Jerusalem Journal III
The Damascus Gate: I made my way out of the tourist section and into the Palestinian part: fruit and veg stands with old women selling piles of grape leaves, brown baby chicks, radishes; butcher shops with tales full of sheep heads and entrails; shoe shops, music stores, etc. Suddenly, I realized I was the only foreigner around and the crowds were thickening and there were Israeli soldiers armed to the teeth and checking papers and I felt quite nervous, thinking, "this is the sort of place people get blown up", knowing it isn't really, and then I took my quickening bowels out into the sunshine and through the outside market and toward the taxi stand to get a lift back to Tsfon Talpiot in time for tea.
I'm not at all happy with this drawing, which was done balancing my book in the midst of a bargain mad crowd. I wanted to capture the gay carnival atmosphere of beach umbrellas after the medieval dank of the tunnels of the Moslem quarter and the scary grimness of the heavily armed squadron of Israelis who pulled out occasional Arabs and questioned them against the ancient stone walls while the rest of the crowd streamed on by, undeterred.
Ilan and Ba'atsheba, my mother's second cousins, drop by for tea. They give us some interesting insights into the Israeli psyche, a schizoid one at that -- they claim to now see Palestinians as human beings and individuals but there is also a lot of hostility and finger pointing. They claim that Sharon has now mellowed with age but that the situation has no solution and is rapidly disintegrating. Before long the discussion has devolved into a 'It's our land, where should we go" sort of thing. Even more depressing, they reported on the kibbutz we once lived on where Socialist principles have been replaced by self interest, the communal dining room is no more, and the kibbutzniks now run a mall. Idealism has been replaced by extremism all over this country.
(P.S. I have decided, after a few emails from readers who object to my politics, to minimize my additional comments under each of these pages. I realize I am pathetically thin skinned but I am rather bored with explaining and defending myself to virtual strangers; I also assume that most readers don't visit this site to debate global politics or social policy so I'll try to limit my addenda to notes on my tools and direct personal experiences I had or to explaining specifically why I wrote what I did on each page. So there.).
A record of my exploration into all aspects of drawing, illustrated journaling, creativity, and the inspiring aspects of art. By the author of "Everyday Matters," "The Creative License", and "An Illustrated Life" and other books.
Comments
Thanks for the great images and travel stories. I didn't know about salt... but the results are impressive.
Posted by: george | June 12, 2004 08:48 PM
I think your politics reflect the type of thinking, humanistic, enlightened human being you clearly are.
Posted by: tiffany | June 12, 2004 09:42 PM
I would rather read your thoughts and ideas, without censorship. You have a right to them, having lived in the area and I certainly need a more rounded view of the situation over there, as I feel the U.S. media is one sided and tunnel visioned.
Posted by: Melly | June 12, 2004 10:04 PM
Danny, I'm sorry to read that someone's comments are making you reconsider what you write about your trip on your blog. I think what is so wonderful about your journal is that you are responding in the moment in a way that you feel is honest. I value that, as I value the opinions you share and I hope that you'll continue to do so, and develope a thick skin.
Posted by: Roz Stendahl | June 12, 2004 10:23 PM
I visit this site to get a glimpse into your corner of the world and how you see it. You have an amazing relationship with a complex and complicated part of the globe. Thanks for sharing it with us. Every bit of insight we can glean, I believe, is helpful to the overall health of this tiny planet we share. We live in scary times, Danny, with threats to freedom of speech and civil rights coming hard and fast. Please don't give in! Keep drawing, keep commenting, and exercise your delete button when necessary. So there ; ).
Posted by: Susan | June 13, 2004 12:07 AM
Though not to your liking, I found the images of the damascus gate to be especially loose with a flow that many of your other images don't have. In other words, I love all of your work but for some reason I especially enjoyed the Damascus gate...the umbrellas seem like they might flow out of the gate like water to the sea.
Posted by: connie | June 13, 2004 02:47 AM
Danny, I am really enjoying seeing your drawings/paintings of your journey and reading your impressions of all that you experienced. I am sad that there are narrow minded people about who believe that everyone should think the same way that they do and are dumping their pettiness on you. For the life of me, I cannot see anything offensive about your work. You should know that the monkey is on their backs, not yours. They don't have to be here. Just continue doing what you do so well and ignore them
Posted by: Robyn | June 13, 2004 04:35 AM
Danny, Don't get to upset by a few basement dwellers. I'm shure there are much more visitors who love your work & enjoy your comments.
I am one of them.
Posted by: Martin | June 13, 2004 10:26 AM
Do not be concerned with defending yourself or your politics to virtual strangers. Openness to difference is what we value about open societies and the antipathy to difference is one of the hallmarks of repression and tyranny. By the response of those who disagree with you, you will know them for who they are in their hearts.
Posted by: Richrd | June 13, 2004 11:39 AM
Please don't stop saying what seems true to you! There are apparently many of us out here who are grateful.Your comment that "idealism has been replaced by extremism all over this country" is one of the most compact and cogent statements of what has gone wrong, not only in Israel, but elsewhere in the Middle East--and in certain sectors of the "homefront" too! I, for one, find your commentary, like your art, inspring--and I'm obviously not alone.
Posted by: Susan B | June 13, 2004 11:35 PM
A pity. Your politics are your politics and part of what makes you an individual. No-one is forcing the objectors to read your page. They just don't want to have anyone expouse a philosophy different to theirs.
Posted by: Steveg | June 14, 2004 02:16 AM
Don't hold back your thoughts unless you don't want to post them... holding back an artist can't be a good thing :-)) They are your thoughts, good bad and indifferent and they help bend and create who you are and what you portray. I personally like seeing/reading what drives an individual and if others don't like it, let them pay for your space on the web :-) This is your blog, nonetheless. Peace :-)
Posted by: mldevin | June 14, 2004 03:58 AM
"most readers don't visit this site to debate global politics or social policy"
Perhaps you are wrong about that. As you posted earlier, art should (also) be about politics. Your views will find their way into your art; why should they not end up here as well?
If we comment enough, maybe we'll outweigh the discontented people.
Posted by: anja | June 14, 2004 04:44 AM
From a fellow pathetically thin-skinned person...I visit this blog regularly because I enjoy (OK, envy) the way both your illustrations and your writing have this wonderful way of flowing together to create your unique perceptions, whatever they may be, as long as they're honest. And by the way, those cakes look good enough to eat -- they remind me of the pan dulce from Mexico and I certainly hope you're not holding back vital information about pastry ;-)
Posted by: Nina | June 14, 2004 05:40 AM
Just wanted to join the chorus to see if we can persuade you to continue writing in an uncensored fashion on your PERSONAL journal. Yours is one of the most INSPIRING, CREATIVE, THOUGHT-PROVOKING sites around. Please don't stop the free flow of your words. I can only assume that those of us who are impacted positively by your unique way of expressing yourself far outnumber any narrow-minded disgruntled shits who get off on seeing if they can sufficiently push people's buttons in an attempt to make others narrow themselves to fit into their tiny crawl space of a universe. Please don't give in to them, Danny. 'Everyday Matters' MATTERS too much to too many of us.
Posted by: Marilyn | June 14, 2004 05:49 AM
Damn Danny, this IS your blog...say whatever the hell you want..(like you need my permission!.....)
unless of course, this blog is a coniving bit of dastardly 'marketing'..."your obligatory personal contact with the public"
obviously many of us love it here...so please carry on!...whatever your intentions.....Fern
Posted by: fern | June 14, 2004 09:36 AM
Thank you again for a thoughtful and insightful view. I love to hear everything you have to say....and see your great illustrations. Too bad there are always critics lurking about! Ah, well such is life. But don't stop! the world needs to hear thoughts and ideas that come from the heart.
Cissy
Posted by: cissy | June 14, 2004 01:12 PM
Danny, I hope you'll reconsider your decision about limiting the comments you made in the blog. Your insights are quite interesting and bring a refreshing perspective on the normal blah, blah, blah we can pick up reading our daily newspapers. Please.
Posted by: Julianna | June 14, 2004 09:17 PM
Danny, post what you want to. It's your blog. I don't come here to see what the majority is thinking, I come to see what you are thinking.
Posted by: Laura | June 15, 2004 02:07 PM
Please keep on with the political comment. Israel is so militaristic, yet secretive. We need people 'on the ground' to report the situation as it is - plus enjoy some recreational eating ! I appreciate yr blog for its honesty.
Posted by: janine | June 19, 2004 10:44 PM