“But these 60-some full-color plates are, most likely, not the reason you’d want to own Clown Paintings. I mean, if you’re like me, you spend a little too much time every day trying to avoid clowns, so why would you want to bring a bunch of pictures of them into your home? (Except maybe to frighten the neighborhood children.)” Jim Knipfel reviews Clown Paintings, edited by Diane Keaton —Clown PaintingsNY Press)
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I wore a bald cap and cavorted in a First Year Players production of "Barnum" at the Unviersity of Virginia; and we had a clown at our house for my son's third birthday party, so I wouldn't say that I am anti-clown.
I do think there is something goofily noble about being so willing to put your heart into a performance for the benefit of a child, regardless of how silly you look to outsiders. I make up silly songs all day long to amuse my children, to the point where I sometimes have to clamp my mouth shut when riding in an elevator. At the same time, there is something about the exaggerated facial expressions... and does a clown ever learn anything? They are sort of frozen in time. Obviously, Knipfel's reaction to clowns struck a chord in my soul.
But I've seen plenty of talented clowns captivate a room. Kids are used to seeing funny gags on TV, but there's really nothing on TV that has same kind of power as the personal interaction between a clown and audience members.
Spangle has succeeded in making me feel bad for blogging this two years ago. Which is just another testament to the uncanny power that clowns have. Like nuns and telepaths and airport security workers. Even when they use their super-powers for good, they are still a bit creepy.
i am a clown i do not scare children my whole purpose in life is to bring a little happiness to a person who may not have none in their life to help some even if it is momentarly to forget the unpleasant things in their life and to allow the to laugh