Advice from the Winter Window Dancer!

Quote to ponder for a bit

"The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure

and the intelligent are full of doubt."

They finally did it!

They 'sent in the CLOWNS'!

Oops!

Met's rare Picasso damaged when art student stumbles into painting

Pablo Picasso's "The Actor"

It probably happened because THIS is what she saw!

Lost Grandeur of Rogers Park

Gone...but not forgotten.

Winter Sunrise over Rogers Park

Art History 101: Fingerpointing

St. John the Baptist (1508-16), Leonardo da Vinci
Courtesy: www.universalleonardo.org/galleries.php

Derived from a lost Leonardo painting of the Angel of the Annunciation, St. John proclaims the arrival of Christ directly to the spectator, exuding an air of cosmic mystery in this small painting.

The atmospheric mood of the work is largely due to the impressive use of sfumato, or “smoky” effect, achieved by Leonardo through technical experiment and the scientific study of light and shade during the final years of his career.

By applying layers of thin translucent varnish, the artist created a wide range of shadows, blurring the contours into soft transitions between light and shade to achieve an unprecedented plasticity in the figure.

St. John appears to be illuminated by an unknown light source outside the painting, as gentle shadows imbue his skin with a soft and delicate appearance.

As God’s witness, the painting gives visual form to the first verses of St. John’s Gospel, which describe the one who was sent to bear witness to the “light that shineth in the darkness”.

Then, there are these portraits, taken last Friday in Ohio.

No 'smufato' effect here, just an impression of smoke, and mirrors, and darkness.

I know it's been said, "It ain't over 'til it's over!" (Yogi Berra?), but folks, I really think "it's over--period"

Some cheer for these gray days!

Fascinating Fungi

They grow on an older maple tree on the grounds of Leone Park & Beach on Sheridan Road at Touhy Avenue in Rogers Park. I'm sure this maple was there when Sam Leone was still around, training his Junior Lifeguards.