Ron Gordon, Artist

DETAILS TELL OF THE TELLER

HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU HEARD: "THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS" ?

I LOVE RESOURCES LIKE GOOGLE .  I KNEW PART OF THE ORIGIN OF THIS PHRASE; THAT IT WAS SOMETIMES ATTRIBUTED TO  MICH'ANGELO & THAT IT WAS DERIVED FROM A SAYING THAT RELATES TO THE NATURE OF CREATION AND THE CREATOR.  NOW I HAVE MORE DETAILS---

-The "Random House Dictionary of Popular Proverbs and Sayings" by Gregory Y. Titelman (Random House, New York, 1996) shows this phrase as a variation of "God is in the details - Whatever one does should be done thoroughly; details are important. The saying is generally attributed to Gustave Flaubert (1821-80), who is often quoted as saying, 'Le bon Dieu est dans le detail' (God is in the details). Other attributions include Michelangelo, the architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and the art historian Aby Warburg. 'The Devil is in the details' is a variant of the proverb, referring to a catch hidden in the details. 'Governing is in the details''and 'The truth, if it exists, is in the details' are recent variants. Listed as an anonymous saying in the sixteenth edition of Barlett's 'Familiar Quotations,' edited by Justin Kaplan."

'God is in the details.'
It seems generally accepted that this was something said by the German-born architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (1886-1969) although almost certainly it was not invented by him. His obituary in The New York Times (1969) attributed it to him but the saying also appears to have been a favourite of the German art historian Aby Warburg (though E.M. Gombrich, his biographer, is not certain that it originated with him). In the form Le bon Dieu est dans le détail, it has also been attributed to Gustave Flaubert (1821-80). Subsequently, there has arisen the saying 'The devil is in the detail' which has been described as a maxim of the German pop musician, Blixa Bargeld. He probably did not invent it himself...

THE DETAILS ARE MUCH OF WHAT IT'S ABOUT FOR ME- IT'S WHAT JAZZES ME- GIVES ME A KICK.  IT MAKES PAINTING FUN, AND, OFTEN MORE DEMANDING.  I'M AWARE THAT MY PIECES ARE SOMETIMES CLUTTERED OR BUSY.  BUT HEY, DON'T YOU EVER JUST OVER DO IT SOMETIMES; WHEN YOU'RE ENJOYING THE CORN CHIPS, THE WINE, OR MAYBE... THE DESERT?  I'M WORKING ON IT.

THAT GOD IS IN THE DETAILS OF LIFE AND ALL IT'S COLORS AND TEXTURE IS A FACT I'M RELYING ON.  WHAT A JOY TO KNOW THAT HE HAS DETAILED CREATION SO SPLENDIDLY JUST SO THAT WE MAY HAVE NO DOUBT THAT HE IS, AND THAT HE IS TRULY IN CHARGE.   ROMAN'S, 1:20

r. 

MORE TO COME...

"RISE"    

"THERE IS HOPE OF A TREE"

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MY GOALS FOR THIS YEAR INCLUDE A SERIES OF PIECES IN THIS STYLE AND SIMILAR THEMES.

THE PAINTINGS ARE DONE IN ACRYLICS ON THIN PLYWOOD MOUNTED ON A  WOOD FRAME.

THE TECHNIQUES INCLUDE: WET INTO WET, KNIFE WORK, SCUMBELING, DRY BRUSH, SCRATCHING, SANDING, STENCILS, MASKING AND SPRAYING, WASHES, GLAZING, SPONGING, SPATTERING. COMBING, RAGGING, FROTTAGE, CALLIGRAPHY, AND A COLOR KEYED PALLET.

Students Please Note:  We are covering these techniques and paint applications in our course of study. They'll be demonstrated, discussed, and practiced during classroom sessions. 

THIS TIME LAST YEAR

                        

 

 

______________________________________________________________________________________ This time last year I was working on a project in Sugar Land Texas: A mural for the hall way leading to the restrooms of "Lupe's Tortillas" newest location.  Houstonians know these restaurants as tasty, kid friendly (sandbox in front of all the newer locations) and a great place to meet friends for drinks and to watch sporting events.

The photos included here are from a cell phone camera and will eventually be replaced with better images. The following is my personal "take" on the project, as I described it to the patron, and what I was trying to accomplish:

The story line is from "Pancho and The Cisco Kid".

A wanted poster at the far right announces the theme, and a slumbering sombrero-ed peon with his loaded burro tells the time of day.

The soldiers are French, for just a touch of historic relevance. There uniforms are distinctively period.

They (the three soldiers) are being entertained by a mariachi playing guitar. The very flamboyant guitar player is Pancho. All three soldiers are distracted as a mysterious figure is sneaking munitions from the loaded burro's baggage.

Two women (mother and daughter) are on the ground  making tortillas. The young senorita is making eyes at the youngest soldier and he is blushing in response.  The mother is obviously annoyed.  A mountain village and dessert landscape are the back ground. This scene ends at the Women's room doorway. 

The doorway is Incorporated in the architecture of a Villa with cracked plaster and continues to the next scene where The Cisco Kid, is reaching around the corner to break off a flower from a potted rose.  Two attractive young ladies, in formal dress, are watching Cisco from across the court yard. as his efforts are obviously for one of them.

A short wall and alley are behind them with a Mission Church in the immediate back ground and mountains behind.   The Men's room door ends the sequence and it is also worked into the architecture of the courtyard.

The tone and temperament is deliberately Romantic- Adventure- Comedy. This situation seemed to have a more significant amount of drama (and therefore humor) than a  simple array of unconnected characters.

I was looking for a scheme that would develop some mystery, intrigue, and a lot of opportunity for expressions and humorous situations. I was very inspired and  grinning  from the time I started this sequence. I was particularly looking for a way to tell a story that would appeal on many levels and  to all age groups and assumed this was good ground since Disney has been using this type of historic romantic theme so successfully.  (I was also enjoying the idea of painting other themes for other restaurants, such as Zorro, or a funny look at The Spanish Explorers)

GICLEE PRINTS

                                

ANNOUNCEMENT FROM

OCTOBEER 27, 2005

ART PRINTS

SELECTED SUBJECTS NOW AVAILABLE

"MCKAY'S TREK" & "PEGGY'S RUN"

BY ARTIST RON GORDON

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I am very pleased to announce the release of my first series of giclee prints.

Each image is available as a limited edition of 200, signed and numbered by the artist in the full size of the originals (28' X 38") at an introductory price of $375.00 per print.

Smaller sizes are available by request and at appropriately reduced prices.

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The original paintings, from which these are taken, were commissioned by David and Peggy McKay, just over a year ago. (2004)  The McKays have graciously allowed me to make them available to the public as an edition of digitally mastered images.

As you may know, giclee prints are incredibly accurate in the slightest detail and faithful to the original work

The fine folks at QUE Imaging here in Houston have a well known reputation for excellent giclee printing. I'm very pleased with the quality of their work and sensitivity to the artist they work with.

These prints are made on high grade artist canvas and liquid coated to protect and preserve their integrity.

Prints in this edition may be rolled in a shipping tube for ease of transport or shipping UPS.

Individuals or companies wishing to make purchases or inquiries should phone to insure the most rapid response.   

832-279-4863

PLEASE CLICK AND VIEW the samples. 

YOU MAY PASS THEM ALONG to clients or associates who may have interest.

This series is being offered first to the trade and to an initial list of interested parties at this introductory price.

PLEASE NOTE: OTHER TITLES AND IMAGES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE.

CONTACT THE ARTIST FOR DETAILS.

Grandson, Now Three

My grandson turned 3 on the 19th.  I've been reflecting on the occasion of his arrival. The following journal entry I made, and shared with some, just after that event:

7lbs. 5oz., thick hair, the color of a lump of coal and cheeks softer than breath.  His mouth looks like a rose petal, one of those blushing red-pink-peach hybrids.  His nose is perfect and his fingers and toes long and strong for playing piano and guitar and for climbing. 
He has seldom cried in my experience, and his occasional whimpers sound like a puppy trying to get out of his box. His eyes are deep (as infants' usually are) though there is a glint of starlight in each and he has the intense gaze of a scholar or a philosopher/poet.

Watching his father the day of his arrival; a man dazed and awed by an event and blessing only the most calloused could take lightly, I remembered.  The woman who bore this celebrated man-child, I watched (just hours ago) break into the light and into my heart.  Now she is no child.  She is confidant, commanding and radiant.  Her child, new born, is the center of this new family- their world. 

All the hope he carries, all the hope that surrounds him, and the vision that will call to him; too large for those tinny shoulders.  He will grow, he will increase, and he will always have loving eyes watching, as he rises, sometimes falls and rises again.  Looking forward, with delight, to see him play and learn.  Listening to his revelations- thanking The One who made him and will lead him to Him self.

His journey will be the stuff of heroes.  He is already a legend.  He is the son of Clayton and Meagan.  He is my grandson. He is Robert Logan Blackstone.

                         

Ello- My Ole Friends

Cat Ello <ellomusic@hotmail.com> wrote:

Happy and Blessed 2007 to all of our friends and family! This is my pre-chemo transition hairdo to the Uncle Fester look. Caught a cold and postponed chemo until later this week. I am ready to get this going and start counting the days until I am finished. Thanks for praying!

Auh yes, A green eyed, Ello Wild Cat !

Indigenous to south east Texas and known for it's good nature and melodic call.

Spottings like this one are always a treat, but, this is a not often captured view of the vixen as she seems to be acknowledging the camera man's presence.

Enthusiast of this particular species will note the distinctive twinkle in this female's eye; often associated with The Ello Cat and especially evident in this photo.

We hope our intrepid hunters will stay on the trail of this exquisite specimen and provide us with more photo documentation. This Wildcat is a rare beauty among a rare breed.

R.

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The Ello's, (that's Hello without the "H") are among the dearest people I have ever known.  Recently when talking about marriage with one of my daughters we reflected on the fact that their's was the most nearly perfect we had witnessed.  Their love for each other and the balance between them is a pleasure to be around.  All master musicians and lovers of Christ; this family is an inspiration on every occasion.  I could spend pages describing my feeling about them, suffice to say that Mike, Cat, Josh and David are precious.  Though I've not been around Ivan since he's been grown, I remember his bright eyed energy as a todler and how much fun my son Alex and he had as playmates. 

Mike Ello is, among other things, a professional piano tuner; servicing the Greater Houston area.  The Web address, with info on all their family's music, concerts, lessons and piano services is:   http://www.ellomusic.com

I'll be posting more about these folks and their individual accomplishments soon...

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When I asked Cat and Mike to be amoung the first to make a comment on this Blog before it's official openning, this was her entry:

My husband, Mike, and our boys have known Ron Gordon for a quarter of a century! Ron and his art are truly inseparable, like hydrogen and oxygen in the molecular structure of water. We are a family of musicians, and the skillful, artistic expression through the paintings of our good friend is a visual oasis of the real Ron for us.

I’m going through chemotherapy now for the unwanted and untimely invasion of breast cancer. You know, unfortunate circumstances make one ponder the more important things in life. Our friendship and love we share with Ron Gordon is one of them.

With his quick and lively wit, he always makes my heart laugh! With his tall stature and attractively flowing white hair, you can’t help but wonder when your eyes fall on him what kind of treasure is hiding within. Take some time and really gaze at Ron’s art – you will find many treasures there!

CAT

Promote World Peace

"What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family."--Mother Teresa      

"Love is a better master than duty." -- Albert Einstein

Quotes

"The imagination imitates. It is the critical spirit that creates." -- Oscar Wilde

"Love is a better master than duty." -- Albert Einstein

"What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family."--Mother Teresa

MASTERY
"A professional is a person who can do his best at a time when he
doesn't particularly feel like it." -- Alistair Cooke

"If I work on a certain move constantly, then finally, it doesn't seem
risky to me. The idea is that the move stays dangerous and it looks
dangerous to my foes, but it is not to me. Hard work has made it easy." --
Nadia Comaneci

"We have not wings we cannot soar; but, we have feet to scale and
climb, by slow degrees, by more and more, the cloudy summits of our time."
-- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

"A man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who works with his
hands and his brain is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands
and his brain and his heart is an artist." -- Louis Nizer

Biography