Independence day

It's natural and right that we grow up, grow taller, by standing on the shoulders of others. When we've small and weak we may have been known to taunt; "My dad can lick your dad!" "My mother cooks better and is prettier than your mother!"

Later we "know" my family is the bestest!

Then my nation is right and has God on it's side!

Sometimes, tangentially and tragically, we "know" mine is the superior race thus I must be good, I stand head and shoulders above "those' people.

We nurtured by our family, given a moral compass by our faith, educated by the state so it's only natural that we gain stature standing on the shoulders of others, but, if we truly mature, we learn to stand tall on our own two feet.

Then and only then do we fully understand we can depend on ourselves, on our own wisdom, on our own abilities. Then and only then do we know and utilize our own strengths and are aware of our many weaknesses.

If needed, we'll gratefully accept help from others, but we won't demand such, beg for such, or depend on such. Of course we also are aware of our responsibly to lend a hand to others in return, -not because it's their right but because it's the right thing to do.

If necessary we know how to and are willing and able to hew our own wood. When we understand these things, that is Independence Day!



While making this sketch on this 4th of July, I found my hand and thoughts, it seemed then,oddly, moving back and forth between 2 graphic styles, The Soviet 'heroic' poster style and American primitive, -now in retrospect I can see how the subject matter wanted both. Soft pastel on Bee's 'Bogus Rough Sketch' paper, 9 by 18 inches.