Christmas in California

Season Greetings from Sunny, Laguna Beach California. Here's wishing a Merry Christmas to you and yours on this special day. Health, happiness and much Love to all!

Hello from Princeton

Back in New Jersey for a short visit, so this morning I'm writing to you from the stately lobby of ye ol' Nassau Inn in the heart of Princeton's Palmer Square. I'm sitting across from a huge fireplace that has a quiet flame dancing inside it and with the cold wind blowing outside this morning, it's a welcome sight. Princeton is all wrapped in its Holiday Best, and not much has changed since I called this town home. Though I lived here for the better part of twenty years and left just a little over five years ago, it seems like a lifetime away.

Walking through the hall here in the Inn where I would frequently stop by a bank of phones to check my office messages, I found an empty wall that now holds only a framed reproduction of a painting - how the world and my life has changed in such a relatively short time. Ohh, my cell's ringing! have to go.

Hail the Holiday Season!

Well Thanksgiving has come and gone and now we are up to our waist in the holiday season. Happily, as of Friday past, Christmas music is socially legal, though I have to admit that since the Sounds of the Seasons cable music channel began the Christmas tunes right after Halloween, I've been a regular listener. Embrace the spirt - faux and sincere, it's all good!

By the way, when did it's all good become interchangeable with no problem? I first remember it from a visit to So. Cal. a few years ago when one of the indigenous surfer types uttered it. I embraced it there as part of the native speak but suddenly it is everywhere and when I received said response in an email from a business associate yesterday I thought to myself that it simply doesn't work here. Here in the east where short pants and flip flops are appropriate - maybe four months a year - the traditional, No Problem, or Don't Worry About It or the slightly more formal - Don't Give It A Second Thought should still be the response of choice. Listen, I'm the least formal guy in the room, the embracer of pop culture in all it's smudged glory, but please, a bit of decorum must reign or we'll have anarchy in no time flat!

Now get out the plastic decorations, inflate those vinyl Santas and Reindeer for the front lawn and crank up the xmas tunes - believe me, it's all good!

A Performance & Film that Holds Up

Reading about Jill Clayburgh's death yesterday brought to mind so many of her great performances from the 70's and 80's. Foremost on that list is one of my favorite films - An Unmarried Woman. This morning I pulled the DVD from the shelf and watched it again and unlike so many movies of that period - it really holds up. Even though it reflects a cultural time that is long past and takes place in a New York that no longer exists physically, it still rings true. The sense of people in relationships and the feeling of being in New York. Do yourself a favor and watch it, even if you saw it when it came out, give it another look. You'll be glad you did.

Bad Blogger, Bad, Bad Blogger!

Okay, I'll admit it, I've been avoiding you. I promise it wasn't intentional, time just kept getting away from me. I have been busy - really!

Okay, I'm a lazy, new fall TV season watching, slug. You have to admit for the first three months or so, I was keeping up, a new entry every day . . . or at least a couple a week. Well, it was only a matter of time I guess . . . anyway, to catch everyone up I've been wrapping up one film, shooting two others, shooting and editing two more shorts and in between time spending a week in New York where Will Barnet: Tracing the Soul of the Work played to a very enthusiastic crowd at the Art Students League. So all in all, October was a busy but productive and successful month.

Now November is here and it looks like winter in fast on its way. Temps only creeping into the low 40s and our old friend Indian Summer is nowhere in sight. Oh well, time to embrace the change, layer up and start producing - I have three films in the works with the hope that the financing for them will soon follow. So while I wait for the funds to complete, I'll keep shooting. Be well dear readers, I promise I'll be more attentive in the coming weeks.

Glorious October!

Time to breakout the fall jackets, ready ourselves for cooling temperatures and turn up the creative juices! For me October has always been the start of a season of books, movies and music. Even at 50 plus the cool air and falling leaves still take me back to a walk across the quad to the dinning hall, late nights in the design studios or Friday nights in uptown Oxford, Ohio. While I know it's only a short time till we're in the arms of old man winter, I can't help but celebrate the opening of my favorite month.

CIFF

Nice turnout last night at the opening of this year's Camden International Film Fest. Plenty of creative energy flowing inside the opening night reception and I'm sure more to come as the weekend progresses.

The rain passes through tonight bringing the real fall-like temps, break out the sweaters!

Hello Autumn

Now, while the thought of cool crisp afternoons in wool sweaters and cozy nights asleep under heavy quilts brings a smile to my face, I couldn't help but feel a bit sad this morning as a lay awake in bed waiting for the sun to catch up to my morning ritual. When the sun finally made its' appearance well after 6:00, I climbed out of bed, thought twice about the shorts hanging on the bedroom chair and opted instead for the pair of jeans. Then, as I readied myself for my morning walk, I glanced out the window at the heavy gray sky and leaves blowing in the brisk wind and pulled a hooded sweatshirt from the closet.

Fall has arrived.

As Norma Jean and I made our way around our mile and a half morning loop I couldn't help but notice the growing patches of color populating the trees along our route - weren't those leaves green just the day before? Again, I love fall and, with my favorite month mere days away, I await and welcome the glorious colors to come but I must admit that I will miss walking before 5:00 am, and being at my desk and working by 6:00.

Oh well, time to embrace corduroy and bid farewell to linen.

Observations from the front porch

Well, I intended to keep my readers up to date on the day to day of my recent New York shoot but as often happens when I'm in New York, I have a hard time staying still long enough to accomplish anything at a desk. So now I'm back in Owls Head, enjoying a spectacular morning on my front porch. The weather has perfect timing because on a morning like this it's very hard to miss being in New York.

The past ten days were a rather long, exhaustive, but highly successful shoot. All told, I did eleven on camera interviews and six location shoots. In addition, I had the chance to sit down with Ira Goldberg, the director of the Art Students League and set up a screening of Will Barnet: Tracing the Soul of the Work, at the League next month. In between I managed a bit of time to walk the streets, ride the subways and feel ever more at home in New York.

Let the editing begin!

Hello from New York

Waking up in Manhattan this morning and getting ready for a week long shoot. Last night I drove in around 2:00 dropped off my rental and kicked around the city a bit. It's always great to be in New York, though I must confess that I'm feeling a bit off my game. Maybe it's just the thought of the shooting schedule for the week ahead. I'm certain that as soon as I catch a couple of subway rides and grab a banana cup cake from Billy's, I'll be energized and ready to go.

I certainly shouldn't complain - I have three projects with funding in various stages of production and a fourth that appears will be funded soon. Still waiting on funding leads for the Charlie Oakes film but I certainly haven't given up.

Capped off last night by screening a truly original film. Inception is proof that films that don't fit into some pre-exsisting Hollywood formula occasionally still get made. Christopher Nolan stays within his genre but stretches it a bit with a clever plot that requires you to think as you hang on for the ride. Good performances for the most part, though I'm not convinced that Ellen Page was the best choice for the role but certainly not a disaster. Of course, now we'll be subjected to a bunch of "Inception-like" films in the coming year or two. See Inception and keep your eyes peeled for the next truly original concept, which should hit theaters near you sometime in 2015.

I'l be in touch this week with updates from New York.

Coffee with a Splash of Friendship

Many of you know how much I love my coffee. Morning, noon or night I'll seldom refuse a cup. This very morning I was in town catching up with a dear friend and as usual, enjoying a cup with a splash of cream. I realized that, although I keep the pot brewing here at home, nothing beats sitting at one of the many coffee serving establishments in town sharing a coffee with a friend. Even average coffee becomes premium blend when mixed with a splash of friendship.

Working with Cabot

Spent several days since my last post traveling down to the studio of Cabot Lyford near Pemaquid Point (yes readers, I've been working not just enjoying the good life. Although working for me is enjoying the good life). The initial shoot for the film has gone very well indeed and working with Cabot has been a real pleasure.

Time now to cut a bit of work together and begin the search for the funding necessary to continue and complete the film. More to come as I continue.

Cabot Lyford cleaning a sculpture for transport to Harbor Square Gallery

Movies: The good, the bad and the favorites (sometimes all of the above applies)

Last Friday evening I had dinner at the home of two of my all-time favorite people - John and Mary Alice Bird. For the longest time I had heard about John's son JB and finally on Friday I had the opportunity to meet him and his two terrific kids. As I suspected would be the case, I had a wonderful time and throughly enjoyed chatting with JB. After dinner the four of us (the kids had tired of the adults and went off to more interesting pursuits) sat and chatted and of course the topic very quickly turned to films and a list of some great ones that JB had compiled. Many of the movies on the list were favorites of mine as well and as we compared notes and favorite lines from some of them I remembered my pal Mike Dworkin had been on to me to put together a favorite films list of my own as well. So here goes - to the right you'll find a beginning of that list and I will over the coming days and weeks ad to and refine it toward putting together my personal list of all-time favorites. Now, keep in mind, that not all of these movies will be "great" films, some will make my list for more personal reasons - a great little supporting performance, or some specific technical aspect, or perhaps they just hold a special place in my life because of where or when I first experienced them. I'll leave it up to you readers to decide which is which.

Up for Air

Well, one small change leads to another but I've finished (I know, I know) the final cut of Will Barnet: Tracing the Soul of the Work. Now, it's on to the next film as I await the public premier of Barnet on the 22nd.

Today I'm off to see the home and studio of Cabot Lyford. Looking forward to getting to know Cabot a bit better and to possibly beginning a film with him. Of course as was the case with Will Barnet and currently with Charlie Oakes, the initial investment of some of my time is only the first step. The hard part is the funding search that follows, that will allow the continued work and ultimate completion of a project.

Trail Marks

Started a series of photos of the trail markers on the trail up Mt. Battie, thought I'd post a few here. Happy trails!

Barnet and the Heat at the CMCA

Hot, sticky but lovely evening last night as the CMCA opened three new exhibits: Dozier Bell, Yvonne Jacquette and of course Will Barnet. Always a pleasure to see Will and Elena and despite the heat, last night was certainly no exception. The Barnet show in the Bruce Brown gallery offers examples of Barnet the printmaker. Some well known, now iconic and some less know but equally amazing images, hang on the walls and are more than worth the trip to see - even in the heat.

Last night offered a nice crowd populate by many of the better know members of the mid-coast's art community. From the Farnsworth's Chris Brownawell and Roger Dell to painters Lois Dodd and Bjorn Runquist, most made sure to stop and pay the appropriate homage to the 99 year-old Barnet. There was a well received welcome and thank you from incoming CMCA director, Suzette McAvoy and it was especially nice to have my wife and former director, Mary Ann, there to see the fruits of her hard work paying off as the organization moves forward.

Just One More Little Change

Yesterday, as I thought through the upcoming premier of the Barnet film, I was struck with an idea that I couldn't ignore so it's back to the editing terminal for one more final change. As those close to me will attest, when I say "final," it is to be taken lightly.

Back to work!

Back from a Birthday Break

Took a few days off to relax and celebrate Mary Ann's and my birthdays. On Thursday we had a birthday breakfast with two of my favorite people - John and Mary Alice Bird, a lunch on the deck at the Boathouse and then later we drove down to Sebasco Estates for a lovely dinner with Will and Elena Barnet. That evening we were joined by Bjorn Runquist (whose birthday was the day before) and certainly enjoyed getting to know him a bit.

Friday was a day to relax and then off to Belfast for dinner at the home of my dear, dear friend Harold Garde and his family. Suzette McAvoy joined us as well and after a dinner of Harold's famous meatloaf we all dug in to a piece of ultra rich chocolate layer cake from the Brown Bag in Rockland, courtesy of my mom. Thanks mom, the cake was delicious!

Saturday was a day to burn off a few of the celebratory calories, so Mary Ann and I took an early morning hike up the backside trail of Mt. Battie. Well, we made it safely up and back down and of course that earned us a little well deserved reward so it was off to breakfast at the Mariners Restaurant in Camden for hash, eggs and blueberry muffins (Mary Ann actual went for the much healthier, veggie omelet).

We wrapped up my break last night with a dinner at the Primo Bar joined by Tom O'Donovan of Harbor Square Gallery fame. Oysters, grilled veggies and a sausage bar pizza had to be topped off with a bowl of hot Zeppole tossed in cinnamon and sugar.

Do you see a pattern a pattern here? Well, this morning it's back to work. Got to get the Barnet publicity machine rolling. The 22nd is just around the corner.

Bob Indiana at the Farnsworth

Just in from the Farnsworth where Bob joined Michael Komanecky for a discussion on the EAT sculpture and its' original installation at the 64' Worlds Fair. It was great to see Bob again after a bit of time has passed since we spent so much time together working on last summer's film. It was a great program with plenty of audience involvement. Bob seemed to enjoy himself which is always nice. Good to see him come alive with the questions from the audience, and while I knew most of the stories and could almost recite them along with him, it was great to hear him tell them yet again.

Update on Charles Wilder Oakes: Charlie and I have completed our initial work together and the short sample of the work in progress is back from the DVD production house. I look forward to getting the sample around in order to help raise the funds we need to complete the project. Charlie is a true Maine original and on-screen is one of the most compelling artist I've worked with. The search for funding begins - more as we progress.

This afternoon I had the opportunity to meet Cabot Lyford and his wife up at Tom O'Donovan's Harbor Square Gallery. A couple of weeks ago, Tom and I had talked about the possibility of my working on a film on Cabot and when he and his wife stopped by the gallery, Tom gave me a call. I ran up for a visit and truly enjoyed chatting with Cabot. I'm looking forward to visiting him at his studio next month. Charming and frank I believe he might well be an interesting subject for a film. More to come.

Choosing Our Friends Adult Style

Yesterday was a lovely day and I enjoyed part of it lunching by the water's edge at the Lincolnville Lobster Shack with my friend Rufus Foshee. I first met Rufus, four years ago when I received a call one evening as I was packing for a holiday in California. It was Rufus, who had seen an article in the Free Press about my film in progress on Louise Nevelson. Later that evening I left Rufus' home with nearly two hours of interview footage of him sharing his insights into the life and art of Ms. Nevelson. Thus began a friendship that includes among other things, our lunches or "mini salons", as I like to refer to them.

Now many of you may know Rufus as a man of strong opinions and one who is not shy about sharing them, or as Bob Indiana smilingly described him ". . . oh yes, Rufus, our harshest critic." and if some readers of this blog have had their differences with him, well that is between the two of you. Rufus is a friend of mine and while he might not pull any punches, I firmly believe that he would never say something about any one or thing in private that he would not be happy to repeat in public. So while we don't always agree, (what fun would it be if we all agreed on everything) I certainly respect his right to his open and honest opinions.

Thanks again for lunch my friend.

Last night, I had the privilege of joining my dear friend Nathalie Weisgall and her family for dinner. As Nathalie and I sat in her kitchen, awaiting the arrival of the group, we talked about some of the people we both knew in the Midcoast area. I commented on the fact that many of us as adults seem to feel the need to form camps in our relationships. Just as in high school when we were friends with one we often excluded another because the one we called a friend first didn't get along with other. My question is this: why must we take sides, when often the reasons two individuals don't get along are personal and in no way reflect the overall qualities of either individual? Isn't this the very reason that our country has become so politically and socially polarized?

Now, let me state before I continue that I firmly follow the following principle:

If someone is nice to you but not nice to your waitress, then they are probably not a very nice person.

That said, let's try and judge each individual on their own merits and decide how we feel about them personally and if someone you call friend develops a friendship with someone you aren't very fond of - well, so be it. Don't force someone you care about to make the kind of choice we often made when we were children.

Last night as I sat at dinner with Nathalie and her family I was struck by how lucky I am to have come to this place and found so many dear people to share my life with. High on that list is Nathalie herself. I must say, I never fail to leave her company feeling more alive and just plain happier than when I arrived. To her and the rest of her lovely family thank you for making me feel so welcome at your family gathering. You are all a joy to be with.

Beautiful Morning

A three hour storm with plenty of thunder, lightening and flooding passed through last evening. This morning we were greeted by a beautifully clear and cool morning. A great day to drop off the car with John and Jason for an oil change and make my way up to Rock City Coffee to treat myself to a cup of coffee and an all too fattening but delicious cinnamon frisbee.

As I sit hear with my coffee and mound of butter and sugar, the usual cast of Rockland characters drift in and out on the way to the rest of their day. There's Michael Komanecky, Chief Curator of the Farnsworth Art Museum and here comes fellow Documentarian Ben Levine just drifting in for coffee and breakfast. Of course this time of year the summer folks offer plenty of new faces as well.

Take the time to read the article on Harold Garde's Houston opening - sounds like quite a night. You can find it at:

http://culturemap.com/newsdetail/07-14-10-a-portrait-of-harold-garde-opening-at-wade-wilson-art/

Have a great day all, back to editing, "Building the Heart of a Community".

Barnet Film ready to roll

Previewed the film up at the Strand today (thanks Liz) all set for the premier screening next month.

See you all on August 22nd.

Will Barnet: Tracing the Soul of the Work

Up and Running

Well, after threatening to do this for some time, I finally got it started. Now let's see how well I keep it up and who happens by.