Art FLASH! / 55 in December

As this is the last Art FLASH! prompt in The Imaginary Garden with Real Toads, and in response to a recent request, I am sharing my own art in the form of Oracle Cards I made with a few of my paintings from October/Inktober 2019.

Oracle Cards are simply a tool that offers a way to focus your intuition so you can tune into spiritual guidance and insight. They are cards that we can use to access our own source of inner Divine wisdom, spiritual guidance and insight. Read MORE.

Pharos ~ The Lighthouse
Kerry O'Connor
@skyloverpoetry

The first card I am sharing, I have named Pharos after the first lighthouse constructed in the city of Alexandria, Egypt and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
The symbolism of any tower is dual at its core: on the one hand it is phallic, mighty, erect, denoting power and spirit reaching from the earth to the heavens. On the other hand, it is feminine, reminiscent of an enclosed area, a walled sanctuary, and a safe haven. The Tower of Ivory was one of the names given to the Virgin Mary in her protective role of offering refuge and comfort. Read MORE.

Pacifico ~ The Pacific Ocean
Kerry O'Connor
@skyloverpoetry

Since this is December, and we are approaching the end of the Real Toads cycle, I am offering this bonus card: Pacifico. The name 'Pacifico' is a version of 'pacify' or 'peaceful'. It was named by the explorer Ferdinand Magellan in 1520 as he sailed through a calm patch of water on the ocean. Despite its name, the Pacific is a vast body of water teeming with activity and still waiting to be explored. Read MORE.


For this challenge you may select either of the cards (or both) and write an original poem for this prompt. Let the cards speak to you and guide your pen to write something:  Literal! Figurative! Reflective! Narrative! Symbolic!

As an alternative, you may write a Flash Fiction 55 inspired by the art, or on a subject of your choice, in memory of Galen, who first imagined this challenge.
Prose is acceptable but must be within the limit of 55 words!


If you repost the image on your blog, please give attribution to yours truly,  Kerry O'Connor, using the following link: https://www.instagram.com/skyloverpoetry/

If you post your poem on Instagram, using either image, please tag me @skyloverpoetry.

The prompt is open all weekend, and please feel free to enter two poems to the Linky below, if you feel inspired to write to both.

Art FLASH / 55 in November

For this month's art collaboration, Jason Limberg, an artist from Michigan, USA, has returned to the Imaginary Garden to share his graphite sketch, entitled 'Autumn Breath'.

Autumn Breath
Jason Limberg
Used With Permission

 Jason describes his imagery thus: "A drawing that makes me think about crisp fall mornings & colorful leaves." He also asks his audience what they think the reindeer is whispering to his companion.


If you repost the image on your blog, please give attribution to Jason, using the following link: https://www.instagram.com/jasonlimberg/

Feel free to pay a visit to @jasonlimberg on Instagram or the Jason Limberg website where more of his amazing pieces are to be viewed, but not used for this prompt.

If you post your poem on Instagram, using Jason's image, please tag @jasonlimberg and mention him as the collaborative artist in your post.

There are no restrictions placed on this challenge: Let the image speak to you and respond in a poetic or prose form of your choosing: Literal! Figurative! Reflective! Narrative! Symbolic!

Art FLASH! / 55 in October

For this weekend's art collaboration, I am introducing an illustrator in ink and purveyor of magic, McMonster, a perfect choice to set the tone for October.

McMonster has developed a unique style of painting with ink and has created a surreal world. As he describes it: Story telling with no narrative.
Take a look at this 1 minute clip, which encapsulates his process.





McMonster has kindly given permission for us to use the following piece for our poetic collaboration:

Commissioned Piece (Untitled)
@mc__monster
Used with Permission

If you repost the image on your blog, please give attribution to McMonster, using the following link:
https://www.instagram.com/mc__monster/

Feel free to pay him a visit on Instagram, where more of his artworks are to be viewed, but not used for this prompt, or follow this link to his AllMyLinks Page.

If you post your poem on Instagram, using McMonser's image, please tag @mc__monster (double underscore) and mention him as the collaborating artist in your post.

Let the image speak to you and respond in a poetic form of your choosing:
Literal! Figurative! Reflective! Narrative! Symbolic!

As an alternative, you may write a Flash Fiction 55 inspired by the art, or on a subject of your choice, in memory of Galen, who first imagined this challenge. Prose is acceptable but must be within the limit of 55 words!

I wish to remind all participants that this linky does not expire and the post remains open and at the top of the page until Monday. If you link early, please return to read other poems linked up after your own.

Art FLASH / 55

For this weekend's art collaboration, I am introducing an illustrator in mixed media, Cat Schappach, who is a marvel of dark surrealism. She has kindly given permission for us to use her piece entitled Seamstress.

Seamstress
@catschappach

If you repost the image on your blog, please give attribution to Cat, using the following link: https://www.instagram.com/catschappach/

Feel free to pay her a visit on Instagram, where more of her artworks are to be viewed, but not used for this prompt, or follow this link to her Etsy page.

If you post your poem on Instagram, using Cat's image, please tag @catschappach and mention her as the collaborating artist in your post.

Let the image speak to you and respond in a poetic form of your choosing: Literal! Figurative! Reflective! Narrative! Symbolic!

As an alternative, you may write a Flash Fiction 55 inspired by the art, or on a subject of your choice, in memory of Galen, who first imagined this challenge. Prose is acceptable but must be within the limit of 55 words!

From September, the weekend challenge will post early on Friday. I wish to remind all participants that this linky does not expire and the post remains open and at the top of the page until Monday. If you link early, please return to read other poems linked up after your own.

Art FLASH / 55

For this weekend's art collaboration, I am introducing an illustrator in mixed media ink, Quincy Washington, from Portland, Oregon, USA. He has kindly given permission for us to use his gold-embellished, 'Emperor of the Dawn', for our poetic inspiration. This picture is part of a his Zodiac Series: Royal Talens Collection - Leo.

Emperor of the Dawn
Quincy Washington
Used with Permission

If you repost the image on your blog, please give attribution to Quincy, using the following link: https://www.instagram.com/albanusdesign/

Feel free to pay him a visit on Instagram, where more of his Dark Art pieces are to be viewed, but not used for this prompt.

If you post your poem on Instagram, using Quincy's image, please tag @albanusdesign and mention him as the collaborating artist in your post.

There are no restrictions placed on this challenge: Let the image speak to you and respond in a poetic or prose form of your choosing: Literal! Figurative! Reflective! Narrative! Symbolic!

As an alternative, you may write a Flash 55 inspired by the art, or on a subject of your choice, in memory of Galen, who first imagined this challenge.

I wish to remind all participants that this linky does not expire and the post remains open and at the top of the page all weekend. If you link early, please return to read other poems linked up after your own.

Art FLASH / 55

For this weekend's art collaboration, I am introducing an illustrator in ink and watercolour, known as Anarh1a, from Novorossiysk, Russia. She has kindly given permission for us to use her beautiful piece, 'Chernobog and Belobog', for our poetic inspiration. This picture is part of a series the artist completed on Slavic gods, depicting The Myth of Creation.

There flew across the sky, above the Infinite Ocean-Sea, three birds: an Eagle in a front and two bright Falcons behind. The first chose the path, and directed the course. The two others followed him. One flew behind the right wing of the Eagle and looked up, into the sky. The other, who flew behind the left wing of the Eagle, looked down. Eagle was a Great God himself. One falcon was Belobog (White God), the other was Chernobog (Black God).
For more background on the role of these gods in Slavic culture, please follow this LINK.

Chernobog & Belobog
@anarh1a
Used With Permission

If you repost the image on your blog, please give attribution to Anarh1a, using the following link: https://www.instagram.com/anarh1a.

Feel free to pay her a visit on Instagram, where more of her amazing pieces are to be viewed, but not used for this prompt.

If you post your poem on Instagram, using Anarh1a's image, please tag @anarh1a and mention her as the collaborative artist in your post.

There are no restrictions placed on this challenge: Let the image speak to you and respond in a poetic or prose form of your choosing: Literal! Figurative! Reflective! Narrative! Symbolic!

As an alternative, you may write a Flash 55 inspired by the photograph, or on a subject of your choice, in memory of Galen, who first imagined this challenge.

I also strongly encourage all those who choose to participate in this challenge to visit and comment on the work of the poets who have linked up alongside you. This poetry community has always been a place to share and support the creative responses to the prompts we provide. The linky does not expire and this post remains open and at the top of the page all weekend. If you link early, please return to read other poems linked up after your own. The longevity of the Real Toads is reliant on active participation.

Art FLASH / 55

For this weekend's art collaboration, I am introducing Eli Edward Evangelidis, an illustrator and engraver from Sydney, Australia. Eli has kindly given permission for us to use his amazing piece,
'Beauty Forgotten in Survival's Eyes' (Pen and Ink. October 2018), for our poetic inspiration.

Eli Edward Evangelidis (2018)
Used with Permission

If you repost the image on your blog, please give attribution to Eli, using the following link:
https://www.instagram.com/eliedwardart/

Feel free to pay Eli a visit on Instagram,  where more of his amazing pieces are to be viewed, but not used for this prompt.

If you post your poem on Instagram, using Eli's image, please tag @eliedwardart and mention him as the collaborative artist in your post.

There are no restrictions placed on this challenge: Let the image speak to you and respond in a poetic or prose form of your choosing:
Literal! Figurative! Reflective! Narrative! Symbolic!

As an alternative, you may write a Flash 55 inspired by the photograph, or on a subject of your choice, in memory of Galen, who first imagined this challenge.

Art FLASH!

Greetings to all poets! After the fervour of poetry writing in April, I expect that many of us are taking a break from participation in challenges. But for those who find themselves in the mood for a collaboration this weekend, I am offering one of my own pieces for your inspiration today.

Recently, I have been delving in my long neglected pastime of painting and drawing in the medium of ink and combining it with poetry. One of my best loved themes is Dystopian, and I have done a series of Tarot cards, with a twist. This is my favourite: The Lovers.

The Dystopian Tarot, The Lovers
Kerry O'Connor

If you repost the image on your blog, please give attribution using the link to my blog: https://kerryoconnorsother.blogspot.com/
If you post your poem on Instagram, using this image, please tag @skyloverpoetry.

My other cards can be viewed at This Rough Magic.


There are no restrictions placed on this challenge: Let the image speak to you and respond in a poetic or prose form of your choosing: Literal! Figurative! Reflective! Narrative! Symbolic!

Art FLASH! in April

For this month's art collaboration, I am introducing Jason Limberg, an artist from Michigan, USA, who specializes in pen and ink drawings. Jason explains his artistic vision thus:

'I’ve always had a deep fascination with the forest and it’s inhabitants. There is a mysterious, ephemeral quality of the natural realm that captivates me. My work is a personal journal of the inner peace I find in the woods, integrated with musings of the animal’s lives weaving among the trees. I create in a way that comes most natural, through drawing, primarily in pen & ink. Much of my passion lies in translating the intricate details and subtleties of the environment, alongside the surreal elements of my imagination. With an empathetic eye, I strive to reveal the spirit and essence of the animals I draw. I am a draftsman aligned with the night, captivated by the natural breath, & searching for the timeless dance.'

StarGazing Rabbit
@jasonlimberg

'I like to envision the rabbits of the world being interested in the cosmos and night sky. I'm very fond of how smart, feisty and full of personality rabbits can be, so of course they would love to sit in wonder underneath the stars. Capturing it in a drawing just seems natural to me.'

If you repost the image on your blog, please give attribution to Jason, using the following link: http://www.jasonlimberg.com/

Feel free to pay a visit to @jasonlimberg on Instagram or the Jason Limberg website where more of his amazing pieces are to be viewed, but not used for this prompt. Jason can also be found on facebook.

If you post your poem on Instagram, using Jason's image, please tag @jasonlimberg and mention him as the collaborative artist in your post.

There are no restrictions placed on this challenge: Let the image speak to you and respond in a poetic or prose form of your choosing: Literal! Figurative! Reflective! Narrative! Symbolic!

Art FLASH / 55

For this weekend's art collaboration, I am introducing Tomasz Zaczeniuk surreal artist and photographer from Poland. Tomasz has kindly given permission for us to use his amazing piece,The Temple, for our poetic inspiration.

A completely unreal vision from the Polish coastline. It took me a decent few hours to create this with around 20-25 layers.

The Temple by Tomasz Zaczeniuk
Used with permission
@fotowizjer

If you repost the image on your blog, please give attribution to Tomasz, using the following link:
https://www.instagram.com/fotowizjer/

Feel free to pay Tomasz a visit on Instagram or check out his website, FotoWizjer, where more of his amazing pieces are to be viewed, but not used for this prompt.

If you post your poem on Instagram, using Tomasz's image, please tag @fotowizjer and mention him as the collaborative artist in your post.

There are no restrictions placed on this challenge: Let the image speak to you and respond in a poetic or prose form of your choosing:
Literal! Figurative! Reflective! Narrative! Symbolic!

As an alternative, you may write a Flash 55 inspired by the photograph, or on a subject of your choice, in memory of Galen, who first imagined this challenge.

Art FLASH! / 55

"He felt a strange sense of relief as he watched the documents fly off into the street.."

For this weekend's art collaboration, I am introducing David Bülow, Danish architect and imaginer in ink. David has kindly given permission for us to use his amazing piece,
The Turning Point, for our poetic inspiration.

The Turning Point
David Bülow
Used with Permission

If you repost the image on your blog, please give attribution to David, using the following link:
https://www.instagram.com/bulow_ink/

Feel free to pay a visit to @bulow_ink on Instagram or the  Bulow Ink website where more of his amazing pieces are to be viewed, but not used for this prompt.

If you post your poem on Instagram, using David's image, please tag @bulow_ink and mention him as the collaborative artist in your post.

There are no restrictions placed on this challenge: Let the image speak to you and respond in a poetic or prose form of your choosing: Literal! Figurative! Reflective! Narrative! Symbolic!

As an alternative, you may write a Flash 55 inspired by the photograph, or on a subject of your choice, as we keep the memory of Galen alive, and send our love and support to Hedgewitch, during her time off from hosting.

Art FLASH/ 55!

It is a New Year, and a good time to reinvent our FLASH Challenge.

This weekend, I am introducing Luke Eidenschink, self-taught, left-handed Artist/Illustrator working in ink, from Arizona, USA. Luke has kindly given permission for us to use his amazing piece, Moth-Woman, for our poetic inspiration.

Moth-Woman
Luke Eidenschink
Used with Permission

If you repost the image on your blog, please give attribution to Luke, using the following link: https://www.instagram.com/luke.ink/

Feel free to pay a visit to @luke.ink on Instagram or Luke Ink Art where more of his amazing pieces are to be viewed, but not used for this prompt.

If you post your poem on Instagram, using Luke's image, please tag @luke.ink and mention him as the collaborative artist in your post.

There are no restrictions placed on this challenge: Let the image speak to you and respond in a poetic or prose form of your choosing: Literal! Figurative! Reflective! Narrative! Symbolic!

As an alternative, you may write a Flash 55 inspired by the photograph, or on a subject of your choice, as we keep the memory of Galen alive, and send our love and support to Hedgewitch, during her time off from hosting.