Welcome to the very first edition of The Pink Teacup, my imaginary cafe where I meet a friend for coffee (you) and we talk for hours about art and life and no one cares that we’re hogging a sunny table by the window.
Hi, I enjoyed reading the details of your move--as I fantasize about a similar one (been saying that for a LONG time!). Finding our tribe is not necessarily easy--and so often serendipitous---I was struck by how tiny the thread of our meeting was--and, yet we connected. So glad we did!
Christine, that is so true about the almost randomness of our connection--although I think it was because of a BNI connection--isn't that right? BNI might not be a perfect networking group for folks in the arts, but it did manage to help us find each other!
Woke up to sunshine with the 2 dogs and in my own bed after days of rain. I drank tea and read your first story …. Thank you for sharing you and inviting me in. Hugs for 2023. I look forward to reading more. You are so clever and talented in many ways. 🌤️
Wonderful debut of your Substack project, Sarah! I did not know about Substack before, and had to download the link. I brought my coffee to our chat. I do remember your bar/dancehall story now that you told It again and in more detail. Such a cool thread! And yes, an origin story for sure. I am here in Indiana. I wasn't born here. I was born in Lorain, Ohio, a harbor town on Lake Erie with a steel mill. So I too was born in a place filled with diversity, although not as much as"openhearted" diversity as NYC. But the schools were integrated and due to the harbor, we had all walks of life: people of color (largely doing the hard work) and an amalgam of religiously and culturally diverse people in import/export (largely making all the wealth), and those of us in between. We lived on a block in a small house that sat 1 block away from the railroad tracks (on the "right side" of the tracks) and two blocks away from Lake Erie where all the rich folks lived in large homes/mansions on the shore of Lake Erie. We all went to school together, including those from the "wrong side" of the tracks right up to the wealthiest. I had friends from both, we children thought nothing of it. When I was 13 we moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana so my Dad could stop traveling for Minnesota Paints, and be home with us every night. In Ohio I had been in high school as a freshman for 9th grade. We moved over Christmas and I was back in junior high for 9th grade. It was a bit of a shock at the lack of diversity. Fast forward to early 20's and I had wound up in New Jersey. I loved NYC for much of my 20's, although it became too pricey. My parents were much older (40 when I was born), and I moved back to care for them when I was 30. We did turn Indiana blue for President Barack Obama, a real pleasant surprise to everyone. But then the KuKluxKlan gathered for a nationwide meet-n-greet in secret at a private home 20 minutes from where I live out in the countryside just a few years ago. I stand my ground here in Indiana, confident I have compatriots. More later!
Wow Lissa, so interesting. I love learning YOUR origin story--thank you for sharing it! And yes, I think I probably shared the story of this house a bit in the Timothy's "Home" class. My dad was 40 when I was born, so I too, spent a lot of time caring for them earlier than most of my friends my age, but not as early as my thirties. Terrible about the Ku Klux Klan meeting--I listened to a history of the Klan on the radio recently and I think back in the 20s Indiana might have been the hub for them. :( So chilling. But as you say, you stand your ground and know that you have compatriots around you.
What a story of your journey to Taos! I was fortunate to meet you online in a zoom that Pam Caughey hosted for her students (one was me) and I discovered the amazing range of creative endeavours you have. And I recall you were involved with dying fabric - I think you were taking a course with Maiwa - and I've done that too... So lovely to read about your art now. I like your image of a pink tea cup (well, two) in a sunny window, a rich conversation about art and the world and everything.
Hi Nancy, I love that you connected with me through that interview with Pam and I'm so glad you are here! Yes, I was taking an indigo course with Maiwa then--great class. I just did a bunch of dyeing before the holidays. Thanks about my pink teacup!
Just forwarded this to Peter so he can read your Taos origin story! So fun. He’s always fantasizing about moving to NM. (Wild about your double destiny with dancehall/bars!) The bedside rug is precious. Spent a little time looking into Henry Taylor’s work. Thanks for the intro :-) Excited for more!!
My presentation will be 11-12, March 31 at Bent Lodge, corner of Gusdorf and Santiago, across from Episcopal church. It will be open to the public. I’d love to see you there!
I enjoyed reading about your journey to Taos! Terry and I wanted to move back to New Mexico 6 year ago after living in ABQ for 40 years and moving to Oregon. Taos was the only place we considered for many of your same reasons. What I am working on now is a presentation of my journey of discovery of the tribe of which I am a member, the Osage nation. I’m developing a photographic essay to be presented March 31 at the Unitarian Church of Taos about my connection to the Osage Reign of Terror described in the book and movie, Killers of the Flower Moon.
Enjoyed our coffee date this morning! And I didn’t even have to comb my hair or get dressed! Can’t wait to see what you are working on in your studio and garden.
What a great introduction to this newsletter -- getting your "origin story" for living in Taos. I loved seeing that picture of you from years ago in the Monzano mountains.
I am so thrilled to hear from you, Sarah. I had heard you tell the story of finding Taos and your houses/workshop, but did not know about your NJ home's history as a bar/dancehall. Let's get together for an in-person cup of coffee soon and I'll tell you my story about when I realized why I fell in love with the landscape of Taos.
Are you familiar with Judy Alderete Garcia? She writes about
Manzano mts. And was featured on the TV program Colores a few days ago.
No, I have not heard of her, but I will look her up now!
Hi, I enjoyed reading the details of your move--as I fantasize about a similar one (been saying that for a LONG time!). Finding our tribe is not necessarily easy--and so often serendipitous---I was struck by how tiny the thread of our meeting was--and, yet we connected. So glad we did!
Christine, that is so true about the almost randomness of our connection--although I think it was because of a BNI connection--isn't that right? BNI might not be a perfect networking group for folks in the arts, but it did manage to help us find each other!
BNI? if my memory is correct--it was "Art Forward" --a meet-up group--and pretty certain they disbanded........! fuzzy though!
Oh right! I liked going on those art walks! And drinks afterward!
Woke up to sunshine with the 2 dogs and in my own bed after days of rain. I drank tea and read your first story …. Thank you for sharing you and inviting me in. Hugs for 2023. I look forward to reading more. You are so clever and talented in many ways. 🌤️
Aw, thank you Laurie! So glad you are here
ALSO, really glad to hear that the rain has abated for a bit--I know you folks in CA have been experiencing extremely intense weather.
Wonderful debut of your Substack project, Sarah! I did not know about Substack before, and had to download the link. I brought my coffee to our chat. I do remember your bar/dancehall story now that you told It again and in more detail. Such a cool thread! And yes, an origin story for sure. I am here in Indiana. I wasn't born here. I was born in Lorain, Ohio, a harbor town on Lake Erie with a steel mill. So I too was born in a place filled with diversity, although not as much as"openhearted" diversity as NYC. But the schools were integrated and due to the harbor, we had all walks of life: people of color (largely doing the hard work) and an amalgam of religiously and culturally diverse people in import/export (largely making all the wealth), and those of us in between. We lived on a block in a small house that sat 1 block away from the railroad tracks (on the "right side" of the tracks) and two blocks away from Lake Erie where all the rich folks lived in large homes/mansions on the shore of Lake Erie. We all went to school together, including those from the "wrong side" of the tracks right up to the wealthiest. I had friends from both, we children thought nothing of it. When I was 13 we moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana so my Dad could stop traveling for Minnesota Paints, and be home with us every night. In Ohio I had been in high school as a freshman for 9th grade. We moved over Christmas and I was back in junior high for 9th grade. It was a bit of a shock at the lack of diversity. Fast forward to early 20's and I had wound up in New Jersey. I loved NYC for much of my 20's, although it became too pricey. My parents were much older (40 when I was born), and I moved back to care for them when I was 30. We did turn Indiana blue for President Barack Obama, a real pleasant surprise to everyone. But then the KuKluxKlan gathered for a nationwide meet-n-greet in secret at a private home 20 minutes from where I live out in the countryside just a few years ago. I stand my ground here in Indiana, confident I have compatriots. More later!
Wow Lissa, so interesting. I love learning YOUR origin story--thank you for sharing it! And yes, I think I probably shared the story of this house a bit in the Timothy's "Home" class. My dad was 40 when I was born, so I too, spent a lot of time caring for them earlier than most of my friends my age, but not as early as my thirties. Terrible about the Ku Klux Klan meeting--I listened to a history of the Klan on the radio recently and I think back in the 20s Indiana might have been the hub for them. :( So chilling. But as you say, you stand your ground and know that you have compatriots around you.
Sarah
Amazing first post. You are crazy talented with such an interesting and colorful life.
Such a journey.
Looking forward to many more. Terry
Aw Terry, thank you so much and so glad you are here!
What a story of your journey to Taos! I was fortunate to meet you online in a zoom that Pam Caughey hosted for her students (one was me) and I discovered the amazing range of creative endeavours you have. And I recall you were involved with dying fabric - I think you were taking a course with Maiwa - and I've done that too... So lovely to read about your art now. I like your image of a pink tea cup (well, two) in a sunny window, a rich conversation about art and the world and everything.
Hi Nancy, I love that you connected with me through that interview with Pam and I'm so glad you are here! Yes, I was taking an indigo course with Maiwa then--great class. I just did a bunch of dyeing before the holidays. Thanks about my pink teacup!
Just forwarded this to Peter so he can read your Taos origin story! So fun. He’s always fantasizing about moving to NM. (Wild about your double destiny with dancehall/bars!) The bedside rug is precious. Spent a little time looking into Henry Taylor’s work. Thanks for the intro :-) Excited for more!!
Thanks Ny! I love that you are forwarding to Peter. Mwah!
My presentation will be 11-12, March 31 at Bent Lodge, corner of Gusdorf and Santiago, across from Episcopal church. It will be open to the public. I’d love to see you there!
I'll definitely try to come--putting it on my calendar now!
I enjoyed reading about your journey to Taos! Terry and I wanted to move back to New Mexico 6 year ago after living in ABQ for 40 years and moving to Oregon. Taos was the only place we considered for many of your same reasons. What I am working on now is a presentation of my journey of discovery of the tribe of which I am a member, the Osage nation. I’m developing a photographic essay to be presented March 31 at the Unitarian Church of Taos about my connection to the Osage Reign of Terror described in the book and movie, Killers of the Flower Moon.
Wow Julian, that is amazing! How long will your photo essay be up at the Unitarian Church, I don't want to miss it!
Love everything about your story. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Pat!
I’ll have a cuppa with you anytime!
Thank you Gay!
Enjoyed our coffee date this morning! And I didn’t even have to comb my hair or get dressed! Can’t wait to see what you are working on in your studio and garden.
Hahahaha Judy--me neither! I look forward to seeing you!
Also, I just heard of Henry Taylor for the first time recently . There was a big piece about him in The NY Times "T" Magazine (covering style and the arts). https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/10/19/t-magazine/henry-taylor-art.html
I can't believe I missed the exhibit at the Whitney. Alas.
Thank you for sharing the link to that article!
What a great introduction to this newsletter -- getting your "origin story" for living in Taos. I loved seeing that picture of you from years ago in the Monzano mountains.
Oh thank you Laura. <3 I thought about showing some pictures of the inside as well, but I didn't want to shock anybody!
Ha ha. That would have been fun! :)
I am so thrilled to hear from you, Sarah. I had heard you tell the story of finding Taos and your houses/workshop, but did not know about your NJ home's history as a bar/dancehall. Let's get together for an in-person cup of coffee soon and I'll tell you my story about when I realized why I fell in love with the landscape of Taos.
I would love that Jan. <3
I love this post! Thanks for your Taos origin story and update about what you're working on <3