Will The Circle Be Unbroken

In case you haven't noticed, I'm a fan of folk music. This recording brings together some of the biggest names in folk and old country music, including Johnny Cash, Emmylou Harris, Bela Fleck, Sam Bush, Mark O'Connor, and Jerry Douglas to name a few.

A Celebration of Taiwanese Cooking

Cooking can be an art too!  This video is a series of clips from "Eat Drink Man Woman," a Taiwanese film.

Nature By Numbers

Being a bit of a math geek, I couldn't help but appreciate the beautiful patterns that are showcased in this video.

The Lark Ascending: The Painting

I was also inspired by The Lark Ascending - both the poem and the violin piece.  I wanted to add my own expression, so when I had the opportunity to do a chalk painting for SparkCon, I knew exactly what my subject would be.

My concept sketch

We get started on our chalk drawing.

We were so proud of our finished product!  That's me on the left.

We drew the lark soaring high above a valley.

The Lark Ascending: The Music

Ralph Vaughan Williams wrote The Lark Ascending for violin and orchestra after being inspired by the poem of the same name by George Meredith.  Here, Janine Jansen, a Dutch violinist plays with the BBC Concert Orchestra.  Believe me, this delicate, inspiring piece is worth listening to for the whole 16 minutes.

Part 1:


Part 2:

The Lark Ascending: The Poem

This rather long poem has been a prime example of the spirit of Gesamtkunstwerk.  The poem inspired a beautiful and innovative violin concerto by Ralph Vaughan Williams.  In turn, the poem and concerto inspired me to do a chalk painting.  (Posts of the music and art coming soon)

Quotations from The Lark Ascending
by George Meredith

He rises and begins to round,
He drops the silver chain of sound
Of many links without a break,
In chirrup, whistle, slur and shake,
...
As up he wings the spiral stair,
A song of light, and pierces air
With fountain ardor, fountain play,
To reach the shining tops of day,
And drink in everything discern’d
An ecstasy to music turn’d,
Impell’d by what his happy bill
Disperses; drinking, showering still,
Unthinking save that he may give
His voice the outlet, there to live
Renew’d in endless notes of glee,
So thirsty of his voice is he,
For all to hear and all to know
That he is joy, awake, aglow,
...
For singing till his heaven fills,
’T is love of earth that he instils,
And ever winging up and up,
Our valley is his golden cup,
And he the wine which overflows
To lift us with him as he goes:
...
Was never voice of ours could say
Our inmost in the sweetest way,
Like yonder voice aloft, and link
All hearers in the song they drink
...
Read the whole poem.

America in Color

The Denver Post Photo Blog has shared a wonderful collection of photographs from 1939-1943 which capture American life from many points of view.  Country folk and factory workers are celebrated in beautiful, rich colors.

A Song for the New Year

One of my favorite bands, The Wailin Jennys has a song that seems appropriate for moving forward into a new year.  Enjoy their exquisite harmonies and lovely lyrics.