Over The Moon About Matisse, A Path Appears & Beautiful Letterpress

October 30, 2014

Here is another installment in my Over the Moon About series — three very different things that caught my eye this week! The Museum of Modern Art has Henri Matisse’s “The Cut-Outs” on display. If you can, go see them. Saltbox Press makes such creative and tasteful letterpress products, and if you have an interest in making our world a better place, please check out A Path Appears.

Henri Matisse “The Cut-Outs”

“Only what I created after the illness constitutes my real self: free, liberated.” – Henri Matisse

Did you know that artist Henri Matisse (1869-1954) was diagnosed with cancer in 1941? He underwent a few risky surgeries, sure he would die. But he didn’t. He called the last fourteen years of his life, “une seconde vie.” His new lease on life led to a burst of creativity that included his cutouts which he called painting with scissors. They are on view at the New York City’s MOMA right now and if you can, I highly recommend you go see them.

I had not been to New York City’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in a few years. And yet, my office is only two blocks away. My college friend Mindy came to town from Santa Monica and suggested we go to the MOMA. Walking through the exhibition brought back memories of our time in college when she majored in Art History and I minored in the same. Isn’t it funny how visitors can open your eyes to attractions right around you, and often ignored? I feel grateful to Mindy for helping me see this cherished city through her tourist eyes.

The Henri Matisse exhibition “The Cut-Outs” opened a few weeks ago and runs through February 8, 2015. I hope you have time to take in this spectacular show, if you find yourself in NYC. If not, their online presence is really great.

The exhibition includes 100 cut-outs, showing his methods using scissors and paper.

I couldn’t resist this painting. From the MoMA regular collection: Dance, Paris, Boulevard des Invalides early 1909. By Henri Matisse.

Henri Matisse MoMA. Cut-Outs.

You can check out their MoMAMatisse tagboard to see all of the Twitter activity. Funny how many fans took images in this special exhibit. They banned taking photos. Oh well. I took some crooked images on the fly as well.

Henri Matisse MoMA. Cut-Outs.

A Path Appears

I had the opportunity to hear Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, co-authors of A Path Appears: Transforming Lives, Creating Opportunity speak at a book club in Greenwich, Connecticut last week.

You may read his columns in the New York Times. You may have seen them appear together on Oprah! about their other book, Half the Sky. I was interested in hearing them speak about A Path Appears and the non-profit world where I often work. In a nutshell, Kristof tells us how “individuals can contribute to positive change and the remarkable people behind the organizations that make that happen.” – Angelina Jolie.

The book is giving me useful information on giving, why we do it, perhaps assessing where our help is most useful, and how to be more effective as both a philanthropist and a public relations professional for non-profits.

I have a few chapters left, but right now I find the advice to be insightful and powerful….and bound to energize me for my next non-profit client.

Sheryl WuDunn, co-author of A Path Appears.

Co-authors of A Path Appears, Sheryl WuDunn and Nicholas Kristof.

Saltbox Press

Letterpress is a hands-on craft, one print at a time. It’s truly an old world art. — Lynda Campbell

Recently, I spent some time with my friend Lynda Campbell, who is the letterpress artist behind Saltbox Press. I always find an excuse to go to her Connecticut country home because being around such a creative person is good for the soul! My excuse this time was that I wanted to buy holiday calendars and among the variety of letterpress products she produces, are these beautiful Africa-centric cards which you can see below.

Letterpress, is “a technique of relief printing using a printing press,” that produces cards with a soft, lush feel.

Lynda Campbell’s cards for Saltbox Press.

Lynda’s press is a Vandercook #4 from 1953. It is a proofing press which has a tight registration.

Lynda’s press.

Lynda owns numerous “cuts” and type fonts. This elephant is a vintage image, perhaps from the 19th Century. Victorians were enamored with illustrations of exotic animals, birds and plants.

The elephant used to make SaltBox Press letterpress cards.

Lynda Campbell.

And one more thing I’m over the moon about is this: I mentioned how great it is seeing New York City through the eyes of a visiting friend. I was so excited to FINALLY see the Broadway show, Beautiful. If you love Carole King music, this is a must.