Linda Jean Fisher

Musicians:

Fred Gillen Jr.
http://www.fredgillenjr.com/

I met Fred Gillen Jr. on Saturday, 16 March 1991.  A day I am most grateful for.  He is his work. Therefore, the complete Fred Gillen Jr. is one of my greatest inspirations.  He is not only both a passionate and virtuoso performer on every musical instrument he picks up (he plays the washboard like Yo-Yo Ma plays the cello); he is also a brilliant wordsmith.  I add with great humility, that Fred and I mentor each other.  I’ve come to realize that we are building the same jigsaw puzzle—one piece at a time.

Dan Bern
http://www.danbern.com/

I believe that Dan Bern is a prophet.  His music will burst your mind and heart wide open. The “volume project” named “Fifty Eggs” is my humble thank you for his wondrous deeds. 

Emily Asen
http://www.emilyasen.com/

Emily Asen is a true wonder.  I believe that her being houses a full orchestra.  The works she composes are as rich and authentic as the black soil I saw in Illinois.  She plays most (if not all) of the instruments featured on her songs and is what I will dub a “self-production wizard.”  Emily’s lyrics are heartfelt and intelligent, and reflect her interest in poems by Mary Oliver and Rainer Maria Rilke.  Ani DiFranco + Ludwig van Beethoven + Ernest Hemmingway = Emily Asen

Visual Artists:

Scott P. Bernitt

http://www.bronzehornstudios.net/

Scott P. Bernitt is the graphic artist, sculptor, animator, webmaster, and so on (and so on) who designed this website.  His work is both innovative and inspired.  What’s more, he’s great to work with. 
 

Sarah Sands
http://sarahsands.com/

Kerry Meehan

http://www.hmeehan.com/

Kerry Meehan is a traditional visual artist who began a career in new media design at the dawn of the twenty-first century.   The 3D Interactives on his website are positively brilliant.  I’m particularly fond of the Toro Lawn Mower Blade Replacement.

Amy Cabot

http://www.brownhoundceramics.com/

The Brown Hound Studio is based in Redding, Connecticut where artist Amy Cabot lives with her family of four and their brown hound, Miss Sadie Brown.

The daughter of a cartoonist, Amy studied cartooning at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan and is a self-taught potter.  When she first started selling pottery more than ten years ago the popularity of the pieces soon made it clear that putting her cartoons on pottery was the right idea.

Amy's love of animals inspires most of her work so you will find a lot of items geared toward dog and cat lovers on this site, but she also enjoys making personalized gifts for babies, weddings and other occasions.

Amy Cabot is, and will remain, one of my chief mentors.  She defines integrity with her wisdom regarding the artist's commitment to make works of art using the work's voice versus their own.

Edward A. Burke

http://www.edwardaburke.com/

"For me, whether a painting is representational or abstract is an evolutionary process. Although I sometimes start and stay with a purely interpretational style, there are times when I start a painting from observation and the painting takes on a reality of its own, evolving into a reaction to reality that I interpret on the canvas.”—Edward A. Burke

A studio visit with Ed drove me to execute “The Burkes” in 2006.  His paintings are fearless and true.

Nicholas Croft

http://www.nicholascroft.org/

Nicholas Croft is a visual artist extraordinaire.  His website includes slideshows of his photographs, links to his videos and Amazon.com reviews, and much more.  Check it out.

Keith Zahra:  Zahra’s Studio
http://www.zahrastudio.com/

Zahra’s Studio is a gallery, private art studio, and custom tattoo studio.  Body piercing is also done on the premises.  I met Keith Zahra over ten years ago when he opened for business in Peekskill (before relocating to Beacon, N.Y.).  He is an accomplished draftsman and I greatly admire his tattoos and painted works alike. 

John Rodriquez

http://youtube.com/profile_videos?user=jrod120573

John Rodriquez graduated from the New York High School of Art and Design in 1992 where he received the Bronze Medal in Illustration.  He creates bold and intricate works using pencil, watercolor, and marker.   After graduating, he worked at S2 Art Group as a Lithographic Master Printer.  He operated a Viorin & Dufa Press, hand mixed color, and hand aligned color separations.  He is currently creating music videos that combine all of his talents.  If you’re a fan of Batman, Spiderman, Superman, Star Wars, or the Prince of Persia series, his videos will wet your appetite.  Enjoy!

Chuck Close
http://www.chuckclose.coe.uh.edu/

Chuck Close’s work is a vital source of inspiration.  I took the opportunity to tell him (face to face) how much I admired him; a moment that I will always be thankful for.

Philip Greenspun
http://philip.greenspun.com/

Philip Greenspun’s photos of the “Arbeit Macht Frei” (“work will set you free”) gate at the entrance of Dachau are featured on this website.

For Artists in the Marketplace:

Jackie Battenfield

http://www.artistcareerguide.com/index.php

Jackie’s book The Artist's Guide: How to Make a Living Doing What You Love is scheduled for release in Fall 2008 and will be published by Da Capo Press.  Jackie is also the coordinator for the Artist in the Marketplace (AIM) Program.  She is one of my mentors and gave me what I believe to be my greatest gift:  GAP (Goals Attitude Perseverance).  I’ve been repeating this mantra several times each day since she shared it in November 1993.  

Artist in the Marketplace (AIM) Program, Bronx Museum of the Arts

http://www.bronxmuseum.org/aim.html

Online Portfolios:

Artists Space
Irving Sandler Artists File Online

Direct link to Linda Jean Fisher's portfolio:
 http://afonline.artistsspace.org/view_artist.php?aid=5793

The Drawing Center

http://www.drawingcenter.org/viewingprogram/portfolio.cfm

Enter Linda Jean Fisher in the Name or Keyword Search box and click Go

Recommendation:  I ardently propose that you look at the portfolio of Robin Williams.  She’s self-taught and draws without looking at (or lifting her pen from) her paper.

Welcome to Peekskill, New York! 

The City of Peekskill/Official Website
http://www.ci.peekskill.ny.us/

Peekskill Business Improvement District
http://www.peekskillbid.com/

Peekskill Galleries and Cultural Institutions:

williamMaxwell Fine Arts, Inc.
http://www.maxwellfinearts.com/

“williamMAXWELL FINE ARTS, Inc. is a commercial gallery located in a Victorian carriage house, c.1850, in the artist district of Peekskill, New York. This exhibition space is dedicated to the presentation of unique and original works of fine art by emerging and established artists.”

Flat Iron Gallery
http://www.flatiron.qpg.com/

“The Flat Iron Gallery is a four-room art gallery featuring works by artists from all over the United States. Available items include everything from jewelry to paintings.

The Art Gallery at Paramount East
http://www.peekskillartgallery.com

Westchester Art Workshop Gallery
http://www.sunywcc.edu/extension_sites/locations/peekskill/peekskill_events.htm

“This Gallery is housed at Westchester Community College's Peekskill Extension Center in downtown Peekskill. In keeping with the center's computer arts and new media programs and courses, the gallery hosts curated exhibitions of digital artwork by professional artists. The gallery has annual shows of student work and biennial faculty shows.”

Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art

http://www.hvcca.com/

"HVCCA is the most dynamic contemporary art site in Westchester... Maybe one day these regional, more experimental art places might supercede art-stately New York City."—Ben Genocchio, “New York Times”

Paramount Center for the Arts
http://www.paramountcenter.org/

Art Materials:

Golden Artist Colors, Inc.
http://www.goldenpaints.com/

I only use Golden Artist Colors.  Their "Color Mixing Guide"

(http://www.goldenpaints.com/artist/mixguide.php) began my exploration into the science of color and vision.  Thank you GAC!

Mission Statement: To grow a sustainable company dedicated to creating and sharing the most imaginative and innovative tools of color, line and texture for inspiring those who turn their vision into reality.

Ranger Industries, Inc.
http://www.rangerink.com/

I use Ranger Industries Jet Black Archival #0 Pads and Reinkers.  In 2007, Ranger donated a generous sampling of both products for use in “Six Million.” 

Resources for Other Materials I Use:

Foley Graphics
http://www.foleygraphics.com/index.html

Foley Graphics prints the grids for “Six Million.”  We’ve worked together on several occasions since the late eighties.  They are great people.

Blockheads Paper Arts

http://www.blockheadstamps.com/

“Blockheads started manufacturing and selling rubber stamps online in November 2001. Their goal is to provide current designs in the highest quality at great prices.”

Blockheads Paper Arts also sells a huge assortment of stamping products and their website is a beauty.  They are the sole resource for the Ranger Industries Jet Black Reinkers that I use to feed Six Million’s inkpads.  The folks at Blockheads are consummate professionals.  Moreover, their fast turnaround time allows me to practice “Just In Time” inventory.  This makes them an ideal partner.  I highly recommend them.

Conservation Resources International, LLC
http://www.conservationresources.com/Main/S%20CATALOG/CoverPage.htm

I acquire the drop-front boxes used to archive the completed grids for “Six Million” from Conservation Resources International, LLC.  Their prices and customer service department are excellent.

Top Seat Supply, Ltd.
http://www.topseat.com/

“Top Seat Supply Ltd. offers the best New Classroom Furniture in the industry with a Lifetime Structural Warranty, to school districts in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and western New York. They sell direct to school districts eliminating the need for dealers.”

Of or Relating to the Opening of the Nuclear Age:

The Atomic Heritage Foundation

http://www.atomicheritage.org/

“Founded in 2002, the Atomic Heritage Foundation (AHF) is a non-profit organization in Washington, DC dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the Manhattan Project and the Atomic Age and its legacy. The Foundation’s goal is to provide the public with not only a sense of the past but a better basis for understanding the present and the scientific, technical, political, social and ethical issues that we must address today.”

The Manhattan Project:  An Interactive History
http://www.mbe.doe.gov/me70/manhattan/index.htm

Pugwash
http://www.pugwash.org/index.htm

“The mission of the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs is to bring scientific insight and reason to bear on threats to human security arising from science and technology in general, and above all from the catastrophic threat posed to humanity by nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction. It was in recognition of this mission that Pugwash and its co-founder, Sir Joseph Rotblat, were awarded the 1995 Nobel Peace Prize.”

The Atomic Testing Museum

http://www.atomictestingmuseum.org/

“The Atomic Testing Museum portrays world history through varied representations of the story of the Nevada Test Site and its programs. The museum features many not seen before, first-person narratives, large iconic artifacts, environmental re-creations, theatrical devices, and interactive elements for personal exploration.  It also presents multiple viewpoints expressed in multi-media presentations and stunning graphics.”

Los Alamos Historical Museum

http://www.losalamoshistory.org/Museum.htm

The Los Alamos Historical Museum is dedicated to preserving, protecting and interpreting the history of Los Alamos.

Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer

American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer
http://www.americanprometheus.org/

“AmericanPromtheus.org is the website for Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin's book ‘American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer,’ the complete biography of J. Robert Oppenheimer.”

Oppenheimer:  A Life

An Online Centennial Exhibit

http://ohst.berkeley.edu/oppenheimer/exhibit/

The Teaching Company

http://www.teach12.com/teach12.asp?ai=14265

“The Teaching Company brings engaging professors into your home or car through courses on DVD, audio CD, and other formats. Since 1990, great teachers from the Ivy League, Stanford, Georgetown, and other leading colleges and universities have crafted over 200 courses for lifelong learners.”

I discovered The Great Courses offered by The Teaching Company while perusing the Westchester Library System’s online catalogue.  Due to the fact that I learn through repetition, the audio CD format is conducive to my process of comprehension and memorization.  I’ve tackled economics, World War II, the founding documents of the United States, particle physics, Hinduism, Judaism, and the religions of the Axial Age. I am looking forward to wrapping my brain around other subjects as well.

Economics

Timothy Taylor

http://timothytaylor.net/index.htm

Robert Whaples

http://www.wfu.edu/~whaples/

Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)

http://www.bea.gov/

Mission:  “The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) promotes a better understanding of the U.S. economy by providing the most timely, relevant, and accurate economic accounts data in an objective and cost-effective manner.”

Federal Reserve Education

http://www.federalreserveeducation.org/FRED/?CFID=6824307&CFTOKEN=57079719

The Toyota Way

http://www.thetoyotaway.org/

What can your business learn from Toyota?

1. Double or triple the speed of any business process
2. Build quality into workplace systems
3. Eliminate the huge costs of hidden waste
4. Turn every employee into a quality control inspector

The Science of Color and Vision:

The Faber Birren Collection of Books on Color
http://www.library.yale.edu/art/faberbirren/index.htm

“Faber Birren (1900-1988) was a leading authority on the effects of color on humans as well as a dedicated collector of texts on color from a variety of viewpoints and time periods. He was a prolific author publishing 25 books and scores of articles, primarily on the use and effects of color in the workplace. As a collector, Mr. Birren's particular focus was on color systems and nomenclature as well as the more humanistic aspects of color theory. He began his collection in the early part of the 20th century, donated it to the Art+Architecture Library in 1971, and remained an active force in shaping the collection until his death in 1988.”

Handprint
http://www.handprint.com/

American Jewish Committee
http://www.ajc.org/site/c.ijITI2PHKoG/b.685761/k.CB97/Home.htm

“The American Jewish Committee, established in 1906 by a small group of American Jews deeply concerned about pogroms aimed at Russian Jews, determined that the best way to protect Jewish populations in danger would be to work towards a world in which all peoples were accorded respect and dignity.”

David A. Harris is the Executive Director of the American Jewish Committee.  His work opens my mind, touches my heart, and fortifies my commitment to “Six Million.”  He truly is one of my greatest influences.  Furthermore, don’t ever deny yourself the opportunity to hear him speak in person.

USMA West Point

United States Military Academy, West Point, New York

http://www.usma.edu/

Mission:  "To educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character committed to the values of Duty, Honor, Country and prepared for a career of professional excellence and service to the Nation as an officer in the United States Army."

West Point Museum
http://www.usma.edu/Museum/

“The West Point Museum’s collections include nearly all aspects of military history and encompass the history of West Point and the United States Military Academy, the evolution of warfare, and the development of the American Armed Forces.”

Eisenhower Hall Theatre
http://www.eisenhowerhall.com/index.htm

“Eisenhower Hall Theatre is the Hudson Valley's premiere performing arts center. It's a special showplace where stars appear regularly and where the excitement of Broadway plays and musicals are standard fare. Opera, dance, symphony orchestras, staged spectaculars, country and rock are all on the menu.”

Photo Credits