TWO DAYS IN JANUARY 2021 - POLITICS AND PERCOLATORS BREW

TWO DAYS IN JANUARY 2021 - POLITICS AND PERCOLATORS BREW

By Andy Weddington

Saturday, 23 January 2021

Ideas percolate. Through natural selection, the best ones survive.  - Andrew Lo

Planned and orchestrated or heat-of-the-moment the attackers on our Capitol January 6th matters not. A horrific day for America.

And as bad as that disturbing to the soul attack more horrifying the 20th - Inauguration Day.

Those two days have been percolating. 

Just a few days ago an old dull aluminum stovetop percolator I rescued from a beat up cardboard box missing a couple of flaps stuffed with assorted-better-days-seen kitchen wares. [Stuff you'd find these days in a rural museum, town Antiques Shoppe, or maybe the Smithsonian.]

Whether the yellowed and brittle cellophane tape held the faded droopy cardboard together or vice versa not worth debate. The box, though no longer suitable for shipping, served its purpose. 

The rescue a spontaneous decision for use as prop for still life painting. Something about its shape and ability to still reflect magnetic (ironically) to me. 

Once in the studio, a simple set up - percolator and a pair of Cuties (small, sweet citrus sometimes marketed as Halos) - with natural north light from the left (that's right, the left; but not far). 

Three paintings, two on atypical size canvases for still life, as of day's end yesterday.

With hours of quiet study and contemplation between each and more after all three.

Something bothersome though not about the paintings proper. 

This morning, early, the bothersome resolved.

That dull aluminum percolator is gray (in the eyes of a non-artist) and reflective. 

As a fact of matter, the brain is oft times called gray. It's reflective. Sometimes dull.

Why two Cuties?

Peculiar choice for an artist (especially painter). 

Because when designing canvas space three is better than two. One is best. Number goes to interest. Oddly, odd best. 

Nor was two pieces of the same fruit clear. Now it is.

Regarding the two tragic days in January, upon reflection the old gray matter percolated two questions ...

1. Since so much force (law enforcement and military with protective structure e.g., barriers, fences, walls, wire, etc. and firepower) was positioned to ensure safety and integrity for post-vote Inauguration Day, why was not such force positioned (03 November 2020) to ensure safety and integrity of the (very) vote?;

2. What will Election Day 2024 look like?

Four years to percolate. 

We damn sure best brew something that puts the 'game of politics' referee - We the People - back in absolute control; flag at stake. 

Naturally, select the best idea(s). 

20 x 10 in. acrylic on canvas

12 x 12 in. acrylic on canvas

14 x 11 in. acrylic on canvas

And, finally, as fun transcends politics, look closely. 

If only he'd thrown down his gloves, he might have won. 

How odd and unpredictable, with mittens comes viral social media fame. 

This one titled ...

'Reflecting Bernie or Bernie Reflecting' 

Bernie was "painted" on iPad - integrity of original intact. 

Thoughts, for paintings and questions, percolate still.

Time for a cup of coffee!

Oh, and yes, the paintings are for sale. Get 'em while they're hot!