Haikus and Art

Currently entered in the Exeter Townhall Gallery for the next three weeks. It's a combination of poetry and art. A poem written for each piece of art or a painting made for a poem.

I write Haikus (Americanized version, three lines of 5, 7 and 5 syllables) for some of my paintings. Haikus are short and unpretentious (like me). Occasionally I write the Haiku and then paint a subject evoked by my Haiku.

This painting was done a number of years ago when I was in a darker place.

"Adrift"

"Adrift on a dark,

Dark sea I dream of what never

Was and never will be."

This painting has won four awards in Juried shows ranging from Honorable Mentions, to a first place in Pastels. I've shown this for many years now but have never been able to sell it.

Another autobiographical Haiku and painting: "Into the Sunset", as an old (really old) retired Air Force Pilot, I feel this is quite appropriate.

"Into the Sunset"

"The sunset beckons.

I fly the valley of clouds

Tracking the beacon home."

This one also won awards but one judge criticized the repetitious cloud shapes in the lower half of the painting. I guess she couldn't see the hand of God reaching out to receive me. This painting sold the first time I put it up for sale. The patrons are the judges who really count.

Two Paintings at Exeter Chamber of Commerce

I placed two paintings in the offices of the Exeter, NH Chamber of Commerce.

The first painting is an acrylic, 11 by 14 inches, of Peggy's Cove, Nova '.

The second painting is a pastel, image size 12 by 16 inches, depicting my haiku "Adrift." " Adrift on a dark, dark sea, I dream of what never was and never will be." It has been in my inventory for several years now. It's kind of a strange case: It has won several awards in at least 3 art shows, including a first with high praise from the judge but I've been unable to sell it. I've reduced the price hoping it will find a good home.

Great Bay Art Show/my two paintings

As I stated yesterday, I didn't have time to photograph my paintings which I put into the Great Bay Art Show. One of the paintings sold so I went down to the gallery today and photographed my two paintings for my records. The first painting is an 11 by 14 acrylic of the Great Bay Salt Marsh. The "Salt Marsh" painting photographed considerably darker than actual painting. The second painting is titled "Lanteen on the Esturary" which is an 8 by 10 inch acrylic on stretched canvas (sold). We do have a large historic lanteen sail that will appear on the Great Bay on rare occassions. It is a recreated gundalow, which was a sail powered barge carrying cargo up and down the local rivers and bays in the 1700 and 1800s.

Great Bay Art Show

I think my muse is returning. I decided to participate in the Great Bay Art Show, at the Discovery Center, Stratham, NH. The center is located on the Great Bay and is the entry way for a wonderful boardwalk that meanders through a salt marsh adjacent to the Great Bay. It's a delightful walk through the salt marsh and a great place for the birdwatchers. There is an annual art show and sale and the artwork is to deal with the Great Bay and environs. My decision to participate was at the last minute and I finished two paintings and framed them just in time to deliver them to the show before the entries were closed. Alas, I didn't get photos of them. They probably won't sell and I'll get photos later and post them after the show. (yes I'm being pessimistic, art sales have been very low this year). The artists' reception is this Friday evening, 7 PM at the discovery center and the show will run just this weekend.
I wish some of you lived close enough to drop by and say hi.

By the way my October 21th entry includes a painting of the saltmarsh.