Thursday, April 26, 2012

climbing every mountain...



I have barely recovered from the whirlwind of interviews, tv, book signings and talk having to do with the release of my new book "The Sound of Music Family Scrapbook."  I say my book, but it is really a labor of love from all 7 of us who were cast all those years ago to play the von Trapp family in the movie.

I'll tell you a little more about our book that was years in the making in my next post. There are plenty more pictures on our Facebook page... drop by and friend us.... https://www.facebook.com/SoundOfMusicFamilyScrapbook
 


 1965 premiere..............................................2012 today

Book signings... Samuel French and Barnes & Noble
 
 
 Talking on The Talk...
you can watch it here
http://bit.ly/somTheTalkinterview

Wake up.... KTLA Morning show...

Hollywood Show....

The Hotel Peninsula..LA Times 
and the beat goes on....

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

a little music...

start your day with a little music... pause my music box at the bottom of the page before playing...

Sunday, April 08, 2012

a smoo day...


This is Smoo... I saw him not long ago at a table outside a restaurant I frequent...his owner says Smoo like to eat out... It made me smile... as I hope today does.  


Happy Easter... Happy Spring...

Monday, April 02, 2012

4 little ducklings yield big thoughts...

I wanted to tell you about four little abandoned ducklings...newborns that had no where to go until they were rescued by a goodhearted neighbor. She will feed them mushed up food and let them swim around in her sink, and then when they are old enough, she will release them back onto the lake.  


But it made me stop and think...about the effect we can have on people. How a simple gesture can change a life, how stopping to really listen to what someone has to say can help you understand... how communicating is so important, how taking the high road is the thing to do, how important empathy is, and how it can awaken something deep inside you that seems to make it all worthwhile. 

I was thinking of all the potential we have to find a gentleness, a kindness, an understanding. How mean spirited actions can quickly corrode a soul... and how any day could be a day of new beginnings.


Those newborn ducks...swimming around in their Saviors sink...trying to stay above water... with no one to teach them how to swim,  made me think how we are all survivors in this deep black abyss... and we all have our challenges to face.

...who would have thought that those little ducklings had reminded me of such important things that are so easy to forget.

"I've learned that people will forget what you said,
people will forget what you did,
but people will never forget how you made them feel."

Maya Angelou 

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

taking the pulse...


Have you seen the new book The Pulse Of Mixed Media? 
Do you know what it's about?
Author Seth Apter invited me to be part of his first book and here is what it's all about...


If you gave 100 artists the same set of art supplies and asked them to create, you would end up with 100 unique works of art. This is because the magic ingredient in every artwork is the artist, who brings his or her own history, personality, creativity, and personal perspective to the pieces that they create. It is this magic that is the subject of “The Pulse Of Mixed Media.”

“The Pulse of Mixed Media” grew out of my online artist survey “The Pulse.” In the book, 31 spotlight artists and 102 additional contributors generously share their most intimate thoughts and feelings by providing answers to a series of personal questions. Some of these questions focus on their art, for example the art material they could not live without and the messages they hide in their artwork. Other questions focus on the artist, such as their art-related regrets, the obstacles that they have faced, and the one person in their life with the most creative impact.

my self portrait in the book
I turned the tables on Seth and asked him to answer this question...
Why did you start The Altered Page....?
SETH: Ahhhh. A good question. I had been creating art and handmade books in earnest for about 5 or 6 years at that time and was beginning to take the process much more seriously. I found that creating art was a very satisfying experience but quite isolating. I began exploring the Internet as an avenue to address that - by looking at blogs and websites, and joining a number of Yahoo groups to exchange art and work on projects with others. I became frustrated with the groups for many reasons and decided to stop participating in them. But I wanted to keep that social component and it seemed to be the right time to start a blog as a way to do that. Plus, I felt more comfortable as an artist and wanted to put my work out there for the world to see. Somehow that made me feel more accountable and gave me motivation to work harder and to create more. In my first blog post in August 2007 I wrote...  

"I have 3 goals in mind for this blog. First, to share my art and receive feedback in return. Second, to share artists, websites, stores, books, ideas, and creations that I have found. And third, to share great art finds from the museums, galleries, and streets of New York."

I love reading that now because I feel like I have achieved what I set out to do when I started. 


Seth Apter art that appears in Pasticcio Panoply
Seth is a wonderful artist in his own right.  He has generously submitted his art to several issues of Pasticcio Quartz and more recently his art appears in our latest issue of Pasticcio Panoply.

I was on Mark Lipinski's Creative Mojo radio show today with 4 other artists that took part in Seth's book. I think you can listen to the show here under RECENT SHOWS 3-21-2012 ... I think you'll enjoy it.



Not one to rest on his laurels, Seth has put out an open call to artists... read about it here on Seth's blogI think you will want to bookmark it. And look for his new book, The Pulse of Mixed Media...because it's one interesting journey into the pulse of mixed media...

comin' down the road...

 Heading back from Las Vegas to make my interview on Creative Mojo . We are talking about art and my part of  Seth Apter's book The Pulse of Mixed Media ... Left early...coffee kicking in...and aching to do something creative...this is what I shot from the passenger seat...


 






Friday, March 23, 2012

a work in progress...

For some reason known only to the art gods...I have to create this piece of art incorporating the Union Jack. Perhaps it is the upcoming Olympics being held in London, starting July 27th... 125 days to go...and counting. Perhaps I am being asked to explore my roots through these vintage photographs of my relatives... Perhaps it's just time I work large... 28 x 14... I don't know where this is going... or where it will end up... I have more sense than to ask... but when it is done, I will post it if you like... though it may be awhile... I have been brooding over this piece for awhile now... I think I'm posting it so I get going on it... I work best under pressure.



Tuesday, March 20, 2012

be unruly...twitter with me...

It will be my first Twitter Party..
March 21st
6:00 PST

Its the Launch Twitter Party for the new book
THE PULSE OF MIXED MEDIA
I had the proud pleasure of being a part of this amazing book...
come talk to us about it...
6:00 pm PST
9:00 pm EST



If you want instructions on how to join in...click the box above.
You'll need to bring the hashtag #PulseBook
and if you twitter party all the time... hope to tweet ya there.




Saturday, March 17, 2012

Beannachtai na feile padraig


That's Gaelic for St. Patrick's Day greetings!



Here's a hand painted image I shot on Inishmaan (Inis Meáin/Inis Meadhóin in the Aran Islands Oileáin Árann.
 
I have  a real connection to these remote Islands, they simply fascinate me ... I am looking forward to the day I can explore them once again.  My trip there was one of the best adventures I ever had. 

For more images I photographed and hand painted in Ireland you can see here

But today...I will raise a glass and hope you enjoy the luck of the Irish today...

ps: did you know you can now follow me now on Pinterest ....?

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

a few words from Fred...

April 3rd is the USA release date for our book "The Sound of Music Family Scrapbook".
Here's a few words from the author of the book who weaved our stories all together.
You might want to pause the music at the bottom of my blog before starting the movie
if you want to hear that familiar music...

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

happy heart day...


I also forgot to mention I have some small art pieces at Zinnia where they have their Valentine art show
Petite Valentin on display till the end of the month. 
Have a loving day and night...

Sunday, February 12, 2012

a day of wine and choices...

Europa Village and winery in Temecula, California was the happening place yesterday with an art show and wine tasting.
Wine was available for the tasting.  My favorite of the day... Libido , with En Vie running a close second.

 Art from the Gallery 8 was placed in the courtyard of the vineyard while a live band played.  Here is one of my hand painted photographs that is available at Gallery 8


Visiting with Academy Award winning actor George Chakiris who had brought his beautiful silver jewelry that is available at Gallery 8 and Lauren Nixon (Gallery 8 owner).  
Right: I welcomed artist Christina Ramos, the newest Gallery 8 artist in residence.  

A trip to wine country is a great get-away.  Europa Village is just one of many winery's along  La Serena Way in Temecula. You can rent a bus or limo before you arrive and get away from it all while being driven from winery to winery. Above: I share a glass with a group of friendly folks from San Diego. 

I was surprised when Jess Whitehill brought me these classic photographs below from our dancing days together at the Bill Jacoby Dance Studio.  Jess is sporting the dark hair and white jacket below.

The dancers we could remember in this picture were left to right: Todd Schumaker, Barbara Ross, my sister Veronica - 2nd row: Bill Jacoby, me, Will Shoemaker, Joanne, Don Keefer - 1st row: Susan Keller, Jess Whitehill.
Thanks Jess for the pics and the memories.  



The drive home was easy...and it made me how many fun places there are to go that are within reach of the city. Wine country in Temecula is one of those fun places.. I will return, and next time I want to take a balloon ride!