dlanthomas

: dlanthomas; October 7th, 2020

This is the blog formerly known as Moscow Writer and now dubbed what you see near my photo. All entries are written by author Amy N. Thomas. All photos are (c) Amy N. Thomas on the date of the entry. All rights reserved. No material on this blog may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from Amy N. Thomas. You are most welcome to link from your site to an the entry. Please let me know you have done so, and I will visit your site and help increase your web traffic. To request reproduction rights, email Amy N. Thomas or select the Messages link under "dlanthomas" at the top of your browser page. Posting photos and original writing by others is called piracy and is not ethical (and not legal in most places), so be kind.

In the older posts, you’ll find out about my travels with my adventuresome spouse and our two amazing kids in Moscow, Russia, as I learned a new language, mastered public transportation, viewed ancient artifacts, and tackled oil painting (an endeavor more difficult than living as a foreigner). OK, “tackle” may not be quite the right word because it brings to mind a quarterback with a paint brush, but it kind of felt like that.

The new posts are random thoughts and musings in my new home in a house in the woods as I write on the deck, dance in the kitchen, and attempt physical fitness in public (an endeavor more terrifying than oil painting at testing my coordination and independence).

Thanks for stopping by!

Tags: intro, moscow, random, reprint rights, writing

Conclusion

: dlanthomas; December 28th, 2011

For five years, the keyboard has tapped out my thoughts, musings, embarrassing cross-cultural moments, a book debut, my poetry, photos, and memories. I had the pleasure of meeting in person a number of Live Journal friends.

Today, I conclude this blog. I’ve printed the pages and will bind them as a personal copy of my first foray into regular writing online.

My personal website amynthomas.com offers additional information about my work as an author, artist, and someone with a license to teach.

Fare thee well.

Tags: photo, writing

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Del Ray Artisans and Me

: dlanthomas; June 3rd, 2011

The Del Ray neighborhood on the outskirts of Alexandria, VA, grew into a community as a railroad workers' bedroom community. Six months after getting married, we bought a bungalow and joined the pedestrian lifestyle. Five years later we moved west, and next month we'll return. I'm so excited to be within walking distance again of a metro station, a grocery store, a coffee shop, and the Del Ray Artisans. DRA is a community of local artists that shows and sells works in all media. A new show opens tonight and I'll have an oil drawing on display. If you're in the area, please come to the gallery opening or to my gallery sitting time.

Tags: art

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Community Art Exhibition Debut

: dlanthomas; May 13th, 2011

On May 12 at a local community center, more than 100 local artists showed their work. On display were three of my pieces:

Saturday Ready, a collage on red oil background

All Ears, an abstract acrylic that used a limited four-color palette (the same colors used to print a newspaper) with black stenciled mugs

All Ears 2, a recycled paper assemblage that was laid out in the same pattern and method as a wooden floor and incorporated a collaborative collage

The latter two were also selected for a local traveling exhibition for six months at the central library.
I'm thrilled with this process and look forward to where I might be involved in my community's art and education efforts.

A number of my friends attended, which made the time that much more memorable, and my mother captured this shot of me under All Ears at the opening reception.

Tags: art

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Celebrating International Women's Day

: dlanthomas; March 3rd, 2011

I first learned about International Women's Day while living in Moscow. The International Women's Club hosted an all-day symposium featuring prominent members of a variety of organizations. We heard from a member of the Duma, an Ambassador, and other women who lead and work to make the world a better place to live. Originally a Russian holiday celebrated on March 19, IWD is now recognized by the United Nations and celebrated around the world on March 8 to honor the achievements of women, whether in the home, on the road, in a building, or on a playing field.

The cut paper art form (called Assemblage) is an art form I've practiced for more than a year. These hands represent women I've met in all the places I've lived. My first published illustration was a digitized assemblage inside the back cover of our local Live Poets Society Anthology 2010, viewable via a short video clip on my website.

Feel free to give this image to women you admire. I just did!
Amy

Tags: art, holiday, moscow

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My tweets

: dlanthomas; February 9th, 2011

Tue, 16:38: #weepoem Poetagraph products online now: winter journal, sunrise poster and more! http://www.cafepress.com/amynthomas
Tue, 17:16: Fare thee well, Brian Jacques http://j.mp/hUEwXC

Tags: twitter

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Fare thee well, Brian Jacques

: dlanthomas; February 8th, 2011

Today's SLJ announced the passing of British author Brian Jacques. Although I never had the privilege of meeting this writer, I felt I knew him, and I owed a debt of gratitude to him for inspiring my rambunctious twins to read and write and make believe. His Redwall series on PBS was the first television program we watched together when my boys were in preschool. In early elementary school, we enjoyed many home plays, complete with real enemies, high walls, flying animals and true heroes. In middle school, we visited a real castle!