4
KANSAN.COM
ARTS & CULTURE
Vanessa Carlton talks her new album, life on tour and future dreams
CAMERON MCGOUGH
@cammcgough
In 2002, singer and songwriter Vanessa Carlton released her unforgettable song "A Thousand Miles." The hit earned her three Grammy nominations and propelled her career forward.
After three subsequent albums, Carlton is back on tour with her newest album "Liberman," Carlton said she wrote the majority of the songs on this piano at the piano.
Each time she sat down to write, she was greeted with a "trippy, psychedelic" painting by her grandfather, which not only inspired the album's sound, but also the album name. Her grandfather's real name is Liberman.
With this new material, Carlton wanted to make music that
transcends the real world, and the sound she achieved does just that.
"I wanted to make a record that felt like it's escaped from reality a little bit," she said.
On tour, however, Carlton keeps her personal reality close. For the first time ever, she has a child to care for while on the road. Carlton's daughter, Sidney, is only nine months old.
"She's a trooper," Carlton said. "Having a daughter has been an incredible experience. I kind of understand what my mom went through a little better now."
Although Carlton has already worked with music royalty like Nicks, she said she still has dreams to work with one other artist in particular: Hans Zimmer.
Before Carlton became a mother, she toured with legendary singer and songwriter Stevie Nicks in 2005. Carlton and Nicks established a friendship after they met at The Record Plant recording studio years ago. In 2013, Nicks officiated Carlton's wedding with Deer Tick guitarist John McCauley.
Carlton's tour will make a stop in Lawrence at The Bottleneck this Friday. Carlton said that she has been very happy with her tour so far.
"I would like to learn how to score orchestral stuff for film. I would love to be an apprentice with Hans Zimmer," she said. "That's my dream."
"The shows have been really great, and we're playing most of the new record," she said. "We've really been able to kind of emulate 'live' what's going on in the record, I think, in a cool way. Hopefully people really enjoy it."
Singer and songwriter Vanessa Carlton will be in Lawrence on Friday at the Bottleneck as part of the tour for her new album, "Liberman."
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Marla Jackson, a Lawrence artist and quilter, is a featured guest at Slow Art Sunday at the Spencer Museum of Art
+
A guilt by Marla Jackson, "Mandela."
CONTRIBUTED
BRIANNA CHILDERS
RYAN WRIGHT
@breeanuhh3
@ryanwaynewright
Rogers was a slave who worked on the plantation and was an avid quilter. She was eventually brought to Lawrence during the Civil War by Union soldiers.
While visiting Wayside Rest Plantation in Harrisonville, Mo., visual narrative artist and quilter Marla jackson learned the story of Maria Martin Rogers.
rogers's story inspired Jackson's most recent quilt, "Mississippi Oakley," that will be the topic of discussion at this weekend's Slow Art Sunday, hosted by the Spencer Museum of Art.
The Spencer Museum of Art aims to slow down the usual fast-paced day with its Slow Art Sunday series.
Jackson is the CEO of Marla Quilts Inc. African American Museum and Textile Academy in Lawrence, and she has a program called "Beyond the Book" in which she works with students in town. Jackson, a Detroit native, teaches students African American history through art.
"Mississippi Oakley" is a duplicate of a quilt created by Rogers and features a mural of Rogers's face, and students dyed it. However, the actual quilt was made by Jackson.
"It's a part of my ancestry — almost a forgotten part — and it's why I reach out to students," Jackson said. "It's preserving the history, these quilts actually tell a story about the African
Jackson's interest in the art sparked after taking a quilting class in Lawrence. She said it reminded her of a quilt that rested on her great grandmother's bed. Jackson said she sees art as a therapeutic experience.
Kristina Walker, the director of education for the museum, said the program gives visitors a chance to take an in-depth look at one piece of art and spur discussion. The program aims to have visitors lead the conversation and have the featured artist answer questions that may arise.
"It's a strategy for looking at art and talking about it that allows visitors to lead the conversation," Walker said. "In everyday life, we tend to be in a big hurry, but art really requires that we slow down, look closely and see what's going on."
American life, from the times of African Americans were brought to America to today."
"I think people, when they are looking at art, how they conceive it is personal and healthy," Jackson said. "It heals and I tell a story through the fabric."
The program also gives the artist a chance to elaborate on their work.
"I really hope people understand slavery and that people were affected by it," Jackson said. "Coming into an environment that [Rogers] had never been and how this woman had to raise her children in Lawrence."
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Marla Jackson teaches history through art.
Edited by Derek Skillett
785-864-4358
SHIPPING CLERK: 10-15 hrs/wk,
flex hrs, $9-50/hr. Must have
computer skills, reliable transportation.
Mileage reimbursed. Involves
heavy lifting/moving books. Send
cover letter, resume & 3 references to:
JOBS
CLASSIFIEDS@KANSAN.COM
eeinfo@edgeenterprisesinc.com
Century School is Hiring Now!
Part time teaching positions flexi-
ble hours. For more information
call Sara at 785-832-0101
2013 Chevrolet Sonic LC with
9,899 miles. Blue, compact, 4 dr,
rdw, drive. $12,500-00 obo. Phone
or text 785-500-5645.
HAWKCHALK.COM
FOR SALE
ANNOUNCEMENTS
LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO LIVE?