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Might As Well Smile1999 Oil on linen 48.0" x 96.0" Private collection I did this piece when we were going through a major ordeal: trying to build a new house and facing opposition from the local design review board. Not a pleasant experience. Property rights are eroding away along with many of our other rights. It was all so upsetting that I finally decided that I might as well smile through it all. Clowns do, or they make others smile, even when they are crying inside. The large polka-dot puppet at left is the Storyteller, with his hand protectively and lovingly on the small clown's head, saying "It'll all turn out just fine". Maybe that's Merlin in the tall green hat in the center, working his magic to help things along. Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves, having fun. And, you know, the ordeal turned out better than I could ever have imagined - in the most unexpected way. We're still smiling. |