Friday, January 4, 2013

Bartholomew Makes Another Decision - Published Today!!

This morning, Bartholomew Makes Another Decision, the fourteenth story of The Book of Bartholomew was published.  This story about a New Years Eve party is illustrated by Justin Terlecki.

Bartholomew goes to a party at Topping and Charlotte's place.  This is the first social event with his new friends.  Bartholomew wonders if they will still be his friends after they really get to know him.  But his fears are quelled by an old friend - a Dionne Warwick song.

This story marks the end of what is considered the first volume of stories in The Book of Bartholomew.  It has been a fun project so far.  I have met some amazing artists and have had a great time writing about these characters who I am still getting to know.

I want to thank so many people who have made the past year a rousing success for this project.
The first is Mary Swalla Holmes whose initial response to the idea and the first couple of stories encouraged me to continue.  I can't really be a writer, can I? 
I also want to thank Beth Waterhouse for being a supportive editor and a believer in art and expression.
I want to thank all of the artists who have been involved: Matt Wells, Martha Iserman, Tim Jennen, Mary Esch, Raighne Hogan, Krista Walsh, Mary Sandberg, and Justin Terlecki.

Thanks to all the people who have read my stories.

The Book of Bartholomew will be taking a little reprieve to update some software, make some illustrations and get ready for a story reading on February 15 at Dreamland Arts.  There will be some announcements and postings on the blog and at the Facebook Page, but the regularly published stories will return February 1, 2013 with the story Lost.

I am looking forward to what is ahead in the world of Bartholomew.  I will share with you soon what is going to happen this following year.

Take care,
Mark Granluind

Bartholomew Makes Another Decision - The Music

This week's story is a party story, so there is a partying song from JR and B3DH3D, who are part of Last Triumph Collective.  This song really rocks!  It is a remix of Above and Beyond's You Got To Go.  Sit back, or get up and dance, and enjoy it.

The second song for this week's story is so fresh it is not yet recorded!  Whoa!  Patrick Larkin, of Miami Dolphins, is hopefully be recording Then Came You, originally by the Spinners and Dionne Warwick.  So, I hope by next weekend I will have a dynamite second song for you.  Until then, you will have to wait.

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Bartholomew Makes Another Decision - Illustrations

The story Bartholomew Makes Another Decision, the 14th story in The Book of Bartholomew, is illustrated by the illustrious Justin Terlecki.  Some of you might know Justin from his daytime gig at Wet Paint art store, the greatest art store in the country with the finest staff this side of Alpha Centauri.  Justin is a fine print maker and painter.  He creates detailed narratives inspired by memory and personal experiences. Technology and human relationships are consistent themes throughout his work.

For The Book of Bartholomew, Justin captured the excitement and energy of a New Years Eve party at Topping and Charlotte's apartment.  At this point in time, these are the only images of Topping.  I think Justin did a wonderful job of representing what I think of Topping. He is outgoing, uncensored and a bit loud, but friendly and welcoming.  When I wrote in the story that Topping had a Happy New Years hat on, it was kind of a throw away image.  As I continued writing, in my mind, I forgot all about the hat.  BUT in Justin's illustrations the hat is Topping and gorgeously energetic and frenetic and spastic and... friendly.



I also enjoy the energy of the group scene with Dionne Warwick singing in the ethereal background.  Can you say "Party Atmosphere?"  

Originally from Youngstown, Ohio, Terlecki moved to the Twin Cities after earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts from Youngstown State University. His paintings and prints have been exhibited at The Soap Factory, Minnesota Museum of American Art, Gallery 13, Central Lakes College, and Highpoint Center for Printmaking. In 2009, Justin received a Jerome Foundation Emerging Printmaking grant, funding a series of prints based on his travels to India and Spain. He is currently working on a series of acrylic paintings exploring ideas of communication.

Justin will be illustrating another story in the future.

You can see the final story and illustrations for Bartholomew Makes Another Decision this Friday at bookofbartholomew.blogspot.com.