Piney Woods Live July 2012

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july 2012

POP CULTURE WITH A COMIC TWIST

Pool Party by Tony Reans

ce a R n o o ll a B s a x Te t a re The G on R e e B h it w d n u ro A g Clownin ile rg a C a n a D s r’ le Ty r fo The World is a Canvas

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No matter the medium, we’re pleased to support the Arts in East Texas.

“There is incredible power in the arts to inspire and influence.”

Julie Taymor, American Director

NOTE

“Longview cannot have too many outlets for art and artists. The more creativity we are able to display, the richer the tapestry our community has to offer its citizens and visitors.

We need more places to sing, dance, play, view and act. The arts are the building blocks of a solid, successful hometown, so the more the museum can inspire the spread of the arts, the better for all of us.” Renee Hawkins, Director Longview Museum of Fine Art. Piney Woods LIVE learned early in June that Paula Davis intended to close her business, P’s Gallery in Longview, for a combination of business and personal reasons. Paula made a public announcement to that effect June 13 as we were going to press with this issue.

I’m always sad to see any business close, and in my 35 years in Longview, I have seen quite a few come and go. This cessation was particularly touching because, even though our business relationship was only incidental, we shared similar goals in relation to the local arts community. Both P’s Gallery and Piney Woods LIVE sought to promote the exposure and the livelihood of local artists.

Paula opened in October 2010 and has shown exhibits of various local artists, many she knew from her years volunteering and working as an event coordinator with the Longview Museum of Fine Art. During her time spent at LMFA, she became familiar with local artists and built relationships with them that carried over into her business. Paula’s stated mission for the gallery was to represent local talent as much as possible. She offered the community a for-profit gallery where people could view artwork with the intention of purchasing for their homes, businesses, or as gifts. Her receptions were always unpretentious and convivial affairs where guests could meet and talk with the artists. We will miss P’s Gallery and also hope that this is not a permanent exit from the local art scene for Paula Davis.

Luckily for local artists and patrons in Longview, there are still two galleries in operation in the city.

Shannon’s Beading Basket and Art Gallery recently moved from their long-time Tyler Street location to more spacious quarters at 207 N. Horaney Street. Owner Shannon Gilliland displays a wide variety of artwork by numerous area artists.

As the name of her business implies, it is also home to arts and crafts supplies and workshops as well as her own artistic jewelry creations.

Bella Mia was opened by Darlene Rouse in 2011 at 812 Methvin St in The Junction area of east Longview. In addition to a gallery displaying the work of area artists, her own work, and that of her metal artist son Jhett Rouse, the business also has arts and crafts vendor spaces and an events room available for various functions.

It is perhaps not accidental that neither of these businesses depend entirely upon the sale of art for their existence. In my view, there are three important things that a gallery must have. First, and most obvious, is to provide an effective showcase for artists to profitably sell their work. Secondly, they must be able to foster some sense of community that includes not only artists but other elements of the population.

And last, they must be able to arrive at a viable business model that will insure their long-term survival.

I think this is a very tough thing to do in Longview, or anyplace in East Texas, for that matter. To look at the other end of the spectrum, consider Asheville, North Carolina, a town about the size of Longview, but with a solid tourist economy where there are at least 40 businesses that call themselves art galleries. While I don’t think we can ever reach that level, I wish that we could do better.

What do you think? Write me at publisher@pineywoodslive.com or post a comment at www.pineywoodslive.com.

Thanks to Dawn-Renée Rice who contributed to this essay.

Gary Krell, 3700 Gilmer Road • 202 Hollybrook Dr. 903-759-0751 springhillbank.com

July 2012 - Page 2

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About our cover artist: Tony Reans

Pop culture with a comic twist

by Jimmy Isaac

Imagine a zombie hosting a posh cocktail party to which a few ninjas, pirates and robots have been invited. No screaming, no howling, no flesh-eating mayhem – just drinks, jokes and a crackling fire.

That scene, titled Witty Anecdote, is one of several paintings from Shreveport pop artist Tony Reans. He describes his latest series of works as a “mashup,” something he believes is popular in current American culture.

“I wanted to do a mashup, but I wanted it to be like ordinary people. If you were a zombie having a cocktail party, who would you invite?” Reans said during a recent phone interview. “It is sort of like married couples coming over, hanging out, having cocktails and looking at the sunset.”

Never mind that the zombie telling a joke has an earthworm crawling out of his ear.

“That’s kind of a signature thing, I guess,” Reans said. “They won’t always have earthworms.”

One year ago, Reans brought to the Longview

Museum of Fine Arts his series of paintings that pokes lighthearted fun at America’s dependent relationship with mass-produced, mass-marketed food. This year, he is again using “bright, bold, in your face cartoons and comics” for his latest creations which will be part of a group exhibition at Gallery Fine Art Center, a Bossier City art gallery, in July.

“The food series was exactly that, a social commentary on mass-produced food,” Reans said. “The new series is a mashup, which is a very sort of trendy practice in movies and comic books where you have unrelated characters cohabitating in the same space at the same time.”

Reans points to movies such as The Avengers, or the bridging of Dracula and the Wolfman, as examples of mashups. He tells us he has created in his series scenes where ninjas, zombies or other strange, iconic creatures enjoy drinks in mid-20th century modern homes – particularly open homes such as in The Brady Bunch, where the kitchen, living room, dining room and the sliding door to the patio are all in view.

Story continues on page 4.

Art is defined as a product of deliberately arranging elements in a way that appeals to the senses or emotions.

Piney Woods LIVE is an expression of the community it serves.

Tony Reans ................................................................... 3 Art teacher inspires a village.......................................... 5 Clowning around with Bee Ron .................................... 6 Look who’s talking at the MVAC!................................. 7 Artist profiles ................................................................ 8 The Great Texas Balloon Race ...................................... 9 The world is a canvas for Dana Cargile....................... 10 Jan Statman’s Artist’s World ........................................ 12 Richard Lee: The East Texas Symphony Orchestra’s new conductor ........................................................ 13 A cultural journey for a group East Texas students ..... 14 Randy Brown’s B Side of Music .................................. 15 Fitness for a creative mind........................................... 16 ArtsView teen performers win roadshow awards ........ 17 The home of Bill and Rachel Rice ............................... 18 Karen Dean’s Beyond Mere Thoughts ......................... 32 Card 53 Improv gets the last laugh.............................. 22

Publishers / Editors Tracy Magness Krell & Gary Krell Advertising Director Suzanne Warren Public Relations Randi Garcia Contributing Writers Jan Statman, Dawn-Renée Rice, Sarah Ratliff, Jimmy Isaac, Randy Brown, Kari Kramer, Corrine Thompson, Claudia Lowery, Vicki Conway Graphic Artists Tracy Krell, Joni Guess, Mary Hernandez, Jeremiah Shepherd Sales Randi Garcia, Donna Vincent,

How to reach us: 903-758-6900 or 800-333-3082 info@pineywoodslive.com Fax 903-758-8181 100 W. Hawkins Pkwy., Suite C., Longview, Texas 75605

April Harlow, Fallon Burns Kathy Hollan, Cookie Bias, Suzanne Warren, Carolee Chandler

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art Tony Reans

continued from page 3

“I think that it goes to the very heart of the American experience, the American lifestyle. That is all we live in. Everything is a mashup, including our society,” Reans said. “It’s all about coexistence. I don’t want to wax poetic here, and my paintings don’t make social commentaries. Some people have seen that in my work – in this new series, a deeper meaning. I want people to find their own meaning in it, because if I did a painting full of one particular character, that wouldn’t have been as interesting.”

United Productions of America (UPA). The UPA began in 1941 after Disney animators went on strike. Reans described the works of UPA artists as more abstract than from larger competitors, Disney and Warner Brothers, with a more two-dimensional look.

“One thing that is really, I guess, immediately recognizable in a UPA-style toon is the background and the aesthetics of everything in the film. They wanted to do work that was more artistic than Disney. Disney, at the time, wanted to do more realistic animation,” Reans said. “[Disney] aspired to heighten realism, like Snow White and the Seven Drarfs, or Sleeping Beauty. UPA said, ‘Let’s celebrate the medium of paintings, the abstract art of it.’

“I love the look of the films from that era and the beautiful style in them,” he added. “With animation, you also have movement and time.”

To learn more about Reans and his work, visit his website at www.tonyreans.com

Reans is an Angleton, Texas native whose art has been shown in exhibitions from Bossier City to Dallas and London, U.K. over the past eight years. He also teaches part time as an adjunct professor of continuing education courses in photography, Photoshop and acrylic painting at Louisiana State University in Shreveport, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 2004.

Now in his early forties, Reans’ style has changed over the decades. Nostalgia has led him to employ a more simplistic painting style than in his college days.

Still, he describes his new works as “serious paintings” on canvases of at least 30 inches by 40 inches in size.

The style is reminiscent of mid-century cartoons in animated films from the

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art Judy Dumas - Breckenridge Village’s art teacher

by Dawn-Renée Rice

Breckenridge Village, located on a county road off Highway 31, is a quaint, picturesque place on the outskirts of Tyler with assisted living facilities for adults with special needs. I am on my way to the village to meet Judy Dumas, a volunteer art teacher who spends one day a week working with residents.

With a few twists and turns through a heavily wooded area, the steeple of a church appears above the tree tops before the whole village comes into view. The red brick buildings have white columns and trim, and the grounds are well-kept.

A few rows of houses for residents stand behind the main building, with flowers and shrubbery carefully planted out front.

Inside, half of the residents’ recreation room is set up for the art class, and the students are already busy working on their creations. In the other half of the room, a few residents quietly work on puzzles, read or talk with one another.

Mrs. Dumas asks me to wait a few moments while she finishes putting different colors of paints on styrofoam plates

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for each of the art students. I take the opportunity to walk around, observe, and take pictures of the students as they work, and I am amazed at the talent on display and the air of contentment in the room.

The participants obviously enjoy this special time to channel their creativity.

I snap a few photos of the students and of Mrs. Dumas instructing them on what type of color they should use or how to draw a specific line. Off to the side, there is a long stand-alone wall full of colorful pieces of artwork. I wander over, snap a few more photos, and marvel again at the beauty of the students’ work.

After a few more minutes, she and I are able to step out of the room and settle down on a comfortable couch in the lobby area.

How did she become involved with Breckenridge Village? She explains that she has been an art instructor for over twenty years, and that her daughter lives in the village. Four years ago, a staff member approached her with the idea of teaching art once a week to the residents.

“I’ve always drawn, and had no idea I would become a teacher,” she says. “I had actually planned to be a commercial artist, but there weren’t any openings for that, so I became a teacher instead.” After attending Kansas State University, she realized she wanted to pursue art.

The school didn’t offer an art degree program, so she transferred to the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned her bachelor’s

degree in art, then earned her teaching certificate at North Texas State University.

Afterwards, she mostly taught elementary and middle school art classes.

When teaching adults with special needs, Dumas can see her students grow confident in their abilities to express themselves artistically. “We explore several kinds of things. Acrylic is their favorite, so is drawing and three dimensional [pieces.]

Occasionally, we will do things that concentrate on one aspect of art.”

Have the students shown their work anywhere? “They’ve been taken to the East Texas State Fair and were recently shown in Art in the Park,” she said. “We also take field trips to places like the Tyler Museum of Art. We just went and will go again in the fall.” Dumas goes on to explain that the wall of artwork that I had seen in the recreation room was the artwork shown at Art in the Park, an annual art event held on the grounds at the Goodman-LeGrand house and museum in Tyler each spring.

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After we talked a little more, I asked if she felt the students benefit from the art classes. “Definitely,” she says. “It builds self-esteem. It’s so satisfying to them to have a finished piece. You can just see them glow! It helps improve hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and it exercises the brain.”

It is obvious that Dumas greatly enjoys her time spent teaching the students each week, and the students look forward to their weekly art class. Judging by their looks of concentration, the smiles, and the laughter, the students take their work seriously but still have a lot of fun.

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entertainment Clowning around with Bee Ron

by Jan Statman

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by Patrick Rainville Dorn Freely adapted from Victor Hugo’s classic novel.

Produced by special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Service, Inc. Directed by Travis House

Classic Literature Book Drive

Now through July 15, M-F, 9am-1pm 313 West Tyler In conjunction with our production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, ArtsView Children’s Theatre is proud to promote READING THE CLASSICS with the Longview Public Library.

July 12-14 at 7pm & July 14-15 at 2pm Tickets on sale now! $8 in advance – $10 at the door.

www.ArtsViewChildrensTheatre.com Special thanks to the City of Longview.

ArtsView Children’s Theatre wishes to thank the Cultural Activities Advisory Commission for their continuing support of selected productions and musicals.

July 2012 - Page 6

All the world loves a clown, but Bee Ron the Clown, also known as Byron Horne, insists that becoming a clown is a lot tougher than just pulling on a pair of baggy pants and donning a big red nose.

It takes hard work to fill those giant clown shoes.

“You have to start being a clown in your heart,” he says. “You have to know what a grand responsibility that is. It’s fun, it’s work, and I’ve found out how to make work fun.”

Byron Horne’s clowning began early in life, and he admits that he was born to be an entertainer. In 1984, when his family attended Highland Park Presbyterian Church in Dallas, two of the youth ministers were former clowns. They started a youth ministry in clowning, and to no one’s surprise, Byron signed up. They taught him clown makeup and costuming, he practiced improvising skits, and most importantly, he learned how a clown connects with young children to make them feel comfortable.

If people are standoffish at first, that’s fine with Bee Ron. He’s discovered that young children are often standoffish because clowns don’t look exactly like real people. They’re as tall as big people, and they talk like real people, but they don’t look the way real people usually look. Children wonder why this person looks one way and acts in a different way.

“Children lose that awkwardness once they feel comfortable and realize I am a real person,” says Byron.

Byron later attended a clowning class

at Eastfield College in Dallas, taught by professional clowns from the Dallas area.

Each class concentrated on a different clowning skill. Since he already knew about makeup and costuming, his main interest was learning how to develop his clown character. He advises anyone with an interest in clowning to take a course in clowning.

Bee Ron also learned how to do magic tricks, how to make those fabulous balloon animals, and how to entertain different groups. The professional clowns shared the do’s and don’ts of entertaining the very young and the very old. More than anything else, they emphasized that being a clown means being special in people’s lives. Your focus is all on the audience, and your aim is to get the audience to smile or to laugh. There is no ego involved. A person should never think that just because they are a clown they can walk right up and say, “Hi there!” in somebody’s face - a potentially terrifying experience. Some people have seen clowns before and some haven’t. Even if they have seen a clown, chances are they haven’t been close enough to take a balloon or to shake hands with one.

“I learned how to act on that,” he laughs. “When I come into a room, I will keep my distance at first. I’ll act silly. I’ll wave. Once I can get a little laugh out of them, I know that it’s fine to go ahead and come closer. You have to be very careful with children. I will usually make a balloon animal while I’m talking to them. I’ll say, ‘Oh, look at this. What am I going to

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Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Go To do with this? Here, let me make this for you. Would you like me to make this for you?â&#x20AC;&#x2122; They will be curious about what Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m doing. Their eyes may not be gleaming yet, but I can tell that I have reached them.

By the time I make that balloon animal and share it with them, their eyes light up, and I am accepted. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re no longer afraid of the peculiar looking person with the big red nose. That does it. After that they will come up and hug me.â&#x20AC;?

Clown characters are important, and there are three major types: the whiteface clown, the auguste clown, and the character clown.

The whiteface clown has a fancy, colorful costume that is perfectly tailored to be the authority figure. He is the straight man who tries to be serious, but often just winds up being bossy in his attempt to control every situation. His uptightness makes him an easy target for jokes and pranks.

Mr. Whiteface is interested in style, and his costume is far more elegant than the other two clown types. He often wears the traditional ruffled collar and pointed polka dot hat that everyone thinks of as the â&#x20AC;&#x153;clown suit.â&#x20AC;? The whiteface clown gets his name from the heavy â&#x20AC;&#x153;clown whiteâ&#x20AC;? makeup that completely covers his face and neck. In Europe, whiteface clowns paint their ears red, possibly because of all the nonsense they must always hear from the other types of clowns.

The auguste clown, Bee Ron explains, â&#x20AC;&#x153;is also colorful, but not nearly as interested in style as Mr. Whiteface. He often looks like a cartoon character. He tries to be serious, but he is usually kind of silly.â&#x20AC;?

The auguste clown is a troublemaker.

The whiteface clown often tries to tell the auguste clown what to do, but the auguste clown has a hard time doing as he is told.

Sometimes he intends to mess up the whiteface clownâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s directions and does silly things instead. Other times he wants to do as he is told, but gets confused. He makes mistakes and is incapable of doing what bossy Mr. Whiteface wants.

Mr. Auguste usually wears fleshcolored makeup on his face and neck, but he puts white makeup over his eyes and around his mouth. His eyes, lips and mouth are painted very large and are usually red and black. His costume of bright colors, large prints, stripes, and patterns will fit very well, or it might be much too big or small. Giant suspenders might hold up his baggy pants. Bee Ron is an auguste clown.

The third type of clown is the charac-

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ter clown who looks more like a regular person. He may start with flesh-colored makeup on his face and neck, but then add a scraggly beard, a moustache, funny eyebrows, big ears, giant glasses or a peculiar hairdo. Sometimes he is dressed like a hobo, a policeman, or a cowboy.

Famous character clowns include Emmett Kelly, Red Skelton, and Charlie Chaplin.

Charlie Chaplinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s little tramp character looked like a regular person with a funny moustache and badly fitting clothes. He could convey a lot without saying a word.

The antics of both the auguste and character clowns are constantly causing trouble for the whiteface clown, who spends his time chasing them or trying to correct them.

Bee Ron has entertained everywhere from baby birthday parties to nursing homes. He has clowned his way through

store openings, hospitals, churches, picnics, festivals, and anyplace else that needed a little fun and laughter.

As far as Bee Ron is concerned, we are all children no matter how many years we carry with us. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The best audiences are the ones who like to laugh,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I would encourage someone to become a clown if he or she has joy in their hearts and if they love kids no matter how young or old.

This is a way to share the joy. The dividends are boundless.â&#x20AC;?

Bee Ron was gracious enough to share with us how clowns behave, but he left one question unanswered: How do all those many clowns fit into that one little car?

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Look Whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Talking

by Claudia Lowery

Much of an artistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s creative life is spent in divine solitude, where the relationship between the creator and the creative vision is born. If ideas are flowing, time alone in a studio can be a hallowed time, but it can be a scary time if ideas are few. Many artists might find that extra dose of creativity through travel and visits to museums, or through books and friends.

If you are looking for a supportive atmosphere with fellow artists who are on a similar journey, then at the Marshall Visual Art Center on any Friday afternoon you will find a varied group of artists, ranging from those seasoned with experience to those who are new to the quest. Research suggests that collaborating on ideas that require visual and spatial thinking often outperforms solo work, but finding the right support group is key.

Four years ago, Sally Martin, an artist who uses studio space at the MVAC along with several other artists, created ArtTalk. It is a set day for all artists or art lovers to meet and

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903.845.2519 share their current work and ideas, ask questions, and offer or receive constructive criticism in an informal, supportive atmosphere at the Marshall Visual Art Center each Friday from 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.

With artists sitting around several tables, you may hear conversations about upcoming exhibitions, contests, or inspirational travel. You may also hear groups of artists troubleshooting a painting thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not quite finished, or brainstorming ways to display or sell art. There is no formal format for ArtTalk, but as a group they have created Christmas art projects, self-portraits, and origami. They order supplies together to save on shipping, visit with local tourist directors and receive ideas from outside sources.

The Marshall Visual Arts Center Gallery is only steps away, so small clusters of artists will walk through and discuss the art on display and the mediums and techniques used by the artists.

Whether visiting weekly or as needed, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always a group of five to fifteen people on hand for a fun afternoon of talking about what artists love best... ART.

ArtTalk is free and open to the public. The Marshall Visual Art Center is located at 208 East Burleson in Marshall, TX and can be accessed by either the front or side door on Lafayette. For more information, please call 903.938.9860.

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artists artist profiles

Kat (Kathleen) Beranek “Kat (Kathleen) Beranek was born on the coast of Texas in Port Arthur. Her father graduated dental school and moved the family to the stark plains of Odessa, Texas, in 1959. This was back when we measured sand storms by the size of the dust pile inside the front door in the morning.

Kat taught in public schools until she took an early retirement and moved back to East Texas in order to be near her two nephews and her beautiful niece.

Most of her life, Kat puttered around with art using many different mediums from oil to decoupage.

I am her brother, and I only liked a few of her pieces.

But then she started working in watercolors, and now I can’t say enough good things about her work.

I have a small store in Jacksonville. She has about ten works displayed on my walls and virtually everyone who comes in the store comments on the paintings (distracting from my merchandise, I might add).

Kat has truly blossomed as an artist, winning several awards and making me a very happy brother.

This article is my birthday present to her. She’ll be two years older than me on September 16. (Should I mention that my younger brother’s hair is getting thinner?)

Kat is a lovely woman with great ability using many different watercolor techniques.

I hope that you enjoy her work. If so, please send her an email at Katpaints52@suddenlink.net

Article submissions: Articles are accepted and reviewed by a panel.

Photos may accompany articles. Space, relevance, writing and appropriateness play a huge part in the decision making process. Individual artists are more likely to have fewer than 100 words plus a photo published. Deadlines are the 5th of the month prior to publication.

Judy Seamands “I use Crayons - or as I call it, ‘Craie on Surfaces.’ I don’t shave, drip or delve in Encaustic painting – I melt mass quantities of crayons (Crayola brand, to be specific) in metal measuring cups and paint in textured strokes with metal spoons. As a graphic designer, I am much more comfortable creating realism than with ‘abstract experiment.’ The larger the painting, the more details I can render.

Perspective and realism require depth and deviation in colors, shading and materials. Unless the spectator or client is aware of the medium (crayon), my work is interpreted as an oil or heavy acrylic piece of art.

I have found that the awe and excitement is in the ability to creatively master the use of a hot fluid medium into signature custom pieces of work that are designed not by me but by clients who wish for their likes, dreams, objects, loved ones and ideas to come to life. That is, in fact, how I maintain my creative fire.

Of course, I cannot play with crayons all day, so I paint murals, like a battlefield for the backdrop of a cannon at a museum. I’ve created the world’s largest ‘Salsa Bowl,’ and sculpted dimensional works of art or set pieces out of my favorite material, architectural styrofoam. I’ve led spirited ‘Painting Parties’ for those who would like to test their creativity or just be amongst the fun. I design and produce graphic art – because I love to, and because it keeps me proficient on programs like Photoshop and AI. I facilitate ceramic and mosaic workshops for therapy and entertainment with a purpose. Did I mention picture framing? Yes, I also do that in my studio shop in downtown Jacksonville, which I like to call ‘Art-ville.’”

903.586.0542 or 903.360.4250 https://www.facebook.com/judy.seamands https://www.facebook.com/WallWorkByJudy

July 2012 - Page 8

Andrew Best Andrew Best grew up in Longview. From an early age, Best dreamed of being a musician. Growing up, he was involved in children’s choirs, sang in his church’s worship band, and played trombone in marching band. Music was an ever-present joy in Best’s life, and he always knew music would be a part of his future, too. In 2007, at the age of 19, despite the fact that he’d never written a song in his life, he packed his bags for Nashville to study songwriting at Belmont University and pursue a career in music. After a two year journey of musical self-discovery and experimentation with different styles, Best was given an assignment in one of his classes to write a song for children, which resulted in his fan-favorite song “Hey, Little Monkey!”

From the encouragement of his friends, family, and professors, Best continued to create music for children. In 2010, a teacher from Best’s preschool alma mater asked him to write a theme song for the school’s summer program, which resulted in the song “Emerson the Moose,” about a curious cloven-hoofed creature who travels the United States, learning about life along the way.

After writing “Emerson,” Best began work on a full-length debut album, Emerson the Moose and Other Songs for Children, now available on iTunes. His goal for his album was to create high-quality music for kids that parents would also enjoy. True to Best’s musical influences - The Beatles, Raffi, and European pop/funk group Jamiroquai - the album is an amalgamation of many different musical genres ranging from funk to country western.

The album’s multi-faceted nature gives children the opportunity to learn various styles of music in an age-appropriate and whimsical way. Many of the tracks are narratives featuring relatable characters for children. There are stories of a wee Chihuahua dreaming of being a mighty luchador, a self-assured lizard who seeks to share his confidence with others and, of course, stories of a beloved monkey and moose, among many others. When the album is released, Best plans to play concerts in many locations throughout the United States. You never know, he might even run into an adventurous moose or find some of his friends along the way! www.andrewbestmusic.com

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ballooning The Great Texas Balloon Race

by Jimmy Isaac

The Great Texas Balloon Race enters rarefied air this July, and two Gregg County communities plan to take advantage with downtown-centric events.

For the second consecutive year, businesses in downtown Longview are moving their summer Art Walk festivities, usually scheduled for the first Thursday in July, to the final Thursday, July 26. The later date coincides with what will be the final day of national balloon race competition.

In early 2011, Great Texas Balloon Race organizers learned that the annual event, held in Gregg County since the late 1970s, will also play host to the U.S. Hot Air Balloon Championships in 2012, 2013 and 2014. In past years, the Great Texas Balloon Race attracted about 50 ballooning teams annually. Crowning a national champion will add as many as 20 or 30 more teams, balloon race spokeswoman Gai Bennett told us. Because of strict guidelines with the national race, organizers have extended the Great Texas Balloon Race from the traditional three-day weekend to a full week, July 23-29.

Longview and Kilgore took note.

“On Wednesday, July 25, the second day of official racing will take place over the skies in Kilgore throughout the morning.

That afternoon and evening, municipal and Main Street leaders plan to open downtown Kilgore streets to vendors, music and entertainment in what is referred to as a ‘block party,’” Bennett said.

Events Friday, Saturday and Sunday will take place at the East Texas Regional Airport near Lakeport as in past years. On

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Thursday, July 26, however, downtown Longview has scheduled an Art Walk from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. in hopes of becoming the destination for pilots, balloon race enthusiasts and residents after that morning’s competition.

Art Walk is a self-guided tour of downtown businesses who exhibit and sell art.

Musicians and other performance arts are frequently part of the event, according to artwalklongview.com.

“I think it is a unique event for Longview, and it’s unique especially for people who don’t work downtown and never come downtown,” Longview Museum of Fine Arts Director Renee Hawkins said. “You may have someone who lives in Pine Tree or Spring Hill, they work on the Loop, and there is never any reason for them to come downtown, so they never know of any of the changes that happen here or when something has opened up or improved itself.”

Hawkins joins local photographer Tammy Cromer-Campbell and graphic design business owner Holly Forbes in organizing downtown Longview Art Walks.

They schedule the events traditionally on Thursdays in early April, July and October, but organizers have tweaked that schedule to coincide with specific downtown events.

Another such change took place this year, when art walks were held this spring on Fridays in conjunction with Downtown Live!, which attracts patrons to Heritage Plaza for music and other activities.

Most businesses that participate in Art Walk Downtown Longview are along Tyler

Street as well as intersecting roads such as Center, Fredonia and Green streets. Those businesses include stores who feature artists in hopes that their displayed works will entice shoppers, but Hawkins said other businesses, such as the Pelaia law firm and Network IP, also feature local artists in support of Art Walk.

“There is an Art Walk website where business owners and artists can go,” Hawkins said, referring to artwalklongview.com. “If they (a downtown property owner/store operator) don’t work with artists on a daily basis, that gives them a simple way to choose an artist or say that they want to highlight an artist.”

As to whether hot air ballooning is an art form, Hawkins gave her stamp of approval.

“It’s just like architecture is art.

Designing a house is an artistic endeavor.

It’s like food is art. Cuisine and the way you present it on the plate, that is an art,” Hawkins said. “The balloons are a great example of color and shape and design.

I think it would be fabulous to design a balloon. That’s whipping out your color

pencils and color markers and designing a pleasing shape. It’s all about aesthetics.”

Art Walk Downtown Longview has events scheduled for Oct. 4 and Dec. 7, set for 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on both dates.

Looking for something to do this weekend?

Go to

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Recently, I had the privilege of interviewing Dana Cargile, a talented local artist.

She is well-known around East Texas for her beautiful, vibrant pieces of art that she creates in her home studio in Tyler.

After ringing the doorbell, I was greeted by one of Dana’s adorable sons and two curious dogs. Dana wasn’t far behind, and after we made our introductions, she offered me a glass of water before showing me to her art studio. Right away, I felt an instant connection with her warm and friendly personality.

As we walked toward her kitchen, I noticed that many of her paintings were displayed throughout her home. My attention was immediately drawn to a gorgeous canvas above her fireplace depicting an array of flowers. That one was hard to miss, it was big and brightly painted.

I also noticed a very interesting piece that I just had to ask about, a painting that appeared to be on one of those antique ceiling tiles that I’ve seen in old, stately homes and commercial buildings. She confirmed it was an antique ceiling tile that was very rusty when she found it. After a lot of elbow grease, she was able to get it cleaned up enough to use as a canvas.

She had painted the tile a vibrant color of teal, but bits of the original paint and rust were hard to paint over so that they showed through, adding character to the piece. Inside the frame of the tile were little inverted bumps that she tried to disguise by painting over them as flowers in a vase.

The inverted bumps made the flowers stand out even more with a 3D effect. It was amazing that she could create such a

bright and cheerful piece from something as unique as an antique ceiling tile.

After looking around a little bit, taking pictures of some of her pieces and marveling at all of them, we sat down to talk. I asked her how long she had been an artist, and she responded the way most artists respond – since she was little!

As a child, she used to watch her grandmother paint. One day, her grandmother let her help paint a picture, and that was the start of her passion for art. “As a child, I begged my parents to get me some oil paints. I was in the fifth grade at the time.

My grandmother used to paint, so she always inspired me to want to paint. She gave me some of her old paints, an old art box, and some of her old supplies and gave

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art me my first art lesson.”

As Dana got older, she took art in high school and college but graduated with a degree in fashion merchandising at Baylor University. Her parents, like many moms and dads, wanted her to have a degree in something that would help pay the bills and put food on the table. But her talent and her passion for art remained, and she picked it back up about fifteen years ago.

“I love [painting] antique or vintage looking paintings, cityscapes, and animals.

I also like to buy flea market and vintage paintings. I paint with acrylics and oils, but I prefer to paint with acrylics. I also love to collect old frames and then crackle and antique them.”

As evidenced by the eclectic mix of art that I saw in her studio, she definitely enjoys painting on unique and vintage items that most people might not consider using as a canvas. In addition to the hundred-year-old ceiling tile, she has also altered a frame for a mirror that was once part of a dresser, which she antiqued a beautiful shade of teal. Where the mirror glass was once set, she painted a graceful woman with long hair and a white flowing dress strolling through a garden or meadow.

There were pieces that she pointed out as some of her favorites: a simple painting of a pair of adorable red shoes, a deer resting in the grass under a tree. In another room, she showed me a breathtaking cityscape painted on a large canvas.

As we looked at the painting, she

pointed out that she likes to hide little things here and there in cityscapes, and sure enough, you could see a little black cat sitting serenely on the railing of a front porch of one of the charming houses in the foreground of the painting. It was truly delightful to look at the vibrant colors, the detail that went into the painting, and the way she joined together a charming residential street with skyscrapers rising up in the background under a moonlit sky.

I asked how her recent trip to France had inspired her. “I went to France in February and spent a week there. We went to all of the flea markets, cathedrals, the Louvre, shops, boutiques, and ate tons of food. It was an amazing experience looking at all of the vintage clothing and antiques, the cemeteries, and old buildings,” she said.

“It did spark some creativity, but I really felt more inspired to come back and sew vintage [looking] clothing!” she remarks with a laugh. She added that she would like to paint a still life at some point.

Cargile has donated some of her art to local charities, and her work was displayed in the Goldleaf Gallery in Tyler. Buyers from Shreveport, LA and Atlanta, GA have purchased her paintings. Her work also adorns the walls of Larry Lott Interiors, and has been exhibited in Café Taza, Art Walk on the Square in Tyler, and the Tyler Candlelight Historic Home Tour.

Recently, she had the privilege of collaborating with a good friend of hers, Christie Joy, on a children’s book. “A friend of mine had written a children’s book and

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asked me to [illustrate it],” she explained.

“We would meet and discuss what the character, a dog, was doing and what was happening in the scene so I would know what to paint and where she was going with [the story].”

You can find the children’s book, Pet Fairy, online at XulonPress.com, Barnes and Noble.com, and Amazon.com.

After another quick look at her fabulous collection of paintings, we wrapped up the interview. I left feeling very privileged to have met such a sweet person and all-around fantastic artist.

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art Artist’s World by Jan Statman It’s summertime, and the living is far from easy. The kids are racing from baseball to soccer, from softball to dance class, and please don’t forget swimming lessons. They are wearing out the library card and reading every book in the building. Still, there is not quite enough for them to do to fill the hours. Shut down the telly. Drag those flying fingers away from computer games. The Angry Birds can beep another day. Your artist friend (that would be me) has come to save the day. I bring you fun art activities to keep little eyes shining and little brains creative. Let’s open up that big old art portfolio and see what fun things we can do.

This first one can get really messy, so be sure you have lots of old newspapers on hand. We are going to make a wax crayon Encaustic (hot wax) painting.

You will need some old, used, broken crayons you are ready to part with and some smooth cardboard. Poster board works well. Foam core is even better.

Place the cardboard on the newspaper.

Remove all paper from the crayons. Use the crayons to draw any design or picture on the cardboard. Place the crayons in appropriate spots on the drawing or design. Now comes the fun part. Place the artwork on a warm surface such as the driveway or patio in the sun. Leave it alone for several hours to let the crayons melt. When the crayons have melted into the design, carefully move the picture to a shaded spot to allow it to cool and harden.

Here’s one for the smallest fingers.

This time we are making egg carton creatures. You will need some colorful egg cartons, fuzzy pipe cleaners, glue and some sequins, beads, buttons, or those little glue-on eyes.

To make an egg carton caterpillar, cut the egg cartons in half lengthwise. This makes the segmented body. Use the pipe cleaners for legs and antennae. Glue on whatever decorations you want to make your caterpillar come alive.

To make an egg carton spider, separate one segment from the rest of the egg carton. Draw eyes and a mouth for the spider’s face. Use pipe cleaners to make scary spider legs. You can use the rest of the egg carton to make as many weird and wonderful creatures as your imagination can invent.

Now we can make a drawing of easy, noiseless Fourth of July fireworks. To make these fun fireworks, you will need

July 2012 - Page 12

black construction paper, Elmer’s glue and several colors of glitter. Place your black construction paper in the center of a large sheet of newspaper. Drop a blob of Elmer’s glue on the construction paper.

Spray it lightly with water. Let it spread.

Carefully sprinkle one color of glitter into the glue and allow it to spread out in the glue. Drop another blob of glue onto the paper. Sprinkle a different color of glitter into the glue. It will spread out and look like fireworks.

Here’s one for everybody: It’s a magical mystery painting. You will need a small candle, cardboard and watercolor paint. The watercolor paints in the little boxes work just fine. Use the candle to draw an invisible drawing on the cardboard. Since the wax is clear, you won’t be able to see your drawing. When the design is complete, use the watercolor brush to paint across the cardboard. Paint only one color, or paint stripes or designs of many colors. The paint will not stick to the wax. The watercolors will make the magical mystery painting appear.

Toothpick sculptures. This is a great project for older children. You will need various colors of cellophane or tissue paper, scissors, Elmer’s glue and a box of wooden toothpicks. The flat kind work best, but if you have colored toothpicks, that’s okay too. Glue the toothpicks into triangles. You can glue the triangles right onto the tissue papers and cut them out. Glue three triangles together to form three-dimensional tent-like objects. Glue the little tents together to form taller, wider, higher structures. They can be bridges, houses, and sculptures. There is no limit to the strange and exotic shapes you can make.

Now we are going to make some giant soap bubbles. This is guaranteed to get everybody outside. Art is beauty, and there certainly is beauty in the color and shape of soap bubbles. To get started, you will need a really big pan. Bend a coat hanger into a giant loop that will fit into the pan. Mix ½ cup of Joy or Dawn detergent, five cups of cold water and 2 tablespoons of glycerin in the pan. Dip the coat hanger into the liquid and wave it in the air.

Last but not least, this is a sweet combination art activity and science project.

You will need a small, clean mason jar, a pencil, a thick, clean string, 4 cups of granulated sugar, 2 cups of water and a few drops of food coloring.

Cut the string a few inches longer than the height of the jar. Tape or tie it to the middle of the pencil. Wet the thread, and roll it in granulated sugar. This will give sugar crystals something to build on when they start to form. Set the thread aside to

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music dry while you prepare your sugar syrup.

Place the water in a medium-sized pan and bring it to a boil. Carefully add the sugar, one cup at a time, stirring as the sugar dissolves. You may notice that it takes longer for the sugar to dissolve after each addition. Continue to stir and boil until all the sugar has been added and is dissolved. Remove the pan from the heat.

Let the sugar syrup cool for at least 10 minutes, and then pour it into the mason jar.

Place the pencil across the top of the jar and drop the sugared string into the jar until it hangs about 1 inch from the bottom.

Carefully place the jar in a cool place.

Make sure it is away from heat. Cover the top loosely with plastic wrap, and leave it alone.

You should start to see sugar crystals beginning to form within two to four hours. Allow the rock candy to grow until it is the size you want. Keep watching it. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let it get too big, or you wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be able to take it out of the jar. When it is as big as you like, take it out of the jar and let it dry. Notice how beautiful the crystals are when you hold them up to a light. Then eat them. This is an edible art and science project.

Have fun and enjoy your summer!

Award winning artist and writer Jan Statmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s paintings are owned by museums in Italy and Spain and by corporate and private art collections across the USA. She is listed in Whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Who in American Art, Whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Who in America, Whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Who in the Arts, Dictionary of International Biography, and numerous other references.

Best known for colorful acrylic and delicate watercolor paintings, she also paints portraits, judges area art exhibits and teaches painting classes. See her work on Facebook at Artistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Studio of Jan Statman American Artist.

Looking for something to do this weekend?

Go to

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EVENTS! There you will find many listings to choose from.

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Richard Lee named new conductor of the East Texas Symphony Orchestra by Sarah Ratliff

Last year, East Texans witnessed five different conductors leading the East Texas Symphony Orchestra at the newly renovated Liberty Hall and at the Cowan Center in Tyler. This multiplicity of conductors was part of a search to name a new director for the orchestra. On May 31, out of 160 applicants, Richard Lee was chosen to lead East Texas into a new era of musical culture.

The decision was influenced by the audienceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reaction last year to Richardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leadership. Listeners described him as passionate and invigorating, and an inside look at Richardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s personality, background, and experience shows that he will truly be a fantastic asset to East Texas.

Leeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s qualifications include a rich background. Richardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family originated in Korea, and his mother expected serious discipline from him at an early age. When he was three years old, she bought him a toy piano that, as he remembers, â&#x20AC;&#x153;sounded so crude it was horrible. It was brown and small and set low on the floor, like one of those pianos played

by Schroeder in the Peanuts cartoon.â&#x20AC;? He described this early training as a toddler saying, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Most people would buy these types of pianos and let their children bash away, but my mother would not. She would formalize and give me structured lessons. It was not fun.â&#x20AC;?

It was a delight to sit and talk with this splendid musician. His enthusiasm for work was contagious. Completely intrigued by his personality and the subject, I asked, â&#x20AC;&#x153;How difficult is it to be a conductor and do what you do?â&#x20AC;?

Richard replied honestly, â&#x20AC;&#x153;To do it right is very hard! I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think there is anything harder. You have to demonstrate a mastery and a knowledge of the structure of the music and how it goes. I think, in a way, as a conductor, you must find the purest expression of the music possible and recreate it, which is actually impossible. The real challenge is to create a vision of music and try and execute it.â&#x20AC;?

He was so absorbed in his thoughts, I could tell he was reliving some of his performances.

Does he ever get it perfect? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think if I got it perfect every time, or if the musician got it perfect every time, we would stop doing it. I think that is what keeps us going. No matter how great an orchestra is, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not perfect. It is interesting to look at my old notes on music and scoff because of how I have grown and evolved.â&#x20AC;?

What advice would he give to someone attending a concert for the first time? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Familiarize yourself with the music before you go. Get a CD, or listen online. Beyond that, go, watch, observe, and be non-judgemental. Let yourself take in the classical experience. Allow whatever feelings that you feel happen. Even if you fall asleep, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mind. Some music is intended to be sleepy, and if you fall asleep, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s probably a good thing!â&#x20AC;? I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help but laugh. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think you can get a great experience even if you know nothing about music. I can stand in front of a great artist like Van Gogh, and it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t matter if I know about drawing or pigments. I can still appreciate and enjoy the beauty of the art. I can still say that a certain piece speaks to me. I have zero painting ability, but I love a beautiful painting and carry memories of my favorite experiences or art like Starry Night with me. The analogy is the same with classical music. At the core, great art affects people.â&#x20AC;?

What would it do for East Texas if the symphony were a deeper part of our culture?

In his debonair way, he replied, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Well, for me, there is an obvious benefit in surrounding yourself with beautiful things, the same way people plant flowers and hang pictures or put vases in cornersâ&#x20AC;Ś Music should be a part of that. [Areas] with great orchestras are proud of their orchestras, and a good symphony is a tool for civic pride. The symphony is even a recruiting tool for those people who have an inclination towards it who might come here for work or school.â&#x20AC;?

The Symphony begins performing in September, so donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss out! There are activities for all ages. It will be a fabulous year with the passionate and dedicated Mr. Richard Lee.

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July 2012 - Page 13

education A cultural journey

by Corrine Thompson

Photo credit Tyler Museum of Art.

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July 2012 - Page 14

A stop in the small community of Edom was the starting point of a journey that brought gifted and talented students from Mildred ISD, a small rural school district, to the city of Tyler for an introduction to the world of art.

After picking up a copy of Piney Woods LIVE, I read of an upcoming exhibition at the Tyler Museum of Art. The exhibit, Reflections on Water in American Paintings, was from the collection of Arthur J. Phelan and generously underwritten by several benefactors including Piney Woods LIVE. What a wonderful opportunity this would be for my high school GT students! They could experience an art collection in a museum setting, and what better place than the Tyler Museum of Art. Prior to scheduling a visit, I felt I should tour the exhibit and become acquainted with the background of the collection. So, I took an opportunity to visit the museum.

Afterwards, I spoke with Kim Schaefer, tour coordinator, inquiring about possible group rates.

Ms. Schaefer asked if I was familiar with the anonymous grant made from a local foundation offering financial support for the 2011-2012 School Tour Program. Currently, our Gifted and Talented program, like many others, is operating under tight budget restrictions. Even with group rates, I was not sure the Mildred ISD Gifted and Talented budget would be sufficient to cover the cost of a trip such as this. Ms. Schaefer stated that the grant provided funding for a docent led tour and the cost of round trip bus transportation from our school to the Tyler Museum of Art. The generous grant would make this cultural experience possible for our students.

Soon after completing the application for the grant and submitting it, I was notified that our Mildred ISD Gifted and Talented program had been selected for the funding.

My students would attend the exhibition in spite of budget cuts. How fortunate we were!

I felt Jr. High and Sr. High students would benefit most from a trip to an art exhibition in a museum setting. So, the trip was scheduled and plans were made. The excitement among the students was unbelievable. All but one had never been to an art museum. Time was spent prior to our visit helping students learn proper museum manners, how to look at a piece of art with appreciation, and how to recognize that some pieces would evoke more feelings within themselves than others.

The day of our visit, we were met at the door by Felicity Enas, an enthusiastic lady with a wonderful British accent. As Ms. Enas talked with the students, they listened, observed, discussed ideas, and compared interpretations with each other. Time was also allowed for students to return to pieces that might have piqued their interest during the tour. Ms. Enas also encouraged students to sketch from any of the works that might have inspired them, and many chose to do so.

What a wonderful day for the students!

They came home with the spark of a new interest and talk of when we might go to the next exhibition. As the day came to an end, I reflected on the chain of events that had led to our journey. From a publication called Piney Woods LIVE to the Tyler Museum of Art and a link to a generous grant benefactor, students from Mildred ISD Gifted and Talented program had been the recipients of a wonderful educational opportunity.

Thanks to all who made this trip possible!

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music The “B” Side of

Music

and his patrons can personally make that judgement. We certainly can’t make that decision for anyone else.

There you have it. Another few minutes of your life wasted reading my self-absorbed blather. I hope you get 1/1000th of the benefit from this column that I do. Without the monthly deadline, I would never spend the time or energy gathering my thoughts so I can keep forging deeper into the mystery that is artistic endeavor. So, thanks for reading so I can keep writing, retired or not.

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107 Pearl Street • Nacogdoches, TX 75961

For More Information Call Buckley MacInerney 903-822-3310 or www.farmermktnac.blogspot.com

If you have comments, suggestions or criticisms about this or any of my columns, feel free to send them to me: randy@brownrandy.com If you ever simply get curious about what the heck this rambling old man does, then go to www.brownrandy.com/music. Listen to a few songs and let me know what you think.

See ya’ next month.

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes, Ch-ch-Changes Don’t tell them to grow up and out of it Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes, Ch-ch-Changes Where’s your shame You’ve left us up to our necks in it Time may change me But you can’t change time

The song “Changes” by David Bowie, was originally released on the album Hunky Dory in December 1971 and then as a single in January 1972. Despite missing the Top 40, “Changes” became one of Bowie’s best-known songs. The lyrics are often seen as a manifesto for his chameleonic personality, the increasing rate of change in the world, and the frequent reinventions of his musical style throughout the 1970s. When I thought about my subject for this month’s column, the song popped into my head. There are big changes brewing in my life and, as usual, what happens to me personally spills out into this column. So here we go...

Change has a lot of facets: good, bad, happy, and sad. But most of all, it is unsettling. I fully understand the inevitability of change. However, that doesn’t stop the apprehension involved when the world flips on its axis. This month, I have been crossing the line to one of the biggest changes I have ever faced: retirement. No, not from writing this column (at least I don’t think so), but from that anchor many of us less talented or less successful artists rely on, the dreaded day job.

I have always had a day job, sometimes two or more, for the past 40+ years. By “day job,” I mean “any non-artistic endeavor that pays the bills.” My time of juggling full-time employment and music is past. Now I can focus. Is that a good thing? Is having all the time you desire for your art beneficial to that art? I simply can’t tell you that yet, but I am excited, and a little nervous, to find out.

Change is everywhere in music. Heck, we even call the chord progressions in a piece of music “the changes.” I believe that my art will change as I change. Each phase of life brings gains and losses. Our job, I think, as artists and just plain folks is to get over the losses, recognize the gains and then to simply get on with it.

The loss of a sense of place and belonging that goes with a 9 to 5 job seems unimportant when you are in the thick of it. In fact, to even consider that you might miss anything to do with “the grind” seems totally laughable. But once the smoke has cleared, you may find, as I did when I changed careers and became self-employed seven years ago, that at some level you miss the people, the place and even the problems. Hard to believe, I know, but our labels have a lot of control over us – more than we can imagine until

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by Randy Brown Cha-cha-cha-changes

!

g 7 Years Stron

we give them up. When you think about it, what is the first question you ask or are asked when meeting someone for the first time? “What do you do?” What we do defines us to others and even to ourselves. How that question is answered can be even more interesting. There once was a time when I answered that question with, “I am a songwriter.” But as time went on, and the work I did at my day job developed from what felt like a “job” to something that was a source of pride, it became a career. I often began to answer more in relationship to my day job than from the standpoint of my art. Of course, how I responded had something to do with who asked the question and the context of the situation in which the question was asked. But let’s face it, our job, at the very least, is a part of our identity, and when that disappears, something must fill the void.

The guilt has already kicked in. Should I characterize myself in the future as “retired” or as an “artist?” Certainly not as a “retired artist.” How we label ourselves to others also has a great deal to do with how we feel about ourselves. I have always taken a great deal of pride and care in the creation of art. The nuance and shade of meaning of each lyric or the direction a melody takes me in a song is often analyzed ad nauseam. I am still an artist, even though I am retired.

I was always afraid of the word amateur. It has the connotation of substandard, unskilled or slipshod work. But while researching the origin of another word for a song, I came across the fact that the word “amateur” is in fact derived from the Latin word “amator,” or lover. So, an amateur is one who does something for love. That completely changed how that word felt to me. It no longer felt negative but very positive. Consider that the word “professional” means something we do in return for monetary gain. What kind of artist would you rather be, one who creates for love or for money? No offense to my professional friends out there. It’s really a personal re-analysis of why we do what we do. I don’t know a single artist, no matter how successful, who creates solely for the money.

So, does the fact that I will only be doing art in the future make me more of an artist, or less? After a lot of thought, I have come to the personal conclusion that the term amateur, professional, full time or part time has nothing whatsoever to do with my seriousness as an artist or the value and quality of my art. Only the artist

Randy Brown is a small business owner and singer/songwriter living in East Texas and has been involved with many sides of the music business over the years, from being a sideman, a sound man, touring songwriter, venue operator, and a recording studio owner/engineer. Now that he is retired from his day job, he can waste even more time messing around with music.

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creativity Fitness for a creative mind

by Vicki Conway Want to prime your brain for your favorite fine arts activities?

All of the arts require very high levels of processing on both sides of the brain, plus very high levels of sensory-motor integration to perform or create. Base-level skills such as body awareness, spatial awareness, eye-hand coordination, and crossing the body’s midline are crucial in coordinating the muscles used by musicians and artists. Furthermore, the left and right hemispheres of the brain are polar opposites of each other, and it is easy to lose access to one side instead of coordinating them as a necessary team.

Compare the hemisphere characteristics in the table below.

When we function in an integrated state, learning is fun and meaningful; performances are articulate, musical, and emotional; creativity has both structure and spontaneity; and our potential is reached by combining logic’s structure and discipline with gestalt’s talent. When we lose or cannot access an integrated balance, common results are frustration, mistakes, and procrastination.

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Logic Hemisphere vs. Gestalt Hemisphere Logical, analytical, disciplined

Creative, intuitive, talented

Verbal

Kinesthetic

Letters, Numbers, Black and White

Shapes, Patterns, Colors

Time conscious – routine and goal oriented

Spontaneous – lives in the moment

Focuses on details

Focuses on big picture

Internalizes feelings and emotions

Freely expresses feelings and emotions

Hardworking with consistent effort

Awesome or awful (All or nothing)

Needs to let go of control and enjoy the experience

Needs to see big picture or feel emotional connection in order to focus on details

Under stress, tries harder without results

Under stress, quits/gives up

While everyone has characteristics from both hemispheres available, dominance profiles largely determine which hemisphere characteristics are easily accessed or easily ignored. Fine arts activities are a great way to access, stimulate, and develop characteristics in both hemispheres, but many people struggle with the learning process because base-level skills are not sufficient to support the fine arts activity. Even successful musicians and artists struggle at times to keep a balance and maintain consistent productivity.

For persons whose access to hemispheres is equally balanced, often neither side of the brain will have consistent dominance over the other. While one hemisphere is slightly dominant and will take over during stress, this otherwise “dual dominant” atmosphere creates an internal battle and struggle over every move, action, response or decision, often resulting in procrastination or one-sided processing.

Consider some simple, physical activities to wake up both sides of the brain and stimulate base-level skills. Since each hemisphere controls the opposite side of the body, movement stimulates neural pathways that electronically relay information between the senses, the brain, and the muscles of the body. When pathways are sufficiently activated across midlines of the brain and body, messages can travel over 200 miles per hour. When pathways are not sufficiently stimulated, communication breaks down and is inconsistent or blocked altogether. This communication system, part of the central nervous system, is particularly vulnerable under stress, often resulting in performance anxiety or artist block.

Jump Rope When was the last time you drove through your neighborhood and saw children outside jumping rope? Yet this activity is great for developing neural pathways across numerous midlines of the brain and body which are necessary for basic memory, reading, and math

July 2012 - Page 16

PineyWoodsLive.com

creativity & theatre skills. When done in the following way, it also trains each hemisphere to take the lead role, be the supporting role, or work as an equal team member. Coordination, rather than endurance, is the goal, although the cardiovascular benefits are a bonus. This is also a great exercise to help reduce procrastination or quickly expend nervous energy.

Cosmonaut Walk With each step, swing opposite arm across body, placing hand on opposite shoulder precisely as each foot lands. Returning arm should stop straight at side of body, tapping thigh precisely as foot and opposite hand land. Continue for a minimum of 12 steps.

8 jumps in each of the following ways (start with what is easiest): a. Both feet up and down together b. Step over with one foot maintaining the lead c. Step over with opposite foot maintaining the lead

Power Walk/Jog With each step, punch opposite arm forward. As each foot lands, arm should be fully extended with upper arm in front of torso.

When all of the above jumps are mastered, change from one to the next without stopping the rope for the following series of jumps. Stop when you feel winded and only work up to the full series gradually.

8 jumps each â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 6 jumps each â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4 jumps each â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2 jumps each â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1 jump each for 8 complete sets (both, right foot lead, left foot lead = 1 set) 3-Way Bounce Ball activities stimulate spatial awareness, tracking, and midline skills necessary for maintaining focus and coordination for all eye-hand activities. It can also lessen test and performance anxiety.

With the hand you write with, bounce a ball exactly 6 times, then catch the ball with both hands. a. Keep the ball in the center, directly on the vertical midline of the body b. Keep the ball to the right side of the vertical midline of the body â&#x20AC;&#x201C; aim for the ball to bounce just outside and in front of the toes of the right foot c. Keep the ball to the left side of the vertical midline of the body â&#x20AC;&#x201C; aim for the ball to bounce just outside and in front of the toes of the left foot Repeat all the above with the opposite hand.

Repeat all the above with both hands (as if double dribbling).

IMPORTANT: a. Eyes should always watch the ball. b. When crossing the hand(s) to the opposite side of the body, do not turn the head or torso toward the ball. This maximizes the benefits by forcing each eye to do equal work and each hand to cross the vertical midline.

Rope Walks Tape a 7 foot or longer rope to the floor. The rope challenges balance and provides important sensory feedback. To increase difficulty, use a 9 foot curved rope or a 10 foot angled rope and place hands on head. a. Walk the rope as if a tightrope walker, keeping each foot straight on the rope. b. Stand with both feet either to the right or left side of the rope. With the foot furthest from the rope, step over the rope so that feet are crossed with the rope between them.

Continue down the rope with each foot crossing in front of the other and over the rope. c. Stand with both feet either to the right or left side of the rope. With feet together, jump sideways over the rope landing with feet parallel to the rope. Continue jumping side to side for the length of the rope.

Cross Lateral Walks â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Once each is mastered, connect without stopping.

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Hopscotch Hopscotch is another great childhood activity that develops balance and jumping skills associated with long- and short-term memory. To also stimulate spatial awareness and midline skills, make hoops out of garden hose and hold ends together with a short piece of plastic tubing of the same diameter. The hoops give sensory feedback on the accuracy of foot placement.

Once feet can consistently land in the center of hoops, drop a rock or bean bag in one hoop and jump over or around that hoop on the first pass. When returning, stop in the hoop beside or before and pick up beanbag before continuing. Be sure that only one foot lands in a single hoop while each foot lands simultaneously in a pair of hoops.

Go to the gym and work out â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the mental benefits are equal to the physical ones!

For more information on the relationships between motor and cognitive skills, visit www.developmentalfitness.org

Artsview teen performers win roadshow awards When the Artsview Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Theatre company took their production of Ed Monkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Booby Trap to Lewisville recently, they did not come back empty-handed. Their performance at the 17th annual Texas Non-Profit Theatre Youth Conference earned individual and group awards.

The entire company received the Spirit Award for their positive attitude and encouragement of all the other groups attending the conference. Judah Armour of Kilgore and Megan Stevens and Caroline Bump of Longview received Individual Spirit Awards. Caroline Bump also received a Teacherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Choice Award for her excellence in participation during the conference workshops. An All-Star Cast Award went to Megan Stevens and Judah Armour for their first-rate performances in Booby Trap.

The group performed Booby Trap for local audiences in May before taking their show on the road to the conference.

ArtsViewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Artistic Director Laura Bowen said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;TNTYC is one of the most valuable theatrical learning experiences that a young person can have. Our kids forged new relationships and had lots of fun during the conference. More importantly, the group was recognized by other company leaders as being exemplary in their behavior and actions toward others. We are very proud of them all!â&#x20AC;?

A picture of the award winners can be found at www.PineyWoodsLive.com.

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art in the home The home of Bill and Rachel Rice

by Jan Statman in style at any particular time,” Rachel said.

“I’m sure we would have tired of things like that. We didn’t buy work that was simply made to be some kind of decoration. We only bought things that had a special meaning for us. Since we bought things that spoke to us, we have been able to keep them for the rest of our lives. We enjoy looking at them all the time.”

Sculptures welcome visitors to the home of Bill and Rachel Rice. They include a life-sized metal sculpture of a young man, a cement bunny rabbit and two handsome metal greyhounds, and they are only a hint of the art to be seen inside.

“Bill and I both love art. We love to collect it, and we love to live with it. We both came to treasure art early, and it has always been an important part of our lives,” Rachel Rice explains. “When he was child, Bill played piano and took declamation. He was always very good at drawing and art, and because of that, he has always had a great sense of proportion which is something that helps him in appreciating not only art but also the world around him.”

“I was always interested in art concepts. I loved to draw. Even as early as the first grade, I knew I loved color. I loved to surround myself with tones and shapes and textures. I always enjoyed the shadings of the many different whites, for instance. I’m told that a lot of people don’t see color that well. I don’t know if it’s a matter of training or it’s a physical thing, but I have always loved it, and I am sorry for those people who are deprived of it for any reason. My mother had an appreciation for art and theater. She read to me and took me to see fine works of art.

She encouraged my imagination to grow and to appreciate the beautiful things God created for us to enjoy.”

Since art was important to them both, Bill and Rachel Rice began collecting shortly after they were married. The two Asian panels in their dining room were among the first things they bought.

“We didn’t purchase things that were

July 2012 - Page 18

Although there are some collectors who limit themselves to a particular subject or style of art, the Rice’s collection crosses barriers of time and culture and embraces a variety of ideas. Their deep religious commitment may be seen in many of the artworks in their home which include a variety of handcrafted and sculptured crosses. The stained glass panels which adorn each of the home’s front windows once graced the lovely old domed First Baptist Church building that stood in downtown Longview.

Although they have chosen most of the pieces in their collection from local East Texas galleries or during their many travels, several of their major works of art were special gifts. An antique Japanese scroll hangs above an entry hall table, a gift they received from a Japanese interpreter when they were visiting Japan.

“It is a distinctive scroll painting of the sort a Japanese people will have in a special area near the door of their homes to welcome you,” Rachel Rice explained. An antique temple sign from Japan hangs near a

PineyWoodsLive.com

art in the home vintage Middle Eastern prayer rug. A fascinating textile was once the woven harness of a camel seat.

A triptych of Native American paintings on paper is displayed on a hand-rubbed wooden stand. It was created by artists of different tribes and describes American Indian versions of religious imagery. One panel is Sioux, one is Cherokee and one is Navajo.

The large central panel is said to show the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The contemporary metalwork butterfly balanced on the stand is not part of the grouping but speaks so well of life it seems happy to have joined the set.

An interesting wall display includes a colorful work in combined batik, embroidery and tie-dye. It is a parable from scripture and was created by an artist who later went on to make enormous pieces for church altars. Rachel said the Jan Statman oil painting hung above it reminds her of the tiny red sparrows which fly across the rooftops of Jerusalem. The third painting in the display is a watercolor by Al Brouillette, which they bought at the Frederick Nila Gallery during the 1970s. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bill owned several paintings by Al Brouillette before we were married, and we still enjoy all of them.â&#x20AC;?

The abstract painting reminds her of springtime on the King Ranch when she was growing up.

Across the room next to a gold adorned cross, a carved and polished table holds a gilded Russian icon of the Madonna and Child. It shares space with a reproduction head of a Greek sculpture wearing a jaunty gold leaf crown, a Mexican ceramic tree of life, a Chinese porcelain dish, and an Israeli kippah balanced on a wooden box. An

antique sword stands in the corner while a shining metal plate holds space underneath the table. An enameled metal turtle guards the floor. He shares his floor space with a life-sized ceramic turtle from Mexico. Nearby, a tall carved wooden cat sculpture wears a hand woven Tyrolean hat, much like the cat in The Cat in the Hat. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My eye leads me, and I follow,â&#x20AC;? Rachel laughed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re such fun!â&#x20AC;?

The signed and numbered intaglio and ink print which hangs above the great room fireplace is an Israeli artistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s colorful image of the Western Wall of Jerusalem. The painting of the Wise Men going to Bethlehem was a gift from the late artist Anne Marie Adonyi who also created the Dove of Peace. A small ceramic sculpture of singing angels created by a Peruvian Indian artist shares a table with a Peruvian artistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ceramic sculpture of the Last Supper.

The little figures seem to have golden halos, but closer inspection shows they are wearing Peruvian hats!

A watercolor of a wistful face by painter Anton Weiss is one of Rachelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favorite paintings.

It shares space with a series of detailed English landscapes. A large metal fish sculpture on a metal stand casts silver reflections. Its long and slender shape is dramatic, although Rachel Rice said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was surprised to learn the fish was a barracuda. Happily, it seems to be a smiling barracuda.â&#x20AC;?

A carved Moroccan camel from the

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desert is in the company of a watercolor of seashells hung above a bowl holding an arrangement of actual shells from the ocean.

The dog portrait of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Rodney the Wonder Dogâ&#x20AC;? is a tribute to a well-loved pet. A Japanese calligraphy painting is a drawing of a crab and a poem that says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;This crab is walking among the flowers of the seaside.â&#x20AC;?

High on a wall is a print of one of Maxwell Parrishâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s landscapes which once hung in Rachelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grandparentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; home.

A ceramic reproduction of a foot by an ancient Greek sculptor graces a stack of books on a bookshelf while a small polished stone Eskimo bear sits calmly on another bookshelf bringing his message of courage.

A painted and gilded triptych from Mexico shows the Madonna of the Sacred Heart in the company of two saints in a frame that is carefully carved with roses. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bill and I live in our house, and we enjoy living with our art,â&#x20AC;? Rachel Rice explained. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We own work by many different artists who do many different things. The one thing they all have in common is that they touch something in our hearts that is beyond our eyes.â&#x20AC;?

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writing & downtown Kilgore Beyond Mere Thoughts

by Karen Dean

Writing for a Specific Purpose Although I’m not at liberty to divulge any details about the children’s book I am working on, I will explain some of my writing process. Sorry about the little mystery. Hopefully, in a future issue, I will be able to tell you much more about my new book.

For now, writing to a specific target audience for a specific purpose is the topic for this issue. Years ago, I heard someone say, “If you want to create a product that will sell, then find a need and fill it.”

This statement can also apply to writing books. While writing about a specific topic, you need to define your reader and narrow your audience. Once that has been done, then you can choose your vocabulary, style, and imagery with your reader in mind. While you are determining exactly who your target audience will be, it is helpful to make a list of your readers’ defining characteristics including age, gender, knowledge and their connection with your topic.

When you have clearly defined your target market, you’ll be able to write with greater focus because you will understand the interests of the readers you want to reach. While developing your book, keep referring back to this list so you can stay on track. You don’t want to lose your readers partway through your book. If you find yourself getting off track, either delete that section of text (really, it’s okay) or simply do a rewrite.

Keep an image of these readers in mind as you are writing.

If you need to, pretend they are looking over your shoulder with anticipation of what you have to say. The better you stay focused on your audience while writing, the better chance you have for success in marketing your completed book.

Is there a way to attract a larger audience? Is it possible to increase your audience by adding additional material or an overlapping storyline? That would take careful consideration.

I’ll use my children’s book, Kitty Kate’s Tea Party, as an example. I wanted to write a sweet rhyming story about a little girl having a tea party. Since little girls love tea parties and kitties, I created the personified character Kitty Kate. My target audience was little girls ages 2-12, but I wanted to expand that audience to moms, grandmas, aunts, dads, teachers, and tea lovers of all ages.

In order to do that, I added a bonus section that included ideas for how to plan and host your own tea party with reci-

pes and a section on tea party manners. The potential readers’ age span grew because the book went from being an entertaining children’s story to becoming a book that was educational, that helped develop social skills, build relationships, and was also a cookbook.

What do you want to accomplish with your writing? Who do you want to reach? It’s an amazing feeling to know you’ve touched someone else’s life with your words. We’re all in this world together, so let’s make a difference.

Stop by next month for a few more writing tips.

In addition to being a published author and illustrator of children’s books, Karen Dean is also an accomplished artist in oil and watercolor painting architectural landscapes, seascapes, still life, and Classical Realism portraits.

Visit her website to view the gallery. www.KarenDeanArtist.com karendean@karendeanartist.com

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theatre

Card 53 Comedy gets the last laugh by Kari Kramer

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Jamey Whitley and Aaron Smith were enjoying acting classes at the University of Texas at Tyler when they realized something was missing: a theater department.

The two set out to form a student theater group which focused on improvisation. Improv revolves around actors who present a scene at a momentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s notice â&#x20AC;&#x201D; no script, no rehearsal, and no prior idea what the performance would involve. Eventually, the group became Card 53 Comedy. Members include Whitley, Smith, Chris Pelton, Brad Johnson, R.J. Norman, Chris Brantley and keyboardist Jed McNei. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We became very driven about performing more often and created Card 53 Comedy,â&#x20AC;? said Whitley. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I started taking improv classes in Dallas and eventually went to Second City in Chicago.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;We became a dynamic group very quickly by adding our friends that we thought we would like to be on stage with,â&#x20AC;? said Smith, who had previously been part of other improv groups. â&#x20AC;&#x153;All of them had stage experience, so it was an easy decision. Once together, we started doing other performances for different venues and became very popular, it seems.â&#x20AC;?

Their first show drew 40 people, but today, depending on the venue, crowds can top a few hundred eager audience members. The pair said they provide a unique entertainment experience for people in the area looking for something different.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Each show is always made up on the spot,â&#x20AC;? said Whitley. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We will play several improvised scenes or â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;games.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; We take suggestions for each game from the audience and will even choose audience members to help us with one or two games. What really makes an improv show is the audience participation. The suggestions allow our show to be different each time.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one of the most interactive types of performances that the audience has ever been able to experience,â&#x20AC;? added Smith.

Whitley said the unpredictable nature of the show is what makes it so enjoyable. However, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also the biggest challenge for the performers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The biggest challenge I had to face was to not try to be funny and instead trust my instincts,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When I tried to be funny, I wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t, and I soon found out the best laughs come from being spontaneous in the moment.â&#x20AC;?

Smith agreed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I might have the greatest idea in my head and think it is so clever and funny, and then, once performed in front of the audience, I have realized I created Frankenstein, and they are glaring at me,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You simply power through a low point, progress the show, and keep giving yourself on stage for the audienceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s enjoyment. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe we have ever had an audience â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the entire audience â&#x20AC;&#x201D; walk away from a performance dissatisfied.â&#x20AC;?

The comedy troupe has received a nice reception from their expanding audiences as they perform more often in the area. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We try to perform as much as possible, but usually, anywhere between once and twice a month,â&#x20AC;? said Smith. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It really depends on what kind of corporate shows we have going on. Right now, our main performance area has been Liberty Hall. However, we have performed previously at Julianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Caldwell Auditorium, Tyler Junior College and UT Tyler.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Before us, people would drive to Shreveport and Dallas for something different to do,â&#x20AC;? explained Whitley. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This type of entertainment attracts bachelorette parties, birthdays, exciting romantic dates, girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; night out, anniversaries and more.â&#x20AC;?

What began as a hobby has slowly grown into a developing business and passion for the

entire Card 53 group. Whitley said he hopes this form of entertainment continues to catch on in the area and would love the opportunity to take the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s show on the road. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It became a rewarding obsession to me when I made someone laugh, because [regardless of] whatever was going on in their personal life, for that brief moment, they are laughing,â&#x20AC;? said Whitley. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My hope is the entertainment need in East Texas will grow where we must perform each weekend on a regular basis. I would also like to branch out to schools in East Texas and be able to do shows for the schools. Kids are imaginative and very creative. Much of what we do is act like we havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t grown up. I would also like to find a place to perform in places such as Longview, Linden, Marshall, Jefferson and other cities.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I would like to see us doing more for the community,â&#x20AC;? added Smith. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have toyed with the idea of having a comedy night weekly in Tyler as well, but we would want to have a broader audience as well as a steady venue.

The group itself is going to continue to grow regardless of what happens on stage. We already have traveled to several venues in East Texas and will continue to do so.â&#x20AC;?

Whitley said Card 53 Comedy is available for private events and â&#x20AC;&#x153;can be as clean or as edgy as one would desire.â&#x20AC;?

They routinely have open shows around East Texas. Those interested can visit the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website www.Card53.com to see where the group can be enjoyed next. They are also on Facebook and Twitter.

Whitley and Smith have big hopes for their group and hope to see it grow in the future. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To me, this is my life,â&#x20AC;? said Whitley. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My biggest passion is doing improv comedy. If I could do anything in this world, it would be to make a successful living at only performing. I put my life into this group for it to grow and succeed.â&#x20AC;?

And while it is becoming a viable business option, Smith told us, the audience remains the core focus. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is no doubt that this has developed into a business for us, however itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not a business to make money but to make laughs.â&#x20AC;?

For more information, visit www.Card53.com

Where images become heirlooms.

100 Tall Pines, Suite 4 â&#x20AC;˘ Longview â&#x20AC;˘ 903.757.7427 July 2012 - Page 22

From left to right - Card 53 Comedy members Chris Pelton, Jamey Whitley, R.J. Norman, Brad Johnson and Aaron â&#x20AC;&#x153;Smittyâ&#x20AC;? Smith. --Courtesy photo

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