Readers, hello. Come with me down the hallway of my interior library. Here, a photo of my grandparents Florentina & Manuel. There, some chairs with needlepoint footstools pointing toward long windows through which you can see moonlit seascapes. Look beyond the waves and a little up and to the left. Jupiter, and a slice of silver moon. To your right, my green gate and the spring smokebush. While I sleep, worlds of ideas swell and crash. Thunder booms, rains fall. My flat file rearranged its contents seemingly by itself. Meanwhile, in the topside world it is hot, and summer has come to call in March here in Los Angeles. Awful things are unfolding across the planet, but I am still pleased to be here in this world, in this life.
I’m painting Paris buildings because I saw Jennifer Orkin Lewis’ Paris sketchbook and it was magnificent. I’m painting big ones and little ones and ones on small canvas boards, and I can’t be bothered to take pics of everything, but they’re on my display shelves. I’m making self-portraits and other portraits and cutting them out like paper-doll heads. Painting birds, cutting them out, sticking them to the walls. Meeting with my art & life people regularly.
I joined a small gym and am working out with a very small group of middle-aged mammals and one very nice trainer twice a week. This came about very serendipitously via an invitation from a random person at the pool.
I’m still lost in a world of Barbara Pym and can’t seem to tear myself away.
A sliver of poetry for you.
A Brief for the Defense
by Jack Gilbert
(an excerpt)
We must risk delight. We can do without pleasure,
but not delight. Not enjoyment. We must have
the stubbornness to accept our gladness in the ruthless
furnace of this world. To make injustice the only
measure of our attention is to praise the Devil.
If the locomotive of the Lord runs us down,
we should give thanks that the end had magnitude.
We must admit there will be music despite everything.
We stand at the prow again of a small ship
anchored late at night in the tiny port
looking over to the sleeping island: the waterfront
is three shuttered cafés and one naked light burning.
To hear the faint sound of oars in the silence as a rowboat
comes slowly out and then goes back is truly worth
all the years of sorrow that are to come.
I’m offering Full Tilt Boogie free to those who are interested in visiting or revisiting. Leave a comment if interested. Available for the next week or so, and good until June 1st, so you have time to make things. Alas, I can provide no help with questions anymore as I can’t remember the answers! It’s one of my oldest classes and I haven’t bothered to review the videos or remove anything cringe-worthy from them. So if I say or do anything stupid, feel free NOT to let me know. I was just a kid when I made it. I’m still a kid, but my hands and neck are wrinklier than they used to be!
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I totally missed this invitation to Full Tilt Boogie. Is it still available?
Yes, please to “Full Tilt” and also yes to these paintings and that poem! Thank you for sharing all!
Hello! I would love to watch full tilt boogie again and I tried to comment on the ticket to Venice post. If that class video is still available I would like it as well. I loved the fult tilt boogie class when it was first available. I signed up for substack because of you. 😄 Thank you!
I would love to take Full Tilt Boogie again. I purchased it years ago and loved it. You are such an inspiration MaryAnn!
I would love to review Boogie again!! Visited the course several years ago. Thank you and safe travels!
Love your colorful artwork, the relevant poem and your fun commentary, as always, thank you!!! Yes please to doing your FTB class again — THANK YOU, Mary Ann 😇🥰
If I am not too late, I would love to receive access to Full Tilt Boogie. I surely enjoyed the course some years back, and a refresher will be inspiring.
Thank you for your generosity in making these courses available. Poetry slivers, your pics, your paintings -all of it utterly Delightful!
I think I’m in love . . . with your flat file. May I ask where you acquired it? I would love to have such an attractive cabinet to keep certain papers instead of the chipboard portfolios I currently use. And your rolls of paper . . . oh, my, how absolutely lovely. What luxury to keep a chest of such treasures! Your posts are always treasures to read.
Yes please to Full Tilt Boogie. I hope I am not too late!! Thank you!
I would love to see Full Tilt Boogie – something to delight in I’m sure!
Yes please to Full Tilt Boogie!! Thank you so much!!
Bonjour, mon amie.
I loved this post… your art and spirit are always a delight here in Michigan where we wear short sleeves one day and wool hats and gloves the next.
Yes please, a romp through Full Tilt Boogie would be greatly appreciated. Lately I have been filling the unused pages in older sketchbooks with all kinds of random art spurts…paint swatches, collage, oil crayons….inspired by finely putting some order in ‘the art room’. Thanks for your substack postings. Those sketchbook flip throughs are grand and inspiring and listening to you always brings a smile.
Cheers until next time
Yes please! Thx!
I’d love to do Full Tilt Boogie! For the first time, maybe… thanks so much Mary Ann xoxox Marilyn
WooHoo for Paris. I know you will enjoy the adventure.
Yes to Full Tilt Boogie please and thank you.
Mary Ann,
Yes to Full Tilt Boogie AGAIN!!! Can’t wait to revisit another of your classes…
I am also in the thinking phase of a return to Paris. Currently in Florence…. LOVE!
Just bought a pack of beautiful Florentine papers to collage. Working on the 100 day project. I’m doing art on playing cards. Of course I’m behind because Florence keeps calling and I am answering!!!
Susan
Would love to retake Full Tilt Boogie again!
I would love to do full tilt boogie please! Thank you for making this available to us!
You are more sparkly every time you write a new post… retirement suits you😉
yes please for another look at fulltilt boogie, Loved it the first time
I would love to visit Full Tilt Boogie again. It will be so much fun.
I would love to revisit Full Tilt Boogie, please and thank you!
Thank you for offering another class! I’d love to do Full Tilt Boogie, please! and thank you!!
Greetings MaryAnn! Thank you for your generous offer of Full Tilt Boogie. I am so enjoying your old classes and truly appreciate the opportunity! Have a wonderful week!
I would love to do Full Tilt Boogie again! That class and Remains of the Day are two of my favorites. Thank you for sharing 😍
What a delightful post, much to see and think about. Thank you for sharing a little piece of your heart. I would love to review again FTB, and I promise not to ask any questions 😉
Happy Day! Diana
I would love to see Full Title Boogie again!
Your generosity continues to amaze! I’ve still got my (unfinished) fancy Victorian photo album in shabby velvet waiting for me to finish this course – clear the decks, this time I’m doing it! Still fizzing from SEWN which has got my mind racing in thrilling creative directions. Thank you for your kind offer, I’d like to take you up on it.
Thank you very much for this generous offer! I’d like to be part of FTB!
Hi Mary Ann,
Please do let me have access to the Full Tilt Boogie course. I’ve bound a few of my sketchbooks but love your creative and rule-breaking take on it.
Miss you!
Lea
I’m drooling at the picture of your open treasure chest of dreamy rolls of paper…it is giving me delight!
I’d love to revisit Full Tilt Boogie, thank you for sharing your skills.
Yes please, to Full Tilt Boogie. Years ago you inspired me to get into bookbinding, but I haven’t done anything for some years now, so I would love to get the juices flowing again. Excited for you and your trip to Paris. I remember following your trip to the City of Lights some years ago and recall the parks you explored. I’m not sure if it was that trip, but I remember you blogging about finding some “street ephemera” and I felt seen (haha). My daughters consider me a trash picker.
I’d love to Boogie with the Tilt again – thank you!
Thank you for sharing another class with us for free. I’d love to discover Full Tilt Boogie.
And enjoy your french trip!
Thank you so much Mary Ann for the possibility of seeing and trying FULL TILT BOOGIE!
With Great Gratitude I accept the challenge. Thank you so much!🤗🌺🤗🌺🤗🐸
you are the best ever! i always learned lots from your classes! Randi Feuerhelm told me about your teachings glad the drawers are rearranging themselves i have been in a tug of war w mine. Thanks for making the world a better place!
Oh! I would love to take your class. I did Sketchbookery back in the day and had a blast. Thank you!
So is Full Tilt Boogie free??? I checked it out and just paid for it. I’m confused…
Yes please to Full Tilt Boogie!
Oh I am definitely a great believer in delight. Began with the rescue of a tiny moth that had fallen into the sink, hoping that breakfast and coffee will bring more!
I will definitely have a look today
Oh jeez I forgot to write my name. Does it come up automatically? I don’t know. Regardless, I’m Shannon Ganshorn. Thank you in advance!
I’m interested in full tilt boogie thank you!
I would love to revisit Full Tilt Boogie it was such a fun class and the start of my junk journal journey.
Yes please to Full Tilt Boogie! I could use some book binding inspiration. Merci beaucoup!
I would be SO grateful to have access to FTB again, thank you! I still credit ROTD for getting my creative life pointed in a much more satisfying direction. That kid, as you referred to yourself, got me making again when I was about to pull the plug on yet another hobby. Still happily making journals.
You appear to get thinner and thinner; good for you. I put forth a lot of effort for v little weight loss but don’t have the nerve to enter a gym due to all my loose flab from 50 yrs of yoyo weight. Good for you!
Made my day ! Yes please to Full Tilt Boogie 😁😘
How delightful Mary Ann! I was revisiting your Remains of the Day class today, came here to see how you’ve been, and here you are offering Full Tilt Boogie. Yes please, if I may participate that would be lovely. Thank you. It’s so good to see what you’ve been up to.
Yes, please, may I?
I would love to take your Full Tilt Boogie class! Your spirit and energy are so contagious, and you’re full of original ideas. It’s been a joy to follow you for many years.
Dear Mary Ann, I would love to revisit FTB! I got out the 2012 journal I made and it’s such a time capsule. I may need to make a new one.
I was filled with joy and inspiration watching your video of Sketchbook No. 24 last night and again this morning. Out came my journal and I filled two pages with loose abandon. Thank you!! I would love to visit your Full Tilt Boogie.
Yes, please! I would love access! Could be risky but I will throw caution to the wind! 😂❤️❤️❤️
Sister!!!! The fence our grandparents are standing in front of looks the fence at MOSS cottage. I love that.
Hi Mary Ann! Your notes continue to delight! I always smile when my inbox shows a message from afar. Please send the Full Tilt Boogie info as I would love to wander through this class again. Will be dreaming of Paris with you … enjoy your trip! Cheers! Nan
From one recently retired Art Mammal to another, I would love to give Full Tilt Boogie a go! BTW, I’ve joined the Pencils4Tea group a couple of times at your prompting and absolutely LOVE it. Who knew?
Oh, and THANK YOU!
Much appreciated and need a little Boogie in my life right now. Wrinkles are a sign of all the knowledge we have rolled into our bodies over the years!
Mary Ann, bless you and your retirement! Paris! A dream. Yes, absolutely I want back in to Full Tilt Boogie…thank you.
Full tilt boogie please, for the delight! Thank you!
Yes, please! This was the class that first introduced me to your art. Again, I am lifted by your generosity- many thanks for offering access to FTB!
I’d love to take Full Tilt Boogie again! I forgot some stuff too.
I would love to revisit FTB, thank you so much. Love those French houses you are painting – ooh La La!
I took that class Full Tilt Boogi many years ago, would love to refresh it though. thank you 😊
Thanks so much Mary Ann, would love to re-visit Full Tilt Boogie! Hope you and your sister have a wonderful time in Paris and look forward to reading all about it if you both share!
Sue
I would love access to FTB. I bought it way back – it seems like another lifetime. I was just discovering myself as a mixed media artist & bookbinder. I am now knee deep in both. Our family was stationed in Kuwait – you & your art brought so much comfort to me as I tried to find my place artistically & personally.
Interested in Full tilt boogie. Thank you.
Yes please to Full Tilt Boogie!
Love the poem!
Revisit to Full Tilt Boogie, this was a wonderful class!
I’d love to revisit full tilt boogie. Yours are some of the first classes I took and still my favorites. 🤓💃💐
I would love access to your full tilt boogie class. Your videos are always so inspiring. Thank you for offering them to us to enjoy.
Hello Mary Ann from Central Florida. I’ve repeatedly bought your classes over the last, oh man, decade I think, at least, and they never cease to inspire. Also, Im really glad that you’re enjoying retirement. I would love to have free access to Full Tilt Boogie for a couple of months, and thank you for offering this, it’s one of my favorites. I really hope you don’t get rid of these classes as they really are amazing. Thank you again and I wish you well.
Sincerely
Christine Gallagher
I would love to revisit Full-Tilt videos, thank you.
I have always enjoyed your photo documentation of your days and so appreciate that you too, can no longer be bothered with it at times. It’s enough to simply witness and enjoy. The ease has been hard to adapt to, but I’m embracing it well now.
Yes please to full tilt boogie.
Thank you for reminding me about Barbara Pym
0h what a beautiful post! Love your painting especially the houses and such a perfect poem for the times! And full tilt boogie- yes please and thank you!
Hi Mary Ann –
I would love to have a gander at Full Tilt Boogie – and might even make something! You don’t know it, but you are responsible for some of the papercrafting explorations I’ve made over the years. Thanks for offering up your old courses for those of us who have fond memories of them.
Yes, please, I’d love to watch Full Tilt Boogie!
Thank you.
I would love Full Tilt Boogie! Thank you ever so much!
I would love to review the Full Tilt class. I signed up when you first offered it and no longer have the passwords listed for the class.
Yes indeed we must find joy even while decrying the misery. You always inspire.
Did full tilt then and would love to again.
I would love to try full tilt boogie! Thanks so much!!
I’m interested in Full Tilt Boogie. Thanks.
Yes, a link to Full Tilt Boogie! Cheers!
Would love to have access to Full Tilt Boogie class. I look forward to your emails. Love your creative spirit. Have a great weekend. Thanks so much.
I’d love to revisit Full Tilt Boogie, It was one of my favorites. And that you for reminding me about Barbara Pym! I’m so enjoying her books.
I would love to have access to Full Tilt Boogie. Would you please add me to your list. Thank you so much for sharing your classes! Greetings from Copenhagen
Kristina
I took Full Tilt Boogie way back when, but didn’t finish. I’d love to be able to revisit the lessons!
Paris, Jennifer Orkin Lewis, family photos, painting… all good things. Creative escapes are much needed these days!
I hope you’ll share your sketchbook when you’re back from your trip. They’re always very inspiring.
If you would please share your FTB class Id be very grateful indeed!
Yes please to Full Tilt Boogie. Thank you so much!
Hello from the oven that is Arizona right now – this snowbird is going to find higher elevation to survive this next week! Please send me the link to Full Tilt Boogie, so that I have something fun to do when I have to be stuck in the RV with the A/C on full blast! Thanks!
I would love to revisit full tilt….thank you so much!!!!
Yes! Delight!
And yes please to revisit Full Tilt Boogie! This class made all the difference for me and I have carried everything you taught me there, in my sweetest pocket ever since! Thank you for the generous offer!
Would love yo watch Full Tilt Boogie! Thank you! 😊
Paris is going to be amazing! Hopefully the weather will be good. Your cottage (to me) has quite a French look about it already, so I suspect you’ll be right at home! We are back on the Central Coast of CA in the little town of Templeton and apparently have jumped a timeline or two to where it’s summer already. But at this point I’m like a lizard, always taking the seat in the full sun at the outdoor restaurants at lunch, while my friends fight over the ones in the shade and think I’ve lost my mind. No matter; I need the Vitamin D! Glad to see you are doing well and can’t wait to see the art your trip inspires.
Paris! That’s fabulous. I can’t wait to see what you come back with. Your photos and sketches are always lovely. No pictures of the cat posse in this post. I hope they are well.
I would love to have access to Full Tilt Boogie. Would you please add me to your list.
Cheers,
Marci
I would love to do Full Tilt Boogie, please! Thank you!
I’d love to try Full Tilt Boogie! Thank you for sharing these classes!
I would LOVE to do Full Tilt Boogie. How fun and THANK YOU.