On Monday, June 17, 2002 , the members of the PPIO chinapainters mailing list received the sad news that one of our most beloved members, Jesse Brown , went home to be with the Lord. His passing has left a big void in our group that will never be filled.

.I can't even remember a time when Jesse was not here online with us...He was Charter member # 69 and was, without a doubt , one of our biggest supporters. We made him an honorary lifetime member because of his many many contributions to the list and PPIO both online and behind the scenes..
He was gifted with words , as befits the preacher that he was , and he entertained us, uplifted us and even scolded us from time to time.......but he ALWAYS made us smile. My biggest regret is that I was never able to meet him in person....but this wonderful thing called email made us friends despite the miles between us.
I know you are all as saddened as I am but Jesse worked for the Lord and I know he is entertaining Him right now with his wisecracks......( and after a couple of Jesse's puns, the Lord might be a little sorry He took Jesse so soon...................grin) He touched so many of us with his warmth and charm and he will be terribly missed.
My favorite of all of Jesse's verbal contributions to the list?
Q: "Dear Answer Man: Is there chinapainting in heaven?"
A: Who do you think paints all those rainbows?"

Dear Answer Man: How do you fill the very big hole that you left here on the mailing list? ................Answer Man? ...........Answer Man? .................................... Rest well, dear friend .....and put in a good word with the Big Guy for all of us... ...............We love you and will miss you!

Marci , Betty and the members of the PPIO mailing list

Jesse had a big heart , great wisdom, a quick wit and a magical way with words and he always knew just what to say to make us smile ( and to put the list back on track when we got carried away with petty squabbles .) One of our listers said that Jesse was a great leveler And so he was.

Back in April, 2002, I received another of Jesse's emails and this one described his impression of Vi Lane's work:" I've seen her roses with tendrils searching for ways to flatter their mistresses and her flowers that seem to burst trying to fill some sort of vision."........My reply to him was: "DUDE!!! You NEED to write a book! You have such a wonderful sense of humor, a terrific sense of the absurd and your prose is a delight to the eyes!!!! You need to write that great American novel! START typing, bud! :OD Ill even get you started:" It was a dark and stormy night......" ( heeheee) I do this for selfish reasons! I can already picture the immense pleasure of curling up with a hot chocolate and a novel by J. B.Brown.....Seriously, you have such a glorious way with a phrase...and it should be bound between two hard covers and a book jacket! So GET TO IT!!!! :OD .....marci " ...............Alas, the Lord had other plans for Jesse and that book was not to be.......but ....
Betty and I felt that Jesse's words of wisdom should live on in a special place so that we can all go back from time to time for a smile ...so we dedicate these pages to our dear "Answer Man", Jesse ( the male kind) ....

Click here for Jesse's "Answer Man" emails

Scroll down to read some of Jesse's other emails to the list,including the China Painters Prayer.

Note that many of these should be read while keeping your tongue firmly in your cheek...and with a LARGE grain of salt...

Obituary from the Aiken Standard

The Rev. Dr. Jesse Brown Jr.
The Rev. Dr. Jesse Bradford Brown Jr., 68, of 103 Sperrin Circle, Aiken,
died Monday, June 17, 2002, at Aiken Regional Medical Centers.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church,
with the Rev. Dr. Fred Andrea III officiating. Burial will be private.
The Rev. Dr. Brown served previously as the pastor at Central Baptist Church
in Woodbury, N.J., First Baptist Church in Whitman, Mass., First Baptist Church in Carnegie, Pa., and First Baptist Church in Beverly, NJ He was a speaker at the Graphoanalysis National Convention in Chicago. He belonged to the Porcelain Painters International Organization and he was involved in the Gloucester County Art League. He had a doctorate in pastoral psychology from Andover Newton Seminary.
Survivors include his wife, Evangeline Proffitt Brown; one daughter, Jeanine B. Lang of Vero Beach, Fla.; one son, Jessie Bradford Brown III of Woodbury, NJ; two sisters, Mary B. LeGrand of Wagener and Scarlett B. Collins of Aiken; and three grandchildren, Alan Evans, Arianna Brown and Tyler Brown.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, 120 Chesterfield St., NE, Aiken 29801.
Friends may call from 7-9 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Shellhouse Funeral Home, 924 Hayne Ave., Aiken.

A poem written for Jesse by Della Manley
6-19-2002
Subject: Jessie, the answer man

For Jessie's Dear Wife and family and also to his family of friends on the Internet.
God Bless !
Della Manley
Lubbock, Texas

Jessie, The ANSWER MAN
God sent you to earth with a plan
To teach people how to live through God's word
This you did to your church herd

Oh, Jessie, you taught all of your china painting friends
How to laugh and to love through your answers that you would send

Although your face most of us never did see
In our hearts you were such a delight to each one and even me

Life will go on for your family and wonderful wife
Their hearts now feel like they have been pierced with a knife

God, is gracious and starts to heal hearts that are grieving
It will take time, but the grief they feel will start leaving

Oh, Jessie for the china painting list friends that you have made
Will miss you and think of you often, and pray that our heart ache will eventually fade.

We will never forget you, for you are deep down in our hearts
As our love for you grew from the very start.

China Painter's Prayer

Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2001
Oh, Lord...
When I feel that Oils are better than Water Color and Water Color better than Pastel and Pastel better than Drawing and Drawing better than Porcelain Painting and Porcelain Painting better than Ceramics and Ceramics better than Decorative painting and Decorative Painting better than Tole and Tole better than Crayons, forgive me for my arrogance.
When I feel that Art is better than Craft and Craft is better than Hobby and Hobby is better than nothing, forgive me for my presumption.
When I look at someone who never copies and someone who sometimes copies and someone who often copies and someone who always copies, and feel that I’m above it all, forgive me.
When I look upon my talent as best of, or better than, or as good as, rather than seeing that my talent is in what I do with what I’ve got, forgive me.
When I think I know that my talent is something with which I must practice defensiveness rather than responsibility and stewardship, forgive me.
When I think my talent is enhanced by criticizing others, forgive me.
When I feel that it is I, and I alone, who must protect the reputations of all artists, forgive me.
When I get the idea that you demand success rather than faithfulness in our art, forgive me.
And Lord, when I try to offer the final answer as to what art is, forgive me ....­ especially me.
Amen

A PORCELAIN PAINTER'S PRAYER...

Lord, let me be open in my relationships this day, but closed to evil thoughts.
Let me fluff - off complaints and put-downs from those who would rub me the wrong way.
Help me realize that often times a blend is better than either - or.
In my passion, let me know how much fire to allow.
Perhaps it is always good that when I see red to back off just a bit.
Let me know that if I Whink at insults and cover up unnecessary things, that they might be much smoother.
Sometimes I forget that if I mix complements, things get too gray.
But I know that sometimes that's admirable, too.
It's easy to forget that luster is just a surface thing and if I want depth, I have to go deeper.
Lord, let me know that yellow is often a cannibalistic emotion and the fear it symbolizes eats at the very heart of courage, but remind me gently that it also gives light and you know I need more of that.
There are times when I wish I could live life with bold strokes, but sometimes it demands a more delicate hand than I can lend.
Help me to know the difference but above all, be as I can.
It's all too easy, Lord, to think that success in my painting a big swoop through life is a matter of materials.
Help me to see that success is not in my tools, but in my vision.
Like a witch-doctor, I may want to rattle my brushes, but help me see that about all that does is to lose more hair.
Ha! You caught that, didn't you Lord?
I'm only just discovering that sometimes one fire does not bring maturity.
Just let me take the palette that life has dealt me and paint joyfully.
You're teaching me that success is not nearly so important as completion.
But I know that ultimately, the true test will be when you hold my piece up to the light and examine it.
Help me be ready for that.
Amen.
By Jesse "The male kind".

Hi, Folks...
I dreamed I got a bill from PPIO which said I owed the PPIO. I didn't think I owed anything; so, I asked, "Just what do I owe to PPIO?" The Dream Master answered quickly and right to the point.
You owe the good folk on PPIO the courtesy of making sure that you're using PLAIN TEXT to send emails so it doesn't come with all that garbage such as X&(*&(*&^%^^$%$$ with each email. Shame on you Jesse B.
You owe the folk of PPIO the privilege of reading their mail without repeats and evidences of the Reply Key used indiscriminately. You listening, son?
You owe the people of PPIO the courtesy of not using "my inexperience" or whatever other lame excuses you think up to continue "goofing up" and simply saying "let's move on" as penance. Just do it, Jesse B.! (And the Dream Master added, "I know what you're thinking - that your Sister used to say in those situations, 'But Jack (your hometown name) I've been siiiiick.' You can't do that, Jesse B." )
You owe the good folk of PPIO the privilege of not having to worry about viruses that do not exist or hoaxes that everybody knows about but you. Check it out, JB! Don't be a scare-monger. Now, I've told you this before and you keep on doing it. I mean it this time, Check it out!
You owe the people of PPIO the courtesy to read the instructions. You know, for example, Jesse B., that Vicki said to E-MAIL her DIRECTLY about the egg-stravaganza; so, you don't post a quick reference on the mail list as you head out the door. Something wrong with your hearing, son? I know what you're gonna do. You're gonna foul it up and then holler bloody murder when you miss out. Get with it, JB.
You owe the folk of PPIO all the respect and courtesy that you can muster, Buster. And if you don't listen, this dream will turn into a nightmare. I'll haunt you and getcha. You may not know why the porcelain blows up in the kiln or why your dry paint runs in the firing or why you meant for it to be gold and it turns out a lousy black -- but I'LL know and it won't be pretty. If you don't shape up, I am gonna getcha.
Now, listen up JB and know that you owe! Now, you can wake up. It's just a dream --- this time!
I kid you not, folks, don't mess with the Dream Master. When I awoke from that dream I was sweating all over. I ran to the kiln to check things out.
They were ok -- this time! So, I took the oath. "On my honor I will do my best to do my duty......."
Peace,
Jesse (The Male Kind)

I've been thinking about taking these communications to E-Bay for selling, but they're just too valuable to me. But since I have these old documents in my possession, I will share them with you, my friends... All of them are from judges of art.

"Dear Mr. Michelangelo,
We regret to inform you that our judges cannot promote your painting as one that deserves special merit - the reason being that you thoughtlessly painted on the ceiling. Next time, please give more thought to tradition."

"Dear Mr. Sergeant,
Your painting of the sexy lady is shocking. We will not smile favorably at a painting of a fashionable lady who has one strap dangling from her shoulder. If you will "pull it up" (with paint, of course) we perhaps will reconsider."

"Dear Mr. Wyeth,
We are sending back your painting that you entered in the exhibit because it was apparently painted with Eggs. Are you not aware that this kind of yoke is not allowed in serious art?" We require paints made from minerals and metals."

"Dear Pope,
We feel that there needs to be some kind of disclaimer on your Vatican walls. Some of the paintings have been done on common Italian tile. It may well have been fine for that handwriting to appear on the wall but never artistic endeavors in the guise of common tiles."

"Dear Mr. Wildlife Painter,
It is unfortunately our duty to be the bearer of bad news. Your (otherwise beautiful) work has been rejected because you painted on Masonite. Are you not aware that art is not art unless painted on canvas no matter how "board" you get?"

"Dear Mr. Brown [this letter to me really hurt my feelings],
There are so many things that you need to know that we fear it's fruitless to even begin. Your entry flunked! You need to know that if you are a Ceramist and paint on ceramics your work is art (unless you ask an artist who paints differently). You ought to know that if you are a painter in oils and paint on canvas you are an artist. If you are a watercolorist and you paint on paper you've done well. If you are a folk artist and paint on folks (or wood), you're celebrated. But for goodness sake, if you are an artist of oils and you paint on wood or a porcelain artist and paint on ceramics or if you are a watercolorist and you paint on walls you're just plain dumb.
Don't you know that art is in the tools and supplies and frames and never merely in ability! Aren't you aware that art is what you paint on and not how well you paint? Enough! Please go back to school and learn how to do it properly. We look forward to seeing your next entry. Especially would we suggest that you re-read Rule #1 which says "We've always done it this way." Let that be your litmus test.

From my personal collection of famous rejection slips...
Jesse (the male kind)

MY PORCELAIN PAINTERS MAIL LIST CREED... by Jesse B. Brown

* I shall realize that our mail list is a privilege and not a right.
* I shall realize that I have the responsibility to send my E-Mails in PLAIN text and not in MIME or HTML and that I have the personal responsibility to find a way to see that this is done (at least by the second offense).
* I shall realize that I have the responsibility to learn what happens when I hit that REPLY key and probably the best thing is to for me to simply forget about it.
* I shall realize that this list is rated "G," which means (among other things) no violent language (against another) - public or private; no "flames."
* I shall realize that I need to refrain from exciting or exploiting the differences among us, which are many with hundreds of people.
* I shall realize that I need to learn to post that which teaches, encourages or uplifts; not that which confuses or embarrasses or tears down.
* I shall realize that what I think is humorous, others may see as much less so.
* I shall realize that my comfort level might need to be curtailed where another's discomfort level begins.
* I shall realize that my freedom is not absolute but relative - as a train is free only as it remains on track; so I am free here only as I follow the hopes and dreams and expectations of this enterprise.
* I shall realize that people's return addresses are to be used with respect and care and not as avenues for personal vendettas or angry diatribes..
* I shall realize that I will excuse no more nor expect any less from my own behavior on the list as I would in any large, mixed group to which I might belong in the "real" world.
* I shall realize that I need to make folk of different races or religions or feel as comfortable as I wish to feel; that their discomfort can come as much from my offensiveness as their defensiveness.
* I shall realize that although some of my best friends are blondes or blacks or browns or burnished they may indeed be hurt when I call attention to our differences rather than our commonality.
* I shall realize that no question I ask is a particularly dumb question but it might be redundant. The good graces of others might be best served if I checked the FAQ before asking. I owe the list that effort on my part.
* I shall realize that most stories and jokes and such have already been received and seen and read by most china list members from some other source; my world may be smaller than theirs.
* I shall realize that most appeals or scares are either hoaxes or best handled by some other means than by the limited knowledge and experience of folk on our list; and if I do pass these along they ought to be personally substantiated by me or I must know that I can personally vouch for the information.
* I shall realize that there are many here who are greatly hampered by the amount of space they have for the downloads or have to pay for the time it takes to download or other restrictions which mean that I need to practice stewardship of words and space.
* I shall realize that if I really think that something is too cute, too good or too anything not to share with 900 others, it probably is not what I think. I need to really measure it carefully.
* I shall realize that we've grown from a little group of thirty or forty to about 900. For every word I write, 900 China Painters either grin or growl or groan. That's a big bunch. I need to be sensitive to such a big audience.
* I shall realize that sometimes I suffer from a big "but." It shows most when I know I ought not to post something, "but..." Or it shows when I ought to keep my mouth shut, "but..." What I really need is to see about reducing those big "buts" in my life.
* I shall realize that although MY CREED seems restrictive and oppressive that in reality it is just good, common sense (at least for me) and will allow my sending and receiving what best serves this wonderful group of which I am a part.
* I shall realize that in the final analysis I am a guest here and not the owner.

This is my creed! Do you have one?

AN ENCOUNTER WITH CHINA PAINTING (a letter from my folks down South)

Howdy. Just thought you'd like to hear about Me and Ma China painting. We never did this before so we ordered this kit with all kinds of supplies in it. Well, almost everything. I did have to send Ma out for some tiles. We got one of them China magazines with instructions about how to do it. We'll just mention the hot spots, as cousin Susy Mae says.

BLEND THE BACKGROUND COLORS TOGETHER: Don't know why they make us want to do this but who are we to argue? We took them colors in the kitchen and put'em in the blender. They was blue and yellow and red. It came out kind of an ugly gray. Why don't they just have you paint on gray in the first place? We smeared in on the back of the tile where they said to do the back ground first. We just thunk that the back ground was the side closest to the
ground.

FEATHER THE EDGES. Now where in the heck can a city boy find a feather. I chased a pigeon around the park to borrow a feather - until this policeman caught up with me.. I told him I was looking for a feather. He asked, "Who are you, Yankee Doodle?" I never did doodle. Fact is, I have a hard time reading. But he did help me find a feather.

POUNCE THE COLOR: Shucks, we didn't know what pounce means. We got out that book that tells what things words are [my nephew gave it to us for Christmas in 1958] and it said, "The claw of a bird of prey." That made sense 'cause they make a kind of track when you drag it across what they call the back ground. So Ma goes out to the hen house and grabs the old rooster. By holding him just right we got that old bird to put his claw on the paint. Him jumping up and down shore looked funny. He didn't notice the feathers that fell out with all that jumping around. He shore could pounce.

QUICK AS A WHINK: We figured that stuff was kind of like Geritol for when you get tared. Well, we thought along about sundown that we was tared and needed a bit of refreshment. We opened that bottle and Ma took a quick sip and I took a swig. It Was just a little sip but it sure did create energy. Ma passed me doing about 20 miles an hour; then I took a swig and passed her. We all have drunk some powerful stuff (Uncle Henry makes it for us) but that Whink is quicker than them all. It am well named, but we ain't gonna use that stuff no more. And we shore don't recommend ya'll using it. It can get downright mean. We thought about giving the bottle to Uncle Henry. Ma thinks it'll make Eleanor who is his old mule plow faster than she does with his stuff.

KILN SITTER: We didn't get how to go about this job in our kit and China book didn't say nothing about it either. We was kind of at a loss as to how to handle that situation. We went to the super market and put up a little sign, where all them want ads hang out, trying to find out if anyone would be dumb enough to come and sit watching that stupid kiln. We got calls from baby sitters, dog sitters, geriatric sitters, house sitters, and all kinds of other sitters but no Kiln Sitters so we figured we'd do it ourselves. We cant understand why any body needs to sit thare watching it anyway.

FIRST FIRE IN KILN. We found this old kiln way back on the property. It is this big mound of dirt with a place to build a good wood fire under it. I stuck one of them cone things into the ground as far up as I could reach. Can't figure out why they call them cones. They were more like them piramids over in that other country. Ma thought they may be like a skinny teepees but she aint never seen no teepee neither. Well we put a little tile in there and fired her up. Three days later We blew out the fire and dug out our tile. That little cone thing had just shriveled up and died. Don't guess it was much good. It's fearsome. We read about gold in that China book. Ma loves gold. They say it has to be burn ished with sand. So, we're gonna use gold next time since with all that sand we got lying around out hear the barn. We can "burn" it and "ish" it at the same time. We take to that burnish stuff. But sitting three days while that darn thing makes me and ma burn, too.

SAND BETWEEN FIRES: This is darn peculiar. It was a mite difficult to fire that tile and head back to the shed to hook up the sander and sand the stupid plate off. Put it on and take it off! Must be real hard to please these China people. Can't make up their mind.

SECOND FIRE & THIRD FIRE: Gee, we got so darned tired of digging out the dirt and putting that tile in for all them fires. It took nine days, all tol. Why can't them China painters make up their mind and do it all together. Looks to me and ma like they get tired quick. Must have never worked on the farm. Maybe they're old people and can't do too much at one time anymore. Or maybe them folk from China just ain't up to us'ens.

I RELIEF: We kept at this painting stuff so long, (mostly putting on and taking off) our eyes were about to pop out. So we dug out the envelope that said "I Relief" and rubbed it in our eyes. It didn't keep them from stinging but it did seem to help them stay open. It's a shame that someone don't know how to spell "Eye." Don't want to insult him or her who sells this stuff but we wander about it.

Well, we finally finished that tile and it didn't look half bad. And we got no idear why you paint the back ground cause you cant see it noway. We knewed that's where it were cause like we said before , when you looked at the tile the back was toward the ground. The tile did get a bit chewed up from the sander, but you could tell what it was. Well, we could've if we remembered what it was when we started but what with all the going and coming and putting on and taking off it kind of got away from us what we intended to paint. Next time we gonna try them lusters. Ma says that don't sound Biblical to her. She thinks that anything with lust in it, can't be too good. I'd kind of like to find out for myself. We really love them China magazines, but we're awful proud they rewrote them in English. I don't know how to read Chinese and Ma dont neither. But the instructions are real clear once you get the hang of them. We can't wait to do another tile but we're so tuckered out it'll probably be a while now. We saw some skunks looking at our kiln like it would make a good house for them. Ya'll keep doing them magazine instructions coming, now, hear?

Happy firing,
Jesse (The Male Kind)

ON PORCELAIN PAINTING Date: Thu, 14 DEC 2000
Dear Uncle Jesse,
Is there really a world for porcelain painting out there? Love, Virginia.
Dear Virginia,
Yes, there is a world for porcelain painters out there. There will be those who tell you that it is an art for doting grandmothers, but do not listen to them. They do not understand that porcelain painting is not about age but about creativity. It is about seeing an image in the mind's eye and somehow getting a reasonable facsimile of that on porcelain. Some folk will tell you that it is not a substantive art but a parlor activity, but do not listen to them. They do not understand that porcelain painting is not just about keeping busy. It is about being in touch with some driving source within that demands an effort at expression in just this way. There are those who will tell you that it is a dying art known only by a few, but do not listen to them. They do not know that just a little while ago there was a dream in the mind of one courageous lady in Nashville and another now in Hawaii. But that dream became a vision that now has spread to about a thousand porcelain painters. There will be those who tell you that it is an art full of mystery and suspense, but do not listen to them. They do not understand that as along as youth who look at their Mother's beautiful porcelain, who also looked at their Mother's porcelain who might even have looked at their Mother's beautiful porcelain -- as long as there are those kind of youth, porcelain painting will thrive. Yes, Virginia, there is a world for porcelain painters out there - for porcelain painting is one example of artistic expression. As long as young folk like yourself keep asking questions about it, it will be there. The spirit of porcelain painters is the spirit of creativity and it is very much alive today.
Uncle Jesse (the male kind)
* Note from marci: Jesse began signing off as "Jesse( the male kind)" when, after a few emails to the list when he first joined, a few listers referred to Jesse as "she"...so the "Male kind" became a sort of in joke...

Happy Birthday, PPIO, and many marvelous returns.
Oh, I know that you've not mentioned when you were really born but that "makes no nevermind" as my fourfathers use to say.
I lift my cup to you. Not only is the nectar within the best but the scene on the outside is nothing but enhancement -- thanks to you. I just want you to know that I am going to party on into the night on your behalf and literally paint the town red and anything else that doesn't move.
Peace,
Jesse (the male kind)

Sent: Thursday, October 22, 1998
Subject: Decal Edges
I don't have two cents; so, this will be of little worth.

But it seems to me that we perhaps need desperately to be involved in discussions about "What is art," or "What about decals?" or "Is it OK to copy?" or "Which something is best..." Yet, when all is said and done, a lot more is said than done. It boils down to these discussions helping us to do our thing and know where we stand on an issue and think/do what each of us can live with. For after the dust clears, that's where the action really is, isn't it?

I sometimes buy a print of someone's picture. I buy it because I like it. That's all. I do not buy for speculation or investment. I know I'm not getting the real thing but I can live with that. I knew a lady who tacked Sunday bulletin covers on her wall because they were pretty. I thought they were pretty, too, but the wall was tacky - yet it was not my business and that's where she was. I have several plates that have beautiful "decals" made from paintings. Some of them represent an original painting so intricate that I can only dream of how much time the original must have taken. If that artist dealt only with originals, he or she might put out two a year. If I could paint a plate and some company wanted to make copies of it and sell thousands for $35 or so each and give me some decent percentage of that, I'd jump on it in a second. But I'd be real disappointed if someone sold one to me one of those plates as an original and I bought it for that. But if that happened; then, maybe I ought to ask myself if a con artist didn't just catch a sucker. who said that it's only a greedy person who gets caught in a scam? That's not always true is it?
When we have our open houses or our teas or our sales, what do most people buy? It's seldom the beautiful urn that we're willing to let go for several hundred dollars. It's the cute little bird on the tiny little plate for a few bucks. Shucks, that's original art and it makes a great gift and I can afford it. Truth be told, I'm sort of envious of he who sells many "reproductive plates" and helps with that to firm up the financial foundations of an organization.

If I'm as honest as I can be and can solve for myself what my personal moral values are in painting, then I'll do what I can do and allow others to do the same. I'll keep on cussing and discussing, but I know deep inside that the primary value of this is for me to rehearse my own integrity. In the final analysis, fine art is what the community decrees; not what I wish. Maybe when I die I will then be appreciated but I'm not banking on it. Remember what Ecclesiates says:
"There is a time for everything:

A time to paint;
A time to whink;
A time to listen;
A time to think.

A time to criticize;
A time to lift up;
A time to do plates;
A time for the cup.

A time for decaling;
A time to not;
A time to make copies;
A time to flop.

A time to buy;
A time to sell;
A time for heaven;
A time for (Can't think of a rhyme).

A time to take nourishment;
A time to sup;
A time to be careful;
A time to shut up!

Let's continue the discussions and paint the town red;
Let's get this thing posted; it's time for bed.

Be Well,
Jesse B.

Subj: Special Day!
Date: 8/11/01

August 15th, 2001 . . . .

Did you know that that's the day set aside as PPIO APPRECIATION DAY?

This day was chosen because it will be a very hot day somewhere and reminds us of the hot tips gained on a day-by-day basis. I call your attention to this special day because very few people have heard of it -- for example, my wife. Even Marci and Betty don't know -- but that's what happens when folk like them work so hard behind the scenes making such an important contribution to this art that they are too busy to look at the calendar. There are many ways you can celebrate the day.

You can send a bouquet to the founders -- not of flowers but of little dollar bills all folded up to look like a flower -- maybe thirty-two of them. That's all it takes to express appreciation for this group that has meant so much to you.

You can wear the Patch -- It's a Patch that says, "I Quit!" When folk ask you what that means you can say that you quit having the "hitch-hiker's View" of things. They'll say, "What's that?" You can reply (if appropriate) that you will no longer use somebody else's car, somebody else's energy,
somebody else's gas without sharing in the cost. They may not know what you're talking about but you will -- because it's PPIO Day.

You can even determine that you will spend as much time researching how to send in Plain Text as you spend in searching for a special picture or technique. That would be a great gift to all PPIOers. Wow, would it be!

You can lift up that painted cup with a toast to a long and prosperous reign for PPIO.

And if you're one who does not celebrate special days -- folk will love you anyway.

Peace,
Jesse (the male kind) with another totally apocryphal happening.

Greetings:

Pointed Q-Tips: Great helps. But in another life-time I was heavy into photography and in order to make some money (while in seminary) learned all I could about the "Coloring or Tinting" of photographs. Marshall still makes the oils and pencils for this process. In fact, they seem to be making something of a come-back. Anyway, in that process I had a water glass container full of different sized pointed skewers and a container of cotton balls. Just pull off a little whiff of cotton from the cotton ball, lightly wet the end of the skewer (I put mine in the mouth - no paint really touched the skewer) and quickly placed the cotton over the tip and a quick smooth and twist motion downward (harder to describe than to do) and you have a great painting tool or wipeout tool (or whatever) in various shapes. You learn to pull as much cotton off your cotton ball as you think you need for the action required (thin or fat). The "about six inch long" wooden skewers were easy to hold and did a great job. The diameter of the skewers can vary to toothpick-sized diameter to maybe 1/8 or 3/16. It takes only about 15 seconds to make these to use. The cotton then slips right off (with a tug) and it's ready for the next quick change. This is easy to adapt to china painting for your imagined uses. You can purchase the skewers in food places (maybe even the grocery) and the cotton balls in a pharmacy or many other places - all easily created and used.

Alice: Here's The Skinny: I haven't the slightest idea from what this term actually derives but my guess is that it's a cousin of skinny dipping. In the old days (among people who are old now) you will remember going skinny dipping in the pond or creek or whatever. Skinny is simply the bare essentials - or in our parlance, "the bottom line," or that "low" term (at "see" level). More than likely, when skinny dipping and desiring to "moon" someone, this probably gave rise to the term, "Bottom's up." :-) Try it; you'll love it - just chose carefully which to try.

Underwear: I've been painting in my underwear for years. It gives me a freedom of expression that I cannot find otherwise. Besides, it keeps me from wiping my hands on my trousers. When my underwears get worn and need replacing, I merely cut them apart, mount them on rather small stretcher frames and sell them as art from my wild side. People never know the truth. If you do this, be sure to buy basic white or an ivory color. It's much harder with wild patterns. Ooops, almost forgot. It works better with boxer shorts than jockeys.

Jackie K: Computers: They are definitely not religious. If anything, they are in cahoots with the devil and like you say, they demand their due and their pound of flesh.

Colette: Beautiful name. Love those French names and British voices. Fell madly in love with a lovely young lady (LeFevre) in early high school. It was un-reciprocated but it has not daunted my appreciation. My wonderful wife of 42 years says that I may look at the menu but I cannot order since I discovered that She, too, was a lovely young lady - and now is a mature, lovely lady and deserves so much credit for putting up with a very weird husband.

Gail: Pregnancy: While we lived in Massachusetts, about 25 years ago, I got my finger caught between the trailer hitch and car hitch (ball) and cut off the tip (hanging by a gristle hinge). So, went to hospital and had same sewn back on. A copy of my bill came and as I was looking over this it caught my eye that the insurance company was charged for a pregnancy test. I went to the hospital and got in line to talk with the money people about that little error. In line I started talking with people and discovered that they were all there to protest some error (from supposed tests being taken) on their bills. The hospital was running a scam of some sort in the padding of bills. They thought that "Jesse" must have been female and decided to add a pregnancy test to get more from the insurance company. I never did find out the result of the test.

Be Well,
Jesse B.

Subject: Answer Man's Retirement
Date: Sun, 6 Feb 2000
Dear list folk (and the listless)...
My relationship with women has always been rather suspect - thus, it comes as no surprise that every once in a while my Literary Muse leaves me. I doubt that this means divorce; it's probably more like a temporary separation. I hope that she shall return and restore my "good humor" in some other form. When I first began what became The Answer Man, the zany retorts were gifts from my Muse. They just appeared and it was easy. But after I'd covered so many subjects, it was soon to become hard work -- and I hate hard work. So, in a sense The Answer Man had fulfilled his purpose for me. He was getting a little jaded and just a bit burned out. I find that my tension builds when we take things too seriously on the list and craziness just erupts from my distorted thinking. Writing has always been an outlet for me and one that I do quite a bit. Thanks to many of you who have suggested that I accumulate and publish this trivia. But that pursuit has eluded me thus far. Yet, what I do want to point out in all sincerity is that The Answer Man's retirement has absolutely nothing to do with anything or anyone other than what I've mentioned above. Read that real carefully, please. No one had anything to do with his retirement. If there's something for which I've wished in my little offerings, it is that they foster peace and harmony -- never, ever dissention. I would be devastated if his retirement caused just what he tried to avoid. And I'm not dead (yet). Muse willing, I will return with another form of irreverence for the saintly art of Porcelain Painting. So, let us be about our list making. Have I ever told you that story about the birds that save the world? It's one of my favorite "inventions." Ha!Peace to us all,
Jesse (That Mail Kind)

Subject: Reflections
Date: Sun, 6 Feb 2000
Greetings:
I have really been humbled as a result of the personal and private posts that I have received. I mention this because I was certainly not aware (nor probably are you) of the great number of shut-ins and home-bounds on the list. Not only that, the flavor of the material on this list sometimes makes a difference in the way a person feels as that person begins or ends the day. When you receive a post that says something like, "I just want you to know that your material brought the only laugh of that entire day," or "I'm home-bound and I really look forward to your posts," it brings you up real fast. When you've gotten a small stack of similar posts, two very important things come to mind. One is that the information is very humbling. The second thing is that it's too bad that we don't let people know this until it's too late. It may be that some folk do not post or perhaps they quit posting because they feel it makes no difference and too few even care. I encourage you to support and thank those who make genuine contributions to the list - in time. It doesn't even cost a 33 cent stamp (just an email) - now that's a bargain. Perhaps it ought to be done privately but regardless, it would be wonderful to be done. Best to you in your thanks-giving.
Peace,
Jesse

Subject: Confessions
Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2001
Hi, All... I just wanted you to know a little bit about me:

• I left school early in life because a bully picked on a little weak kid.
• I quit church because they split over what color the door ought to be painted.
• I terminated my friendships because my friends did not always agree with me.
• I disowned my kids because they just didn't always give me the respect I rightfully deserved.
• I intentionally make mistakes simply to please those who are looking for them.
• I avoid my family because they insist on having squabbles.
• I forfeited my citizenship because Americans are just too free with their gripes.
• I got divorced because my wife disagreed with me one time.
• I don't like most people because they're simply not as perfect as I.
• I decided not to die because regardless of where I would go after death some of the above would be there.
• I cried -- because I was so lonely.
  

Well, here's the way it happened.

The other day or so I went to the seashore to do some plein air painting. I set my stuff up on the beach and began to consider what would be a delicious subject. How about a bird on a plate? Or perhaps a fish in a bowl? Perhaps something on porpoise? Anyway, as I sat there ruminating, I watched this little bird at the edge of the water - and suddenly it hit me. It was one of those eureka happenings. These birds are the unsung heroes of our world.
Here's why!
I noticed that a wave would come in and the little bird would run away from it as far as it cared (seemingly being chased by the wave) and suddenly it was if the little bird screwed up its courage and said, "nough!" He then turned around and chased the water right back out to sea. This must continue night and day, year after year - and it's a good thing, too. Otherwise, we'd have water, water, everywhere. It's this job the little bird sacrificially does of chasing the waves back to sea that should earn him a special place on our plates. Soon perhaps I will memorialize this little sandpiper (or perhaps a cousin) in some artistic expression.

Perhaps we need to get out more - at least that's what my wife suggests I do.
Peace,
Jesse (the male kind)

So many questions; so little time...

* What kind of hammer is used with hammered lusters?
* Can Jeanie really do this - "make holes in the buttons while wet using a toothpick?"
- If so, does one have to be wet from a shower or will a sponge bath do?
* Does using Vitamin E as the medium make it possible for cracks to heal in 7 days?
* Have you discovered that ceramic tiles usually last at least three fires before cracking?
* Have china painters really gone to "dipping?" Snuff said about that!
* Did I. Declare really write an article that said that the $24 charter membership in PPIO was the greatest bargain of the year?
* If one wishes to acid etch a very small symbol on their glasses lenses is it necessary to remove frame before firing?
* Is it really true that if there's no controversy on the mailing list for more than two weeks, it's necessary to manufacture one?

HERE'S MY LIST OF COMMENTS PUT ON BACKS OF PLATES:
* "Copied By............."
* "Copyright Infringement Of.............."
* "Mostly Painted By Teacher........"
* "Hand Touched By............"
* "Rubber Stamped Outline By.........."
* "Camoflauged Imperfections By................"
* "Cannot Be Signed Because Of Low Price............"
* "Painted By Starving Artist..........."
* "Maybe A LITTLE Bit Of Decal Use.............."
* "Painted With Lead Paint; Safe For Last Meal..........."
* "Geniune Copy; May Not Be Copied........"
Be Well,
Jesse B.

Now, about my wanting to get my 2-cents worth in. I think I'll just forget the whole thing. I'm in love.

P.S. If I've screwed the whole thing up because of my being mathematically challenged, don't tell anyone. The principle is true anyway. One just doesn't have enough money here to risk getting their 2-cents worth.
Peace,
Jesse B.

Hello to you who have never posted here before - hundreds of you!

There's at least two valid reasons why you have never, ever sent messages to the China List. One is that you fear you will say dumb things - but this is really OK by me. You be dumb and I'll be dumber - maybe we can get hired by Hollywood. The second reason that I can think of is that you may fear knowing about two somewhat technical things. One of these is to not have the entire list dangling on the end of your message and the second thing is that you may fear that you're not in the Plain Text mode. If you (or anyone else) will follow my instructions I can guarantee that you'll never have the entire list dangling at the end. The way to assure this (guaranteed) is NOT to use the REPLY key at all. On the TO: line just type in chinapaint@porcelainpainters.com . That will always cure any possibility of your repeating everybody else's stuff. I cannot guarantee that you will have Plain Text but we'll forgive you the first time, even if you do. And what I'm going to ask you to do will be very short and not terribly vexing even if you do.

I have just realized that there are probably hundreds of you from whom we've never heard a peep. You're truly a silent majority (bbbbiiiggg majority). I don't much care what other folk think, I'd like to hear from you. You're either good, better or best in your painting talents -- makes no difference to me. But I would love to see you post a "thing" to our China List. But
first, you need to know this:

I have no official authorization for this venture; I have no one else who is in on this with me; so, I'm sticking my neck way out asking for your input. I know we have a theme of the week and I hope that I'm not taking away from this in any destructive way (I don't mean to and this is just a one-time thing for me). But I know (and you know if you think of it) that less than about (underline about) 20% of the list has ever communicated to the list. I believe that you have something to say or something to ask. Please respond in a manner to which you're comfortable.

Please send a brief E-mail to chinapaint@porcelainpainters. Remember, type that in on the TO: line and Do Not use the Reply key. I would appreciate your making two statements by completing the following two sentences. Here they are:

I wish I knew more about............. (you fill in from there with your own wish).

The other statement is this:
I would like to hear ideas of how to ................ (you fill in from there with your own like).

Of course, I'd like these to refer to China Painting. Don't worry if they've been asked before and don't be concerned that the answers may be in some FAQ. If anybody gives us a hard time for this, I'll borrow Marci's big fry pan provided she's not using it on me. Hopefully you will get some answers that are tailor-made to your needs. We owe you something and it's time you collected. And dare I say this? And once you get the hang of communicating, we can learn from you. That's fair, isn't it?

So, will you do that for me (and us)? I'm sticking my neck out here. Don't let me down. I know it's my own doing, but I'm counting on your response. I know that there's desire in some of your hearts. Just do it! Don't leave me hanging here.
Peace and love -- even if you don't reply!
Jesse
(that male kind)

P.S. Please excuse me if I've screwed up the address. After I get shot at dawn I'll apologize. But if I do get shot at dawn, please, somebody, jump in real quick and correct same. Thanks. JB

Folks, This entire conversation has embarrassed me, for you see, I am one of those who has created and held on to a secret recipe for my medium. People have asked for this and I have doggedly refused to divulge the ingredients. However, after reading all the arguments against holding onto my secret recipe, I have decided to print it out for you and the entire world to have. So, here it is:

1 Cup turpenoid or odorless paint thinner or fat oil or thin oil or any other kind of strange smelling oil
2 cups motor oil (non-detergent and non-sanforized)
1/2 teaspoon Lavender Spice for closure (every medium needs some form of closure)
2 Cloves, squeezed until they cry uncle (this cancels the side effects of the Lavender Spice -- see personal note) Personal Note: Lavender is for closing and Cloves are for holding open; therefore, they cancel each other out (strange!)
1/2 pint essence of Copaiba. This allows for an important explanation such as, "The essence of this medium is...."
1/2 pint mayonnaise (For thin porcelain use the low fat kind)
1/3 Cup Olive Oil (If one fears that this will harden the articles, use Canola Oil instead)
4 Ounces mineral oil (less if you discover this gives your paint the runs)
2/3 Cup Baby Oil (Great for bottoms of various things)

There you have it. I sit here literally crying for I really did not wish to give out my secret but the pressure of the group has simply been too much. None of you now has to bother anyone else anymore. It's settled. You've discovered my secret and it hasn't cost you a dime (except for the ingredients which I guarantee will last 100,000 miles if you change them every 3,000). This is an immensely versatile medium. You can paint with it, baste turkeys with it, run your car with it and probably use it as a poultice when you have a nasty cold. You can get off everybody else's backs because their medium cannot possibly be as good as mine. If you find great success with this you need not tell me; just pass the word on to others (you may not bottle this and sell it under your own name). Good luck!
Peace
Jesse (And that's a male Jesse)

Sent: Sunday, February 18, 2001
Subject: Painting the town red
Hello all,

I asked just what kind of red one uses to paint the town red. Elinor Skiles suggests American Beauty. Perhaps that is a very suitable choice. It sounds feminine and one that allows for horsing around. So I think I'll corral my filly and paint the town red.

She's the center of my attention;
She's my one and only star;
She's the object of my affection;
She's the woman who's brought me far.

She's the half that gives me life;
She's the joy of all my duty;
She's the loveliest of them all;
She's my own American Beauty.

To all the women of my life by day;
But the only one at night to stay...

Peace,
Jesse (the male kind)

Hi, Patricia of New Beginings...

I, too, come out of a long background of oil painting and have enjoyed doing portraits in oils, as well as any other subjects that have come to mind. Let me add my piece to the good advice you've gotten thus far. Since I, too, am a new china painter (about a year and a half's worth - maybe two), you can take my experience with a grain of salt (which you can later use on lusters or some sweet thing).

As to mediums. I would suggest that you try what is at hand right in your home to see if any of those serve your needs. I don't see how you can do this without some kind of kiln or immediate and frequent access to one - otherwise, it just takes longer. It has already been suggested that you use Baby Oil for mixing your paints since it works greatly and you can always dab a little bit behind your ears for a delightful aroma. For your painting medium, you can try Olive Oil or if you do not like the aroma, give Canola Oil a try. See if you like the way they spread and determine what drag you like on your brush. If those get you cooking, you've got it made and they're a bit safer when firing. I prefer motor oil - plain and simple. No additives and no substractives. I use #30 weight (non-detergent, Kendall, because that's what they had on the shelf) but I don't think it makes a plug nickel's worth of difference what you use if you find one you like and it works for you. I personally like the drag on the brush from the motor oil that I do not find with the "kitchen oils." I like a wide-open medium for just about anything I do (especially coming from a push-it-all-around oils background) and I haven't found a need to add copaiba or clove or mineral oil or anything to the motor oil. Don't understand why others do (especially mineral oil or copaiba. I could see adding something to make it close, but I don't care about that in most of my painting, but heck, others must (?) have a reason for doing that they're doing). NOTE: Betty Turner will tell you that motor oil gets toxic when firing. She's always correct (and that's the absolute truth). I just open the windows, turn on my little (probably useless) air filter, turn on my ceiling fan to high, set my stuff and leave the room. I can see from a distance. Just about anything that fumes is going to have some toxic matter or problem particles of some kind. Just play as safe as you can. If you start off with lead-free paints (several vendors carry these) you never have to ask questions about their safety or worry about it.

If you want a medium that is water-based, you might try mixing your dry paint with glycerine or alcohol (again found around the house) then use water or soap as your painting medium (Gene Patterson, another endangered species male, is pioneering the use of soap). Again, try these and see if you like them. These will tend to close, which is very different from a wide-open medium. And if you mix with a drying medium, just mix enough for each painting time.

If you try both "home" approaches and care for neither, go ahead and purchase a medium from any of our fine and reputable vendors and have at it.

From the experience of an old oil painter let me say that my greatest adjustment is patience (note the present tense). In oils I was never so precise, I could move the paint until it became pretty much what I wished. In China painting, what you do on that first fire points to the direction that the entire project is going to go. So, the important elements are to learn your strokes but one of the hardest for me IS the brush control I need to achieve delicacy. You absolutely have to have a light hand (for the traditional way). There is one word that you have to learn and then you must learn how to do it - that word is "Fluff." In many instances the layer of china paint must be completely smooth so to "master" fluff is imperative. Other little niceties such as "fru fru" will come as you go along. You will discover that there is a secret language that china painters use to throw us beginners off our rocker. Oh, they'll tell you but you've got to pin them down when it passes their lips.

Highlights are tricky in china painting. In oil, we just dabbed on some white or light hue as was needed. In China painting you either leave the blank blank (love that expression) or you wipe out. In china painting one tends to wipe a lot. It's essential.

As to portraits, I don't necessarily agree with those who suggest you have to work up to. Anything you paint in china painting (as in oils) can be a challenge. If you have enough experience to "paint what you see" in oils, I think you can also learn quickly in china painting to "paint what you see." Besides, we don't know what your background is, your capabilities or your eye. Of course we have to learn our strokes and fluffing and the elements of china. Personally, I think a beautiful rose is harder to paint that a portrait - given equal practice. Did I use enough "ifs" to cover myself on that one?

I'm a voracious reader so I like books. I purchase what I can and I borrow what I'm able. But I read and read and read. Yet, I think a good video is worth its weight in pictures. Beg, borrow or buy somebody's video on portraits, on roses and textures and whatever else you can afford. It will be money well spent.

If you were pretty good in oils, why don't you try to just look at pictures you would like to put on your china blanks and sketch with a brush with a light shade of the color you will be using or perhaps a very light gray. If you can avoid tracing, you're well ahead of the game. Portraiture would be the exception unless you're really good.

In oils, you'll discover that you can mix your beautiful crimson (probably alizarin) with your cadmium yellow and neither will gobble up the other. In china painting you will discover that some colors (actually the ingredients in the colors) hate other colors. You might consider a palette that has, say, no more than twenty colors. However many you chose be sure to make your test tiles (or plate or whatever). Paint narrow streaks of each of your paints across some blank. Fire it. Go back and put narrow streaks of paint cross-wise to those you fired. That way you'll see how they go over each other. I'm about to do my own testing by taking my yellows and reds (same with some other colors), mix them together and fire to see who eats whom. Mixing yellows and Yellow For Reds are created to be a little happier with reds than some other yellows. But you're on your own for testing. Several vendors handle great paints. But paints are like wild horses. You have to learn how to whisper to them.

You will see much wisdom in my comments (ha!) but let me warn you. Please wait about two or three days before taking any of this to heart. The e-mails will begin to flood the list any moment now as to how I got so dumb in my near 65 years and that your paints will go up in smoke and your blanks will look like blankety blank blanks if you follow my suggestions.
Some will say I don't know anything because I live in the North. Others will say I cannot know anything because I was born in the South. Sometimes you'll find that it just doesn't pay to get up. Just keep this in mind. Most of these folk have been breathing these vapors much longer than you or I. The only mystery in china painting is why we didn't start sooner.

May all your paintings be beautiful. Someday I may show you my etchings.

Be Well,
Jesse B.

Hi...
There are many ways to learn a discipline. I recall that many of my professors had their idea of required courses - with some it was Latin; others, math and so forth. There are those who say today that if you are not,born with a golf club in your hands you have little chance. Tell Jack Nicolas that since he came onto the scene at a later age. There are those,who demand that one learn to draw before one paints; that one learn,composition and perspective and color theory and all manner of things. The beauty of this is that everyone's view has a lot of truth in it - but it is just that, a view. There are those who say that we ought to copy in order to learn from the masters; others who say we ought not to copy because it is crippling. There are those who say that we ought to draw things on our porcelain and others who say we ought never to draw things out. Who is correct? Everyone and no one. What's a body to do?

I suspect that our approach to art depends on what kind of personality we have, what kind of latent talent we own and how much time we spend on the process - and a whole lot of other variables. This is true with you and it is true with me. It also matters whether you are simply learning to paint or if you're taking some kind of formal course. It also depends on where you want to go with your art. Will you need to please the world or simply yourself?

Many years ago I was at a clothes-line-exhibit and saw an oil painting that I liked. It was over a hundred dollars at that time. I didn't have that much money to spend on a painting; so, I said to myself, "I'll just have to learn to paint." Well, it would have been a lot cheaper through the years to have bought the darn picture and forgot about learning to paint. So, I dabbled here and there and finally (about twenty years ago) began taking lessons. There has been no drawing. There has been no homework. There has been no demands. There has been quite a bit of encouragement and guidance and gentle theory and a lot of mistakes. With all the above there was one "rule." I give you that now! Paint What You See! That's it. As I painted week after week, I learned to see better and learned to paint better. I sell enough of my paintings now to feel good about where I am in art. I don't want to use time trying to figure out which side of the brain makes the best mistakes or paints the best. I want to paint what I see. What I see and what is in my mind are becoming more recognizable on the canvas. That's good.

What about Porcelain Painting? Well, I've been painting for only about three years but I'm learning. And whether from a photograph or picture or a setup or in the field and regardless of the medium - Oils on canvas or Oils On Porcelain - my goal is simply to Paint What I See! Oh, I read and listen and absorb and paint -- but at my age I'm not after formal so much as fun. If you don't have the time and energy or resources to take the Long Path, try painting what you see. If you can find someone to help you learn to see, you'll be ahead of the game but please do not feel that if you do not follow someone else's prescription for success in painting that you'll never make it. All these heady theories can make yours swim. Come with me and we'll paint what we see.

You take care. I've got to take another look.

Peace,
Jesse (the male kind)