22 May

Pictures At An Exhibition: Jack Metzger

by Jon Katz
Jack Metzger

My friend Jack Metzger has sold antiques and historical artifacts for much of his life. Every book I write is written on one of the beautiful old farmhouse tables he brought and sold to me. His wonderful objects fill the farmhouse, and brighten the lives of many people. He is also an artist, and like so many artists and creative people it has not always been easy for him to show his work to the world or believe people will want to see and buy it. He has also wrestled with some fear and confusion, maybe a panic attack or two,  but in the past few years, he has listened to the call of the creative spark and come out. Last night Maria and I went to an art show in Saratoga that featured much of Jack’s work – his use of found objects – Jack calls them “bits and pieces of history.”

Many of the things he saved over the years  – shovels, posts, water jugs, pipes – had been lost or discarded, and these objects have become his art, beautiful sculptures in their own right and especially timely today. “Life never turns out like you think it will,” says Jack of his work. “Sometimes we feel broken worthless, and without value, and something comes along to help us remember that life has not diminished us, it has made us better, and although different than the original plan, deeper.” Beautifully put. Jack runs a shop call “Jack’s Outback” in Cambridge, N.Y., and he displays much of his work there. He does not have a blog or functioning website but he does finally have a cell phone – 518 391-8252. It is a joy and affirmation to see this gentle and gifted man get so much recognition and touch so many souls. His art show was jammed. His work is striking and wondrous and inexpensive. I’m beating him up to get a blog.

22 May

Guard Dog

by Jon Katz
Guard Dog

I have never had a guard dog before Frieda. She is the most loyal and protective creature, but not aggressive. I have absolutely no doubt that she would sacrifice herself for me, Maria and any other animal on the farm. She knows the farm is her, and watches the boundaries constantly. I can see how having a dog like Frieda would have made so many humans feel safer over the centuries in so many different contexts. This is perhaps how dogs and humans came together.

Her life, her work, is watching over us. It feels good.

22 May

“Shootout At The Bedlam Farm Corral.” By George Forss

by Jon Katz
"Shootout At The Bedlam Farm Corral"

My friend the photographer George Forss – he just told me he has outfitted his ancient VW Van (300,000 miles) as a UFO Investigations Vehicle – took this photo of me on one of his visits to the farm and he calls it the “Shootout At The Bedlam Farm Corral” because I was taking a photo of him as he was taking one of me (see the other side of the shootout below). He somehow inserted this light in my lens to focus on his “shootout” idea and dramatize the photo.  I’m going to get a photo of the van. He’s coming over this week to take a panoramic show of the Bedlam Farm view. Bunch of people are calling the realtor about the farm, things are moving closer. I am so happy to know this photographic genius.

Shootout In Bedlam
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