That's the name of John Maroney's new book, which he shared with us today. Some passages from that book:
To be a serious student of Zen is OK. Just not too serious.
You could say Zen is like business as usual, with an outrageously funny sense of humor.
Can anyone say they are permanently Enlightened? NO!
John Maroney loved to laugh, that's for sure. As people left, he would say, "Enjoy yourself!"
photo by Dewitt Cheng
p.s. Below: the artiste duo Anne and Gugger Petter, who paid us a visit today.
Do not miss Tom Akawie's dazzling show! Three more days, tomorrow, May 26th, through Sunday, May 28th. Our hours are noon to 6 pm.
Landscape with Atomic Piles (detail)
Only two more weeks to experience Tom Akawie's glowing show, a truly amazing survey of his extraordinary career. These are museum quality pieces that deserve serious attention. The range from sinuous landscape to photorealism to far out mandala-like mysticism makes this show a must see. And don't forget the ice cream pop up at Andy's on Saturday. -Peter
The artist with one of his latest works
Tom's airbrushed paintings are remarkable. The detail. The iridescence. And the colors shift as you move around the room.
Another exciting gathering of friends, old and new.
And speaking of friends, old and new: Leslie Jo Tone, a former student of Tom's, showed up. They hadn't seen each other in twenty years.
Join us Saturday, May 6, 12-6 pm for the opening!
This is the last weekend to see Greg Wilson's unique and exquisite photos. They have graced our walls for the past four weeks, and I will be sad to see them go.
p.s. And just in case you need any more motivation, Andytown is having an ice cream pop up on Saturday – so come on down to the 3000 block of Taraval @40th and have some fun. –Cheers, Peter
Just when everything was looking bleak and masses of humanity were heading for Hippy Hill @4:20, in came tres lovely women. A little vino, a few songs (Guantanamero, De Colores, Get Together Now, Both Sides Now, Amazing grace), Carmencita, and beautiful art – this is what FOG is all about. ❤️ Pedro
Greg Wilson brought in a shadow box containing some of the objects he used to make his photographs, which will be on display until April 30th. Fascinating!
This body of work began five years ago as photograms—pictures produced on light-sensitive paper without a camera. Greg then experimented making enlargements of these objects without using a negative. Where a photographic negative would traditionally rest, he placed a scrap of lace, a feather, algae, a fist of fishing lures, or a butterfly.
The photograph below was made using the tiny piece of algae (upper left in shadow box).
My Thursdays at FOG start on Taraval with Carmen's visit to Mark at Cara Glass - she knows he has a treat ready. Then it's my turn for a treat - into Andytown for my cappuccino. Assorted hellos to John and Jenny at Sweet Passion and Stacey at her hair salon, and a visit with Jeanie on the bench. Water in the bowl, some snacks for the art lovers, doors open, and here we go....
-Peter
p.s. We'll be open Easter Sunday. Actually, we'll be open every Sunday during April.
Greg Wilson standing beside a collection of his C Prints.
An exquisite show of pictures produced on light-sensitive paper without a camera. A fun opening, including kids, dogs, and humans.
left to right: Greg Wilson, Carmen
It was a rainy afternoon ... and then Katy Tang, our district supervisor, walked in. She and Ming hit it off.
Ming’s wife, son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter stopped by FOG today.
St. Patrick's Day is tomorrow and I would like to take the opportunity to honor three Irish gentlemen who own businesses on our very street. As I sip my fabulous cappuccino I salute Michael McCrory from Andytown. Right next door is where John Campbell bakes his Irish specialties at Jennies' Sweet Passion Bakery. A little farther to the west is Marc Hobden at Cara Glass, a bustling workshop that manufactures custom made wooden windows. Hats off to all three of you and thank you for making our neighborhood a more diverse and enriching environment. I plan to do some Irish music tomorrow afternoon in your honor. -Cheers, Peter
Dear Anne & Peter,
Whenever I/we visit FOG, we always come away feeling joyously positive and energized. While there and afterwards, I find I can actually put away the terrible reality of today's politics.
The demonstration today was a feast for the eyes; Ming is quite a lovely, happy man. Thank you for what you do for our community!
Peace,
Barbara
Ming demonstrated five different types of calligraphy for us: Cursive, Running, Regular, Clerical, and Seal.
Each scroll is stamped with this symbol for Good Luck.
We take a quick break from watching Ming's calligraphy demonstration to walk a couple doors down and watch the calligraphy going on at Andytown!
Exciting day on Taraval. First Richard Kamler comes by and is really taken by Ming's show. True artist-to-artist appreciation. Then Andytown's crew comes by with a cart laden with coffee beans soon to be exquisitely roasted and brewed. Then Ming comes by with some artist pals. Don't forget to swing by FOG on Saturday around 2:00 for a live demonstration of Ming's artistry. -Peter p.s. We'll be open Sundays in March!
Ming and his pals.
Is that Richard? Richard Kamler? Yes!
Ready for roasting at Andytown.
Ming used a gigantic brush for this piece. The title is HEALTH.
Soon as we walked in the big red door for Ming's opening, we were caught up in a wave of great energy. Ming enjoyed explaining his calligraphy to us, and we had a blast looking. Next Saturday, March 11 at 2:00, he'll be bringing his brushes and ink and treating us to a demonstration.
Join us for Mak Ming Chan's opening this Saturday, March 4, from 12-6 pm. Ming will be joining us at 2:00.
The paintings, they soothed me
warmed me as I entered the quiet space.
The ambience was peaceful,
just what I needed.
I was offered wine and cheese
immediately upon entering,
and little chocolates on a small plate.
Like the guest in The Red Brocade
who was not asked what he was there for
or where he was going. But instead
was offered nourishment and snippets
of mint to put in his tea.
The owner was not there, but Peter was,
and Carmen, their big brown dog.
Carmen ran away while I was there
and that caused some drama.
I stayed and looked after the Gallery
while Peter scurried up and down the block
in a mild panic, trying to find their dog
who had never run away before.
She's never done that, he said
looking seriously distraught.
I stood, glass in hand with sparkling water,
walked and turned and looked some more,
quieted by the presence of lightly-washed paintings,
landscapes of nature and dogs and people,
an interior world of empty beds.
I had found this gallery, and the bearded gentleman
and his wife, and we were sure we knew each other.
And then his wife came in, who owned the
gallery, and she was as lively as Peter, and happy
'cause Carmen had been found
who wagged her tail and bounded over
to Peter, and everyone was happy again,
including Carmen.
Several blocks from the ocean, the wind
was cold, and I was wrapped in a heavy
wool coat and hand-knit scarf, my wool beret
and purple gloves.
Still... there was that mystery between Peter, Anne and me ~
how did we know each other, where had we met?
It was Howie, she suddenly blurted out!
You were at Howie Leifer's memorial.
Yes, that's it. And a flood of memories came back
and the years all came together
and the French-American school where we both taught.
And his art and all the things he did ~
puppet shows and music and teaching,
anti-war marches and solidarity with the people
of El Salvador, and walking with his larger-than-life
puppets down Market Street with hundreds of thousands
of others. Howie was such a mensch.
His art is all over our home! they said. He is everywhere!
And he would make the biggest Trump puppet if he were alive,
we said! And then I grew sad and I missed my friend.
And we talked some more, of how we met,
at Howie's memorial, and we talked of Phil Ochs
and music and art. I walked into a gallery
and was welcomed by a stranger,
was offered cheese and wine and water.
I was warmed in the presence
of softly-washed paintings
and came away bonded by art and friendship.
I went out into the night, bundled against the cold,
walked toward the ocean as the sun set,
and got on the streetcar and a bus ride home.
Warmed with the thoughts of a friend now gone,
and new friends who will be there when I return.
Marlene Aron February 23, 2017