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This month's cover artist: Sandy Schimmel
What's in a face? A visage we present for review. Look past the immediate and
discover what's behind the mask. See the "thinker behind the eyes" through an
intricate facade. I believe we are an aggregate of tiny bits: who we are and
where we've been -- or who we want or pretend to be.
I have been an artist my entire life -- drawing, designing, always in color, always in "tune." I am a synesthete; I have
perfect pitch, I have eidetic imagery. In my world words, numbers and sound are
infused with color. I do see things differently. There is controversy
surrounding synesthesia and eideticism -- whether they are flaws or gifts --
but my experience is all I know.
I create as an emotional response to visual stimulus -- a photo, an idea, a
theme . . . My brain is a projector, placing images on blank canvas. This is
typical of those with eidetic imagery and how the early masters "saw" and
reproduced their subjects without them being present. My pieces morph as I
work, as the subject itself guides me, as the face I paint "speaks" to me. I
use material that is saturated with color. I take fascinating expeditions down
rabbit holes. My art reflects the conclusion of these voyages, utilizing an
ability to see images in tiny bits, in a color scheme that may exist only in my
mind. My work is an algebraic equation; it is a mathematical progression.
My aesthetic? An organic communion of thought and inspiration -- a mind meld.
Hardly solipsistic, I am a creature of the world -- I portray images as I
imagine they should be. I am motivated by external stimuli -- art and beauty,
fashion and design. I am compelled to recycle from two points: to reuse and to
give others' images and words a new life in my work.
The how, the process, is not important -- the finished creation is the sum of
the parts and the end of the journey. Now, it is up to you to enjoy.
-- Sandy Schimmel
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To see more of Sandy Schimmel's work or to contact her, visit
www.schimmelart.com.
Linda Braun, copublisher of Sun Monthly, enjoys doing yoga, being out in the wild, eating pumpkin pie, taking afternoon
naps, and creatively playing with life. "Drilling for Oil and Gas: A Look at the Complexities, Dollars and Dependency
That's Making Change Difficult"
Jennifer Esperanza lives and works in Santa Fe. She has photographed for groups like the Bioneers,
V-Day, FACT, the Heart Gallery and Thirsty Ear Festival, and her work has been
published in New Mexico Magazine, Light of Consciousness, Yogi Times, the Village Voice, Variety and many other publications. www.jenniferesperanza.com or
www.flickr.com/photos/jenniferesperanza. "Local Cares"
Judith Fein lives to leave. An award-winning journalist, she has contributed travel
articles to more than 80 publications, gives travel talks, makes travel films,
and takes people on trips to exotic climes to teach them how to travel deeply.
She believes travel contributes to world peace. Her website is
www.globaladventure.us. "How Do the Vietnamese Feel About Americans, 35 Years After the War?"
Diana Lightmoon is a psychotherapist, bodyworker and meditation teacher practicing and teaching
in Santa Fe as Lotus Heart Wisdom. She integrates her knowledge and experience
of Eastern and Western wisdom traditions to help people live with greater
freedom and ease. Visit www.evening-sun.com/diana to learn more about her. "Why Bodywork? When Talking Is Not Enough"
Gershon Siegel, copublisher of Sun Monthly, wishes the story about oil and gas drilling in New Mexico was simpler, that
there were clear bad guys to blame and someone was coming to the rescue.
Unfortunately, it's very complex, anyone dependent on fossil fuels is part of
the problem, and the cavalry has been privatized. "Drilling for Oil and Gas: A Look at the Complexities, Dollars and Dependency
That's Making Change Difficult"
You can now subscribe to Gail Snyder's new every-other-monthly literary art book, Not Drowning, Waving, whose purpose is to not only seed the next revolution but spearhead it by
choosing evolution over the hopeless anger and cynicism engendered by
mainstream media these bad-boy days. www.notdrowningwaving-themag.com. "Surviving Our Collision with Tomorrow"
Santa Fe has been home base for pilgrim, poet, patriot and traveler Jeremiah Weser over the past 30 years. The overarching vision guiding his feet, heart and
hands is learning to honor and appreciate the inherent diversity, the random
uniqueness of all individuals and their cultures. "Drilling for the Hell of It: The Dirty Bastards Club Comes to Santa Fe"
Mark Winne is a freelance writer living in Santa Fe. His first book, Closing the Food Gap: Resetting the Table in the Land of Plenty, will be released in January 2008. He enjoys hearing from his readers by e-mail
at win5m@aol.com. "Community Gardens: Growing Our Own"
Jeannie Zandi is a spiritual guide, writer, poet and mom whose passion is sharing the recognition and embodiment of our deepest nature
through writing and working with individuals and groups. She holds an MA from
Naropa University in transpersonal counseling psychology and can be reached at jeannie@taosnet.com or www.jeanniezandi.com. "Tears Are the Blessing of God on Earth"
