Thursday, December 01, 2005

Back to Brooklyn

After two years of researching Irish mythology, legend, history and social habits
of the ancients, I am feeling a tug on my other roots firmly planted, not exactly in America, but a sort of country all it's own: Brooklyn.
More specifically Brooklyn of the 1950's and 6o's.

Right now I'm working on a YA book entitled: Public Art and The Butcher Boy
which documents the rise of one artist from the saw dusted floor of his father's butcher shop to semi-local fame (but very little fortune) as a public artist in NYC. (An actual biography of sculptor Rob Ressler whose most recent work is Beacon, a 25' bronze, the 9/11 Memorial for Brooklyn.) Well into chapter one
I now realize, that the story also profiles our beloved borough.

And as we all know-- details are everything. So, if you're from Brooklyn, or simply have an affinity (or passion) for the place, I'd like to hear from you.

Did you grow up (or spend time in) Brooklyn in the 50's or 60's? What neighborhood? What do you recall most vividly?

Thx for sharing!