Tag: art

My Eyes, My Eyes!*

*That’s usually Tim’s line, but I need it tonight. He’s good about letting me steal from him. In fact, I won’t say who, but someone complimented me on a particular line that’s in A Coventry Christmas. I didn’t confess that Tim actually suggested that line when he was proofing my novel before I submitted it. We’ll just keep that our little secret.

Since Live Journal was down much of Friday night and most of Saturday, and I’m stalled with what I can do on TJB5, I decided it was probably time to refresh my Web site a bit. I changed some things on the home page and replaced pictures and updated text on a few of the pages. There are still things I want to do, but my eyes are too tired to work on it further.

Just in case you’re wondering, I can do small things to my Web site, but I didn’t build it. Tim did. Usually I can figure out a few things, but inevitably I end up wailing, “Tim! Help!” And he always does. He is self-taught with all of this and does excellent work. In fact, people have paid him for that work in the past. So if you ever need help with your Web site or you want a Web site, he’s your man. But pay him. Please.

Tim never complains, but a lot of people ask him for help with their writing or hit him up for information about publishing or Web design. He’s really generous with his time, in spite of all his deadlines, and I admire that about him. I don’t blame people who can’t pay him; I totally understand that writers and artists usually have very little money. What irritates me is that they COULD thank him publicly. They COULD link to him from their blogs and journals and Web sites. They COULD talk about his/our novels and give us a little publicity in return.

Karma…

And to all of those who ARE so great about thanking him or talking him (and the rest of us) up, thank you so much. We get e-mail all the time saying, “I heard about you from X’s blog,” or “Z recommended your novel,” and that means so much to my writing partners and me. We frequently mention the artists and writers and other gifted people who inspire and entertain us, and we appreciate every time the same is done for us. I honestly believe that the more successful creative people are, the more it opens doors for other creative people.

A world without art—whether it’s visual, literary, musical—is a world without joy.

Tired and Thursday

There are some days when I can’t imagine living anywhere other than where I do. There was a lot of stuff to take care of Thursday (which made me miss an important phone call, but hopefully, the caller will be in touch on Friday).

One of my errands took me to see John, who works at the office that meets all my mother’s insurance needs. John helps put together Halloween Magic, which raises money to be distributed among HIV/AIDS assistance organizations. John’s wit and enthusiasm never fail to lift my spirits, and it was “Timothy James Beck’s” pleasure to donate two complete sets of signed novels for their charity auction. (And Debby, if you’re reading, John says it’s time for you to come back to Houston! He wants to laugh with you again.)

Back at The Compound, it was tempting to just sit still and appreciate the weather. In the fall, Houston provides some days so stunning that it’s easy to forget the summer. But I wasn’t idle. Tim and I had a good discussion about TJB5. We knew we weren’t going to have our usual Thursday night writers’ meeting because Jim is using that blocked off time to read and edit the manuscript.

Plus we had an important evening planned. Lynne came here after work and we ran a few errands, then Rhonda and Lindsey arrived because Tim, a/k/a The Wedding Bitch, had arranged for them to see and taste a sample of their wedding cake. It was fabulous and will be delicious and beautiful. I can’t believe their wedding is coming up so soon!

Tom had brought lots of pizza home, so we ate, watched Survivor, and devoured wedding cake. Then we just sat and talked and said a lot of things like, “Down, Rex.” “Margot, come in here!” and “No, Guinness, you already ate.” Tim said, “Shoes,” a lot. In fact, that was the first thing he said to me today, because of a video that I can’t link to because YouTube is down. He cracks me up.

Lindsey changed the wallpaper on my cell phone because she’s evil, but later, Rhonda changed it back. Lindsey has finished reading A COVENTRY CHRISTMAS, but since Lynne hasn’t read it yet, and Rhonda still has a chapter or so to go, Lindsey was considerate enough to reassure me that she liked the book without giving away any details. Yay, my first feedback other than from my writing partners or family members!

I loaned Rhonda A LITTLE TWIST OF TEXAS. I really enjoyed reading this book each night before I fell asleep. Since Rhonda has a motorcycle, I know she’ll enjoy it, too. But the book is about so much more than just a road trip. I’ll save more praise and specifics for a review.

You can’t beat a day when you feel like you’ve helped the community, gotten to hang out with great friends, and combined wedding cake with Survivor (right now, I’m all about the Puka tribe).

Oh, and check out these photos, because someone is leaving these in Austin and Houston–mostly all over our neighborhood. I love Montrose.

A little Houston culture

Here in Houston’s Montrose neighborhood is a lovely little bed and breakfast that often hosts social and charitable events, the Lovett Inn. (I love going to parties there!) Recently, it became the Lovett Inn Boutique Hotel. The inn has begun displaying the works of local emerging and established artists.

I learned about the gallery by reading Houston’s fabulous OutSmart Magazine. The August issue also includes AN on the 2006 BookExpo America, which mentions, among others, our editor John (we love him!) and our fellow author and friend Greg Herren.

P.S. Whenever I say I LOVE something, I hear the voice of my friend Denece in my head making fun of me. If you’re reading this, Denece, hush!

Where they do it

I’m not saying which of these authors I know of and which I never heard of, because my ignorance is woeful and only discredits me, not them. But I really enjoyed visiting author Paige Cuccaro’s site and checking out the pictures listed on The Cave. You can click on photos and see the offices, nooks, and sofas where some authors do that thing they do. (And, like me, you can get your reading glasses and try to figure out what books they have on their shelves.) Cuccaro also includes links to the web pages and works of these writers. You may find a new reading pleasure!

I try to keep my work space as organized as possible, because when it’s a mess, I can’t focus. Looking at some of these writers’ spaces made me realize that ideas about clutter vary quite a lot. Also, I need something on the blank wall in front of me that might inspire me. Hmmm… Could be time for me to commission a painting from Timothy J. Lambert…

Virtual art gallery

I saw this on Towleroad. If you’re an artist wishing for a way to get your work seen, Saatchi Gallery offers an online gallery, free to artists. Apparently works displayed on the site are finding buyers.

At the very least, I just discovered a couple of artists I really like. Art inspires me, and I’m always interested in finding new (to me) artists even when I can’t afford to buy their work.

Another artist

I love this artist, Yoon Jeong Lee.

ETA in 2022: Unfortunately, the links that were once posted her for her work are no long working. I have found a link for Yoon Jeong-won, but it’s been so many years, I’m not sure if it’s the same artist.

Happy googling, art lovers.