Ars Longa Vita Brevis

Red Acropolis

People often ask me if it is hard to let paintings go. The answer is, sometimes. There is almost always a special reason for doing a painting. Something moved you - a place, a special time, a mood. This inevitably creates a degree of attachment. So every time I look at a drawing, a sketch, a painting, it evokes memories.

That said, nothing makes me happier than to see a painting go to a good home. The latest departure came early this month when my watercolor Red Acropolis went to new owners in North Carolina. I am pleased to say that they are colleagues who served with me at the U.S. embassy in Greece and who first saw the painting when it hung at Jefferson House, the residence of the U.S. Ambassador.

The Acropolis is one of my favorite subjects. It is the numen, the presiding spirit, of the Greek capital. It stands, solid, above the hurly-burly and daily dramas of modern Athens. During my three years in Greece (2013-2016), I never tired of visiting and painting it and I think I never will.

The painting itself actually began with a mistake. I made an error, I forget what, and hit the paper hard with a strong cross-stroke. I was annoyed and thought I would have to throw it out. But I liked the effect of that stroke, so I did it again and again, harder and harder, furiously adding more and more bright, analogous color. The result, Red Acropolis, represents for me not only the emotional fire and independence of the Greeks, but also the cultural solidity and self-confidence that anchors them.

The Hellenic Post liked it too. With the connivance of embassy colleagues, they surprised me just as I was leaving with a poster of Red Acropolis, and a souvenir sheet of genuine 0.72 euro stamps bearing images of five of my paintings - Red Acropolis; Acropolis with Poppy; Abstract Acropolis; Doric Columns, Corinth; and Homeric Ship. Of the five, Red Poppy was done for my wife, and is not for sale. Doric Columns went to a friend in California last year. Red Acropolis is now off to North Carolina. Only Abstract Acropolis and Homeric Ship remain -- the former resides in my home in Maine, the latter in one of my sketchbooks here in California.

Referring to Red Acropolis, a presentation letter from the Greek post office said, "This stamp is directly inspired by H.E. Ambassador Pearce's art work and represents the Acropolis and the surrounding area of Plaka.  The stamp is the first in a new series aiming to honor Greek-American frienship."  So the painting may be gone, but I still have the poster and souvenir sheet to remember it.

Third Coming of the Tooth Fairy

I mentioned before that two paintings -- San Clemente Pier, 1 and Old Jaffa, Marketplace -- had received special recognition by being listed in the Fav 15, or top 15% of entries, in the August and October Boldbrush painting competitions. The first time was so unexpected I said I had not been that pleasantly surprised since the last visit of the Tooth Fairy. The second time, I marveled that the Tooth Fairy had returned. Well, she struck a third time in the December Boldbrush contest -- San Clemente Pier, 2, which I featured at the top of last month's Insiders List, has now also made the Fav 15. The Boldbrush contest attracts hundreds of entries by artists from all over the country and the world, not only in watercolor, but also in oil, pastel, and digital art. So any time you make it into the top 15% of all those entries is a real treat.

Betrayal

Lastly, although this blog is mainly focused on artwork, as one who spent most of his working life in public service I cannot let the events of January 6 pass unremarked.  

For nine years as a journalist and then 34 years and 10 months as a diplomat I would not even tell my children how I voted. I wanted no political coloring, no perception of bias, in my reporting and analysis, whether as a journalist or diplomat. I served both Democratic and Republican administrations to the best of my ability.

But what happened on January 6 is not about mere partisan politics, it is about preserving our system of government. A sitting president summoned and incited a mob to storm the Capitol, our seat of government. This was done with the purpose of forcibly halting the counting of electoral votes and the peaceful transfer of power. Five people died. This is inciting insurrection against lawful authority, the very definition of sedition, a serious crime requiring serious punishment.

As Rep. Liz Cheney said, there has never been a greater betrayal. The question is not "healing". There cannot be healing without accountability. There cannot be accountability without justice. If those who incited and perpetrated the attack on the Capitol are not held to account, and punished, it will not only be unjust, it will happen again.  I believe that this is a time for all Americans to speak out.  I have done so on Twitter (@daviddpearce), calling on Maine Senators Angus King and Susan Collins to vote to convict Donald Trump of high crimes and misdemeanors and then disqualify him from ever holding office again.  I illustrated my point with a watercolor sketch of the Capitol https://twitter.com/daviddpearce/status/1348354383377911809?s=20

We face a critical period ahead, as a new administration settles into office and we await a vaccine that will let us finally turn the corner on this plague. It has been a long slog. I miss my family and friends. May we all get back to something passing for normal life later this year. Meanwhile, may you all stay safe and well in days and weeks to come.