The Cover of "The Anne Marie" Under Construction

Artist: Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson

www.PaperPaintings.com

The Blank Canvas

 Fine Artist: Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson

The Blank Canvas

It can be argued that when we are young the promise and endless potential that we possess is as infantile as a stark naked canvas.  When Elizabeth St. Hilaire was young, she wanted nothing more than to be an artist.  Her family wasn't sure.  But she persevered and even landed herself a spot in the esteemed Syracuse art program. 

The dreams and friends we meet in these critical years are where the picture begins to form and take its shape.  This was no different for Elizabeth.  She thrived at her new institution, both with her artwork as well with the new friends she made.  Everything was going swimmingly for the young Elizabeth. 

So now I ask you to imagine yourself in the prime of your life.  You are doing well in school, and you are on your way to Europe with your friends to study art.  

You’re in art’s Mecca.

It's the time of your life. 

Christmas is so close you can smell it in the distance.  It smells like cinnamon.

As your friends begin to pack to leave, you decided to stay behind for a bit longer,  to learn and see more.  

“See ya later,” you say as they leave, “I’ll see you when I get back.”

When you are that age, a week or two is nothing but a chance to obtain another adventure.

You wave your friends goodbye as they step on board their Pan-Am flight. 

It is December 21^st and the year is 1988. 

The airplane which your friends step onto is Pan-Am flight 103. 

It is the last time you ever see any of them again.

The news of the Lockerbie disaster reaches you hard and fast, breath is hard to find.  The news is too much, too horrific, and too much to bear. 

All passengers gone. 

All of your friends gone. 

A terrorist attack, a bomb. 

Their faces fill your head.

This is a fragmented portion of Elizabeth's life. 

We’ve all heard the cliché that misery and tragedy inspire great art.  In my own darkest hours, I have found that the aforementioned does not work as inspiration per se.  We do not draw from horrific events, but rather these events force us to look inward and evaluate our own self worth.  These events ensure that we move forward with the wind of those lost at our backs.  We become more than ourselves, because we live for more than just for ourselves. 

Elizabeth St. Hilaire embodies this persona.  She is a talented person, whom I believe has always been talented, however she is a fine artist with a commitment to not only herself but also to those who boarded that plane all those years ago.  Her art is the beauty she brushes to the ground as she moves onward through life, and I am so proud to watch as its beauty graces my own existence. 

Dedicated to the Souls of Pan-Am 103

Israel J Parker

COVER ARTIST FOR MY BOOK…

COVER ARTIST FOR MY BOOK…

So in this process that I am in, the independent writing process that is, I have been a bit worried about the artwork that would appear on the cover of my book.  Not knowing much about artwork per say, I knew that I would be at the whim of the self-publishing company’s discretion.  That is until the day before yesterday.  Not to give anything away about one of the main characters in my book, but one of these characters happens to be a painter.   So I have always envisioned my cover to be some sort of painting. 

The day before yesterday I had a middle school class guest edit my posting, so I was on my blog looking to see if there were any comments on the fantastic job they had done, there was not by the way.

Hmmm.

When I accidently clicked on the “NEXT BLOG” button at the top of my blog’s page. 

That’s when it happened, and the next thing I know I was staring at this beautiful piece of art.  It looked like a painting, however as I looked closer I could see that it wasn’t brush strokes that made up the delicate lines through out this captivating piece of art.  What I was looking at was what looked like torn paper delicately placed together in a truly remarkable way. 

The result- AMAZING.

So I posted on this stranger’s blog- Hey if your interested I have written a book and I think your artwork would be perfect for the cover.

To my surprise the artist emailed me back right away – She was interested.

A phone conversation later and it was done.  This super talented artist is going to do a custom painting for the cover of my book.

 I couldn’t believe it.

I am posting the link to this wonderful artist and a piece of her work because I want to show her amazing talents off.  She is quickly becoming a big name in the art community, and on top of it all she is a pretty damn nice lady too.  So please go and check out her unbelievable artwork.

 www.PaperPaintings.com

http://elizabethsthilairenelson.blogspot.com/2011/02/paper-paintings-book-cover-art.html

The Kid Down the Street

                                      The kid Down the Street

1993- Henderson, Nevada

There was this kid who lived down the street from me named Steve. I hadn't thought about him for a long time. I was driving home the other day when his face and story entered my mind.
Steve was about the same age as I was; actually, he was a year older. I remember this because he was in high school and I was in eighth grade. Steve’s little brother was a year younger than me.  Steve was Filipino and his mother, on the few occasions that I saw her, spoke almost no English, but his dad was white and kind of a nerdy looking fellow.

I remember think about what an odd couple they were.

Their house was more beat up than ours and Steve’s dad's car was an old, blue Honda.
I once asked Steve where his dad worked, to which he replied, "My dad works in a top secret facility at Nellis Air Force Base on the other side of town.
It was true that there was a Nellis Air Force Base, but I was positive then, and am positive now, that Steve’s father did not work there.
The mixture of Steve’s parents made his skin light, not as light as his little brother’s, but light nonetheless His face, though, was very much Filipino.
I didn't hang out with Steve very often, but I did take notice when he began running with a tougher, older crowd.
Pretty soon, loud rap music would blare from his garage. As my family drove by his house, we would see Steve out front with his new friends, all sporting wife-beaters and dickies. They also all wore the same kind of sunglasses that everyone in the neighborhood referred to as “lokes”.
Soon after, my bike went missing from my garage. Someone in the neighborhood said that Steve had taken it, but I dare not go and inquire about it.
I had an older brother who was older and stronger than Steve, a person whom I knew to be as tough as they come; however, he too knew not to mess with Steve’s crowd.
Then quiet.
Without warning, Steve's family suddenly moved away.
Then, I heard it at school.  Some kids who were friends with Steve’s little brother told everyone.
They had found Steve’s body in the desert. His hands had been bound behind his back and shot in the back several times. The story was that Steve had attempted to rob a convenience store, and the owners overtook him. They then bound his hands and put him in their trunk, drove him into the desert, shot him, and left his body out there to rot.
His body lay there in the desert for several weeks. It had been bitten and chewed on by all kinds of vultur-isk type of creatures.
I remember watching the news that night, but there was nothing on about it. It was old news by then.

Old news.


Thank you to Mr. Hooper’s English class for all you help on this posting, and a very special thanks you to Leanne Wang who was my special guest editor.  Leanne you are very talented and I was very impressed by your mad skills.

Roxanne and Jager: Part 2

Roxanne and Jager: Part 2

Mobile, Alabama 2001

So James and I headed home from the flea market with our new basset hound puppy, which we had named Roxanne. 

How do you think Jager's gonna take to her? - James asked me. 

Umm...he'll be fine with it- 

We pulled into the driveway of my house and as we got out of the car, Dave, our neighbor, approached and saw what I was carrying. 

You've got to be kidding- he laughed in the same way you do when a buddy trips and falls on his face. 

We'll at least you didn't get a goat- he remarked. 

This reference was not just a joke.  The fact of the matter was it had almost been a reality. I had been talking a lot about getting a goat or even a small pig for that matter, this talk was usually brought on by a few beers and an excess of poor judgment.  Later on while at a local bar across Mobile Bay, I almost purchased a goat. His name was “Billy the Goat”, but that's another story altogether. 

 Dave, James, and I went into our house to introduce Roxanne to Jager. 

When we opened the door Jager was sitting there on the couch watching TV; well he may have not been watching it for real, but that's how it looked. We didn't like the thought of him getting lonely so we had started leaving James’ TV on when we left. 

Hey buddy- I called to Jager- what’cha doing?

Jager yawned and slowly got off the couch.  His life had made a leisurely turn in the few months since we had acquired him. 

Jager came over and sniffed at Roxanne as I placed her onto the ground. The big black dog with the green eyes walked over to the basset hound and looked at her. 

Then he did something quite curious. He lifted a paw and swiped it across the face of Roxanne, knocking her to the ground. 

No!- we all screamed. 

Go lay down!- I said with a parental tone. 

Jager went and lay down, and I picked up Roxanne and took her to my bedroom. 

I sure hope he's not going to act like this all the time- I thought. 

When I got to my room little Roxanne was already back asleep, she looked too peaceful and sweet. I kissed her little head and gently placed her in the middle of my bed where she stayed asleep. 

She probably wants some water- I thought and then returned to the living room, tip-toeing while I walked. When I got to the living room, James and Dave were both sitting with Jager on the couch. 

She's asleep- I said- I'm gonna give her some water. Then I looked at Jager- hey bud what’s your problem?

The black dog gave no answer.

Ahh, he's just a little jealous is all- Dave said. 

In the kitchen I filled a small water bowl, and then returned to my bedroom.  Including the time I talked with the guys in the living room and filled up the bowl, I was gone less than a minute. 

When I opened the door to my bedroom the smell hit me and then I saw… 

It was shaped into a pleasant looking swirl that at the time reminded me of dairy queen soft serve. It was almost the same size as the little dog in both length and girth. 

It was a formidable sight. 

Roxanne, of course, was sleeping peacefully next to it as if nothing happened. 

This, of course, was a sign of more to come. 

Jager: Part One

Jager: Part One

Mobile, Alabama 2001

Before I wrote the story of Roxanne, I should have started with the tale of Jager, the best dog I have ever known.  These events begin six months prior to James and I acquiring Roxanne at the Flea Market.

Jager was a black lab, which we didn't exactly acquire through one hundred percent “legal” means. Well if it was a matter of what was right, yeah we did what was right, but did we ask for permission, not exactly. 

When I moved into the small old house on the west side of Mobile, I did so with a bartender at a local TGIF named James. James was cool guy who I had met during my countless hours at the TGIF’s bar.  He seemed nice, and I needed a roommate; plus we both had an affinity for the drink, so the fit was perfect. When James and I moved in though, we felt like something was missing. 

A dog. 

After about two weeks of living in our new house a neighbor down the street, whom for the purpose of this story I will call Jane, told us a story about some guy she knew, and how he had a black lab pup tied to the front tree of his house. 

It seems some evening operations are an order – I thought. 

So after a few short moments of contemplation, I went with Jane in her minivan to see this poor creature. When Jane and I showed up, the sight was as bad as I thought it would be.  It was a little black male Labrador puppy chained to an old oak tree by way of a thick heavy chain.  The sad little dog was lying there on the ground on its side, and by the look of the size of the chain, it didn’t even look like the little guy could get up.

 He looks pretty pathetic – Jane said.

Yeah he does-

I tried calling the pound to see if they could do anything about the situation, but they said no- Jane added.

Is anyone home-

No, the truck is gone-

I’m taking him-

After quick work with quicker hands, I had the black lab in the minivan and was headed back to my house.

When I got back home, James and Dave, our next-door neighbor, were waiting out in front of my house.

Our next-door neighbor Dave was a big guy, that most of our friends referred to as Da’ Bull, and whom I referred to as both friend and master chef on many occasions for his mastery with the food and drink.

I got the back lab out of the mini-van and said thank you to the woman down the street for taking me over to get the dog.

-I’m just glad he’s going to a good home is all, it’d be a shame for any ole dog to be tied up to a tree all their life.

I agree- I returned.

Looking back, after that day I hardly ever said more than two words to Jane.  Even though she had given me one of the best friends of my life.

It was now James, Dave, the black Labrador, and I standing in my front yard this spring night.  We all looked at each other and laughed at the act that had just taken place.

While we talked, the black lab just stood there and watched us.

So what should we name him?- James asked.

I haven’t gotta clue- I responded.

Maybe we should all have a couple beers to help us think it over- Dave suggested.

It seemed like a fair idea.

Come on boy – we hollered out to the back lab as we headed into the house – but he did not follow us.

I went back to the dog and pulled on his nape, yet the dog would not budge.

Come on boy- I encouraged.

Nothing.

I’ll go grab one of our dog’s leashes – Dave said and then retreated back into his house.

Dave had three dogs of his own.

He came out with the leash and then we put it around the black lab's neck.  Come on boy- I said pulling on the leash.

The black lab would not move – instead he just sat there.

In fact the more we tried to move him the more insistent he became on sitting in one spot.

Finally James picked up the black dog, and we carried him in the house.

Guess he’s just never been on a leash before – I said.

I guess not- James returned.

So the three of us sat there drinking beer in my living room staring at our new dog, discussing his fate, and trying to figure out what we were going to name him.

How about Jake – someone suggested.

Nah-

Guinness?

Nope-

The night had almost come to an end and we all had since become quite familiar with the drink.

You guys wanna do some shots- James inquired.

Sure – Dave and I agreed.

At that point in my life, and after a few beers, shots were a nightcap routine.

So we all went into the kitchen and opened the freezer where we kept the ice-cold bottle of Jagermeister.

I looked at the bottle and then I looked down at the black lab that had, now slowly, followed us into the kitchen.

I think he’s beginning to like us- James added as the black Labrador stood next to us.

Just then the light from the kitchen hit the black labs eyes, and they shimmered a color of emerald green.

The black lab had green eyes; I couldn’t believe I hadn’t noticed it before.

 At the same time James held the green bottle of Jagermeister in his hand.

Why don’t we call him Jager- I said.

And it was done.

Copyright-Done!

I submitted for my copyright today.  My book is now protected.  If you look to the top of this Blog you will note that I added the title of my book to its short description.  I went to Legalzoom, it took 10 minutes and cost $134.00, not too shabby.

“The Anne Marie”

Roxanne: Part One

Roxanne: Part One

So I was thinking I should counter my last blog with a happier story. So here we go, this is the story of how I obtained my sweet Roxanne, and the battle of wills that ensued...

Mobile, Alabama - June 2001

So I bought Roxanne, my Basset Hound, at the flea market, and if you've never seen a basset hound puppy live in person be warned, there my not be a more cute animal in existence. It was over nine years ago, I was cruising the flea market with my old roommate James in search for interesting belt-buckles. For some reason I had a strange fascination with belt buckles at the time. So James and I were walking the booths when this overweight southern gent in denim overalls smiled at me and asked me if I was interested in some Basset Hound pups. I looked at him and his grin, and the wad of tobacco pushed into the deep recesses of his lower lip  -No thanks.

But then I looked down.

There were these long velvet eared creatures, and as sure as the sun will shine I felt myself begin to melt.

I looked to my left, at James, and he too bore the twinkle in his eye, the same to which I instantly felt in my heart.

Those are the cutest things I have ever seen- James said.

So we were at a cross roads. 

How much are they- I asked. 

Two-hundred- the man said following this with a spit into a paper cup.

I looked down.

There amongst the puppies was one, a small one, she was sleeping. Her white nose was freckled with brown spots. 

One-hundred and fifty- I returned. 

Growing up in Las Vegas, and having been to my fair share of flea markets, I slipped into barter mode with the ease of a Sunday afternoon. 

These are papered dogs friend-the big man said and again emptied his spittle into his paper cup. 

One-fifty or I'm walking. 

One-eighty.

Alright James let's go.

And with that we started to walk away. 

Alright, one-sixty is as low as I can go. 

I turned and smiled- done!

So I picked up my new little Basset.  She was still sleeping so when I took her small body into my hands and lifted her in the air I awoke her.  The little dogs blue puppy eyes opened, and met mine. 

Roxanne- I said - naming her instantly.

To be continued........