Category: Uncategorized

click on image to enlarge (except mobile devices)

Here I celebrate the underestimated asterisk. The iconography of the Asterisk is deeply embedded in the human psyche. The symbol of the asterisk, ubiquitous today, used in computer language and mathematics has ancient roots going back to pre-history in cave paintings by ice age humans. The word Asteriskos in greek means “little star”. Used in language to correct defects, the first known use is by the Greek scholar of Homeric poetry, Aristarchus of Samothrace, to mark duplicate lines in written text. In todays language it is used to tone down expletives, a common example being f**k. ⁠

click on image to enlarge (except mobile devices)

The construct of squares and diamonds have a “wiggle” that suggests vibration and movement. My geometric constructs are all about kinetic expression providing me a geometric language to be in motion and live outside the constriction and pain that is my constant companion.

2020 has been a hard year. So much suffering and loss of life that’s hard to comprehend. The shattered lives of so many. The loss of jobs, home and food insecurity of so many compounded by leadership at the top, Trump and his administration, that doesn’t care as long as the stock market is strong. I could go on and on.

This year I embarked on my yearly tradition of creating a Happy Holidays card with trepidation. But the human spirit is to be celebrated even in times of extreme adversity. Seeing so many heroes among us, front line workers, doctors nurses and essential workers doing the work that keeps society going proves this. So I made this card with abstracted people representing the human spirit thriving during the pandemic.

Wishing all, of all faiths and agnostics, Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and Happy Kwanzaa. I hope you find some Joy this holiday season. A brighter future is ahead.

A note about the card artwork.
The holiday card combines influences of the three monotheistic faiths; Judaism, Christianity and Islam. For Christianity, the symbol of the Christmas Tree with the Star of Bethlehem on top. For Judaism, the Star of David (you have to look for it). For Islam, the interlaced pattern forming hexagons and hexagrams representing Islamic art.

In Honor of John Lewis. His life made a difference in incalculable ways. Not only fighting for equality for African Americans but for all the marginalized communities. As a gay man I am also thankful of his advocacy for equality of the LGBTQ community.