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

Not just a blog, a philosophy

Writers in Art: Vernon Lee by John Singer Sargent, 1889

Posted on June 8, 2017 by maedez

Vernon Lee (Violet Paget) by John Singer Sargent, 1889:

Vernon Lee by John Singer Sargent, 1889

Writers in Art: Hermann Hesse, 1905

Posted on October 7, 2016 by maedez

Portrait of Hermann Hesse by Ernst Würtenberger, 1905:

Hermann Hesse by Ernst Wurtenberger, 1905

Hermann Hesse by Ernst Würtenberger, 1905

Writers in Art: Marguerite, Countess of Blessington

Posted on September 1, 2016 by maedez

Marguerite Gardiner, Countess of Blessington was born on 1 September 1789:

Marguerite, Countess of Blessington by Thomas Lawrence, 1822

Writers in Art: Harriet Martineau

Posted on June 12, 2016 by maedez

Harriet Martineau was born on 12 June 1802:

Harriet Martineau

Writers in Art: Charles Dickens Giving a Reading

Posted on May 7, 2016 by maedez

Charles Dickens Giving a Reading, 1867

This engraving is from a sketch by Charles A. Barry. It appeared in Harper’s Weekly in December 1867.

Writers in Art: Margaret Fuller

Posted on March 29, 2016 by maedez

Engraving of Margaret Fuller

The Splendiferously Bearded Writers Social Club: Jules Vallès

Posted on March 10, 2016 by maedez

Name: Jules Vallès
D/O/B: 10 June 1832
Member Since: 1872
Status: Charter Member
Important Role: Community liaison
Hobbies: Agitating; engaging in politics; walking his talk

Portrait of Jules Vallès by Gustave Courbet (19th century)

Writers in Art: Eleanor Anne Porden

Posted on March 7, 2016 by maedez

Eleanor Anne Porden by Mary Ann Flaxman

Hey, Dickens! It’s Your Birthday!

Posted on February 7, 2016 by maedez

Ye Olde Charles Dickens was born on 7 February 1812:

Charles Dickens

“A wonderful fact to reflect upon, that every human creature is constituted to be that profound secret and mystery to every other.”-Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

Writers in Art: Portrait of Otto Gildemeister

Posted on January 17, 2016 by maedez

Portrait of Otto Gildemeister by Gottfried Joseph Hofer, 1898

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!