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While sitting on my balcony with eyes closed, I noticed that the colors of the spectrum pass through my eyelids muted, but certainly alive!
The spring afternoon breeze is fragrant while the the sound of jazz playing in the distance is warm and smooth.
Who knew such joy could be had in a relaxing afternoon retreat!
Colors of Dawn
24X18
The Gulf of Mexico offers such a magnificent canvas for inspiration, especially during dawn when the colors are at their most ethereal. Acrylics can capture the vibrancy and depth of those hues so beautifully by capturing the serene yet dynamic atmosphere of a Gulf of Mexico dawn.
Mixing neutral gray with white for the sand adds a touch of realism, grounding the scene and providing a contrast to the vivid blues and whites above which not only captures the colors of dawn but also the essence of the Gulf's vastness and tranquility.
By highlighting the light in the clouds and the atmosphere, the scene effectively conveys the soft, diffused quality of dawn light as it gradually illuminates the sky. Capturing the waves in the moment of churning with whitecaps and foam is a brilliant way to depict movement and energy. It brings a sense of dynamism to the painting, suggesting the constant ebb and flow of the ocean. The foam and spray add a sense of immediacy, almost as if the viewer can feel the salty breeze and hear the rhythmic crash of the waves against the shore.
Galveston Seawall
The Power of Unfaded Memories
Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative condition characterized by progressive cognitive decline, memory loss, and eventually, the loss of ability to carry out daily tasks. Faded memories in Alzheimer's disease occur due to the damage and deterioration of brain cells, particularly in areas associated with memory formation and retention.
In Alzheimer's disease, while there is a progressive loss of memory and cognitive function, some memories may remain relatively intact, often referred to as "unfaded memories."
Since emotional memories often have a deeper imprint in the brain, individuals with Alzheimer's may retain vivid recollections of important life events, relationships, or emotionally charged experiences, even as other memories fade.
As a "Born on the Island" Galvestonian, I can easily recall the seawall, the beaches of packed sand, palm trees, the smell of salt air, and the granite piers, and they are all very clear.
Opening Doors to Hope
18X24 Acrylic Panel
Advocating for Access to Leqembi® for Every Alzheimer's Warrior is a poignant call to action aimed at improving the quality of life for individuals battling Alzheimer's disease. This advocacy campaign seeks to address the critical need for access to Leqembi®, a potentially groundbreaking treatment, for all those affected by Alzheimer's.
At its core, this initiative highlights the fundamental importance of equitable access to innovative therapies, particularly for marginalized communities and underserved populations. By advocating for widespread availability of Leqembi®, proponents of this movement aim to empower Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers with newfound hope and possibility.
Through strategic partnerships, grassroots organizing, and legislative advocacy, the campaign endeavors to dismantle barriers to access and promote inclusivity within healthcare systems worldwide. By amplifying the voices of Alzheimer's warriors and their allies, "Opening Doors to Hope" strives to catalyze systemic change and foster a future where every individual impacted by Alzheimer's disease can benefit from the transformative potential of Leqembi®.
Ultimately, this advocacy effort not only represents a collective commitment to advancing Alzheimer's research and treatment but also underscores the broader imperative of prioritizing health equity and justice for all. As we open doors to hope, we pave the way for a brighter, more compassionate future for those affected by Alzheimer's and their loved ones.
Blood-Brain Barrier - Another Win?
18X24 Acrylic painting on Acrylic Panel
As I mentioned in the earlier "Journey with Alzheimer's" post, I will begin my first Leqembi infusion on Thursday, February 1st, and will continue them on a bi-weekly basis for 18 months.
Researchers are exploring the use of ultrasound to temporarily open the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to enhance the delivery of drugs like Leqembi to the brain, specifically targeting the removal of amyloid protein plaques associated with conditions like Alzheimer's disease.
The blood-brain barrier is a protective mechanism that limits the entry of certain substances, including drugs, into the brain. This barrier is essential for maintaining the brain's microenvironment and protecting it from potential toxins. However, in the context of treating neurodegenerative diseases, finding ways to safely and temporarily open the BBB could improve drug delivery and efficacy.
This painting captures the idea of breaking through this protective barrier to enable the drug to better target and dissolve amyloid protein plaques, and the merging of scientific innovation with the quest for effective treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.
The hourglass in this image represents a depiction of lethal plaque build-up within a human brain that could ultimately lead to Alzheimer's Disease. I am one of the many patients who suffer from Alzheimer's and rejoice in the knowledge that the disease may be controlled at this time. I challange myself to fight and wiin this battle; and I encourage everyone to take up the mantel and.fignt the good fight!
The red shapes in the upper portion of the hourglass represent the plaque that destroys the healthy brain. But the drug Leqembi® can reduce existing brain plaque and slow the progression of the disease. The lower portion of the hourglass demonstrates the reduction in the plaque resulting from Leqembi®.
There is currently no cure for Alzheimer's disease. However, researchers and healthcare professionals are actively working to better understand the disease and develop treatments to manage its symptoms and potentially slow its progression.
Various medications are available to help manage symptoms such as memory loss and cognitive decline. Additionally, lifestyle interventions, such as regular exercise, a healthy diet, and social engagement, may contribute to overall well-being and potentially help manage the impact of Alzheimer's disease.
Research into potential cures and disease-modifying treatments is ongoing, but progress in this area can take time. It's essential to stay updated on the latest developments in Alzheimer's research and consult healthcare professionals for the most current information.
For the latest information on Alzheimer's disease management and research, please check reputable sources such as medical journals, health organizations, and government health agencies.
Before receiving Leqembi®, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Since it is not known if Leqembi® will harm your unborn baby, you should tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant during your treatment with Leqembi®.
are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Since it is not known if Leqembi® passes into your breast milk, you should talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby while receiving Leqembi®.
Faded Memories
Meet Brigid, the pre-Christian Irish goddess and member of the ancient Tuatha De' Danann. Brigid was associated with protection, healing, wisdom, and poetry.
Through the years I've enjoyed painting various images of Brigid, including placing her on my homebrew labels. When I learned earlier this year that I had Alzheimer's disease, I decided to express some of the intense emotions through my artwork, and I’m beginning with Brigid.
My goal is to complete several paintings that express living with gaps in cherished memories, as well as the new treatments for the disease that may initially slow or stop the progression and potentially lead to a cure. I’m scheduled to begin one of these new treatments in February.
The canvas is dominated by a spectrum of radiant splashes of yellow, green, and violet that symbolize the vitality of recollections. These bold strokes represent the vivid memories that once painted the canvas of the mind with clarity and emotion. As the eye moves towards the center of the painting, vibrant and intense hues become increasingly subdued, gray, and eventually a black hole. This mirrors the gradual fading of memories.
This painting captures the emotional journey of memory loss through the use of colors, inviting you to contemplate the transient and delicate nature of the human experience.
The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple is recounted in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 2:22-40). According to the Gospel, Mary and Joseph took the infant Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem 40 days after his birth, following the Jewish custom of presenting a firstborn son to the Lord. They also offered a pair of doves or two young pigeons as a sacrifice.
In the Temple, they encountered the righteous and devout Simeon, who had been promised by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. When Simeon saw Jesus, he took the child in his arms and praised God, uttering the prayer known as the Nunc Dimittis. Simeon acknowledged Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promise and spoke of the child being a light for the revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of Israel.
The Fourth Joyful Mystery, the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, is a moment of both joy and solemnity as Mary and Joseph fulfill their religious duties and encounter the recognition of Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah by Simeon and the prophetess Anna. This mystery invites reflection on the themes of dedication, obedience, and the fulfillment of divine promises.
The Second Joyful Mystery in Catholic tradition refers to the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to her cousin Elizabeth. It is one of the events associated with the life of Jesus and Mary and is typically prayed as part of the Rosary. The painting shows the moment of joy between the two cousins, with Mary represented by the purety of the white shawl, and the green shawl of Elizabeth represents peace, harmony and hope.
When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, her baby, John the Baptist, leaped in her womb and she was filled with the Holy Spirit. She greeted Mary with the words, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb."
The Second Joyous Mystery is a reminder of the humility, faith, and joy of Mary as she shared the news of her miraculous pregnancy with Elizabeth.
Bolivar Roads is a shipping lane with a depth of 45 feet and a width of 1.5 miles located between Galveston Island and the Bolivar Peninsula in Texas. The deepwater access provided by Bolivar Roads is vital for the Port of Galveston, which is one of the busiest ports along the Gulf Coast of the United States.
This East end of Galveston Island is home to seagulls and pelicans often soaring overhead, searching for food in the bay. And if you're lucky, you can stand on the rock groin and watch them stop for a rest.
This is a painting of the view from Galveston Texas, my childhood home. From the expansive seawall you can see the granite rock groins, beach sand, and the Gulf of Mexico. It is truly a sight to behold!
As the sun begins its descent toward the horizon, casting a golden hue across the sky, the Gulf of Mexico transforms into a realm of enchantment. The gentle waves lap against the shore, creating a soothing symphony that accompanies the fading daylight.
The horizon becomes a seamless blend of sea and sky, where it's hard to distinguish where one ends and the other begins. The last rays of sunlight kiss the water's surface, leaving a trail of glistening diamonds that dance in the fading light.
As the day transitions to night, the first stars begin to twinkle above, mirrored in the tranquil waters below. The scent of salt hangs in the air, carried by a gentle breeze that ruffles the surface of the Gulf.
Liz and I toured The Battleship Texas last weekend! Even though we we assumed that the tour would include the ship from top deck down to the lower decks with a detailed view of the massive gun turrets. As it turned out, our tour was limited to the drydock, which was initially a disappointment. However, the drydock was fascinating and the hull didn't fail to provide a great experience with awesome wheather and of course our home town. We were assured that the ship will continue to be worked upon and will ultimately be docked in Galveston!
The First Joyous Mystery is my first painting in what I plan to be a series depicting the 20 mysteries of the Rosary. The traditional Annunciation scent shows the angel Gabriel visiting the young Mary to tell her that she has been chosen to bear a son that will be the Messiah foretold in the old testament. My painting of the scene is much more symbolic in nature showing the orange pathway (representing the primary colors of red for Christ and yellow for God the Father) that forever defines her life if she chooses to accept the call. The blue semi-circle (a metaphor for the Holy Spirit) shows the Blessed Mother the ominous future of her decision. The wings of Gabriel are shown beside the pathway guiding Mary along the path of her life.
Prudence is my latest painting, a 30X40 canvas depicting the Cardinal Virtue of Prudence. This will ultimately be part of a four painting series dedicated to the Cardinal Virtues of Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, and Temperance. I began with Prudence since it has long been considered the guide for the other virtues (auriga virtutum). Prudence disposes practical reason to discern our true good in every circumstance and to choose the right means of achieving it.
Well it's been many years since my last blog in 2009. I haven't stopped painting, but other facets of my life have kept me from being as active as I would like. Well I'm back!!!
This image is from Series - Virtues and Conversions that took longer to finish than I expected. The Virtues and Conversions series takes the viewer through three religious conversions guided by three virtues.
These and more can be found at www.mcneelart.com.
The Blessed Trinity is an oil painting on a 21X34 lauan panel. The painting presents the viewer with the image of a seascape that forms the backdrop for a surreal triad of primary shapes and colors – a yellow triangle, a red cube, and a blue circle. The shapes interact with two lines that intersect at a right angle and are derived by drawing diagonals through the mother/daughter pair of golden rectangles contained in the dimensions of the panel. The long diagonal symbolizes time and the short diagonal symbolizes space.
The Father
Go
d the Father is symbolized by a yellow triangle. The triangle has long been a symbol for God and reason, as evidenced by the Hebrew use of an equilateral triangle to symbolize God; and the many versions of the Eye of God image that appear throughout history. The position of the triangle at the intersection of time and space symbolizes God’s mastery over creation. The color associated with The Father is yellow, the brightest and warmest of the three primary colors. Yellow shines with a brilliance that overwhelms all other colors.
The Son
Jesus Christ is symbolized by the red cube. The three dimensional cube represents matter and weight. Likewise in his humanity, Christ was an inhabitant of the earth with form and mass. When the sides of a cube are opened as in the illustration, a cross is formed which symbolizes Christ’s victory over death. The image of the cube appears much closer to the viewer and is part of the seascape. The color of the cube is red, the symbol of life, courage, valor and martyrdom.
The Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit is symbolized by a blue circle. The circle is a locus of points moving at a constant distance from a central point, which is in contrast to the sharp lines and angles of the other two shapes. The circle represents the gentile movement of the spirit flowing through our lives. It is much larger in relation to the triangle and cube because the Holy Spirit interacts with us to a greater extent and thus has a greater influence on our actions. The great size of the circle does not have the mass of the cube nor the brilliance of the triangle. Rather, it is a floating, airy spiritual image that is difficult to see but easy to sense. The color of the circle is transparent blue, the symbol of cool water and flowing motion.
This is my latest painting, which is still a work in progress, titled Blessed Trinity. It is an abstract representation of the christian dogma of the Blessed Trinity - three unique and distinct divine Persons who form the single God. I am still trying to work out the composition and the symbolism, so any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
