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Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Duality




On the lighter side, I'm playing with a rose, as a botanical.

On the dark side, I am working on this at the same time. I am finding it to be quite emotionally difficult, as you can imagine. Here's the story ... The dentist with whom I work is very concerned about "sugars" in his patients' diets, so I thought I'd do some research. I found a site, with Dr. Robert Ludwig from UCSF discussing the increased intake of sugar, and especially in the form of high-fructose corn syrup [it's only been around in our foods for about 30 years] It is in almost all,  if not all, processed foods. And it is nasty! We do not metabolize it as glucose, but as ethanol, as in alcohol, and it has the same deleterious effects. Dr. Ludwig considers it the cause of the world-wide trend to obesity, as well as the increase in so many diseases - Type II diabetes, heart diseases, allergies ... it's a long and horrific list. From there, I followed the trail to what is being done to our food. I found two extremely good documentaries, "Food, Inc." and "The Truth about Food". I could go into great and gory detail, but won't. Suffice to say, that I was shocked, horrified, saddened and appalled at the complete lack of any moral fiber in some of the meganational food corporations, Monsanto being one of the top on the list. Of course there were clips in the documentaries of slaughterhouses, so that is the reason for this painting. I sincerely hope you all get a chance to watch the two documentaries.

As always, your comments are most welcome!   

9 comments:

  1. I've heard about the effects of fructose and I decided to stop eating manufactured food a few years ago. I lost weight and feel a lot better. But it involves a lot more work preparing food. Let's not forget to smell the roses. Yours is beautiful!

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  2. We will definitely watch. We've been trying to stay away from processes foods for years now, but every now and then I succumb, for to eat healthy, one has to have a dedicated shopper and conscientious cook on the premises--and that's me. Family cook and nutritionist is a full time job, when most of us are working full time jobs (or looking for them). And the other alternative to is to shop and cook in bulk over the weekend, our days of rest. It's a dilemma, a serious one.
    It's one that involves economics too. It's pricey to shop healthy. A real quagmire this topic. Hang in there on that slaughtered deer though. I think it'll be a moving painting if you can stick with the sadness of it.

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  3. Hi Kathryn,
    I have no idea how you paint like this. Very sensitie work, isn't it? Your colour is always very special.Thank you for sharing. The slide show is gorgeous.They are totally amazing.

    Hani Hani

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  4. Gorgeous rose - so lovely and delicately painted! And yes, not pretty things deserve to be documented in drawing and painting, too! I may not watch the documentaries until after Halloween :( !!

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  5. Dear Kathryn. My daughter has given me 'lections' about exactly this problematic... about the horrific stuff they put into food, about Monsanto being the number one sinner etc. , she did her 'Thesis' at the university on this subject, so I am well informed. AND we have changed the way we eat and the way we buy food going as organic as possible. Love this post, we should all know about this.
    And your two works will be fabulous as always even though I think the second one is emotionally really tough ! xx

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  6. Hi Kathryn, i am here, with my vocabolary because my english don't permit me to understand perfectly all your interesting comments abouth your work, but thank you for the time that you spend for us.
    ciao gloria

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  7. Prachtige Aquarellen heel fijntjes lieve groetjes Danielle

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  8. First of all your rose is looking beautiful. You have that 'glow' and it is perfect. And secondly I admire your bravery in attempting such a difficult subject. And I have tried to be on the watch for high fructose corn syrup in some of the foods I buy. I was shocked to see some bread with the label "No HFCS" why would that need to be in bread? And also in salad dressing? I might have to track down those documentaries. I did watch Super Size Me (although I don't eat fast food very much) and it really motivated me to eat healthier. What a slow and torutrous way we are killing ourselves.

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  9. Kathryn, thank you for stopping by my blog as it has led me straight to yours....how beautiful your roses. And I peeked at your gallery - a very sensitive piece with the baby bird.

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