Let there be color

 

"Let there be color," 5 x 7 watercolor holiday card

We need light more than ever, especially as the country suffers a year, a season of darkness of pandemic, racism, political chaos--and the physical season of darkness  approaches.

It dawned on me this year--no pun intended--as I continue to try to learn watercolors, that the command "Let there be light" in Genesis can be translated, "Let there be color." No light, no life...yes. But no light, no color either.

So as I begin my tradition of painting holiday cards, seeking originality in ideas, subjects and techniques, I'm experimenting more with color. What makes watercolor really sing, and what I struggle with, is its transparency, letting light through. Mine are too often too dark and opaque. 

Winter may be a season of darkness, but there is abundant color there too if you look, and there is abundant color in our world and in people despite the darkness of pandemics and more.

One of the examples I know would be the "Northern Lights," Aurora Borealis, that I've only seen once or twice when we lived in Iowa, but they inspired me today in these seasons of darkness, even though we're too far south to see them.

Today's watercolor may have too much darkness, but the light of colors helps rescue the efford.

"And let there be color..."

"Color," 5 x 7" watercolor, 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico cold press paper

It's a gray, gloomy day in more ways than one.
Our state, nation and world reels from a pandemic, with news and alarm worse every day. Uncertainty pervades everyday life, from food shortages to medical crises and a looming economic depression that will harm ordinary citizens dependent on working income.
Even spring is uncertain, The sun refuses to shine as clouds crowd the skies and temperatures drop from shirtsleeve weather to "bundle-up-and-turn-on-the-furnace-again days
What the world needs now is more than "love," in the words of the song.
The world needs color, and that's what prompted today's watercolor.
Color is  a reconnection with creation. Consider, my translation of Genesis 1: 3. "Let there be color. and there was color." No light, no life. But life is color.
So here is some color to cheer you up.

In the beginning-"Let there be light."

"Let there be light," today's watercolor, 6" x 8 1/2"

Day one of #WorldWatercolorMonth daily challenges. Today's prompt: Primary colors. 
Here it is--only yellow, red and blues, 300 lb. d'Arches cold press paper.
Hint: wet paper, pouring colors, yellow, then red then blues, with some spray.
"And the spirit of God flowed upon the face of the earth..."
Hint --No light, no color.
Dedicated to my friend John Lawton who painted terrific abstract, mystical paintings. May 15, 1931-June 29, 2019.
Observation--When the Great Mystery created light, he/she/it created color.

"And God created...Color!"--Creation!

"Creation," 8 x 10, 140 lb. d'Arches cold press paper

"Celebration of Color," concluded the #watercolor prompts for the 31 days of July, #Worldwatercolormonth.
Color, the spectrum, light. Genesis. The Big Bang. What you see in a rainbow. No light, no life. Science, faith.
Art is creativity, a child of creation, regardless of beliefs. Do they not all merge together?
Here is what brewed in my head and heart and the primordial soup of creation, for today's #watercolor: The spectrum of color, the spectrum of light, the spectrum of life. 
Celebration, appropriate ending and beginning to 31 days of watercolor.

Reflections on the honors of friendships and Oklahoma journalism

The overwhelmed old professor's dazed look.

It's been a week since the Oklahoma Press Association honored me with the H. Milt Phillips award and I've found myself reflecting on what made that possible. I'd written about it earlier, Walking with Giants.
I used some of those comments in my brief speech last Saturday night, somewhat stunned by the respect of a standing ovation, the comments of OPA President Robby Trammell, and the well-wishes of many friends. 

Wth OPA Prez Robby Trammell.

And since then, I've sort of been overwhelmed by the comments on social media from other press people, and from generations of current and former students at both UCO and OSU, and from emails from academic colleagues at UCO.
I wanted to write about it, without sounding too narcissistic,  and if it does, just excuse me for thanking so many people. I also wanted a digital record of this event on my blog, which is sort of a diary, a history. 
There's a humbling sense of satisfaction in having touched, and been touched, by so many wonderful people.

With friend Ray Lokey

What really sunk in  this week is that friendships, professional and personal, are treasured honors. I've been fortunate to work in both journalism and as a professor, combining two great careers. My wife Susan summed it up, I think, on Facebook: "...TC has dedicated his career to newspapers, journalism students, and the advancement of his field in the state of Oklahoma." Among those friends was Ray Lokey, publisher of the Johnston County Capital Democrat at Tishomingo.
Following is what my long time friend and fellow journalist Steve Booher wrote, which was adapted for Trammell's introduction.  Steve is kind, and embellishes the facts a little like every great storyteller,  so he actually makes me sound good.  I'm thankful.

  

Two older newspaper friends

"Terry and I go way back… before cell phones, before the Internet, and we both experienced the not-so-good old days when hot and cold referred to water faucets, not the method used to print newspapers. But it would be a mistake to equate Terry's decades of experience with his physical age. He's always been young at heart; that's why he relates so well with those of us in the AARP age bracket as well as those we label today's millennials.
    "My first encounter with the younger Mr. Clark came when I took a job with the Duncan Banner in the summer of 1974. I'd spent about five years honing my craft at a Kansas daily and an Oklahoma weekly, and was grateful for an opportunity to work for Harrington Wimberly, his son-in-law Al Hruby, and legendary editor Callaway Buckley at the Banner. What I didn't know was that I was replacing a young man who couldn't be replaced. Terry spent his time at the Banner developing contacts throughout southern Oklahoma; contacts that eventually led to his partnership with Donald Morrison in owning and operating the little country weekly a few miles south of Duncan, the Waurika News-Democrat.
   "It didn't take me long to realize that I couldn't clone myself into a thinner and more personable Terry Clark. But luckily, I was smart enough to stop by Waurika and get to know the guy who had endeared himself to Banner readers north-south from Rush Springs to the Red River, and east-west from tiny Loco, Okla. to Lawton. He welcomed me, not only giving me advice on who I needed to know in order to service readers in an unfamiliar territory, but also much-needed information on how to keep his former bosses at the Banner – now my employers – placated. He didn't have to do that, but those of you who have met Terry, either personally or through his column in The Publisher, know that practically nothing is off limits when it comes to his sharing of insight into the newspaper industry. Although the Banner's circulation dwarfed that at Waurika, Terry was secure in knowing that the new kid on the block stood no chance of stealing away readers from the News-Democrat.
  

Steve is a consummate storyteller

  "We found ourselves coming together on Friday nights in the Fall of '74. We both knew that coverage of Oklahoma high school football was essential to developing and keeping small-town newspaper subscribers. After a couple of games, I began asking Terry which game he planned to cover. Had I been a little more experienced, I would have made sure to pick an area team where Terry wouldn't be on the sidelines. But it was too much fun meeting each other 30 minutes or so before game time, so we could share our weekly newspaper gossip.
   "Today, when greeting each other at OPA functions, we still bring up the days we spent covering high school football. At some point, we'll have to discuss and correct each other about which southern Oklahoma teams – Marlow, Comanche, Rush Springs or Waurika – were playing each other the night that the temperature was near zero, the wind was howling at 30 miles per hour, 55-gallon drums of burning wood were placed along the sidelines to warm players, and one school chose to drive its bus onto the center of the frozen field and unload players just in time for the kickoff… hoping to gain an advantage.

  "Terry was one of the first to arrive at my retirement reception a couple of years ago and one of the last to leave. Always on the lookout for a story, he jumped at the chance to mention the reception cake, designed as the front page of the Cherokee newspaper, in his next Publisher column. Like you, I always turn to Terry's column when the Publisher arrives each month. We all treasure a mention from Terry about one of our headlines, a particularly well written lead, or a new design improvement. We want his acceptance, knowing that it comes without prejudice, with only the goal of striving to make us better journalists.
     "Newspapers – particularly rural Oklahoma newspapers – have a friend watching over them as they struggle from day-to-day and week-to-week to produce a quality product. Thank goodness his advice is always free. He would tell you that's about what it's worth. Not true, Terry, and by the way, I think it was Comanche vs. Marlow that cold November night in 1974."

Susan and I celebrating with H. Milt Phillips

And for the record, here's a version of what I said that night. It was briefer and not as eloquent as Steve's, Robby's or Beachy Musselman award- winner Andy Rieger's.  I'm blessed to walk with these people.
   "An ancient journalist got the greatest scoop--the one on one interview of all time.
    "The old journalist was Moses, who interviewed God. He wrote a beautiful 10-word lead, and he turned it into a little book you've probably all heard  of-- 'Genesis'.
    "In that little book he writes, 'There were giants in the earth in those days.' King James Version translation is 'people of renown, power, influence.'
    "When I look at all the people who have been honored with the Milt Phillips awards, I know there are still giants in the earth.
    I never dreamed. I'm humbled and dumbfounded to be included with this giants--I'm proud to have known and to know about 25 of them, and you, and count you as friends.
    I'm especially aware that only two other non-active newspaper people have been selected. Ben Blackstock, and the only other professor, Dr. Harry Heath, my friend and last mentor. They forgot more about journalism than I know. Wow. Giants.
    "Mark Thomas told me yesterday that I still didn't have the award. I guess I was the "presumptive" award winner. Who thought up that word? "Assumptive" would better fit our anatomy.
    "It's a long way from the Waurika News-Democrat grad school of journalism, interning by walking the sidelines in rain with huge battery back and plastic over the flash along with Steve Booher. Then I'd go back in the darkroom pushing Tri-x film for a grainy image.
    "My wife Susan jokes that I refer to you as "my people. " It occurs to me that I first attended an OPA  convention 40 years ago, when we won our first Sweepstakes award. I'm still proud to be a newspaper man, most at home here and with students. I have a great job, working with newspapers, but not having to make deadline, and working with students.
    "No honor is awarded to a single individual. There are too many to thank, but I have to mention Waurika partner Don Morrison. I thank OPA, each of you, about 3000 students, my families, my children and wife for putting up with me.
    "You made me what I am…it's your fault, as another doctor once wrote, by the name of Seuss:
    'Look what we found in the park in the dark. We will take him, home. We will call him Clark.'
    "A father in law once quipped, 'Don't park in the dark with Clark.' Too late.
    "Thank you so much. This is a treasure."
 

Walking with giants...an old newspaperman's and prof's honor

"There were giants in the earth in those days..."   --Genesis 6:4

There still are, and I am pleased and honored to be asked to walk with them when I receive the Milt Phillips award a week from today at the annual Oklahoma Press Association convention in OKC.

Not much of a giant here, just an aging former weekly newspaperman and college professor, who has been blessed.  I am proud to be a newspaperman, a journalist, and blessed to know these Oklahoma journalists, and thousands of students  at OSU and UCO in more than 30 years who have inspired me and kept me thinking young.  It's been my pleasure and fortune to combine newspaper work with teaching. The experience is a two-way street that makes me a better teacher, and a better journalist.

Literal translation of "giants" in the King James version is more like "people of renown, of power, of influence." When I got the phone call from friend and OPA president, and UCO alum Robby Trammell earlier this spring, I was dumbfounded. 

The Phillips award is OPA's highest, and in its long history since being founded in 1979, I will be only the second college professor to be so honored. Previously it went to my last mentor and friend Harry Heath at OSU, who forgot more about journalism than I know. I never dreamed I'd walk in that company.

All the other awards have gone to newspaper people, except one--to the late great Ben Blackstock who built OPA into the national model of press associations, and who was responsible for me coming back to Oklahoma years ago.

I've gone through the list of previous honorees, and know or have met about 25 of them. Many are friends. I am humbled and honored...walking with giants. I'm in tall cotton. 

"My people"

I do know, as I tell  my wife, that I'm most at home at OPA conventions, talking with newspaper people. I tell her, they're "My people."

I didn't know Milt, though I was newspapering (that's a Clark verb) here when he was alive, but I know his son Ted and his grandson Stu, who publishes the only all local news daily in the state. 

It's many miles and years from walking the sidelines covering high school football for the Waurika News-Democrat, and there are too many people to thank. I'll mention only my late partner Donald J. Morrison of Waurika. And obviously my families, who are my main strength, and who are most important.

                   Here's the scoop on the Phillips Award, from the OPA website.

Milt Phillips

The H. Milt Phillips Award is the highest honor given by the Oklahoma Press Association. The OPA Board of Directors selects the recipient based on publishing a high-quality newspaper; contribution to the profession and the newspaper industry; years of service to the community, state and nation in a variety of volunteer activities and strong love and dedication to the family.
The award was established in 1978 by the OPA Board of Directors to recognize those they felt gave the same quality of service to family, community, country and newspapers as had H. Milt Phillips.    
"Honored by many, regarded by others, feared and disliked by the crafty and corrupt," is the way ‘Cluttered Corner’ Phillips was described by those who founded the award.   
"Phillips was the kind of editor all editors should be," they wrote. "He was involved. He gave freely of his love and concern..."   
H. Milt Phillips purchased the Seminole Producer in April 1946. Prior to beginning his newspaper career, he served as department adjutant of the Oklahoma American Legion and as editor of the Oklahoma Legionnaire.   
He served for two years in the Navy during World War II and, after returning home, was appointed by Gov. Robert Kerr to reorganize war veteran services in Oklahoma.   
Phillips became general manager of the Seminole Producer in 1946. In 1950, he and his brother Tom purchased the two newspapers in Wewoka and merged them into one publication. When Tom Phillips was diagnosed with cancer in 1955, the brothers sold the Wewoka paper. Milt Phillips and his son, Ted, then consolidated the two Seminole papers to form the Seminole Daily Producer.   
Phillips was active in the Oklahoma Press Association, holding several offices including president in 1954.   
He was widely known as a civic leader and statewide industrial booster. Phillips was a long-time member of the board of directors of the Oklahoma Historical Society and was the moving force in the historical society’s efforts to microfilm all Oklahoma newspapers.

And here's the list of previous honorees.

2014     Joe Worley, Tulsa World


2013     Ray Lokey, Johnston County Capital-Democrat


2012     Willis Choate, Marietta Monitor


2011     Tim Schnoebelen, The Mooreland Leader


2010     Gloria Trotter, The Countywide & Sun


2009     J. Leland Gourley, Oklahoma City Friday


2008     Tom Muchmore, Ponca City News


2007     Wayne Trotter,  Tecumseh Countywide News


2006     Joe Hancock, Hobart Democrat-Chief


2005     John D. Montgomery, Purcell Register


2004     Ken Reid, Weatherford Daily News

2003     Bob Peterson, Durant Daily Democrat     


2002     Robert E. Lorton, Tulsa World     


2001     Don Ferrell, Lincoln County News     


2000     Dave Story, Claremore Daily Progress     


1999     Jim Mayo, Sequoyah County Times     


1998     Ted Phillips, Seminole Producer     


1997     Ed Burchfiel, Cordell Beacon     


1996     Larry Hammer, Cherokee Messenger & Republican     


1995     Larry Wade, Elk City News     


1994     Joe W. McBride, Jr., Anadarko Daily News     


1993     Francis Langdon, Tonkawa News     


1992     D. Jo Ferguson, Pawnee Chief     


1991     J. L. Jennings, Donrey Newspapers     


1990     Jenkin L. Jones, Sr., Tulsa Tribune     


1989     Dr. Harry Heath, Oklahoma State University, Journalism Professor     


1988     Jim Bellatti, Stillwater NewsPress     


1987     Ben Blackstock, OPA Manager     


1986     Jim Pate, Madill Record     


1985     Bill Ansley, Elk City Daily News     


1984     Milo Watson, Perry Journal     


1983     Bob Lee Kidd, Jr., Poteau News & Sun     


1982     Charles Engleman, Clinton News     


1981     Allan W. Muchmore, Ponca City News     


1980     Ed Livermore, Sr., Sapulpa Herald     


1979     James C. Nance, Purcell Register