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The Thinking Woman's Almanac
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Plus ça change...
I continue to be fascinated by the passage of time and light, and by what remains behind.
Many readers of this newsletter may remember that I am coming up to the anniversary of the defection of my former husband, which was followed an abrupt divorce. The first six months were horrible, the worst of my life. Fortunately, as my wonderful French landlady Pierrette Ravinet expressed it, "A lot can happen in a year." I can now say with total confidence that my life looks the best to me that it has ever.
Some days I feel that I'm like a cat following twitching pieces of string with toys on their ends. The summer has been full of seasonal pleasures -- long days with early light for a wonderful plein air landscape week in the Adirondacks in June (the Publisher's Invitational, sponsored by Eric Rhoads), tango in New York City out of doors as well as in, and making new friends, consolidating existing positive relationships in the process.
Here are some of my favorite pieces from the plein air week. Thanks to the invitation of my traveling companion and suite-mate Georgette Sinclair, I rolled out at 4:20 a few mornings to catch light we'll not see for another year.
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Adirondack Dawn I, watercolor and watercolor pencil, 4 1/2" x 13 1/2," 2017
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Adirondack Dawn II, watercolor
and watercolor pencil, 4 1/4" x 13 1/2," 2017
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Calligraphic Reflections,
watercolor and watercolor pencil
13 1/2" x 9 5/8," 2017
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| Misty Morning in the Adirondacks, watercolor on aquabord 6" x 6," 2017 |
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| Reflected Trees, River's Edge, watercolor, pencil on aquabord 12" x 8," 2017 |
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The Argentine tango scene where I live is rich and varied. In addition to the pleasures of dancing with some very nice people, I get to listen to music I wouldn't hear otherwise. While most traditional tango lyrics deal with the ups and downs of love, sometimes there's an exceptional and timely departure into another realm. Several of our DJs have recently been playing Cambalache, a denunciation of the chaotic stage of society in Argentina in the 1930s. The title can be translated roughly as "bazaar" or 'junkshop." The lyrics, written in 1934 by Enrique Santos Discepolo for the movie The Soul of the Accordion, are critical of 20th-century corruption but are all-too-timely now. The song was banned by a succession dictatorial governments before censorship was relaxed under General Juan Peron.
Here are a translation into English of the beginning, and a link to a recording of Cambalache.
That the world was and always be filth,
I already knew
In the year five hundred and six
and in the year two thousand two!
There always have been thieves,
traitors and victims of fraud,
happy and bitter people,
valuables and imitations
But, that the twentieth century
is a display of insolent malice,
nobody can deny it anymore.
We lived sunk in a fuzz
and in the same mud
all well-worn...
Today it happens it is the same
to be decent or a traitor!
To be an ignorant, a genius, a pickpocket,
a generous person or a swindler!
All is the same! Nothing is better!
They are the same, an idiot ass
and great professor!
There are no failing grades or merit valuations,
the immoral have caught up with us.
And on it goes, but you get the drift. I'm writing this in early August, when the revolving door of changes in the White House staff has given many of us whiplash.
It has seemed like a good moment to re-read Kenneth Koch's poem, which I come back to over and over,
One Train May Hide Another.
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RECENT WORKS FROM THE STUDIO
Most recent oil stick paintings, and the last for now, until the weather breaks, because excessive heat turns the sticks into little mudpies. I had to refrigerate Provence and Cobalt Blue in order to finish these two.
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Bachelor's Buttons and Yellow Vase,
oil stick, 18.5" x 24," 2017 |
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Bachelor's Buttons, Peonies, and
Southworth Vase,
oil stick, 20" x 30," 2017 |
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RECENT COMMISSION
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| Corgi Wipeout, Atticus Asleep On His Rug, acrylic, 12" x 9," 2017 |
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UPCOMING EXHIBITION
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Horse Barn, Bidwell House,
acrylic, 18 x 24," 2015 |
August 14-25
closing reception, August 25, 7-9 pm.
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THE ART OF THE GARDEN EXHIBITION
June 11 - September 13, 2017
The Lazarus Gallery
United Hebrew of New Rochelle, New York
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Gravel Path: Salvia and Peggy Martin Roses,
watercolor, 6 3/4" x 14," 2015
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Striped Wallpaper and Bouquet of Blooms, fabric collage, 11" x 14," 2017
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Garden View - Planting Fields II, watercolor, 15" x 10 1/2," 2014
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The Lazarus Gallery
United Hebrew of New Rochelle
391 Pelham Road
New Rochelle, NY 10805
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Please come to see my work at the exhibition
'Art of the Garden' Exhibition in the Lazarus Gallery
The exhibition was organized by Robin Zane, Curator, and Jodi Moise, Gallery Advisor for United Hebrew.
What can you expect from The Art of the Garden? A riot of colorful flowers fronting a beach town shop, an endless path snaking through the woods, and a sun-dappled rose garden in a New England village are in three of the selected works.
The Art of the Garden will be free and open to the public daily, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. at United Hebrew's Lazarus Gallery. A portion of the sale of artwork will support United Hebrew's expert services and enriching programs. For more information contact Linda Forman, Senior Advisor to the President, United Hebrew, 914.632.2804 x1224 or lforman@uhgc.org .
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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Annie painting at Planting Fields Arboretum
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PLEIN AIR PAINTING AT PLANTING FIELDS ARBORETUM, OYSTER BAY, LONG ISLAND
Saturday, September 9, 2017
Plein Air Through the Seasons:
Late Summer Flowers and Grasses
10:00 am-3:00 pm
(free with $8 parking fee)
Meet at the end of the West Parking lot by the Welcome Pavillion. Suggested list of materials: watercolors, acrylics, oil or pastels (dry or oil pastels), and supports to work on (paper, panel, canvas, etc.). Drop-cloth recommended; also food. Dress for the out-of-doors (both woods and sun, so hats, long pants and sleeves, boots or closed shoes, insect repellent and sunscreen are all recommended.
Contact Jennifer Lavella (516-922-8678) or jlavella@plantingfields.org for more information.
And the final event of the
plein air series,
Fall Foliage
is scheduled for Saturday, October 14
A recent CBS Sunday Morning program with Jane Pauley
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RECENT READING...
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Tango Zen
by Chan Park
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What We Become
by Arturo Perez-Reverte
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RECENTLY REDISCOVERED WATERCOLORS
Please visit my studio for a private viewing. Call me at
212-464-7519 to schedule. I am also available to discuss commissions.
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Roses, Red Pitcher, Silver Tray I
watercolor 18 x 24," 2006
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Day Lilies, Four Studies
watercolor 24 x 18," ca. 2004
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Homage to Goya, Spanish Kittens
watercolor 17 x 17 1/4," 2015
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FEARLESS WATERCOLOR CLASSES
Space is currently available in my group painting classes, offered in my Bond Street studio. Class is in session three times a week, on a drop-in basis. All experience levels welcome. Email me for details about these and private lessons.
Classes have begun. A few spaces remain.
Current schedule:
Monday 2:30pm - 5:30pm
Wednesday 3:00pm - 6:00pm
Thursday 10:00am - 1:00pm
A typical workstation
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ANNIE'S STORE
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Annie Shaver-Crandell: A Collection of Views Landscapes, Cityscapes and Interiors
36 page book, 8 3/8" x 10 7/8"
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| Carousel Mug |
Please visit the online
store to purchase my book and collectible mug.
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To view Annie's past newsletters click below:
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| FEEDBACK
I love hearing from all of you with all your questions and comments. Please feel free to write me at
annieshavercrandell@gmail.com and I promise to reply. Your comments help me build my studio.
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