Point of Exquisite Suspension

Thoughts & life experiences of a Chicago area graphic artist

20 December 2024

Superman 2025 Trailer Clips

  


I am embedding here some notable tweets and video previews of the much-anticipated Superman movie ahead of its 2025 release.







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09 December 2024

Persephone

 

My drawing of Persephone from when I was around 15 years old.
Chalk pastel on paper, approximately 11”x 16”.

I can't remember what prompted me to create a chalk pastel drawing of Persephone, the goddess of Spring when I was around fifteen years old. I depicted her holding a bouquet of flowers in her crook of her right arm and smiling as she looked at a bird perched on her left hand held above her head. My art skills had been developing with more focus since I was eleven so I feel it was a decent illustration for my age. My motivation for the drawing was surely due to my interest in Greek/Roman Mythology. But, as I mentioned, I don't recall my thought processes in detail.

I was a bit surprised when my mom showed her esteem for the drawing by putting it in an oak frame and hanging it on one of the walls of our recently enclosed and furnished porch. Anyone entering our home would see it immediately as they came in the front entrance. It stayed there for many years after I had moved out from home, had gotten married and began our family. After my mom moved into the house she inherited when my grandmother passed, she took it with her. I lost track of where it ended up after my mom passed away until one of my nephews and his wife proudly showed me where they had it displayed in their home when I had visited them. I made sure to take a photo of it at that time. It was like seeing an old friend. And I was touched that my nephew and his wife cherished it.

But it wasn't only in visual art forms that I was inspired by the goddess. I would use the name Persephone for characters in creative writing assignments for school and in comics. It was usually a character with whom the main protagonist was smitten and infatuated. 

Over the years I would revisit my muse in sketchbook drawings. I'd try different iterations. In one of my favorite variations (see below), I tried to take a more naturalistic approach and give her dark hair that I imagined would be fitting for a Greek goddess. 

A few decades after my initial drawing, I revisited attempts to depict Persephone in my sketchbook.

For me, Persephone symbolized innocence, newness and rebirth. Characters that I based upon her persona were friendly, guileless and caring. Eventually I delved more into the aspect of her myth that involved her role as the Queen of the Underworld. And I was fascinated by her being a central figure in the legendary Eleusinian Mysteries and their secretive religious rites that promised initiates an intimate understanding of life, death and the afterlife. 

To be honest, I'm still figuring out aspects of my resonance with Persephone and her meaning that I feel overlaps my Christian upbringing. 

Ireland's St. Brigid seems to correlate to Persephone

I recently discovered similarities between Persephone and Saint Brigid of Ireland which gives me a fun topic to learn more about. Here's a terrific blog that has several entries on Saint Brigid.

Another aspect of my creative relationship with the figure is how I can take my early artwork and have it augmented with AI generative apps. More on that later.

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Judi Dench Recites Sonnet 116


 With such exquisite skill, Dame Judi Dench recites a remarkable sonnet: 

 

Let me not to the marriage of true minds

Admit impediments. Love is not love

Which alters when it alteration finds,

Or bends with the remover to remove:

O, no! it is an ever-fixed mark,

That looks on tempests and is never shaken;

It is the star to every wandering bark,

Whose worth’s unknown, although his height be taken.

Love’s not Time’s fool, though rosy lips and cheeks

Within his bending sickle’s compass come;

Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,

But bears it out even to the edge of doom.

If this be error and upon me proved,

I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

                                                                    —William Shakespeare


To me, it is not unlike the 13th Chapter of the New Testament book of Corinthians.

Prove me wrong. 

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08 December 2024

My First Robot

 

Circa 1968 (I was 8 y.o.) my sister snapped this Christmas Morning photo
of me with my prized gift robot toy from Santa!

Robot toys were big in the late 60s. The one I received in Christmas of ‘68 was part of a series of robot toys from IDEAL.

Here's a vintage TV ad for the group:

From the Old Robots Website here's an excerpt description:

The Zeroids Robots were battery operated, and had wheels with rubber treads to propel themselves across the floor. There was a bottom mounted reversing switch that would allow the robot to reverse when it touched a special plastic plate, or turn the robot off, when in backed up into its display case.

My robot was the “Zintar” model:

“Zintar, the silver "explorer", could use his storage case as a sled-like vehicle, which was propelled by his own treads. Zintar had a throwing arm and special hands with spring-loaded opposable thumbs. Zintar was cast in both a silver sparkled plastic and also in plain light gray plastic.”

Funny thing is that I don't really have any clear memories of me playing with the toy. But it was fun to find that photo and research more details about it. Nostalgia is a pleasant thing.

Another Robot-related blog post

 

 

 


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01 December 2024

Interregnum

 

Portrait of Oliver Cromwell, 1599-1658 Lord Protector of England

The Interregnum, a period of republican rule in England, Scotland, and Ireland, lasted from 1649 to 1660. It began with the execution of King Charles I and ended with the restoration of the monarchy under Charles II.

Oliver Cromwell, a skilled military leader and devout Puritan, emerged as the dominant figure during this period. He led the New Model Army to victory in the English Civil War and played a key role in the execution of the king. In 1653, he was appointed Lord Protector, effectively becoming the ruler of England, Scotland, and Ireland.

Cromwell's rule was marked by a combination of religious tolerance and strict moral codes. He sought to reform society and establish a more just and equitable government. However, his regime was also authoritarian and often relied on military force to maintain order.

The Interregnum period was a time of significant social and political upheaval. It saw the rise of Puritanism, the suppression of the monarchy, and the establishment of a republican government. While Cromwell's rule brought stability and some prosperity to England, it was ultimately unsuccessful in creating a lasting and peaceful republic. His death in 1658 led to a period of instability, and the monarchy was restored in 1660.

AI Generated Photo of Oliver Cromwell based a contemporary
painting of his portrait when he was alive.

Key Phases of the Interregnum:

  1. The Commonwealth (1649–1653):

    • Following Charles I’s execution, England was declared a republic, abolishing the monarchy and the House of Lords.
    • Power initially rested with the Rump Parliament and the Council of State.
    • Cromwell, as a leading military and political figure, crushed uprisings in Ireland and Scotland, consolidating control over the British Isles.

  2. The Protectorate (1653–1658):

    • Cromwell became Lord Protector under the Instrument of Government, the first written constitution of England

Decline of the Protectorate:

  1. Richard Cromwell’s Weak Leadership (1658–1659):

    • After Oliver Cromwell's death in 1658, his son Richard Cromwell became Lord Protector.
    • Lacking his father's military authority and political acumen, Richard struggled to manage tensions between the army and civilian government.
    • In 1659, Richard was forced to resign, and the Rump Parliament was reinstated, leading to political chaos.

  2. Factional Struggles:

    • The army, now fragmented and dominant, controlled the government but lacked unity.
    • Discontent grew among the populace, who were weary of military rule, high taxes, and instability.

Steps Toward the Restoration:

  1. General George Monck’s Role:

    • George Monck, a key military leader stationed in Scotland, marched his forces to London in early 1660.
    • Monck negotiated with Parliament and called for the reinstatement of the Long Parliament, which then dissolved itself to allow for free elections.

  2. Declaration of Breda (April 1660):

    • Charles II, son of Charles I, issued the Declaration of Breda from exile in the Netherlands.
    • He promised general amnesty for former enemies, respect for private property, freedom of conscience, and to work with Parliament.
    • This conciliatory approach gained widespread support.

  3. The Convention Parliament (May 1660):

    • Newly elected, the Convention Parliament invited Charles II to return to England as king.
    • On May 29, 1660, Charles entered London in triumph, marking the official Restoration of the Monarchy.

The Restoration:

  • Charles II’s Coronation: Charles was crowned in 1661, restoring the monarchy, the Anglican Church, and the House of Lords.
  • The Restoration sought to reconcile the divisions caused by the civil wars and the Interregnum, though underlying tensions between monarchy and Parliament persisted.

The Restoration is often seen as a return to stability after the experiment of republican rule, albeit one tempered by the lessons of Cromwell’s era.


Full disclosure: Gemini and Chat GPT helped me to create this blog post.

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11 November 2024

Gilded Age 2.0 Pushback

 


Democracies have several pathways to promote financial equality and fair labor practices. Here are three of the most impactful ways:

  1. Progressive Taxation and Redistribution Programs: By implementing a progressive tax system, democracies can ensure that higher-income earners contribute more, which helps fund social safety nets and public services like education, healthcare, and housing assistance. Such programs reduce income inequality by redistributing wealth and providing resources to low- and middle-income populations, helping to level the economic playing field.

  2. Strong Labor Laws and Wage Standards: Enacting and enforcing fair labor laws is essential for protecting workers' rights. Minimum wage laws, fair scheduling practices, and protections against workplace discrimination ensure that employees earn a living wage and have secure working conditions. Collective bargaining rights and support for labor unions also empower workers to negotiate better wages and benefits, creating a more balanced power dynamic between employees and employers.

  3. Accessible Education and Workforce Development: Investment in affordable, quality education and skills training ensures that citizens have equal opportunities to acquire the skills needed for well-paying jobs. Subsidized higher education, vocational training programs, and grants for retraining workers in rapidly changing industries help reduce economic disparities by expanding job opportunities, enabling social mobility, and fostering a more adaptable workforce.

Each of these strategies, when effectively implemented, can help promote financial equality and protect workers in a democratic society. 



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10 November 2024

Vivid Field Trip Dream

 


 

I just wanted to record a bit about my dream from last night—it was one of my most active and detailed dreams. The whole thing was centered around taking students on a trip to the city, which felt incredibly real. There were so many people and places, and I was constantly on the move, visiting different spots in a lively, almost chaotic sequence.

Interestingly, we actually took students to visit a university on Friday, so I think this dream might have been a way of reprocessing that experience. The details were similar, but with a few unexpected twists.

In the dream, like on a real field trip, we had a bus and a driver. At one point, as I was getting off the bus, the driver mentioned that I should put on some deodorant, which made me feel self-conscious. Before our next stop, I decided to “freshen up” by checking into a hotel just to wash up.

I entered a really fancy hotel and went up to the front desk to get a room. But then I realized my credit cards weren’t working, and when I looked for my checkbook, all the checks were used up. I asked if I could leave an IOU, and the receptionist agreed, giving me a Post-it note to write on.


They handed me two “keys” to my room, but these keys didn’t look like normal ones—they were little plastic blobs. When I asked which key was for which door, the receptionist said the room had a front and a back door, almost like a small apartment. I found that pretty funny and surprisingly convenient i n the dream.

Next, I had to find my way to the third floor. I finally found an elevator, and when I stepped inside, it was surprisingly luxurious, with a minibar, a TV, and tons of controls. I remember thinking this would be an expensive stay, and I was a little anxious about the final bill. When I woke up, there was a sense of relief that it wasn’t real.

Earlier in the dream, there was also an appointment I’d scheduled in the city to check for head lice, of all things! I got nervous about missing it, rushing to make it on time—a bit of anxiety mixed into this adventure.

Looking back, it was quite an epic dream. It somehow blended stress, humor, luxury, and a sense of relief by the end. Dreams are funny that way, pulling together everyday thoughts and anxieties into surreal adventures.

Note: Illustrations were made in collaboration with FOTOR A.I. App

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07 November 2024

“Never Give Up”, Says Kamala

 Vice President Kamala Harris’ concession speech was a gift. I was greatly encouraged by her bravery, compassion and message of strength in the face of defeat. I hope it inspires you to keep standing for freedom, dignity and democracy.


Here are seven inspiring quotes from Vice President Kamala Harris’ speech:

  1. "The light of America's promise will always burn bright as long as we never give up and as long as we keep fighting."

  2. "We owe loyalty not to a president or a party, but to the Constitution of the United States, and loyalty to our conscience and to our God."

  3. "I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign—the fight: the fight for freedom, for opportunity, for fairness, and the dignity of all people."

  4. "We will continue to wage this fight... in how we live our lives by treating one another with kindness and respect, by looking in the face of a stranger and seeing a neighbor."

  5. "Sometimes the fight takes a while. That doesn't mean we won't win... The important thing is don't ever give up."

  6. "You have the capacity to do extraordinary good in the world... This is a time to roll up our sleeves. This is a time to organize, to mobilize, and to stay engaged for the sake of freedom and justice."

  7. "Only when it is dark enough can you see the stars... let us fill the sky with the light of a brilliant, brilliant billion of stars."

Each of these statements reflects resilience, hope, and a commitment to core democratic values.


Click here to see See Clip of their The Saturday/Sunday Show discussion



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