Category Archives: illustration

Obsessed and Over taken

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“If you judge a poet, you have no time to write prose.”                                     ~Sue Batton Leonard

 Let’s start with something fresh today and talk about something different. It’s time to air my dirty laundry.

Last week in my creative writing class we were given an assignment to make a list of all of our obsessions. “Choose one, ” the professor said “and write about it; either in poem or prose form.”

My teacher has not yet seen my poem, so it is making it’s debut on this site – rough draft, unpolished. As you read my composition, remember, this is only my third attempt at writing poetry, ever!  Yes, ever. It is not really my forte.

Obsessed and Overtaken 

Concept, idiom, jargon

Articulation

Penning, scrawling, sketching

Communication 

Nouns, Verbs, Tenses

Alliteration 

Overused, Unclear, Redundant

Elimination 

Capitalize, comma, period

Abbreviation 

Emotional, verbal, mental

Abstraction 

Drafting, Editing, Rewriting

Direction 

Creating, planning, posting

Position 

Video, polls, images

Suggestion 

Digital, social, visual

Connection 

 Come on back, if you can bare to. Perhaps better blog writing tomorrow.

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Lesser Known Facts about F. Scott Fitzgerald

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“All good writing is swimming under water and holding your breath.”  ~ F. Scott Fitzgerald

Yesterday was the birthday of author of F. Scott Fitzgerald.

We are all familiar with his notable books, which have become classics, but there are some lesser known facts about this author. Francis Scott Key, the composer of our National Anthem, was Fitzgerald’s 2nd cousin, three times removed.  Fitzgerald’s parents honored the memory of the composer Key by using “F.Scott ” to name their son.

He also spent time living and writing at the Paix Estate in the suburbs of Baltimore in Towson, Maryland, the town where I grew up.   He lived there while his wife, Zelda, was being treated for schizophrenia. At that time he worked on his story of Dick Diver, a bright young psychiatrist who falls in love with one of his patients. Some historians say that his writing of this book provided Fitzgerald with a fulfilling way to tell his story of his marriage to Zelda and her mental problems. For info on the 2013 publicationk about Fitzgerald’s wife, please click here  Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald.

His remains are in Maryland. Evidently because his parents were practicing Catholics, whereas he was not, there was controversy over his burial. To read more about his life and death, please visit this link. http://bit.ly/2IvUY8

F. Scott Fitzgerald also wrote for the Saturday Evening Post, Colliers and Esquire Magazine. His face graced the cover of the “Post” in a painting by Norman Rockwell that complimented his short story called “Bernice Bobs Her Hair.”

Happy Belated Birthday to F. Scott Fitzgerald, an author who helped to shape the literary world in this country.

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Headed Between the Covers

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“The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” ~ St. Augustine

 I am ready for a little traveling. Where am I headed? To Between the Covers Bookstore. http://bit.ly/NaKzRg. Where is that? In a “box canyon” in a place called Telluride, Colorado; where the mountains soar to altitudes of almost 13,000. According to Wikipedia, “a box canyon is a small ravine or canyon with steep walls on three sides, allowing access and egress only through the mouth of the canyon.” The bookstore co-owner is like me, a Baltimore transplant, who has ended up in the West. 

I suspect at certain times of the year, when large shipments of publications are delivered, Between the Covers Bookstore, feels as if it is a box canyon, until all the books are shelved. There is a certain book that I will be searching for at this bookstore that would come in handy on days when I struggle to put down my digital devices and stop working. This two minute video, shot last February, gives a quick glimpse into the book I am looking for.  http://vimeo.com/37703165.  

The video is courtesy of film editor, visual effects artist, independent filmmaker Marc R. Leonard. http://marcrleonard.com/editing.  Thank you, Marc, for a little insight into Telluride in the other season, winter.

Telluride is, from what I understand, a neat little “artistic town” and very scenic! It is home of the Telluride Film Festival.  http://www.telluridefilmfestival.org/. 

Our trip to Telluride will be timely. My husband and I will watch our son run in his first half-marathon, which goes over Imogene Pass – seventeen miles of climbing and running, traveling from 8,000 ft in altitude to 13,000. The boy has energy, I tell you! It’s time to play catch up and see what else he has been doing.

Come on back next week. On Film Friday, we will be featuring a new Disney movie that both adults and children, who enjoy Celtic legend, may enjoy seeing. Have a good weekend, everybody.

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Creative Bookselling

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“The ladder of success is best climbed by stepping on the rungs of opportunity.” ~Ayn Rand

On Friday evening at the Bookworm of Edwards, I and two others presented an evening writer’s workshop on marketing books. We focused mainly on e-marketing/social media marketing, selling books through public speaking and placing books in retail and bookstore environments. The discussion led to other ideas for creatively finding potential book buyers.

The morning after the event I visited the Minturn Market, a fresh-air shopping experience . I noticed a booth filled with children’s books from Osborne Publishing, a U.K. company. Must be a local distributor is in the area. I tried to approach the vendor, but, the booth was too crowded.

Just as I was ready to leave the market area, I noticed a woman folding tee-shirts. As I walked by she asked me “Whether I was familiar with the Burrow Race?” I admitted that I wasn’t; I was a visitor to the area from Steamboat. She said the tee-shirts were being sold in conjunction with the annual Burrow Race that goes up the mountain and the sales of the shirts were to support literacy; a program of the Avon-Vail Libraries. http://bit.ly/Rbl52C. That explained my sightings of borrows  with packs on their backs wandering around about town.

Literacy and books surround us in our daily lives, and we never know where we will find opportunities to sell books of regional interest. There is a book that has created “buzz” in the Vail, Colorado area. It is called Women of Vail – Those Who Walked This Bridge 1962 – 1970  Click on the title for more information and ordering.

Where is the book being sold? According to the Vail Daily, it is available at the Minturn Market, however, this seasonal market is coming to an end in two more  Saturdays.

“Women of Vail” would make an excellent Christmas present for those who know and love Eagle County, Colorado.

This blog brought to you by Sue Batton Leonard, author of Gift of a Lifetime:Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected and www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Adding Color to Life and Movies

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 Psst……I am going to let you in on a secret, I have very limited understanding of what my son does in his career. The other night, I talked to him after almost two months of silence (except for an e-mail of one or two sentences) because he has been so busy. That’s a good thing – I’m not complaining. It means he is finding fulfilling things in what he is doing and that makes me happy. 

For many adults in my generation, being “in communicado”  may seem a little odd. According to an article I just read, my generation is filled with hovering parents of adult children who find it difficult to let go and let their kids live their own lives. http://bit.ly/7y1k85.  Don’t think I can be accused of that since we don’t speak once a day, once a week and occassionally not even once a month. I am not an errant parent, just letting my adult child spread his wings and grow in his career and life. It does not mean that we don’t have a close relationship. As they say, “Children hold their mothers hands for a short time, and their hearts forever.”  Or is it ” Mothers hold their childrens hands for a short time and their hearts forever?”

 I do have fulfilling feelings as a parent, however,when my husband and I are the first people our son calls when he is excited about something, has concerns, some information to share or he just wants to talk.

Curious what our conversation was about the other night? It is full of promise. With my son’s permission, I am going to share it. Here is a link that will let you in on our secret. For his sake,  I hope this film project comes to fruition.  http://www.indiegogo.com/ThoseWhoWait. 

What is the part he plays in this production? He is a visual effects artist, specifically a colorist. Not sure what that is? Neither was I, I had to look into it . http://bit.ly/KHabA. 

Now, I have a better idea of what to talk about next time he calls. I already knew he is involved with bright people, inspiring landscapes and scenery, vivid imaginations and a range of creative ideas. The life of an artist and  elements for good filmmaking. http://brewingdigital.com/.

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Treasured Time with a Child

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“The greatest gift is a portion of thyself.”  ~  Ralph Waldo Emerson 

If you visited All Things Fulfilling yesterday, I made a promise I intend to keep today. Here is a short list of my favorite children’s books, published in the 1980s ,when I was raising our young son. At the time, there was  nary whisper of the changes that were on the horizon for the publishing industry, at least not that I was aware of. Thus, the following books are mostly, if not all,  traditionally published. 

In today’s world, there are many fulfilling reads, for children and adults, published independently of the big six or seven conglomerates. What changes we have witnessed in publishing over the past ten or twelve years!  

Jan Brett’s books ranked high on our list of treasured children’s books. Living in the north country of Vermont, our family related to the Nordic themes and art illustrations that were present in most of Jan’s books:

  • The Mitten
  •  Trouble with Trolls
  •  Annie and the Wild Animals
  • Wild Christmas Reindeer

New Hampshire author, Tomie DePaolo’s books, claimed a stake in our hearts, too. My son’s love of Native American history and lore drew us to several of Tomie’s books.

  • The Legend of Indian Paintbrush
  • The Legend of Blue Bonnet
  • The Legend of the Poinsettia 

A few others to consider by various authors:

  • The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey (now adapted for film)
  • The Napping House
  • The Jolly Postman
  • The Polar Express (also was adapted for film) 

Don’t forget to take time out of this busy holiday season to appreciate God’s gift to you, your child. Spending time with the little ones is far more valuable than anything you will ever find in a shopping mall! The rewards are great for both parent and child. 

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Northeastern Book Angels

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“If one looks closely enough, one can see angels in every piece of art.

 ~ Terri Guillemets 

“Mama, Do you Love Me?” Yes, I do sweet child! “More than a walrus loves his tusks,” I would recite. Barbara M. Joosse’s lyrical story, “Mama, Do You Love Me?” offered the perfect opportunity to teach my son about the unconditional love a mother has for a child along with learning about the Inuit culture and Artic wildlife, too. 

With my child, I read a staggering number of enticing and magnificent children’s books as he went through the years of growing up. Because reading together was not something either of us was willing to let go of, I had the privilege of reading to him daily until almost age 12. It was the most treasured and fulfilling part of our evening routine. 

Children have a natural ability to learn language. The importance of reading to a child and talking with them, even about simple things, can not be overstated. It is how a child builds a solid vocabulary for understanding the world around them and how they learn to communicate effectively with others. For more information on this topic, check out this article http://bit.ly/np1Xzh. 

The most fulfilling Christmas shopping I did each year was stepping inside the Publishers Weekly award-winning Northshire Bookstore in Manchester, Vermont. Picking out the most meaningful books I could find for my child, I knew my buying helped to support a top-notch independent bookstore. I also loved the mission of their Book Angel program which put worthwhile books into the hands of many underserved children in the State of Vermont. http://conta.cc/txlh5s. 

 As far as I was concerned, the best gifts given to my child at any time of year were new books or DVDs. Besides Legos, books and films were always his most prized holiday presents. They were gifts that kept on giving for many years. The money spent became a real investment in my child’s future, too.  

Come on back tomorrow. Since I am in the reminiscing mode, I will share a list of my favorite children’s books, published in the 1980’s that “Santa” gave my child over the years. It may help out with some last minute shopping ideas.

More independent, thoughts, words and views from www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com tomorrow! Come on back!

 

Things that Serve Writers and Filmmakers

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“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did.”  – Mark Twain

New and improved digital publishing software and digital filmmaking software for editing and post production is appearing on the scene.  In this world of producing digital content for all kinds of screens, there is a growing need. 

Perhaps you are a budding writer or independent filmmaker who has made a resolution to invest in stepping things up a notch by purchasing professional software for digital publishing or for creating films or video in  2012. Choices can be confusing and many when it comes to picking the best software. 

Adobe has a website that may be useful in fulfilling your need for knowledge about which way to turn. Their full range of software is suitable for individual and enterprise solutions. Investment in professional software means the ability to create high quality, professional results. 

Adobe Digital Publishing Suite has solutions for those who wish to create content that will captivate viewers and readers on mobile devices. The publishing suite is all encompassing software and it includes individual programs such as:

  • Photoshop
  • InDesign
  • Flash
  • Premiere
  • After Effects
  • Dreamweavers
  • Illlustrator 

Along with the need for software may come a need for education on how to use it, too! There are certified instructors who can lead you through the effective use of these products. They have the experience and the know-how. To help you explore the right product for your needs and to find out how to locate a certified instructor, please visit this link, http://adobe.ly/r0ONyr. 

Cornerstone Fulfillment Service, LLC does not endorse any one software program. This information is offered to fulfill a need for independent publishing help. By using your favorite search engine, look for digital publishing software. The choices are varied. Be wise! Research before you buy. 

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Painting Life

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“If a poem is each time new, then it is necessarily an act of discovery, a chance taken, a chance that may lead to fulfillment or disaster.” ~ A.R. Ammons

I had a fabulous weekend! I had a chance to visit with artist Quang Ho at the opening of his exhibit at the Steamboat Art Museum on Friday evening. On Saturday, I was among an intimate audience of 40 or 50 people who sat mesmerized as Quang painted a portrait of another artist, Richard Galusha of Wildhorse Gallery http://bit.ly/rSVLei. 

Quang spent a generous 2 ½ hours creating and teaching about the intricacies of a good painting composition. During that time, I gained a new understanding about the art of life, from a painter’s point of view, by a few key and valuable statements he made. 

Paintings are stories of ‘”shadow and light”, Quang related. “One is the plot and the other the subplot. How much attention an artist gives to the spaces in between determines how rich the painting is.” The artist also went on to explain that there are variations of value in the light. 

‘Painting is problem solving, and if you make a decision is it always correct.” He also advised fellow artists. 

Last night I began to ponder on the artist’s statements and how we can relate it to our own lives. Our life structure is birth to death, and then there landmarks in between. During the spaces in between, we can focus our energy either negatively or positively. Depending on the choices we make and values we have, life can be rich and fulfilling or not. 

There is truth to be learned in Quang’s statement about making decisions, too. “How can we even tell if a decision in life is right or wrong if we don’t make one at all?” I ask myself. 

Quang Ho has some extraordinary insight and inspiration to share with artists not only about painting but also about the human condition. His life as an artist and his experiences as a human being have paved the way for a lot more to tell! To learn more about this artist, please visit my blog posting of November 29 entitled Historic Setting Filled with Jewels. http://bit.ly/v8zctP. 

Quang is well worth following. He has promised he has a whole lot more to share with his fans! And from my interview with him, so will I! Stay tuned in upcoming weeks to www.AllThingsFulfilling.com. 

Thank you for your generosity, Quang Ho. I enjoyed meeting you, in person, so much.

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Art Appearing on Boughs

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‘The place to improve the world is first in one’s own heart and head and hands.’  ~Robert M. Pirsig 

It is surely nearing Christmas time! When the Kiwanis Club of Steamboat begins selling their annual ornament at places around town, the holidays are drawing close. Beginning this weekend, the ornament will be available for buying. 

Our club’s major fundraising campaign is selling ornaments. From the proceeds we buy gifts for needy children at Christmas time, provide funding to send children to science camp, provide “Where to Worship” brochures for people visiting the area. We can be proud of our other random acts of service in our home town, too. 

This year, a talented and nationally known artist, Jean Perry helped us in fulfilling our interest in decorating the ornaments a little differently this year. Jean gave permission to Kiwanis to use an image of her painting “Fish Creek Falls” to embellish the bauble. 

It is a fair trade! Many visitors to the area purchase the ornaments in commemoration of their trip to Steamboat. They will take them as gifts to family and friends in other States, too. The ornaments will hang on boughs of Christmas trees far beyond Steamboat Springs,Colorado and people will become acquainted with the artist’s work. Good deal! 

Kiwanis of Steamboat is grateful to painter Jean Perry for her generosity in sharing her art, so that as a Club, we can “serve children of the world.” For more information on the artist, please visit www.JeanPerryStudio.com.

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