A Happy Day

There was lots of discussion at school today about the Obama
win. Everyone is a political analyst and everyone was reviewing
how it happened, why it happened. But most of all people
all over the school, and on my street and everywhere I went
today were slapping hands in triumph and laughing.

I do believe that this ushers in a new world order -- not in the
crazy ominous way that Obama detractors were afraid of.
What I believe is that the man Obama intends to share his
win with all Americans, and be a consulting, caring, honest,
fair and thoughtful president. He inherits a set of problems
that as he says may not be corrected in one year, or even
one term. He is a realist. Naysayers today were saying
that all of this talk about hope and change has given people
unrealistic expectations. I don't think that's true. I think
it has been the people's message, that they want their country's
integrity given back. I think Obama can do that, and will.

It seems fitting to me that a tall, handsome, kind, honest
man should be chosen by history, at a time when another
tall, handsome, kind, honest man is becoming 19. This
is a birthday my own son will never forget, and Obama is
a role model, that any sensible mother would want for
her son. In fact I think he was elected for his measured,
and electric way of speaking, his intelligent consideration
of the questions posed to him, his steadfast attachment
to his principles and to setting a high standard for himself.

The young man in this painting today is my son, Sam.

Sam after the dance
acrylic on canvas

12 x 14 inches

He will turn 19 Friday, in this momentous week, and is lucky
to become a man at this moment in the history of North
America. He is blessed to see that an intelligent man,
with moral fortitude, and brave conviction can do
just about anything he sets his mind out to do.

It is indeed a happy week, and a happy day.

Have a celebratory, and rejoicing day.

Obama, Obama, Obama!!!

I wish I could be in Chicago right now, or with any
of my American friends on the blog. If you didn't
vote for Obama, it doesn't matter at all to me.
But if you did, congratulations. I would have voted for
him, if I could. I have been so impressed by Obama
since the first time I heard him speak. All through
this long campaign I've been getting emails from
Barack, Michelle and all of his key supporters, but
as a Canadian, I could not contribute to his campaign.
It is my sincere feeling, that America and the rest of
the world have won a magnificent victory tonight.

Barack Obama

I didn't want to speak out forcefully about the election,
because America is not my country, and art has no
country. It transcends country, political
party, and even time. It lives on long after this momentous
night. So if you did not vote for Obama, and you are
American, forgive me this brief indulgence. I know
that for my friends in the most diverse city in the
world -- Toronto -- where I live, this win means a
change in the way the world views people. It
also means the triumph of intelligence, deep thought,
true concern for people's well being over the greed,
deception and power of the Bush administration.
I know Obama isn't perfect, and he will definitely feel the
weight of his office, in the current global financial and
political climate. But he has elevated America in the world's
eyes again. And I believe he will live up to his promise.

Have a celebrating-your-private-wins day.

Watching politics unfold

Tonight I've been watching the Democrat's convention in the
United States, and seeing Barack Obama make history.
Whatever your politics, or country, the fact that Obama
has become the Democrat's candidate to be
the next president of the United States will send a
profound message of change around the world.
I am glad that we were witnesses to that change.

I know some of my friends in America will not
be voting for Barack. But if what he said about
the United States has meaning politically, it
has even more meaning in the artistic community.
We are united no matter which political party we vote for
-- this is as true in Canada as in the United States.
Our party is the party of creativity, and all of us belong
together.

More than half of my relatives live in the United States,
in California, and I was thinking about them tonight.
The rest of my closest family lives in or near Ottawa,
our nation's capital -- the center of Canadian
politics.

The view through the trees
Chelsea, Québec

Let's take a break from painting tonight. I've been
painting all day, but nothing's ready. Instead
here's a shot taken from my brother's back
deck a few weeks ago, looking over the Gatineau
River. Let this picture, be what Oprah would
call a breathing space.

Have a space-to-breathe night.