Welcome to MAISON MAX. This is the second site
I've begun
since I retired from Southeast Missouri State
University about six years ago.
Many of those six years have been devoted to art, poetry,
and other writing. . . with, of course, plenty of time
for more leisurely activities. My other site
is called simply MAX'S ART GALLERY.
There are numerous links there to this
GeoCities site and vice versa.
My main interest, of course, is with the galleries. But, recently
I decided to try a bookstore MAISON MAX BOOKS & MUSIC,
associated with AMAZON BOOKS. I also soon decided to focus
[if one can "focus" so grandiosely] on MATERIALS FOR THE MILLENNIUM.
I suppose it satisfies something of the book-lover in me as I'm often
neglecting both reading and writing for my painting. I hope many
visitors will enjoy this subject, which cuts across so many disciplines
and is one of the great subjects as we approach the year 2000.
Those who do not care for "millennial topics" can use
the general seach engine
to pursue their interests at AMAZON.COM. Of course, many visitors may find crucial items
there that I've overlooked in my selected area. Anyway,
take
what is useful at MAISON MAX BOOKS & MUSIC. Excuse its shortcomings.
I do hope that you won't limit yourself to the bookstore. Take in
a few paintings in a gallery or two and jot me a note if you have the time or inclination.
Before I go on, let me show you a sample gallery card AND how to make one for yourself.
Click on the thumbnail.
* * * * * * *
We go on.
I've had some training in art. . .a couple
of courses back
in college, later a drawing
course from a Midwestern artist.
I wish I had
pursued more formal study even more. [But I
could
say the same thing about mathematics, music,
physics,
and a host of other subjects.]
Much that I learned about art
over many years came from
study and random attempts at
wood sculpture, oil painting,
acrylic, and drawing. Only lately
have I started carrying
a sketchbook around. Come to think of it,
one summer in
New York I did carry one around but drew very little.
My main vocation and avocation, however, involved words.
I was an English professor, not an artist.
My last fifteen or so years of teaching ,however,
often involved seminars in literature and the arts, plus
numerous
roles in multimedia conferences. I was fortunate,
too,
to receive an NEH grant to study under
Carl Woodward
at Columbia. . .the subject, literature
and the visual arts.
My main project was on William Blake.
Once I retired I decided to try my own hand
in the visual arts.
No doubt I was and
am driven to create something beautiful and
lasting
after a teaching life of study and criticism. Whether I
succeed as an artist or not, these five
or so years of concentration
have taught me to love art
all the more, to envy the gifts of the
great masters and
to identify with some of the triumphs of lesser
artists.
I’ve also been lucky to have have my art
shown as a part
of the Faulkner Centennial, a Shakespeare
week with a London
troupe, and now in a "community project"
with Chaucer scholars
and students. Overall,
I treasure the most all the friendships and
contacts I’ve made
through sharing and discussing art projects
on the internet.
For all the "hard copies," I still
regard the electronic
versions as the most important. Many thanks to
my web servers
for not only providing inexpensive space but for
all their helpful advice and encouragement.
Naturally I've gravitated toward many literary
subjects, but now
I hope to explore a whole range of material
and techniques.
Eventually I want to supply notes, perhaps
even working versions
of many paintings [there are some notes
on the other site]. . .
something that might be of help for beginning
artists. Right
now I’m using Painter 5.0 and
Corel Graphics Pack, but
anyone with the urge to paint
can get started with
the paint programs that come
with many computers.
Art is not my field, but thirty-five
years of teaching engrains the habit. In this case,
doing part of what I
DO may be better than my verbal advice.
If you have a few moments, drop me
a line about your
own thoughts and responses. . .about
a work or
two of mine. . .about art in general. . .whatever.
I enjoy hearing what other artists and lovers of art
are doing
and thinking. As you will see, if you explore
just a few "galleries"
in my two sites, I am not
only interested in computer
art. Maybe you might
enjoy seeing the handpainted
wooden toys, poetry,
old photographs, and other things.
Welcome again to MAISON MAX. I hope you like
your visit
and will come back. Send along any comments
that might help me to improve the appearance
and
"mechanics" of MAISON MAX. If you
have a
website or two of your own, I'll try
my best to return
your visit. [Excuse the too many "I's" and
"my's" in
this hurried note as well as its
"looped and windowed raggedness."]
Take care.