Long time no see.

I’ve been slammed with new projects, but I’m planning on revealing more about those as I rev this engine of pixel blasting fury back up after a protracted intermission. I have so many new happenings underway that I’m not really sure where to start.

Picking at random…

ArtNowNashville.com is a new online journal that has asked me to contribute art reviews focused on new exhibitions opening in Middle Tennessee. We eventually hope to expand our range to include out of town shows by local artists or even out of town shows that might somehow connect back to local interests. It’s been a pretty interesting new project and I’m pleased to say that we’ve had a great response thus far. Keep your eyes peeled for art reviews I’ll be posting here with links back to the site…

ArtNowNashville has also asked me to review books for them – which is a great thing. As faithful readers know, I’ve done my share of book reviews on these pages at Chapter16.org. Reading, going to exhibits, watching films and listening to music have always been an intrinsic part of my creative work. In many ways interacting with media, absorbing messages, drawing conclusions, making connections and expressing ideas is the heart of my creative process and writing essays, and reviews allows me to monetize these exercises so that I can afford to be an artist.

I was excited to find out that Martin Scorsese had directed a new documentary on one of my favorite musicians – George Harrison: Living in the Material World. I was even more excited that the good people at Abrams publishing were excited to send on a copy of the companion book for me to review.

Via ArtNowNashville…

A companion volume to the new, two-part HBO documentary of the same name, George Harrison: Living in the Material World shines a light on The Beatles’ “Dark Horse” guitarist, revealing a groundbreaking musician, a daring songsmith, and a seeker whose spiritual quest was always tangled up with his rock ‘n’ roll aspirations.

The book offers up a treasure trove of Harrison’s personal photos, diaries, letters and even a collection of autographed photos from heroes like Little Richard and skiffle music pioneer Lonnie Donegan. The inclusion of these ephemera constitute an exhaustive excavation in and of themselves – Material World even includes drawings of the musical instruments and motorcycles that Harrison scribbled in his grade school notebooks. However, some of the most compelling gems here are photographs that Harrison took himself. His snapshots document his life at home and in the spotlight, providing potent insights into both the glam and sham of the rock star life.

If there is any question of Harrison’s creative impact on The Beatles, one quick glance at his post-band career makes his spot in the Fab Four’s pantheon undeniably clear. Harrison’s solo debut All Things Must Pass, ranks alongside – if not above – both McCartney’s and Lennon’s after-The-Beatles offerings. Harrison had a number one record in 1987 with his single “Got My Mind Set on You” and his tenure with The Traveling Wilburys found his music charting into the 1990′s. Even Harrison’s The Concert for Bangladesh in 1971 continues to serve as an inspiring template for all Live Aid-style rock-benefit-extravaganzas. Harrison was the second Beatle – after John Lennon – to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

More after jumping through this hoop of fire…

Joe Nolan <3