For one brief moment, Mandela

I wrote this days ago but didn't post it.  Now Mr. Mandela has passed away.

Rest in Peace, Nelson Mandela and I for one will always remember you with a smile on my face.

Today, in the New York Times, a video, looking back at his life, here.

It seems yet another film has been made about Nelson Mandela's life, this time, however, with the blessings and support of his immediate family.

This New York Times piece reminds me so clearly of the brief moment I met Mr. Mandela, a moment that I may have repeated often, but stands out more clearly today as I watch the political folly here in the US.

It was easy weather and I was outside 5 Penn Plaza.  At that time both our NYC headquarters and the offices of CNN shared space on alternate sides of the building.  Because of CNN's presence in the building, it was a frequent occurrence that popular figures in the news would appear and disappear suddenly on the stairs or on the busy thoroughfare of 8th Avenue waiting to be picked up by a taxi or a limo.

I don't know if I recognized him or just sort of fell into conversation with him because of his stature or the fact that he may have been with one or another of the cameramen I knew well.

Mr. Mandela, then, now more than a decade ago, was an imposing figure, tall, lean, and with the brightest smile this side of the Atlantic.

He was among, if not the single most generous of those news worthy figures to pop into or out of my vision and outings to the fresh air, little that there was, on this Avenue, and at this juncture of the City where not only is there heavy traffic but Penn Station and Madison Square Garden.

Which Water Brush?

Top to bottom:  Pentel, Holbein, Caran d'ache

Traveling back and forth from Pittsburgh through Lewisburg (PA) and State College (PA) gets me up front art supplies rather than relying solely on internet suppliers and thus I was able to see up close & test the new(ish) Caran d'ache waterbrush at Brushstrokes (Lewisburg).

I bought the Holbein from Jet Pens a couple of months ago and was excited to see this brush pen in the States.  

I was equally excited to see a European model, especially from a manufacturer like Caran d'ache.

So, how do they compare to each other, and the other two water brushes, also in my collection, the Sakura and the Kuretake (Jet Pens also carries a full line of Kuretake & Pentel brush pens).

The Holbein comes in two sizes: Medium and Large.  I have the Medium.

The Kuretake's come in various sizes, including a flat, one of a few manufactuers that offer this type.  Kuretake flats was among the 1st water brushes I owned and used on a trip to Sicily.  I used it so much it totally wore out and I recently replaced it.

The Pentels also come in various sizes and have a range of disposable pens in colours.

The Sakura is probably best known as the water brush that accompanies the Koi watercolor set(s) but it also sells individual brushes.

Holbein & Caran d'ache after use

Holbein & Caran d'ache closed

Holbein & Caran d'ache opened

I am often captured by looks, a shallow quality I am certain, and the Caran d'ache is very pretty and looks well designed.  However, it is not as functional as any of the others, and not as easy to use as the (new to me) Holbein.

Filling the Caran d'ache is tedious;  the Holbein not.   Releasing the water from the chamber of the Caran d'ache is not consistent;  the Holbein is. 

And although not as important the bristles on the Caran d'ache does not clean nearly as well as some of the other water brushes.

At nearly $10.00 it is unlikely I will be buying another Caran d'ache, although I will certainly consider more Holbein brushes.

My favourites thus far are the Koi and the Holbein, runners up Kuretake and Pentel.

Nearly never without a Rhodia

All the new notepads, and/or journals just don't compare to Rhodia.  

Why?

They flip back easily without breaking the upper spine, tear out smoothly and provide a paper surface that takes any writing utensil.  

And these Rhodia notepads are not expensive, either and often available where I shop.

More on Detroit's Museum

So, it seems someone in Detroit wants to sell the collection inasmuch as they got an appraisal from Christie's according to this piece in the New York Times.

Bruegel © New York Times

The sum is nowhere near the social value of having this work together, and in Detroit.

I can easily see a European museum offering a heady sum for the Bruegel above.

Who will save Detroit & its landmark museum?

Detroit Art Institute © New York Times

With the default and declaration of bankruptcy of Detroit, who will save this magnificent museum, a landmark and among the most extraordinary in the country?

How small a palette?

The size of a business card!

I failed to mention this very small palette came from Maria Coryell-Martin at Expeditionary Art and that I ordered and should receive this week some slightly larger inserts.

Book Lover, Reader & Seller

I generally read the Washington Post, and in recent days they have had some excellent book reviews. 

I  do buy books at Amazon.

As many know the owner of Amazon, Jeffrey Bezos, not long ago bought the paper.

Reviews now at the Post often provide direct links to...yes...Amazon.

And Amazon buyers, have you noticed that they upped the free shipping from $25. to $35.

Pen Auction at Leigh Reyes for Typhoon Victims

Leigh Reyes, who has a marvelous collection of fountain pens, is auctioning several of her pens to raise funds for those affected by the recent, and horrendous, typhoon in the Philippines.

At present she has a Moore & a Platinum up.

Give-a-ways all over the Pen World

It seems that the pre-season spirit is riding high with many bloggers, and vendors giving away pens, paper, ink and more.

One of those generous givers is the Writer's Bloc.

And I wouldn't mind winning the TWSBI Vac as I have come to really enjoy my TWSBI 530.