Year End

January is a wonderful time to reflect on the past year and look forward to the adventure that awaits in the new. Thankfully, all the projects got out the door and we were able to leave for a week upstate in a lovely rental outside Rhinebeck. A great time to relax, rest and read. Some of the highlights of the trip were getting a chance to catch up on reading and running across Lara Tomlin's beautiful drawing of the late Robet Altman she did for The New Yorker--such grace of line, perfect likeness all tucked away in a neat little space, smaller but no less elegant than her usual larger work.

Reading mostly consisted of catching up on past New Yorkers, New York, GQ, Esquire, Vogue and the New York Times Magazine though I was finally able to read Maira Kalman's book The Principles of Uncertainty--a true treasure of sites and scenes that only Maira could bring us. Then I picked up R.O. Blechman's little book, Dear James: Letters to a Young Illustrator and fell in love with its simple but oh so true messages. I urge you if you haven't already, pick up a copy, it really speaks to the illustrator and creative person in all of us. Using his own personal experiences as well as quoting famous authors, scientists, teachers, artists and others about the common things we all encounter in our creative lives. A must-read.

Most of the time was spent on the couch in front of the fireplace but we did get a chance for a lovely lunch with Istvan Banyai and his charming wife at Gigi's in Rhinebeck. Lunch lasted all afternoon, from beers to whiskey-loaded tea, pizza to salmon--nice meal, great company and always a treat to get to spend some time with them both. We're used to seeing celebrities in Manhattan and Brooklyn but in walks Matt Frei the anchor from BBC World News America...in Rhinebeck, he looked like he was on vaca.

Looking forward to spending more time out of the city in the woods, it's a great way to recharge the batteries, to reflect and recount and plan for the future. What new exciting projects and promise await? Happy New Year to you All!