Thank you, Richard Timperio

How do you find words to describe a huge loss to a community of creative spirit? With thoughts that act as lifelines for the rest of us as we work to bridge the huge gap left by the departure of Richard Timperio.

Start by saying Richard was an artist. An artist who, spending his whole life immersed in the process, the business and the community, got it. And then took the most extraordinary measure of actually doing something about it.

What Richard got, in terms of the art crowd and probably by extension the whole world, is that we are in this together. Just watching him during the drop-offs and setups for his signature annual show of shows, and you knew this guy was there for the moment, and loving every minute of it. Because love is all that really matters, and if we don’t figure that out as artists, who will?

from the exhibition of Richard's paintings now at Sideshow, his first show at the Gallery

Richard had the rare gift of owning a larger than life presence that made others feel greater just by being in that presence. I will never forget the night Mark and I met him at a gathering after admiring his annual “cast of thousands” (as in actually around 500, but enough so there was no room for full first names on the flyer, and they eventually acquired the supertitle “Sideshow Nation”) group show and thinking - how do we get to be a part of this? And of course, when the conversation got around to that, Rich immediately suggested that we bring work for the next one, even though he had no idea in that moment what we were creating. But he did not just know art, he knew people, and could sense that our enthusiasm was about belonging.

Everyone talks about the brilliance of the on the spot design he came up with, year after year, for that group exhibition -- a work of art in itself. And as with any great work, which Richard created in abundance in his studio, it led the viewer somewhere. In a digital age where it takes about an hour to retrofit an installation with a visual checklist, the Sideshow Nation remained without labels. You started at looking for something - your piece, or an artist you know -- or at something that drew you eye first, and you were inexorably led to whatever was next to it. And while this seems a natural way to show and appreciate art, there are interpersonal forces acting against the possibility of experiences like this, to the detriment of everyone who loves and or makes art.

Altruism is the perfume of the creative class. Artists mainly profess to be progressive, inclusive, generous, and all about their fellow humans and a few other species. Especially when collectors and the media are in front of their work. Sadly, put other artists into the picture and Pollyanna often morphs into Ayn Rand.  It has to be obvious to anyone who has been around art that the trajectory of the artist’s career has a direct connection to the relationship between the viewer and the art. Or it should. But in a system that throws scarcity into the mix on the one hand, and the ability of plenty of money to endow the appearance of resonance on the other, too many artists buy into the zero sum game of believing someone else can steal their success. Unless they fell under the Sideshow spell...

Transformative is the best word to describe the ripple Richard set in motion in the hearts and minds of those who experienced the energy that infused his passions. He made it too hard to hold onto ego-driven rules about competition and superiority, and so lovely to let go and be what you are - an artist. And even those casually walking into Sideshow for any exhibition, and seeing a level of creativity and mastery they had only seen in museums, left with their preconceptions about contemporary art forever changed,

What is a legacy? Richard has now made another transformation by departing this physical plane, but he left clear and intentional directions for us to continue to re-define ourselves and re-shape our community, and eventually history, in the direction of the power of art itself to embrace and heal a world. It will be wise and rewarding to stay the course.

December 18th is Richard's birthday, and there will be a church service this afternoon in Williamsburg, followed by a remembrance at the Gallery from 6:30-10pm. Details on his facebook page...

Why this is important

Have you ever said to yourself:

“I feel like I am the only one who cares about _____________”

You are in the right place…

For me it was always wildlife -- trees, birds, fish. Since I was very small even the idea of interacting with other species set my soul ablaze like nothing else. Sandcrabs were always more interesting to me than beachballs, and every maple, spruce and gingko on my block was in my prayers every night, City birds especially tugged at my heart, I drew strength from their resilience and boisterous energies as they sang in the face of urban hardships,

While I recorded such musings in various journals throughout my life, I don’t ever recall having a conversation about these things. When I pointed them out no one seemed interested, An old flame even said,”I’ve seen trees before.” (Probably a future essay here, on how you know you’re with the wrong person!) And for better or worse, I think I stopped trying.

This turned into a sort of grief reaction, in anticipation of what I loved being neglected and destroyed, because people don’t share my priorities. Where I felt such an abundance of love, I also always encountered the pain of a lack of that, which I had no way of making up for. Eventually it overtook the high energy vibrations I used to experience, I was not able to access them any more. I thought and felt the same, but I was not receiving what I now know was a confirmation from the Universe, saying “Yes, this is very important, keep looking and feeling.”

It is probably not insignificant that this happened around 9-11 and I lived in NYC. And it’s not as if I lived in desolation, I was writing prolifically and vividly, partnered with the great love of my life, and started creating and exhibiting visual art. In the end, it was writing that brought me back around - while whirling a sci-fi time travel/multiverse concept around in my head, I found a character not able to decide what they could know for certain was real anymore. Glancing over at Mark beside me, I heard my inner voice whisper, “only love.”

The idea that love is all being at the center of many teachings of New Thought, this notion brought me reconsider my much earlier explorations. I consumed a great deal from the self-help and psychology shelves at the bookstore, with standout authors such as Barbara DeAngelis, Wayne Dyer, and M.Scott Peck influencing my personal philosophy, and my understanding of my personal spiritual history, in life-changing ways. And Oprah made me dream of my own talk show! (Mostly so I could spend every day learning about humans.)

So, years later, after life took a few sharp turns, I was fortunate to have good friends guide me the the fact that I could resume this exploration via electronic media. Which, not coincidentally, has also provided people like me with an opportunity to present upon some kind of public platform largely free of complications and gatekeepers. I could even host a talk show as a podcast! And instead of thinking, too bad it took so long, I believe there is some “divine timing” to it all.

Why is “divine” in quotes? Communication. All of us are made of the same energy that composes the cosmos - stardust, if you will. Over millennia humans have identified this energy as one or many somewhat anthropomorphic deities and, indeed, were this energy to communicate with us, it would have to take a form comprehensible to people - . “God” is a great way to refer to this energy for many, and yet for many others the name is painful because of what people have inflicted on the word trying to claim some kind of divine privilege for themselves, so I work to keep my discourse as innocent secularism. I myself have received words in voices both male and female, but that doesn’t mean I believe the source was a single, transgender supreme being - just a large, loving energy making sure it was understood in that moment by another little bit of energy ensconced in a body.

Finally having chosen to listen and teach and care for others, I can now say, “Go out and look at a tree whether you want to or not!” And others can take or leave that or say I’m nuts when I leave the room, and I will remain unfazed...

What excites me in this moment (and inspired this post) is Marianne Williamson’s Presidential bid -- she is a leader who has been helping people awaken to the values that are most important to me for decades, and now more people will learn of her work. Marianne has also demonstrated over the years that Americans needed to mind our community and democracy, and she would do a great job pulling us off the brink.

The Puzzle Paradigm

Do you remember why it was so much fun when you were a kid to receive and assemble a jigsaw puzzle?

It was a box of affirmations! Every time you located and fitted just the right piece you confirmed to yourself that you could achieve, using your senses and analytical thought, something that had seemed impossible just moments before. The fun was in the starting and the finding.

Spiritual growth can be the same way. Every practice that clicks for us, every clue from the Universe of its miraculous magnificence we develop the ability to tune into is like that crooked edge fitting into just the right spot. But if you are like me, you did not always let yourself play. “Understanding” and “wisdom” are serious, grownup business. We are filling in a bigger picture, we focus on “finishing” the puzzle and “completing” ourselves.

Only this puzzle did not come in a box. And while each of us sees it differently, an ever expanding circle, or a right side forever ragged with no corners, the one certain thing is that we can’t finish. And no one else ever did either, no matter what they say. 

Shed the conditioning that your puzzle will look like somebody else’s that they have already finished so you don’t have to, or, that you are supposed to be working on someone else’s puzzle altogether, and you have taken the step to experiencing the joy of finding again, one piece at a time.

We are the puzzle, the puzzle is us. We are here to grow. And it is in the finding that growth takes place. 

Bonus Question:  How would it feel if we knew this puzzle was missing just one piece?

The Phantom Highway

The Phantom Highway

Here is a photo of the Prospect Expressway. I want you to be absolutely certain, before continuing, that it actually exists…

Why?

Because years ago, as a young adult at a family gathering, I suggested the route to a male relative asking for directions.

“I never heard of that.” He replied.

“Well,” I said, “Check the map I believe you can take it from…”

“No. That doesn’t exist!” Then louder, to make sure everybody heard him, “You’re making it up!”

Now, in the age of the whole world in our hands thanks to mobile technology, this would not fly (unless we let it, as too many people sadly do, to be “nice”), but at the time it was a 2-pronged attack  -- on my sanity and social standing. His first statement was intended to back me into a corner where I had to make myself wrong and back down from an obvious truth, or appear disagreeable by defending my statement. The second was to convey to everyone in earshot, in an authoritative tone, that I was a person who “made things up” and therefore unreliable.

Sexism is a form of societal psychopathy, often expressed as toxic “mansplaining” like this. I can at least provide you with a photograph to illustrate the ridiculousness and meanness of his position, but we all have equally valid points to make that can’t be captured in a digital camera, or proven in a millisecond. A more subtle but equally despicable type of discount is when someone re-interprets a clear statement you made and requires you to address and accept their version, usually uncomplimentary to you, to continue the conversation -- just don’t! Take charge of your own Identity! We all need to access less tangible information to make good decisions - and that is exactly the capacity this kind of gaslighting attacks. “Don”t think, I’m going to do that for you.”

Guys, I know that (a) real men do not behave like this, and (b) there are female sociopaths, but given the prevalence and acceptance of this and collateral offences I am taking the liberty to address this mostly as a gender issue this time, and thank you for understanding. And we all need to remember to stand and speak up for any person we witness as a target of this kind of trolling!

While mansplaining and gaslighting are a ways along this continuum of chronic abuse, the attitude has roots in an entire system that values the happiness of males over females. This article about advertising some people don’t want us to see opened my eyes to the way corporate gatekeepers this it’s okay to plaster the world with ads about erections, or the need for them, but would rather not have us see content impacting women’s sensual wellness.

The words of the prophets are indeed written on the subway walls, warning us not to become accustomed to inequality! It’s inspirational to see racism being outed and going viral via citizen journalists with mobile phones... it’s time to expose the war on women at this level as well!

Think about it, we are all stuck on this planet being driven to its doom by a governance structure gone mad. It’s requires those of us who can to trust our own insights -- provable or not --  and speak and act accordingly, with power and purpose, and own our own impact. We cannot afford to allow creepy losers, of any stripe or social position, without real strength of their own, to manipulate the rest of us in order to subvert our power into the service of their hopelessly broken egos. No one should be allowed to undermine the wonderful potential of any human being.

Namaste

https://www.fastcodesign.com/90171907/exclusive-see-the-ads-the-mta-deemed-too-sexual-for-the-subway

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/books/non-fiction/spot-psychopath/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/here-there-and-everywhere/201701/11-warning-signs-gaslighting

Working Gaslight

The Beauty of the Beast (Invitation Attached!)

We all want to be better. Sometimes we are hard on ourselves, and sometimes we dislike a facet of our thinking or actions so much we say "you are not me, begone!"

Which is pretty much what I was saying to myself on the subway a few weeks back, when I found some unpleasant notions I was entertaining about other passengers to be less than I expected of myself. I did not expect an answer...

What I sensed was crying, a mournful wail striking the center of my soul. A cry for understanding. A cry for acceptance...A cry for love.

Accessing my inner eye, I saw a very dark place, lonely, and two large, wet eyes looking back at me. There was a sense of unexpressible beauty, even though it was too dark to observe any details.

I responded to the wordless plea, with a vow to never neglect this creature again. To appreciate her gifts. Because of course, she was mine -- my discernment. While I may not feel it is highly evolved to judge others, sometimes we need our responses to first impressions to keep us safe in a world where so many strangers cross our paths.

This experience led me to begin to explore the way our least comfortable aspects can actually aid is in being better people, and I have found that characterizing them as beasts, real, mythical or invented, helps us love and understand them, hence ourselves, more fully and productively. Much more to come, but right now, the question is:

Do you have a few besties you are denying because you think they are lumpy, bumpy or just too darn dangerous?

Come and play with the Beasts at an event that is all about Beauty! Saturday, March 24th, Lucky, at 168 Avenue B,  will host a Beauty Brunch with bagels, cocktails and everything your body and soul need to SPRING into the season of love with magical ease! Pamper and treat yourself and have a special tarot reading directed to introduce you to the Beautiful Beasts who have always had your back...

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