Category Archives: Favorite People

Best of 2011 #7 – My husband is the bomb!

January 7, 2012 by Chris | 6 Comments

My ridiculously talented husband!

A marriage of two artists is an incredible thing! Not that there aren’t some challenges, but there is also an understanding that is hard to find outside the creative world, an encouragement, and the occasional well-intentioned nudge. We often take more pleasure in the accomplishments of the other than of our own. So one of my bests of 2011 was definitely watching Kyle stretch for a huge performance of a very challenging piece, playing on a relatively new instrument.

The Kauffman Center for the Performing ArtsKauffman Center for the Performing Arts

The artistic renaissance that is taking place in Kansas City included the 2011 opening of a new performing arts center, the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Living approximately 2 miles away from this architectural masterpiece we watched the skyline of Kansas City change, and for 5 years we eagerly anticipated it’s opening. What we couldn’t anticipate was that within a month of its grand opening Kyle would play a solo accordion piece to a near capacity crowd in the acoustically magnificent Helzberg Hall. And along with that, we would spend a couple of days soaking in the grandeur of the building in both the front and back of house with our friends, some of Kansas City’s most talented musicians. (fun fact – They were building the hall longer than Kyle has been playing accordion!)  His performance was a part of:

The Homecoming of Virgil Thomson

Under the fearless artistic direction of tenor Nathan Granner, 54 area musicians paid tribute to Kansas City’s most lauded composer, presenting an overview of Thomson’s life work.  Homecoming: An Evening with Virgil T, was a 90-minute program dedicated to an array of Virgil Thomson’s instrumental and vocal works, all related in some significant way to the theme of Thomson as, in Aaron Copland’s words, the “father of American classical music.” The musical tribute was filmed with seven cameras with excerpts from the concert incorporated into a biography of Thomson to be broadcast nationally on PBS. (projected for spring 2013) Kyle was honored to play an accordion etude, Lamentations, commissioned in 1959 by the National Accordion Association. I couldn’t be prouder!

Kyle Dahlquist in Helzberg Hall

 

Did you stretch this year? If so how?

join the conversation

Bests of 2011 #5 – The Plaza Art Fair you don’t see.

January 5, 2012 by Chris | 5 Comments

I traveled to my first art festival in May of 2000 and on my return home I exclaimed to Kyle, “I have found my people!”

That is as true today as it was in 2000, and continues to be the one of the major highlights of doing shows. And so it is bittersweet in September when we get to the end of our season of travel and spend the last few days with our crazy talented friends that are scattered across the country. Fortunately for us this last hurrah of the season is the Plaza Art Fair in Kansas City, which gives us the opportunity to host our friends. We fill our house and studios (and now our new trailer) to overflowing with the most talented visual artists we know. Then on Sunday night we host a party for all the artists that can make it – the night is filled with many stories, and much laughter and music. It has definitely become one of the highlights of our year, and one we always look forward to. But there is more…

With the fun that everyone is having and the knowledge that it might be half a year before we see one another again, the party has been extending, so much so that now it continues through the week. As we say good-bye to those that have to hit the road, many of the closest stay and indulge in more laughing, junking, music-making, card playing, and world’s problem solving, all at the languid speed of a summer beach vacation.  It’s reminiscent of when I was a teenager on the phone with my boyfriend, not wanting to say goodbye – “You hang up.”  “No, you hang up.”  “No, you hang up.”  “You hang up.”

I have found my people and I love them!

Jim C BrownPaul Andrews Beth Bojarski and Mark WinterDamian VelasquezChris Bruno and Lynn WhippleJohn WhippleGregory Story (we missed you at the party this year!)Audrey HellerDamian Velasquez and Lisa BurgeLisa Burge and Lynn WhippleJim Brown and Beth BojarskiLynn WhippleGregory Story and Jim BrownSo much laughingSoo tired

make a coment

My studio soundtrack – Richard Shindell

November 30, 2011 by Chris | 2 Comments

The most seminal moment in my career as an artist was at a music concert. Continue reading »

Happy Thanksgiving

November 23, 2011 by Chris | 1 Comment

Here is an excerpt from a love letter I read every year at Thanksgiving. It was written on Thanksgiving Day, 1945 by my Grandfather Rev. W.W. Jones to my Grandmother, Adena Jones while he was away in the army. They were newlyweds and they were expecting their first child – my father. I am thankful!

Mile Marker 235, 16" x 22"

Continue reading »

Ben Buonaiuto – One of our Favorite People!

November 9, 2011 by Chris | 1 Comment

It is a good life, filled up and overflowing.  “There’s opportunity everywhere,” he says.  “And I do meditate, not as much as I used to, but I do it,” he says, “even when I get stuck in traffic.  I meditate a lot like a cat would.”

 

Ben Buonaiuto

photo by Marcus Coker

Those are the kinds of things Ben says that throw you off.  He meditates like a cat. It’s an image that’s hard to forget.  He describes himself as a pragmatic man, but still believes in the magic of everyday life.  Not only does he believe, he has the good sense to cherish it every single day.   (excerpt from The World According to Ben, story by Marla Cantrell)

 

Ben and Sage and both of their extended families are an inspiration. We are lucky to be part of their lives; to have traveled with them from the Florida Keys to Red Fish Lake, Idaho and many points in-between, to have shared many meals, and to know and watch Ari grow!   Read the article and I’m sure you will be jealous and dying to see the lion!