Tell Me, David!

Actually, I would sincerely love to hear all about the ocean of pure vibrant consciousness. Especially from David Lynch!!

David Lynch

Yesterday I got word from Bishop that my favourite filmmaker and one of the universe's most gifted artists had left the earth. It got me thinking about when Ashlee and I went to see Catherine Coulson at the PAFA back in December of 2014. David Lynch's Unified Fields was on display there and after Ms. Coulson spoke and we watched a couple of her fave Twin Peaks episodes, we wandered through the museum to see some of Lynch's art. I didn't take many photos and they aren't all that great so I'm thinking that maybe photography wasn't allowed and so I would hide my phone behind Ash and snap some. I know this had to be the case because I remember there being a painting with airplanes that I loved {Airplanes - 2013}. I would have taken a photo of that if I could. Either way, here are some that I captured. David Lynch was a singular talent. A man who had ideas and visions and saw things unlike anyone else. He left behind a massive legacy of fascinating films and curious paintings, but I wish he hadn't left so soon.

Pete Goes to His Girlfriend's House (2009)

She Was Walking to Her House and Then There Was Someone (2013)

I Burn Pinecone and Throw In Your House (2009)

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Gardenback (1968-70)

1999 Journal

Ah, the last year of the 20th century...back when I was heavily into Ani DiFranco, Chris Isaak, Metallica, and all things swing. My favourite actors at the time were Gary Oldman (pictured with then paramour Isabella Rossellini, who I just love!), Tim Roth, Ewan McGregor, Benicio Del Toro, Marlon Brando, and to a lesser extent, Robert Downey Jr. (mostly because he was in Only You). I admired David Lynch, Sylvia Plath, Oscar Wilde, David Bowie, and Todd Oldham for his fashion genius and use of vibrant colours. I was still obsessed with Sid Vicious, who got me interested in Gary Oldman after watching Sid and Nancy; and my great love of Ann Jillian was well into its 11th year. Oh, and remember Edward Burns? Yeah, I really liked his first couple of films. After She's the One I kinda lost interest...

Three More Bad Books

In preparation for my adventure this upcoming Thanksgiving I reached out to the outrageously talented Helen Coldwell and submitted a new request for a fab travel journal. While waiting for her creation to complete, Helen put up for sale a Twin Peaks themed journal that reads She's filled with secrets. Since David Lynch is my fave filmmaker and Twin Peaks is one of my fave TV shows of all time, I immediately messaged Helen and asked that she save one for me. She also had a little tiny journal with stars decorating the inside for sale so I went bananas and bought three books. Can't wait for them to arrive, as knowing Miss Helen, they will include a sweet little note.

Log Lady Must-Have!

Having had the great fortune to not only meet Ms. Catherine Coulson but to get a hug from one of Twin Peaks most iconic characters, I kinda think I gotta have this pin to add to my collection...

(photo kidnapped from sayonarababy)

John Hurt

Another exceptional talent has left the earth. I first developed a great admiration for him when he did that brilliant cameo in Spaceballs. I guess I thought he was just a stuffy English actor, but after seeing him in Spaceballs he suddenly became, to me, a real live person. One with humour and charm and I really respected him for that small role. That admiration only grew more so when I saw him play Joseph Merrick (my dear ole childhood pal!) in David Lynch's remarkable film The Elephant Man. It was such a beautiful, tender, and eloquent portrayal. All throughout his career, John Hurt delivered some incredible and unforgettable performances and I'm truly sad that he's gone.

My top ten favourite JH films:

The Tigger Movie

The Elephant Man

Alien

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Perfume

Spaceballs

Hellboy

V for Vendetta

Gentleman in New York

PAFA with Ashlee

Last Saturday night, Ashlee and I went to Philly for an evening with Catherine Coulson at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Ms. Coulson played Margaret, The Log Lady, in Twin Peaks and was there to screen her three favourite episodes as well as speak about her experiences with filmmaker David Lynch. Yeah, and I totally hugged her. At first, Ashlee and I sat in the very back of the room and just watched her interact with the fans. She was so genuine and warm with each person, that once the line to meet Catherine dwindled, I snuck in so as to score a hug.

It was such a fabulous night out with Ashlee, a lady that I cherish so dearly. We arrived in plenty of time, scored free popcorn and Sprite (woohoo!), took pictures in the bathroom, stood outside at intermission for a smoke and chatted with a couple fellas passing by (Philly is seriously The City of Brotherly Love), listened to Catherine give us a little info on the continuation of the series (David Lynch is to direct all new episodes of the Showtime revival of Twin Peaks, all eps to be written by David Lynch and Mark Frost, Catherine will be back as The Log Lady, Kyle MacLachlan is attached to the project and possibly Sheryl Lee and Mädchen Amick - although she couldn't really say 100%. The series is being written now, to be released in 2016 and will be shot entirely on film. Oh, and David said to tell everyone not to play in the street.), and then we were all allowed to go upstairs and see David's incredible art - The Unified Field. I even managed to sneak some photos.

Truthfully, I think we both liked the gallery part best of all. I warned Ashlee that David Lynch is not gonna have paintings of pretty maids in a field or graffiti dogs barking. I told her that this is the sort of art that you look at and take in how it makes you feel. Keep an open mind. Even if you don't like it, at least try to appreciate it. Ashlee was riveted and kept getting super super close to each painting so as to see just what was used to create the artwork. Before we left, we went through each room again and chose our favourite piece and then explained what it was that we liked about it. I left feeling incredibly blessed (and I do not throw that word around lightly) that I am a Philly girl and that my favourite filmmaker of all time loves my city and allowed PAFA to display his work and share it with me and my lovely niece.

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

An Evening with David Lynch

About a month or so ago I got a text from my brother Wayne telling me that a certain favourite filmmaker of mine would be in Bryn Mawr. As luck would have it, Wayne lives but three blocks from the Bryn Mawr Film Institute and snagged us a couple seats for the event.

Last night I met Wayne ahead of time for a quick bite to eat. I arrived about 15 minutes late and found him sitting at the bar. "I'm sorry I'm late, but I have a really hilarious excuse. I was watching Dynasty and lost track of time." After a hearty laugh, Wayne said, "The only thing that could have made that funnier is if you'd said you were watching Hotel." (Mmmm....James Brolin. I need to add that series to my Netflix queue!)

After dinner we headed over to BMFI to wait in line for about thirty minutes (we were a little over an hour early) then immediately snagged two seats way in the back (I scored the aisle, of course.) Neither of us had any intention of asking questions and were more than happy to view the evening from afar. However, I must admit, it was thrilling when they announced the guest's name and asked him on to the stage and David Lynch, in white dress shirt buttoned all the way up, black trousers, shoes, and knee-length black suit jacket passed within arms reach of me. He looked fabulous.

The evening was very brief, only a little over an hour, and I was disappointed and slightly annoyed at the set up. They had David Lynch hold a mic the entire time. I'm sorry, but how hard is it to find a microphone stand? Oh, and on the table between the two of them were cheesy bottles of water. You can't freakin' get the guest of honour a glass?? Come on. And the interviewer was a hack. Sad to say, but for someone who had apparently met and supposedly interviewed David Lynch in the past, she was terrible. She seemed to race through her list of questions as though she had a late night dental appointment. "Time to wrap this up, Lynch, I got a teeth cleaning at 8:15 in Rosemont." Honestly, that's how she came across. And after he answered the questions, there was no flow or segue. She simply said, "Thank you" or "How true" and went right on to the next one on her paper. (James Lipton, you have spoiled us all. We now expect and frankly, demand, a very high standard of professionalism and warmth from interviewers and this gal did not deliver the Lipton quality we've come to admire.) Now, her questions weren't the best, but she did manage to get some wonderful answers out of the guest. Mr. Lynch was charming, intelligent, soft spoken, and insightful. I so wanted to have a smoke with him out back after the show and just have a real conversation. He seems completely genuine and likeable.

All in all, Wayne and I had a great time and it was lovely to see David Lynch in person and listen to him speak. Plus, on our way to the parky lot we saw a DeLorean. Anyone who grew up in America in the 1980s will immediately feel their stomach flip and their pulse race at the sight of a DeLorean. What a strange and dreamlike way to end the evening.

My Kinda Colouring Book!

O-M-G!! A Twin Peaks Colouring Book? Doth mine eyes deceive me?? I seriously think I need to purchase this for all the planes and trains I'll be taking next month. It's an ideal travel companion!

(photo kidnapped from etsy)

Twin Peaks

(photo kidnapped from fanpop)

Oh, Twin Peaks, how I was so completely obsessed with you back in the day...I still have my season one VHS box set, my Laura Palmer t-shirt, and my complete set of trading cards because I am a humongous dork. What a fabulous cast of characters - the Log Lady, sadistic Leo Johnson, Bobby Briggs and his gorgeous hair, Big Ed who was my absolute favourite, his batshit crazy wife Nadine, sassy seductress Audrey, and of course the boys in uniform - Hawk, Sheriff Truman, Deputy Andy and Special Agent Dale Cooper. I always admired Audrey Horne's fashion sense - everything she wore was chic as hell. Rewatching season one today made me realise that I desperately need to add some saddle shoes and long plaid pleated skirts to my wardrobe.

(photo kidnapped from thefloressisters)

Twin Peaks, NJ

Tonight at the diner with my BFF, I snuck this picture on the way to the loo. I've always loved this hallway; it's very David Lynch. Trying not to draw attention to myself, I turned off the flash and hid the camera in my palm as I snapped it on the sly. I love the slanted, shaky look of it.