KNOXVILLE IN THE SPRING...AND THE BIRTHDAY BOY!

Greetings dear reader!

*Info alert: The song you hear playing is a tribute to my friend Ngaire Bartlam. She and her beloved hubby have been married 17 years...together for 20! No small feat in today's world...CONGRATS, dear friend! Visit Ngaire's blog for more info about this incredible family!

I have spent the weekend at the Lake Sallateeska Scrapbooking Retreat. I'll post pictures of my creations soon. In the interim, I wanted to post a few pictures taken last weekend at our son's house. I told you how the house is very cozy and very "them"....behold the living room: Case de Clouse:

Against their lease and rental property owner's guide, they opted to paint one wall in the living room a beautiful burnt orange. It truly makes the space warm and "homey".

One of their favorite wedding gifts: The Salvador Dali clock (I LOVE IT!)

Yes, this is their sofa...look familiar? It was ours for several years...the thing hubby and I loved about it was that the seat cushions are very wide...we could lay side by side and watch movies...apparently, this was important to the newlyweds too. The begged for the couch, and so we were happy to let it "live out its final years" with the newlyweds.

This is a better shot of the painting over the sofa...it's impressionistic and earthy. I love it. This is also the fam "hammin" for the cam during Paul's birthday celebration. The boy finally got a decent, semi-professional video set up so he can begin his independent movie career...

We pitched in with the wife for the purchase of the video cam and gear...and, because he's MY kid, and because I'm HIS mother, I bought him a book he's coveted forever: "The DV Rebel's Guide: An All-Digital Approach to Making Killer Action Movies on the Cheap".

Other books he's really enjoyed (for any of you aspiring filmmakers out there) are:

Rebel without a Crew: Or How a 23-Year-Old Filmmaker With $7,000 Became a Hollywood Player

How to Shoot a Feature Film for Under $10,000 (And Not Go to Jail)

Make Your Own Damn Movie!: Secrets of a Renegade Director

Direct Your Own Damn Movie! (Your Own Damn Film School {Series})

He just sent his brother, dad and me a killer idea he has for a screenplay...we are all going to contribute our two cents and then see what happens. SO proud of the kid...for 25, he's quite astute at the filmmaking gig...now all he has to do is make it happen...

Contrary to what one might believe, Knoxville, Tennessee may be a great place to shoot a movie. As it turns out, since it's a college town (University of Tennessee, Johnson Bible College and others) the town is very "Indie" friendly. We always take a stroll through downtown K-town when we visit (I have to get my fix at local retailers: "Earth to Old City" and "Bliss") plus there are tons of great restaurants and pubs as well. Here are a
couple of pictures of the landscaping in Market Square:





And the graffiti in the alleyways is just amazing:


Only COMMITTED graffiti artists use stencils...



And paint fine art impressions...

And look at the incredible detail in this drawing entitled "Cathedral." It has become a bit of an urban legend in the K-town area!

Famished, we decided to have lunch at one of the area pubs in "Old City"...beautiful two story brick building with hardwood floors, stained glass windows, 20 foot ceilings, and one of the most impressive beer menus in the city!

All in all, a FANTASTIC trip!

More soon!

XOXOXOX



Paula Clare