Topic #13--"Heat" Entry

Welcome to Karen! Here is her very cool entry for this week's topic:

She says, "Heat — very appropriate at the moment with the long string of 90 plus degree days we've had in the Atlanta area. It's definitely our hottest summer in a few years. I created the digital art above for that theme. I started by scanning one red jalapeño and created the above picture, Smoking Peppers, in Photoshop."

Topic #13--"Heat" Entry

Here is a very moving entry from AscenderRisesAbove.

To taste the fruits of hell
One need not go as far as death
For hell is all around us
We are all around it

For me personally,
Hell is as close as my heart,
Beloved,
Come feel the heat
Because it’s burning me alive.
The Fire Within by Nazrul Islam Naz
Nazrul Islam Naz mainly writes poetry in English. He translated many American poets into Bengali, for Shabdaguchha, including Amy Lowell, Stanley Kunitz, etc. His first book of translated poetry, from Bengali to English, Breath of Bengal is accepted by the Cross-Cultural Communications. Mr. Naz lives in London.

Topic #13--Heat

Topic #12--"Fragility" Entry

Many thanks to Amanda for her entry--wow!

She says, "My entry for fragility is from a series of photos I took documenting an installation I did recently entitled "Wraith". A wraith is an apparition of a person, which appears as a portent of that person's death. I have posted it on the Flickr Artwords site and there are more images of the installation in my photostream. The installation explored the fragility of life."

Topic #12--"Fragility" Entry

Many thanks to AscenderRisesAbove for this extraordinary entry and quote.

"A heart is a fragile thing, that's why we protect them so vigorously, give them away so rarely, and why it means so much when we do. Some hearts are more fragile then others, purer somehow. Like crystal in a world of glass. Even the way they shatter is beautiful."
John E. Pogue

Topic #12--"Fragility" Entry

Many thanks to Darcy for this beautiful entry filled with wisdom.

She says, "I think this suited fragility as time is one of the most fragile things this world has to offer. It is fleeting and therefore should be cherished and used wisely. There is no getting it back."
"Cherish" by Darcy Altaville c.2006

Topic #12--"Fragility" Entry

I have been enjoying posting digital art for the past couple of weeks. Plus, I haven't had much time in my studio, so it is easier for me to create in terms of access to materials. The original photo that is manipulated here was a spider web hanging on a branch, spotted with dew. After several manipulations in Photoshop I was able to achieve this abstract look.

There is this spider that makes a web on my airconditioner and when I go to wipe it away the spider runs into the AC unit. The next day the web is back up again. Although it is fragile that spider is incredibly strong-willed. Wish that spider would find a new spot to build that web--preferably outdoors.

Topic #12--"Fragility" Entry

Thank you Angela for this gorgeous entry!

She says, "dreams, teacups, plans, visions, environment, compassion, connections - all must be tended to with care"

Topic #12--"Fragility" Entry

Many thanks to Patrick for his entry this week.

He says, "best laid plans and all that,

as ive gotten older ive found myself thinking about the future, not just letting it happen like i did when i was younger, dealing as it happened.

but then i met someone, and i started to make plans, made goals, saw a path ahead.

ive never been so commited to that idea.

and ive discovered that plans, that paths, like ideas are fragile, that anything, especially things you never saw coming can it it all.

this is fragile"

Topic #12--Fragility "Entry"

This poem is so honest and beautiful! Many thanks to Leslie for sharing it.

Fragile
I live through each day
with a fragile heart.
I keep it protected from pain,
from truth
lest it shatter and destroy me,
kill me.

I walk around the earth
and hope that my heart will remain quiet.
That the protection I give will be enough.
That it can survive long enough.
Survive until the day
I can unveil the truth
that lives at the depths of my heart.

Topic #12--Fragility

Topic #11--"Censor" Entry

Many thanks to Patrick for his intriguing entry!

Wonderful Quote

I just happened upon this wonderful quote--so pertinent to this week's topic, "censor." I tried to post it on our bulletin board, but it would not fit. So, here it is:

"New ideas sometimes don't even make it past the inner critic who whispers about how weak it is, how others have probably thought of it already, and how others will laugh, criticize or turn away from you. Like will-o-the-wisps, they are easily extinguished. Ideas, for the very large part, need nurturing and pondering if they are ever to see the light of day or even spark the next level of thinking."

Definitely something to ponder.

Topic #11--"Censor" Entry

Darcy--this is such a beautiful, thought-provoking entry!

She says, "The word "censor" brought this piece to mind. In our own way, all writers are censors in the fact that they choose what to share and what to leave out. But their stories will remain forever. Just as the woman says "the written word is eternal".

Topic #11--"Censor" Entry

Welcome to Kathy from Colorado. Here is her stunning entry for this week's topic--it's acrylic and collage on paper.

Topic #11--"Censor" Entry

When I think about the word censor, my own inner critic comes to mind. I am a formally trained flutist and self-taught artist. I began playing flute when I was nine--with pure joy and unfettered spirit. This spirit remained fairly well intact until my teenage years when I studied at Tanglewood and then moved on to furthering my studies at a well-known school for music. For me, the training was valuable but also served to kill my natural spirit and love for my instrument and the music I could make with it. Thoughts of proper technique, phrasing, breathing, you name it would fill my head, almost paralyzing me. It took a while for me to "unlearn" this and still I often find it hard to quiet my censor that was so well seasoned.

As I persue the visual realm of the arts I am so determined not to let that happen again. I am trying to preserve my inner muse and natural love and spirit for making art. That is why I believe I will remain self-taught, as I find so much joy in it now and want to feel that way in future years.

This digital piece represents protecting my natural passion and joy for making art--protecting myself and my art from external critics that could cause my internal censor to become too loud, dampening my spirit. For now I am staying in my own little snow globe or bubble.

p.s. I am speaking about my personal experiences only. I realize that not everyone has this same kind of experience with their academic pursuits.

Topic #11--"Censor" Entry

Many thanks Caron for this compelling entry.

She says, "I see censorship as being the control of knowledge by the powerful to be kept from the masses. Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden by God when they ate from the tree of knowledge. Books are banned because authorities are afraid of what the masses will do with the information that is between their covers - to attempt to protect people from themselves."

Topic #11--Censor

Censor
n.
1 A person authorized to examine books, films, or other material and to remove or suppress what is considered morally, politically, or otherwise objectionable.
2 An official, as in the armed forces, who examines personal mail and official dispatches to remove information considered secret or a risk to security.
3 One that condemns or censures.
4 One of two officials in ancient Rome responsible for taking the public census and supervising public behavior and morals.
5 Psychology. The agent in the unconscious that is responsible for censorship.

Topic #10--"Gesture" Entry

Check out this very cool photo transfer piece from Mary Ann!

She says, "someone gestures to you to have a seat
& you gladly accept this gracious offer to take a load off...
ahhh, you muse...
just the perfect time to rest your weary bones
& reflect in peaceful solitude."

Topic #10--"Gesture" Entry

Welcome to Angela! Here is her entry entitled "Simple"--it is simply exquisite!

Topic #10--"Gesture" Entry

Welcome to Darcy! Many thanks for this beautiful contribution.

She says, "Right now it is a gesture to ARTWORDS to finally participate....but it is also a work in progress....and that too is a gesture."

Topic #10--"Gesture" Entry

Welcome to Patrick! Many thanks for this wonderful submission and your words of wisdom.

He says, "I was going to do minimalist but didnt produce anything i was really happy with. i was thinking about the word gesture, sometimes when i get stuck ill hit a dictionary and brainstrom from there, and i was thinking of what gesture means to me right now.

if it was two years ago it would have been something else, if it was year or two months ago it would have been something else.

right now i think it means that the smallest of gestures can make the biggest of differences.

there is/was text on the psd format version but i left it out for the presentation.

sometimes its the little things that makes all the difference...

anyway, i think this is kinda one of the more "positive" pieces ive done so far for 52 fridays."

Topic #10--"Gesture" Entry

My entry for this week--these are my favorite conductor's hands--they belong to Leonard Bernstein. I had the privilege of seeing him conduct Copland's Symphony No. 3 at Tanglewood--right before he died. There are no words to describe what I heard in response to his gestures--I believe I had an out of body experience.

Topic #10--"Gesture" Entry

Here is Himavant's "gesture of ink."

Topic #10--"Gesture" Entry

Here is Caron's submission for this week--very moving.

She says,"I see gestures as being motions evoked by emotions and the acceptance of faith is an ultimate gesture one can make."

Topic #10--"Gesture" Entry

Welcome to Kristin! Many thanks for your beautiful entry!

She says, "The "gesture" is the dancing figure of my 6 year old daughter. I used photos that I took of her at an end of the school year party as she danced the afternoon away! After printing them out I placed them on top of some of my blue/green paste paper and cut them out with an exacto knife. Finally, I doodled the paisley prints in 'color' with Sharpie markers. A fun journal page of one way we express our joy through the gesture of dancing, mixed with a bit of color! It's a colorful life!"

Topic #10--Gesture

Gesture

"Words represent your intellect. The sound, gesture and movement represent your feelings." --Patricia Fripp

Photograph of Martha Graham

Topic 9--"Whisper" Entry

A beauty from Mary Ann:

Topic #9--"Whisper" Entry

Many thanks to Himavant for this stunning entry!

She says, "Whisper. This is not an easy theme to work on. It took me days to get idea what to create.

Last night it came to me the concept behind whisper -- in my interpretation. Something mysterious. Although it can be something romantic too. But I thought about the notion of gossip more, what people talk.

Then I came up with whisper over dinner. There's a black plate, looks formal, but empty. And three lips represent three kinds of whisper.

The red one with apples is the seducing lip. Whisper to seduce.

The half lip with snake head is the evil lip. Whisper to provoke. I also call it swallowing.

And finally, the lip with morning mist is the soothing lip. Whisper to soothe.

I call the work .seducing.swallowing.soothing."

Topic #9--"Whisper" Entry

What a gorgeous entry from Gillian!

She says, "Whisper. It's a beautiful word - quite onomatopeaic really. It suggests to me a gentle breeze, grasses rustling, leaves stirring - the movement of a butterfly. The poem seemed perfect for the artwork and the challenge."

Topic #9--"Whisper" Entry

Many thanks Liz for this fantastic interpretation of "Whisper."

Her inspiring words, "i knew right away i wanted to do a spread with a white feather. i guess it signifies quietness and calm to me--something HUGELY lacking in my life at the moment as we get ready to move!! When i think of whispering, secrets and gossip don't really come to mind--it's more about a feeling of peace and quiet, a soft, tender voice, kind, loving words, a calming presence. time to just sit still and listen--and take in the hush all around."

Topic #9--"Whisper" Entry

Here is a beautiful entry from Caron and some words of wisdom to inspire you.

She says, "Whisper" connotes that a secret is being told. Leaves whisper in the wind, and I wonder about the wisdom nature has passed on to us for millenia. Women have quietly passed on their knowledge of nature from generation to generation from ancient to modern times, and if we listen closely we can still hear whispers of all of our forbears guiding us in our lives."

Topic #9--Whisper

Whisper

"There's a whisper on the night-wind, there's a star agleam to guide us,
And the Wild is calling, calling... let us go." Author Unknown

Art by Skumancer

Topic #8--"Minimalism" Entry

Thank you hilfiger.48 for this wonderful minimalist interpretation!