Rest in Peace, Robin Williams

Is there anyone among us who didn't love Robin Williams? Who wasn't rocked by the news of his death? The news was devastating, not only that he had died, but the way he died.

I can't bring myself to write a blog post today. I'm sad for his wife, children, and Pug Lenny (or Leonard). I'm sad for all of us because I know there were many years of entertainment left in him. At 63, he wasn't supposed to leave us. There was a beautiful tribute to him this morning on The Today Show. I cried through it.

I just don't know what to say. The news is reporting that he had been suffering from depression. Apparently, men with depression are more likely than women with the condition to commit suicide. If you know someone who needs help, please do what you can to have them call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

One more thing...please remember every day to keep your loved ones close to you. We all acknowledge the need, but don't always practice it. Robin Williams reminded us of many things, including Carpe Diem! It's terribly sad that he reminded us that you never know what will happen on any given day.

Sometimes when we grieve, it helps to talk. Feel free to share your thoughts here.

Photo credit lost

R.I.P. Lilly Pulitzer

Lilly Pulitzer Rousseau, the socialite who turned designer to combat boredom and discontent more than 50 years ago, died today at her Palm Beach, Florida, home at age 81. Her company's Facebook page issued this statement.

"Lilly has been a true inspiration to us, and we will miss her," the statement said. "In the days and weeks ahead, we will celebrate all that Lilly meant to us. Lilly was a true original who brought together generations through her bright and happy mark on the world."

In search of a hobby after suffering a bout of depression in her late twenties, Pulitzer at first opened an orange juice stand in 1958, and then she began developing brightly colored and boldly patterned shifts and blouses to help hide the stains created by her new enterprise. Her clothing was an immediate hit and continues to be to this day. The world will miss her. She created happy fashion.

I found her fashions aspirational - they made me yearn for summer, color, and the leisurely lifestyle that they represented. I'll always think pink and green when I hear her name. Yes, I love the preppy look - always have. May she rest in peace.

Photos courtesy of CNN and the Washington Post

Rest in Peace, Whitney Houston

Today is a sad day for our world. The news of Whitney Houston's death hit us hard last night. Tears rolled for America's sweetheart, the gal with the majestic voice whose songs made a lasting impression in our hearts and minds. Who can't instantly summon her voice singing Greatest Love of All, I Wanna Dance with Somebody, Didn't We Almost Have It All, I Will Always Love You, or Where Do Broken Hearts Go? How can anyone watch the clip of her rendition of the National Anthem without crying today? It's as perfect as it gets - no screeching, no blown lyrics. Just a pure voice that thrills.

We forgave her marriage to Bobby Brown, drug use, personal struggles, and erratic behavior - changes that fame brought to her life - because we loved her. Recently, she seemed to have turned her life around, making a movie and relishing her role as a mother and daughter. Philosophical to the end, she seemed to look forward to the immediate future with her trademark love of life.

Tonight, at the 54^th Grammy Awards, Jennifer Hudson and Chaka Khan will perform a tribute to Houston at the February 12, 2012, awards. Ken Ehrlich, Executive Producer, said, "Event organizers believed Hudson, an Academy Award-winning actress and Grammy Award-winning artist, could perform a respectful musical tribute to Houston." Ehrlich went on to say: "It's too fresh in everyone's memory to do more at this time, but we would be remiss if we didn't recognize Whitney's remarkable contribution to music...in general, and in particular, her close ties with the Grammy telecast and her Grammy wins and nominations over the years." Ditto. I'll be watching, in tears I'm sure.

My sympathy to her daughter, Bobbi Kristina Houston Brown, her mother, and all who loved her (that would be the world).

Photo courtesy of The Tamminator

R.I.P. Helen Frankenthaler

I just learned on Facebook that Helen Frankenthaler died today at age 83. A "Color Field" abstract expressionist, she died after a long illness. I had no idea she was ill. I just placed a candle under one of her prints, shown above, which graces the space over my living room fireplace.

Since so many of the abstract expressionists who "live" on my walls have died, I feel a special sadness - the passing of an era, not "simply" a major contributor to that era, but a woman among men. Her work was beautiful. I've wanted to own an Essence Mulberry woodcut by Frankenthaler (or perhaps Mountains and the Sea, which is in a museum). They have always been out of reach (for me). Now, I'm sure they will remain so.

She was a great artist. May she rest in peace, dancing in heaven with the other abstract expressionists - exuberantly painting heaven's glory with eyes that interpret colors as no one else can.

For an obituary, see the New York Times.

Photo courtesy of Zane Bennett Contemporary Art