Shared Improvisations in Paint and Verse

The community is invited to a special multimedia book launch celebrating Shared Improvisations in Paint and Verse, Volume 1, a new collaborative work by Mendocino Coast artists Harrison Goldberg and Philip Marrinan at Gualala Arts and in collaboration with Four Eyed Frog Books.  The book launch and reading will take place on Sunday, October 18 at 2 pm at Gualala Arts Coleman Hall and will be free to the public. 

Developed during the pandemic, this innovative project pairs 58 of Goldberg’s small abstract paintings and collages with 58 improvisational poems by Marrinan—each verse inspired by the title, mood, and visual language of Goldberg’s artwork. The result is a vibrant dialogue between image and word, painting eclectic and riffing poetic.

The book features design by Kiersten Hanna of Braggadoon Signs & Graphics in Fort Bragg and was printed at ChromaGraphics in Santa Rosa.

During the launch, Goldberg’s artworks will be digitally projected while Marrinan performs his accompanying verses, creating an immersive blend of visual art, spoken word, and live interpretation. Books and related merchandise will be available for purchase, and guests will enjoy light complimentary refreshments.

The authors extend heartfelt thanks to the family members and friends who supported the creation of this volume. They look forward to welcoming the community and celebrating this milestone together.

Harrison Goldberg A longtime Mendocino Coast resident, Goldberg has spent decades weaving together music, art, storytelling, and wine. His career in Sonoma County’s wine industry included wine sales, wine‑themed artwork, and label design. A multi‑instrumentalist jazz musician, he has performed, recorded, and collaborated widely in the evolving language of jazz. Goldberg is the author and illustrator of Once Upon a Tune: One Young Man’s Quest to Become a Jazz Saxophonist, and recently completed this new collaborative volume with improvisational poet Phillip Marrinan. He is also developing a multimedia fable that teaches the language of jazz through story, music, and visual art—envisioned as both a stage production and interactive digital experience. He continues to perform spoken‑word jazz, mentor young artists, and create work that invites audiences to experience the world with fresh curiosity. More at HarrisonGoldbergArts.com.

Philip Giles Marrinan A lifelong Northern Californian, Marrinan writes poetry primarily in response to abstract artworks. His background in artistic and philosophical studies provides a rich foundation for his improvisational style, giving voice to the “mythology of the moment.” His professional work as a projectionist and DJ informs his rhythmic, immersive approach to language, allowing him to channel words with a sense of movement, reflection, and sonic texture.