Spirit of The Holiday

On this day, remembering my father - 

a compassionate man, and talented musician/visual art 

(the apple did not fall far from the tree).

Thank you for the love and example you set for us 

- in essence, the spirit of Christmas. 

All In a Year's Work

Finishing up my last day of work for the year at Norman Rockwell Museum, I thought I would try and collect a few thoughts. 2015 has certainly had it's share of highlights. Maybe I should start backwards... 

Since Norman Rockwell was known for his Christmas-themed illustrations, the holidays are always a big time of year for us. This month I had all kinds of press contacting me, including WIRED, a lifestyle website in Brazil, and WDEL Radio's "Saturday HotSpot"—the latter showed up on my radar a year ago, when host Frank Gregory called with interest in doing a segment on the Museum for the holidays. I guess it went well, because Gregory (a self-proclaimed Rockwell fan), had me on his show not once but twice over the past month. Here is the generous segment we did on November 7, where I talked about everything from our history, holiday events, and traveling exhibitions, to our new show on illustrator Harvey Dunn (who just happened to start his career in Wilmington, Delaware, where the station is based- lucky coincidence):

"CBS Sunday Morning" also called, looking for material on Mary Doyle Keefe, the model for Rockwell's "Rosie The River" (who passed away last April). Did we have any interview footage with Keefe? Yes, one of countless interviews I have conducted with Rockwell models over the years. I sent them a portion of a video I did with Keefe back in 2002, and you can hear a portion of it included in their "Passages" segment, which aired this past Sunday. 

Fortunately, I had the chance to create a few video productions of my own for the Museum this past year. The latest was this promo for our annual fund (not too late to donate, folks):

2015 was all about trying to master our new HD camera, and Adobe Premiere Pro. Final Cut Pro still feels more intuitive for me (maybe because I have been using it for so long), so I continue to use that editing software at home. I guess it doesn't hurt to be well-versed across platforms. 

All aboard... the simple pleasures at NRM.
Photo by Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

Sometimes I keep it "low-tech" and just pull out my iPad or Android and start filming things, like I did with a recent trip down Main Street Stockbridge, immortalized in Rockwell's "Home for Christmas" painting. You can watch my "quickie" edit here. 

A couple things to point out about that video: how lucky I was that at the end of my drive, there was a car turning down the main road with Christmas tree attached to the roof (just like in the painting!). I also liked the way this quickie synced up with the Vince Guaraldi Trio (holiday music that gets me in the spirit every year). Others seemed to agree, as the video received over 400 likes and was shared nearly 300 times on Facebook...not bad for a quick, creative exercise to promote our holiday events.

Of course, my creativity connected me in other wonderful ways this year. I had the chance to interview New Yorker cartoonist Roz Chast for a video featured in our summer exhibition. It was fun to get a glimpse of her Ridgefield, Connecticut studio, and learn how she comes up with her ideas. I will also never forget our trip to New Haven to take part in an interview for WNPR. I keep thinking the trip, sprinkled with idiosyncratic moments (all mine!), might make it into one of her cartoons. I really enjoyed discussing comics (a longtime passion of mine) with this true professional...who was as nice and normal as can be.

Dear God, how many years?... JC @ NRM, Oct. 2015

I had the chance to share my love of the movies this year as well, as the Museum took me up on the idea to go "back in time" during our classic car show. Where else would I have the opportunity to run around dressed as Marty McFly, while sharing my love of Back To The Future? I would have never guessed, 15 years ago, that I would end up overseeing such an event, but here I was welcoming filmmakers and car owners connected with my favorite film series of all time, and having an absolute blast. Like the films, it is all in the details... and Rockwell's work seems to echo through that first movie, set in the 1950s- an enthusiastically-received and attended event, to be sure.

Interactive experience at NRM (and I'm not talking
about any of my digital material featured in this display)

I can't say it has always felt "Rockwellian" this past year, and there were times where I have felt a bit down (usually due to politics, and the shifting balance of creating and facilitating). On one such occasion this past month, I decided to head down to the Museum and try to take some photos. I ended up chatting with some visitors who were using one of our new interactives, and had the chance to entertain them with some stories about the Museum, Rockwell, and the many models and characters related to this world that I had gotten to know over the past decade. Their laughter and enthusiasm really changed my day, and reminded me of the reason we are working here... to share this artist's work with current and future generations. On my way out, I heard someone yell, "hey Marty!" and it turned out to be a couple who had attended our Back To The Future day, enjoyed my talks and screenings, and ended up being one of the last visitors to leave that day. I think I need to visit the front lines more often.

Peace on earth. I can't think of a better
holiday greeting...

Finally, as someone active and interested in peace action efforts, I must mention our exhibition at the United Nations, which was such a tremendous opportunity for all involved. I know I speak for the Museum when I say how honored we were to share Rockwell's work with the over 65,000 visitors, global leaders and representatives (including Pope Francis), who visited the show over the summer and early fall. Representing the Museum, coordinating the press conference at the UN, and attending the opening reception with my wife were real highlights; my counterpart at the UN was wonderful to work with, and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson were both extremely supportive of the exhibition. But the biggest thrill was learning that it was my online video of Rockwell's United Nations drawing that caught the attention of UN representatives in the first place, and inspired the show (which included the video). How do you top that for outreach?

Quite a year. My 15th anniversary, in fact. It's been a long and challenging road, but I know I have made a difference at this museum, and even managed to share my own artistic talents along the way.

Related Link:

Norman Rockwell Museum website

Heavenly Host

Schenectady Neighbors for Peace memorial march,
Central Park, Schenectady, NY, 2009. Photo ©Jeremy Clowe.
All rights reserved.

Tonight it's Sarah's turn in the spotlight, as she takes on hosting duties for both TV and radio shows! 

As I reported before, WEXT will be re-airing our "My Exit" guest DJ hour tonight at 11 p.m. ET, giving you all a chance to hear music that has been important to both of us through the years. You can stream the show on their website: exit977.org

Before that, tune into Schenectady's Open Stage Media (OSM) at 10 p.m., as Mrs. Clowe makes her TV debut, guest hosting for the program, "Building Peace." Created by Schenectady Neighbors for Peace (of which we are both members), the show looks at non-violent resolutions to current issues: tonight's program features an interview with SUNY Albany Professor Larry S. Wittner about nuclear disarmament. The show will be aired throughout the week, and those outside of Schenectady can watch the program on the OSM web page: openstagemedia.com

In the words of Beatle John: "Give Peace a Chance"—

of course we'll be playing some Beatles on the radio show!

Update (12/24): It's the gift that keeps on giving... WEXT will broadcast the radio show one more time this Saturday, December 28, 8 a.m. ET

Merry Christmas everyone!

Feels Like Home

Ha ha... I have been acting goofy, and keep saying this subject line to Sarah during the holidays, but for this post it is absolutely appropriate! Tonight we entertained for the first time in our new home. Sarah's parents stopped over for a cup of tea, as well as a chance to look at our Christmas tree and what we have done with the place.

It's funny what a scheduled visit can do... I have been on a tear these past few days unpacking, cleaning, and straightening up our place to get ready (think my own Mom would be proud). I have to say, I'm quite pleased with the results. I think the artistic side in me has always liked to decorate, and definitely get organized... no matter how challenging or time-consuming, and believe me... it was. The place feels great, and I'm looking forward to a successful and creative year ahead.

Photos ©Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

House Warming

Better late than never. I'm betting that decorating our first Christmas tree together will lead to us into finally getting the place in order. Hallelujah...!

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3, manual setting. Photos ©Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

Picture Perfect

12.25.12. Canon EOS Rebel T3, manual setting.
Photo ©Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

We had a great time in Rochester, even though we decided to leave a little earlier than expected today. With predictions of the first big winter storm on the way and up to a foot of snow possible in the Capital Region, we decided not to chance it since Sarah is scheduled to work tomorrow. Sure enough, the snow has been coming down steadily since we got back this evening, and I can already hear the plows out and about. Luckily, a stop at the grocery store means that we are all set in the event we get stranded overnight (oh please, oh please!).

If we do find ourselves with grand mountains of fluffy white tomorrow, I'll be well-equipped to document it... yes, one of the Christmas gifts I received yesterday was a sweet Canon EOS Rebel T3 camera. Finally... a true digital camera worthy of the cameraman! 

I have been having fun taking some shots here and there, and look forward to sharing some of the better ones here on this blog. Thanks again to my lovely mum and stepfather for all the hospitality... 

Christmas 2012. Canon EOS Rebel T3, manual setting.
Photo ©Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

(Wishing For) Peace on Earth...

We've been enjoying our visit with family in Rochester, but were saddened by the news yesterday of yet another senseless tragedy... this time in Webster, New York, the very next town over from where I grew up. The site where two first responders were killed and two others injured after arriving at the scene of an early morning fire, is actually right near one of my parents' favorite restaurants... What makes this even more sickening is that the fire was an apparent ambush by yet another crazed gunman. 

These men died as heroes, no doubt about it... but following the tragic school shooting in Connecticut two weeks ago, and happening on Christmas Eve... it's all so terribly sad. This is far from what I expected to hear about during my return home... reminding how precious life is. My heart goes out to the victims' friends and families during this Christmastime.

Related Link:

"4 Firefighters Shot, 2 Killed at Webster, N.Y., Fire," Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, December 24, 2012

Glory Be

It's Christmas Eve and we're back at my Mom's place in Rochester. We just got back from a candlelight service at this beautiful church in the city, not far from where I used to live... I always enjoy going to this service, and I was reminded tonight about how much I love this song:

This year I felt like I needed to sing a little harder, hold on to my candle a little longer...   I'll write more about my thoughts tomorrow... I'm a little too tired right now, and need to get to bed to avoid running into Old St. Nick (I still remember the empty plate of crumbs and thank you note, whose handwriting looked oddly similar to my Dad's). 

On our drive out here last night, we heard another holiday standard, Elvis Presley's "Blue Christmas" on the radio... I was reminded of my days portraying the King of Rock and Roll, which was fun. This holiday song by Elvis is really good, and Sarah mentioned hearing about a Porky Pig(!) version of it... we had to look it up, and it had me tearing up it was so hilarious:

I haven't laughed so hard in ages... definitely needed that. I also realize how much I needed to get away... I'm thankful to be home for the holidays.. The snow started coming down steadily after the service, so it looks like it will be a White Christmas after all... yay.

"Sleep in heavenly peace... sleep in heavenly peace..."

Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas...

We headed back to Hudson, New York today to pick up a Christmas tree. This came courtesy of my family's farm property, and was Sarah's first! 

Funny how they look different once you get them inside... it's huge! Probably the largest tree I have ever had. Now to decorate... 

Festivus

Holiday party day. My wife is a great cook.

Photos by Jeremy Clowe. ©2012.

Deck The Halls

OK, since it's the holiday season and I'm in a musical mood (but really, when aren't I?) here's a great, new Christmas tune from singer JD McPherson:

I honestly don't know how he does it. His music is so soulful... like you just popped a quarter in the vintage jukebox, and this came screaming off of the spinning 45. McPherson has this amazing, soulful growl, that I would love to figure out... even here, on a holiday tune, he's nailed it.

Other favorite holiday songs? Well, for the same reason I would have to include the Vince Guaraldi Trio's A Charlie Brown Christmas. I always look forward to hearing this one... the jazz swings, and you wish you were inside nestled with your loved one, while the snow falls steadily outside. Where's my cocoa?...

www.vinceguaraldi.com

www.jdmcpherson.com