Robert B. Parker

Robert B. Parker died last month. I didn't know until today.

If you haven't read Parker's Spenser novels, 1980's Early Autumn is a good place to start.

Parker wrote detective fiction. But the heart of his stories was his characters and their relationships, their love and loyalty and honor.

Heart is what set Parker's books apart, why he's the only writer of crime fiction I've read regularly for twenty-five years. Define heart anyway you like: Parker had it, understood it, made it central to his work.

I've never read another writer like Robert B. Parker. God bless his wife and sons and all who loved him. I miss him already.

GC Myers: Finding Home

A short film by our friend GC Myers. For more, visit Gary's blog.

Home Is The Sailor

Home Is The Sailor
Charcoal & Graphite Drawing
5 7/8" x 3 1/8", matted & framed to 11" x 8 1/2"

Third Shift

A poem, Third Shift, is up at amphibi.us. My thanks to editor Shannon Peil.

Aleta Wynn Yarrow: Catching The Dream

Aleta Wynn Yarrow, Catching The Dream
Paper collage, mixed media

Congratulations and best wishes to our friend Aleta Wynn Yarrow, who's been named the new Director of Interpretive Programs at the Everhart Museum of Natural History, Science & Art in Scranton PA.

I first saw Aleta's Catching The Dream years ago in West End Gallery's old space upstairs at 97 West Market. I remember climbing the back stairs, light slanting through the tall window on the landing, and arriving at the top to find this piece hanging on the far wall of the North Gallery. Catching The Dream was my introduction to Aleta's work, and suffice it to say it made a lasting impression.

Aleta's work has always been as personal and uncompromising as any artist I've known. And whatever she does, it's always positive.

The Everhart's gonna like what she brings. She's got all the tools & experience you could ask for- And most importantly, she cares big.

If you know Aleta, these things- especially the latter- are evident. If you don't know her yet, I hope you get the chance.

Parnilla at the Plantations

Two of La Petit Chou's Cornell Plantations drawings are the subject of today's blogpost at westendtalk.