Dear Artist,

Apart from the fact that it was always a beautiful day in the neighborhood, Fred Rogers taught us a lot of subtle and valuable lessons. His place was generally tidy. He got ready for what he was going to do. He took his time. He showed us how to be gentle. He liked people and animals. He made it okay to be curious.

Underneath that red zip-up cardigan there was always a passionate message. Journalist Eve Johnson, who came to Mister Rogers as a young woman during the stress of her mother's early dementia, wrote: "He brought luminaries such as Itzhak Perlman and Yo Yo Ma on the program, but it wasn't to expose children to classical music, or ask them to marvel at the great musician's skills. Fred would try playing the cello too, earnestly, with enormous pleasure, but not well. And then he would turn to Yo Yo Ma and ask if he always knew how to play the cello, only to establish, once again, that none of us are born knowing anything much, but that if we try, and practice, we can get better at whatever we choose to do."

Fred didn't project himself as a TV personality--he wanted to be just a friendly neighbor who came in the door. He was the real goods, the genuine article. He taught children--and adults--how to share, how to deal with anger, even how not to fear the bathtub by assuring them that they'll never go down the drain. He told children that they would always be okay. He showed them how to be quiet for ten seconds. He deconstructed stereotypes. He made homes safe for creativity, for listening, for loving--all good things for artists, young and old.

In our family I'm sure he was responsible for a great deal of our collective mentoring. By the time they were in their early teens, David, James and Sara were teaching: guitar, sailing, art. Once, on our summery patio, I watched Sara guiding a half-dozen madly crayoning tykes. She was singing to them: "I like to take my time."

Marking the 25th anniversary of his television show in 1993, Rogers said, "It's not the honours and not the titles and not the power that is of ultimate importance. It's what resides inside."

Fred Rogers died of stomach cancer last week at the age of 74. Our neighborhood's not going to be the same.

Best regards,

Robert

PS: "There is no one in the world exactly like you, and people really can like you just the way you are." (Fred Rogers, 1928–2003)

Esoterica: ‘Mister Rogers' Playbook' explores the nature of play, why children play, and why play is such an important part of their development. Also more than 300 activities, games, and projects are included to help children and adults play together, and encourage their self-expression, curiosity, and creativity. "Rogers could fill gallery walls, floor to ceiling, with the artwork rendered with crayon, construction paper and raw enthusiasm." (Barbara Vancheri)

If you would like to see selected correspondence relating to the last letter "The buddy system in art," please go to http://www.painterskeys.com/clickbacks/buddy.html

The following are selected responses to the above and other letters. Thanks for writing rgenn@saraphina.com

Karen Phinney, karphin@ns.sympatico.ca

Mister Rogers gave children a precious gift when he told them they were OK just as they are, and that everyone is different. Today more than ever, there seems to be among young people, a fear of being outside the group. But creativity comes from following our own inner voice, and becoming "who we are meant to be…"

Mary Jean Mailloux, Oakville, Ontario, Canada, mmailloux1@cogeco.ca

Yes, it is a sad day in the neighborhood. I used to think that Fred Rogers was patronizing to children. (After all, nobody could be that nice, that kind, that understanding). After many years of personal therapy, I learned that it is hard to let yourself be loved and that Fred Rogers was genuine. When my children were younger we watched a lot of Mr. Rogers' neighborhood together and I continued to heal, and we learned together how to deal with life's vagaries and count our blessings.

Julie Rodriguez Jones, San Pablo, CA, Julie@ArtFromTheSoul.com

I remember watching Mister Rogers with my son almost 17 years ago thinking that even back then it was the best children's programming on television. I grew up with Howdy Doody and Crusader Rabbit. No comparison. Mister Rogers explained life to children and encouraged them to explore through play a whole manner of arts and activities. He was an amazing human being whom we should be trying to emulate as the arts will only live on through children. Those of us that have web sites can help encourage children to draw by sharing their work. A few kudos can do some amazing things for kids. I started featuring young artists a while back and love showing kids' art. It is simple to do. (A few pictures, a brief write up and a permission slip) Here is the art of a high school youth who is my current "Featured Young Visual Artist:" http://www.artsoul.homestead.com/ChrisTucker.html

(RG note) Myriam Lipson is also doing something similar at: http://www.artotake.homestead.com/Rossart.html

David Lloyd Glover, West Hollywood, CA, jayear@adelphia.net

Most people don't realize that Fred Rogers turned first to the CBC Canada to produce his original version of "Misterrogers" as it was called then. But as "nerdy" as some people thought he was, Mr. Rogers was actually a hipster. He loved jazz and often would have a jazz cat drop in to his neighborhood and perform on the show. My sons watched Mister Rogers' Neighborhood way back then and still are jazz fans (and players) today. Did Mr. Rogers sow those seeds? Hmmmm.

Joe Blodgett, jblodgett10@hotmail.com

You ought to be ashamed of yourself for using the word "dog" in reference to failed paintings, and encouraging others to do the same. Our canine friends deserve better than to be associated with your lousy work. It is a slur. Emily would be upset to know that you used the term in such a way. We look to you to take the high moral ground.

(RG note) I apologized to Emily and now officially to all others of her race. The unpleasant connection had slipped my mind as Emily was out of town (with Dorothy) for a few days having a winter beach vacation on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. But I need a new word. Any ideas?

Cathy Flandermeyer, Amarillo, Texas, USA, billandcathy@cox-internet.com

I have recently been displaying some of my work at local restaurants and have blank note cards for sale at the register with my pictures on the front. If one of my pictures sell, do I still have the right to continue to sell the cards of that picture? What if I were to have posters or prints made, would I still be able to sell them once the original picture has sold? Who owns the rights?

(RG note) You are the owner of the reproduction rights to your paintings whether they sell or not. The only exception is for commissioned work--where someone requests that you paint a certain thing for them. You are free to sell as many reproductions of the work as you wish--until 50 years after your death--or until your heirs give up or sell the copyright.

Nicole Best Rudderham, Prince Rupert, BC, Canada, nicart@citytel.net

I think the buddy system is a great idea. I live in a very small and semi-isolated community-- art-wise! I really like the thought of being able to communicate and be exposed to someone who likes to do the same things, and the opportunity to share different locations through an art medium. It's a small action with huge interactive possibilities! It sounds great and if anyone wants to do it I'm open to the idea! It would be very inspirational for all sides, and something to look forward to.

(RG note) For artists such as Nicole, who do not have websites, you may wish to email them. You can also find artists' work by going to our links page. If you haven't done so as of yet, please consider putting your own link in there. We currently have about four hundred visits a day from search engines alone--so you can see this is a valuable source for interested parties to come to your site. http://www.painterskeys.com/links.html

Claire Evans, mclaireevans@earthlink.net

Your letter on the "buddy system" couldn't have been more timely. I recently rented a second studio and put out the word to a former student that I was thinking of having a painter's salon every Thursday morning for two and a half hours, where four people -- all I have room for comfortably--could come and paint or draw in any medium, talk art, and perhaps critique each other. The word spread and within two days the salon was filled, with two extra artists waiting for a second one to open. It's also an enjoyable way for me to afford the rent on my new painting space. After teaching art for over forty years, it will be difficult to let these painters flow with each other, and just offer experience and support instead of overt teaching! I'm looking forward to a happy, rewarding experience this Thursday!

Oh -- about recycling old dogs -- watercolor paper can be washed out in the sink, allowed to dry, can be painted over in a solid color, and used as pastel paper. It can also be gessoed and used for oil painting, if it's good quality rag paper. That's why I tell my students to never skimp on art materials.

Pat Kammer, pat.kammer@sympatico.ca

I am trying to launch myself into the WWW as a poly clay sculpture artist and I have begun studying about Internet marketing and boy it's a forest out there with a thick fog over it. I can't believe how ignorant I was to think that all I had to do was have a field of dreams, web site build it and they will come...NOT. It won't happen. Where do you go to get traffic? Well maybe search engines--but then I am told that after you spend all that money you may or may not get where anyone would see you. Then there's the banners. I hate those myself so I'm not about to do that to other people. I could build an email list and wait till I have a few thousand. Or I could have an associate program? Then there's the question of all the bells and whistles like merchant numbers with CC accessibility, auto-responders, web hosting, domain names, wow! Where does it all end?

(RG note) A good place to get an overview of the uses and abuses of the internet for artists as well as a pile of useful hints, is to go to California artist Marques Vickers site. www.ArtsInAmerica.com or www.FineArtSelling.com He is currently selling an e-book called "Marketing and Buying Fine Art Online: A Right-Brained Guide to A Left-Brained Industry". It's good. We have printed it out here and I recommend it for anyone who wants to learn more. I'm planning to write a twice-weekly letter on this subject soon. Marques Vickers is at marques@neteze.com