The Artwork of Suzan Drummen

The Artwork of Suzan Drummen

This gorgeous circular artwork is like giant floor jewelry.  I have never seen anything like the work of Dutch artist Suzan Drummen.

Suzan Drummen is a visual arts teacher in the Netherlands.  Some have called her work psychedelic.  The beads, stones, mirrors, etc. are placed loosely on the floor, making them ethereal and very vulnerable to destruction. 

 Side-view of Suzan's work look like giant sundaes with cherries on the top.  The must be viewed from above to get the full effect.

Directly from the Website by:www.moniquewijbrands.nl

From this website you can view many multidisciplinary works in the media of painting, photography, installation and public art. The works are a playful investigation of space, illusion, optical effects and other visual phenomena as part of a broad exploration of visual perception and the limits of beauty. There is an ongoing inquiry into the limits of seduction and repulsion.
The installations for example, are made from crystal, chrome-plated metal, precious stones, mirrors and optical glass. From a distance they appear clear and orderly, yet upon closer inspection, the eyes become disoriented by the many details and visual stimuli. That moment, of being able to take it all in or not, is explored, time and time again. The visual perception is challenged, requisitioned and intensified.

This website features a selection of the work, in chronological order, with the most recent work at the top. 

Thanks to: family, friends, fellow artists, exhibition curators, art advisors, clients, commissioners, architects and those involved in the production and realisation of the works. 

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Suzan Drummen

1990 – Present (23 years) Amsterdam

"As an artist I make multidisciplinary works in the media of painting, photography,installation, and public art.  The works are a playful investigation of the space, illusion, optical effects, and other phenomena as a part of a broad exploration of visual perception and the limits of beauty.  There is an ongoing inquiry into the limits of seduction and repulsion.

The installations for example, are made from crystal, chrome-plated metal, precious stones, mirrors and optical glass. From a distance they appear clear and orderly, yet upon closer inspection, the eyes become disoriented by the many details and visual stimuli. That moment, of being able to take it all in or not is explored, time and time again. The visual perception is challenged, requisitioned and intensified.

Developing my own visual work is the main thing I do, but many other activities such as teaching, being member of art committees and initiate new art projects are so interwoven that I can hardly make a distinction between my activities. It is a great a stream of actions, meetings and findings that fertilize each other immensely."

Dutch Artist Suzan Drummen uses a very special canvas for her work.  She uses the floor!  She uses crystals, chromed metals, precious stones, mirrors, and faceted optical lens to make large scale murals using complex circular patterns, reminding me of Tibetian sand painting... and the circular written language of Gallifrey.dia of painting, photography, installation and public art. The works are a playful investigation of space, illusion, optical effects and other visual phenomena as part of a broad exploration of visual perception and the limits of beauty. There is an ongoing inquiry into the limits of seduction and repulsion.

The installations for example, are made from crystal, chrome-plated metal, precious stones, mirrors and optical glass. From a distance they appear clear and orderly, yet upon closer inspection, the eyes become disoriented by the many details and visual stimuli. That moment, of being able to take it all in or not, is explored, time and time again. The visual perception is challenged, requisitioned and intensified.

This website features a selection of the work, in chronological order, with the most recent work at the top. 

Thanks to: family, friends, fellow artists, exhibition curators, art advisors, clients, commissioners, architects and those involved in the production and realisation of the works. 

Website by: www.moniquewijbrands.nl

Dutch artist Suzan Drummen has a very unusual canvas.  She used the floor to make large scale floor murals using circles, crystals, chromed metal, precious stones, mirrors, and optical lenses.  These huge, multi-layered, vividly-colored floors capes are mesmerizing.

Interview with Author Michael Maxwell

Micheal Maxwell

California 

Good morning, Michael and welcome to Vision and Verse, the Place for Art and Authors. Tell us a little about yourself.  What have you written?
I currently have three books available on Amazon Kindle
Diamonds and Cole - www.amzn.com/B00F1I0C40
Cellar Full of Cole – www.amzn.com/B00FNWOE2U
A Cult of Cole – www.amzn.com/B00GFBIYOC
Cole Dust - Available Today - Dec 5
Three Nails - A Novella
www.michaelmaxwellauthor.blogspot.com
Eight the Hard Way – Thriller Anthology – Short Story - Available Dec 2013


WOW! Impressive!  What is your favorite genre to write?
I have several books in the Mystery genre currently available. I’m working on a Time Travel series for young adults.  If I had time I would love to write a Western series I have an idea for.  If I ever really let loose I think I could write some pretty blood curdling stuff too.  So my favorite is whatever I get to work on. I’m lobbying hard for a longer evening on the clock so I can get more writing done.

Favorite food.
Mexican anything (except Menudo), anything I’ve never tried, and my son Ryan’s BBQ Ribs (Best in the World).

Tea or coffee?
Mocha and boiling hot!

Pizza or ice cream?
You could scrap all the foods mentioned above for a bowl carton of Chocolate Almond Ice Cream!

Where would you like to visit?
I have visited 39 countries as of last summer and I still haven’t hit South America or Australia so they are high on my list.

Favorite musical artist.
Bob Dylan. I have been a fan, no that’s not the word, a follower since I was ten. I heard Bob Dylan being played in a record store Christmas shopping with my dad. It was like nothing I had ever heard. It was his first album in 1962. It would be several years until I heard him again. I was sitting in a tree with a Silvertone transistor radio and Like a Rolling Stone came on. I KNEW it was the same guy and I was transfixed. A couple years later my mom, God bless her, gave me every Dylan album through John Westley Harding for Christmas.  I’ve never looked back. Bob Dylan said that you know!  No matter your mood he can fill the need. Blues, Rock, Folk, Gospel, slow, up tempo, waltz, comedy and a few styles that defy classification. Ok, Ok none of that, yeah but he can’t sing stuff. Let those who have ears hear, Jesus said that.





 Do you listen to music when you write? 
Yes, but if I am really in the zone I don’t hear it, and don’t notice if it stops.

 What?
Classical waltzes and the Grateful Dead. Long jams from the Dead can really do the trick. Vocal music distracts me. Except opera, because I have no idea what they’re saying!

What makes you laugh?
Grouch Marx and Monty Python. I really don’t like poo-poo humor. Sex, body functions and profanity aren’t funny. I find great humor in absurdity, and playing with language. I think those guys are pretty puny.

How old were you when you started writing?
Pretty young. I have an old notebook of drawings and stories from the 1st or 2nd grade. Not from school, that I did at home. School kills creativity.

Describe your perfect evening.
A stay at home, watching a proper English Costume Drama, (not Dalton Abbey) Doc Martin, The Café, or Swedish Detective series. A big bowl of ice cream and my beautiful wife on the couch next to me.

Where do you get your inspiration?
My life and believe it or not, songs. I can hear a song, or a line of the lyric, and for some strange reason I can go off into the great beyond and comeback with a fully formed ready to write book. The funny thing is, the song has absolutely nothing to do with the story. It just triggers something and away we go!




What do you do when you get a writer's block?
I have ADOLST syndrome (Attention Deficit Oh Look Shiny Thing) so I have a much harder time staying on task sometimes than nothing coming out of the pipe.

Who is your favorite author?
I have three actually. Charles Dickens for his gift of storytelling. Robertson Davies, the great Canadian man of letters, who from his writing, showed me I could embrace language and do it too. Certainly not a well as he did though!  The late great Stuart M. Kaminsky. He was the greatest mystery writer of his generation. He wrote a half a dozen different series and they all were brilliant. I am thankful that I was able to correspond with Davies and Kaminsky before they died. If I could be half the writer either one of them was I would consider myself and genius!



Best book you ever read.
I love Fifth Business by Robertson Davies. It sounds crazy but the first time I read it I could hear my own voice in the narration. It was like I knew what was coming next. It changed my life because I thought, I can do that! I can’t, but I’m working real hard to get there. It is the perfect plot structure and best of all it is part one of a trilogy! The other two books, The Manticore and World of Wonders come in tied for second!  I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my favorite Dickens book Our Mutual Friend. I think I have read it more than any book I own. It’s not well known, but it ticks all the boxes for me.

Who is the one person who has influenced your personal life the most and why?
My grandfather whose larger than life persona and legend loomed over my family like a hybrid of Woody Guthrie, George Clooney’s character from O Brother, Where Art Thou? and the worst parts of every alcoholic, degenerate gambler who ever lived. Although he died when I was five, the stories of his character, moral compass, adventures and wisdom were ever present. He got sober in his fifties but the damage was done and he died at fifty-six. So it seems everything I was taught as a kid was either what you should or shouldn’t do what he did.


If you could sit down and have a conversation with ONE person, living or dead, real or fictional, who would it be and why?
Thomas Edward Lawrence, “Lawrence of Arabia” – He is one of the most amazing people that ever lived. I have three shelves of books about him, and Lawrence more than anyone else helped shape the Middle East today. Had they listened to him and not derailed the plans and promises he made to the Arab people we wouldn’t have the mess we have today. He was such an incredible man, writer, artist, historian, leader, warrior, diplomat, admired, hated, all mixed together in a man who was a recluse, ashamed of his illegitimate birth and uncertain of his sexuality. If he would be willing to talk, what a conversation that would be!

What advice would you give someone who aspired to be a writer?
Read and Write. Great writers read. It amazes me how many people I talk to say they don’t have time to read since they started writing. Or worse they only read the genre they write. Words are a magical gift and to be touched by the magic you have to read the words of others. Old, new and meaningful writing, not trashy beach paperbacks, great writng.
Then write. Write lots. The more you write the better you will become and the easier it will be. The real secret is being able to discern between what is good, and what is crap. Just like Edison and the light bulb. He tried it a thousand different ways until he found a way that worked. Write until you get it right. But, don’t ask your mom if it’s any good unless she’s an editor for Random House. Remember, she the one who put all your art from school on the refrigerator like you were Rembrandt.
Three rules for Writers:  1) Get in a writing community and get your nose bloodied.   2) Revise it again and throw it back out there.  3) See #1. Writers can’t have thin skin. Criticism is the whetstone for honing your craft.


Do you have any links for us?

Amazon: www.amazon.com/author/michealmaxwell

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/michael.maxwell.author
          https://www.facebook.com/michaelmaxwellbooks 

Twitter: @micleemaxauthor

Blog: http://michaelmaxwellauthor.blogspot.com/ 

TIS THE SEASON

Good morning Vision & Verse fans!! Parker here...It's that time of year when we start sending out greeting cards in celebration of the holidays.  I've been working on mine for the last week, feverishly trying to complete them.  I began making my own cards over 14 years ago because I found the store-bought cards lacked so much....and I found that I received 3 and 4 of the same cards from different senders.  I wanted something that was unique, that said "you are special" to the recipient.  And it was a way of giving of myself to my friends and family.

I've shared above, 3 of my very first card designs.  All are 8.5" x 5.5" compositions of free-hand drawing, computer generated images, on #60 cardstock.  These were designed in the late 1990's.
I'll share some of my more recent work in the post following.

Images above designed by and sole property of Parker Kagan-Kaufman.

Waiting for Richard on Sale

CHARMING DECEPTION

CHARMING DECEPTION

Carol Ann Kauffman 

September 2012

     My novel CHARMING DECEPTION is presently with my editor, but readers of Vision and Verse can read the first thirty-two pages as episodes exclusively here in the April through June Archives below.  Here is the first page:

  Okay, where the hell am I?  She opened her eyes and didn't recognize her dimly lit surroundings.  She looked out the window.  It was still dark outside, very cloudy, not a star in the sky.  She was lying in bed.  Naked.  And judging from the smell of the lavender scent on the perfectly ironed, high thread-count sheets and pillowcases, she was either in a very high-end luxury hotel or in one of Martha Stewart's guest rooms.  A snore interrupted her thoughts.  She glanced over at the noisy lump lying beside her.  Nope.  Didn't recognize him.
    There's a very strong possibility, she said to herself, that I've been teleported back to the free-loving sixties.  She got up to go to the bathroom.  A glint of gold caught her eye from the ring finger of her left hand.  I'm married?  Oh, shit!  When did THIS happen?  This isn't the sixties!  This must be Vegas, Baby!  She crept quietly into the bathroom, closed the door, and snapped on the light.  Definitely a hotel.  Antiseptic.  Martha Stewart's guest bathroom would have scented candles and a sense of style, hospitality, and luxury.  And not so much white.  White walls, white floor, white towels, white shower curtain.  A rather bizarre-looking attachment on the faucet, and another one on the showerhead.  She looked in the mirror.
    Yikes!  Well, I give that bony lump sleeping beside me credit for marrying me when I look so bad!  Good Grief!  HE must be a total loser!  She examined her dull, spotty complexion, wild Einstein hair, and the bags under her eyes.  She rehearsed her speech to Bony Lump.
    "Hey! Bozo! Whatever happened between us, it was just some bizarre mistake.  Gather your things and get the hell out of here!  I'll contact my lawyer to annul this fiasco as soon as I get home.  Now go!"  Then she would point to the door for dramatic effect.
    As soon as I get home.  Home?  Where was home?  She couldn't remember.  She looked back at her reflection in the mirror.  She couldn't remember where she lived, or how she got here. She couldn't remember where she worked, or what she drove. 
    Hmmm. did Bony Lump drug me?  Did he drug me, take advantage of me, and then, MARRY me?  No, no, why would he do that?  That makes absolutely no sense.  She wiggled the gold ring with a very decent-sized brilliant cut diamond in the center.  Weighty.  Expensive.  Good fit.  And… slightly familiar.  She thought it was very beautiful.  Oh, look, a tan line!  Now, how can that be?  This has to be a dream.  She snapped off the light and crept silently back into bed and sighed.  The sooner I go back to sleep, the sooner I’ll wake up, and this bad dream will be over.  Bony Lump rolled over and pulled her to him gently, hugging her, patting her shoulder.
    "It was just a nightmare, Love.  I'm right here.  You're safe," he whispered sweetly in a sleepy voice.  "Go back to sleep.  I’ll protect you.  Always."  He kissed her head gently.  He had a wonderful voice.  British accent.  Kind.  Reassuring.  Gentle. Very touching.  And so she did.  She fell asleep in his arms, with her hand on his chest. 

Interview with author Daniel Pike

Daniel Pike

Chandler, AZ

What have you written?
My first full length novel, The Wolf of Descarta, was released on November 21st.  Wolf the first in a three book series, The Dream Box, and is based on the novelette I published in TZPP’s RealLies, an anthology of short works.
Both The Wolf of Descarta and RealLies are available in print and e-book formats through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
I also maintain an eclectic blog at www.pikeknight.com.


What is your favorite genre to write?
My roots are probably in the Fantasy genre, but I mostly write Science Fiction. The Dream Box series is a blend of the two due to its emphasis on exploring our fantasies through simulation.

Favorite food?
Mom’s home cooking. Bar none.


Tea or coffee?
Both in the form of Monster energy drinks!




Pizza or ice cream?
That’s an unfair question. I think pizza beats ice cream if one hasn’t had it in a while, but there’s always room for ice cream.


Where would you like to visit?
I’ve wanted to visit Europe and Japan for many years. I’m also a fan of New Zealand because all the best movies seem to be filmed there.


Favorite musical artist.  Do you listen to music when you write?  What?
Disturbed—and yes, I absolutely listen to Heavy Metal when I write. I like any kind of music with complexity and decent lyrics, however.




What makes you laugh?
My daughters’ antics are among the funniest in the world, in my not-so-humble opinion. One is a mad scientist, the other a philanthropist /idealist. (They’re six and nine years old respectively.)


How old were you when you started writing?
My first story that I considered creative (as opposed to a school assignment) was probably one I wrote in the sixth grade for a middle school academic fair (so still kind of an assignment). I received Honorable Mention for it after the school’s staff accused me of cheating and having my parents help me. Apparently, they didn’t believe a 12-year-old could write anything halfway decent.

You know, I illustrated that sucker too. The teachers never accused me of cheating at that. That probably explains why I’m a writer and not a visual artist…


Describe your perfect evening.
Um… one where I get to go to bed without worrying about what time I have to get up in the morning? I’m a full-time teacher and author as well as a single dad, so my days are packed.


Oh, I understand completely.  I taught for thirty-five years.  Never enough time.  Where do you get your inspiration?
Much of my inspiration honestly comes from comic books, anime (manga), and video games as well as literature and film. I see all of these creative mediums of storytelling as art forms.


What do you do when you get a writer's block?
In a creative setting, writer’s block generally happens when the writer is trying to force his or her characters to act in ways they would not naturally act. Writers tend to do this when plot begins to trump characterization—which should never happen.

When I catch myself doing this, I slow down the writing process and focus on how my characters would act in the scenario I’m creating. I then let that guide the plot.

In an academic setting, “writer’s block” is just procrastination, and we all know this.

I have a friend who says "I never get writer's block; I have a mortgage. Who is your favorite author?
I’m a high school English teacher with a degree in Lit, so this question is probably impossible for me to answer. I enjoy the reading and teaching the Classics as well as works written by contemporary writers from many different genres. My taste in writing is like my taste in music—eclectic.


What is the best book you’ve ever read?
If you’re going to pigeonhole me here, I’d probably advocate for Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad or Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk.


Who is the one person who has influenced your personal life the most and why?
My greatest influence growing up was probably my grandfather. He taught me quite a bit about the way a gentleman should behave and jumpstarted my concept of modern chivalry—such as it is. The chivalric archetype outside of its Fantasy/Historical Fiction context is a common thread in all of my current projects, and this has much to do with my perspective on life in the postmodern world.


If you could sit down and have a conversation with ONE person, living or dead, real or fictional, who would it be and why?
That’s easy. I’d teleport to Camelot and smack some sense into Sir Lancelot.


What advice would you give someone who aspires to be a writer?
All of these sound canned, but they’re true: 1) believe in yourself or no one else will, 2) develop thick skin, 3) know who your audience is before you sit down to write a book, 4) thoroughly read all the submission guidelines on any publisher’s website before submitting, 5) take rejection with a grain of salt—most writers aren’t rejected based on their craft but on marketability with an individual publisher, 6) use your fiction to tell the truth, and 7) never give up.


Follow me on Twitter @pikeknight or Facebook at www.facebook.com/danielpikeknight

Order The Wolf of Descarta at http://www.amazon.com/Wolf-Descarta-Dream-Box/dp/1937365220/

Interview with Author Kristen Mazzola

 Kristen Mazzola

South Florida

Welcome to Vision and Verse this morning, Kristen.What have you written?
My debut novel, Crashing Back Down was just released November 4th


What is your favorite genre to write?
Contemporary romance


Favorite food. 
Anything Italian


Where would you like to visit?
The next place on my bucket list is Australia!






Favorite musical artist.Do you listen to music when you write?  What?
Jimmy Buffett (to name one of many) But no, I cannot listen to music while I write. I am a drummer and get too caught up in it and it becomes far too distracting.




What makes you laugh? 
Stupid comedy! I love standup, Family Guy and    
The Big Bang Theory!


How old were you when you started writing?
Just about 10 years old.


Where do you get your inspiration?
From my wonderful life.

What do you do when you get a writer's block? 
Start writing something else, read, watch some romantic comedy.


Who is your favorite author?
I have too many to just pick one?



No. Best book you ever read. 
There really are too many, but the first book I ever truly fell in love with was The Perks of Being a Wallflower.


Who is the one person who has influenced your personal life the most and why?
My father. He is my hero. I love him so much and I am so thankful and proud to be his daughter.






If you could sit down and have a conversation with ONE person, living or dead, real or fictional, who would it be and why?
This question is hard for me, today especially.  My Popi passed this morning. In this moment, I’d want to sit down with him one last time.





I'm sorry to hear that, Kristen.  You have our deepest sympathy.  What advice would you give someone who aspired to be a writer? 
Just simply write what you enjoy! Don’t write something you think someone else wants to read, write the story you want to convey.

Thank you for being with us this morning, Kristen.  We at Vision and Verse wish you continued success in all your endeavors.  Come back and see us again.
Thank you.  I will.

Happy December!

Good Morning, Happy Readers!

    Happy December!  We have a very exciting month planned for Vision and Verse.  I am pleased to announced our schedule for this week:

     Monday, Dec. 2 - Author Interview with Kristen Mazzola

     Tuesday, Dec. 3 - Author Interview with Daniel Pike

     Wednesday, Dec. 4 - A Look at Echo of Heartbreak, A

                                  Recipe for Life by Carol Ann Kauffman

     Thursday, Dec. 5 - Author Interview with Michael Maxwell

     Friday, Dec. 6 -  I'll be honest, I'm not sure...

    Have a great December.  Make it a December to Remember! Is that from a car commercial?  I think so.

    Hugs,

    Carol