Lawton and Lindsey Visit

The amazing Lawton (above), just about a week before visiting Saint Louis. He's almost 8, going on 28. He is a reader, a golfer, a marshall artist, a sailboat captain, and a theater goer (among other things). He and his mom schedule a trip that includes a picnic and production of The Barber of Seville from the St. Louis Opera Company for May 31, 2024. 

May 31, Friday Airport pickup at Terminal 2. Roadwork and closed parking lot creates a little chaos but flight is on time and the fun begins.

Laumeier Sculpture Park mega tour with Lawton and Lindsey includes trail past Trova by Fire Station. The Eye and Tasset's Deer and more. 

Saint Louis Art Museum on a post card perfect day. Lawton is drawn to ancient artifacts and anything with a digital touch screen interface - like the egyptian mummies on the 1st floor (downstairs where he gets a peak at Andy Goldsworthy's Stone Sea). 

The Saint Louis Opera Theater which begins with a Chicken Salad Chick box lunch on the grounds at Webster's Loretta Hilton Theater of Performing Arts. The restless traveler Lawton was treated to intermission sparklers. The comic opera Barber of Seville is wonderful as it features Andrew Morstein at Count Almaviva. (Love wins in the end.) 

Saturday was a full day. Beginning with Missouri History Museum. The Spirit of Saint Louis replica of Lindbergh's flight across the Atlantic and the celebration and images of the 1904 World's Fair and relief map. Then at the Pulitzer Arts Foundation we visited the for magnificent Richard Serra Cor-10 steel sculpture Joe in the courtyard between the Contemporary Arts Museum and the Pulitzer. 

We traveled to Old North's Crown Candy for a short break before showing up for activities and a celebration of Ten Years in business for Central Print. We travelled to met Andrew and his parents, and sister for Pizza Champ in Maplewood - outdoor dining on Manchester Road.  

Lawton and Lindsey stop into my bachelor pad long enough for Lawton to show his skill in crating a mosaic Cardinal.

Sunday morning tickets to the top of the Gateway Arch bring us downtown and that's close enough to add sculptural highlights at City Garden. We visit Jim' Dine's Pinnochio, Haring, di Suvero and more.

June 2, 2024 Sunday - Sugarfire and putting green at Creve Coeur Golf Course before heading back to the airport. What a sweet weekend.

 

Art Work

 

 

Everyone is an artist;

Or so says the teacher;

The object is to become a better artist;

At the risk of sounding like a preacher.

 

Van Gogh had a lust for life;

In spite of his mental health;

Ultimately succumbing to his strife;

His brother and the market could not generate a timely wealth.

 

Perhaps Picasso is the greatest of all time;

The GOAT takes his rightful place;

The art world concurs with Gertrude Stein;

Wherever he puts eyes and nose on a face.

 

Popular culture by Andy;

The things we see and do every day;

In a gallery context – it’s a dandy;

See the ordinary in a different way,

 

Super real, surreal, sublime,

Salvador can blow your mind;

Dali curling his trademark mustache;

An enduring style that is sure to last.

 

Abstract, color field, contemporary, Haring, Banksy, Basquiat;

On display for all to admire or eschew.

Graffiti is an origin – believe it or not;

You can decide if it appeals to you.

 

What will you do and how?

Study, imitate, or break new ground;

What will be the next new thing now?

Practice and work your process for what may be found.

 

Janie je t’aime

 

I know you are capable of being alone;

I’ll just text you, so I’ll be on your phone.

I wish you more. You said I could always read you;

Cards are on the table but never fully shown.

 

Children on hard wood floors, making noise;

Five girls and no boys.

Grace, Wren, Mercy, Rooney, Prim;

The Princess parade proceeds with poise.

 

Cleveland, Cincinnati and Columbus;

I can’t stop thinking of the two of us;

Old Immigrant brew-pub eclectic;

Divine Intervention. In God we trust.

 

Clifton Park, Edgewater Drive;

It’s great to be alive;

Embracing the moment;

Grateful, as we survive.

Consider the time and miles

Kissing in the dark,   

We’re only dancin’ a while.

And I will always love your smile.

TIME

 

 

Fall into daylight;

At peace with the night;

Spooky movies such a freight;

But, but, but, we prevail.

 

Time goes by so fast;

Putting perspective on our past;

In the moment, until the last;

Tick, tick, tick, without fail.

 

Now as we reflect;

Not to overthink or too closely inspect;

Calmly approach and genuflect;

Click, click, click, with a pint of ale.

 

Every day is a blessing;

Each hour a treasure of possessing;

Be honest and truthful in confessing;

The best is now if we avail.

 

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder;

Let’s enjoy it together, shoulder to shoulder;

Life is more precious as we get older;

Ding, ding, ding, value is inherent and not for sale.