Coronacation (Part Three)

Some Distant Horizon

Part Three Of The Covid-19 Era Visual Diary

Nature’s Work Always Comes In On Time

Everything Is Off Limits

Secret Lake Is A Secret

7 April 2020

Many roads are still open though some are closed. 

Many choices remain though some have been taken away. 

We will make new roads. We will make new choices. 

Everything closed or denied us for a time will reopen 

and reappear and we will find ourselves with even more 

choices than ever before... because we created them

 ourselves. Let’s remember to be kind to ourselves and others.

Spring Break 2020 #nofilter #stayhome

7 April 2020

Tonight I’m lighting a candle (or three) and saying goodbye 

to Schitt’s Creek. This show has brought me tremendous 

happiness, laughter and touched my heart in a way that no 

other TV show has before. I will definitely miss these 

beautiful characters and their wonderful world. 

Thanks for everything, guys!

Our Lord And Savior Moira Rose

8 April 2020

As the sun begins to set I’m thinking of my beloved 

Jewish friends and family who are celebrating the first 

night of Passover. May those of you who are apart from 

loved ones still feel connected in all of the timeless 

traditions you share across miles, decades and centuries. 

Many blessings. You all mean so much to me.

Mr. Peanut says hello!

9 April 2020

Shhh! Don't tell Steve about the bag of goodies

I left on his door as a thank you for making me this

amazing Linus mask. He made masks for my parents 

as well and he is LITERALLY the best friend ever.

Thank you, Peep!

Pandemic but make it fashion.

Here’s one of the items that was in the bag I gave 

Steve: A 1950s W.T. Grant ceramic glitter planter of a lamb 

that looks like he’s lifting his leg to pee. Golden... uhhh,

 I mean April showers bring May flowers!

11 April 2020

Hey, friends. I’m not gonna lie. 

This Easter is going to be weird for many of us who 

won’t be able to celebrate with loved ones. All day long

 I’ve been thinking about how tomorrow will be the first 

Easter in 47 years that I won’t be sitting down to dinner 

with my parents. I’ll admit, it got to me but I accept the

 circumstances we’re all in. This afternoon I sat down 

at my table to draw and the most beautiful, warm sunlight

 drew stripes across me as it came through the blinds and 

it made me smile. It felt like all of my departed loved 

ones were smiling at me and saying “I love you” so I thought 

I’d share that light (and that smile) with all of you because 

I love you too. Let’s keep finding our light and sharing it 

however we can.

This is what was on my table when the light broke through 

and lit up my eyes with joy. My work table is a sacred space. 

I’ve been using it since my parents gave it to me in 1985. It is 

here that I’ve not only created most of my artwork for the last

 35 years but also created myself to some degree. We all create 

ourselves with the energy we choose to connect to and the 

things we make with it. Many thanks to the sunlight 

for what it brought me today.

12 April 2020

I dropped off flowers, supplies and maintained a

 safe and appropriate social distance. The dog was

very confused. Happy Easter from The Montone Family.

Easter Parade

17 April 2020

Not all secrets are dark. Some carry magic.

Our reflections show us what we project. 

Our shadows show us (through contrast) how bright our light 

can shine. Our perception of distance shows us not how 

far we are from our desired good but how far we can reach. 

Sometimes, in stillness, with clear vision and belief in our 

own power, the stream can carry everything our way. 

Here’s to all of us as we co-create peace, abundance and 

prosperity. Stay illuminated. Love, CDM

Town And Country: Summer Sights, Sounds & Streets

Catching up on some June / July imagery...

1960s Corvair in Wind Gap, PA.

Flea Markets (as always)

Above and below: Sweet vintage scores.

This is my new friend. 

His name is Seamus.

This is a Luna Moth.

It parked itself outside my house for three days.

RIP Sylvia Miles.

Father's Day

Dad doing Dad things.

I said goodbye to more alumni (for now).

A mural for my workplace has been completed.

Create Your Own Path And Light The Way For Others

Acrylic on canvas. 66 by 89 inches.

And School Year 19 is DONE.

As always, hanging with my buddy Steve.

Judy Garland left us 50 years ago. It has been widely reported that Judy’s death sparked some of the rage that fueled The Stonewall Riots (77 blocks south of her memorial at The Campbell Funeral Home on June 27th). There are many others who disagree. However, what remains clear is that she was a singular, if not troubled talent and a gay icon. Her popularity with gay fans was mocked in Time Magazine in 1967 and even The Village Voice, which reported that The Stonewall Riots were a result of “Sunday fag follies” filled with “limp wrists” and “forces of faggotry”. In the early morning hours of June 28th, after 20,000 mourners (many of them gay men) had lined up for blocks and filed past Judy’s body as it lay in state, there was a raid at The Stonewall by the NYPD. At the time, public displays of homosexuality and “cross dressing” were criminal and grounds for arrest. Raids on gay bars were common... and legal. Something different happened, however, at The Stonewall raid that night... THE GAYS FOUGHT BACK. The myth of the two events being related was created by those who were present at the funeral and later descended upon Stonewall that night as well as the news media. Garland’s funeral was mockingly cited by some reporters as having precipitated the riot. This may or may not be entirely true but the fact remains that Judy’s death and a significant event in the LGBT equality movement are forever linked. So, do me a favor, folks... whether or not you subscribe to the “Judy Garland Started Stonewall” story just remember: Had the events of June 28th not occurred we would not have the culture of LGBT equality that we have today. While you’re congregating with friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, husbands, wives, lovers and strangers during World Pride celebrations take a moment to remember all those who fought back and payed a heavy price to challenge an institutionalized culture of bigotry and hate. Also, let’s raise a glass for Frances Ethel Gumm... aka Judy Garland. THANK YOU JUDY!

Hanging with Steve and Tatyana...

Influencer? Nah... I'm a pizza model.

37 years into her recording career, Madonna is STILL using her music and videos as a platform to expose, highlight, provoke conversation about and comment on our culture. Her newest single and video God Control is perhaps the most astounding and brutal statement she has made about our culture of violence since American Life in 2003. If there was ANY question about her “relevance” (ugh, I hate that word) as an artist and provocateur at age 60, I encourage you to listen to her barrier breaking album Madame X. Much like her albums Erotica and American Life (which had fans and critics split with strong, polarized opinions about the artistic value of each) this album has a far reaching tapestry of sounds woven together in smart and sometimes shocking ways. I definitely believe that like those aforementioned titles, Madame X will later be heralded as having been influential on the way popular music is created and produced. What lies at the root of this album (and ties all three together) is Madonna’s intellect, her ability to tell stories, her insight into music as an omnivorous feast and her capacity to remain inspired and ignited by the world around her. And while we’re at it... Okay, I’m speaking to my gays here. Are you listening? I’d like to remind those of you who throw shade at Madonna’s age, outfits, music and creative choices that she was one of the first public allies the LGBT community had in the 1980s. She was at the forefront of AIDS awareness, education and research when we had a president (Reagan) who had yet to say the word “AIDS” in public. Do you all remember the booklet with facts about AIDS prevention that was included inside all of our copies of Like A Prayer in 1989? The same woman who placed that booklet in your hands is STILL creative, vital and not going away anytime soon. Thank you, Madonna. 

More flea market and antique shop moments...  

Make America Prince Again. 

Age 5 and ALREADY all about freedom. 

Two murals on 14th Street (above) and in Chelsea (below). 

Got a new car... OF COURSE I took it right to Rita's. 

Swipe up for Steve's OnlyFans page. 

Season 3 was the best yet. 

46th Summer - No Filter 

Send for me in Summer... Forever. 

I was walking, as I often do. I was feeling the beauty around me, as I often do. I heard that gentle, knowing voice say, “Stop and take a picture.” And I did. The photo above was the result. Thank you to my guides and thank you Spirit. I know you’re watching and listening to me. I’m listening to you too. 

Stay illuminated, friends... Love, CDM