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

Not just a blog, a philosophy

Rainy Day on Fifth Avenue by Childe Hassam (1893)

Posted on April 6, 2022 by maedez

Today, I am feeling this painting in my bones.

*Rainy Day on Fifth Avenue* by Childe Hassam (1893)

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.

Sixteen Years Ago Today…

Posted on November 18, 2021 by maedez

I met The Chef.

**An Amorous Couple** **by Pierre Goudreaux**

We are still in love. Fancy that.

Spring by Abraham Manievich (1912)

Image

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

Two Exits: Berthe Morisot and D.H. Lawrence

Posted on March 2, 2021 by maedez

“A woman has to live her life, or live to repent not having lived it.”–D.H. Lawrence (11 September 1885-2 March 1930), Lady Chatterley’s Lover

Reading (Portrait of Edma Morisot) by Berthe Morisot (1873).

Berthe Morisot (14 January 1841-2 March 1895).

[Women in Art] Flora by Rembrandt

Posted on February 25, 2021 by maedez

Flora by Rembrandt (1634):

Flora by Rembrandt (1634). Modeled by the artist’s wife, Saskia van Uylenburgh.

I’m really feeling this color palette today, especially the flower crown.

[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.

Train in the Snow

Posted on January 24, 2021 by maedez

Train in the Snow by Claude Monet (1875):

10th Wedding Anniversary

Posted on December 11, 2020 by maedez

Today marks 10 years of marriage to The Chef! I wish that we could do something fantastic to celebrate, but alas! During a pandemic, it truly is enough to have each other and our love (so corny). Cheers to us…and anyone else celebrating something important during these awful times.

Dance in the Country by Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1883)

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!