Sounds of the Underground

I’m in a book! (another book – I’ve already talked about the first book I was in – 120 Jobs That Won’t Chain You to Your Desk).

This book is a gorgeous children’s book titled ‘Sounds of the Underground’ by Heidi Younger. It has amazingly beautiful and dynamic paintings that leap off the page with radiant colors.

book cover

The book conveys the atmosphere in the New York City subway through paintings and poems. The author really captured the energy and motion of the NYC subway scene, focusing on typical musical characters one might come across while walking through the subway corridors.

Saw Lady chapter

The reason why there is a tree inside the subway in the painting can be found in the poem that goes with the painting:

Saw Lady

I saw a lady with a saw
What does this lady saw?

The crowds of people point and awe
When they see the lady with the saw

She sings the song, so sad and mellow
Heartbreaks all the young fellows

Remembrance of sadden times
When forests existed and not the saw

So now the saw has only its song
And a kindhearted lady who plays it alone

© Heidi Younger

The images in the book were all painted on 12 x 12 inches boards. The images were exhibited at the FIT Museum during June and July.

Author and book at exhibit

This book features street musician imagery with short snappy poems written and illustrated by Heidi Younger. The images are designed to visually interconnect, mimicking the connection of NYC’s MTA system.
Order your copy ($20) from the author

I am honored to be part of this one-of-a-kind book and meeting the author was a real treat – not only is she very talented, but she is an extremely nice person, too!

5 Comments

  1. Sera on August 23, 2007 at 4:34 pm

    Hey, nice blog. I haven’t gotten to see you or any particularly impressive acts underground while in New York, but I tend to pass through pretty quick on my way south.

    It’s good to know you’re out there.



  2. Heidi Younger on August 24, 2007 at 10:17 pm

    Wow, Thanks Natalia! I love the fact that you’re in my book, someone real. And your music, so special, sublime, unique. Continue playing for us, who ride the subway of NYC, its artists like you that make New York so special.
    Heidi



  3. jmb on August 25, 2007 at 12:21 pm

    What a lovely tribute to you and all your fellow artists who make life in New York so fascinating.
    I’m going into the city today and will be looking to see who’s out there, entertaining us with their talents.



  4. Yuki on August 26, 2007 at 6:05 pm

    Haha, that picture does depict what I saw when I was with you… A gloomy ny subway, and this lady that just STICKS OUT, and glows this energetic aura.

    Chain you to a desk…. That reminds me, I told my mother that I wouldn’t like to have a cubicle job when I get older. I think those jobs are boring and, because everybody is bored– they would make experience horrible too..

    I want to check out that book…

    By any chance, do you know anybody who does cermics? (Like, vases perhaps?)



  5. Pat on August 26, 2007 at 7:59 pm

    Hi,

    I thought you might be in Israel by now but Debra tells me you are still home. Wanted to drop you a line to say I have been enjoying your blog postings.

    I’m taking advantage of this lazy day to work on some picture collections from this summer and catching up on some correspondence.
    BTW – Congrats on being included in another book. Will be looking for it to see the other prints. You and the rest of the Music Underground buskers are always a treat to hear and watch.
    There really is some amazing talent under the streets !!

    Enjoy your visit to Israel,
    Pat