The Shop is Finally Open!
They are here! The Wonderland Artwork reprints, Val Kilmer’s creations, are finally available for sale. Yes, this is a shameless plug for a friend who put his heart, soul and backing into bringing to life a re-creation of the film Wonderland. When I first saw what he was up to in putting these works together, I was confronted with a prime example of how this story impacts not only the viewer, but the actors as well. I was honored to assist Val with my story, as I watched the churning out of this amazing pictoral artwork.
Take a look. Go to his website at www.valkilmer.com, it is worth it.
Blessings,
Dawn
By the way, today would have been John Holmes’ 61st birthday. I wonder how he would feel about this art.
August 8th, 2005 at 11:31 pm
I just checked out the artwork I must say it is very nice.
Thanks for the link.
August 9th, 2005 at 6:48 pm
Hi Dawn
Haven’t posted in awhile, but I check everyday what is new and how things are going for you, you are very close to my heart and an inspiration to me. With this lastest thread, I have a question about Val. I know Val is very busy as you are to, so mabe you can give me some insight to these questions. Do you know ( being close to Val as you are) with Val’s immense researched and character study of John, what Val thinks about many aspects of John’s involvment of the murders and what lead up to them. For example, does Val think it was John’s idea to hit Nash?, did Val think John gave the gang up out of revenge for not getting his cut as oppose to Nash ( what a vile name)figuringit out?, and his involvment in the actual murder (swinging the pipe…). In my research of Val’s opinions, I have not read any info of what he truly thought had happen in light of the events I have mentioned. I was just wondering if mabe he had discussed his theory to you of the events that took place. As you know it is very hard to communicate w/ him to answer these questions. I know you are extremely busy with so much and mabe this post will be a change of pace from the usual posts. Keep up the strength and soon even though it doesn’t seem like it, this craziness will pass too
Remeber, you are the “Lizard Queen, you can do anything”. ( Ah, just to make you giggle!!)
Take Care, Nicole
August 11th, 2005 at 8:37 am
Hey Nicole,
How have you been? Well, I hope. Val, as an actor, was very interested in what made John tick. The emotional nature of John. Val believes that people are guided, or in John’s case, mis-guided by their heart, or love. This being the case, Val wanted to know about the love, so in turn we spent hours/days discussing the relationship. Val saw John as a desperate man, tourmented by the lure of drugs, who deep down in his heart only wanted his girlfriend (and wife if he could get away with it) and to get out of LA, away from bad influences. What Val saw was that John went crazy, and because of his excess, believed his own lies, had little respect for life and, as insanity defines, gave himself false power. Val doesn’t speculate whether John was an acutal murderer, but he knows it was very, very possible.
There is a letter called Down on Wonderland, where Val describes the reasoning behind the creation of the art prints he is selling. I think this letter tells alot about what he thinks. I hope people can see the value in this art, because I don’t think anything like this has ever been done, and from what I hear from Val, he is making these prints limited.
Be well Nicole.
Cheers.
Dawn
August 11th, 2005 at 8:38 am
opps, the letter is on Val’s website.
August 11th, 2005 at 3:52 pm
The letter isn’t that easy to find on Val’s site. This link – http://www.valkilmer.com/shop/wlandartprints.html – will take you to the Wonderland Art prints. On the right will be an excerpt of Val’s Down On Wonderland letter with a “click here for more” link. That opens up a new window and if you expected to see more of the letter, you will be disappointed. Instead you get a page with an image of Val as Holmes and a title to the left, “walking through a Kilmer Wonderland”. I thought I was in the wrong place for a second or two. But I did notice the Val “Down on Wonderland” white print on black on the image and clicked on it … vola! there is the letter magically appearing to the left of the image.
The information below the title does say to use the links on the right if one takes the time to read it. But if others are like me, they will be a little confused for a second or two. So I thought I’d post this and make it easier for others to find the letter.
August 11th, 2005 at 4:14 pm
Thank you both!! It did take me a bit to find the link, but by George I found it. Very interesting read. There were also other interviews w/ Val regarding the film that I enjoyed. I think it was great that Val was not interested in doing the film until he had met w/ Dawn. Dawn is an inspiration to many and apparently to Val as well. Thank you ladies for guiding me to find the info.
Take Care,
Nicole D’Amico
August 11th, 2005 at 11:02 pm
where can i buy the book?
August 11th, 2005 at 11:18 pm
or when is the book due out in book stores?
August 12th, 2005 at 11:31 am
Val’s prints are terrific, Dawn. I gave him a write-up and a permanent link over at 8763 Wonderland (only appropriate, huh?). I just hope he doesn’t sell out of the limited prints before I can scrape the coin together to buy my favorite.
August 15th, 2005 at 12:39 am
I have to be honest, My real name is not Kelli, but I am afraid to use my real name for the sake of embarrassment to my family. I wanted to say how I just finished watching “WONDERLAND”. It took me several times to actually complete this movie due to the similarities to my own life and bad choices. I can completely empathize and for the first time in my life I feel like I am not alone. I can not believe a movie such as this is what it took for me to recognize that I am not alone. I wish there was a way to explain in words how I feel. I would appreciate any advice from you Dawn, since you have been through it all, on how you overcame the world of blinding love and drugs. To this day, I still seek counseling off and on to little avail. Although I have remained drug free for many years now, I still miss that feeling of naivety and that descending world of negative excitement. It was “love” that put me in that horrible world. When I think about my past endeavors, sometimes I want to go back and other times it makes me physically, mentally and emotionally sick. I guess the bottom line is this, I am asking you for help. I value and respect your privacy and will understand completely if you don’t respond. I just want to understand better what happened to me.
Sincerely,
Kelli
August 15th, 2005 at 12:43 am
I have looked all over the internet to purchase your book. For some reason I can not find it either, is it out yet? Please post a response ASAP! And let the healing begin.
August 15th, 2005 at 12:45 am
This is Kelli again, Please notify me via email of any follow up comments, sorry I missed it on my previous post.
August 17th, 2005 at 3:32 pm
Dear Dawn,
What a coureagous woman you are, I was in same type relationship along time ago. But overcame it and have put my life back together. I loved the movie and would like to purchase your book. Is it out yet? I have been looking for it.
Thanks
HB
August 17th, 2005 at 6:54 pm
Hello,
Thanks for the inquiry on the book. I am still working hard. Please check the post I made just before this one, “Still Not Afraid (Of Anyone But My Agent)”. I think this will update those who are interested.
I love hearing success stories and survival from abuse. It is so encouraging. So thank you to those who shared their experience.
And, Keli, hang in there. I don’t give advice, but my experience with some similar feelings that you are struggling with, sent me to a counselor. It really helped me. Get WILLING to let go of the unhealthy feelings. A counselor helped me to get the courage. Because that’s what it takes to let go of old emotional baggage that has worn out its welcome, yet won’t let go of you.
Be well and check in and write if you feel the need. It’s okay here.
Blessings.
Dawn
August 21st, 2005 at 12:47 pm
Dawn…
Been reading lots about Wonderland and the “industry”...I must say, you are an extraordinary girl/woman…and utterly amazing yet cautionary tale…it is absolutely wonderful to see you online and seemingly doing so well. It made me smile
Kurt
September 2nd, 2005 at 6:53 am
Hey Dawn, hope everything is well with you. The artwork from the Wonderland Movie was great. I just took a cross country trip from Florida to California (Santa Barbara). I wanted to stop in L.A. to go by the Wonderland place (yes, I’m a stupid tourist) but we did not have the time. Hope to get to California again soon. I loved it. Take care. Angeline S.
September 5th, 2005 at 8:06 pm
Hi Dawn,
I have been checking back to see your posts and how your doing. But have not seen any. I know your very busy, but i get worried about ya babe. I hope everything is ok. I know this latest horrific tragedy in New Orleans and MIS & AL has hit home like in India. So if you can, post so I and us know your ok. I know your going thru alot, but just give us a jingle! Bless ya, Hon!!
Sincerely,
Nicole D’Amico
September 19th, 2005 at 6:00 pm
Hi Dawn, and everyone else on here. I first want to say thanks to Dawn and everyone else who has shared their stories of DV. As a victim myself, I really find it helps to hear the stories of people who have gone through it and had the courage to get out. It gives me more hope and I am sure to many others as well.
I think it is great to have the oppertunity here for people to message back and forth, because I believe it can really help just to write your feelings down and talk with others who share the pain from experiene. Thank you Dawn for creating this site!
A little of my story…. I feel for a cute, smart and funny guy. In the beginning things couldnt seem to be any better. I thought, wow I really think this one could work, I was so happy with him. Then slowy he became my worst night mare. By the time I really realized how bad it was, I felt like I was stuck. Everytime I tried to end it, I would pay. So eventually I stopped tryin to end it. I was away from home attending college, which was very important for me to finish, but I felt I was losing myself in this nasty cycle with him so when that year of school wrapped up, I moved home for the summer.
My summer away was really hard on me emotionally as you all can expect. I went though many emotions. I told myself I had to do this and I knew it was whats best, but my feelings and care for him made me weak. I agreed to talk to him only threw email in the beggining of the summer, but by the end I broke even more and we talked a little over the phone. I made it clear to him though that we were over as a couple. At the end of summer I moved back to do my last year of college and after only being there a day he saw me and knew I was back. He called and I let him convience me it would be ok to see eachother again as friends.
Well stupid, stupid me. One visit lead to two, then two to three etc etc… We went through a pretty ugly ordeal at his place one night, which made him decide to leave his place for good, and shortly after that he started coming over all the time again, and quickly, he basically moved him self in with me. Feeling so bad about what happen I did not have the heart to tell him he couldnt stay with me, and besides I felt it may be alright this time around because he has not abused me at all since I been back. Well of course, that didnt last. One day he got mad about some false information his other girlfriend told him (yes there was another girl the whole time, of course I was not always aware, but anyway thats awhole other long story) and that was the beginning of all his old behaviors all over again. I knew right at that point I had to get out, but like we all know, its so much easier said then done. At that point it was not so much the feelings stopping me but the fear.
Happy to say, I was strong enough to endure it all through my last year of school, knowing that as soon as I was done school, I was going to move away and it would be over for good this time. I just took it one day at a time, praying each day would be a good one. The all werent and at times I felt I couldnt do it, but I managed to stay strong. I made it back home. Once I got there the feelings bit came in to play so it was not so easy calling it quits. He only lives a couple hours away and since I really missed our good times together I allowed him to come for visits here. I have since been able to manage to call the relationship quits, and am down to only talking with him once in awhile on the phone as friends. I no longer feel the control from him, its almost as if we have been able to salvage something (friendship). I have not seen him in just about a year now. I refuse to because I dont feel strong enough, plus I know theres always a chance something bad may happen. I actaully feel that I am probably making a mistake by staying friends, but for some reason I cant seem to let go completly. I thought time would make it easier, I gotta say it has some, but parts of me are still so tempted to give in a see him again, even just once, for I miss the connection I felt with him (one the good days of course) so much.
I know you dont give advice Dawn, but if anyone has any suggestions, experineces, inspiring words, or anything theyd like to share to help me and others stay strong it would be greatly appreciated. I feel I am at one of the hardest stages now, learning to let it all go and truly move on. How do you leave someone you really do love (besides thier abusive faults)?
Sorry this is so long, just felt I needed to write and share my story and concerns, and this is the shortest I could make it.
Jane