Where Will Your Portrait End Up?

“Thank the work of our hands: weaving steel into bridges, finishing one more report for the boss on time, stitching another wound or uniform, the first brush stroke on a portrait, or the last floor on the Freedom Tower jutting into a sky that yields to our resilience.” an excerpt[...]


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Dear Bully, Yeah You (Me)

Dear Bully, yeah you (me), I can see you don’t go around pushing people, insulting them, sticking their hair in inkwells, that sort of thing. But you do single people out.  You find something you don’t like about them.  You may not even know exactly what it is, but you’re[...]


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Drawing for Smart People

Here’s some advice for all you really smart people who want to be able to draw what you see: Dumb it down a bit.  Great painters have more in common with magicians than with detectives.  See less, rather than more. Don’t show off your sexy curves.  Curves are where straight[...]


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Reviews Are In for 33 Variations

Here’s a lovely, thoughtful review of the show, this by wonderful art spirit that is Olivia Pool of ART MAG.  We are so lucky here in Charleston, to have the support of our media as our many artists throw themselves into their passions.  The review also has a great rendition[...]


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Hoping is the Great Curse

“Hoping is the great curse”  Beethoven, from 33 Variations Keeping dreams alive that can never be is a form of insanity.  This flies in the face of those who have bought into The American Dream and other delusions fed to us by those who desire to control us. Better to[...]


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Beethoven and God

In answer to Schindler’s question about the Opus 31, No. 2, Beethoven replied, “Read Shakespeare’s Tempest.” Much is said about listening to your inner voice and soul, which is all well and good.  But first you have to connect your inner voice and soul with others.  The thoughts and feelings[...]


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Interview with “Beethoven”

An interview with Sara Coy for the Threshold Theatre production of 33 Variations 1. Where did you grow up? What drew you to theatre and the arts? I grew up in a household full of the arts in St Clair Shores, Michigan.  I remember hot summer days of intense creativity,[...]


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Which Came First, the Art or the Artist?

A friend posted, “you don’t have to be an artist to create art.” Yes, I suppose if you created art that would qualify you as an artist. But only an artist can create art. Most people simply aren’t willing to risk looking foolish in the attempt and will never rise[...]


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Creativity and the Definition of Art

“Creativity is allowing oneself to make mistakes.  Art is knowing which ones to keep.” I’ve been saying this for many years as a teacher.   The idea that giving ourselves total freedom to do anything at all and calling it art, may sound absurd, but it is a great first step[...]


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Madness and Art

In his turn, in a letter to a friend, composer Zelter from Berlin, Goethe let him know of his meeting with Beethoven:  “I met Beethoven. His talent astonished me; nevertheless, he unfortunately has a tumultuous personality, which is not completely wrong in thinking the world repulsive, but undoubtedly he makes[...]


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Orphan Relief Gala Performance Painting

Orphan Relief Gala and beautiful people           I performed this sketch of Mary Playing the Violin at the Lowcountry Orphan Relief Gala, last evening, where it was auctioned off to raise money for first responders in cases of child abuse here in Charleston.  I was given[...]


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