The subjects of my blog posts, mostly essays and poems, are related to the themes of my paintings. Writing in an introspective and philosophical manner, I wish to communicate my views of life and art from the perspective of spiritual struggle.
Criminologists have sometimes employed professional astrologers to draw up charts to study cerebral commonalities in serial killers. Being naturally curious, I have studied astrology in a lesser, but more than cursory way in order to observe personality,character traits and various interests and pursuits in myself and others.
It has been my observation that a great many artists are born in the month of July, the last part of which rules the sun sign, Leo -specifically July 23 to August 22. This sign is ruled by the sun, it's symbol is the lion, and in scientific astrology, governs the fifth house of art, leadership, children and creativity.Even if an artist is not born within that exact time frame, some significant aspect of his chart is probably strongly influenced by the fifth house of Leo.
For example, the major aspects of my own chart are dominated by fifth house placements. Although I was born with the Sun in Sagittarius, Moon in Pisces and Aries rising, many other planets such as Mercury, Mars and Uranus are ruled by other signs as well as Leo placed solidly in the fifth house.
What does all this mean? For me, it simply means that I must express my emotions through creative pursuits in order to be happy. I'm sure it means the same for other artists, as well.
Some famous artists born in July include Gustave Klimt, Frida Kahlo, Marcel DuChamp, David Hockney, James M. Whistler, Edgar Degas, Thomas Eakins, Jean DuBuffett, Marc Chagall, Andrew Wyeth, Rembrandt, Alexander Calder, Edward Hopper and George Grosz. There are probably many others.
I must also mention that the polarity of Leo is its opposite sign Aquarius, and there are many artists born under that sign, as well.
If an artist is born at any time in July, he might be a Cancer or a Leo, but based on what I know about astrology, would still have strong placements leaning into Leo and its fifth house. He would be artistic, expressive, somewhat dramatic in speech, perhaps a chairman or president of a club or committee, and would probably have at least one child. If not an artist, he might be an art lover or a gallery owner. He might a Scorpio art dealer with his Moon in Leo or a Leo Rising or a strong fifth house placement.
For the record, President Barack Obama is a Leo and is a eloquent speaker. He and his wife, Michelle Obama are art lovers who have two children.
Just some fun info, ya'll. I want every Leo who reads this to leave a comment.
For the past twenty-two years I have been a prolific professional artist. My primary discipline is painting. My secondary disciplines are writing, calligraphy, collage and mixed media, including handmade boxes, handmade books and notecards. The highlights of my career include a two-year stint as an art columnist, an award-winning artist's residency at a prominent museum, several solo and group exhibitions, magazine covers and features, also television, radio and speaking engagements, to name just a few. I am a mid-career artist who is once again promoting my art, while seeking to make good friends and have fun along the way.
At times, I have nourished my days on simple amazement
Of Infinite Creation generating each through each time upon time never duplicating the rhyme
Of vast varieties proliferating one after one each unique beyond reach
Of earthly imagination.
When I ponder this incredibility I do not question validity Amazement is mine There is a Divine! Note: Unless otherwise noted, all work is the copyrighted property of Georgette Jones, and must not be copied, duplicated or downloaded without the owner's written permission.:
Poets Read and Loved
Langston Hughes
Arna Bontemps
Gwendolyn Brooks
Walt Whitman
Pablo Neruda
Lucille Clifton
Rumi
Edna St. Vincent Millay
Maya Angelou
William Shakespeare
Emily Dickinson
Richard Wright
Naomi Long Madgett
"Within My Heart I Give Thanks"
Acrylic on 100% Rag / 2004
About Haiku
Three lines of poetry. First line is 5 syllables; second line is 7 syllables; third line is 5 syllables. Non-rhyming. Preferably about the seasons and/or nature. I will be posting some from time to time.
Georgette
Come sweet spring season And swing me gently upward To touch the bright sky
Sometimes the evening Is like an artful lover Indigo and rapt
This mood is precious As a newborn child of spring Forever loved
Following winter Comes this green dancing springtime Youthful and jaunty
Winter promises With icy captivity Spring seeking through shards
While darkness now flirts This inner prisoner dreams Of light days coming
Never has winter Been so painfully intense One long aching sigh
The large gray cloud said "Brightness will follow rain Like sunlight through fog"
Be my sweet teacher Assign me a love lesson That will earn an ay
Dreams are a haven For arbitrary travels We welcome sweet sleep
This ride is worth it Despite mountains and valleys We will forge ahead
From the morning sun Rays of light fill the window Bidding me hello
In the underbrush Lives all manner of creatures Minute to the eye
Like autumn she lives With fading colors of change Winter at her door
At the end of the day The ember glowing fireplace Warms our frosty feet
Memories of fall Bequeaths winter endurance Teaching me patience
None of the results Match this moonlit dream of mine Which is much bigger
As the panther stalks Good mothers hide their children Where none can find them
Quotation #16
"In our deeply anti-intellectual society, most people read along very narrow lines and think along very narrow lines....."
Author Bell Hooks
Quotation #15
"Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest."
Mark Twain
Quotation #14
"The worst part of success is to try finding someone who is happy for you."
Bette Midler
Quotation #13
"Art is the most frenzied orgy man is capable of."
Jean DuBuffet
Quotation #12
"People think I am eccentric, cranky. If I'm eccentric because I've never been into mainstream things, then I am eccentric."
Van Morrison
Quotation #11
"A man shows reckless courage in entering into the abyss of himself."
William Butler Yeats
Arrival
This time arrived as though it always was. As though it had always been here. Arrived fortuitous, brimming, overflowing. As though it always was mine.
Arrived as though never hoped for never cried for never waited for. Arrived, familiar, befitting, comfortable. Arrived on time like it always was mine.
copyright 2009, Georgette Jones
Quotation #10
"All great art is by its very essence in conflict with the society with which it coexists."
Erich Fromm
"From a Dream #2"
Acrylic on Rag, 2004
The Dream Eater
She knows how it feels to eat dreams As food on the table, bills to be paid Where obligations consume great schemes Devoured in bits as they slowly fade.
She once held a bright dream to realize Gave it love and watched it grow But her dream failed to materialize An anticipated date that did not show.
Whenever opportunity came, it seemed There were always previous priorities In time, disappointment was not redeemed To allow an appearance of her abilities
In some drab future, she did lament As shadows of dreams sometimes arose Between the wedge of duty and discontent An aching sore which refused to close
Each civic, committee and family date Served her belief that there still was time To attend the passion which lay in wait Patiently postponed far beyond her prime
In some drab future, she did consent To receive recognition for deeds done Awards and prizes for all years spent Yet for her dreams, there were none.
She knows how it feels to eat dreams As food on the table, bills to be paid Where obligations consume great schemes Devoured in bits as they slowly fade
Copyright 2009, Georgette Jones
True Revenge
Utterly wronged, you want them to pay Feel deep your hand of wrath You desire justice exacted today In the manner you secretly ask
The act committed was most unfair Rendered from dregs of trust Your intense pain radiates everywhere Your thirst for vengence feels just
Yet neither you or anyone on earth Can bring rightness to being The price sought for all it's worth Is already paid outside your seeing!
"A truly sensitive man does not have to tell you that he is sensitive. His actions will prove him to be so."
Georgette Jones
Quotation #8
"Obscurity doesn't make a work of art any less important. We live in a society where great works are often overlooked, just as mediocre ones are sometimes pushed to the forefront."
Georgette Jones
Quotation #7
"I get up every morning with the desire to do some creative work. This desire is made of the same stuff as the sexual desire, the desire to make money or any other desire."
Isaac Bashevis Singer
"Waiting for the Melody"
Acrylic on 100% rag, 2004
Quotation #6
"I, too, find the flower beautiful in its outward appearance: but a deeper beauty lies concealed within."
Piet Mondrian
Quotation #5
"I want feelings to be expressed, to be open, to be natural, not to be looked on as strange. It's not weird if you feel deeply."
-May Sarton
Quotation #4
"Always dream and shoot higher than you know how to. Don't bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself."
-William Faulkner
Quotation #3
"The observation of nature is part of an artist's life. It enlarges his form knowledge, keeps him fresh and feeds inspiration."
-Henry Moore
Quotation #2
"I feel that the greatest reward for doing is the opportunity to do more."
-Jonas Salk
Quotation #1
"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up."