More Brush Painting

Here are some more beautiful brush painting examples painted by Sweewawa:

In a Silent Way

Song of the Day: In A Silent Way/It's About That Time - Miles Davis (from the 1969 album In a Silent Way)

Quote of the Day: “Don't play what's there, play what's not there.” --Miles Davis

Thought of the Day: I love the above music and quote from Miles Davis. I think Miles' approach to music is similar to Chinese brush painting. The approach is minimalist, with the emphasis being on each stroke or note subtly changing the blank space to create a feeling when perceived by eyes or ears, respectively. The silence is like a golden low-lying moon, and the tones created by Miles and his band are like dots of stars and planets on a cold winter night horizon.

Brush painting cards

Wanted to highlight a particularly nice example of Sweewawa's brush painting card project:

All Blues

Song of the Day: All Blues - Kenny Burrell

Quote of the Day: "Encourage all your virtuous dispositions, and exercise them whenever an opportunity arises, being assured that they will gain strength by exercise as a limb of the body does, and that exercise will make them habitual...Give about two of them [hours] every day to exercise; for health must not be sacrificed to learning. A strong body makes the mind strong." --Thomas Jefferson

Thought of the Day: I have had a fair amount of free time lately, which is a real luxury after three and a half tough years of medical school. First, it has been great having time to exercise. I've been trying during this time to follow TJ's suggestions in the above quote. Second, I've had a wonderful time playing some music. Currently I'm working on learning the masterful jazz guitar technique exhibited by Kenny Burrell on his take of the Miles Davis tune "All Blues". Ah, free time!

Fireside Post

Song of the Day: Whiskey Lullaby - Brad Paisley

Quote of the Day: "You've got to be careful if you don't know where you're going, because you might not get there." --Yogi Berra

Thought of the Day: Sitting here in front of a warm fire at home on a cold December day. The song of the day is a tune I heard on the radio once, very simple and sad. I'm not a great fan of country music but I do have to say that country musicians are masterful storytellers. I'm about to start writing thank-you letters to various residency programs at which I have recently interviewed. I have found that the act of trying to write sincere thank-you letters itself gives one a glimpse into how good a fit the program is for you. If you struggle to find the words for how you enjoyed the interview day and visiting the program it is a sign that it might not be a great fit.

Pittsburgh

Song of the Day: One Of Us - Joan Osborne

Quote of the Day: "After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music." --Aldous Huxley

Thought of the Day: Back from Radiology and Preliminary Internal Medicine interviews in Santa Barbara, New York City, and Pittsburgh, whew! It feels good that I'm more than half way done with interviews now. Also finished my Abdominal Imaging rotation, and got Honors! I'm still quite excited about going into Radiology. The song above is a splendid piece by Joan Osborne. My uncle Don plays this one really well, heard it at Thanksgiving.

Cheers, Dr. Kowawa

Calligraphy placemats

Song of the Day: The Lighthouse's Tale - Nickel Creek

Quote of the Day: "One of the first duties of the physician is to educate the masses not to take medicine" --William Osler

Thought of the Day: The song above is a beautiful tune Sweewawa and I have been learning the last few days. How much more fun it is to do music and art than to waste time watching TV!! Below also see Sweewawa's latest art project -- the calligraphy / brush painting placemat!