BUSTER & SIMBA ON BROAD BEACH (Malibu)
Original Natural Dyes on Silk__
It would be hard to overstate the impact that Simba had on my life and on my art. There is something of him in some aspect of nearly every painting in the years leading up to and following his passing. The story about my relationship with Sim is a story about love. My paintings tell that story.
Sim was my black labrador retriever. It's not an overstatement to say that if it wasn't for Sim, I wouldn't be alive today. It's just a fact. After this particular brush with death, I spent a lot of time up the coast north of Los Angeles, in Malibu, with Sim and my ol' Buster Brown - recovering from the diagnosis, healing from the surgery, dealing with the physical sequelae of the surgery, and not unimportantly, facing the emotional toll from the accompanying losses. What happened to Sim four years later is an important post-script. But in this moment on the beach in 'the 'Bu,' I had a great deal of joy just watching my boys running up and down chasing birds and balls. We were all just chasing the sun. The silk pieces I eventually did up in Topanga Canyon - years after they were both gone - reflects those simple divinely happy moments with My Boys.
For more information about this silk painting & about my relationship with Sim and Buster Brown, see the BLOG entry: ". . . Pies & Pearls . . . & The Clinical Acumen of Sim!"
Buster & Simba on Broad Beach
From Buster:
I ran along the sand one day
in Malibu, on Broad Beach way.
The sky was clear, the ocean blue,
at six a.m. on August two.
"What do you feed that dog? " he said.
He looked at me then shook his head.
"They're string beans, and he loves them, too!
They're good for him and me and you!"
my mom explained to Leben Fils.
"And veggies, if they're less than fresh...
Buster's nose will sniff about.
He'll taste them then he'll spit them out!"
Then Leben looked down at my eyes.
"Really!," he answered quite surprised.
And so I came to know this man
who feeds me with a more knowing hand.
But not just kibble, if you please --
asparagus spears with Hollandaise...
smoked salmon paired with Boursin cheese -
"I'll have a second helping please!"
Toast points with Triple cream cheese spread...
I thumped my tail and cocked my head.
Now don't mistake me, mom can cook.
But what she does is by the book.
But Leben -- he's a master chef.
He knows what 'dogs like me' like best!
At twenty years I've earned the right
to eat gourmet, just one more bite!
Veal chops the final coup de grace...
with Bearnaise sauce -- ahhhh! What a sin!
And with his steak au poivre, oooh la la!
Ol' Buster's heart did this man win!
From Simba:
"Hey you!" I said, "who's standing there...
You know you're standing in my lair?
I don't remember saying okay.
Who the heck told you that you could stay?"
I growl and snarl and warn you nightly --
in mom's place it's I who reign almighty.
And don't you think to sit on my bed.
That's where King Simba lays his head!
You laid your head back on MY couch?
Give me some credit! I'm no dog slouch!
I jumped right up between you and she--
You want my mom - you gotta' get past me!
Don't put your head there! Don't dare lie down!
I'll warn you once ! I'm not kidding around!
I'll show my teeth all pearly white.
I'm ready now to win a fight!
For I am mom's 'dear number one'
Her "furry love bunny," her only son!
I expect my belly rubs by seven.
I'm not really thinking of sharing this heaven.
And I like my ears massaged at eight
with both your hands would be first rate.
You rub my derriere by nine-
I think that would be mighty fine!
And if I get my treats by ten,
I'm willing to think this over again!
I lay on top of you, ALL eighty-six pounds
With both my paws I pin you down.
And lick your face, your neck and ears...
Have I got your attention yet my dear?
I drop my red ball on your head.
"YOU'RE S'POSED TO THROW IT!" That's what I said.
And after a good ninety throws,
I'm willing to let your lapses go.
And if you play ball with me all night long...
I think we might just get along
And so my head beside you lay.
And say to Leben,
"O.K!
You may stay!"
So Buster, so loving and easily won,
and Simba just wanting to have some fun ~
took a liking to Leben on one fine day
when they met him in Malibu,
'round Broad Beach way.
[Copyright 2000 Janai-Ami]
* Archival Prints Available *
* Original Silk Painting Not For Sale at this Time (Artist's Private Collection) *
