November/December 2015

Aldous Huxley’s Chair and the Open Doors of Perception   by Donalee Nelson

Aldous Huxley’s Hands: Childhood Memories

As a kid growing up in the seaside town of Long Beach, we lived in a neighborhood of older homes not far from the beach. My family lived in big old California bungalow built in about 1910 with a court behind it. For those of you who are not from Southern California, a court is usually a series of small rentals, in our case a series of duplexes, with a courtyard somewhere in between. My father’s dental office was adjacent to the living room, which acted as a waiting room during weekday office hours. The house across the street, where my life-long friend Allene’s maternal grandparents lived, was even older. She lived with her parents in a newer one built next door. It was a quiet, not very extraordinary neighborhood. Her father’s mother lived nearby. I think she was considered a bit eccentric at the time as she walked everywhere and was a vegetarian but to me she was an inspiration. She shared my name (not really for in her case Donna was a diminutive for grandma) and I loved to go on walks with her. Donna was smart, loving, creative and ahead of her time. She took us to Bixby Park across from the ocean and always on the same route as she had stories to tell at specific places. There was a wooden mailbox where a bird family lived and pond across the street with gold fish. She always remembered my birthday and until I was fifteen or sixteen and moved away every birthday there would be a brown paper bag with a drawing and hand written note with a piece of fruit left on the front porch marking my special day. She was wonderful. Allene was a grade ahead of me which carried some cache in and of itself and the notion that she was more sophisticated. In fact she got stuck with my sister and I as our mothers were best friends so Nancy and I always refer to her as our other sister. When you entered Allene’s living room there were light tables set up with what looked to me like negatives of hand prints and talk of Huxley and Bridey Murphy. This didn’t seem unusual to me because as I mentioned my living room featured a full-on dentist’s office. What did get my attention was that a movie producer from Universal was coming to talk to Howard, Allene’s father, about Huxley and his followers. I even remember to this day the name of that producer. What can I say as I knew nothing of Huxley. I was star struck so anything to do with movies seemed monumental to me. I’m so excited. “Aldous Huxley’s Hands: His Quest for Perception and the Origin and Return of Psychedelic Science” by Allene Symons will be released on December 8, 2015.This book has been a long journey for Allene and I know it is one from the heart. It will be a fascinating journey for readers. I can’t wait to read it as I know what a wonderful and interesting writer she is. I’m looking forward to a great read that for me is bound to fill in many blanks. It can be pre-ordered now at www.amazon.com and if you go to my Facebook page I will post a list of author signing dates. Thanks Allene! What a wonderful, magical and special holiday gift you have given to us all!

Where you can see my artwork

My artwork is available at Rons. For further information call the shop at 805.489.4747.  Rons is located at 850 W. Grand in Grover Beach a few blocks from the train station, a golf course and the beautiful Pacific Ocean. For more information go to Rons website at www.ronsingroverbeach.com or find him on facebook.

Something Special

The New Whitney opened May 1. Frank Stella; A Retrospective begins October 30, 2015. The show will feature approximately 120 works covering the career of one of the most important contemporary artists of our time from the ‘50s through his current works. His protractor series is iconic. Once during the 1970s my classmates and I visited a showing of Stella’s work at a New York gallery…the artist was there, trying hard not to be recognized. I assumed he was checking out audience reactions just like movie stars who sneak in at the back of the theatre to see first-hand if their movie is a hit or not. Check www.whitney.org for all the details.

Cool Places to Visit

Instead of listing interesting exhibits this month I decided to make a list of many cool places to visit…some you may already know but many will hopefully be new to you. Check past blogs for exhibits currently showing as many have not changed.

Albright Knox Gallery in Buffalo, NY

This is a wonderful small gallery with great exhibits and worth a visit if you are in the area. For information check out www.albrightknox.org and find out what exhibits are currently on display.

Giverny

Situated on the right bank of the Seine, Monet’s home and garden are always worth a visit. Beautiful and inspirational, it's fun to check out the artist’s aesthetic in his daily life. Go to www.giverny.org for times and tours.

Matisse Chapel, Vence, France

The Rosaire Chapel was conceived and entirely designed by Henri Matisse between 1948 and 1951. All of the architecture, stained glass windows, furniture and vestments were designed by the artist. He considered it his masterpiece. In the south of France, it is a wonderful side trip. For times go to www.//vence.fr/the-rosaire-chapel and you can find out when it is open.

Rothko Chapel, Houston, Texas

This chapel, which is non-denominational, features the work of abstract impressionist painter Mark Rothko. He is a favorite and I remember so well seeing one of his works for the first time at the DIA. I was on a special tour and the museum was closed. As we approached a darkened room, the curator turned on the light to reveal the most spectacular glowing painting. It took my breath away. The Chapel features fourteen meditative paintings created especially for the space. If you are going to Houston be sure to go to www.rothkochapel.org to find more data.

Corning Museum of Glass Corning, NY

At the Corning Museum of Glass there are live demonstrations by glass makers, beautiful examples of glass throughout history. You can even make your own glass. The museum offers information and demonstrations about just about anything you ever wanted to know about glass. General information is at www.cmog.org as well as times and directions.

Boyden Cavern

The caves between Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon in California offer glimpses of stalactites and stalagmites, an underground stream and the Bat Grotto. The amazing geological formations are beautiful. Information is available at 888.965.8243 or you can email boydencavern@gmail.com

Nitt Witt Ridge Cambria,CA

The ultimate in recycling is a house on a hill in Cambria, CA. Art Beal bought the property in 1928 and spent the next 50 years building his “castle.” Also known a Der Tinkerpaw, Beal was the garbage collector for the town in the 1940s and 1950s so he made use of what his neighbors threw away. Many remnants of garbage from Hearst Castle are included. It is located at 881 Hillcrest Dr., Cambria, CA.

The Barnyard Shopping Village at Carmel

Carmel, California is a lovely town. This is one of my favorite places there. Parking is easy. It is a great place to meander from shop to shop or just hang out since the grounds are so beautiful. Find your way by looking at www.thebarnyard.com for information.

Fifi’s Bistro Café in Pacific Grove

A wonderful little restaurant for many reasons opened when I was living nearby in the 1980’s. I have watched it evolve over the years and grow. It serves wonderful French food and I have even had them pack up special holiday desserts for a trek down south. It has such great ambience and Michele has owned it since its inception. Go to www.fifisbistrocafe.com if you are in the area…it is a treat.

Izzy Otani Fish Market and Restaurant: Oxnard, CA

This little fish market has been there forever. It also serves meals at an adjacent restaurant. There are a couple of tables but it is essentially take out. It has little ambience but I love it anyway. I has the best seafood around! Locals just refer to it as Otani’s and it is open daily from 11 am until 8pm. It is located at 608 South A Street in Oxnard, not the best neighborhood, but don’t let that stop you. It is worth it. Call 805.483.6915 for information.

Simply the Best:

The best place to find books on the arts, Arcana is a very special book store located in the Helms Bakery complex in Los Angeles…it's wonderful! I have known owner Lee Kaplan for decades and his selection of books is as superb as his taste is impeccable.  Arcana: Books on the Arts is at 8675 Washington Boulevard, Culver City, CA 90232. For information go to  http://www.arcanabooks.com  or call 310.458.1499.

Michiko Jewelry Design is an incredible jewelry store in downtown Seal Beach, CA, featuring excellent one-of-a-kind gifts. The shop owner and artist, Carol Matsumoto, custom designs beautiful pieces. Michiko is at 228 Main Street. Call 563.431.3237 for more information or check www.michikojewelrydesign.com

The Art of Living Well and the Generosity of Spirit

Around this time of year when I start designing our holiday cards I extend good wishes to the recipients including love, hope, happiness, compassion, wisdom, good health and peace in the coming year. Recently in the midst of a crisis I learned how heartfelt these words are. My sister and I who live far from most of our friends found ourselves in the eye of the perfect storm when we both became ill at the same time. We are lucky to have close friends and family so I knew they would be supportive. What was unexpected and so totally amazing was their uniform response. They arrived one by one as a “tag team” from all over California to make sure we were alright. All of these wonderful friends who have their own incredibly busy lives showed us what true compassion, love (so many prayers were answered), hope (when mine had waned), happiness, wisdom (when I was overwhelmed) and peace of mind was all about. We had already been blessed with a neighbor, Mary Ann, who along with surgeon, Dr. Soma, saved my sister’s life as well as other wonderful physicians, paramedics, nurses and technicians and I will be eternally grateful. Those who could came and those who couldn’t get here called. They comforted me, cleaned our house, got meals, and even cleaned cat boxes. My thanks especially go to Shirley, who arrived quickly, was such a comfort and showed such great compassion, to Carol who arrived right behind her, to Janette, who contacted our brother and came up twice to help, to our brother Carl who stayed at the hospital with Nancy and kept us posted on her condition, to Jessica and Sheldon, who took great care of the house, to Allene, our other sister, who took charge and along with Maria, our sister in spirit, kept us on an even keel , to Darcee, who through her calm and knowledge helped Nancy get the health care she needed and to Andreea who rearranged her life to help make ours better. Even though our saga is not over, these wonderful friends helped us get through the worst of this as they showed such strength, wisdom, compassion and generosity of spirit that it will serve as a fierce example for the rest of my life. Even though I appreciate fine wine, excellent food and fabulous vacations, for me living the good life means having friends and supporting each other. This is as good as it gets.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND ALL THE BEST FOR THE NEW YEAR.

My website at www.donaleenelson.com was designed and created by Sandy Crespo.


Continue to check back as we will be posting upcoming shows here and on the exhibits page of my website…and again, there is always Facebook.