Speed of Life

"In America, magnificence is a common treasure.... We own together the most magnificent places on the continent." Carl Pope - The Sierra Club In 1872 the United States Government created the first National Park on the globe: Yellowstone National Park. Ken Burns has created a new series of documentary films, The National Parks - America's Best Idea , that celebrates this landmark achievement. Thomas Moran Yellowstone watercolor on paper from Ken Burns' The National Parks - America's Best Idea The first installment in the series, The Scripture of Nature , tells the history of Yellowstone and the inspiration for a National Parks system that sprung out of the collection of "artists, writers, entrepreneurs, and tourists" that found beauty and worth in the stunning natural world of Yosemite in California and Yellowstone in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Albert Bierstadt Yosemite Valley oil on canvas from Ken Burns' The National Parks - America's Best Id...

Kseniya Simonova Kseniya Simonova - Sand Animation (Україна має талант / Ukraine's Got Talent) "Here, she recounts Germany conquering Ukraine in the second world war. She brings calm, then conflict. A couple on a bench become a woman's face; a peaceful walkway becomes a conflagration; a weeping widow morphs into an obelisk for an unknown soldier. Simonova looks like some vengeful Old Testament deity as she destroys then recreates her scenes - with deft strokes, sprinkles and sweeps she keeps the narrative going. She moves the judges to tears as she subtitles the final scene : "Ty vsegda ryadom" -- "You'll always be near." James Donaghy, The Guardian Echoes of William Kentridge's filmed drawings ... More at: Kseniya Simonova

Deo Gratias for Luke - The composer Johannes Ockeghem's canon, Deo Gratias , is sung by nine choirs of four voices each. The formal structure of the work is intricate yet creates an incredibly haunting musical space. Johannes Ockeghem was born in 1410 in Saint-Ghislain (now in Belgium) and died in Tours, France in 1497. (Hat tip to Eamonn Fitzgerald )

Giants Stadium, New Jersey - September 23, 2009 The New York Times Reviews the concert: U2 in the Round, Fun With a Mission

Magritte Olympia oil on canvas 1948 Musée Magritte Olympia painted in 1948 by Belgian surrealist René Magritte was stolen today by gun wielding thieves in a daylight heist at the Musée Magritte. The museum is housed in Magritte's former residence just outside Brussels and is dedicated to Magritte's art and life. The Times online interviewed Johan Berckman’s, a policeman at the scene, who said: “At 10.10am this morning (24 Sept 2009) someone rang the bell of the museum asking if they could visit. He was let in and when he was inside he pulled out a pistol and ordered the woman to go back to the door to let a second person come inside. “There were three museum workers inside at the time and two Japanese tourists. All five of them were ordered out the back and told to keep quiet by the man with the gun. “In the museum the other person stole the painting and they both made good their escape. They seemed to know which painting they wanted to steal - they took the whole painting o...

Buddha of South Africa (for Archbishop Desmond Tutu) , originally uploaded by GreggChadwick . Last night was the 20th Anniversary Celebration of Artists for a New South Africa . I was honored to be there and painted this small work as a gift for Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who unfortunately was not able to make the event. Alfre Woodard at Jabulani! Artists for a New South Africa We were treated to stirring speeches by Ahmad Kathrada, Barbara Hogan, Alfre Woodard, and a videotaped message from Archbishop Tutu. Jason White & the West Angeles Church Mass Choir got the hall rocking. And Corey Chisel and Jackson Browne provided soulful sets of inspiring music. Jackson Browne and band played a stirring rendition of Little Steven's I am a Patriot . (Here's a Youtube version from Browne's performance from Soundstage 2008 Window to the World Studios, Chicago October, 14th, 2008) Artists for a New South Africa

9/11 , originally uploaded by slagheap . New York, N.Y. (Sept. 15, 2001) -- A tired search dog finds time to rest as rescue efforts at the World Trade Center in New York City continue just a few feet away. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 1st Class Preston Keres. (RELEASED) Just came across this image today after 8 years. Touching..

"Once more we pause, once more we pray, as a nation and as a people. We read their names. We press their photos to our hearts. . . . We recall the beauty and meaning of their lives." THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary ________________________________________________________________ For Immediate Release September 11, 2009 REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT AT WREATH-LAYING CEREMONY AT THE PENTAGON MEMORIAL The Pentagon Arlington, Virginia 9:34 A.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Secretary Gates, Admiral Mullen and members of the Armed Forces, fellow Americans, family and friends of those that we lost this day -- Michelle and I are deeply humbled to be with you. Eight Septembers have come and gone. Nearly 3,000 days have passed -- almost one for each of those taken from us. But no turning of the seasons can diminish the pain and the loss of that day. No passage of time and no dark skies can ever dull the meaning of this moment. So on this solemn day, at thi...

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Portrait of A Man (Self Portrait?) Velázquez oil on canvas circa 1634-35 Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York photo by Angel Franco/ New York Times Portrait of A Man (Self Portrait?) detail Velázquez oil on canvas circa 1634-35 Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York photo: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York Years of discolored varnish and overpainting have a revealed a fresh new face in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's 17th Century Spanish Collection. Carol Vogel has an informative article in today's New York Times: An Old Master Emerges From Grime Vogel interviewed Keith Christiansen, the Met’s newly appointed chairman of European paintings:“It’s bugged me for 25 years. The quality has always been there. And I had a hard time believing that a work of quality was the product of a generic workshop.” Keith Christiansen had Velázquez expert Jonathan Brown look at the restored painting. Vogel reports his response: "“One glance was all it took,” Mr. Brown said, adding later, “T...

Saffron Hugs at Luke Chadwick's Memorial Luke! Programs at Memorial Service General Chadwick USMC Semper Fi Luke's Graduation Photo at Memorial Service Peg and Bob Chadwick Ali Chadwick Plays for Her Brother Honoring Luke Post Service Hugs and Greetings for Cathy and Kent Chadwick Thoughts of Luke Hover in the Chapel Cathy's Flowers and Dana's Badge Cathy, Kent and Ali at the Celebration for Luke Bainbridge Fire and Rescue Workers Gather to Honor Luke at the Memorial Service MarySue Gazing at the Bainbridge Sky After the Memorial Service Cassiel , Grandma and Grandpa Flowers for Luke Evening Glow After the Memorial With Luke's Obama Sticker Cassiel With Dante 100 Years of Hallelujahs SunBreak for Luke A photo essay on A Celebration of Luke Chadwick's Life: Lean On Me at Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church, Bainbridge Island, Washington on September 6, 2009 Photos by Gregg Chadwick Luke's Celebration ended with a recording of Frank Sinatra singing New York, New Y...