Office by Alex Penny
.
.
.
In 1984, when asked about what goes into his work, Levon Helm said plainly, “Life and breath. Heart and soul.”
It was this raw passion for deep American music - a little bluegrass, a little rock-and-roll, a little country and some blues - that kept his fans hungry for whatever he put out, whether he was part of a group or solo.
The New York Times describes Levon Helm’s voice as bluesy, weathered and resilient - the essence of his Arkansas upbringing in the Mississippi Delta.
Bob Dylan, who rarely makes public comments, said yesterday:
“He was my bosom buddy friend to the end, one of the last true great spirits of my or any other generation,” Dylan wrote. “This is just so sad to talk about. I still can remember the first day I met him and the last day I saw him. We go back pretty far and had been through some trials together. I’m going to miss him, as I’m sure a whole lot of others will too.”
Dylan and Helm collaborated often. The Basement Tapes album brought them together again and into Rolling Stones’ Top 500 Albums of All Time.
Helm inspired music lovers as well as musicians, reminding all of us to never forget our roots.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all who love him, may his song always soothe our soul.
To send your thoughts and prayers, send an AirPrayer at AirPrayers.com.
Image cred: Washington Post
They called him the eternal teenager.
Dick Clark launched teenage pop culture, giving teens a voice, and in turn, power, when “American Bandstand” began broadcasting nationally on ABC in the late 50s.
His career has taken him from interviewing Jerry Lee Lewis in front of the teenage versions of the baby boomers to working with Lady Gaga.
“It can be embarrassing. People come up to me and say, ‘I love your show,’ and I have no idea which one they’re talking about.” Dick Clark told the Associated Press.
It seems his ability to preserve that adolescent spirit in himself transcends.
Over the last 12 hours or so, as we see people talking over water coolers about the world’s oldest teenager and reminiscing about his work, inner teenagers everywhere are threatening a temporary bodily takeover - with plans to break out in dance.
“For now, Dick Clark, so long.”
The teenager in all of us will miss you.
Visit CBS News’ beautiful photo tribute to the life and career of DIck Clark.
To his family, friends and to all of us who loved him, may our spirits always be young.
Kiva works to create a world where all people - even in the most remote areas of the globe - hold the power to create opportunity for themselves and others. The non-profit has successfully leveraged the connectivity of the internet to allow individuals to give as little as $25 to create opportunity around the world, by empowering the ambitious with the means to build enterprise.
To date Kiva has given:
with a
Kiva says, “We believe providing safe, affordable access to capital to those in need helps people create better lives for themselves and their families.”
So do we.
Artist Thomas Kincaid created an empire producing art that evoked emotion.
“It is clear that everyday people need an art they can enjoy, believe in and understand,”said Kincaid almost ten years ago.
In that point-of-view, Kincaid portrayed mainstreets, cottages, streams and gardens. It is estimated that at his peak, his art fetched over $10 million annually and is on the walls of over 10 million homes.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all the friends, family and millions of admirers of the work of Thomas Kinkade, Painter of Light.
I was in Music Together class with my 2 year old last week and our teacher, Lisa, shared a sweet story about a woman she recently met whose dad passed away when she was 6. She was telling Lisa that music is so important to her because the only vivid memories she has of her dad is him singing the same 2 lullabies to her every night. After hearing this story, I was reminded of how short and unpredictable life is and what a powerful memory a simple song can make.
We all have the amazing ability to share musical experiences with the ones we love.
Two of my favorite lullaby albums…
Google has made it possible to visit some of the world’s most incredible art museums, view the art work in HD and travel through the halls of these incredibile buildings without leaving the couch.
Google Art Project is part of Google’s mission to “bring culture online”. I played with the functionality a bit - and it is incredible how “close” you can get to these pieces and inspect the strokes, smudges and lines so intensely.
I highly recommend a break from your day for a little culture, BTYB - (who else?) - Google.
Are you like my husband who is always so tempted to renew his ancestry.com membership after watching an episode of “Who Do You Think You Are?” I tease him but have to admit that I also find it fascinating to explore my roots… if I only had another 10 hours in the day! Today I came across an inspiring story of female entrepreneur, Naomi Leon, from the UK who has recently started an independent research company called Research Roots.
One of the highlights from the company website…
Finding out about your family history can be an incredibly rewarding as well as fascinating experience. It can make sense of people, the past and your own background in quite unexpected ways. You simply never know what you will find.
Research Roots can investigate your family tree whether you know a lot or very little about your family, or wish to commission research as a gift. You may be surprised by what can be discovered on the basis of the tiniest snippets of information or family lore. A variety of beautifully presented, all-inclusive research packages are available. A family tree makes a unique and lasting present - a gift that keeps on giving.
AirPrayers loves this uplifting gift idea! @ccantalupoA beautiful short movie about the language of love written from two hearts. Enjoy!
We were stopped in our web-surfing tracks today when we came across Valerie Hegarty’s work (on one of our favorite blogs).
She uses mostly foam-core, paper and wood to construct her work. Once her work is created, she begins the headlining characteristic of her work: she deconstructs it.
The result is what appears to be beautiful works of art that have met harsh effects of nature.
Her work will be on display in April at the Marlborough Gallery in Chelsea, NYC. We are certainly going to have it on our calendars.
~ AirPrayers
Here’s the stuff we’ve read, watched or listened to this week that we think you shouldn’t miss.
Easter snuck right up on us! We’re loving this egg crate centerpiece idea!
And we LOVE this post on being a woman working in tech by Elizabeth Naramore: More Legos and Less Punch Buggy. (via @swissmiss) We agree with the notion: let’s stop talking about stuff and freaking create!
And for the little ones in our lives: We love these “creative outlets!”.
Happy Sunday.
~AirPrayers
The New York Times is calling her: A Poet of Unswerving Vision at the Forefront of Feminism. Adrienne Rich’s poetry bravely addressed issues such as racism, sexism, sexuality, and economic justice. She has been described as a poet with a balance of ferocity and empathy.
The Oxford Anthology of Modern American Poetry described Adrienne Rich as “one of the most widely read and influential poets of the second half of the 20th century.”
We think that’s a legacy she’d be proud of.
To her family, her friends, her admirers, and to all those who have garnered inspiration from her: may everything she brought to our lives inspire us to do the same.
One of our favorite poems by Adrienne Rich:
I’ll tell you about the mermaid
Sheds swimmable tail
Gets legs for dancing
Sings like the sea with a choked throat
Knives straight up her spine
Lancing every step
There is a price
There is a price
For every gift
And all advice
Here’s to being who you are.
~ AirPrayers
