Paint splatters & important matters ⭐
new people | new places | new things.
February greetings! In the last week, I've moved out of my former studio/workspace and into a new one. I don't know what I'd do without a quiet place to work and think--it has been a lifesaver in this pandemic. My heart goes out to all of the folks crammed in tiny apartments with no space, time or energy to spare. When school and childcare return in full swing, SO WILL MY SOUL.
No rants, all raves:
1. I finally started watching THE MANDALORIAN, and this comic should tell you how it makes me feel. This series does so much with spare-to-no dialogue; BUFFY, MR. ROBOT and other shows have explored this concept in standalone episodes, but MANDALORIAN takes it to new, quiet heights.
2. I binged THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT. Director/actor Marielle Heller won my heart with her performance as Beth's adoptive mother, Alma. I adore Heller's first two films, the adaptation of Phoebe Gloeckner's THE DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL and CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME?, which stars Melissa McCarthy.
3. THE WATCH is a new BBC America sci-fi series that offers fun escapism for a frigid quarantine. Based on characters created by Terry Pratchett, it follows a strange, lovable of group of werewolves/trolls/misfits who just might save the world. See it on Amazon Prime.
4. L.A. art museum The Broad has released three great YouTube videos about Jean-Michel Basquiat's musical influences. The first one (produced by Quincy Jones) focuses on jazz/bebop, the second delves into punk and no wave and the third covers hip-hop.
5. Artist/musician/actor/philosopher (and former Basquiat pal) John Lurie has a new series on HBO Max called PAINTING WITH JOHN. It's beautiful and meditative, and you can see the first episode for free.
6. This week I've been listening to I TOLD YOU SO, the new record from the Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio. Start with their cover of "Careless Whisper."
7. You can't go wrong with a podcast interview between comedian (and champion ice cream dancer) Fortune Feimster + The Indigo Girls.
8. Expert interviewer David Marchese talked to Jodie Foster, and there are so many footnotes.
9. My favorite tribute to Dustin Diamond came from Paul Reubens, who worked with him on BIG TOP PEE-WEE.
10. I added tunes to my Best of 2021 playlist, including new releases from Zella Day (feat. Weyes Blood) and Widowspeak. Thanks for digging my 1981 and 1986 playlists -- another one is coming soon!
11. And finally, stay tuned for details about a Feb. 13 Nightwork "Holiday Squares" livestream with many special guests. Past shows have featured MC Serch, Jill Sobule, Keith Knight and Judah Friedlander. You can see all of the Nightwork Studio videos I make with Dean Haspiel on YouTube and Facebook (and subscribe so you don't miss any).
That's it for now! Shout and let it all out at whitmath@gmail.com. Read my daily diary comics and more for $2/month at patreon.com/whitneymatheson. Thanks for reading, and I encourage you to keep those holiday decorations up as long as you want.
Waxing and waning,
Mrs. Magoo
"Age is just a number."
- Cicely Tyson (1924-2021)
Reach out! Find me on Twitter, Instagram and at whitmath@gmail.com.