Below the Fold is where lies controversial stuff, if you don't want to go there, stay above.
Reminder that you can click on photos to enlarge and pinch open even further. And, if you are curious about possibly purchasing a piece, contact me and I will quote you a price either framed or unframed. They are surprisingly affordable. I sold another piece in the Colorado gallery. It made me happy to make them happy.
New Art:
11 x 14" oil on board. Below is an ariel where the Fountain painting was done; we parked in the parking lot and viewed across the lake. You can see the fountain in the middle. 
Old Art:
I darkened the sky and added detail in the middle ground. Finished, I promise.
I lightned the Caloosahachie past the banks of the Edison Ford Estate. By the way, this is a Calusa Indian name for the river, so they usually don't repeat the word river after the C word. That's what they tell me.
Other Art:
I have often lamented the fact that their are no art museums between Miami and Tampa for me to view the work of masters. Well lo and behold, when I registered for my drawing class at Florida Southwestern I visited their library and, I knew they had a gallery but never visited, I stopped in and Wow, the Rush family gave them a Rembrandt, Turners, Manet, Renoir, and one from the Rubens School and Raphael. I need to find out more. Do they have other masters in storage? A real, unexpected treat. You can find out more at their link: Rush Gallery - when you go to this link click on Special Collection
The Rembrandt was hung directly in front of the guard so I couldn't sneak a photo...
Saw this project on Instagram...they are life-size drawings done in class. Kind of neat.
Why do painters go outside to paint? This is a great example. He captured the light and the feel of the garden, don't you agree? I am sure the original is much more vibrant.
Listening To:
April In Paris album by Count Basie & His Orchestra; 1957.
I Just Had To Laugh:
Joe Biden: Republicans may have standards, BUT WE HAVE DOUBLE STANDARDS!
I don't think he really said it...
Babylon Bee having summer fun...
This ad came in one of the mail packs you receive. If you pay them $48 they will come four times a month and clean your garbage can!!! What a deal.
Watching:
ABC...“George, you're being a little wise guy, OK, which is, you know, typical for you," Trump said.
I love it. George could be the most overpaid "journalist" on TV.
Reading:
Stunning statistic - Do you know what percentage of the black vote Pete Buttigieg holds?
0%
Wow, and he is the mayor of the 300th largest city in the country! Big shot. Can you believe it?
Interesting optic during the 5 minutes I watched each night of the Dems debate. They were lined up like the Bozo air punching bags with the sand in the bottom so you could punch them and they would rock back or sideways and pop back up. It sounded like a high school "debate" for student council president, even with the Boomers in the line, when I changed channels to see the President at the G-20 with the other world leaders. Visually, I could not imagine even one of the Dems at the G-20 representing our country, defending it, trying to improve our standing, working deals...not one has the substance. Not one. They are like transparent media creations.
An important article about something I did not know. It relates to my complaint regarding the destruction of statues around the country. In Fort Myers, Lee County, Florida there are some who want to remove a brass bust of RHLee downtown. In 2027, using the same criteria, we will have to remove all of the MLK statues, rename schools and streets, etc if we are going to be consistent - my point is that there will be no statues in this country except for those of Mary who the Church teaches was born without sin...the rest of us have something to cause an uncomfortableness for the cultural movements, I am guessing. The incriminating documents are sealed until 2027, or until they are unsealed. My point is, like many of the "honored", MLK did much good for the country, if not these women. RHLee did a lot of good. He was not evil incarnate. Neither was MLK. A mature country would understand this, as is pointed out in the article and related book. Stop tearing down statues, removing names off of buildings, etc. I have heard the question, "Would you tear down a statue of Hitler? We don't have to, there are none in this country.
Parents of young children need to read, article is self explanatory on two counts, Child Care and the phonie from Mass.
The link to my website: Claude Lyles Art Works , recently updated. Best view is on your desktop, tablet or laptop; if, however, you view on your phone, the menu is in the "hamburger" in the upper left of the opening screen. It will give you several viewing options.
My only social media is Instagram. I use it to keep track of all the wonderful art being created every day, all around the world. Artworks without the blog! You can see a more current version of my comings and goings, art in progress, friends visiting SW Florida, etc. Instagram link, then to estudiocieloazul, or Claude Lyles
Reminder that you can click on photos to enlarge and pinch open even further. And, if you are curious about possibly purchasing a piece, contact me and I will quote you a price either framed or unframed. They are surprisingly affordable. I sold another piece in the Colorado gallery. It made me happy to make them happy.
New Art:
11 x 14" oil on board. Below is an ariel where the Fountain painting was done; we parked in the parking lot and viewed across the lake. You can see the fountain in the middle. 
This pastel, 12 x 9" was done in Lakes Park. 
Old Art:
I darkened the sky and added detail in the middle ground. Finished, I promise.
I lightned the Caloosahachie past the banks of the Edison Ford Estate. By the way, this is a Calusa Indian name for the river, so they usually don't repeat the word river after the C word. That's what they tell me.
I shortened the tree cluster on the left to help the perspective on the right. Much better, I think. Harns Marsh in Lehigh Acres, FL.
Other Art:
I have often lamented the fact that their are no art museums between Miami and Tampa for me to view the work of masters. Well lo and behold, when I registered for my drawing class at Florida Southwestern I visited their library and, I knew they had a gallery but never visited, I stopped in and Wow, the Rush family gave them a Rembrandt, Turners, Manet, Renoir, and one from the Rubens School and Raphael. I need to find out more. Do they have other masters in storage? A real, unexpected treat. You can find out more at their link: Rush Gallery - when you go to this link click on Special Collection
 |
| Manet |
 |
| 2 Turners |
The Rembrandt was hung directly in front of the guard so I couldn't sneak a photo...
Saw this project on Instagram...they are life-size drawings done in class. Kind of neat.
Why do painters go outside to paint? This is a great example. He captured the light and the feel of the garden, don't you agree? I am sure the original is much more vibrant.
Listening To:
April In Paris album by Count Basie & His Orchestra; 1957.
I Just Had To Laugh:
Joe Biden: Republicans may have standards, BUT WE HAVE DOUBLE STANDARDS!
I don't think he really said it...
Babylon Bee having summer fun...
This ad came in one of the mail packs you receive. If you pay them $48 they will come four times a month and clean your garbage can!!! What a deal. Watching:
ABC...“George, you're being a little wise guy, OK, which is, you know, typical for you," Trump said.
I love it. George could be the most overpaid "journalist" on TV.
Reading:
"Contemplate the mangled bodies of your countrymen, and then say, 'What should be the reward of such sacrifices?' ... If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animating contest of freedom, go from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands, which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen!" —Samuel Adams (1777)
Want to know why someone would sell their soul to participate in the entertainment industry? The important number below is $500 MILLION. This is after the millions the actors and staff were paid in the original broadcasts over nine seasons, money made from DVDs, the original Netflix replay agreement, and on and on. BIG money indeed.
Baseball:
This being 50 years since 1969, there are a lot of lookbacks, like there were for last year, for 1968. The Miracle Mets caught my eye. Believe that in 1968 they had the second worst record. They never had a winning record since their start in 1962. The point of the article was how Gil Hodges should be in the Hall of Fame. He took command half way through 1968. At the start of 1969 he asked the team, "Why not us?" and continued his positive message. He held the team to high standards and they performed. Might be coincidence that he had what turned out to be an all-star pitching staff.Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, Nolan Ryan, Gary Gentry, Tug McGraw, and Ron Taylor. Then I wondered, the Cardinals won the NL in 1967 and 1968 - where did they finish? 4th, good pitching but no hit. What caught my eye in the search was...
My neighbors who head north in the summer miss out on some spectacular vegetation. The Royal Poincettia is a perfect example.
Want to know why someone would sell their soul to participate in the entertainment industry? The important number below is $500 MILLION. This is after the millions the actors and staff were paid in the original broadcasts over nine seasons, money made from DVDs, the original Netflix replay agreement, and on and on. BIG money indeed.
From Dr. Johnson's Aging Spirituality series to which I referred earlier... "I can live more ageless in the Lord as I learn that the true purpose of maturation (aging) is gaining closer communion with God. Why did God invent aging? What is the point of aging? Why was I born, and then grow into maturity, only to reverse the process and give-up all that I have gained? Why the loss? Why the suffering? What has God got in mind for me?"
"When viewed through my human, i.e., worldly eyes, aging does indeed seem pointless and even cruel. But, when I can catch a glimpse of aging through the eyes of Christ, then aging takes on a very different meaning. Aging becomes my holy process, my sacred path to truth, and my road to inner illumination of what is real. It is aging that gradually expands my vision so I can come to see, experience, and appreciate the most magnificent power in and of the cosmos...love. I can live more ageless in the Lord as I learn that the true purpose of maturation (aging) is gaining closer communion with God."
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Supersonic Flights trying to come back. When we lived in Maryland outside DC, every Sunday around, I believe it was 10:30, the Concorde flew overhead on its way to Europe. It was a sight to behold. And, on takeoff from Dulles, it had not yet reached supersonic speed.
Speaking of air travel, this is interesting: the duty free shops in airports are major revenue sources for luxury retail. Estee Lauder has more sales in airports than all their Macy's and Neiman Marcus locations combined. Every day, 7,000 Chinese take their first international flight. Yesterday, today, tomorrow...7,000. That beats the number of people moving to FLA, we only average 1,000 per day. Only 9% of Chinese have passports, so think of the growth. Travelers plan their layovers so they can shop for the luxury items. One of the scotch distillers sells bottles for $400 and they have three flavors; most sales that take place end up being for all three. The average US air traveler takes 3 - 4 round trip flights per year, and spends on average 1 hour 42 minutes in their layover.
I found this one interesting...the link to Entrepreneur Magazine: 10 Things Wealthy People Do to Keep Getting Richer Ed. Note - hopefully, then, you can share are greater wealth with those who need help. https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/332372
Baseball:
This being 50 years since 1969, there are a lot of lookbacks, like there were for last year, for 1968. The Miracle Mets caught my eye. Believe that in 1968 they had the second worst record. They never had a winning record since their start in 1962. The point of the article was how Gil Hodges should be in the Hall of Fame. He took command half way through 1968. At the start of 1969 he asked the team, "Why not us?" and continued his positive message. He held the team to high standards and they performed. Might be coincidence that he had what turned out to be an all-star pitching staff.Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, Nolan Ryan, Gary Gentry, Tug McGraw, and Ron Taylor. Then I wondered, the Cardinals won the NL in 1967 and 1968 - where did they finish? 4th, good pitching but no hit. What caught my eye in the search was...
The Cardinals pitched 63 complete games - probably more than all the teams in both leagues will throw this year. 
The Giants, even more at 71: Gaylord Perry 26, Juan Marichal 27.
The Giants, even more at 71: Gaylord Perry 26, Juan Marichal 27.
Then I checked to see what was playing that year. Lot of good music (except maybe Israelites by Decker, that song got on my teenage nerves, too much repetition.).
Heading back to sports and nostalgia, saw this for my Saint Louis friends:
Quite a few compared the Blues Championship to the surprise Rams Super Bowl:
Then there were a couple of baseball trophies...
And for Broadway Marty:
My neighbors who head north in the summer miss out on some spectacular vegetation. The Royal Poincettia is a perfect example.
Below The Fold---------------------------------------
Enter at your own risk
Stunning statistic - Do you know what percentage of the black vote Pete Buttigieg holds?
0%
Wow, and he is the mayor of the 300th largest city in the country! Big shot. Can you believe it?
Interesting optic during the 5 minutes I watched each night of the Dems debate. They were lined up like the Bozo air punching bags with the sand in the bottom so you could punch them and they would rock back or sideways and pop back up. It sounded like a high school "debate" for student council president, even with the Boomers in the line, when I changed channels to see the President at the G-20 with the other world leaders. Visually, I could not imagine even one of the Dems at the G-20 representing our country, defending it, trying to improve our standing, working deals...not one has the substance. Not one. They are like transparent media creations.
So, I received a mailer to travel to ...Guatemala! Isn't that the country that everyone is leaving because of poverty, gangs, government corruption, etc? I should pay money to GO there? I did notice that there are no people in the photos...maybe the place is now empty? Strange world - or somebody is lying.
Final word, but not from me: 
