Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Election Day - FINALLY

Today is election day In the US and I have been following for too long.
I am like a moth to a flame with the whole thing. I try and read or watch as much of it as I can.
More than is good for my blood pressure I'm sure.

I hate to mix politics and my blog, so I will spare you and not go into any of that.
We all need to live together after the results are tallied, so whatever the outcome, here's to a better future for ALL of us.

Today is a beautiful day here, sunny and warm, so I decided to head out to paint just to try and take my mind off the whole election thing for a few hours.

So I'm driving along looking for something to paint, and this guy caught my eye.
You know I love painting donkeys, but this one said something special to me.
I hustled my gear out of the car and he stayed still long enough for me to get this quick sketch.




"True Blue", 8" x 10" oil on board, Frank Gardner © 2008
Private Collection


Glad I could relax and take my mind off the politics thing.
I needed that!
Now back to tracking the progress of the day.


Funny how these guys are getting around. Have a peek at Christine's blog to see more.
Jennifer also has a donkey posted.
and Paula has a donkey on her blog.
Elizabeth likes donkeys too.
Paula Villanova has added an independent donkey.

if you decide to join in and post your own donkey of a different color.
( or an elephant I suppose)
Drop me an email and i'll gladly add a link to your post.

51 comments:

Christine Mercer-Vernon said...

I LOVE IT! my he would have stopped me dead in my tracks too. nothing like a blue donkey to make your day! so now we wait...on the edge of our seats... and into the we hours of the morning. i have never been so excited.

i must say, you really captured the color of this donkey to perfection!

Frank Gardner said...

Must have been a sign from heaven.

Anonymous said...

thought you weren't mixing politics with blogging...........

Frank Gardner said...

Hi Mom!

Anonymous said...

nope - solveg.

Frank Gardner said...

Oh.. well you did not sign your name like usual Solveg.

Hello to you too.

Jennifer Thermes said...

I love it, Frank! That blue is just stunning. I'll try to get one together! :-D

Karen Cole said...

Ahhhh, those glorious brush strokes that you want to reach out and touch.

I think the democrats should have contacted you a long time ago for a logo.

Let's hope this donkey is doing the victory dance thsi time tomorrow.

Frank Gardner said...

I thought you might Jennifer.
That would be great if you joined in. Unless you're busy working that is.
; )

Frank Gardner said...

Hi Karen, It is nice to hear from you today.
I had wanted to do a donkey a day for the month of October, but thought that might have been over the top.
I hope he's dancing by evening!

Jeff Mahorney said...

I love that ass (no pun)!

Seriously those strokes are awesome! Wonderful. Let's hope it is indeed a sign of things to come. :)

Frank Gardner said...

Thanks Jeff! It was a rush photo job, I think it looks better in real life.
Affirmative!

Anonymous said...

Oh Frank!
I thought you could make it through the day - quietly. Great donkey though.
Enjoy the night. Dad and I are going to bed early.
Keep blogging - I love it. And do so enjoy your friends.
love,
MOM - really!

Alicia PadrĂ³n said...

Hee.. hee, this is too fun Frank! Love that donkey. Boy is he blue!

I'm here glued to the TV watching CNN.

(BTW, love your mom.. she is too sweet) :o)

Frank Gardner said...

That's pretty quiet for me Mom.

Frank Gardner said...

Hi Alicia. About as blue as they get.
Me too. and Me too.

Paula Villanova said...

I really love the blue donkey, political connotations or not...

Barbara Pask said...

Hi Frank, This shows that if the values are right the color comes second. I agree with you that whoever is or new president we have to get behind him and move on.

Anonymous said...

hi, back atcha frank,
solveg

wasn't trying to be mysterious - i forget that i'm not the sole blogless anonymous.

and, you know i love the way you paint animals - sheep, goats, donkeys, horses.........this one looks a little forlorn and underoxygenated, though. perhaps you'll repaint him tomorrow with a winner's countenance and complexion.

love the sky.
and the eyelashes.

Anonymous said...

If I may " burro " a phrase from last nights' historic event, " Yes You Can"- paint anything!!!!

I want to feed him an apple and take him home.

Frank- so glad you added this post to your otherwise art only blog. This is such an important time for all of us, whether we live in the US or not.

First time your mom appeared here too, I see. Hi Mom.

What a night- we still haven't slept.

Billy Guffey said...

Love the blue donkey, Frank.

Politics aside, my grandfather was a trader of horses and mules all his life, so I have an affection for the animals. On his deathbed at 99 years old, he was so weak he couldn't speak, but at times he would actually shout, "aheaaa, mule!" Reliving the wonderful days of his youth with the animals he loved.

Thanks for the painting.

Frank Gardner said...

Thank you Paula!

Glad you found a lesson in it Barb. You are right, I went for trying to get the value right. It was done pretty quickly, but I think that keeps it fresh.
I agree. Time for everyone to join together and work through our differences. I hope this will bring REAL change.

That just sounded like something my Mom would have written Solveg, that's all.
It's 'cause he was holding his breath. All better now and he is back to narmal. Feeling pretty good actually.
Thanks for noticing the eyes!

"Burro" away Bonnie.
I believe it was "yes WE can"... WE can paint anything. All of us.
Mom commented once before, but with her name, not "Mom".
Now get some sleep.

Thanks Bill. I have acquired a taste for horses and donkeys myself. Hope I can own a few one day.

Kelley Carey MacDonald said...

Frank, I too have been obsessed with the election - and you being in SM, I think I know your leanings, and fervently share them. Politics aside - I've painted the wonderful burros in SM, but every time I go I see fewer and fewer of them. I know you must somehow appreciate the Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks in town, but... do you know of another Mexican city that is 'historic', yet hasn't been invaded by the big chains?

Anyway I LOVE your burro (or donkey, whatever) - such empathy! I will grab my painting and email it to you! Thanks for an always interesting blog.

Anonymous said...

Love your blue donkey! ;-)

Paz

Rhonda Hartis Smith said...

I love your blue donkey too, best one I've ever seen!

Rhonda

FCP said...

You captured it perfectly,Frank,
Faye

Frank Gardner said...

Hi Kelly, Yes, San Miguel has a strong democratic lean to it.
There are still a lot of burros around.
I don't really appreciate the Dunkin Donuts, actually, it is just a shop that brings a few in daily from the Dunkin Donuts in Leon. And I don't buy from Starbucks either. I buy from the Ventana, the same small shop that I have gotten my coffee beans from for a long time.
The "big chains" places stick to the outskirts of town. They do not really bother me. People have a choice where they want to shop, no one is forced to go there.
Glad you like the donkey.

Frank Gardner said...

Thanks Paz!

Frank Gardner said...

Thanks Rhonda.

Frank Gardner said...

Thank You Faye.

Alicia PadrĂ³n said...

Hola amigo, hope you don't mind I did this.. but check this out:

http://www.dumpr.net/photo/64aef70ef059da8e/

I told you they belong there... ;o)

http://www.onpainting.wordpress.com said...

A very cool donkey in every meaning of the word. Now I will be driving the country roads looking for one to paint myself.

Elizabeth said...

Frank, loved the cool blue donkey.
Bet he is kicking up his heels today!
I have posted the painting that is in our bedroom. A life sized donkey.
Never thought of him politically before.....
Life does look a little brighter.....

Frank Gardner said...

That is too funny Ms. Padron. Thanks. It looks great in that nice frame on a grand scale.
No flash photography please.
I'm still smiling.

Frank Gardner said...

Thanks Bill. If you come across one like him let me know.
Hey, if you can't get your candy back from that girl down the street I have some that I'll share.

Frank Gardner said...

Hi Elizabeth, I never really thought of one of my favorite subjects in those terms either, but it fit right in with the theme.
I'm glad that you posted some donkeys too.

Anonymous said...

can you hurry up and paint something else - there seem to be some absences in the comment list to this post.....perhaps some of your friends need a painting from you that reaches across the great human divider, politics, and welcomes them back into the previously unrent Frank Gardner world. half a world isn't so beautiful - it was only a bit over half that voted for the blue donkey savior. perhaps you could paint the other half back into your frame pretty soon?
s

Ed Terpening said...

I think you found the perfect way to mix politics and art. We're all quite relieved the election is over, and in our favor!

Don Gray said...

Frank, your blue donkey was prophetic, and I'm so glad! Thanks for a beautiful painting and clever post.

Melinda said...

Frank,
Virtual hug, amigo. Beautiful donkey!

I really love blue.
Very happy to see lots and lots of blue...
What a relief.

Frank Gardner said...

Hi Ed. Yeah, it is about as subtle a way as I could put it.

Frank Gardner said...

Hi Don, thanks for the comment!

Frank Gardner said...

Virtual hug back at you Melinda!
Blue is one of my favorite colors too.

Marian Fortunati said...

That donkey is break-dancing as we speak.
Aren't you glad all those darn political ads are over!!??
I will say that Obama and all of us now have a heck of a mess to take care of... Let's hope we can all help one another work to get out of the hole that's been dug!!

Frank Gardner said...

Hi Marian. I was not subjected to those adds down here. But I can imagine. Especially when you know they are saying a bunch of half baked lies.

Yeah, the mess is big. Being an ex pat, I see how the rest of the world sees the US. Hopes are high everywhere that things can be turned around. Everyone wants to be friends. I think that the US can recover and take a proud stance in the world soon.
Just having someone that wants to work with others is a good sign.

Anonymous said...

Love the blue donkey!

Frank Gardner said...

Thanks Alexandre!

ale balanzario said...

Me encanto !!!!!

Frank Gardner said...

Pues, muchas gracias Ale!

Odd Chick said...

Now this is just weird. I wasn't even thinking about the election, but yesterday, I was riding my bike and saw two donkeys and thought, "i want to bring my camera back and capture those guys to paint". I really, really, like you rendition in brilliant blue and thank you for all the links to the others. That was a trip and 1/2.

Frank Gardner said...

Hi Odd Chick, thanks for checking out my blog. I appreciate the comment.