Contemporary Expression

Moving ....

2009-10-13T16:26:00.002-05:00

Archives will remain but new posts will now be at this new blog location.

What is Home to You?

2009-10-03T15:43:00.021-05:00

While we were enjoying several hours at The Celebration of Cultures I read that a public art project was underway from the Scarritt Bennett's Gallery F.

As we approached , you could hear the paper singing in the wind. Lines of paper, catching the wind like prayer flags. The question was profoundly simple, "What is home to you?"

Visitors to this celebration of culture and the participants representing were all asked to consider the home that is their constant.

I immediately knew my response. Home to me is where my love, my hope and my safety sit. Where my play and my work have meaning and where the earth and sky bring me color and light. I drew on my paper a symbol that artist Victoria Boone taught me that means 'heaven' but looks a bit like a dog with pointy ears. The sacred Zia Pueblo symbol, a star that points to home and symbolizes my tribe and a flower grounded, not picked but settled in the earth.

What would your paper home-flag have on it?
What is home to you?

Here are some more videos from Celebration of Cultures for your Enjoyment:

The Pride Portraits - Faces That Made History - Gallery Talk

2009-09-30T07:04:00.020-05:00

I hope that you can bring your lunch to Vandy on the 8th and talk with us about these incredible people. The space is open to the public to drop by all month to view the work and the take away studies on each person featured. Just walk up West Side Row from Sarratt and you will find it.

More on this painting:
Bayard RustinNancy VanReece Acrylic and ink © 2009 Contemporary Expression, a div. of Carpe Diem Copyright Management Inspired by photographs in the J D'Emilo book Lost Prophet, The Live and Times of Bayard Rustin
$300 Call 615-830-8158

What: Nancy VanReece’s “The Pride Portraits” of LGBT faces in history including Del Martin, Phylis Lyon, Urvashi Vaid, Jane Wagner, Lillian Faderman, Lucy Burns, Bayard Rusting showing throughout the month of October as part of LGBT History month along with a Gallery Talk with the artist.

When: Exhibit open October 1-30,
Gallery Talk Thursday, October 8 at Noon.

Where: Office of LGBTQI Life in the K.C. Potter Center.
Euclid, 312 West Side Row

FACEBOOK EVENT RSVP

PRESS :
While many of her contemporaries may be currently obsessed with looking to the future in their expressions, Nashville artist Nancy VanReece has chosen to ground her art steadfast in the present, while looking to the horizons of the past to guide her—and her work—into the future. Meant as a celebration of the 40 year anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, Nancy’s 2009 Pride Portraits Series is not only a snapshot of where she is as an artist and a person but also the long and bumpy road that brought her to this place. With this work Nancy is showing homage to the fact that throughout history there have always been lively souls who lived boldly for the rights and privileges that we enjoy today. With each portrait in this series Nancy is acknowledging that in the landscape of her life, there is color, texture, movement and light because of the contributions of these seven individuals (Del Martin, Phylis Lyon, Urvashi Vaid, Jane Wagner, Lillian Faderman, Lucy Burns, Bayard Rustin) and many more just like them. In viewing Nancy VanReece’s expressions of abstract portraiture, she hopes to draw the viewer into a story or narrative continuity with her subjects and herself as the artist. “These are people whose unique courage and foresight have influenced not just how I view my world but how the world views me.”
No matter what phase of life she may be in Nancy has learned to always apply a basic principle to her approach to art: She needs color, texture, movement and light or she loses interest.
These fundamental elements form the cornerstone of how Nancy expresses herself and have their origins in her work on the canvas. Nancy began her career in contemporary and abstract expression in the mid- 90's focusing on elemental and nature themes until a hand injury left her without the ability to paint for over 18 months. A retreat to Santa Fe, New Mexico in spring of 2003 renewed her body and mind with inspiration and guidance from other respected expressionists. This renewed period in Nancy’s life produced many changes in her approach to expression on canvas by encouraging her to create energy and movement in multimedia spaces through multi-layered acrylic and series of antique photographs. Nancy also adopted the method of using water in differing streams of force as well as natural texture elements with acrylic on canvas. These techniques allowed her to more fully express new ideas and inspirations through the use of movement and texture along with color and light. In 2004 and 2005 Nancy applied her new found dedication to these four essential elements to any art to several popular series on behaviors, whimsical animals and large scale landscapes. 2006 saw her interpreting show places in her memory or places she wished existed. Nancy is currently focusing on abstract expressions of people and places of import to her personal continuity and sense of history. Without what she feels to be the essential elements of expression-movement, texture, color and light-Nancy’s art would be severely handicapped. History moves us forward in time. The texture of culture, fashion, ethos and ideas make up the fabric of all history. Color has always been a powerful interpreter of emotion and light has shaped all things by shades throughout recorded time. It is Nancy VanReece’s sincere hope that her approach to the idea that a person is the sum total of all the events, people and places that went before them will resonate in these expressions. If someone walks away having learned that their own journey is an artful one, then she will have accomplished her goal. She will have helped by creating an object that tells us all the story of what has gone before in the past that made us what we are and will continue to shape us as we move forward - by F. Daniel Kent.

panoramic of portraits at the K.C. Potter Center

Old Shingle Starts To Swing

2009-09-25T08:41:00.016-05:00

I am officially re-introducing services that have been tracking beside my work for over a decade. Please e-mail for a free initial consultation.

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Carpe Diem Copyright Management:

publishing administration, music supervision and intellectual property licensing.

Contemporary Expression:
( a div of Carpe Diem Copyright Management)

marketing and social media administration with the goal of community building for both non-profit and for-profit business.

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What others are saying:

“Nancy possesses a unique blend of visionary perspective and action orientation. She well-articulates the big picture possibilities and necessities for healthy arts organizations to strengthen the community while working diligently on day-to-day actions to promote the Nashville Shakespeare Festival. A great example is Nancy’s vision for the potential of social media which she acted on to great results, in particular, using Twitter to build a strong presence and following for the Nashville Shakespeare Festival.” August 24, 2009
Deb Palmer George, Owner, Palmer Solutions

“I am Vice Chair of the Nashville Shakespeare Festival, and I have been able to directly observe Nancy's performance as Executive Director of the Festival, and the results of her efforts. Nancy has done a very good job marketing the Festival, and creating new outlets for making sure the community knows about the Festival and what it does. This includes moving marketing efforts into non-traditional venues like social networking sites, which have proven to be extremely effective. I would highly recommend Nancy and her marketing skills.” August 18, 2009
James Cartiglia, Member, Waddey & Patterson

“Nancy is incredible, and relentless in her pursuit of action and results. An extremely creative individual that knows how to make things happen while embracing everyone involved. I learn a lot from her whenever we talk. She is a real delight to work with.” August 17, 2009
Jonathan Saad, Grants Program Manager, Metro Nashville Arts Commission

“Nancy practically wrote the book on marketing arts oriented non-profits. Of particular note is her mastery of social media marketing. @nashvilleshakes was tweeting before tweeting was cool. And, she integrates the social media outreach with traditional media and marketing outreach, resulting in great results for the Nashville Shakespeare Festival.” July 29, 2009
Aileen Katcher, Partner, KVBPR (Katcher Vaughn & Bailey Public Relations)

“Nancy is a big thinker who also has a big heart. She's quick to come up with creative ideas for growing important community causes and is always up to a challenge, whether it's learning a new technology, bringing people together, or working with a new community partner. We're always excited to work with Nancy as she seeks outcomes where everyone wins.” July 29, 2009
Sam Davidson, President and Co-Founder, CoolPeopleCare

“I will always be extremely grateful to Nancy for all the time and effort she put in to writing for The Muse's Muse while she had her own copyright and publishing column. Her articles and advice were always spot on and regularly commented favorably upon by the people who dropped by the website. It's been a pleasure to work with her.” September 15, 2009
Jodi Krangle, Owner & Creator, The Muse's Muse Songwriting Resource

“Nancy was a dedicated and dogged negotiator, with a true heart and passion for protecting the interest of BMI's songwriters. Her instincts for creating partnerships between BMI and our clients were among the best I've seen. In a tough industry, Nancy proved herself adept at building long-lasting relationships here all parties involved could appreciate the benefits of doing business togther.” September 15, 2009
Aaron Mercer, Former Assoc. Director of Key Accounts, BMI, Now Sr. Director, Creative & Licensing at Sony/ATV Music Publishing

“Nancy gets the job done! Whatever the task, Nancy owns it and uses her unique skill set to accomplish things that would leave others laying dead by the roadside. Nancy is tenacious yet always creative, professional and personable in representing people, projects or groups. Nancy has integrity and always shows respect for others. Her ability to administer and manage copyrights as well as her ability to negotiate the deal, always results in win-win scenarios on behalf of clients. I highly recommend Nancy to you.” September 16, 2009
Glenda McNalley, The Select Artist Group, LLC

“Nancy is competent handling numerous roles on behalf of her clients and doing so well. She cares not only about her clients' business, but personally as well. Her attention to detail is of great benefit to those she serves. She also is a talented negotiator, and strives to do so in a way that the parties mutually benefit. I have always been impressed with Nancy's ability to network and assist those she meets, both as a professional and as a friend. I am always confident that Nancy provides the best of her talents to every one she serves. Greg Seneff, Sr., Esq. The Seneff Law Office” September 26, 2009
Greg Seneff, Owner, The Seneff Law Office

So I Keep Marching

2009-09-20T16:58:00.011-05:00

Watercolor by Nancy VanReece

The last week has been a bit of a blur as I joined the unemployed masses. I started updating everything. The resume, websites, contact lists, etc. have all been refreshed and are poised for exploitation.

Not having a laptop and working from an antiquated PC, I found myself doing a lot of eyebrow furrows. But in just 3 days I went from a completely blank Google Calender to 17 meetings, appointments and yes, one actual interview. (wish me luck). A fellow friend on the journey said, "I've found that the best way to deal with unemployment is to stay busy."

So I keep marching, hoping not to have to pay our health care insurance premiums with our equity line. (that is just wrong!)

So I keep marching, hoping that I can stop and reflect about all the very good work done and the work yet to do.

So I keep marching, dedicated to taking each opportunity under the microscope of my personal mission statement to "Advocate Creative Opportunities For My Community to Achieve Its Potential"

So I keep marching, looking like the robin for the worm and trying to remember to smile.

New Chapter? New Book?

2009-09-14T17:39:00.004-05:00

I celebrate with The Nashville Shakespeare Festival on closing the 22nd season in the black.

Read the story: The Tennessean

I had a great 3 seasons covering 8 productions and a record number of workshops.

After consideration, The Festival has decided that the best way to assure a fiscally responsible FY10 is to take on the tasks performed by the executive director directly.

For this reason, as of today, I am no longer with The Nashville Shakespeare Festival but wish them well on their continued journey!

You may contact the Festival at 615-255-2273 or make your inquiry to thebard@nashvilleshakes.org Your request will be forwarded to the appropriate person, please be patient for a response.

Meanwhile - please let me know if you hear of anything that may be a good fit for me. Please send notes and ideas via email to nancy@nancyvanreece.com

Facilitating Community

2009-09-10T15:25:00.023-05:00

Is everyone around you evaluating something of high importance? It seems that way to me. The non profit sector is evaluating mission statements and services to be sure they are meeting real need and not duplicating the work of others. The for profit sector is evaluating if the product they provide is something people actually want, or better yet, need. I see artists of all stripes, the creative class, evaluating if their voice is being heard or if they are shouting in the wind.

Plenty of us have also taken the time to stop and evaluate ourselves. In the last blog post I talked about branding. As luck would have it, I was able to attend a workshop this morning sponsored by Nashville CABLE about building a personal brand. Clearly the universe was telling me to knuckle down and do some evaluating.

The process of forming brand is the result of unrelenting passion, not spin. So, I asked myself what I felt passionate about, what was the essence of what I was about and is it something I am already doing and, if so, is it impacting others?
I enjoy leading. People follow leaders because they can see the vision when the rest are paralysed by fear. I really needed to clear my vision!

I was able to develop my own personal mission statement:
"Advocating Creative Opportunities For My Community to Achieve Its
Potential"

What is thrilling to me is that I am already doing this and continue to find new ways to expand it. Advocacy, Creativity, Development, Community Service.

Laura Berman Fortang suggests these questions that will help your own evaluation:
What are you built to do?
Clues:

How do people use you?

What have people always said you should be?

What is the essence of your dream?

I am a cowpoke afterall

2009-08-24T09:43:00.014-05:00

I put out a call for some recommendations for my Linked In Page and I have been pleasantly surprised at how my marketing work has floated to the surface of the comments so far. It is the part of the job that I like the most because it is all about relationship building. Who wouldn't want to work in a community based, mission driven organization with an excellent selfless staff and committed board of directors.

Seth Godin nails it for me:
Brands that matter In this era, there are two questions every marketer answers:

Do I want people to interact with me and my brand in unexpected ways (as opposed to just quietly consume it)?
When they interact, do I overwhelm people with delight worth remarking about?

Vibrant growing brands manage to answer both questions with a resounding 'yes.' It's not an accident and it's not easy, but if you do it right, it may be worth it.

When I was a little girl I thought the cowboy way looked pretty cool. Now I realize I'm just a cowpoke branding my way through life after all.

Hey marketers: Does this sound about right?: A cowpoke is a hired ranch hand who is responsible for managing cattle. Cowpokes may also be referred to as cowboys, paniolos, or vaqueros, depending on the region of the world under discussion.
A cowpoke must be talented in a number of fields. He or she is a skilled rider, able to handle a horse and work with the animal to accomplish common goals. Cowpokes must also be comfortable with cattle, sometimes in large amounts, and they often perform basic medical care for horses and cows alike. On very large spreads, a cowpoke may spend a fair amount of time away from the ranch, camping in the field with other cowpokes, who take turns preparing food.

Last Weekend to See Taming of The Shrew

2009-08-20T08:32:00.002-05:00

Life Comes in Layers and Builds With Color

2009-08-11T08:42:00.013-05:00

There is a wonderful show up a The Frist Center for the Visual Arts.

Chuck Close Prints Process and Collaboration

June 26–September 13, 2009

I was first introduced to Chuck Close's work on a visit to the Art Institute of Chicago several years ago. I was amazed at his "fingerprint" paintings. I was thrilled to see that The Frist had brought a collection of his prints for view.

I was thrilled to see that the process was part of the exhibition. As we were reading and learning and viewing I was struck by the profound nature of the layering of life.

Each experience and every encounter brings color and layer to the picture of our life. As we grow and learn and rally life into our world our reality is effected.

What you see at the Frist is profoundly different when you realize that everything Chuck Close painted or carved or printed after 1988 he did after "The Event".

"The Event"
On December 7, 1988, Close felt a strange pain in his chest. That day he was in New York about to give an art award. He begged to present first, went on stage, quickly read his speech and then ran to the hospital. Within a few hours, Close was paralyzed from the neck down. At first the doctors were confused but eventually they diagnosed a rare spinal artery collapse. Close called that day, "The Event". For months Close was in rehab strengthening his muscles; he soon had slight movement in his arms and could walk, yet only for a few steps. He has relied on a wheelchair since. However, Close continued to paint on with a brush strapped onto his wrist with tape, creating large portraits in low-resolution grid squares created by an assistant.

Do you have an event in your life that has added the layer of color and texture and movement that has summoned your soul to push forward, to move on, to paint your life and your vision, no matter what?

Staycation 2009

2009-08-03T19:08:00.016-05:00

We closed out our staycation with a visit with The Jugg sisters on the NashTrash Pink Bus Tour . These few shots are total bootleg so - come see the tour "fer yer self"

I am so glad that I took a few days for a staycation and where better to spend it than in Nashville, TN. We spent time in our own town enjoying places that we already new we loved and trying out neighborhoods we hadn't explored as much. I first came to Nashville in 1986 when the only places to eat were Faisons and Sunset Grill and The Cooker. Now there should be no question that Nashville is serious about food. Very serious, and very playful.

When we go on vacation we try to find local places that serve fresh local food. This time out we enjoyed ChaChah, Eastland Cafe and Cantina Loredo .. okay, that last one is a chain but they use a local chef and the food was the best southwestern/mex I have had in this town, hands down.

The green spaces in Nashville are best observed with a dog. So get one. This is our dog Scout.

What to do in Nashville : NowPlayingNashville.com

Where to eat in Nashville: NashvilleOriginals.com

So now-back to work and still in love with lovely Nashvegas.

Keep Circling

2009-07-19T11:39:00.021-05:00

Major General Michael Collins
Time in space
11d 02h 04m

Apollo 11 was the first manned mission to land on the Moon. The first steps by humans on another planetary body were taken by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on July 20, 1969.

What of that third astronaut? The commander of the module that circle the moon while the others two became household names for generations.

During his day of solo flying around the Moon, Collins never felt lonely. Although it had been said that "not since Adam has any human known such solitude."Collins felt very much a part of the mission. In his autobiography he wrote that "this venture has been structured for three men, and I consider my third to be as necessary as either of the other two". During the 48 minutes of each orbit that he was out of radio contact with Earth, the feeling was not loneliness, but as "awareness, anticipation, satisfaction, confidence, almost exultation".

I feel a relationship to Collins. I have for my professional career created opportunities for other people to make their mark; musicians, songwriters, record producers, actors, designers, photographers, heck even politicians. I'm a motivator, a manager, someone who loves to create opportunity.
As I approach the autumn, not just on the annual calendar, but also the autumn of my own life I can since that I am preparing for a time for me to put my own foot print down.

I'm still trying to figure out what that will look like, but I do know that I will have the perspective that I will share with Commander Collins.

Keep circling, and soon, your mission will take you home.

Question ---

2009-07-08T08:31:00.000-05:00

A decade

2009-07-06T07:32:00.016-05:00

Total solar eclipse of August 1999

A decade has gone by... a decade and some change since Matthew Shepard, a decade to the day since Barry Winchell. Back in 1999 I had also just come out of the closet to friends and family. I had to change my career and I had to start all over again in so many ways. My partner and I had already been together for over a decade and we wanted to start the second one completely out and open.

For me it was Matthew, I just couldn't bear the grief isolated. I joined the then active LGCJ (Lesbian and Gay Coalition for Justice) in Nashville to see how I might plug in to my activism. Then, in short order, came Barry. Watching the Nashville leadership find a way to be helpful and effective was part of our growth as a community. I still remember the early meetings and the collaboration with SLDN and the Equality Federation.

Now, as a board member of the Tennessee Equality Project Foundation (the educational c-3 arm of TEP) I am proud to see all the work that has been done to stop hate crimes and to see them punished to the full extent of the law. Join the TEP FaceBook Page

Hate crimes are a vicious assault on the humanity and safety of our community. TEP wants to help victims of hate crimes get the justice and protection they deserve. If you are the victim of a hate crime or if you would like to report a hate crime, please complete the form on this page. Someone from our Hate Crimes Task Force will respond to your report.

Save this number to your cell phone to call in to leave a message to report of a hate crime in Tennessee:
615.664.6886
If you are in any danger, please call 911 first

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The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act passed in the US House April 29, 2009 on a 249 to 175 bipartisan vote.

The bill expands federal hate crime laws to include crimes where the victims were targeted on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender, and disability. It also would eliminate a requirement that the victim was engaged in one of several "federally protected activities" at the time of the crime in order to be protected by these laws. Under current federal hate crime laws, perpetrators can be prosecuted for violence motivated by race, color, religion, and national origin only if the crime involves a federal activity, such as voting or traveling across state lines.President Obama released a statement on the bill prior to yesterday's vote. He said "I urge members on both sides of the aisle to act on this important civil rights issue by passing this legislation to protect all of our citizens from violent acts of intolerance – legislation that will enhance civil rights protections, while also protecting our freedom of speech and association. I also urge the Senate to work with my Administration to finalize this bill and to take swift action."The bill was also reintroduced in the US Senate the same week by a bi-partisan coalition. In the Senate, the bill is known as the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act.* Previous versions of the bill faced various legislative roadblocks under the Bush administration: similar bills did not make it out of committee in several Congresses between 2002, when the legislation was first introduced, and 2007, when the bill finally passed the House, but was never voted on in the Senate. President Bush had indicated that he would veto the bill if it was passed by Congress.

*Sen Alexander was quoted recently that "state laws are sufficient" when asked about his vote.

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A decade has gone by.
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Gay Bias Killings Highest Since 1999
Incidents Up By 28 Percent
MARCUS FRANKLIN, Associated Press Writer
POSTED: 12:17 pm CDT June 16, 2009

NEW YORK -- The number of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people killed in bias-motivated incidents increased by 28 percent in 2008 compared to a year ago, according to a national coalition of advocacy groups.
Last year's 29 killings was the highest recorded by the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs since 1999, when it documented the same number of slayings, according to a report released Tuesday by the coalition.
"What we're also seeing, more disturbingly, is the increase in the severity of violence," said Sharon Stapel, executive director of the New York City Anti-Violence Project, which coordinates coalition.
Stapel theorized that at least some of last year's violence was backlash against issues that arose during the during the presidential campaign. She cited debates about same-sex marriage, the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, and federal legislation that would ban employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity as possible flash points. "The more visibility there is the more likely we're going to see backlash, and that's exactly what we see here," Stapel said.
Overall, the number of victims who reported anti-LGBT violence in 2008 increased by two percent compared to 2007, said the New York-based coalition of programs in 25 states.
Coalition officials say their figures are more accurate than those from law enforcement agencies. As an example, they say, the FBI doesn't record bias crimes against transgender people because gender identity isn't covered by federal hate-crime law.
Also, victims sometimes are reluctant to report bias incidents to police because they don't want to reveal their sexual orientation or gender identity and/or they fear bias from police, officials said.
Reports of physical abuse by police increased to 25 incidents last year from 10 in 2007, the report said.
For the new report, programs in Milwaukee, Minnesota, Chicago, Los Angeles, Colorado, Columbus, Ohio, Houston, Pennsylvania, New York City, Kansas City, Missouri, Michigan and San Francisco submitted data.
Programs in Vermont and the Boston area participated in the 2007 report but not the current one. The program in Rochester, N.Y., participated in 2008 for the first time.
The largest increase -- 64 percent -- was in Milwaukee, where the number of reported incidents rose to 18 in 2008 from 11 in 2007, the report said.
Officials weren't sure whether reported increases were attributable to more people reporting incidents or an actual rise.
Meighan Bentz, a victim outreach advocate at the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center, which includes an anti-violence project, said, "I think it's a combination."
"Certainly there are more people reporting," Bentz said, adding that the project started in 2005. "As time goes on there are more people aware of our program as a resource."
Bentz added, "I do believe there are ongoing issues of violence and its affect upon LGBT individuals. It's a vulnerable population."
Many of 2008's incidents made headlines.
In December, a man was beaten to death in New York City while he walked arm in arm with his brother as their attackers yelled anti-gay and anti-Latino epithets. Two men have been charged with murder as a hate crime.
In February 2008, 15-year-old Lawrence King was shot to death at school in Oxnard, Calif., near Malibu after enduring harassment after he told classmates he was gay; a classmate is charged as an adult in the killing, which prosecutors classified as a hate crime.
Last June, a surveillance tape was publicized showing Memphis, Tenn., police officers beating Duanna Johnson, a transgender woman, and shouting slurs in a jail booking area; a public outcry erupted.
In November, Johnson was found fatally shot on a Memphis street

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A decade has gone by.

Stonewall and Pingpong Balls

2009-06-29T08:23:00.017-05:00

Back then, I was busy watching Captain Kangaroo - now what's distracting me? What would it take to take to the street in both celebration and protest?

The Stonewall riots were a series of spontaneous, violent demonstrations against a police raid that took place in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn, in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York City. They are frequently cited as the first instance in American history when people in the homosexual community fought back against a government-sponsored system that persecuted sexual minorities, and they have become the defining event that marked the start of the gay rights movement in the United States and around the world.

After the Stonewall riots, gays and lesbians in New York City faced gender, class, and generational obstacles to becoming a cohesive community. Within six months, two gay activist organizations were formed in New York, concentrating on confrontational tactics, and three newspapers were established to promote rights for gays and lesbians. Within a few years, gay rights organizations were founded across the U.S. and the world. On June 28, 1970, the first Gay Pride marches took place in Los Angeles and New York commemorating the anniversary of the riots. Similar marches were organized in other cities. Today, Gay Pride events are held annually throughout the world toward the end of June to mark the Stonewall riots.

Michael Jackson and Iranian Elections

2009-06-26T08:16:00.002-05:00

RIP MJ

your music was art

It's Time! Equality starts at home

2009-06-24T08:47:00.013-05:00

Okay, so I am a founding member of The Tennessee Equality Project and serve on the TEP Foundation board of directors. Ultimately, however, I'm just a Tennessean, just a Nashvillian who agrees in fairness, equality and quite frankly is getting very restless waiting for local good news.

It's Time! Equality Starts at Home and you need to participate. It's about non discrimination, it's about equalty treatment , its about you, your sister, your brother, your cousin, your friend, your mom and your dad. Take action, do something today.

Support a Metro Nashville non-discrimination ordinance

Contact Nashville Metro Council and urge your representatives to support a non-discrimination ordinance that includes sexual orientation and gender identity or expression for Metro government employees. Use this web form to contact the 5 Metro Council Members at Large.

And on the National Level:

Enclusive ENDA Introduced! Ask your US Representative to Become a Co-sponsor!

Use this form to contact your state representative

This week, Representative Barney Frank, joined by Reps. Tammy Baldwin and Jared Polis, introduced an inclusive version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA)—which would extend the existing federal law prohibiting employment discrimination to protect people on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
The bill was introduced by a group of bi-partisan Representatives and it is important that you contact your legislator to become a cosponsor as well. Becoming a cosponsor shows that the Representative will stand firm with our community and helps build momentum for the bill’s passage.

Okay - so a couple of clicks and you can change the world in your neighborhood and help strengthen the momentum nationwide.

Happy Pride Nashville

2009-06-20T09:32:00.005-05:00

Riverfront Park 11am-6pm

The Tenessean Feature

2 and a half minutes of Nashville Pride - I giggle a lot.

Sam .. the genuine man

2009-06-16T08:04:00.003-05:00

Sam Davidson's Blog Needs Repeating: So Click here and read and keep reading.

Pride Portraits Reception Announcement

2009-06-05T07:24:00.019-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: F. Daniel Kent
Now! Here! This! Creative Services
Phone: 615.589.5835
Email: fdanielkent@comcast.net

What: Nashville Pride art reception for Nancy VanReece’s “The Pride Portraits” of LGBT faces in history including Del Martin, Phylis Lyon, Urvashi Vaid, Jane Wagner, Lillian Faderman, Lucy Burns, Bayard Rustin

When: Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 5:30p-7p

(This selection, along with 12 other VanReece works, will be on display throughout June)

Where: Ugly Mugs Coffee & Tea 1886 Eastland Avenue in Nashville, TN in the Walden building at the corner of Eastland and Chapel across the street from Rosepepper restaurant.

image: Urvashi Vaid by Nancy VanReece (c) 2009 Contemporary Expression. All rights reserved, Used by permission.

While many of her contemporaries may be currently obsessed with looking to the future in their expressions, Nashville artist Nancy VanReece has chosen to ground her art steadfast in the present, while looking to the horizons of the past to guide her—and her work—into the future.

Meant as a celebration of the 40 year anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, Nancy’s 2009 Pride Portraits Series is not only a snapshot of where she is as an artist and a person but also the long and bumpy road that brought her to this place. With this work Nancy is showing homage to the fact that throughout history there have always been lively souls who lived boldly for the rights and privileges that we enjoy today.

With each portrait in this series Nancy is acknowledging that in the landscape of her life, there is color, texture, movement and light because of the contributions of these seven individuals (Del Martin, Phylis Lyon, Urvashi Vaid, Jane Wagner, Lillian Faderman, Lucy Burns, Bayard Rustin) and many more just like them.

In viewing Nancy VanReece’s expressions of abstract portraiture, she hopes to draw the viewer into a story or narrative continuity with her subjects and herself as the artist. “These are people whose unique courage and foresight have influenced not just how I view my world but how the world views me.”

No matter what phase of life she may be in Nancy has learned to always apply a basic principle to her approach to art: She needs color, texture, movement and light or she looses interest. These fundamental elements form the cornerstone of how Nancy expresses herself and have their origins in her work on the canvas.

Nancy began her career in contemporary and abstract expression in the mid- 90's focusing on elemental and nature themes until a hand injury left her without the ability to paint for over 18 months. A retreat to Santa Fe, New Mexico in spring of 2003 renewed her body and mind with inspiration and guidance from other respected expressionists.

This renewed period in Nancy’s life produced many changes in her approach to expression on canvas by encouraging her to create energy and movement in multimedia spaces through multi-layered acrylic and series of antique photographs. Nancy also adopted the method of using water in differing streams of force as well as natural texture elements with acrylic on canvas. These techniques allowed her to more fully express new ideas and inspirations through the use of movement and texture along with color and light.

In 2004 and 2005 Nancy applied her newfound dedication to these four essential elements to any art to several popular series on behaviors, whimsical animals and large scale landscapes. 2006 saw her interpreting show places in her memory or places she wished existed. Nancy is currently focusing on abstract expressions of people and places of import to her personal continuity and sense of history.

Without what she feels to be the essential elements of expression-movement, texture, color and light-Nancy’s art would be severely handicapped. History moves us forward in time. The texture of culture, fashion, ethos and ideas make up the fabric of all history. Color has always been a powerful interpreter of emotion and light has shaped all things by shades throughout recorded time.

It is Nancy VanReece’s sincere hope that her approach to the idea that a person is the sum total of all the events, people and places that went before them will resonate in these expressions. If someone walks away having learned that their own journey is an artful one, then she will have accomplished her goal. She will have helped by creating an object that tells us all the story of what has gone before in the past that made us what we are and will continue to shape us as we move forward.

Funding Shortage Could Threaten Nashville Shakespeare Festival

2009-06-05T07:06:00.010-05:00

Funding Shortage Could Threaten The Nashville Shakespeare Festival
WSMV reports on how a reduction in funding due to the economy could potentially impact this free summer festival. The report features an interview with Executive Director of the Nashville Shakespeare Festival, Nancy VanReece.

image: walking on a wire - by NancyVanReece's watercolor postcard project 7/7/08. (c) 2008 Contemporary Expression, all right reserved, Used By permission.

Note:
There are some inaccuracies in the story:
To clarify. Our annual budget in recent years, including in-kind donations, is nearly twice the fee mentioned. Our education work is year round and includes our Winter Shakespeare production in The Troutt. To be more accurate, the budget for Shakespeare in the Park in recent years has been 250,000 including in-kind donations. Also, we produce for 4-5 weekends but it is usually only one play. This year’s schedule is on our website, where you may also make a donation: http://www.nashvilleshakes.org/
Nancy VanReece

The Pride Portraits

2009-05-31T21:32:00.012-05:00

The month of June marks a special pride month as it is the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, a series of spontaneous, violent demonstrations against a police raid that took place in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969 at the Stonewall Inn, in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York City. They are frequently cited as the first instance in American history when gays and lesbians fought back against a government-sponsored system that persecuted homosexuals, and they have become the defining event that marked the start of the gay rights movement in the United States and around the world.

The Pride Portraits is a series of 7 paintings that helped lead up to and past that defining moment in 1969. These are people whose unique courage and foresight have influenced not just how I view my world but how the world views me.

Del Martin & Phyllis Lyon
diptych Nancy VanReece
Acrylic and ink
© 2009 Contemporary Expression, a div. of Carpe Diem Copyright Management
Inspired by photograph from the archives of the San Francisco Chronicle

To read more about these works visit: http://www.nancyvanreece.com/prideportraits.htm

A reception will be help by Nashville Pride on Tuesday June 9th, 2009 from 5:30-7pm at Ugly Mugs where these 7 works and others will be on display through out the month.

The works are also committed for display at the K. C. Potter House on the campus of Vanderbilt University in October for LGBT History month.

A Refreshed Artist Statement

2009-05-26T19:32:00.009-05:00

Artist Statement
No matter what phase of life I am in I have learned to always apply a basic principle to my approach to art: I need color, texture, movement and light or I am just not interested. These fundamental elements form the cornerstone of all of the many ways I express myself, but have their origins in my work on the canvas.

I began my career in contemporary and abstract expression in the mid- 90’s focusing on elemental and nature themes until a hand injury left me without the ability to paint for over 18 months. A retreat to Santa Fe, New Mexico in spring of 2003 renewed my body and my mind with inspiration and guidance from other respected expressionists.

This renewed period in my life produced many changes in my approach to my expression on canvas by encouraging me to create energy and movement in multimedia spaces through multi-layered acrylic and series of antique photographs. I also adopted the method of using water in differing streams of force as well as natural texture elements with acrylic on canvas. These techniques allowed me to more fully express new ideas and inspirations through the use of movement and texture along with color and light.

In 2004 and 2005 I applied my newfound dedication to these four essential elements to any art to several popular series on behaviors, whimsical animals and large scale landscapes. 2006 saw me interpreting show places in my memory or places I wish existed. And I am currently focusing on abstract expressions of people and places of import to my personal continuity and sense of history.

Without what I feel to be the essential elements of expression—movement, texture, color and light—my art would be severely handicapped. History moves us forward in time. The texture of culture, fashion, ethos and ideas make up the fabric of all history. Color has always been a powerful interpreter of emotion and light has shaped all things by shades throughout recorded time.

It is my sincere hope that my approach to the idea that a person is the sum total of all the events, people and places that went before them will resonate in these expressions. If someone walks away having learned that their own journey is an artful one, then I have accomplished my goal. I will have helped by creating an object that tells us the story of what has gone before us in the past that made us what we are and will continue to shape us as we move forward.

I hope that you will join me at Ugly Mugs Coffee & Tea in Nashville, TN during the month of June for a exhibition of new portraits and recent expressions.

The works will be up for viewing at Ugly Mugs as well as on my website as of June 1, 2009

There will be a reception sponsored by Nashville PRIDE on Tuesday June 9th from 5:30-7pm - 50% of the proceeds of any artwork purchased that evening will be donated back to Nashville Pride.

Free Screening of the film ASK NOT

2009-05-20T07:27:00.004-05:00

Community Cinema in Nashville: Ask Not by Johnny Symons
Wednesday - May 20
Location: Conference Center at The downtown Nashville Public Library on Church Street

Ask Not This documentary by Johnny Symons explores the tangled political battles that led to the infamous "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy of the U.S. military, and reveals the personal stories of gay Americans who serve in combat under a veil of secrecy.

Join us for refreshments at 5:15, followed by the screening at 6:00 p.m.
Co-production of ITVS and NPT.

Reception at 5:15-films begins at 6:00.

To secure a seat for the FREE screening, please RSVP to rsvp@wnpt.net

May Day

2009-05-01T07:11:00.016-05:00

a div. of Carpe Diem Copyright Management.

There is a lot of work to do and I can't do it by myself. Who would want to? The joy of collaboration between creative individuals working toward a common goal is the best part of life. I am happy to be working in an environment that encourages collaboration on each project. We also encourage individual achievement and take responsibility individually for tasks to be accomplished but in the end, we all know that none of it will work as well as when we do it together.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world.

Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.- Margaret Mead

The culture of Nashville is collaboration. I think that speaks so highly of our character and we should embrace it! When we see a problem, we work it. We work it together. There is fantastic leadership at the helm and when that leadership fails, we work as a team to learn and move forward.

Mayor Dean will present his budget today. I know he understands the importance of the arts in every city but particularly for this city. I anticipate as much funding as possible, no more, no less. I believe under Vice Mayor Diane Neighbors' leadership a full and concise debate over the budget will take place at the council.

But what are average citizens to do? Yes, make sure your council person is aware of your concerns and hold them accountable to collaborate! But what else? We need to, as a city of individuals, step up once again and participate in the success of our own culture.

You wanted the Predators to stay, so you bought tickets. You wanted a symphony hall, you pledged support to build it. You wanted a skyline, you got it. Sidewalks, check. (well most places anyway)

What other cultural icons do you care about, how are they doing? Check in with them and help. Do you love your metro park? Let them know and ask how you can help. Do you use our awesome library? Tell them how important they are to you and collaborate on a project as a volunteer.

Do you love being in a city that offers free, professional Shakespeare in the Park for anyone and everyone to see each year? Even if you aren't one of the over 10,000 people that go each year, I bet you value what it says about our city that it exists. If so, give, volunteer, help.

Nashville, now is the time to collaborate. Let's work.

It's been a long ten years

2009-04-28T21:00:00.011-05:00

House to vote on Hate Crimes bill as early as Wednesday April 29th.

After Matthew's death in 1999 I made a commitment to come out of every inch of every closet I had created for myself. Some closets were made for work preservation, some for fear of family abandonment, and some for safety. It's been a long ten years of hard work for me to get to the point where I can live and work in an open and healthy place.

It's taken ten years to get to this vote - I hope that you will join me in calling any representative in D.C. that will hear you not only to vote YES on HR 1913 but to celebrate the opportunity to do something long overdue.

Rep Jim Cooper from Tennessee has signed on as a sponsor of this and he needs to hear from you that he is representing Nashville proudly. CALL Now: 202-225-4311

Don't live in Nashville? Contact your Congressperson now.
You can do this easily by calling 866-346-4611, the House switchboard.

BACKGROUND ON THE MATTHEW SHEPARD ACT:

1. Expands the existing definition of a "hate crime" to include gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability .

(Under existing law, if someone commits a violent crime against someone which is motivated by the victim's race or religion, then that crime receives a harsher sentence than it would otherwise. HR 1913 simply expands the classes protected by this rule.)

2. Gives federal law enforcement greater leeway and resources to investigate and prosecute hate crimes, in case local law enforcement lacks the resources to, or chooses not to, investigate.

My Favorite Burrito

2009-04-26T13:21:00.002-05:00

The Poet's Daffodil

2009-04-24T07:55:00.003-05:00

The Poet's Daffodil
Narcissus poeticus recurvus

this blooms in late spring before the iris here in Nashville and I adore them

2009-04-23T22:24:00.001-05:00

Hope you enjoyed the 2009 Film Fest notes. My three term on the board of directors is up and after volunteering for the film festival for over a decade, I take my bow and exit stage left.
Now more time for my visual art and TN LGBT politics ...and Shakespeare.

I miss you Brian,Julie,Michael,Kellye and Mandy - thank you -you didn't hear it enough.

2009-04-22T17:30:00.001-05:00

Part 8 of the iPhone thumb blog posts from the Nashville Film Festival.
Saw two features today in between the smoozing.
Pouncake has had a lot of buzz and I did enjoy the film and the trip down 1980s music lane. What the synch budget was for that film I don't know but the music supervisor is a brilliant person. Not sure I I would recommend it but will probably watch it again next year through NetFlix. I don't say that like it is bad thing. Let's face it- that's how most movies are seen.
I also saw the feature The Narrows and the performances were stellar. The photography I'm the film was it's own character and I would like to see the images again. There is a lot of energy spent on the mob story but the primary women in the movie made all the Soprano like men look like little boys. Look for this one to get distribution within the next few months.

2009-04-22T15:04:00.001-05:00

Part 7 of the iPhone blog posts from the Nashville Film Festival.
Last night after a late start, the TN Film night continued with a second group of shorts from local film makers.
I was particularly happy to see local professional actors employed by Ryan Smith's well made Twilight Zone type short named Devil's Shoestring. I was moved by the emotional Alius Primoris (others first).
However the film most likely to succeed is Johnny Gerhart and Philip Armame's Manhattan Measure.
This film needs to be on POV as soon as possible.
The story if an artist with a vision that was documented and edited so well that I felt that it not only had the story I'm hand but also the uncanny ability to cause action as result of viewing.
Look up these fine TN films and support local artists.
Working art is good art.

2009-04-20T18:13:00.001-05:00

Part 6 of the iPhone thumb blog post from the Nashville Film Festival.
Enjoyed conversation today with Bill Ivey about his book Arts Inc.
The concept of a list of cultural rights is an amazing one. If you have read the book make a comment and let's talk about it.

2009-04-20T18:10:00.001-05:00

It isn't too late to see Prodigal Sons. Extra screening added for Thursday at 3:45p Make plans to find a way to see this brave story

2009-04-20T15:38:00.001-05:00

Part 5 of the iPhone thumb blog posts from The Nashville Film Festival.
Okay so the local jury gave Baby Formula the prize from The Brooks Fund and the Rollins fund for the Arts from the Community Foundation.
This Canadian film was well made but didn't connect with audiences. After years of developing an LGBT audience and a history of excellent screenings, this year fell flat.
I don't think it was about the selection of this film, or the already nationally acclaimed Ask Not also showing this year.
It is clear that the film festival continues to reach out to the LGBT community in Nashville with the same generous sport as other groups in town.
The difference is that we are not reaching back.
Are we just lazy? Do we not seek out opportunities to engage outside of our own fundraisers?
What does it say to film makers throughout our community if we don't support them at our own local film festival?
What are your thoughts on this?

Watercolor Postcards from The Nashville Film Festival

2009-04-19T19:17:00.007-05:00

A landscape sketch inspired by the documentary Pachamama screened at The Nashville Film Festival 2009

A sketch of Joan the Hippie at The Nashville Film Festival 2009

2009-04-18T18:36:00.002-05:00

Part 4 iPhone thumb blog post from The Nashville Film Festival
The film Prodigal Sons screened to a near sold out theater and caused a standing ovation for the film maker present for it's southern screening.
The story of a trans woman on a journey to reconcil her past was well edited and an amazing journey.
More than ever film festivals have become a place for doc film makers to tell stories that may not otherwise be heard.
Try to see this film and other documentaries not just on the big screen but also on Nashville's own DOC Channel and programs like POV On PBS.
What great Doc have you seen lately?

2009-04-18T15:18:00.001-05:00

Part 3 of the iPhone blog posts from The Nashville Film Festival.
Just saw the wonderful Bolivia showcase on film called Pachamama.
The word translates "Mother Universe" and of was a great delight of image and culture.
I plan to sketch some landscapes inspired by the film and will post the watercolors here tomorrow.

2009-04-17T20:41:00.001-05:00

By the way this is more about the love of life than anything I have viewed in a doc in a long time.

2009-04-17T20:39:00.002-05:00

Part 3 of the iPhone thumb blog posts
Just saw the Gonzo Ballet and William Shatner is a delight.
Ben Folds music is an amazing musician and I am going to have to get his album before the weekend is over.
The poetry the movement the music- the entire concept is a completely fresh 21st century artistic moment.

The red carpet at NaFF 2009

2009-04-17T18:24:00.007-05:00

The Nashville Film Festival's 2009 40th Anniversary Red Carpet

2009-04-17T17:26:00.001-05:00

Part 2 of the iPhone blog posts from the Nashville Film Festival.

I was able to make a series of short films today. I love shorts although it's been way too long since something as brilliant as 10 Rules from
MIchelle Paradise has graced the lgbt short-circuit.
Almost all of the films in the NaFF Lights Camera Out shorts collection this year were from European film makers.
The thing about shorts is too many of them are middle parts of a story instead of a complete thought.
More lesbian film makers need to submit great work to NaFF ... Please!

2009-04-16T22:03:00.002-05:00

This is my first iPhone blog post.
Live from the Nashville Film Festival.
Saw the funny fun hetro film named 500 Days of Summer. I enjoyed it quite a bit more than I anticipated. There are a few awkward moments that GLAAD should look at. Once again calling someone "gay" as a type in insult or assuming a women is a lesbian if "she's not that into you". Still the movie had me smiling most of the time and I needed that.
A nice surprise came from avwalk on role by the out lesbian actress voice I've goddess and comedian whoose name completely escapes me.
She plays the security guard in 3wayTV with Jill Bennett.
What is her name?
Great opening night party.
More tomorrow.
Info:
www.NashvilleFilmFestival.org

The Art Files - Katharina Chapuis

2009-04-15T09:11:00.007-05:00

“Luminance” at Nashville’s Gallery One

When I saw Katharina Chapuis's Untitled #SQ-TU9 a cool breeze came over me and I was all at once relaxed. It has been a long time since a work has completely centered me and I want to share it with you. See it at the opening April 25th 6-8pm.
Katharina Chapuis says she relies on “direct, sensuous perception and intuition” in creating her luminous, color field paintings on canvas.

"I paint to draw out the compelling interplay between matter and spirit,” says the Zurich, Switzerland native who settled in Boston after graduating from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts. “I let the painting exist as such, let it have its own inner life, its own pulsation and vibration. In this way, the painting becomes a luminous veil - empty and abundant at the same time.”

In creating her layered, translucent paintings – each an oil on canvas work with gesso-plaster ground – Chapuis says she aims to create “visually fluid fields in which things shift at the beholder’s inner rhythm.”

“Stripped of any kind of pictorial codes,” says Chapuis, “these spaces are left open for viewers to enter at their own pace without a great deal of direction and so to induce an art experience that is contemplative and experiential."

Chapuis received the Jurors’ Choice award from the Attleboro Arts Museum in Attleboro, Massachusetts in 2006, and her work can be found in collections throughout the U.S. and Switzerland, including the Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago; Straumann USA, Andover, MA; Fidelity Investments, Boston; Novartis Institute of Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA; and the Phoenix Building in Atlanta, GA, among others.

Gallery One, located at 5133 Harding Pike, is open Tuesdays through Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and by appointment. For more information about the exhibition call 615-352-3006 or visit http://www.galleryone.biz/.

Nashville Shakespeare Festival Needs Your Spring Donation

2009-04-09T07:16:00.002-05:00

Please Donate Today

A Week in Vermont sounds nice - can I get a witness?

2009-04-09T07:06:00.002-05:00

Iowa Do!

2009-04-04T10:04:00.001-05:00

That's a Tree ..Not a Shrub

2009-03-31T09:22:00.014-05:00

A Gardening Moment :

Do you live in Nashville? Then you know about the landscaper's delight known as the Flowering Bradford Pear Tree. They are everywhere in this town. Our maybe I should say pear-shrubs.

Once the pretty white blooms are gone and the tree is green its time to prune. These trees are week and will split with a good wind if the wind can't cut through them - you should be able to see through a pear tree.
And please -- what is it with the branches all the way to the ground. Do you not know that that looks really stupid. Find the bottom branches and make a trunk, please!

How to prune a tree:

Step 1 Prune away any broken or diseased branches any time of the year. It's important to get these off and away from your tree so that they don't sap nutrients from the tree.

Step2 Wait until just before spring to do any major pruning. Make sure you have the right pruning shears for the job. You should have a couple different sizes of shears at your disposal.
Step3 Keep your cuts clean and don't cut so close to the branch or trunk that you gouge it. Also, when it comes to pruning, less is more. You're better off doing more training of your tree early on than pruning a great deal later. If you thinned the pear tree out last year, wait a few years before thinning it again.
Step4 Cut back any shoots that spring up around the tree. Also, trim back any branches that are aren't pointing upwards. Branches that seem to be too close to each other and causing friction are troublesome, trim on away to relieve the other.
Step5 Get to the inside of the tree. Anything that doesn't get sunshine isn't going to produce. Trim away some interior branches. Your leader, or main top branch, should be solitary. Cut off any competition that has sprung up next to it. Also, watch for whorls and slender spaces between branches. Both should be pruned.
Step6 Remove any pruned-off material from the area around your pear tree. Keep the ground clear of any rotting debris. Instead, compost your cuttings or find some other use for them if you don't want to just dispose of the pile.

How to Prune a Pear Tree -- powered by eHow.com

Artwork for Non-Profit Silent Auctions

2009-03-24T19:46:00.021-05:00

Have you ever purchased artwork at a silent auction? Have you ever donated artwork? What about the experience worked well? What didn't work well at all? Leave your comments.

Fantasy Landscape 60" x 36" by Nancy VanReece

purchased by The Allens at The Nashville Shakespeare Festival Winter Patron Silent Auction to be donated for display at

The Manchester Arts Center

Hope Exchange Annual Wine Tasting and Silent Auction

When: Friday, April 17th, 2009 6-9pm Where: St. Ann's Episcopal Church

more information

Holding Up Half of The Sky

2009-03-13T13:45:00.016-05:00

click on image to visit her blog Mythmaking from the Otherside

Her works are wonderful and you should know of her.

I was quite moved by two wonderful speeches this last Wednesday by two very different women.

Cordia Harrington, the founder, CEO, and president of Tennessee Bun Company, spoke at The Nashville Business Breakfast about making dough in tough times. But what I heard her say was quite profoundly simple.

As an entrepreneur; if you have a good idea, you know its a good idea, no one can really tell you it's not until you just try it. If you find that its not a good idea after all , you get another idea, you make friends with the people that give good advise, and you try again.

Founded in 1996, Tennessee Bun Company supplies buns to restaurants such as McDonald’s, Chili’s and Pepperidge Farm. TBC is one of the most highly automated bakeries in the world, producing 1,000 buns per minute, and ships to 40 states east of the Rockies and to the Caribbean.

That afternoon, I went to the monthly CABLE luncheon and heard Joyce Searcy, the President and CEO of Bethlehem Centers of Nashville. Bethlehem Centers of Nashville promotes self-reliance and positive life choices for children, youth and adults in Middle Tennessee by delivering and advocating quality programs and services. Her topic was in celebration of the work of women in particular . She invoked the familiar Chinese proverb "Women hold up half the sky."

She made powerful points about accountability and duty and strength and she enlightened the women there with her fearless diligence. She reminded me of another simple profound truth.

As a person, each small thing matters. Each large thing we do is not sustainable if it is not small things all together working. Lives are changed this way.

Today is my birthday. It is natural to reflect on my life and the work it has engaged in. All the little things adding up, all the large things without enough support that fell away. My arms get very tired sometimes but I am happy to say that I am doing my best to help hold up half the sky, a little bit at a time.

Pod Camp Nashville Notes

2009-03-07T19:15:00.017-06:00

Wow.

I have a bug for radio. I spent five years in broadcast radio in Texas and Oklahoma in the 1980s I studied broadcasting while at university. I listen to about 10 hours of podcasts a week. So why not do one of my own? Thank you Pod Camp for pushing me closer to making that happen. I hope that my "random rants from an artist, activist and advocate" can go to audio or maybe video soon! - I'm hoping for the Flip camera for my birthday next week.

CNN Recap With Michelangelo Signorile

2009-03-07T19:10:00.001-06:00

CNN: Anderson Cooper 360 - Same-Sex Marriage Hearing

03.05.09 10:53 pm - Anderson Cooper interviews FRC's Tony Perkins and radio talk show host and LGBT advocate Michelangelo Signorile on their opposing views on the legality of Prop. 8 and their positions on marriage for gay couples.

Invalidate Prop 8

2009-03-05T07:47:00.010-06:00

LIVE WEBCAST -California Supreme Court Oral Arguments on Proposition 8

11am Central time

http://www.calchannel.com/

Available for rebroadcast if you miss it live.

On November 5, 2008, NCLR as lead counsel, along with the ACLU and Lambda Legal, filed a writ petition with the California Supreme Court seeking to invalidate Proposition 8. The state’s high court agreed to exercise its original jurisdiction and hear the case because this issue is so important to all Californians. All briefs were submitted on January 21. Oral argument is scheduled for March 5.

The petition argues that Proposition 8 is invalid because the California Constitution does not permit the fundamental constitutional rights of a minority to be stripped away by a simple majority vote.

New Project In The Art Studio

2009-02-28T22:11:00.009-06:00

The work has begun in the studio for a show set to go up at Ugly Mugs Coffee & Tea in East Nashville in June 2009. I was so very excited that Jared and Courtney invited me to be part of their wonderful line up of talented Nashville artists and ask them specifically for the month of June.

The works will be a celebration of The 40th Anniversary of Stonewall and will be on the Nashville Pride calendar.

I will be presenting abstract colorful portraits of people in the lesbian and gay community that have had profound influence on all our lives and culture, but whose names may not be quickly recognizable to the general public.

7 women and 3 men have been selected who have inspired me on different levels. Each work will have an expanded title block describing this influence.

Subjects in the VanReece studio:

Adrienne Rich

Susan Sontagg

Urvashi Vaid

Jane Wagner

Lillian Faderman

Katherine Lee Bates

Lucy Burns

Byard Rustin

Steve Gill

James Hormel

The First Fifty Days of 2009 - The Watercolor Postcard Project

2009-02-19T07:59:00.018-06:00

Watercolor Postcard of The Day - The 2009 Project

For the first fifty days of 2009 I have been creating a random stream of conscious watercolor on a postcard and posting them each morning..except for a couple afternoons and one evening, on my Facebook Page and through TwitPics for Twitter followers.

Jan 5th "breakfast bun or flying saucer?" was the most popular..maybe it was the title. The second most popular was "Purple bottles rule my kitchen window " from January 13th.
The exercise was a good one for me. Taking the time each morning to allow my creative thoughts to freely play with color before I was awake long enough to stop myself from being in the moment. There moments in flashes of fine point Sharpie and watercolor on paper will not win prizes or wow the critics. they are just moments that started my day. I will spontaneously send future postcards but now that the project has reach a conclusion I am fully satisfied with the process and eager to start another!

My Favorites Were

1.6.09 "Nashvillians will be smart to have one of these today"
1.12.09 "Special Klee"
2.10.09 "San Ysidro prays for garden rain"

Don't know why I liked the ones I did on rainy days the most...hmmm.. I am attached to them all in different ways.

Equality Day on the Hill in Tennessee

2009-02-17T07:14:00.006-06:00

As a founding member of TEP and a board member of the TEP Foundation I am proud of the great work accomplished by a growing crowd of friends and family to work toward full equality in Tennessee for all its citizens.

The mission of TEP is to promote and sustain the equality of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons in the state of Tennessee through the establishment of fair and equitable laws protecting these rights and the elimination of laws that would seek to counter this effort. Equality is meant to include the protection of human and civil rights and the elimination of prejudice and discrimination.

Today is Equality Day on the Hill. Hundreds of supporters from across the state will be speaking with their legislators today to let them know that we are not silent, we do vote, and we demand fairness.

Our goals are to promote equality throughout Tennessee and to serve as advocates of change by:

fighting any legislation in the State of Tennessee that would endanger the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered citizens
actively pursuing measures that would provide protection for the GLBT community at both the state and local levels
educating citizens on the importance of lobbying their elected officials
providing the resources and training to assist through statewide initiatives

There are several bills to keep eyes on by this one is gathering the most heat:

SB 3910 and HB 3713
Persons living together prohibited from adopting children.Prohibits any individual who is cohabitating in a sexual relationship outside of a marriage that is valid under the constitution and laws of this state from adopting a minor. Clarifies that this prohibition includes both cohabiting opposite-sex and same-sex individuals. (S: Stanley; H: DeBerry J.)

Joan and I can't think of more mean spirited thing to do. The state of TN now allows single parent adoption and recent nation wide statistics indicate that 33% of lesbian couples and 25% of gay male couples have a child in the home. This bill may have as fiscal note of nearly 4 million dollars in costs to the state of TN.

Let me give you an example that I plan to share with Sen. Haynes today on the hill. My niece has been very ill, her husband is in the Air Force. They are both together and getting well on an air base with my beautiful niece's 4 year old. If something were to go tragic and this child left for Joan and I to care for, this law would not allow me to adopt my own family. Joan will be together 21 years this spring, she has 25 years in early child care development and because of our loving relationship, this child, my own family, would not be allowed to share our home. I don't expect the worst. That Air Force family will be fine. However, you have to plan as a responsible adult and prohibiting our right to adopt is something we are not willing to accept.

TEP is planning too - every day. Make a Donation to the Work Here

It's not going to jump up into your mouth

2009-02-12T10:07:00.008-06:00

I have been overwhelmed by the amount of "stuff" I need to be doing, want to be doing, or think I should be doing. I have a pretty good routine but them I get bored and get off the routine and chase nothing for a while.

This time of year the robins start coming back into our garden and I am reminded perennially of their simple process.

They love to study the situation, they look from the trees and then walk along the surface of the lawn. They turn their head and listen for the worms moving below. And then just in time, they snap the food up and move on to the next situation.

As a person working as a fundraiser and manager in the non-profit sector, I feel like that robin. Always looking and then snapping up the food when you hear it moving up to the surface.

What I am also reminded of by these happy birds is just as clear;

don't dig a 10 foot hole looking for the worm,

don't expect it to jump up into your mouth.

Time keeps on slippin

2009-01-25T11:46:00.006-06:00

Watercolor Postcard of the Day 1.25.09 - Part of a 50 day series of playful watercolors

I wish I could get to Tulsa to see my friends, I wish I could go to Colorado for the Creating Change Conference. I wish I could spend 3 weeks in New Mexico painting. I wish I could get to Arizona. I wish I could spend a week in Provincetown. I hope to some day see San Francisco and Vancouver and those gigantic trees in the red wood forest. I hope to travel to France and Ireland and England one day. I hope that my wife will be my wife legally one day. I hope that we can make budget at work. I hope that Nashville will continue to be a place I want to live in. Clearly - I'm hoping for a lot. But time keeps on slippin'. I have to know that each day I'm making the change that I want to see and participating in that pursuit of happiness I hear referred to. I start by being humbly grateful for what I do have and helpful to those that have less. Time is actually moving at a pretty steady pace, I just have to slow down and enjoy it.

vote NO - por favor! .. dank u

2009-01-22T08:15:00.007-06:00

LAST CHANCE TO SPEAK UP

Below is an excellent gathering of January activities from Nashville For All of Us.
If you didn't cast your vote in early voting Today is your last chance. Polls are open until 7pm.

January 21:
Nashville Realtors Association opposes English Only:
http://www.nashvilleforallofus.org/gnar.pdf

English Only didn\'t work in Miami: http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/story/864272.html.

January 19:
Saritha Prabhu says immigrants should learn English, but English Only is the wrong way to make that happen:
http://tennessean.com/article/20090117/COLUMNIST0108/901170336/1102

Vanderbilt student says it\'s \"Time to Say No\":
http://www.insidevandy.com/drupal/node/9221

January 18:
Crafton\'s nativist supporters include out-of-state group which has provided thousands of dollars in funding:
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090118/NEWS01/90118002

Blogger asks - Why are the so-called \"Pro-English\" folks trying to solve problems that don\'t exist in Nashville?
http://sobeale.blogspot.com/2009/01/at-least-hes-picking-on-new-york-for.html

January 16:
A WSMV poll shows that English Only is too close to call Your vote matters!
http://www.wsmv.com/news/18482103/detail.html

Nashville Public Television posts 7-minute video about the amendment and the effect on Nashville government, business, etc.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeO_AmyDRAo&e

January 15:
Liberadio has a series of interviews on opposition to English Only. Listen to learn why it\'s a really, really, really bad idea - and how to stop it:
http://www.liberadio.com/2009/01/15/in-their-words-againstagainst/

Follow the money: Who\'s paying for English Only?
http://sobeale.blogspot.com/2009/01/are-there-answers-in-money.html

Dr. Ming Wang makes impassioned plea AGAINST English Only:
http://blogs.nashvillescene.com/pitw/2009/01/dr_ming_wang_speaks_out_agains.php

January 12:
Liberadio Podcast includes interviews and commentary on English Only:
http://www.liberadio.com/2009/01/12/liberadio-podcast-january-12-2009-you-cant-spell-lonely-without-only/

Crafton\'s claim that English Only was result of concerns about California legislators was based on false reports:
http://tinycatpants.wordpress.com/2009/01/12/in-which-i-love-sean-braisted-a-little-bit/

English-Only sponsor Crafton backs out of debate after commitment in December:
http://blogs.nashvillescene.com/pitw/2009/01/eric_crafton_pulls_out_of_wnpt.php

English-Only supporter tries to steal sign, then run over English-Only opponent:
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090112/NEWS/90112020

Impact of English Only is unclear as Crafton calls opponents \"Anti-English\":
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090112/NEWS04/901120339

January 11:
Analysis finds that 99.95% of Metro translations are for federally-funded programs, which require translation to be funded:
http://moorethoughts.com/2009/01/10/the-raw-numbers-on-english-only/

English Only opponent Gregg Ramos named Nashvillian of the Year by Nashville Scene:
http://www.nashvillescene.com/2009-01-08/news/meet-attorney-gregg-ramos-the-scene-s-2008-nashvillian-of-the-year/

Newcomer Tom Oreck leads fight against English Only:
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090111/BUSINESS01/901110346/1003/BUSINESS

January 10:
African-American community leaders speak out, call for vote against charter amendment:
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090110/NEWS0202/901100341

Several area Catholic churches will offer forums discussing English Only:
http://www.dioceseofnashville.com/englishonly.htm

Ministers urge voters to stand against English Only:
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090110/NEWS0202/901100342

Metro Council Member-At-Large Megan Barry opposes English Only:
https://app.e2ma.net/app/view:CampaignPublic/id:10393.1632068039/rid:08a8a518c7cd7fff80baa618e03368e0

January 9:
English Only Measure May Not Save Money for Nashville:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28581467/

January 8:
Nashville For All of Us has posted a convenient 2-page flyer that you can print and share:
http://www.nashvilleforallofus.org/Why-Nashville-should-defeat-English-Only.pdf

January 7:
Nashville police say translators are vital to their work:
http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=9627536

January 6:
Tennessean Columnist Gail Kerr urges you to vote AGAINST English Only:
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090106/COLUMNIST0101/901060344

January 3:
Dist. 1 Metro Councilman Lonnell Matthews has posted a note in opposition to English Only:
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=55859079147&ref=mf

January 2:
Mayor Karl Dean has written a letter in opposition to English Only. Read it here:
http://politics.nashvillecityblogs.com/?p=799

United Purple States

2009-01-20T08:50:00.002-06:00

The Watercolor Postcard of The Day for Jan 20, 2009
A watercolor postcard painted each morning fo rthe first 50 days of 2009

The cause and effect of a rock thrown in 1968

2009-01-17T13:48:00.013-06:00

Nancy Ann Reece, 1968 - Oklahoma City

View below some featured comments by my father, Dr. C Herman Reece in Oklahoma City. We differ in that my prayer for Mr. Obama is to faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of his ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. - his faith and religion are his own business and only part of the job in the way it shapes his own character - not policy.

I remember the rock through the window and it shaped my character as an human rights activist today.

Nancy & Joan VanReece with TEP's Chris Sanders at a VOTE NO on Prop 8 Rally in Nashville , TN 2008

The Obama Essays: Herman Reece
Published: January 16, 2009

The election of Barack Obama is truly historic for me. Forty years ago, during the turbulent times of 1968, I was serving on the Human Relations Committee at Northwest Classen High School. When Dr. Martin Luther King was killed, I lowered my flag to half mast, and someone threw a rock in the picture window of my home. Now, 40 years later to have a black man elected President of these great United States of America is truly historic.

Featured Video From THE OKLAHOMAN
The Obama Essays:
Jan 16 C. Herman Reece, D.D.S., Christian Business Men's Connection/OKC Metro director, talks about significance of the presidential inauguration.

The Exec in the Box Office Friday 9:30pm

2009-01-16T21:15:00.010-06:00

photo of Brenda Sparks as Queen Margaret
"Who of you looks upon me and trembles not?"

We've had about 200 folks see Richard the Third in the first 3 performances (42 students booked at the first matinee) and things are running well.
I love how volunteers step up to help with ushering and box office and will call. We honestly would be lost without the help. If you see one when you come - thank them for helping out! We uses over a hundred volunteers during the year.

Queen Margaret just visited ..I think she was lost... we sent her back to the 2nd act. Her curse does not apply to the staff.

I am overwhelmed with the masterful way everyone is doing their jobs. Funding is a bitch (pardon my french..vote AGAINST amendment one and two, BTW) and we need every dollar. We have both the Tennessee Arts Commission General Operating Grant and the NEA's Shakespeare for American Communities Grant to get out the door next week on top of the matinees the evening shows. Robert and I will have our hands full so if you see either one of us, please volunteer a smile in our direction.

January Geeze ..random rant

2009-01-12T08:38:00.010-06:00

watercolor postcard of the day 1.6.09

Ah geeze --January brings so much sensory input that I can hard find time to breathe! The play opens and the stress to feed about 30 starving artists is in full swing (including myself) ...the TV shows all start up again...I love TV. I have not apologies for loving it. Do I have guilt over watching Showtime, HBO, FX or NBC instead of reading the growing stack of awesome books on my table top? -- yes. But I have committed to the first 50 days of 2009 postcard of the day project and I have completed day 12. I have a show to install at TPAC's Johnson theater lobby (the one down stairs) AND I'm not sure but I still think there is some gardening clean up to do-- that last clump of leaves that fell have way to much acid in them to leave them on top of my perennials. I'm trying to do the 30 min a day workout five days a week but if people keep scheduling these 8am meetings I'm going to scream. An 8am meeting means I have to get up at 5am to do all the stuff I have to do before I leave the house. Its been nearly two years since I left that 35 hour corporate work week for 42% less money... I love the flexibility I gained to work 70 hours a week instead! - Its just that I'm too compulsive to be flexible and its causing anxiety that reminds me of my Grandmother Peters who worried all the time... And then I look at that TN State legislature and am sure that the winter of discontent is a 21st century reality on the hill for TEP...now there is something that should get you out of bed in the morning! Maybe I'm more like Rachel Maddow and I need someone to talk me down. Robert calms me down, Joan laughs at me when I get upset about the silly stuff and that helps a lot. If you see me, just help me breathe, okay? ....January...geeze..

Richard The Third in The Tennessean

2009-01-05T21:36:00.009-06:00

Alex Murray, left, as Catesby, Navada Shane Morgan as Richard and Nan Gurley as Queen Elizabeth in Nashville Shakespeare Festival's Richard the Third.
(PHOTO: JEFF FRAZIER.COM)

As published in The Tennessean:

Vaudeville theme shakes up Shakespeare's 'Richard the Third'
Cutthroat world of royals is ripe for comedic turns

By Fiona Soltes • FOR THE TENNESSEAN • January 4, 2009

Navada Shane Morgan may have hoped for some royal treatment, but he's bound for a song and dance instead.
As the title character in Nashville Shakespeare Festival's upcoming production of Richard the Third — a comedic tragedy about the rise and reign of a decidedly two-faced king — the veteran Kentucky actor will play his personal "role of a lifetime" with a vaudeville theme.

Yes, vaudeville — to the point that each of the play's actors has been encouraged to choose a muse. Sophie Tucker, Stan Laurel and Sarah Bernhardt have already made the list.
"It continues to surprise me the way the vaudevillian style complements the world of Richard the Third, in that vaudevillians often wear tragic stories themselves," says Morgan, who makes his Nashville debut in the piece. "There's a great deal of cutthroat competition, just as in the world of Richard. There is nothing subtle at all about the way in which the royals went about stealing audiences away from one another."

In addition to Morgan, those "royals" are part of a cast that includes actors Nan Gurley, John Silvestro, Tom Mason, David Wilkerson, Phil Perry, Jessejames Locorriere, R. Alex Murray, Benjamin Reed, Brenda Sparks, Wesley Paine, Claire Syler, Liz Young, Christy White, Nathan Lee, Markus McClain and Colin Merrick.

And each, says artistic director Denice Hicks, have brought something to the table in a truly collaborative process.

"I have learned in my old age not to overly prepare for these things," says Hicks, who had the original vaudeville idea. "There will be a point that I start to step up and refine, polish and focus. But in the beginning, I want them to be as creative as they can be, so that they'll actually own it. Their choices are their own; they're not doing anything because I told them to."

Though Richard the Third is often considered a tragedy, its dry humor — seen, for example, as the king congratulates himself on his duplicitous behavior — makes the piece ripe for comedic turns and over-the-top theatricality. To add to the vaudeville feel, Hicks has added creative costuming by June Kingsbury and a pianist (Tom McBryd) performing original yet "old-timey" music in full view of the audience.

"Everything has to support the story first and foremost," Hicks says. "But the gimmicks and bits have been a lot of fun. We're finding the ghosts of Laurel and Hardy and Buster Keaton and other wonderful old stars."

As the youngest in a family of minstrel performers, Hicks says she has always been a fan of such artists and their routines, and was excited to find that the more she looked at the play, the more opportunities she discovered.

"There's something about the way people spoke then, the presentational quality of it all, that represents Shakespeare so well," she says. "Richard, he'll say, 'Watch this: I'm going to play the lover,' and then he comes back and says, 'That was good, wasn't it?' He cries to the other characters and they all believe him, and then immediately he drops it, and comes to the audience to talk about it. And then there's Queen Elizabeth, the star, the diva who wants to be on the throne, which equated so well with the stage and the spotlight. And it all just grew from there, the comedy routines and the musical underscoring that would help tell the story and move it along."

Richard the Third marks the second annual winter production for Nashville Shakes, and it's one that lends itself completely to the intimacy of Belmont University's Troutt Theater rather than the outdoor summer park event, Hicks says. And that's not just because of the curtain.
"There are so many interior scenes, and not as many references to nature or the environment as there are in so many of Shakespeare's plays," she says. "We felt this was a show that would do better illuminated by theater lights, a place he could play very intimately with the audience. This is not King Lear, who rages at the sky."

Good thing, too, or he'd have to congratulate himself on it later.

WHEN YOU GO
What: Nashville Shakespeare Festival presents Richard the Third
Where: Troutt Theater, 2100 Belmont Blvd.
When: Jan. 15-Feb. 1. Performances at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays.
Tickets: $20; $16 for ages 60 and older; $10 for students.
Matinees are $15, $14 and $8 respectively.

Contact: http://www.nashvilleshakes.org/, http://www.ticketsnashville.com/ or 255-2273

Indelible: The Photographs of Lalla Essaydi

2008-12-27T17:40:00.019-06:00

Lalla Essaydi - Converging Territories #10, 2005
Chromogenic print, 48 x 60 in.
Courtesy of Edwynn Houk Gallery, New York

The Frist Center for the Visual Arts opened in the Gordon Contemporary Artist Project Gallery and exhibition of 17 photographs by Moroccan artist, Lalla Essaydi. The images will be on view through January 29, 2009. The multi-layer complex images are created in what she calls workshops. Essaydi gathers with as many as 20 women and girls in her family's country home where they sit for lengthy sessions during which the artist covers their skin and often their clothing and the walls around them , with an elegant Arabic calligraphic scripts.

The act of combining the female craft of henna body painting and the traditional male art of Arabic calligraphy is a subversive act. By doing so , she ignores long-standing gender associations of both art forms and the hierarchical distinctions between them. Be sure to pick up a copy of overview of this work by Trinita Kennedy, associate curator during your visit.

January 8, 2009 6 :30pm LECTURE: "Unspoken Words: Contemporary women Artists from the Middle East and North Africa"

FREE in the Frist Auditorium

Dr, Maryam Ekhtiar, senior research associate in the department of Islamic art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, will explore art produced by women from the region with a particular focus on Lalla Essaydi. All the artist use calligraphy as their chief mode of expression as the grapple with issues of gender, socio-political orientation and cultural identity.

Lalla Essaydi - Les Femmes du Maroc #36, 2007
Chromogenic print, 48 x 60 in. Courtesy of Edwynn Houk Gallery, New York

As I prepare for what I consider to be a new phase in my own artful life I have been drawn back to Lalla's photographs now on a third visit to the Gordon Contemporary Gallery at The Frist. The thoughtfulness of her work is intense. 2009 in my studio will brings a new chapter of symbols, history and advocacy. I hope you can find the time to visit this show and find a way to create your own subversive act of hope and art in the new year.

Rick Warren took my joy and I want it back

2008-12-19T08:17:00.008-06:00

don't want you anymorecause you took my joyi don't want you anymoreyou took my joyyou took my joyi want it backyou took my joyi want it backi'm gonna go to west memphis and look for my joygo to west memphis and look for my joymaybe in west memphis I'll find my joymaybe in west memphis i'll find my joyi'm gonna go to slidell and look for my joygo to slidell and look for my joymaybe in slidell I'll find my joymaybe in slidell I'll find my joy(first long instrumental break)you got no right to take my joyi want it backyou got no right to take my joyi want it backyou took my joyi want it backyou took my joyi want it backi'm gonna go to west memphis and look for my joygo to west memphis and look for my joymaybe in west memphis i'll find my joymaybe in west memphis i'll find my joyi'm gonna go to slidell and look for my joygo to slidell and look for my joymaybe in slidell i'll find my joymaybe in slidell i'll find my joy(second instrumental break)i don't want you anymorecause you took my joyi don't want you anymoreyou took my joyyou took my joyi want it backyou took my joyi want it backyou took my joyi want it backyou took myi want it back(third & last instrumental break -- slows down)i'm gonna go to west memphisi'm gonna go to slidell

GET THE SONG

photo:Harrison /Getty
Artist: Williams LucindaSong: JoyAlbum: Car Wheels on a Gravel Road
reprinted as commentary - if you don't have the record you are quite possibly in jeopardy of loosing all cool points accumulated to date.

Artwork at Green Room's Black Box Carol

2008-12-16T09:22:00.012-06:00

Please come by the Black Box Theater behind the Troutt off Belmont Blvd during Naked Stages production of Mark Cabus' solo performance of the perennial A Christmas Carol.

I will have several paintings and watercolor prints on display in the lobby for these four performances. If you see a work you like you can pick it up on Sunday the 21st in time to take home for a Christmas present!
December 18-21, 2008 ONLY
Thurs -Sunday
Evening by Nancy VanReece
20 x 20 multimedia on canvas
(c) 2008 Contemporary Expression, a div of Carpe Diem Copyright Management. All Rights Reserved.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

2008-12-10T15:20:00.003-06:00

Reflections from MILK

2008-12-08T07:33:00.016-06:00

I have been profoundly moved by a story. It's not someone else's story. It's my own. Reflecting on life has been literally blinding for me lately.

"Am I doing the greatest amount of good?"- This question was raised recently and it rang loudly. Am I, in this new dawn of hope and hard work, where I need to be? Am I using the talent, creative skill and knowledge I have accumulated for what matters most to my family? My objective is to find a new beginning that embraces the truth that the Grand Canyon was not built with a giant tsunami but rather a river, rushing on as rivers do.

Why is any single story story relevant? What can one person do? What is it that must be done? What is it than can be done today? There are so many of us in Nashville, TN that have worked so very hard to make this a city that we want to live in, a place where we can be proud of our unique and diverse backgrounds, cultures and core values. Like any city, we citizens want great schools, clean streets, green spaces, good jobs and fantastic art to motivate us further.

I really believe that we are at the dawn of individuals rising up to understand that their story is part of that rushing river. We need everyone to do what they can do each and everyday to move the water. It's not just another gay story, or a civil rights struggle or a cry for simple dignity, it's a human story. It's our story, our struggle, our cry.

To Do List:

1. Learn more about your local government at this link . Make it your New Year's Resolution to get to know more of your county or city officials in 2009. Prepare the way for progress in your community.

2. Join one of the TEP our county committees. They are throughout the State. If you would like to get involved with the committee closest to you or start one in your county, contact info@tnep.org .

You can not live on HOPE alone, but you can not live without it. And you, and you and you, have got to give them HOPE" - Harvey Milk

Directions to The Reception on Friday!

2008-12-06T12:42:00.005-06:00

This Friday 3pm -5pm. -- See you There!

A Letter from TEP Foundation President Randy Cox

2008-12-02T10:06:00.015-06:00

Friends, With the Holidays here and the economy "officially" in recession, receiving an email soliciting you for a contribution is probably the last thing you want, especially from a friend. But I want to reach out to each of you about something that is very important to me. As you know the results of the November election completely changed the makeup of the Tennessee legislature. This Legislature is more socially conservative and our LGBT rights are in danger. TEP expects that adoption, foster parenting and other LGBT rights could be challenged in 2009.

So what does it take to protect our ourselves and assure equality? For one it takes an organization to speak for our community, a professional lobbying effort and a statewide grassroots organizing effort. Many of you have supported TEP in the past and for that I am grateful. Your help has allowed TEP to fight successfully against two attepmts at an adoption ban and has provided TEP with growth in every part of the State.

It has allowed us to grow the TEP Foundation who is working throughout the state with police departments and district attorneys on an anti-violence, hate crimes initiatives, anti-bullying and safe schools projects.

And all this costs about $100 per day.

So I'm asking you to make a contribution so TEP can continue to do this necessary work in 2009. Please consider “paying for a day” by going to http://tnep.org/html/donate_now.html

I hope you will "pay for a day", or help by contributing any amount you can. Also, if you are not receiving weekly emails from TEP then first, I'm going to shame you, :-) then ask you to sign up to be on the email list at http://tnep.org/html/contact_us.php

I want to thank you in advance for your help and wish each of you a wonderful Holiday Season.

Randy

The Tennessee Equality Project is a 501c4 organization incorporated in Tennessee. Gifts to TEP are not deductible for purposes of federal income tax.

Closing Art Reception Planned

2008-11-23T17:55:00.016-06:00

"Please join us for a closing reception for the fall show at the KC Potter Center, works by Nancy VanReece. Nancy's work has filled the Center for the past several months, and sparked the idea to have a quarterly show within our walls." - Nora Spencer, Office of LGBTQI Life at Vanderbilt University

Friday, December 12, 2008
3:00pm - 5:00pm
K. C. Potter Center
Euclid House, 312 West Side Row
Nashville, TN

20-50% of anything sold during the reception to the Tennessee Equality Project, a statewide organization dedicated to advancing and protecting the civil rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in the State of Tennessee through the establishment of fair and equitable laws protecting these rights and the elimination of laws that would seek to counter this effort.

Winter Solstice by Nancy VanReece (c) 2007 Contemporary Expression, a div. of Carpe Diem Copyright Management.
This painting in acrylic and charcoal was inspired by the field near Laramie, WY where Matthew Sheppard was found. See it in the conference room at the center.
View Facebook Invitation

My Favorite Free Podcasts

2008-11-19T21:59:00.013-06:00

I hear them on the treadmill, I hear them when I'm painting, I hear them in the car, I hear them at my desk at work, they put me to sleep at night -- I think they reveal a lot about me!

What do you listen to - any suggestions?

Watercolor "My studio" by Nancy VanReece (c) 2008 Contemporary Expression, a div. of Carpe Diem Copyright Management

My favorite free podcasts:
(in no particular order)

In The Life
New Music Tuesdays
MSNBC Rachel Maddow
New Mexico Art News
NPR Live Concerts from All Songs Considered
This American Life
StoryCorps
Studio 360
Rubyfruit Radio
Fresh Air
Talk of the Nation
Wisecrack LOGO
The Planet
New World Cafe
P.O.V.
NPR Most E-Mailed Stories
NPR Tell Me More
Wait Wait Don't Tell Me
NPR World Cafe
The Moth
All Songs Considered

2008-11-19T07:25:00.001-06:00

Vote NO to the Nashville English Only Referendum on January 22, 2009

More Information

Group to lead restoration drive for Centennial Park

2008-11-18T16:38:00.002-06:00

Front Porch or Back Deck?

2008-11-16T20:17:00.025-06:00

Recently, we have been spending a bit more time on the front porch instead of always on the back deck. Have you noticed how some people are all about one or the other but not so much both? We have noticed a trend and it got me thinking about just why we nest in these different ways. The porch is a place of meditation and the scene of drama, conflict and nostalgia. National Public Radio presented a series on the topic.

The official slogan for the National Porch Sitters, yes there is one, is “"Sit down a spell. That can wait." Many people paint the ceilings to their porch a blue or periwinkle to use color to cool the space down.I grew up more of a backyard girl and thus am convinced that it makes me more of a back patio or deck person. Our garden is in the back and we like to sit and look at it. The back is for long talks with friends and for solitude and for meditation. The front is for gossip and nosy neighbor time. However I do sit there in the morning to write in my journal and our dog likes that time of the day most of all. In one of the NPR stories we meet Douglas Kelbaugh, professor of urban planning and dean of the University of Michigan's Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning. He is a proponent of New Urbanism -- and of porches. In a world highly mediated by technology, face-to-face, Kelbaugh says that live interaction between people is "important glue in building community and sustaining it." Porches help facilitate these exchanges.Also featured in the series is a book titled Out on the Porch, a slim picture book that collects photographs and memorable literary passages about porches by authors. The book, published originally in 1992, proved so popular that it's still in print and has led to an annual porch calendar.

I believe part of living an artful life includes the discovery of your preference to front porches or back patios/decks. Understanding what both places are to you and why they are important to you, or not important to you, may tell you quite a bit about yourself. What of that space between indoors and outdoors do you find significant to you? As the weather cools back yards become welcoming again its time to come out and enjoy the conversation!

What do we want?

2008-11-15T15:37:00.011-06:00

Nashville came out in the cold drizzle to join dozens of other cities around the country for a demonstration.
What were we demonstrating? Support for each other, righteous indignation? Yes. But most off all, we were demonstrating solidarity.
It's one thing to live in a state such as Tennessee that forbids the equal right of marriage to all of its citizens, that's a a battle lost in 2006 that still stings. It is a whole other thing to remove rights already in place. That's what Prop 8 in California did and today, in solidarity the people that it effected were a single voice.

Gay and straight, married, single, black, white and brown, over 250,000 strong according to pledges across the country, today at 12:30pm central time, 1:30 eastern and 10:30am west -- We all with one voice said: What do we want? Equality. When do we want it? Now. (click to see video)

Join The Impact

2008-11-12T20:17:00.037-06:00

Print Flyer and Post It

http://jointheimpact.wetpaint.com/page/Nashville

City: Nashville Time: 12:30pm
1 Public Square

Supporting Organizations:

Lipstick Lounge-TN Equality Project-Americans United for Seperation of Church and State PFLAG of Nashville

Kudos to KO Indeed

2008-11-10T22:07:00.004-06:00

MSNBC's - Keith Olbermann on Marriage Equality

Your Home Your Gallery - Living An Artful Life

2008-11-07T06:53:00.006-06:00

Stop and think about how your home says who you are. Consider not just the landscaping and architecture but the interior, each color choice, each pillow, each print or original work in the hall way or over the sofa.

All these things say something about the artist in your home. You are that artist. You are that curator. If you have been, as last month’s article suggested, treating yourself to artist dates, you may find yourself thinking more clearly about just how you choose to express your artist self in your home.

Part of living an artful life is awareness of your creative space and understanding the season that we are in as our creative journey begins. As Julie Cameron says in her book The Sound of Paper; “The seasons of creativity are varied. In spring we can doubt our budding ideas will come to anything. In summer we can worry about our ability to keep up. In fall we may fear that we will not harvest our ideas successfully, that we will bruise them as we try to bring them home. In winter we may fear that we will never (be creative) again.”

Take the time to see what season of creativity you are in before you address your gallery. The best time to shop is in your springtime! Not just when the daffodils are up through the peonies bloom but your own springtime of creativity. Don’t doubt that your ideas. Take a leap, get that red pillow, look at that picture frame as part of your creative space. For us it was painting our kitchen purple that finally let us leap into our zone of color and artifacts and local art.

I like stepping into a home where you see things that tell you there is a story to go with it. What are your stories? What item from what artisan’s hand made it into your gallery? Did you meet the person that made the item? Was it from a vacation get away?

If you look around your creative space and find only items that came form the do-it-yourself kit at a local furniture store, what does that say about you? Space, like wine, is better with age and time. It takes several seasons in a person’s life to create a gallery that represents who they are and where they have come from.

As Gordon Ziniewicz explains in The Tao And Art “‘We-Wei’ in Taoism means doing without forcing, without consciously acting according to predetermined notions or plans. Artists are, in a sense, midwives of nature. Out of the pregnant emptiness of the silk or rice paper, forms are allowed to emerge. In a similar way, poems are born, not made; they rise unraised from hidden wellsprings. Without explanation, they begin to be.’’ http://www.fred.net/tzaka/tao/

Never feel rushed, find the season that is right and start curating for your home gallery one work at a time. Let each work emerge from your journey.

Get out and see the art. Get out and do the art. Get out and be the art.

2008-11-06T07:54:00.000-06:00

The morning after ...purple bruises

2008-11-05T07:33:00.009-06:00

Now the bad news: I can't celebrate. The decisions in AZ, FL , CA and neighboring Arkansas have left me with bruises that are purple from being punched by by both red and blue bully clubs.

American gay rights were delivered a blow last night, as propositions and amendments that deny or prevent the legalization of same-sex marriage were approved in Arizona and Florida, and Prop. 8 was passed in California.

* as of 3:45pm Central time - hope remained alive in California
http://www.noonprop8.com/

Nov 05, 2008
Statement by No on Prop 8 Campaign on Election Status
Roughly 400,000 votes separate yes from no on Prop 8 – out of 10 million votes tallied.
Based on turnout estimates reported yesterday, we expect that there are more than 3 million and possibly as many as 4 million absentee and provisional ballots yet to be counted.
Given that fundamental rights are at stake, we must wait to hear from the Secretary of State tomorrow how many votes are yet to be counted as well as where they are from.
It is clearly a very close election and we monitored the results all evening and this morning.
As of this point, the election is too close to call.
Because Prop 8 involves the sensitive matter of individual rights, we believe it is important to wait until we receive further information about the outcome.

--- and ---

Arkansas voters approve foster, adoption bans for unmarried couples
By JON GAMBRELL Associated Press Writer
12:22 AM CST, November 5, 2008
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) _ Arkansas voters have approved a measure banning unmarried couples who are living together being adoptive or foster parents. The vote imposes a ban that the Legislature balked at authorizing.More than 56 percent of voters supported the ban, said by its proponents to be aimed primarily at keeping gays from becoming foster or adoptive parents. The measure's sponsor, the Arkansas Family Council, tried to paint its as a battle against a "gay agenda."Opponents argued it would make it harder for the state to find the foster parents it needs to take care of children.The measure grew out of a 2006 Arkansas Supreme Court decision that struck down a state policy banning gay foster parents. A push to enact a ban similar to the ballot measure during the last legislative session failed.

Hope begins

2008-11-04T22:08:00.002-06:00

Happy Day in America. Change, Hope, Future

this is a crowning moment - this is an American statement.

ReBlog: Most Frightening Question

2008-11-02T12:06:00.008-06:00

Very rarely do I re-post a blog but this rang so true to me that I have to let you know about it.

Sam Davidson's "Most Frightening Question"

Whole Foods Market Green Hills Anniversary Weekend!

2008-10-31T09:40:00.010-05:00

Make Plans to Attend the Whole Foods Market Anniversary this Weekend in Green Hills!

Below is a short description of Sat/Sun:

Sat Nov 1st: free stuff given out every hour 12-7, local vendors, demos, tons of samples, special free raffles, special omelets station 8am till 11am, music 11 and 5, face/henna, Iron Spork Chef Competition 1-3pm, balloon and stilts walker, free bags to first 100 customers, Whole Body event from 3-5pm, guess and gets 10, 2, 6. Giving Grill 12-3, and more!
Sun Nov 2nd: free stuff given out every hour 12-7pm, all day local vendors, demos, tons of samples, special free raffles, special omelet station 8am to 11am, music 11 and 5, face/henna, balloon and stilts, free bags to first 100 customers, guess and gets at 10, 2, 6 , giving grill 12-3 and more!

They had me at free omelet bar from 8am-11am.....

2008-10-30T22:19:00.004-05:00

Nashville Shakespeare Festival Education Director is joined by Artistic Director Denice Hicks to talk about killing lawyers.... Nashville Mayor Karl Dean talks about the importance of Arts in Education and the Value of Arts to a Great City!

Where Do You Stand on the Importance of The Arts?

2008-10-28T08:09:00.023-05:00

Bob Lynch, President & CEO of Americans for the Arts, discusses the upcoming election and how the ArtsVote initiative can help you make an informed decision when you place your vote on November 4th.
Americans for the Arts Action Fund is a c4 non-profit

ArtCast related resources:
Summary of 2008 Presidential Candidates Arts Positions

Candidate Arts Policy Links
Congressional Arts Report Card

THE ART FILES: El Dia de los Muertos Celebration

2008-10-22T20:18:00.042-05:00

One of the coolest things about late October is the

El Día de los Muertos Celebration!
Plowhaus Artist Coop and Gallery East present,
*The 7th Annual Celebration of*
*El Día de los Muertos** - The Day of The Dead
*Gallery East*
*1008c Woodland St. (Behind the Alley Cat) Nashville, TN 37206*

OPENING RECEPTION
Thursday October 23** , 2008 6 pm - 10pm *Music by "Gamble Valley Troubadour's" and "The Joiners"* Public and Trick or Treaters invited

poster art by Julie Sola

* *(Nashville, TN) – The Plowhaus Artists' Cooperative proudly returns to East Nashville to present its 7th Annual Celebration of Día de los Muertos*
October 23rd thru November 2nd.

Throughout the month of October, families and villages across Mexico
prepare for Día de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead. On these days at the cusp of October and November, those who have died are remembered and their spirits are welcomed back for a yearly visit. Handmade altars, special food and drink, parades and plays, skull-shaped confections and toys, and gravesite visits and vigils celebrate the lives of the deceased.

Artists Connie Knock, Carri Hofaker, John Holland, Franne Lee , Willow
Fort, Tiffany Denton, Nieves Uhl, Julie Sola, Janet Lee, Ayjey,
Curt Perkins, Andee Rudloff, Audra Ladd, Sarah E. Fowler, McNasty, Lindsay
Black, Joe Silva, Jessica Maloan, Shannon Wages, Kevin Brock, Bethany
Taylor, Jennifer Bronstein, Toli Collin, Mona Brittingham

For a Complete Schedule Visit
http://www.plowhaus.org/

Kim Perrot Shrine by Nancy VanReece
Kim Perrot 1967-1999

A Gift of Grace

2008-10-18T19:22:00.039-05:00

As part of my art study The Seven Deadly Sins, The Tao of St. Gregory I completed a work that I titled Grace. All but one of the seven studies on the sins have been purchased. Envy is still available. The larger 60"x 48" work of Grace features expression on the grace from envy, grace from pride, grace from anger, grace from greed, grace from gluttony. Each 12" section carries the letters of 'G. R. A C. E.'

Joan and I have donated the painting to Holy Trinity Community Church for significant distribution of grace to the LGBT community of Nashville. We are not members of this church and may, or may not, agree with all of the denomination's precepts but we do trust in this congregation's intent to bring light and grace to our corner of the world. Happy Birthday Holy Trinity!

Here is my study from 2005 on each section represented in the work:

Invidere is the Latin word for Envy. It is translated "to see with malice". Envy is about wanting what someone else has, while jealousy is the feeling you get when someone threatens what is yours. Possession is a matter of both what we have and who we are. To desire what another has is foolish because it will not be the same for us. This sin is unique from the other sins in that it is experienced in relation to other people; it differs from greed in that it is about another person having something rather than the thing itself.
The well known color representing this sin is green. The hands represent a grab or a reach for something that is not yours to have. The hands themselves are empty. There are 4 colors of green used in this work along with a mixed medium of glass beads offering texture, shine and representation of the deep cuts that seeing another's possessions through malice can bring.
Envy= Selfishness. The Virtue against which it sins is Love. Love actively seeks the good of others for their sake. Envy resents the good others receive or even might receive. Envy is almost indistinguishable from Pride at times.

Pride is a belief in one's own abilities that is so excessive as to deny the recognition of God's grace. Pride is more about loving the oneself. Pride is universally acknowledged as the worst of the Seven Deadly Sins because the others are all said to stem from it: without that sense of superiority, you wouldn't have the nerve to flout God by committing the other six. Pride is excessive belief in one's own abilities, that interferes with the individual's recognition of the grace of God.
The color representing pride is purple or violet. The imaging here is to show that no matter how much we build and build our blocks we ultimately box ourselves in with our deeds. It is the full ripple of the circle around us that drives the source. The virtue against which pride sins is humility. Our pride swells up only when we think we created the stone that was thrown to begin the circle.
All pride is a waste because our view of ourselves matters not at all in the end. Far better to live in truth, simply and without spin or image. This is humility, prized by many but understood by few.
Anger shows us what our boundaries are. It is meant to be listened to. It is a map. Anger is meant to be acted on. It is not meant to be acted out. It tells us we can't get away with our old life any longer. Sloth, apathy and despair are the enemy, not anger. It will always tell us when we have been betrayed and when we have betrayed ourselves. The color red is associated with Anger.
Often, anger is aimed at the wrong person or thing, which is why, along with envy and pride, it was categorized by Dante as a sin of misdirected love. Anger becomes a sin when it causes us to lose our sense of reason, which is a gift from God. This fits well with the modern concept of anger as a loss of self-control, and a reaction to feelings of powerlessness.
Anger points. It is a bright red line. The sin comes in crossing the line rather than adhering to its warning. The opposite of anger/wrath is kindness. Kindness means taking the tender approach. The tenderness of pastels and sunlight on one side of the bright red line represent this. The harsh grit of earth tones are found when you cross the bright red line. The earth and mud colors here also represent our true nature.

While researching for information on this topic, I found that the representative color for Greed is yellow. Known for its appeal to selfishly obtain more than can be used. The sin of greed is represented here by a bronze ladder reaching toward a gold section. Greed=Selfishness The Virtue against which it sins is Generosity. This is about more than money. Generosity means letting others get the credit or praise. It is giving without having expectations of the other person.

In the research on this one of the seven deadly sins, it became clear to me that Gluttony was not about over indulgence as much as it was about emptiness. Orange is a representative color for the sin of this selfish act and is represented here as a desperate hole. To overindulge on anything is this sin. It is a musical piece played entirely to loud. It will numb your passion for living. The Virtue against which it sins is Temperance. Temperance accepts the natural limits of pleasures and preserves this natural balance. This does not pertain only to food, but to entertainment and other legitimate goods, and even the company of others.

The other two sins in the study, though not in the Grace painting are:

Sloth: In research for this sin I found that the representative color was light blue. I have used multimedia on this work to demonstrate that the choice of sloth or zeal is an action and is taken, one way or the other, everyday. You may click on the canvas to see a close up of the choices represented in Spanish.
The clinical condition of depression was quite often mistaken for the sin of slothfulness. When asked to explain the feeling of depression patients often us the terms 'drowning' or 'under water and unable to get up for air'. The idea that we say we feel "Blue" when we are sad is not lost on the comparison. However, the sin of slothfulness has nothing to do with depression. It is about complacency. Being lazy is an action. Sloth is not making any effort to communicate with your maker.. Sloth = Selfishness. The Virtue against which it sins is Zeal. Zeal is the energetic response of the heart .

Lust: In research I found that the representative color for this is is not red but rather, blue, dark blue. When you first view this painting you think it to be warm and embraceable. However, when you move closer you see that the texture is extremely abrasive. The sin of lust is the craving for unnatural fulfilment . It is a procurement of pollution and a disregard for the holiness of a human vessel. Lust = Selfishness. The Virtue against which it sins is Self Control. Self control and self mastery prevent pleasure from killing the soul by suffocation.

THE ART FILES; Two-Person "Passages" Show Opens at Gallery One

2008-10-17T07:53:00.009-05:00

THE ART FILES:

Gallery One kicks off its latest show on Saturday, November 1st with an Opening Reception for “Passages,” a two-person show featuring the works of mixed-media artist Lorraine Glessner and painter Jennifer Bain. A reception with the artists will be held at the Belle Meade area gallery from 6:00-8:00 p.m. - 5133 Harding Road Nashville, TN 37205 -

615.352-3006

"Gestures, Inclinations, Intimations No. 12" by Lorraine Glessnermixed media on panel (encaustic, horse hair, gouache, mylar, photographs,composted and branded silk on panel) 6' x 12"

The work of Lorraine Glessner, of Pennsylvania, involves the complex interrelation of materials collaged in encaustic. Silks and other fabrics, threads, paper, paint, and found items layered in wax provide a visual journey as complex and as natural as life itself.

"All living things leave a physical mark -- a stain or imprint through the natural cycle of creation and birth, life and growth, death and the regeneration of life through decomposition," says Glessner. “The cyclic nature of the earth and our bodies serve to jog the mind, to remind us of the desire to seek progress within cycle, and to measure that progress against the repetitive constant. Marks on the surfaces of the earth, the body and within urban environments serve as a visual narrative that speaks to this cycle while also referencing personal, political and cultural histories. Sidewalks, building facades, interior and public spaces of the city read as a palimpsest on which these histories and narratives are written. Layers of holes, cracks, smudges, graffiti and signage that form the urban landscape intermingle and merge to create an iconography significant to the present, yet allude to both the past and future.”
As in nature, the notion of imprinting, staining and marking is realized in Glessner's work. Media is subjected to deconstructing processes such as burning, rusting, decomposition, composting, and weather exposure.

"Paper Walls II" by Lorraine Glessnermixed media on panel (encaustic, digital prints, photographs, horse hair,paper, oil paint on rusted and branded silk on panel)20" x 20"

“Rubbings, drawings, images and material taken from billboards, buildings, streets and sidewalks of the city are merged together with the stained materials along with my own intuitive responses to them in paint,” says Glessner. “Adding to this narrative are collaged images and patterns from high-end fashion and interior design magazines, which interact with and contextualize the markings as well as speak to our wants, needs, temptations and desires as a culture. In a continuous process of accumulation, concealment and removal, the layers of material create new narratives, which look through and into time, thus reminding us of perpetuation, death and regeneration. My intent is to follow and record these marks as evidence of the spectacle and complexity of human activity and the poetic violence that is life.”

As a youth, Jennifer Bain spent her summers exploring the swamps, woods and beaches of the Atlantic coast. As an adult, this journey has endured through the creation of her own garden and in forays in nature which provide a vast supply of visual material and inspiration.

"Butterfly" by Jennifer Bain acrylic on canvas36" x 54"

"In my experience, a place is digested in small parts or observations," says the Oakland, California based painter. "While I'm working in the garden a collective experience is pieced together through observing minute details. Things are perceived broadly and then up close almost simultaneously. I might recognize the energy from the flight of small birds around me, light reflecting off flower petals, or water or leaves, and interpret this as one experience in observation."

Bain says that her paintings use these moments and details as a visual story, a visual poem resembling a filmstrip. "I am interested in the play between visual information creating a mood and acting as a catalyst for emotional shifts in the painting. One is lead through many passages, shifts in description and metaphor to culminate in a work that is open to interpretation."

- information provided by Gallery One

THE ART FILES: Art Sales at KC Potter Opening to Benefit TEP Foundation

2008-10-16T15:37:00.009-05:00

THE ART FILES:

I am happy to announce that a dozen works of art compiled as "Recent Memories" will be on display at the KC Potter Center at Vanderbilt University

October 20 -December 19, 2008

Reception and Grand Opening of the center is October 24, 4:30-6 pm.

DIRECTIONS

All Vanderbilt Faculty and Students may receive at 20% discount on the artwork or choose to apply the discount as a donation to the Tennessee Equality Project Foundation.

Blog Action Day - Poverty

2008-10-15T12:37:00.006-05:00

According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, a single-parent would have to work 95 hours per week at minimum wage in order to afford a two-bedroom apartment at fair market rent in Nashville, which is $723 per month.

Nelson Mandela: "Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. Poverty is not natural. It is man-made and can be overcome and eradicated by the collective actions of human beings."

Some facts about poverty in Nashville from The Tennessean:

• Nashville has an overall poverty rate of 14.9 percent.

• More white people in Nashville, 42,680, live in poverty than African-Americans, 41,270

• Of African-Americans in Nashville, 25.4 percent live in poverty — the highest percentage among the city's racial groups.

• 10,298 Nashvillians of Hispanic origin live below poverty, 22.7 percent of that population.

• Of the people in Nashville under age 18, 24.7 percent live in poverty

How To Do Something:

ACTION FOR THE HOMELESS

http://www.homelesspower.org/

FOOD

http://www.secondharvestnashville.org/

EDUCATION = CONFIDENCE

GIVE TO ARTS EDUCATION FOR TITLE ONE SCHOOLS

http://www.nashvilleshakes.org/teachers.htm

When Family isn't Family

2008-10-15T11:56:00.005-05:00

This email exchange took place with a family member. -- Just so you know, we will not be going home for Christmas.

Learn how to love back: http://www.ourfamilymatters.org/

----------------------------------------

Final Reply:
yep when you look at all the facts related to obama, its hard to think of him
leading our country founded on CHRISTIAN PRINCIPALS!!!!!

(See you at Christmas?)

----- Original Message ----

From: Nancy
Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 10:18:32 PM
Subject: RE: Obama making fun of the Bible

wow. We really don't agree on much on anything. Good night. Early voting starts tomorrow.

Nancy VanReece
sent via blackjack smartphone

-----Original Message-----
To: "Nancy VanReece"

Sent: 10/14/2008 9:51 PM
Subject: Re: Obama making fun of the Bible
sorry that you feel that way, but people need to know what kind of obama is, if you still don't believe what a radical he is, I feel sorry for you. He will drag this country down to its knees, he is a dangerous man, read his books, than tell me he is a good person.

----- Original Message ----
From: Nancy VanReece
Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 9:33:01 PM
Subject: RE: Obama making fun of the Bible
Please remove me from any negative email and watch rachel maddow on msnbc for some positive thinking

Nancy VanReece
sent via blackjack smartphone

-----Original Message-----
To: "Nancy VanReece"
Sent: 10/14/2008 8:27 PM
Subject: Fw: Obama making fun of the Bible

THE ART FILES: Not yet given way to gravity

2008-10-12T11:23:00.016-05:00

The Frist Center for the Visual Arts has opened The Best of Photography and Film from the George Eastman House Collection October 10, 2008–January 25, 2009. There are so many images and so many stories told in this vast collection that return visits are encouraged. Worthy of mention is the audio tour that will help you through the stories of these images. Produced locally for the exhibit, the voices of local actors such as Denice Hicks, Mark Cabus and Pete Vann professionally add a 3rd dimension to the 2-D images. The audio tour is free to members and worth the extra $5 if you are not.

One of the images that resonates in the American conscious is the Eddie Abrams' Street execution of a Viet Cong prisoner, Saigon, 1968. This Pulitzer prize winning photographer brought the third dimension of war to a generation. What I was surprised to see in this exhibit were the photos that Abram's took a shutter moment before and after. This triptych was gripping to me.

They are overwhelming because the shutter on Abram's 1968 non-digital captured his own shutters as the process rapidly occurred. They are simply titled:

1. before execution
2. execution
3. after execution

It is the third image that gripped me. The prisoner had fallen to the ground after the fatal shoot but his legs had not yet given way to the gravity. His head is out side of the frame as though Abrams' adrenaline had moved him to the left away from the horror. It is the prisoner's feet that drew my eye. His bare feet. His toes curled up in a grip as though in this moment of death he was tyring to hold on to the earth, even as his soul left his frame, just as his face had left the frame of the photographer's lens.

See this photo and masterpieces of photography and film from throughout history at The Frist Center for Visual Art through Jan 25th.

The Birth of Revolution Comes From A Moment of Rage

2008-10-08T16:47:00.006-05:00

Due to a generous grant from The Frist Foundation I am now, on behalf of The Nashville Shakespeare Festival, a member of CABLE.

I had attended the occasional luncheon to hear specific speakers but today I was able to attend as an actual new member. I enjoyed today and was happy to see several friends and colleagues in the room.

The speaker was Sharon Oreck, a producer of the documentary 14 Women.

As a film geek and board member of the Nashville Film Festival I had heard of the documentary and was happy to get a copy that I will view this weekend! It is screening on the Sundance Channel now as well.

I liked a lot what she said about the "birth of revolution coming from a moment of rage". I was disappointed that her point about "the three things that women in politics have to overcome were proving that they were:
1. Not a lesbian
2. Not a bitch
3. Not a whore"

I know what she was trying to communicate but leaving it hanging in a southern audience that being a lesbian was the same as the other two items and further, that lesbians don't have families, was irresponsible and unfortunate.

As a supporter of the Victory Fund and as a Board Member of founding member of the Tennessee Equality Project Foundation and former State Political Action Coordinator for the Human Rights Campaign, I have been in "revolution" mode for some time over this.

I spoke with another out lesbian there today that has been a member of CABLE for several years. She said she has not had a single negative experience. However, she doubted than 10 may be gay out of the 500+ members. Just as we hope to see 50 women in the Senate one day to represent the population, I can hope that any organization I belong to that values diversity and fairness also strives to achive a 10% representation of my community.

Nevertheless, I was there to pitch our Workshops for Adults in Business not to start a revolution. If you are a member of CABLE - lets talk!

Living An Artful Life - Time to Get Crafty

2008-10-07T07:13:00.008-05:00

Tribal Exodus, acrylic on canvas 36" x 48" by Nancy VanReece
The thought of making a gift will either send you running out of the room or up to the craft table. I’m hoping that if you are of the first mindset you’ll stop for a moment and think about the last time you received something that was hand made just for you. It was awesome, wasn’t it?

One really awesome thing Joan made for me once is still up in the home office and I just adore it. She took a piece of wood, painted it and then found really groovy nails and nailed them in about ¾ of the way to form a shape and then wrapped colored wires around them. She then cut out letters from magazines and glued them to the wood to write me a note.

Can you think of something that you can hand make for a gift this year? Still stumped, feeling blocked? There are several area artists in town that have already made things for you! Hand knitted scarves, locally designed jewelry, hand made art objects for your home and office. There are several places to find great hand made items, ask around at local shops and galleries and they’ll give you more ideas.

Now, let us talk about that fear of creativity. It is time to move beyond the realm of just talking about creative living and actually do it. The only real way of handling this is to just DO the work. Try a new experience, invite it! Don’t start to criticize your work before you even begin. I find that this is just another form of procrastination. Allow yourself to do something badly. The freedom will then help you do something not quite as bad the next time. Everyone has a unique voice, feel free to use it. I’ve recently completed a trio of large paintings called The Big Sky Series. One that I may have a hard time ever selling because I love it so much is called ‘Tribal Exodus.” It was inspired by the movie March of the Penguin, the news reports from New Orleans and Houston and my own busy journey this past year.

In reflection of your journey, take the time to pull a chair up to that craft table and express yourself.

Absolutely positively.

2008-10-03T07:28:00.004-05:00

Biden and Palin do NOT have the same views on equal rights for all american citizens and I agree with Chris Crain and Andrew Sullivan that IFill failed to follow up on the question to clarify the differences.

NOTE: Alaska's benefits for gay couples -- limited to state government employees, was mandated by the state's supreme court and Palin backed a constitutional amendment to overturn that ruling.

AP Photo Pool/Don Emmert

DOMA, which prohibits the federal government from giving any recognition or benefits to gay married couples, is unconstitutional.

Here's the transcript excerpt from the New York Times:
IFILL: The next round of -- pardon me, the next round of questions starts with you, Senator Biden. Do you support, as they do in Alaska, granting same-sex benefits to couples?

BIDEN: Absolutely. Do I support granting same-sex benefits? Absolutely positively. Look, in an Obama-Biden administration, there will be absolutely no distinction from a constitutional standpoint or a legal standpoint between a same-sex and a heterosexual couple. The fact of the matter is that under the Constitution we should be granted -- same-sex couples should be able to have visitation rights in the hospitals, joint ownership of property, life insurance policies, et cetera. That's only fair.

It's what the Constitution calls for. And so we do support it. We do support making sure that committed couples in a same-sex marriage are guaranteed the same constitutional benefits as it relates to their property rights, their rights of visitation, their rights to insurance, their rights of ownership as heterosexual couples do.

IFILL: Governor, would you support expanding that beyond Alaska to the rest of the nation?

PALIN: Well, not if it goes closer and closer towards redefining the traditional definition of marriage between one man and one woman. And unfortunately that's sometimes where those steps lead.
But I also want to clarify, if there's any kind of suggestion at all from my answer that I would be anything but tolerant of adults in America choosing their partners, choosing relationships that they deem best for themselves, you know, I am tolerant and I have a very diverse family and group of friends and even within that group you would see some who may not agree with me on this issue, some very dear friends who don't agree with me on this issue.
But in that tolerance also, no one would ever propose, not in a McCain-Palin administration, to do anything to prohibit, say, visitations in a hospital or contracts being signed, negotiated between parties.
But I will tell Americans straight up that I don't support defining marriage as anything but between one man and one woman, and I think through nuances we can go round and round about what that actually means.
But I'm being as straight up with Americans as I can in my non- support for anything but a traditional definition of marriage.

IFILL: Let's try to avoid nuance, Senator. Do you support gay marriage?

BIDEN: No. Barack Obama nor I support redefining from a civil side what constitutes marriage. We do not support that. That is basically the decision to be able to be able to be left to faiths and people who practice their faiths the determination what you call it.
The bottom line though is, and I'm glad to hear the governor, I take her at her word, obviously, that she think there should be no civil rights distinction, none whatsoever, between a committed gay couple and a committed heterosexual couple. If that's the case, we really don't have a difference.

IFILL: Is that what your said?

PALIN: Your question to him was whether he supported gay marriage and my answer is the same as his and it is that I do not.

IFILL: Wonderful. You agree. On that note, let's move to foreign policy.
(LAUGHTER)

The ArtFiles ...more like a blog

2008-09-26T20:32:00.003-05:00

My monthly column The Art Files at Out and About Newspaper will now be a blog offered at the online site. This will allow me to return to the format that was previously known as Living An Artful Life which ran in The Church Street Freedom Press.

New entries will come during the course of the month and the editors may select form the entries for the print version.

Read the latest entry about Chris Cambell - Necessary Collector Ruby Green Gallery Exhibit

Smart Mangement sounds Like "Ning"

2008-09-25T15:52:00.001-05:00

View my page on NashvilleShakes

ArtFiles

2008-09-25T07:45:00.000-05:00

The Art Files may be suspended for Out & About Newspaper ... more later

Shakespeare Allowed!

2008-09-22T09:07:00.002-05:00

Have you ever said to yourself - "One day I will read all of Shakespeare's plays" .. The Nashville Shakespeare Festival and The Nashville Public Library are creating that bucket list opportunity for you!

Join Artistic and Education Director's Denice Hicks and Claire Syler for the first reading on October 11th!