Wyeth in White

Watercolor, gouache and pencil on paper.
Gently beautiful,
technically sound,
elegantly emitting a calmness
reserved for designer homes
and waiting rooms.

Born and raised not far from Chadds Ford,
the daughter of an artist myself,
there was no escaping Andrew's soft work
and yet,
I've always preferred N.C.

Prompted by: Mag 204

Andrew Wyeth. "The Mill," ca. 1964.

















Monday Musings: January 27, 2014 - Image Prompt

Prompt: 
"Winter Tree" by Andrea D. Olsen 2014
What to do: Write, film, compose, draw, paint, or otherwise express yourself based on the image above. If you are open to sharing, just put a link to your inspired creation in the comments section of this post. :)

Prompt inspired by: Blogger Andrea Dawn Olsen at:

Andrea Dawn's eye for beauty never ceases to amaze me. There is a softness to her work in which I find comfort and contentment (something that I have much needed as of late). More than once I have gone to her blogs with the intention to simply "check in" and have found myself lost in a photograph touched up ever so slightly to make it a masterpiece. Great grace shines through the snapshots of this gentle woman. Give yourself the gift of visiting her blogs and perhaps you too will find a moment or two of peace.

My take on this week's prompt:

Winter Maple

In a desolate field
naked and alone
she waits 
for the sun to warm her
she waits
to feel
beautiful again.


Random Wisdom: John Steinbeck - Winter

“What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.” ~ John Steinbeck, Travels with Charley: In Search of America


Diluted

Thwarted by thunder,
the concrete concerto
strikes a sour chord
as a dripping cellist
protects his precious partner
and a practical painter watches
acrylic realism melt
into impressionistic watercolor.

1/22/14

Prompted by Mag 203
Musician in the Rain, Maurice Baquet, Paris, 1957 by Robert Doisneau

Monday Musings: January 20, 2014 - Image Prompt

Prompt:
Warm inside - Photo by Deborah Atkinson at snowcatcher.net

What to do: Write, film, compose, draw, paint, or otherwise express yourself based on the photo above. If you are open to sharing, just put a link to your inspired creation in the comments section of this post. :)

Prompt inspired by: www.snowcatcher.net

I stumbled on Snowcatcher during a search for snowflake patterns to use as ornament gifts last Christmas. The sheer volume of beautiful snowflake patterns available is staggering and that they are offered for free as long as you don't sell the patterns is an amazing gift.

Make no mistake though, crocheted snowflake patterns is just one small part of what Snowcatcher has to offer. Definitely give it perusal for her Wordless Wednesday photos, if you have an interest in bicycling (especially in the Rockies), or if you just want a glimpse into the life of really talented and bright-hearted blogger.

My take on this week's prompt:

The Craft

Longing to make beauty
from a single string and simple hook,
the child chained for hours
but went no further...
I was twenty-seven
before patience afforded
this stubborn daughter
the opportunity
to be passed my mother's magic.

Now, with knowledge enough to crochet
my own intricate designs,
I smile at the continued requests
to weave words, not yarn, for Christmas.


Random Wisdom: Kurt Vonnegut - Creativity

“We have to continually be jumping off cliffs and developing our wings on the way down.” ~ Kurt Vonnegut


Lucifer

High tide intensified,
the stone tower remains
steadfast
braced against the onslaught
of a tremendous tempest.

In the darkness,
battered by the raging sea,
it stands
gracefully offering light
to all in need.

1/15/14

Inspired by Mag 202
La Jument, off the coast of Brittany, photograph by Jean Guichard 















Monday Musings: January 13, 2014 - Image Prompt

Prompt:
Eva Trillian - Fototokig [Photo from Wednesday 1st January 2014 Post]

What to do: Write, film, compose, draw, paint, or otherwise express yourself based on the photo above. If you are open to sharing, just put a link to your inspired creation in the comments section of this post. :)

Prompt inspired by: http://provtyckningar.blogspot.com/

Ja, jag säger då det! or Yes, I forgot about it! is a Swedish/English blog dedicated to quotes, words, pictures, music, and anything else that strikes Eva's fancy. While I cannot recall where our paths initially crossed, I am extremely grateful for this amazing photographer's friendship and for the support she has given me since I began here in the blogosphere.

Don't be intimidated by the blog being in Swedish. Google Translate works fairly well and Eva speaks clearly (and most beautifully) through the universal language of her camera's lens. Please take the time to check it out and support this fellow blogger!:)

My take on this week's prompt:

Cloud Watching 2014

January wind scrubs my cheeks like
my grandfather just before he'd shave
and as I walk this familiar path,
crows fly against the morning gray
to portend subtle changes
rustling the veil.

Still that small child
wide-eyed at her Pop Pop's knee,
I fill my beach bucket
with hourglass sand and begin
to build my castle yet again.


Random Wisdom: John Lennon - Dreams

“A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality.” ~ John Lennon


Sitting On The Stairway

Safely surrounded by smoke rings
and a heavy scent of Jasmine,
she winds the music box--
ever content to hide
within the mansion of her mind.


Inspired by: Drop In Weekly Write #1 on Show Offs (a G+ community) - STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN - Led Zeppelin (Harp Twins) Camille and Kennerly




A Leather Apron in Whitechapel, 1888

Dark streets whet
the doctor's blade,
his sharp steel flashes
like lightning as thundering
heartbeats feed the red riverlet
splattering crimson speckles
on the cobblestones.


Inspired by: Mag 201


Monday Musings: January 6, 2014 – Word/Phrase Prompt

Prompt: Chance Encounter

What to do: Write, film, compose, draw, paint, or otherwise express yourself based on the concept of a “Chance Encounter.” If you are open to sharing, just put a link to your inspired creation in the comments section of this post. :)

In an effort to support my fellow electric surfers, I've decided to put a slight spin on Monday’s artistic prompt for 2014 and include a link to the blog/website that inspired the week’s prompt.

Prompt inspired by: avalleyandbeyond.weebly.com

A Valley & Beyond is an online magazine by journalist/author Michael Phoenix that centers around what’s happening in the Lehigh Valley (otherwise known as my backyard). While I admit it took me a little while to get used to the drop down menu perusing style, Michael has a wealth of information, reviews, and photos/videos about music and various events occurring in and around my adopted hometown of Allentown, PA USA (yeah, it’s the same Allentown Billy Joel sings about).

Greg and I had the pleasure of meeting Michael just before Christmas in an East Side Laundromat (you just never know who you are going to bump into when washing your unmentionables) and we were impressed with his friendly demeanor, obvious intelligence, and laid back professionalism. If you have an interest in the Lehigh Valley, are looking for some good recommendations, or are just curious about what it’s like in my neck of the woods, take a stroll over to A Valley & Beyond. You won't be disappointed and you'll be supporting an entertaining and informative online magazine.

My take on this week’s prompt:

On A Tuesday…

Somewhere between the rinse and spin cycles,
a side comment about the news broadcasting
from a flat screen TV above the folding counter
unlatches a door to deeper conversation.

Interests and perspectives shared,
recognized and respected,
spark a flame in an otherwise overcast evening
and gratitude ensues—
ever-happy to ignore the warning
to never talk to strangers.


Have a great week everyone!



Random Wisdom: Emily Dickinson – Opportunity

“Not knowing when the dawn will come I open every door.” 
~ Emily Dickinson, The Complete Poems



Making Resolutions 2014

Outlook good

   My sources say no

            Cannot predict now

Reply hazy try again


Inspired by No-Talent Tuesday's prompt at Show Offs.


Muse Monday 12/30/13: The Annual Inception

The Annual Inception

A celebratory toast
of popping possibilities
tempered with the tangy twist of time
encircles the globe's goblet
with colored light
and playful shadows.

The universal holiday
floats hope in bursting bubbles
and prays for peace
as resolutions rest
much less appetizing
at the bottom of a glass
the morning after.

Written 12/31/13 for this week's prompt...


A Promise Kept

  Post-it® Poem from April 30th on a 3x3 note. And that's it for this year! :) Thanks for following along...