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

Not just a blog, a philosophy

Happy New Year!

Posted on January 1, 2022 by maedez

*Paris Street, Rainy Day* by Gustave Caillebotte (1877).

It’s been raining all day. I think that is a fine way to start a new year.

[Women Reading in Art] Reading on the Rocks by Gisbert Combaz (1911)

Posted on July 19, 2021 by maedez

She is a mood and a half.

Spring by Abraham Manievich (1912)

One More Time…

Posted on March 31, 2021 by maedez

I’ve shared this photo multiple times here on A Small Press Life. I remain unapologetic, though, as it makes me happy.

Sometimes it is nice to return to our favorites. Do you agree?

[Book Nerd News] Cleary, Dostoevsky, Krasner

Posted on March 28, 2021 by maedez

Children’s Author Beverly Cleary, Creator of Ramona Quimby, Dies at 104 [NPR]
When Dostoevsky Hit the St. Petersburg Literary Scene [LIT HUB]
Lee Krasner’s Elegant Destructions [THE PARIS REVIEW]

Windmill by Piet Mondrian

Posted on March 7, 2021 by maedez

Windmill by Piet Mondrian (1917).

Mondrian was born on this day in 1872.

The artist sees the tragic to such a degree that he is compelled to express the non-tragic.
Piet Mondrian

Train in the Snow

Posted on January 24, 2021 by maedez

Train in the Snow by Claude Monet (1875):

Art for a Rainy Day: After the Rain Gloucester by Paul Cornoyer

Posted on March 10, 2020 by maedez

After the Rain Gloucester by Paul Cornoyer.

[Book Nerd News] Harriet Frank Jr., George Steiner, and John Baldessari

Posted on February 5, 2020 by maedez

Harriet Frank Jr. Dies at 96 [THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER]
George Steiner Dies at 90 [THE NEW YORK TIMES]
John Baldessari Dies at 88 [LA TIMES]

Harriet Frank Jr. (Amazing Stories, June-July 1953)

Man Ray on Works of Art

Posted on January 15, 2020 by maedez

“Nature does not create works of art. It is we, and the faculty of interpretation peculiar to the human mind, that see art.”–Man Ray

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]

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!