Creative Times

THE BAKER'S DOZEN: SOME OF THE MOST-VISITED POSTS IN CREATIVE TIMES HISTORY

2013-05-10T15:54:00.000-04:00

URBAN FOLKS ART STUDIOS PRESENTS ITS 4TH ANNUAL BROOKLYN BRIDGE ANNIVERSARY GROUP ART SHOW MAY 24-JUNE 20

2013-05-06T12:55:00.000-04:00

April 24^th, 2013

URBAN FOLK ART® GALLERY PRESENTS IT’S 4th ANNUAL GROUP ART SHOW IN HONOR OF THE 130TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE

Urban Folk Art® Gallery will be honoring the 130^th anniversary of the opening of the Brooklyn Bridge with a group show of over 30 local artists of varying mediums. In their fourth show of this type, artists will be showing their homages to the bridge with one common element. In February 2013, curator and contributing artist Adam Suerte acquired five 5 gallon buckets of surplus paint from the NY Department of Transit that was used to do touch ups on the Brooklyn Bridge (http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/05/surplus-paint-from-the-brooklyn-bridge-now-could-be-yours/). Each artist in the group show will be using the

“Chocolate Brown Enamel” in some way within their piece. Painters, comic artists, graphic designers, photographers, screen printers, tattooers, graffiti artists, toy designers and artists of other mediums will be contributing. Suerte, as one of his pieces has repackaged some of this paint in a limited edition quart size cans that will be for sale at the show. If you ever wanted to own a piece of the bridge, this could be considered pretty close.

The show opens May 24^th from 7-10 and will remain up until the end of June.

Brooklyn Tattoo® has been operating in South Brooklyn for over 10 years, and the Urban Folk Art© collective was founded in 1991 and has been curating artshows for as long. The gallery was opened in January 2011, they exhibit various genres of work from contemporary painting, drawing, illustration, printmaking and photography, legendary graffiti artists to comic art. The gallery shows a range of undiscovered, emerging, and established artists. The collective’s belief is that the cross marketing of each other and the gallery as a whole as a mutually supportive resource is a valuable way for emerging artists to gain a wider audience for it’s members, the group, and the artists the gallery supports.

A NOT-TO-BE-MISSED CHILDREN'S LITERARY SALON ON MAY 1 AT THE NYPL BERGER FORUM

2013-04-23T15:52:00.001-04:00

Olivier Tallec and Oliver Jeffers are both avid world travelers and authors whose bold and colorful children’s books are bestsellers in the US. Join them for an animated conversation at the New York Public Library, moderated by Pamela Paul, Children's Book Editor of the New York Times Book Review.

Olivier Tallec’s books are as colorful as his travels. After graduating from the École Supérieure d'Art graphique in Paris, he worked as a graphic designer in advertising before devoting himself to illustration. His work has appeared in numerous newspapers and magazines and he has illustrated over 50 books for children, including Waterloo and Trafalgar (Enchanted Lion Books) and the well-known series ‘Rita and Whatsit’ (Chronicle Books). In 2010, Big Wolf & Little Wolf was chosen as a Batchelder Honor Book.

Oliver Jeffers brings a strong sense of artistry and whimsy to his books. Originally from Northern Ireland, he graduated from the University of Ulster with a degree in Visual Communication. He is widely known for his picture books for children, including How to Catch a Star, The Great Paper Caper, and This Moose Belongs to Me (Philomel). Lost and Found received the Blue Peter Book Award in 2006 and The Incredible Book Eating Boy was named Children’s Book of the Year at the 2007 Irish Book Awards. He now lives and works in Brooklyn.

Dates: May 1, 2013 | 6pm - 7pm
Place: New York Public Library, Berger Forum
Moderated by Pamela Paul

This event is part of the series: Picture This! Conversations with illustrators from Paris and NY organized by the Cultural Services of the French Embassy.

This event is presented in partnership with Enchanted Lion Books and the New York Public Library's series: Children's Literary Salon:Talks on Contemporary Children's Illustration.

BACKING A YOUNG PERSON TO FLY: THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING AN "ARTS ANGEL"

2013-04-23T15:20:00.001-04:00

"Every blade of grass has its angel that bends over it and whispers, "Grow, grow." - The Talmud

I recently went to see a 12-year-old friend of mine in her school production of the musical Bye-Bye Birdie. It's a huge deal to be in a school show, especially a musical. It takes months to learn all the songs, lines, and choreography. I know it meant a lot to this young person that I was there to back her. A whole posse was there to cheer her on, and I know it made a big difference to her. It takes a lot of courage to get up on that stage, and it feels good to know that folks are out in that audience rooting for you.

I've also committed myself to going to the school show of my four-year-old friend Lucy. She's the daughter of one of my best friends. Lucy told me that her class will be singing Bob Marley songs for their end of the year performance. They have been rehearsing for a long time. I told her I would be there. I was also there for her first dance recital.

Supporting the arts isn't just about going to Lincoln Center or BAM or Carnegie Hall. It means hanging up young people's paintings and drawings front and center in your home or going to see their first dance or music recital. It means listening appreciatively when they play the piano or sing around the house without worrying about how "good" they are. Let them enjoy creating for creation's sake.

I think a lot of young ones give up early on doing these things because they quickly pick up on the idea that you have to be "good" at that thing. The emphasis in our society is on performance instead of enjoyment of the process.

When I was eight, my dance teacher let me choreograph my own piece for a recital and also come up with the idea for my costume. I was going to be the sun in this dance, so my mom made a yellow satin leotard and then sewed red sequins in the shape of a sun on top of the satin. She dyed my ballet shoes red and then secured long pieces of red ribbon to them so I could wrap the ribbons up my ankles.

I will never forget the experience of having a dance teacher that trusted me enough to have me choreograph my own piece and design my own costume. It has always stayed with me that an adult backed me to follow my own mind and implement my creative vision for something.

It's my aim to pay it forward by supporting the young people I know in their artistic endeavors simply by lending my attention to and complete appreciation for the intelligence and creativity they bring to the table.

Who are you an arts angel to? Who could you be an arts angel to?

FROM THE AUTHOR OF ROBOT DREAMS COMES THE LOVELY AND WHIMSICAL BAKE SALE

2013-04-22T15:09:00.000-04:00

I was munching on a homemade chocolate chip macaroon at neighborhood joint The Treats Truck Stop, when a book sitting on the counter caught my eye. It was called Bake Sale, and on the cover was a live eggplant and a live cupcake putting frosting on cupcakes together.

Yes, that's right, the main characters of Bake Sale are an eggplant and a cupcake who are close friends. The book is done in the style of a graphic novel, and at its outset we find Cupcake, the proprietor of The Sweet Tooth Bakery, getting ready to open his shop for the day. He opens for business, and in come some customers - a tomato and then a soda can. Finally, his friend Eggplant comes to pick him up to go out for lunch and then to band practice.

Through the friends' lunchtime conversation, it becomes known that Eggplant is saving up to visit his famous chef and cookbook author Aunt Augustine in Istanbul. When Cupcake learns that Turkish Delight, the greatest pastry chef in the world, is Aunt Aubergine's business partner, he develops an interest in making the mecca to Istanbul with Eggplant.

Dreaming of Turkish Delight, Cupcake starts to fall off his game. He gets distracted at band practice, and loses his mojo as a bakery owner. Can he find his way back to his dreams? I'll let you read the book to find out the deets!

Here's what I loved most about Bake Sale:

It's whimsical, but also has sweet and deep themes running through it
The illustrations are excellent
The main characters are food items, who sell food and go shopping for food and who take their pets to well-loved NY events such as Westminster Dog Show and Blessing of the Animals. Unconventional pairings that work!
The illustrations and recipes reflect the time Sara took to research bakery life and baked goods
There are recipes you can actually use
It confirmed my hunch that cupcakes are not just something for us to consume; they too have important dreams and deep emotional lives

For more information about author/illustrator Sara Varon, check out her site:

* The author's publicist sent me a copy of Bake Sale at my request, with no guarantee on my part of a positive review.

TREAT TWITTER LIKE A COCKTAIL PARTY

2013-04-12T16:31:00.000-04:00

I never thought I'd be a user, much less a fan, of Twitter, but after a few trusted friends encouraged me to do so, I hopped on the bandwagon a little more than 3 years ago.

It's been a really great ride so far: I've found work projects; forged connections that evolved into real-time friendships and collaborations; and discovered info about amazing arts and culture events in NY. I'll never forget riding up to Asphalt Green to join hundreds of other New Yorkers welcome home Brooklyn Olympic medalist Lia Neal from London. How did I find out about this awesome event? Through Twitter!

Every single day, I feel like I've won the jackpot in terms of  the huge dose of inspiration I receive from seeing all the amazing things that people are doing and thinking about out there.

I thank my fellow/sister Twitterers for this gift, and offer you some of my own thoughts about being a presence on Twitter:

* Do treat Twitter like a cocktail party. Don't spend the whole time talking about yourself. Do shine the light on other people. See what they've been up to; make connections between other guests at the party. Follow Friday is a nice opportunity to do that.

* Don't treat Twitter like a bullhorn. It's fine to share your thoughts, projects, photos, etc. But no one wants to be bombarded with constant announcements about you, your product, your service, your articles, etc.

* Do pick themes for Follow Friday. I'll do ones like "All Things Theater" and "Literary Delights". It lends cohesiveness to your tweets, shows what you are committed to, and lets people who do similar types of things see and connect to each other.

* Do show thanks or a friendly acknowledgement of some kind when you are mentioned in someone's Follow Friday tweet.

* Do have your Twitter account at the ready when you read magazines, newspapers, and online publications. Every Thursday, when I read the NY Times arts, business, and style sections, I add interesting-sounding people mentioned in articles to my account and often give them a shout-out along the lines of "Enjoyed the piece about you in today's @NYTimes ! Congrats!" Doing so has led to some great online and offline connections.

* Don't be a clique-y tweeter; that is - don't just follow or send tweets to people in your world, whether it's the world of dance, politics, baseball, or sock monkey collecting. Twitter is a great place to branch out, make new friends from all walks of life, and find out what people are doing in all corners of the earth.

* Do show appreciation for people and places that have moved, inspired, or served you well.  Recently, I tweeted a thanks to the people, a restaurant, and cultural institutions that helped make my parents' visit from CA to NY a special one. People love to be spotlighted for what they do best.

* Don't send a lot of cryptic tweets that come across as inside jokes or as messages designated for one or two people.  Doing so makes other guests at the Twitter party feel left out, annoyed, and confused.

* Do write Tweets using a variety of tones - light and playful, funny, serious, thoughtful, spontaneous.

*Don't be a "one-note" Tweeter. For example: No one wants to read tweet after tweet with links to articles about how the world is going to hell in a hand basket.

I hope you find these tips helpful. What are your Twitter Tips?

30% DISCOUNT FOR CREATIVE TIMES READERS ON TICKETS TO "ANN" THE PLAY

2013-04-05T12:32:00.000-04:00

“A BRAVURA PERFORMANCE!” – Chicago Tribune

Tough as nails.
Funny as hell.

ANN

A new play starring HOLLAND TAYLOR

SAVE OVER 30%

$85 Orchestra & Loge (A-C) (reg. $125)

$55
Rear Loge (D-E) (reg. $75)

Visit Broadwayoffers.com or call 212-239-6200 and use code ANNMKT1
Or, bring this offer to Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont Theater, 150 W. 65th St.

BOX OFFICE HOURS  
Mon-Sat 10am-8pm, Sun Noon-6pm  

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE  
Tues 7pm, Wed 2pm & 8pm,  Thurs 7pm, Fri 8pm, Sat 2pm & 8pm, Sun 3pm

This season, a true original comes to Broadway at Lincoln Center.

ANN is a no-holds-barred portrait of Ann Richards, the legendary governor of Texas.
This inspiring and hilarious new play brings us face to face with a complex, colorful and
captivating character bigger than the state from which she hailed. Written and performed
by Emmy® Award winner Holland Taylor (“Two and a Half Men”), ANN takes a revealing
look at the impassioned woman who enriched the lives of her followers, friends and family.

After playing throughout Texas to sold-out audiences, ANN went on to win critical acclaim
both in Chicago and at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. And now this extraordinary
play comes to Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont Theater in a production directed by
Benjamin Endsley Klein (resident director of War Horse). Don’t miss this unforgettable
performance that The New York Times has called, “frank, funny and warm. As Ann Richards,
Holland Taylor is a FIERY DYNAMO.”

*Offer valid for performances thru 6/9/13. Additional blackout dates may apply. Offer subject to availability and priorsale. All sales are final. No refunds or exchanges. Offer may be modified or revoked at any time without notice. Allphone and Internet offers subject to normal service charges. Offer available for select seats and performances. Limit 6 tickets per order.

AN OPEN LETTER TO HOLLAND TAYLOR, THE WRITER AND STAR OF "ANN"

2013-04-03T17:35:00.003-04:00

Dear Ms. Taylor,

I was totally blown away by Ann - the play about the late Texas Governor Ann Richards which you wrote and star in. When I talk to friends who really know how to lean in and listen, and describe you and the story of the play to them, my eyes well up and so do theirs. I'm no sap, but damn! You do know how to move an audience!

I first learned of your play while watching the CBS Sunday Morning News Show. Within the first 30 seconds of viewing the segment, I knew I had to go see Ann. It was the same gut feeling I had when I saw Eva Zeisel, then celebrating her 100th birthday, on this same show. Ms. Zeisel was a world-class, Hungarian-born industrial designer best-known for her work with ceramics and her "playful search for beauty." Falsely accused of trying to assassinate Stalin (!), she survived 16 months of solitary confinement in prison.  Ms. Zeisel also narrowly escaped the Nazis.

When I saw the piece about Ms. Zeisel, and then learned she lived not far away from me, I knew I had to meet her in person. What an amazing experience it was to visit with her shortly after she turned 100.

Like Ms. Zeisel, the Ann you portray was a strong and creative risk-taker, with a fighting spirit and an awesome sense of humor. So when I saw the CBS news segment, there was that deja vu feeling of "I've got to go and see this person." And so, last week, I journeyed from Carroll Gardens in Brooklyn to Lincoln Center in Manhattan to see Ann.

Here's why I think you and your play are important now:

* It's pretty common knowledge that roles for women in Hollywood, especially after a certain age, are limited. As you said on the CBS segment, you've played your share of moms. I'm glad you took things into your own hands and wrote a role that would allow you to portray a whip-smart, gutsy female who pushed past restrictions placed on women in order to step out big time into the public sphere. You show that we women have to literally write the roles we want to play in this world. Thank you for that!

* There is a particular way that females get targeted when they venture way out into the public sphere and take a stand on important issues. The attacks are often personal and vicious. (Just ask Hillary Clinton!) I appreciate that you came forward to depict a woman who dared to step out, speak her mind, and act on her principles.

Here's what I loved about your depiction of Ann Richards:

* You showed the way Ann brought her working class sensibilities into her job as a politician - specifically, her straight-forwardness, integrity, lack of pretense, and unwillingness to sell out on her values.

* You caught the nuances of Ann Richards without affect or over-acting.

* I mostly forgot that I was at a play. I generally felt like I was hanging out with Ann Richards in her office.

* You depict Ann's simultaneous affection for but lack of deference to Bill Clinton when he was in office as President - e.g. the joke she tells him about Arkansas on the phone right before hanging up on him. Brilliant! (And the audience laughed hard here!) By the way, I saw that picture you posted on Twitter of President Clinton wiping tears from his face upon seeing you after he saw the performance. That picture spoke volumes about the power of your play.

* You refer to Ann's relationship with Congresswoman and Senator Barbara Jordan and the Lady Longhorn basketball games they went to together.

Thoughts on Your Play, Going Forward

Ms. Taylor, I hope that lots more people go see your play during its run. I hope that people of different ages and incomes and races get to go and see it. It offers hope, inspiration, and a reminder that it's possible for all of us to have big lives while holding our families and friends close to our hearts.

It is also my wish that I have the honor of meeting you in person before the show's run has ended. That would be the gift of all gifts.

Thanks for taking your vision and making it into a reality. Both your play and your personal life have had huge ripple effects, and will continue to do so.

Ms. Taylor: Like Ann Richards, you are a rolling stone that gathers no moss. Like Ms. Richards, you kick the a** of sexism and other injustices, and take no prisoners.

Keep up the good work, Ms. Taylor, as Ann looks down and smiles.

With Appreciation,

Eleanor Traubman
Editor, Creative Times
creativetimes.blogspot.com

GOOD NEWS! ANN, AN AMAZING PLAY STARRING HOLLAND TAYLOR, HAS BEEN EXTENDED BY POPULAR DEMAND THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1!

2013-04-02T13:52:00.000-04:00

NEW YORK HAS FALLEN IN LOVE WITH ANN

“As the INSPIRING ANN RICHARDS,

HOLLAND TAYLOR is a FIERY DYNAMO.”

“HOLLAND TAYLOR is MASTERFUL.”

"Performer and subject are both SO VIVIDLY ALIVE, it's INFECTIOUS, and WE'RE HELPLESSLY DRAWN IN!"

EMMY^® AWARD WINNER HOLLAND TAYLOR

EXTENDS IN CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED ANN

AT LINCOLN CENTER’S VIVIAN BEAUMONT THEATER

ANN, the new critically acclaimed play written and performed by Emmy Award-winning actress Holland Taylor and directed by Benjamin Endsley Klein, has been extended through Sunday, September 1, 2013, on Broadway at Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont Theater (150 West 65 Street).

ANN is an intimate, no-holds-barred portrait of Ann Richards, the legendary Governor of Texas. This inspiring and hilarious new play brings us face to face with a complex, colorful and captivating character bigger than the state from which she hailed. Written and performed by Emmy Award winner Holland Taylor (“Two and a Half Men”), ANN takes a revealing look at the impassioned woman who enriched the lives of her followers, friends and family.

ANN has scenic design by Michael Fagin, costume design by Julie Weiss, lighting design by Matthew Richards, sound design by Ken Huncovsky, projection design by Zachary Borovay and wig design by Paul Huntley. ANN is produced by Bob Boyett and Harriet Newman Leve with co-producers Jane Dubin, Jack Thomas/Mark Johannes and Amy Danis, Sarahbeth Grossman, Jon Cryer/Lisa Joyner, Minerva Productions, Lary Brandt/Brian Dorsey, Kate Hathaway/Allison Thomas and Jennifer Isaacson in association with Lincoln Center Theater, Colleen Barrett, Nancy T. Beren, Francesca Zambello and Faith Gay, Patrick Terry/Rich Affannato, Marcy Adelman/Paula Kaminsky Davis, Campbell Spencer/ Suisman Gasparian and Bonnie Levinson/Emily Conner. ANN is executive produced by Kevin Bailey.

ANN played to sold-out audiences at Galveston’s Grand 1894 Opera House in the summer of 2010, San Antonio’s Empire Theatre in the fall of 2010, and Austin’s Paramount Theatre in the spring of 2011. In the fall of 2011 the new play opened to critical acclaim at Chicago’s Bank of America Theatre, and went on to have a smash hit run at Washington DC’s Kennedy Center in winter of 2011/2012.

The playing schedule for ANN is: Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 8pm, with matinees Wednesday and Saturday at 2pm and Sunday at 3pm. Tickets range from $75 - $125 and can purchased at the Vivian Beaumont Theater box office, online at lct.org or through Telecharge.com (212-239-6200). A limited number of tickets priced at $30 will be available at every performance through LincTix, LCT's program for 21 to 35 year olds. For information or to enroll, visit LincTix.org. A, limited number of $30.00 Student tickets for ANN are available two hours prior to curtain at the box office. Students must show a valid student ID card. There is a limit of 1 ticket per ID.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT:

www.theannrichardsplay.com

“HOLLAND TAYLOR IS BRILLIANT!” – The Hollywood Reporter

“HOLLAND TAYLOR is ENDEARING and HILARIOUS.” – Entertainment Weekly

“HOLLAND TAYLOR IS A HOOT!” – AP

“FUNNY & TENDER. A DEEPLY AFFECIONATE, CLEVER TRIBUTE.” – USA Today

"HOLLAND TAYLOR SHINES!" – Daily News

"HOLLAND TAYLOR is AN EXEMPLARY FORCE FOR FEISTINESS." –Newsday

“A WITTY, PASSIONATE LOVE LETTER. HOLLAND TAYLOR is REMARKABLE.”

– NBC 4 New York

“HOLLAND TAYLOR is SPLENDID, capturing ANN RICHARDS’ HUMOR, DECENCY and ENERGY.” –The Village Voice

"FUNNY, AND SMART AND CANDID,…SO RIVETING YOUR MIND REFUSES TO WANDER" - The New York Observer

PERSON PLACE THING WITH RACHEL DRATCH

2013-03-26T13:56:00.003-04:00

I recently journeyed to The 92YTribeca, an offshoot of the 92nd Street Y, to see Person Place Thing Live! With Rachel Dratch and Andy Cohen. As the Y explains:

The concept behind Randy Cohen’s public radio series Person Place Thing is simple: he invites notable figures from all genres and backgrounds to discuss one person, one place and one thing about which they feel passionately. Since people often reveal themselves most intimately when they speak not directly about themselves but about something important to them, PPT goes a step further than the traditional one-on-one interview.

I was really excited to see Rachel Dratch, who played characters such as Debbie Downer and Allie McBeal during her 7-year run as a cast member of Saturday Night Live.

I was also really curious to learn more about the woman who left SNL in order to join the cast of 30 Rock, and then was replaced by another actress on 30 Rock. She had also been snubbed by Vanity Fair when they excluded her from "Women in Comedy" cover story that showcased Rachel's close friends like Tina Fey, Poehler, Kristen Wiig, and Maya Rudolph.

A lot of comedians have a kind of hard-edge, defensive, "always-on" quality which Rachel did not have. She had a low-key sweetness about her that was kind of refreshing.

For her PERSON, Rachel talked about Muffin, the dog that her family had when she was a child.

For her PLACE, Rachel chose to describe the old-timey ale house where she would hang out in Chicago while "trying out the improv thing" during her 20s. The improv community became her whole social life. Says Rachel of her peers at that time "We bonded through the terror of improv."

For her THING, Rachel held up a special cookbook that her mom made for her. Each recipe connected to a Saturday Night Live sketch Rachel had performed in. For example, there was a "Debbie's Pineapple Upside Downer Cake." (Rachel is famous for her Debbie Downer sketches.)

During the Q and A portion of the evening, I asked Rachel what it was like -- both good and challenging -- to be a woman in comedy. She said she was of two minds about this topic. On the one hand, she was happy to have had a long run on SNL and grateful for the other women of SNL who had paved the way for her to be on the show. On the other hand, Rachel expressed how acutely aware she was of the lack of good roles in Hollywood for women comics.

If you read Rachel's book, Girl Walks Into a Bar, you gain a pretty sharp picture of the harshness of the sexism toward women in Hollywood which Rachel alluded to in her answer to my question at the Tribeca Y event.

When the book opens, we find Rachel at home, after having been replaced by Jane Krakowski on 30 Rock. Rachel is getting phone call after call from her agent for parts for explicitly "unattractive" and bizarre women. (I use this word in quotations since attractiveness is a construct.)

Comedy, especially sketch comedy, is supposed to be about any person, regardless of their physical appearance, being able to play any character at all. But because of how rigid Hollywood is about the physical appearance and the age of the females they cast, we lose out on awesome talent like Rachel Dratch. This is a huge bummer.

If you want to see what Rachel is up to these days, go HERE

MR. ROGERS AND A YOUNG BREAKDANCER

2013-03-20T16:02:00.000-04:00

Today, a link to a UTube video from The Center for Puppetry Arts showed up on my Twitter Feed. The video shows a wonderful interaction between Fred Rogers and a 12-year-old breakdancer.

The exchange is reflective of the sincere respect for young people which Fred Rogers demonstrated toward the young people who appeared on his show and who constituted his television audience.

Fred Rogers, who would have turned 85 yesterday, was not just a guy who routinely changed his sweater and tennis shoes on a children's television show. With a bit of research you'll find that he was a quietly powerful man with deeply-held convictions who was a passionate advocate for young people. For example:

He gave a famous testimony to a U.S. Senate committee to request government funding for children's television.
He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in addition to forty honorary degrees and a Peabody Award.
He was inducted into the Television Hall of fame, and was recognized by two Congressional resolutions. (Source: Wikipedia)

Also - and this is heartening - there is a Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children's Media at St. Vincent College. The Center's mission is "to advance the fields of early learning and children’s media by acting as a catalyst for communication, collaboration, and creative change." Take a look at their moving online exhibit about Fred's life and work.

GRAFFITI FOR GOOD: Q AND A WITH MILES WICKHAM, A.K.A THE RESKEW

2013-03-11T11:54:00.000-04:00

I generally read the Thursday and Sunday editions of the NY Times with my Twitter account at the ready. I see this reading time as an opportunity to research, follow, and sometimes contact the people in the arts, business, and style sections whose work catches my interest.

One such interaction led to a friendship with an inspiring graffiti artist named Miles Wickham.

I first learned about Miles, also known at The Reskew, in a NY Times article about artists and models who also work as cater waiters. Intrigued by the mention of Miles being a graffiti artist and actor, I reached out to him via Twitter and eventually met him in person in the lounge of Brooklyn's Nu Hotel at a small gathering of artists I organized last summer.

An interesting part of Miles' story is that he has created a series of video graffiti tutorials, mainly aimed at young people. Through personal notes written to him by parents of the children who have watched and learned from the videos, Miles has learned what a difference these tutorials are making in their young lives.

Read on for more about The Reskew in his own words:

CT: How did you get interested in doing graffiti art? Were there any early sources of inspiration for this particular kind of art?

MW: I got into graffiti in 2000, when I started going to high school in Brooklyn. I saw a guy in gym class tagging some padded mats, and went to check out what he was doing. I vaguely remember him encouraging me to try it out.

When i figured out what it was about - cool forms of self expression and identity and recognition -I got interested. I think the possibility of friendship lured me in first, then noticing that others were doing it. Impressed with the styles, and the feeling of the tags, I became hooked.

When I lived in Italy from ages two to seven, I watched trains pass from our 5th floor apartment and would see colors which stood out from the usual orange/tan pattern of all the cars. I wondered why there were these random colors. Now I know they were graffiti. Something about the rebellious feeling of the "flow" of the letters and tags of other people made me want to learn all about the art.

CT: Do you feel like you have or are part of a community of other grafitti artists? If so, what role do those people play in your life?

MW: When I was a street tagger, I was part of the huge underground community of taggers. They served as my driving force to continue my pursuit as a tagger and an artist. They motivated me to refine my skills and talent.

Basically, I wanted to make a good impression on them. As much as graffiti writers claim they are such rebels that they don't give a crap about what others think, graffiti tends to be heavily based on what others think. Why would we all get so offended by "disrespect" if we didn't care? Why would we be so angry at the world/system/society?

Now that I am many years sober of the criminal/vandal aspect, I am in contact with very few taggers. The ones I am in touch with are the ones who have had a bigger impact on my life than the general community of taggers. Also, I am a big part of the community of young grafitti writers, worldwide, through my YouTube tutorials. I like to be a positive inspiration and example to them. I feel much gratitude in knowing that I inspire them.

CT: What words of advice do you have for people, especially young people, who are interested in learning graffiti?

MW: First, I believe we all have creative abilities, and we need to discover and refine them. Some of us grew up without the proper support to know this about ourselves. Remember that graffiti, like all other skills, take LOTS of experience, lots of hours of practice, to refine to a level to where you know you are good. There can and probably will be LOTS of frustration and disappointment on the path. Don't give up on yourself. Remind yourself that it just takes time and dedication. Try to practice every day. And take this knowledge with you if you transfer to any other creative pursuit: every reward takes lots of dedication.

Also, if you're into graffiti, and you're into tagging, being a rebel, breaking the law, etc., nobody's going to stop you in your tracks except for yourself. Just remember, you're choosing to take actions that have certain potential consequences. And if you have such an urge, may I suggest doing it for the sake of beautifying ugly, uncared- for things. Don't tag someone's brand new delivery van, or a freshly painted wall in a nice neighborhood. The principle I now live by is "Treat others as I'd like to be treated".

CT: What kind of feedback have you received from both young people and their parents about your video tutorials? Any specific stories about that that you want to share?

MW: I have received amazing feedback. The feedback that I love getting (and i get lots of it!) is that my tutorials are the most helpful out there,and that people actually feel inspired, supported and optimistic because of my approach to sharing my knowledge. Many claim they have suddenly improved exponentially because of my videos. Some say they have been doing it a while and that my tutorials opened their eyes in a new way.

One great story is about a younger guy from a small town in Alabama. He asked how I get to paint legal murals in the street. There was definitely no 5 Pointz - type of legal graffiti wall in his town. I told him go around and ask permission from building owners, which did not work out for him. He asked about abandoned buildings, and since I told him its technically still vandalism to paint on them, he took an easel and a board to the building to paint on, just to have an outdoor space. He told me he got his materials confiscated by the police. He kept reporting back to me through YouTube comments, telling me his journey to figure out how to do this. I kept encouraging him, telling him that where there's a will there's a way. He said that even the police officer gave him some suggestions, and returned the materials to him. He finally came to me with great news and gratitude months later. According to him, it was through my encouragement that he persisted enough to get approved, by the city, to zone this space as the city's legal graffiti wall!

I also received two emails from a mom of a teenager in Toronto, Canada. The essence of the email is that my video graffiti tutorials had had a huge impact on her teenage son. She was grateful to me for being a role model

CT: What have been some of your recent projects and what are you working on right now?

MW: I've been working on my Alphabet Series for almost a year now, putting hours in at The Brooklyn Workshop Gallery. I also recently worked on 19 murals at 55 Hope Street, a new condo building in Williamsburg. They are all colorful abstract pieces. The last two pieces are a culmination of many years of experimenting and mixing styles and techniques.

CT: What are some of your dreams for yourself in the coming year or two? What would be a dream come true for you?

MW: I dream of having a huge studio space in NYC in which I make the large pieces that I LOVE making.
I dream of selling to collectors who share my joy and excitement about my work. My dream come true is for the work that I love most to get exposed to the masses, so that as many people as possible can have the chance to see and connect with it.

CT: What are some of your interests/loves/pursuits in addition to making graffiti art?

MW: I love the arts. I enjoy acting, martial arts, dancing, playing classical piano, drumming. I also love surfing and snowboarding. I have learned Wing-Chun Kung Fu, and am currently in my 3rd year of Daito-Ryu Aiki Jujutsu, which is an ancient form of Jujutsu, a very refined and disciplined martial art and the predecessor to Aikido.

It fascinates me to explore and experience the human body's dynamics and energy in relation to itself and in contact with the elements and other people. All these things I am interested in seem to be, in essence, like some form of dance. The ultimate experience in all of them is to be fully connected with yourself and your tools, canvas, surroundings, etc. - physically, emotionally, mentally, energetically, and spiritually.

More about Miles: http://about.me/mileswickham

LET THE GAMES BEGIN: ROYAL PALMS SHUFFLEBOARD CLUB IN BROOKLYN, NY

2013-03-08T14:51:00.002-05:00

I could tell from the get-go that Jonathan Schnapp knew about fun. When I first met him at a party in the backyard of By Brooklyn last summer, he was rocking t 70s-style jumpsuit. We got to talking and he told me and a few other folks that he was planting the seeds to build a state of the art shuffle board club in the Gowanus neighborhood of Brooklyn. So I leaned in to hear the story behind this idea.

Schnapp grew up in Mamaroneck, and every winter his folks would pack up and take their family to Florida to see the grandparents in Century Village. There, Jonathan would hang out at the pool and play shuffleboard with the elder folk. "There were shuffleboard courts for as far as the eye could see," he recalls.

As an adult, Jonathan returned to Florida with friend Ashley Albert to serve as a judge in a BBQ competition. While there, they found the Mirror Lake Shuffelboard Club in Saint Petersburg. Friday night was all about the "St. Pete's Shuffle," where people of all ages would gather under the stars to play the game together.

It was through this magical experience at St. Pete's that Jonathan and Ashley decided to open up their own shuffleboard joint in Brooklyn. They spoke with Jim Allen, the owner of the country's biggest shuffleboard supply company. Seeing the possibilities for Jonathan and Ashley to help create the new face of shuffleboard, he offered to outfit them with all the game-related equipment they needed to launch their business in New York.

At this very moment, Jonathan and Ashley are poised to begin construction on Royal Palms, a dream-becoming-reality on Union Street between 3rd and Nevins Streets. I recently visited them there in what is now a large, open, vacant space. They graciously served me a seasonal sample of Boylan Soda's seasonal Shirley Temple flavor as I learned about co-owner Ashley's multi-faceted career as a voice-over artist; leader of The Jimmies, a popular children's rock ban; and founder of a company that makes Twitter necklaces.

Ashley and Jonathan are excited about the possibilities for intergenerational interaction that Royal Palms offers. Already, they are working with the Good Sheppard after school program to partner children with elderly adults from the neighborhood for a monthly shuffleboard tournament.

They are also working hard to stay on a conservative budget so they can keep the experience affordable for all who come in the door.

Jonathan makes is clear that his is a club that respects the actual sport; the aim is not to be ironic. The courts will be tournament-quality.

I am personally excited to have this project in the neighborhood. It takes a lot of smarts to operate a social club that pulls in and is appropriate for folks of all ages and I think this one dynamic duo that can pull it off.

GORGEOUS GRAFFITI ART BY MILES WICKHAM (AKA THE RESKEW)

2013-03-08T14:32:00.000-05:00

Graffiti artist Miles Wickham - aka The Reskew - recently completed this wall mural for the 55 Hope Street condos in Brooklyn, NY. So gorgeous! Told him I want a poster or a print of this!

Stay tuned for a Creative Times Q and A with Miles................

twitter.com/#!/thereskew

facebook.com/profile.php?id=16205978

Facebook Fan page (new art)

My Flickr.com Albums

OXEGEN MBK graffiti

BUY my ART on Ebay

My art on Brooklynartproject

GOOD NEWS! THIS BROOKLYN-BASED, ARTS-LOVING, SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGIST CAN HELP YOU BUILD A FOLLOWING FOR YOUR COMPANY OR CAUSE

2013-03-03T22:18:00.000-05:00

Hello, Creative Times Reader!

Do you know of an organization or business that could use a hand expanding, connecting to, and engaging with its community of patrons / customers / clients / readers?

Look no further!

A seasoned arts and culture writer, promoter, educator, and community-builder, I bring to the table a carefully-crafted network of nonprofit organizations, small business owners, civic leaders, artists and art organizations built over 20 years of living in New York City. As a Brooklyn-based blogger and one of the organizers of The Brooklyn Blogfest, I also have a deep knowledge of and connection to many arts and education organizations in the borough.

I am currently available to lend my areas of expertise to a Brooklyn-based project, business, or organization on a part-time basis. If you know of a potential partner within your professional or social network who would benefit from my services, I'd be grateful for an introduction.

Sample Work Projects

* Collaborated with team of 25 organizers to plan and oversee GO, a historic borough-wide open studio weekend designed to foster personal exchange between 1700 Brooklyn artists, their communities, and The Brooklyn Museum. Resulted in 147,000 studio visits in a single weekend.

* Conducted Twitter campaign and created mascot for 8^th Annual Ladies of Hip Hop Festival to increase reach within New York and national dance communities

* Conceptualized and Co-produced The Brooklyn Blogfest, an annual event for 300 bloggers, journalists, and community leaders. Recruited and managed 30-person volunteer staff. Organized monthly, neighborhood-based gatherings of Brooklyn bloggers.

* Consult with Bank Street College of Education to use social and new media platforms to publicize alumni events; galvanize alumni activity on LinkedIn group and Twitter accounts; and strategize content areas and recruitment of writers for alumni blog.

* Consulted with Jim Henson Legacy to improve aesthetics, usability, and interactivity of their website.

* Founded and publish Creative Times, an eight-year-old blog which highlights New York's literary, performing, and visual artists, organizations, and venues. Use social networking platforms to successfully promote launches, premiers, and special events of New York’s performing, visual, and literary arts and culture scene.

* Co-founded and lead Creative Conversations, a women’s monthly goal-setting group for visual artists and writers who wish to stay on the edge of creative and professional growth.

* Managed PlayNet, a grant-funded project at The Brooklyn Children’s Museum designed to increase educators’, parents’, and caretakers’ understanding of play and capacity to facilitate play with children.

Education

M.S., Education; Bank Street College of Education; NY; 1995

B.A., Women, Community and Social Change; Trinity College; CT; 1991

Sample Blog Posts

From Muppets to Mascots: The Incredible Journey of Bonnie Erickson

Taja Riley, Rising Dance Star

Maira Kalman, Creative Heroine

A Clear-Cut Space for Women in Hip-Hop

How to Contact Me

Eleanor Traubman
ETraubman@gmail.com
Twitter: @creativetimes
Creativetimes.blogspot.com

ON MARCH 2, REFREOFRET VINTAGE GUITARS CELEBRATES "KALAMAZOO GALS"

2013-02-27T12:30:00.000-05:00

Gathering, Discussion, & Book Signing of Kalamazoo Gals - A Story of Extraordinatry Women & Gibson's Banner Guitars of WWII

Saturday March 2, 2013

5 to 8 PM

Retrofret Vintage Guitars

233 Butler St.

Brooklyn,NY 11217

RSVP: mamie@retrofret.com

On March 2, 2013 during Women’s History Month, from 5 to 8pm Retrofret Vintage Guitars will host an informal gathering, discussion and book signing to celebrate the women guitar builders of Kalamazoo and Mr. Thomas' book "Kalamazoo Gals – A Story of Extraordinary Women & Gibson's Banner Guitars of WWII."

This unique book event will be held at the equally unique Retrofret Vintage Guitars Shop in the historic industrial Gowanus Canal section of Brooklyn. Retrofret's Steve Uhrik (owner & master luthier) and Mamie Minch (head of repair) invite you to our shop from 5 to 8PM that evening.

"Retrofret is uniquely connected to the subject of Mr. Thomas’ new book, ”Kalamazoo Gals”, for many reasons: First of all we have quite a thing for old Gibson guitars! Retrofret is one of the few major guitar shops dealing exclusively in vintage instruments. Secondly, our repair shop happens to be run by a woman and our staff includes three female technicians handling most of the repair and restoration work. Finally, I just love the true stories behind the guitars - especially the little known ones." - Steve Uhrik

BACKSTAGE AT THE 2013 WESTMINSTER DOG SHOW

2013-02-20T15:24:00.000-05:00

Does anyone remember back to 2008 when Uno, the beagle with rock-star qualities won the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show? Such a great moment! It was around the time that the indy film Juno arrived on the scene and became an unexpected hit. So graphic designer and artist Mike Sorgatz did some funky photoshopping and came up with the above poster. Pretty awesome, right?

Every year, we love to catch at least the final few hours of Westminster on television. But after downscaling to basic cable channels, we were unable to watch it from our home this year. Not acceptable! Determined to be a part of the action, I took the A train to Columbus Circle and then cut across to Piers 92/94 way over on 12th Avenue. For $25, I gained admission to two giant rooms which housed the dogs and their handlers (and probably some owners).

It was so interesting to see all the humans and dogs in one place. Everyone, especially the people, looked pretty fried from the two days of competing (plus all the time and energy it took to get there, I bet.) Still, it was fun to view the different breeds and watch the grooming rituals.

I saw this cutie (pictured below) get placed on a special dog-grooming table, where his fur was blown dry. The groomer then used special doggy hair spray, and another person stepped in and used another product to make the fur stand out from his face.

I saw bags stuffed with what looked like doggy medicines/vitamins; a pup the size of a small pony covered in white dreadlocks; dental care products and treadmills designed for dogs. The sweetest part was seeing handlers being affectionate with their dogs, and visitors taking delight in all the amazing breeds and their funny antics.

On the long walk back to the subway, a groomer gave me this tip for next year's show: Come and see the smaller judging events for the breeds I like best, and then come visit the dogs and handlers once the judging is over so they aren't too concerned about us messing up the dog's fur.

By the way: the winner of this year's show is Banana Joe, and, like winners from years past, he got to go to the legendary Sardi's for a meaty treat following his victory!

TWIST ON THE THE TYPICAL PRINCESS PLOT IN MARCH 25 PARK SLOPE PERFORMANCE

2013-02-20T14:46:00.001-05:00

Now here's a twist on the typical Disney princess plot: In SPARKLE: The Princess Spectacular!

Cinderella, Tinkerbell, and Snow White work together to rescue Prince Charming from the Witch's evil spell.

The 40-minute musical, aimed at young folks ages 1-7, was conceived and produced by Brooklyn resident and mom Angela Sbano. In Angela's own words, "My goal is to provide young children with an exciting first encounter with a theatrical production."

The performers, presented by Elixer Opera, will include the actress-and former Disney princess, Victoria Rae Sook, and So You Think You Can Dance alum, Courtney Cholminski.

If you'd like to see the show for FREE, come on Monday, March 25th, 10 am at Holy Family-St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 9th Street at 4th Avenue, Park Slope, Brooklyn.

Everyone who comes to the show invited to dress in their finest royal attire. Afterward there will be pizza, a raffle for some great prizes, and pictures with the cast!

For more information, go to www.Facebook.com/SparkleThePrincessSpectacular

THAT'S WHY THE LADY IS A TRAMP

2013-01-14T15:52:00.002-05:00

You know that song The Lady is a Tramp? I can't get it out of my head and here's why: Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga perform it together on Duets II, a DVD I've been watching since the 2012 holiday season.

Before each duet is performed, both Tony and whomever he is paired with -e.g., k.d. Lang, Carrie Underwood, Queen Latifah, Natalie Cole - talk about what it was like to work with the other person.

I know that a lot of times different generations and fans of different music genres cannot relate to each other's musical tastes, and it becomes an unfortunate dividing point. Why does that have to be? Music was once something that brought generations together.

One thing I love about Duets II is the way that it brings Tony and folks younger than him or from different genres together, thus bridging that gap.

It was both heartening and sad to see Tony singing with the late and great Amy Winehouse. And lovely to see him with Queen Latifah, who is a beautiful jazz singer.

My favorite duet, far and away, was the pairing of Mr. Bennett with Lady Gaga singing The Lady is a Tramp. Love the combo of Gaga's smooth voice and elegant black lace dress with her turquoise bob and sassy performance style.

Gaga is such a champion of young people, especially teens and adolescents, and Bennett is popular with older folks, so I hope that this duet has attracted viewers of all ages and musical tastes.

Long live Gaga and Bennett!

PRIVATE ZINE COLLECTION AND GIRARD'S ARTWORK AT BRIGHT LYONS

2012-12-14T14:09:00.000-05:00

Man, I felt like such a lucky arts blogger this week when Bright Lyons Co-Owner Paul Bright offered to take me to the shop's basement to see his private and incredible collection of zines.

About a month ago, I was originally drawn into Bright Lyons, a "modern design, art, and curiosity shop," by the sight of a great Alexander Girard tapestry hanging from the ceiling. During that original visit, Paul pointed me to an incredible and gigantic book about Girard's work. I instantly fell in love with this visual journal of Girard's life and art, and came back to the store again this week to take another look at it.

Turns out that Paul and his business partner Mandy Bright possess the largest private collection of Girard's artwork and also serve as the top dealer in vintage Girard design. Impressive!

I plan on popping into Bright Lyons when I need my Girard fix. Thanks, Paul and Mandy, for providing some Girardian inspiration!

MELISSA GUION PRESENTS: BABY PENGUINS EVERYWHERE!

2012-12-10T13:07:00.002-05:00

Want a chance to win a free copy of Melissa's book? Leave a comment on this post. I'll be picking one commenter at random to receive Baby Penguins Everywhere!

Congratulations are in order for Melissa Guion, whose first children's picture book, Baby Penguins Everywhere!, hit the shelves on December 6.

I first met Melissa Guion at Book Court in Brooklyn. We were both there to hear children's literature expert Leonard Marcus read from Listening for Madeleine, his new treatise of A Wrinkle in Time author Madeleine L'Engle.

In her friendly way, Melissa reached out to me and asked what my connection to children's literature was. In the course of our chat, she shared the exciting news that her first children's book was soon to debut.

Over the course of coffee and bagels, I learned more about Melissa and her fascinating journey to becoming a first-time book author and illustrator.

Melissa started our chat with a surprising fact: She used to be a hedge fund manager. "People's eyes sometimes glaze over when I share that info," said Melissa, explaining that it's a big mental leap to process a move in between such different lines of work.

In truth, Melissa has been writing and making art all her life. Her work history reveals her ongoing dedication to the arts. She has been a photographer and a member of an improvisational theater company.

So what exactly accounts for the move from hedge fund VP to children's book author/illustrator?

"All along, I was making art for myself, my friends, and my friends' children," shares Melissa. "At some point, a friend who was a former literary agent asked me 'Have you thought of doing children's books?"

Melissa got busy building a body of artwork and creating a website to make it public. Her friend sent a link to Melissa's website to an agent at Writers House. The agent phoned Melissa and expressed great interest in her work. He suggested she try to come up with a story, then turn it into a rough 32-page picture book dummy. Melissa found it difficult to make progress on the task at hand after giving birth to her daughter, but eventually renting a studio space up the street made it easier to focus, as did receiving a modest art grant.

Melissa's agent began making introductions between Melissa and folks in the world of children's book publishing. It was a promotional mailing initiated by her agent that got her art noticed by a wider audience.

"I had worked hard in isolation for a lot of years, so it was good for me to have this promotional postcard be so well-received," Melissa revealed.

It took a bit of time for Melissa to complete Baby Penguins Everywhere, but she did it! And now Melissa is painting the town red as she visits different bookstores to do readings.

My personal takeaway from Melissa's story? It's never too late to go after a creative dream.

I wish Melissa much success in her continued work in the world of children's literature!

Click HERE to find a listing of dates and places where Melissa will be reading her new book!

MY FAVORITE VIDEO OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON

2012-12-05T19:46:00.001-05:00

What's not to love about Jimmy Fallon, The Roots, Mariah, and young people singing (love the knit monkey hat!) This video is an instant spirit-booster.

LOVING A 13-YEAR-OLD HOLIDAY TRADITION

2012-12-03T12:01:00.002-05:00

Some of the holiday cards I've sent over the years

Sure, people love to give and get gifts this time of year. But to me, nothing beats getting a bunch of fun holiday cards in the mail and then putting them up to look at each day. Part of the reason I'm impartial to "real" paper-based correspondence is that I love everything related to mail - stamps, cards, stationary, stickers, the whole nine yards. When I was little, I would walk to the local Hallmark store and spend hours looking at cards, calendars, stickers and scrapbooks. I was (and still am!) in love with those tiny, free calendars they give out which list things like holidays; birthstones (I hated that mine was topaz; I wanted diamond or ruby!); birth flowers; modern and traditional gifts for wedding anniversaries.

It's not really surprising that I love all this stuff. I grew up in a family that prized hand-written letters. This group included my grandma, who regularly wrote letters to me and included magazine and newspaper articles about things I was interested in. At holiday time, my nuclear family members (mom, dad, brother, me) each wrote each other a blessing - a hand-written expression of what we appreciated about one another and what we wished for each other in the year ahead. We started that tradition when my brother was five and struggled to form his letters. I still have that blessing and almost all the blessings we ever exchanged over a 20-plus year period.

When I was growing up, my dad, then a children's dentist, would send out holiday cards to at least 300 people - colleagues, patients ,family friends, etc. The cool thing is that he would pay me a little something to hand address and put stamps on each letter. The amazing this is that he wrote personal notes to each and every one of these people.

Thirteen years ago, I started my own holiday time tradition by sending cards accompanied by a typed letter with highlights from the year. A few years into this ritual, I began to alphabetize the list.

Does this tradition take time? Yes, it does! All said and done, I invest about 15 hours. It helps to start early, break it down into 1- or 2-hour time slots, and do some of it while listening to holiday music or having fun tv shows on in the background.

Like any other tradition that involves an investment, there's a pretty generous return on the investment.

Here's some good things that come out of it:

1. It's so awesome having an excuse to go into a bunch of stationery and paper good stores: I'm looking for a really festive card to send out to a bunch of folks! Then there's the pleasure of selecting a festive stamp from USPS, ordering a great return address label, and finding a fun sticker to put on the envelopes.

2. Making the list of highlights from the year gives me the chance to go all the way back to January and think about all the good things that happened, all the interesting things I got to do, and life's simple pleasures that I've enjoyed. Often, I go back and read blog entries from the year to get ideas.

3. Sending out cards reminds me of all the good people in my life.

4. People send cards back!

5. A bunch of folks have borrowed this idea and started writing their own list of highlights from the year.

6. I know that people look forward to receiving this letter. One of my friends told me that she saved the one I sent to her last year.

To summarize: Gifts are great, but nothing beats the gift of the written word. The investment of time is well-worth the opportunity to connect with good memories and express thanks for the positive things that happened over the course of the year.

LEONARD MARCUS ON MADELEINE L'ENGLE

2012-11-28T15:31:00.000-05:00

I was so excited when I head that Leonard Marcus would be making an appearance at Book Court to talk about his new book Listening for Madeleine: A Portrait of Madeleine L'Engle in Many Voices. Earlier this year, I attended the 50th anniversary celebration of Madeleine's beloved children's chapter book A Wrinkle in Time. At the celebration, Leonard got up and read from a chapter in Listening. It was such a treat to hear from someone who had spend countless hours talking to people who had been part of Madeleine's life.

At his recent Book Court appearance, Leonard shared more details about what he had learned about Madeleine while putting together the book.

At one point, I asked Leonard what he thought made A Wrinkle in Time such a compelling read. He responded by speaking to one of the relatable themes of the book - the quest for a distant parent. He also mentioned that readers could identify with the highly idiosyncratic family of Meg, the main character.

Here are some other "take-aways" from his talk:

Madeleine (who would have been 94 tomorrow) passed away in 2007.
She had traveled through many countries and met many of her readers. As Leonard said "She was an author who made house calls" who "changed the lives of millions of readers."
Listening is a compilation of Marcus's efforts to engage a number of people who knew Madeleine best and who were aware of the contradictions of her life. His wish is to present a kaleidoscope view of her so that readers may draw their own conclusions.
Madeleine was born in New York City in the 1920s, and was born into a wealthy family.
Her parents weren't around a lot to raise her; she had a nanny and was sent to boarding schools. Madeleine filled the emotional void by journaling and reading.
Her parents, hence Madeleine, were part of a world where "culture was of paramount importance."
Madeleine, a tall woman, performed for a time on the Broadway stage.
She started publishing novels in her early 20s.
A Wrinkle in Time, rejected by many publishers, was a hot potato because of its references to Christianity.
A Wrinkle was her 7th book (she wrote 60!), and won a Newbery Award. She was unwilling to acknowledge that it was a book for children.
The book was a combination of fantasy, realism, religion, and science fiction.
For 10 years, Madeleine lived in exhile with her husband.
For more than 30 years, she was the librarian at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine. People would come to her there to get advice on manuscripts. When not giving advice, she would work on her next book.

EXPRESSING THANKS THROUGH THE HAND-WRITTEN NOTE

2012-11-15T13:26:00.000-05:00

At the crack of dawn, I found my husband catching up on emails in our home office. He inspired me to clean out my side of the office, and to wrap up all kinds of loose ends. I love the satisfaction that comes from doing this. Also love how I always get fresh ideas during the process, and often come across office and art supplies that motivate me to take some kind of creative action.

This time around, I came across a bunch of thank you notecards. It made me think about the fact that it's Thanksgiving time. So there's this holiday with a kind of built-in reminder to be thankful for all that we have in our lives.

I do definitely like giving thanks out loud , verbally, in front of others. And I also think that it's very powerful to put pen to paper when it comes to giving thanks.

So, this morning, I started to think about who I'd like to express thanks to with my note cards.

One person is my podiatrist, who referred me to a fantastic physical therapy venue that is filled with thoughtful people, a beautiful fish tank, and an adorable dog named Norman. So I wrote a brief thank you to that podiatrist and will pop it in the mail today.

Now, I'm thinking of a few other people to whom I'd like to send a note.

Here's a practical tip when it comes to writing thank-yous: Make it easy and simple by having your supplies on hand. Buy a box or two of thank you notes - ones that match your personality. Invest in some return address labels (inexpensive to get on the Internet) and buy a sheet of your favorite postage stamps so you have plenty of those around as well. Keep all this stuff handy, in one box, tray or folder. That way, when you get the urge to thank, everything is right at your fingertips.

Trust me: In the age of electronic communication, your note will stand out. People are more likely to keep a hand-written thank you longer than an email thank you. And it's important to actually let people know how we feel, not just keep it a private thought in our heads.

So who in your life would you like to thank with a note? Who has thanked you in this manner, and what impression did it leave with you?