F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 6 N E W S L E T T E R`MAGICIAN AND FLYING LADY´ Pastel on paper / 15.5 x 18 in. / by Henry Vermillion
TV NOTES
by Henry Vermillion
I watch a lot of TV these days, mostly news. I remember the days long ago when the Federal Trade Commission regulated the amount of commercial time the networks could show in addition to regular programming, but that was then, not now. When I recently timed commercials versus regular programming, commercials took half or more of the total time.
It´s a fact that the commercials are often better crafted and more entertaining than the regular shows. But having seen these gems of commercial art several times, I began reading the fine print at the bottom (being a speed reader helps), and some of this miniscule info is eye-opening. (“Possible side effects include sores in the genital area and possible death”, and others). And what does it say about us as human beings that all-body deodorants promise to make us totally scentless? What is the message when a construction worker rises his arm so a fellow worker can sniff his armpit?
Pharmaceutical ads offer relief from TD, CKO, GLP, KLS, AMD, CIPO, NSGLC, and a dozen other mysterious threats to our well-being. Surely, I´m not the only one who doesn´t know what any of these letters mean?
I recently kept track of the types of ads most shown on a given evening. Health and medication ads were by far the most numerous (sixty ads). Next were for various services (UPS, banks, internet, hotels, and so on: (sixteen ads). Home furnishings, pets, cars, and other were fewer. And lastly, I enjoy and look forward to some series of ads. Liberty Mutual Insurance with Doug and his sidekick Limu Emu have made some classics.
`THE MAGICIAN´ Charcoal on paper / 120 x 50 cm. / by Henry Vermillion
`THE PRINCESS ON HER ELEPHANT´ Oil / 20 x 18 in. / by Henry Vermillion
`SUNDAY IN THE CAMPO´ Pastel on paper / by Henry Vermillion / SOLD
`LEGISLATOR AT WORK´ Ink on paper / 8.5 x 11 in. / by Henry Vermillion
"PILLO" TUESDAY NIGHT LIFE DRAWING SESSION / charcoal pencil / 12 x10 / by Henry Vermillion. 02.17.26.
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JANUARY 2026 NEWSLETTERMORE ABOUT THE PICTURES WITH A STORY
by Henry Vermillion
My heartiest thanks to those of you who have seen (and bought) pictures from my current show at Galeria Blue Moon. (The show will be up through Saturday, January 31.)
Since many of the pictures are semi-autobiographical, a handout/guide is available at the gallery, which is located at Stirling Dickinson #7, but this note will add more information about the paintings.
“A Family” is probably the most challenging picture in the show. I should say first that I´m a figurative painter because I´ve always been fascinated by people: their look, their oddity, their uniqueness, their problems, the way they (we) handle our problems. I used to deal with all this in my previous life as a social worker. “A Family” touches on the complexity of sexuality, sexual orientation, and power relationships.
And---speaking of sex: the “Kermit, Texas” picture shows only the top of the pickup/camper, but inside it, the 14-year-old carpenter´s son showed us eight- to ten-year-old neighborhood boys exactly how heterosexual sex is done. In truth, that was the best, and most helpful sex education I ever got. (The subject never--ever-- came up at home.)
Lastly, remember that most of the prices in this show have been greatly reduced.
`A FAMILY´ oil / 48 x 36 in. / by Henry Vermillion
`KERMIT, TEXAS´ Oil on Canvas / 35.5 x 39.5 in. / by Henry Vermillion
"JANIA" TUESDAY NIGHT LIFE DRAWING SESSION / 1.13.26 / charcoal pencil by Henry Vermillion
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Older work not before shown in San Miguel, along with recent memory paintings by Henry Vermillion are featured in a reception and opening 5 to 8 pm, January 9, 2026 at Galeria Blue Moon, Stirling Dickinson #7, San Antonio, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
As we all know, the honored and respected role of original paintings is to add a note of beauty and substantiality to the furnishing of a home. That role is borne by a number of the works in this show, but there are other works—such as “The Christmas Present”, which tell stories not immediately clear. Other recent paintings show personal events in the history of the artist, such as childhood fights or rough games. Some large (and small) paintings grew out of pen and ink drawings (on napkins) in bars and restaurants. Others are scenes the artist has witnessed: KKK marches, politicians, ordinary people, brothel scenes, relatives, models; and some mythical characters and scenes show up as well.
“Why complicate things? Why not paint things people know and love?”, the painter has been asked. “The problem is I´m interested in much more.”
Note: Special prices apply for this show only.
NEW WORK, OLD DIRECTIONS
OPENING: January 9, 2026
SHOW: up until January 30, 2026
HOURS: 11 am - 2 pm & 3 pm - 6 pm. Tuesday through Saturday.
GALERIA BLUE MOON