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Coffeeshop Friends & Just Plain Friends..!

What refreshing times gathering around 'watering holes' of any kind can be..!

The coffeeshop arena has afforded me the opportunity (not only to draw cartoons and do Watercolor sketches, but) to meet so many nice people--i.e.: 'nourishing personalities'.

I think of so many--including Jeanette, Lavon, Kim, Pam, Jennifer, Gail, Royce, George, Matt, Oren, Kirk, Phyllis, Michael, Susan, Roken, David, Joe and Marcia, Don and Mary, Emmanual, Jason--and so many of the nice baristas and counter-servers at Uncle Harry's, Starbucks--and especially at Panera Bread..!

My great friend, Earl Templeman (18-wheel-trucker-Nazarene-minister--who is an outstanding biblical dramatist--trained by Charlton Heston's personal drama coach, Ralph Rogers) and I have enjoyed many inspiring times in coffeeshops.

Craig Easter, master artist-potter, another great and dear friend, coach, and encourager, and I have occupied many a restaurant or coffeeshop booth talking about the philosophy of art and doing social commentary.

Pastor Tom Sims, creative Virginian, is a master storyteller, writer, king of bloggers ("Dream Factory"), and a fantastically interesting coffeeshop conversationalist.

Michael Siler, Niels Werner and other dear coffeehouse pals, with whom I have emptied many a cup of fine Arabica gourmet brew, while discussing Christian Theology, principles of leadership, creative writing, Music, Psychology, and humorous social commentary, have been real encouragers to me in so many ways.

Dear friends like Don and Mary Leming--who've emigrated with me to Panera Bread--my new writers colony--always spice up my Psalm 23 retreat.

Fellow coffeeshoppers have inspired me to market my cartoons, music, art, and to finish my novels and screenplays--(versus just dreaming about doing it!).

Many great things and fine friendships have emerged from the 'perfect blend' of coffeeshop conversation.

George Fragos is a brilliant font of cyber-knowledge, personable, and a consumate coffeeshop aficionado--without whom Uncle Harry's would seem vacuous and incomplete.

The coffeeshop atmosphere can be a non-alcoholic "Cheers milieu" ("...where everybody knows your name") where authentic rapport can be established (unlike a barn-full-of-strangers mega church--Ha..!).

The coffeeshop can offer a setting where one can find nourishing folks (I believe there are only two kinds of people in the world: 'nourishing'--nice folks--and 'toxic'...I tell employers, "Hire 'nice'...because you can't 'teach nice'...you can't 'train nice' into folks).

Of course (study the history of human civilization) the proverbial barbarians are (always) at the gates. At (fortunately few) coffeeshops, the 'rough crowd' might show up after 7pm. Or there might be an occasional philistine behind the counter or wearing a manager badge and Aztec affect and murdering the Lord's English in the process.

But, of course, one mustn't fret over the Culture War in Society. Perhaps, in some aspects, there has already been a Coup--no longer a War--because the inmates can, at times, seem to be running the asylum. But the kingdom of God is always winning--and the Midianites will always eventually turn on each other..(the Gideon Principle i call it)..!

But, so far, that is the Exception not the rule. The coffeeshop remains a most satisfactory gathering spot for the civil, sane, and sensible (who're not recovering from ten years of Meth, ballistic-decibal headbanging, or a life of crime riding with the Hell's Angels).

ARE THERE STAGES TO BUILDING SOCIO-PSYCHOLOGICAL RAPPORT..?

To yours truly, the Social Steps seem to be:

(1) pleasant non-verbals: Friendly smiles, good eye-contact, greetings, introductions, handshakes:

(2) Discerning trustworthiness, light self-disclosures, attempts at rapport-building, mutual inquiries regarding the other(s);

(3) More self-disclosures, more rapport-building, attempts at humor; (4) Feeling more secure regarding openness, vulnerability, self-disclosure, and 'show-n-tell';

(5) Testing for the other's ability to think abstractly, to grasp more subtle or profound humor, attempting to discern the other's World View, thinking, and Belief System;

(6) Established trust, choice whether to 'bond' in friendship, to offer more in-depth 'show-n-tell', to have more flexibility in interaction, to enjoy optimal freedom with humor and joking--generally anxiety-free interaction and trust.

(Some ideas excerpted from: "St.Arbucks: Perfect Blend For Latte Villagers" Copyright 2007 by Philip C. Brewer--unpublished manuscript)

The Splice of Life

This is the fantastic flood wall facing the Ohio River in Paducah, Kentucky. Beautiful murals adorn this wall in Lowertown, the part of Paducah nearest the river, where some 60 artists have established a model for inner city restoration anywhere. Old houses and buildings have been (hosted by the city fathers) renovated into art studios, living spaces, and gallerys open to the public. The Paducah Arts Program is gaining national attention. I spent a week there in 2006 and met many fine artists who graciously welcomed me (and invited me to their wine and cheese tastings).


My dear friend, Earl Templeman and I are enjoying a steak dinner in the highest town in America, Leadville, Colorado--over 10,000 feet elevation (I could feel my arteries hardening). Earl is a gifted biblical dramatist--tutored by Charlton Heston's personal trainer, Ralph Rogers. Earl's powerful presentations include The Apostle Paul, John the Revelator, the Psalmist David, and the Prophet Isaiah.


Years ago, I scribbled this 'mirror poem' on a coffeeshop serviette:

The Splice of Life

Apartness
Is a lonesome state,
So, gregarious creatures
Congregate
To avoid the void of it.

Though togetherness
May accentuate
Nefarious features
Of associates
No joy's devoid of it.

--P.C. Brewer

Friday Night Clog Dancin' at the Old Country Store in Floyd, Virginia..!

You're Sipping on Holy Grounds...

All the great awakenings took place outside the walls of the local church, and outside the walls of papal institutions, liturgical traditions, denominations, and organized religion. The New Testamant was written in Koine Greek--the street language of the common guy--like the typical latte villager we see these days in coffeeshops--in the marketplace. The public marketplace, the agora, is really where things happen socially and conversationally. Years ago I began enjoying conversational prayer with people I had established rapport with in coffeeshops--especially in the Fig Garden Village area of Fresno, California.

Occasionally, it has been my privilege to be given permission to pray with and pray for folks. Some have had emotional struggles, or relational issues, or financial or employment problems, or physical maladies. Some were aware of profound ultimate concerns, ontological issues, or wanted to discuss spirituality.


I've always received as much as I've tried to offer to others. Sometimes it takes several conversations to build enough of a relational and friendship bridge so that we can feel comfortable to segue into personal issues.


Many people have touched my life and enriched me educationally, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually--far more than I have them.

I always consider it a great honor to be invited into someone's life on a deeper and more personal level. Of course, I don't try to be the answer man. (I wonder if finding the right question to ask may be more important than having all the answers..?)




So many fun experiences occur in the agora that I can't imagine fearfulness and phobias associated with it--yet there are folks who appear to suffer from fear of crowds--or are carrying around in their purse or wallet the diagnosis of Agoraphobia, an anxiety or panic disorder.

I find the many 'phobias' listed in psychiatric tomes interesting.

In fact, a few persons even struggle with Phobophobia, the fear of fear.

(I wonder if anyone wrestles with Phobophobophobia, the fear of the fear of fear?)

My motto is: "A fiend in need is caffeined indeed!" (I'm debating whether to stencil it on a t-shirt--with a coffee cup picture?)

But while scribbling out my cartoons on any legal writing surface on hand I often experience a reverence for God and a deepening respect and empathy with my fellow brew-tasters.

These are folks practicing the art of conversation, some authentically commnicating, some perhaps enjoying the beginnings of koinonia and even communion--the rarest form of interpersonal communication--man to man and man with God.

Of course, there are always the studying ones, the readers. And the sketchers like me--but we're still here, as whole persons, individuated, but nevertheless part of the group, of this slice of life.

The latte village, I think, could be the perfect place for the troubled person struggling with the fusion-vs.-individuation polarity--the fear of engulfment on the one hand in tension with the fear of abandonment on the other.

You can sit there, drawing, or reading a good novel--alone--but not quite--around other people--connected in a sense to other living, breathing, humans. Maybe a smile, a greeting, or friendly nod is all the rapport-building you need for the time being.

But if the coffeeshop you land in is blessed with friendly management, sociable counter people, and at least a few substantive (non-shallow) personalities who possess a bit of empathy (and who're not rapport-impaired forrest gumps or meth-head bikers with deer-caught-in-the-headlights stares--ha!) you'll find the ambience a conducive arena for a Bible study or perhaps some officing.

Coffeeshops are ubiquitous nowadays--and one may become your favorite island of sanity. From the daily grind--to holy grounds...
__________________________________
Copyright 2008 by Philip C. Brewer All Rights Reserved

Sometimes Latte Village 'Fine Art' Also Erupts..!

A fellow counselor and sweet friend, Laura, and I used to sit at Lovers Point in Pacific Grove, California, across from the Tinnery Restaurant and paint Plein Air while chatting with tourist onlookers. It truly was Lovers Point because there were so many smiling, affectionate-looking folks strolling around--not only basking in the Sun's rays and inhaling the delicious ocean breeze--but viscerally enjoying each other's presence. I so thoroughly relished this long day with my friend Laura that I almost over-worked this painting--using transparent watercolors at first and then finishing with opaque gouache.


Many years ago i went to Colombia, South America and while there purchased a collection of real butterflies mounted and pressed under a glass display mold. I used some of these as models for this fantasy watercolor piece on full sheet cold press Arches watercolor paper. (I have a secret technique to achieve this effect with transparent watercolor.)


I lived in England six months and sketched many beautiful places. This is Bath, England. Scaffolding and renovation apparati covered the entire facade and I sketched imaginatively how it was going to look when completed.


In the garden behind the house in England where I stayed once there was a little garden house with this wonderful many-times-painted window. I sketched it several times while I was there, but the sketches were later water-damaged.. Years later, at Fig Garden Village in Fresno, California, I re-painted the little window from memory while several good friends watched.


I took trains just about everywhere I went in England, Scotland, and Wales. This is Lavenham--I took a train from London, found a little bed 'n breakfast, and, after some 'bangers 'n bloaters' the next morning, I sketched for a day. I enjoy the juxtaposition of strcutrues from varying 'eras' and architectural periods--which you can so often see in the United Kingdom.


I visited The French Quarter in New Orleans (years before Hurricane Katrina!) and sketched many local musicians--including the famous Preservation Hall Jaaz Musicians. Back in my studio in California I turned my rough sketches into (usually transparent watercolor on 300 lb cold pressed paper) paintings.


I liked sketching the fig trees in Fig Garden Village (a favorite hangout) in Fresno, California. I've met so many wonderful people there. Was Fig Garden Village my parish..? So many dear friends..!




It was my privilege, in Lynchburg, Virginia, in 2006 to enjoy a delightful visit with Eldon and Georgie Easter. Sitting at Georgie's dining room table, one afternoon while talking with Eldon's son and my good friend, Craig, I looked over his head and painted this quick study of Georgie's buffet. (I intended to give her the painting before I left--perhaps I can give it to her in person when I move East!)

"St.Arbucks"

Often while enjoying the atmosphere of a nice coffeeshop I am tugged from the vulgar up to the beautiful, from the trivial to the profound, and away from that which is profane up to that which is sacred.


The coffeeshop atmosphere often feels like a sanctuary to me in which there is a real sense of koinonia (fellowship and friendship). Matthew, a twenty-four year-old Starbucks barrista, asked me, "Are you the priest for our Starbucks here..?" I replied, "Yes, this is my parish and my ministry is called, "St.Arbucks."

'St.Arbucks'(TM) became, that day in 2001, the name of what I do in coffeeshops--which is mainly drink coffee, draw cartoons, research the Net, and do TeleCoaching with my life coaching clients online--but also people-watch and meet interesting folks...!

Some of the friends I've made are from places like Armenia, Lebanon, Iran , and India.

Three are from India--two men and a woman--one of the men and the woman, converts from Hinduism to Christianity. The beautiful woman, whom I met in Burgess Hill, Sussex, England, was a Brahman and told me she had been disowned by her family when she became a Christian.

The other gentleman is a Muslim from near Kashmir, loves my art, and after I gave him a signed print of my Preservation Hall Jazz painting, brought me a box of fine cigars!

After enjoying fellowship with the two who were former Hindus, I was inspired (hearing the tribulations and trials of those caught up in the traditions of Eastern Mysticism) to write this comical piece of verse on a coffeeshop serviette.

THAT--WHY KRISHNA CRACK UP

Can't hear sound of one hand clapping,

Then reincarnation ruin my napping:

Can't see return like fly for slapping:

That--why Krishna crack up!

Can't find contentment with Om-Om-Om,

Then get upstage by Man from Rome;

Can't get answer when I call home:

That--why Krishna crack up!

Can't figure out chant for Nirvana;

Then guru poach my marijuana;

Can't forget girl name Donna:

That--why Krishna crack up!

Can't guess spelling of transcendental,

Then déjà vu make me tempermental;

Can't find market for cosmic rental:

That--why Krishna crack up!

Can't heal wart from Ganges dipping,

Then my cobra start to nipping;

Can't keep bed of nails from ripping:

That--why Krishna crack up!

Can't stand bull dung in my hair,

Then pagan gods laughing at my prayer;

Can't get good karma anywhere:

That--why Krishna crack up!

Can't pry window to Eternal Now,

Then someone barbecue sacred cow;

Can't find Why of life-or How:

That--why Krishna crack up...
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Copyright © 2003-2008 by Philip C. Brewer

CARTOONS: Have Coffee and Serviette: Will Doodle..!

COFFEESHOP CARTOONING: RAPPORT-BUILDING. The quickly-but-skillfully-executed cartoon or caricature functions well as a conversation-starter in the 'agora' (marketplace) and especially in the contemporary 'latte village'. I've built many a (even though at first fragile and tentative) 'relational bridge' via someone's interest in one of my cartoons.

EDITORIAL FUN. A caricature of a US president, the state's governor, the mayor of the city, or an international figure never fails to get a rise out of someone around me. During election time or even (cautious) satire concerning The War on Terror, I find heightened interest, response, and reaction.

FROM BUSKERS TO SIDEWALK TROMPE L'OEIL. The public loves to observe an artist-at-work--especially if you're close enough to the queue to be noticed. And an accomplished cartoonist can harnass the attention of a caffeine aficionado. While s/he is standing in line for a No Foam Soy Americano, I catch many a glance. Once you sense you're being watched, a nod and warm smile will often provide a modicum of rapport which may lead to a 'How's it going?" or a comment about the art.

COFFEESHOP CARTOONING: PEOPLE-STUDY. I also enjoy (non-rhetorical) cocooning in a corner seat--withdrawing a little into my cartoon world. While relaxing with a breakfast cup of French Roast, the chatter at the next table, the posturing, the gestures, facial expressions, culture and world-view of my neigbors evoke and inspire cartoon ideas.

ART REFLECTS (OR SATIRIZES) LIFE. Swift, confident strokes with a felt tip sketch pen on a handy serviette or a sketch pad then illustrate the urban myth, folk logic, or cliche I've just overheard. Recently, for example, an absolutely stunning twenty-something brunette, sitting two tables down, caught my attention when she raised her voice and said to her tablemate, "If you see anything else you want--just ask for it..!" A cartoon quickly flowed from my pen!

SIDE BENEFITS (NO PUN INTENDED!). Mealtime sketching in restaurants and coffeeshops also helps me eat less and more sensibly. I pause a lot between bites and sips and feel more full and satisfied sooner.

CHEAP THRILLS. Yeah--just sit me down in a pleasant coffeeshop, hand me a Vente-With-an-Extra-Shot and a couple of napkins--and hang on while I'm seized with creative inspiration..!

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