Imagine being greeted by a sophisticated musical composition by your children! That is exactly what happened when 13-year-old Sofia and 10-year-old Saul played their newly composed music for violin and cello.
World Premier Composition for S 8 Video Courtesy of Alan Saucedo
Of their first composition together, Sofia said, “We wanted to surprise our parents. I composed the melody and Saul helped arrange it for cello.” This is what the Saucedo children do in their spare time between school work, music lessons in violin, cello, and piano, and working toward their Second Degree Taekwondo Black Belts.
Their musical family thrives on love, beautiful music, tasty meals and delicious cakes. The Saucedos, father, Alan, is a PhD cellist, mother, Miho Sato, is a pianist and singer who works in music therapy and teaches voice and piano, the children, Saul and Sofia, study under their parents’ and aunt, Cynthia’s tutelage. Alan loves to prepare meals and bake amazing cakes.
What did their parents think about their composition? “I liked it very much! It was very touching and beautiful – look what they did for us,” said Miho. Dad, Alan said, “ I loved it! I encouraged the children to write it all down before it disappeared. I videoed it several times until they were happy with the video.”
I asked Saul to tell me about his arranging process. He told me, “I listened to Sophia’s melody. Then, I experimented with notes and phrases until we liked the sound.” And that is how the composition came to life!
1/4th Cello and full size cello – Sweet Music! Video Courtesy of Alan Saucedo
“Is it difficult learning from your parents?” I asked Saul and Sofia. “It’s fun! We understand each other and we like to learn,” Said Sofia. Dad, chimed in, “There have been some tears, but at this stage, they have the tools with which to problem solve and teaching is more guidance and skill honing. The lessons address specific things to make the music beautiful and expressive.”
Sofia and Saul both take piano in addition to their individual string instruments, they volunteered that while they love the piano as well as their strings, that strings are their favorites. Mom teaches them piano. Alan teaches cello. Their aunt, Alan’s sister, Cynthia, a concert violinist, teaches violin.
Saul plays a ¼ cello while Sofia plays a full sized violin. Saul started with a 1/10th cello at 4 years old and Sofia began with a 1/8th sized violin at four and a half years old.
The Entire Family – Pachelbel’s Cannon in D MIho on Piano, Cynthia on Violin, Sofia on Violin, Saul on Cello, Alan on Cello Video Courtesy of Alan Saucedo
The entire family creates beautiful music together. Alan, is always researching interesting music from around the world, and likes to introduce Mexican and Spanish classical works. Miho majored in voice from an oratorio perspective as well as piano. One of her favorite songs is Schumann’s “Lotus Flower.”
What are the children’s hobbies besides music and martial arts? Art – drawing and collages. They are precise in everything that they do. It goes without saying that they excel in their academics as much as they do in their other endeavors. They attend public school where Saul is in fourth grade and Sofia is in seventh grade. Their favorite subjects are science, math, history, and social studies.
Beautiful Birthday Cards Created by Saul (left) and Sofia (R) for Miho’s Birthday
The day that we spoke, was Miho’s birthday. Alan had a fun meal planned with barbecue ribs and a chocolate flan cake, “a Mexican chocolate cake.” Saul and Sofia like ice cream. Saul likes mango ice cream and chocolate mint chip. Sofia likes cookies and cream, vanilla, or strawberry. With so many wonderful flavors, it is hard to choose just one!
Saul, S and Alanin concertMiho in concertSofia Image Courtesy of Alan Saucedo
One parting question for Sofia and Saul – how much practicing do they do? They replied that they practice and study as much as is necessary to meet individual goals. Sometimes 20 minutes, other times, an one hour. They are goals centered and know what they want to accomplish.
Sofia and Saul call themselves, “S 8”
I hope that you love and enjoy their wonderful music!
Artist, Kristiana Pärn, Puts Contrasts in Perspective
Joyfulness, freedom, laughter, and thoughtfulness are intrinsic to the art of Kristiana Pärn. Her “edgy naïve” style is anything but simple.
Making the Moon Man – original on Wood Panel Image Courtesy of Kristiana Pärn.
The beginning of magic Image Courtesy of Kristiana Pärn
“Composition with colors – things I find in the studio”
The Wood Gallery
Wood Scraps
“Inspiration is everywhere – Doorways are mysterious“
“Just playing aroudn in the studio”
Images Courtesy of Kristiana Pärn
What makes Kristiana Pärn’s art exceptional? It is the blend of boundless boldness with an introspective calm that brings endless opportunities for the imagination. She combines the organic elements of wood panels with acrylic paint and graphite. She explained that she discovered wood panels in 2004, “It is always interesting to draw on wood. The pigment gets absorbed in the grain of the wood and what we see is the reflection of the color. The paint accentuates or obscures different marks in the wood to create surprising effects. The wood grain resembles air, wind, water, and patterns in the sky. There is so much more than it seems. The wood creates an atmosphere that is only partly my doing.”
Top Left: Let it Come and Let it Go; Right: Look Closely Bottom:The Daydreamers – Original Paintings on Wood Blocks. Image Courtesy of Kristiana Pärn.
“I have a handful of characters that I keep going back to,” says Kristiana. She told me, “The recent events have evoked a sort of melancholy and the blue-clad elephant sketch was intended to be a series. He is to bring pleasure. He is a clumsy creature but so calm, foxes are playful, sly, and adventurous. Bunnies are comfortable, warm, and soft. They are really brave little creatures. Bears are entertaining. The characters come from my intuition – my emotional intelligence. Often, a character springs out when I am trying to figure something out.”
Art Prints: Top L-R – Unhurried Journey, Solitude, Rowan Tree Image Courtesy of Kristiana Pärn.
Her subjects are charming creatures (often woodland animals of the northern European forests of her youth) engaging in the unexpected. Bunnies swinging in the atmosphere, foxes in a row boat, polar bears floating on hot air balloons, raccoons as the bases of toadstools, an elephant taking a bubble bath, a bunny hugging the neck of a giraffe, bunnies napping atop marshmallow tree branches – of course! Why not? It all seem perfectly natural and harmonious. Is it the colors? Is it the calmness in their nature? Is it the environmental forces depicted? The image that captivated me most recently was a sketch of an elephant in blue shorts dipping blue paint from a paint can.
Elephant Sketches Images courtesy of Kristiana Pärn
While viewing many of Kristian’s pieces, it became clear to me that Kristiana uses a very sophisticated “voice” of contrasts. She says, “I try to find harmony between two to three colors. The colors are sharp muted tones that I use to create a feeling.” Like her characters who are bold but unexpected, the colors echo the unexpected as well, “Sharp, yet muted.” It is the contrasts presented with whimsey that create the atmosphere for the experience.
Originals on Wood Block: Top L-R:Nothing is Ordinary, The Sweetest Slumber, The Bunny and Dracula Bottom: Rendevous Images Courtesy of Kristiana Pärn
“Do you have names for your characters?” I asked. “No names. They are not stories. They make the invitation to tell your story. I want to create the space for your creativity to tell the story,” Kristiana explained. While the characters are unnamed, the names of some of her paintings include, Nothing is Ordinary, Fearless, Dreamers Move Mountains, Any Dream Will Do, Unhurried journey, Not to Worry, Such a Daydream.
Kristiana’s life is rich in adventure, imagination, and romance. Pictured with husband, Sebastian and their bunny, Whisky. Images Courtesy of Kristiana Pärn
She is matter of fact yet whimsical. She is intuitive and inquisitive and like her bunnies, is willing to go out on a limb. Last autumn, she and her husband, Sebastian, traveled to his native Argentina for a visit, “With just a suitcase,” says Kristiana, “ and we are still here and plan to remain for the rest of the year.”
Kristiana has exhibited in galleries, won awards, and displayed on pop-up tables on the streets of New York. “I love to see the people and their reactions. I get feedback from the people rushing by – they suddenly stop, they can look quietly, or they might speak to me, they don’t have to say anything. It was a nice way to connect with people. I loved to talk to the them.”
Originals on Wood Block Images Courtesy of Kristiana Pärn
Who are Kristian’s favorite artists? “I love New York’s street art. I want to know what they are doing and get to know them. I want to support them. There is a feeling of family,” she said. Matisse is her favorite famous artist, “His force and personality are incredible. The shape and look of his Cutouts inspire me. I love his collages,” she elaborated.
Kristiana said of their future plans, “Since we moved to Argentina we left behind ‘baggage,’ we are ‘surfing the waves’ a little. We are taking some space to react to our new opportunities. I am using social media and pop-up shop to communicate. I am working with my on-line store,” she shared. Glad to know that we can still acquire her lovely pieces.
Art Prints Available in Very Limited Quantities Images Courtesy of Kristiana Pärn
There is an authenticity about Kristiana. Soft-spoken with very clear and deliberate expression, she is a student of her environment; linguistically, spatially, and esthetically. Her choice of words is like her choice of colors. She has a keen sense of humor, a twinkle in her eye, and a great respect for her listener. Like the creatures of her paintings, she wants to experience life, people, and the atmosphere.
Ballerina. She is as powerful as a panther and as graceful as a gazelle. She speaks not a word but can bring you to tears. She is beautiful, she is intuitive, she is a storyteller, and she is refined yet disciplined. She dances to delight the audience.
George Balanchine, choreographer and founder of the New York City Ballet said, “I don’t want people who dance. I want people who have to dance.” Ballerina, Dahlia Denicore has to dance.
Dahlia Photo by Chas Sumser Image Courtesy of Dahlia Denicore
“I want to bring my very best to the audience who has taken the time and spent their money to come see the performance. I love them and have been preparing all my life for this day,” says Dahlia, senior ballerina with the Loudoun Ballet Performing Arts Company. There are many virtuoso ballerinas, yet very few can connect on a level where they are dancing just for you. An exceptional ballerina transports the audience to the magical place and events of the story.
From Sleeping Beauty Photo by Chas Sumser Image Courtesy of Dahlia Denicore
Not yet 18, Dahlia, is a ballerina in every sense of the word. She says, “I love performing; telling the story and connecting with the audience on a personal level.” She bring a character to life through movement, expression, musicality, line, to the smallest tilt of her chin, glance of her eye, or reach of her finger.
Cinderella photo credit: Chas Sumser Image Courtesy of Dahlia Denicore
Cinderella Photo by Chas Sumser Image Courtesy of Dahlia Denicore
Dahlia’s roles with the preprofessional ballet company have included most, if not all leading roles including Clara, the Sugar Plum Fairy, Cinderella, Alice, Snow Queen, Arabian Princess, and Odette. She has danced supporting and corps roles with the same enthusiasm and passion. She invests herself entirely.
Photo by Chas Sumser Image Courtesy of Dahlia Denicore
“What does it feel like on the day of a performance?” I asked Dahlia. She told me, “On show day, everything I do is for the show. I know that I am prepared. Yet, the excitement and the nerves are very real. I have a set pre-performance routine,” she told me. Interestingly, her warm-up and run through of choreography is not to the performance music, but to a completely different genre of music. “I love all music. I love jazz, pop, 80’s music. It inspires me,” she told me. “Before the performance, I go through barre and floor exercises. I work on my feet by rolling up and down and flexing and relaxing every joint and muscle. Then I put on my pointe shoes and again work my feet stretching, and rising and rolling, to get blood flowing. I keep practicing until the show.”
Staying focused is paramount for a successful and safe performance. In ballet, timing is everything. Pre-show, Dahlia relies on her ear buds to deliver music and keep her focused. Maintaining focus is a learned skill of ballet training. Dahlia explained that she listened to a phycology podcast about nerves, “I learned that people are nervous because they are afraid of being afraid. When I know that I am nervous, I accept it. I know that I will do what I love. Then, I feel my feet sink back into the ground. I visualize the performance and get lost in the story and the emotion of the moment.”
Before the curtain rises, “Roll-down sequences tell me it’s time to go. It wakes up my body,” she explained. Finally, positions and places and the music begins. “On stage, I am living it up! My nerves give way to my love and passion for the dance and pleasing the audience,” says Dahlia.
Asked about her character development, Dahlia explained, “I become that character. When I danced the Arabian Princess in Nutcracker, ‘I AM the Arabian Princess.’ I love to stay in the zone.”
Arabian Princess – The Nutcracker Photo Credit: Chas Sumser Image Courtesy of Dahlia Denicore
Staying focused is paramount for a successful and safe performance. In ballet, timing is everything. Pre-show, Dahlia relies on her ear buds to deliver music and keep her focused. Maintaining focus is a learned skill of ballet training. Dahlia explained that she listened to a phycology podcast about nerves, “I learned that people are nervous because they are afraid of being afraid. When I know that I am nervous, I accept it. I know that I will do what I love. Then, I feel my feet sink back into the ground. I visualize the performance and get lost in the story and the emotion of the moment.”
Snow Queen – Dahlia at age 15 Photo Credit: Chas Sumser
How do I know Dahlia? I am a crazy ballet girl who once danced with a burning passion and refused to settle for ‘good.’ Several years ago, my husband and I happened to be invited to fill stage space in a ballet production as ball guests. There was 14-year-old Dahlia, with the brightest genuine smile, the captivating eye contact, and the beautiful dancing. She caught my attention as someone going places. Because I happen to be friends with the company’s artistic director, I was pulled into way too much participation, but the result was developing a relationship with what the French would call, the “etoile,” Dahlia.
Dahlia repeatedly surprised me with her characters’ development, her emotional involvement, and her connection with the other dancers and the audience. There is a point where choreography ends and personal involvement takes over to reach to the back of the auditorium. How does one so young, accomplish something so difficult that many mature prima ballerinas lack? “I love acting. I have done some community theater. I love to tell the story,” she shared.
New York! Image Courtesy of Dahlia Denicore
In addition to performing with the preprofessional company, Dahlia has competed in the Youth America Grand Prix in Pittsburgh. She won the junior ballet division and competed in New York. This year she placed second in contemporary and in the top 12 in ballet. “I see myself more of a performer than a competitor,” said Dahlia. “In a performance, I tell the story. In a competition, there is very little time to develop the character. I have to bring the character with me and to bring it to life in the few minutes on stage.” She elaborated that competition is very helpful in developing her stage and dance skills . She loves the classes during the event.
In any given week, Dahlia will dance up to 40 hours. She takes class, has private coaching, and rehearsals every week. She is completing her first college year where she is earning top grades and excels in the sciences. While her time precludes her from acting in community theater, she stays involved by providing choreography for their shows.
In the Wings Photo Credit: Chas Sumser Image Courtesy of Dahlia Denicore
“How do you feel when a performance ends?” I asked her. Dahlia told me, “The most special part of a performance is the curtsey and audience appreciation. That day is high adrenaline and joyful. The following day feels like something is missing and somewhat sad. Yet, I try to stay hopeful and happy for the next performance.”
A Break From a Masterclass at Kennedy Center Image Courtesy of Dahlia Denicore
Dahlia has been studying ballet since she was two years old. In addition to her regular ballet and contemporary classes, she takes masterclasses with most of the major ballet companies that come to the Kennedy Center. She stands on the threshold of her professional career. She has received a number of offers from amazing ballet companies. In the summer she will be attending the San Francisco Ballet’s Summer Intensive program. She is evaluating opportunities for the coming year.
The “Dancing Denicores“ Images Courtesy of Dahlia Denicore
Dahlia is the oldest of three exceptional dancing children. She and her family live in the historic village of Waterford, Virginia where they have a fluffy dog, named Toby, a cat, a rabbit, and several chickens. Her younger sister, Daisy, is a beautiful ballerina, her brother, Tucker is an incredible singer and dancer who loves baseball and theater, although he has been “Fritz” in the Nutcracker for many years. Their mother, Amy, helps support the ballet company by sewing costumes, writing for grants, and getting the family fed. Their father, Mark, an attorney, is co-founder of Changing Latitudes, a non-profit organization focusing on education in Haiti where Dahlia has also worked during summer and spring break vacations.
Applause! “The most special part of a performance is the curtsey and audience appreciation. with Norbert Nirewicz Photo Credit: Chas Sumser Image Courtesy of Dahlia Denicore
Gumdo, is a long Samurai-like sword. J (just J) Douglas earned his first black belt in that martial art. For 17 years J owned and operated an Olympic World Taekwondo martial arts school. How does a martial arts master change careers? By picking up a paint brush.
J Image Courtesy of J Douglas
J delivers power with his paint brush. His “disruptive representationalism” blends powerful energy with classical realism. Yet, as a high school student in Texas, his representational realistic style was deemed mere “photography” by his abstract-loving art teacher. “So, I got into drama instead,” said J. “I went through phases of art forms from dance to drama to commercial art until 2008. Then, I was inspired to pursue my passion of oil painting.”
“In 2008, I watched Henry Asencio paint in person. I was inspired to return to my fine art roots. I bought my paints and supplies and haven’t looked back,” said J.
The emotions are palpable Paintings by J Images courtesy of J Douglas
“I feel that I am a lifetime student of the arts. Study and grow or get stagnant and die. I love where I am now with my art,” he says. His journey from disheartened, but seeking student; to dance and ballet; to the martial arts; and back to painting has taken interesting turns throughout his life. The constant has been his passion for painting.
On Pointe by J Image courtesy of J Douglas
I met J at the Salamander Resort’s Gold Cup Wine Bar a number of years ago. He was my server. Immediately, I sensed something intriguing about him. I had to ask questions. I learned that his name was simply, J. He joked, “When you’re as famous as me, just your first letter will do.” From our brief conversation, I learned that he was an artist. I also learned that his prints were for sale in the resort gift shop. That day, I bought my first J print, On Pointe. Today, we like to say that he is “an artist costumed as a server.”
Companions
Commission
Commission
Bottoms Up
Into the Sunset
Original Oil Paintings by J Images courtesy of
Salamander Resort (Middleburg, Virginia) owner, Sheila Johnson, has a keen eye for art. Beautiful paintings of pastoral scenes and powerful horses grace the walls of “Middleburg’s living room” and hallways leading to the spa and ballrooms of the Salamander Resort. Among those stunning oil paintings is a 5’ X 7’ painting titled, Destiny, by J. The Salamander Resort is his gallery. “Sheila Johnson made me an international artist. Thanks to her, I have been able to get commissions and patrons.”
Destiny by J is prominently displayed at Salamander Resort Image courtesy of J Douglas
Destiny is not only very large, but very powerful as well. Looking at the painting, I can hear the horse breathing, the sand spraying on the jump standards upon takeoff, and I can tell where the next jump is from the focused look in the eye of the rider. It is a work of balance, understanding, appreciation, and respect for animal, sport, and rider. It fits beautifully into the quiet atmosphere of excellence of Ms. Johnson’s vision for the resort.
Self Portrait by Rembrandt Image from Public Domain
Rembrandt is J’s favorite artist. J explained, “He was a master of the face and color. There are hundreds of colors in the faces of his subjects, although we see flesh tones.” Surely, a closer look at Rembrandt’s Self Portrait reveals multiple pallets of colors masterfully applied to beguile the eye. “The bodies of humans and horses, are captivating,” says J. “Their eyes, their strength, agility, textures, colors, and moods keep me asking and delving deeper,” he explained.
When asked about his materials, he said thatoil paint is his favorite medium and that he stretches his own canvas. “Oil paints are the most forgiving medium,” he explained. He shared that there are hundreds of colors and qualities of paints. He uses only about eight colors that he mixes to achieve the exact color. His works mostly with a brush but a pallet knife has occasionally come in handy.
The Wet Wall
Portraits – J captures “the souls of his subjects through their eyes” the painting top left and bottom left is a work in progress. The reflections in the sunglasses tells a story.
He works on commissions first. For his personal projects, he has a “wet wall” that he turns to when time permits. The flexibility of oil paints allows him the privilege to let some pieces “rest.” On social media, J features many time lapse videos of his work. Take a look at one for Destiny:
Watch Tine Lapse Video of the creation of this painting Courtesy of J Douglas
J gives much back to his community. He has supported the local ballet company with his On Pointe print, created a Salamander Fox for the Middleburg Garden Club’s biennial “Foxes on the Fence fundraiser,” and consults for the greater good of the area.
The Salamander Fox for Middleburg Garden Club’s BiennialFoxes on the Fence Fundraiser Image courtesy of J Douglas
Always growing and trying different approaches, his artistic includes graphic an commercial art. A popular and still available image is the “Parrotheads” (of Jimmy Buffet fame) “License to Chill” license plate that he created for the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.
“License to Chill” by J Image courtesy of J Douglas
As an avid horse enthusiast and a fan of J’s equestrian paintings, I had to ask, “Do you ride horses?” “I am learning and loving it. My wife wants me to stay safe so I take riding lessons,” he replied. Being from Texas does not automatically bestow equestrian prowess. He is a horse-studier and horse lover. He naturally understands the power, spirit, movement, and essence of the horse. His paintings seem to get it just right.
Best Friendsby J Image courtesy of J Douglas
J wants people to love the art they acquire and commission. He understands that it can be an economic extravagance. To help more people be able to enjoy his art, “We are now teaming up with Patreon. Patreon is a site that allows people to support the arts. Almost like an internet tip jar. But, we don’t want to just ask for support. We created a system to spread your payments out over 12 easy payments. You decide the level of support, choose the subject of your painting and then in one year you have your original piece of art.”
J, the man, exemplifies the “polymath,” the Renaissance man. The power of his brushes tell mesmerizing stories.
Pansies, Henri Fantin-Latour, 1874, National Gallery of Art, Washington DC
“The world will surprise you with its grace,” is a line from a movie that I have watched many times. In today’s environment, this line has been brought to fruition in the most generous ways. We are all affected in how we move about, how we work, how we interact with friends and family, and how we entertain ourselves.
Detail of Frederick Edwin Church El Rio de Luz National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
As in Sleeping Beauty, theater, music, art, dance, intellectually stimulating courses, and much of our in-person physical activities have ceased for the moment. However, the outpouring of generosity on the part of performers, museums, theaters, educators, and trainers have amazed me over and over. Sometimes I have blinked to be sure that what I was reading is true. And, so it is. We need grace and must exercise generosity now. We need the arts now more than ever. What better way to experience grace and generosity now?
Washington, DC
Westminster, London
Palais Garnier Paris
Louvre Paris
Royal Opera House London
Royal Opera House London
From Paris to Seoul, from London to Washington, DC , Florence to New York City, and from Harvard to Yale, and Princeton, along with many others, the best and greatest are sharing with us their best and greatest. We can nourish our souls (this is not a theological article) profoundly by a click on our computers . We can regroup. Perhaps this is our opportunity to explore, learn, reinforce, and discover the beauty of the arts. Our souls will be better for it.
Tea . . . Fortnum and Mason
Fortnum and Mason
Through my love for the arts, I feel like a kid in a candy store – where to go first – what to watch first?? Actually, I am feeling like I did on my first visit to Fortnum and Mason, “Must focus. Time is fleeting.”
Oliver Lee Jackson exhibition 2019 at NGA East Wing
The Lacemaker Johannes Vermeer
Allies Day, May 1917 Childe Hassah
A Young Girl Reading by Jean-Honoré Fragonard
To help make the most of our situation, I have compiled links to complimentary (some are pay what you can) videos from some of the world’s greatest resources. To these generous and gracious people and organizations, I give heartfelt thanks. Please remember them when times change and support them by become patrons, buying tickets, attending exhibitions, and buying future streaming services. They have gone above and beyond our expectations to feed our souls with beauty, creativity, adventure, and grace.
12 Museums offer virtual tours – from the Guggenheim and the Washington National Gallery of Art to the Uffizi, to the British Museum, London, and so many repositories of treasured art throughout the world
HBO provides movies, programs, and documentaries free to stream
Amazon Prime SXSW 2020 Film Festival – ““Prime Video presents the SXSW 2020 Film Festival Collection” offers filmmakers in the 2020 SXSW Film Festival lineup an invitation to opt in to take part in this online film festival, which will play exclusively on Prime Video in the U.S. for 10-days. The one-time event will be available in front of the Prime Video paywall and free to all audiences around the country, with or without an Amazon Prime membership, all that is needed is a free Amazon account.”
Good News. Reviews. Events. 