Thumbing through some old art books recently, I stumbled across a copy of Gail Levin’s “Edward Hopper: The Art and the Artist.” I forgot how much I admired this art while studying art history. I appreciate the Zenlike depictions of loneliness and silence. “Nighthawks” is probably his most famous painting, which hangs in Chicago’s Art Institute.

Last month I inadvertently stumbled across the brilliant work of jazz artist Essbjorn Svenson  and his trio (E.S.T.). These days, I often listen to the trio while I write––it loosens the ink in my pen. Watch this beautiful live performance of their song From Gagarin’s Point of View. Eerie and beautiful. My discovery of this band was total serendipity, and I’m charmed by their music.

I’ve also been listening to the late great Townes Van Zandt, who has always inspired me. Steve Earle said about him, “Townes Van Zandt is the best songwriter in the whole world, and I'll stand on Bob Dylan's coffee table in my cowboy boots and say that!”  Irritated by this comment, Townes (who avoided fame and celebrity at all costs) responded, "I've met Bob Dylan's bodyguards, and if Steve Earle thinks he can stand on Bob Dylan's coffee table, he's sadly mistaken." Bob was actually a huge fan of Townes, who died in 1997. I’m listening to his song “Dead Flowers,” while I write this. Check him out.