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Join my Creative Writing Workshop!

Have you been waiting for the right time to get back to work on that novel or short story that’s started collecting dust? Or maybe you just need some inspiration to kickstart a new writing project? Join us at the Ashland library for our biweekly peer support creative writing workshop! Each participant chooses an excerpt from their project to read aloud and receives feedback from the rest of the group. Improve your work in a positive and collaborative environment!

Creative Writing Workshop takes place from 2:30–3:30 pm in the Ashland Library’s Guanajuato room on 12/4/2023, 12/18/2023, 1/08/2024, 1/22/2024, 2/05/2024, 3/04/2024, 3/18/2024, 4/01/2024, 4/15/2024, 4/29/2024, 5/13/2024, and 5/27/2024.

Advance registration is requested but not required. Please bring a copy of your work to the library ahead of time if you need assistance printing extra copies. Click here to register!

The post Join my Creative Writing Workshop! appeared first on Wendy Gell Jewelry and Art.

Three Poems

This photo by Sergey N. is paired with my poem, “On Meeting Strangers.” 


In the manner of lovely, inexplicable things, three of my poems appeared this month in three lovely places. A month of gratitude, for sure. Enjoy! 

 

“The Light Inside” in Rust + Moth

 

“On Meeting Strangers” in Ekstasis


“Then” in Pensive: A Global Journal of Spirituality & the Arts

 


 

 

 

The Meaning Question

“What is the meaning of your art?” That was the question posed to me a couple of months ago during a conversation about my paintings. Not A Good Answer. My answer?  Well, I would say nothing illuminating or noteworthy.  Indeed, I was a bit perplexed because I did not have a simple or straightforward answer. …

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The post The Meaning Question appeared first on Margaret Stermer-Cox.

Coming soon…

 

…a little bit of poetry-painting bliss. For now, an illustration from the book-ish mystery!

Water for Body, Water for Soul

At the end of summer, a simple gift of water. Blessings of refreshment to you!
 

Thinking of Trees

 As I finish compiling a collection of poems, I’ve had to let many things go, including some grand quotes about trees. Since I can’t squeeze all of these beautiful bits into the book, I thought I’d share some here:  

 

 

The one who’s lying on his back under tall trees

is also up there within them.

— Tomas Tranströmer, “Breathing Space, July”

 

The trees spoke of patience.

— Suzanne Simard, Finding the Mother Tree

 

[I]n the language of trees there’s no grammatical mood: questions, statements, or commands—it’s all song, stripped of anything like judgement, intention, or need. 

Carl Phillips, Then the War and Selected Poems

 

Day brings what is going to be. Trees—

wherever they are—begin to stand. 

— William Stafford, “Letting You Go”

 

But blessed are those who trust in the Lord 

and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.

They are like trees planted along a riverbank, 

with roots that reach deep into the water. 

Such trees are not bothered by the heat 

or worried by long months of drought. 

Their leaves stay green, 

and they never stop producing fruit. 

Jeremiah 17:7-8 NLT



Three Watercolor Studies Done While Camping

Greetings!  I hope this finds you enjoying your summer. One think I enjoy doing is watercolor studies while my husband and I are out camping somewhere.  And, that’s what I want to talk about today. From Classes To Traveling. To explain, after spending several months concentrating on my online class with the Art Students League …

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The post Three Watercolor Studies Done While Camping appeared first on Margaret Stermer-Cox.

From Seed to Sky

When we built this house, I sprinkled a packet of wildflower seeds beneath the front patio. The first spring, mostly zinnias grew up. Last year, mostly poppies. This year, all Brown-Eyed Susans and some wild green thing that went to seed and grew taller than I. 

 

I marvel at how what begins in darkness keeps reaching for the light. From seed to sky, may we keep reaching. 

 

Blessings of Light to you,

 

Anna

Sky Me

On finding an old photo of alpenglow

O clouds—

such brief beauty—

you sky me

with your glory. 

Watercolor Workshop with Anne Brooke

Geraniums, watercolor by Anne Brooke
Geraniums, watercolor by Anne Brooke

Join respected watercolorist and encouraging art instructor Anne Brooke for an all-new watercolor workshop. Learn everything you ever wanted to know about watercolor to make you a more powerful painter. 6 weeks of Thursdays starting September 7th from 1–3:30pm for $130. Price includes workbook and supplies. Contact Anne at [email protected] or 541-941-7057 for more information. Register now!