Tonight: Dylan-Themed Art and Poetry Showcase

If you've not made it over to The Red Mug yet this month, tonight is a good evening to do so as we will be gathering there for our Artist Reception and Poetry Showcase. The Dylan-themed artwork has been capturing a lot of attention and will only be up for ten more days.

The announcement I saw read like this:

Art Exhibit and Poetry Showcase

Poetry reading celebrating the voices of the Northland

May 20, 2014 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Red Mug Coffeehouse—916 Hammond Ave., Superior

Reception and Refreshments ~ 6:30 p.m.

Red Mug Presents Art Inspired by Bob Dylan: Margaret Manderfeld * Moira V. * Sterling Rathback * Adam Swanson * Becky Buchanan * Timothy Beaulier * Sue Rauschenfels * Gina Lafond * Patricia Canelake * Katherine Anscomb * Tonja Sell * Mary Beth Downs * Ryan Murphy * Patrick Ginter * Linda Lyons * Ed Newman

The slate of poets includes much-respected names with extensive publication credits and awards, along with a local hack tacked on at the end (the author of this blog, who considers it an honor to be listed amongst so many distinguished poets.) The current menu will run like this: Ellie Schoenfeld, Ryan Vine, Tina Marie Higgins, Nicholas Nelson, Liz Minette, Kathleen Roberts, Phil Fitzpatrick, Don Dass, Jeffrey Woolverton and myself.  Woolverton, founder and chief editor of Black Umbrella Books, assembled the playlist.

Speaking of playlists, Karen Sunderman, producer of The PlayList (WDSE/WRPT) will be the master of ceremonies.

Rumor has it that Suzy Johnson, proprietor of The Red Mug, is preparing some very special Dylan-themed fingerfoods for the occasion including Lay Lady Ladyfingers, Tangled Up In Blue Cheese, and "It Ain't Meat, Babe."

The North Country Dylan Celebration is an annual excuse to get out and meet new friends with some common interests such as music, art and life. For more information, visit DylanDays.org, BobDylanWay.com and DuluthArmory.org.

Meantime, life goes on all around you. Celebrate it....

Drawn Blank Series A Prep for Dylan's Masterpiece?

"Red Dylan" by ennyman

Oh, the streets of Rome are filled with rubble
Ancient footprints are everywhere
You can almost think that you’re seein’ double
On a cold, dark night on the Spanish Stairs
Got to hurry on back to my hotel room
Where I’ve got me a date with Botticelli’s niece
She promised that she’d be right there with me
When I paint my masterpiece


There's a new advertisement at bobdylanart.com that reads...

Coming Soon 
10.8.2013
Hand signed limited edition graphics collection by
BOB DYLAN
THE DRAWN BLANK SERIES 2013

If you would like to see the new set visit Canvas Wimbledon.  It's a set of 14 works, paintings of simple scenes which probably struck him as worthy exercises to reproduce. There's a motel room, some train tracks, a trailer, a bicycle, an iron railing. The color palette varies so that they are each an individual piece. I especially like the aqua colors of the painting titled Motel Pool, and the haunted feeling conveyed in the piece featuring train tracks.

Since Dylan has made a name for himself as a performer, his Never Ending Tour gives one the impression that he wouldn't have time for making art as well. My guess is that he's like the rest of us who paint, though. He can't wait to get back into the studio. And if you look at his schedule you'll see plenty of space for not only painting, but for whatever else stirs him.

I myself schedule studio time at least once a week, and more often than that as able. I routinely listen to Dylan's music while I paint, or the Saturday evening program on KUMD hosted by John Bushey, Highway 61 Revisited. If I had the chance to ask, I'd be interested in knowing what music Dylan listens to while he paints. And what will he be listening to when he finally paints his masterpiece?