Liminal Alchemy, SFWA Reader Series, University Book Store

Liminal Alchemy on 1/28/17 @ Praxis Art Gallery

This Seattle Ents in Tents event included a host of creative talent both now and new that night, which was the idea behind the event.  Talks were held to inspire new efforts or find the hidden spark, with music in a comfortable space, while ongoing works were exhibited in the making – along with stations inviting creative play, including the Lego room, geometrics building zone, and my magical Hermes 3000.

I gave a short talk on the transformative lens of fiction, which included a visualization prompt.  Throughout the night, people contributed to the collective typewriter pages and made their own pieces to keep, which also went on to become new artwork!

SFWA Reader Series 1/31/17

Readings by Fonda Lee (timed with the release of her new novel, EXO), Randy Henderson, and Curtis Chen.  In attendance were many other writers including Laura Anne Gilman, Phil & Kaja Foglio, Raven Oak, and Manny Frishberg.  At the Wilde Rover Irish Pub in Kirkland, WA.

University Bookstore, Seattle WA

You can find Bones of Starlight, Fire On All Sides in stock at big old University Book Store in Seattle – in the Science Fiction & Fantasy section!

Boston, Paul Laffoley, & Me

Back in the mists of time, I examined the esoteric nooks of art and found some who particularly inspired me.  One among these was Paul Laffoley, an architect-visionary-painter with a unique style that blended rationality, subtlety, and the classical.  I found and obtained my first rare book, The Phenomenology of Revelation.  I also first purchased photographic prints of exhibit work over ebay.

On one of the photos I bought was written an address.

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(This address is dated to the production year of my truck, the Millenium Phoenix, also the year my parents immigrated to the USA.)  I sent a postcard to this address under one of my pseudonyms.  Artistically creepy, I hoped?

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I received a letter and a business card from the artist, still present at the same address!

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And I didn’t have the gumption or conception for any further dialogue… but I treasured that tiny exchange.  Until I was recently bound for Arisia 2017 Boston , when I thought, “Hey! I’d like to go see Paul Laffoley.”

Well bummer to discover that he died in November 2015.

But I made the pilgrimage.

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The Boston Visionary Cell is no longer to be found on the business list.

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There are lofts available in the building…

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But Mr. Laffoley’s old suite is now occupied by the pattern room of one Blank Label.

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I was pleased to note that his door was still open to me, even with no one inside.  His looks over the parking lot.

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Strangely, no one on my whole way in or out knew his name.  Like everyone left together.  Here’s to him.  Thanks for writing back.

geochronmechane

Back Home, Story Hiatus, Liminal Alchemy

I am back home after an amazing Hawaii-Boston jaunt.  Many things are in the works, and I’ll alert you from here that story postings will be on hold until February.  But I’ll still be around twice a week to deliver other updates, from art to events.

I will be present with The Magical Typewriter at a gallery art party on 1/28 in Seattle, called Liminal Alchemy .