HEART ART - FROM AND TO

HEART ART - FROM AND TO

By Andy Weddington

Monday, 07 October 2024

Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.  - Pablo Picasso

Each morning is dedicated to an hour walk; at quick time (known to Marines as 120 paces/minute) - it's not a stroll but rate drilled into me.   

Solitude - observe, listen, think.

In the spirit of the beaten path is for the beaten - route never same; though terrain familiar - with interconnected communities and new business/retail zone something always new.

Sidewalks and crosswalks make passage safe. 

These days political yard signs, flags, and banners grace some lawns yet litter others; separating the informed from the delusional. 

So does tacky, obnoxious actually, Halloween decor scar; not scare. 

But then to stumble upon what only children can do.

A long stretch of cement sidewalk - blank canvas - turned mural.

Irresistible to child empowered with chalk. 

This morning - observing Nature carrying on, listening to machinery of real men constructing art (of sorts), and thinking about Helene's destruction (of land, property, people) - I happened upon public art.

Children at play.

First, I noticed the many hearts.

Next, Birthday greetings to a friend.

And then what looked like a trans of toy characters from my youth - Gumby and Pokey. 

Out loud I laughed spotting the word "Dinisor" with arrow pointing to the drawing. 

Intent clear. 

I have drawn on cement with chalk. 

It's work. It takes some time - commitment. And it takes creativity. 

I didn't have the heart to walk atop their art.

So after photo I walked in the street.

I checked weather (whether that really matters) forecast and noted no rain - the enemy of chalk - for at least a week.

So thanks children for making a big kid's day - for making the day of many - child to curmudgeon - in need of something to jumpstart the heart. 

Now Milton is on the way; warpath.  

As child, conditioned to think Bradley. As adult, Friedman. 

It's not going to be fun and games. 

It's going to be expensive. 

Carry on with a happy heart! 

Tomorrow morning another walk; not on the beaten path.