Gurney Journey: "Marvellous hairy about the face"

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Friday, May 17, 2013

"Marvellous hairy about the face"

This time of year the donkeys want to get rid of their winter coats, so they like a lot of scratching, especially Jezebel, the oldest donkey.

It's hard to concentrate when she leans her head on my shoulder. "I must to the barber's, monsieur; for methinks I am marvellous hairy about the face; and I am such a tender ass, if my hair do but tickle me, I must scratch."

--Act IV, Scene 1 A Midsummer Night's Dream by Shakespeare

9 comments:

Keith Parker said...: A midsummer night's dream...and a joke about being an "ass." We'll played.

It's also one of the themes for the IMC this year...uh, Shakespear's play that is--not being a donkey. Thanks for not taking things too seriously James. This made me laugh.; May 17, 2013 at 11:32 AM
Seth Greenwald said...: So what you are saying is... Bill knew a thing or two about the habits of donkeys? Non-speaking ones, that is. Well, I'm sure Balem's enjoyed a good ear scratch every now and again, so I guess even talking donkeys count!

On an unrelated note... Check out Noah Bradley's Art Camp. Our first week, and we are doing master studies, and it's amazing. We were instructed to consider mainly dead artists, who's quality has been determined through the unbiased filter of time, but I may have snuck a few Dinotopia paintings in there, seeing as your books helped solidify my longing to paint.

If you were to suggest an artist or three to do value and/or color studies on, who might they be?; May 17, 2013 at 4:31 PM
Diana Moses Botkin said...: LIKE; May 17, 2013 at 4:46 PM
James Gurney said...: Thanks, Seth,
For copies, I'd say Velazquez, Rembrandt, Rockwell, Sargent, Moran, and Zorn.; May 17, 2013 at 4:52 PM
Janet Oliver said...: So very envious. I love donkeys!; May 17, 2013 at 5:55 PM
Malleus said...: the second pic makes me think you are wearing your hat on your ass...
forgive me, i'm imbibing strong drink...; May 17, 2013 at 8:54 PM
Steve said...: I'm guessing Jeanette is the photographer here. Great job getting just the right angle!; May 17, 2013 at 10:14 PM
K_tigress said...: Ugh don't get me started but my kitty Meetso is a shedding master.
This time of year he shreds like a sheep. I try to get some of it off by hand cutting it but you know he's got-ta do it him self. The other day he removed a large chunk or wad off him self and it was the size of a small hamster. Looked like it too.
Probably would make a nice and gross toupee for a small bald animal. ;p ;); May 17, 2013 at 11:42 PM
Anonymous said...: Gorgeous animals! We always wanted donkeys but were never able to afford a larger property. There is a great donkey sanctuary here in Ontario:
Donkey Sanctuary of Canada; May 18, 2013 at 7:32 AM