Category Archives: Artistic journeys

Treasures from the Heart

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“He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree. “ ~Roy L. Smith 

Ok, so, I hadn’t thought that much about Christmas until Sunday. I was too busy planning Thanksgiving and enjoying the memories of our family reunion. Singing “Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel” in church on Sunday, and the lighting of the first candle of the Advent Season made me feel even jollier already. Ever since I was a child, I have loved everything about the magic of the Christmas season. 

shop locallyIf you have any doubts about whether winter is here in Colorado, just take a stroll down Lincoln Avenue in Steamboat and step inside the doors of the retail establishments. On Sunday, I allowed myself a few minutes to peek inside a few stores. I was not disappointed. The stores are beautifully “dressed” for holiday shoppers. I spied stylish women’s clothing artfully displayed and coordinated, outstanding assortments of coffee table books, sparkly western jeans and dazzling ornaments to accentuate trees or as an accessory to a  beautifully wrapped package. Rugged, yet, very classy men’s clothing is neatly folded and just waiting to be picked up. In many of the stores I saw a number of items that would make thoughtful gifts for under $20. There are treasures to be found with smaller bucks, too!

I look forward to stepping inside many more shops, visiting our local independent bookstore, Off the Beaten Path, http://bit.ly/VgvEE3 and in galleries located throughout town to take in the Christmas spirit over the next few weeks. 

Since I came to the Yampa Valley four years ago, despite challenging times, many of the stores in town have overhauled their retail spaces, updated their stock and generally spiffed up. Lookin’ good, Steamboat! Inspires me to shop!

Happy Treasure Hunting for big and small! And remember, shop Local, whenever possible.

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2013 Sundance Film Festival Finalists

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“Filmmaking can be a fine art.” ~ Terri Windling 

The selections for the 2013 Sundance Film Festival have been announced, and they’re listed in Filmmaker Magazine and on Sundance’s website. Independent filmmakers covet being selected for this film festival, which was begun in 1978 as a way to bring more filmmakers to the State of Utah. 

Last year, a new festival director was put into place, and although the name of the festival has changed over the years, the mission of discovering independent artists, remains the same. Here are just a few picks from several categories that will compete for “best of” awards: 

U.S. Dramatic Competition

U.S. Documentary Competition

World Cinema Dramatic Competition

This winter’s festival will run from January 17 – 27th. To read the sixty-six selections, to purchase tickets and learn more about the Sundance Film Festival, held in Park City, Utah every year, please visit this site. http://bit.ly/TwQ6T .

Have a good weekend everyone. I am hoping to take in the Life of Pi at the local theatre.

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Art Rocks! Rock Art Books

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“Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it”~Michelangelo 

Yes, Art Rocks! It adds personal fulfillment to my life. Visual arts, literary/language arts, performance arts…it’s all good! Art is part of our American culture and arts and crafts are unique from each country around the world.  

Since I have moved to the western part of the United States, I have visited places where rock art rules. Petro glyphs, geological digs, caves and cliff dwellings indicate human existence that goes way back in time – interesting stuff! Trying to decipher crude symbols for common words is fun and all part of examining our ancient culture. 

Do you have a rock hound, historian, paleontologist, geologist,a fan of Native American culture or artist in your life that really digs looking at and reading about rock art? There are a number of excellent books on the subject.
Click for info & ordering

During my Thanksgiving visit to Bandelier National Monument, I discovered a nice assortment in their gift shop.  If you ever want to see a great  historical site with authentic rock art, visit Bandeliers, a real national treasure in New Mexico. http://1.usa.gov/10XO7LB.

 

 

 

Many of  independently published books about rock art and native American culture can be ordered in time for the holidays through e-commerce (internet shopping).

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and author Sue Batton Leonard, author ofClick here for info & ordering.

Sounds of a Pioneer Valley

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The weekend before Thanksgiving I attended a concert called “What a Wonderful World” presented by the Yampa Valley Singers.

A fulfilling selection of thirteen songs was so appropriate to the season of thanksgiving; reminding me of things I am grateful for. The compositions ranged from spiritual to patriotic to contemporary show tunes. Most of the songs familiar; some  creative renditions of the originals. Here is the list of musical numbers from the event.

  • How Can I Keep from Singing?
  • America the Beautiful
  • For the Beauty of the Earth
  • Home (from the Broadway show The Wiz)
  • Try to Remember
  • Blowin’ in the Wind
  • Stopping by the Woods (based on Robert Frost’s poem)
  • A Long Way from Home
  • Blow Bugle Blow
  • All Good Gifts
  • I Vow to Thee, My Country
  • Hava Nagila
  • What a Wonderful World 

I am so grateful the Yampa Valley Singers come together several times of the year to share their artisic talents and voices with our community. I’ve gotten such enjoyment out of each of their concerts since I moved to Steamboat.

As I  sat enjoying the tune “How Can I Keep from Singing?” I thought if it wasn’t for my lack of a decent musical voice I would answer their call and join in. But, they wouldn’t want to hear my vocal utterances. Why ruin a good thing?

The Yampa Valley Singers sell independently published DVDs of their concerts- affordable gifts!  The choral group is comprised of approximately 30 -35 of people -friends and neighbors to many in this valley. To order a CD of the music from the concert “What a Wonderful World,” please click on this link. http://bit.ly/UnLPCO. There are also some wonderful cds from the Yampa Valley Boys that make for great gifts.For ordering Christmas Trail by the Yampa Valley Boys. click here.

Thank you for a very enjoyable evening, Yampa Valley Singers, and to the United Methodist Church in Steamboat for providing a space to hold the concert.

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

 

Music of Americana

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“Any fool can make something complicated. It takes a genius to make it simple.”  ~Woodie Guthrie

Did you happen to see American Masters on PBS last Tuesday evening? Woody Guthrie: Ain’t Got No Home was a wonderful documentary filled with songs of Americana. Click for info & ordering

There are so many dramatic twists and turns in Guthrie’s life story that it made for a fulfilling documentary, giving us insight into him as a person, well beyond his musical abilities. In my opinion, he and his family’s brokenness made for outstanding lyrical songwriting. His struggles  seemed to give him insight into the human condition and  he had the ability to simply translate those feelings into inspirational songs that have been remembered and still sung four decades later. A wandering minstrel he was, with such talent as a full rounded musician.

To read more about Woodie Guthrie and the complex life he led, please visit this link http://to.pbs.org/SosT2w.

If you missed this American Masters documentary, keep your eye out for a rerun of it. It is well-worth watching and the songs will take you back to some of the most poignant times in our country’s history.

To order cd’s of Guthries music Click on this link

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.

Film Friday: 48 Hour Music Video Contest

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“Curiosity about life in all it’s aspects, I think is still the secret of great creative people.”  ~ Leo Burnett

The judges have had their say. The 48 Hour Music Video Contest in Albuquerque is over for 2012. Congratulations go out today to Lindele Media for their awards in the competition.

“Todd and The Fox” was the title of Lindele Media’s music video that was conceived, shot and produced within two days. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r04xy9830Bw&feature=relmfu.

It takes intense brainstorming, artistic creativity and labor to pull off a quality video within the given 48 hours. Lindele Media came away with the following awards:

  • Best Director:  Marc Leonard  http://bit.ly/QiidY4
  • Best Acting
  • Best Cinematography
  • Runner-up Place for Best Music Video

To learn more about the independently published films and music of Lindele Media and projects in progress, please visit this link. http://lindelemedia.com/.

Congratulations to all teams who participated in this fun and frantic competition!

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“An Artful Read” from Algonquin

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“A work of art is above all an adventure of the mind.” ~ Eugene Ionesco

Did you see in the news yesterday that 75 year old mobster Robert Gentile of Connecticut was to appear in court on a prescription drug and arms case? Federal prosecutors say this man many have some important knowledge about the biggest art heist in history. Gentile’s lawyers say “he knows nothing about the art and has never stepped inside an art gallery before.” http://fxn.ws/XIr2MT.

Twenty-two years ago, the Isabella Stewart GardnerMuseum was robbed of a half billion dollars worth of art of the masters – paintings of Rembrandt, Manet, Vermeer and Degas. Despite the $5 million dollar reward that has been offered, there have been no leads in this theft until now.

This real life museum theft is the subject of a fictional book that is on my Christmas list. The Art Forgers, published by Algonquin Books, an imprint of Workmen Publishing.  B.A. Shapiro’s thriller is about deception, the authenticity of art and finding answers which may lie, according to the author within the brush strokes.Click for info & ordering

Shapiro’s book is #1 on my MUST READ list for the New Year. It is also a New York Times Best Seller and #1 IndieNext Pick list. Available in audio and e-book format, this author is experienced in bringing together a good story. She has written five other novels, four screenplays and a non-fiction book. For more information on B.A. Shapiro, please visit this link. http://bashapirobooks.com/bio .

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A Fashionable Read

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“The secret of fashion is to surprise and never to disappoint.” ~ Edward G Bulwer-Lytton

Do you have a want-to-be fashion designer in the family who you are  looking for something to give them other than clothing for Christmas? Tired of seeing your hard earned money thrown in the trash because the clothes you have given your budding fashion stylist, as gifts, do not fit their own unique look?

How about an independently published book about the fashion industry that encourages high fashion at low cost? In this economy, many feel that is the wise way to shop.

Consultant Marisa Lynch’s book, developed out of her blogging efforts called New Dress A Day: The Ultimate DIY Guide to Creating Fashion Dos from the Thrift Store Don’ts  is now available. Click for info and ordering

Lynch has gained further fame by appearing on Nate Berkus’ Show, RickiLake, Martha Stewart and has also been interviewed by Anderson Cooper. She as part of the E! Red Carpet team at the Oscars, transforming dresses from thrift stores into stunning gowns that met the approval of many of the top fashionistas and the paparazzi, too.

Support literary arts  through your Christmas shopping. There are unique books being published independently. You will be doing our local economies a great service by helping to build a creative economy industry.

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Fulfillment Etiquette at Thanksgiving

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“Self expression must pass into communication for its fulfillment.” ~ Pearl S Buck

Dear Ms. Nice Netiquette: 

 I am writing to you because I am faced with a dilemma that involves fulfillment. I am hoping that you and our internet readers will send me their opinions. Here is the situation: 

A large part of my East Coast family, which is a lot of people, are planning to meet myself, my husband and our son, in the southwestern part of the country for Thanksgiving. We are really looking forward to having  ‘turkey day’ in a unique region and showing the “East Coasters” something different. 

All say that getting together and having fun is what is important. That part is easy- thankfully, we are not like some families that you read about that leave gatherings arguing and at odds with each other.

The dilemma is this – What to have for Thanksgiving? We will be in a rental place with a kitchen so we could pull most anything off – if, I’ll reiterate “if” we really want to. Some are stuck on the idea of having the traditional Thanksgiving Day fare. Others say “who cares? Let’s go get tacos or something different.” Traditionalists retort, “What is Thanksgiving without all the trimmings?” Myself, I just want us to all be together. Our opportunities for reunions have gotten less frequent because some have moved from the East to various parts of the country  – that makes it difficult. 

Trying to satisfy so many different tastes is a predicament. Some of them would eat anything. Others are vegans, some are classified as just plain organic or health food conscious,  others don’t tolerate hot or spicy stuff. We have a gourmet chef  in the family but, we will be nice and give him the day off since he will be on vacation.

Please, Ms. Nice Netiquette, send me some signals – your advice, your opinion, a tip- off, a wink, a nod in the right direction…anything, so I will know what to do in this situation. I am the person in charge.

I am interested in knowing what you would do to make sure everyone has a fulfilling meal for Thanksgiving. I know the holiday is still two weeks away but please send me your thoughts. I want to begin my planning. 

Thank you, Miss Nice Netiquette for your help.

Signed, Grateful  for my family and our Thanksgiving get together.

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Film Friday: Adaptation

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It has been a busy week on All Things Fulfilling. I feel as if I have been knocked over by a self induced hurricane this week. Between daily blogging, my creative writing course and other business meetings and commitments, I am glad it is Friday. It was a delight to be part of author Mara Purl’s blog tour this week also. If you missed out, scroll down to read my interview with Mara about her second book “Where the Heart Lives.”

At lunchtime today, local writers from the independent publishing networking group that I started a year and a half ago here in Steamboat, will be presenting their books and will talk about the independent publishing process with the Yampa Valley University Women. Another group I belong to. 

This morning as I start my blog writing, I feel exactly like Charlie Kaufman in the film Adaptation. Here are his words and also my thinking.  

“To begin… To begin… How to start? I’m hungry. I should get coffee. Coffee would help me think. Maybe I should write something first, then reward myself with coffee. Coffee and a muffin. Okay, so I need to establish the themes. Maybe a banana-nut. That’s a good muffin.” 

Too bad I am not a coffee drinker, hot tea will have to do as a substitute. I will take that banana-nut muffin, though, sounds good!

Speaking of the film  Adaptation, my creative writing teacher says that it is a good movie suggestion to pass along to others. The movie is  directed by Spike Jonze.  She says, it is well worth watching.  “Interesting,” she said “how the screenwriter creates a story out of a person who has a passion for orchid collecting.” For information on this movie, Click here.

This is not a newly released movie. It hit the movie screens back in 2003. It is an adaptation of the book “Orchid Thief.” It won an Oscar and many other film awards.  Actors include Nicholas Cage, Meryl Streep, Chris Cooper, just to name a few of the cast. 

Sorry for the quick blog, today. Have a fulfilling fall weekend, everyone! Please return on Monday for more independent thoughts, words and views from www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.