“Reworking familiar imagery is just my way of giving history a second look.” – Jesse Mockrin
Only Sound Remains – oil on linen
Based in Philadelphia, this artist examines Renaissance and Baroque artists’ art, with an eye on the survival of traditional narratives and beliefs in contemporary society. She then intervenes with her own modern canon.
Jesse Mockrin’s paintings “respond to histories of sexual violence and cruel treatment of women over millennia of myth and story, offering interventions and moments of resistance.”
Collectively, the paintings in ECHO highlight “an ongoing battle for bodily autonomy”.
The above painting is based on the Greek and Roman myth of Echo and Hera.
By Her Hand – oil on linen
The biblical widow and heroine, Judith, beheads Assyrian General Holofernes and saves her people. This was a popular subject for artists in the 15 & 1600’s due to the “stark contrast between Judith’s femininity and the aggression of her violence.”
Behold/Beholden – oil on linen
Mockrin builds up thin glazes of oil paint, a European Renaissance developed technique. “she crops her composition sharply, hiding critical elements of a story and leaving conflict unresolved.”
Unvarnished, her paintings have an eerie flatness.
In mid-stream – oil on canvas
“Grasping, pulling, lifting …. I am drawn to the ways that Baroque painters build drama and tension into their compositions.”Jesse Mockrin
Based on Ruben’s The Massacre of the Innocents, the woman in the right panel is based on one of the mothers protecting her children.
Painted circa 1610, The Massacre of the Innocents resides in the AGO’s collection. The photo on the left is an allowable share from the AGO. Click on the image to visit the page, and a larger version of the masterpiece..
In the Book of Genesis – Rachel and Leah were both married to Jacob.
Leah had many children. After many years of yearning to be a mother, Rachel had 2 sons. She died giving birth to the second child.
Longing – oil on linen
Lovesick – oil on linen
A cry is heard – oil on linen
“It’s very emotional and very real, her longing for a child and then her tragic death as a result of it.”
“We think we’re not that similar to these characters, but they were just people, same as us.” – Jesse Mockrin
Okay, I thought this was a wolf, but turns out it’s a coyote.
This spectacular mural is on a retaining wall by the Don River. I’m guessing 100 ft. long anyway.
Viewing from left to right: The bits of green behind the Blue Fronted Dancer Damsel Fly are stinging nettle.
Toad
Mink
Water Strider
Bullhead Catfish, White Sucker and Raccoon
The terrifying and wildly wild Golden Doodle
Cottontail Rabbit
Fox
Coyote
Red-winged Blackbird and Great Egret
White-tailed Deer
Beaver with Water Lily behind it.
Painted Turtle
Broadleaf Plantain in centre
Leopard Frog
Bumblebee with White Astor
As I mentioned at the beginning, I thought this was a wolf. I had done a song with Tim about my Wolf Tree and the Wolf moon. I thought – YAY, I can use it here. Coyote not a wolf, I’m using it anyway. I can’t sing, but I’m singing anyway.
How does one review a heart, soul and mind book like this? Does one say it’s well written? It answers very human questions in an ordinary way that all can understand? Many of us will go through this, so it’s a helpful read?
A Journey Through Loss
Written by D.G.Kaye, after the death of her husband, the love of her life; this helpful book speaks from the pain of experience. She is not a therapist, nor a psychiatrist, nor a professional healer of any sort. And she is right up front about that fact.
In her own words “I devoured books on everything from grief to the afterlife, always striving to make sense of the roller coaster ride I was on,”
I think the best way to impart something more of this book is to speak directly to D. G.
Resa – The cover of your book has the words: Shock, Fog, Anger, Triggers, Guilt, Anxiety and Denial swirling in a circle. At first I thought the words were repeating in order, but upon a closer look, I realize that they are not in any order, but do repeat.How did you come up with it? Why the words are not in any order?
D.G. – For this cover, the concept came to me immediately.
Grief is like an ongoing spiral with ups and downs. The words inside are just some of the phases grievers experience. The fact that the words are in no particular order and some not repeated is precisely how grief works.
We may visit phases over and over again through time, and some may dissipate with time. Thus, the grief spiral is far from linear but, more chaotic.
It was above 0c and cloudy out, not a peep of sun in the sky. A perfect day to shoot a shadow free piece of wall art, that seemed perfect for this post. It was only a 20 minute walk to get there.
Suddenly, as I arrived, it became a sunny day with nary a cloud in the sky. There was a barren tree’s shadow over the painting. I shot it anyway. To me, there is something poetic in this image, that relates to grief – something about the shadow.
Resa – Debby, can you see why I think that? Can you put it into words?
D.G. – Oh wow Resa. I love the shot with the tree’s shadow. If I were to relate it to grief I would say that when you love deep, it’s like carrying sunshine in your heart. And when you lose that love of your life, despite all the horribleness, there will be days when the obstinate clouds clear and the sun shines through, although the shadow of grief is never too far away.
Resa – Perfectly, poetically and profound said.
After the pics were taken, there was still not a cloud in the sky. So, I hopped on a streetcar, heading home. About 3 stops later, Suddenly, it clouded over. There was nary a crack of sun to find.
Resa – This seemed mystical to me, Debby. Does this touch you, or am I just a sentimentalfool?
D.G. – Oh no Resa, you may be sentimental – like me, but no fool. I love that you were working on this post and came across these poignant images in your travels.
Remembering that grief is love with nowhere to go, the image reminds that even without sunshine, the shadow of love always sticks with us. Not to mention, it reminds me of the Tree of Life – rain or shine, we are branches off the Tree of Life where memories live deep within, sometimes shadowed, but always there.
In the book D.G. writes:
“In the aftermath comes the loss of us. Our grief replaces replaces the lives we once knew.”
Resa – Has writing this book been cathartic? Has it helped you to replace that life lost, with a new life?
D.G. – In some ways this book was cathartic to write, but in many other ways, it was difficult to write; because to write, dredging the info up meant remembering moments that could take my breath away and have me leaving the computer for an emotional break.
In no way did writing this book help to replace that ‘life lost’, as nothing ever could. That life is no longer tangible, but seared in my heart.
But, the book offers a lot of understanding of the trials and tribulations of the process of grieving through time, understanding that it’s difficult to let go of a life you’re familiar with when it’s snatched from you, with the importance of eventually finding our way back into a new way of living.
Thank you to D.G. Kaye (Debby to her pals) for her time answering my questions! Debby, I appreciate this more than I can say!
Meet D.G. Kaye
Congratulations to Debby for being officially in the top 5% of Goodreads Reviewers!
About the Real Stages of Grief is available world wide at Amazon.
Click on book cover to go to the purchase page on Amazon.com
“Personally, I don’t believe there is any cure for grief. It’s not a disease that we will get over and feel better about tomorrow. Rather, it’s a new addition to our lives, one we must become acquainted with.” – D. G. Kaye
Pics taken by Resa – 2023 – 2025
Toronto, Canada
The artists in vertical order:
The Dreamers, Julia Praza, One Day Creates, Unknown, Blackburn, Unknown, Chris Perez, Vizla Bacon, Blazeworks, Adrain Corne
It was an extreme pleasure to view 2 of Angelica Kauffmann’s paintings at the Making Her Mark exhibit, at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO).
Sappho Inspired by Love
1775 – Oil on Canvas
Born in Switzerland in 1741, Angelica studied under her father, muralist Johann Joseph Kauffman. By 12 years of age she was considered a prodigy, could sing (soprano) and was soon fluent in German, Italian, French and English.
In the early 1760s, a transient life travelling through Switzerland, Austria, and Italy, as her father’s assistant, introduced her to classical and Renaissance art. She also became familiar with the emerging art movement, Neoclassicism.
In this painting-
“the Greek poet Sappho – (around 630-around 570 BCE) – known for her poetry about desire between women – collaborates on a verse with Cupid, the god of love.” -AGO
“Translations of Sappho’s erotic poetry circulated throughout the 1700’s, contributing to her reputation as a historical touchpoint for female and queer poets.” – AGO
In 1765 Angelica was elected to Rome’s Academia di San Luca, in recognition of her works.
Accompanying Lady Wentworth, Angelica moved to London in 1766. Here she became the demanded portraitist for aristocrats and royalty.
In 1767, she married a fraudulent Count Frederick von Horn, clergyman. Later that same year, Angelica found herself abandoned. The imposter had been found out and fled the scene.
Telemachus Returning to Penelope
circa 1771 -Oil on Canvas
In 1768, Angelica Kauffmann and Mary Moser, became the only female painters among the founding members of London’s Royal Academy of Art. Her work showed regularly at the Academy for the next 16 years.
Angelica formed a personal style of painting women from classical history and mythology. This strong brand of hers evolved from the reality that women were not permitted, excluded from life drawing classes.
In the 1770’s, she became part of a team painting interior designs for Robert Adam. A Scottish architect and designer, he, with his brother James, transformed English Palladian Neoclassicism into the airy, light, elegant Adam decor.
Telemachus, the son of Odysseus and Penelope, is now a man and a warrior. He has aided Odysseus in slaying the unwanted suitors of Penelope, and is back at home in Ithaca.
In 1781, at 39 years of age and after the death of von Horn, she is remarried to the Venetian painter, Antonio Zucchi. He succeeds Angelica’s father as her business manager.
The marriage contract guarantees her the rights to her income.
She retired to Rome in the early 1780s with her husband, Antonio Zucchi.
In 1782 Angelica Kauffman opens an internationally attended studio beside the Spanish Steps (a Baroque stairway in Rome, connecting the Piazza di Spagna with the Trinità dei Monti church.) It becomes the “In Place” for intellects.
In 1787, Angelica Kauffman becomes a dear friend of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. She paints his portrait and becomes part of Goethe’s innermost circle.
Angelica Kauffmann died in 1807. She had become exceedingly famous by that time; so much so that Antonio Canova (prominent Neoclassical sculptor), directed her funeral. It was inspired by the funeral of the Renaissance master Raphael.
Hi there! I’m Bricks, and that there back-up pigeon behind me is Nicks. We’ve been rhabdomancing around the hood, searching for this year’s water supply, but what do we find instead?
Bricks -So, while we are walkin’ the walk and gettin’ the straight street talk, we figure we might as well pass it on to you humans. After all, you need it more than we do.
Nicks – Yeah, you humans need to chill out!
Bricks – That’s right. Slow down and Inhale/Exhale!
Nicks – Be Kind -Unwind!
Bricks – Of course some of the information can be disturbing.
Nicks – You mean like this one?
Nicks – How can anyone on the planet be illegal? Yet, we need to be reminded?
Bricks – Yeah, the reminders can be pointed. BUT some messages are more positive Euphemisms, like –
AND
AND
AND
Nicks – Well, are they euphemisms or advice or sayings?
Bricks– You’re makin’ me think to hard, and thinkin’s like work. You know what they say!
Bricks – But of course you’ll just keep asking questions, makin’ me think. You just can’t stop!
Bricks – Won’t Stop!
Nicks – That’s right! So, are we doves, Bricks? I want to be a dove? Can we be doves?
Bricks – YES! We are doves; big, fat, colourful street doves. But why do you care?
Nicks – Because I want to wish everyone PEACE & LOVE in this New Year!
Solstice, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanza – whatever you celebrate, or don’t, have a good one!
This is posting on the Solstice, so I put it first. Hanukkah ends the next day. Then it’s Christmas, then Kwanza.
It began with a spotting from the streetcar. On an unused building, there are 2 wonderful nature scenes. They are what Trent (rip) named “Indoor Outdoor Art”. Painted in a studio, then coated with a clear protective coating, the paintings are finally adhered to a building.
The beautiful spirit woman drove me nuts to return on the first cloudy day. Due to the sun, (even on a cloudy day) the protective coating and the black background, I could not capture any images of the woman (my fave part) without reflections.
Left: cloudy day/ normal aperture opening. Right: black cloud day/ aperture closed amap
I returned twice more. The last time it was black sky. Even at that, the reflections were stubborn, so I closed the aperture to the extent the camera allowed. A dead on shot of her face close up, was difficult.
The reflections made me crazy, so I hit the black point in editing and got this.
This image is on the east side of the building. There is a narrow path between it, and the patio of the restaurant next door.
On the west side of the building, is the man spirit painting. It too is along a narrow path, but was easier to capture due to the angle of the sun, and not having a black background.
His colours are fantastic.
Pics taken by Resa – July & October, 2025
Toronto, Canada
The Artist: Joseph Sagaj is a Canadian indigenous artist, Anishnaabe of the Sturgeon Clan from the remote community of Neskantaga.
You can see my feet and legs reflected in the signature.
This head appears emerging out of the trees and into the water in the first scenic shot of the post!
This is my last post on GLAM this year. My old computer died, and now I need to spend some time catching up visiting!
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