My mom loved literature and classical music, so her gifts to us were mostly music CD's and books. Even though English was not her first language and she always claimed she couldn't speak well, (not true), she devoured all kinds of literary subjects and book reviews.
I personally love historical novels so mami bought "West of Here" by Jonathan Evison for my birthday in 2011. She passed away 2 days before that and was not able to give it to me personally, my sis did. The book was particularly significant emotionally, but also special because I live in the Pacific Northwest!
As the book opens, it is 2006 and a dam, once a source of pride for the town "Port Bonita", is being dismantled. The power harnessed by that dam did make the growth of Port Bonita possible in the 1800's, but the town never rose to greatness - and, says Evison, this type of dam wreaked havoc on the environment.
NPR book review.
The dam is a symbol both of progress, as well as attachment to a flawed past. Exploring that idea of the past's link to the present is what drives this story.
The New Dork review Book Review of Books
My Gallery in Poulsbo, WA always participated in the "Ars Poetica" yearly nationwide event, allowing artists in the area to choose and illustrate poems submitted by local poets. I couldn't believe when I found this poem about the Dam removal, so I had to paint it!
The work sold, but since prints are available for purchase on my website, it qualified to be entered in the EAFA 50th Anniversary Open Online Juried Show celebrating the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
64 artists from throughout Washington entered this great show with 159 pieces and
I won 2nd place, with a prize reward, but to me it meant SO MUCH more!
My mom loved literature and classical music, so her gifts to us were mostly music CD's and books. Even though English was not her first language and she always claimed she couldn't speak well, (not true), she devoured all kinds of literary subjects and book reviews.
I personally love historical novels so mami bought "West of Here" by Jonathan Evison for my birthday in 2011. She passed away 2 days before that and was not able to give it to me personally, my sis did. The book was particularly significant emotionally, but also special because I live in the Pacific Northwest!
As the book opens, it is 2006 and a dam, once a source of pride for the town "Port Bonita", is being dismantled. The power harnessed by that dam did make the growth of Port Bonita possible in the 1800's, but the town never rose to greatness - and, says Evison, this type of dam wreaked havoc on the environment.
NPR book review.
The dam is a symbol both of progress, as well as attachment to a flawed past. Exploring that idea of the past's link to the present is what drives this story.
The New Dork review Book Review of Books
My Gallery in Poulsbo, WA always participated in the "Ars Poetica" yearly nationwide event, allowing artists in the area to choose and illustrate poems submitted by local poets. I couldn't believe when I found this poem about the Dam removal, so I had to paint it!
The work sold, but since prints are available for purchase on my website, it qualified to be entered in the EAFA 50th Anniversary Open Online Juried Show celebrating the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
64 artists from throughout Washington entered this great show with 159 pieces and
I won 2nd place, with a prize reward, but to me it meant SO MUCH more!