Hi everyone ~ I am excited to share two good news today. First, I see little spring buds coming out in my part of the world. Yes, spring is finally here. And second, to introduce the lovely paintings by Cheryl Nelson Kellar, which will be our inspiration for our words today. Cheryl is an artist from Sherwood Arkansas USA.
A background about the artist:
I never leave the house without earrings, perfume and bright pink lipstick. I’m a little girlie that way. I believe in beauty — in whatever form it takes. The interior of my home is a gorgeous lavender! I love bright, clean colors — soft and soothing as well as vibrant and stirring. After years of work as a court reporter– a job that requires intense focus, attention to detail, and a great deal of structure– I discovered watercolors and fluid acrylics. I first took art classes as a way of seeking balance and easing tension in my soul. Soon the magic claimed me. I truly am lost — and found– in the mystery when water, color and brush meet.
I am an artist! And I expect to always be a student too. I paint what fascinates me and dearly love exploring and experimenting. I hope you enjoy my artwork as much as I enjoy making it and sharing it with you.
Portfolio of Works:
Abstracts and Non-representationals: I love abstraction and experimentation. Stretching the bounds of reality, for me, intensifies the emotions, the essence of my subjects. I feel that it opens up my own creative pathways and that magic sometimes happens when I’m throwing paint or ink, splashing, pouring, stamping, etc. I strive to create something beautiful and something that brings joy to the viewer–because that’s what I feel when I am creating. Painting freely with passion and abandon, is so exhilarating too!
Mosaic of Life
What You seek is Seeking You
Deconstructing the Spiral
Alcohol Inks: This medium is new to me. I am having a grand time experimenting with it. I love the vivid colors and the way they move over and through each other. I love the photographic shiny finish I get with them. I haven’t tested their light-fastness yet and I have yet to find a sealant for them that is permanent. I’ll update here when the verdict is in on that.
Burgeoning
Light Seeking
Time to Bloom
My Girlfriends series are whimsical collections – playful and represent the qualities I love about my dear friends, women in general and the sometimes me in particular. They are not portraits; although, they may look like the specific person who is in my thoughts as I paint it. They are more likely to look like what I experience in my relationship with that person, what her spirit looks like to me.
The Spring Sisters
Dreams of Flying
Oh, The Stories She Could Tell
“I love to travel and have a small file of special photos that really capture a sense of place and/or people for me. You will see a few paintings inspired by those experiences and my appreciation and gratitude.
I welcome you to use whatever paintings for this project that you wish to use, and I do not mind if some of your group wish to go outside of the selected ones. I do appreciate the link back to my site and/or blog and credit. I can’t wait to read what y’all write. I have a lifelong love of poetry.”
Thank you Cheryl for generously allowing us to use your fine work for our poems. You can view her complete work here: Cheryl Kellar Fine Art and blog.
Here are some suggestions for your writing: Use of vivid colors, writing with joy and abandon using stream of consciousness, and focusing on intense emotions. Experiment by mix-matching form and technique that we have discussed so far (you can check the archives on the sidebar). You can also go whimsical and write about your friends, real or imagined. Feel free to write to more than just one painting or idea from Cheryl’s work.
If you’re here for the first time, here’s how to participate:
- Write a poem or prose poem, inspired by artwork pieces of Cheryl Kellar. You are not limited to the images here, as I have gotten her permission that you can choose from any of her work.
- Post it on your blog, and if you are using Cheryl’s picture, link back to her site and give her credit for the image.
- Click on the Mr. Linky button, insert your name and direct URL to your poem (not your blog).
- If you use social media, use the tag #dversepoets or @dversepoets so we can find you and help with promotion.
- Visit others that have taken the challenge as well.
Happy Tuesday everyone ~ Grace
dVerse 
Pub is open ~ I hope you get inspired by Cheryl’s work ~ I’m still in the office so I will be by to read your posts ~ Happy Tuesday to all ~
grace….really excited about this prompt…i love the artwork…so many ways to go with it…
plus you woke me up a bit with it…smiles
thank you both…
I like when you wake up like that Brian.
I think the abstract paintings allow us to interpret the imagery in different ways ~ And good to see you Brian ~ smiles ~
good to be seen. smiles.
the mystery when water, color and brush meet… i can relate to that… wonderful artwork and looking forward to read what poetry it inspires… thanks grace for introducing her to us – and thanks cheryl for allowing us to write to your paintings
I actually admire her journey to arts & wish I can do something like this in the near future ~ I know you can relate to that magic and mystery Claudia ~
you should give it a try grace…would be cool to be writing to your art one day…we could do a pubtender art prompt…each pub tender puts in a piece…ha
Goodness, that would really stretch me ~
Also, I have to say that I couldn’t write to abstract art before but after a few attempts & challenges, I find that I can do it ~
I love that idea, Brian!
i think it could get interesting…maybe for those not inclined to draw or paint could provide a song…hmmm….or photograph…mixed medium….might have to send that out and get everyones ideas…
Hey Grace… Kellar’s work is brilliant; it’s so unique and freeing… It inspired a light-hearted write outta me. smiles
Hey Anthony, I love it when our prompts move us in different directions ~ You stretched me with your photography prompt too ~ Light-hearted is fine & I will be over to read in a minute ~
It was so hard to choose among the pictures.. really hard… but the colors of the abstracts was really interesting… I might have to try a second one if I might.. but first I want to take a tour
as a lover of earth colors i found my fav quite quickly…
Sure, go ahead and write another one ~ The whimsical collection actually appealed to me, smiles ~
At the risk of getting a lot of people twisted, which I guess I occassionly do, I have a comment about, not the quality of the art, but the kind of art that gets chosen for these particular prompts. With the exception of the Weitz–I hope I spelled that correct–paintings, the past choices to me have seemed vacuous, almost child like and certainly not inspiring. I am a great lover of abstract art, but there is serious abstraction and the kind of abstraction which falls into the frilly, flowery kind, of which these paintings are part of. One has only to look at the non-abstract of the three girls to get an idea of the illustrative andunemotionally attached art this is. If we are going to have paintings for prompts please let them be made ofr flesh and bones, something that can stimulate real thought. I apologize if anyone feels offended by these remarks and you certainly are welcome to your own opinions. I look forward to a challenge that will evoke serious poetry. Best >KB
I have noticed you’re not afraid to speak your mind, huh KB? and I think that’s really cool, man. I’ve no problem agreeing to disagree.
I believe in kind honesty which includes being forthright which is sometimes mistaken for being crass or boorish. Truth is a thing that is subjective to each of us individualy. If you cannot say what you believe then you should say nothing at all. Thanks Anthony. >KB
your honesty does not make it truth though…its still an opinion…which is worth as much as you put stock in it…
you dismiss the art…and anyone that might want to disagree with you…that is arrogance…
i think it dismisses the work that goes into putting the prompts together…and the work it takes to contact artists and communicate with them about using their work…i think it also is disrespectful toward those willing to share their art with us…
so in my opinion..feel free to say nothing.
tah.
thank you, Brian-
You are entitled Brian by all means. I just said what I felt. I said it was only my opinion .I have particular tastes in art and simply felt that the selections thus far for the most part have been lacking in a sense of depth. It was not meant as an attack merely a statement of a point of view. Best>KB
i like when someone is not afraid to speak their mind. art is always a matter of taste though. for me – i think i could find inspiration in every kind of painting – even if it’s not so much according to my personal taste
“you certainly are welcome to your own opinions” As opposed to? A big screw you lol
I’m not sure that deserves an answer, but I will repond anyway. Why can’t a person give an honest a opinion about something, especially if they know something about art without everyone simply accepting it as that? I did not call out anyone as being an idiot–I merely said why can’t we have good art. I light of yours and others reaction it is clear that dVerse is not a forum where open criticism is wanted, though it is touted as a pillar of its desires and goals, I will refrain from participating anymore in your program. It is not something I want to do as I like d being part of what goes on . But if a person is to be castigated for being honest then it is obvious I am unwelcomed here. So be happy that you have achieved what you set out to do which is punish me for having a free thought in my head. Thankk you. >KB
I love her vibrant colors and the whimsy in her works. 🙂
Hi Imelda 🙂 I too love the whismical collections 🙂
I was fabulously lucky today because the poem I wrote perfectly matched one of her pieces. I am happy to say that I have incorporated “Dreams of Flying” into the Second Adventure of Annabelle Jean. Lovely having you behind the bar today, Grace. This is going to be fun. Great ekphrastic prompt!
annabelle jean seems to be the perfect name for her…. i like…smiles
Looking forward to reading your work Gay ~ Happy to see you here ~
Always love art prompts – will do my best to take part tomorrow, but with the children on holiday and a car to be serviced… well, it may be a little over-optimistic!
maybe you can even write one with your kids…? that would be cool as well…
Looking forward to it Marina ~
ha. enjoy your holiday marina…had that the other week with my boys….
Fun, Grace! Thank you for all of the colors and the Storyteller among them, Cheryl. My poem is unfinished, but I have company coming and a house to arrange …
nice…enjoy your visitors – and oh i LOVE a good storyteller…
Well you kept me in suspense Susan ~
Ooh, lovely. I do enjoy the inspiration that flows from art. Cheryl’s work is so vibrant and joyful!
I love the colors too ~ Be over in a minute to read ~
i would agree…i love her use of colors….
alrighty – bedtime over here for me – see you tomorrow morning…
Good night Claudia ~ Sleep well ~
sleep well c….
I love her work and her story. I want to try those alcohol inks, too. Are they done on Yupo or…? Have not yet even selected my inspiration…will hope to have something tomorrow.
Answered my own question…yes, it’s Yupo. So fun to work with. Thanks Cheryl, for letting us use your work.
Hi Victoria ~ I like how she experiments with her work ~ Will be looking out for your work ~
Hello, brilliant poets! I’m so happy to be a part of this. I am not offended by the negative comments of KB. Art is a very personal thing. I must admit, though, I am more delighted by those of you who get me.
My mom would be so proud of me today. She was a poet at heart. She quite often thought in Haiku. I was just reading a collection of hers yesterday that I came across quite by accident — or was it?
I’m heading over to see what you are writing next. You have made me so happy already! Thanks to all of you. XOXO
How lovely and kind of you to visit Cheryl ~ Thanks so much for generously allowing us to use your paintings ~
i hope you enjoy the trip…and thanks for sharing your art with us…i was telling grace it broke me out of a week long funk….smiles…i wrote a second one for the morning based on ‘the journey is the destination’…love the title, but also the form in it…personally, it took me to the city…but i like the contrast in the structures and then the sprays of color…
Thanks for taking the time to visit, Cheryl, and above all, for sharing your vibrant art.
Your use of color and implied texture in the abstract expressionism is so good.
have another ready to go in the morning grace…
spent a bit more time going through her portfolio tonight
and found another that tickled my pen…
I have another idea too but I don’t know if I have the time to finish it tonight ~ Will be checking in throughout the day for new ones, smiles ~
Thanks to all of you who have participated so far ~ Have a good night ~
Thanks for the prompt, Grace. May I use one of Cheryl’s artwork for another poem that I linked in a previous prompt? I don’t wish to repeat my link here but would like permission to pair with an earlier poem that it seems to fit perfectly…will give credit to Cheryl, of course. Hope to read your reply, and more poetry, in the morning!
Sure, you can ~ And you are welcome to link more than just one poem ~ Thanks for participating ~
Good morning ~
Lovely pieces, Cheryl. Thank you for sharing and thank you, Grace, for another beautiful prompt.
Thank you and hope it inspires you, smiles ~
I’m no artist, but the bright colors make me feel a certain way… not sure how to describe it… wait! This must be what happiness feels like! I think I like this “happiness” thing! How do I get more of this stuff?
But seriously, many paintings jumped out at me. ‘Ole!’ being my favorite. I tend to live in blues, violets, and purples, and I’m a sucker for women in violet dresses beckoning for me to come dance with them. 🙂
This was a fun prompt! (They’re all fun, but you know what I mean…)
We try to make it fun while stimulating our muse 🙂 Hey, I enjoyed your ghazal offering 🙂
i need to go check out ole’…ha violet is a very nice color in dress…smiles.
I must say, I am not inspired ‘the happy way’ often, but Cheryl’s use of colors and the beautiful, vibrant paintings can uplift absolutely anyone’s mood! I loved the abstract ones… Cheryl is so talented! This was a great prompt, I just added my link!
I also admire the abstracts as it appeals unique to everyone ~ I will be over to read yours in a bit ~
hey glad you found your happy place! smiles.
good morning poets….caught up…and will be around throughout the day…
Dear dVerse members. Yesterday I wrote in my comment about by opinion about the art used in our prompts. I say n’our’ because I have really felt to have become a part of this, what I consider dedicated and serious group of poets willing to share their poetry and opinions. As a result of my comment which I was not ment as a personal attack of any kind I have received numerous retorts that have not only disparraged my opinion but my charcter as well. Thus, if that is the atmosphere at present towards speaking one’s mind I must with disappointment say I respectfully decline to cause any further ruffling of feathers. I can only be what I am, nothing less nothing more and think to have the opinions that I do. So I bid you well to all and adieu. Thank you for all your kind indulgences and words of support in the past I will miss them greatly. Posting days at dVerse functions were always a high point to be looked forward to on such days. Be good but honest with each other. Respectfully, >KB
A Perfect Vacuum
With the advent of the discovery of ‘dark matter’
I don’t think even space can be considered
A perfect vacuum it once was thought of.
Take heart though ye questers of perfection
Of the inviolable metaphorically such things do exist.
They can be found in the hearts of lovers
Once who returned love back in kind
And were soothed by the gentle touch and words
That draped themselves across their skins
In ways so gentle their reactions spoke in volumes
Though now cold and empty not unlike a dead planet.
There is another, not connected to the heart so much
Where the freedom of thoughts expressed
Are sucked into the iciness of nothing when exposed
And that is found in the public forums of opinion’s prison.
There is much made at the start for all points of view
To be allowed as long as decorum and animosity
Are held at bay and no personal attacks for thought
By others is made the salient point of differences
In taste and experience that color all our views
With the shades of what we truly feel.
But herein lies the unhappy state that honesty
Even when asked for to be a pillar of a state
Is, when proffered, a victim to castigate as though
Some great regicide of crime had taken place.
Therein lies in such times the essence to be found
Of a perfect vacuum which destroys all tastes
Felt to be uncomfortable to those for whom
It should be a thing to be if not coveted for frankness
At least be seen for only what it is
As opposed to a threatening to push others
Into a fall of their self-made worlds of grace.
K.B. – i appreciate your honesty – with your comment, you ruffled some feathers and got some feather ruffle back – you spoke your opinion openly – others did as well, you were honest – others too
we don’t want streamline convos – we appreciate different opinions, honesty and respectful critique
i would be sad if you left
maybe re-think it? as i said – if you want the space to speak your mind openly, you have to take it when others do as well
Claudia, I have no problem having my professional feathers ruffled–I enjoin others to do so–but there is no call for personal attacks. I never made any or singled out anyone and I expected that to be returned in kind. >KB
if the atmosphere is one where people can speak their minds…it has to go both ways…
I agree Brian on a professional level. But I never gott personal and it was not recprocated in kind by some people. Thanks. >KB
i think you made some personal and judgemental statements in the first comment you left…your last statement on looking forward to prompts that evoked some serious poetry dismissed any response to this prompt as not serious? as was the need of something to provoke real thought, so no real thought can come out of this art?
i think the choice to play the victim card in your poem keeps you from any responsibility of having to learn from this.
Oh Brian, ?I have lerned to simply keep my opinions to myself. Occassionally I need to be reminded especially when I’m manic to be more concerned with my own thoughts and keeping them penned in. I apologize to you and all if what I said seemed untoward. It was not meant to be. Thank you for your persistence in hammering me.
Perhaps its best if I just go away. I would still like to follow your poetry and those of the others I follow from dVerse but to be honest, You are really the only other poet who I have ever received any constructive criticism from about my work so in the end I make an attempt to reach every one that posts–usualy as long as they post that day, though sometimes I have gone back. Overall I don’t get a great deal of return input except from usually the same people every time.
I realize I am a very faulted individual. I have a knack for pissing people off. I always have. At heart I am meek as a mouse but I have moments. It is one of the reasons I do not have many friends of my own volition. All my people are either through the phone or online and can all be counted on one hand. I don’t dislike people, but t times there is simply too much input for me to deal with. I could never live the kind of lifew you lead, teacging, married, raising a family. It just wouldn’t be pssible. There is too much going on in my head all the time.ince I took my hiatus from posting to get more involved in my writing and the changes I was going through if I told you how many good poems I have written you would not believe me. It is all I do. I didn’t write for over 35 yers and I guess now I am making up for lost time. It has cost me a marriage which was failing at any rate but since then I have been very happy living lone and doing nothing but writing. It’s what I do. It’s who I am. Poetry is the most important thing in my life next to my dogs anf friends. So follow me, deon’t follow me it’s up to you but I will continue following your work because I respect it. I also respect you for having the balls–this is the second time–for calling me out and into my sense. Best >KB
Artists — writers and painters alike — stimulate, provoke, indulge, soothe, uplift, and destroy. My list could go on. We expose vulnerable places in ourselves and others. It gives us extreme pleasures and pains. What we all have in common, I think, is more than a desire to create. It is as necessary as drawing breath. We must give birth to something that defies a label.
I am so moved by the poetry I have been reading here. You have made my year! Thank you from the fullness of my heart!
smiles… glad you enjoyed what you read cheryl – and thanks again for being our guest in the pub…
I am pleased that our words moved you ~ Thank you for being our lovely muse ~
Late to the party, but the artwork was so amazing I couldn’t possibly stay away… Looking forward to seeing which pieces everyone else has chosen!!!
We are still open, smiles ~ Good to see you here ~
It is sunny, warm and super busy here on the farm – I’m hoping to catch this amazing poetics prompt before the linky expires. I have 8 hours left, hopefully I can do it. Would hate to miss this one.
Looking forward to it Shanyn, smiles ~
Couldn’t resist adding another. Somehow, Cheryl’s abstract expressionism spoke to me of myth. Thanks again, Cheryl and Grace.
I will be over in a bit 🙂 ~
I couldn’t find a poem, though her work is pleasing enough. I kept looking at it and wondering – if my eyes were cameras what would I see, it my memory silicon forever perfect – with no fear of loss through time how would I value it. Could never work it out. A good prompt though.
I must admit it takes me time to write to abstract imagery ~ It helped that I read what others have to say to get ideas ~ I appreciate your feedback and hopefully my next prompt will be more generic & familiar to all ~
It was a good prompt, and I think the idea about what turns pixels to beauty or memory to meaning might still work as a poem, it just didn’t percolate up.
Please don’t construe any thought that this was less than a fine prompt. I just wanted to share how the process worked for me.
I find that when I am writing to abstracts, the challenge is to look inside, what ideas do I have or would like to express ~ I find most often that any idea of mine is okay, regardless of the abstract image ~
For this exercise I wrote based on an idea (of spring) and later on, I looked for an abstract imagery to match it ~ Any idea would match an abstract imagery, I think ~
Thanks for sharing your process ~
we learn sometimes from what doesn’t quite succeed too,
Yes, we do, we are always learning ~