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. 

NaNo: 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.

Voiceover Magic

I keep exploring new ways to express myself, and lately, I've been wanting to use my literal voice to express things-even things that others might have to say.

I enjoy singing and I REALLY enjoy being at a microphone.

Podcasts and radio have always intrigued me, and now I want to do more.

Plus redo a website that I will be proud of, that will link to all the parts of me-so I don't forget who I am.

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

Appearing in 5 Books This Year!

In a previous post, I had mentioned 3 books in which I have essays.

Now I will mention 2 more.

Let it Bleed by Pamela Des Barres

and

Thoreau at Mackinac Island

The latter also included a cash prize.

Feels like progress!!

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.

Artist by Night

Everytime someone asks me if I want to show my art, I say YES.

So in the latest Java Art opening, sponsored by We R Art, I was excited to add new 2 pieces.  And I was excited to go outside my comfort zone and install the pieces suited to their environments.

Recent Publication of Essays in BOOKS

I've been on somewhat of a roll lately.

Making of a Modern Woman is in:

https://www.amazon.com/Morris-Jumel-Mansion-Anthology-Fantasy-Paranormal/dp/1626013071

And I have one coming up in 

1984: A Modern Response to Orwell

Mine is called:

1984 & Walden, A Time and A Place.

Also, some of my essays are featured in Let It Bleed by Pamela Des Barres. Including: This Moment

And yet another one in:

What Would Henry Do? A Response to Our Time Through the Eyes of Henry David Thoreau.  It's a monologue called I'll Tell You What I'd Do!!

Plus writing for the Thoreau Farm & Birthplace Blog.

Plus an upcoming series of performances in the summer for HDT's 200th Birthday.

Plus Modern Electronic Art. 

For the fun of it.

Short Stories Jockeying for Position

I'm in a nice state of mind lately about Writing.  Writing for requests, based on history, especially about my old friend Henry David Thoreau and the Thoreau Farm blog
http://thoreaufarm.org/2017/02/resistance-to-civil-government-1-forever-new-slogans-out-of-old-memes/

The ideas are popping in again, into my brain, being born anew.  So many, it's hard to keep up.

Since I've begun writing in earnest, as a regular habit (as my MAIN calling), maybe since 2011.

April of 2011. I saw a contest and thought, "Yes, I could do that (again)" and I began. (I had written my whole life, in spurts, in high school, plays in college, in notebooks (endless notebooks!!) but nothing consistent until 2012, until Google Docs. 5 years??

It's important to have the ability to TRACK my ideas, to keep them all in the same folder, to organize.  And to also keep track of the ideas that don't grow too far.

THAT's been my greatest challenge, how to keep going on ideas until they are DONE.

I made a list of the 10 I wanted to focus on (as of yesterday).  Very soon, I'll have more time.  I just need to FOCUS on one to finish.  I want to start completing Short Stories.  And to get an agent.

Art in a time of crisis

Since the election, all my art friends have been trying to remind everyone that creativity flourishes under a dictatorial regime.

We will all soon have enough material to last for decades.

The worst it gets, the more we will be challenged to fight with images & empathy.

Laughter.

And wit.

I miss the days of yesteryear.  Like 2016, when our biggest worry was the death purge of celebrities.