Author Archives: Roque

Roque’s Weekly Review on 9/26/18

September 26, 2018

Roque's Weekly Review

So, what’s new this week .  .  .

1. Pianissimo

The second issue of my newsletter Pianissimo hits email inboxes this week. There will be another graphic poem and the debut of a new youtube video performance featured in the issue. If you would like to subscribe, just click below:

SUBSCRIBE TO PIANISSIMO

2. Photography

On social media this week, I posted a couple of images of a photography assignment I recently did for school. The assignment involved learning how to work with different shutter speeds in a camera. Here are the images for your perusal:

This image involved the use of a fast shutter speed that essentially freezes a moving object into a single image frame. The rings in MaxZine’s hand were actually rotating quickly.

This image utilized an extremely slow shutter speed that captured the blur of motion and color. The effect is quite bedazzling.

3. “My Personal Journey As a Pianist” Blog Series for September

This week, I posted the last installment of a series of posts for the month of September regarding my evolution as a pianist. Each post touches on an aspect of  what I have learned as a performing musician and why I do what I do. This last piece reflects upon the emotional life I have gained through all of my efforts. You can read the post by clicking on this image:

That’s all the news for now!

More to come next week!!

Be Kind and Be Generous.

-Roqué

 

Roque’s Weekly Review on 9/19/18

September 20, 2018

Intention / Roque's Weekly Review

It’s time for another update.  This week, I thought I’d show you a small part of one of the projects I’m working on in school in addition to everything else. So, let’s get this going.

1. Roqué on Youtube.

Plans are underway to film a small set of performances at my home of covers I’ve done over the years.  The first installment should be available in a few days. You will be able to view all of it on my Youtube channel. More details will be announced next week.

2. What’s going on at school?

I thought I’d take a minute to show part of one my school projects. In my digital photography class, we are currently exploring the concept of Aperture, which is commonly referred to as the f-stop. Every digital camera has a lens that expands or contracts to let in different amounts of light. I have been taking photos that convey the opposite ends of the Aperture spectrum.

Here is photo #1 with the f-stop at the lowest setting:

Here is photo #2 with the highest f-stop setting:

The higher the f-stop, the great the depth of field and the more everything is in focus. A lower f-stop has a narrower focus point. One setting is not better than the other, and both can be used to great effect. It is up to the photographer to determine what is appropriate for the subject matter.

I love playing around with this stuff!

3. My Blog Tropical Shade of Green

I am continuing on in my series about my experience as a performing pianist. You can read Part 3 of the series by clicking on the image below:

4. Pianissimo: the Roqué E-Newsletter

A new issue of my E-mail Newsletter Pianissimo hits mailboxes before the end of this month.  More details about upcoming projects, new photography, and another graphic poem will be included. It’s going to be a lovely issue.

Well, that’s all folks. I hope your week is going well. As of today, I am in my fourth week of school, and so far, all is going well.

Smile like a Sunshine!

Be kind and be generous.

-Roqué

Roque’s Weekly Review on 9/12/2018

September 12, 2018

Roque's Weekly Review

Hello Beautiful Friends,

It’s time for another weekly update on what’s new with me.

  1. The Roqué Youtube Channel

    At the end of this month, I will be posting a video performance on youtube. This is the first of a series of piano covers that I will be unveiling. More details to be announced soon.

  2. School

    As of this update, I am in the third week of my fall semester at Middle Tennessee State University. Work for all of my classes is really ramping up now. If I do not post on social media as regularly as I usually do, this is why. Just know that there is a ton of new stuff for me to unveil over the next year.

  3. My blog Tropical Shade of Green

    I am continuing my series of reflections about my personal journey as a pianist. Here is the second installment.  Click HERE to read the post.

  4. Flower Art

    I have made a little progress on this art piece. Here is its current state. There is only a little left to do before it will be ready. Maybe by next week it will be done.

    Well, that’s it for my update. I’ll have more to discuss next week. Until then, I hope the rest of this week brings productivity, rest, inspiration, and rejuvenation.

Be kind and be generous.

-Roqué

Roque’s Weekly Review On 9/5/2018

September 5, 2018

Roque's Weekly Review

Now that the dust has settled from all of the festivities from my birthday last week, it’s time to get back to business.

Here’s what’s new with me this week

1. Pianissimo

In case you missed it last week, I released the first issue of my new monthly e-newsletter Pianissimo. It’s full of new information about my life and creative pursuits. You can check it out by clicking here:

PIANISSIMO

2. Flower Art

Over the past month, I have been making steady progress on the first of a series of surrealist flowers that will be drawn in pencil.  There isn’t too much further to go on this first piece, and I hope to be done over the next week. Here’s the progress so far:

2. Jake Leg Stompers and the Eggplant Faerie Players Show

Last Saturday, I performed in the variety show/vaudeville circus that was mounted at the Cannon County Arts Center in Woodbury, TN. Instead of playing piano and singing like I usually do, I did a dance number with a balloon, and I played the xylophone. It was so much fun. My performance was part of a full ensemble that included lots of juggling, crazy costumes, Tomfoolery (literally), cool photography, and fun live music.

3. My Blog Tropical Shade of Green

For the month of September, I will be publishing a series of posts on my blog that explore my own personal evolution toward becoming a performing pianist. This journey has been full of pitfalls, surprises, and wonderful memories. Here is the first post. Just click on the image to read it:

As some of you may know, I am back in school right now. My second week of classes is in full swing at the moment, but I plan on keeping these regular updates, weekly blog posts, and monthly newsletters coming. I have a lot coming down the pipeline that I want to share with the world.

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope your week is going incredibly well.

Be kind and be generous.

-Roqué

Roque’s Weekly Review Birthday Edition (8/28/18)

August 28, 2018

Roque's Weekly Review

Today is my birthday!!! Instead of doing an update on Wednesday, I thought I’d do it today, August 28, 2018, on my actual birthday!

There is only one thing I want to announce today! I just released the inaugural and birthday edition of my new monthly e-newsletter PIANISSIMO. It is jam packed with all kinds of new information and updates that I have not previously shared.

It was sent out to all of the email addresses on my mailing list this morning, but I wanted to make it viewable to all of you as well.

To view the special first issue, click on the link right here:

Pianissimo

You will find all kinds of details about my life, information about upcoming releases, and an updated, visually-oriented Poetry Room.

I am going to thoroughly enjoy my birthday!

Have a wonderful week!  I know I will.

-Roqué

 

Roque’s Weekly Review on 8/22/18

August 22, 2018

Creativity / Culture and Society / Roque's Weekly Review

Hello Beautiful Everyone!

I’ve had a glorious week! Let’s get to the news .  .  .

  1. Roque’s 2nd Annual Piano Salon on August 19, 2018

Last Sunday, I hosted my 2nd Annual Piano Salon at my home in the woods of Liberty, TN. Nashville guitarist Andrew Weitze played electric guitar as I played my songs, and he was on fire!!! I love it when we play together!  Pianist Oliver Flowers played some lovely piano music, and in the absence of a couple of other performers, local musician Leopard played a song for us as well.

Here are some photos from the show:

Special thanks to Oliver Flowers who tuned all three of my pianos that same day and performed four musical pieces. He was AWESOME!

MaxZine did a terrific job preparing food for the show and making colorful floral arrangements from his flowers in our garden.

All in all, Roque’s 2nd Annual Piano Salon was a dainty and whimsical success! Thank you to everyone who attended!  We will see you when I host this again next year.

2. Pianissimo

My email newsletter Pianissimo arrives this coming week, and it is full of new information about my life and the creative projects to come. I’ve included some art and poetry as well as new photography. Keep a lookout in your mailbox.

3. Tropical Shade of Green Blog Posts

If you haven’t read any of my recent blog posts, here they are for your perusal .  .  .

A Payment Given Is a Gift of Appreciation

Plastic Is a Worldwide Problem All Of Us Must Face

I Live In a Generosity Loop

Learn From the Past But Live in the Present.

4. Flower Art

This month, I have been working on a new art piece. It is a first of a series of flower designs drawn entirely with one pencil. Here is the progress I’ve made thus far:

That’s it for this week folks! Next week’s update will be my birthday update, and it will be jam-packed with stuff!!

More to come soon!!

-Roqué

 

 

 

 

Roque’s Weekly Review on 8/15/2018

August 15, 2018

Creativity / Piano / Roque's Weekly Review / Website Updates

Hello Beautiful People!

It’s Wednesday! Time for another update from me about my creative projects, but first, I wanted to let you all know that the new film Crazy Rich Asians opens in theaters today, August 15th, across the country!!

It is produced by a major motion picture studio and has an entirely Asian cast. This is worthwhile to support because this kind of representation and diversity has been sorely lacking in mainstream entertainment in America! Also, it’s a fun and salacious story that makes for a lively movie-going experience.

I’m going to see it this week. Find it at your local theater and go see it too!

Okay, on with the update .  .  .

 

1. Remember that drawing I started last week. Well, here is a photo of the progress I am making. I’m thinking it is the first of a series of flowers done in pencil that I will do. I should be much further along by next week.

2. This coming Sunday, August 19, 2018, I am hosting my annual Piano Salon. I will be showcasing fellow musicians Oliver Flowers, Matilda, and Goatboy, in addition to performing some of my own songs with Nashville guitarist Andrew Weitze. This is a private concert that I will have in my home in the woods. If any of you are interested in coming out to see the show, let me know in the comments, and I’ll get you the information. I’ll post pictures from the show in next week’s update.

3. Pianissimo COMING SOON!

I am launching my new and revamped monthly email newsletter! It is going to feature all kinds of information about upcoming creative work, art, and what I am calling visual poetry. The inaugural issue comes out later this month.

4. Here are the newest posts from my blog Tropical Shade of Green:

PLASTIC IS A WORLDWIDE PROBLEM WE ALL MUST FACE

I LIVE MY LIFE IN A GENEROSITY LOOP

LEARN FROM THE PAST BUT LIVE IN THE PRESENT

Well, that’s all folks!! Thanks for checking in!

Be kind and be generous.

-Roqué

 

Roque’s Weekly Review for 8/8/2018

August 8, 2018

Creativity / Roque's Weekly Review

Hello Beautiful People,

This is another weekly check-in on progress that I am making toward all of my creative projects. I have to admit that it is challenging to be productive in the summertime. It is sunny outside and the warmth in the air makes it conducive to lounging about and being decadently lazy. I’ve done some of that, but there is always a small voice in my head telling me to get up and do what I do.

I’ve been doing lots of creative work despite the sun and her temptations. Let’s run this down .  .  .

1. I have started a new art piece. I’ll post a photo of my progress every week on these updates.  It will be glacial in its formation.
Check out the first photo:

2. My blog, Tropical Shade of Green, is my way of practicing my writing and laying out my thoughts in an engaging and concise way.  Here are links to my most recent posts. (This first one is particularly valuable.)

I Live My Life In a Generosity Loop

Learn From the Past But Live in the Present.

A Morning Routine Will Ground Your Life.

3. I am an avid book reader, and much of my time this summer has been spent getting lost in several writings. I just finished the first book in the His Dark Materials Series by Philip Pullman called The Golden Compass. Before I tackle the next book in that trilogy, I am currently reading this:

4. As I reported last week, the music from my first album Seahorses is now available on Bandcamp in a “pay what you want” format. You can download the songs for free or pay a nominal amount that would go toward funding my musical pursuits. Here is the link:

roquemusic.bandcamp.com

5. I have an annual show that I do in my home in the woods. It is called Roque’s Piano Salon, and it will feature local performers and all three of my pianos.  There will be food and refreshments. This is a private event, but if you are interested in going, please let me know in the comments. This is the event flyer:

Well, that’s all I have to report on my end.

Until next week, be kind and generous to yourselves and each other.

-Roqué

 

Roque’s Weekly Review for 8/1/2018

August 1, 2018

Creativity / Intention / Piano / Roque's Weekly Review

Hi Everyone,

It’s time for another weekly update! Today is August 1st! This is my birthday month! As such, I have a lot to share over the next 31 days!

1. Here are a couple of the newest posts from my blog Tropical Shade of Green (Click on the Link to Visit) :

Learn From the Past But Live in the Present.

A Morning Routine Will Ground Your Life.

Surround Yourself with Good People.

2. Pay what you want for Roque’s Music:

In honor of my birthday month and for a limited time, the songs off of my debut album Seahorses will be available on my band camp store with the option to pay what you want. This includes a free option if you so desire; however, any amount you can give will go a long way toward supporting my music and my visual art projects.

Check out my Bandcamp store by clicking here:

roquemusic.bandcamp.com

3. Roque’s Piano Salon on Sunday, August 19th!

I am having a  piano concert at my home in Liberty, TN in a couple of weeks. My friends and pianists Oliver Flowers, Matilda Earl, and others have been scheduled to play. It’s gonna be a super fun show that will involve three different pianos!! Yay!

I have MORE to announce next week!

See you then .  .  .

Roqué

 

Roque’s Weekly Review on 7/25/2018

July 25, 2018

Creativity / Intention / Roque's Weekly Review

Accountability is a good thing.  Sharing is a good thing, and as such, I have decided to post weekly updates on my website roqueinbloom.com regarding my musical and visual art projects that are on the way.  I have reached a new time in my life in which I want to share more about my creative work and ongoing progress I am making on several fronts.  This is the inaugural RWR post, and it will be an ongoing review of the work I have accomplished on a weekly basis. I also feel that if I tell you what I am working on and when it will be ready, then I am accountable to you to make it happen. This is a good thing that will help keep me on track.

New editions of RWR will come out every Wednesday from now on. So, here we go:

1. Tropical Shade of Green

As some of you may know already, I relaunched my weekly blog into its own dedicated web space this past month. That space is called Tropical Shade of Green, and there are a couple of newer posts up if you haven’t seen them already. Here are some links:

A Morning Routine Will Ground Your Life

Over the last few months, I’ve been honing in on getting down a regular daily routine. I am close to getting one down, but there is still much to tweak .  .  .

Our 2nd Annual Filipino Dinner

In my neighborhood, some Filipino friends and I cooked up a storm of Filipino delicacies.  It was all yummy. Photos included.

Surround Yourself with Good People

What company do you keep? How discerning are you about the kinds of people you spend time with? Are they good for you?

2. Pianissimo

Over the last several years, I have released a monthly e-newsletter called The Wonderful World of Gordon (also called the WWOG for short).  It’s been a while since I released an issue, and since I now go by the name Roqué, it is time for a newsletter revamp. This newsletter has a new name that is one of my most cherished words in the English language. It refers to one of my favorite ways to play the piano. Pianissimo means to play softly and slowly. This is the new name of my newsletter. It will include a slew of updates on upcoming projects as well as artwork and a reimagined poetry room.  The first issue comes out on my birthday month August 2018. More details to be announced.

3. Where Pianos Roam

A new installment of episodes from my darling side project Where Pianos Roam is forthcoming. I cannot promise that this will be a long season, but it will be a good one. Oreo and her rowdy bench are up to more adventures and shenanigans.

4. Roque’s Piano Salon

My annual piano concert at my home in the woods happens again on August 19, 2018. There will be guest pianists on hand to dazzle us with their sweet and enchanting melodies.  More details to be announced.

Obviously, I have a lot going on, but it is all creative work that I love and enjoy.

Stick around for the ride and check in for another edition of RWR every Wednesday from now on.

-Roqué