A Night To Remember

By the time I walked into Cousen Rose Gallery last night for the opening of my showing, with Crystal, Joe and Genita, I was already on an emotional and spiritual high. The well wishes that had been sent to me from you over the preceding days, hours and minutes had me elated and feeling that anything that happened from that point on would already be successful. The Boston Globe highlight of the day was followed by news that Governor Deval Patrick had stopped in to see the show before going onto his much touted fundraiser that same evening. Many of the participants from that event arrived later at the show, beautifully attired and looking gorgeous. There were many loved ones and supporters, that come each year, wishing the best and quietly building art collections of their own.

Zita Cousens, in royal blue, glided amongst the crowd she assembled with tremendous grace and ease. Jackie Orridge, the radiantly beautiful mother of my dear friends, Valerie Preston and Richard Orridge, and aunt of our New York Governor, was there, a trooper, barring any encumbrances she had to deal with to do so. I met the noted author, Stephan Carter, whose many works I have collected and was just discussing with Chuku Lee the day before. Amy Goldson and her daughters, Aerin and Ava, were there with Amy's mother, one looking more beautiful than the next. Many people were drawn to the painting of her, and that of Patricia Hayling Price, as they are both noted perennials to the Vineyard.

Flying in that day from a five week sojourn in Europe were our guests, Dr. Crystal Silas, of CA, with her son, Charles, to partake in the beauty of the Vineyard for the first time. A long time friend of ours from the Vineyard, DC and Brazil is Dr. K. Ezeze, who was there also, in advance of the launch of his new book, Dream College, this September. There were too many wonderful people there last night to mention in this limited space so included below are a few photos of those smiling faces and loving supporters that you may know.

The President arrives on island

I think that was President Obama's plane that just flew overhead, as our house rumbled in the wake of the huge plane's low descent onto the nearby airport runway. Everyone is all a twitter with thoughts of the first family's return visit to this small island. The political, wealthy, socially prominent and regular folks, like me, have descended on the Vineyard for the remaining days of summer to bask in quiet solitude accentuated by media glare.

Since my first night on island we spoke of the President's second coming to the Vineyard over a delectable dinner celebrating the birthday of my dear friend, Christine Cummings, whose words of wisdom were, "The older you get the easier it gets because you don't have to worry about stuff". Arrayed in her daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Hassan Minor's new home in Edgartown, were their equally beautiful and accomplished daughters, Keija and Kali, and the esteemed Philip Clay and his wife Sandy. Of course, my entry to this divine evening was through many years of friendship with Pat Cummings (a college buddy) and her husband, H.Chuku Lee.

Last night Martha's Vineyard had it's annual Illumination Night event, where the campground residents lit their homes with colorful lanterns and thousands of visitors sang in unison choruses of our national pride. I, like everyone else, loudly sang along, with words that have been stored in my memory since childhood. The unabashed melodic patriotism sprung from our lips and was on display for our visiting house mates from London, Jennifer and Sharon Thompson, who were more prepared to sing, "God Save the Queen". Valerie Cooper, of Stamford, CT, had again assembled a coterie of friends from near and wide to partake in the summer festivities of the Vineyard. Judy and Wesly Mayo 's campground abode was filled with it's annual illuminated guests that enjoyed the delicious fare and warm comraderie.

Barbara and Peter, from Westport, CT and Maine, are doing their annual pilgrimage here, which will include attending a fundraiser for Deval Patrick with the oft noted speculation that our dear president will be in attendance also.

This special event occurs just hours before my own opening here at Cousen Rose Gallery, 7pm this Saturday, August 21st. Many will attend both. Please alert your friends that may be on island this week to stop by for a visit, by forwarding this blog or this invite.

Thoughts of a Life so Far...

Sixty years ago to this day, on a bright full moon in Aquarius, like the one over the past few nights, I slipped into this present incarnation, which has been a surprise to me every step of the way. Not particularly pleased with the circumstances I found myself in, I made plans to change them as soon as possible. Most of those plans fell apart, like becoming a doctor, although I couldn't stand the sight of blood, or a brilliant singer, although I couldn't hold a note, or a family man, although my interest were otherwise. Even though I sketched for pleasure it didn't become a career goal until I was a teenage student at Cass Tech. Growing "up south" in Detroit, the limits of my life were implied during segregation, but those suddenly fell open as the wings of revolutionary effort for equality created opportunity for many of us. Being in the right place at the right time has been the key to many successes in my life and probably in yours, too. Though I thought I was doing it on my own, the world conspired in the achievement of my plans, like a silent partner. From acceptance to Parsons to acceptance within a previously barred fashion industry the pull of change took hold of my life. Therefore, at this point, having tried to keep up with the Jones, and for brief moments having been the Jones, I can appreciate the joy of just living.

In some ways, a sideline participant, I have witnessed dramatic social, economic, political and technological changes that only existed in dreams and in science fiction. Social equity as a goal has been a norm since proponents of my generation like Fannie Lou Hammer, Martin Luther King and James Baldwin, and the many that didn't share my pigmentation, fought for inclusion, spoke in our voices and wrote searing commentaries about the unjust burdens of our lives. Economic opportunity has lifted many of us into lifestyles that our parents and grandparents could only dream of, and time has allowed us to know that the ups and downs of life is just that, and not a static commitment to any placement therein. Political advancement has seen the move beyond the first celebrated black local official to the first black president, and has elevated an entire nation in its capacity to appreciate a person for the content of their being and capacity of their skills. And technological advancements has rivaled anything I ever watched in episodes of Buck Rogers or Star Trek. Who knew they where the signal of things to come and not just fantasies to stir our imagination.

These accomplishments would be enough for some but the true joy of witnessing life is the learning that comes with it. Learning that what your parents told you was true, that your friends determine who you become. Thank you to my many friends that has shaped me (you know who you are). Learning that hard times really does create strength and that good times inevitably follows. Learning that less is more and that more has always been there. Learning that what goes around comes around and that you have a choice in the matter. Learning to not blame anyone for anything but yourself, because taking responsibility is the key to success. Learning whether you look to a specific God or the God within you are not alone on this journey, and that the journey itself is the destination. Learning that as the experience of life unfolds, fears recede, and appreciation for life grows. And as the Beatles sang "And in the end, the love you get is equal to the love you give".

In this bucolic stage of my life, I no longer swat flies and wish the deer that ate my flowers were dead, but realize I have a part in their experience of the miracle of life too, and I couldn't be happier.

Glenn Tunstull, A Personal View of Light and Color Book

In the Midst of Summer...

Surprisingly comfortable mornings become muggy afternoons and the once crisp shirt I started the day with is sticking to my back by the time I return home. Born during the height of summer (July 29th) in the city, I have always loved the heat that rises from the pavement, warming my ankles and throttling my movements...by slowing my steps as I breathe deeply climbing each inclining block...until I reach an air cooled destination. The initial sensation of falling into a cool pool of water subsides temporarily as my body's attracted heat searches for equilibrium. Moments later I am either still breathing deeply with clammy neck and brow or chilled to a point of discomfort, where only a sweater contest the chilly air.

With the completion of my Parsons summer school session yesterday, I have returned to the Hudson Valley, in hopes of a cooling breeze off the hillsides nearby. So far, the pastoral setting offers calming vistas but not wafts of cool air, and I am lodged inside under the controlled environment of air conditioning. In this setting I am putting the finishing touches on several paintings for the August 21st to August 27th show at Cousen Rose Gallery on the Vineyard. I hope to see many of you there next month. Maybe some of you are lucky enough to get to the beach today, as in the painting above entitled, Beach Frolic.

In advance of that you can see a catalog of my work in my new book, Glenn Tunstull, A Personal View of Light and Color.

Lena Horne

A legend that I had the pleasure of meeting continues to shine. Here is my sketch of her for Playbill when she did "A Lady and Her Music" on Broadway.

Embracing the Future with the Past

To be wrapped in an embrace that is so unconsciously confident that it feels as if you are holding onto your own skin, with someone who has the freedom to be on their own, yet come together in an embrace of total fusion....this is love. And so, the loves of one's life can come together in a confluence that ties one's past to one's future. Such a day presented itself as I witnessed the merging of my fashion past with my world of today.

The rains poured over New York yesterday as I made my way to the Parsons Senior Thesis Show at the Chelsea Piers with fellow instructor Steven Broadway. Former students were making their foray into fashion's eye with divine designs that they have been crafting for an entire semester. Under the watchful looks of the top professionals that make up the Parsons faculty, unique and forward thinking creations, that defied gravity and percolated new design directions, were paraded down the runway. Wedged among these colleagues, on a mission of excellence, I sat with pride as I saw their efforts carried out with aplomb. Simon Collins, the dean of the department, gave his praises to all who had help shape the fashion talents of the future. The ever-beautiful Susanna Moyer was there with her son Christian, as was Steven Faerm, the BFA fashion director, who rallies his team to ever-greater success each year. Max Wilson, designer extraordinaire, who later had lunch with me and Shawna McGee, another designer that shared our Cass Tech and Parsons alumni status, was pleased with the work he had done with his students. Richard Rosenfeld, Francesca Sammartino, Riet Peters, Kathie Maggio and many more, all agreed that the efforts of these high quality students made it all worthwhile.

As the rains wore on into the evening, I waltzed into the Chelsea Museum for the annual Live Out Loud LGBT fundraiser, which was founded by my dear friend Leo Preziosi. Pleased to have his parents there on a night that saw the greatest turnout of guests ever, he greeted all, along with his sparkling co-host Alan Cummings. Coordinating the mass of people was Hector Rojas, at once efficient and effervescent, with the help of his partner Steven, who had managed the extensive silent auction options. I was immediately made to feel at home by the presence of our dear friends Genita Ingram, John Rivers, Bruce Sloane, David Chin and Enrique Mago. The place was filled with beautiful people of every description, that tantalized one's eyes and probably set into motion a few new romances.

Into this bevy of beauties, my fashion past appeared in the lovely visions of Alva Chinn and Pat Cleveland, with Stephan Burrows and Elsa Perretti in tow. The fashion heyday of the 70's roared into view as I dreamed of bright colors, lettuce hems and youthful abandon, dancing the night away. Though more tranquil in demeanor they stylistically set off the energy of the room in a way that celebrated beauty always does.

Elated by the presence of so much positive energy during the day Joe and I made our way back to the Hudson Valley, enfolded in our joy and ready for an embrace.

A Moment of Reflection

WE are always in a state of transition, whether we are approaching a change, in a change or coming to terms with a change. Below is a poem written by my friend Micki Stickford in a moment of reflection.

you know........sometimes....i am a bit..amazed...at the thought of being only a few years from 60 .....like where did the time go????.....and what have i done....and what am i doing...what am i going to do .....there is a vulnerability ...i feel ..i think....it's something i've really just become aware of internally ....and it has created an inner sensitivity ....that i really can't explain .....only to say..it makes me more and more thankful..for the process i'm in ...the process of becoming more aware..and kinder.......for if i do nothing else.....let me do that ...........i haven't really voiced it until now.....but it is definitely a part of me now....my consciousness.....time really does fly.....so enjoy the ride....it's important....for some reason..these are words i feel compelled to share .............love the life you live.......