Dear Friends, Acquaintances and Fellow Travelers:
As many of you know, for the last 2 years, I've changed my focus from working as a visual artist to writing. After wandering around Europe in the winter and spring of 2005-2006, interviewing fascinating people for my book, An Unrealistic Life: Conversations on the Art of Living Your Dream, I came back to Pittsburgh to actually write. This entailed wandering around the house wearing the same clothes for days at a time and re-writing much more than I cared to. (And it's still not finished!)
Of course, since my mission is to savor life as I go along, there were
occasional injections of tango dancing to keep my spirits up, not to
mention slow mornings savoring breakfast on the patio under my deck. (I've been part
of the Slow Food Movement since I was two!) This is my
outdoor office too, where I'm writing this newsletter, occasionally
distracted by maurading birds trying to eat my blueberries.
Apparently, it's necessary to have a "platform" these days before one can attract a publisher. Now, they don't mean a diving platform, or a portable stage, though it sounds like it. They mean a "following," like when a beautician or a chef moves from one establishment to another.
 Only they want big numbers, not the 10 or 12 friends recommended by my Aunt Mary. Potential book buyers, of course. You can help me by forwarding this ezine to the thousands in your own address book or database and cajoling them to subscribe. Otherwise my platform will look something like this!
This newsletter will share the stories of people who are doing what they love without getting a real job, as well as vignettes celebrating art, life and great food as I continue my journey.
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EMBRACE ART IN ALL ITS
FORMS!
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Not every city has art you can sit on, or dance around, but here in Pittsburgh we are blessed with stimulating "sights" in many places. Here I am on one of my favorites, the "eyeball" benches by French sculptor Louise Bourgeois in the Katz Plaza. If local restrictions prevent you from actually embracing the art, then hug an artist instead! Better yet, buy local art--not all great art comes from foreign climes. See the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts for original gifts, for example.
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INFLUENCES:
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One of the highlights of my year was finally meeting Daniel Pink, and hearing him speak in March, sponsored by the Arts Education Collaborative. Dan's innovative book, Free Agent Nation details the growing trend for Americans to work outside the corporate system, while my book, An Unrealistic LIfe, will profile those who are actually doing it in several countries. Dan's A Whole New Mind is highly significant for educators and policy makers because it describes the right-brain characteristics needed for economic survival in the next century. It gives me deep satisfaction to be working with people who already embody these qualities: empathy, sympathy, symphony, and to see that the artistic and creative mindset which will help solve the global problems facing all of us, is finally rising in esteem. See also Richard Florida's Rise of the Creative Class. Note: Dan has agreed to read several excerpts from my book. I can't wait to hear his comments. (No pressure, Dan!)
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If you know of someone who fits the criteria for my book (following their dream without getting a real job) please email me: elena@thewanderingmuse.com I'm still looking for a few people to profile. Additional info will be posted on my new blog: Midnight Musings. Meanwhile, have an artful day!
Elena Houlihan
Moving Images
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MUSE BRIEFS:
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Announcing my first radio interview about the book. Mark your calendars for 11 PM Eastern time and 8 PM, Pacific August 30. That's tonight! Hear the mellifluous voice of Dr. Moe Turmel at www.achieveradio.com. The interview will be available later on my website: elenasmovingimages.com. |
NOTE: You may be a close friend or relative, someone who's genuinely interested in the continuing saga of my book, a teacher or student I've worked with, a perfect stranger I met briefly at an opening or had an intense conversation with in the Paris market or a Bangkok cafe. (Perhaps you've forgotten me, but I have not forgotten you!) Since I'm NOT making any promises to make you RICH, BRILLIANT or FAMOUS in 5 easy steps, if my stories and observations don't enliven your day, then hit UNSUBSCRIBE. We have a strict anti-spam policy here at The Wandering Muse, though we acknowledge that some friends in Hawaii actually consider spam quite nourishing.
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EVENTS:
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I just led an in-service for the Art Department of the Gateway School District east of Pittsburgh. We discussed possible art-in-architecture projects for their schools and each teacher made a model of a potential art work. I was blown away by their creativity. (And delighted when one teacher said it was the best in-service they'd had in his 27 years of teaching!)
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PAEAN TO
PITTSBURGH:
CHIHULY AT THE
PHIPPS |
It may have escaped you, but Pittsburgh was recently named one of the top arts destinations in the country, (http://americanstyle.com) and at the moment we are experiencing an embarrassment of riches. This year "Pittsburgh Celebrates Glass" and it's glittering at many venues. The most spectacular is the showcasing of Dale Chihuly's works at The Phipps Conservatory, where the glowing, curving forms entwine and emerge from the palms, ferns and water gardens. I have put together a slide show combining Chihuly's glass and my own macro photography of flowers showing the dynamic linking of art and nature. To book a presentation, email me at elena@thewanderingmuse.com. But if you haven't seen the exhibit, get thee to Pittsburgh before November11.
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