Jayne McKay

Holiday Greetings!

2011-11-28T14:16:00.000-08:00

Dale Nichols- "Home for the Holidays"

Has it really been since August that I've posted anything? Hard to believe, but I have been working on a documentary for Chance Films. It's been quite an interesting education for me, since the film deals with forgiveness, not art. Ah, but forgiveness is such an important topic and I've learned a great deal working outside of my primary area of interest, which is the visual arts.

I have several art films in the cue, and if you've followed my blog you are aware of how long it takes to bring cinematic ideas and inspirations into reality. I'm working on my fundraising strategy and looking forward to the challenges ahead. I'm also looking forward to sharing my progress with my followers.

On the holiday topic- I recently produced a meditation CD with two of my favorite yoga teachers, Heather Hudson and Darby Orr. We will launch a blog and Facebook page to show everyone where the tracks can be downloaded.

Also, Maynard Dixon Art and Spirit DVD's are still selling briskly on the film website and Amazon. Makes a great Christmas gift for Dixon fans and those who might not be familiar with his remarkable body of work.

I wish you all the happiest of holidays~ may your days be filled with love, laughter and wonder.

Farewell to Summertime

2011-08-16T13:26:00.001-07:00

As the days of summer come to an end, I look forward to the fall and all that I have planned. I have been working as a co-producer on a friend's film, and we will complete principal photography in the next couple of months.

I have had several ideas for my next film. I would love to complete the Director's Cut of Maynard Dixon Art and Spirit. I still have 100 hours on the shelf, and those tapes include some remarkable people who were so knowledgeable about Dixon, and shared such incredible comments about Dixon's personality, his skill and his soul. It haunts me that I wasn't able to include all of this impressive and important testimony in the film.

My filmmaker friend's all console me, "Walk Away!" and they seem familiar with that dream of going back, re-editing and reworking everything that you wished you'd known better when making your first film. Better to create an entirely new film and keep moving, keep learning, keep improving, they say.

I do have several great subjects that I'd love to produce films about. And lots of great supporters anxious to join me in fleshing out the stories, rounding up the photos and archival film...well, I will think about it all soon. It's still summer, and I am heading up to Tahoe...

So, I wanted to post something, it's been so long. I still think of Maynard Dixon often, whenever I look at those glorious clouds against a vibrant blue sky. I'm told that lots of other people do too, and the film continues to sell briskly. I am grateful. Grateful for the sales, the good reviews, and also very grateful that those whose interviews weren't included in the film understand. I'm still dreaming about sharing those interviews and maybe someday I will.

Enjoy these last lovely days of summer.

UKULELE::The World's Friendliest Instrument

2011-04-29T19:58:00.001-07:00

This weekend, we'll be celebrating at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, which will be held on the campus of USC for the first time. I will be signing copies of Daniel Dixon's book at 1:00, on Sunday, May 1st. Booth #911.

This book was a labor of love for Daniel, who was a wonderful writer and historian and also a very gifted player. If you follow my blogs, you know that Daniel was the son of artist, Maynard Dixon and photographer, Dorothea Lange. A gifted writer, Daniel co-wrote my film, "Maynard Dixon Art and Spirit", which won the Spur Award in 2008, voted Best Documentary by the Western Writers of America.

Fortunately for all of us, Daniel turned in his manuscript for this delightful book shortly before he passed away. His wife, Dixie Dixon, and I worked with the publisher (Gibbs-Smith), to complete the book by adding images and hunting down a few people. I think that you will agree that the book is beautifully composed, giving the reader a wealth of knowledge about the history of the Ukulele, and profiles of some of the greatest players and makers of this sweet instrument. There are even chord charts and lots of Dixie Dixon's great photos of colorful sheet music and lots of great instruments. If you're in the area, please stop by the festival and introduce yourself. It not, check out the book. I think you'll like it.
Mahalo!

here's a video by elebega where you can hear Daniel speak a little about the ukulele.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxg-Qtq_wxI&feature=related

THE FINE ARTS FILM FESTIVAL The Art of Film; The Film of Art

2010-11-11T08:47:00.000-08:00

Sunday, November 21, 10:30 am - 5 pm
and Friday, December 3, 1-3 pm

Bronfman Family Jewish Community Center
524 Chapala St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Cost: $25 at the door. $20 in advance with reservation and payment.
RSVP online or call 805-957-1115
Seating is limited.

I'm very happy that the film was chosen to be presented in the first year of this prestigious film festival in Santa Barbara. Maynard Dixon has a large following there, many collectors and also friends and students of Ray Strong have contacted me. The Fine Arts Film Festival was founded in 2010 by Lynn Holley, a Santa Barbara writer, independent curator and art consultant, and by Kathleen Fairweather, a Los Angeles writer and documentary filmmaker. "Films about art, artists, collectors and those inspired by art are rarely shown at regular film festivals," says Holley. "Art is not just for galleries and museums; the stories of art should have their own film festival. There are plenty of good films on art that are rarely seen. We wanted to offer some to the community."

Co-sponsored by the
Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara
and the Santa Barbara Art Association.

Going East to see the West

2010-06-21T11:59:00.000-07:00

Desert Scene-Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco

The title for this post came from advice that Charles Fletcher Lummis gave to Maynard Dixon. He actually said, "If you really want to see the West, go East." Makes sense if you are in California. So I took a trip back to Arizona recently, a much needed vacation. It was so good to get back to Arizona, to enjoy those Maynard Dixon skies and sleep under a canopy of stars each night. There were plenty of javelina, deer, bobcats and roadrunners making a daily pilgrimage to the troughs of water at my friend's ranch. We saw a sleeping rattlesnake in the bunk house, and one of the biggest spiders that I've ever seen. The desert is filled with unique critters, that's for sure.

I mentioned on my posterous blog jaynemckay.posterous.com/ how I often thought about the hardships that Maynard Dixon undoubtedly endured on his painting trips in the heat of Arizona's monsoon season. He traveled then because of the enormous clouds and dramatic contrasts. Also, remember that he traveled on horseback or by buggy. For me, being there on a 103 degree day, I couldn't help but think about Dixon sitting out there in the desert, probably pretty uncomfortable, but determined and inspired to record the magnificent vistas that he loved so passionately.

He wrote, "As for myself, my choice of profession could not have been otherwise. At an early age I had a deep and intuitive conviction that art was my calling, and I have never departed from it. It is not an occupation, it is a way of life. With all of its disadvantages (and in this land of ready made, there are many) I would not exchange it for any I know. To recreate with paint on canvas the wonder and beauty that I extract from this amazing western world of ours is for me enough."

A fortunate man, that Maynard Dixon.

Ray Strong at 100

2010-05-13T13:43:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of getting to know artist Ray Strong over a period of several years, before he passed away at age 101. He was always a joy to spend time with at his studio in Santa Barbara, and at his daughter Barbara's hideaway in Three Rivers,Ca. He loved to be in nature, and painted it so beautifully. He delighted in visiting the dioramas that he painted at the museum of Natural History in Santa Barbara. They are really fantastic, if you ever get a chance, go check them out.

Ray always said what was on his mind. He whipped out his harmonica often and broke into song whenever and wherever he felt like it. Kids and adults alike adored Ray and his spirit of fun and his exuberant love of life.

His memories of working with Maynard Dixon were vivid, and he shared with me stories of camping out with Maynard Dixon, substitute teaching for Dixon at the Art Students League, (which Ray founded with his wife Betty). Would that we all could go back in time and attend classes with the incredible talent teaching those classes!

To watch video of Ray,visit my site at: http://raystrong.posterous.com/

Linda Jones Gibbs interview from Maynard Dixon Art and Spirit

2010-04-16T11:44:00.000-07:00

I've been secretly working on my "Director's Cut" over the past year. With over 100 hours of fascinating interviews, lush B-roll of the Southwest and countless paintings and drawings that didn't make it into the film, I've toyed with the idea of Dvd extras, a Director's cut or an Educational version. It takes time and money to edit or produce something new. I have lots of other things going on! So for now, here's a blog post to share with you a wonderful bit of Linda Jones Gibbs, author of Escape to Reality: The Western World of Maynard Dixon and curator of the 2001 Dixon retrospective at Brigham Young University. Enjoy.

Video Content © Cloud World Films- All Rights Reserved

The Life of Maynard Dixon by Donald J. Hagerty now available

2010-04-02T16:52:00.000-07:00

The Life of Maynard Dixon, written by Donald J. Hagerty has just been released. The book contains lots of new material and so many of the stories that I wish I could have included in the film. I highly recommend it!

Newport Beach screening

2010-02-16T15:21:00.000-08:00

I want to mention what a great experience I had screening at the Studio at Sage Hill in Newport Beach. Thanks to Leslie Feibleman of the Newport Beach film festival for all of her efforts arranging this screening and to Chris Marshall for his technical assistance. The event was very well attended, and the film looked incredible in this state-of-the-art facility. http://www.dailypilot.com/articles/2009/09/09/topstory/dpt-sagehill090909.txt

To all of the audience members who asked such interesting questions, I thank you. Obviously, I love speaking to people about Maynard Dixon and Dorothea Lange and the discussions we shared are always very inspiring to me. Looking forward to the next event.Check back soon!

Screening Thurs. Feb. 11th, Newport Beach

2010-02-04T13:35:00.001-08:00

We're happy that the Newport Beach Film Festival & The Studio at Sage Hill will be screening Maynard Dixon Art and Spirit as part of their film series on Thursday, February 11th at 7:30 pm. Admission is free, and I will be attending to answer questions from the audience at the end. Please join us!
The Studio at Sage Hill is located at 20402 Newport Coast Dr.,Newport Coast, Ca. 92657

Dorothea Lange biographer Linda Gordon at the Autry National Center

2009-12-12T21:49:00.000-08:00

Today I had the pleasure of finally meeting award-winning author and historian, Linda Gordon. Her most recent book, Dorothea Lange: A Life Beyond Limits, has received critical acclaim and is featured on the New York Times’ “100 Notable Books of 2009.” Dr. Gordon and I have communicated over the past five years a number of times, as I was researching my film on Maynard Dixon, and his second wife, Dorothea Lange. We interviewed many of the same people and shared years covering similar subjects.

Today's discussion at the Autry National Center focused largely on Lange's emergence as a visual sociologist, recording the impact of economic times with her camera. Dr. Gordon's meticulously researched profile of Dorothea Lange portrays her subject as a complex woman who approached her work with sensitivity and great determination. Indeed, Dorothea Lange lived "A Life Beyond Limits", and this riveting book beautifully details the challenges that she overcame to express her art.

NEVADA MUSEUM OF ART-Thurs. Nov. 19th-6pm

2009-11-12T20:06:00.000-08:00

I'm really looking forward to screening at the Nevada Museum of Art next Thursday. John Dixon and his wife Lee hope to join me, weather permitting. We had a great conversation about Maynard Dixon's love of Nevada, his many trips to Carson City and their family trips to Anita Baldwin's cabin at Fallen Leaf Lake. The museum has some fine paintings by Dixon, the one above is titled "Edge of the Amargosa Desert, 1927", and is on display upstairs at the museum.

John will join me for a conversation after the screening of the film. We always share lots of laughs with the audience! I hear that there will be many Dixon experts in attendance, which is always a pleasure for us. We learn that someone grew up with a Dixon painting over their bed, or that their Mother received one as a wedding gift from Maynard. Many wish to comment on Dixon's talent, his palette and extraordinary perspective. It's all wonderful conversation! Maynard was a colorful and witty man, opinionated, with a wicked sense of humor. When these stories emerge, these evenings become great fun!

We hope to visit Lake Tahoe on this trip, and will spend some time at the Tallac historic cabin/museum that still remains on the South Shore. Dixon once produced a brochure for the Tallac resort hotel, which burned years ago. John remembers a summer on the lake with his brother and Imogen Cunningham's twin sons. His most vivid memory is backing into the pot belly stove!

Please join us in Reno if you have a chance. Thursday, Nov. 19th, 6pm- 8pm.

Nevada Museum of Art

2009-09-11T16:08:00.000-07:00

The film will be screening on Nov. 19th at the Nevada Museum of Art in Reno.I'm looking forward to returning to the museum, and conducting a Q&A after the screening and a tour of their great collection of Dixon paintings and drawings.
Lots of calls coming in, dates being set. I'm cutting some material that didn't get into the film for some DVD extras, and a theatrical screening release. Stay in touch. More details coming soon!

Screening this Sat. Aug.1st at Bowers Museum, Santa Ana

2009-07-27T12:16:00.000-07:00

There will be a screening of the film this Saturday, August 1st at 1:30pm at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana. There are many fascinating exhibits at the museum, including Rembrandt etchings and some remarkable African photographs. I will be speaking after the film and look forward to a great audience.
http://www.bowers.org/index.jsp

Outdoor screening in Salt Lake City

2009-07-18T17:35:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy summer, after an idyllic vacation in the Pacific Northwest, I flew to Salt Lake City for the first outdoor screening of Maynard Dixon Art and Spirit. The event was hosted by Williams Fine Art, The Salt Lake City Film Center and the UMFA Friends of Utah and Western Art, and Sam and Diane Stewart generously opened their home and glorious gardens for the many guests. That's the State Capitol building just beyond the screen, and when the sky grew dark, the lights from the dome we just breathtaking!

(l) me with Sam and Diane Stewart
(r) me with Clayton Williams, my friend and owner of Williams Fine Art.

This was the first time that the film had been shown outdoors, and I want to thank all the wizards who mastered the technical requirements, they did such a brilliant job. The film looked incredible projected on an inflatable wide screen. It was a beautiful, warm July night, with just enough breeze to keep everyone comfortable. And the sound was perfect! As always, I enjoyed meeting so many Dixon enthusiasts and met some people who attended not knowing very much about Maynard Dixon and his remarkable art. Everyone was enthusiastic and happy to be able to see some of the paintings from the film in the Stewart's impressive collection of art.

There were so many great people that I met during the evening! I was happy to meet Hal Cannon, the founder of the Cowboy Poetry Festival in Elko, Nevada. Now there's a documentary that I'd love to produce! It was also a pleasure to finally meet Geralyn Dreyfous, the director of the Salt Lake City Film Center. She is an award-winning
producer and a dynamic force in the Salt Lake City film scene. I'm very grateful for her efforts to bring this event together with the help of Diane Stewart, Clayton Williams and Donna Poulton. (right, me with Diane Stewart and Geralyn Dreyfous)

The following day, I was enjoying champagne on the patio at Sundance with my friend, Donna Poulton, who is Associate Curator of Utah and Western Art at the University of Utah's Museum of Fine Art. Donna recently co-authored the book, Painter's of Utah's Canyon's and Deserts. Thank you, Donna, for my first visit to Sundance when it wasn't covered with snow. It was just a heavenly day~
This has been a very memorable summer so far, next stop, the Bower's Museum in Orange County on August 1st. The fall schedule is filling up quickly, so stay tuned.

A Heart full of thanks to my dear Pally, Daniel Dixon

2009-07-10T01:02:00.000-07:00

By now, many have learned about the recent passing of Daniel Dixon.

He was a wonderful steward of his parent's legacy, though he often compained that being the "Child of Giants" was a curse. He felt that he lived in the shadow of the greatness of Maynard Dixon and Dorothea Lange, but Daniel possessed many of his own talents, having experienced a brilliant career as an advertising executive, political speechwriter and author. He remembered his parents well, and shared many hours with me, which I found very difficult to edit when I was assembling the film. So many stories, vividly recalled and passionately shared by a man who physically resembled his father and aesthetically mirrored his Mother at times. Daniel was complex. Ask anyone.

His quick wit, his rambunctuous laughter and his frequently eloquent turn of a phrase will remain with me for the rest of my life. On occasion, Daniel could be stern with me. He liked to give advice, and was quick to reprimand. He convinced me that my film would benefit from his co-authoring the script, and the truth is, he knew I might have never finished my task if someone didn't insist on setting a deadline! He did that for me, and our script won the Spur Award last year, the oldest literary prize in America. Daniel was very proud of that award, and today, I can't help but smile, remembering how he drove to my home to convince me that we needed to work together on the script.

I feel fortunate to have known him well and I will miss our frequent phone conversations, which often included an unexpected ukelele performance, or a story from long ago, maybe the one about Perry Dilly, the quadrapalegic puppeteer who lived downstairs from his father's studio...I have many of his stories recorded, songs, too, and I'd certainly like to share them with everyone, maybe I'll find a way. Daniel would like that.

OLDER AND WISER
By Daniel Dixon (written in 2005)

Back when I was a mere 60 or so, I never even glanced at the obituaries. But now my reading habits have changed. Before I so much as peek at the headlines of the Sports section, I check out the obits.
My interest is in the names, not in the embalmed descriptions of the departed. Most of these notices are crafted by cub reporters or by undertakers, who prepare their text as they might ready a corpse for interment. The results are stiff, cold and without the faintest hint of a heartbeat. In other words – dead meat.
If composed by those same novices and funeral directors, I’m afraid my own obituary would sound just as lifeless.

First: Age, occupation, time and cause of death, date and place of birth.

Second: Family background. Son of two celebrated artists, painter Maynard Dixon and photographer Dorothea Lange.

Third: Professional History. Author of many magazine articles, newspaper columns, a television documentary, and a memoir of his father. Also an advertising executive for several leading national and international agencies. Creator of over 2000 radio and television commercials and the winner of numerous industry awards. Additionally, a political consultant who helped shape campaigns for the House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, mayor of New York and Chicago, and President of the United States.

Fourth: Hobbies and Interests. Relished the popular music of the 20's and 30's. Greatly enjoyed cooking.

Fifth: Survivors. His wife Dixie, his daughter Leslie, his younger brother John, one grandson, three stepchildren, one niece, two nephews.

Finally: “It was the wish of the deceased that no memorial services be held.”
“The deceased.” What does any such language, reeking with formaldehyde, tell you about who and what I am – my passions, my prejudices, my quirks, my strengths, my weaknesses? Nothing – not a syllable.

So let’s take a peek at the late Daniel Dixon as suggested in a very different kind of obituary. Only in one respect does it resemble the first. Aside from the imagined date and cause of death, every word of it is true.
Daniel Dixon went to sleep last Sunday and never woke up. It was one of the few peaceful events of his restless life, which lasted 81 years.

Even his mother, the distinguished photographer Dorothea Lange, described her son as “irregular.” He was an incorrigible truant who dropped out of school in the tenth grade to become a wandering delinquent. For several years he ate out of dumpsters and slept in doorways. Once he stole and pawned his mother’s cameras. When he was drafted into the Army just after World War II, he refused to take the oath of allegiance until promised that he woudn’t have to take basic training. Even then, the military coudn't’t keep him in line or on the reservation. Nine of his twelve months in uniform were spent in the stockade. He rose to the rank of private before the Army finally capitulated, allowing him to escape with an honorable discharge.

Mr. Dixon then returned to the streets. Most of his days were spent in public libraries, where he was able to keep warm. He also did a lot of reading, which gave him the implausible notion that he might become a writer. So indeed he did, but not because he especially enjoyed it. He wrote for money, not for pleasure. Of all the material he wrote, a few love letters may be longer remembered that anything he ever published. Perhaps the highlight of his career as a journalist had nothing to do with the byline. He was probably the only man ever to be offered and to turn down the job of picture editor for Playboy Magazine.

Mr. Dixon was guided by several favorite maxims. “Chaste makes waste,” he often declared. He habitually arrived for appointments precisely on time. “Punctuality,” he insisted, “is the courtesy of kings.” But the credo he most often cited expressed his feeling about the splendors and satisfactions contained in a bottle of wine. “The red will never hurt you,” he declared, pouring his guests yet another glass.

Mr. Dixon was an enthusiastic cook. “Beats writing,” he said. “Nobody dares tell you when it’s lousy. He also rejoiced in the company of his ukulele, which he believed had a mind and heart of its own. He was certain that his old comrade would miss him when he was gone, just as he was sure that all computers hated his guts.

Mr. Dixon is survived by a family of certified eccentrics and (at last count) as many friends as enemies. He is only temporarily separated from his wife Dixie, who remains his greatest joy and comfort in or out of this world. Mr. Dixon didn’t know whether or not he believed in God, but he did believe that this marriage would last forever, even after death.

From somewhere out yonder, Mr. Dixon says “Hello!” Nobody there ever says “Goodbye.”
The writing of this autobiobit has been a very instructive experience. Obviously, it’s just a rough first draft. It’s too extreme. It lacks balance. It probably should contain more routine information than it does.

But at least it has a little life. I think that’s important. In or out of the obituaries, I’m not ready to be treated as dead meat.

How about you?

Fresno Art Museum

2009-06-04T21:17:00.000-07:00

Where to begin? It's just always a great experience to get together with Rondal Partridge and Daniel Dixon. They've been friends for 75 years, imagine! So, they are always a treat to get together with, and we were joined by Rondal's daughter, filmmaker Meg Partridge and Daniel's warm and wonderful wife, Dixie. She has a new CD out- amazing talent. Also on hand, Abe Hays, whose exhibit opening was the main attraction this weekend, as well as the remarkable photographs of Rondal's. The drive to Fresno was beautiful, perfect weather. If you happen to be in Fresno this summer, I highly recommend that you head to the museum to see these exhibits, they are really breathtaking!

FRESNO ART MUSEUM, Sat. 5/30- 1pm and 3pm

2009-05-20T21:48:00.000-07:00

Gearing up for the screenings at the FRESNO ART MUSEUM, in the Bonner Auditorium, Sat. 5/30, at 1pm and 3pm. I'm especially looking forward to sharing the microphone with Daniel Dixon, son of Maynard Dixon and Dorothea Lange. This will be the first time that we've seen each other since we won the Spur Award last year for the script that we wrote together. We'll be taking questions from the audience at the end of the first screening.

I've already written a post about this event below, but they've now added screenings of my friend Meg Partridge's films about her father, Rondal Partridge, on Friday, 5/29 at 4pm. "Pave it and Paint it Green" and "Outta My Light!" are both wonderfully entertaining films filled with Rondal's incredible photography, and an intimate glimpse into his unique world. He's wry and clever and his approach to photography is a pleasure to witness. Meg and Rondal will be on hand for a Q&A after the films, how cool is that? Take my word for it, this is one fascinating, multi-talented family. Their humor and wonderful stories about their adventures and many colorful friends is something you do not want to miss! http://www.photoliaison.com/rondal_partridge/Rondal_Partridge.html

All these fun opportunities, and the opening of the wonderful exhibit of A.P. Hays collection of Dixon paintings, drawings and ephemera. This is going to be memorable! http://www.fresnoartmuseum.org/

Newport Beach film festival

2009-04-22T10:48:00.000-07:00

Catching my breath after the festival, three pretty intense days! Maynard Dixon Art and Spirit was well attended, and I enjoyed meeting lots of great people and hearing their questions about Dixon and the film. I'm humbled by the compliments, and always happy to have the opportunity to share Dixon's beautiful work with new viewers.

It's always fun spending time with my friends and fellow filmmakers, Eric Bricker and Susan Morgan Cooper. Together we met some of the other filmmakers attending, and shared some of the films and parties.

My favorite films both focused on modern architecture. By now, everyone knows how much I love Eric's film about the wonderful photographer, Julius Shulman, responsible for photographing so many remarkable modern houses and buildings. His work introduced Modern architecture to the world, and Eric's film is a richly textured testimony to the importance of this man's legacy and inspiring spirit. Seek out this film, it's wonderful. http://www.juliusshulmanfilm.com/

Another film that I appreciated was Infinite Space The Architecture of John Lautner.After the screening, we met producers, Sara Sackner and Anna Thomas, and composer, Elliot Goldkind. His haunting music was a wonderful compliment to the phenomenal architecture that he created. Lautner was mentored by Frank Lloyd Wright and had an originality and creative daring that makes this documentary very compelling and vivid. http://www.infinitespacethemovie.com/
I highly recommend both of these award-winning films! Now I'm inspired to spend my evenings watching Google Earth instead of television, finding modern architecture around the globe. This is a great tool for someone with my level of curiosity...I'll let you know what I find!

Selections from MAYNARD DIXON ART AND SPIRIT

2009-04-09T12:28:00.000-07:00

Fresno Art Museum May 30th

2009-03-02T16:52:00.000-08:00

Upcoming in May is a screening event at the Fresno Art Museum on Saturday, May 30th, at 1pm and 3pm. Again, this event will accompany the opening of the A.P. Hays exhibit, Space Silence Spirit: Maynard Dixon’s West. Read more about the exhibit and events at the museum website: http://www.fresnoartmuseum.org/exhibitions/upcoming.htm

Daniel Dixon will be speaking on Friday, May 29th at 3pm, and plans to join me after the film screening on Saturday for what promises to be a lively Q&A, and I plan to bug him to bring his ukelele and croon some of his Hoagy Carmichael tunes for us. With any luck, we'll get Rondal Partridge to stick around and share some of his stories about Maynard Dixon and Dorothea Lange. Look out! He and Daniel have some pretty ribald tales to tell!

Rondal was an assistant to both Dorothea Lange and Ansel Adams, and is also the son of photographer Imogen Cunningham. His collection of photographs are timeless and profound, thought provoking and beautiful. A fine exhibit of his work opens at the museum,and Rondal and his daughter, filmmaker Meg Partridge, will be speaking on Friday, May 29th at 4pm, following screenings of two films that Meg co-produced about Rondal's photography. http://www.photoliaison.com/rondal_partridge/Rondal_Partridge.html

Please join us for a very memorable day in the city where Maynard Dixon was born and raised!

What's next?

2009-02-11T10:22:00.000-08:00

This picture was taken in Palm Springs during the film festival, it's me with John Dixon and his wife, Lee. We had such a good time together! Today I'm working on answering emails and invitations to bring the film to India, Paris, Munich, Tokyo, as well as many venues in the U.S. I wanted to write a post to tell everyone what this feels like for me. Bringing Maynard Dixon's story to so many interested audiences is really such a dream come true, and it just keeps getting better.

When I think of all of the doors that have opened for me since I began the film, I am really humbled. And all of the great people that I've met, and the places that I've traveled! I never imagined that I would still be doing this so many years later, but I'm still loving it and still learning. Making a film is a very complex undertaking, and since this was my first, I consider this Filmmaking 101. I made many mistakes, but worked with many generous people who took the time to show me the ropes and forgive me my inexperience.

My passion for Maynard Dixon's art is what kept me going, and still does. Whenever I speak at screenings of the film, I'm so happy to hear how enthusiastic people are about Dixon's art, especially those who weren't familiar with his work prior to seeing the film. I recently received a wonderful email from a guy who has always wanted to make a film, and he said that hearing my story gave him the courage to go for it. I made sure that he understood that I was supported by incredible people who believed in my dream as much as I did, and that I couldn't have finished without them..but what I believe is that if you are fully invested in something that you believe in, people show up. Teachers and fans and scholars appeared in my life to help me to accomplish this task. I ran into John McEuen at a Gram Parson's documentary premiere, and later he offered to compose the music for my film. Diane Keaton invited me to lunch at the Polo Lounge to learn more about what I was producing about her favorite artist. I asked her if she would narrate the film and she vehemently refused- but agreed to record it years later, thankfully! Editor Elen Carysfort bought an Avid system and created an editing studio so that we could work on my film together. How incredible is that?

I'd better get back to answering emails and planning the rest of this year. I'm really looking forward to the travel! I have two films that I am interested in producing, and will keep you all posted as they develop. At the risk of sounding corny, I want to close this by encouraging everyone to believe in their fondest dreams. I think that our beliefs about what's possible for us determine what we manage to achieve, so shouldn't we dream big? Who would have believed that I'd be showing Dixon at the Smithsonian and in Mumbai, India?

Sunday, Feb. 1st Screening at the Palm Springs Museum of Art

2009-01-30T10:44:00.000-08:00

The film drew great audiences at the Palm Springs International film festival, and received an honorable mention as an audience favorite. John Dixon and I had a lot of fun answering questions from the audience, and he cracked everyone up when asked if he had talent as a painter, like his famous father. "I'm pretty good at walls, but not so hot with ceilings." he quipped.

The Awards Gala was fabulous and star-studded, my favorite introduction was to Dale Chihuly, the remarkable glass sculptor. His work has fascinated me for years, and I was able to speak to him about how much I enjoyed the documentary produced about him, there's much to see on his website:
http://www.chihuly.com/Video/screening.html

The festival screened many incredible films, and my friend, Eric Bricker's film, VISUAL ACOUSTICS, The Modernism of Julius Shulman, won the Audience Choice award. By all means, check it out: http://www.juliusshulmanfilm.com/

PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL Jan. 6-19,2009

2008-12-26T13:56:00.000-08:00

The film is an Official Selection of the PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL,and will screen Fri., Jan.9,2009 @ 12pm and Sat. Jan.10th @ 1pm.
The screenings will take place in the ANNENBERG THEATER, in the The Palm Springs Art Museum, 101 Museum Drive, Palm Springs, Ca.92262
John Dixon, son of Maynard Dixon and Dorothea Lange, will join me in a Q&A after the screening, and then we will lead an informal tour of the exhibit, Space Silence Spirit / Maynard Dixon's West: The Hays Collection.
Tickets may be purchased at the PSIFF website:http://www.psfilmfest.org/
Museum admission is included with your film ticket for this special event!

Paso Robles Digital Film Festival

2008-12-04T15:42:00.000-08:00

I arrived just in time to catch the World Premiere of THIS IS NOT A RODEO, a film about professional bull riding. Quite a moving film about the men who risk life and limb for this sport. Many of the riders featured in the film were in attendance, and I also ran into Bernie Taupin, who told me he's raising bulls when he isn't penning songs with Elton John. Interesting!

Ramblin' Jack Elliott was performing after the screening, and shared with me that he likes to ride bulls in his spare time.He also hosted a screening of the film, THE BALLAD OF RAMBLIN' JACK, which chronicles Jack's life from his upbringing in Brooklyn, his folk singing adventures in the 60's and singing cowboy tales. He's a really colorful character and I love his music!
I attended a panel with Clint Eastwood's Malpaso production company. The panel members, who have all worked with Clint for 30 years, really do finish each other's sentences and Eastwood praised them all for having telepathy at this point in their partnership! GRAN TORINO is their most recent effort, and editor, Joel Cox, said that he cut the film in 10 days. The audience gasped! Ten days! Clint was on hand to present Joel Cox with the first ever Ignace Paderewski Lifetime Achievement award.

MAYNARD DIXON ART AND SPIRIT screened on Saturday, I loved answering questions and hearing comments from the audience. I had to mention that when I drove into Paso Robles, I was reminded that Dixon painted in this area, and the warm light on those hills was beautifully familiar to me. I stuck around after my screening to watch TRYING TO GET GOOD-THE JAZZ ODYSSEY OF JACK SHELDON, which was produced by my friend, Penny Peyser, and her husband Doug McIntyre. This award-winning film is remarkable and features some great interviews, I highly recommend it, and although I'm not usually a fan of jazz, I thoroughly enjoyed hearing all of fine music in this film. Check it out: http//www.tryingtogetgood.com

Kyle Eastwood and his band performed some great music at the Martin and Weyrich Winery. After that, Penny and I attended a beautiful dinner party at Villa Toscano, where we were joined by filmmakers Cass Warner,(THE BROTHERS WARNER), and Susan Morgan Cooper,(AN UNLIKELY WEAPON).For me, meeting the other filmmakers, exchanging email addresses and ideas is the best part of attending film festivals. I was honored to receive the ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE award, and will always remember this great weekend.

Coming Up-Paso Robles Digital Film Festival Nov. 22, 2008

2008-10-24T11:54:00.000-07:00

The film has been awarded the Artistic Excellence award by the judges of the inaugural Paso Robles Digital Film Festival, November 20-25. The festival takes place in the heart of "Cowboy Wine Country" and this year's theme is Music in Film. Some of my favorite films will be screening, "Don't Look Back","The Last Waltz" and "Festival Express". Our first screening is Saturday at 3:30pm,at the Park Ballroom 1232 Park Street, Suite 200. There will be an informal discussion after the film. I will be joined by Maynard Dixon's son and co-writer of the script, Daniel Dixon,and his wife,Dixie. Dixie just released a CD of her own, she has a beautiful voice and is an accomplished guitar player.

Read more about the festival at:http://www.pasoroblesfilmfestival.com/ There will be performances by the Bacon Brothers Band, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Kyle Eastwood, and many others. Unfortunately,John McEuen, who wrote the incredible score for the film will be touring (as always!) and won't be able to be attend this festival.

In other news, the screening at the Autry National Center was a great event, on the opening day of the "Maverick Art" exhibit. The screening was attended by many enthusiastic Dixon fans, and a number of newcomers who offered some interesting insights and observations about the film. I love taking questions from the audience, and I always hear such great stories about Maynard Dixon. It's amazing how many people in the Western states show up because they grew up with a Dixon painting, or knew someone who did. Because Maynard Dixon often bartered his paintings for services from his doctors, lawyers, builders, etc.,there are still paintings out there that haven't surfaced, and I love to hear about these!

We hope to schedule another screening at the Autry again in the near future. My thanks to Amy Scott (below),the Autry's Curator of Visual Arts, for joining me in the Q&A. Amy is a beautiful and brilliant expert on Western art, and it was a pleasure to have her join me in this special event.Thanks also to Sara Bornstein for all of her efforts to coordinate the screening.

Stay tuned for news about the upcoming 2009 PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, where the film will be showcased.

Autry National Center of the American West Screening Fri. Oct. 3rd, @3pm

2008-09-30T13:57:00.000-07:00

This Friday, Oct. 3rd, we will be screening the film for members of the Autry National Center of the American West at 3pm, as part of the opening of an exciting new exhibit, Maverick Art. After the screening, I will be joined by Autry's visual arts curator, Amy Scott, for a Q&A conversation.

Explore the surprising side of contemporary Western art in this new exhibition drawn mainly from the collections of the Autry National Center. Just as the West today is a place of tremendous visual and cultural diversity, the artists represented in Maverick Art are united not by style or message but by their role in the ongoing conversation between past and present, tradition and innovation, endurance and change.

Representing many different viewpoints, the approximately 50 artists in this exhibition share a groundbreaking status within their respective fields. From Maynard Dixon to Richard Misrach, Maverick Art explores how these artists together expand the meaning of the term Western in their collective search for a new image of the contemporary West.

"Maverick Art is about casting a wider net for our audience and the field of contemporary Western art alike. I'm interested not only in understanding how frontier myths and imagery continues to influence our contemporary identity as Westerners, but also the emergence of newer themes, from freeway culture to the atomic bomb. Our notion of who constitutes a Western artist is changing as well. As the place itself becomes increasingly diverse, many artists seek to revive or reclaim historic traditions, producing new work that is linked to a cultural past but is also very much about the present," reflects Amy Scott, Curator of Visual Arts

For more information, call the Membership Team at (323)667-2000 ext. 394

Coming Soon: Screenings at Santa Fe Film Center Sept. 19-25

2008-08-29T09:08:00.000-07:00

'Maynard Dixon Art and Spirit' will return to the Santa Fe Film Center for three nights, Friday 9/19 through Sunday, 9/21. Showtimes are at 8:15 pm. By popular demand, there will also be a Sunday matinee at 4:15pm, 9/21. Producer/Director, Jayne McKay will be present at all of the screenings.

Just added! The Film Center have added two additional screenings: Tues. 9/23 and Thurs. 9/25, both are at 8:15pm. I won't be able to attend these, I need to return to L.A. to work on my newest project. I'd love to hear from anyone who attends, you can write me at: info@maynarddixondoc.com.

The film was an official selection at last year's Santa Fe film festival, and I'm really looking forward to returning to New Mexico. I met so many great people at those screenings, lots of fans of Maynard Dixon's art and other's who had never heard of Maynard Dixon, but were curious about the film. Their enthusiastic response to the film was very heartwarming for me, because my primary intention for producing the film was to introduce Dixon's art and life to people who hadn't ever heard of him or seen his work. Those who already know his art often stick around to thank me for producing the film, and for teaching them more about this remarkable artist, his colorful life and his unique talents.

I've spoken to my friend Dyanna Taylor about joining me for an informal panel after one or two of the screenings. Dyanna is an award-winning cinematographer, a Santa Fe resident, and is producing a film about photographer, Dorothea Lange, Dixon's second wife. She is also the granddaughter of Dorothea Lange, so she has a personal and unique perspective on Dixon and Lange to share. I'm hopeful that we can arrange to have her fit this into her busy schedule.

The Film Center, a division of The Santa Fe Film Festival, is occupying the theater wing of the former Cinemacafe and offers year-round film programming at the 125-seat theater. The Film Center at Cinemacafe opened in May, 2005 and is located at 1616 St. Michael’s Drive, in the St. Michael’s Village West Shopping Center. The Film Center serves as an exhibition hall, as a networking hub for film professionals and as the focal point for the festival’s educational programs. For further information and tickets, call (505)988-7414.

This Friday & Saturday! Screening at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center

2008-08-05T12:27:00.000-07:00

Award-winning film on western artist Maynard Dixon to show at BBHC
The Buffalo Bill Historical Center presents the award-winning documentary, Maynard Dixon: Art and Spirit, on August 8 and 9 in the Coe Auditorium. Showings are at 1 and 3 p.m. on August 8 and at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. on August 9. The feature-length film about Dixon, known for his ability to capture the brilliant southwestern sunlight in his paintings, won the 2008 Spur Award for Best Documentary from the Western Writers of America. The screenings are included with regular admission to the historical center.

The film’s producer and director, Jayne McKay, hosts each screening and takes questions from the audience after the film. “I’ve always felt that Dixon is truly one of the finest American artists who ever painted in the West,” says McKay. “Artists all revere Dixon and credit him as a genius for his understanding of light and his ability to mix colors that are so accurate on canvas.” She will sell copies of the documentary following the screenings.

Art and Spirit chronicles the life and art of Dixon and was written by McKay and Daniel Dixon, the artist’s son. It is narrated by Oscar-winning actress Diane Keaton, herself a collector of Dixon’s work. John McEuen, a founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and a Grammy-award winner, wrote and performed the film’s soundtrack. Singer/songwriter Don Edwards brings Dixon’s own words to life.

Over four hundred of Dixon’s works appear in the documentary, as well as portraits of the artist by photographer Ansel Adams and family photos taken by Dixon’s second wife, documentary photographer Dorothea Lange. Rare audio by Lange also enriches the film. She once said of her husband, “When he was with the cowboys, he was the sophisticated artist; while when he was with the artists, he was a cowboy.”

Two of Dixon’s paintings appear in the Whitney Gallery of Western Art’s online collection here. Click on “Artist,” then Dixon’s name to view.

Start any journey into the American West at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, open daily 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. through September 15. Devoted to western cultural and natural history, the center is comprised of the Buffalo Bill Museum, Whitney Gallery of Western Art, Plains Indian Museum, Cody Firearms Museum, Draper Museum of Natural History, and McCracken Research Library. For general information, visit www.bbhc.org or call 307.587.4771.

New DVD Cover

2008-07-16T16:13:00.001-07:00

The new DVD Cover is now available, and we have to thank George Gruel,owner of ODDSTICK STUDIO, for his beautiful design talents. The cover features a Dorothea Lange photo of Maynard Dixon looking out through the clouds of his painting, "Summer Afternoon". The back cover features quotes by Ansel Adams, Thomas McGuane and Bill Cone, Disney/Pixar production designer on the film "Cars". George managed to include the Spur Award Logo at the last minute, and also the film festival laurels from Santa Fe and Puerto Vallarta.

Showing off my Spur award with author Robert W. Larson

2008-07-01T20:01:00.000-07:00

On June 14, 2008, I had the pleasure of receiving the Spur award from the Western Writers of America, at their conference in Scottsdale, Arizona. "Maynard Dixon Art and Spirit" was named Best Documentary 2008. It was a perfect evening of music, gracious acceptance speeches, laughter and tears. I met so many talented and generous people, and it was a great honor to have my first film recognized and appreciated by this incredible group of talented people. The only disappointment was that my co-writer, Maynard Dixon's son, Daniel, was unable to attend the banquet, which is why I'm holding two awards! I'm looking forward to delivering the award to him in person sometime soon.

Jayne McKay speaking to the Western Writers of America

2008-07-01T19:56:00.000-07:00

Spur award winners, Robert W. Larson, Jayne McKay and poet John Duncklee

2008-07-01T19:49:00.000-07:00

Robert W. Larson is retired as Professor of History at the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley. He received the Non-fiction Biography Spur award for Gall: Lakota War Chief. (University of Oklahoma Press) This first-ever scholarly biography focuses on the actions Gall took during his final years on the reservation, unraveling his last fourteen years to better understand his previous forty.
John Dunklee received his Poetry Spur award for "El Corrido de Antonio Beltran" from Open Range: Poetry of the Reimagined West. (Ghost Road Press)