What's the Crowing About?

If you've been resting on your perch too long, 

then you may want to spread your wings and 

enrich your life with new artwork.

I would like to invite you to two mind-stretching exhibits.

Enjoy an original poetry reading and view the accompanying artwork 

at the Crossings in Zumbrota, MN

Poet Artist Collaboration

Friday, April 19, starting at 6:30 pm

My artwork "Was It a Murder?" was inspired by Peter Stein's poem "Living Will"

detail - "Was It a Murder?"

or put your heads together to see

what artists can do with things we normally discard

at the Riverfront Art Center in Stevens Point, WI

Re-Art, Trash Transformed

Opening Reception - Friday, April 19, 5-7 pm

My art "You've Been Wallpapered" was created for a fun challenge to re-use the wallpaper that my friend Mary was stripping from her walls when redecorating.

detail - "You've Been Wallpapered"

You're Invited

Poet/Artist Update

In-scents or Out-scents

20" x 30"

©2012 - Sharon V. Rotz

This past weekend, I attended the Poet/Artist Collaboration reception at the Crossings Gallery in Zumbrota, MN. This was a wonderful chance to the poets who inspired our artwork. During the evening, the poets read their work as the artist's interpretation was projected on the screen. We all enjoyed the comments and thoughts that went into each work.

I had the opportunity to meet Karen Anway, "my" poet who inspired In-scents or Out-scents.  Was it because of our collaboration? Do we share a bit of our soul as we create? We became instant friends the moment that we introduced ourselves.

Karen's prize-winning poem follows:  

Incense and Nonsense

When I Read

Spirit has its own aroma

I thought,

an appealing kind of nonsense

and started smelling

things.

For instance, did you know the scent of rotting stems in slimy-water flower vases is the same one inside your mouth when you forget to floss all week, and the smell of that dumpster in Kansas made me homesick for the ocean just like fresh garlic makes me think of sex?

In certain ancient cultures people burned incense because they thought the fragrance

rose

to

The Nostrils of God

When we burned that good luck incense Joan sent from Hong Kong,

and had to leave the house to breathe,

we wished we’d burned that stuff outside

and could have easily heard from the police,

                                                              or even God.

Jayne smelled her father in her car after he had died. She said she knew he’d been there even though that was impossible. My father’s car smells like him, but it wasn’t until after he died that I noticed. When I buried my face in my mother’s pajamas after she died, I could still smell her there for almost a year, but like every precious perfume, eventually that sweet bouquet my mother left behind for me, disappeared, and I was left holding cloth.

Well meaning friends tell me, Your parents still love you―remain with you even though they died.

I yawn,

Nonsense, I say, and snort

a breathing woman

smelling everything.

Written by Karen Anway, used with permission of the author.

Inspired by a Poem

In-scents or Out-scents

20" x 30"

©2012 - Sharon V. Rotz

Where do you get the inspiration for your artwork?

This year I wanted to explore new opportunities and was juried into the Poet Artist Collaboration at the Crossings at Carnegie Gallery in Zumbrota, MN.  As an artist, I was challenged to interpret the writings of one of the poets selected. Incense and Nonsense was the title of my chosen poem. This led me to ponder how to visually show something as abstract as smell. The decay of flowers, the smell associated with a loved one, and the over-powering smell of incense found their way into this piece.

You can view the work of 26 artists and poets at the show. See how each artist collaborated to create a vision for original poetry.