NEW PHOTOS FROM "SOME BIRDS"

© 2013 sylvaine sancton

So I attended the "Song & Music" literary festival in New Orleans last month and heard, over and over again, the following message: you have to flog your own books relentlessly on the social media because publishers don't do serious promotion any more.
     Okay, message received. Even though I am not well versed at blogging, tweeting, instagramming and in fact do not own anything that remotely resembles a smart phone. But I do have a computer, so here I come, yanked kicking and screaming into the world of techno self-promotion. Actually I am not interested in promoting myself, but I would like people to know about (and maybe even buy) my children's photo book, "Some Birds..."
     I've decided to make a game of it. I'll make regular postings of the funnier or more interesting photos from the book on the Some Birds FB page. I may even open an Instagram account. The whole point of the book, after all, is to charm and inform children (and their parents) with photos of birds doing amusing and fascinating things--spearing fish, trying to read, flocking together, hiding, falling in love. Young readers will learn that, in some ways, birds are a lot like us. This white and black swan, for example, making friends despite their different colors. Lots more photos to come, so stay tuned... And if you like what you see, you can buy "Some Birds" on line at Pelican Publishing, Octavia Books, or Amazon.

NEW PIECES IN THE GUTHRIE CONTEMPORARY GALLERY

Left to right: "L'Origine du Monde," "Man Ray," "Déjeuner sur l'herbe," "Antiquity," "Niagara."

With one foot out of the door as I prepare to leave for my annual summer sojourn in France, I was pleased to place several works in the Guthrie Contemporary Gallery. They include four sculptures and two paintings. Two of the sculptures, "Antiquity" (cherry wood), and "Androgyne" (granite), represent female forms. "Man Ray" (marble) and "Niagara" (stained cypress) are abstract pieces. In addition, the gallery has hung two of my large abstract paintings, "Déjeuner sur l'herbe," and "L'Origine du Monde." Astute students of art history will recognize those titles as belonging to famous works by Manet and Courbet. My paintings in no way resemble those famous canvases but I felt the titles were somehow evocative of the spirit of my pieces. This is what the French call a "clin d'oeil"—a wink. These works will be in the gallery all summer and into the fall.

Guthrie Contemporary Gallery
3815 Magazine Street
New Orleans, LA 70115
504-897-2688
www.guthriecontemporary.com

Please visit my website: sylvainesancton.com











3815 Magazine Street, New Orleans 70115.

"SURVIVAL" OPENS AT THE OGDEN

Delighted to have my pecan wood and steel sculpture "Survival" shown at the Odgen Museum of Southern Art as part of the "Sense of Place" exhibition that opened tonight. Thanks to the friends who attended, and especially to Ogden Curator Bradley Sumrall, who believed in the piece enough to give it a pride of place on the 4th floor gallery. I was particularly gratified by Bradley's comment that "It is really a magnificent work, and a welcome addition to the collection."

"SURVIVAL" FEATURED AT THE OGDEN

I am very pleased to have my pecan wood and iron sculpture, entitled "Survival," featured at the Ogden Museum's upcoming exhibition “A Sense of Place II” from April 24 to July 20 2014. Opening reception Thursday April 24, 6 pm – 8 pm. Hope to see some of you there!

"SURVIVAL" GOES TO THE OGDEN

My monumental pecan wood and steel sculpture, "Survival," has been admitted into the permanent collection of the Ogden Museum of Southern Art. I am grateful for this honor and pleased to have my work represented in this great institution.

"Survival" has an interesting back story. The 81-inch high wooden column was fashioned from the trunk of a century-old Louisiana pecan tree felled by hurricane Katrina. This noble trunk could have been burned to ashes, ground to sawdust, or wound up in a landfill. Instead, it found its way into my hands and I decided to give it a new life even as my adopted city was rebuilding its own life. The carved surface depicts a series of intersecting waves, evoking the waters that battered and engulfed the city in 2005. The natural veins and striations in the wood trace the growth and evolution of this living organism before it was uprooted and transformed into a tribute to endurance and renewal. Finally, the steel spine suggests the industrial prowess, the engineering know-how, the energy and the creativity of this proud region. I consider "Survival" to be a pean to nature’s force and man’s indomitable spirit, and I am delighted that it has found a permanent place in the Ogden.

My website: sylvainesancton.com
The Ogden website: http://ogdenmuseum.org

MY BARRISTER'S ART SHOW REVIEWED BY GAMBIT

Art critic Eric Bookhardt just published a nice review of my art show in the Gambit:

Theme and Variations: Mixed Media by Sylvaine Sancton, Through March 1, Barrister's Gallery, 2331 St. Claude Ave, 710-4506.

In art lingo, work that fulfills its potential is deemed "fully realized," and this show has many examples. Sylvaine Sancton's abstract paintings and sculptures at Barrister's express a fully realized vision that transcends media. Whether it's paint, wood or travertine, Sancton's sinuous, organic forms are pristine articulations of the transcendent reality that she sees just beyond the ordinary reality we all share. One unusual attribute of this show is how the sculpture "explains" the paintings and vice-versa, making it clear that all reflect the same essential vision, which is just as much a "reality" as any "realistic" art, subjective though it may be. Or as she puts it: "The nature of my work is sensual and emotional. There are only lines, color, and matter... It does not represent reality. It is reality"    
—Eric Bookhardt, Gambit,  2/17/2014

BARRISTER'S OPENING TONIGHT - FEB. 8

Finally finished setting up my show with Barrister's Gallery owner Andy Antippas on Thursday. I think my work looks very much at home in this space. Looking forward to the opening tonight. The sun's out now, so with a little luck the weather will will warm up a bit and gallery visitors will be able to enjoy a glass of wine and mingle in the courtyard. The work is a mixture of drawings, paintings and sculpture (bronze, stone, and wood). I look forward to seeing many of you there. If you can't make the opening, the show runs through March 1.
Barrister's Gallery
2331 St. Claude Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70117
Opening: Feb. 8, 6 - 9 pm

MY ART SHOW AT BARRISTER'S

I am busy this week preparing for my solo show at Barrister's Gallery, which opens this Saturday, Feb. 8, 6 - 9 pm. The show will feature new drawings and paintings, along with some of my wood and stone sculpture. Keeping my fingers crossed for nice weather, which will allow visitors to linger and mingle in Barrister's courtyard over a glass of wine. If you're in the neighborhood, please come. And if you can't make the opening, the show runs until March 1.
2331 St. Claude Street
New Orleans, LA 70117
504-710-4506

NEW BOOK IN THE WORKS!

I have just finished working on the prototype of a new children's photo book. It traces the coming of age of a baby goose literally from egg to young adulthood. It tells a simple story in the goose's voice as he learns to walk, eat grass, swim, cross the road, and get along with other animals, all under the watchful tutelage of his Mom and Dad, with an extended family of grandparents, aunts and uncles looking on. Along the way, he has close encounters with squirrels, nutria and a very scary snake. My intention is to charm and amuse young readers (and their parents), but the book also contains some messages about families, nurture, growing up, and learning to function socially. The hero is a thoughtful and sensitive little goose who sometimes gets into trouble but always feels the love and protection of his family as he tries to figure out the world he was born into. Above all, he loves to have fun!

"SOME BIRDS"—THE FILM

My presentation and reading of "Some Birds" at Octavia books went well, thanks mainly to some very bright and attentive kids who interacted with me as I showed and talked about the photos in my children's book. They were especially impressed by the Anhinga spreading his wings like a vampire, but also liked the Whistling Ducks kissing each other on the beak and the ducks trying to read the "No Fishing" signs in Audubon Park lagoon. Thanks to the parents who brought these wonderful kids, and to all who showed up to chat and buy the book. And a big thank you to Tom Lowenberg and Judith Lafitte for welcoming me and "Some Birds" to Octavia books.

For a video recap of my presentation click here:

To buy now online:

http://www.octaviabooks.com/product/some-birds-sylvaine-sancton

See my website: sylvainesancton.com

TALKING ABOUT "SOME BIRDS" ON WWNO—FRENCH ACCENT AND ALL

My interview with Susan Larson on WWNO (89.9) aired Tuesday. Unaccustomed as I am by media appearances, I was s bit nervous at first, but Susan is a pro and immediately put me at ease. I was pleased with the final edited version, which eliminated all the hesitations and meanderings and made me sound more coherent than I probably am. But they couldn't change my French accent!

You can hear the interview on the WWNO site by following this link:
http://wwno.org/post/reading-life-atlas-birds-and-bird

(My segment starts at 10:04 into the show if you want to skip ahead to it.)

Please visit my website: www.sylvainesancton.com

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/SOME-BIRDS-by-Sylvaine-Sancton/277423012401411

BOOK EVENTS THIS WEEK

A big week for "Some Birds..."

• Last Saturday, I attended the Louisiana Book Festival in Baton Rouge and signed my book at three stands: Pelican Publishing, Alliance Française, and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.

• My interview with Susan Larson on WWNO (89.9) airs on Tuesday, Nov. 5, at 1:30 pm; Friday, Nov. 8, at 7:30 pm; Sunday, Nov. 10, at noon. Also available via podcast on wwno.org.

• Signing at Barnes & Noble, 3414 Hwy 190, Ste. 10, Mandeville, LA 70471, on Friday, Nov. 8, 3:00 - 5:00 pm.

• Presentation and signing at Octavia Books, 513 Octavia Street, New Orleans 70115, on Saturday, Nov. 9, 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm. 

(See invitation: http://www.octaviabooks.com/event/sylvaine-sancton-some-birds)

Please visit my website: www.sylvainesancton.com

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/SOME-BIRDS-by-Sylvaine-Sancton/277423012401411

WWNO INTERVIEW AND LOUISIANA BOOK FESTIVAL

New Orleans's premier book maven, Susan Larson, interviewed me for her "Reading Life" show on WWNO last Monday. We talked about my new book "Some Birds..." and my work as a sculptor and painter. The recorded interview will be broadcast on Tuesday 11/5 at 1:30; Friday 11/8 at 7:30 pm; and Sunday 11/10 at noon. (Also available as podcast at wwno.org.) This Saturday, 11/2, I will be signing "Some Birds..." at the Louisiana Book Festival in Baton Rouge at the Alliance Française stand, the Pelican Publishing stand, and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) stand. Hope to see some of you there!

To buy "Some Birds..." now online:
Pelican Publishing
http://www.pelicanpub.com/products.php?cat=1526&filter=sancton
Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Sylvaine-Sancton/e/B00E94R6U0/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

BOOK SIGNING OCTOBER 18

Preparing to give a presentation/signing of "Some Birds..." at Barnes & Noble, 3721 Veterans Boulevard, Metairie, LA 70002. Friday, October 18, 7 pm - 8:30 p.m. I will give an interactive presentation of the book and would love to have some book-loving kids to interact with—plus their parents and/or grandparents. 

"SOME BIRDS..." MAKES ITS MEDIA DEBUT!

Peggy Scott Laborde of WYES-TVrecommended "Some Birds..." on her weekly culture and entertainment show "Steppin' Out" on October 11. It was great to get some media attention as my photo book for children begins to make its way into the bookstores. Word of mouth reaction has been great so far. I have a number of signings and presentations lined up, and would love to see you at one of them if you're in the area. Here's the schedule so far:

Friday, October 18: Barnes & Noble, 3721 Veterans Blvd., Metairie, LA 70002—7pm-8:30pm

Saturday, November 2: Louisiana Book Festival on the Capitol mall in Baton Rouge, stand of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators—4-6 pm.

Friday, November 8: Barnes & Noble, 3414 Hwy 190, Ste. 10, Mandeville, LA 70471—3-5pm

Saturday, November 9: Octavia Books, 513 Octavia Street, New Orleans, LA 70115—3-5pm

Monday, November 11: Country Day Book Week, Metairie Park Country Day School, 300 Park Road, Metairie, LA 70005—10-11am

For more details on "Some Birds..." follow this link:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/SOME-BIRDS-by-Sylvaine-Sancton/277423012401411

Please visit my website: sylvainesancton.com

MY BOOK IS OUT!

I'm excited! My new children's photo book, "Some Birds..." (Pelican Publishing) has just come back from the printers and is available in a bookstore near you. I am preparing to do signings and presentations starting in early October. Please visit the Facebook page I have set up for "Some Birds...", befriend it, click the "like" button early and often, and tell your friends about it. Here's the link:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/SOME-BIRDS-by-Sylvaine-Sancton/277423012401411

In addition to information about the book, you will find details about my author events at local bookstores. Please check it out, and come to my events. Some little one(s) you know will be glad you did.

Here is a description of the book from Amazon:

Learn about the funny lives of birds! Each species of bird is different. Some birds like to float along, others like to splash, and some like to fly up high while others fly down low. The author's amusing photographs capture the quirky characteristics of birds at work and at play in the New Orleans area. Pelicans, cormorants, ibises, among other local birds are featured in this delightful picture book. The book also includes a brief index of the birds and their habitats.
...And from the back cover:

Some birds are shy, and some birds are show-offs. Some birds make friends, some birds are copycats, and some birds even try to read. But all birds are beautifully featured in this sweet and simple book designed for children. Read along and learn about the funny lives of birds found in the New Orleans area, including pelicans, wood ducks, egrets, anhingas, and herons. This entertaining and educational introduction to the fascinating world of birds includes a brief index of the birds, their habits, and their habitats.


You can find the book in local bookstores, or order it online at the following sites:


Pelican Publishing
http://www.pelicanpub.com/products.php?cat=1526&filter=sancton

Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Sylvaine-Sancton/e/B00E94R6U0/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

And please have a look at my website:

sylvainesancton.com

"Some Birds..."

I have just put the finishing touches on my new book Some Birds..., which Pelican Publishing is bringing out in the fall. It is a 40-page photo book for children about birds, their habits and habitats. I hope kids (and parents) will find it charming, and educational. It has certainly been an educational experience for me to observe and photograph birds over the past two years. I am not really  a birder, but find birds beautiful and fascinating. I also learned a lot about different bird species while doing research for the glossary. I'm now thinking about the next book, which will probably enlarge the subject matter beyond birds. Stay tuned...

check my website: sylvainesancton.com
and the book's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Some-Birds/277423012401411?skip_nax_wizard=true

Where are the Egrets?

I'm worried about the egrets. Last week, I was sure they were going to return to the island in Audubon Park as in years past. I spotted three  couples building nests and mating, so I was sure that baby egrets would be coming along in a matter of weeks. On arriving at the park last Tuesday, I was surprised by their absence from the island. Same thing on Wednesday. They seemed to have completely abandoned the site after beginning to nest and breed there. On Thursday, camera in hand, I ventured across the foot bridge and onto the golf course (which is allowed as long as the pedestrian takes full responsibility if he or she is brained by an errant golf ball). I was happy to find five egrets perched on the bare branches of trees on that side of the lagoon. But if they haven't abandoned the area, they have not yet settled into the nests that they had started to build on the island. I am still hoping to see them return en masse to that site. Stay tuned.

Have the Egrets returned?

While shooting birds in Audubon Park recently, I spotted four couples of great egrets. It was a welcome and unexpected sight. Until two years ago, the island in Audubon Park lagoon was covered this time of year with nesting egrets. Then a film crew arrived in the park with noise, bustle, and lights to shoot nocturnal scenes for Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter, one of the stupidest movies ever made and a well-deserved box office flop. All that commotion disturbed the sleep of the egrets, who apparently decided “there goes the neighborhood” and disappeared overnight. That was in 2011. I hadn’t spotted more than the occasional egret in the park since then and lamented their absence. I am hoping my sighting of the four couples signals a return en masse to their island.

visit my website: sylvainesancton.com

Back With my Birds

Now that our sculpture show is up and running, I am turning my attention back to photography. My

current project is a children’s book of bird photos for Pelican Publishing. I have been photographing birds in and around the New Orleans region for the past two years. The idea of the book is to show a wide variety of bird species doing interesting things, accompanied by short comments meant to appeal to children. My hope is to charm, entertain, and educate young children about bird habits and habitats. One thing I particularly enjoy about this project is getting out into fresh air and open spaces. I also feel a certain sense of kinship with the birds. I may be imagining things, but I have the impression they have gotten to know me and accept my presence.

Visit my website: sylvainesancton.com