Whatever Wednesday - Celebrate Spring Arts Fests

Spring time in the DFW area brings arts festivals.  It's not too crazy hot. Whew!   

So - focus  on  this lovely bracelet,  not the horrible picture of my arm and hand.   The bracelet caught my eye at the Southlake Art Fest.  Designed by an artist, Ann  Marie, from Florida  - she uses old watch parts.  The colors and unique style caught my eye.  Ray said, "You know you want it.  Just buy it. "   So I did.  Happy to support this creativity and repurposing.  

 And  two weeks earlier - Main  Street  Art Fest  in Fort Worth.  So many fun  booths.  I bought the upper left hand  wood carved piece and created a little collage for  my bedroom.  These pieces worked together and made the wood piece pop.   Most evenings, I watch  tv in this room and can look and enjoy the display. 

So many talented people!   Go explore your local  art scene and spring festivals.  Enjoy it  all! 

Arts in Fort Worth, Tony's on TV

Confession - haven't been writing much or editing either. No good excuses. Flat out - been swimming/water aerobics and exercise is beneficial and healthy. Been reading a lot - sometimes it goes in spurts and, currently, I have a pile of extraordinary material ( The Passage, Pretty in Plaid). Busy at work which involves me sitting at a computer screen for seven and a half hours straight. (okay, yes, I take thirty minutes for a bag lunch and peruse the Wall Street Journal).

Sunday - I chose to view other artists, and treated myself to a Fort Worth day. Strolled through the Kimbell and enjoyed their Asian art on display. Then lunch (!) - tasty turkey on walnut bread plus assorted salads. Yes, I chose their "small" platter and no dessert. Onward to the Amon Carter for a true treat. Ansel Adams:Eloquent Light featured sixty photographs from a master. Black and white vision, patience, and beauty.

Walked briskly back to The Magnolia Theatre at The Modern to see the film Please Give. Artsy angst. It did seem long, but it had some great lines and I love the actress, Catherine Keener. I'd say it was a mixed reaction from fellow film-goers. One man said to his wife, "Now can we go see the A-Team?" Yikes.

Finally, Sunday night, my husband relinquished control of the big screen and I watched the Tony Awards. Love them - great productions, excellent presenters, the winners gave eloquent speeches, and I'm ready to head to New York to see everything. Chatted with my father and we agreed - Come Fly Away - Twyla Tharp choreography to Frank Sinatra music - wow!

So, I might not be creating art at this juncture, but I'm sure appreciating others' talents.

support the arts, convoluted tales part 2

Upcoming free author talks, sponsored by the Star-Telegram and other local underwriting trusts, need to be attended. Support the arts - events at the Bass, Jubilee Theater, Circle Theater, etc will broaden your views, offer new perspectives, and generally give you a laugh. Here's new dates for authors - 10/7/09 Garrison Keillor at Bass Hall. 11/23/09 - Clive Kussler at Bass Hall. Send a SASE to Star-Telegram, Author events PO Box 1870 Fort Worth TX 76101 and be sure to list the author you are interested in seeing. These are FREE!

I'm still thinking about Jeffery Deaver's chat at Casa Manana. Engaging and forthcoming, he encouraged new writers to analyze books in their genre. If you intend to write a thriller, then take Deaver's latest Roadside Crosses and outline it. Think about his pacing, his characters, his clues, the logic, and the organization of his book. He might take eight months to outline and create the book, before he even writes the thing. Perspiration and preparation. He says he writes for us - the readers and that gives him enjoyment (and plenty of success and money). In this crazy publishing business he is one of about two hundred authors who are ongoing "sure things". That's not many - all the more reason to edit, edit, and rewrite the edit.

I promised a convoluted tale, so I'm switching gears here and introducing you to Colorado (picture above courtesy of Crystal Hines). Again, check out Crystal's work - this talented photographer on her blog - http://www.peekthrumylenz.blogspot.com and pass the word if you know anyone interested in having their portrait done.

It'll be a fun experience. Colorado, above, had a good time. Now, what will encourage her to read and grow? I hope she's read aloud to now or at least chews on some picture books. Then Dr.Seuss, Richard Scarry, and onward to Amelia Bedelia, The Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, and more. How do you keep kids interested and wanting to read?

I've got very mixed emotions about summer suggested reading lists. I believe this begins in junior high and on into high school. Yes, I want kids to read. But, if they are made to read, then it is forced and I've seen it suck the joy. It becomes a chore and a job. I'm generalizing about those kids who aren't avid readers. They are on the fence and can be swayed to hate to read. Sigh - that's so sad. I can't imagine saying, "I don't like to read." Wow - miss out on adventures, characters, and escape.

I'll be curious to know what folks think about this and/or what they've witnessed with their kids. I plan on continuing the discussion too - more convoluted tales to come.

Now, it's time for me to pluck a book from my huge pile and read and roam.........

Joanne