CHRIS ARVIDSON words and art - COMING SOON TO YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD BOOKSTORE

Anna Gallant McIntosh and Chris at Latrina Ekphrastic at the Charlote Art League

Nobody Cares What You Think now available at Park Road Books in Charlotte. Come on out there Sunday, April 27, 2-3:00 p.m. for a reading and signing.

2024 Citizens of the Free Nation of Shabazz

Email me (see contact tab) for information on purchasing my art work. This piece Atlantic Beach Fall appears on the cover of "Nobody Cares What You Think" and is now SOLD.

Sat May 4 - Writing Workshop - Charlotte Mecklenburg Public Library

Writing to Art: Using Visual Images to Prompt Beginnings
Saturday, May 04, 10:00am–12:00pm
South County Regional Library
In this workshop, led by local artist and poet Chris Arvidson, we'll use art to create a series of promising starts to your writing. Writing to art or "ekphrastic" writing can help open avenues to your projects, spark surprising starts…

Registration closes May 1 at 12:00am (13 spots remaining)Register for event
Writing
Adults
New Adults (16-24)
Older Adults
Teens (12-18)

"Looks Like Trix #3" oil on board, 4x4" - painted in Benzie County, Michigan, last week of October, 2023. Private Collection.

Look at that list of fantastic artists and writers!

Leslie, Chris & Cole

Storied Charlotte Blog - 12 for 2022

I made Mark West's "Storied Charlotte" list of 12 of his favorite books of 2022! Click the link above to read Mark's list.

Winston-area friends -- come on out!

Park Road Books

Click here for Park Road Books - they have copies or you can order from them online.

Check out the newly designed Charlotte Readers Podcast with it's 301st episode out today. Landis Wade has added a couple of hosts and put together a great format for readers and writers to enjoy -- including book recommendations. I got more than one shout-out for The House Inside My Head in this episode, and you can hear me read two poems from the chapbook at 48:05. Thanks to Landis, Sarah & Mark for the support.

Finishing Line Press

Click here to order THE HOUSE INSIDE MY HEAD direct from the publisher.

Amazon also carries THE HOUSE INSIDE MY HEAD.

a box full of books title "The House Inside My Head" poems by Chris Arvidson

You can read about the Earth and Sky exhibit in this article from the Charlotte Observer. Clink the link below:

October 24, 2021, The Charlotte Observer

Photo: Jessica Wilson

My essay "Take Me Out to the Ballgame. Please" has been published in Nine: A Journal of Baseball History and Culture, Vol 28.1-2, from University of Nebraska Press.

Photo Cassondra Greer

Triplets at 6 months. It's hard being one of those in grandparent jail!

I loved these guys!

Click here to listen to the Charlotte Readers Podcast, featuring The Love of Baseball

The Charlotte Readers Podcast, with Landis Wade, Ellyn Ritterskamp, Caroline Kane Kenna, and Chris Arvidson. Recorded April 3, 2019.

Podcast

Click here to get to The Creative Nonfiction Podcast with Brendan O'Meara interviewing Chris Arvidson

A recent WV newspaper feature article Abiut the anthology “Unity” has been picked up across the country in major newspapers. Here it is: http://www.herald-dispatch.com/features_entertainment/wv-writers-collaborate-on-coming-together/article_f456fc15-546c-505a-bf1e-e3e8ac029e49.html

I have a poem in the book and it's available from Mountain State Press and Amazon.

https://inside.uncc.edu/news-features/2017-10-13/fall-classic—essayists-contribute-tribute-baseball

Click here for a story about the UNC Charlotte writers above who appear in The Love of Baseball.

CHRIS ON KNBR

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO CHRIS TALKING BASEBALL LOVE ON KNBR the San Francisco Giants broadcasting home.

And guess what happened yesterday? We had such powerful wind gusts, my flag AND the mount got yanked on the post here. Gotta go get a new mount today. Can't be without my Tiger flag! Photo Cassondra Greer

The first morning's picture -- off we went!

The beech wood along the trail.

Broadway Tower on The Cotswold Way.

Me and my Henry at the Roman Baths... in Bath.

At Elton House with Emma, Nick, Chris, Joan, Philip and Kevin.

Beth Macy and me. I can only aspire to be as badass as she.

Available now - Henry's new CD. CDBaby.com, Amazon, Spotify, iTunes.

COMING SPRING/SUMMER 2015

At Wordkeepers in August.

Henry in Jerusalem at the UNC Charlotte acheological dig site where we eventually worked three summers in the past decade.

Henry and James Tabor, with the rain and storm about to begin. This is the site of the Jesus Tomb which James writes about in his book "The Jesus Discovery"

KAKALAK FALL 2024

Very honored to be included in Kakalak's latest -- so many wonderful writers and artists to be seen with! https://kakalakanthology.com/news-events/

My studio at the Charlotte Art League

Across the Divide, oil on canvas. 20x24"

SOLD! a mixed paint and photo transfer piece called "Time to Go Home" - Contact me for information on mixed media/photo transfer pieces available for purchase chris@chrisarvidson.com.

Evolution of Words and Art at the Charlotte Art League March 10-April 6. See Charlotteartleague.org for gallery hours.

Thanks Goucher for featuring my poetry in the New & Notable section of this winter's magazine. Good company!

Painting with my sister Lorie out at St Pierre Road Arcdia Marsh property, part of the wonderful preserved forever lands of the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy. Click on the "ART" tab above to see other works from that day.

My poem "Dear Frances Crockett" leads off this wonderful double issue on women and baseball.

Charlotte Lit

I've just joined the board. First meeting for me, June. Let me know if you've got interest, suggestions, contributions to make to this fabulous organization.

Charlotte Writers Club

Venerable. Good contests. And some nice opportunities to read your work out loud to an audience.

Quick Links

E-mail the author

McFarland Publishers

Available Now! The Love of Baseball. You can also buy Reflections on the New River from the publisher by clicking here.

Wildacres Retreat

Check out Wildacres' website for more information on their wonderful programs.

See information about the Creative Non Fiction MFA program at Goucher College in Baltimore, Maryland.

Authors Guild

COMING SOON TO YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD BOOKSTORE

Expedition Day One

July 25, 2010

Tags: New River, conservation, expedition, kayaks, canoes, paddle

In the car on the way back to town, our NCNR intern Jasmene asked me if I would call the first day a "success." I had to think about the answer to that question for a second or two.

I was kind of in a gut-twisting moment when she asked. I had thoughtlessly taken the long way back to where we were dropping off cars and just realized I'd added at least 45 minutes to our time to get home. Following me in another vehicle, my husband had just noted this screw-up via IPhone. Read More

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Expedition Full Speed Ahead

July 18, 2010

Tags: New River, conservation, expedition, kayaks, canoes, paddle

I can't believe it's almost time. Time for another adventure down the New River -- about 235 miles worth. Holy crap. No matter what little thing I think up at 3 in the morning now, I'm sure to forget something that I needed to do!

It all starts on Saturday, July 24. That's not even a week Read More

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More Crossings

June 29, 2010

Tags: car travel, Family, bees, hospital, California

A Verlyn Klinkenborg piece in the NYT today ("Crossing Nevada") brought vivid memories to me of a very similar crossing for my family and me. It took place at about the same time as Klinkenborg details in his essay -- hell, we could have passed his car on the road.

We had a Ford Galaxie, too. It was a 1962 though, and I'm not sure what we were driving when we made our trip from California east. (The one we had was aqua blue, a convertible with a white interior and top. Sweet.) Read More

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Comments

Jun 30, 2010 6:10 AM EDT

Hey Chrissy, thanks for sharing your trip down memory lane. Enjoyed reading it and learned something new about you -- you were a California girl at one time!

- Kathy Finnie

Jun 30, 2010 7:43 AM EDT

We had a '57 Ford Fairlane 500, light blue & white. It never got to, but burned up roads connecting every lumber dealer north of Virginia and east of the Mississippi. When the engine died, Daddy had the local dealer drop in a used Thunderbird V-8. It became the dirt track champion of southern Wake County. They don't make cars like they used to!

- Mary O

Jun 30, 2010 8:06 AM EDT

Holy crap MOJ, are you sure you aren't from Detroit-a T-bird V8!

- Chris Arvidson

Jun 30, 2010 4:14 PM EDT

The stars in your dad's eyes, although a milder version, I imagine, remind me of The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. I loved the way her dad could make things so magical for her.

The closest I came to a "cross country" trip at that age was actually "cross state" from Asheville to Wilmington. And we were a Chevy family, at least until daddy got pissed off with a salesman at the dealership and went across the street and bought a Falcon (which later became the famed vehicle in which I learned to drive). But the remembered cross state trip was in a dark green 1955 Chevy (I'm older than you kids) with upholstery made of a basket-weave of multi-bright-colored plastic strands. I thought it was very grand. But the most remembered event of the trip was a whipping that daddy gave me and my brother (one of only two I can every remember from him) when we were completely unable to "settle down". After a couple of stern warnings, I remember hearing and feeling the gravel under the tires and I knew we were actually "in for it". Fortunately, the soothing calm of the ocean awaited.

- Lynda

Jun 30, 2010 4:21 PM EDT

Loved those mesh seats and loved those Falcons. My Jr & Sr HS friend Ricky's dad had a red Falcon. We got in big trouble putting major miles on that puppy.

- Chris Arvidson

Jul 01, 2010 12:26 AM EDT

Rhe sheer scale is what's mind-boggling. I'm pretty sure neither of my parents drove a car much further than Penrith or Carisle in their entire lives. (I have a disinct memory, age c 11 of my father driving us from one junction to the next of the M6 near Penrith - I'm pretty sure his one and only experience of motoryway driving). The nearest thing to the Grapes Of Wrath we ever exeprienced was a Sunday afternoon excursion to Keswick . . .

- Nick

Jul 01, 2010 2:58 AM EDT

Yes, but how far did he go sailing a ship?

- Chris Arvidson

Jul 01, 2010 4:24 PM EDT

Family Vacation memories from childhood...
Summer of 1962: My folks drove from Grinnell,Iowa to Disneyland with us three kids. I don't remember it but the story goes that Dad ran into a Grinnell High School classmate in the parking lot of Disneyland. It's a small world!
Summer of 1968: Five kids in a pick up this a camper on it.
The folks thought I was with the boys in the back. The boys thought I was with the folks in the front. I got left behind at a gas station in nowhere S. Dakota. But, I chased the truck to catch it before it got back out on the road! I remember jumping up to knock on the window of the truck because I was too short to be visible otherwise and I was able to get Mom's attention. I don't recall being scared. My truck chasing became the most repeated of all family stories!
Chris, thanks for making me think back to old crossings!

- Neev

Jul 01, 2010 5:00 PM EDT

Neev, this is TOO funny!

- Chris Arvidson

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Blocking the Notion of Blocking

May 15, 2010

Tags: writing, writers, writers block

At the On the Same Page Literary Festival last fall here in Ashe County, Jill McCorkle told us about the box she keeps in her office. It's her writing stash. The clips and drips of thought that might someday turn into stories - even novels - she deposits in a box of idea treasures. Read More

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May 15, 2010 4:18 AM EDT

...and I'll be there!! Can't wait. This winter I went to the keynote address of a writers conference in San Miguel. Barbara Kingsolver spoke of the same thing. I have a cd of he talk that I'll bring along. It's about the drips along the way of life that eventually lead to a book ... and how she files them away not knowing where they will go. On the other hand I do NOTHING without a deadline -- that's why ordinary things like dinner can be hours late!

- Christie

May 15, 2010 6:44 AM EDT

Chris, maybe I'm blocked, but it's more a problem of conflicting projects. I'm writing for the newspaper (no block there), setting up Quickbooks for 20 small businesses by year end, and trying to organize a large well-promoted craft fair for local vendors July 16-17. I keep telling myself things will get better when the craft fair is over , but then there's I've offered to do 501(c)(3) for two small organizations, one trying to spay-neuter animals on the reservation and the other trying to feed street people and provide meals, household necessities and social activities for low-income elders. Am I blocked? Or do I simply have a priority problem.

- Mary Olive

May 15, 2010 7:00 AM EDT

As long as you're ranting-you're not blocked!

- Chris Arvidson

May 18, 2010 4:58 PM EDT

The problem is just as you say, Chris: getting your butt in the seat and writing something. Sometimes anything is good, just to jumpstart the process. A friend who has written several books says he sometimes just sits there and types any nonsense that comes into his head, and eventually, what he really wants to say will pop up and, whoosh, he's off and running. But even if you try various things and they occasionally don't work, you have at least parked the butt and typed out Something. I've found that the trick is to make writing a steady, constant part of your everyday schedule. It doesn't have to be the same time every day (I dream of having that much discipline), but you can decide that at some point of every day, say, "before 3 o'clock," you're gonna write for X amount of time. Actually, for me, "every day" is a bit much, but definitely 5 days a week. Good luck with it -- the world needs more of your writing, so get off your lazy, good for nothing ass and PRODUCE, DAMN IT! (Sometimes you just have to get that jab to the ribs in order to get going.)

- Lil' Johnny

May 19, 2010 3:00 AM EDT

OK OK - I git it! Damn it. I hate it when other people besides me are right.

- Chris Arvidson

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EMMA EMMA EMMA EMMA

April 18, 2010

Tags: music, Emma Rugg, London, Hull, Enlgand, tour, Henry Doss, Peoples Music Awards

Many of you know our wonderful music friend Emma Rugg. Last night, she won the Pop artist award at The Peoples Music Awards in London. We are thrilled, thrilled, thrilled. Read More

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Two Days on the New River

April 7, 2010

Tags: New River, South Fork, North Fork, paddle, kayak, NCNR

Last Friday we hit the North Fork. George and Ben and I put in at the bridge off Deep Ford Rd. and went down to the bridge at Hwy 16. I went swimming, too, not on purpose... and it was cold, my friends. Trying to scooch in off the bank, ooops, put the nose right on in and filled up the boat in nothing flat. Read More

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A new essay

March 8, 2010

Tags: conservation, New River, kayak, train

Below is an essay I've submitted to the New River Writers in Blacksburg who are mounting an exhibit of photos and the writing they inspire. The photo to the right of this post is the photo I have written about below:

Under the Bridges
Wednesday, August 5, 2009

The morning started out refreshingly cool; a quick little shower had wet the pavement and then moved on. Beside the road, we found a small parking lot, the ubiquitous brown wooden government issue sign denoting the place to put in your boats. Claytor Lake Dam loomed industrially in the background. Read More

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And the sun came out...

February 7, 2010

Tags: snow, ice, sotrm, sun

And the sun came out and sparkled through the trees this morning. It was so outstanding I put on my coat and boots over my pajamas this morning to take the photos at right.

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More to Come

February 5, 2010

Tags: snow, sleet, storm, ice

I'm up this morning waiting for the dawn to break over Mt. Jefferson, but it's only going to be a brightening, rather than a dawn. Snow is falling heavily; my eyes are peeled for the flakes to turn into icy blobs, but it hasn't happened yet. Read More

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Bread and Milk?

January 29, 2010

Tags: snow, storm, mountains, food

Back in the early 90s, the region was struck with a once-every-100-year snowstorm. Its intensity and strength were unexpected. Elizabeth, who was about 10 at the time, Henry and I headed out of Charlotte on a Friday afternoon for a weekend getaway in Blowing Rock, a resort town a couple of hours away from Charlotte. While we expected to see a few flakes of snow, and that's why we went up there, it was March and no one, I mean no one, predicted the couple feet of snow that fell. Read More

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