"I need something"

My dad used to say that all the time...  He'd be wandering around the house, looking at things and just repeat it a few times...

Usually he ended up with food.  Usually a bowl of Frosted Flakes.  or a bowl of vanilla ice cream.

Today, moments ago I found myself doing the same thing, then I said it out loud to one of my cats...  "I need something."

Some truth to the statement and thought that we do turn into our parents, hahaha...  In some ways.

What do I need?  COFFEE!!!!

Magic Hat Wisdom

Ajay, fly away...

Another one is gone...

Another super talent, and genuine sweet hearted person.

I'm glad I got to know you, Ajay...

Glad I got to watch you work, and have you work with me.

Glad I will always have a piece of you in my home, on a wall...

Sweet dreams to you, one of the strongest and bravest people I have ever met...

www.facebook.com/ajaybrainardmemorial

Paris In Plantsville... And Beyond

This is the first picture I took at Paris In Plantsville.  
Labor Day weekend 2010, just before Elmwood's first screening and exhibit there.

So the news is out there...  Paris In Plantsville is closing down.

It’s true.  Sad but true.  And also happy and true.  Happy for the new beginnings we’ll have as artists.

Having been a part of the gallery, and having the work I’ve been part of be a main attraction there over the past half decade is something that I am, and will always be, immensely proud of.

I walked in with Joe Calvo in 2010 looking for a place to screen some Elmwood shorts, and a month later I was a Resident Artist.  A little over a year later I spent a year as the manager.  And after that took a couple months off (just a little breather), and was back in the fold spending time there, and showing my work all over again. 

Celebrating a great opening at the now defunct Kess Cafe

I tried to stay away but couldn’t!  Haha…  I loved the place too much.

Over the past year I knew this was coming.  It was eventual.  It’s not about the money, which is great.  It’s about the time.  And growth.  The regulars there…  Sean, Eric, Clinton, Jackie, myself, have all spread our wings and grown so much.  Our work has developed, and continues to develop.  And Paris is going out on top because of it.  The building we call Paris In Plantsville may be locking it’s doors May first, but the spirit and collective will live on.

  

 This little funky punk rock gallery has been good to me.  And to Elmwood Productions.  From shooting the first three episodes of ”The Painter” there with Jordan running the camera, to doing re-shoots for “Josh and Todd” and “Animal Behavior” in the midst of other events, and shooting some key scenes for “HEAD” there, getting Ajay to puppeteer with us, and so much more.  Not to mention all the awesome screenings we have had there.  Paris (and Sean) helped Elmwood’s films get this awesome underground following here in Connecticut that will continue to grow no matter where we screen now.  

Elmwood Gang in PiP - Premiere screening weekend for HEAD, March 2015

I could write for hours about all the good times I had there.  And about the things I’m going to miss…  

But I don’t want to bore anyone any further, and I’m sure there will be one more post (at least) before we shut this baby down in May.

Sean, Jordan, and I just before the doors opened for the 

private premiere of "Josh and Todd" in 2011

So thank you.  

Thank you to everyone who supported Paris in Plantsville over the years.

Thank you to everyone who came to see Elmwood’s flicks there.

And thank you Sean.  For always letting me and the crazy puppet crew hijack the place anytime we need to, and for being one of Elmwood’s biggest fans.

We have two shows left…  And an Elmwood screening happening on 4/22!!!  So it ain’t over till it’s over!  Can’t wait to see you at the events!

And one of my favorite pictures from the gallery, from Elmwood's first event in 2010

Photo by Kara Cranford!

Magic Hat Wisdom

Orange Cat Puppet Kit

 Folkmanis Puppets is a toy puppet manufacturer that also makes this cute kits, like the one above.

I got this one, cuz it's a puppet, and a cat.  Two things I love, and decided to make it for fun

 It's pretty neat that the packaging turns inside out and is a stage that can be colored!

 The puppet it's self is already put together, like above.  You just add the features

The glue this one came with was pretty much useless.  SO if you get one of these kits I'd recommend using a glue gun...

 Pretty cute if I say so!

 And all colored and done!

Do You Have A Fear Of Being Eaten By A Sandwich?

Adam

 Adam

Mouth Puppet

It's OK. We found him!

Magic Hat Wisdom

David

 David

Mouth Puppet

Wes

Wes

Mouth Puppet from "The Risley Brothers"

Getting back into posting a puppet each week!  Look for one to pop up each Saturday!   At least from now till summer! 

In the original pilot and test trailer for "The Risley Brothers" we used a puppet I had made of my friend Jordan to play the part of ""Wes"

Once deciding to go further I felt like we should re-make the puppet to be an official Wes, and so I could return the puppet to Jordan's parents (who I borrowed it from)

Here's a look into the making of the official Wes!

 Wes meets Jordan...

Totally unrelated picture...  Gabe was hanging out as I started the puppet.  Ain't he handsome? 

 Here he is almost done.  Hanging out with some other in progress puppets.

And yes, that is Sammy from HEAD!  

But he died in the first film, right?

Muhahahahahahaha!

And here he is done...  With his brother Quigly

Be a friend with Wes on Facebook!

Because it can never get weird enough...

Sweet Dreams

When you wish upon a star... It makes no difference who you are!

And another..  We're at that age...

Maurice White has jumped onto the Mothership...

I love Earth, Wind, and Fire...

The song above is one of my all time favorite songs.  It's message is beautiful, and it gets the booty moving!

My brother really introduced me to their music in the late 1970's, before I was even in school.  I remember seeing performances on various TV shows and whenever they came on the radio he'd demand it louder.  As I got older and really got into music and learned more about funk and soul these guys were getting a lot of play on my tape deck, them eventually CD player.

My brother would mention this animated movie they were part of called "Rock and Rule" that I had very faint memories of.  I didn't really remember them as part of it.  I did remember very well Lou Reed, Debbie Harry, and Iggy Pop though.

The movie kind of became a forgotten gem, except by people of a certain age, and back in the mid-part of the last decade it was finally released to DVD.  I got it the day it came out.  And sure as anything...  EWF had a song in it...

The movie is way more adult than I had remembered when I was 8 years old seeing it...  

And it's awesome.  

Sweet dreams Mr. White.  

And thank you for the art, the music, the joy.

Nobody told me there'd be days like these...

A real conversation I had...  Very recently:

So Jon, you have followers online.

Yeah, I do, it's pretty cool.

All you really ever talk about is puppets, and art, and music, and stuff like that.

Yeah?

And stuff about you life, kinda.

Yeah?

How come you don't get into politics?  Or more on religion?  

Or important issues?

So puppets, art, and music aren't important?

No, I mean, it's just there are deeper issues.

Yeah, I get that man...  But...

But?

No matter what I say, you'll be right, and I'll be wrong.  

So I'll stick to what I know best.

Awe man, I just wanna know what you think.

Well...  I just want you to think for yourself.

Magic Hat Wisdom

Lisa Lives!

https://www.facebook.com/MannequinRescue/?fref=ts

Cute pic... Found it online

Magic Hat Wisdom

Just perfect... Monday Morning.

But have you ever been this excited?

via GIPHY

Anyone else notice this?

And another...

Went through a Eagles phase when I was 15...  Lasted till I was about 25...

Still dig them, and love some of their songs...

Over the years most of my Eagles albums disappeared.  Glad I still have some though...

I have some great memories of riding around with Dan, AKA The Mighty J.Slim, listening to Eagles somewhere around 1994.  Good times.

This tune was in my head over the weekend...   
Probably not their best song ever.  But it makes me smile

"I'd like to find your inner child and kick it's little ass.  

All your bitchin', moaning, and pitchin' a fit...  

Get over it"

Sweet dreams Glenn...

Monday Song... A great weekend behind me, looking forward to the rest of the year...

Good morning Monday...

Last week I had a couple weights lifted off my shoulders.  One was a little sad, the other was a huge relief.  Nope, I really won't get into the meat of it here, now.  That's for another day.

Today though, I'll present a Monday Morning Song...  One that kinda fits my mood of relief, and moving forward, and it's just silly fun...

Looking so forward to the creativity of this year.  It really has started off on the right foot.

I feel so good about the work I'm making, and the people I'm making it with.   No slight to anyone before, but right now just feel so right.

And I feel so good about me.  Where I'm at, and who I am.

That's a good feeling to have...  I hope everyone I know can feel this way at some point too.

And here's another tune..  Just cuz I like it!

"Sometimes, no matter what, you lose"

Puppets will be back...  2/6/16

Family Tree - 1/16/2016!

Paris In Plantsville is happy to announce our first show of 2016!  

Opening Staurday January 16th is "Family Tree". Featuring a variety of styles and mediums of art from a talented group of artists that just happen to be related!

Featured artists:

Brie McDonald

Desi Hugh

Norma McDonald

Karen Cranford

Jay Clang

Samantha Hugh

Kara Cranford

Zack Clang

and Jon Bristol

The show will run from January 16th through February 13th.  

Please join us for the opening reception January 16th from 6PM to 9PM.  

Since it is January we do know weather may become an issue, if so, look for a snow date if that happens!

For more info and updates check out the Facebook Event Page!

Said You Sailed The Big Ship. Said You Sailed Away. Didn't Know The Right Thing To Say

There are times in your life that will be hard.
Times when you're not sure where to turn, or who to talk to.  Or even how to get relief.

As I woke up this morning and got my pot of coffee started I began my normal morning (when I'm alone) routine...  As the coffee brewed I turned on the CD player, and popped in a CD.  It didn't want to work.
So I took it out and put in another, then sit at my messy desk and turned on the computer.  Time to catch up on emails , since I haven't checked them all weekend, check on all the various Elmwood pages and emails, reply to messages, and so on.

I put the CD that wouldn't work on my desk and looked at it as my machine started.  I thought about the day I bought it.  And how at that moment it was one of those time in my life that was hard, I wasn't sure where to turn, or who to talk to.  Or how to get relief.  I was 18 years old and my brother had died a week earlier.  And I just needed music I hadn't heard before that day.  So I went to the record store and bought an album I hadn't really ever heard before, "Young Americans"... It was the Rykodisc version, with bonus tracks.  
I Loved it.  Every second.
And it was therapy.  And wasn't going to cure all that was broken of my heart.  But it did help me see there was someplace to go.  And it reminded me "Somebody Up There Likes Me"...

And then I looked at the internet.  The news first.
I woke up today in a world where David Bowie was no longer here.
And then I got a text from my wife...  And Gabe...  Then Tricky
And I cried.
I stopped and listened to the CD I did put in, disc one of the 2014 set "Nothing Has Changed", and as I started typing Mr. Bowie was singing "Where Are We Now?  Where Are We Now?  The Moment You Know, You Know.  You Know."

I then checked messages.  First I hit up a thread Elmwood has privately on Facebook.  And Paul and Rick made mention of the news...  "As Long As There's Sun...  As Long As There's You"
At that point I paused.  And sat back with my coffee.  And listened.

Listen...

I've posted here on this blog about David Bowie in the past.
His music, films, and art has impacted my life since my earliest memories.  I had hip parents who loved music, and my mom was a fan for sure...

We are lucky to have music, and art, and film.    To entertain us, and give us relief from day to day life.  And to inspire us to do whatever it makes us want to do.
And we're lucky Mr. Bowie left us so much.  We're lucky.

Thank you Mr. Bowie, sweet dreams.

...  "Everyone Says Hi"

Come See Elmwood Puppets And More Art Of All Kinds - By Some Great People!

Hey you!

I'm going have some puppets in an art show on 1/16!

I'll be surrounded by some great work!  By some amazing people...  My family!

Here's al the info via Paris In Plantsville - 

Paris In Plantsville is happy to announce our first show of 2016!  

Opening Staurday January 16th is "Family Tree". Featuring a variety of styles and mediums of art from a talented group of artists that just happen to be related!

Featured artists:

Brie McDonald

Desi Hugh

Norma McDonald

Karen Cranford

Jay Clang

Samantha Hugh

Kara Cranford

Zack Clang

and Jon Bristol

The show will run from January 16th through February 13th.  

Please join us for the opening reception January 16th from 6PM to 9PM.  

Since it is January we do know weather may become an issue, if so, look for a snow date if that happens!

Keep up to date with the event on the Facebook Event Page!

Who doesn't love cake?

My 40th Birthday Cake...  2/2015...  Made by Brie.  She totally digs me.

So 2016 has begun...

And I feel like everyone on the internet has made some post about how this is going to be "the best year ever!"

Now it's my turn...  

Wait, it's been four days so I shouldn't do that now?  We've moved on to something else?

But...

"I don't feel tardy"

Forget about the best year ever...  I'm just trying to make every day the best day ever...

I'm looking forward to camping trips, making movies, making puppets, hanging out with my cats, good coffee, being with my awesome wife and family and friends...  Also looking forward to maybe seeing some old members of Gun N' Roses play with the band, a new Bowie album, and a Batman/Superman movie...  And I'm sure some other stuff I'm too tired at this hour to think up!

And smiling.  I plan on smiling a lot.

So with that in mind here's a picture of my goofy face, smiling.

I hope you get a smile out of it!