Celebrations And Solstice

I am oftentimes the first adult that one of my high school art students comes out to. Boys, girls, non-binary or transgender, gay, lesbian or bisexual… I’ve heard and seen it all. Every person’s story, truth and timeline is different but they all know that however they identify, I’m a safe person. I’ve had friends, colleagues and social acquaintances ask me how to talk to their kids when it appears that one of them is LGBTQ. I always say that once you’ve set the table and tone, a kid will decide when they’re ready to talk. All you have to do is be present and make it clear that you accept them and their truth. This formula doesn’t apply exclusively to kids. I’ve found that it has also allowed other adults I know to confide their own private feelings, thoughts, desires or identity-related questions to me. Being a trusted sounding board who is taken into confidence isn’t something I take lightly. Apart from holding these conversations sacred, I’ve been given a greater understanding of the many hues on each of the manifold spectra we call our “identities”. At any age or however you identify, the freedom to be clear about who you are in every aspect of your life is liberating and empowering. When you offer a friend, family member or loved one the latitude to be who or what they need to be, you have opened a door that holds space for their truth… whatever that may be. Never underestimate the power of that priceless gift, which is just as beautiful to give as it is to receive. Happy Pride, everyone… and I mean EVERYONE.

When you get called "Saved By The Bell" all day long

at work... Not by students but by other faculty members. 

I celebrated Prince's birthday with the brand new 3 LP purple vinyl / 2 CD / Blu-Ray box set of Prince And The Revolution Live (1985). Formerly available only on VHS and a substandard 1 to 1 DVD transfer, this restored document of the iconic Purple Rain tour is nothing short of spectacular. For those interested, the deluxe box set contains all physical media, a download of the audio, a poster and a comprehensive tour book. The Prince Estate has done it again and given fans another beautiful archival release to enjoy.

Metropolis

...And that's a wrap on Year 22

ADIOS!

Is it pronounced "gy-ro" or "hee-ro"?

I have now read the memoirs of three Go-Go's: Belinda Carlisle, 

Kathy Valentine and Gina Schock. All we need is for Charlotte 

Caffey and Janie Wiedlin to write one (with an audio book from Jane). 

Some of my favorite 2022 graduates

Didn’t have a “Running Into Mark Harmon” square 

on my flea market bingo card but I ain’t mad at it.

My favorite record vendor let me hold this extremely rare and valuable album by The Chirping Crickets from 1957 featuring a young unknown named Buddy Holly. It goes for approximately 800 dollars however to Bobby it’s priceless. Believe me. I get that.

Father's Day fun at Mom and Dad's house...

Happy Father’s Day To My Genetic Blueprint

I’m about to sit down to work on the first of the 36 final illustrations that will compose my next book. Earlier today, as I often do, I visited the park only to be surprised once again by my sometimes elusive blue heron friend. Mindful of the undertaking I’m about to commence, I knowingly smiled upon seeing him, noting his significance. The blue heron symbolizes self-reliance, self-determination and the ability to evolve and progress. I always seem to be met with totems, messages and cosmic signs at key moments in my life without asking for them to appear and well, this was a big one. Many thanks to my majestic feathered friend, the elementals and all of my guides. Everything is available to all of us if we are open to receive. Stay illuminated. Love, CDM

Volume Number 130 of my diaries and some quick notes.

Always noting, transcribing, compiling and composing. 

So much work ahead but it will all get done. It always does. 

Wishing joyful Summer Solstice and

a beautiful season of prosperity to everyone.

Coronacation (Part Five)

Sunshower

10 May 2020

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!

22 if by land. 2 if by sea.

Hey You... Yeah, YOU. In case nobody told you recently, 

you’re Number One. Numero Uno. Accept nothing but the 

best. Don’t suffer any fools or their clumsy limitations.

 Go out and get EVERYTHING. If what you desire doesn’t 

exist in your space, create it and it will be 100% YOURS.

Vibe Check - The Mood Is Mellow

I treated myself to a very rare item on eBay: 

Interview Magazine (June 1979) with a Debbie Harry

 cover illustration by Richard Bernstein. Side Note: I may

start photographing and blogging my vintage magazine library.

Recent Listening:

Pizzicato Five, Liz Phair, Duran Duran, Squeeze

I Bring You Primrose And A Clear Path

Happy Birthday To Cher and Stevie Wonder

14 May 2020

It’s been 62 days since I’ve seen my classroom. 

The building is mostly silent and empty. I’ve been given 

clearance to come in to photograph as much student 

artwork as I can. I will be taking these images home, 

editing them and (along with my colleagues who are 

doing the same thing at varied times) working with the 

rest of the art department to create digital art exhibits. 

Kids, families, friends... We got you.

 ART PERSEVERES NO MATTER WHAT! Love, CDM

Don't Forget To Breathe

Supernature • Day For Night

Prince: Vibe Check And Permanent Mood 

Dimanche • Fleur Du Jour

Roadside Ribbon • A Pride Parade In 2020

Peak 2020 
Dystopian Shopping 
With Schitt’s Creek #mask4masc

26 May 2020

Memorial Day

Thanks to those who gave all.

22 May 2020

So it’s Flashback Friday AND World Goth Day?

 Okay, well here’s a treat: Me (age 18) at the 1991 

Ridge High Art Show next to my pastel portrait of 

Robert Smith from The Cure. Some of you might 

remember my spooky phase: amulets, witchcraft 

books, black nail polish, a morbid fascination with 

death and a variety of interesting outfits and hairstyles.

 I remember that kid well. His lazy-eyed smirk, furrowed 

brow and an endless array of smart ass remarks. Check 

out that Nino Cerruti blazer and teased up hair. If THAT 

look doesn’t say “Whatever... I’m going to art school.” 

I don’t know what does. I remember that kid’s questions, 

conflicts and confusion too. Oh, and he often got mistaken

 for a lesbian when walking around in the West Village so 

that was kinda fun. Anyway, I heard that spooky kid actually

 turned out okay. His art career didn’t do so badly either but

 I heard he contracted an irreversible case of Art Skool Damage.

World Goth Day Part Deux • If you had told me at age 17 

that I’d have hair like Robert Smith from The Cure at age 47

 I’d have said “HELL YES!” #nofilter #quarantinehair

17 May 2019 • One Year Ago Today... 

365 days ago my friend Mariana (Instagram: @marilins) snapped 

this photo after Patti LuPone’s 70th birthday concert with the 

New York Philharmonic. This was a once in a lifetime “only in 

New York” cultural event in which Ms. LuPone performed signature 

career highlights and seemingly personal, autobiographical

 selections as a classical orchestra played under the baton 

of a broadway conductor (Patrick Vaccariello). The singularity 

of this landmark moment was only matched by the artistry we 

witnessed and I’m so grateful that I got to share this evening

 with such wonderful people. As a lifelong pop / rock / R&B / 

alternative / indie music fan, this concert was a bit of a 

cultural outlier for me but one that I enthusiastically worked 

into my rich, colorful tapestry of live music memories. None 

of us know when we will have the chance to witness another 

live music, theatre or art event or how the current landscape 

will frame those experiences in the future. For now, we hold 

beautiful memories and that’s okay. MUSIC NOW AND ALWAYS.

Sentimental Post • My Last Pre-Corona Concert

Earlier today my friend Mariana and I talked about the last show each 

of us saw before the corona virus. For both of us, it happened to be 

Madonna’s Madame X Tour (which I saw in Brooklyn, Mariana in 

Lisbon). I’ve been lucky to see Madonna many times and on some

 occasions we’ve made eye contact. Every time I’ve stood or sat 

in a prime location at a concert venue, I’ve been grateful. I’ve 

always understood that viewing or photographing a performance

 at close range is privileged access that can’t be taken for granted. 

During Madonna’s Madame X shows, photography was banned.

 As a result I happily recorded this intimate, theatrical experience

 in my memory (without distraction) from my center aisle orchestra 

seat. She and I did make eye contact several times however 

there was a plot twist. Madonna sang the show closing “I Rise”

 while descending a few steps into the audience and (security in 

tow) started fist bumping fans as she made her way up the center 

aisle. At eye level now and approaching me, I was taken by the 

pronounced delicacy of her petite frame. In a slow motion, almost 

frozen (yet fleeting) moment I bowed forward, lifted my left fist,

 quietly said “Love ya Madonna” and saw her sparkling blue 

eyes cut over to mine. No longer under the superficial, illusory 

glare of stage lights I could scan the fine lines on her theatrically 

cosmetized face. The iconic, painterly artifice on her 61 year old 

flesh was humanized in the most beautiful way as she smiled, 

her voice still registering into the microphone in her left hand.

 Bringing up her right fist, Madonna gently tapped her lace-covered 

knuckles against mine. Boom. With that one fist bump, Madonna

punctuated the end of a sentence. For both myself and Mariana 

(who also got a fist bump from Ms. Ciccone in Lisbon) this was 

the last live interaction either of us would have with an artist in 

“the old world” before Covid-19 made large gatherings, human

proximity and casual human contact verboten. Thank you, 

Madonna... for everything. Stay safe. I hope to see you and 

many of my other favorite artists again soon.

18 May 1980

Ian Curtis of Joy Division

left us 40 years ago today.

If You Know, You Know

From my home to yours. Stay illuminated.