Conference turris::womannotes-v1

    
    	P.S.  If you're not currently involved in the art of
    	your dreams, what would you *LIKE* to try in the future?
    
    						Suzanne... ;-)
    

    I am writing my second novel.  Mystery fiction, a special love of
    mine.  I am now a working comic.  "Desperately seeking an audience",
    I'll be going open mike time in and around Boston.  Hope to be
    appearing at Somewhere Else, in Boston on a open Tuesday.  Not sure
    of the other times, one has to audition first.  In the old days
    all one had to do was show up and go on stage.
    
    When I have more information I'll post it.  I'll be starting my
    second comedy class for women, before the end of July.  More on
    that later.
    
    I've been published as a poet(ess).  If anyone is interested in
    any of the above send mail...
    
    MaggieT
    

    
    I'm what they used to call an aspiring writer.  The only stuff I
    ever got published was a weekly column in the WPI school newspaper.
    It made me the most recognizable invisible person on campus, but
    I wasn't exactly cranking out material to move the Pulitzer committee.
    
    I also wrote a novella-length fiction manuscript in college as part of my
    degree requirements.  I keep meaning to go back and rewrite it,
    but I find rewriting very difficult.
    
    These days, I'm trying to write fantasy, when I have time and
    energy to devote to it.  I am rather short of both.
    
    DFW
    

    I'm an official unpublished novelist -- one completed novel (science
    fiction/romance) that has been rejected by both a publisher and an
    agent.  I'm putting the finishing touches on a revised draft and hard
    at work on a second one (and a third one and a fourth one -- these
    ideas just won't go away!) 
    
    

But I'm OK now, thanks. 


    I write and sell jokes and cartoons.  Also do standup comedy at Boston 
    comedy clubs.  I love doing standup.  Not only is it hard to do, but 
    in comparison, everything else is easier.  For me, it's been like 
    surviving a plane crash ... if I survived that, I can survive anything!

    Joke writing is fun, and it's wonderful to get checks in the mail.
    (If anyone is interested in trying their hand, send me mail and I'll 
    send you the address of people who buy one-liners.  Also, folks who 
    want to write should know about Writer's Market, an annual hardcover,
    about $20, that lists about 12,000 markets for novels, short stores,
    articles, poems, jokes, bumper stickers, AV scripts, etc.  Most libraries
    have a copy in their reference sectin.)

    PS  The World is changing.  In 1980, when I first started going to
        comedy clubs, I would see 1 female comic for 50 males.  It's now
        about 1 in 15. And yes, I would love to be a pro.
     
    Note to MaggieT: I'm signing up for your class.

  Ed and I do model railroading.  I guess what I like the best is trying to
  make the models look 'real'.  (Can you guess that I work on simulation
  projects by day?!?)

  We currently belong to Northeast N-TRAK.  A group of people who arrive at
  model railroad shows about once a month (Sept thru May), set up our modules
  which are 2 x 4 feet, and run *long* trains all day.  Great FUN!!!!

  If you're curious about the hobby, let us know at the party.  We'll show
  off our handy-work.  (We also have a 4 x 8 foot table layout which is about
  60% finished which we'd like to sell. N-Scale of course)

				-Leslie

    	My two favorite artistic outlets are music and writing
    	short stories (neither of which I am currently doing, but
    	both of which I plan to go back to doing in the very near
    	future.)
    
    	Before my son was born, I studied classical piano for 7 years.
    	After taking on single parenthood, there was never enough time
    	to play (and I was no longer near a piano, anyway) so I let
    	my music slip away from me.  My son has never heard me play.
    
    	Several years ago, I took lessons again for a few months (did
    	my practicing in a borrowed music room) and found my piano
    	skills flooding back to me at a very encouraging rate!  My
    	teacher told me that if I worked at it, I could regain my
    	full skills within a year or two.  So...I bought a new piano
    	and am setting up one of our spare bedrooms as a music room
    	so that I can play away to my heart's content until it all
    	comes back to me (I'll be taking lessons again, of course.)
    	Later, I'll be moving the piano to the family room.

    	As for short stories, I haven't written much since I left
    	college.  In my senior year, I won the Creative Writing Award
    	for my University (which was a neat trick for someone who was
    	not in the English Department, I guess.)  ;-)  My goal in the
    	next year is to put together a collection of my stories and
    	try to get them published.
    
    	One other artistic outlet (that is in the past and not likely
    	to be repeated) was the camera work I did for PBS some years
    	back.  I worked as a camera operator in a good-sized studio
    	for 2 and a half years.  As much as I loved the idea of being
    	technical (it was, in fact, my first non-traditional job) --
    	what I really loved about it was the creative aspect of the
    	work.  Our directors gave us *much* creative freedom (to develop
    	our own shots and movement within a show.)  It was the experience
    	of a lifetime (in an artistic sense.)
    
    	I won't consider my life in full balance until I have reached
    	my next few goals at work *in addition to* having music and
    	writing in my life as well.  Then, of course, there is still
    	my son, our new home, and hopefully a romantic interest (plus
    	the work on my second degree...)
    
    	I like keeping busy...  ;-)
    
    						      Suzanne... ;-)

    I write (working on something that could either be a novel or a
    really long short story--not sure yet :-) ), make jewelry, do
    crewelwork pieces (readymade or my own design), make collages, teach
    self-defense seminars, and am currently studying sign language.
    Where these hobbies may or may not make me rich, they certainly
    do contribute to my well-being!
    
    My dream is to someday help out on an archaeological dig *anywhere*,
    visit the pyramids in Egypt, and;  while I'm there, discover the
    tomb of an as-yet unknown king (or queen).
    
    Thanks, Suzanne, for an opportunity to see how varied and talented
    people are--keep writing in!
    
    Jane
     

    I played the French Horn from the 5th grade till my sophomore year
    of college. At age 33 I started playing again. Now I actually get
    paid for playing ocassionally. 
    
    I also have the dream of writing trashy highly successfull novels.
    I haven't written any story line yet but I have the format worked
    out. Of course I don't really suspect I'll make a writer but it's
    fun to try so this is more play than serious attempt.
    
    Don't know if this counts as art but I'm also training my 3 year
    old mare Kansas Taffy. Takes a lot of time and effort to mold a
    horse but it's worth it. liesl

    I wrote an article for the Women's Studies journal "Heresies" on
    "Women and Folk Music" which was published a few years back. I also
    wrote the score for a women's musical about 10 years ago.   It was
    called "Women on My Mind" and was produced in Amherst, Mass.
    
    I am very interested in folk music, and wish I had more time to
    play my hammered dulcimer.  Maggie and I co-edit the "Folk Letter"
    which is the monthly newsletter of the Folk Song Society of Greater
    Boston.  It takes us a full weekend a month plus several week nights,
    and keeps me from doing some other things I would love to do.  
    I sometimes feel frustrated about the tradeoffs involved in making
    a big commitment to a community service project, but at the same
    time I love to see the finished product every month.
                                                        
    Thanks for starting an interesting new topic, Suzanne.
    
    Holly

    
    
    I think all people are artists by nature, but MY special love is
    to draw and paint.  I also collect comic books of all nations and
    types and hope to publish my own graphic novels and/or works some
    day.  I've been doing this for about 20 years and have also developed
    a love for animation as well.  Can you see me as the next big animator
    beyond Disney?  It's a dream that will take a lot of dedication
    to make real, but I'm working on it.
    
    I've been paid for some of my work, but I don't really consider
    myself a bonafide professional yet.
    
    And a special note to Leisl:  Glad to hear that you finally have
    that contraption under control! :->
    
    Carolyn
    

    
    Hope it's ok to talk about my wife as she's the one in our marriage
    with all of the artistic talent.
    
    She's fantastic with pen and ink drawing and water color too.
    She always draws the christmas cards we send out each year and doing
    so adds a nice personal touch which our friends/family enjoy.
    
    I love to watch her create and envy her her talent.
    
    

    Until about 4 years ago, I was a professional potter.  I really miss
    not having my hands in clay and creating.  I did functional work --
    things for kitchen use, plates, bowls, cups, etc.  I've toyed with
    doing it again as a hobby, but it is very consuming, both in terms of
    energy and time, and I'm not sure I would be happy working on it in
    that way.  Part of the reason I gave it up was a bad back, which is
    still an issue, the other part is $$ -- a VERY hard way to make a
    living. 

    I am a writer by profession, and try to write in my spare time too.
    I've been working on and off for a few years on a novel, but because
    I write all day, I find it hard to go home to the word processor.
    I've sold some articles to craft magazines in the past, and recently
    applied to a community newspaper as a reviewer...they've offered
    me the opportunity to do book reviews, which I'm considering.
    
    I really appreciate this topic, because right now I'm looking around
    for a new hobby.  I like to garden, I've done needlework, and am
    now considering learning to make baskets (can't keep me away from
    containers! At least baskets are lighter than pots!).  Hands-on
    crafts are a wonderful way for me to relax and revitalize.
    
    ****andrea****

    
    
    I have written poetry and had it published.
    
    I have done photography - all color.
    
    I worked on a magazine (actually we did everything except run the
    press) called "The New Lowell Offering" which I loved.
    
    I have written theatre reviews for newspapers.
    
    Now I lead workshops that help women in their spiritual quests.
    
    Am I an artist - yeah 
    
    _peggy
    		(-)
    		 |	I honour the Goddess with my art
    

    creativity in my life includes:
    
    writing poetry/short stories
    designing/executing needlepoints (mostly continental stitch)
    knitting easy flat things like scarves & afghans
    playing piano (I only regret that in 8 yrs of classical I never
       learned how to improvise or play jazz)
    
    eventually I may submit some writings for publication, but I haven't
    had time to do so yet.  When my parents retire to a lovely cosy
    condominium in a few years, they will let me have the huge old piano
    with their blessings - so I will be able to practice again.
    
    -Jody
    

    Someone once told me singers didn't mature into their voices until
    their twenties.  Well then It's about time I started again, huh.
    
    Singing is my passion, and I miss it.  The worst aspect of apartment
    living is that I can't practice piano or [especially] voice without
    disturbing the people on the other side of these walls.
    
    Lee

    Well...I studied classical piano for 10 years and voice
    for 2....and have no talent in either area....and envy
    people who can sign on key or pick out any tune on an
    instrument.....I married a man with perfect pitch and 
    our biological son inherited his father's beautiful
    singing voice (now in the fourth generation) and 'ear'
    for music....
    
    
    I cartoon and sketch well and enjoy water color painting...
    
    I also love to garden and am working on a perennial garden in it's
    second summer....
    
    and I dream and imagine story plots nearly all the time but
    have never had the courage to try and write them down...
    
    and I love to sing along with people - because I always remember
    the words and end up singing alone after a couple of verses...
    
    and *I CAN'T SPELL*  
    
    I regard correct spelling as an arcane art....:-)
    
    Bonnie J
    
    

    I sew, and do some costuming for theatre groups, including
    designs and sewing.  I have also taken voice lessons (they DO
    help - some) and have, until recently, sung in a local
    group that performs light opera/operatta/romantic programs.
    I also "dabble" in crafts - crewel work, quilting, fabric/yarn
    crafts - whatever suits my fancy at the moment  . . .

    I was a music major in H.S. (what am I doing in a *computer*
    company???) and as a result play piano, guitar, clarinet (several
    types) trombone and drums.  Then, after high school I taught myself
    to play the fulte and now play mostly improvisational jazz on it.
    I also write music.
    
    I am also a poet, and have filled a "nothing book" over about 5
    years, so it chronicles my feelings over that period.
    
    Currently, my artistic outlet is in the area of filmmaking.  As
    a matter of fact,  I'm developing that to be my next career
    (specifically film editing).  I'd like to make a living using my
    artistic talents.
    
    Sheila
    

    It's such a pleasure to hear women saying, "I do <_____________>
    well."
    
    I love it!

    As a student going for her BFA, it is fascinating learning about
    so many talented people outside of the college campus.  
    
    I sincerely hope all of you succeed in doing what you like to do
    best, not only as a hobby, but as a career!
    
    It was very hard for me to make a career choice because I loved
    physics, math, etc... but could not bear giving up my passion for
    drawing: now I have found the perfect combination of both in the
    field of Industrial Design!  You never know how you can blend your
    talents!
    
    

    
    i'm a fairly accomplished guitarist....(isn't everyone?)
    and have made some money at it...
    
    it's #2 on my list of things to do on this planet.
    
    i also compose....
    i currently have tapes with anywhere from 30-45 minutes of
    "finished pieces" on them.
    
    hard rock/ classical rock/ new age/ classical
    
    much of it is social/political in nature.
    
    that's third on the list of things to do.
    
    i also write poetry (which i sometimes add to my musical compositions)
    and lots of other "stuff"....articles/short stories...
    which i've never tried to sell.....though i almost bought a stamp
    to put on an envelope in which to mail some "stuff" to...someone..
    
    that's 4'th on the list.

    i have a mini-recording studio in my cellar (celler?) that i spend
    lots of time in.....
    
    if i weren't so involved with making the world a fit place for
    humans to live i'd spend more time with my artistic endeavors.
    :-)