An Adorable Pancreas

I am starting a week of beauty. I know what you are thinking, 'but you
are already so cute Marty, you don't need a week at a spa'. You are
probably right. I think I will forego the spa and just spend the time
drawing and talking about beauty instead.



The idea of beauty is problematic for an artist. If the artist is to be
honest he or she would have to say that outer beauty matters to them.
After all, they are creating objects that have outer beauty. They are looking
at the outside of things and giving their interpretation of them. They
are attracted to beauty. Beauty, of course, is defined differently by each
artist, but it is still a searching for and appreciation of beauty. Not
inner beauty, but outer beauty. The appearance of things.

So, how does an artist reconcile that desire to linger and study objects
of beauty and create objects that are also beautiful with the desire and
need to see the hidden beauty in things and people? How does an artist
build that appreciation for deeper beauty, the inner beauty while promoting
the value and worth of outer beauty?

Good questions.

quote by Jean Kerr, 1922—2003, American author and playwright

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Sometimes I Have Believed

Some people like silly, light absurdities. It makes them turn their head
like a dog not understanding. I saw the documentary 'The Gates' last
night, about the making of the Christo/Jean Claude art project in Central
Park, NYC. The commentary in the film among observers was between
the people who said 'What's it for, why do it?' and those who said 'Who
cares what it is for, it doesn't need any reason. It just is. Enjoy the beauty
and the fun and the unexpected joy and feelings it brings.'

Earlier in the day, before breakfast, I went for a morning run along the Arkansas
River. I was running over a small bridge over a creek flowing into the river
when I looked up a bit. There in front of me, on the handrail of the bridge,
was a large black crane. It was looking right at me, with punk rock type
tufts of hair poking out from it's head and yellow eyes. I stopped and said hello.
It didn't respond. I reached into my run pack to get out my iPhone to take it's
picture. It was camera shy and opened it's big wings and flew down to the
creek. I said goodbye and kept running.

quote by Lewis Carrol, British Author (Alice in Wonderland)

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The Person Who doesn't Read

Being able to read isn't a passport to anything. Reading is.
Know what 'wabisabi' means? I didn't until this morning when a new
friend and I had a discussion about the beauty of what is, imperfections
and transience and all. Look it up.

quote by Mark Twain, American Author, 1830-1910

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You're Off To Great Places

Hola Napkin Kin! Today is the last of my week long series on travel.
Would love to hear your ideas for other week long series when you have
the time. email me at marty@martycoleman.com or just post a comment.



I love to take trips when I can, whether it be by path, road, air or water
(road is my favorite). One of the main reasons is that I am a 'noticer' (thanks
to Erin for that recent designation of moi). I go somewhere and I notice the
different accents, products, clothes, food, store fronts, air, potholes, patterns
and ways of doing things. It is exciting to see all those new things, to notice
the differences, to experience the newness.

With the noticing comes education. I learn first how provincial I am. I get use
to my world, my town, my way of doing things. By traveling I learn that I am
small and the world is big. I get bigger when I realize that. And yes, I get a bigger
waistline too, from 'noticing' all the new food!

With education comes appreciation. I appreciate that the world is open to me.
I appreciate that I have a home and familiar places I can return to. I appreciate
how the world does not revolve around me. I love seeing the people on the street
in a new locale, especially if I draw or photograph them. I think of it as a little
collision of humanity in a large world, a bump and we are back on to our own
trajectory.

With appreciation comes gratitude. I am grateful that I have the means and the
ability to travel. I know it won't last forever. I know I will someday be at a point when
I won't travel. I will be gone from the earth. I don't mind that. But I would mind
not being aware of that and taking advantage of the time I do have to move about.

With gratitude comes love. Love for those who I notice along my path. The waitress,
the hot dog vendor, the random person from Idaho next to me at the fireworks, the
couple on the boat on a romantic weekend. I have a heart of hope for them.
I wish them well. I encourage them. I love them.

The greater love is for those I know and am with on the journey. My wife, daughters,
friends. I see them in a new light. I see new aspects of them, their growth, their
struggles, their eccentricities and intelligence. I have more to love of them that way.

Travel is good. Get up and go.

quote (as if you hadn't guessed) is by Dr. Seuss.

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The Real Voyage

It's travel week on the Napkin Dad Daily. Ideas stimulated by my vacation
last week.



The hardest thing to do is to escape oneself. The construction of self takes
many years, decades. And when you travel it isn't much different than
putting your home on a trailer and moving . You may go to a new location
but everything follows you. How do you leave your world behind and
reconstruct your self, even if just a bit, when you go away from home?

One way is to bring very little. Expect to buy things where you go. Maybe not
expensive stuff, but shampoo, accessories, certain clothing items, etc.
Don't bring all the things you need to make yourself as you always are.
Go au natural with things, see what you discover about yourself and the
new place you go.

I remember going to Europe in 2003 with my daughters and one of the most
fun and informative things was going into grocery stores to buy food for picnics
and snacks, and other needed stuff. The hair product company, Garnier, was
everywhere and I thought the design and packaging was very interesting.
Lo and behold, a few years later they come to the USA and I see them marketing
to Americans.

Travel and see with new eyes.

Marcel Proust, French Novelist, 1871-1922

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