Book Revue

Huntington's Book Revue is the kind of book store that you might see in a movie-- a funky, independent village spot that functions like a town square. And when Olivia's publisher asked where we'd like to have her Long Island book signing, it was an immediate response: The Book Revue. Sure Bill Clinton signed his book there, and Mary Tyler Moore too, but it was also a store I've frequented since I was a teenager growing up in a nearby town. The turn out today for Olivia was just amazing. Pitched in Newsday today as one of the 'top ten things to do on Long Island', the crowd ranged from friends, family, colleagues, her teachers, my students, James' clients, and people who read in the newspaper about this girl who drew birds. IT was part reunion, part eco-activism. By the time car service came to take Olivia and James to the airport, headed for Portland Oregon, the goodies had been eaten and the books had sold out. Thanks to all of you who were there to celebrate Olivia's Birds!

Hanging Around the House With Modernemama

When Modernemama realized she had new art work on hand which needed proper placement, she called in the experts. Rockstar framer Cherie lead the collaborative efforts of the crew, moving this one a little to the left, and that, over to the right. With an attention to composition, color, and lighting, the wide array of art was showcased to its best advantage. Afterwards we raised a glass or two to celebrate a successful work party.

3 Backyards and 1 New Camera

3 Backyards was a thought-provoking analysis of three characters who are teetering on the edge of life-changing events. A cinematic version an Eric Fischl painting, behind the banal suburban facade lurks an undercurrent of depression, turmoil, and danger.
It was great fun to go to a movie with so many members of the cast and crew on hand. Louise Millmann, who plays the role of 'the teacher', sat behind me in the back row with her bag of popcorn and two good friends. In front of me was her mother Rose and brother Chris. As for her performance, it was not lost on me that Louise is more theatrical in her real-life performace as a photography teacher than she is in portraying on on the big screen.
After the enlightening Q & A session which followed the movie, Louise headed over to deliver homemade Irish Soda Bread to her longtime friend and star of the film, Edie Falco, who gave Louise a hearty embrace and me, a friendly handshake. But alas, my new camera, a spiffy Canon known for its great low lighting shots, leaves me with an 'atmospheric' shot of the two. Let's just say I won't be joining the ranks of the paparazzi anytime soon.

3 Backyards

This Friday at Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington, NY, 3 Backyards featuring Northport's own Edie Falco and Louise Millmann, opens to a sold out crowd. Winner of many awards around the globe, it's the story of three people from the same suburban town during the course of a seemingly typical autumn day. Behind the placid exterior, each character experiences a personal journey that takes them to unknown territory. Director Eric Mendelsohn will be on hand to discuss the film.

Beach House: In the Details

Modernemama revealed her renovated bathroom-- what a fantastic job turning a standard 1960's 'builder' bathroom into something rather fabulous! Using different textures and tones, the mix of chocolate-colored wood, cool white marble, steel fixtures, and mosaic tile, gives a clean and chic look to the master bathroom without being sterile. As for the other renovations underway-- I counted three, or was it four?, kitchen flooring, window treatments, area rugs, and throw pillows were all under discussion. What I love about each of the choices I saw was how they all connected to the mid-century vibe of the house without being kitchy or dated. Instead, they took the lines and colors of the past, pulling them through to the present in exciting and inventive ways.

Home with Modernemama

As many of you already know, blogger Modernemama (and patron of the arts) graciously commissioned me to paint a portrait of her modern Andrew Geller home, and purchased companion paintings to round out the ensemble. Here they are, at home in her foyer, perfectly placed I might add.

Beach House

When Jane of modernemama asked if I would paint a portrait of her Andrew Gellar modern home, I decided to dive headlong into the task. It was made easier after a terrific meal (and several bottles of wine) at Crew since I had a better fix on how I was going to represent their already interesting home in a surreal painting. I knew Jane to be a cat lover and The Guy, a fan of the butterfly, but I wanted to make the images more complex than that. After looking at some works by Italian painter Georgio de Chirico and Belgian Rene Magritte, I decided to develop two different images. The top image, a symmetrical facade, became an open book, with the chimney serving as its spine. The ground started as a chess board, since The Guy soundly trounced me in a game, but the image needed something to alter the scale, hence the blue jay feather. I love blue jays, not just for their color, but for their ability to transform their call to sound just like a hawk. The second image was more straightforward, except for the topiary shrub on the right, a dog peeking around the corner to check out the cat and the luna moth. It was a great exercise to try to capture both home and homeowner in such a symbolic way.

Our Crew

The blogging crew, Jane of Modernemama and 'The Guy', Heidi of Faboolosity and her guy, and of course James and myself, met up last night at Crew, a charming restaurant in Huntington Harbor that had the ambience of a yacht club. After an opening round of their infamous crab balls, which inspired a few anatomical quips, we sat down to a tasting menu and a lively conversation.

Huntington Fun

Had a wonderful trip to downtown Huntington's fantastic independent bookstore The Book Revue with author Joan Leonard. We hammed it up in the travel and art sections, but in the end, we had a great lunch and an even better conversation. Joan is wickedly funny and can turn stories about suburban cookouts and cross country trips into incredibly comedic fodder. I always leave her inspired with new ideas on pieces to write.