I’m thrilled to say that I will be working with She Writes Press as a hybrid publisher for my book about Thomas Mann’s Lost Diaries, a creative historical fiction novel based in 1938 New York City.
Stay tuned for its release in late 2027!
I’m so proud and excited to share that my essay “Because the night belongs to Mothers” won 16th out of nearly 800 submissions for the 2024 Readers’s Digest Personal Essay competition. Stay tuned for its publication in June. #readersdigest #writingcompetions #mothers #parents #pattismithofficial #becausethenightbelongstolovers #parentsmagazine #brenebrown #10000maniacs
James,
by Shiva Jlayer 2023
@paintings_shiva_jlayer
I will never tire of looking at the deliciousness of his face. I am caught in the unknown territory between who I was and who I am becoming as a mom. A pioneer’s woman. — Hope Cotter
“I love you more than my own skin and even though you don’t love me the same way, you love me anyways, don’t you? And if you don’t, I’ll always have the hope that you do, and i’m satisfied with that. Love me a little. I adore you.”
― Frida Kahlo
Winston by Shiva Jlayer, 2023
@paintings_shiva_jlayer@morpethcontemporaryart
Winston, my son.
My Valentine.
You are one of my greatest teachers.
I love you beyond this metaverse.
I want you on your worst day
And best moment of
pretending to be real yourself
Pretend to be My Real Self
By Hope Cotter
The tornado was approaching.
I was not prepared.
I opened the door.
You came in with oatmeal
in your hair from morning
two sticks as swords
looking like devil horns
out of your Superman Backpack
which held a day-old apple
as a proud ninja you declared
war on the order in my house
I put important things up
out of the way of your winds
and hid grandma’s china
in case we ever sat
for a proper meal
but like any weather
change is certain.
It’s me, Mom,
I was just pretending.
I know, sweetheart, but
we can’t pretend forever.
Mom, can I pretend to be
my real self?
The Three Graces came to me tonight in celebrating the art and intellect of opera vocalist Barbara Strozzi, a revolutionary female singer songwriter of the 17ty century, transporting us to Venice to discuss gender and sexuality. Author Colby Cedar Smith who penned The Siren and The Star published by Simon and Schuster discussed the singer with Princeton University’s scholar Wendy Heller.
And the best question was:
How do we create art that lasts?
The best questions are never answered.
Only felt.
@colby_cedar_smith@princetonuniversityartmuseum@barbarastrozz__@simonandschuster
Community curiosity brought The Lawrenceville School students over for a learning-in-place field trip to Ralston Castle.
I gave a tour of the house and talked about its construction and unique place in history. Its original owner, the intrepid Webster Edgerly held a vision for a utopic Eden-society and health club, led by fiber (breakfast cereals), clean water (stills), and personal magnetism. He wrote over 80 books on the these topics and his company was merged with Purina eventually.
Loving learning more about local lore
✨✨
@hopewellvalleyhistoricalsoc
Let it Sink In, by Alyssa Monks
This painting —
This is the thing for me right now.
I will look at this work of art until
I have the relief of finding the shape of who I am becoming
I get to ask — until I exhaust the question — what connection to it makes me fall apart with tears every time I look at it?
A desire for what’s true
A hunger for a more beautiful world
An infinite ache inside
I’m on my way — Let it sink in.
@alyssamonks
Dear 2026- Please be as good as this past week. Uncorked some fun on New Year’s Eve. Sugar, disco balls, karaoke. I started my new role as a member of our public Board of Education. And yesterday, I witnessed a beautiful play — Liberation — at the James Earl Jones Theater. A evocative production I highly recommend. It reminds us what binds us. Community and the courage to be ourselves.
A quick reunion with intelligent & elegant Eileen this week.
I am thankful to know her grace, fire and grit for academic teaching and learning.
Oh yeah — and it was a FABULOUS fundraiser!
/eye/parties/new-york-academy-of-art-take-home-a-nude-party-1238426136/me nw hw
Hope, 2025 by Will Cotton
If you want to see more of Will Cotton’s artworks, come to the New York Academy of Art fundraiser on December 15th at Phillips or visit Gallerie Templon. Thank you to the art patron who commissioned this work!
@willcottonnyc@galerietemplon@newyorkacademyofart@figurative_art
