The artful mind artzine (revised) june 2013

THE ARTFUL MIND JUNE 2013

Monthly Berkshire Artzine

Since 1994

Writer and Actor AMY TANNER Photography by Sophia D. Lee

2 • June 2013

The ArTful Mind

SOhn fine ArT

PhoTogrAPhy ByMATuschKA

MATuSchKA And GreG GOrMAn

sohn fine Art’s program for summer 2013 includes Master Artist series events, exhibitions and workshops and features award winning photographers greg gorman and Matuschka. sohn fine Art’s Master Artist series (MAs) program brings world class photographers to the Berkshires to participate in exhibitions, workshops and lectures. since its founding in 2011, students and community members have broadened their understanding and expertise in the area of photographic expression and execution through participation in MAs events.

The MAs mission is to contribute to the cultural vitality of the Berkshires by promoting broader understanding of and community engagement with photographic mediums. works by Pulitzer Prize nominated photographer, Matuschka, will be on view at sohn fine Art gallery through July 1. A Body Biography is a 40 year retrospective featuring self-portraits. The exhibition marks the 20th anniversary of Matuschka’s landmark work, “Beauty out of damage.” in conjunction with the exhibition, a public artist’s presentation and book signing will be held at Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, MA on June 22, 2:30.

Matuschka will also teach a two-day workshop “exploration of image Making and Personal expression” on June 22 & June 23 at Berkshire Museum. sign up for this course at sohn fine Art. A Body Biography is a kind of homecoming for Matuschka, who began her exhibiting career at the lenox library in 1972.

Matuschka first came to the area as a student, and later became clemens Kalisher’s photography assistant. in addition to the exhibition at sohn fine Art and presentation, Matuschka will lead an artist’s workshop “exploration of image Making and Personal expression” at Berkshire Museum on saturday June 22 (9:00 - 12:00) & sunday, June 23 (1-5 pm).

The workshop will include student portfolio reviews, a survey of Matuschka’s influences, assignments to “take your work further” including hand-toning giclee prints, and a presentation on Matuschka’s various approaches to image alteration and the difference between “making” a picture and “taking” one. interested participants may find more information and register at www.sohnfineart.com. early registration is recommended, as participation is limited.

July 5-september 30, greg gorman’s 40 year retrospective show currently touring Museums in europe comes to sohn fine Art in the Berkshires. works by 2013 PPA lifetime Achievement Award winning portrait and celebrity photographer greg gorman will be on view at sohn fine Art gallery. A public lecture will be given by the artist July 18 at 7pm at The Mahaiwe Performing Arts center in great Barrington, MA. Admission is $20 for the general public and $12 for students. gorman will teach three one-day workshops - two one-day artist led workshops (“Mastering Portraits” and “nudes”) July 21 and 22, and one critique day workshop July 23. workshops will be based in the Meadowview building at cranwell resort, spa & golf club in lenox, MA. sign up for workshops at sohn fine Art. Sohn Fine Art Gallery & Giclee Printing - 6 Elm Street, Stockbridge, MA 01262, 413-298-1025, info@sohnfineart.com / www.sohnfineart.com

KAren J. AndreWS KAren Andrews, dAffodils in lighT

inner Vision sTudio

inner Vision studio is back in business. doors will re-open on sat, June 29, 1-5 pm and will be open a total of 5 weekends throughout the summer. Visitors are always welcome to call ahead to arrange a private studio visit. i am a watercolor painter and a photographer, and each medium enhances my ability to see what’s in front of me. sometimes i combine them in unusual ways. i try to express the magic of the visual world, those moments of opening into the spirit underlying what is seen.

“Your photographs made everyday things magical. Thank you for sharing the “real world” as seen through the lens of your camera.” - D. H. it’s such a privilege having my own gallery space, as it allows me to interact with art lovers and art buyers first hand. i can talk about what inspired me to do a particular piece, or answer any questions about technique, approach or subject matter. The best thing is that i am free to make and exhibit whatever is currently exciting to me, be it watercolor paintings, landscape photographs or abstract drawing. i’m not limited by a gallery’s dictates. i exhibit original watercolors and drawings; photographs in all sizes (4”x6” to 3’ x 4’); and giclee prints. one of my specialties is helping people select a variety of work to decorate their second home, or to bring back a souvenir of the rich, Berkshire landscape.

“I’m amazed at your ability to capture, form, movement and emotion. I was absolutely stopped by your watercolors in order to allow a wave of emotions.” - J. M. i encourage you to come visit the gallery on your way to Tanglewood or whenever you are traveling through the stockbridge area. My customers tell me that another advantage is that my prices are very affordable for the value they get. There is no gallery mark-up here.

Inner Vision Studio is located just one mile north of West Stockbridge village, taking Swamp Rd, left on Cone Hill, 2nd left on Furnace Rd. We’re also on the web: innerVision-studio.com, or call ahead for a private studio visit: 413-232-4027

deSiGninG sAcred sPAce

Kent Mikalsen expands his design consultancy to include designing sacred space. living near these magnificent northeastern forests it easy to be aware of the positive effect our natural environment has on our sense of well being. we are deeply connected to the sensuous and integrating experience of nature. even in our sheltered built environments we create openings to invite nature’s light and spaciousness inside. designing our interiors we emulate her natural colors, textures and patterns.

These spaces that we inhabit can significantly affect our mental, spiritual and even physical health. clinical research has linked the positive effects of a beautifully appointed hospital room to the length of time a patient requires to heal. employing the essential elements of good design, sacred spaces are beautiful healing environments that contribute to our vibrant health and confirm our most positive aspirations.

Kent is a professionally trained artist and designer with an unusually broad and experienced background in fine art, architecture, woodworking, film and entertainment design. he studied yoga and meditation for ten years while living at an ashram in rural Pennsylvania and has maintained his practice for more than thirty years.

Kent Mikalsen studio creates beautiful and healing environments for homes, businesses and institutions, designing a wide range of venues including yoga studios, hospitals, clinics, meditation rooms, chapels, memorials, pavilions and events.

Kent Mikalsen Studio – 413-652-4801 or email kentmikalsen@gmail.com; sacredspace.kentmikalsen.com

The ArTful Mind June 2013 •3

FRONT STREET GALLERY

Kate Knapp, Still life

Painting Classes on Monday and Wednesday mornings 10 - 1pm at the Studio and Thursday mornings 10am - 1pm out in the field. Open to all.

From June 1 –28 Group show consisting of works by Jeannine Schoeffer, Doris Simon, Nina Lipkowitz, Marion Jansen, Sue Arkans, Carol Sue Donelan, Diana Felber, Roberta Haas, Peggy Cullen, Iska Kenney, Eleanor Lord and Marybeth Merritt

July begins a new show - Recent Works by Kate Knapp, opening July 13, 10 – 6pm.

413-274-6607 413-429-7141 (cell) 413-528-9546 Gallery Hours: Saturday and Sunday 12-5 or by appointment FRONT STREET, downtown HOUSATONIC, MA

4 • June 2013

The ArTful Mind

The ArTful Mind

artzine

June 2013

“Let the good times roll!” richArd foye, urn wiTh Bronze lusTer, fired wiTh Pine cones And shAVings, 12" TAll

The MuSic STOre

Writer and Actor Amy Tanner Photography by Sophia. D. Lee Page 14

childhood of the Art historian Richard Britell ... 12 Planet Waves June Eric Francis.....13 Simply Sasha Sasha Seymour...... 17

Architecture & Arcadia Stephen Dietemann..... 17 Contributing Writers and Monthly Columnists Eunice Agar, Richard Britell Stephen Gerard Dietemann Eric Francis, Sasha Seymour Photographers Sophia D. Lee, Lee Everett, Jane Feldman Sabine Vollmer von Falken, Cassandra Sohn Publisher Harryet Candee

Copy Editor

Marguerite Bride

Advertising and Graphic Design Harryet Candee Box 985, Great Barrington, MA 01230

artfulmind@yahoo.com issuu.com/theartfulmindartzine 413-528-5628 All submissions for July due :: June 17, 2013 (email or call)

FYI: ©Copyright laws in effect throughout The Artful Mind for logo & all graphics including text material. Copyright laws for photographers and writers throughout The Artful Mind. Permission to reprint is required in all instances.

In any case the issue does not appear on the stands as planned due to unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, advertisers will be compensated on a one to one basis.

Disclaimer rights available upon request. Serving the Art community with the intention of enhancing communication and sharing positive creativity in all aspects of our lives.

Our Art...Our Way

6 • June 2013 The ArTful Mind

There are few things more poorly suited to the super-seller, mass-marketing, impersonal transaction and computerized service dominated retail than music, especially in choosing a musical instrument! This is why small, independent stores like ours, The Music store, still exist; to give the consumer the chance to play, listen and ask about the instruments in which they are interested.

The Music store, named the Best Music store by the Berkshire record, offers fine, folk, unusual and handmade instruments for musicians and music lovers of all ages and abilities, including an extensive selection of accessories including strings, sticks, cleaners, reeds, and heads among many, many others.

Acoustic, electric, classical and luthier handmade guitars including the penultimate, gorgeously voiced and darned near indestructible travel guitar - composite Acoustic’s cargo - nestle happily among one of the widest selection of ukuleles in the northeast. African, Middle-eastern and other ethnic instruments including drums and bells, rattles and ratchets sit beside children’s instruments. And unusual locally made instruments including dr. easy’s sonic Boxes (wonderful acoustic and A/e cigar Box guitars and diddly Bows) as well as the lovely stockbridge-made Bamboo serenity flutes, walking stick and cane flutes rub shoulders with elite luthier-handmade guitars by dana Bourgeois’s Pantheon guitar shop and irish luthier John Beckett as well as greAT deals on Takamine, Breedlove, luna, recording King, loar and more.

Another essential, instrument maintenance and repair is available as well. sean Barry’s workshop offers expert luthiery at reasonable prices for maintenance, repair and restoration, and access to a private collection of used musical instruments from the 18th century to present day. Also, unlike super-seller chain stores, we offer custom set-up and instrument warranty work free of charge on every instrument that we sell, for the life of the instrument!

Musical motif gifts, sheet music and expert, friendly advice and service are also available, making The Music store your resource for all things musical here in the lovely Berkshires, the very heart of so much music in the northeast! for brand names of new and used guitars including composite Acoustic, Kremona, Avalon, Alvarez, Takamine, Breedlove, loar, recording King, fender as well as many other lesser known brands of guitars, international and locally made instruments, accessories and gifts of all kinds, The Music store is the place to be this spring.

The Music Store - 87 Railroad Street, Great Barrington, Massachusetts, 01230. Open Tuesday - Saturday 10-6 and Sunday 12-5. Call us at 413-528-2460 or visit our web site: themusicstoreplus.com

Silk Screened and Hand-Painted T-Shirts by

Lakey Bazzano

“...Beautiful motifs, but I chose the blue hawk!

Keep up the great work, Lakey!” -H.C

ST. FRANciS GALLERY, Rte 102, Lee, MA

richArd foye, ewer, wiTh A Bronze lusTer, 13” TAll

12Th AnnuAl

BerKShireS ArTS feSTiVAl JulY 4-5 and July 12-14

The 12th Annual Berkshires Arts festival will once again grace the lawns and air-conditioned pavilions of ski Butternut in great Barrington for two weekends, July 4-6 and July 12-14. The muchanticipated annual festival will offer fine arts and crafts to a diverse audience along with ongoing art and craft workshops, demonstrations, talks, activities for children, a dining tent, and live musical and theatrical performances throughout both weekends. More than 8,000 visitors are expected to attend this year’s festival. over 200 unique exhibitors will display an extraordinary selection of handmade works in ceramics, painting, jewelry, glass, furniture, wood, metal, mixed media, sculpture, wearable and decorative fiber, and photography. The festival appeals to casual weekend shoppers and sophisticated art collectors alike. creative works together with the simple pleasures of a day spent out-ofdoors at this family-friendly event.

“This festival represents the best of established and emerging artists from across the country and from the Berkshires,” said richard rothbard of American Art Marketing in slate hill, ny. richard and his wife, Joanna, are the Artistic directors and organizers of the festival. “There is something for everyone in every price range – from the latest in fashion and jewelry design, handcrafted furniture and ceramics to the most exquisite and highly collectable original works of art. we personally select our exhibitors with care and with an eye for excellence in design and craftsmanship.” exclusive to the second weekend will be the new “Artists of the Berkshires” exhibition, showcasing local artists and their current work. featured Berkshires artists will include david Bryce, stephen donaldson, Barbara doncaster, david eddy, Janet McKinstry, cindy walsh, Joyce weeks, and larry zingale, among many others.

The festival will feature ongoing art and crafts demonstrations throughout, including raku pottery firing demonstrations with richard foye of south newfane, VT. festival dining Tent, live music by The lucky five and ryan hollander, hoola hoop fun with Alotta hoopla, theater performances and children’s activities will enhance both festival weekends.

Berkshires Arts Festival at Ski Butternut, 380 State Road (Rt23), Great Barrington. July 4-6 and July 12-14, Hours 10am6pm. Admission: Adults $12, Seniors $10, Students $5, 3-day Weekend Pass $13. Children under 10 free. Free parking. For more information, call 845-355-2400 or visit www.berkshiresartsfestival.com

CALENDAR OF ARTFUL EVENTS

museums & galleries

510 WArren STreeT GAllerY hudson, ny • 518-822-0510 May 31- June 30. “doris simon: An Asian Journey” An exhibit of recent paintings inspired by her trip to cambodia.

AlliuM reSTAurAnT And gAllery railroad st, gt Barrington, MA Allium will feature the selected works from Berkshire-based artist sean riley beginning Tuesday, May 21. includes paintings on panel as well as dyed-paper collages.

A.P.e GAllerY northampton, MA • 413-529-1895 June 14-20: Mark guglielmo/Toby Barnes

BAScOM lOdGe visit bascomlodge.net Berkshire landmark at the summit of Mount greylock opens for the season on June 1, offering breakfast, lunch, dinner and lodging accommodations, seven days a week through october 20.

BerKShire ArT GAllerY 80 railroad st, gt Barrington, MA • 528-2690 www.berkshireartgallery.com 19th and early 20th century American & european art and sculpture, contemporary artists

frOnT STreeT GAllerY front st., housatonic, MA • 413-274-6607 / 413-528-9546, or cell at 413-429-7141 housatonic gallery for students and artists. featuring watercolors by Kate Knapp (saturday and sunday 12-5pm or by appointment) GOOd PurPOSe GAllerY 40 Main street, lee, MA / www.goodpurpose.org earth & Atmosphere, a duo exhibit featuring the works of david Bryce and william Mccarthy can be seen at the good Purpose gallery, June 1 – July 15

JOhn dAViS GAllerY warren st, hudson, ny • 518-828-5907 renee iacone will be in the main galleries with stacks & Artifacts, Jon isherwood in the sculpture garden with new work, Victoria Palermo, david hornung, cecelia rembert and herbert reichert will have exhibitions in the carriage house. The work will be on display through June 16th gallery hours are Thursday through Monday, 11:00 till 5:00 p.m.

lAuren clArK fine ArT 402 Park st, housatonic, MA • 274-1432 www.laurenclarkfineArt.comlauren “Paintings from the eighties”, large abstracts by Julio granda at castle street cafe in great Barrington. reception for the artist, sunday, June 23, 1-3 pm with refreshments prepared by chef Michael Ballon. castle street cafe is located at 10 castle street, gt. Barrington, MA. The café is open for dinner every day 5-10 pm. To view paintings any other time call the gallery to make an appointment

MOrGAn lehMAn GAllerY 535 wesy 22nd, st, ny, ny • art@morganlehmangallery.com nancy lorenz: new work The sTudy Project space: Aaron wexler, thru June 29

neuMAnn fine ArT 65 cold water st., hillsdale, ny • www.neumannfineart.com opening July 6th and running through september 2nd will feature two painters, Ken young and Jeffrey l. neumann nOrMAn rOcKWell MuSeuM 9 route 183, stockbridge, MA • 413-298-4100 oPening: r.o. Blechman:The inquiring line, thru June 30

OxBOW GAllerY 275 Pleasant street, northampton, MA • 413-586-6300

www.oxbowgallery.org Thru June 30: 7 on Site, a group of contemporary landscape painters. reception: June 14, Arts night out, 5 to 8 PM. (hours: Thursday through sunday, 12 to 5pm) SAMuel dOrSKY MuSeuM state university of new york at new Paltz, 1 hawk drive, new Paltz, ny • 845.257.3844 The dorsky collects: recent Acquisitions 2008-2012 Through June 23, 2013 SAnfOrd SMiTh fine ArT 13 railrd st, gt. Barrington, MA Karen lesage: new work, thru June 26

SchAnTz GAllerieS 3 elm st, stockbridge, MA • 413-298-3044 www.schantzgalleries.com.

A destination for those seeking premier artists working in glass.

(11 - 5 daily) ST. frAnciS GAllerY 1370 Pleasant st, rte 102, lee, MA • 413-717-5199 “what surrounds us All”, featuring the works of landscape artists The hArriSOn GAllerY 39 spring street, williamstown, MA June 1 – June 30: curt hanson & stan Taft

uniVerSiTY ArT MuSeuM Albany, ny / www.albany.edu/museum summer exhibitions at the university Art Museum feature sculpture, drawing, and Video.william lamson: A certain slant of light / Michelle segre: Antecedents of the Astra hamster, June 27 through september 14

music/theatre/film

BOSTOn eArlY MuSic feSTiVAl four fully-staged performances of handel’s Almira from June 9 to 16, 2013 at the cutler Majestic Theatre at emerson college (219 Tremont street, Boston, MA, usA), followed by three performances at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts center (14 castle street, great Barrington, MA, usA) on June 21, 22, and 23, 2013; all performances will be sung in german with english subtitles. Tickets start at $30 and are available through the BeMf Box office at www.BeMf.org or 617-661-1812 as well as the Box office at the cutler Majestic Theatre at Aestages.org or 617824-8000 BerKShire lYric ozawa hall, Tanglewood, lenox, MA. • 413-298-5365 www.berkshirelyricinfo.org fiftieth Anniversary gala concert, sunday, June 9, 2013 at 3:00PM with special guests Metropolitan opera soprano Maureen o’flynn, Berkshire lyric founder robert Blafield The Berkshire lyric chorus,The Blafield children’s chorus Jack Brown, Artistic director, Joe rose, Accompanist, choral Masterpieces by handel, Mozart, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Brahms and rachmaninoff. contemporary American choral music by Barber, Bernstein, copland, lauridson, Paulus, whitacre and robert Blafield. cASTle STreeT cAfe great Barrington, MA saturday, June 8th: The 6-piece larry chernicoff Band some old favorite compositions, some new ones. with Peter Primamore piano, lydia chernicoff violin, charlie Tokarz and don davis woodwinds, Tomas ulrich cello no cover charge.

clOSe encOunTerS WiTh MuSic “nordic lights: grieg revival” is scheduled for saturday, June 8, 6 PM at ozawa hall, Tanglewood (lenox, MA). The final close encounters with Music concert of the 2012–2013 season, brings to the fore the national composer of norway, edvard grieg, and two of his contemporaries, german composer Jo-

hannes Brahms and norwegian playwright henrik ibsen.

MuSicA 7n, 4th st, hudson, ny wednesday June 12 sarah livingston sunday June 15: ellia Bisker, songstress from sweet soubrette, Apocalypse five and dime and charming disaster returns to hudson;wednesday shows after work 6 PM or sosunday shows 3pm.

The ArTS BlOcK cAfe 289 Main street, greenfield, MA • 413 774 0150 reserve at www.theartsblock.com or friday, June 7th at 8 pm:9-piece Miniature orchestra Advance tickets $15 / At the door $18

TAnnerY POnd cOncerTS new lebanon, ny • 888-820-1696 www.tannerypondconcerts.org / info@tannerypondconcerts.org June 8, 8pm: sebastian Bäverstam, cello; yannick rafalimanana, piano. June 22, 8pm: soovin Kim, violin; Jessica lee, violin; ed Arron, cello, Maurycy Banaszek, viola; christian steiner, piano

festivals / events

BerKShireS ArTS feSTiVAl AT sKi BuTTernuT 380 state road (rt23), great Barrington www.berkshiresartsfestival July 4-6 and July 12-14, hours 10am-6pm. over 200 unique exhibitors will display an extraordinary selection of handmade works in ceramics, painting, jewelry, glass, furniture, wood, metal, mixed media, sculpture, wearable and decorative fiber, and photography. The festival appeals to casual weekend shoppers and sophisticated art collectors alike. creative works together with the simple pleasures of a day spent out-of-doors at this family-friendly event.Admission: Adults $12, seniors $10, students $5, 3-day weekend Pass $13. children under 10 free. free parking.

BidWell hOuSe MuSeuM 100 Art school road, Box 537, Monterey, MA 413-528-6888 / bidwellhouse@gmail.com/www.bidwellhousemuseum.org June 15:history Talk: shaker equality of the sexes, 1788-1890. held at Tyringham union church, Main road, Tyringham. 10 a.m.; June 29: Tyringham garden Tour: water, walls and wonderful gardens. The museum grounds are a stop on the tour. Visit the museum’s gardens or all seven stops on the tour. call for reservations. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. freSh: frOM fArM TO GAllerY 413-499-9348 / discoverpittsfield.com locally made art & locally produced food are coming together during the month of June in Pittsfield’s upstreet cultural district.

An opening reception will be held during upstreet Pittsfield's monthly first fridays Artswalk on friday, June 7th, 5-8pm. The reception is free and open to the public. nu ArTS STudiOS And GAllerieS 2nd floor, 311 north street, Pittsfield, MA first fridays Artswalk: June 7, 5-8pm

iMAGeS cineMA williamstown, MA • www.imagescinema.org ouTdoor suMMer MoVies for eVeryone! films will start at sundown, usually between 8 and 8:30pm, on Morgan lawn, at the top of spring street. Attendance is free, and concessions will be available for purchase. The rain location is images cinema, 50 spring street, williamstown, MA.sunday, July 14: ghosTBusTers; sunday, July 21: The Music MAn; sunday, July 28: The incrediBles Send in your calendar submissions by June 10th for the July issue of The Artful Mind artzine!

The ArTful Mind June 2013 • 7

BenefiT

hosTed By JAyne ATKinson

wAM Theatre is delighted to announce claiming her Place, a benefit for wAM to be held sunday, June 30 at 7pm at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts center in great Barrington. co-produced and hosted by Tony nominee Jayne Atkinson, recently cast in The lion in winter at Berkshire Theatre group, the evening will feature a celebrity panel discussing the challenges women face in the entertainment industry. The panel includes: lauren Ambrose (six feet under), Michel gill (house of cards), Marin Mazzie (Tony nominee), linus roache (law & order) and debra Jo rupp (That 70’s show). co-producer Jayne Atkinson says, “i am honored to be hosting this fun and exciting benefit, which brings wAM’s worthy mission of using theatre to benefit women and girls front and center to the Berkshire community.”

The celebrity panel will share their stories, observations and thoughts about the challenges women face in the entertainment industry.

The evening will also include a sneak peak of wAM Theatre’s fall production emilie: la Marquise du chatelet defends her life Tonight by lauren gunderson, a northeast regional Premiere running november 7-24 at Barrington stage company’s st. germain stage. in keeping with wAM Theatre’s double philanthropic mission, a portion of proceeds from the box office of emilie will be donated to an organization that benefits women and girls. That beneficiary will be announced at the June 30 benefit.

Claiming Her Place: A celebrity panel discusses the challenges women face in the entertainment industry Sunday, June 30, 7:00pm; Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, 14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, MA. Tickets: $35-$50; Reservations: 413528-0100, www.mahaiwe.org. *Panel on June 30 is subject to availability. More information at www.wAMTheatre.com

8• June 2013 The ArTful Mind

SABine PhOTO ArT

A master of the subtleties of lighting and the nuance of background, sabine’s eye for detail provides imagery to be treasured for a lifetime.

Assignments are tailored to meet her client’s needs- a remembrance for a special occasion or a logo image to create an authentic professional online presence. it is to no surprise that she is a sought-after published documentary and editorial photographer with the talent of both: interviewer, provoker and imagemaker.

The Artful Mind has showcased sabine’s work since 1994, the very beginning of the monthly Berkshire Artzine. still young at 20 something, sabine’s studio has become a brand for contemporary, unobtrusive, relaxed photography in the european style. did you have a “sabine” experience? it might be just the time for you to book your first sitting.

Photographic workshops are scheduled for this summer: View lighT wiTh A criTicAl eye Explore the beautiful light of the Berkshires by taking a weekend photography workshop. In this workshop participants learn how natural light can create drama. Designed for serious learners who are interested in improving their artistic eye. All participants are asked to bring a digital SLR camera. Event dates: July 13 and 14, 2013.

Photo Art and Book signing by appointment “woodlAnd sTyle” and “shell chic”, published by Storey Publishing, author Marlene H. Marshall, all photography by sabine can be purchased from your nearby book stores.

Signed fine art prints are directly available through sabine’s studio.

Sabine is a member of The American Society of Media Photographers asmp. The International Center of Photography ICP and the Wedding Photojournalist Association, WPJA. For more info please contact Sabine Vollmer von Falken Photography Studio www.sabinephotoart.com, info@sabinephotoart.com, tel. 413-298-4933.

lAuren clArK fine ArT JuliO GrAndA ArT By Julio grAnde

lauren clark fine Art presents “Paintings from the eighties”, large abstracts by Julio granda at castle street cafe in great Barrington. reception for the artist, sunday, June 23, 1-3 pm with refreshments prepared by chef Michael Ballon. castle street cafe is located at 10 castle street, gt. Barrington, MA. The café is open for dinner every day 5-10 pm. To view paintings any other time call the gallery to make an appointment.

“These paintings are my continuing exploration of the landscape. This body of work is an attempt to get into the spiritual experience of nature. The object is defined by its background.

Background and object define each other. The push and the pull.

The close and the distant. The straight and the curved. The tension of one form balanced against the other. Take away the horizon line and you float into another world. All-that-is dissolves into a rhythmic dance.”

My own “take” on this body of my work is perhaps best expressed in this quote by a painter whom i deeply admire, Morris graves: …after (a) profoundly moving and informing experience…i read of einstein’s last equation based on his study of the musical interval from which he concluded that space and love are the same thing. i, in my nonintellectual way, have determined that beauty is all pervading and has no opposite. An even greater paradox of the universe is that the center is everywhere and the perimeter is nowhere.

Julio granda has been painting in the Berkshires for over fifty years since moving from new york city, where he was a successful art director and book cover designer. he settled in the town of washington, MA and later moved to Pittsfield, MA. currently, Julio paints in his studio at the lichtenstein center for the Arts in Pittsfield.

Julio was a fine arts faculty member at Berkshire community college for seventeen years, becoming department chair during his tenure there. in 1983 he was appointed by governor dukakis to serve on the Massachusetts council for the Arts and was a charter member of the newly-formed Massachusetts Arts lottery council. he has exhibited both nationally and regionally and has work in many private collections as well as in public collections such as those of Brown university, smith college, yale university and the chapin library at williams college.

Lauren Clark Fine Art, 402 Park Street (Route 183), Housatonic, Massachusetts. Business hours are Thursday through Monday from 11:00 until 5:30 and Sunday from Noon until 4:00. For more information call 413-274-1432, or visit the website at www.laurenclarkfineArt.com

iS183 eMerGinG ArTiST ShOWcASe PhoTogrAPh By cAssAndrA sohn

The public is invited to join is183 Art school of the Berkshires for the 2013 emerging Artist showcase reception on saturday, June 22 from 4pm to 6pm. This annual event celebrates the hard work and talent of is183’s adult students and studio participants, and is an opportunity to meet the artists and purchase their work. now in its third year, the emerging Artist showcase is an exciting opportunity for is183 students to exhibit their work onsite. The hallmark of artistic practice is exhibition, and this culminating showcase provides a valuable professional development experience for is183 students and studio participants. is183’s students work hard all year round, honing their skills under the guidance of the school’s faculty of professional practicing artists. The emerging Artist showcase is a chance for students to share with each other and the community at large the result of this hard work and dedication. emerging Artist showcase 2013 will take place in the stairwell gallery from June 17 to August 25, with opening reception saturday June 22 from 4pm to 6pm. The exhibit is co-curated by artists and students Arline shalan and Kay castelle, and organized and installed by an all-volunteer staff. last summer’s show featured the work of thirty-six artists in a range of media including painting, drawing, collage, photography, ceramics, experimental animation and poetry, and this year’s show will be an expansion in diversity and depth.

Also a reminder that the stockbridge Artlab, our major faculty show will be up until June 3. A number of local businesses have turned into pop-up galleries to host segments of this wide ranging show.

The exhibition leads visitors through a progressive walking tour of stockbridge that in addition to The red lion inn also includes Berkshire Bank, elm street Market, hall’s garage, stockbridge coffee, salon 7, Main street café, and The stockbridge library. All stockbridge Art lab locations are listed on the Art lab map, which are available at area businesses and all gallery locations.

IS183 Art School, PO Box 1400, 13 Willard Hill Road, Stockbridge MA 01262 Phone: 413-2985252, www.is183.org

lichTenSTein

scoTT TAylor, flowers for sAle

cenTer fOr The ArTS fresh: froM fArM To gAllery

locally made art & locally produced food are coming together during the month of June in Pittsfield’s upstreet cultural district.

The city of Pittsfield’s office of cultural development and Alchemy initiative together present an invitational art exhibit entitled fresh: from farm to gallery, a celebration of locallymade food and art at the lichtenstein center for the Arts. A portion of the art sales will benefit the new downtown Pittsfield farmers Market.

Berkshire county artists featured in fresh: from farm to gallery include Phil Bastow, Marguerite Bride, Denise Chandler, Joan Ciolfi, Tom Fiorini, Diane Firtell, Ann Getsinger, Carol Gingles, Kate Knapp, Nina Lipkowitz, Nancy Magnusson, Laurie McLeod, Susan Merrill, Jen Morse, Isha Nelson, Sam Ponder, Gabrielle Senza, Mary Sipp Green, Savannah Spirit and Scott Taylor. An opening reception will be held during upstreet Pittsfield’s monthly first fridays Artswalk on friday, June 7th, 58pm. fresh: from farm to gallery will be on display at the lichtenstein from June through June 29.

The Market is located on First Street, across from the Common and is held every Saturday through October 26, 9am to 1pm. For more information, visit farmersmarketpittsfield.org. Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, 28 Renne Ave., Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

Gallery hours: 12 noon to 5pm, Wednesdays through Saturdays.

Admission is free. For more information, visit discoverpittsfield.com or call 413-499-9348.

BAScOM lOdGe

celeBrATeS 75Th AnniVerSArY

Bascom lodge officially opens for the season on June 1, offering breakfast, lunch, dinner and lodging accommodations, seven days a week through october 20. in celebration of its 75th anniversary this year, Bascom lodge, the iconic Berkshire landmark at the summit of Mount greylock, has planned a series of special events and programs related to the rich history of the lodge, the mountain, the 1930s, and local history and folklore. under the management of the Bascom lodge group, the restored and dramatically upgraded lodge has become a go-to destination for locals and visitors alike for mouth-watering meals with a focus on fresh, locally sourced foods and regional American cuisine, and comfortable overnight accommodations in a beautiful and unique location. The lodge has also rapidly become a highly desirable spot in the Berkshires for weddings, special events, and retreats.

Bascom lodge is the recipient of two yankee Magazine editors choice awards: “Best Mountaintop lodging” (2012) and “Best Meal with a View” (2011).

For more information, please visit bascomlodge.net

“Dance is of all things the most concentrated expression of happiness and everyone needs to find happiness, to search for an ideal escape.”

-VIOLETTE VERDY The ArTful Mind June 2013 • 9

BArrinGTOn STAGe

world PreMiere of MucKrAKers

Barrington stage company (Bsc), the award-winning theatre in downtown Pittsfield, MA, under the leadership of Artistic director Julianne Boyd and Managing director Tristan wilson, presents the world premiere production of Muckrakers, a new play by zayd dohrn, directed by giovanna sardelli (Bsc’s The north Pool and lord of the flies). Muckrakers begins previews Thursday, June 13, opens wednesday, June 19 and will run through saturday, July 6 at the st. germain stage, at the sydelle and lee Blatt Performing Arts center, 36 linden street, Pittsfield.

Muckrakers, starring Kate rogal and Kahan James in their Bsc debuts, centers around a young female activist who brings an older man – a famous political hacker/journalist – home to her Brooklyn apartment to spend the night. But as they start to expose each other’s secrets, personal and political desires collide, testing the limits of privacy in the modern world.

Performances of Muckrakers are Tuesday-saturday at 7:30pm, saturday at 4pm, sunday at 3pm. Additional matinees on Thursday, June 27 and July 4 at 4pm. There is no 7:30pm performance on July 4. Press opening: wednesday, June 19 at 7:30pm. Tickets start at $40. seniors: $32 all matinees. low priced previews June 13 & 14 are $15. Muckrakers is for mature audiences; contains sexual situations and mature language.

Barrington Stage Company (BSC): St. Germain Stage at the Sydelle and Lee Blatt Performing Arts Center, 36 Linden Street, Pittsfield. To purchase tickets or for more information, call the Barrington Stage Box Office at 413-236-8888 or visit www.barringtonstageco.org The Box Office is located at 30 Union Street, Pittsfield.

MArGueriTe Bride VillAge Views

Village Views features seven Berkshires based artists, each sharing their own distinct view of hancock shaker Village in the Poultry house gallery. Bride will be exhibiting multiple new watercolors; the other artists in this group exhibit are Joan ciolfi, ellen Joffe-halpern, debbie carter, scott Taylor, ivor Parry and Mike cohen. The show will run through mid-August. Bride is a regular exhibitor at the village; cards and reproductions of many of her village scenes in a variety of sizes are now being carried in the gift shop.

The 2013 Pittsfield Parade Poster is now available. receive a poster for free by supporting the parade with a donation of $25 or more…all proceeds go directly into the parade fund “signings” will be scheduled soon, which include Third Thursdays and first fridays Artswalks in Pittsfield. Visit pittsfieldparade.com to order yours and you will be supporting a great cause as well. This year’s theme: “America the Beautiful – land that i love”. in June, Bride is part of the invitational exhibit entitled fresh: from garden to gallery. This show is collaboration between Alchemy initiative and the lichtenstein center for the Arts. The reception will be held on June 7 from 5-8 pm, part of Pittsfield’s June first friday Artswalk at the lichtenstein at 28 renne Ave. seventeen artists are exhibiting in all mediums... watercolor, acrylic and oils on paper, canvas, wood, glass and digital, photography, ceramics, sculpted gourds and more. commissions for vacation and house portraits are welcome at any time. it’s a good time to think about 2013 holiday gift giving. over the years Bride has painted many scenes from vacations, special occasions, and favorite settings...all from clients’ own photos. These have included scenes from romantic wedding settings and honeymoon trips, Tuscan villas, vistas from fabulous hikes, exciting canoe trips, scenes from family vacations and reunions, “once in a life-time” adventures, and more.

Visit her website for more details about commissioning a painting, purchasing a painting or fine art reproduction lessons and updated exhibit information; or contact the artist directly.

Marguerite Bride, NUarts Studios, 311 North Street, Pittsfield, Studio #9, by appointment only. Call 413-442-7718, or 413-841-1659 (cell) / website: margebride-paintings.com / email: margebride@aol.com

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10 • June 2013

The ArTful Mind

shAron True

regular exercise is an essential component of optimal health and functioning. conscious exercise with sharon True, owner of wholePerson Movement, takes exercise to a whole new level. in the personalized one-on-one workouts she creates in her Pilates studio she guides her clients to become masters of their own body movement. They learn to become conscious of the inner experience and process of doing an exercise, as well as of its precise outer form. conscious exercise workouts stretch and strengthen muscles, promote concentration, reduce stress, and deepen understanding of the body. who needs conscious exercise? Artists whose art-making process involves doing painful repetitive movements are one group of people who can benefit from True’s conscious exercise approach to Pilates workouts. for them, True teaches specific therapeutic exercises that promote comfort and healing, and coaches them in finding internal support and other strategies for reducing pain when creating in their art form.

More broadly, conscious exercise empowers people to make the most of the body they have. This includes individuals who currently enjoy active lifestyles, such as performers, athletes, gardeners, and those who love all the outdoor activities that the Berkshires has to offer, and who want to maintain or expand on their physical fitness through a challenging Pilates workout. it also includes individuals who are confronted with impediments to their enjoyment of movement, such as injury or chronic pain, stiffness, difficulties with balance and coordination, or lack of body confidence. sharon True welcomes the opportunity to find a way to help your body function at its best, no matter what age or condition it is in now.

True is a registered somatic movement therapist, certified laban movement analyst, and a certified Pilates instructor. she has been teaching Pilates-based workouts for over 15 years, first at canyon ranch in the Berkshires and then in her own fullyequipped Pilates studio in great Barrington. These years of teaching, together with her commitment to continuing her own education, give clients the benefit of a vast array of experience to effectively address their goals and concerns. she is an expert partner and guide in the discovery of an exercise program that works and is a pleasure to do.

Call now to start making the most of the body you have with a Conscious Exercise workout with Sharon True. Contact her at sharontrue@roadrunner.com, or 413-528-2465, 9 AM-9 PM.

Great Selection! ~Shorts ~Pocket T-shirts ~Pants ~Sweatshirts ~Caps and more!

ArTiSTS need cOnSciOuS exerciSe shAron True on PilATes APPArATus

MArgueriTe Bride, PlowshAres

neuMAnn fine ArT cAsuAl oBserVer By Ken young

The Power of PlAce

This two-man exhibition opening July 6th and running through september 2nd will feature two painters, Ken young and Jeffrey l. neumann, with different styles but a commonality in depicting scenes which evoke a strong sense of place.

Both painters have been working in oils since their high school days in the early 1970’s and both painters share a fascination with rendering the textures and light and shadow found in nature and in our built environment. The Power of Place opening reception is saturday July 6th from 5:00 to 8:00 pm.

Ken young, who was born in charleston, south carolina and grew up in hudson, new york, will be showing a series of street scenes of hudson painted between 2010 and 2013. Although he was extremely familiar with the small upstate new york city, it was not until fairly recently that he was inspired to paint his hometown by a moment of seeing warren street through his rain soaked windshield. This led to his deep exploration of the urban landscape with the series of paintings featured in this show. “i see beauty everywhere. even in what some might consider commonplace and ordinary. oftentimes it is fleeting and momentary. i take great pleasure in capturing and preserving it with brushes and paint so that i ... and others can know that amidst the suffering and uncertainty there is goodness, peace and harmony� says young, reflecting on his spiritual approach to art.

Jeffrey l. neumann will be exhibiting some new work and some older pieces in his ongoing pursuit of the rapidly disappearing commercial landscape of the 20th century. neumann states that “My work is partly about preservation of an American vernacular landscape. i am painting vestiges of the American dream, but i am interested in the dual nature of our American experience.

Both artists present a uniquely personal vision which invites the viewer to experience and appreciate a particular time and place though the artist’s eyes.

Neumann Fine Art, 65 Cold Water Street, Hillsdale, NY. Gallery hours are Thursday - Sunday 11 - 4. For more information visit www.neumannfineart.com, Tel: 413-246-5776.

JAne feldMAn Family Portraits

PhoTogrAPhy www.JAnefeldMAn.coM

JAnefeldMAnPhoTo@gMAil.coM

ArTS eT induSTrie Birds, Bugs & BoTAny™

it was the Age of discovery & the era of enlightenment. exploration around the world in the 17th, 18th & 19th centuries fueled a fascination with Botany, natural history & flora. emissaries fanned out across the globe gathering specimens of exotic flowers & fauna to be catalogued by preeminent naturalists & bound into grand volumes. for these great books brilliant illustrations were drawn & carved into copper plates, hand-printed & individually colored by some of the most excellent artists of all time.

These magnificent original prints will be the focus of Art et industrie’s spring exhibition at the great Barrington Train station, entitled Birds, Bugs & BoTAny™. featured will be selected works from some of the greatest Botanical illustrators of the golden Age of Botany, including early hand-colored flower engravings by sydenham edwards for curtis’s Botanical Magazine from the 1780’s forward, stipple-engravings By Pierre J.f. Turpin for chaumeton’s 1815 flore Medicale, rare contemporaneous examples by ‘The raphael of flowers’ Pierre-Joseph redoutĂŠ, spectacular handcolored orchids by John nugent fitch for robert warner’s 1882 The orchid Album, lavish lithographs from van houtte’s mid-19th c. flore des serres and others.

Also featured will be select original J.J. Audubon hand-colored bird-prints from his 1840 octavo edition of The Birds of America together with full-size re-creations of the original havell engravings from the rare Amsterdam edition, as well as wonderful works from shaw & nodder’s 1790-1814 naturalist’s Miscellany, stunning engravings of shells, incredible early renderings of butterflies, moths, bees & spiders.

All these & many more will be presented together with a selection of fine reproductions on Greeting Cards, Giclees & scarves at our newest location next to the Farmer’s Market at the Old Great Barrington Train Station.

Watch this space at the Old Great Barrington Train Station for our Spring, 2013 Opening.

frinGe feSTiVAl PerforMAnce of MoMenT of iMPAcT

This summer, emerging artists from across the united states will discover a vibrant home as part of the 9th Annual Berkshire fringe taking place July 15-August 5 at the daniel Arts center in great Barrington. dozens of performers and ensembles spanning the disciplines of theater, dance, music and rock opera will participate in the action packed three week festival presenting over 50 performances, free concerts and Pick your own Price opening nights.

A vital testing ground for the development of new performance, the Berkshire fringe is a beacon of creative risk and innovation that remains dedicated to engaging the next generation of artists and audiences. Through high quality programming and low-ticket prices, The Berkshire fringe creates a dynamic festival community that sparks cultural dialog and is accessible to everyone.

2013 festival highlights include: The lunar stratagem’s vaudeville inspired farce Dead Letter Office (a prelude to Bartleby the scrivener), The Ape Woman, a living room rock opera about sideshow sensation Julia Pastrana, FUFU & OREOS, an entirely improvised one woman show about a young nigerian-American woman, Mahalla, new movement theater play about deliverance from egypt & The Arab spring, Moment of Impact, a physical theater piece integrating aerial performance and The Other Mozart, about the life of Amadeus’ lesser known sister, nannerl.

For tickets, information and a full schedule of events, visit www.berkshirefringe.org, e-mail info@berkshirefringe.org or call 413-320-4175.

The ArTful Mind June 2013 • 11

so lifelike that cimabue approached Bondone and asked if he could take the boy as an apprentice.” little Jackson would read that and be fired up with ambition to study anatomy, and perspective, and then god willing, he would get commissions to paint the ceilings in huge churches in cody, wyoming where he was born.

Part ii

childhood Of The Art historian

“no cure for The Medieval Mind” From

By richard Britell

Part i

(Continued from the May issue)

don’t you sometimes wish you could go back in time and reprimand your old teachers who years ago gave you stupid advice that turned out not only to be wrong, but disastrous. That is what i would like to do, go back in time and tell my old art teacher that you don’t have to draw to be able to be an artist. on the contrary, being able to draw is a positive detriment. could Jackson Pollock draw? if he had been able to draw like the old masters, would he ever have done his paintings? Just picture little Jackson Pollock in grade school and his teachers are hovering over him saying, “oh Jackson your drawings are so beautiful, just like Michelangelo.”

Then they would get him to read Vasari’s biography of giotto.

Vasari said of giotto: “The great florentine painter cmabue discovered giotto drawing pictures of sheep on a rock. They were

“no,” yelled Buboni, getting all worked up about his ideas in his usual way, “if Jackson knew how to draw like the old masters as a child then today you would have never heard of him, and if he had worked real hard to develop his drawing skills he would be doing the one thing that would ruin his chances in life.” you may think i am joking in what i am saying about Jackson, but i am serious about this. Many of the things he did in his youth were the opposite of what the successful young student would be expected to do. Take his high school days. did Jackson study real hard to prepare himself for his eventual prominence in the world of art in the new york city of the fifties? no, he did just the opposite. i will quote from Jackson’s biography just so you see what i am talking about. look, here it is on the screen of my iPod, see for yourself: “while living in echo Park, california, he enrolled at los Angeles Manual Arts high, from which he was expelled, after having been expelled from another high school in 1928.”

Most likely back then he was developing the real skills that would lead to his eventual success, heavy drinking and reckless driving. And at the same time he was working on those skills, his classmates who wanted to be artists would have been drooling over the saturday evening Post covers of norman rockwell, and trying to imitate his drawing style. Because by studying the drawing skills of norman rockwell back in the 1940’s they would have the skills, and be in a position to do magazine covers when they grew up. And when they grew up those magazines were nowhere to be found.

That is the reason my art teacher was wrong to tell me i couldn’t be an artist if i couldn’t draw, but i must not have been an artist anyway because if i was i would have never listened to her. But it didn’t matter anyway because at that age i knew next to nothing about art. My knowledge of art was limited to knowing who Michelangelo was, that Vincent Van gogh cut off his ear, and that a boy in my class knew how to draw sylvester the cat. i asked the boy in my class to teach me how to draw sylvester the cat but he said sylvester was too complicated and i should begin by learning to draw donald duck. learning to draw donald duck was going to cost a quarter so i signed up to learn. The boy who could draw showed me his system. To draw donald duck there were about ten separate shapes very similar to letters in a picture drawing alphabet, there was a fish hook shape, and a

backwards s shape and several others. he put all these shapes in a row and numbered them, and i had to memorize them. After i memorized the donald duck alphabet, i had to put them together in a certain order and the result looked like donald duck but my drawing looked like it was stretched out with a very big beak and a tiny head. i had to draw this over and over a hundred times and show him my best drawing. After that i knew what my art teacher was talking about when she said i couldn’t draw. My hundred drawings of donald duck convinced me of that. As far as being an art critic, or an art historian, it was all gibberish to me back then, and i didn’t even know what the words meant. But then something happened at home that changed everything having to do with my color acuity. My dear Mother was not impressed with my A+ on my book about the color red. “This is a sissy book,” she said. it was a sissy book! it is impossible to understand now, what those words did not mean to me back then. i expected some explanation, but my mother did not offer one, and it was many years before i had an insight into what she was thinking. i went to my older brother for an explanation, since he knew everything. i said to him, “Peter, why would a book called, ‘101 shades of red,’ be considered a sissy book?” “Because,” my brother said, “only girls know the different shades of the colors. for boys it is just red yellow and blue, try to avoid purple and under no circumstance refer to purple as violet. That’s the rule if you want to be a man.” he said that if i wanted to be a man, i was not to refer to purple as violet. so, apparently there was a choice involved, i did not know this, and he was unwilling to elaborate. so it turned out therefore that the policeman did not have poor color acuity after all, he must have been a person who knew the rules about being a man, and that is why he was unwilling to call the jacket of the thief, chartreuse and black checked, but in his manly way just called it “green coat.” even now the concept is difficult to grasp because it was so obvious that such a system of manliness would make a mess out of arresting the right persons. it was years before i figured out why my mother thought my book was a sissy’s book, but for the time being i abandoned the idea of trying to use my color acuity. color acuity was going to be a curse, rather than an advantage. “you know” i said to Buboni, “i think i was raised with the same sort of ideas about the descriptions of things, and the use of the wrong words to describe colors although i don’t recall anyone ever talking about it. what you are saying reminds me of something that happened with my wife.” whenever we were going to go out to dinner she would ask me if i liked these or those earrings she was going to wear, and i never knew what to say. whatever earrings my wife happened to have on i would say, “Those look good,” hoping she would stop asking for my opinion. But like as not she would be dissatisfied and try on another pair. one time my wife put on her favorite green earrings and we went out to dinner. we were having dinner with her friend Marsha and a man named Philip who made custom furniture. About halfway through dinner my wife went to the bathroom and when she sat back down again Philip yells out so the entire restaurant can hear him, “oh my god, i just loVe those blue earrings.” Apparently my wife had a different set of earrings in her bag and decided to change them while she was in the bathroom. i would never have noticed my wife had changed her earrings in a million billion years, and yet Philip noticed it the second she sat down at the table. now i have to admit, the first thing i thought to myself when Philip the custom furniture maker started screaming for all the restaurant to hear how he loved my wife’s earrings, was that he had to be gay, it was so obvious. so you can see from that example; 50 years may have gone by and yet anyone who notices their surroundings is branded as gay in a derogatory way. “And people like me think blindness is a mainly virtue,” i said, disparaging myself in an unnecessary way. “Anyone who has lived through the six months leading up to a divorce knows exactly what i am talking about, i blurted out.” “Are you divorced?” the duck inquired. “i would rather not talk about it,” i replied.

H

12 • June 2013 The ArTful Mind

Planet Waves

We've had a lot of intense months lately; June promises to be an interesting one. Eclipses are out of the way for a while, which will help everyone sleep a little better. Planets are gathering in the sign Cancer, which is a reminder that we need to take care of one another on the planet, as much for everyone else as for ourselves. You want the people around you to feel safe and strong, and the small gestures you make honoring that fact will come right back to you. Jupiter enters the sign Cancer for a year right after the solstice. Then on June 26, Mercury stations retrograde for three weeks. This may come with the feeling of re-evaluation, and the need to tune up your emotional body so that you may focus on what you want rather than what you define as a need.

Aries (March 20-April 19)

get ready to make a stretch -- of your living space, of your emotional capacity, of your ability to take care of yourself and others. you don't need to be afflicted by the same 'there's never enough' bug that so many others seem unable or unwilling to shake off. you can afford to feel safe, and you will only benefit from encouraging the people you love to understand that they too are safe. humans are critters that belong in broods, tribes and caravans. our society falsely promises benefit and gain by striking off on one's own or ignoring the needs of others. everyone needs some time to themselves, but that's a different thing.

Anyone who feels the pleasure of cooperation and the benefits of solving collective problems collectively is unlikely to go back to the old way.

Taurus (April 19-May 20)

you may think you know what you're saying, but do others understand what's on your mind? i ask not for their sake but your own. you need to feel understood. you also need to feel like you understand yourself, though over the next couple of months that's likely to come in layers rather than to burst out of the ground like a gusher. i suggest you be patient with yourself, and to express your uncertainty gently. if you do, what you may notice is the presence of a rare kind of confidence that has roots going deeper than any questions your mind could come up with.

Therefore, if you ask a question, assume that it has an answer. if you see a problem, assume there is a solution. it may not manifest overnight, though it will help move things along if you keep adjusting your point of view. you will see different things from different perspectives.

Gemini (May 20-June 21)

how you feel about yourself determines what you think is possible. That in turn is the most dependable metric on what is possible, for you. events this month seem determined to teach you what you have to offer, and the many ways your gifts and your efforts can be of service to the world. one thing is for certain: if you think you have nothing to offer, you must think again. it may take you a little time to figure out what your gifts are and what you can do with them, but that's different than doubt or despondency. if you're just not seeing the possibility, it's likely that something is blocking your view. That something may be an outdated attitude or value about the meaning of work, or a negative emotional attachment that you can now, at long last, dissolve.

cancer (June 21-July 22)

stay as close to the edge as possible, for as long as you can.

Keep your options open. you may be inclined to take the 'safe' route because the thing you want seems impossible, too challenging or too remote to be viable. you may feel like your deepest desire has gone missing. Please be patient, and appreciate the experience of uncertainty as much as you can, and remember that your main job right now is to keep the door open for the best potentials when they begin to show up, which could stretch out a few weeks from now. you will feel when they arrive; you'll

June 2013

recognize them. My sense is that you will feel the tide is turning and know that you can move with it. what arrives is not a oneoff but evidence that you have entered a new time in your life, one that will offer you many gifts that you merely need to open up and receive consciously.

leo (July 22-Aug. 23) There seems to be so much you can't do anything about, though what you have going for you is the ability to access what i will call spiritual help. Any mystery, any problem, any challenge, is inviting you to 'offer it up' to natural healing forces and ease your mind. one thing is certain: those forces are real, and they are willing to help you. since you've got the responsibility to take care of so many people, count it as a good thing you have support. yet you have more help than you may know. while it's clear that you will need to help guide certain events in a positive direction, your leadership style would benefit from a major revision from anything your parents or early authority figures inflicted on you. There's a new way to do things -- and you're bringing it into existence.

Virgo (Aug. 23-sep. 22)

As the month develops, you may feel like you're swimming against the tide of social opinion, or perhaps more subtly, that you just start to feel different than the people around you. what i suggest is that you not try to prove yourself or allow any discussion to degrade into a power struggle. you have a right to be independent, particularly in your emotional response. who is right or wrong doesn't matter; what matters is that you're at peace with yourself. if you recognize that there is only a limited extent to which anyone is entitled to an opinion about your life, this will be a lot easier. There's also missing information, though you're the one most likely to be ahead of the curve figuring out that the knowledge that's coming will validate your hunch or point of view about what is right for you.

libra (sep. 22-oct. 23)

events that develop this month will be enough to focus your priorities on what you know matters -- what you've said so many times is your top priority. you may start to feel like you have some catching up to do, yet i would caution against acting like you have to make up for lost time. rather, work with the idea that what you're doing and the choices you're making now are right on time. Take the steps you need to prepare for the steps you're about to take. Perhaps the most important thing to remember is how much you've learned the past year. Make sure that you consider what some call 'both' sides of every issue and what i would say amounts to taking a circumspect, open-minded approach, never being too invested in your own opinions.

Scorpio (oct. 23-nov. 22)

when you have faith in yourself, the universe will provide for you. or rather, it will provide for you anyway but you may not notice that's what's happening. it's your faith that will inform you and that, thankfully, is something you're learning to make friends with. here are some clues that this arrangement is working well: one is that you have enough of what you need. Another is that you have a vision for the future that you trust. rather than being a vague hope or wish, your vision is something that you can see in a focused way, even if it doesn't exist yet, and that you trust despite any questions you may have -questions i suggest you ask gently, and wait earnestly for the answers. you know more than you think, though to access the information you must listen and trust.

Sagittarius (nov. 22-dec. 22)

relationships are about an exchange of something substantial, be it feelings, resources, ideas or effort. what happens this month will be enough to illustrate the point. you're ending a phase of your life and beginning another where 'too much of

by Eric Francis

nothing' is no longer enough. once you're clear about that, it'll be obvious who is offering you something, without needing to understand the motive. This may be the exercise in trust that you've been planning to embark on for so long. remember that it takes some trust to trust, and at first you may seem to have no special reason to do so. not at least based on certain elements of your past -- though there are others you may not have considered. And they are reminding you they exist. They're reminding you there is something about yourself that it's time to reclaim.

capricorn (dec. 22-Jan. 20)

suddenly you have more potions than you know what to do with, or you will soon. As you consider these options, you may also be inclined to hesitate. But rather than do that, you have an opportunity to experiment, and to explore who makes you feel how. relationships are not theoretical. They are not about pondering who or what might work, or how a situation might feel.

They are about experience, and an experiment, and you don't need to commit to more than that when you want to explore someone. you are not married after the third date, you don't have to have sex, and the person is not your boyfriend or girlfriend. you can explore sex and you're still not married. rather than the social conventions, the thing to pay attention to is your own need for contact. remember, this is more important than your need to bond. start with contact and see where things go.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-feb. 19)

what your life hinges on is your ability to state your needs and your desires. it would help if you could tell them apart, and have clear ideas what constitutes one or the other (clue, you will have very few needs, and a good few more desires). Knowing about this is not enough; being clear with yourself is not enough. you need to put this information to use. you may have been taught to 'expect' your needs and desires to be met, or to hope that doing so for others would result in someone showing up and doing that for you. Many things preclude that, including the aura of independence you put out, however what i suggest you do is tell people -- the ones that matter -- what your life is about and what role you want them to have. how they respond is up to them, though you'll learn a lot either way.

Pisces (feb. 19-March 20) The more fun you have, the better you will feel. while on one level this is a serious time in your life with so much at stake, what matters more is your motivation to succeed. what some call luck will play a role in this; you're about to have a rare collection arriving in your solar 5th house, including Venus and Jupiter. This is an invitation to take action rather than to wait for good things to happen. for a Pisces there is no better incentive to live well than play, creative exploration and sex. it's not every day that you get an opportunity like the one you have now, and if career questions or business are on your mind, you will get better results from fun than from labor. Along a similar line of thought, working in a creative mode is more important than working hard.

Eric is looking for guests on his Blue Studio podcast.

This is about real people telling their personal story.

If you're curious email him at dreams@planetwaves.net with the subject header Blue Studio Sessions h

The ArTful Mind June 2013 • 13

i found myself in an unexpected place in life: i was suddenly single, mostly self-employed, and sleeping in a friend’s library. soon after that i started writing to amuse myself. Then i had the spark of an idea: A massage therapist (which is what i was and still do) starts performing miracles, out of the blue.

The president of Poland (back then it was the netherlands, but things change) starts dreaming about her. what happens next? i just kept asking that question, over and over again. i haven’t stopped yet, and i don’t think i ever will. describe some of the structural building blocks you had to deal with in creating your first novel, from start to completion.

Amy: The first was: how to begin? i had read quite a lot of Julia cameron and natalie goldberg, and decided to start with describing the scenes that were most exciting to me, at any given time. in whatever order they happened to pop up––because, of course at that time i had no idea what the order was. i learned quickly that a writer--a novelist, in particular--has to become comfortable with vast reams of seeming chaos. if you are patient and keep kicking out the words, eventually a pattern will emerge, along with other things like theme, and those tasty subplots. i wrote a lot of backstory, some of which ended up in the novel, much of which didn’t, but which i might be able to plunder for the next. i read a lot of books. A lot. once i had decided that a major character is president of Poland when we meet him, i had to learn as much about Poland as was necessary to establish some sort of ground before taking it and twisting it to my own fiendish ends. i kept telling myself Kafka wrote a book about America without ever setting foot there. it takes nerve. sheer nerve. And i also had a character who is a longtime war correspondent, and one who is, even more fun, half Mexican, half yaqui. you do as much research as you feel is necessary to be respectful to the character, then you throw it to the wall and see what sticks. editing editing editing. i probably wrote six or sevens novels in the past five and a half years. They just all happened to use many of the same words and all the same characters and situations. i hired an editor, nancy dziedzic, who was wonderful. Then i rewrote quite a few things after that. Then at some point you decide you’re finished. As a friend of mine quoted to me recently, “A work of art is never finished. it just stops in an interesting place.” which was a great comfort to me, as i was in a slightly panicked place of finding that i was mostly done with this thing that had obsessed me in such a wonderful way for such a long time. i think it’s in a very interesting place right now. so i guess it’s alright to stop.

AMY TAnner

wriTer And AcTor

By Harryet Candee

Photography by Sophia D. Lee

Amy Tanner is a local author who is on the verge of publishing her first novel, The Virgin of hopeless causes. She has taken time out of her busy schedule to share her thoughts on creativity, self-publishing, and chutzpah with The Artful Mind.

first, let me ask you: Amy, how has the writing journey been for you up until now?

Amy Tanner: it has been the most amazing journey of my life. hands down. no question. i started writing when i was about eleven. i was reading everything i could get my hands on–– shakespeare, fantasy (like stephen r. donaldson’s Thomas covenant the unbeliever series), mythology, history, you

14 • June 2013 The ArTful Mind

name it. it helped that my father had an extensive library. i’m sure i also read things i wasn’t supposed to....But everything contributed. The problem with reading such things so young is that you think plots are something labyrinthine--deeply complex, and always involving bishops and kings and queens and serving wenches. it kept me from finishing things for years. it really wasn’t all that long ago that i understood, while reading stardust by neil gaiman, that plot was as simple as: Boy sees star fall. Boy sets off to find star. Boy brings star back. everything else is gravy, spice, layerings of flavor. i realize that answering this question could make up an entire book. let me sum it up to say that just before i started writing this book, after publishing poetry and a poetic memoir piece,

now that the book is ready to be out there for the public, the writing is finished, the cover design is all set to go, what are your next steps in polishing it and sending it out to the world?

Amy: As far as i’m concerned the words are as polished as they’re going to get. i’ve begun what i call the technical acrobatics: formatting the manuscript for ebook and for the softcover version, both of which i’ll be selling through Amazon, for starters. i decided to self-publish a while ago, after sending out query letters to agents, getting back positive feedback, and continuing to edit. People kept sending me articles on selfpublishing. To me, that was tacky. self-publishing was for people who wrote lousy books. definitely not for me. “i’m going to get an agent,” i kept telling people. “stop sending me this self-publishing stuff!” Then i started reading it. started reading more about the publishing industry in general.

And came to the conclusion that even if you do land a publishing contract, you still need to do your own marketing. Particularly for a first-time, no-one’s-ever-heard-of-you-before novelist like me. Then, when the manuscript’s final word count reached over 120,000 words and i knew i had no intention of taking any of them away, (agents and publishers don’t want anything over 94,000--too risky if no one buys your books) i figured the ball was in my proverbial court. And i realized i liked that. i liked that very much. i was surprised at how much i enjoyed the idea of being in total control of my

own particular universe. Things happened serendipitously. not only did i find two Polish women to read my book and check my Polish and my version of Poland, but sophia d. lee, the daughter of one of them, ended up designing the cover for me. i gave her a sketch of what i was thinking, and she fleshed it out in the most brilliant way i could imagine. she is also a talented (and local) photographer, and took great publicity photos of me. And, as i mentioned, i hired an editor who i happened to go to high school with. The whole thing has had the feel of a Mickey rooney and Judy garland movie: let’s all put on a book! But the reins are in my hands, which are slightly sweaty at the moment, but still steady. Mostly.

in many ways, you are your own agent, marketer....That in itself is another job you have to do. how has that been so far, and what are your plans for getting the word out about the book?

Amy: Ahhh....so many people have so many things to say about that. one thing i know for certain: whatever i do, i want it to be enjoyable. i want to have fun. As much as possible. i know people are all about social media, and i do have a regular facebook page, but i, personally, like contact with the people whose work i find inspiring. seeing them give readings, watching interviews, and reading blogs are all meaningful to me. so i’m going to be contacting independent bookstores in new england, wherever i can drive roundtrip in a day, and hopefully i’ll do a good number of readings (there are about five different accents in my book, so i have some work to do on that, as well as learning how to pronounce the Polish without destroying it). i plan on giving as many radio interviews as i can, wherever i can. i’m going to have postcards printed and leave them in cafés everywhere. i will leave a trail behind me. And i am prepared to be surprised and inspired by more ideas. They never stop coming.

Amy, where did you grow up? Give me a description of what your life was like growing up.

Amy: i grew up in the suburbs of detroit. As i mentioned before, my dad has quite a library of books, so that was my basement haven for much of my childhood. i read. And eventually i wrote. i have two very smart, funny, and talented sisters. My mother taught me about stubbornness and persistence. And my father taught me about living life on your own terms, in the best way you know how. My path has been rather convoluted--i’ve had at least fifty jobs in my life. some of them lasting a day or two. But everything, i’m finally happy to say, makes perfect sense now, and has, in some form or other, ended up in my book. i wish i could have known that back then. But it probably would have spoiled the surprise.

What else keeps you busy in the Berkshires when you are not writing? i imagine you enjoy your work at Kripalu!

Amy: i’ve been doing massage and bodywork for thirteen years, and i’ve been working at Kripalu, a yoga and health center here in the Berkshires, for nearly five. i get to share the magic of massage with so many incredible people! i think the best people in the world work there, and come there to bask in the beauty and fun of the place. i also love walking in this lush pre-summer beauty, seeing the occasional film and having the occasional breakfast with friends. seeing the occasional play. But mostly i write or fuss with writing-related things.

Aside from work and writing, what else are you up to? i understand you have some stage acting plans in Albany coming up?

Amy: That is quite right. Aside from writing Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Ark scripts when i was twelve, i also decided i wanted to be an actor. i’ve done some over the years, and have a piece of paper that says i have a degree in it, but i can say this is the first time in ages that i’m actually having real fun doing it. which seems to help on both ends––the doing and the watching. This play is The Prisoner of Second

“Whatever I do, I want it to be enjoyable.

I want to have fun. As much as possible.”

Book Jacket Design by Sophia D. Lee

Avenue by neil simon, directed by iris singer and produced by the Point of View Players in Albany, set to run in september. iris’ company is new and feisty, and i’m very excited for her. we’re going to have a good time.

Amy, have you had many mentors? can you tell me about some of these people?

Amy: well, to run on with the acting theme for a bit without getting too slobbery (or, actually, i probably will), i have to say that our own rudi Bach is one of my two all-time favorite acting teachers. The other one is Keegan-Michael Key, who i had the pleasure of studying with at the university of detroit/Mercy. i think it’s fair to say that––as far as i’m concerned––rudi is a genius. he’s also a bit mad. which helps. i’ve been studying acting with him at the Mixed company Theatre in great Barrington for over a year now, and his method and approach have been exactly what i needed to connect with acting in a new (but really essentially old and familiar) way. Also at udM i worked with dr. Arthur Beer in acting and forays into playwriting. Also quite mad. But someone who had faith in me, probably seeing in me someone who was quite mad too. And in dr. claire crabtree’s poetry writing course, taken the final year of my BfA program, when i was suffering panic attacks and avoiding the udM Theatre department like the plague, i found my voice as a writer. which startled me. Because it wasn’t necessarily a nice voice. But i kept writing, in great part thanks to her. There are more people, of course. everyone has been a mentor, in one way or another. There’s just not room to thank them all. i suppose that’s what memoirs are for.

What are your feelings about living in housatonic, MA? Amy: i like living in housatonic. it’s a lot like those old railroad towns in new york state you pass by when you’re taking Amtrak to detroit. Quaint old houses--not so many store

fronts––some gorgeous late Victorian cupcakes--not to mention the massive Addams family paper mill down the river-mixed in with aluminum-sided added-on homes where people didn’t care what the hell the thing looked like, they just needed an extra room. some creepy falling-down shacks on dirt roads in the middle of town. i think of it as Berkshire gothic. with a lovely river running through it.

i know that people write because they need to communicate their feelings about something they feel strongly about. Was this first novel based on any preliminary happenings in your life that prompted you to pick up the pen and start writing this novel?

Amy: As i said before, i was living in my friends’ library. surrounded by three walls of books. At that time i had a list of writing projects: screenplays, nonfiction books, stuff like that-and everything i was sure would take at least two years to write. which at that point seemed like forever. working on something for two years would be torture. i picked up hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy by douglas Adams, and started rereading it. now this is more like it, i was thinking. i want to write something like this. something fun. something i can just throw out in, say, six months or so. surely it didn’t take him any longer than that. My ex-boyfriend had just kicked me out of the house, months before, and here i was, sleeping in a library. surely that was a decent beginning for a book? i don’t know about the strong feelings. i tried very hard not to be preachy (because i do enjoy hugging trees), and focus on the story. sure, my liberalities cannot help but leach out, and i did have an awful lot of fun depicting a shamelessly self-promoting and sinful fundamentalist preacher, but i really like him. i do.

Continued on next page...

The ArTful Mind June 2013 • 15

continued from previous page...AMy TAnner

What’s a typical day like for you, Amy? What do you enjoy about your days, no matter what you have planned?

Amy: That’s easy. There are no typical days. Thank goodness. when i was growing up my older sister would say something like: you do know santa claus is coming over tomorrow, and he’s going to stay all summer because Mom and dad are going to explore the Amazon with Jacques cousteau, right? i would say, reAlly? (All aglow, eyes wide) i learned that some people called this gullible. i decided pretty early on that i was going to hang onto that gullibility for all i was worth. life was a heck of a lot more interesting if you expected that anything could happen. Because, if you haven’t noticed, it often does. so i enjoy the constant sense of surprise. even when i feel awful, i still know things can change. And if they don’t, i can always go to bed, eventually.

What are your most cherished books, and what authors have been most influential for you?

Amy: when i was a child i loved dr. suess. i still do. he makes the most sense of any of us. i loved The Witch of Blackbird Pond by elizabeth george speare. The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera is one of the most beautiful books ever written. so is Lolita. The writing is luminous, even though the subject matter is repulsive. Quite a feat. right now i’m looking forward to neil gaiman’s new book, The Ocean at the End of the Lane. i love Jaspar fforde and his Thursday next series. Philip Pullman’s his dark Materials Trilogy. Angela carter. And isabel Allende and Tom robbins were early inspirations. can’t get enough of magical realism.

What would you say are the most important words of wisdom you could share with us?

Amy: it seems mighty presumptuous of me to offer such words. But the most important thing i can think of is to fall in love. fall in love with something, with someone, whatever. i fell in love with a story and its characters and it fed me, and continues to feed me, in ways i cannot enumerate and which keep growing.

how would writing and massage therapy ever cross paths with each other for you? And would you think that writing Poetry goes more with the flow of massage therapy? i am thinking there is a connection, for you and for the people you interact with everywhere.

Amy: it all comes from that place, that magical place of feeling and conviction and truth we all walk around with. you plug into it and you can feel connected with everything, with everyone that has ever been. Poetry is--can be--dangerous, because it’s dynamite. you don’t know what’s coming next. it’s fast, stealthy, and--boom! The top of your head has just been blown off. have a nice day. not that it can’t be gorgeous and comforting and sweet as well. But massage is a sanctuary. it’s protection and a balm. And so is poetry. so i suppose i should just say yes, and no, and all of the above.

Maybe.

What was the most intense experience you have ever had in your life? is it reflected in your novel?

Amy: i was worried, at first, upon seeing this question. i don’t want to lie, and i’d rather not skip anything. fortunately, i can say that creating this novel has been the most intense experience i have ever had. The sweetest ecstasy, as well as the most excruciatingly painful, at times. But mostly glorious.

So, are you coming up with a second novel at this point? does your writing it depend in any way on the success of the previous one?

Amy: i already have the general outline for the next one. i’ve written a rough prologue. i would never hold back on writing it or publishing it, based on how the first one does. i can’t wait to get my hands in that clay and start slapping things around.

Amy, for emerging writers who know the realities of publishing in today’s world, and that seeing their own works leather bound with marbleized paper will not likely happen, what are the best options to keep the visual part of a book from being sacrificed?

Amy: realities are important as far as you can make them work for you. And if they don’t, you are free to ignore them altogether and make up something different. who’s to say your work won’t be leather-bound and marble end-papered?

Those things are nice, but what is most important to me is having something interesting to communicate, something perhaps in the form of a book, and figuring out enjoyable ways of sharing that with people. As far as the visuals go, figure

16 • June 2013 The ArTful Mind yAy! PArKs Are oPen!

Writer and Actor, Amy Tanner

out what you like, and either make it yourself or find someone else to help you out. computers are wonderlands of possibility and invention. not to mention incredible resources for searching out the experiences of those who have already done what you’re trying to do.

Tell me, is there really a lot of publishing competition out there?

Amy: There have always been more people who want to have books published than those who want to publish them. i suppose you could call that competition. it all depends on your motivation--for anything. if you do it for love, for the pleasure it affords you (the definition of amateur, actually), then hopefully you will not fuss much about others who want to do the exact thing you are doing. in fact, ideally, you will support them. somehow (and it makes no logical sense, but indeed a deep visceral sense) there is room for everybody. And everybody’s story, everyone’s art, is vitally important. if they treat their work and their audience with care and respect, they will be rewarded. how do you deal with rejection? how does anybody deal with rejection in all the arts! it’s a tough world out there these days. What is your take on this?

Amy: when you put it like that, it’s always been tough. And rejection--Jonathan richman said it best: “you probably won’t like that so well.” i gave my huge, hulking first draft of a manuscript to a friend who read it, then sent me a list of twenty things he didn’t like about it. it shocked me no end. for about a day. Then i realized he didn’t want my book, he wanted a different one. And he was free to write that book himself. i went over his list a little later, used it to change what made sense to me to change, then let the rest go. After all, in the end, it’s just a story. And this one is mine.

favorite films? favorite food? favorite time of day?

Amy: now i feel like i’m filling out an online dating form. i love hayao Miyazaki’s studio ghibli films. Pan’s Labyrinth. Hot Fuzz.

Kingdom of Heaven (director’s cut). Chocolat. Moonrise Kingdom. My breakfast today (rather late, at 1 pm or so) was whatever i had in the refrigerator: pork/venison sausages that had to be cooked today or else, eggs, spinach, a box of mushrooms getting a little fuzzy on the tops. i cooked the sausages and fried everything else in the fat. it made the scrambled eggs look pretty bloody, and they tasted like what i imagine foie gras must taste like. rich and gamy and strange. The sausages were nice. now my refrigerator is empty. i love early morning, just when dawn is breaking. i love the full sun of the afternoon. i love dusk. i love the early hours, after two, when you are alone and the world is silent and dark. no, i don’t stay awake for days on end. i’ve just learned how to stay up all night writing, on those occasions when i can’t stop and i don’t have to.

One last question, Amy. it’s not a big one. i was just wondering if you keep a personal journal, or did writing this novel take the place of a journal?

Amy: good question. i still wonder about this. i used to journal a lot--i have several filled volumes, and more that i unloaded at different migratory points. i wrote several chunks of my book directly upon waking, by hand, in my journal. for that reason i keep one by my bed, although right now i don’t feel the urge to use it much, although i do write down my dreams. Just not the one i had last night about the baby puppies that turned into kittens that were overwhelming me and growing up way too fast. And i’ve started blogging, which is like keeping a journal but anyone who wants to can read it.

But since that’s the kind of writing i like to read, as well as write, that’s fine by me.

The Virgin of hopeless causes, a novel by Amy Tanner, will soon be available in both electronic and softcover versions on Amazon.com. For more information and amusement, contact Amy at herself@amytanner.net or check out her website at www.amytanner.net F

Architecture & Arcadia

A Modest Proposal (for the World Trade center)

(This column was originally written ten years ago. Sadly, so much of it is still relevant today: the war in Afghanistan rages and others – especially in the Middle East — seem imminent. George Santayana’s famous quote, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it”, is, ironically, forgotten at great peril to everyone. )

Americans don’t know very much about the rest of the world.

A majority seem content to believe that people living outside the united states world are either ‘evil doers’ or denizens of several ‘picturesque’ theme parks like england or ireland. Ask Americans about the governmental structure of even our allies and you will likely draw a blank stare, not so much a ‘i don’t know’ stare, as a ‘why would anyone care?’ stare. As the old joke in europe goes: what do you call someone who speaks three languages? Answer: Multilingual. how about two languages? Answer: Bilingual. how about one language? Answer: American (united states that is). it seems clear to me that without wars most Americans would never feel the slightest compunction to learn anything about their neighbors in the global community. in at least this sense, that scion of American royalty, george w Bush, really is a regular guy. it might be some sort of secret republican strategy, this international ignorance: i still laugh thinking about ronald reagan’s reference while standing next to our then ally, President doe of liberia (another one of those current, where the hell is that place? place) as ‘chairman Moe’ (sadly, Mr. President, it seems that chairmans larry and curly were unable to attend…) indeed, if it hadn’t been triggered by the monstrousness of 911, it would have been almost comical to watch the vast majority of Americans try to figure out what an ‘Afghanistan’ was, where such a place might be located and, of course, why some of them would want to do such a horrible thing to us. serious-faced news anchors would, like school teachers bringing the slow kids up to speed, point to maps and give a minute or two of the country’s history. stock footage of tattered villages, smiling, toothless men, usually armed to the teeth and, of course, colorfully dressed, des-

Simply Sasha

Stephen Gerard dietemann

perately poor peasants flashed on our screens. what is usually not said, or said very quickly, is the united state’s role in the mess.

‘Blowback’ is the term used by the spy agencies to describe the effect of weapons turned back on the sender; we all know way more about ‘blowback’ these days than we ever wanted to. for instance: you know those surface-to-air missiles so currently focusing our minds when we think about flying the friendly skies ? yup: we sent a lot of them to the radical islamists to fight the soviets. And how about those shoulder launched grenades killing our soldiers one by one in iraq these days: we supplied a lot of them as well. And why did we know that at some point saddam hussein did have wMds? yup, again: we gave them to him when he needed to get rid of a lot of iranians fast. you can almost hear the American suppliers asking themselves as they turned the weapons over : ‘hey, what’s the worse that could happen?’ lucky for us, the wdM have very limited shelf lives. sadly this is not the case with the other arms.

But the big question remains: why did they fly those planes into the towers? After you’ve had your fill of right-wing bluster concerning the ‘evil ones’ deep hatred for our basic goodness or discourses on the intrinsically violent nature of islam (as if any religion could cast that stone) you might take another look at those two minute television lessons concerning the offending nation(s). does the video tape reveal well fed, properly housed people? do the children look healthy? Are there sewers? is potable water available. what is the life expectancy? infant mortality? Add to these things the high probability that the united states has interfered at some point with their choices and resources, even undermining, or trying to undermine, democratically elected governments as was the case in iran, chile, nicaragua, south Vietnam and Brazil to give only a few examples. even if we generally receive, at best, sanitized versions of American actions in other parts of the world (and increasingly at home, i might add) that doesn’t mean that the people in those countries don’t know. And even if they don’t what is going on (and, amazingly, until recently the world generally considered the united states an affable giant), it must be increasingly clear that the imbalance existing between

our prosperity and their poverty is unsustainable if we desire a peaceful world. some things just can’t be ignored or ‘spun’.

That brings me to my modest proposal. in 1729 Jonathan swift proposed – ‘for Preventing The children of Poor People in ireland from Being A Burden to Their Parents or country, and for Making Them Beneficial to The Public’ – that the poor children be eaten. of course, his intent was not the promotion of cannibalism but rather, to focus the english public on the deplorable conditions of the irish poor at the time. As is the case today, the many irish poor of swift’s era were virtually invisible to the prosperous english. Today, however, it is increasingly clear that the have-nots will not be content to remain invisible, and they have the arms to make us listen. still, the problem remains: how to wake Americans (the new english) up before it is too late? i propose that on the site of the destroyed world Trade center a typical Afghan village be constructed, stone by stone, stick by stick. Visitors could merely look, or, for a few dollars, live in this village, but only exactly as the average Afghan lives: no clean water, very little if any electricity, and only be permitted to eat what they can scrape from the ‘land’. A real adventure, the ultimate ‘reality television’. The press would be free to provide updates on the inhabitants recovery from hepatitis, cholera, diarrhea, with family-friendly articles on how the children are doing with close-ups now and then of their skinny little faces.

My only worry is that after a while, and a few ugly, disheartening deaths, Americans would lose interest, stop visiting and never get to see the rage on the faces of those remaining in the village.

by Sasha Seymour

The Awesome Avocado!

Summer is here and so is the season for bonfires, bug spray and barbecues! Whenever we are invited to a ‘que, I always wonder what I can bring other than the standard potato or macaroni salad. This recipe is an awesome choice! It features the beloved avocado, which provides all 18 essential amino acids necessary for the body to form a protein! It is the perfect food for the vegan or vegetarian who needs to supplement their diet. So get ready for a fun filled season with family and friends and avocados! Enjoy! p.s. Organic produce is the way to go. It’s everywhere!

2 seeded cucumbers 2 chopped sweet yellow peppers 1 container of cherry tomatoes, quartered 1/2 sweet onion chopped fine 2 Tbsp fresh basil 3 Tbsp both lemon juice and olive oil 4 medium avocados, peeled and chopped Feta cheese to sprinkle on top!

Bib lettuce (optional)

1. in a small bowl, combine the first 6 ingredients (cucumber through olive oil) 2. cover and refrigerate for 20 minutes 3. Add Avocado and toss gently 4.Sprinkle with feta and serve over bib lettuce, or serve alone 5. That’s it!

~ Stephen Dietemann Architecture in Arcadia

My Restaurant Review Gypsy Joynt I love to cook but let’s face it, some days it is nice to have someone to do the cooking for you! The Gypsy Joynt, located on 293 Main Street in Great Barrington, is one of my favorite places to go when I’m craving home cooked comfort food. It is a family run business, with Keith and Lori Weller, their children Kaitlin and husband Ryan, Merry, Jordan and wife Evangeline, Hayley and Braedan running the entire show! They have a plethora of offerings, from burgers to salads, pizza to soup, and wraps to sandwiches, and they are always creating new and exciting dishes! The bread is made fresh in their kitchen every day, and whenever possible their food sources are organic and or local.

The family eats all their meals at The Gypsy Joynt, and as it says on their website, www.gypsyjoyntcafe.com “We make everything from scratch so we know what’s in everything!” - Sasha Seymour The ArTful Mind June 2013 • 17

GOOd PurPOSe GAllerY whisPered gifT By williAM MccArThy

eArTh & ATMosPhere

earth & Atmosphere, a duo exhibit featuring the works of david Bryce and william Mccarthy can be seen at the good Purpose gallery, June 1 – July 15.

Two nature elements, the heaviest and the lightest: earth and air are in perfect balance at this exhibition. Two artists invite us to experience the delicate and playful energies of the universe, revealing their inner qualities that we all can relate to. david Bryce draws with clay. in his figurative sculpture and in his narrative incised panels, he molds and marks the clay, creating sometimes serene, sometimes playful figures, suspended in an eternal moment of joy or contemplation. The pieces express a simple and familiar action – stirring a pot, offering a bowl, striking a note – but Bryce always imbues the movement with a feeling of stillness. with a calligraphic stroke, or the folds of ribbons of clay, he captures his robed figures at their daily tasks, and captures our hearts as well. his work makes us smile. william Mccarthy about his art: “each of these luminous and mysterious images of trees against sky, field, and river evoke a subtle variation of light and atmosphere. The arrangement of the trees - whether standing in solitude or in pairs or in large groupings seem at once inevitable and yet surprising, formal yet accidental. All of these paintings are comprised from memory, imagination and thumbnail sketches from my beautiful basement studio in my home in connecticut.

Good Purpose Gallery, 40 Main Street, Lee, MA. Visit www.goodpurpose.org for more information. Gallery Hours: 8:30-4:30 Mon, Wed, Thurs; 9-5 Fri-Sat; 9-3 Sunday.

18 • June 2013 The ArTful Mind

KATe KnAPP, weed And TrAcKs 24 x 36”

frOnT STreeT GAllerY KATe KnAPP

Pastels, oils, acrylics and watercolors…..abstract and representational…..landscapes, still lifes and portraits….a unique variety of painting technique and styles….you will be transported to another world and see things in a way you never have before… . join us and experience something different.

Painting classes continue on Monday and wednesday mornings 10-1:30pm at the studio and Thursday mornings out in the field. These classes are open to all...come to one or come again if it works for you. All levels and materials welcome. classes at front street are for those wishing to learn, those who just want to be involved in the pure enjoyment of art, and/or those who have some experience under their belt.

A teacher for many years, Kate Knapp has a keen sense of each student’s artistic needs to take a step beyond. Perfect setting for setting up still lifes; lighting and space are excellent.

Kate Knapp’s paintings are also on display at 510 warren st. gallery in hudson, ny. Please stop by to see all the many works of art by exceptional artists. from June 1 –28 there will be a group show consisting of works by Jeannine schoeffer, doris simon, nina lipkowitz, Marion Jansen, sue Arkans, carol sue donelan, diana felber, roberta haas, Peggy cullen, iska Kenney, eleanor lord and Marybeth Merritt. opening reception on June 2, 3-6 pm. coming soon to front street gallery – July begins a new show - recent works by Kate Knapp, opening July 13, 10 – 6pm.

Front Street Gallery – Front Street, Housatonic, MA. Gallery open by appointment or chance. 413-528-9546 or 413-429-7141 (cell).

ST. frAnciS GAllerY Bruce MAcdonAld,Two Trees

whAT surrounds us

what surrounds us All continues through the month of June.

This stunning exhibit, with works by linda cimini Baker, Marguerite Bride, Bev Bourassa, Terry Borrasso, Paul greene, Jurek, steve levine, Bruce Mcdonald, Monica Miller, leo Mazzeo, helga orthofer, Bob Plant, franco Pellegrino, Paula stern, scott Taylor, John Townes, and sharon Vidal amazed people at the opening. it has delivered on its promise to inspire...capturing the beauty of color and form that combine to create unique works that have the power to draw you into the paintings themselves...immersed in the mood, form and play of light in these artworks. for many it is the beauty of the Berkshires that inspires, for others it is their own internal landscapes.

The gallery continues to support humanitarian work in Kenya by sales of the art work and also for the first time bringing back works of art from the children of the horec orphanage and the women’s cooperative of the Kipsango slum project. Beautiful reproductions of the art work created in Kenya will be available along with special affordable prints from many of the artists showing their work. in July, st. francis gallery will present freedom of expression – a new show which promises to be stimulating and provocative. opening reception will be held on saturday, July 6, 3-6 pm.

St. Francis Gallery, 1370 Pleasant St., Rt. 102, South Lee, next to the Post Office and Fire Dept. Gallery Hours: Fri – Monday 11:30 am – 5:30 pm. 413-717-5199.

PO BOX 181 West Stockbridge, MA 01266 Email: KENTMIKALSEN@gmail.com sacredspace.kentmikalsen.com Phone: 413-652-4801

The ArTful Mind June 2013 •19

20 • June2013 The ArTful Mind