I was reading on Huffington Post about Oprah and her NOT being a lesbian. WHO CARES?! Seriously folks what is the big deal if she is or is not a lesbian. Why can’t she just be really good friends with Gayle and have it be done there. Why must we make a mountain out of this mole hill? I think it stems from the politics of Oprah being a financially independent black woman. She has thrived in her career and has had a steady eddie by her side called Steadman. But the media can’t believe she doesn’t want to get married. So of course the insinuation must be made that she is a lesbian. Really?! Just because her prime focus is not marriage and kids does not make her a lesbian. It means she just has different goals than the prescribed social standards. Oprah has gotten as far as she has in her career because she’s driven and focused. Please let the topic rest.
There are more important things to contend with like: What solutions can we come up with for the millions of people who are starving not just in third world countries but this country as well? Or how can we get clean drinkable water to the millions that go without? Or how can we stop violence not just on a community scale but on a global scale? Shouldn’t that be discussed? Don’t those issues merit more contemplation and more media coverage? I’ve heard people say how depressing the News is in the evening and I finally figured out why it’s depressing…because all these negative images fill us with hopelessness. We become so overwhelmed with the global scale of the problems BUT the media needs to start covering some of the solutions being tested and tried throughout our communities. Seriously!! People need to see what is working. It might inspire someone to help. It might give someone else an idea for another solution. We need to start building up possibilities for change.
I read about more billionaires are going to give away their wealth in the near future to charities. That’s really great but the sole responsibility does not sit on the shoulders of the rich. (Don’t get me wrong, distribution of wealth and resources are needed). However, we, as human beings, are responsible for each other and I’m not going to hold my breath and wait for the money gods to rain down some solutions when WE (all of us) can do something in our own small way. Every person from every walk of life has the ability to make changes that contributes to the well being of others and in the spirit of the holiday season I hope we all find a calling. Peace, L~
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
A Bright Day in December
Let’s see, for the past couple of days I’ve been dealing with a raging head cold. You know the kind, you’re so congested you feel like your head is made out of cotton balls and you’re submerged in water. Not fun at all. I missed a day and half of work. I’m temping so I don’t get paid if I don’t physically go into work. Hmmm. It’s fine. I mostly slept those two days and it was enough to get back on my feet by Wednesday. Well just barely.
I did manage to go to a networking social given by NYCEDC late Tuesday night, despite a mild fever. Now what the hell was I thinking? Part of me didn’t want to miss the opportunity. You never know what chance encounter will open up a new door. However, most of the time, I find myself struggling with some residual shyness. For the most part, I’m pretty outgoing but when it comes to these events you have to be ON. When I feel the pressure of being ON, I lose my words. I managed to introduce myself to a few people and get some business cards so a little high-five for me. I stayed for about an hour and a half and then this cold got the better of me. By the time I made it to the train to head home I had chills and a full-on fever. Bleck!! :-p Glad I went. I just wish I had been feeling a bit better to deal with the socializing aspect of it.
I also managed to write another 1,025 words for my novel. I know I haven’t been updating word count lately…but I haven’t been doing a whole lot of writing. There are no excuses. It’s just difficult to face the empty page every day. It really does (my eyes just popped wide open). Over the weekend I wrote a mere 500 words and felt pretty despondent over the meager word count. Yes, this is what goes on in my head, “meager word count.” It was so slow getting those 500 words that I thought to myself, “that’s it, I’m all dried up. I will never be able to finish this thing.” Then on Tuesday in a feverish state, I wrote another 1,000. Where did that come from? I don’t know but the prospect of not writing and finishing is a lot more painful than facing the empty page. So I choose the lesser of two evils. Gosh, what the hell am I prattling on about? Don’t I have work to do or something? (looking over my shoulder.) Aww heck, I can spare a moment or two to continue with this entry. These blog entries keep me grounded when I’m feeling a bit lost.
This morning, I walked out of my house to find a small group of starlings picking over my neighbor’s garbage (He has pet birds and plenty of bird seed in his garbage apparently). Now on most days it would be no big deal, right? But today, they were being loud and aggressive as they fought over the seeds and I clapped my hands loudly to get them to fly away. I tell you, hand to G*d, they just looked at me and then went back to squawking at each other. It made me laugh out loud, which then actually scared them away. Nice! Anyway, thought that little moment was made to be written down.
All for now…
Have a great day. It’s a bright, bitter cold day in NYC…you gotta love winter.
L~
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
I did manage to go to a networking social given by NYCEDC late Tuesday night, despite a mild fever. Now what the hell was I thinking? Part of me didn’t want to miss the opportunity. You never know what chance encounter will open up a new door. However, most of the time, I find myself struggling with some residual shyness. For the most part, I’m pretty outgoing but when it comes to these events you have to be ON. When I feel the pressure of being ON, I lose my words. I managed to introduce myself to a few people and get some business cards so a little high-five for me. I stayed for about an hour and a half and then this cold got the better of me. By the time I made it to the train to head home I had chills and a full-on fever. Bleck!! :-p Glad I went. I just wish I had been feeling a bit better to deal with the socializing aspect of it.
I also managed to write another 1,025 words for my novel. I know I haven’t been updating word count lately…but I haven’t been doing a whole lot of writing. There are no excuses. It’s just difficult to face the empty page every day. It really does (my eyes just popped wide open). Over the weekend I wrote a mere 500 words and felt pretty despondent over the meager word count. Yes, this is what goes on in my head, “meager word count.” It was so slow getting those 500 words that I thought to myself, “that’s it, I’m all dried up. I will never be able to finish this thing.” Then on Tuesday in a feverish state, I wrote another 1,000. Where did that come from? I don’t know but the prospect of not writing and finishing is a lot more painful than facing the empty page. So I choose the lesser of two evils. Gosh, what the hell am I prattling on about? Don’t I have work to do or something? (looking over my shoulder.) Aww heck, I can spare a moment or two to continue with this entry. These blog entries keep me grounded when I’m feeling a bit lost.
This morning, I walked out of my house to find a small group of starlings picking over my neighbor’s garbage (He has pet birds and plenty of bird seed in his garbage apparently). Now on most days it would be no big deal, right? But today, they were being loud and aggressive as they fought over the seeds and I clapped my hands loudly to get them to fly away. I tell you, hand to G*d, they just looked at me and then went back to squawking at each other. It made me laugh out loud, which then actually scared them away. Nice! Anyway, thought that little moment was made to be written down.
All for now…
Have a great day. It’s a bright, bitter cold day in NYC…you gotta love winter.
L~
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
Friday, December 3, 2010
fickle lover
I was a bit reluctant to do the reading last Monday night. You see my relationship with playwriting has changed so much in the past couple of years, I just thought why put time into this particular reading when I am so far from being a playwright these days. My sister and my friends encouraged me to just do it. It got me moving pretty quickly, I was able to wrangle up some actresses to play each of the parts, (thank you Rosanna Plasencia, Maria Rivera and Vicky) and it was great fun. Lots of wonderful, positive feedback afterwards. Even time to talk to other writers and talent during intermission.
I also heard great material from other playwrights at this event. Amy Fox’s piece really had me laughing as did James Armstrong’s piece. It’s lovely when you have the right combination of language and actors bringing your piece alive. I wrote earlier this year that I was putting aside playwriting so that I could work on other projects…after Monday night…I’m in love again. God, I love theater. I love when it works, I’m even amused when it doesn’t. Every time I think I’ve left it for good, I get drawn back in. I even came away with some ideas for possible future projects.
I’m smiling as I write these words because I’m sure I will work on my next play and be in tears when it doesn’t work. Be so frustrated with it I could spit nails. Yes, the act of writing plays has me in tears at times. I tell you it’s a love/hate affair. We have not been able to come to some common ground yet. I know I’m a control freak. I want the piece to be as beautiful in life as it is in my head. Alas, somewhere between my head and the paper it just kind of falls apart. Again, I laugh.
I’m still working on my novel, slowly but surely the words are coming out but I need to spend more time with it. This weekend will be some much needed quiet time to work on the story. I keep stopping myself because I want to bend the story a certain way and the inner voice is saying, “heck no!” It has its own story to tell so I guess I just need to allow it to come out.
Our words come to life…now that is sweetness. The love affair is far from over as I’ve jotted some ideas on the back of my script. The scratch, scratch, scratch of the next idea emerging. Mmmm.
If you would like to check out the plays, pick up a copy of Best American Short Plays 2006-2007 from Applause Theatre and Cinema Books.
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
I also heard great material from other playwrights at this event. Amy Fox’s piece really had me laughing as did James Armstrong’s piece. It’s lovely when you have the right combination of language and actors bringing your piece alive. I wrote earlier this year that I was putting aside playwriting so that I could work on other projects…after Monday night…I’m in love again. God, I love theater. I love when it works, I’m even amused when it doesn’t. Every time I think I’ve left it for good, I get drawn back in. I even came away with some ideas for possible future projects.
I’m smiling as I write these words because I’m sure I will work on my next play and be in tears when it doesn’t work. Be so frustrated with it I could spit nails. Yes, the act of writing plays has me in tears at times. I tell you it’s a love/hate affair. We have not been able to come to some common ground yet. I know I’m a control freak. I want the piece to be as beautiful in life as it is in my head. Alas, somewhere between my head and the paper it just kind of falls apart. Again, I laugh.
I’m still working on my novel, slowly but surely the words are coming out but I need to spend more time with it. This weekend will be some much needed quiet time to work on the story. I keep stopping myself because I want to bend the story a certain way and the inner voice is saying, “heck no!” It has its own story to tell so I guess I just need to allow it to come out.
Our words come to life…now that is sweetness. The love affair is far from over as I’ve jotted some ideas on the back of my script. The scratch, scratch, scratch of the next idea emerging. Mmmm.
If you would like to check out the plays, pick up a copy of Best American Short Plays 2006-2007 from Applause Theatre and Cinema Books.
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Book Party and Reading
Hi folks,
I wanted to share an upcoming event happening next Monday, 11/29 at 7 pm.
Please join us.
Best,
Liliana Almendarez
Details below:
**************************
Applause Theatre & Cinema Books will be hosting a celebration of:
Best American Short Plays 2006-2007 and 2008-2009
Nuyorican Poets Café, 236 E. 3rd St. btwn. Ave B & C in NYC
Monday, November 29th at 7-10 pm
The following playwrights will present excerpts from their plays:
Zilvinas Jonusas, Amy Fox, Adam Kraar, Jeni Mahoney, Victor Gluck, Mike Pasternack, Jules Tasca, Rick Pulos, Joe Salvatore, Carey Lovelace, Eric Lane, Liliana Almendarez, James Armstrong, and Murray Schisgal.
There will be a $5 cover charge, which may go towards the purchase of a BASP anthology.
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Big Shout Outs...
First off, I want to thank folks who came to the last couple of readings at the Bowery Poetry Club and Launchpad. I appreciate the support and the friendly faces in the audience. For anyone who couldn’t make it, there will be plenty of opportunities in the near future so stay tuned.
Secondly, I want to give a big shout out to Stacie T. from Twigs Salon (East 11th St.) for taming my wild frizzy mess with a fabu hair cut. My hair still looks AMAZING!!
Special thanks to New York Foundation for the Arts for the wonderful arts festival this month and to Peter Cobb and all the volunteers for making it happen. Check out this site for more upcoming events. (http://nyfabootcampfestival.wordpress.com/) I heard there will be more film and performance arts events in the near future, so stay tuned for that as well. We have some amazing creative artists so don’t miss out.
************************************************************************
It’s been an amazing month and it’s far from over. We are a little past the half way point and I’ve done a couple of readings to promote my book, A Scorched Page. (http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/a-scorched-page/10798320?productTrackingContext=search_results/search_shelf/center/2)
Can I tell you how much I love doing these reading? Seriously, putting work out to a new audience is amazing. It revs me up and leaves me buzzing, a natural high from the experience. After Launchpad’s reading, I walked from Grand Army Plaza to my house, just to expend some of that energy. Otherwise, I would never get to sleep.
I’m still working on my novel. Last night I managed to write 558 more words. Mind you, my inner critic think it’s all crap. I was starting to get hard on myself for not writing more BUT…TA-TA-DAH Tony swoops in with a great little article about how a full time working writer wrote 225 words and isn’t it cool that I wrote more. How does he manage to do that? Good friends really know what we need when our spirits are flagging. I had taken a break of about 5 days from working on my novel…and that break was too long. In that time, I managed to ALMOST convince myself that I was never going to finish this story. But on Sunday, I couldn’t let my negative speak win, I sat down and wrote almost 1,000 words…I think it was 989 words. It felt like good honest work.
The thing is every time I sit down to write, I have no idea what’s going to come out. I look at the last sentence I wrote the day before and I try to keep following that thread. It’s intuitive. But when I am not in front of the work, this control freak part of my brain wants to know where the story is going. When I find that I can’t answer that question, I struggle with the legitimacy of the work. It’s crazy, I know. Despite the work that I have already accomplished, published, produced, I still have these self-doubts that impede my way. However, I’m finding it easier and easier to navigate my way around them without it completely stopping me.
What helps? Creative meetings with Tony and checking in with him throughout the day. He helps keep me focused on the task at hand and reminds me to be gentle with myself when I am being a hard task master.
Going to see other people’s creative work: I’ve managed to see some dance performances, some plays, some live music, some readings these past couple of weeks and seeing another artist in the midst of their creative process is inspiring. I don’t want to talk about pieces being good or bad because most of the time they are works-in-progress. They might still be working out the kinks. Last night, I managed to endure a 60 minute off-Broadway play. But I managed to glean from it some interesting aspects, the soundscape and video mediums were really exciting in the first ten minutes of the piece. The mixture of the new media was gorgeous. And then the characters started talking and the piece just grated on my nerves. My sister and I ran from the theater afterwards. If it weren’t for the two older audience members asleep in our aisle, I think we would have walked out in the first 20 minutes. Creative work is still work to be experienced. I would rather experience more work that excited me though. Hehehe. So I’m crossing my fingers that tonight’s music performance at Iridium Lounge will go better than last night. Here’s to hoping.
Last thing to help my self-doubt is to continue to write, work on the creative elements. Nothing shuts up my critic faster than sitting down and putting one word in front of the other. It doesn’t have to be good, or polished, or a masterpiece. Hell, sometimes it doesn’t even have to make sense. I’ll sort out sense in my editing process. Right now, I’m just trying to reach 300 pages of text. I think I’m 40 pages in. I hope to finish this first draft by the end of December.
All for now…
L~
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
Secondly, I want to give a big shout out to Stacie T. from Twigs Salon (East 11th St.) for taming my wild frizzy mess with a fabu hair cut. My hair still looks AMAZING!!
Special thanks to New York Foundation for the Arts for the wonderful arts festival this month and to Peter Cobb and all the volunteers for making it happen. Check out this site for more upcoming events. (http://nyfabootcampfestival.wordpress.com/) I heard there will be more film and performance arts events in the near future, so stay tuned for that as well. We have some amazing creative artists so don’t miss out.
************************************************************************
It’s been an amazing month and it’s far from over. We are a little past the half way point and I’ve done a couple of readings to promote my book, A Scorched Page. (http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/a-scorched-page/10798320?productTrackingContext=search_results/search_shelf/center/2)
Can I tell you how much I love doing these reading? Seriously, putting work out to a new audience is amazing. It revs me up and leaves me buzzing, a natural high from the experience. After Launchpad’s reading, I walked from Grand Army Plaza to my house, just to expend some of that energy. Otherwise, I would never get to sleep.
I’m still working on my novel. Last night I managed to write 558 more words. Mind you, my inner critic think it’s all crap. I was starting to get hard on myself for not writing more BUT…TA-TA-DAH Tony swoops in with a great little article about how a full time working writer wrote 225 words and isn’t it cool that I wrote more. How does he manage to do that? Good friends really know what we need when our spirits are flagging. I had taken a break of about 5 days from working on my novel…and that break was too long. In that time, I managed to ALMOST convince myself that I was never going to finish this story. But on Sunday, I couldn’t let my negative speak win, I sat down and wrote almost 1,000 words…I think it was 989 words. It felt like good honest work.
The thing is every time I sit down to write, I have no idea what’s going to come out. I look at the last sentence I wrote the day before and I try to keep following that thread. It’s intuitive. But when I am not in front of the work, this control freak part of my brain wants to know where the story is going. When I find that I can’t answer that question, I struggle with the legitimacy of the work. It’s crazy, I know. Despite the work that I have already accomplished, published, produced, I still have these self-doubts that impede my way. However, I’m finding it easier and easier to navigate my way around them without it completely stopping me.
What helps? Creative meetings with Tony and checking in with him throughout the day. He helps keep me focused on the task at hand and reminds me to be gentle with myself when I am being a hard task master.
Going to see other people’s creative work: I’ve managed to see some dance performances, some plays, some live music, some readings these past couple of weeks and seeing another artist in the midst of their creative process is inspiring. I don’t want to talk about pieces being good or bad because most of the time they are works-in-progress. They might still be working out the kinks. Last night, I managed to endure a 60 minute off-Broadway play. But I managed to glean from it some interesting aspects, the soundscape and video mediums were really exciting in the first ten minutes of the piece. The mixture of the new media was gorgeous. And then the characters started talking and the piece just grated on my nerves. My sister and I ran from the theater afterwards. If it weren’t for the two older audience members asleep in our aisle, I think we would have walked out in the first 20 minutes. Creative work is still work to be experienced. I would rather experience more work that excited me though. Hehehe. So I’m crossing my fingers that tonight’s music performance at Iridium Lounge will go better than last night. Here’s to hoping.
Last thing to help my self-doubt is to continue to write, work on the creative elements. Nothing shuts up my critic faster than sitting down and putting one word in front of the other. It doesn’t have to be good, or polished, or a masterpiece. Hell, sometimes it doesn’t even have to make sense. I’ll sort out sense in my editing process. Right now, I’m just trying to reach 300 pages of text. I think I’m 40 pages in. I hope to finish this first draft by the end of December.
All for now…
L~
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Launchpad Reading on Sat. 11/13 @ 7pm
NEW YORK FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS BOOT CAMP ARTS FESTIVAL
Artist Highlights: Liliana Almendarez, Wanda Phipps, Kate Kirtz, Ryan Murdock, and Stephanie SpanglerNovember 13, 2010 at 7pm
LaunchPad ( http://brooklynlaunchpad.org/ )
721 Franklin Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11238, FREE!!!A night of poetry reading, musical performances, and a film screening. Reading by Liliana Almendarez, Wanda Phipps (accompanied by guitarist Stephen B. Antonakos), and Kate Kirtz. Short film screening by Ryan Murdock. Musical performance by Stephanie Spangler.
You can see the full schedule of events here (http://nyfabootcampfestival.wordpress.com/schedule/)
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Rambling
I am distracted today. It’s a mild day and I’d rather be almost anywhere else. I’m sitting in a corporate office, navel-gazing. I just went for a quick walk outside and bought myself a decadent latte. Whatever hasn’t spilled onto my black trench is being slowly sipped, savored.
The writing has been going…on Monday night I added another 860 words to my novel. Word count keeps me moving forward. Last night, I couldn’t bear the quiet nor the blank page so I ran from it, curled myself on the couch and read Stephen King’s latest book, Full Dark, No Stars. It’s a collection of short stories. I don’t know what I think of it yet since I’m only half way through the first story. I’ll write more about it when I’ve read more.
Another sip of bitter coffee. I want to gripe and complain about someone but I’m a bit tired of doing that. I’m staring at my scuffed up black sneakers…it’s time for a pair of new shoes. My cat has gnawed the leather off the backs of the ones I’m wearing. Maybe not the best choice in footwear but I woke up very late this morning, 7:36 am. They were the closest to the front door and easiest to slip on. I hauled ass as quickly as my stubby legs could take me. I managed to be only five minutes late.
I despise being late. There is something in my hardwiring that makes sure I arrive promptly with time to spare. Even when I try to be late for an event, I still manage to be the first one to arrive. I’m wound up tight. Can’t help it. Something in the genetic make-up. My dad is the same way.
I’m looking at the calendar. We have 20 days left before the end of November. I’m thinking about Christmas shopping for my three young nieces. The oldest is in dire need of some art supplies. The two younger ones want every girlie toy they see on commercials. My folks are always hard to shop for…there are just so many watches I can buy my dad. Oh!! And his birthday is this month too. Yikes. I need to make an effort to come up with a decent gift. Sorry, I know this is a bit of a rambling blog but my brain seems to be mired in the minutia of the every day. I’d really like to get some small gifts for everyone before December arrives. I just know once the holiday is in full gear, I won’t want to bother. I don’t really like the shopping crush that happens. Bah-Humbug!
Anyway, that’s all she wrote today…I’m going back to staring out the window.
L~
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
The writing has been going…on Monday night I added another 860 words to my novel. Word count keeps me moving forward. Last night, I couldn’t bear the quiet nor the blank page so I ran from it, curled myself on the couch and read Stephen King’s latest book, Full Dark, No Stars. It’s a collection of short stories. I don’t know what I think of it yet since I’m only half way through the first story. I’ll write more about it when I’ve read more.
Another sip of bitter coffee. I want to gripe and complain about someone but I’m a bit tired of doing that. I’m staring at my scuffed up black sneakers…it’s time for a pair of new shoes. My cat has gnawed the leather off the backs of the ones I’m wearing. Maybe not the best choice in footwear but I woke up very late this morning, 7:36 am. They were the closest to the front door and easiest to slip on. I hauled ass as quickly as my stubby legs could take me. I managed to be only five minutes late.
I despise being late. There is something in my hardwiring that makes sure I arrive promptly with time to spare. Even when I try to be late for an event, I still manage to be the first one to arrive. I’m wound up tight. Can’t help it. Something in the genetic make-up. My dad is the same way.
I’m looking at the calendar. We have 20 days left before the end of November. I’m thinking about Christmas shopping for my three young nieces. The oldest is in dire need of some art supplies. The two younger ones want every girlie toy they see on commercials. My folks are always hard to shop for…there are just so many watches I can buy my dad. Oh!! And his birthday is this month too. Yikes. I need to make an effort to come up with a decent gift. Sorry, I know this is a bit of a rambling blog but my brain seems to be mired in the minutia of the every day. I’d really like to get some small gifts for everyone before December arrives. I just know once the holiday is in full gear, I won’t want to bother. I don’t really like the shopping crush that happens. Bah-Humbug!
Anyway, that’s all she wrote today…I’m going back to staring out the window.
L~
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
Monday, November 8, 2010
PERFORMANCE: “Words, Music and Moving Pictures”
PERFORMANCE: “Words, Music and Moving Pictures”
Sat, Nov 13, 7:00pm; FREE, tickets at door
Location: Launchpad, 721 Franklin Ave, Bklyn
Subways: 2/3/4/5 to Franklin Ave; C to Franklin Ave
Three NYFA Artist as Entrepreneur Boot Camp graduates present their work: Documentarian and multimedia artist Ryan Murdock presents “Project: Butte, America,” a multimedia essay about Butte’s mining past and its questionable legacy. Playing the role of a subjective tour guide, Murdock narrates this combination folk-history-and-cautionary tale to live music.
Poets Liliana Almendarez and Wanda Phipps read from their work. Almendarez offers both new poems and pieces from her book, A Scorched Page (lulu.com); Phipps reads from Wake-Up Calls: 66 Morning Poems (Soft Skull Press), Field of Wanting: Poems of Desire (BlazeVOX[books]) and Silent Picture Recognize the World, a collection-in-process. Stephen B. Antonakos, a frequent collaborator, accompanies her with original compositions performed on the guitar.
******
Hey folks,
Friday’s reading at Bowery Poetry Club had a sweet turn out. Thank you to all who attended. I told my sister Vick afterwards, there is always a moment during a reading when I can hear people intently listening to my words. I love the reciprocal nature of a reading where I get immediate “feedback” after sharing my work. It’s amazing to put this work out to a new audience.
Next reading is at Launchpad in Brooklyn, on Saturday at 7 pm.
Best,
Lily~
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
Sat, Nov 13, 7:00pm; FREE, tickets at door
Location: Launchpad, 721 Franklin Ave, Bklyn
Subways: 2/3/4/5 to Franklin Ave; C to Franklin Ave
Three NYFA Artist as Entrepreneur Boot Camp graduates present their work: Documentarian and multimedia artist Ryan Murdock presents “Project: Butte, America,” a multimedia essay about Butte’s mining past and its questionable legacy. Playing the role of a subjective tour guide, Murdock narrates this combination folk-history-and-cautionary tale to live music.
Poets Liliana Almendarez and Wanda Phipps read from their work. Almendarez offers both new poems and pieces from her book, A Scorched Page (lulu.com); Phipps reads from Wake-Up Calls: 66 Morning Poems (Soft Skull Press), Field of Wanting: Poems of Desire (BlazeVOX[books]) and Silent Picture Recognize the World, a collection-in-process. Stephen B. Antonakos, a frequent collaborator, accompanies her with original compositions performed on the guitar.
******
Hey folks,
Friday’s reading at Bowery Poetry Club had a sweet turn out. Thank you to all who attended. I told my sister Vick afterwards, there is always a moment during a reading when I can hear people intently listening to my words. I love the reciprocal nature of a reading where I get immediate “feedback” after sharing my work. It’s amazing to put this work out to a new audience.
Next reading is at Launchpad in Brooklyn, on Saturday at 7 pm.
Best,
Lily~
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
I fully admit that for a good long while there I was “a bit” of a tormented writer working on my play. I see that perfectly clear right now. I finally let go of the death grip I’ve had on trying to complete the play and now I’m working on my very first science fiction novel. The tormented writer is gone and I’ve been enjoying the writing process again. Yep, you read that right…I’m actually enjoying the process. Let me say it again for the back row to hear it…I really love sitting down and writing again.
No more hemming and hawing, pacing in front of my computer trying to convince myself to sit in the chair and write. Instead, I’ve been sneaking a note here, a paragraph there, 1,000 words one day, 500 words the next and it’s coming along. The story is very rough but I know it’s a first draft. The story just needs to come out first. No holds bar. I won’t even go into what it’s about yet ‘cause it’s still in the newbie phase.
In fact, that’s one of the reasons I haven’t written on my blog more consistently. Working on this story, well it’s got me working…no drama, no pitching small fits over not knowing what to do next. I just sit there and I follow the story thread. That’s it. On most days, I really enjoy it.
So what has me doing this complete 180? I’ve been reading Stephen King’s book, On Writing and his words pried open and let some fresh air into this writer’s suffocating room. It’s shaken out the fearful writer and given me a good talking to. Now every night after work, I go home, eat some dinner and then try to hit a goal of 2,000 words. I haven’t quite made that goal yet but I’ve come close with 1,700 words one night earlier this week. Then I have a feeling of satisfaction like nothing else. The reality is I don’t know if what I’m writing is even any good but at this point in the process it doesn’t even matter. I think I’m finally hitting my stride. Thank goodness, I thought for sure I would have to come up with a plan B before I opened King’s book up. Screw Plan B, I’m going home to write.
P.S. Reading happening on Friday...check out 10.23 entry for details. Peace
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
No more hemming and hawing, pacing in front of my computer trying to convince myself to sit in the chair and write. Instead, I’ve been sneaking a note here, a paragraph there, 1,000 words one day, 500 words the next and it’s coming along. The story is very rough but I know it’s a first draft. The story just needs to come out first. No holds bar. I won’t even go into what it’s about yet ‘cause it’s still in the newbie phase.
In fact, that’s one of the reasons I haven’t written on my blog more consistently. Working on this story, well it’s got me working…no drama, no pitching small fits over not knowing what to do next. I just sit there and I follow the story thread. That’s it. On most days, I really enjoy it.
So what has me doing this complete 180? I’ve been reading Stephen King’s book, On Writing and his words pried open and let some fresh air into this writer’s suffocating room. It’s shaken out the fearful writer and given me a good talking to. Now every night after work, I go home, eat some dinner and then try to hit a goal of 2,000 words. I haven’t quite made that goal yet but I’ve come close with 1,700 words one night earlier this week. Then I have a feeling of satisfaction like nothing else. The reality is I don’t know if what I’m writing is even any good but at this point in the process it doesn’t even matter. I think I’m finally hitting my stride. Thank goodness, I thought for sure I would have to come up with a plan B before I opened King’s book up. Screw Plan B, I’m going home to write.
P.S. Reading happening on Friday...check out 10.23 entry for details. Peace
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Serenity Now!!!
I went and walked around a bit for lunch. It’s a mild sunny day but I didn’t go very far, Times Square is packed with tourists today.* sigh * Yes, I know they are good for the economy of New York City but must they all stand in large groups of clustered walls. I am developing a new dash and slide walking method to get through the throngs of people. It just doesn’t make for a relaxing walk. Since I only had 30 minutes…I was out there just long enough to get some air, grab a quick sandwich and go back to the office. I really miss smoking, on days like this I really want one.
Anyhoo, as I was walking back to the office a woman passed me in a blue polka dot dress and Durango boots. It was a cute look, the dainty feminine dress juxtaposed against the squared toe boots. A flight of fancy and she seemed to be pulling it off as she took long strides down the street carrying with her a lime green messenger bag. She was not shy about color or making a statement. If I wore that same outfit, I don’t think I could pull it off. You have to have a certain bravado and carefree air about you to do that and get away with it. Even if I wasn’t working at a finance company, I know my tendency is plain jane black and grey clothing. Occasionally, I will have a moment of wanting color with some crazy pattern. I digress, I went off on this tangent and now I don’t know what my point is.
Ah yes, a walk around Times Square is neither relaxing nor much for clearing the cobwebs. Instead, it puts me in a bit of a bad mood. I came back grumpier than when I left. So much for getting some air. I think I may have to come up with a Holo-Band to escape for awhile. For all those Caprica fans…you know what I mean.
Peace,
L~
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
Anyhoo, as I was walking back to the office a woman passed me in a blue polka dot dress and Durango boots. It was a cute look, the dainty feminine dress juxtaposed against the squared toe boots. A flight of fancy and she seemed to be pulling it off as she took long strides down the street carrying with her a lime green messenger bag. She was not shy about color or making a statement. If I wore that same outfit, I don’t think I could pull it off. You have to have a certain bravado and carefree air about you to do that and get away with it. Even if I wasn’t working at a finance company, I know my tendency is plain jane black and grey clothing. Occasionally, I will have a moment of wanting color with some crazy pattern. I digress, I went off on this tangent and now I don’t know what my point is.
Ah yes, a walk around Times Square is neither relaxing nor much for clearing the cobwebs. Instead, it puts me in a bit of a bad mood. I came back grumpier than when I left. So much for getting some air. I think I may have to come up with a Holo-Band to escape for awhile. For all those Caprica fans…you know what I mean.
Peace,
L~
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Upcoming Readings
Hi folks,
I'm doing a couple of readings, November 5th and 13th as part of the New York Foundation for the Arts Boot Camp Arts Festival. If you are in NYC, I hope you can drop by one of the readings (details below)--will be great to see you there.
You can see the full schedule of events here: (http://nyfabootcampfestival.wordpress.com/schedule/)
NEW YORK FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS BOOT CAMP ARTS FESTIVAL
In Abundance: Poetry Reading Featuring Liliana Almendarez and Wanda PhippsNovember 5, 2010 at 6-7pm
The Bowery Poetry Club ( http://www.bowerypoetry.com/#Event/95992 )
308 Bowery
New York, NY 10012
Tickets $5 at the door.
Liliana will be reading from her book of poetry, A Scorched Page. She will read from some of her new work as well. Her poems are inspired by nature and every day life. From folks waiting for a train to the birds that fly past her backyard, to the memories that sneak up on a quiet afternoon, they are all fair game for inspiration.
Wanda will read from her two books: Wake-Up Calls: 66 Morning Poems and Field of Wanting: Poems of Desire as well as the new work, Silent Pictures Recognize the World,written in response to static photographic images which mutate in writing into film noir scenes and dark romances. Stephen B. Antonakos will accompany her on guitar with tonal equivalents to the poems. Her work honors dailiness, the details of the personal, as well as the ecstasy of randomness that brings us all together.
and
Artist Highlights: Liliana Almendarez, Wanda Phipps, Kate Kirtz, Ryan Murdock, and Gretchen Farrar
November 13, 2010 at 7pm
LaunchPad ( http://brooklynlaunchpad.org/ )
721 Franklin Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11238, FREE!!!
LaunchPad ( http://brooklynlaunchpad.org/ )
721 Franklin Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11238, FREE!!!
A night of poetry reading, musical performances, and a film screening. Reading by Liliana Almendarez, Wanda Phipps (accompanied by guitarist Stephen B. Antonakos), and Kate Kirtz. Short film screening by Ryan Murdock. Musical performance by Gretchen Farrar.
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
Today I am super duper grateful for my support system. :-) Last night, my writing group met and we discussed writing. Lots of constructive feedback is good to hear. Then Christine and I went to dinner and chatted a bit longer about what we’re struggling with in terms of writing. She suggested I put aside the play and work on my sci-fi story that has been bubbling up for me. Mind you, Tony has been saying the same thing but I couldn’t hear him. I was stubbornly trying to push through this brick wall. Anyway, the suggestion made a huge difference because I woke up this morning motivated. So as I put to wash 5 loads of laundry, I am also going to spend the day putting the word out on some upcoming readings and taking some quiet time to write. Those are my top two priorities everything else I get accomplished will be gravy. Wish me luck~
It's now 1:25 pm in the afternoon and I spent the morning writing. My eyes are sparkling. I wrote up the first five pages to my very first sci-fi novel. It's a rough first draft but it's exciting. I also managed to finish three loads of laundry. Two more to go and I'll be done with that as well. I could keep going with the story BUT I need some lunch and finish up some other things. YAY!!!
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
It's now 1:25 pm in the afternoon and I spent the morning writing. My eyes are sparkling. I wrote up the first five pages to my very first sci-fi novel. It's a rough first draft but it's exciting. I also managed to finish three loads of laundry. Two more to go and I'll be done with that as well. I could keep going with the story BUT I need some lunch and finish up some other things. YAY!!!
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Anybody want to buy me a winning lottery ticket?
Today, I’m in a bit of a foul mood. I’m off my game and I can’t quite get back on track. My writing has been off…mostly because I haven’t been getting up early enough to do it. However, I’m feeling overwhelmed (with life/career/writing) and under motivated to make much headway in that realm. I could blame it on the grey days, severing ties with my ex, mild migraines but the reality is that I’m just feeling down and grey myself. It’s too easy to begin a long litany of complaints but what’s the use in that. It does nothing but allow me to spin my wheels for a spell.
I feel antsy, like I have one foot out the door but I have no idea where I’m going. I have a couple of readings coming up at the Bowery Poetry Club and at Launchpad. I’ll send out specifics this weekend. Just need to sit in front of my computer and post it. Eeek!!
I also have some work to do to find some actresses for a 10-minute reading of my play for a showcase at the end of November. Just might poke some friends to help me it.
The job I currently have pays the bills but I miss having time for the creative work. You’re damned if you do and you’re damned if you don’t. I know weeks ago I was griping about worrying over money. Now that I have the job, now I’m vexed over lack of time to write * rolling my eyes *. Did I tell you? I bought a little purple African violet for my desk…the poor thing…the environment is too cold for it…it’s getting leggy and the leaves are curling and the little purple buds are fading fast. I may take her home soon.
This past weekend, I was in Boston for the New England Comic Con convention. *Yep, waving my freak flag*. It was cool, I got a chance to see James Marsten and Amber Benson during a Q&A session. I missed hearing Charisma Carpenter speak but que se va hacer. Also Obama was in town and happened to speak at the same convention center. Secret Service gave me the heebie jeebies but that’s just another tangent. Anyway, the weekend was okay but I could feel myself thinking I was wasting time with this distraction. I am impatient and want to make a much needed leap in my creative career. What that looks like…how that will manifest itself…I don’t know yet. Despite the upcoming readings…I just feel like I’m not doing enough, working hard enough, making enough work...writing enough. I feel hard pressed for time and the pressure keeps mounting. Even as I write this...I could feel tightness in my throat. I just drank a bit of hibiscus tea to help with that. God! I love the taste of that tea.
Anyway, I am staring out the window overlooking Times Square and I know I really want to leave New York City and start over somewhere else. I wish it could be in Barcelona or Trieste…away from the States. God! At this point even Montreal or Toronto will do. I’ve been thinking about Vermont as a possibility as well. I just want to live a simple life, work on my art and writing, get rid of my student loans to free up some cash to travel. I still want to go to Paris, Greece, Morocco, and the list goes on but I feel held back from those possibilities at the moment. And I know it’s me, I feel the limitations of that reality right now. I seem to be closed off to the possibilities because my scope / world view is so narrow at the moment. I can’t get past the basic idea of paying bills and staying afloat. I’m just really tired of doggie paddling my way through this career. Anybody want to buy me a winning lottery ticket?
This is where I am today. I hope this feeling will pass. Look at that…the sun is peeking out.
L~
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
I feel antsy, like I have one foot out the door but I have no idea where I’m going. I have a couple of readings coming up at the Bowery Poetry Club and at Launchpad. I’ll send out specifics this weekend. Just need to sit in front of my computer and post it. Eeek!!
I also have some work to do to find some actresses for a 10-minute reading of my play for a showcase at the end of November. Just might poke some friends to help me it.
The job I currently have pays the bills but I miss having time for the creative work. You’re damned if you do and you’re damned if you don’t. I know weeks ago I was griping about worrying over money. Now that I have the job, now I’m vexed over lack of time to write * rolling my eyes *. Did I tell you? I bought a little purple African violet for my desk…the poor thing…the environment is too cold for it…it’s getting leggy and the leaves are curling and the little purple buds are fading fast. I may take her home soon.
This past weekend, I was in Boston for the New England Comic Con convention. *Yep, waving my freak flag*. It was cool, I got a chance to see James Marsten and Amber Benson during a Q&A session. I missed hearing Charisma Carpenter speak but que se va hacer. Also Obama was in town and happened to speak at the same convention center. Secret Service gave me the heebie jeebies but that’s just another tangent. Anyway, the weekend was okay but I could feel myself thinking I was wasting time with this distraction. I am impatient and want to make a much needed leap in my creative career. What that looks like…how that will manifest itself…I don’t know yet. Despite the upcoming readings…I just feel like I’m not doing enough, working hard enough, making enough work...writing enough. I feel hard pressed for time and the pressure keeps mounting. Even as I write this...I could feel tightness in my throat. I just drank a bit of hibiscus tea to help with that. God! I love the taste of that tea.
Anyway, I am staring out the window overlooking Times Square and I know I really want to leave New York City and start over somewhere else. I wish it could be in Barcelona or Trieste…away from the States. God! At this point even Montreal or Toronto will do. I’ve been thinking about Vermont as a possibility as well. I just want to live a simple life, work on my art and writing, get rid of my student loans to free up some cash to travel. I still want to go to Paris, Greece, Morocco, and the list goes on but I feel held back from those possibilities at the moment. And I know it’s me, I feel the limitations of that reality right now. I seem to be closed off to the possibilities because my scope / world view is so narrow at the moment. I can’t get past the basic idea of paying bills and staying afloat. I’m just really tired of doggie paddling my way through this career. Anybody want to buy me a winning lottery ticket?
This is where I am today. I hope this feeling will pass. Look at that…the sun is peeking out.
L~
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Another Day, Another Dollar (pronounced dolla')
Let’s see today I did NOT wake up at 5:30 am. Hell, I’m lucky I dragged my butt out of bed today by 7:20 am. I was up late last night watching last season’s episodes of Dexter with Bleu. I meant to only watch one episode and watch another one the next day etc etc. Instead, I watched 3.5 hours worth of episodes. Although, I have to admit that sleeping in felt like a luxury. Seven whole hours, what bliss.
I have to say that the drama keeps playing out in my head. My brain keeps moving around the problems that I know are staring back at me every time I face the page. It’s disconcerting. And I think I may have come up with a tiny solution for one part of the next scene…having some time on my hands in the office, I worked on the scene, wrote up 4 new pages for the next part, and I’m still mulling over what comes next. You see, the 4 new pages is taking the story down the rabbit hole. Where it’s going nobody knows, not even the writer. Again, disconcerting.
This is where I admit what a control freak I am. I really am. Can’t help it. It comes from being the oldest sibling, I think. I’ve been holding on so tight to the story line that I’ve had a hard time letting go of some sequence of events. There are just these moments that I absolutely LOVE now that they are written…I have a hard time changing them/letting them go. Seriously, I wouldn’t be struggling so much with it if I’d just let it flow. If I could be a bit more Zen about it and just stop trying to pin everything down, carve it into stone. What a hard, hard lesson for me. Hehehe. As you can tell, I’m not feeling morose and self-pitying about it…it feels good to be working through this process. I’m learning something new about my craft and about the way I move through a piece of work. Who knows, this play might turn out to be the biggest piece of crap I ever wrote…but at least I’m writing. Usually, I let my self-doubt stop me from making any progress on either the work or the craft. So yay for now!
Today it’s a bright crisp day and life is good ‘cause I’m writing. Peace~
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
I have to say that the drama keeps playing out in my head. My brain keeps moving around the problems that I know are staring back at me every time I face the page. It’s disconcerting. And I think I may have come up with a tiny solution for one part of the next scene…having some time on my hands in the office, I worked on the scene, wrote up 4 new pages for the next part, and I’m still mulling over what comes next. You see, the 4 new pages is taking the story down the rabbit hole. Where it’s going nobody knows, not even the writer. Again, disconcerting.
This is where I admit what a control freak I am. I really am. Can’t help it. It comes from being the oldest sibling, I think. I’ve been holding on so tight to the story line that I’ve had a hard time letting go of some sequence of events. There are just these moments that I absolutely LOVE now that they are written…I have a hard time changing them/letting them go. Seriously, I wouldn’t be struggling so much with it if I’d just let it flow. If I could be a bit more Zen about it and just stop trying to pin everything down, carve it into stone. What a hard, hard lesson for me. Hehehe. As you can tell, I’m not feeling morose and self-pitying about it…it feels good to be working through this process. I’m learning something new about my craft and about the way I move through a piece of work. Who knows, this play might turn out to be the biggest piece of crap I ever wrote…but at least I’m writing. Usually, I let my self-doubt stop me from making any progress on either the work or the craft. So yay for now!
Today it’s a bright crisp day and life is good ‘cause I’m writing. Peace~
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
Monday, September 27, 2010
I woke up again before my alarm…5:27 am to be exact. I had a hard time getting started with the writing though…my inner critic was awake before I was so she had a good head start. As soon as I broached the page I was absolutely convinced that I will never be able to complete another play again. I have a constant nagging voice that my characters are speaking too directly to the problem and I need to subvert the conversation in some way. But I don’t know how. Hence, why I think I won’t finish this project. So this is what I did, I allowed myself to kvetch for about a page about how I’m too tired and too sleepy to even start working on the play. I even told myself if I can get through one page I can go back to sleep.
The tactic worked. Once I bitched and moaned for a page I looked at where I left off on the scene the last time I worked. It started with one line and it wasn’t easy but it wasn’t as difficult as I thought either. I wrote for about 40 minutes and then I (kind of) got stuck again. I didn’t know what the next line was. I didn’t know how to move into the next scene. I could feel the panic start to rise. I thought to myself maybe I should write to my ex, or maybe I should get my day started and take a shower. Before I let my rising panic force me to run away from the page, I gently told myself, “just stay here for 5 minutes, if nothing comes then you can go take a shower.” And I sat there, in the quiet morning, and the answer bubbled up. I cut a section out to free up the next scene. I still don’t know exactly where it’s going but at least I stuck to it. I find that if I’m a bit more gently with myself I get much better results. So yay for gentle methods!!
Once I cut the section, the writing came out so quickly that I didn’t even notice another 30 minutes had passed. I looked up and jumped out of my chair because it was 7:05 and I had 25 minutes to get ready before I had to catch my train. It felt good to have done the work and my energy was light and airy. The optimism allowed me to enjoy the thin rain in Brooklyn as a hazy light gave everything a quiet hue. I even thought to myself, I should really get up a little earlier to have more time to write. The spirit is willing, the body not so much. Hehehe. Anyway, all for now….serenity now!!
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
The tactic worked. Once I bitched and moaned for a page I looked at where I left off on the scene the last time I worked. It started with one line and it wasn’t easy but it wasn’t as difficult as I thought either. I wrote for about 40 minutes and then I (kind of) got stuck again. I didn’t know what the next line was. I didn’t know how to move into the next scene. I could feel the panic start to rise. I thought to myself maybe I should write to my ex, or maybe I should get my day started and take a shower. Before I let my rising panic force me to run away from the page, I gently told myself, “just stay here for 5 minutes, if nothing comes then you can go take a shower.” And I sat there, in the quiet morning, and the answer bubbled up. I cut a section out to free up the next scene. I still don’t know exactly where it’s going but at least I stuck to it. I find that if I’m a bit more gently with myself I get much better results. So yay for gentle methods!!
Once I cut the section, the writing came out so quickly that I didn’t even notice another 30 minutes had passed. I looked up and jumped out of my chair because it was 7:05 and I had 25 minutes to get ready before I had to catch my train. It felt good to have done the work and my energy was light and airy. The optimism allowed me to enjoy the thin rain in Brooklyn as a hazy light gave everything a quiet hue. I even thought to myself, I should really get up a little earlier to have more time to write. The spirit is willing, the body not so much. Hehehe. Anyway, all for now….serenity now!!
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Today is the second day this week that I’ve woken up at 5:30 am. The first 30 minutes is about getting a big mug of tea, feeding Pandora (cause she’s always hungry), and moving around to wake my brain up.
I sat down today and started up the next scene between Dylan and Mona, wouldn’t you know it, my critic Taz perked up in my last ten minutes of writing. (I am now calling my inner critic Taz, after Tasmanian Devil since it wrecks havoc on my writing life.) You see, I was writing along everything was going fine. Then I began writing this interaction that I was starting to feel unsure of. It was a ripe opportunity for my inner critic to pounce on.
It went something like this, “if this happens next it’s too obvious. That’s not good writing. Who’s going to take you seriously if you write that?”
I almost balked and stopped writing. But this tiny voice came up from the back of my brain that said, “F**k it! If it’s obvious you can always re-write. In fact, write the obvious. Have fun. Make it as obvious as you possibly can. Who knows you might discover something.”
And guess what? I discovered something. It’s just a nugget of an idea. Even now, I’m getting goose bumps because it might actually work. I won’t let the cat out of the bag. Not yet. I wrote up a couple of quick lines to point me in the direction of that nugget and finished up my writing jag this morning by 7 am. I wrote 4 pages and 1 line on the next page and it feels freaking awesome!!
After just two days of writing in the morning, I feel my optimism start to spring alive. What’s that about? I am the consummate pessimist and take great pride in it. After all, I am a New Yorker (pronounced Noo Yawker). LOL! Even as I write that out, I’m really not taking myself too seriously about being a pessimist. It’s too early in the day, the sun is shining and the air is cool and brisk. For a change, it feels good to be working steadily on my creative work. I can face my day job with a smile on my face and a Sade song in my head.
Hoorah!!
L~
P.S. If anyone is going to be in downtown Brooklyn today (Tues 9/21), there is an Art Opening at BAM Peter Jay Sharp Bldg (30 Lafayette) tonight at 6 pm. See you there!
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
I sat down today and started up the next scene between Dylan and Mona, wouldn’t you know it, my critic Taz perked up in my last ten minutes of writing. (I am now calling my inner critic Taz, after Tasmanian Devil since it wrecks havoc on my writing life.) You see, I was writing along everything was going fine. Then I began writing this interaction that I was starting to feel unsure of. It was a ripe opportunity for my inner critic to pounce on.
It went something like this, “if this happens next it’s too obvious. That’s not good writing. Who’s going to take you seriously if you write that?”
I almost balked and stopped writing. But this tiny voice came up from the back of my brain that said, “F**k it! If it’s obvious you can always re-write. In fact, write the obvious. Have fun. Make it as obvious as you possibly can. Who knows you might discover something.”
And guess what? I discovered something. It’s just a nugget of an idea. Even now, I’m getting goose bumps because it might actually work. I won’t let the cat out of the bag. Not yet. I wrote up a couple of quick lines to point me in the direction of that nugget and finished up my writing jag this morning by 7 am. I wrote 4 pages and 1 line on the next page and it feels freaking awesome!!
After just two days of writing in the morning, I feel my optimism start to spring alive. What’s that about? I am the consummate pessimist and take great pride in it. After all, I am a New Yorker (pronounced Noo Yawker). LOL! Even as I write that out, I’m really not taking myself too seriously about being a pessimist. It’s too early in the day, the sun is shining and the air is cool and brisk. For a change, it feels good to be working steadily on my creative work. I can face my day job with a smile on my face and a Sade song in my head.
Hoorah!!
L~
P.S. If anyone is going to be in downtown Brooklyn today (Tues 9/21), there is an Art Opening at BAM Peter Jay Sharp Bldg (30 Lafayette) tonight at 6 pm. See you there!
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
A Delicate Flower
Someone please tell me that it hasn't been 19 days since I last wrote on this blog. Good grief, where does the time go? I've been working this week on my play and I took in 19 pages to my writing group. The feedback I received was so right on but it also meant I needed to ax the first scene. Yikes! I am so glad that we are getting back into the swing of writing group again. Their encouragement makes me want to write more. Positive reinforcement is lovely and it works wonders for my delicate sensibility. Hehehe. That last sentence made me giggle, I sound like a delicate flower. I have to admit, sometimes I am when it comes to playwriting these days. I am trying to encourage myself to get through a whole play again. I am focusing only as far as the next scene.
Anyway, last night I started making the changes and it was easier than I expected. It meant re-working scene 2 and fleshing out the relationship between Dylan and Mona so that big gaping holes of info wouldn't be so noticeable. Ha! My inner critic keeps pointing out the holes. I keep moving forward.
I've just finished reading week 3 of Julia Cameron's Finding Water: The Art of Perseverance. She writes about how just writing three pages a day demystified the weight of being a writer. "Freed from the weight of my entire identity, writing became something I did more lightly. Writing itself became easier, less tortured, less self-important. I became a woman who wrote..." Her words came alive for me. I've been putting so much pressure of finding large chunks of time to work that I wasn't acknowledging the small moments of writing that I've been doing a day. Sometimes it's just an hour, sometimes it's jotting a phrase or an idea while I'm on the subway. My wheels are constantly turning and the words are coming out. But I find that I don't give myself much credit despite the work that I am doing.
I open my mouth to loosen up the tight jaw muscles...too much time clenching my teeth. I want to loosen up and just write. So I am committing myself this week to getting up at 6 am every morning to write for an hour. Eventually, I'd like to get up at 5:30 am but easy does it, I am not much of a morning person. That way my day job won't feel so constricting to my creative life. All for now, wish me luck.
L~
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Precious Poems
Delicate lyrical lines
float on tippy-toes
satin ballet shoes
across an empty page.
Spoken in feathery-
light hushed tones
Skin easily bruised
like a ripe peach
against a fingernail.
Presence caresses
nuances so subtle,
it does not ripple.
Here comes a careless
stamp that throttles
the wordscape
with empty threats
and balled fists.
Here comes the voice
thunder awake
the sleeping poet
pointing to this
and that. Look
purple flowers
creeping vine
around a wooden pole.
Do something with that.
Look a clock outside
is never on time. Write
about that. Precious
muted standing amid
Times Square’s cacophony .
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
float on tippy-toes
satin ballet shoes
across an empty page.
Spoken in feathery-
light hushed tones
Skin easily bruised
like a ripe peach
against a fingernail.
Presence caresses
nuances so subtle,
it does not ripple.
Here comes a careless
stamp that throttles
the wordscape
with empty threats
and balled fists.
Here comes the voice
thunder awake
the sleeping poet
pointing to this
and that. Look
purple flowers
creeping vine
around a wooden pole.
Do something with that.
Look a clock outside
is never on time. Write
about that. Precious
muted standing amid
Times Square’s cacophony .
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Glass Towers
Tic-tac bites make me sneeze
A watched clock stops,
second hand moves in
ten-minute increments
thick clouds creep
past a city canyon
fire-engine horns
scream down Broad-
way and breaks
the hushed tones
of money and Wall
Street streaming
updates. We breathe
underwater, submerged
a pool of crumbling
privilege. The sky
is falling, the sky
is falling but Mary
Poppins is frozen on
a Disney ad outside
the window. All we
can do is watch.
Poems are not precious,
they are lifelines
for the drowning.
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
A watched clock stops,
second hand moves in
ten-minute increments
thick clouds creep
past a city canyon
fire-engine horns
scream down Broad-
way and breaks
the hushed tones
of money and Wall
Street streaming
updates. We breathe
underwater, submerged
a pool of crumbling
privilege. The sky
is falling, the sky
is falling but Mary
Poppins is frozen on
a Disney ad outside
the window. All we
can do is watch.
Poems are not precious,
they are lifelines
for the drowning.
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Drawing The Line
Today, I am racked with uncertainty on what to do next with my play, Prodigal. I’m not blocked, that’s really not the problem because the words are coming out. Rather, I’m too hard judging every single syllable that comes out. That kind of criticism makes my writing contract, makes itself smaller instead of allowing the writing to blossom.
On Sunday afternoon I went to a dance showcase given by The Alvin Ailey Dance School, what I found absolutely amazing was the joy that these dancers had for their performance. Each group had different levels of abilities from beginners to more advanced students, ages ranging from young teens to older adults. There were some dancers who kept missing the beat and were completely off tempo but it just didn’t matter. A smile came up from my belly to my face because they were doing their very best and it was joyful. There was a modern piece with more advanced students they had beautiful lines and graceful movements across the stage. Then I watched my sister’s group do their hip-hop number, Vick was all smiles as she went through her number, I know how hard she had worked at getting this piece down and it flowed beautifully. I’m always amazed at watching my sisters do the thing that they love to do. Go Vicky!!
Having written that, I think to myself, how is that I can watch these novice dancers and find joy in them missing steps and yet be so ruthless with myself with my writing? How can I be so gentle and forgiving with others and be so demanding of my own work? There is this twisted part of me that actually thinks snapping the whip will get better results, when all it really does is close me up. It makes me retreat away from the work, the words, the characters and then I’m fit to be tied.
There is this Zen practice in brush painting where students are told to draw a line across a paper. That is all they are supposed to do, just draw a line across the paper over and over again. It’s part of their practice to develop their skills. I know I’m oversimplifying here but bear with me. Now if the parallel practice of “drawing the line” is to write, write and write when does the judging mind ever rest? I write my lines and they never seem to be very good or “good enough”. What is in my head does not seem to be articulated correctly on paper. It is so frustrating! Please note, I’m not saying this for pity or sympathy-sake. Nor is this a matter of having confidence in my work. Rather I understand this is part of the creative process to some extent but dear oh dear does my judging brain need to make it so damn difficult?
After the dance recital, what keeps popping up for me is this idea of “beginner’s mind”. Shoshin is the Japanese concept of approaching work with an attitude of openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions when studying a subject, even when studying at an advanced level. These “beginner” dancers that I watched perform gave me a gift with this reminder. Their eager open hearts showed me what has been missing for me when I approach my playwriting. I am always so bright-eyed and excited when I first write up a new draft of some zygot of an idea but when it’s time for hard revisions I start to flounder. I lose my footing and really find myself doubting the work. I tend to be unbearable to both friends and family when I am working through these moments. After all, how do I explain to them that I’m frustrated because I don’t understand yet the motivations or actions that my characters have taken in the piece? Or that I just need some quiet time alone to work through this difficult scene?
Yes well, here I am. Now that I’ve gotten that out of my system, I’m going to spend the rest of the afternoon working on Prodigal.
Wish me luck. ;-)
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
On Sunday afternoon I went to a dance showcase given by The Alvin Ailey Dance School, what I found absolutely amazing was the joy that these dancers had for their performance. Each group had different levels of abilities from beginners to more advanced students, ages ranging from young teens to older adults. There were some dancers who kept missing the beat and were completely off tempo but it just didn’t matter. A smile came up from my belly to my face because they were doing their very best and it was joyful. There was a modern piece with more advanced students they had beautiful lines and graceful movements across the stage. Then I watched my sister’s group do their hip-hop number, Vick was all smiles as she went through her number, I know how hard she had worked at getting this piece down and it flowed beautifully. I’m always amazed at watching my sisters do the thing that they love to do. Go Vicky!!
Having written that, I think to myself, how is that I can watch these novice dancers and find joy in them missing steps and yet be so ruthless with myself with my writing? How can I be so gentle and forgiving with others and be so demanding of my own work? There is this twisted part of me that actually thinks snapping the whip will get better results, when all it really does is close me up. It makes me retreat away from the work, the words, the characters and then I’m fit to be tied.
There is this Zen practice in brush painting where students are told to draw a line across a paper. That is all they are supposed to do, just draw a line across the paper over and over again. It’s part of their practice to develop their skills. I know I’m oversimplifying here but bear with me. Now if the parallel practice of “drawing the line” is to write, write and write when does the judging mind ever rest? I write my lines and they never seem to be very good or “good enough”. What is in my head does not seem to be articulated correctly on paper. It is so frustrating! Please note, I’m not saying this for pity or sympathy-sake. Nor is this a matter of having confidence in my work. Rather I understand this is part of the creative process to some extent but dear oh dear does my judging brain need to make it so damn difficult?
After the dance recital, what keeps popping up for me is this idea of “beginner’s mind”. Shoshin is the Japanese concept of approaching work with an attitude of openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions when studying a subject, even when studying at an advanced level. These “beginner” dancers that I watched perform gave me a gift with this reminder. Their eager open hearts showed me what has been missing for me when I approach my playwriting. I am always so bright-eyed and excited when I first write up a new draft of some zygot of an idea but when it’s time for hard revisions I start to flounder. I lose my footing and really find myself doubting the work. I tend to be unbearable to both friends and family when I am working through these moments. After all, how do I explain to them that I’m frustrated because I don’t understand yet the motivations or actions that my characters have taken in the piece? Or that I just need some quiet time alone to work through this difficult scene?
Yes well, here I am. Now that I’ve gotten that out of my system, I’m going to spend the rest of the afternoon working on Prodigal.
Wish me luck. ;-)
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Gosh, where have I been for the last ten days? I wish I could say that I was lying on a beach somewhere. Alas, that has not been the case. More like hand wringing over lack of a paying job than anything else. I didn't want to take up too much time on this blog whinging about my worries. I get to a point where I sincerely want to kick my own ass and can't listen to myself complain one more day. So I opted to just deal with it.
I had applied to chashama for some studio space and was awarded one. However, when it came time to sign the lease, my lack of job prospects gave me a serious reality check. I passed on the space because of the lack of incoming funds. Wouldn't you know it...four days later I land myself a decent long term temp job in the finance sector. Are you kidding me?! I swear, sometimes I think the universe just laughs at me. If I had just a little more patience and a little bit more faith, I could see the opportunities opening up in my life. But I am an Almendarez...which means very little patience and a doubting Thomas to boot. The cup isn't just half empty, but there are microbes in the water too.
So now my challenge will be to be diligent to schedule time before and after work to spend time on my writing and art. My friend Christine (also a writer) gets to work an hour and a half before her day starts just to get some writing done. How does she do it? I am SO NOT a morning person. LOL. My eyes may be open but my brain doesn't click on until at least 10 am with a couple of cups of earl grey tea. Hmmm, I wonder if that will help me get past my inner critic....that beotch never shuts up.
Anyway, I've been warned that this position is a mundane sort of job....which is fine by me. I'd like to keep some of those brain cells for the creative work. I get some of my best ideas in office environments. There is something about the rhythm of repetitive work where my imagination decides to stretch. I'll just bring my notebook to jot things down. Also, not worrying about money may help the creative process too. I've been so up and down that it's a wonder that I get any creative work done.
Hmmm, so what else? Ah yes, Prodigal, my work-in-progress. The play is coming along. It's always so difficult for me to get started but once I'm in it, I AM SO IN IT. I did some hard edits the last two days. I spent 5.5 hours writing yesterday. Got rid of the character Carlos. Deleted Scene 4 altogether and I am now focusing on the three main characters Dylan, Mona and Astrid. It's tough to get rid of some of the writing but I knew that my focus was tilting towards the wrong characters. I re-worked Scene 2 between Mona and Dylan and I'm not loving it...but I'm definitely NOT hating it. That's a good sign.
Afterwards, I curled up with the novel NADYA by Pat Murphy. But my head was still working on the play. I opted for eating sushi and watching a couple of episodes of the Dresden Files. What a really good show, too bad it was cancelled. Anyway, I've procrastinated enough with this entry. I'm going to work on the play for a couple of hours before my sisters come over to BBQ.
Peace~
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
A Bit of a Walk
Today I went for a long walk around the neighborhood with my niece Gexy. We stopped off at the bank for some cash so auntie could buy herself an iced coffee to help wake up a bit. First stop the comic book store. Yes, this is the part where I fess up to being a bit of geeky fangirl. I checked the newest issues out and looked around for a good long while. I picked up an issue of Fables, they retell fairy tales with a modern twist. Very cool indeed. I checked out the collectible merchandise and wondered if I should sell my Astonishing X-Men collection written by Joss Whedon for some extra cash. Mental note to check out market value on them. I know T would kill me if I sold them before he got a chance to read them. Hmmm. Just an idea that popped into my head.
Initially, Gexy and I were going to the library to take out the play The Miracle Worker by William Gibson but the library on 6th and 9th street was closed for renovation. And neither one of us wanted to go ALL THE WAY to Grand Army Plaza on foot, on such a hot day.
We walked up to the local Barnes and Noble and grabbed a couple of empty chairs with an armful of animation books. Gexy is really interested in technique so a couple of reference books and some behind the scenes books to some of our favorites like Avatar: The Last Airbender (animation series) and How To Train a Dragon (movie). They showed some of the concept sketches and how they came up with the story arcs for their projects. Very interesting to see the first pencil drawings as they developed out each of the characters and how they thought out some of the backstory for the characters. We sat there for a good long while pouring over the pages.
Finally, we bought a copy of The Miracle Worker and went to find some lunch. We went to Five Guys to grab a couple of burgers and fries. Yum! And off we went walking again. Stopped off at an office supplies store to soothe my inner organizing diva but for the life of me I completely forgot why I was there. We looked around, laughed at greeting cards and little toys made in china. One last stop to the local art supply shop on 7th ave to buy a couple of paintbrushes for me and one sanguine drawing pencil for Gexy and we were out back out walking up the hill to the house. We kept looking for the tree-lined blocks for a bit of shade 'cause it was HOT out there today.
Now we are lying on my bed (me with my laptop, Gexy with her nose in a book) in front of my fan. At least it's cooler in the basement. I'm off to write my daily pages and read the Cameron book (part of my daily tasks for each day).
I need a little inspiration....if I could only get out of my own way. I was up until 3 am last night because my brain keeps mulling over Prodigal. But every time I meet the page, I go blank. As in. nothing there, no one's home. Funny but true.
All for now,
Lily
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
Initially, Gexy and I were going to the library to take out the play The Miracle Worker by William Gibson but the library on 6th and 9th street was closed for renovation. And neither one of us wanted to go ALL THE WAY to Grand Army Plaza on foot, on such a hot day.
We walked up to the local Barnes and Noble and grabbed a couple of empty chairs with an armful of animation books. Gexy is really interested in technique so a couple of reference books and some behind the scenes books to some of our favorites like Avatar: The Last Airbender (animation series) and How To Train a Dragon (movie). They showed some of the concept sketches and how they came up with the story arcs for their projects. Very interesting to see the first pencil drawings as they developed out each of the characters and how they thought out some of the backstory for the characters. We sat there for a good long while pouring over the pages.
Finally, we bought a copy of The Miracle Worker and went to find some lunch. We went to Five Guys to grab a couple of burgers and fries. Yum! And off we went walking again. Stopped off at an office supplies store to soothe my inner organizing diva but for the life of me I completely forgot why I was there. We looked around, laughed at greeting cards and little toys made in china. One last stop to the local art supply shop on 7th ave to buy a couple of paintbrushes for me and one sanguine drawing pencil for Gexy and we were out back out walking up the hill to the house. We kept looking for the tree-lined blocks for a bit of shade 'cause it was HOT out there today.
Now we are lying on my bed (me with my laptop, Gexy with her nose in a book) in front of my fan. At least it's cooler in the basement. I'm off to write my daily pages and read the Cameron book (part of my daily tasks for each day).
I need a little inspiration....if I could only get out of my own way. I was up until 3 am last night because my brain keeps mulling over Prodigal. But every time I meet the page, I go blank. As in. nothing there, no one's home. Funny but true.
All for now,
Lily
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
Friday, August 6, 2010
My website and more...
I am very pleased to announce that I have finally finished my website. Hoorah!! Please check it out when you get a chance: http://www.lilianaalmendarez.com/Site/Painting.html
Today I could not write. I'm stuck with my play and where it needs to go next because I know it's time to dig in a bit deeper so I decided to paint and work on my website instead. You see it's too easy for me to stop working altogether when I get frazzled with writing and my inner critic. A fellow writer suggested a brilliant solution of duct taping the critic. That totally cracks me up. That doesn't quite work for me tho'. I've spent too many years believing this critic so I shake her loose when I paint.
Butterfly Dawn << This link is one of three pieces I painted today. One didn't turn out well at all so I'm not going to bother showing that one. I have an easier time allowing myself to make mistakes in painting. The critic's claws don't take huge chunks of flesh from me the way writing does. And Joan Mitchell's abstract work really stayed with me all week. I tried a different color pallet and looked at fields of color within the piece. I lost myself in the process and it was quite wonderful. * happy sigh *
The writing:
Here is my dilemma, I went to see this gorgeous film last week called CAIRO TIME with Patricia Clarkson and Alexander Siddig. It's a quiet love story that unfolds moment by moment. It's so beautifully done that it made I realize I'm missing something in my play. I know the mediums are different, movies are a visual medium so quiet is better tolerated in front of screen. But there must be a way to create a level of intimacy between characters on the stage without it feeling rushed or contrived. I'm trying to figure out where those stolen moments are. But I know it means MAJOR rewrites. And I'm feeling lost right now and I don't quite yet how to break apart this play.
Butterfly Dawn << This link is one of three pieces I painted today. One didn't turn out well at all so I'm not going to bother showing that one. I have an easier time allowing myself to make mistakes in painting. The critic's claws don't take huge chunks of flesh from me the way writing does. And Joan Mitchell's abstract work really stayed with me all week. I tried a different color pallet and looked at fields of color within the piece. I lost myself in the process and it was quite wonderful. * happy sigh *
The writing:
Here is my dilemma, I went to see this gorgeous film last week called CAIRO TIME with Patricia Clarkson and Alexander Siddig. It's a quiet love story that unfolds moment by moment. It's so beautifully done that it made I realize I'm missing something in my play. I know the mediums are different, movies are a visual medium so quiet is better tolerated in front of screen. But there must be a way to create a level of intimacy between characters on the stage without it feeling rushed or contrived. I'm trying to figure out where those stolen moments are. But I know it means MAJOR rewrites. And I'm feeling lost right now and I don't quite yet how to break apart this play.
But the website work, which I've been procrastinating for the last three weeks, was a good place to hide myself in for early evening work. It's a great big puzzle with pieces that I just needed quiet time to figure out. I've had the house all to myself since 5:30 so work on it I did. I am relieved that it's finally live. I know I can go in and tweak it FOREVER but for now it's a good starting point.
All for now, I am maxed out and in need of a cold drink and a cool bed.
L~
All for now, I am maxed out and in need of a cold drink and a cool bed.
L~
P.S. Forgive the typos, I am too tired to proof this entry.
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Today was a productive day. Yay! Even with the remnants of a migraine, I still managed to work on my website and finally upload some images of a few paintings. It took me longer than usual since I was working a bit more slowly today but I'm glad I finally spent some time navigating through FineArtAmerica and iWeb.
Yesterday, I was completely out of commission with a full-on light-sensitivity, queasiness, could-not-function migraine. I ran one quick errand in the city and got back home in time to lock myself up in a cold dark room.
But today I managed to connect to a few people who I've lost contact with. Yay! Life sometimes gets busy and we move forward with our lives and sometimes our friendships go by the wayside. Today I took a pause and reached out to a few people who I haven't spoken to in quite some time, that made a world of difference.
Let's see, I'm still moving on with my one act play Prodigal. It's still in the writing and revising stage. After seeing the movie Cairo Time last week I realized there is something missing from my play. The movie revealed itself layer by layer in these small quiet moments and my play seems to be speeding it's way through. So I have to look at the whole story arc and devise a way to slow it down a bit and allow the connection between the characters to happen more organically. Do I try to re-write huge chunks or do I write up new material altogether? That is the questions that I'm currently mulling over. I'm also having a hard time writing the monologue for the character Astrid. You see, I like her the least in this whole piece. My writing group suggested that I try not to vilify her so I'm trying a different approach with her BUT...the words for her monologue aren't coming through.
Yes, well that's where I'm at on this hot, humid night. There is plenty of work to be done and I'm just taking each moment as calmly as I can manage.
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
Yesterday, I was completely out of commission with a full-on light-sensitivity, queasiness, could-not-function migraine. I ran one quick errand in the city and got back home in time to lock myself up in a cold dark room.
But today I managed to connect to a few people who I've lost contact with. Yay! Life sometimes gets busy and we move forward with our lives and sometimes our friendships go by the wayside. Today I took a pause and reached out to a few people who I haven't spoken to in quite some time, that made a world of difference.
Let's see, I'm still moving on with my one act play Prodigal. It's still in the writing and revising stage. After seeing the movie Cairo Time last week I realized there is something missing from my play. The movie revealed itself layer by layer in these small quiet moments and my play seems to be speeding it's way through. So I have to look at the whole story arc and devise a way to slow it down a bit and allow the connection between the characters to happen more organically. Do I try to re-write huge chunks or do I write up new material altogether? That is the questions that I'm currently mulling over. I'm also having a hard time writing the monologue for the character Astrid. You see, I like her the least in this whole piece. My writing group suggested that I try not to vilify her so I'm trying a different approach with her BUT...the words for her monologue aren't coming through.
Yes, well that's where I'm at on this hot, humid night. There is plenty of work to be done and I'm just taking each moment as calmly as I can manage.
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Joan Mitchell
I went to Grand Army Plaza library to go work on my play for a couple of hours. I'm not going to complain. To be quite honest, I'm a little sick and tired of whinging about the creative process.
Instead, I want to tell you about how I started to skim the shelves in the Art Section. I pulled out some books on Joan Mitchell. She's this Abstract Expressionist artist from the early 60's and 70's. A couple of postings ago, I mentioned that I'm interested in learning more about women artists. It was pure chance that I found her books but when I opened up them up and took a look at the art plates, her work took me by surprise.
I love abstract art. I mean I get goosebumps when I come across someone's work that I've never seen before. And I know looking at art plates are NOT the same as looking at the actual piece in life BUT...
She has one named Salut Sally from 1970 oil on canvas. She has this beautiful hue of dark blue in the upper top of the canvas and then the colors blossom around it. The brush strokes are thick impasto but her use of white helps lighten the piece. It adds an effervescence to the middle field. She uses this dark green and brick red paint but these colors seem to stabilize the overall look of the piece.
Then there is a piece called Mooring from 1971. A soft pink empty field, a place to rest the eyes, in the upper portion of the canvas. Then the purple lavender and oranges intertwine in the middle field. I don't usually like that specific color pallet but she managed to make it playful. I may play with that color scheme just to see where it goes. I think her use of greys and whites helped tamp down the brightness of the overlook of the piece and gave it a moodier feel to it. It's lovely.
In La Ligne de la Rupture from 1970-1971, she uses a black square and on top of this field a gorgeous yellow hue explodes off. The black square helps the yellow dance on the canvas. The rest of the background is done in a neutral soft white pallet.
In all of these pieces she has paint dripping/flowing down the canvas which gives it a raw quality. It gives them a sense of paint melting off the canvas which is quite stunning. Seeing her work has given me a bit of license to play with paint again. I think I've gotten into a certain frame of mind with the work that I've been doing and I've been so RESTLESS that I wonder if it's my inner artist wanting to stretch beyond the routine way I approach the canvas. Sorry I'm not sure if that last sentence makes sense...I re-read it and can't make heads or tails of it. Let's try that one again. I wonder if my restlessness has more to do with a part of me wanting to TRY SOMETHING NEW. Hmmm. I wonder if this will help me with my stink attitude. Hehehe.
Peace~
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
Instead, I want to tell you about how I started to skim the shelves in the Art Section. I pulled out some books on Joan Mitchell. She's this Abstract Expressionist artist from the early 60's and 70's. A couple of postings ago, I mentioned that I'm interested in learning more about women artists. It was pure chance that I found her books but when I opened up them up and took a look at the art plates, her work took me by surprise.
I love abstract art. I mean I get goosebumps when I come across someone's work that I've never seen before. And I know looking at art plates are NOT the same as looking at the actual piece in life BUT...
She has one named Salut Sally from 1970 oil on canvas. She has this beautiful hue of dark blue in the upper top of the canvas and then the colors blossom around it. The brush strokes are thick impasto but her use of white helps lighten the piece. It adds an effervescence to the middle field. She uses this dark green and brick red paint but these colors seem to stabilize the overall look of the piece.
Then there is a piece called Mooring from 1971. A soft pink empty field, a place to rest the eyes, in the upper portion of the canvas. Then the purple lavender and oranges intertwine in the middle field. I don't usually like that specific color pallet but she managed to make it playful. I may play with that color scheme just to see where it goes. I think her use of greys and whites helped tamp down the brightness of the overlook of the piece and gave it a moodier feel to it. It's lovely.
In La Ligne de la Rupture from 1970-1971, she uses a black square and on top of this field a gorgeous yellow hue explodes off. The black square helps the yellow dance on the canvas. The rest of the background is done in a neutral soft white pallet.
In all of these pieces she has paint dripping/flowing down the canvas which gives it a raw quality. It gives them a sense of paint melting off the canvas which is quite stunning. Seeing her work has given me a bit of license to play with paint again. I think I've gotten into a certain frame of mind with the work that I've been doing and I've been so RESTLESS that I wonder if it's my inner artist wanting to stretch beyond the routine way I approach the canvas. Sorry I'm not sure if that last sentence makes sense...I re-read it and can't make heads or tails of it. Let's try that one again. I wonder if my restlessness has more to do with a part of me wanting to TRY SOMETHING NEW. Hmmm. I wonder if this will help me with my stink attitude. Hehehe.
Peace~
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2010 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.
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