Ekphrastic Poems

Distance beckons us

Horseback ride to the mountains

Blue, crisp, winter chill
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an ekphrastic peom by Shelley Thompson
in response to a painting by John Waite

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The space in between

The process - waves revealing

Our sphere, our habitat

An oracle endlessly prophetic

Transforming thru kindness

Polarizing - a sword of light

A stroke of genius 

Christian Reiner, responding to paintings by Lois Huey Heck

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The Art Gallery Visit
a chance to see
the wonders of the world
I wander in
revive my spirit
a moment
out of time
anon

​The Apple Tree
asleep
knarled branches
ahead ...
blossom time
anon.
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Review of Art Show at Lake Country Gallery. ​

Written and contributed by Sandra Kessler

A lovely/lively art show opened on Saturday – March 7, 2020 at Lake Country Gallery.  It was called “Ekphrastic Poetry” - which is a Greek expression – meaning giving words to images. 

Four separate artists have work in this show. Liz Earl, Michael Griffin, John Waite and Lois Huey- Heck. 
Liz was on holiday in Mexico so wasn’t actually at the opening.  The others had a chance to share their experiences and the making of art. 

Liz’s work was compelling and I admire the depth and perspective shown in the landscapes, as well as the facility with which she expressed the floral details..   Buildings, landscapes, people – she doesn’t shy away from any subject and the attention to detail – as is in evidence in, for example, the wrinkles in the clothing of the people in a line up at “The Lunch Counter” and the depth in perspective in the space in the Bedford Mills piece. 

Michael Griffin’s  work is gestural pen and ink and wash – bodies and 2 portraits.  Clean and pure rendition – with an economy of expression.  He gave an interesting talk about the pieces and the theory about the Ekphrastic Poem.  The brochure on this show talks about making an Ekphastic poem. 
- pick an artwork from the exhibition
- start a conversation with artwork – ask questions, invent a response.
- reflect on details in the work.
- tell a story 
The poem can take on any form, haiku, limerick, sonnet, narrative – you decide. 

Lois Huey Heck has an amazing array of work – 12 to be exact -  executed on yupo paper which is a sort of synthetic base – it allows the movement of colour and is slow drying so not confined by time.
Primordial influences and as she says,  “microcosm/macrocosm” – evident in the powerful images. 
Her wonderful strong colourful renderings with so much energy and/or delight in the vibrant colours.  The clean, spare, venue allows the work to be of utmost attention allowing each to speak its truth. 

John Waite’s work is in acrylic on canvas – mostly landscapes.  Interesting sense of time and the value of a work in progress. His memorable quote, “ If it feels like something I have already seen, then it is time to change direction”.

Sandra Kessler