No. 2: A Photographer and Friends From The Past
A Photography Archive & A New Dress
First, just a quick THANK YOU! for all of the welcoming comments, sign-ups, subscriptions, and private messages that I have received since I launched my new Substack. I normally would not send another email out so soon, but I am having a new experience here, and am letting if flow how it will. I imagine what will happen is that sometimes you will hear from me twice a week and then possibly not again for three weeks… As always, I so appreciate your support, and welcome any feedback!
Since first publising this post, I have learned a lot! When I put content below a paywall, my full subscriber list cannot engage and comment. After doing some research, I understand why, but I have decided that for the time being I will make separate posts for paying subscribers. It’s no fun to read through an newsletter only to then be pushed to pay in order to read the full email. That doesn’t feel right to me. So, that said, if you want to pay for a little more content like creative prompts, product reviews, behind the scenes in my life and studio, that will arrive in separate emails. My regular newlsetters will go to everyone. No pressure at all to pay for more, but if you decide to, just know how grateful I am for any and all support! Just subscribing to my list, and opening and reading this email is wonderful and so appreciated!
An Artist Introduction: Margaret Morton
When I attended art school at The Cooper Union back in the early ‘90’s, one of my favorite professors, Margaret Morton, hired me as an intern. She had a long-term personal project photographing the unhoused in New York City, specifically around Alphabet City and Thompson Square Park. My job was to transcribe interviews/conversations she had with her subjects. It wasn’t a very creative task, but I was just happy to be in her presence, and to have an intimate peek into her process. At that time I didn’t know what I wanted to focus on, so I took classes in photography, printmaking, design, calligraphy, and more. Someone recommended me for the job —I can’t remember who, and I am not sure why, as I had never learned how to properly type. But I did my best, as I listened to Margaret talk to the people she was photographing, and typed out, word-for-word, what I heard. She was working on a book called Transitory Gardens, Uprooted Lives at the time, but I think I was helping with a few projects.
I recall this job so fondly. I remember sitting in a little room—very small, not much bigger than a closet—with with headphones on, and a big tape recorder. The machine was very basic, with just a few buttons, and I could hit Stop and Start easily as I typed out each batch of words I heard. Margaret passed away in 2020, and I am so happy to see that there is now a website devoted to her work. Her images, all in black and white, are timeless and powerful. You can learn about Margaret here: Margaret Morton Archive.
A New Dress
I have a group of girlfriends whom I first met when I moved to Philadelphia from the suburbs when I was eleven. My parents decided to enroll my sister and me into a Quaker private school after a chaotic bunch of years moving around. I attended about ten different schools before I landed at Friends Select, the school that would be my home until graduation. The friends I made there are still my very best friends. We know each other better than anyone, we always have each others backs, and to this day we are so close and grateful to have each other. We know our friendships are rare. This year we all turn fifty.
My friend Jane’s birthday party is this coming weekend. I bought a new dress for the event. My “dry January” will be on pause for the party. It’s a good time to celebrate and be carefree. We will dance like we are twenty-five (I should say they will dance, as I am the shyer one who stands to the side watching most of the time. If I had a sketchbook I would much rather draw the food and peoples shoes).
Do you know that I have written three books and also have a sketchbook filled with prompts to get you started drawing your days/your world? All of my titles can be found HERE.
Art Supply Recommendation
I bought a new LAMY Safari fountain pen with a fine point tip a few weeks ago, plus an ink converter. Both purchases made on impulse after watching Nishant Jain of
draw next to me at a cafe in Brooklyn. I filled the converter with Platinum Black Carbon Ink. This ink is fully waterproof, is the blackest black, and when you draw or write with this ink, there is a very slight matted sheen that sits on top of the surface of your paper in such a beautiful and unique way. It doesn't seep in, but rather sits there on top, and dries quickly. I have used this ink in another fountain pen and with dip pens, but this combination of the LAMY with converter, is a new favorite!The converter is very easy to load with ink. All you do is twist and it pulls the ink right inside the cartridge. I put on some plastic gloves in case it got messy, but it was very simple and clean! My pen has a fine tip which is the perfect thickness for all of my drawings. The dress above was rendered with this new pen, plus the writing and the date. I imagine it will be my go-to for the foreseeable future. I am so thankful to Nishant for introducing me to this drawing tool!
Sam, I agree with both of these comments! You should definitely bring your sketchbook to the party. You'd be a hit. And then dance too! Love the dress! I also love reading your posts as it brings me joy. To answer your question, I do see a gallery of 3 paintings. As for what would I like to see, I'd like it all.....behind the scenes in your studio, prompts AND material reviews. I'd mix it up depending how you are feeling : )
Oh, yes that makes sense, Schaeffer or Papermate fountain pens are not waterproof, and not great for drawing either. It's time for a change and a new skill to learn. Thank you