The Mystic Artist

Lovin' That Bourdain!

2012-01-17T16:31:00.001-05:00

I've been thoroughly enjoying watching Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations as well as his new program, The Layover. Unlike some of the other programs on The Travel Channel and cable in general, Bourdain's is about quality AND quantity. He embraces life... like his jingle goes, "I write, I travel, I eat, and I'm hungry for more."

He's a talented connoisseur of great cuisine worldwide AND an excellent writer. He hates cliches, has a wry sense of humor and makes everything about life FUN. It all began with an article in The New Yorker... and then his first book, Kitchen Confidential: "New York Chef Tony Bourdain gives away secrets of the trade in his wickedly funny, inspiring memoir/expose. 'Kitchen Confidential' reveals what Bourdain calls 'twenty-five years of sex, drugs, bad behavior and haute cuisine.'"

My favorite episode EVER was Cleveland - where he met and ate with the great Harvey Pekar from American Splendor. When Pekar died last year, Bourdain posted a truly touching tribute to him.

This is one of the rare shows on TV that show you how to discover new and exciting things about life on this planet all the while being entertained and inspired to really go out there and live your life to its fullest. It's unpredictable, hilarious and deliciously delectable to the last bite!

The Great Dobie Gray Has Passed On

2011-12-08T15:06:00.002-05:00

Singer-songwriter Dobie Gray has died in Nashville from complications of cancer surgery, a friend told The New York Times. He was 71. Best known for his hit songs "Look at Me," "The 'In' Crowd" and "Drift Away," the Texas native died Tuesday, friend and fellow songwriter George Reneau told the newspaper.

Gray also penned numerous songs for other famous artists, such as "Got My Heart Set on You" for John Conlee, "Over and Over, Again" for Ray Charles, "If I Ever Needed You" for Julio Iglesias and "Come Home to Me" for George Jones.

Reneau told the Times Gray, who never married, is survived by a sister and a brother. Read more

In 2009, I sent an e-mail to Dobie:

Thank heavens for the Internet... it's the one and only way I could tell you how much I love your music and your voice and how much it has meant to me all these years! Thank you so much, Dobie, for being so brilliantly talented and making my life so much richer.

To which he replied in August:

Dear Sandy,

Many thanks for taking the time to write to me with your kind words. It's always nice to know that you've had a hand, however small, in someone else's happiness.

Blessings,
Dobie

I told him his music is timeless and great! R.I.P., Dobie!

Doris Day Resurfaces with New Record

2011-11-28T12:39:00.002-05:00

Doris Day, America's sweetheart of the '50s and '60s, beguiled audiences with her on-screen romances opposite top Hollywood leading men Cary Grant, Rock Hudson and Jack Lemmon. She adored and misses them all, says the 88-year-old Day. But her deepest yearning is reserved for her late son Terry Melcher, a record producer whose touch and voice are part of Day's first album in nearly two decades.

"Oh, I wish he could be here and be a part of it. I would just love that. But it didn't work out that way," Day said, her voice subdued. It's a voice rarely heard since she withdrew from Hollywood in the early 1980s to the haven she made for herself in the Northern California town of Carmel, where Clint Eastwood was once mayor.

"My Heart," set for a Dec. 2 U.S. release, has induced Day to edge back to public attention. The CD includes 13 previously unreleased tracks recorded over a 40-year span, including covers of Joe Cocker's "You Are So Beautiful," the Lovin' Spoonful's "Daydream" and a handful of standards. All proceeds go to Day's longtime cause, animal welfare.

Doris has devoted herself to promoting the well-being of animals with the Doris Day Animal Foundation, which she created in 1978 and which is the new album's beneficiary. Her own pets, including some half-dozen cats, have it good: She built a glass-ceiling extension off her house so the felines can enjoy the view without the risks of going outside.

Why the attention to animals? "They're the most perfect things on Earth," Day replied. "They're loyal. They love you. And they'll never forget you. ... I think they're put here for us to learn what love is all about." [more...]

American Masters: Profiles Woody Allen

2011-11-17T08:34:00.000-05:00

An "American Masters" presentation, "Woody Allen: A Documentary" is a two-part, three-and-a-half-hour feast for all Woody fans and anyone else who is interested in a prolific, persistent artist's creative world. It airs Sunday and Monday at 9 p.m. EST on PBS.

The film revisits Allen's childhood in the Midwood section of Brooklyn and his first venture as a professional writer: supplying jokes to columnists and comics while still in high school. It covers his growing success in the 1950s and 1960s as a comedy writer for TV, then as a rising standup comic in his own right.

You will see his typewriter, the Olympia portable Woody Allen has used for pounding out everything he's written since his teens. [more...]

Museum Unconvinced by New Van Gogh Death Theory

2011-10-17T11:54:00.000-04:00

Two American authors believe Vincent van Gogh was fatally shot by two teenagers and did not die from self-inflicted wounds, but the new theory won a skeptical reception from experts at the museum dedicated to the 19th century Dutch master. A book by Pulitzer prize-winning authors Steven Naifeh and Gregory White Smith, "Van Gogh, The Life," concludes that Van Gogh, who suffered chronic depression, claimed on his deathbed to have shot himself to protect the boys. "Covering up his own murder," said Naifeh in an interview broadcast Sunday on the U.S. network CBS's "60 Minutes." Leo Jansen, curator of the Van Gogh Museum and editor of the artist's letters, said the biography is a "great book," but experts have doubts about the authors' theory of his death in 1890. [more...] Watch the 60 Minutes special.

Elaine's Memorabilia Sold

2011-09-21T09:36:00.000-04:00

I was always nostalgic about Elaine's, even if my bubble was burst by the proprietor herself. Once I even photographed the entire mural, which wrapped around the walls of the relatively small space. Now, it's all up for sale. I wonder if they ever found the CD I left on the shelf in her collection of memorabilia.

Table No. 1 from the famed New York City restaurant Elaine's has sold for almost $9,000 at auction. An eclectic collection of art and memorabilia from the watering hole on Manhattan's Upper East Side went on the auction block Tuesday at Doyle New York. The restaurant, a longtime favorite of writers and celebrities, shut its doors in May following the death of owner Elaine Kaufman.

Table No. 1 was the most desirable table in the house, where patrons sat to see and be seen. The auction sales totaled $385,000, including a papier-mache carousel horse that hung in the restaurant's window and fetched $4,000. The old-fashioned cash register went for the same amount. Pieces from Kaufman's collection of fine art and vintage Art Nouveau posters also went for big bucks.

Excellent Poe Biography

2011-08-26T20:25:00.000-04:00

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this biography. It was easy to read and really humanized Edgar Allan Poe. I don't agree that it's overly sympathetic to him and not objective. It is, in fact, written in such a way that you almost feel like Poe, himself, is telling the tale. Barnes took great care to include the letters, quotes and excerpts of the works that explain his line of thinking and reasons for doing the things he did on earth. [more...]

One Woman Art Show - July 24th in Westbury, NY

2011-07-15T14:45:00.004-04:00

Archstone Meadowbrook Crossing in Westbury, NY hosted its first art show: New York Artist, Sandy Frazier, a Mixed Media Expressionist, invited all Archstone residents and friends to a showing of 30 paintings, plus digital photography and more throughout the day on Sunday, July 24, 2011. A reception followed from 6:00 to 9:00pm. See slideshow here.

Cy Twombly dies at 83

2011-07-05T22:04:00.001-04:00

Celebrated American painter Cy Twombly, whose large-scale paintings featuring scribbles, graffiti and references to ancient empires fetched millions at auction, died Tuesday. He was 83.

Twombly, who had cancer, died in Rome, said Eric Mezil, director of the Lambert Collection in Avignon, France, where the artist opened a show in June. Twombly had lived in Italy since 1957.

"A great American painter who deeply loved old Europe has just left us," French Culture Minister Frederic Mitterrand said in a statement. "His work was deeply marked by his passion for Greek and Roman antiquity, and its mythology, which for him was a source of bottomless inspiration." [more...]

The Van Gogh Museum Closing for Renovations

2011-06-24T08:00:00.000-04:00

AMSTERDAM (AP) — The Van Gogh Museum is shutting its doors for six months for renovations starting next year, its director said Friday, becoming the latest major Dutch museum to close for reconstruction. But dozens of the tormented Dutch impressionist's finest works will remain on public display, moving across the Amstel River to the Hermitage Amsterdam museum during the work, scheduled to last from October 2012 through March 2013.

Van Gogh Museum director Axel Rueger said some 75 paintings and other works will move to the Hermitage, which will be staging an exhibition on impressionism at the same time.
"Art lovers will be able to see a splendid survey of 19th-century art by Van Gogh and his contemporaries in the Hermitage Amsterdam," Rueger said. "This represents a rare opportunity, one not likely to happen again any time soon." [more...]

Remembering the "Big Man"

2011-06-19T07:19:00.001-04:00

Back in the late '70s, I remember attending the first Bruce Springsteen & The East Street Band concerts EVER in Chicago. We went every time they came to town and what a show it was! But the highlight of the show was always the "Big Man" - Clarence Clemons - and what a show it was! R.I.P., Clarence... you were the best of the best!

Springsteen acknowledged the dire situation earlier this week, but said then he was hopeful. He called the loss "immeasurable." "We are honored and thankful to have known him and had the opportunity to stand beside him for nearly 40 years," Springsteen said on his website. "He was my great friend, my partner and with Clarence at my side, my band and I were able to tell a story far deeper than those simply contained in our music. His life, his memory, and his love will live on in that story and in our band." [more...]

Elaine's is Closing Its Doors

2011-05-17T15:16:00.003-04:00

For decades, Elaine Kaufman held court at the restaurant bearing her name with a hand-picked selection of favorite regulars, literary luminaries and celebrities. After Kaufman died in December, longtime manager Diane Becker inherited the restaurant. She announced Tuesday that the Upper East Side restaurant will shut its doors for good on May 26. "This is one of the most difficult decisions I've ever had to make," Becker said in a statement Tuesday. "But the truth is, there is no Elaine's without Elaine." The place is filled with history - both real and imaginary. [more...] [Read more...]

Sandy's Art on WND

2011-05-14T08:34:00.000-04:00

"Contemporary Christian artists are doing wildly new things, in keeping with the times and their own personal vision. Some of it is unorthodox and offbeat, but it is at least interesting and can be deeply moving.

"As Above So Below," permission by artist Sandra Frazier

I'll use the example of New York artist Sandy Frazier - inspired by faith, mystical artists and strangely enough, silent movies. Images from these shadowy, early films fired her imagination and fueled her first paintings. The silence inspired Frazier to create music CD of her own ['Resurrection'], and she wrote a book about the experience - 'The Mystic Artist.'"

The Lennon Letters

2011-04-12T20:44:00.000-04:00

Yoko Ono has granted permission for the first collection of letters by John Lennon to be published, publisher Little, Brown and Company said on Friday. The book, titled "The Lennon Letters," will be published in October, 2012 and include hundreds of letters and postcards the late Beatle wrote to friends, family, newspapers and organizations, the publisher said in a statement.

It will be edited by British journalist Hunter Davies, who wrote the only authorized biography of The Beatles. The letters will be arranged in chronological order to give a sense of the musician's life.

"For the first time, John Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono, has given permission to publish a selection of his letters," the publisher said in a statement, describing the book as "an international publishing event." [more...]

Mystic-Art in Ontario

2011-04-12T19:00:00.001-04:00

Trinity Anglican Church Blyth, a church in a small community in southwestern Ontario asked to make a poster of Good Friday for their Good Friday church service. It's so wonderful to see my art spreading via the Internet. See it here.

Phantom Ebert

2011-03-25T23:39:00.001-04:00

I saw "Ebert at the Movies" for the first time tonight... with its new, young movie critics sitting in for what appeared to be a "Phantom Roger Ebert" - no small irony for a man who focused his entire life on the greatest films of the 20th-21st centuries.

Growing up in Chicago on Siskel & Ebert, syndicated by the Chicago Sun-Times, my friends and I came to anticipate their reviews and though we didn't rely entirely upon them to tell us whether or not to see a film, we trusted their judgment.

No one could have predicted that Gene Siskel would suddenly die so young. (In 1998, Siskel underwent surgery for a tumor. He announced on February 3, 1999 that he was taking a leave of absence but that he expected to be back by the fall, writing "I'm in a hurry to get well because I don't want Roger to get more screen time than me.") Typical for Gene who was the perfect sidekick to Ebert.

After Siskel's death in 1999, Ebert teamed with Richard Roeper for the television series Ebert & Roeper & the Movies, which began airing in 2000. Although his name remained in the title, Ebert did not appear on the show after mid-2006, when he suffered post-surgical complications related to thyroid cancer which left him unable to speak.

Throughout his cancer treatment, he continued to be a dedicated critic of film, not missing a single opening while undergoing treatment. Ebert had pre-taped enough TV programs with his co-host Richard Roeper to keep him on the air for a few weeks.

Roger's face became unrecognizable and even horrifying... yet he didn't hide it. Much like Nigella Lawson's husband who was dying of throat cancer and couldn't even taste her feasts, Roger can't utter a word now and must rely on digital media and translators.

But those of us who remember he and Siskel bantering back and forth each and every week, his reviews are still Golden Globes, Oscars, Emmys, and continue to educate us about film history at its best. He may take leave as the Phantom of the Opera... but, unlike the phantom (for which Ebert, I'm sure would always prefer Lon Chaney's portrayal), he will never recoil from the spotlight. Roger won't haunt us like the phantom; he'll remain forever in our hearts as a great American icon in his own right.

Great English-American Screen Goddess, Elizabeth Taylor

2011-03-24T08:13:00.000-04:00

Ever since yesterday morning, the media has inundated us with press about the passing of Elizabeth Taylor. This is the best article I have read, because it actually mentions her children, who seem to have been forgotten all these years... at least from what I can recall, they're rarely in the press. Read on about the life of the last of the greatest screen goddesses. RIP, Liz!

I particularly enjoyed 'Cleopatra' because she was so ravishing in every costume. I always wanted to decorate my house like those Egyptians! And Richard Burton had great legs, too! But I remember most 'The Sandpiper,' 'Butterfield 8' and 'Suddenly Last Summer' as her greatest acting roles.

Still Bill: Withers the American Dream

2011-03-05T23:08:00.003-05:00

What a brilliant, moving documentary I had the privilege to watch today on Showtime. We've all loved his music, we know the words by heart... but how many of us know what a wonderful American life Bill Withers has lived. "Still Bill" is the story of a man who discovered his own talent relatively late in life (at 32) and proceeded to overcome being born with a speech impediment in the backhills of a West Virginia coal mining community.

Bill Withers has a way with words and his poetry reflects a man wise beyond his own knowledge. This film reveals a really nice guy - unpretentious, true to his own heart, real, a natural talent teaching us how to overcome the obstacles life may toss our way. He found a way to go with the flow in his life - always staying positive and accepting of what comes his way... and, by the way, he gave us some of the most enduring R&B/pop songs in the history of American music.

STILL BILL is an intimate portrait of soul legend Bill Withers, best known for his classics “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Lean On Me,” “Lovely Day,” “Grandma’s Hands,” and “Just the Two of Us.” With his soulful delivery and warm, heartfelt sincerity, Withers has written the songs that have – and always will – resonate deeply within the fabric of our times. [more...]

Dylan's Freewheelin' Girl

2011-02-28T16:47:00.000-05:00

Suze Rotolo, Bob Dylan's longtime girlfriend during his fledgling days as a Greenwich Village folk singer and the woman who appears alongside him on the famous cover of "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan," passed away this weekend at her home in Manhattan following a long illness, Rolling Stone reports. Rotolo was 67. In addition to forever being captured on the Don Hunstein-photographed "Freewheelin' " cover, Rotolo's three-year relationship with Dylan, from 1961 to 1964, also inspired him to write three of his early love songs, "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright," "Tomorrow is a Long Time," and "Boots of Spanish Leather." (Dylan's breakup with Rotolo also influenced one of his most vitriolic tunes, "Ballad in Plain D," a song Dylan later regretted recording.) Rotolo is also acknowledged for pushing Dylan toward the political awareness that flavored his Greenwich Village work. [more...] Another pic...

Black Swan is Magnificent Dark Beauty

2011-02-17T21:39:00.001-05:00

Black Swan Movie Review: Every actor was perfectly cast in this artful dark drama. It was kind of 'The Turning Point' meets the original 'Dracula' (with Bela Lugosi), a la Hitchcock. Wholly captivating, unpredictable and driving, the pace is relentless as we crawl inside the mind of Portman's Nina. She brilliantly portrayed this character in such a way that she allowed us to come inside for a peek and revealed more and more as we craved it. Deliciously dangerous!

The Passing of a Great Director

2010-12-16T14:49:00.001-05:00

Blake Edwards, one of my all-time favorite directors, who was also a great producer and writer known for clever dialogue, poignance and occasional belly-laugh sight gags in "Breakfast at Tiffany's," "10" and the "Pink Panther" farces, has passed away. Blake's wife, Julie Andrews, and other family members were at his side.

At the time of his death, Edwards was working on two Broadway musicals, one based on the "Pink Panther" movies. The other, "Big Rosemary," was to be an original comedy set during Prohibition, Schwam said.

"His heart was as big as his talent. He was an Academy Award winner in all respects," said Schwam, who knew him for 40 years. [more...]

The Passing of Elaine

2010-12-03T15:12:00.001-05:00

Elaine Kaufman, the colorful restaurateur whose East Side establishment, Elaine's, became a haven for show business and literary notables, died today at the age of 81. Kaufman was a veteran waitress and cafe manager in Greenwich Village when she bought a small bar-restaurant near the corner of Second Avenue and 88th Street in 1963. It was never about the design or the food - basic Italian fare. It was all about the owner-hostess, an outsized mother figure in a tentlike dress, and her friendships with the famous. Norman Mailer, Gay Talese and George Plimpton quickly became regulars, and over the years the glitterati joined the literati. Even Jackie Onassis went there. [more...]

I've been to Elaine's for several book signings and got to meet her once or twice. She always seemed cranky to me and was never very hospitable... but I relished the wonder of the ghosts in that place and could feel the history. I first remember seeing Elaine's in Woody Allen's "Manhattan" - I was the young teenage girl played by Mariel Hemingway - or so I thought. Once I sat at the bar with (now the late) Ron Silver and he looked at me like I was insane while I told him how much I'd enjoyed "Enemies: A Love Story," then knocked over a bunch of glasses! I got to meet (now the late) Walter Cronkite and his wife at that bar, too... and so many other stars.

Once, I brought along a copy of my CD and tucked it behind the books on one of the shelves that displayed many of the famous authors who'd been celebrated there. I wonder if someone ever found it? R.I.P., Elaine!

Smith: Let Not Technology Kill Books

2010-11-18T08:41:00.002-05:00

Patti Smith was among the major winners of the U.S. National Book Awards on Wednesday, choking up with tears before urging book publishers not to let technology kill traditional books.

Smith, a 63-year-old American singer-songwriter and poet, turned emotional as she accepted the nonfiction award for "Just Kids," which chronicles her struggles in her youth and relationship with American photographer Robert Mapplethorpe.

"There is nothing more beautiful than the book, the paper, the font, the cloth," said Smith, whose book was published by Ecco, an imprint of HarperCollins. "Please, no matter how we advance technologically, please never abandon the book."

Tom Wolfe, whose list of best-sellers includes "The Bonfire of the Vanities," "The Right Stuff" and "The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test," was awarded the Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters.

The night featured a sprinkling of jokes about the state of the book publishing industry, which is going through a tumultuous period as it deals with the nascent market for electronic books. [more...]

Stern's Satellite Gift: The Piano Man

2010-11-17T10:00:00.005-05:00

Howard Stern is right about the dismal state of talk shows today. Talk TV is the worst, with its endless interruptions, commercial breaks, its shuffle-the-guests-in-and-out syndrome, all the phony one-liners, too many hosts shouting over each other... it's hardly worth all the effort. Like Carol Burnett used to sing at the end of her show, "Seems we just get started and before you know it comes the time we have to say 'so long.'" But even talk radio has its limitations. Radio interviews are much more intimate and stream-of-consciousness, true, but terrestrial radio is almost as bad as talk TV these days with all the commercialism.

I had my doubts about "pay radio" (satellite) in the beginning; but now I think it was the smartest move Howard ever made and his recent discussions about it seem to be gelling into a brand new way of life in the talk radio interview genre that is so popular today. With (supposedly) only 13 more shows to go on his contract and his career hanging in limbo (or so he'd like us to believe), Howard has been dropping coy hints about a choice he has to make and has let us in on quite a few possible new paths he may or may not take.

I, for one, believe Howard is one of the best interviewers in the history of talk radio AND TV. He has a gift of bringing out the heart and soul of an artist - illustrated grandly once again by his groundbreaking interview with Billy Joel yesterday. Like so many Americans, I'd always loved Joel's music, but had forgotten what an American treasure he truly is... until Howard let us in on an uninterrupted visit with one of the greatest musical talents America has ever known.

I was so moved (as Howard reiterated over and over, got "goosebumps" and was even swooning right along with him) as Joel's immense talent, filtered by a genuine humility about his legacy (the unpretentiousness that charmed us all in the first place - his everyman "Levittown" guy quality) oozed out of my speakers as improvisation after improvisation flowed effortlessly from the great "Piano Man." In this intimate setting, he felt comfortable tuning his voice and retuning, changing key, allowing us to hear the cracks and swells as he aligned himself with his audience, eventually settling into his comfort zone.

It was thrilling to listen to Joel showcasing great classics - everything from his own prolific catalogue, to music still inside his head waiting to be borne, to his renditions of his self-proclaimed hero, Steve Winwood's sterling voice singing "Dear Mr. Fantasy," to his pounding of those golden Steinway keys imitating his idol, Paul McCartney, singing the great Abbey Road medley including "You Never Give Me Your Money." And then there was the revelation that, contrary to popular belief, "Uptown Girl" was about Elle MacPherson, not Christie Brinkley. It was a terrific piece of Americana light that shone bright from the otherwise bland bevy of 2-5 minute interviews seen and heard on late night TV and anywhere else in the talk radio and/or TV interview genre.

But there's a better reason Howard should end his current talk radio format and take the plunge by pioneering a whole new interview format - one he does best. For aging rockers like Joel, who might've gotten fat, gray, or worse... talk radio on satellite is the perfect forum to reflect upon and showcase who they once were, what made them great, leading up to who they are today. Howard's magnanimous spirit was the perfect host apt to let us in on Joel's "secrets" - what inspired his music, how he writes a song, where he finds his muse, how he spends his days (though resting on his laurels) and so much more. And it seemed to bring out the best in his own personality. This talk format on satellite allows us to listen to these still youthful sounding, endlessly talented, great musicians without the visuals as constant reminders that a lot of time has gone by and we've all gotten older. It's entertaining, stimulating and inspiring. I believe, as a pioneer of talk radio, Howard Stern as host has come full circle and must move on to greener pastures... and he knows full well where the greenest pastures lie.

Mystic-Art in the U.K.

2010-11-12T11:21:00.002-05:00

Positivity

(12x16) watercolors, marker, pencils

Mystic Artist Sandy Frazier's artwork to grace the album cover of Leigh Stothard's "Live Your Life" - excellent musician in the U.K. - http://www.myspace.com/eargoggles1/ - out on iTunes.

The First Picture of Humans

2010-10-28T09:19:00.002-04:00

It's almost impossible to fathom a time when photographs of people were nonexistent. But rest assured that such a time did exist - and it really wasn't that long ago in the grand scheme of things.

So, the recent discovery of what appears to be two men near the river's edge in a photo of Cincinnati taken in 1848 is kind of a big deal among photography historians.

The photo was taken by Charles Fontayne and William Porter who were standing on the other side of the Ohio River on Sunday, September 24th, 1848, 162 years prior to Krulwich's post about it.

The photo is what's known as a daguerreotype - an image developed via an early photographic process developed in France. When zooming in on the photo, Krulwich noticed what appeared to be two human figures. [more...]

Blast from the '80s Past on Video

2010-09-14T02:03:00.003-04:00

I haven't seen this video since 1987. It's the greatest... Kate Bush & Peter Gabriel - "Don't Give Up" [go here now]

I remember seeing this video on one of those great late-night video programmes on VH-1 (back in the days when they actually played music) and loved it so much. This was hi-tech in the '80s... but listen to the music. It's glorious. Jerry Goodman "On the Future of Aviation" [go here now]

Yoko's Purpose Still Strong at 77

2010-09-10T11:59:00.002-04:00

This is a piece of pottery Yoko gave
us to keep from her 2006 show
at the Guggenheim

I've always admired Yoko Ono and believe she's been terribly misunderstood by so many. She deserves a lot more credit as an artist than most are willing to grant her. And, at 77, she's still going strong communicating, through her unique brand of conceptual art, the ideas of hope and peace. I remember when John Lennon was shot in 1980, she sent out a message to the world, "John loved and prayed for the human race; let's do the same for him..." and that inspired me to no end.

Her new exhibition in Berlin is a continuation of the work she began long before she met John Lennon in the '60s. At the center of Yoko Ono's new installation is a perfectly round bullet hole shot through a large pane of glass that John Lennon's widow says challenges viewers to confront "incredible violence and abuse" in the world today. [more...]

Read my article about Yoko - after I got to see her in Manhattan in 2006.
Read One Day at a Time - a wonderful book about John & Yoko in their prime.

Julia More Like Julie?

2010-09-06T09:24:00.003-04:00

I'm reading "My Life in France," Julia Child's memoir of her life in the late '40s/early '50s with her husband, Paul. Everything I'd read about Julia and Paul indicated that theirs was a perfect love story - that they were inseparable and blissfully in love - when in fact, Julia was probably more like Julie Powell (author of Julie & Julia) than critics of Powell would like to admit.

The book is written in a colourful manner, probably mostly thanks to Alex Prud'homme, her husband's twin brother's grandson (Julia did admit to being a terrible writer). You're able to easily envision every scene and can almost taste every dish, smell every aroma, fragrance, temperature... AND feel the indigestion rising.

All those high-fat, high-sodium foods she loved so much - the heavy creams, red meat, etc. - is ironically what made her sick and might have caused her cancer. She definitely romanticized what was obviously very difficult living in post-war France. She had a positive attitude and absolutely loved what she was doing... but the movie, Julie & Julia made it seem as though she were living in luxury, when in reality, it was the opposite. Paul's $95/week - only $15 to live on after expenses - could not have sufficed for this ambitious lady.

Julia was rebelling against her rich, conservative father and went for the opposite life - she was one of those spoiled California girls going off to live a so-called charmed Bohemian life struggling in the streets with the working class, yet still taking money from her parents - so not exactly struggling like the rest of the impoverished, just living among them. Though I do admire Julia's determination to document authentic French life and cooking rather than choosing to mingle with the bourgeoisie.

She wasn't interested in creature comforts; she'd discovered a great passion - her wonderful career - relatively late in life and was determined not to take the easy road, to instead work hard to be the best cook possible - admitting her limitations and overcoming them step by step along the way. And thanks to her husband's support, she was able to achieve that and so much more.

In every venue, including the movie version of Julie & Julia, Julia Child comes off as a beloved American master (thanks to Meryl Streep's brilliant portrayal); and her cheerful, optimistic attitude was the impetus to her success all along the way. Julie Powell, on the other hand, has become maligned for evidently cutting off her own nose to spite her face, revealing her dark side and being too "whiny" and "immature."

Powell might be judged in the reviews as a despicable person, but she was smart and creative enough to find her mirror image and to bring the Childs to the forefront of American history because of her discoveries about Julia. Julia Child may not have thought much of Julie's blog idea, but she can thank Powell for sparking an interest in us all so Julia Child is not just remembered as the goofy gawky cook on PBS in the '60s lampooned on SNL, but rather a real romantic - a brave woman, great pioneer in gastronomy - who found true love and her calling and was able to live a very full life in spite of limitations one of lesser character may have found insurmountable.

The jury is still out on this one... I'm reading further and will post an update shortly.

Joan Baez: Great American Troubadour

2010-09-04T22:55:00.003-04:00

Joan Baez is a polarizing figure in my life now that I am grown... I have mixed feelings about her... unlike the way I felt about her when I was young. I played her songs in bars and open mike nights in Chicago - "Diamonds & Rust," "Love Song to a Stranger," and her imitations of Bob Dylan were always amusing to me.

Seeing her on "American Masters: How Sweet the Sound" was touching, inspiring and also perplexing to me. I think she enjoys being an enigma and I got the impression that her own reflections caused her to need to reflect even more. She's a wandering troubadour - a minstrel, a poet and a woman of the global world who lives everywhere yet lives nowhere in particular.

I really admire her as an artist, a mirror of our times... I admire her ability to reflect upon her life and put things into perspective. I admire the way, in this documentary, she takes us on a sobering journey through her past and you hear her mention the word "learn" a lot as she tells us that she learned the lessons of life the hard way... she didn't choose an easy path or easy people with whom to associate. Yet she's very much in the present and open to new songs, which she pours over and new concerts, which she organizes strategically to fit in with her improved priorities.

She admits that when she was young, she was "promiscuous" but doesn't really tell us what that means. She tells us of the pain she believes she caused (Dylan and others) and the pain she herself felt so intensely as a political activist. This is the story of a woman who grew up and learned from everything she'd experienced and then blossomed into a silver-haired, contemplative traveler of the universe whose eyes have not faded and still see with crystal clarity.

You are able to truly feel her pain in Vietnam as she herself was caught in an air raid and ended up in a bomb shelter... and Sarajevo with the cellist playing in the streets, how she hugged him with all of her might and then sat in his chair and sang "Amazing Grace" with the extraordinary instrument of her calling - that gorgeous, lilting, sweet voice. This is a mature, smart woman with a great gift of musicality who was always certain of her calling and she is determined to live it to the end.

Watch her here...
Go here for more...

'Gandhi Spinning' in New Book

2010-09-01T09:27:00.001-04:00

My picture, "Gandhi Spinning" will appear in a new book entitled Peace Fibres: Stitching a Soulful World by Karen Lohn. In it, she enlists "fibre work as metaphor and manifestation for developing harmonious relationship to self, others, and the larger world." They plan to use the image as a centerpiece for a page called "Threads for Thought" in which she discusses Gandhi's daily spinning and the role he played in leading India to independence.

Elvis Icon Idol

2010-08-16T09:52:00.000-04:00

Elvis died 33 years ago today and I remember just where I was. The faithful followers and worshippers are flocking to Graceland as they do every year... but would Elvis have wanted to be adored in this manner? He was, despite his obvious lack of faith in himself, a deeply religious man. I don't know if he'd approve of his fans turning him into a golden calf. It would go against the commandments in which he believed.

When I think Elvis was only 42 when he died, I can't believe it. I still don't understand how he could have let himself go - once the most handsome man in the world, slender, filled with more talent than 100 so-called "stars" of today put together... I just don't get it. He must have been really sad on earth. I think the only thing that made him happy was singing those old gospel songs.

I loved Elvis when I was a child... I guess I kind of worshipped him like any other little girl. But I moved on... yet still loving his music as much as ever all my life. I've never been to Graceland... I think, on purpose. I didn't want my childhood bubble burst by all the commercialism and flashy fakeness.

I grew up watching Elvis's movies... so I couldn't really relate to his Las Vegas jumpsuit years. My favorite song was "In the Ghetto" because supposedly he'd recorded the Mac Davis composition for Chicago, where I grew up. A few years ago, I bought the DVD of his 1968 Comeback Special, which is Elvis at his best... but I can't bring myself to watch it. From Elvis in Memphis is my favorite Elvis album. R.I.P., Elvis! You were one in a hundred million!

Carnegie Hall Studios Bite the Dust

2010-08-02T14:19:00.003-04:00

Can you imagine the ghosts of artists, musicians, poets and writers that must haunt the studios of Carnegie Hall's towers? Just ask Elizabeth Sargent. All of her neighbors are gone, forced out. She is the last holdout tenant of Carnegie Hall's towers, and is preparing to leave the affordable studios that for more than a century housed some of America's most brilliant creative artists.

Sargent, a one-time dancer noted for her boldly sexual poetry, is now in her 80s and in remission from cancer. For 40 years, she's lived on the ninth floor of the red brick southern tower above the famed stage of the 119-year-old landmark. She has until Aug. 31 to clear out.

Red scaffolding surrounds Carnegie Hall as the city-owned towers are being gutted this summer in a $200 million renovation that includes adding a youth music program. Celebrities like Robert De Niro and Susan Sarandon had fought to save the homes, petitioning the city not to "displace these treasured artists and master teachers."

Musicians, painters, dancers and actors thrived in the two towers built by 19th-century industrialist Andrew Carnegie just after the hall went up in 1891. The towers - one 12 stories high, the other 16 - housed more than 100 studios, some with special skylights installed to give painters the northern light they prize.

Over the years, Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly and Robert Redford took acting lessons here and Lucille Ball had voice coaching. James Dean studied scripts and Leonard Bernstein, music.

Women once lined up on the street to visit an alluring resident - the young Marlon Brando. His studio space on the eighth floor was demolished in early July. [more...]

Philly's Mad Muralist

2010-07-16T06:41:00.001-04:00

The story of Isaiah Zagar is lovingly portrayed by his son, Jeremiah, in the documentary film, In A Dream. It's shocking, heartbreaking, colorful, filled with life and all its intricacies... and inspiring in its own special way. Jeremiah skillfully captured not only his father's art, but the depths of his mother, as well as his brother's recovery from drug addiction and all the struggles they went through.

Over the past four decades, Isaiah Zagar has covered more than 50,000 square feet of Philadelphia with stunning mosaic murals. "In A Dream" is a documentary feature film that chronicles his work and his tumultuous relationship with his wife, Julia. It follows the Zagars as their marriage implodes and a harrowing new chapter in their life unfolds.

Long-lost Chaplin Film Turns Up at Antiques Sale

2010-07-15T14:09:00.001-04:00

A short silent comedy that was lost for decades holds a big surprise for film buffs and historians when a familiar face emerges from the bushes in police uniform and that unforgettable mustache.

The 1914 film, "A Thief Catcher," was missing for so many years that everyone forgot Charlie Chaplin made a brief cameo as a buffoon Keystone cop, with all his familiar twitches and gestures.

Out of nowhere, the 10-minute film turned up late last year at an antiques sale in Taylor, Mich. Film historian Paul Gierucki thought he was buying just another Keystone Studios comedy and didn't watch the 16mm print for months. [more...]

Alice Tan Ridley's Ship Comes In...

2010-06-17T23:57:00.000-04:00

I met Alice Tan Ridley back in 2007 singing her heart out in the subways of NYC and set up this MySpace page for her back then. I bought one of her homemade CDs and have listened to it for years... also posted some samples on this site. I told her I was going to put her on the Internet so others would be able to hear her sing.

I'm so glad she is at long last being recognized for her great talent! Her daughter, Academy Award-nominee Gabourey Sidibe of 'Precious,' will soon be cheering her mom on. As previously reported, Alice Tan Ridley, auditioned for the new season of 'America's Got Talent' this past March.

Read more: Alice Tan Ridley: Moving to Next Round on 'America's Got Talent'

Ambroise Vollard Stash of 140 Works Found

2010-06-11T12:01:00.000-04:00

Always fascinated by Ambroise Vollard, one of the most important dealers in French contemporary art at the beginning of the twentieth century, I was amazed to read this article today about all these paintings that were found in 1979, but neglected for decades!

"A long-lost trove of Impressionist and Modern art not seen since World War II will be offered at auction in London and Paris, Sotheby's said Friday. The 140 works - including paintings, prints and drawings - belonged to Parisian art dealer Ambroise Vollard, who played an important role promoting artists including Renoir, Cezanne, Picasso and Matisse. The collection was found in 1979 in a Paris bank vault. It had been neglected for decades because Erich Slomovic, an acquaintance of Vollard who deposited the art in the bank in 1939, was killed by the Nazis in 1942.

The key work is a 1905 painting by French artist Andre Derain valued at up to (EURO)15 million ($18 million). Derain co-founded the short-lived Fauve art movement with Matisse in the early 20th century." [more...]

75 Long-lost Silent Movies Being Returned to U.S.

2010-06-08T10:30:00.001-04:00

A cache of 75 long-lost silent films uncovered in the New Zealand Film Archive vault, including the only known copy of a drama by legendary director John Ford, is being sent back to the United States to be restored.

Among the movies found in storage are a copy of Ford's "Upstream," the earliest surviving movie by comic actor and director Mabel Normand and a period drama starring 1920s screen icon Clara Bow. Only 15 percent of the silent films made by Ford, who won four Oscars, have survived.

New Zealand Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Christopher Finlayson said the find is important as there are no prints of the films remaining in the U.S.

"These important films will be preserved and made available to both U.S. and New Zealand audiences to enjoy," he told The New Zealand Herald newspaper Tuesday. [more...]

The Last of the Silent Picture Organists

2010-05-17T11:56:00.000-04:00

I remember when I first arrived in New York in the early '90s... one of the first things I wanted to do was to see a silent film in an actual New York City movie theatre. I managed to find an extant Garbo screening, which was fascinating... and, I believe, in Long Island City at the Museum of the Moving Image, saw one of the famous silent film organists playing live to a silent picture. I was so thrilled. But not as thrilled as when I attended Lillian Gish's 100th birthday celebration at MoMA. She had recently died at 99!

Now, Rosa Rio, among the very last to have played the silent-picture houses, "accompanying the likes of Chaplin, Keaton and Pickford on the Mighty Wurlitzer amid velvet draperies, gilded rococo walls and vaulted ceilings awash in stars," has passed on to the Great Silent Beyond! She was 107!! Read more here...

Chester Dale Collection Represents the BEST

2010-05-16T13:08:00.000-04:00

I thoroughly enjoyed the National Gallery of Art (in Washington, D.C.) yesterday and especially the Chester Dale Collection. What magnificence! We watched a short film while we were there which described how Mr. Dale obtained the paintings with his wife, Maud - growing their collection throughout the mid-20th century. Some of the best paintings by the Impressionists, Post-Impressionists, his friend, George Bellows... modern painters, Matisse, paintings from Picasso's blue and classical periods and so much more. Go HERE for more on the exhibit.

Dale was an astute businessman who made his fortune on Wall Street in the bond market. He thrived on forging deals and translated much of this energy and talent into his art collecting. He served on the board of the National Gallery of Art from 1943 and as president from 1955 until his death in 1962. Portraits of Dale by Salvador Dalí and Diego Rivera are included in the show, along with portraits of Dale's wife Maud (who greatly influenced his interest in art) painted by George Bellows and Fernand Léger.

The Last of the Ziegfeld Girls

2010-05-12T11:50:00.005-04:00

I've always loved the vaudeville era and as a youth was fascinated with the Ziegfeld follies. One of my favourite movies is The Great Ziegeld (1936), which won the best picture that year. So, to hear that the last Ziegfeld girl has passed on to the Great Beyond is sad.

The last Ziegfeld Follies Girl has died. Doris Eaton Travis, one of the legendary Ziegfeld Follies chorus girls, who wore elaborate costumes for the series of lavish Broadway theatrical productions in the early 1900s, died Tuesday at age 106, public relations firm Boneau/Bryan-Brown said. It didn't say where or how she died.

Travis, who was from West Bloomfield, Mich., also was a supporter of the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS fundraising organization and appeared often in its Easter Bonnet Competition.

She continued to work long after her Follies days ended, with annual appearances on Broadway, a small role in a Jim Carrey movie and a memoir, "The Days We Danced: The Story of My Theatrical Family From Florenz Ziegfeld to Arthur Murray and Beyond. [more...]

Art-Mine Review

2010-05-07T10:40:00.000-04:00

Sandy Frazier is a mixed-media Expressionist whose art encapsulates qualities of mysticism and allegory. Working with color in the manner of the Fauves and of Gauguin, and with mixed-media and collage in the manner of Picasso, she envisions from a subliminal source emblematic representations of her own life and the world in which she lives.

With joyous color and striking form, Sandy Frazier's artworks create a dynamic vision of a world both everyday and transcendent. Working with acrylic and mixed media, Frazier’s bold Expressionist style is unique, an alluring combination of intense hues, layered patterns, subtle textures and strong lines. Her handling of color is superb, taking unusual shades and placing them next to each other in a taut harmony that seems almost to vibrate with energy from the painting’s surface. The strong stylized lines that define her subjects are influenced by Picasso, but Frazier makes them her own, giving them fluidity. The result is a stunning combination of technical skill and artistic interpretation. [more...]

The Ghost of Coney Island Resurrected Yet Again

2010-04-26T17:30:00.002-04:00

Coney Island's new Luna Park, modeled after original, will debut 19 thrilling rides on May 29th. It's now a drab construction site dotted with piles of dirt - but by Memorial Day weekend, a gleaming new amusement park will rise in Coney Island where Astroland once stood. It's been modeled after the original Luna Park, the legendary lunar-themed Coney Island mecca that opened in 1903 and closed because of fire in 1944. Valerio Ferrari, president of Central Amusement International and Zamperla USA, the companies responsible for building the new Luna Park said he's never heard of an amusement park being built from scratch so quickly, but he's confident it will be ready in time for the May 29 opening. But should it be rebuilt? [more...]

Years ago I saw a documentary on Coney Island which begins by showing the haunted roller coaster as it appeared back in 1995 when my mother and I visited there - amidst a blanket of fog, scrawled with graffiti. It represented, metaphorically, the shadow of evil, and the social decay that Coney Island came to represent. The five mile stretch on the coast of Brooklyn, just nine miles from Manhattan, was the home to three great parks (Steeplechase, Luna Park and Dreamland) which were built in the late 1800's and early 1900's... all of which were destroyed by fire (although Steeplechase was rebuilt soon after)... thus, the name, "The City of Fire." The great, but crooked, builder, McKane, had ruled the island in the late 1800's; but he was not a good man and landed in Sing Sing for election fraud, misuse of public funds and other charges.

Ministers and reverends spoke of the violence, lewd sex, gambling and prostitution that went on there, "victims they make drunken and rob." There were actually three chief men who created the parks and all of them were shady characters who competitively argued amongst each other, always trying to outdo one another. One of them died and another ended up bankrupt. They never really reveal the details of what went on there; but even in 1995, there was an unmistakable dark presence in the remains where the sordid, shoddy amusement shacks still ran full blast, where the hiss and boom of the breakers and crumbling paste board dominated the scene. The Wonder Wheel still stood in Astroland. Historians, nonetheless, say we should always consider Coney Island to be "forever an opportunity, a frontier..." not a place to rebuild what once was. [more...]

Every Breath You Take

2010-04-16T23:24:00.002-04:00

Every Breath You Take, originally uploaded by sandyfrazier.

Inspired by my mother, a teacher of meditation, I painted this the other day. Actually, I was working on it for about a month... it started out to be chaos out of my abstract mind... and then suddenly one night, the vision of a girl in a meditative pose possessed me and voila! There she is! I love texture in paintings and so this one really expresses a mood in the way I wanted others to tap in to my art.

Easter Art

2010-04-04T11:01:00.003-04:00

Le Baptiste, originally uploaded by sandyfrazier.

Inspired by 'The Passion of the Christ,' I have created a series of paintings, like the film, that reaches out across the ages, throughout all time, past race, creed, color, religion... deep into the hearts of what we all actually are: just simple human beings.

"...I wish to paint the artist's struggle against nature, the creative effort in the work of art, effort of blood and tears to give one's flesh, to create life: always wrestling with the truth and always beaten, the battle with the angel. ... tormented by his inability to give birth to his own genius..."

See the series here. Happy Easter!

Baby June is Gone

2010-03-29T14:19:00.003-04:00

I've always been fascinated by the history of vaudeville. One of the most colourful stories of that era (my favourite, growing up) was made into a film called "Gypsy," based on the meomoirs of burlesque performer Gypsy Rose Lee. Her sister, June Havoc (a/k/a "Baby June") was portrayed in the film as a child star who, wanting to escape showbiz and her ambitious mother, ran away and got married at 13. Today she passed away at 97. R.I.P., Baby June! [more...]

It's hard to tell what's factual in this great American story, but I read this online: "Arthur Laurents loosely based his marvelous libretto on the recollections of famed burlesque stripper Gypsy Rose Lee. Her sister June Havoc (the real 'Baby/Dainty June') has never been too happy with the results, which were clearly slanted to make Gypsy look good. However, both daughters concurred that their mother Rose was a monstrous bitch who always put her show biz dreams ahead of everything else, including the well-being of her children. The girls toured in vaudeville for years. Eventually, June left the act against her mother's wishes to marry one of the boys. The unstoppable Rose kept Louise touring - and they did end up in burlesque when vaudeville died out. With her 'intellectual' strip act, Louise renamed herself 'Gypsy Rose Lee' and became the toast of Minsky's. After June's marriage failed, her mother and sister refused her any assistance. June Havoc survived the 1930s as a marathon dancer, then emerged as a successful stage and screen actress."

A Sad Day for Our Democracy

2010-03-22T09:33:00.004-04:00

I don't normally blog on politics and try very hard to keep an unbiased view of what's going on in our nation's capitol. But being a writer on American culture, I can't ignore what happened in Washington, D.C. last night with the passage of the most widespread intrusion into the lives of its citizens - the so-called health "reform" bill. It's a sad day for America. We are officially no longer a democracy and Socialism is now the new way. Last night we lost our freedom in America.

Born in America under a beautifully designed Constitution which has kept me free all of my life, I feel very sad today for my beloved country. I never thought I'd live to see this government turn Socialist. I can only pray now that there is a repeal and we are able to take back our freedom in the very near future.

The egomaniac, power-hungry people in Congress have trampled on our Constitution in an unprecedented way to show us that they know what's best for us. And they did it in the most corrupt manner. They lied to the American people and used mob tactics, shady deals and anything but transparency to get what they wanted - POWER. And we will suffer for it in ways that can only be imagined now. Tragically, future generations will pay the price because we no longer own our nation since it's been sold to the highest bidder last night so that the government can watch our every move. They didn't stop to consider even for a moment the will of the people. They forgot that they work for US!

Especially after 9/11, I, for one, have learned not to take my freedom for granted - witnessing the treatment of women in particular in other countries has been eye-opening and a real education for me about world history. In America, we're not sheep - we are a strong nation and with the freedoms the Constitution had guaranteed us, have been able to accomplish things in our lives that are not possible in other countries. For Speaker Pelosi to utter the words, "No longer will women be a pre-existing condition" is tragic at best. None of these people can even come close to imagining what the people of America will go through because of their irresponsible decisions since they are conveniently exempt from this destructive legislation.

Socialism, Communism and dictatorships are dangerous and only weaken a nation and its people. At this time, we can only pray that there is still hope - for a good, common sense repeal of this very dangerous, unconstitutional bill that is sure to destroy our status as a world leader, an innovator, and the strongest nation on the planet.

Bill Genaust: Shooting Iwo Jima

2010-02-28T08:52:00.000-05:00

In this day and age of digital and pocket-sized video cameras, it is an awesome experience to watch "Shooting Iwo Jima," a fascinating documentary about an American hero, Bill Genaust. His is not a household name, but should be. He was a war photographer who fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima, and who is most famous for capturing the (second) flag raising on Iwo Jima on color motion picture film with his 16 millimeter camera. FDR immediately saw the value of the controversial photograph and seized the opportunity to use it to sell war bonds.

Thanks to Genaust, not only are we able to witness the fiercest battles of WWII right in the thick of it, but are able to follow the story of the nine days he risked his life capturing an up close view of American troops in battle via 23 reels of film and his personal notes. You never see Bill, himself, in the reels, other than one poignant shot of his left hand wearing his wedding ring and his combat boots as he films from a foxhole.

This forgotten hero was shot to death by Japanese soldiers when he lit the way into a cave for the other marines. His body was never recovered and he was left behind near the place he made so famous.

Women in Art Acknowledged

2010-02-06T18:07:00.002-05:00

FINALLY - in the 21st century, the art world is beginning to acknowledge the contributions women have made to the art world. I've always been suspect about how famous male artists became throughout time and how few women ever received any recognition when it's obvious that many women deserve much more credit than they've received.

An exhibit in Philadelphia examines the lost legacy of women in Pop Art - "Seductive Subversion: Women Pop Artists 1958-1968" showing at the University of the Arts until March 15, focusing exclusively on the forgotten women of Pop Art and shows about 50 works - some not seen publicly in 40 years - of 20 female Pop artists from the United States and around the world.

Today I was privileged to attend "The Subject is Women: Impressionism and Post-Impressionism" at the Nassau County Museum of Art in Roslyn, NY where they were showing a lavish viewing of works by women and works depicting women. And in their gift shop, noticed the first book I'd seen on the art of Lee Krasner - Jackson Pollock's wife. I was happy to see that she's finally being given the respect she always deserved.

I hope this trend continues and art historians uncover the truth about women in art. We're in for a real treat!

Miep Gies: Forgotten Hero

2010-01-11T22:15:00.004-05:00

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands – Miep Gies, the office secretary who defied the Nazi occupiers to hide Anne Frank and her family for two years and saved the teenager's diary not, has died, the Anne Frank Museum said Tuesday. She was 100. [more...]

Let's all not forget what a wonderful hero she was. She was a great woman who helped to supply the necessities (food, shelter, etc.) to the Franks as they hid in the annex made famous in Anne Frank's diaries during WWII. Without Miep, we might not have had the privilege to have read the famous Anne Frank Diaries:

Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
Anne Frank's Tales from the Secret Annex
Anne Frank: The Book, The Life, The Afterlife

John Lennon Remembered - 29 years ago

2009-12-08T22:18:00.007-05:00

It's so hard to believe 29 years has passed since that awful day in December when John Lennon was shot dead in front of his home, The Dakota, in Manhattan (the city he adopted and loved so much, the country he adored). I remember it like it was yesterday.

Dec. 8, 1980-- I was sitting in my apartment in Schaumburg, Illinois with my friends - my best friend, Moira and a few others... but one man was there who, I remember, my mother had counseled... and he was challenging me. He said, "What would happen if you lost someone you loved?" and I was very cocky in my youth. I don't remember how I replied, but I was so sure we'd all survive.

That evening they all left and I kept playing John Lennon's songs over and over. I'd taken my band into the recording studio that week and we were working on tunes, but were all looking forward to John Lennon's tour where we might be able to meet him and see him perform. His release of "Double Fantasy" was like a new beginning for us all.

So when the call came from my beloved brother, Johnny, that John Lennon had been murdered, I was caught completely off guard and in total disbelief. I said to the receiver, "I won't believe it until I hear it from Moira!" And so she grabbed the phone and Johnny told her the truth: "Turn on the TV, you'll see..." and she did. So we all sat around watching the horrible news. I heard Yoko's statement, "John loved and prayed for the human race... let's do the same for him..."

So I did what any artist would do: I sat down and wrote a song and then I and my band were in the studio the next night recording "Let's Save the Human Race" and on WIND Radio in Chicago, IL the next night talking to the masses about John Lennon's death. We STILL love and pray for the human race and IMAGINE all that he taught us to imagine. [more...]

FILM REVIEW: "Waiting for Hockney"

2009-11-24T14:15:00.003-05:00

Pappas' story reminded me a little of the movie "Rudy" - only Billy seems to be more of a defeatist (i.e., puts all his eggs in one basket, betting his life on a single project and then when that doesn't thrill his so-called "idol" who couldn't be more unlike Billy, he resumes his life as a bartender and just gives up).

On the other hand, having had firsthand experience with the snobbish art world of today, I thought it was AWFUL the way Hockney's assistant spoke of Billy and his wonderful family (his parents, especially his mother, truly love him and were so supportive throughout). Hockney's people talked about Pappas, after their meeting, like he was a joke - a permanent outsider with no chance of ever breaking through to their big shot world. Why would Hockney grant him an audience, have him for lunch, spend 5 hours with him? So he could have a laugh at Pappas' expense? I would encourage Billy to work at his art, if that's what he wants to do with his life. But I don't think he's got what it takes to be a professional artist; he's too child-like, naïve and doesn't have the staying power. But it sure didn't help matters to have his "idol" turn his back on him. [artnet article] Waiting for Hockney Web

Does Anyone Watch Network TV Anymore?

2009-11-14T17:00:00.003-05:00

Remember the days when TV meant ABC, CBS, NBC and PBS? I remember living in the Chicago area as a child and we had a nice TV set, but not much of a selection. The major channels (we didn't have a remote) were 2, 5, 7, 9 and 11 on VHF and Channel 32 and a couple others on UHF. "The Munsters" on Channel 32 was a real treat! And we'd stay up late at night to watch "Creature Feature" (Bela Lugosi and the like). We'd be dozing off as "The Star Spangled Banner" came on and the networks went off the air.

Oftentimes households used rabbit ears antennas on their TV sets with pieces of aluminum foil on each end to help reception. I'm not sure if that ever actually worked! And in order to stop interference, the most effective way to "fix" your TV was to bang on it! We were one of the first families, thanks to my Dad, to get cable, which required a strange box with a lever that flipped through the few channels that were available... I only remember having HBO.

Earlier this year analog TV sets became, for the most part, obsolete with the conversion to digital TV. Since I'd always had cable all my life, I couldn't believe anyone would actually be affected by the conversion. Those who wanted to continue using their old outdated sets were forced to buy a converter box and, at long last, subscribe to cable TV.

Since CNN went on the air, most everyone I know has been getting their news from cable news networks... though I still see Chuck & Sue in NYC are still going strong!

Eight decades after pioneering the concept of broadcasting, NBC is on the verge of a startling move that illustrates broadcast television's decline. Cable TV operator Comcast Corp. is expected to buy a controlling stake in NBC Universal, perhaps as early as this week, bringing the network of Johnny Carson, Jerry Seinfeld, Bob Hope, Milton Berle and Tom Brokaw under the corporate control of the company that owns the Golf Channel and E! Entertainment Television. Read More: Broadcast pioneer NBC prepares for cable takeover

John Lennon Remembered

2009-10-09T15:58:00.003-04:00

John Lennon would have been 69 today... Happy Birthday, John! I wonder what he'd say about Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize on his birthday... maybe, "Give Peace a Chance?"

Here's a birthday art exhibition.

Remembering John Lennon.

Brilliant songbird - perhaps the greatest inspiration to me musically. I loved his and Yoko's idea of bagism and write about it in my own book, The Mystic Artist.

You'll truly enjoy One Day at a Time, a book which captures the mood and brilliance of John Lennon in the seventies.

· Plastic Ono Band
· Imagine
· Walls & Bridges
· Double Fantasy
· Shaved Fish
· The Beatles

Go HERE to see Sandy's portrait of John Lennon's Ghost.

Lady Gaga Has Talent

2009-10-05T21:52:00.005-04:00

The music world has been devoid of imagination and colour for many years now... that's my opinion. But Lady Gaga has burst on the scene with a fresh new talent that isn't just sparkles, makeup, bangles and a great figure... she's got soul and character.

Saturday night she performed her hit, "Paparazzi," on SNL - and more... she wowed us on her piano interlude; she radiated talent in her singing and performance art. She reminds me of Hazel O'Connor and Kate Bush with her fresh, colorful videos.

Peter, Paul, Missing Mary

2009-09-16T23:13:00.005-04:00

I was a very small child when I first heard Peter, Paul & Mary... but their songs were always a big part of the soundtrack of my life. How could they not be? With the passing of Mary Travers today, I had to stop and remember how much I loved their songs... and remember the beauty of her voice, her gorgeous long blonde hair, those perfect harmonies... "Lemon Tree," "If I Had a Hammer," "Puff the Magic Dragon," "Blowin' in the Wind"... and such a wonderful lifetime of songs. RIP, Mary!

Patrick Lives

2009-09-15T22:54:00.006-04:00

I didn't know Patrick Swayze, but he seemed to be a rare bird in the Hollywood scene - a sweet man whose ego didn't get the best of him (he was supposedly quoted as saying, "Good-looking people turn me off. Myself included") who fought to the end with the desire to stay focused on his craft, even refusing pain killing drugs. His smiling eyes always reflected something indescribable and I believe he chose to LIVE to the end rather than to spend his last days dying. And, amazingly, he was married to the same woman since 1975!

He's quoted as saying, "I have a great deal of faith in faith; if you believe something strongly enough, it becomes true for you. I would like to believe that my father is right here with me in this room and that he's my guardian angel, that there's life after death - because if there isn't, why are we here?"

We all loved 'Dirty Dancing,' but his most memorable role was arguably the character he played in 'Ghost,' - Sam Wheat - a man probably not unlike himself - a good man who found true love in life and after death. In the words of Sam to Molly: 'It's amazing, Molly. The love inside, you take it with you.' He gave us a reason to believe in life after death. We love you, Patrick and you will be missed on earth!

"Ditto!"

More Great Foreign Films...

2009-09-03T11:20:00.006-04:00

Jacques Tati films:

Les vacances de Monsieur Hulot (1953)

Mon oncle (1958)

The Spanish Apartment - L'auberge espagnole (2002)
The Russian Dolls - Les poupées russes (2005)

A Very Long Engagement - Un long dimanche de fiançailles (2004)

Poison Friends - Les amitiés maléfiques (2006)

I Served the King of England - Obsluhoval jsem anglického krále (2008)

Kidnap (2008)

My original blog on foreign films

I Was a Guinea Pig for Technology

2009-08-27T10:44:00.005-04:00

I just had to post this link so I wouldn't forget it. So much of our culture's technology is being outmoded. I've had this discussion with my mother many times recently because she still relies on cassette tapes for her business. The other day we went to Radio Shack to buy some tapes for her and they told her they were discontinuing them.

My demographic has been used as guinea pigs for all the technology and formats that have come and gone over the past 30 years... and I kind of resent it. I had a PC (remember THAT term) in the '80s when you could first buy one for home use and have made a living on my computer ever since. But switching from records to cassettes to CDs (I traded hundreds of my cassettes for just a handful of DVDs to Mr. Cheapo years ago) and DVDs and now this Blue-Ray format... Not to mention all the computers, various types of discs (remember "floppy"?), weird programs that drove us insane, DOS and all those keywords... It's a wonder I haven't been committed to a technology insane asylum!

Don't get me wrong... I'm grateful for technology. But it's been quite a rollercoaster ride, not to mention all the money that we spent. I still have my first digital camera and it looks like something out of a sci-fi movie. And just for the record... I REFUSE TO SWITCH TO BLUE-RAY!!! I'm keeping my DVDs! But we do have HD TVs now... and I never go anywhere without my digital camera. But I really do hate cell phones. If I didn't HAVE to have one, I'd toss it off a cliff!

ADDENDUM: Well, here it is only Oct. 5, 2009 and already technology has proven my point... the link at the top is already expired!

Pat Benatar in Westbury, NY

2009-08-09T22:48:00.005-04:00

Pat Benatar and her husband and lead guitarist, Neil Giraldo, played the Capital One Theatre in Westbury, NY tonight to an enthusiastic, adoring crowd and standing ovations. Still in top form on their 30th wedding anniversary, Pat and Neil rocked the house with great old favourites such as "Hit Me With Your Best Shot," "Hell is For Children," and an encore of the timeless "Promises in the Dark." Her voice gorgeous as ever, looking simply adorable all dressed in black with leggings and high boots... she appeared to have discovered the fountain of youth; and "Spyder" Neil with his muscle shirt, tattoos and endless array of guitars... tossing guitar picks at the crowd were refreshing to hear after all these years. No pretentions... Pat still looking longingly at her husband as he wailed on his 13 guitars - some of the greatest rock and roll guitar riffs of all time... "We Live for Love," a highlight of the evening - illustrating one of the most successful rock and roll couples of all time.

Order a PhotoBook: Best of Photography By Sandy Frazier

2009-06-29T16:01:00.003-04:00

Click here to view this photo book larger

Little Boy Lost

2009-06-25T21:30:00.011-04:00

With the passing of Michael Jackson, America's beloved pop star, I felt compelled to reprint an article I worked on with one of his former neighbors, George Putnam - radio legend - who passed not long ago himself. Blessings to the family and R.I.P., MJ!

One Reporter's Opinion: Little Boy Lost
By George Putnam

Friday, Nov. 21, 2003

It is this reporter's opinion that the latest charges, the latest allegations, involving pop star Michael Jackson give scandal-hungry America and the world something over which to salivate. I remind you, these are allegations – multiple charges of child molestation. Nowhere do I see in these charges mention of intercourse or rape. But again, let us recall that in America one is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

I'll never forget the day that the Jackson 5 moved into our neighborhood in the mountains above Beverly Hills. It was the Jacksons' first home of any consequence. It was formerly the home of Paul Ziffren, the Democratic Party bigwig. Our cluster included Ernie and Edie Kovacs, Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Benny Carter, Jimmy Darren, Rona Barrett and a host of others.

It was my privilege to welcome the Jackson 5 to our community above Cold Water Canyon on Cherokee Lane, Bowmont Drive and Kimridge Road.

When they arrived, they clustered around my convertible and we became instant friends. They were so young and so small and so outgoing, but out of this humble beginning came fame and fortune ... and in the case of the young star, Michael Jackson, a little kid – arrested development and brilliant talent.

Within a few years came agents, sycophants, flesh peddlers and all of those who attempt to further themselves with the fame and fortune of the Jacksons. And let's not forget the star-crazed fans, among them parents eager for their children's association with young Michael.

Then came the charges and the rumors: Why wasn't Michael married? Why were so many youngsters accompanying his every move? Who fathered his children? In interviews Michael foolishly but innocently spoke of kids sleeping in his bedroom, being welcomed with parental approval, and the visits to Neverland.

Michael became freakish in his behavior. The bleached skin, facial surgery, his attempt to look first like Diana Ross and then like Elizabeth Taylor. And with it all, the baby voice, the Peter Pan approach to never growing up.

Michael spoke of his associations with kids quite openly, saying he shared a bedroom but always denying any sexual involvement. He stated that he slept on the floor of his bedroom while youngsters slept in his bed. But, you ask, what about the 1993 payoff and the hushed charges?

And here we go again with the same allegations – multiple charges of child molestation. And now he's 45 years old.

With eager law enforcement individuals openly stating, "We didn't get Jackson in 1993, we'll get him this time," one can only recall that early meeting with the Jackson 5 at their first home in Hollywood in the hills above Beverly Hills and the arrested development of Peter Pan.

Where are the sycophants? The moneygrubbers? Those who should be protecting him? Where are those who should be protecting Michael Jackson against himself and his own pitiful way of life?

Never in all these charges do we hear the word cruelty – not to humans, not to his enclave of animals, not to anyone. Never do we hear anything but love and worshipful adoration and devotion to children. After all, he is one of them.

One can only conclude by his behavior that Michael is, in his own mind, living in Never Never Land – while the world beyond the gates of his ranch looks on in disgust, imagining all manner of sexual scenarios.

As for myself, I can only recall what I saw, what I witnessed, in those bright and shining stars of yesteryear and wonder, sadly, where has Michael gone?

We have a frailty in dealing with the famous in America. We build them up beyond their own talents or human capabilities and then seek the chinks in their armor and set about to destroy them and watch them get up off the canvas to fight again.

The story is made to order for our crazed media, and law enforcement is already talking about three to eight years in jail when what Michael really needs is extended psychoanalysis.

This helpless waif, this lost soul, warrants our pity, not our judgment. What happened to our little tap-dancing kid? Where did he go? It's a sad, sad American tragedy, the story of Michael Jackson.

* * * * * *

The legendary George Putnam was 89 years young and a veteran of 69 years as a reporter, broadcaster and commentator ... and still going strong. George was part of the all-star line-up of Southern California's KPLS Radio – Hot Talk AM 830. Click here for George's complete bio

What Happened to Vincent's Ear?

2009-05-05T13:27:00.004-04:00

Did Gauguin Slash Off Vincent van Gogh’s Ear? - that's the question of a century of speculating. There is a new claim that it was actually Paul Gauguin who cut off Vincent's ear with his epee.

I wrote about this in a song years ago:

(Gauguin) Wrestling with the Angel
[for Paul Gauguin]

Wrestling with the Angel in a crimson field;
Jacob's in a stranglehold. His heart was never healed.
And the spirit of the dead keeps watch.

Oh, Olympia... just throw caution to the wind!
Manao Tupapau, you're defenseless.
Oh, Olympia... you're the gilded masterpiece.
And the envy of all the world.

Visions of the Sermon - Day of God is near.
The Yellow Christ is crucified and Vincent's lost his ear.
And the spirit of the dead keeps watch.

He struggled to be recognized, failing to achieve,
He left to find his passions, to live what he believed.
His paintings are alive, his soul wrestles to be freed.
He battles with his demons, but can't unplant the seed.

Where do we come from?
What are we?
Where are we going?
How are we gonna get there?

o-BOMB-a!

2009-04-04T15:49:00.002-04:00

I've lost faith in our new president. I gave him the benefit of the doubt in my blog on inauguration day... but today I am ashamed of him. For him or any other American to go to another country and put down the country that I love is dispicable! Calling us 'arrogant, dismissive, derisive'... how dare he! I've had my doubts about Obama since I'd watched him deny knowing about Reverend Wright's anti-American "sermons" while attending that church for 20 years. But this is a stab in the heart of every American, all our troops, not to mention each and every soldier that paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. This arrogant, egomaniac has been granted TOO much power for any one man and we're all going to suffer for the way he is making America look weak. And we're all going to suffer, as will our children and their children - for the trillions he's spending putting us further and further in debt. He should be ashamed of himself!

Grammy's Best for a Change!

2009-02-09T07:44:00.002-05:00

Now THIS is a change we can believe in! Last night's Grammy's actually highlighted REAL talent - musicians and performers who can sing and play their instruments - instead of a show featuring flashy dancers with hot bods.

It was fun, exciting, historic and colourful - not the usual ego-fest featuring 90% rap and hip hop. From U2's live debut of their just-released single 'Get On Your Boots' to Album of the Year winners, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - every performance was thrilling and exhilarating. I thought the most moving ones were Jennifer Hudson's 'You Pulled Me Through,' Kid Rock's rousing 'Amen,' Coldplay and Carrie Underwood, featuring her rock lady lead guitarist.

I liked that they didn't have a host stumbling through teleprompter gaffs and cheeky one-liners; and, thank heavens, there were very few mentions of politics or the Big 'O.' What, with live performances by Paul McCartney, Al Green, Smoky Robinson and "the Duke" from The Four Tops, Neil Diamond... you can't go wrong! It didn't seem like an awards show, but rather a showcase of great talent... very refreshing.

Of course, we had to stomach way too much Justin Timberlake; Gwyneth Paltrow gushing over not her own husband's band, but Radiohead; that prepubescent egomaniac dimwit Miley Cyrus; and that dingbat 'I Kissed a Girl' chick flopping around on stage like a rag doll... but overall, the Grammy's reminded me why America is the great bastion of the best music on earth.

Welcome, Mr. President and First Lady Obama

2009-01-20T21:59:00.006-05:00

I didn't have time to watch all the festivities today between all the calls and e-mails I was getting from the media all day... but I watched a few moments of the Obamas dancing. What a sight! Michelle looked gorgeous and Obama, quite dashing. It was fun to watch and exciting to think of all the possibilities of a new era. I wish them the best and God speed, happiness, health and strength to solve all the many problems we face in our country.

Obvioiusly the First Lady of Soul hasn't lost that golden voice. It was wonderful to hear Aretha sing, "My Country 'Tis of Thee..."

Let's all have faith in the future and get behind our new president so we can build a stronger America. Good luck, Obamas! God bless!

A Fond and Loving Farewell

2009-01-20T12:27:00.004-05:00

I read this transcript of a Rush Limbaugh caller today. I think it's only fitting for me to re-post this today as President Bush leaves office. My sentiments exactly.

I want to bid my commander-in-chief a fond and loving farewell, and I'm probably going to get emotional because, "I want to thank you, Mr. President, George Walker Bush, for keeping us all safe. I can truly say this: You have read those intelligence reports. You know and you have always known the attempts that this enemy has made on our own soil throughout your entire presidency. You truly have protected us. You love our families. You love our sons, our daughters, our nieces, and especially our nephews, as if they were your own, and it's a testament of how you were raised: so humble and so proud. Wealthy or not, you're one of the most humble men, you and your father, that I think this country has ever known."

The Passing of Andrew Wyeth

2009-01-17T09:30:00.004-05:00

The passing of one of the 20th century's greatest American artists, Andrew Wyeth, reminds me of my own roots in art - having studied some of his great techniques in art class as a youth. Below is an excellent article and a link to his biography.

Andrew Wyeth's Problematic Legacy: Andrew Wyeth, who died today at 91 at his home in Chadds Ford, PA, was the great problem of American modern art. He was a problem first because he so completely refused to be modern in any terms that the art world cared about or could stomach. Long after it was no longer fashionable or even permissible to practice a flinty, granular realism, Wyeth went on making pictures with the kind of brushwork that specified the world in almost molecular detail. That his technical capabilities were so apparent only made it more annoying to some critics that he wouldn't turn his back on them. Virtuosity of that kind was something that we almost wanted to get off the table, an embarrassing reminder of pleasures that painting had to shed if it was to move forward into the brave new world of Modernism and everything that came after. [more...]

Biography: Andrew Wyeth: A Secret Life by Richard Meryman

What is an "A-Lister"?

2008-12-10T23:40:00.003-05:00

You hear it everywhere on tabloid shows - a new rating system they've invented to tell us who THEY think are the most valuable Hollywood so-called "stars" - to influence us to believe these people are greater than they are. When I hear them refer to certain people as "A-listers," sometimes I'm taken aback. What IS this new rating system tabloidists have invented? Is it something political? Are public relations firms PAYING for these so-called ratings? I'd like to know! Because the "A-listers" they chase after and talk about non-stop appear to be average, mediocre people with very little talent, with one differentiating factor: something they've done has caused them to be chased by paparazzi; they're famous for being famous. Do these so-called "A-listers" have any proven track record or any great accomplishments? For the most part, I've observed that those who garner all this attention haven't the accomplishments commensurate with the attention they're getting. So what is this media-driven ratings system? I wonder.

What John Lennon Meant by "Imagine"

2008-12-02T23:23:00.005-05:00

I've been a fan of John Lennon's music since I was born. I was intensely inspired by his gift and his incredible way of fusing universal thoughts with gorgeous melodies. To me, he was magical and phenomenal. He inspired me like no other artist. But, as I grew older and more aware, I was astounded by the hate people felt toward him - the resentment, the jealousy. Mostly I was confused and baffled that people could possibly reinterpret his beautiful song "Imagine" to be anything but a positive anthem.

I've thought about it for many years and having read almost every book and article ever written on John Lennon (to a point) - especially about his political problems - I felt I was informed enough to comment on the topic... but, then, right wing and left wing people came along bringing all the divisiveness in our society - and all the arguments and frustration - I'm sure it would be a nightmare for John Lennon, who, in the '70s was frustrated enough to eschew all social, political or financial involvements 'til his untimely death. I just stopped thinking about it. I stopped listening to his music. I stopped feeling his pain and the pain of his assassination. I wanted to find a resolution and could not go on listening to John's words and music until a real solution revealed itself to me.

That solution came today. A friend sent me this wonderful video: a song John Lennon loved and performed ("Stand By Me"), which, I believe, has achieved (via technology) what John Lennon loved, prayed and hoped for in his lifetime. "This globe-spanning YouTube video is inspiring. It comes from 'Playing For Change.' The group provides resources and education to musicians around the world. The goal is to promote peace and connect people through music. This video represents that mission perfectly. A film crew traveled the world with a single song. At each stop they found musicians to play "Stand by Me." The musicians added their own voice and talents to the song. When edited together, it creates a global ensemble." Go here to watch the video now.

They say John Lennon was a political activist... but he wasn't. The words to his masterpiece, "Imagine" have been misinterpreted widely and politicized. There were the billboard events ["War is Over (If You Want it)"] which John and Yoko carried out around the world for their peace campaign... and the bed-ins in Amsterdam when they were married. (In a staged publicity stunt, they used the media's usual hounding of them as an opportunity to campaign for world peace and speak out against the Vietnam War. Later, this would prompt an extensive FBI investigation into the supposed covert, anti-American activities of John Lennon, someone with whom Nixon was growing more and more agitated. But John Lennon was simply using Gandhi's principles and techniques of nonviolent action to express the concepts in his own music.) These ideas represented to me a really practical way to create and use art and music to heal the world.

Watching John Lennon heal himself and thus, heal others through his art, had a great influence on me; because of his brand of raw expression, I underwent a long series of healings that began a year before he was assassinated. Even his death would inspire music in me, just as it caught the imagination of the rest of the world. I wrote a song in tribute to him: "Let's Save the Human Race," based on Yoko's statement: "John loved and prayed for the human race; let's do the same for him."

AMAs: Slick Bods, Great Hair, No Talent

2008-11-24T14:06:00.005-05:00

I'm glad I'm not the ONLY one who was disappointed watching the American Music Awards. Here's a blog that pretty much says it all.

Over the past year or two, I rarely even bother to watch these music awards shows any more because they're so annoying and disappointing. Last night I noticed a lot of slick bodies, great hair and makeup, but mostly mediocre talent - or lack thereof. The songs are forgettable; and when they're not lip-synching, they're off key; it's just plain boring and uninspiring. It just seems to be all about fashion, dancing and stripper poles.

From the whiney Rihanna singing, to the tribal dancing Beyonce, to those no-talent Pussy Cat women doing stripper routines with their ass cheeks hanging out... I was annoyed the entire time (I couldn't stomach the whole show). And how about those Jonas kids and their whiney whimpery out-of-tune singing? Too bad these 21st century Beatle wannabes didn't sound as good as they looked. But the biggest disappointment for me was Annie Lennox live - she's such a brilliant singer! What happened to her voice??

I didn't have to watch Miley Cyrus to know what she'd do - she's always the same: annoying. She needs to go to school and learn a few skills and hone her minimal talent. And what was with that eye patch on Rihanna? I was hoping they'd take it off halfway through the song and they did... that was the highlight of her performance. I thought that Natasha was good, but her hair was really irritating to watch with the wind machines blowing it in her face.

All in all, it was totally forgettable and disappointing. No great songs. No great artists to remember.

An Historic Day for America... and a Special Thanks to Our President

2008-11-05T22:04:00.005-05:00

I want to join others in offering heartfelt congratulations to Barack Obama on his incredible victory and may God bless him and lead him to help our country overcome its hardships, to face the monstrous challenges that lie ahead. The big thing that is so important in my mind is that Americans divided by race may now have the chance to once and for all heal the wounds of our tainted history... now we can all stand together as American citizens without thought of race. At last, equality is not just a dream, but a reality!

By the same token, I wanted to let President George W. Bush know how much I appreciate all his hard work, discipline and determination. So here's my letter to him:

Thank you, Mr. President, for keeping us safe and sound since 9/11. I am so sorry you've had to suffer such terrible criticism... but I, for one, have enormous respect for and appreciate you and ever since the day I had the privilege to shake your hand at the Talker Magazine convention in NYC right before you ran for President, I have admired you greatly. You looked into my eyes, gave my hand a firm shake, and I knew right then that you were a decent, courageous man and you have not failed me yet! You and Laura brought dignity and class back to the White House... you both will always hold a special place in my heart because you inspired me to vote for the first time in my adult life. --Your American citizen, SF

Here are two wonderful articles that echo my feelings:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122584386627599251.html
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/11/an_election_day_note_thanks_pr.html

Van Gogh's Colors of the Night

2008-10-18T12:47:00.003-04:00

MoMA is featuring the paintings of Vincent Van Gogh which focus on the night, sunsets and nocturnal landscapes and interiors. It's a very moving show which features some of his actual letters to Theo and the gorgeous "The Starry Night over the Rhone" and, of course, "The Starry Night," which Don McLean made famous in his song about Vincent. There are paintings in this exhibit I've never seen before such as "Night" (after Millet) and "The Dance Hall in Arles," in which you can see Gauguin's influence. Every time I see Vincent's paintings, I'm so touched to witness up close and personal brush strokes, the effervescence of his colors and the special touches of himself in every painting. Van Gogh is a rock star - the most famous artist to ever live - and that is evidenced by every showing of his work where the lines are a mile long just to get in and how difficult it is just to see the paintings up close. But it's well worth the pain because he himself went through hell to create these paintings in the first place. In his Poetry of the Night, I could imagine him with his straw hat filled with candles struggling with his paints traipsing across the landscapes in the darkness to capture twinkling lights and a beauty all his own.

Half Century Madonna

2008-09-18T00:30:00.004-04:00

Madonna might be trying desperately to hang on to her youth by dedicating her movies and concerts to Britney Spears, who has become more and more boring as her life goes on. [Though half her age, B.S. is not nearly as interesting as Madonna, who's lived a very colourful life (to say the least).] So why does Madonna feel the need to do such a thing?

After all, she's got everything - fame, fortune, beauty, power, prestige... She's the envy of all the world and has more than reached her goal of "conquering the world" in the eyes of so many. She's great at collaborating on 3-1/2-minute videos that are brilliantly choreographed and designed. She's marvelous at arriving at carefully orchestrated photo shoots that depict her in the best possible light. She knows a good fashion show when she parades in one. She's got it all: marriage, children, the adulation of millions... And rumor has it that she might even go to the moon. At 50, her concerts are still sellouts and she's got the body of a 25-year-old. So why does she need Britney - a blubbery bobble-head bore that can't possibly measure up?

Madonna was recently referred to (by a nameless FNC commentator) as "shrewd, but not very bright." Maybe that's it. Maybe not. I was never a Madonna fan - that is, until her record, "Ray of Light" - a wonderful album produced by William Orbit - came out. I thought it was brilliant. I'd enjoyed "Vogue" and always sang along to the gorgeous "La Isla Bonita"... and reveled in the dominant feminine "Express Yourself"... but "Ray of Light" was the first time I really listened to Madonna and respected her as an artist (even if she more than likely had very little to do with the actual production of the album). I discovered it was William Orbit who really deserved most of the credit.

I speak from experience. I, myself, recorded an album - having been a songwriter since I was born - and I know the pain and labor that goes into the creation of a record. So I respected Madonna's efforts yet understood her limitations. I, myself, wrote my songs from start to finish, I played the instruments and sang and produced and sweated every aspect of my record. I don't think Madonna knows how to play an instrument and, having seen her play guitar on stage, I'd advise her never to do that again!

But she overcame a lot to sell her ideas and bring them to fruition. We have to give her a lot of credit. Though long-and-drawn-out, I enjoyed listening to her acceptance speech at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; and the stories of how she "made it" were educational, albeit methodical and calculated - how determined she was! A true American success story! (It's too bad she's opted, now, to trash her own country and talk up and support other countries much in the same way as Oprah.)

Madonna's best in the rough... she was great in that MTV special when she goes back to the warehouse in New York in which she'd once resided during her early struggling days. She was marvelous in "Desperately Seeking Susan" playing herself - no matter what the critics say. She's most original and captivating in the video "Secret" where she portrays a street urchin, a torch singing vamp with smeared makeup huddling with the street people... Like Shelley Winters said, "Those are the most beautiful black people in that video!"

She found herself over and over, but as she admitted in "Ray of Light" - lost herself, too ("I traded fame for love...") What makes an artist the most interesting? The fact that he/she can admit to his/her own faults, limitations, fallacies and strives to be "something better than you are today." And reinvent... recreate... be born anew. Madonna is and remains, after all, Madonna.

VMAs B.S.

2008-09-08T08:57:00.002-04:00

Reading about the culture/talent-devoid VMAs this morning, the first line I saw was: "It took a year, but Britney Spears got the comeback she was seeking from the MTV Video Music Awards -- and she didn't even have to sing or dance." She won 3 awards!!! And a standing ovation!! For what? Bad behavior?? She stated she was shocked and didn't expect it - well, hello! She shouldn't have been honored in any way! What has this country come to when someone like her - who basically spent the past two years of her life running around the streets, jumping in and out of cars without underwear, getting in car accidents, being committed to mental wards and losing custody of her infant sons - is rewarded?!

How could a train wreck like B.S. "sweep" the VMAs unless they've lowered their standards to the pit of the bottom-feeders? And how can they call such a vile display as this show "tame"? Have they lost their minds?

They had Lindsay Lohan, skank queen of the year, giving out an award - someone who has accomplished nothing but bad acting in a lot of awful movies, singing like Minnie Mouse and endangering people's lives with her bad driving and drug use - and joke-of-a-lifestyle. And Ms. Famous-for-nothing, Paris H. representing as usual - a perfect match for the soulless show.

I was so depressed when I tuned in and saw two black guys wallowing around on stage grunting incomprehensible garble into microphones - one with his pants literally falling off! I thought, where's the talent? The lemmings in the audience stood up as though they'd witnessed the second coming!

I've loved music all my life and this fiasco really hurt. I was in pain watching it... and nauseous, too... and just had to turn it off.

It's Time for Women... and My Mom's a Shining Example

2008-08-29T21:41:00.005-04:00

Though I am, as a rule, a-political by choice (that doesn't mean I'm wishy-washy) - that is, I claim no membership in either of the major or minor parties and don't call myself an "Independent," which seems to be the label of choice for those who don't quite want to commit (much like the term 'agnostic,' which, to me, is total wishy-washy-ness)... I was excited for the first time in this presidential race by McCain's VP pick today: Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.

I've always thought it would be a great idea to elect a housewife to run this country because most housewives are so skilled at multitasking and brilliant at taking charge of many difficult situations all at once while always landing on their feet... and the fact that women are able to use both sides of their brain... well, I think we're long overdue in America for a woman president.

Pro-choice/anti-abortion notwithstanding (we'll never agree on that which should not be a political issue in the first place), I like Gov. Palin because she's the epitome of America's dreamgirl! She's strong, fought her way up the ladder to become Mayor, then Governor, gave birth five times and still has a waistline! And a neck!! She's 44 and gorgeous, outspoken, successful and articulate. She reminds me of my mother.

I argue with my mother all the time and, hearing the frustration in her voice, always remind her that I learned to be driven, articulate and outspoken from her... and that's not to say, "Sometimes being a bitch is all a woman has to hang onto..." She didn't teach me to be a bitch; she taught me to fight to survive in a man's world and not to make excuses for my own failures but, rather, to accept self-responsibility above all else!

However, our recent disagreement had to do with a statement she made about Blacks in America (she knows I HATE rash generalizations!) - that Black people have been treated like sh-- for a long time - to which I replied something like, 'That may be... but I don't think any Black person with dignity wants to wallow in self pity and just crawl up in a shack and become a dependent of the State.'

I reminded her that she herself was treated like sh-- many a time and that all odds had been against her from the very start having sprung from worse than humble origins - a shack in Tennessee with a mother who'd given birth to 10 kids and died at 42 from exhaustion; a father who was mentally ill and shot himself in front of her... to having been left in the [mis-]care of orphanages and foster homes - a lost girl in America.

Yet, through it all - having seven kids, raising most of us (with almost no help at all from our fathers), being a wildly successful woman who owned two employment agencies in Chicago in the '60s and '70s, gorgeous, ambitious and driven - she made it ALL ON HER OWN. Never once do I remember my mother even hinting at the thought of going on welfare (she just ran out and got another job), or applying for food stamps or any other government assistance. And my mother never did drugs, smoked, or drank her problems away. She suffered in silence and kept on going. She taught me the most valuable lesson in life - that you're only as weak as you convince yourself you are.

She just chuckled and agreed: 'That's true, but not many people have it in them to go through all that and survive.' After having left the corporate world in the late '70s, she embarked on a spiritual journey that led her to study all aspects of the spiritual world - philosophy, religions of the Far East, yoga, meditation - and is now one of the greatest mediums and teachers of meditation the world has ever known. She's got an enviable library, having read hundreds of books; she's a great artist, gardener and grandmother of... well... we lost count... Now each of the flowers in her garden become paintings and in those paintings are her children and grandchildren and the colors from the prism are new and those she has expanded upon beyond anything words could ever describe.

She's my hero. www.elizabethbaron.com

Celeb-Reality Check

2008-08-13T00:13:00.003-04:00

Showbiz Tonight has done it again! They're experts at one thing: lowering the standards of America. They consistently report on made-up scenarios designed to suggest ideas as truths that are not only false, but twisted and almost perverted. They rarely focus on actual news and facts; instead of entertaining us with celebrity news, they fill their hollow hour by interviewing publicist speculators who offer their opinions and hypotheticals - rarely offering any substantive reality. It's no wonder lawyers are getting rich and the actual celebrities they're talking about are fed up!

Tonight they hit rock bottom suggesting that three celebrities - Oprah, Angelina Jolie and Paris Hilton - actually may influence the presidential race! I was appalled listening to a puppet/talking head from The Britto Agency trying to convince the ST audience that Oprah is a "global voice" with massive influence; and that Paris Hilton is well versed! We all know who these celebrities are and any sensible person knows that these people are the LAST ones to go to for advice on anything relative to practical existence in America.

All I can say is that people of all races, creeds, colors and religions need to band together from this day forward and vow to curb their television viewing, shut out this kind of influence and brainwashing, and start thinking for themselves. What kind of person would ask Oprah Winfrey what book to read? Having been so incredibly rich and famous most of her life, she's so far out of touch with most of us; there's no way she could possibly be able to empathize with ANY of us, much less be able to tell us what to read! How could she possibly understand our problems, much less be able to choose a candidate for us?

It's the same with sports figures. Many consider them to be "heroes" - but they're not; they're athletes with special abilities. Heroes are those men and women who are sacrificing their lives so we can live free in America. Heroes are scientists that are working day and night to find cures for diseases. Heroes are those who give of themselves unselfishly that others may live fruitful lives.

Celebrities should be just that - people who got famous for one reason or another - not who tell us how to live our lives and especially not who to vote for! Americans need to break the spell of these marketing magicians by turning off and tuning out and reprioritizing their lives to include what really matters most: family, friends, home and love.

Purposeful Walks

2008-08-08T14:22:00.004-04:00

Forrest Gump may have taken off across America "for no particular reason," but we all remember how his cross-country run inspired so many people along the way - interpreting his reasoning as they may.

Similarly, on May 26, 2008 Keela Carr began a 2,700-mile walk from Barstow, California to Arlington with a laptop computer and some clothes, her few remaining possessions. She sold her home, furniture and everything, to have enough money for the trip across the country. "I wanted to do something extremely personal," Miss Carr said after visiting injured veterans at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Northwest. She stayed at hotels during the beginning of her walk, but said she began making connections with strangers who heard about her mission. Many of them took her into their homes and fed her. Miss Carr arrived at Walter Reed on Wednesday with her Aunt Rochelle Narain who was driving alongside Miss Carr when she collapsed just outside the military hospital. [more...]

In 1930, Mahatma Gandhi (age 61) set out on his famous "Salt March" as an act of civil disobedience by defying the salt laws - 241 miles in 24 days. He was a shrewd politician with incredible marketing skills and made sure the worldwide media covered the event. Events at each village were scheduled and publicized in Indian and foreign press. Upon arriving at the seashore, Gandhi raised a lump of salty mud and declared, "With this, I am shaking the foundations of the British Empire." He then boiled it in seawater, producing illegal salt. Today the Salt March is acknowledged the world over as the one event that shook the British Empire to its core.

Kim Denmark of Dayton, Ohio walked across America with the goal of dramatizing the need for change as it relates to welfare reform, homelessness and poverty.

Since April 14th, Will Buchanan and his wife have been walking coast-to-coast across the country, from Oregon to New Hampshire 'on a quest to gain more freedom for our country by spreading the message of freedom and liberty along the way.'

Stuart Hamilton and Dave Toolan crossed the U.S. on foot. Why? Why not? Just to leave things behind and head off in the direction of things they'd never seen before - to take in the scenery and experience and see new things. In 2006 they walked 2,000 miles from Delaware to Kansas City. In May 2007, they rejoined the American Discovery Trail in Kansas City and headed west to Point Reyes in California - a distance of over 3,000 miles.

Steve Vaught made the decision to walk across America to lose weight and regain control of his life. "I decided to attempt something so radical because somewhere along the line I’d lost control; I'd lost myself. In life, I transformed from a skinny boy, to a fit U.S. Marine and ended up an obese man, approaching middle age and it was obvious that I was no longer able to cope with the course my life had taken." He lost the weight and rediscovered his dignity and life purpose.

Walking is the "perfect exercise" and those who take their daily walks seriously and walk their dogs regularly reap the rewards of the wonderful benefits that result. It really allows you the time to clear your head and think straight.

Self-Responsibility in America

2008-07-25T15:43:00.005-04:00

I just watched a segment on CNN that told the story of a librarian who, knowing full well that she couldn't afford it, took out two mortgages to buy a home. Not surprisingly, she hasn't paid her mortgage in a year and now her house is going into foreclosure. They tried to blame the guy who gave her the loan. They tried to blame the developer and everyone else while she stood there on camera admitting she couldn't afford the two loans in the first place and casually chuckled as the reporter interviewed her about it - as though she had nothing to be ashamed of.

A few days ago I heard an ad on the radio with a woman cheerfully exclaiming how she'd gone into debt and now has found a company that helped her clear her debt by reducing it to thirty cents on the dollar. Who had to pay for her irresponsible behavior?

There's a documentary that's been making its rounds on cable TV called 'Maxed Out' - where they blame credit card companies and everyone else, including the President, for the bad decisions of irresponsible customers. Here is their description of the film:

'Maxed Out' takes viewers on a journey deep inside the American style of debt, where things seem fine as long as the minimum monthly payment arrives on time. With coverage that spans from small American towns all the way to the White House, the film shows how the modern financial industry really works, explains the true definition of "preferred customer" and tells us why the poor are getting poorer while the rich keep getting richer. Hilarious, shocking and incisive, 'Maxed Out' paints a picture of a national nightmare which is all too real for most of us.

There's nothing hilarious about it. It's just plain sad.

When are people going to start accepting responsibility for their own behavior? Credit management should be a requirement in high school - that you don't get a diploma without first passing a rigorous course in how to manage your own personal finances, checking accounts, credit cards, investments and savings. And, of course, it begins with the examples set by parents; it is imperative to teach our children to be disciplined and responsible with their money.
In this day and age when you've got the government bailing out Bear, Fannie & Freddie and everyone else on planet earth, it's time for a new trend.

What Not to Wear

2008-07-09T23:31:00.006-04:00

I've recommended this program to more people than I can recall. Mostly women. But almost everybody who wants to make an impression and change their lives for the better needs to watch this show.

'What Not to Wear' not only encourages people to dress appropriately, it teaches people how to tap in to their own personal style from within - whether it's for professional purposes or just going to the grocery store. And they don't stop at clothes. They transform the person all around - mentally, physically and eventually ... spiritually.

Look around... your local high school is filled with girls walking around in belly shirts and hip-huggers that reveal almost everything... not to mention the tattoos and piercings. 'What Not to Wear' teaches these women to dress properly... and yet stylishly and sexy without being trashy.

They take these girls who are dressed like total hookers and make them into respectable professionals, mothers, homemakers, and career women - then, transplant them back into their lives - only better and smarter.

...and these fashion experts are notably conservative in this day and age. They answer the questions that a lot of people just don't have the answers to...

How to dress properly for my body type and how to buy nice clothes

They really teach women to go back to the modesty that once was so wonderful about being a woman, instead of the trashy way most of the celebs reveal themselves and how they're EXPECTED to show so much skin... and how they influence regular women and girls to do the same.

Here are some great 'What Not to Wear' quotes:

After 25, hemlines are an issue.

You'd be a knock-out if you were polished.

We need to address quality and fit.

Why is nothing hugging your curves correctly?

Age appropriate and flattering.

Synthetic animal prints are like a polyester petting zoo exploding.

Tube tops no more!

There's no way you can go outdoors in this outfit ever again!

This is not the way a successful woman dresses.

We just want you to dress the way a successful grown-up woman dresses.

Go out and find colour, just keep it simple and cover up.

We want the people to see the outfit after they see you.

Girls MUST wear bras... and keep the 'girls' up where they're supposed to be.

Invest in more expensive pieces; everybody needs a perfect pair of black pants. This will carry you through years from now.

Less skin: classic staples.

Flashy, skimpy, tight and bright - NO!

Sexy in a cool, modern, feminine way.

You've chosen a fabric that's a silk that comes away from the body.

We're not seeing too much.

Look how great the butt looks because of the rich fabric!

It's about going for slightly higher quality fabric so you can wear it for a long time.

Below the knee... we don't get any tummy... the hips look flawless. You can do fitted, not skin-tight. The idea is to make you look in-charge, powerful.

They realize you're giving them a haircut and not a lap dance (to a stylist).

This show is more conservative than MOST of the fashion movement, which is refreshing today. They actually chastise their subjects when they are bad influences on their kids.

You know as well as I do how important image is... and most Hollywood celebs are portraying images that are slutty and trashy; yet Stacy & Clinton discourage stripper- and hooker-ware... and encourage sophisticated, stylish and "COVERED UP."

No more spaghetti straps!! (for most women who are in need of a good, supportive bra)

If there had been a Sephora, Carmindy and What Not to Wear when I was in my 20s, I would have been much more successful!

Movie Night in Bryant Park

2008-07-03T21:01:00.004-04:00

It was a lovely, balmy hot Manhattan summer night last Monday. I'd been to an event in Midtown and decided to walk back to Penn Station instead of taking a cab. I was wandering down Fifth Avenue, passed the NY Public Library, and turned on 40th Street where I came upon a gorgeous expanse surrounded by greenery and skyscrapers. There was an outdoor café and a large screen that reminded me of a drive-in theatre. It was Monday night in Bryant Park - an outdoor film fest of sorts where thousands gather to watch old movies. The massive crowd was scattered about the Great Lawn on blankets with picnic baskets and coolers awaiting the Monday night movie - "Hud" w/Paul Newman. The girls in the audience actually would scream when he appeared on the screen like it was the '50s! I sat at a quaint little white table cloth-covered table surrounded by colourful flowers at a rooftop café and had some wonderful guacamole... what a night! Simple, fun, American.

My Ode to Bill Gates & Windows

2008-06-27T13:25:00.004-04:00

Bill Gates may be signing off at Microsoft, but he'll never be forgotten... at least not by me. I've heard so many wonderful things about him over the years - especially how he treated his employees, never forgetting those who helped him up the ladder of success. That's rare. I applaud him and pay tribute to him here in my blog for giving me the opportunity to be a successful businessperson by creating wonderful tools that have changed our culture immeasurably. Thanks, Bill! Here is my ode to Windows...

Windows

Oh, how I love Windows! Each day when I awaken, I thank God Bill Gates was born to invent the windows that speed my day along. Windows set me free - I can open and close them, minimize and reduce them, widen them, fill them, empty them, and more... They're windows on the world, to peer into the Net; research, learn, imagine, expound, earn a living, communicate, play... My Windows allow me to smile, talk, write, laugh, express myself, create sites to exhibit my art - like no gallery could ever do for me. I can open a window and hear a song; and my Windows let me play my songs for others. My Windows open up the Net so I can play Canasta with a guy in Brazil or a girl in Australia, or check out my sister's photography in Charleston, or see my friend's garden in Chicago, or I can walk through my Mom's online gallery to view her latest oil painting. My Windows make me what I am. I open a window and a new template, create a press release and in ten minutes a thousand producers across the nation know all about my clients. They open a window, see my message, e-mail me, call me -- and lives are changed. People are heard. It's a ripple effect. Windows, when clean, illuminate, educate, create, relate... create debate.

Living in the Here and Now

2008-06-20T22:20:00.002-04:00

WATCH... Follow your dreams! Live spontaneously for the HERE and NOW.

Dave and Jaja Martin spent seven years sailing around the world aboard their 25-foot boat. Dave purchased the boat in 1985, gutted her to a bare hull, and then went to work beefing up the structure. He glassed in stringers, added keel floors and extra bulkheads, and then re-designed and re-built the interior. "I built a new rudder, re-stayed the mast, built a smaller cockpit, and then christened her with a bottle of warm Bud in an effort to get the mood right for the intended circumnavigation" is the way Dave puts it. He met Jaja shortly after starting his cruise in St. John and they finally got together in the UK. They were both 25 when they left England on their circumnavigation. From England they headed West to the Caribbean, via the Cape Verde Islands. They were married in Barbados, then transited the Panama Canal, visited the Galapagos; and did the usual trip through the South Pacific, spending several seasons in Australia, New Zealand, and the nearby cruising paradise to the north. A trip through the Torres Straits, Indonesia, and then across the Indian Ocean had them rounding South Africa before arriving back in the Caribbean and then the States in 1995. Along the way they had two children and then a third was born at the end of the voyage. The Martin family set sail again in 1997 on their 33-footer and have spent time in the Bahamas, Bermuda, Iceland, the Faroes, Northern Scotland, Norway, Greenland, and Newfoundland. [more...]

Music Touching My Soul

2008-06-11T12:21:00.004-04:00

I listen to all kinds of music and keep my mind open to the many wonderful ways in which artists express themselves musically. However, I haven't been moved to tears by a song in quite some time. But it's happened twice in the past week... and, boy, did it feel good!

***Talk to Me, in which the wonderful actor Don Cheadle plays Washington, D.C. radio personality Ralph "Petey" Greene, an ex-con who became a popular talk show host and community activist in the '60s is an excellent bio-drama. The scene just after MLK's death where you hear Sam Cooke's 'A Change is Gonna Come' wafting over the airwaves, soothing the pain of the masses, is so glorious, it makes you want to stand up and shout to the mountaintops! I loved all the Sly & the Family Stone songs and the great version of 'Tainted Love' by Gloria Jones. The soundtrack, however, is lacking, so it takes a little research to find all the songs that were in the film, but it's well worth the effort.

***Once, is described as the story of "a serendipitous meeting on the streets of Dublin between a down-on-his-luck Irish street performer and a poor Czech immigrant which sparks a bond that plays out in this modern day music film. 'Once' follows the two as they write, rehearse, and record the songs that reveal their unique love story." It sure brought back memories of my songwriting days and the thrill of recording in a studio. I knew just how they felt - the magic, the harmonies, the great sense of exhilaration and accomplishment to have unleashed a spark of light from the music touching my soul.

This movie is so poignant and sweet a romance; and the songs are soul-stirring and intense featuring the wonderful talents of Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová placed front and center as the characters of the 'boy' and 'girl.' Listen to the soundtrack. I cried during the scene where they were recording 'When Your Mind's Made Up' when the engineer smiled, as he realized this motley bunch of street urchins had just created magic. The first time the boy and girl collaborate in the music store ('Falling Slowly') is so real and true... and when the girl is walking down the street listening to his CD demo, crafting the lyrics to 'If You Want Me' reminded me of a hundred times that I'd written songs at odd moments when the muse inspired. ...made me want to hear all that Czech Republic-born Markéta Irglová and Frames frontman Glen Hansard ever create.

Sidewalk Cafes & More... Pt. I

2008-05-31T19:03:00.009-04:00

This is my collection of the cafes and table & chairs...

So inviting, delightful and evocative of my time at the sidewalk cafes in France.

I was about 4 or 5 here with my brother and stepmother in France.

A gorgeous white table cloth table with chairs at the Milleridge Inn, NY...

I loved that photograph so much, I painted it...

I love this quiet little corner table at the famous
Elaine's in NYC - where they filmed my favourite movie, "Manhattan"

Here is a sidewalk café in Shelter Island, NY

I just had to paint it!

Here are my sidewalk cafe photos on Flickr.

More to come...

Good Night Sweet Princes

2008-05-29T23:03:00.006-04:00

Sydney Pollack - I was talking to a friend about Sydney Pollack just a few days ago and then when I arrived home late that night, got the news that he'd passed away. I'd been thinking about his many roles, his incredible range, his unusual contribution to the film industry. I'd always enjoyed him - even saw him just recently in a foreign film. He was not only a director, producer, actor and writer, but served two years in the Army, you'll notice him in many various screen roles, and his name in the credits of many films over the past 40+ years.

Harvey Korman - What a funny man... and I always thought of him as kind of sexy, too! His was a wonderful American life. Korman, the tall, versatile comedian who won four Emmys for his outrageously funny contributions to "The Carol Burnett Show" and played a conniving politician to hilarious effect in "Blazing Saddles," died Thursday. It's ironic, because my April 4 blog featured him - I'd been inspired by an interview I'd seen with Tim Conway on the Catholic Channel... and now one of the greatest funny men of American history is gone - as is the golden age of comedy.

Digital Nourishment

2008-05-23T10:21:00.006-04:00

An artist constantly seeks and thrives on the use of new media in order to inspire a fresh approach to her modern works. I, myself, thrive on digital nourishment - the Internet and HD TV. I've enjoyed watching Gallery HD's 'Art Star' - a show that gives eight unknown painters, sculptors, video artists and photographers the chance to blossom in their own way. And 'Concrete Canvas' - where artists "transform pavement in cities around the world" into great 3-D works of art. They also have a series of shows that challenges three artists to create a work similar to a great master (Hopper, Cezanne, et. al.), but in a new setting. And they broadcast a wonderful documentary on Vermeer, whose use of the camera obscura is fascinating. Another interesting person that they interviewed was Lorna Simpson - an artist and photographer who made her name in the '80s and '90s.

Featured Artist: Tamara Lance is a marvelously gifted and imaginative artist whose photography and graphic manipulations are a sight to behold. She's very adept at Illustrator and PhotoShop techniques, but also works with traditional media. Tamara is a poet, a painter and photog-extraordinaire of abandoned sites and buildings as well as distressed objects that personify lives once lived. She's created many a series, but each work is important as a standalone piece of art. Her portfolio is explosive with intense moods, irony and emotion in the subjects she chooses to analyze and re-define. Her photographs transport the viewer to a space where they may experience the life-still-living in the ghosts of the past. The asylums she's photographed are particularly alarming as literal portraits of forgotten souls. But my favourite photos are her angels, the abandoned churches, and that wonderful picture of a brokedown piano and the sheet music that once brought its keys to life. She also designs jewelry, creates wildly original posters, and is a hilarious cartoonist (I should know! She's been making fun of me for YEARS!) Her self-portraits document the growth of an artist over more than ten years; they're riveting, yet add that touch of humour and irony that is intrinsic to her personality. At such a young age, her oeuvre is impressive, as she has managed to amass quite an eclectic portfolio, which is haunting yet humorous, evocative, and just plain fun! This is an up-and-coming artist to keep your eye on! more...

I've really enjoyed collaborating with Tami on some of my recent digi-food photos. My local sushi chefs laugh at me all the time when I photograph my dinner... I tell them I e-mail the photos to my sister and she makes them into works of art. You can view some of our recent collaborations on her MySpace page... and here's her Las Vegas roll, from my photo... and there are more of her vector illustrations of sushi on her Shutterstock gallery.

Green Logic

2008-05-11T23:01:00.006-04:00

Everything in our culture and especially corporate America is suddenly turning green. Everywhere you look, is a new green version of old logos, green ads, green this, green that... I say we need to stop looking at the so-called "Green" campaign as something new and different and faddish, but see it for what it is: a political campaign. This campaign going on in America is trying very hard to rear its ugly head into our checkbooks by convincing us that we need to do something to contribute other than use our brains and simply 'think globally, acting locally.' "Carbon Credits" and "Your Carbon Footprint" are brainwashing gimmicks invented to make us feel guilty for living on earth.

Don't be fooled by the "Greens" (especially rich celebrities who ride around in private jets, but want you to turn off your air-conditioners) who are trying to convince us that we need to move away from capitalism. America was built on consumerism and has always been a leading, productive capitalistic society. We can be productive and environmentally conscious at the same time. You don't need an SUV if you're a single person or only have a couple of kids! It's pure logic!

Forget about nuts like Sheryl Crow who had the nerve to propose "a limitation be put on how many squares of toilet paper can be used in any one sitting" and perhaps "just washing that one square out." She doesn't seem to want to pass a law, just humiliate us into obedience. I'm all for ecology, nonviolence and social justice, but these kinds of nuts are taking things too far... and getting a lot of publicity in the process. Don't think they're doing it for free.

We shouldn't try to educate ourselves about how to save the environment from ill-informed shills like Leonardo DiCaprio, Barbra Streisand or Al Gore (who while in office for eight years did NOTHING to help the environment) or advertisements showcasing scared and confused Americans, including children and senior citizens, wondering about the coming apocalypse caused by global warming.

Read what the Founder of The Weather Channel, John Coleman, says about it HERE ...and what's happened to what used to be the wonderful TWC since.

I don't know about you, but I've been recycling long before it ever became mandatory. I actually had bins in my humble one-bedroom apartment years ago (in the '80s) and dragged them to the recycling plant every couple of weeks... and back then, it was VERY inconvenient... but I considered it a worthwhile endeavor - my contribution to keeping this earth of ours clean. I attended the first Earth Day rallies and have always been very concerned about the consequences of our actions on this planet.

But it's a problem with a logical solution - if everyone does their share, we won't have the problems over which these so-called "Green" campaigns are stirring up all this confusion. We don't have to pay more or buy strange (EXPENSIVE) little light bulbs that are more trouble than they're worth. We just all need to do our share to conserve and not be so lazy about it. Turn the lights off when you're not using them. Don't run the A/C or turn up the heat when no one's home. AND DON'T LITTER!

I get so mad when I see people littering, even tossing a cigarette butt on the ground or out the windows of their cars. It's just plain lazy, rude and inconsiderate - and it should be a crime. I agree with the Vatican, which fifteen hundred years after the Roman Catholic Church introduced the original list of seven deadly sins, has now updated the roster for a new age. "You offend God not only by stealing, blaspheming or coveting your neighbor's wife, but also by ruining the environment ... and technology is a blessing, but it can also be a danger. Take pollution, for example - it's a variation of the original mortal sin of gluttony or selfishness. Protecting the environment, after all, comes from the Bible's book of Genesis: God created the world and placed man in it to thrive and not destroy. But the population explosion and the production of extremely toxic materials make the stakes much higher.

One of the worst things I've seen lately are seagulls in fast food parking lots picking up trash with their beaks, looking for food. I felt so sad that some jerk was so thoughtless as to toss his or her bag of trash out of the car instead of walking a few feet more to the nearest trashcan.

A local grocery store manager stood before me tonight challenging me for complaining about all the garbage and cigarette butts I had to wade through to get through the front door of the store. He had the nerve to tell me how many so-called compliments he'd been getting on the cleanliness of the store. Meanwhile, there were pieces of trash right where he stood and a big long track of juice on the floor by the checkouts - all the way out the door. And the produce section looked dangerously vile. Yet he didn't have the decency to even address the issue, but chose rather to make all kinds of excuses while his lazy teenaged 'staff' just stood there not doing their jobs. It's not the first time I complained about all the trash - the first guy assured me something would be done about it... yet today that store and parking lot are trashier than ever!

If we can't even clean up our own yards and sidewalks or do our jobs, if we turn a blind eye to situations like these, things WILL get worse. The earth is wonderfully regenerative, as is the human body. Treat the earth like it's your own body and we'll all be healthier and happier.

Newt Gingrich in New York

2008-05-03T13:07:00.006-04:00

I was thrilled to be able to see Fmr. Speaker Newt Gingrich and his co-author, William R. Forstchen at the Book Revue in Huntington, NY last Tuesday talking about their new book in the WWII series, Days of Infamy. It was an amazing experience listening to Mr. Forstchen talking about his collaboration with Newt and their methods of research. He told stories in bone-chilling detail about (their research for the previous book, Pearl Harbor) going deep into the hull of a capsized ship from WWII and how the sailors' bones were found years later... and how being a pilot and flying some of the actual WWII planes, and walking the Civil War battlefields, helped him to be the great historian he is today.

It was really interesting to hear both he and Newt describe how they're able to get together and write these series of books, logistically as well as the meeting of minds. Newt's extensive experience working with world leaders, coupled with Mr. Forstchen's expertise in military history makes this a winning match and there are many more books to come - they make us want to learn more about American history!

But the eye-opening part of the evening was hearing Newt Gingrich speaking about a nuclear holocaust and how desperately we need to rebuild our sorely lacking Homeland Security Dept. It was frightening to hear what he had to say about the very real possibility of another strike on America. I asked him, "What do you attribute to the fact that we haven't been hit since 9/11?" to which he replied, candidly, "I don't know," and then went on to explain how unprotected we really are. But he did say, all the mistakes of the G.W. Bush Administration aside, a very different history will be written about this man many years from now, which is something I've always believed.

Newt is about solutions and though I believe he'd make a great president, I think he certainly is effective as a private citizen. He's a real national treasure. Here's a cute YouTube video Newt made.

Speaking of the threat of terrorism on American soil, I'm presently reading an amazing book by my friend, Brigitte Gabriel. Every American needs to read this book! Because They Hate: A Survivor of Islamic Terror Warns America is the true story of how she survived Islamic hatred and attacks growing up in Lebanon and is now on a passionate crusade in her adoptive country, America, to warn us all that the same thing could happen to us if we don't wake up to the reality of the very real threat living amongst us all. More on this later...

Respect Your Elders

2008-04-20T15:25:00.008-04:00

On this historic occasion of the Papal visit to New York, I felt inspired to write about an aspect of our culture so often neglected - listening to and learning from our elders. One of the most wonderful things I saw come out of the Pope's wondrous journey was shown on the Catholic Channel, Telecare: a busload of children reflecting on having seen the Pope and how they'd been deeply touched by him. They were enthusiastically expressing how they'd never forget seeing him for the rest of their lives. I hoped they regarded the elders in their own midst with the same respect and awe.

It's been a long time since I felt any sense of Holy presence in New York, but watching the Pope pleading with God to bring "peace to our violent world," I could feel a great sense of spiritual weather emanating from the sky - like a spring rain cleaning the dirty air. He greatly moved the 9/11 victims' families at Ground Zero at what he called the "scene of incredible violence and pain" - and thus began the long overdue healing process for acute sorrow that just won't subside.

"God of peace, bring your peace to our violent world," the Pope prayed. "Turn to your way of love those whose hearts and minds are consumed with hatred."

On TV, at the same time, they were calling him a "Pope of great empathy" who'd known much pain and loss in his own life. The Holy Father is, after all, one of our elders and we all should respect his knowledge and experience and learn from him - no matter what our religion. This is a great Pope whose mission in life is to heal the masses and especially all the pain caused by the criminal priests of his own church. What he's doing is the most important work on Earth - spreading love, healing and peace throughout the world and, this week, thankfully, in America.

The Holy Father is truly an inspiration to all races, creeds, faiths and religions - a real universal symbol of Christ on Earth. He may be the only one who could have brought such hope to the victims' families of 9/11 or of the sexual abuse by degenerate priests; he minced no words, put on no airs - only reflected great sincerity and love, actually apologizing and promising to hold the bishops accountable. He is truly spreading God's light by using his life experience to teach us all about the ways of the world.

If our society valued the advice of our elders and listened to and learned from their wisdom, much in the same way as the Pope's messages are being analyzed and heeded - as well as inspiring - the enrichment of our culture would be immeasurable. But instead, many in America today look up to train-wreck idiots in the media who are pathetic human specimens; they emulate their bad behavior and perpetuate the downward spiral of the condition of our culture.

The older we all get, the more we seem to worship at the altar of youth. The elderly are neglected by those who should love them, bullied and patronized by those who should serve them, and exploited by those who should care for them. Our society has failed to tap the great resource of their wisdom. It doesn't matter how skilled they are or how much knowledge they have to impart; these days if you look old, you're put out to pasture. The average age of the population rises steadily; the older generations have more power at election time, are enjoying better health and are more affluent, yet the worship of youth continues and is reinforced daily by the media's fixation on making us all feel desperate to be younger, thinner and more attractive.

We used to venerate old age and experience. Winston Churchill didn't pack it in as Prime Minister until he was in his 80s. You will recollect that President Reagan took over as President - aged almost 70 - and stayed in office for two terms. He was popular and robust, even surviving an assassination attempt.

As vital members of our community, our elders deserve respect and honor, not neglect or humiliation. They possess life experience (both positive and negative) that can help others. "How far you go in life," taught George Washington Carver, "depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong - because someday in life, you will have been all of these."

Making fun of aging has always been a source of entertainment in comedy. Bob Hope, born in 1903 and still a star in the '80s, said, "I don't feel old. I don't feel anything until noon, and then it's time for my nap."

"I was always taught to respect my elders and I've now reached the age when I don't have anybody to respect," said comedian George Burns a few days short of his 100th birthday.

But what of the rest of us? Who do we have to respect? Respect is the idea that a person or idea deserves to be treated well. For example, treating one's elders with respect - as envisioned by the Ten Commandments - involves honoring those with more experience and wisdom. Respecting elders is a component of the teachings of almost every culture through the ages. And elder wisdom was the thread that held everyone together.

Today it's seen as a joke ... yet it's an untapped resource we should all consume in abundance.

The Golden Age of Comedy

2008-04-04T16:37:00.013-04:00

I've always loved comedy. I remember when I was a kid laughing myself silly to the wonderful skits on The Carol Burnett Show - with Harvey Korman and Tim Conway - especially when Harvey could not contain himself and inevitably always burst into laughter watching his wonderful costar, Tim Conway playing the old man, the dentist and many other hilarious characters. I always loved him as the boss opposite Carol Burnett's dim-witted secretary who could never stop filing her nails long enough (pun! ha!) to figure out the intercom system from office to office. Or Carol's nagging Zelda with her husband George... how many times my brother and I put on skits imitating them to entertain our parents!

Tim Conway recently did an interview for a show on Telecare - the Catholic Channel - where he described his feelings about the Golden Age of Comedy versus today's comedy, which, as we know, is like day and night. He expressed the anxiety he experiences watching TV today with his grandkids and how embarrassing it is for him because of all the profanity, sexuality, etc. He said he just doesn't watch TV most of the time because you never know how far they'll go.

My favourite type of comedy has always been slapstick. One of the great masters of slapstick comedy is Dick Van Dyke. His wonderful show with Mary Tyler Moore came before my time, but I really enjoyed watching it in reruns when I was a kid and loved the clever, creative humour of that show. He was obviously inspired by the great grandfather of comedy, Charlie Chaplin, whose films are still so fresh and fun to watch today. I never tire of Modern Times (1936), The Gold Rush (1925) or The Kid (1921). I've always loved silent films and especially the silent clowns; they've always been a passion of mine and I studied them for years - from Buster Keaton to the talented Laurel and Hardy.

As a youth, I was passionate about vaudeville and studied the entire history of theatre and the lives of the vaudevillians from the turn of the 20th century through silent pictures to talkies. And, of course, there was the incomparable Mae West - one of the greatest comediennes of the 20th century who wrote all her own material for movies and stage!

I was also a huge Jerry Lewis fan as a kid and watched all of his movies over and over, laughing so hard; I thought I'd die. And, wow! Is laughter good for my soul! One of my favourite movies, other than the original The Nutty Professor (1963) was The Patsy (1964) - an all but forgotten but truly hilarious movie. I stayed up with Jerry all night for years watching his telethon... until it became so obnoxiously commercial that it wasn't fun anymore.

As I matured, I grew to love Woody Allen and his films. He taught me just how beautiful life can really be. When I was a youth, I just wanted to be a character in one of his movies - go to New York and marry him. My dream was to go to Elaine's and sit in that corner table, just like in the movie, Manhattan (1979). The first time I saw the uproarious film, Sleeper (1973) was a real experience for me - I thought I'd never laughed so hard... and I grew to love all of Woody Allen's great movies throughout the years; however, I still laugh out loud at his early comedies, such as Bananas (1971, Play It Again, Sam (1972), Love and Death (1975) and, in the '80s, Broadway Danny Rose (1984).

I'm sure my favourite comedian of recent years, Jim Carrey, learned a thing or two from these greats. Another very versatile actor who truly captured the idea of tragic-comedy and whose slapstick eclipsed just about every comedian who ever walked the earth, Jim Carrey's movies, such as The Mask (1994), Liar Liar (1997), and the characters he made famous on In Living Color were a sight to behold. That show was almost as great as the first Saturday Night Live with the original cast (never to be equaled) - John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, Steve Martin, Bill Murray, et al.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm no prude. But, as a rule, I'm not too crazy about bathroom humor or off-coloured jokes, but I love AbFab, (Absolutely Fabulous) and watched every episode! I recently saw Doug Stanhope's cable special, which was filled with a lot of political humour, and thought he was very talented and entertaining. And it's a shame about Mitch Hedberg, who died too young. He was such a wonderful talent! I know they were all influenced by the late great George Carlin who I remember gave me such a laugh as a youth.

I don't care for loudmouth comedians who are so egotistical and full of themselves, such as Jack Black, Will Ferrell, Chris Farley, Kathy Griffin, Andy Kaufman, Richard Pryor, Chris Rock, Sarah Silverman, and others who are crass, rude and arrogant. Though I do like the recent works of Ricky Gervais and Russell Brand and find them quite charming.

They could all learn a thing or two from the great Jackie Mason who's currently finishing up his latest run on Broadway, hosts his own radio show and YouTube site, and stays current with the times politically and has never grown stale. He's a friend and a mentor and one of the best in the business! Like him, radio talk show host, actor and comedian, Dennis Miller's political and social commentary remains witty, smart and entertaining.

Jack Lemmon was my favourite actor all the time I was growing up. I remember reading his biography when I was a teenager and being so in love with him. He was a truly versatile actor - skilled at both comedy and drama. But I loved How to Murder Your Wife (1965) the most and wanted to grow up to be the character (Stanley Ford and his cartoon character Bash Brannigan!) in that movie played by Jack Lemmon and I loved the butler played by Terry-Thomas. What a character!

My Dad's generation influenced me to appreciate and admire the sweet clown, Red Skelton, Bob Hope, Jackie Gleason and The Honeymooners, the marathons of which I still watch during the holidays. What pros they were and the slapstick was side-splitting. Like Peter Sellers who was so comical in The Pink Panther (1963) and A Shot in the Dark (1964); I still get tickled to death at his pratfalls as though I'm watching them for the first time every time.

In this day and age, we all need to stop and enjoy some good clean humor - it's healthy and invigorating. It makes you feel good and there's nothing like a good laugh.

Mystic-Art Miscellany

2008-03-28T15:11:00.003-04:00

Featured Artist:
Bec Stupak - A fun artist to watch - colourful, lively and full of energy! Meet the girl behind the coolest hair you've ever seen. Bec is the epitome of the amazing life that waits for you if you follow your heart. She left a boring corporate job to be an artist full time. Today she leads a very colorful life traveling all over the world and having lots of fun. She says she defines herself as someone who is brave, creative, fierce, and passionate enough to follow her dreams... See her installation Radical Earth Magic Flower and her YouTube video. More...

Recommended Site:
NewYorkCool.com on the Arts

Recommended DVD:
Henri Cartier-Bresson: The Impassioned Eye (2003) - If you want to study photography, Henri Cartier-Bresson is a good place to start. This documentary is a wonderful, evocative biography of the man considered to be the greatest photographer of the last century. Cartier-Bresson’s life reads like a history of the century – World War II, China, Egypt, Mexico, India, Sartre, Matisse, Gandhi (minutes before he was assassinated) and Cuba all became subjects of his famous "decisive moment" style. Interviews with Cartier-Bresson, Isabelle Huppert, Arthur Miller and other luminaries are woven into this indelible portrait of an icon of both photography and the world.

Recommended TV:
HBO's Miniseries - John Adams Starring Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney - Giamatti and Linney are sublime! It'll inspire you to learn more about the U.S. and our founding mothers and fathers.
HBO's Series: In Treatment - As they say, addicting! This is an intense show to watch, very emotional and moving. Almost anyone will be able to relate to the doctor and his patients.

Avoid Like the Plague:
TMZ.com - pathetic in its depiction of the daily lives of celebrities. This guy, Harvey Levin, pays paparazzo to follow so-called celebrities and then they all sit around ridiculing them on this show. "Who did more damage to entertainment reporting in 2007 than Harvey Levin?... he and his gutter operation… almost singlehandedly transformed Hollywood entertainment reporting into a gutter-level street battle fueled by self-hatred, jealousy and anger, with no concern for what once determined greatness, excellence or fame…"

CNN Headline News' Showbiz Tonight - The anchors are so self-righteous and holier-than-thou and pretend to be experts on anything and everything in their nightly analysis of the lives of people whom they do not know. Their wild speculation and airing of gossip and rumors are ruining our society and though a lot of the people they talk about bring this kind of thing upon themselves, it's not fair that these talking heads make a living sitting around chit-chatting about personal lives as though they know what's going on and especially the way they act like they're above it all.

For a Laugh: Silliness

The Creative Mind Behind "Possibilities"

2008-03-12T23:29:00.006-04:00

March 12, 2008--The Grammy's did an unexpected thing this year. They awarded Album of the Year to a deserving talent. Herbie Hancock won for River: The Joni Letters, a tribute album - homage to Joni Mitchell. He was up against a hard rock record, a country guy, a rapper and a druggie... Thank heavens someone at the Grammy's came to their senses! His 47th album was released on September 25, 2007 by Verve Records; guest vocalists include Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Tina Turner, Norah Jones, Corinne Bailey Rae and Luciana Souza.

But Herbie has created such magic all throughout his career. In 2005, an intimate documentary was filmed about POSSIBILITIES - Herbie Hancock and his in-studio collaborations with a dozen formidable pop recording artists, collaborations that explore the unexpected, like jazz improvisations. The film is also about how Herbie’s unique worldview shapes a creative environment that encourages artists to step outside their comfort zones - into a world of creative exploration heretofore unknown.

The documentary opens with Herbie jotting notes on staff paper - the intuitive talent miraculously channeled from paper to fingers to instrument. He states emphatically that to be "pigeon-holed" is the death of creativity. His solution: exploring by collaboration.

POSSIBILITIES follows Herbie Hancock over a year and a half collaborating with musical icons Carlos Santana, Sting, Angelique Kidjo, Annie Lennox and Paul Simon, Christina Aguilera, John Mayer, Trey Anastasio and Jonny Lang as well as Joss Stone, Raul Midon, Damien Rice and Lisa Hannigan.

The film also includes rarely seen archival footage of Herbie with the Miles Davis Quintet in 1962; Herbie’s classic video for “Rockit”; and never-before-seen duets of Herbie playing for peace in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 2005 on the 60th anniversary of the atomic explosions. Hancock said then that he tried to use his music to spread a message of peace and help humanity, and that he intended to continue his efforts at the annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in Hurricane Katrina-ravaged New Orleans.

His ability to marvel at the talent of those he chose to do this documentary with is amazing. "Each artist brings what they want to the table" - he from jazz. Their youth, their connection to the era in which they were born will bring new light, a new sound. "I feel that many of our systems that worked to encourage creativity are being challenged and there's more of an encouragement to stay where you are - don't make a wave. I think the word that captures the spirit of what I believe in and what I'm really about and what I hope to achieve is POSSIBILITIES."

"As children, we have that sense that anything is possible and we have that kind of openness; we're not jaded. The older we get, the more closed in we get, the more frightened we get, the more set in our ways we get because we're afraid of the unknown; whereas as a child, everything is unknown! What a beautiful place to reside in - in your own being - where you still have the wonder of a child."

In The Mystic Artist I wrote: "...artists, more sensitive than the average person, feel or intuit their way into other dimensions - magnetic fields that remain shut to the 'normal' individual. Artists realized the validity of the acausal factor long before physicists began..."

An artist's natural impulse that does not involve logical reasoning, reacting somewhere beneath the conscious level, allows the truest art to blossom from the seeds of the soul. Such quick and ready insight that is child-like, original and without preconceived notions, prejudice or artifice brings forth the most meaningful creations. Federico Fellini couldn't have said it better: "An artist is a child always and sees things with childlike wonder. That is what makes him an artist." The singer interprets a song effortlessly; the painter designs his canvas without mechanical caginess.

Living child-like by instinct and intuition alone is perhaps the most difficult thing to relearn once the harshness of life robs us of our innocence. But awakened intuition is a powerful force; though the fragile bonds of memory must run its natural course. We must search the silence of who we are; and the inward journey through the World of Chance can't be imagined because all at once, part of us is living in the afterlife... especially during childhood.

Recapturing innocence is the only way to truly understand what lies beneath the prisons of who we are, what we've turned out to be. We may relearn such innocence - lost aspects of ourselves - through children who are the only people truly able to live freely by instinct and intuition. "Dreams, imagination, courage and self-confidence - these are what really nourish us," states Robert Fulghum, a teacher and best-selling author. As we pass into adulthood, we lose our most valuable gift - instinct.

"To draw is to look.
To look is to see.
To see is to have vision.
To have vision is to understand.
To understand is to know.
To know is to become.
To become is to live."

We must, each day of our lives, try to LIVE - the way we did as children, the way we lived before we were not yet old enough to know we CANNOT. We are all unique individuals; yet we limit ourselves more and more as time goes by. We've got to go back to the Kindergarten of our lives to re-enable ourselves to channel through intuition, instinct and emotion.

Remember the image we once had of ourselves before we became aware of and conditioned by our own limitations. We must learn from great creative geniuses like Albert Einstein who made incredible breakthroughs in science simply because he did not accept what he had learned as being the absolute and final truth. In fact, he didn't get along in school too well and mostly refused to be taught. He was obliged to go back to the simple, original basics and reformulate from there. In many ways, he was just returning to "the conceptual world of childhood." It was his powerful intuitive wisdom that nudged him to close in on the new solutions the world was waiting for.

* * *

Herbie Hancock expressed it with such purity: "The strongest thing that any human being has going is their own integrity and their own heart. As soon as you start veering away from that, the solidity that you need in order to be able to stand up for what you believe in and deliver what's really inside, it's just not going to be there. So that's one thing. The other thing is to - and this is the advice I try to give to anyone - is forget about trying to copy someone else. Forget about trying to compete with someone else. Create your own pathway. Create your own new vision. There's an infinite number of ways to look at things, so find one that hasn't been done. Or find a way that something hasn't been done. I made a collaborative record. A lot of collaborative records have been done before, but I don't think they've been done like this."

Foreign Films: An Adventure for the American Movie Lover

2008-03-04T15:37:00.004-05:00

March 4, 2008--I'm certainly no expert on foreign films, but I've loved them for a long time and I thought I'd share some of my favourites here with you on my blog. I always consider it to be an adventure to watch a foreign film - a way to exercise my brain, think more, expand my mind. It's like traveling to a foreign country and experiencing a new way of doing things, a new way of life. I've loved many foreign films as much as my favourite American movies and watch them over and over for inspiration.

But for most of us, it's difficult to stray from our 'comfort zone' and we tend to do and watch and eat the same things over and over. So we limit our lives and tend not to experience new things often enough to absorb all that life has to offer. Whenever I watch a foreign film, I feel like I've tasted a new flavor, heard a new song, discovered a new colour, tried a new dish...

The following are my top 20 foreign films... I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

Au revoir les enfants (1987) - always moving!

Avventura, L' (1960) - haunting film noir.

Babettes gæstebud (Babette's Feast) (1987) - The great film from Denmark that is all about the sensual versus the spiritual sides of human nature. It is the story of an exiled French cook/housekeeper, Babette, who serves a pair of devoutly religious, elderly Danish sisters. When she wins a lottery, she asks the sisters if she could spend the money to prepare a Gaelic feast for them and their friends (in honour of their deceased father, the great minister and prophet). She wanted to show her appreciation for them having taken her in after she'd lost her husband and child. All their lives, the two women had worked as humble servants of the Lord, living simple lives, eating simple foods of the earth. On the night the ingredients for the elaborate French dinner arrived, the two humble women had nightmares about overindulgence in food - haunting visions of cows, turtles and wine. They considered the temptation of gluttony to be dangerous, even evil; for they'd been taught that food and drink were only to be taken for nourishment and sustenance.

"The tongue... the tongue, this strange little muscle... has accomplished great and glorious deeds for man... but it is also the source of unleashed evil and deadly poison."

But after the sumptuous meal had been eaten and the two women realized that Babette had spent all her winnings on the feast for them, and was thus doomed to live a life of service in poverty forever, they knew that whatever they had sacrificed in the way of earthly pleasures had been returned to them. Babette tells them, "An artist is never poor." She had, indeed...

"...transformed a dinner into a kind of love affair - a love affair that made no distinction between bodily appetite and spiritual appetite."

Dreams (Akira Kurosawa) (1990) - a rare bird and I love Scorcese as van Gogh!

Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain, Le (2001) - enchanting! This is one movie that is so much fun to watch, you just can't get enough of Amelie! And she teaches you to really love life.

Fauteuils d'orchestre (2006) - also known as Avenue Montaigne, I saw this film the other night and truly enjoyed it. Very arty, fun and exhilarating.

Fellini - Satyricon (1969) ...and all the great Fellini films (too numerous to list here) - incredible, colourful adventures. His films of neo-realism (a movement in filmmaking characterized by the simple, direct depiction of lower-class life) are like wonderful dream sequences. Prior to the making of Juliet of the Spirits, he is said to have attended a séance in which he claims to have seen and spoken to the ghost of his dead father. He used his intuition in order to create; he felt ideas were less important than the feelings. "The world of my imagination is always closer to the truth than is the truth."

Federico Fellini's films are perfect examples of an artist creating scenes that work like dreams "in which some random comment made during the day can set off a resonant and haunting episode while one sleeps." He never dismissed dreams as mere fantasies; instead he allowed the dreamscapes he created to cut to our very souls. Sleepwalking headlong into dream-scenes, landscapes of the mind, our visionary hallucinations may show us a new reality. We become magical realists, surrealists "encouraging our imaginations to romp among the absurd allowing colorful, extravagant, inappropriate elements to invade the flatness of ordinary life."

Laberinto del fauno, El (Pan's Labyrinth) (2006) - I found this film to be so imaginative and creative; I was in awe throughout. It's about the forces of good and evil and life's choices. It was, however, very graphic and violent. A lot of bloodshed, gore, and slime... but really quite beautiful with its balancing contrasts. Hope, faith, trust and the search for truth bring lasting memories. It reminded me of my love for my mother, which was particularly touching. Contrasting beauty: the darkest darks and the lightest lights.

Ladri di biciclette (The Bicycle Thief) (1948) - great classic!

Moskva slezam ne verit (Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears) (1980)

Nóz w wodzie (Knife in the Water) (1962) - one of the masterful film noir works.

Nosferatu: Phantom der Nacht (1979) - one of the greatest vampire movies - filming on location in Germany, Herzog uses dreamlike camera angles, mixing them with a rich color palette and masterful lighting.

Postino, Il (1994) - positively poetic!

The Tango Lesson (1997) - Sally Potter's wonderfully romantic dance film.

Tous les matins du monde (All the Mornings of the World) (1991) - every musician must see this one!

Travolti da un insolito destino nell'azzurro mare d'agosto (1974) - the ORIGINAL 'Swept Away' - funny, wild, relentless...

Ultimo tango a Parigi (1972) - Brando's unforgettable 'Last Tango in Paris.'

Un homme et une femme (A Man and a Woman) (1966) - darkly romantic.

Vita è bella, La (1997) - the great award-winning 'Life is Beautiful.'

Volver took me back to a time long ago... to the days of Audrey Hepburn and Sophia Loren, but with much deeper more genuine acting by the multidimensional Penelope Cruz. At times I was 'lost in translation,' however, it was easy to catch on via the wonderful acting skills of the cast and I was captivated every minute. What a gorgeous film! I haven't enjoyed a movie this much since Frida.

These are some of my favourite films set in foreign countries:

Artemisia (1997)
Chocolat (2000)
Frida (2002)
Lost In Translation (2003)
Moulin Rouge (1952)
Mystery of Picasso, The (1956)
Red Violin, The (1998)
Sophie's Choice (1982)
Stealing Beauty (1996)
Unbearable Lightness of Being, The (1988)

For lots of great movies, check out: My Recommended Films, IFC, and Sundance Channel.

At Oscar Time, Let Us Remember What Started It All

2008-02-21T00:53:00.009-05:00

Feb. 21, 2008--Art is about externalizing internal patterns such as a stored memorization of times we once knew. To make the dream come true and show it as great as it appeared in the artist's mind, with all its charm, exciting vagueness and mystery is a feat in itself. "...with what real feeling, and anxiety, and suffering do we experience joy, and sorrow and alarm in our dreams!"

Few understood this and lived a life of preserving memories better than D.W. Griffith, the Father of Film.

"What a grand invention it would be if someone could make a magic box in which we could store the precious moments of our lives and keep them with us, and later on, in dark hours, could open this box and receive for at least a few moments, a breath of its stored memory."

...They did, of course, and the "magic box" allowed him to make his dream come true. We all have such a magic box where every element that makes us dream is stored. For the mystic artist, it is a treasure trove of discoveries from which to create.

When I first came to New York City in 1991, I read a story about D.W. Griffith (the Father of Film). It was about the time when he first came to New York City in 1906 as a starving actor. Just newly wed, he worked odd jobs (to eat) like scraping rust from the iron supports in the new subway for $2.25 per day! When I first got here, myself, it was much the same for me. I was full of creative energy, always writing something new - always new projects on the burner.

That particular story led me to walk through Manhattan, retracing the footsteps of Griffith in order to understand my own destiny. That particular story - with D.W.'s words, Lillian Gish, Mary Pickford and the somewhat removed Chaplin - I sensed a familiar connection. It was no coincidence that upon my arrival in New York, I found myself wandering about between Fifth Avenue and Union Square quite often - Eleven East (a brownstone between 5th Avenue and Union Square) was where the "American Mutoscope and Biography Company" had been. That's the place where it all began.

Then I proceeded on to the big library where the paintings of the Astors are hung, only to discover later that had been the next place D.W. Griffith went when he began researching The Birth of a Nation and Intolerance - his two greatest films. He and his wife studied the history of America and even copied soldiers' diaries and letters. So, all his life to that point was preparing him to become a great storyteller in film - one of the first. And every morning, he awoke feeling that he was a "failure." In his early thirties, he was poor and married. "The writer in him clung to his craft, but the mature man knew that other action was necessary." I thought it must have been an exciting illumination to D.W. when he finally realized he was destined to be a pioneer and was doing things that had not ever been done before.

Paparazzi - For Good or Evil

2008-02-06T22:14:00.000-05:00

Feb. 6, 2008--You'd have to have been living under a rock for the past few years to be unaware of the crazed lifestyle of the rich and famous and the ruthless pursuit of them by the ever-growing swarms of paparazzi. Most clear thinking individuals are dismayed by the behavior of both celebrities and their so-called photographers; however, what they do has become a big part of our culture and it's worth a moment or two to consider possible solutions to this ever-growing problem - that is, a heightened public awareness and consumption of 'a whole lotta nothin' worth mentioning.'

These flash-bulb-fests, after all, take the focus away from the art and artist and place it squarely on minutiae. The result: our airwaves are increasingly disseminating every petty detail of the lives of celebrities, most of whom are only 'famous for being famous,' and actually contribute nothing of any value to our culture. So, little by little, our standards as a society are lowered and we end up further degrading our values while lacking a sense of priorities in the way we live. (Remember that great line in "Broadcast News" speaking of the devil: '...he will just bit by little bit lower standards where they are important. Just coax along flash over substance... Just a tiny bit.') It's not the paparazzo's fault; it's up to us not to dip into the dumpster for our entertainment.

Paparazzi - celebrity photographers - have been around ever since there have been movie stars. But the word itself originated from the surname of such a photographer in Federico Fellini's La dolce vita (1960), after the name of a hotelkeeper in George Gissing's By the Ionian Sea (1901), read by Fellini. One of the characters in the film is a news photographer named Paparazzo. In his book Word and Phrase Origins, author Robert Hendrickson writes that Fellini took the name from an Italian dialect word for a particularly noisy, buzzing mosquito. The character, Paparazzo, the news photographer, is the origin of the word used in many languages (normally in the plural, paparazzi) to describe intrusive photographers.

Since WWII, celebrity photographers have been helping to exacerbate the limelight of movie stars and the like; however, in modern times, their presence has become a double-edged sword for the stars. A small minority of them are able to use the publicity they know they're going to get in productive ways and learn to become masters at manipulating the press for their own good or for a cause in which they believe; but most remain clueless and misguided and, poorly advised by their publicists, end up becoming victims of the press. And, of course, there are the shameless red carpet poseurs and shady characters with less than fifteen minutes of fame (or imagined fame) that court the cameras to feed their own egomania - no matter how ridiculous it makes them appear.

Being photographed is the price one pays for celebrity, but some tabloids take things too far. The new paparazzo has become pushy and dangerous. Some observers blamed them for the death of Princess Diana who was killed in 1997 in a high-speed car accident in France, while being pursued by paparazzi. Actress Reese Witherspoon said she first noticed the aggressive shooters in 2001. "I have no less than six photographers every day on me," Witherspoon said. "They are in rapid pursuit. We've had to move houses, we moved schools and we sell our vehicles every two months," she said. "Even then, they seem to get the car information from the dealership. They have networks that are like spider webs."

There was a time when photographing important people and events was a respectable art. In the "golden age" of photojournalism (1930s-1950s), some magazines and newspapers built their huge readerships and reputations largely on their use of photography, and some photographers achieved celebrity status. Their photographs became respectable works of art; since the late 1970s, photojournalism and documentary photography have increasingly been accorded a place in art galleries alongside fine art photography. (Life, one of America's most popular weekly magazines from 1936 through the early 1970s, was filled with photographs reproduced beautifully on oversize 11×14-inch pages, using fine engraving screens, high-quality inks, and glossy paper.) Of course, back then, they took pictures of important events and people and I doubt that anyone of that era could fathom how much a paparazzo in the 21st century would be paid for a photograph of a celebrity slurping a frappaccino at Starbuck's.

But what about celebrities finding creative ways to use their fame for productive purposes? A great example comes to mind: when John Lennon and Yoko Ono used their celebrity and the paparazzi to publicize their bed-ins for peace during the Vietnam War. When they were married, they knew the press would follow them everywhere, so rather than honeymooning on a tropical isle, they decided to use their fame for a good cause. Naïve as it may have been, Lennon truly believed he was following a Gandhian philosophy of nonviolent protest and was only too happy to make an ass of himself and his wife in public by inviting the press in their room to photograph them in their pajamas in bed to broadcast their campaign to help stop the war. Their simple message: "Give Peace a Chance." Nevermind the dirty-minded spoilers who falsely reported that John and Yoko were having sex in front of the cameras. They were sincere, young, fresh and driven. All told, it had a positive effect on the public and opened up a new dialogue about the war; and they felt it was time well spent.

I'd like to imagine that one day some of the attention hungry spoiled brat celebrities will follow Lennon's example and use their fame for a good cause. I can only hope some of the clueless selfish celebrities who are hounded by paparazzi will become as creative and begin to use their fame for something other than the continual self-aggrandizing and perpetuating of the myth of their own greatness.

The Self-Taught Artist

2008-01-30T22:25:00.000-05:00

Jan. 30, 2008--There is a lot to be said for the self-taught artist, the self-invented person - more today than ever. I, myself, am self-taught, self-made; everything I know, I learned on my own - not because I didn't WANT to go to college, but because I found myself left alone on my own as a teenager with no survival skills to speak of. So I had to be bound and determined from Day One in order to learn all that I wanted to. I was hungry for knowledge and spent half my life in libraries in those early days in order to educate myself and for that determination and dedication to re-create myself from a poor uneducated young girl into an intelligent woman, I am proud.

However, I have concluded that the art world of today is dominated and run mostly by scholars with impressive degrees who offer literally no opportunities for the self-made artist. One would have to live in a cardboard box in Thompkins Square Park, like Jean-Michel Basquiat, and camp out in front of Soho galleries to ever be noticed.

Nonetheless, I love reading the life stories of self-made self-taught artists that know who they are and fulfill their life purpose at all cost. The painters, writers and musicians I've learned about, some of whom I've met, along the way have given me little pieces of themselves via their art and energy and I thank them for teaching me.

Charles Bukowski was a self-educated writer/poet who taught me that I could express myself exactly the way I want to and I don't have to be ashamed of myself and who I am. His own writing was so clear and lucid - especially for someone so consistently drunk and sick. He suffered for his art, so to speak, but mostly needlessly. However, Hank remembered the details about his childhood that made his future writings radiate with such realism - pain and humor. I could truly relate to him, being someone who got her education from the library, and what he wrote about reading when in my bleakest most hopeless moments, a book rescued me from the abyss:

"To me, these men who had come into my life from nowhere were my only chance. They were the only voices that spoke to me," he said of the authors he came to know so passionately.

No one else in my world could understand me like Tolstoy, Dylan Thomas or Mahatma Gandhi. And reading the biographies of great artists like Matisse, Van Gogh, Gauguin and Picasso helped me to understand not only technique and the history of art, but the humanity of the artist and what it takes to create from the core of one's being.

Bukowski wrote: "Words were things that could make your mind hum. If you read them and let yourself feel the magic, you could live without pain, with hope, no matter what happened to you." He found a way out of his loneliness and into a world of creative release, which sustained him for life; and he did it all on his own with no support from anyone. I know what that's like.

The most prolific prodigy, Pablo Picasso, was, for all intents and purposes, self-taught, though his father, a mediocre painter, did attempt to school his son and he was admitted to the advanced classes at the Royal Academy of Art in Barcelona at 15. But his schooling didn't last; Picasso was too anxious to learn by doing - to go to Paris and live the Bohemian life and let experience educate him.

Vincent Van Gogh, perhaps the most popular and arguably most beloved painter of all time, began his brief art "career" (though he never sold many paintings) relatively late in life. Though he came from a family of art dealers and artists, he never remained in any art class long enough to get a real education but instead struck out on his own learning to draw and paint by obsessive practice... through trial and error. The most recent exhibit of his drawings at the Metropolitan in NYC was a sight to behold - one can see firsthand how this self-taught artist labored intensively to become a great master - all on his own armed with nothing but determination and discipline.

Truman Capote knew as a teenager that his formal education was over and that he wanted to go straight to New York City and get to work as the great writer he knew he was capable of being. This self-taught, self-made southern boy who came from worse than a broken home landed his first job at 17 at The New Yorker where he made his mark and wrote for periodicals and women's magazines; and he attended the writers' colony - Yaddo in Syracuse, NY - and learned from the older men in his life who became his lovers. The recent film, "Capote," based in part on the great biography by Gerald Clarke, is a true American tragedy about a young man searching for the American dream and doing it all himself.

Frida Kahlo was a well-known self-made artist who, because of her illnesses and a terrible trolley accident, which left her severely injured, painted much of the time from her bed. Every artist should read the illustrated Diary of Frida Kahlo. Frida absorbed all that she knew from her immediate surroundings and all the pain she felt and reflected it back into her brilliant emotional paintings.

More Self-Made Artists

Read the story of this wonderful self-taught artist: www.paulaart.com who risked everything to break free from an unsatisfying career and, like Paul Gauguin, seek out her dream as an artist.

I met this wonderful R&B subway singer, Alice Tan Ridley, at Penn Station in Manhattan - a self-taught singer, she is one of the best I've ever heard... so I posted her on MySpace for all the world to enjoy.

Mississippi Delta artist, Joe Moorman shares some of his thoughts on the term "self-taught artist": I think it's impossible to be described as self-taught if you have access to illustrated media or computers. If you have that, then it's possible to observe and listen to many artists, often without ever meeting or speaking to them. 'Self-directed artist' might be a better term, but that is lacking too because sooner or later you find yourself in a dialogue, often competitive and technical, usually with someone who was dead before you were born." Check out his site and, especially his Fauves.

Carol Es is another self-taught artist who used her art to escape pain and find herself. "She uses past experience as the fuel for subject matter, transforming a broken past into a positive and hopeful present and future."

Search the Internet and you'll find all kinds of wonderful self-taught artists of every discipline on every corner of the Earth. It's so wonderful how the world is burgeoning with creativity in the 21st century!

Film's Lazy Language

2008-01-10T18:20:00.000-05:00

Jan. 10, 2008--Over the past 35 years or so, American movies have really taken a turn for the worst in the creative language department. Screenwriters are resorting to the use of foul language, with a Capital "F," like never before as a way of expressing everything from anger to surprise, pain, fear, disgust, disappointment, or a sense of extreme elation. Indeed, the "F" word is quite diverse; it is used not only as a verb, but also as a noun, interjection, and, occasionally, as an expletive infix.

The word has a long history, but is basically a 20th Century phenomenon as far as its widespread usage goes. Its first appearance in the Oxford English Dictionary was in 1972. In popular music, John Lennon's 1971 release, "Working Class Hero," featured the use of the word, which was rare in music at the time and caused it to, at most, be played only in segments on the radio. When TV characters let it slip, as in the early cases on BBC TV and Saturday Night Live, they were usually fired on the spot.

Comedian George Carlin once jokingly commented that the the "F" word ought to be considered more appropriate, because of its implications of love and reproduction, than the violence exhibited in many movies. More popularly published is his famous "Filthy Words" routine, better known as "Seven Words You Can Never Say On Television," which, of course, includes the "F" word and its parent.

One of the earliest mainstream Hollywood movies to use the "F" word was director Robert Altman's antiwar film, "M*A*S*H," released in 1970 at the height of the Vietnam War. Since then, the use of the "F" word in R-rated movies has become so commonplace in American films, no one seems to bat an eye at its excessive usage; and some movies are actually known and raved about because of their overkill of the word.

But I say it's part of a growing trend of film's lazy, rather than creative, language habits. In Martin Scorcese's movie "The Departed," there are more than 195 uses of the "F" word in all its various manifestations from "f---ing firemen" to "Abracaf---indabra!" Yet in the great Dashiell Hammett's "The Maltese Falcon," where Humphrey Bogart plays tough-guy dick Sam Spade, there is NO use of the "F" word at all - not even once - no matter how tough, angry or pushy the characters got! Same deal with "Casablanca." In fact, in "Falcon," he doesn't even utter the word "damn" but rather requests: "Will you get the bundle and bring it to me P.D.Q...."

On the softer more romantic side of films, when we think of a Woody Allen movie, we don't usually associate him with profanity, but rather skillfully crafted, romantic ways of communicating. I remember loving all the Woody Allen films as they were released over the years - one enchanting moment after another... that is, until "Deconstructing Harry," which is a good film; however, all the sickeningly foul language - especially uttered atypically by Allen's lead character - ruined it for me. Every character in that movie had a severe mental problem and the curse of lazy language.

In the movie, "Fargo," a teenager blurts out the "F" word in front of his parents and the father, who is a criminal, liar and all at once plotting the kidnapping of his wife, actually reprimands him! And Steve Buscemi, as in almost every film in which he appears, says the word so many times in so many situations, who could count?

I'd like to see some fresh ideas presented in film allowing characters to express themselves as intensely as if they were using foul language, but with more creative and subtle phrasing. The great film noir movies of the '40s and '50s come to mind, or some of the TV shows of the '50s and '60s. The late great Rod Serling was famous for his inventive stories; and the characters in "The Twilight Zone" acted out their parts with all the heartfelt intensity and drama of any "Sopranos" character - without the "F" word.

The amount of words and phrases in the English language are limitless, yet most of us are guilty of utilizing but a small percentage and never increasing our vocabulary by learning new words and new ways of expressing ourselves. So let's all get out our thesauruses and blog new and exciting phraseology that will dazzle future generations to come!

The Artist's Fall

2007-12-31T12:59:00.000-05:00

Dec. 31, 2007-- Many artists fall into the deceptive seduction of drugs and alcohol. It is not to pay our dues, for we only end up further in debt. We seek the euphoria and illusory confidence we believe it provides. It sometimes fools us into believing we can't create without it. But to create with it brings forth many demons of the damned that thrive on our weaknesses. Then we're tortured by the constant sinner inside tearing at our higher pride; so we try really hard to be normal and moderate. Yet we are extremists and thrive on tragedy and drama, and sometimes we live in the illusion that the passions in our lives become muted as we moderate.

In New York City, I met musicians who were considered to be some of the best in the business - the cream of the crop. They were talented and brilliant players, loved and admired for their gifts. But they were also drug-addicted, reckless, inconsiderate derelicts, many of whom ended up losing in life in a big way. After awhile, my admiration of their talents waned. I'd changed my mind about them. I decided that I had no respect for these people who, on one hand, were stubborn nonconformists and would never compromise their artistic integrity for any reason; yet, on the other quite opposite hand, had no sense of humanity, loyalty, conscience... I didn't care if they were known and respected as the best musicians in New York City or the world; they were still human beings. I'd seen the side of them that cancels out any "good" they could ever do to inspire people around them. I don't think a talent excuses someone from accepting the responsibility of being a decent human being.

Someone like Vincent van Gogh probably couldn't help the way he was. He had serious physiological/mental illnesses that plagued him and eventually caused him to take his own life. For his productivity and creativity in spite of such debilitating handicaps, we must applaud him. Vincent started out in life with an attitude on the same lines as Mahatma Gandhi; he sincerely wanted to be a useful, productive and helpful member of society. He just didn't know how to go about it. Thus, the reason for him starting to paint so late in his life. He had a purpose to fulfill and it wasn't, as he originally thought - to be an evangelist and live amongst the lowly, aiding and comforting the weak and suffering. He was meant to be a mirror of his times, to create a record of all that we may otherwise never have known.

The artist's life may be a tragedy, but this should not be celebrated. It is to overcome these tragedies the mystic artist must strive for daily. The tragic element lurks deep within and we may let it destroy us, as have so many Hendrix's, Cobains and Presleys... or we may rise above it all and reinvent time.

--Excerpt from The Mystic Artist by Sandra Frazier

Recommended Reading: When Walls Become Doorways by Tobi Zausner