It occurs to me after all this time, that I've never told the story of Bakery of the Poets; or rather the story behind our name. My favorite literary work of all time is Cyrano de Bergerac. Rostand's play is a work of great humor, artistry and love and his hero...truly heroic. Cyrano is big in every way; not just his nose but his heart, his courage, his idealism and his creativity; are all of epic proportions. I love and adore this character. But I admit that I don¿t much identify with him. Yes, in that deep part that is my creative spirit; bold, unfettered, idealistic beyond belief, we are kindred. But as a character or a person...let's face it, he needs a keeper. He seems to careen from one catastrophe to another with unparalleled style and verve.
My own particular style is not conducive to catastrophe; has, in fact, more to do with catastrophe-avoidance than catastrophe-seeking. The character with whom I identify most is Ragueneau; pastry chef, poet (in a small way) art and artist lover; owner of a cafe identified simply as Bakery of the Poets. His love for artists prompts him to allow perennially impoverished scribblers and sketchers to exchange their work for food and wine (a habit which drives his bottom line-watching wife mad) his own poetry, he uses to wrap the bakery goodies he sells. Bakery of the Poets is a gathering place for artists and an artist-watching place for the nobility, the intellectuals and the ordinary citizens who find them fascinating. In Rostand's Bakery of the Poets artists fill their bellies, socialize, fight and find patrons and discuss the big ideas.
Once I really decided to do my part to help artists, the creation of a Bakery of the Poets for the modern age came very naturally. We are using technology to create a place where artists can find all kinds of support; 'bread' for their labors, people who nurture their talent, the encouragement and society of other artists. BotP is a forum in which they are published or promoted, helping artists find new audiences and patrons for their work. We want to give them the support they need to do their work and in that way help create artists. During 2006 we reached our tipping point where making progress no longer feels like pushing a boulder up hill. And with your support, 2007 promises to be a banner year for BotP and artists everywhere. On to the news.
29 January 2007
17 January 2007
Author! Author!
We have one!! Bakery of the Poets is publishing a novel by first time author Eric Pardue. His book is based on his own experiences as an Air Force sergeant who travels through Northern Europe while recovering from a traumatic divorce (Ever been married in a foreign country? Try having an ugly divorce in one). Interspersed with tales accommodation adventures, quirky travel companions and eccentric locals, is a beautiful and evocative examination into the nature of travel itself and its power to rebuild the human spirit.
We are committed to discovering and nurturing new literary talent and are pleased to welcome Eric as our first novelist. There is a limited opportunity for BotP donors to become a part of this writer's success. All donations will be acknowledged at the appropriate donation level. However, major donors toward this special project receive partial publication credit and/or acknowledgments in the front of the book, as well as pre-publication excerpts and updates from the author and a signed copy of the completed novel. To donate up to $1000.00 online please go to our Fractured Atlas donation page. To make a donation over $1000.00 or for more information please contact Darya at: giving@bakeryofthepoets.org.
Bakery of the Poets is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions in behalf of Bakery of the Poets maybe made payable to Fractured Atlas and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
We are committed to discovering and nurturing new literary talent and are pleased to welcome Eric as our first novelist. There is a limited opportunity for BotP donors to become a part of this writer's success. All donations will be acknowledged at the appropriate donation level. However, major donors toward this special project receive partial publication credit and/or acknowledgments in the front of the book, as well as pre-publication excerpts and updates from the author and a signed copy of the completed novel. To donate up to $1000.00 online please go to our Fractured Atlas donation page. To make a donation over $1000.00 or for more information please contact Darya at: giving@bakeryofthepoets.org.
Bakery of the Poets is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions in behalf of Bakery of the Poets maybe made payable to Fractured Atlas and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
02 January 2007
Rising Starr
Tomorrow Sean Starr celebrates the launch of his book!
MORRISSEY RUINED MY LIFE SHOW IN SF
Sean Starr will paint live to the music of The Smiths and Morrissey at the Workspace Gallery in San Francisco Saturday, February 3, 2007.
Colin Nasseri, co-author of "You, Me and Morrissey" will also be present to sign copies of the book.
Sean's "Morrissey" Series pieces will be on display at the gallery.
More details soon. Show sponsored by IFUC
.
Writer Colin Nasseri and Painter Sean Starr's book You, Me and Morrissey will soon be released. The book chronicles the influence the music of The Smiths and Morrissey had on the lives of two young men as one became a writer and the other a painter. Sean is a tremendous friend to Bakery of the Poets and we couldn't be happier for his continued success. Sean's next book will contain artwork from his series based on the play by Edmond Rostand, Cyrano de Bergerac. His work always connects with me on a deep level. The Morrissey collection is astounding, his Coupling series truly fascinating Check out Kurt and Courtney or Morrissey and Marr. The 10 Muses was my true introduction to his work and will always be my favorite...or so I thought.
The Cyrano paintings are unutterably moving. My pre-Starr de Bergerac conditioning plays a factor no doubt, giving me a particular perspective. Sean has managed to capture the spirit of the characters and adds to it something that is almost an artistic communion or collaboration with Rostand's overriding theme. He manages to stay true to the play, and in addition, to say something about the artistic condition and the energy of idealism.
Okay, so obviously, I'm a fan. Here's a fun story: BotP provided a small spark of his inspiration for these paintings. He had recently completed a series based on Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream and was researching possibilities for his next. While corresponding about Bakery of the Poets' website (which Sean is redesigning) he learned the story behind our name and decided to give Rostand's play another look. The rest, as they say...The book based on the Cyrano series is due out in '07 with a preface by yours truly. You have the opportunity of owning some of the artwork before the book is published. Check out Sean Starr's website for the de Bergerac paintings and other works.
MORRISSEY RUINED MY LIFE SHOW IN SF
Sean Starr will paint live to the music of The Smiths and Morrissey at the Workspace Gallery in San Francisco Saturday, February 3, 2007.
Colin Nasseri, co-author of "You, Me and Morrissey" will also be present to sign copies of the book.
Sean's "Morrissey" Series pieces will be on display at the gallery.
More details soon. Show sponsored by IFUC
.
Writer Colin Nasseri and Painter Sean Starr's book You, Me and Morrissey will soon be released. The book chronicles the influence the music of The Smiths and Morrissey had on the lives of two young men as one became a writer and the other a painter. Sean is a tremendous friend to Bakery of the Poets and we couldn't be happier for his continued success. Sean's next book will contain artwork from his series based on the play by Edmond Rostand, Cyrano de Bergerac. His work always connects with me on a deep level. The Morrissey collection is astounding, his Coupling series truly fascinating Check out Kurt and Courtney or Morrissey and Marr. The 10 Muses was my true introduction to his work and will always be my favorite...or so I thought.
The Cyrano paintings are unutterably moving. My pre-Starr de Bergerac conditioning plays a factor no doubt, giving me a particular perspective. Sean has managed to capture the spirit of the characters and adds to it something that is almost an artistic communion or collaboration with Rostand's overriding theme. He manages to stay true to the play, and in addition, to say something about the artistic condition and the energy of idealism.
Okay, so obviously, I'm a fan. Here's a fun story: BotP provided a small spark of his inspiration for these paintings. He had recently completed a series based on Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream and was researching possibilities for his next. While corresponding about Bakery of the Poets' website (which Sean is redesigning) he learned the story behind our name and decided to give Rostand's play another look. The rest, as they say...The book based on the Cyrano series is due out in '07 with a preface by yours truly. You have the opportunity of owning some of the artwork before the book is published. Check out Sean Starr's website for the de Bergerac paintings and other works.
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