Spencer, you have brought this to my eyes and mind at a time when I feel beat up & nearly defeated...I have covid & political depression...and you've reminded me of the joy and strength that is Mavis. I had the incredible priviledge of watching that movie along with Jessica & Mavis & friends, and reading this took me out of my dark place and back into that room & the fierce happiness of celebrating her. We all need to carry a little Mavis in our souls and stay strong!
Beautifully expressed here, the essential Mavis, for you, turns out to be everyone's common experience with this amazing woman. I feel like I've eaten Thanksgiving dinner with her after her set is done! Did you see Questlove's doc of Harlem Fest? Mavis segment is awesome, inspiring, humbling! Can't wait to eat dinner with her next week at Grassroots Fest!!!!
Spencer, Thank you so much for such a lovely tribute to both great graphic design and most importantly to the amazing, wonderful and talented Mavis! I've read many of your posts and this certainly is my favorite (so far) in both your writing and the love that is expressed. Cheers!
KLM and Lufthansa are my two favourite airline graphics. Used to collect those airplanes too in the early 70’s.
It still blows my mind that you are part of music royalty as a Staples family member. That Pops record is to me one of the greatest all time privileges.
Spencer, I appreciate what you said about shrinking people down to a concept we can hold in our minds…One of my regrets/things I’m working to correct in myself is a similar tendency to sometimes use those conceptual frames to avoid deeper relationships. Mavis is a National Treasure but you’ve stopped to consider your ties to the woman behind that label. On a less lofty level I’m probably not the only one who has a fixed picture of “dad” or “teacher” or whoever and failed to see the human behind the label. Thanks for helping us catch a glimpse of your relationship with someone we only imagine we know. I am extremely grateful to have seen Mavis in concert and had the opportunity to thank her for her music. Happy Birthday to Mavis, who loves to sing!
Beautiful tribute and so cool that she is your grandma too! Family is love. Thank you for the mention of Henri Kay Henrion. Admitting that I had not heard of him despite my years of art fondness.
I sometimes stop and marvel at the fact that I get to share the planet with Mavis Staples. She is such a profound inspiration and treasure to this world. Thanks for your piece! As usual, your writing is soulful and profound. Happy European tour! We’ll be seeing Waxahatchee next month in Kalamazoo! Can’t wait!
Spencer, you have brought this to my eyes and mind at a time when I feel beat up & nearly defeated...I have covid & political depression...and you've reminded me of the joy and strength that is Mavis. I had the incredible priviledge of watching that movie along with Jessica & Mavis & friends, and reading this took me out of my dark place and back into that room & the fierce happiness of celebrating her. We all need to carry a little Mavis in our souls and stay strong!
Have a fantastic time in Europe! Lucky them!
Thanks for so eloquently describing Mavis. What a national treasure she is.
She is truly a gem. We are all so lucky to still have her around. She’s in the same club as my dad—85 years strong. 💜
Beautifully expressed here, the essential Mavis, for you, turns out to be everyone's common experience with this amazing woman. I feel like I've eaten Thanksgiving dinner with her after her set is done! Did you see Questlove's doc of Harlem Fest? Mavis segment is awesome, inspiring, humbling! Can't wait to eat dinner with her next week at Grassroots Fest!!!!
That Pops record is a dang gem.
I’m sincerely convinced that Mavis is a superhero.
There should be a mavis superhero comic!
Yes!!
Spencer, Thank you so much for such a lovely tribute to both great graphic design and most importantly to the amazing, wonderful and talented Mavis! I've read many of your posts and this certainly is my favorite (so far) in both your writing and the love that is expressed. Cheers!
You’re not alone…in admiring Mavis! Very well written tribute, thank you.
KLM and Lufthansa are my two favourite airline graphics. Used to collect those airplanes too in the early 70’s.
It still blows my mind that you are part of music royalty as a Staples family member. That Pops record is to me one of the greatest all time privileges.
Spencer, I appreciate what you said about shrinking people down to a concept we can hold in our minds…One of my regrets/things I’m working to correct in myself is a similar tendency to sometimes use those conceptual frames to avoid deeper relationships. Mavis is a National Treasure but you’ve stopped to consider your ties to the woman behind that label. On a less lofty level I’m probably not the only one who has a fixed picture of “dad” or “teacher” or whoever and failed to see the human behind the label. Thanks for helping us catch a glimpse of your relationship with someone we only imagine we know. I am extremely grateful to have seen Mavis in concert and had the opportunity to thank her for her music. Happy Birthday to Mavis, who loves to sing!
This is so good. Man, can you write. Thx, Spencer for your close, family perspective of this amazing woman. Happy Birthday to Mavis!
bro i just cried so hard!!! Thank u for writing it!!
What a wise and wonderful tribute to an astounding person! Happy Birthday Mavis!
Spencer, did you enjoy your pommes frites with mayonnaise as they do in Amsterdam?
Love "internal anti-conceit alarm bells" ..... If only everyone was wired this way. What a better world it would be.
We just got back from Amsterdam a few weeks ago. So bummed it didn’t line up to catch Waxahatchee. Hope it’s a great tour!
Beautiful tribute and so cool that she is your grandma too! Family is love. Thank you for the mention of Henri Kay Henrion. Admitting that I had not heard of him despite my years of art fondness.
I sometimes stop and marvel at the fact that I get to share the planet with Mavis Staples. She is such a profound inspiration and treasure to this world. Thanks for your piece! As usual, your writing is soulful and profound. Happy European tour! We’ll be seeing Waxahatchee next month in Kalamazoo! Can’t wait!