A Dream of Escape

A dream of escape.

Here in the Northeast in America, we are under a cold snap.

Since Christmas, we have been suffering with below zero temperatures and into the predictable future (according to the iPhone).

And then, with or without a cold (which I have), we are essentially trapped indoors.

I've been lucky to have a writing project to take me out of myself.

The BEST vacation I can ever have. 

NaNoWriMo: Purple Ukulele

So, it turned out to be a different story.

I have some kind of faith (strategy?) in writing as much as I can.  Crafting all the stories I can, nursing them along as they come.

I'd been working on the 6D story (of the previous entry) for a LONG time and was hoping to use the time to EDIT.

But NaNo is more about guilt-free NEW writing.  So I began PURPLE UKULELE. I have several tangents, including threads with previous stories.  "Oh, Robot!" anyone?

Inspiration strikes, and one must follow.

NaNoWriMo: Six Degrees

A mad dash through the 20th century, the fulcrum of which is a certain series.  Mid 1960's, a collection of everything that had come before, captured on film, 50 years in.

And then, a kid born 10 years after it all started and ended, How it introduced her to everything and everyone, the best kind of introductions, especially when the parents are absent or absent from this culture. 

Everything is a spiderweb, everything is a connection, a neural pathway, dendritic branches of people and stories, lost and irrelevant until activated by their relationships.

Everyone is Six Degrees away.

How to Respond to Appreciation

I find the whole thing puzzling.  As if it throws me off (like traveling does), kicks up all the dust and I have to wait for it all to settle before I can take it in.

I got overloaded by work and WORK this summer.  I handled it fine for a while, and then I took a break.  Which I needed.

Now to get back to it, organically.  I need to find words again.

Marching and Sauntering at the Umbrella Arts Stroll

The Annual Umbrella Arts Stroll is being held in the Hapgood Wright Forest in Concord, all along the Thoreau-Emerson Ramble (which is the path through the woods from Concord Center to Walden Pond)

My role in the live art is performing my piece about Henry David Thoreau called Marching & Sauntering.  It originated in the idea that his work (mostly Civil Disobedience) has become relevant, which is the greatest gift an author can have.  A great birthday present for his 200th.

Sadly, the "Marching" piece got turned on its head when the KKK erupted in a march in Charlottesville, VA.

There was a performance the next day, in addition to reading my particular piece, I also read ALL of CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE.  Henry was happy to have his words spoken out loud in the woods.  And yes, it did take about an hour, the same time it took him when he gave it as a lecture himself.

The next performance has been updated with excerpts from "Slavery in Massachusetts"

And the final performance of Marching & Sauntering will be held on Saturday, September 9th at 3pm (the Sept 2nd performance was moved due to Labor Day).

More info is below:
theumbrellaarts.org/arts-environment/2017-art-ramble

Go where you are cherished, part 2

I saw a listing for an Art Residency.

You had to PAY $1500 per month.

Are the artists being cherished?

Art all over!

The Greenpoint Open Studios event was amazing and well attended!!

The Mousetrap Project made it into print!

And there is a distinct presence on Mackinac Island (Lake Huron!) in Michigan of this Atelier and Thoreau as well!!

And the Thoreau Farm Blog Review of the Morgan Library exhibit is forthcoming....

AND performances of "Marching and Sauntering" in the Hapgood-Wright Forest as part of the Emerson Umbrella Arts Stroll 2017 will be happening on July 12 (10am) and July 16th (6pm)!!

Greenpoint Open Studios 2017

Preparing for another art show in Brooklyn.

Come visit Java Studios in Greenpoint and see a variety of new sculptures & paintings.

Below is just a sampling of some new work in the hallway.

Still Excited To Produce Mousetraps!!

Latest success is literally being an artist on the weekend and a day-job worker during the week.

The Other Version of me is Jealous

Walking down the street after a day of interviews, I realized that this is a moment where the other version (the one with her father, the one who went to Harvard, the one who got married & had kids) is jealous.

Being courted by 2 big companies, as if I have just reached where I should have been a while ago. Being appreciated for who I am.

Still baffled.

Go Where You Are Appreciated, Part 2

And leave where you are not.

Lately, at work, there was a desk-neighbor who passive aggressively made a remark about the difference of being nice to others and the obligations that it imposes on others. I was hoping to be nice, lowercase, to have a pleasant relationship with most of the people on my floor.  I think I do.

My manager liked that about me to being with.  And then he forced me to work with someone (who wasn't there, mentally and also physically- he was moving across the country).  And we had to work together directly. Now the guy is moved and we are just starting to work together as the team my manager envisioned.  But he is stubborn, and refuses to allow mistakes or different modes of working.

I'm glad it's over.  I needed a kick in the butt to leave that place.  It was getting too comfortable.  My only concern is that I live my life in 10 month or 8 month stages.  Getting money and then LIVING.  Nothing steady, nothing consistent (except WRITING).  It's fine, but it's disorienting.  And hard on the heart.

But I was called a few weeks ago to participate in the Thoreau Farm Blog, to become a regular writer  And contribute to the 200 year BOOK. I DO have an artistic and emotional home (and Mom LOVES and misses me!), I just have to recognize it.

Facebook Connections

All the artists I know are trying to keep the faith.

Education has previously been a good method. Sharing good news.

There is only sadness now.

And the only currency we have is bad news. Which we share with increased regularity. 

We soon tire of topping each other with the saddest news.

The whole world has been Sad Since Tuesday.