A Small Press Life: Books. Art. Writing. Life. Tea.

Not just a blog, a philosophy

My Evening Plans….

Posted on October 27, 2022 by maedez

…shall look something like this.

*A Lady Reading* (1858) by Francis Seymour Haden. LACMA. Public Domain.

[Women in Art] First Snow by Robert Koehler (Circa 1895)

Posted on February 10, 2021 by maedez

It is snowing here for the second time in three days; definitely not our first snow of the season, then, but this image speaks to me on multiple levels. Our house dates to the time of this painting. I love her beautiful blue dressing gown and the wistful intimacy of the setting. The colors, the composition, the mood that so readily crosses the centuries–all are things that I find very relatable.

First Snow by Robert Koehler (circa 1895)

May her serenity rub off on me.

[Tea in Art] Too Cute Tea Pot

Posted on January 14, 2020 by maedez

Because it is becoming…

Tea Pot (1869)

[Women Reading in Art] Woman Reading by Ivan Kramskoi

Posted on October 16, 2019 by maedez

Woman Reading (Portrait of Sofia Kramskaya), after 1866, by Ivan Kramskoi:

Woman Reading by Ivan Kramskoi

Tea in Art: Lady at the Tea Table by Mary Cassatt, 1883

Posted on July 24, 2017 by maedez

Lady at the Tea Table by Mary Cassatt, 1883:

Lady at the Tea Table by Mary Cassatt, 1883

Welcome, February!

Posted on February 1, 2017 by maedez

Février by Eugène Grasset, 1896:

Fevrier by Eugene Grasset, 1896

Happy Thanksgiving from Harper’s Bazar (1894)

Posted on November 24, 2016 by maedez

Have a great day!

Harper’s Bazar, Thanksgiving 1894

Young Lady in 1866

Posted on February 19, 2015 by maedez

I adore this painting; in fact, it is my favourite by Manet. A beautifully framed copy hangs in my dining room.

Why post it today?

The cold, the cold!

It’s far below zero–the chilliest temperature of the season. Since this painting makes me feel happy, content, and warm, I thought you might enjoy it, too.

Young Lady in 1866 by Édouard Manet. The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Books in Art: A Gotthelf Reader by Albert Anker, 1884

Posted on September 5, 2014 by maedez

A Gotthelf Reader by Albert Anker, 1884:

A Gotthelf Reader by Albert Anker, 1884

Books in Art: The New York Times Ad, 1895

Posted on July 22, 2014 by maedez

Strictly speaking, this ad features a newspaper, not a book. It’s so exquisite, though, that I am giving it a pass.

NY Times Advert, 1895

R.I.P. Norman Lloyd (1914-2021)

Norman Lloyd, long a personal favorite of mine, was a fascinating man and performer. Norman Lloyd Dead [THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER]

R.I.P. Geoffrey Scott

Geoffrey Scott was from a younger generation than the performers I normally write about, but his handsome presence was ubiquitous during my 1980s childhood. From Dynasty to The Love Boat, Night Court, and Battle of the Network Stars, his charisma and acting ability lit up the small screen for decades. He will be missed. Geoffrey […]

Kirk Douglas: 1916-2020

[2019 Reel Infatuation Blogathon] But Baby Think of Me Once in Awhile: On Andy Travis as Television’s Best (and Hunkiest) Boss

Welcome to the 2019 Reel Infatuation Blogathon! Baby, If You’ve Ever Wondered: It still seems like yesterday that the idea for RI popped in my head. It was actually in December 2015, while in a hotel room getting ready for a holiday party, when it occurred to me that there was a gap in the classic […]

Announcing the 2019 Reel Infatuation Blogathon!

This is one of my favorite events of the year, and not just because I’m the co-hostess. It’s simply that good. And fun. Oh, so much fun! Here’s my original announcement. ANNOUNCING THE 2019 REEL INFATUATION BLOGATHON I hope you’ll join us!