Thomas Hart Benton An American Original

(Kansas City)  I recall enjoying the brisk September air, and that flap jacks were sitting heavy in my stomach.  I had just eaten at a local greasy spoon.  I was enamored with all of the big pretty white suburban houses.   Then, I chanced upon the former residence of Thomas Hart Benton.   I had no idea who he was.  I decided to go and visit and find out!   I am glad I did.  His studio was left just as if he had gone out for an errand, downtown.  Coffee cans held paintbrushes.  His studio was a  place where work had been done, not necessarily orderly and clean. A place reserved for creative expression.  Thomas Hart Benton embodied the Western Landscape just like the buffalo did long ago.

 Thomas Hart Benton
on the model for Susana: 
"that delightful hillbilly girl (a true Ozark product gone wrong) who became the model for "Susannah" - My boy- what a skin what a blood pulsing skin - just enough yellow in the belly to make the tits look pink - we don't find models like that anymore."
on his art 
"We were different in our temperaments and many of our ideas, be we were alike in that we were all in revolt against the unhappy effects which the Armory Show of 1913 had had on American painting.  We objected to the new Parisian aesthetics which was more and more turning art away from the living world of active men and women into an academic world of empty patterns."

Simpson Marc, Sally Mills and Jennifer Saville The American Canvas Paintings from the Collection of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (New York: Hudson Hills Press, 1989), 218.

Things We May not Notice!

God's wild kingdom will keep us in grateful worship. New Technologies reveal the fascinating world that was once invisible. One example is seen in the Common Snipe: "The tail feather has special adaptations, which means it acts just like a flag blowing in the wind!" Roland Ennos, from the University of Manchester's Faculty of Life Sciences. 


Note: When I look at the picture I am not sure what I am seeing.

The Devil's Maelstrom: Enemies Battle Plan

My mom always said, "Don't go to the back end of the circle.  OR something like that!"

 John and Stasi Eldredge show what this means in their book, Love and War.   I have created an illustration of this idea.

First their is an itch, something not quit right.   We than say something as a quip, like "She always does this thing you know!"  Then we resign ourselves to this being the TRUTH.  We then have taken the bate and become the devils possessed minions.

The maelstrom has a circular stormy effect and can tear communion between others up.   Lets attempt to live in truth with one another and understand that in Darkness the devil has a foothold.  But also remember that light will always win in the battle of dark forces.

 Hope it helps someone.  Gregorio

Classic Gregorio Roth Redux

Ode to Psalm 23 in the Eyes of a Deli Clerk

The LORD is my Deli Clerk, I shall not be left in want.

He maketh me to slice the Boar's Head Meat Bologna to perfection;

He leadeth me beside happy customers,

He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the paths of excellent customer service for his name sake.

Yea, though I walk through the hordes of time strained customers; I will fear not their evil eyes, for thou art with me;

Your cutting glove, your cold cut meat slicers will comfort me.

Thou prepares delectable sandwiches before me in the presence of salivating lips,

Thou anoints my mind with a feeling of calm, although  sweat runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:

And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.


Published first October 8, 2008