Write some more of those poems
he said dreamily
I love your poems, they are very beautiful…
So here is one
For You.
*****
I love how you always find the
Laughter
In the midst of life’s hardest situations
Always a playful story to be spun
That brings the
Light
back in.
What god have you descended from
to make You be
so Wise?
I’m inspired by the comparison portraits above from today’s NPR article, “For Modern Poets, a “Likeness” Could Evolve” (based on the current show at the National Portrait Gallery, Washington, D.C.)
Same person, different perspectives.
Here’s Langston Hughes as a bellhop (with much soul), and as a professional, business-like writer. These images were both made in the same year.
Marianne Moore is young, romantically lighted. Almost 20 years later we have a different experience of her life in her clear, I-see-you gaze, posed in front of elephants.
A thought provoking reminder to those of us who take portraits –
How do you “see” (experience/feel/understand) the person?
What do you consciously include in the image?
Are you evoking your preferred expressions, or do you allow the subject’s natural expression to come through?
And if you’re the one looking –
“Who” are you being encouraged to see?
What qualities are there – and what may be left out?
Interesting in the article: insights re the dynamics of artists and their agents deciding what persona to be presented to the world, more examples of portraits that have changed dramatically as the person evolves (see Allen Ginsberg), featured poets reading their work…
(Camila Domonoske and Angela Evanciei, “For Modern Poets, a “Likeness” Could Evolve,” on the new exhibit, “Poetic Likeness: Modern American Poets“ (see wonderful website) in the National Portrait Gallery,Washington, D.C.)
This sky where we live
is no place to lose your wings
so love love love
– Hafiz
Image: “Love,” from birthday photo shoot “Turning Two!”
© Heidi Straube 2013
Rene and Georgette Magritte with their dog after the war
I love to see the interplay of different art forms. It’s wonderful to see how we can all inspire each other, drawing from the same creative Source.
Here’s a fun and interesting article (with videos embedded) about songs that have been written about or are inspired by various painters. From Picasso to Warhol to Frida Kahlo – and reflecting all kinds of music and styles – the Muse arises, and uniquely, tribute is paid.
I was trying to pick a favorite, but as I return and visit the videos, it varies day-to-day. One day I like the repetitive words and music of The Modern Lovers with their unique perspective in “Pablo Picasso,” another day I’m into the sweetness and sentimentality of Paul Simon’s “René And Georgette Magritte with their Dog After the War,” and then a third time the simple caring and humor of Michael Marra in “Frida Kahlo’s Visit to the Tay Bridge Bar” makes me happy.
And what about John Cale? He keeps popping up on the radar these days. His “Magritte” is an update of his signature style, and works for me.
Fisun Guner’s comments about songwriter and song are informative and frame the theme beautifully. She has also included the “worst” of these types of songs – I had to laugh at some, and don’t really care about the others.
It’s enough to see and hear the masters that feed my hungry inspirational soul.
“Art Rock: The best and worst songs about artists,” by Fisun Guner
http://www.theartsdesk.com.
The Inner Path of Photography 