December 14, 2007

(Maira Kalman)

Stingy Brims and a Beaded Bunny

Click here to view a slideshowMaira Kalman is an author and illustrator whose work is colorful, funny, and keenly observed -- she gets most of her ideas by simply walking around town. Her latest book, The Principles of Uncertainty is a journal in paint and prose, documenting a year of her life. Small, ignored things become monumental -- like Bundt cakes and disposed sofas on the street. Kurt took her for a stroll on an obscure, narrow street in Lower Manhattan.

Mike Daisey (Jean-Michele Gregory)

Daisey Does MacDowell

A hundred years ago in New Hampshire, Edward and Marian MacDowell opened the doors of America’s first official artists colony. Aaron Copland wrote "Billy the Kid" there. Willa Cather worked on Death Comes for the Archbishop. And earlier this year, Mike Daisey went to work on a monologue. He has this to say about his month in a cabin at the MacDowell Colony.

Drawing and Doubting

Click here to view a slideshowA spell at the MacDowell Colony is one of the best perks an artist can get. Tara Geer, a visual artist, went twice to work on her drawings. She also interviewed a MacDowell legend, lunch delivery man Blake Tewksbury. But the whole time, she was afraid she’d be sent home.

MacAlford Colony

Click here to view a slideshowHenry Alford is a writer who has never been to MacDowell. And he doesn’t really want to. No, what Henry wants to do is run the place. We give him a chance to try out for the job. Produced by Owen Agnew.

Miranda July (RJ Shaughnessy)

Birthmark

Miranda July has had critical and commercial success as a screenwriter, director, actor, and performance artist. This year, she published a powerful collection of short stories called No One Belongs Here More Than You. She came to Studio 360 to read her story “Birthmark.” Produced by Pejk Malinovski.

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