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email: info@maynarddixondoc.com.
presskit : https://www.withoutabox.com/
Reviews:
"BRILLIANTLY DONE!"
This Spur Award-winning documentary is simply outstanding, a vivid look
at one of the West's great painters. Even if you're not familiar with
the work of Maynard Dixon, this documentary is worth watching. The narrative
is superb, and the subject is an artist whose story had to be told. A
first-rate film!
-Johnny D. Boggs, Santa Fe, NM
"A RARE JOURNEY!"
If this is a first introduction to this brilliant artist, how lucky is
the viewer to meet Dixon this way. The film rolls out like a dream revealing
the breadth of a man's life, his range of vision and depth of soul,as
well as his passion for place.
McKay has exceeded the biographical film format. Somehow,this production
raises the bar above any similar effort, in part due to the soundtrack,
narration, script and sheer power of the sequence of images and intensity
of the editing.A wonderful film to see, to own and to give.
-C.J. Brown "Corinne", Denver, Co.
"EXTRAORDINARY DOCUMENTARY"
This is an extraordinary documentary about an extraordinary American artist.
Jayne McKay's presentation is especially effective for several reasons.
First, the film is remarkably rich in presenting visual material. Dixon's
art--his oils, his watercolors, his sketches, and his murals--have a distinctive
and powerful aesthetic appeal. McKay's inclusion of historical photographs,
contemporary photographs, historical video footage, and contemporary video
footage all help the viewer better understand the world in which Dixon
lived. Second, Diane Keaton and cowboy singer Don Edwards provide professional
and compelling narration. Third, Grammy-winner John McEuen of the Nitty
Gritty Dirt Band wrote the accompanying soundtrack--one that is both soothing
and sublime. Fourth, the documentary includes video interviews with Maynard
Dixon's two sons and granddaughter; these interviews give ART AND SPIRIT
an added intimacy and bring the viewer closer to Maynard Dixon himself.
Finally, an perhaps most important, MAYNARD DIXON: ART AND SPIRIT is wonderfully
successful in presenting not only Maynard Dixon's art, but also in presenting
Maynard Dixon the artist, Maynard Dixon the man, and the world--or worlds--in
which Maynard Dixon lived.
Although we will never be able to fully understand the Maynard Dixon,
this documentary--wonderfully written, visually rich, and emotionally
intimate--probably brings us as close as we can hope to get to understanding,
in a sublime and romantic sense, his art and spirit.
-Francis Flavin, Washington, D.C.
"IMPORTANT"
Jayne Mc Kay's " Maynard Dixon: Art and Spirit " is a beautiful
and entertaining film, but more important it is a truthful and informative
look at a pivotal individual, not only in the area of Western Art but
as an important American artist in general.
Jayne approaches Maynard as a complete person, not just through his art
works. The creations ( paintings, sketches, drawings, prints, etc. ) are
shown in the context in which he lived and worked combined with a wonderful
collection of personal period photography from childhood to his death.
You don't just look at his life, you experience it with him.
The combination of powerful imagery, saturated with color, and a stimulating
sound track helps to give a greater understanding of this sometimes flamboyant,
moody, complex personality: Maynard Dixon, one of America's more inspirational
masters. This film goes beyond the world of art; it is an important "must"
for anyone with any interest in early 20th century American history.
- Maurine St.Gaudens, Pasadena, Ca.
"FASCINATING DOCUMENTARY ABOUT A MASTERFUL AMERICAN PAINTER
OF THE WEST"
This beautiful film offers an insight into the artistic passion that
set Maynard Dixon apart from the American painters who merely trailed
along under the influence of the European Impressionists.
As an artist, I've long admired Maynard Dixon's masterful ability to paint
both luminous skies, and the play of shadows across broad landscapes.
Dixon captured a tangible essence of the American West, but his appeal
goes far beyond that of the regional painter. Maynard Dixon Art and Spirit
offers the audience the opportunity to see a sumptuous number of master
works from private and museum collections.
Just as priceless are the interviews with Maynard Dixon's family. Dixon
was Dorothea Lange's first husband. In filmed interviews, their two sons
and Dixon's granddaughter from his first marriage recount their memories.
Jayne McKay's biographical script weaves Dixon's complicated life together
into a fascinating story. The Western Writers of American awarded the
film Best Documentary of 2008.
I love the soundtrack. The talented John McEuen performs his evocative
score on a variety of traditional instruments. McEuen brings life to this
fascinating documentary about an artist who, during the first half of
the 20th century, made himself at home both in the sophisticated Bohemian
world of San Francisco, and whenever possible, painted his canvases while
he lived with traditional Native Americans.
This film captures the essence of Maynard Dixon's life in a way that no
book can.
-Laurel Porter, Minneapolis,Mn.
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