  geology, the stars, the weather.

5. Most scientists are committed to improving the human condition, for example, by eradicating smallpox via vaccines.

6. Science is endlessly fascinating; favorite processes of mine are DNA replication and protein synthesis.

7. From Pythagoras to Newton to Marie Curie to good old Bill Nye, there is nothing so contagious and engaging as human ingenuity and curiosity.

8. Finally, because science is a rigorous, sometimes thankless, grinding effort that can – and often does – produce actual, verifiable facts. For example, that the earth revolves around the sun, that bacteria and viruses can cause infection, and that climate change is  occurring. These are facts., and I’m stickin’ to ’em.

I made a little comic so I could draw some bears. You’ll have to click on the image to enlarge it so you can read the tiny writing.

恭喜发财 / 恭喜發財

I’m hoping the characters above are wishing you happiness and prosperity. I cannot read Chinese characters so I’m relying on the kindness of the internet. I do know that February 8th, the Chinese New Year,  ushers in the Year of the Fire Monkey and brings a fresh opportunity be a better you, with a new round of resolutions, productivity goals, fitness challenges and the merciless crushing of old, bad habits.

In order to keep my resolutions in mind this time, I’ll be sporting a Red Fire Monkey necklace, featuring a monkey charm that I ordered from China (which must be auspicious). I made two, so if you’d like a Fire Monkey talisman to keep you on track this year, you can find it here.

I finally finished my little book about a vegan Thanksgiving. My editor has a few corrections I still need to make, but I thought I’d wait and see what other feedback I get. Also, I didn’t save .psd files of the pages so it’s going to be a pain to revamp.