“…I must finish by acting.” (Thoreau)
April 17, 2009
Comments from Ben Behunin, potter, and author of Remembering Isaac, The Wise and Joyful Potter of Niederbipp
“IN THINKING ABOUT IT TODAY AS I SAT AT MY WHEEL MAKING BOWLS, I realized your book is a mnemonic device! I am sure you already are aware of that, but it finally hit me. Your writing is beautiful, descriptive, and yet also abstract…”
“I wanted you to know that your book really makes me think. It causes ideas to blossom, and dreams to occur—it is indeed a threshold into another world. It is that piece of mirror you describe in your treasure box. It is seeping into my subconscious; and arousing, creating thought. I am still only half way through Chapter 5. I am a slow reader anyway, but your book causes me to read even slower, wanting to suck the marrow out of it. Thank you for sharing it.”
“I recently came across a Thoreau quote I like. ‘A truly good book teaches me better than to read it. I must soon lay it down and commence living on its hint. What I began by reading, I must finish by acting.’”
Ben Behunin’s Book may be viewed >HERE
Eating the Energizer Bunny
April 17, 2009
Reader Comment from Jan Jenson
“I TELL MY FRIENDS who have inquiring minds, and like fascinating books, about Talking to Tesla because it REALLY stimulates the mind in unexpected ways. I had NO IDEA what the book was about—other than thumbing through it quickly at a friend’s house. She grabbed it away and said “order your own” and don’t read bits and pieces of mine. This is a VERY unique book, with a life all its own (a vibration, a color, a sound… it seems to stimulate all the senses and starts them humming, errr… perking?).”
“I can’t say what will happen if you read it. Just do. Take a chance on it changing your world in marvelous and stimulating, thought-provoking ways! It zapped my creativity into over-drive. Most people ask me if I ate the Energizer Bunny! That’s a great problem to have, now that I’m over 65!”
Talking To Tesla Launch Was A Wonderful Event!
April 5, 2009
THE TALKING TO TESLA BOOK LAUNCH and unveiling of The Talking To Tesla Project on March 18th at the Springville Museum of Art in Springville, Utah, was a tremendous success.
Attendees experienced the music of renowned Celtic performing artists Kirkmount, the music of the multi-ethnic Studio A Childrens’ Choir, directed by award-winning musician Gael Shults, and a discussion with artist Kent Wing, winner of the 2008 Springville Museum of Art Director’s Award, about the painting Identity that is the cover image of Talking To Tesla.
The event was moderated by Frank McEntire, artist, writer, curator and former Executive Director of the Utah Arts Council whose body of work “paints a picture of distinction and unparalleled dedication to the arts” according to gallery owner and critic Ivar Zeile.
Special thanks go out to Cheryl Snapp Conner at SnappConner PR for her tremendous PR efforts in helping promote and organize the event.
Enjoy the video collage below, edited and produced by photographer Paul Hadley.
Author Alex Bigney Featured On Catalyst Magazine Cover
April 4, 2009
SINCE 1982 CATALYST Magazine: HEALTHY LIVING, HEALTHY PLANET has delivered tools and information for the whole person—news and resources regarding health and wellness, environment, progressive politics, community, spirituality and the arts.
Read about Talking To Tesla author, Alex Bigney, on the Catalyst site by clicking HERE. His painting, entitled “Costume” is featured on the magazine’s cover this month.
KSL-TV News Story
March 16, 2009
video clip length: 2:22
Video Interview with Alex Bigney, Part 1
March 16, 2009
video clip length: 5:20
A Handbook for Life
March 13, 2009
“I definitely hope to come to the Tesla fete at Springville—and I must say, your book has brought me to tears more than a few times. My two favorite things in life are art and literature—but you do much more than bring those two areas together. Your book is like a handbook for life—something I needed to read right now at this point in my own little journey. I’ve had to pace myself, though, because I want to draw it out and enjoy it to its fullest!”
Rediscovered Perspectives & Heightened Awareness
March 2, 2009
review by Lane Vance
I LOVED READING, IN FACT EXPERIENCING Alex Bigney’s Talking to Tesla. For me, the book arrived at just the right time; I was ready for the invitation to re-examine and rediscover my perspectives, to heighten my awareness.
Talking to Tesla is not a book to be read once. Almost immediately into my reading, I realized that the book would be best appreciated with dictionaries in hand along with ready access to the internet (or a library) to track down referenced paintings. I made the decision to just ‘read on’ during my first pass, knowing that I would be back again to explore the book while searching out the referenced art and delving into words and patterns that intrigued me. Of course after that first pass I noticed on the bottom of the book’s back cover jacket the statement: “A book to be read again and again…”
I have a close friend who is an accomplished artist and he knows that I delight in art; he also knows that I do not paint. Years ago while appreciating some of his paintings with him I jokingly commented: I know everything about art; I just don’t know what I like! We laughed. Just thinking about that statement makes me laugh. Last year this friend referred me to the Talking To Tesla website. I curiously clicked through the site and downloaded and read the chapters available via “The Book” icon. I was fascinated by these chapters and I looked up Nikola Tesla on the internet, vaguely recalling his name from science classes more than three decades back. My interest was animated and I looked forward to reading the book. Then the Email announcement reached my inbox: BOOK AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE! When Talking to Tesla arrived, my schedule was unusually inflexible. I started reading Thursday evening and got back to it Friday evening – both times having difficulty putting the book down – and then I read Saturday evening until the pleasant completion in the early hours Sunday. Time permitting, I would have read the book straight through.
I thoroughly enjoyed the ‘artist insight’ Alex magically wove throughout the narrative of his book. The skillfully detailed descriptions of the painting process and the connection between his art and his dreams awakened a new awareness within me. His weaving skills artfully combined persons, places, things, languages, and ideas. The pages of Alex’s “word painting” took me into his life and his dreams and opened the door to his adventures in a way that I could actually see some of his descriptions and even smell the oil paint! Talking to Tesla, An Artist’s Dream Journal invites the rebirth of child-like discovery and intensified awareness in our life journey, and includes all experiences whether ‘dreaming’ or ‘awake’.
Thank you Alex for your quest “…of exposing the creative being—the artist in each of us”! The light has taken root in me.
photo courtesy of paulhadley.com/library
Book Launch Event - March 18, 2009!
March 1, 2009
Alex Bigney, Artist and Author, to Celebrate Talking To Tesla Launch March 18 at Springville Museum of Art
Readers, artists, and every person who has been inspired by a literary passage, a piece of music or an element of art are invited to celebrate with artist and author Alex Bigney at the Springville Museum of Art on March 18, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. This event is the formal launch of the book Talking To Tesla, The Mirror That Is The Door. Bigney will also make an announcement about The Talking To Tesla Project, and will unveil the project’s upcoming plans.
At the event, attendees will experience the music of renown Celtic performing artists Kirkmount, the music of the multi-ethnic Studio A Childrens’ Choir, directed by award-winning musician Gael Shults, and a discussion with artist Kent Wing, winner of the 2008 Springville Museum of Art Director’s Award, about the painting Identity that is the cover image of Talking To Tesla. The event will be moderated by Frank McEntire, artist, writer, curator and former Executive Director of the Utah Arts Council whose body of work “paints a picture of distinction and unparalleled dedication to the arts” according to gallery owner and critic Ivar Zeile.
Alex Bigney will share a brief reading from Talking To Tesla as well as make an announcement about the next steps for The Talking To Tesla Project. Light refreshments will be served. Signed copies of Talking To Tesla will be available at the event. The public is invited to attend and can RSVP to cheryl@snappconner.com.
About Talking To Tesla
Talking to Tesla, The Mirror That Is The Door, is about the inspiration that is present in every life, guiding readers to recognize that the spark of creative potential exists in each of us, looking to find its expressive voice—our universal language of shared experience.
To order copies of Talking To Tesla, The Mirror That Is The Door readers can visit www.talkingtotesla.com. Readers are also invited to join the Talking To Tesla discussion group on Facebook at http://tinyurl.com/afctbf
“And now is the time.”
February 10, 2009
a guest post from Jan Jenson, Hickory, NC
NORMALLY I CAN ZIP THROUGH a book in several days… not with Talking to Tesla. I’ve been delving the depths of this book—and my psyche—in bite-sized pieces since the first page. There’s so much to think about… to ponder… to wonder.
I’ve found it even stimulating my dreams! I’m over 60 and can hardly ever remember dreaming since my childhood. No more. I seem to be having vivid dreams that leave me wondering and pondering all through the day. To say the book is stimulating my creativity is a great understatement! My brain seems to have shifted into warp drive.
I went into my storage yesterday to retrieve my art supplies. Talking to Tesla has stimulated my creativity to bursting at the seams. Oops… seams are my limitation… Er, were. No limits. No boundaries.
I have so much I want to do—and now is the time.