Category Archives: ekphrasis

Yemaya’s Children – the Orishas return

Another story from Damyanti in response to the image I put up as a writing prompt for her. I never know what will spark her writing or the direction it will take, but I am always delighted to read what … Continue reading

Posted in character, Damyanti Ghosh, damyantiwrites, ekphrasis, fiction, fish, image prompts, lucid dreaming, picture prompts, speed-writing, the Orishas, Uncategorized, writing, writing prompts, Yemaya's Children | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Damyanti Writes

I lifted Damyanti’s story from her blog, the Daily (w)rite : a daily ritual of writing. She wrote the story from the image I put up Feb 3rd. She spins amazing stories out of just about anything, just for exercise. … Continue reading

Posted in art, Daily (w)rite, Damyanti Ghosh, ekphrasis, hat chick, image prompts, painting, poetry, stories | Leave a comment

Creation Myth # 12

Two for Damyanti Ghosh, who requested image prompts. Survey her work at http://damyantiwrites.wordpress.com/ This drawing is of my niece, McKenzie Jones, when she was a teen-ager. Not so long ago…   At one time I was putting up new images every thursday … Continue reading

Posted in art, collaborative storybook, creation myth, creative process, Damyanti Ghosh, damyantiwrites, ekphrasis, image prompts, McKenzie Jones, poetry, stories | 11 Comments

How Many Stories Can A Picture Tell?

Catherine Nesbitt called the other day to buy a painting. It was her husband’s birthday and the painting gave Jim pleasure so she wanted him to have it. If the truth be told it wasn’t her favorite. The other painting … Continue reading

Posted in art, childcraft books, collaborative storybook, Crayola crayons, creative process, Doug Palmer, ekphrasis, image prompts, institutional racism, Jim and Cathleen Nesbitt, painting, poetry, selling art, the wheelbarrow woman, whypaisley, Wilmington NC | 7 Comments

image prompts

Nanda Sosa just emailed me the pictures below, which are of paintings hanging on the walls of her home in Caracas. I had forgotten them. Which means it has been too long since I visited that beautiful, amazing, troubled country … Continue reading

Posted in art, below the line, ekphrasis, image prompts, maria fernanda sosa, painting, storybook collaborative, Venezuela, work in progress | 5 Comments

alone time

is hard to find these days but I have some now and I am puzzling out how to use this blog. I stay away from writing and painting too long – which happens whenever I take a movie job – … Continue reading

Posted in art, art for film and tv, babelfruit, birdie jaworski, Broadus and Ada, callings, citylights, collaboration, ecphrasis, ekphrasis, faith, film work, first presbyterian church las vegas nm, gallinas magazine, georgia o'keefe movie, homeless shelter, homelessness, image prompts, las vegas nm, let's hope, love, making a difference, naomi swinton, painting, pertussis, picture prompts, poetry, protestpoems, Rev. Randy Campbell, Rosie Lopez, samaritan house, san miguel county, sharon seto, sizzle, spencer and janet swinton, storybook collaborative, Uncategorized, uwc-usa, whooping cough, why does good change take so long?" | 21 Comments

rollercoaster/whooping cough?

Hello everyone, all of you who have left such kind notes since my last post. This is just to let you I have no intention of disappearing from the blogging community, nor of laying this particular blog to rest. We … Continue reading

Posted in Ada Swinton, art, basic training, Broadus Mobbs, Dr Maryann Luchini, ekphrasis, kids, nm, painting, pertussis, picture prompts, poetry, san miguel county, social justice, stories, storybook collaborative, Uncategorized, useless stupid leaders, useless stupid war, why does good change take so long?" | 14 Comments

10/24/08 closing a chapter – one last prompt

I’m writing from the coast of North Carolina as tropical rain and winds lash the house and the lights flicker inside. My extended family is gathered for a reunion here. There is something comforting about working while the winds rage … Continue reading

Posted in art, completion, cucaloris film festival, ekphrasis, image prompts, independent art company, male nudes, painting, picture prompts, poetry, storybook collaborative, wabi sabi warehouse | 28 Comments

swords into war toys

Cut from steel plate. I know, not the best answer. But it’s a start.

Posted in art, conscientious objector, ekphrasis, pacifism, steel sculpture, swords into war toys, vote | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Google’s $10 million, revisited

A couple of weeks ago I posted a notice about Google’s 10 to the 100th project. You know, Google’s call for ideas that could change the world and offer to fund the most popular to the tune of $10,000,000. Deadline … Continue reading

Posted in 10 to the 100th, anger management, art, Bartos Institute, callings, changing the world, collaboration, conscientious objector, draft resistance, ekphrasis, faith, google 10 million, making a difference, pacifism, painting, questionable rights of the state, refusniks, swords into war toys, uwc-usa, war and peace, war tax resistance, war toys | 6 Comments

10/16/08 image prompt

I’m actually posting these images on a Thursday, like I said I would. Life gets a little hectic here with a new baby, workaholic parents, a wild 9 year old. Almost 9. Okay, about the baby. Omygod, what a baby. … Continue reading

Posted in ada corinna, art, broadus, children, collaboration, ekphrasis, halloween, image prompts, painting, poetry, Rockheads, stories, storybook collaborative, works in progress | 10 Comments

10/9/08 image prompt, a poem, and marcia abigail ryder

We’ll call this painting this week’s image prompt. I’m in Agua Prieta, Mexico, on the border with Arizona with a group of UWC-USA students who are doing a week-long Border Issues study. Internet is sketchy so while I have it … Continue reading

Posted in art, cape cod, ekphrasis, friendshp, image prompts, kittery maine, love, marcia abigail ryder, painting, picture prompts, poetry, roger cole, storybook collaborative, teaching art, walking on water, wellfleet mass, winchester high school | 11 Comments

10/3/08 day late image prompt

Oops. It’s been a topsy turvy week. I apologize to those who have sent work in that I have not yet put up. I’ll try to post it later today or tomorrow. In the meantime, here is something Broadus and … Continue reading

Posted in art, broadus aurelius, collaboration, ekphrasis, image prompts, painting, poetry, stories, storybook collaborative, works in progress | 9 Comments

summer 2

Like the moon she swims in darkness. She gives, and only hands can block her gifts. She wraps herself in blues and greens and tastes of loam and snow, of marmalade and rolling thunder. Summer hides within the everglades with … Continue reading

Posted in art, autumn, ekphrasis, fall, line break puzzle, poetry, summer, the 4 seasons, the four seasons | 4 Comments

9/24/08 image prompt

A day early but I’ll be out of town tonight (off to Santa Fe to hear Isabel Allende with my son, Broadus, who loves her children’s stories, and a van full of international students from UWC-USA). And besides, this is … Continue reading

Posted in art, ekphrasis, image prompts, isabel allende, painting, poetry, stories, storybook collaborative, supernatural bridge, Uncategorized, works in progress | 13 Comments

9/18/08 image prompt

This image was inspired by the spirited freedom always evident in the artwork produced by my son, Broadus. If a dragon needs four eyeballs, or double jaws, or teeth in its belly he does not hesitate to add them. It … Continue reading

Posted in art, broadus, collaboration, ekphrasis, image prompts, painting, poetry, quesrtionable rights of the state, stories, storybook collaborative, stupid war, tell us a story!, the children's hour | 5 Comments

openhand’s story

.the dragon prince Mister Openhand, I think maybe it would be okay to quit your day job.

Posted in art, birth, ekphrasis, image prompts, myths, openhand, painting, poetry, stories, the children's hour | 6 Comments

9/11/08 image post

Maybe someone can find a story here? Or a poem? This painting belongs to Broadus, and he would like a story, please. It’s almost bedtime. Sept. 11, 2008 image prompt . The Dragon Prince, by Openhand . A Not-story, by … Continue reading

Posted in art, callings, ekphrasis, image prompts, painting, poetry, stories, storybook collaborative | 15 Comments

9/4/08 image prompt

Wanted to call it, “Bruno Goes To War”, but that’s not really what it’s about. So, for lack of a title I’ll just call it “The Fight”. Have fun with it. Next week I’ll get back to, heck, I don’t … Continue reading

Posted in anger management, art, ekphrasis, image prompts, law, painting, poetry, race in america, stories, storybook collaborative, Uncategorized, vegetarian pacifist boxers | 3 Comments

Praise, pepek the assassin

hmmm… can’t seem to let this one go. Joyce (pepek) has changed a line in her poem, Praise, written to accompany the image below. I am posting both versions below. Would love to hear your response to the change… . … Continue reading

Posted in art, callings, collaborative storybook, ekphrasis, image prompts, joyce ellen davis, painting, pepektheassassin, poetry, stories | 17 Comments

8/28/08 image prompt

(Backstory) 4′ x 3′ approx. mixed media on linen. This picture came out of another time. It grew out of a loose scumble of color on the back of a piece of printed upholstery fabric. The fabric was a fine … Continue reading

Posted in art, callings, carol roberts, egnima, ekphrasis, image prompts, painting, poetry, red shoes, storybook collaborative, supernatural bridge | 18 Comments

this is the post that opened the storybook

I am catching up here, having been distracted by some 8 weeks on a film crew, and having a baby (well, Naomi had the baby. At home! Welcome, Ada Corinna Meridian Swinton!), followed by driving a moving truck 2000 miles … Continue reading

Posted in Ada Swinton, alice o'leary, art, art for film and tv, big-time collaboration, Broadus Mobbs, callings, collaborative storybook, damn cat, ekphrasis, friendshp, Grand Canyon, image prompts, making up stories, myths, naomi swinton, painting, picture prompts, poetry, stories, storybook collaborative, tell us a story!, who the heck is alice?, with ah! bright wings, xpalla | 3 Comments

new writing / catching up!

. Here is Grand Canyon, a poem from Tiel Aisha Ansari, creator of the blog, knocking from inside. The poem is from her 3 trips to the Grand Canyon and accompanies this week’s image. . And flesh and rock, from … Continue reading

Posted in art, collaboration, collaborative storybook, ekphrasis, footprint of the creator, geology, Grand Canyon, image prompts, myths, painting, picture prompts, poetry, Rockheads, Uncategorized, works in progress | Leave a comment

image post 8/22/08

Hello everyone, Broadus and I are just returned from from our 8 day AzRa rafting trip down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. Some rafting groups are put together by AzRa and people get to know each another over … Continue reading

Posted in an embarassment of riches, AzRa, Broadus Mobbs, collaboration, collaborative storybook, Crand Canyon, ekphrasis, family, geology, god's footprint, michael thomas jones, painting, picture prompts, poetry, Rockheads, with ah! bright wings | 15 Comments

early image prompt

I am once again on the road. This time with my 8 year old son, Broadus. Today we drove to Flagstaff, Arizona. Tomorrow we leave on an 8 day rafting trip through the Grand Canyon, a trip that fell out … Continue reading

Posted in art, bruno, Coach, coach morgan, collaborative storybook, ekphrasis, image prompts, painting, picture prompts, poetry, sherridale morgan | 12 Comments

pepek the assassin

I haven’t singled out a poet’s work and talked about it specifically, but Praise, by Joyce Ellen Davis struck me powerfully and I wanted to bring it up and see what feedback came in. I love the painting but it … Continue reading

Posted in art, callings, collaboration, collaborative storybook, ekphrasis, image prompts, joyce ellen davis, painting, pepektheassassin, poetry, stories, Uncategorized | 13 Comments

8/7/08 image prompt

the summer is flying by. Hope it is a good one for you. Here is a summertime prompt I hope will elicit a story or two… …and they have. Here are some… .thresholds, from lirone (words that sing) . sisters, from … Continue reading

Posted in art, collaboration, collaborative storybook, ekphrasis, image prompts, my four sisters, painting, poetry, stories | 25 Comments

this week

new writing: I am a Hawk and a Mouse, by Christine a note from the artist, from jo Bluebirds are meant to sing by damyantig Avian Armor from marlow44 liberate yourself from guatami tripathy memories from lirone tunnel of bones … Continue reading

Posted in art, ekphrasis, image prompts, new work, poetry, with broadus | 8 Comments

back in new mexico…

i’m sitting here with a babe in arms. hence the lack of caps. she’s a month old and i’m pulling at her toes as she watches the screen. amazing little thing, making charming little sounds – grunts and chirps, little … Continue reading

Posted in art, collaborative storybook, ekphrasis, family, image prompts, moving day, picture prompts, poetry, roadburn | 7 Comments

7/31/08 image prompt

Hello from the road. Tomorrow we’ll start burning it up. Here is a prompt that reflects the chaos of the moment. Actually it was a fun collaboration with my son, Broadus, but when I look at it now it seems … Continue reading

Posted in art, broadus aurelius, collaborative storybook, ekphrasis, image prompts, myths, painting, picture prompts, poetry, road-burn, stories, storybook collaborative, Uncategorized | 21 Comments

7/24/08 image prompt

It’s the dog days of summer, inviting musings on loyalty, long walks and rolls in the grass, unspoken friendship and the simple satisfactions and creature comforts that make up some of the good things in life. Next week I’ll be … Continue reading

Posted in art, collaboration, collaborative storybook, dog days, dogs, ekphrasis, friendshp, image prompts, loyalty, naomi swinton, painting, picture prompts, poetry, stories | 12 Comments

new work!

and still more to post… I is for Bugs . I is for… by Lirone, author of the blog Words that Sing. (Lirone means “song is mine, joy is mine”…) . Tiel Aisha Ansari, author of the blog, knocking from … Continue reading

Posted in art, collaborative storybook, ekphrasis, image prompts, nanda, painting, poetry, stories, storybook collaborative | 3 Comments

something new from the art predator, and more…

Lunch-break. The show is winding down and I’m working myself out of a job. That’s the way it works and we are usually ready to be done with the movie at this point, anyway. It never was a calling, just … Continue reading

Posted in 'tis a gift to be simple, art, callings, collaboration, collaborative storybook, ekphrasis, film making, film work, image prompts, maria fernanda sosa, nanda, painting, pepektheassassin, picture prompts, poetry, scenic artist, script writing, stories, works in progress, you can't say you can't play | 4 Comments

a note of thanks

to cristine, for her mention on readwritepoem.org

Posted in art, collaborative storybook, ekphrasis, ekphrastic-extravaganza, mariacristinapoesia, picture prompts, poetry, readwritepoem, thanks!, Uncategorized | 4 Comments

the (friday) thursday image prompt’

We are a little scrambled here, with days and nights, hearts and minds full with work and children – so I am a little late with this one. But with kids in mind, here is a prompt to make up … Continue reading

Posted in 'tis a gift to be simple, ada corinna, art, awakening, birth, children, collaborative storybook, completion, ekphrasis, faith, family, image prompts, love, painting, picture prompts, poetry, portraits, stories, Uncategorized, works in progress | 11 Comments

lunchbreak!

I miss the circulating I was doing up until the time I took this movie. Not much time for blogging now, with the arrival of little baby wonderful, and work. Spent the day aging and generally messing up a meth … Continue reading

Posted in 'tis a gift to be simple, ada corinna, art, ekphrasis, film work, home birth, lullabies, mariacristinapoesia, painting, poetry, scenic artist, works in progress | 15 Comments

7/10/08 image prompt

Good morning! Time for work, gotta go. Here’s a picture. Backstory, and more about Ada, later! . praise, by joyce davis (pepek the assassin) . The Condor Soars, by Lirone, on Words that sing . Bystander, by one more believer, … Continue reading

Posted in 'tis a gift to be simple, ada corinna, art, awakening, birth, callings, children, collaborative storybook, damn cat, ekphrasis, faith, home birth, image prompts, kiss of the wind, myths, new baby..., painting, picture prompts, poetry, prose poem, stories | 18 Comments

6/26/08 image prompt – soup kitchen witch

Hello everyone. Since we never really know what the day will bring (or when we will knock off and go home), I am putting this Thursday image prompt up early and offering both the original and a later (scribble witch) … Continue reading

Posted in angels, art, collaborative storybook, ecphrasis, ekphrasis, faith, image prompts, light, myths, oil painting, painting, picture prompts, poem, poetry, portraits, prose poem, soup kitchen witch, stories | 20 Comments

6/18/08 image prompt

Here is this week’s Thursday image prompt. Take in whatever direction you wish, and enjoy. Follow this link to the storybook collaborative for an easy to follow guide to images and writing thus far. This is open to everyone. The … Continue reading

Posted in art, collaborative storybook, ecphrasis, ekphrasis, image prompts, kiss of the wind, love, new baby..., ozy, ozy where are you?, painting, picture prompts, poem, poetry, prose poem, stories, storybook collaborative, the kiss, where are you?, works in progress, you can't say you can't play | 30 Comments

thursday image prompt 6/5/08

Enjoy. Take in any direction you wish. Backstory later. This one dedicated to the funny, talented, joyful and beautiful lakota, naughty lakota, naughty naughty naughty lakota.

Posted in art, birth, ekphrasis, image prompts, lakota, myths, painting, picture prompts, poetry, prose poem, stories | 26 Comments