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Cabell art teacher gets book published

June 28, 2008 @ 10:15 PM

BILL ROSENBERGER

The Herald-Dispatch

HUNTINGTON -- Marisa Main didn't write her master's thesis with the intention of getting it published. But seven years after she completed "The Language of Art: A Conversation Between Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso," it is now a scientific journal that is available on more than a dozen online book vending Web sites, including Amazon.com.

"It was exciting," Main said of being contacted by German publisher VDM Verlag Dr. Müller. "It seemed to give a little bit more validity to the art field for me personally."

Main's book is a comparative analysis between the two artists. She said Matisse and Picasso were rivals and later friends who played off each other's works. The book also includes sketches of both artists' works, done by Main. She said she had originally wanted to include original copies of work by Matisse and Picasso, but when her adviser told her that the thesis would be published online, she found that obtaining copyrights was going to be difficult. In the end, though, she said doing her own sketches probably helped her do a better job.

"It made it more personal," Main said. "When they are black and white, it keeps you focused on the elements."

Main was born in Alaska. Her father was in the Air Force, and her mother, it turns out, was a painter. She credits her mom for her creative genes, but said it was her father who passed on the ability to articulate with words.

Eventually, her family moved to Hamlin, where her mom had grown up. Main graduated from Hamlin High School, then earned her art education degree from Marshall University in 1986.

After going back to school in 1998 and earning her master's degree in 2001, Main started teaching in Cabell County. She spent two years at Village of Barboursville and two years at Nichols elementary schools before teaching at Marshall for a year. She also has been an adjunct teacher at Marshall for seven years.

She came back on staff as a long-term sub at Milton Middle School this year but has accepted a position to teach art at Huntington Middle next year.

Teaching has been very important to Main because it opened the opportunity for her to start writing for "SchoolArts Magazine," a national publication designed for art teachers. When she was at Nichols, she had a blind student and wasn't sure how to teach her to do visual arts.

Main said she couldn't find any research, so she devised a lesson plan comprised of several methods. She even had the rest of her students spend a class period blindfolded so they could understand how she was learning.

"I did a diversity awareness lesson," she said. "We did a video and a write-up. It became a Cabell County Schools workshop."

She submitted her article to the magazine, and she's been a frequent writer since.

Main also finds time to create art. In fact, her home is full of her works. But many, she said, have been given away to family members as gifts. She doesn't sell anything, and she's never had a public show. In the future, she'd like to display her works publicly, continue teaching and continue writing.

To search for Main's book online, the ISBN is 978-3-8364-2721-0.

Events

First Friday and Second Look Saturday
5-9 p.m. every first Friday, 2-6 p.m. every first Saturday. Visit with Pendleton artists in their studios. Questions, call 606-920-9863.

Marshall vs. Cincinnati (football)
8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3.

Comedian Roz G
7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, 7:30 and 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1-5. This multi-talented comedian is sizzling and definitely a star in the making....

ZZ Top
8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4. Tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.com or any Ticketmaster location.

CMT on Tour `08: Jason Aldean and Lady Antebellum
7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9. Tickets, call 304-523-5757, visit www.ticketmaster.com, the arena box office or any Ticketmaster location.

Comedian Claude Stuart
7:30 p.m. Thursday, 7:30 and 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8-12. Whether he is performing in a sold-out theater to thousands of fans or in a rowdy...

Comedian Adam Hunter
7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, 7:30 and 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15-19. Adam Hunter is one of the hottest young comedians around today. He is...

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents "Boom A Ring"
Friday-Sunday, Oct. 17-19. An action-packed circus spectacular where the energy bursts out of the ring, into the audience and bounces back to electrify the Ringling...

Marshall Artist Series: "Nunsense"
8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22. A hit musical comedy starring Sally Struthers. Tickets, call 304-696-3326.

Covered Bridge Car Club of Milton
...

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Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Released 15-Aug-08. Runs 96 min.

Vicky and Cristina, these two young Americans spend a summer in Spain and meet a flamboyant artist and his beautiful but insane ex-wife. Vicky is straight-laced and about to be married. Cristina is a sexually adventurous free spirit. When they all become amorously entangled, both comedic and harrowing results ensue.

Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material involving sexuality, and smoking

Showtimes

WALL-E

Released 27-Jun-08. Runs 97 min.

After hundreds of lonely years of doing what he was built for, WALL-E (short for Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class) discovers a new purpose in life (besides collecting knick-knacks) when he meets a sleek search robot named EVE. EVE comes to realize that WALL-E has inadvertently stumbled upon the key to the planet's future, and races back to space to report her findings to the humans (who have been eagerly awaiting word that it is safe to return home). Meanwhile, WALL-E chases EVE across the galaxy and sets into motion one of the most exciting and imaginative comedy adventures ever brought to the big screen. Joining WALL-E on his fantastic journey across a universe of never-before-imagined visions of the future, is a hilarious cast of characters including a pet cockroach, and a heroic team of malfunctioning misfit robots.

Rated G

Showtimes

Wanted

Released 27-Jun-08. Runs 108 min.

"Wanted" tells the tale of one apathetic nobody's transformation into an unparalleled enforcer of justice. Twenty-five-year-old Wes is the most disaffected, cube-dwelling drone the planet had ever known. His boss chews him out hourly, his girlfriend ignores him routinely and his life plods on interminably. Everyone is certain this disengaged slacker will amount to nothing. There is little else for Wes to do but wile away the days and die in his slow, clock-punching rut. Until he meets a woman named Fox. After his estranged father is murdered, the deadly sexy Fox recruits Wes into the Fraternity, a secret society that trains Wes to avenge his dad's death by unlocking his dormant powers. As she teaches him how to develop lightning-quick reflexes and phenomenal agility, Wes discovers this team lives by an ancient, unbreakable code: carry out the death orders given by fate itself. With wickedly brilliant tutors-including the Fraternity's enigmatic leader, Sloan-Wes grows to enjoy all the strength he ever wanted. But, slowly, he begins to realize there is more to his dangerous associates than meets the eye. And as he wavers between newfound heroism and vengeance, Wes comes to learn what no one could ever teach him: he alone controls his destiny.

Rated R for strong bloody violence throughout, pervasive language and some sexuality

Dining

IHOP

From buttermilk pancakes to old-fashioned pot roast, IHOP has you covered from breakfast to dinner. Although their bestsellers are the pancakes and omelets, IHOP also serves what they refer to as their after-breakfast entrees. You can choose from fresh salads, juicy burgers, sandwiches, diner entrees and sides.

Pioneer Restaurant

Pioneer patrons flock to the restaurant for a variety of breakfast favorites. For lunch and dinner, the restaurant serves many hearty dishes, including daily homemade specials like chicken and dumplings or baked steak. Other regular menu dinners include chicken strips, breaded cod, boneless chicken breast, hot roast beef and chopped steak, served with two sides and rolls or corn muffin. Whether strawberry, peanut butter or apple, homemade pies are another Pioneer Restaurant specialty. Other sweet treats include banana splits, hot fudge cake, large selection of hand-dipped ice cream, custard and Hawaiian ice.

Billy Bob's Wonderland

Billy Bob's is a 30,000-square-foot home to laser tag, miniature golf, and dozens of arcade games where the ultimate prize is redeemable tickets. The menu is outlined with pizza, sandwiches, appetizers and cakes (for birthdays). Also, the restaurant offers Ashby's Sterling ice cream.

Portsmouth Restaurant and Brewing Company

A true German beer garden at this historic brew pub and brewery that was originally opened in 1843. Try the homemade bratwursts, potato pancakes, and the seasonable brews.

Katie's Corner Cafe

Specializes in traditional, home-style food. The restaurant serves breakfast, sandwiches and dinner entrees, including a ribeye, beef liver and onions, spaghetti and a catfish dinner.

Five Guys Burgers and Fries

This casual dining restaurant prides itself on offering the highest quality burgers. Specialties: Hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hot dogs and all the fixings, plus regular or Cajun-style fries.

Ye Olde Lantern

Good food, from steaks to sandwiches, carry out available.

Cajun Kitchen on the River

Owned by New Orleans natives who share their traditional Cajun recipes, this eatery is located along the Ohio River. Specialties: peel-and-eat shrimp, crab legs, New Orleans dishes such as seafood gumbo and red beans and rice, steak.

Fat Patty's

Fat Patty's offers casual dining and a menu with 12 specialty burgers, such as "The Vampire Killer" and "Born on the Bayou," plus half-price appetizers from 4-6 p.m. and 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Stewart's

In 1932, John Louis Mandt and his wife, Gertrude, along with their son and daughter-in-law opened Huntington's first drive-in, serving root beer and popcorn. The following year, the Mandts expanded the Stewart's menu to include a hot dog sandwich with a distinctive chili sauce. The company is now operated by John Mandt Jr. and has added a variety of new food items to its menu, including hamburgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, chicken strips, chicken nuggets and onion rings.

Focus Zone

Tri-State Visitors' Guide

Check out great shopping, dining, lodging and other entertainment opportunities in West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky.

2008 Friends of Coal Bowl

The Mountaineers will try to extend their winning streak when WVU hosts the Herd at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, in Morgantown.

College Football Preview

From Marshall University to Ohio State University and other area college teams, this is your source for all things college football.

High School Football Preview

Check out area coaches' plans for the season for Tri-State teams. Also, you can find complete schedules to help you keep up with your favorite teams.

Have a scary story?

Create your own ghoulish tale. The top three winners will receive a family four-pack to Camden Park's Halloween Spooktacular event in October.

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Tri-State's Most Wanted

The Herald-Dispatch's “Tri-State’s Most Wanted” list has featured several fugitives since June 2006, many of whom have been captured.

Tri-State Photo Gift Gallery

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Education

Howie McCormick/The Herald-DIspatch

Cabell County teacher Marisa Main recently had her college thesis published in book form titled "The Languages of Art: A conversation between Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso." Main has worked with various mediums of art her entire life and hopes to expand her creative talents with more writing projects.

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Howie McCormick/The Herald-DIspatch

Before writing "The Languages of Art: A conversation between Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso", Marisa Main had created other children's storybooks in which her own children were the main characters.

Purchase this photo