Buon giorno, darling readers,The winds have changed finally. The last trace of the traditional late March snowstorm has melted and seeped back into the earth. And, the cycle begins again... Spring has sprung...finally. With that, of course, come chaotic thunderstorms, a state of constant humidity, and a new issue of TAR.
I noticed just yesterday that our neighbors’ tulips are in full bloom, red and marvelous as they are every year. There’s something comforting about that. Tulips were always my father’s favorite flowers, but my Granny – his Mommy – can no longer care for plants. So, the neighbors must suffice.
Like those tulips, TAR is a comforting, stable thing for me, even though it is always in flux. This issue ushers in some new artistic styles to our publication – digital alchemy comes to the fore, and paintings are at a minimum. Our featured artist, Ellen Jantzen, works with natural forms and digital imaging to create something quite otherworldly. Other digital artists in this issue include Jeff Crouch, Bev Hodson, Nicolas Mocan, and Benjamin Harrison. Andrea Cukier makes her second TAR appearance, this time with new oil and watercolor abstracts. In poetry, Amy Ashton Handy and Lynn Strongin are featured, along with poems by Ellen Hopkins, Marla Rocheleau, Amanda Reynolds, and damali abrams, among others.
The opinions section begins with my critical evaluation of the current state of artistic endeavors in US society, “State of the Arts: Why Society Fails to Value Creativity.” Our reviews section has grown by leaps and bounds this issue, thanks in large part to numerous artists and publicity representatives who have sent us promotional CDs. The spring issue features mini-reviews of albums by multi-talented Calexico percussionist John Convertino, French-born guitarist Naim Amor, country-meets-jazz diva Danielle Howle, and many more – plus a feature-length review of singer-songwriter Bruce Robison’s fantastic new CD, Eleven Stories, and my good friend David DeVoe's take on All the Roadrunning, the new duets CD by Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris. Also in reviews, you’ll find critiques of recent poetry collections by Robin Robertson and Tomaz Salamun.
The Spring 2006 issue marks the beginning of our participation in the Amazon.com
Associates Program. Simply click on
the cover image for a book or CD to order and support TAR.As always, thanks to the numerous individuals who contributed to the publication of this issue: all of the poets, artists, and musicians who shared their work with me; proofreader extraordinaire Jonathan Mills; best friend extraordinaire Steve Berry; the EmmyFriends; Naim Amor; Marianne Dissard; Kissy Black; Bill Bentley & Mary Moyer; Angie Carlson; Lauren Gaffney; everyone in the publicity department at Harcourt Inc.; Chris Brudzinski; Mark Pucci Media; John Metzger and The Music Box; David DeVoe and hybrid magazine; and my Mom.
This issue is dedicated to the memory of my father, Kennan W. Rogers (1938-1991), in honor of his 68th birthday. Happy Birthday, Daddy. Wherever you are.
Until next time...
Tracy M. Rogers
Editor
Artwork: Juncos by Andrea Cukier © 2006