Being the daughter of a magician, I have learned that nothing is impossible.....you can only find truth with logic if you have already found truth without it.
Female
100 years old
Sonoma County, California
United States
I'm a classical violinist in a small baroque sinfonia, but I never walk away from a cookin' jazz/blues/swing jam. I also play from time to time in a classical trio, and I teach violin to students of all ages. I'm finally following an old dream and learning how to play the cello, and I'm LOVING IT!
After music, my other interests include working with at-risk kids, painting, collage and oil pastel resists, folk and outsider art, animals, urban architecture, scavenging flea markets, web design, museums, color....the feast never ends.
Music
Music is always playing in my head whether I'm listening to it or attempting to create it while practicing. Been listening lately to Astor Piazzolla's Primavera Porteno trio and practicing the violin part. Also currently in love with Mozart's mass in C minor, Bach unaccompanied cello suites, cello concertos by Haydn and John Garth, Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante for violin, viola & orchestra, several Haydn string quartets, Samuel Barber's violin concerto, and the Olympie Overture by Joseph Martin Kraus (the confusion of birth, the passion for life, the agony of death...it's all there)...
...and after the heavy stuff, there's Benny Goodman (really love his 1958 Brussels Fair concerts with Jimmy Rushing); Floyd McDaniel Live in Europe, Lavay Smith, Vassar Clements, Regina Carter, Van Morrison, Keith Jarrett's Koln concerts, Ethel String Quartet (Cantaloupe Music label; modern grit and dissonance, hard to walk away from), the Bluenote Swingtets, Randy Newman, Jeffrey Foucault, Jesse DeNatale, my daily dose of gypsy jazz, and Billy Taylor's 'Homage' (best enjoyed while kickin back in the grass on a sunny blue sky day)...
...and the crowing of the rooster next door, the tapping of the woodpecker in the eaves, and the hum of the wind in the wires at the top of the mountain.
It depresses me to know that I won't live long enough to hear all the music that has ever been composed.
Movies
La Strada, Time of the Gypsies, Amelie, The Stunt Man, Speaking in Strings, The Deer Hunter, Volver, The Red Violin, The Savages, Black Irish, The Kite Runner
Television
From the Top
Books
Run, The Lovely Bones, A Short History of Tractors in Ukranian, Bel Canto, Dreams From My Father, Hotel Honolulu, Man and Boy, The Ruins of California, Screams from the Balcony, Up in the Old Hotel, Hard Laughter, The Soloist, The Secret Life of Bees, The Glass Castle, Meeting Luciano, Poisonwood Bible, The Piano Tuner, Musicophilia, Water for Elephants, Moloka'i, What My Heart Has Seen (great artwork by Tony Bennett), Principles of Violin Playing & Teaching (Ivan Galamian), latest issues of FOUND and SUN magazines
Heroes
My Dad for his magic, his music, his zest for life, and his courage and encouragement; my Mom for putting up with me while I evolved from knowing everything to knowing nothing, and for revealing what the lights in the window really meant; my husband for his good humor, for never criticizing me, and for making sure I stop to eat when things get crazy; my music teachers and my students, my mentors and my fellow musicians; my animals for all they have taught me, and all the rest of my family and friends who never cease to amaze and inspire me.
About me: I make my living with my violin, my paints and my brushes, my web design skills, and my knowledge of antiques. It's a very chaotic freelance lifestyle, but I couldn't live it any other way. If you'd like to see more of my artwork, please visit www.bigalsartgallery.com
For web design, check out www.big-alproductions.com
Who I'd like to meet: other artists and musicians; like-minded people on parallel journeys; anyone else with synesthesia
It is a great day to be alive! Thanks for including me!
What Question can I ask to empower myself and others? What new thought can I notice now to add to my creativity? How can I improve the experience of those I encounter today? What can I do to facilitate your Gift?
Yesterday Is History Tomorrow is a Mystery Today is a Gift... That's why we call it the Present
hi!! I have just come back from Taiwan where I stayed two years. Taiwan gave me much inspirations to my music. Now I will continue to compose new musics. Please, please support me. ありがとう
Glad you enjoyed the dove photo. Maybe you'll post some pic's of your also :) You must be coming into your spring/summer now. Have you started to plant anything yet? My tomatoes are coming along and some what a success. I think they could be thriving just a little more. Hope all is great in your world!
Thank you Big Al! I just posted a little blog about Mitchell's surgery. I hope this surgery will help him. He has been in a lot of pain. He has been trying very hard to do all the things he normally does, but the pain has been too much. I took your advice and took a moment for myself. I painted my dining room. Crazy, I know, but it's my therapy. :P Yes, not so relaxing. Thank you for thinking of us. Please keep Mitchell in your prayers. Hugs, :) L.
