Tag: Wendy Brightbill

February Creative Notes

The garden is beautiful; with some snow on evergreens, and the fallen branch we left by the old green chair, with a chrysanthemum that bloomed for a time.

I am enjoying my 2023 mini-calendar by Annette Makino, that I bought from her MakinoStudios Etsy shop. “Japanese-inspired art, cards & more by Annette Makino.” The calendar is on the wall near my computer by a collage painting by Wendy Brightbill. agirlandherbrush is Wendy’s Etsy shop.

And I thought I would mention two more journals I have received, to follow my post, winter and grateful.

Time Of Singing goes back a long time. I recently renewed as a Sponsor for Volume 50. Westward Quarterly has also published for a long time.

Just a few of many possible examples to share today . . .

Photo by Matthew Montrone on Pexels.com
Photo by Viktoria Stetsko on Pexels.com

small study

small study
sun reaches the painting
adds another layer

(based on a painting by Wendy Brightbill)

My poem was published in the new Time Of Singing, Fall 2021.

Lora Homan Zill is Editor of TOS, a print journal.

Music and other thoughts

Music is a part of our daily lives.  What a gift.  

I grew up in a Lutheran church and remember singing in church – words I could not truly understand as a child.  “Create in me a clean heart, O God” (from Psalm 51).  The poetry inspired me always.

I began Quiet Christmas Poetry with “In the beginning was the Word . . .” from John 1: 1.  

More recently, I discovered Helen Jane Long and her beautiful compositions without words.  Yet her titles of CDs and songs seem so right, and I hope to learn more.  For example, “Porcelain.”  Perfect for a CD and the song.

Working with visual art more, with blog posts, I also look anew at the album and CD covers.  For example, I remember seeing Joni Mitchell’s paintings all those years ago.  I begin to see different languages of expression, and how artists put their work together for others to enjoy.  Sustain others in difficult times.

And I continue to enjoy Wendy Brightbill’s art.  Her site is a girl and her brush, gathering beauty in the every day.  I buy her calendars, and certain paintings are associated with certain times.  Her style is varied, and includes mixed-media art.  I think, “I could do that too!”  She is a teacher.

Life changes, and it is good to have our sources of inspiration that can travel with us as we learn new times.  One song can recall a lifetime of work.  One painting can fill a room.  I have my Bible with the Psalms taped together now, as they have held me together.  When I was not well enough to read, my heart was full.

Blessings,
Ellen

wpclipart

Creative Notes – Happy 2017

Wendy Brightbill’s 2017 calendar is beautiful.  I buy her calendars each year and enjoy her colorful and interesting art.

This morning I looked at Wendy’s Instagram site, a girl and her brush.

Her main site, which links to her blog, can be read and viewed here.

lakerinthemist
Laker in the Mist – Photo by Karl – January 2012

I am beginning to think about poems for a second large print chapbook, in the same style as Quiet Christmas Poetry.  These would be short poems of encouragement.

Ellen Grace Olinger