Monday Mixtape: Kenyon Adams & American Restless, fontface from E+S studios, WeMakeStuff Volume 01 + an animation

There are few things in the world I get more excited about than imaginative, risk-taking, art makers sharing their work.

Each week, usually on Monday, I compile a metaphorical mixtape, a few "tracks" of art featuring the work of independent artists making good work.  (with an occasional pop artist thrown in for kicks)

Won't you consider this weekly post my little patched-together gift to you?  Hopefully, the post shares a little bit of happy with the featured artists, too.

Enjoy!

p.s., this mixtape is meant to be shared; help a starving artist and pass it on!

track 1: Kenyon Adams & American Restless

Yet another artist I've gotten to know at the Ministers to Artists Retreat at Laity Lodge each spring.  Just like most everyone I meet there, Kenyon's passions, talents, and work defy categorizing.  I met him first as the Arts Ministry Coordinator at the Center for Faith and Work, a ministry of Redeemer Presbyterian in NYC.  Then I watched him in the award-nominated indie film Lucky Life.  This past spring, he and Charlie Peacock teamed up on an inspired musical improv and I realized this man can sing!

Seems his band began kicking up dust this past year, recording and performing in New York.  Not sure why it took me so long to mention them here.  I promise you're going to love the sound!

From their Band Profile on Facebook:

"The blues is about a soul crying out before God..."

This statement captures our shared artistic vision to create progressive rythym and blues music which marries the southern soulful stylings of Kenyon Adams and the Chicago-based roots music of Noah Lekas (American Restless).

To this picture and in this scenario we wish to contribute our own "cries" out to God in solidarity with all who struggle to reconcile inner longings with the besieging cruelty of the mundane.

Band Instrumentation: Inspired by Muddy Waters Band, The Allman Brothers Band, The Black Crowes, Little Walter, Jimmy Hendrix, Elmore James, among others.

Kenyon Adams, lead vocals & amplified harmonica
"Restless" Noah Lekas, lead guitar
Shawn Best, Drums

Kenyon Adams & American Restless on Facebook

Kenyon Adams & American Restless on ReverbNation

 track 2:  fontface from E+S Studios

Speaking of that Laity Lodge tribe, Erik & Shannon Newby unveiled their newest venture, fontface on Etsy. E+S=fun and pretty every time!

About the shop (+ opportunity to be an arts patron x 2!):

We take pride in using 100% recycled, post-consumer and biodegradable papers and packaging. We also believe it’s important to invest in the arts, so we pledge to give 10% of our proceeds to supporting other creative initiatives and individual artists

fontface on Etsy

fontface on Facebook

Shannon Newby

the card I'm going to send Brian (don't tell him...)

track 3:  WeMakeStuff Volume 01

WeMakeStuff Volume 01 from WeMakeStuffVancouver on Vimeo.

I didn't know about this Vancouver-based indiegogo campaign until just a few days ago (thanks to DT for the hat tip).  How exciting to link there today and find out they've reached their goal already!  Still, if you'd like to contribute you have to the end of today to add your contribution (Monday, October 15).  Mostly, I love what they're doing and why they're doing it and thought you would, too.

The Artist-in-a-Tribe is a beautiful thing.

from the indiegogo page:

WeMakeStuff Volume 01 is a stunning book that will showcase one hundred artists and innovators from Vancouver exploring the collision of faith and creativity. It will be a historical document showcasing creative people expressing their process, intent and the tensions of their reality.

The one hundred are artists, innovators, inventors, engineers, architects, designers, film-makers, dancers, programmers, entrepreneurs, chefs and writers. For the first time, their collective voices are being recorded in one ground-breaking publication.

WeMakeStuff Volume 01 on Facebook

WeMakeStuff Volume 01 on Twitter

bonus track:  Homemade Portraits: Sophie Blackall

The Missed Connections of Sophie Blackall on Etsy blog

Watch more Etsy videos

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Before I go, I should tell you that I love to hear what poems, pictures, 

songs and reasonable words you are enjoying.

  Please do stop by the comment box and share a bit with me.

Monday Mixtape: WaterSky by Phil Keaggy, Evening Tide by Susan Schwake, Andy Palmer furniture and The Art of Breadmaking

Source: poolga.com via Gebis on Pinterest

There are few things in the world I get more excited about than imaginative, risk-taking, art makers sharing their work.

Each week, usually on Monday, I compile a metaphorical mixtape, a few "tracks" of art featuring the work of independent artists making good work.  (with an occasional pop artist thrown in for kicks)

Won't you consider this weekly post my little patched-together gift to you.  Hopefully, it makes the artists I'm crushing a little bit of happy, too.

Enjoy!

p.s., this mixtape is meant to be shared; help a starving artist and pass it on!

track 1:  Jeff Johnson and Phil Keaggy, WaterSky

Laity Lodge on the Frio River in the Texas Hill Country casts some sort of Rivendell-like charm on all who visit there. For artists that charm seems to translate into creative inspiration.  This case, a second collaboration between keyboardist Jeff Johnson and guitarist Phil Keaggy translates the charm and beauty of the Frio River canyon into sound.

Watch the video, listen to the samples, buy the album. 

via Ark Music:  The musical adventures by the keyboard/guitar duo first began with their popular and critically acclaimed,Frio Suite (2009). Their second collaboration, full of thoughtful melodies, rich textures and sublime segues, takes their listeners on eight new instrumental voyages akin to floating in a canoe through the awe-inspiring Frio river canyon.

track 2:  Evening Tide by Susan Schwake

                                                                          Source: The Working Proof via Tamara on Pinterest

I've mentioned The Working Proof before ("Thrifty Arts Patron").  I receive the email updates to see the new work as well as the charitable causes artists are promoting.  This particular piece by Susan Schwake has been my favorite in many months.  I suppose it's partly the color, shapes, textures that draw me to the work, but I also appreciate the work for the feeling the image and title evoke.   

via The Working Proof

About the print:This piece came from that special quiet which you get when right at twilight when everything is calm. I love to spend time at the ocean and dusk is one of those perfect moments for me. In fact I added the shimmer of gold paint to hint at that time of day as a golden moment.

This print is available in multiple sizes. It was digitally signed by the artist. The 8x10 and 11x14 prints are numbered by The Working Proof. Learn more here.

I chose to pair Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) with my print because their work is just so important.

track 3:  Andy Palmer, furniture

Andy Palmer

When we moved to Austin, our artist friends took up a collection for us as a farewell gift.  They gave us money to purchase art once we arrived in Austin. 

We wanted something different.

We wanted to take a bit of our New York community with us.  We showed up at our friend Andy Palmer's house, walked through each room, and, finally, selected one piece that would take New York with us to Texas.

Single Tree by Andy Palmer -- in our house
 (I  need a new picture showing where we've placed it in our new house)

In a perfect world, I'd call Andy up and say "Me and all my blog friends are coming over to tour your house!".  It's a tour-worthy house, trust me.  You can see much of the handmade furniture, custom cabinetry, ceramic ware and paintings from his house on his updated blog.

If you want to own a one-of-a-kind piece, Andy's your guy.  If you want quality craftsmanship, gorgeous natural materials and whimsical design, Andy's your guy.  

bonus track:  The Art of Breadmaking by Tiger In A Jar 

Oh, how I love the films from Tiger In A Jar.  Don't you think October is a lovely time for all of us to practice the art of bread making?

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Before I go, I should tell you that I love to hear what poems, pictures, 

songs and reasonable words you are enjoying.

  Please do stop by the comment box and share a bit with me.

Monday Mixtape: No Man's Land, PJeanArtMachine & Dragon Day (with a Mary Oliver bonus track!)

There are few things in the world I get more excited about than imaginative, risk-taking, art makers sharing their work.

Each week, usually on Monday, I compile a metaphorical mixtape, a few "tracks" of art featuring the work of independent artists making good work.  (with an occasional pop artist thrown in for kicks)

Won't you consider this weekly post my little patched together gift to you.  Hopefully, it makes the artists I'm crushing a little bit of happy, too.

Enjoy!

p.s., this mixtape is meant to be shared; help a starving artist and pass it on!

track 1:  Charlie Peacock, No Man's Land

On the heels of taking home two Grammys for producing Barton Hollow with The Civil Wars, Charlie Peacock releases his ninth solo album and first vocal recording in thirteen years.

Download the album on iTunes today!

from the Paste album-streaming page:

Peacock refers to No Man’s Land as the “culmination of a lifetime of making music” that reaches deep into the roots of American music to garner its sound. An homage of sorts, the album is rich with memoirs of the past in the forms of pedal steel guitars and horn sections throughout.

No Man’s Land was recorded at Peacock’s home studio, The Art House, a restored hundred-year-old church in Nashville, Tennessee. Undoubtedly, this environment put its own stamp on the record. Peacock finds it fitting to record an album in a church having always been a “God-haunted” man.

 Stream the album at Paste

I've had the pleasure of meeting Charlie and his beautiful wife Andi Ashworth , retreating together on the banks of the Frio River at Laity Lodge.  There are few artists I respect more than these two.  They have walked the long, arduous road of making in the framework of discipline, integrity, excellence, hospitality, theology and grace.  In my opinion, artists are starved for the sort of wisdom they offer; not only artists, but Christians as well.  

May all the seeds they've planted in the dark turn into harvests of hearty, excellent fruit bursting out in the light.  In the meantime, let's raise a glass to No Man's Land!

track 2:  Phaedra Taylor, PJeanArt Machine

                                                       Source: etsy.com via Phaedra on Pinterest

If my calculations are correct, this post makes the number of times I've crushed on Phaedra's work an even dozen.  I'll probably do it again because I just can't help myself.  (plus, she just keeps on making new work!)

Alongside The Ambrosium (which I raved about here), Phaedra has added a second shop to  her up-and-coming Etsy empire: PJeanArtMachine.  She's filling her shop with "art prints, whimsical cards, block prints and other sundries" -- the sort of things that make you so happy to look at you want to look at them every day.

In addition to the print above, I'm especially excited about her vintage Christmas cards.  If you happen to be on the Murphy family mailing list, cross your fingers that one of them will show up in your mailbox this December.  

Follow The Ambrosium on Facebook. (make sure to click "like")

Follow Phaedra on Pinterest.

track 3:  Dragon Day, an independent feature film

from their Facebook page:  "Dragon Day is an independent feature film about an American family fighting to survive a Chinese cyberattack against the U.S.!" 

The final product of the movie depends on the help of patrons.  The film producers have kicked off 1 $50,000 campaign for post-production expenses through IndieGoGo.com.  Visit their campaign page to watch the trailer, meet the filmmakers, hear their vision for the film and make your contribution.

from David Taylor: "If you ever wanted Christians to succeed as filmmakers in Hollywood, then I encourage you to support my friend Jeffrey Travis and his latest project."

from Jeffrey Travis (writer, director & producer of independent feature film Dragon Day) :
"I've put my blood, sweat and tears (and my modest savings) to bring this movie to life. Depsite our small budget, I'm proud of what we accomplished, and I don't want to compromise the final quality of the film in post-production, and so decided to turn to you, our potential audience, for help in finishing this movie.."

For myself, I'm intrigued (and somewhat haunted) by the premise of the national debt making us vulnerable to attack.  I'm looking forward to this movie and totally grateful I get to play a (small) part in its production.   

Dragon Day website

Dragon Day on facebook

Dragon Day at IndieGoGo (only 12 days left to contribute!)

bonus track: Mary Oliver

                                                                               Source: southernpiphi.tumblr.com via Tamara on Pinterest

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Before I go, I should tell you that I love to hear what poems, pictures, 

songs and reasonable words you are enjoying.

  Please do stop by the comment box and share a bit with me.  

Monday Mixtape: Labor Day Party-in-a-Post

Each week, usually on Monday, I compile a metaphorical mixtape, a few "tracks" of art I discovered and just can't keep to myself.  You should know that tracks are loosely related by theme and very much influenced by whim.

This week I'm throwing you a Labor Day Party-in-a-post: pancake party (we have over 30 people coming for pancakes on Monday morning) and a sampler of Charlie Peacock's latest tunes!  Then, you can finish the long weekend with a crackling bon fire (or small, little-heat-as-possible patio fire).

Enjoy!

                                             make

Apple Cinnamon Pancakes

listen

Charlie Peacock No Man's Land Noisetrade sampler (click here or above)

Watch

Visit CharliePeacock.com for more great media celebrating the upcoming release of his new album on October 2.  I had the privilege of hearing him perform In the Light (did you know that CP wrote it?) in a sort-of improv jam session the last time I was at Laity Lodge.  Absolutely heavenly.

Do

How to: Start a campfire with one match

"My idea for the lyric was to make it like something King David from the Old Testament would have sung if he were alive today. I wanted that sort of "I'm a scoundrel in need of redemption" feel to the story. I think I got it."

 (Charlie Peacock on the In the Light acoustic session )

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Before I go, I should tell you that I love to hear what poems, pictures, songs and reasonable words you are enjoying.  Please do stop by the comment box and share a bit with me.  

Hoping that you find your common days aflame  with good books, 

pictures, poems, songs, words and ideas!

                                                  

Monday Mixtape: 5(+) picks to celebrate Once

Each week, usually on Monday, I compile a metaphorical mixtape, a few art picks I can't wait to share with you.  It might help you to know that "tracks" are loosely related by theme and very much influenced by whim.

Since I first watched the indie film in 2008 I have never stopped playing the soundtrack and never stopped loving the story of Once.  First the film, then the Best Song Academy Award, and now the Tony-award-wining musical.  The magic of the love story keeps living -- sadly longer than the real-life love story between Guy and Girl.

The 2011 music documentary The Swell Season serves a sad, but lovely epilogue to the love story we all hoped for in the movie.  We are invited into the darker journey of an artist's life that all-too often accompanies the magical moments of collaboration and mainstream recognition.  Still, Marketa and Glen compel us with their earnest affection for each other and their passion for writing and performing beautiful songs.  They've moved on from the almost-mysterious success of the Once story, each releasing solo debut albums in the last year.  I stay with their stories and keep hoping for their peace.

 This week I've curated for you a collection of art-making in the wake of the magic of Once.

Enjoy!

track 1:  Glen Hansard, Rhythm and Repose

                                                                             Source: theswellseason.com via Tamara on Pinterest

NPR tiny desk concert with Glen Hansard  

track 2: Marketa Irglova, Anar

                                                                     Source: pastemagazine.com via Tamara on Pinterest

Album Stream:  Marketa Irglova's album Anar

                                                                            

track 3:  Once, the Broadway musical!

                                                                Source: broadway-gleek.tumblr.com via Tamara on Pinterest

Opening night interviews with cast and directors at BroadwayWorld.com

track 4: links 

Once, A New Musical at 100 Shows a Year: a fun entry on one blogger's experience seeing the musical

Glen Hansard, solo at b.a.d. reviews:  my friend Brett's thoughts on the less rhythm and more repose in Hansard's solo debut

Photo coverage - Once opens on Broadway at BroadwayWorld.com:  I have already notified my husband I want tickets and a trip for Christmas (and anniversary, and birthday, and....)

track 5:  The Swell Season movie

Watch The Swell Season on Netflix streaming

bonus track: a Once party for my 38th birthday, March 2009

a re-post from 2009:

March 9 I turned 38 years old. I'm not old enough to dread my birthdays...yet.

After the party my husband threw for me this year, I may look forward to every birthday.

From now until forever.

That is, if he throws the same party every year.

Ever since I saw this movie I've wanted to throw what we now call a Once party.

(I wrote about the movie here.)

Watch the movie.

Look for the scene in the middle of the movie where a ton of people squeeze into a Dublin flat, eat pasta, drink wine and ale, and sing for their supper.

This is the party I wanted to be at.

If I knew Tina Fey when I first saw the scene I would have said,

I want to go to there.

So, Brian threw me this party for my birthday.

My friends came and brought food and art.

They sang and read and danced and played and showed and shared beauty.

Beauty in original songs, favorite books, acapella tenors, Longfellow poetry, Virginia Woolf prose, Debussy and The Marriage of Figaro.

We cleared off the living room floor and danced the polka to "There Is No Beer in Heaven" and we admired handpainted miniatures, cross-stitch samples and photo-collages.

And homemade spaghetti sauce and rich, dry wine.

And, oh lord, the desserts!

Homemade strawberry cheesecake and a lush, like 32-layer chocolate trifle thing with crumbled up candy bars.

As my contribution I read this post.

And cried. Alot.

We told stories and laughed and ate and I wished it would never end.

So I'm not afraid of 38 and, if every birthday brings this much beauty, then

who cares about old age?

"...fair play to those who dare to dream and don't give up." 
 (Marketa Irglova's Oscar acceptance speech)

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Before I go, I should tell you that I love to hear what poems, pictures, songs and reasonable words you are enjoying.  Please do stop by the comment box and share a bit with me.  

Hoping that you find your common days aflame  with good books, 

pictures, poems, songs, words and ideas!