Resolutions may be made in late December, but one hard look at the past year comes around this time for most of us. The 1099s and W2s are circulated by now, that is, if we are going to get them. Those not receiving any such form might be in line to show the books for [...] Continue Reading »
what is your fair share of taxes?
2for 10%
1There is a possibility that Ashley’s art reception at the Clayton Center at Maryville College could be cancelled tonight due to inclement weather. This would be obviously very disappointing for her, having had a long pause from exhibiting work, but also unfortunate for her intentness. In her work she is learning to incorporate the new rhythms [...] Continue Reading »
artist statement : artifacts of us
4This work explores the confusion, uncertainty, and simple delights of operating within the traditionally feminine roles of homemaker and motherhood. Both the content and process seek to quietly protest the meaninglessness our society attaches to domesticity. The soft pallet, wavering lines, home fabrics, playful decorative marks, rough waxy varnish and wispy cursive text asks for voice without [...] Continue Reading »
eight. the men in black suits.
1EIGHT My warmup for a gig starts many hours before. First I walk a mile to Andy’s and borrow the Neon. I head downtown to Market Square, park in the alley, enter Cafe Four and go down the elevator to a storage room. The keyboard case is in the back, through piles of crates, [...] Continue Reading »
on memoir writing
0There was once a coffee shop in downtown Madisonville where I used to live. The owner would sit down between customers, unfortunately for very long periods, and write in his journals. He was from New Orleans and spoke in a thick Cajun drawl. He told me once, “Tell me everything you know about your father.” I told [...] Continue Reading »
working days, excitement about a new found work of Steinbeck
2When Ashley and I loaded up and headed for the artistic promise land, I heavily relied on The Grapes of Wrath as a source of determination and hope. And also as an answer when the day of reality and hard facts was laid out flatly before us. Throughout our scrambles since, whatever mused Steinbeck we [...] Continue Reading »
Shop Class as Soulcraft, a book review of sorts and thoughts on creativity
2(by Levon who is listening to the rain) I’m reading a book I can’t put down, except to drop in my lap every couple pages and have a mini soapbox session to myself. The book is “Shop Class as Soulcraft” by Matthew B. Crawford. It’s an “inquiry into the value of work” written by a [...] Continue Reading »
going broody
2Often pregnant animals feel a “nesting” instinct which causes them to prepare for the arrival of their newborns. I’m a typical pregnant lady in that this has been my experience, though the expression of this instinctual urge seems a tad severe. I was not content with a fresh coat of nursery paint and scrubbing the [...] Continue Reading »
Tazewell, VA: a baby shower, sneaking down a mine, uncle Dobb surprises Grandmother with Pappaw’s WWII Medals
3Little baby Addair had his second baby shower this past weekend with Ashley’s side of the family. I think he has everything he needs, actually more than I ever imagined was necessary for babies. I changed my first diaper, on a doll, and lost in a race against Ashley. Keith won the bottle drinking contest [...] Continue Reading »
This is a test
4This is a test. It is only a test, I am blogging from my phone and contemplating a big idea. At the moment I’m picking up odd jobs and between my neighborhood’s Facebook page for Old North Knoxville and my church classifieds at All Souls Knoxville, I couldn’t be busier. Scraping old paint and landscaping. [...] Continue Reading »