Ekphrastic April, Day 7: "Abstract Study"

Today's cherita is a throw-back to the mid-2000s when I was marching in peace rallies (or Iraq War protests). Ringing the Boston Common were police, with helmets and billy clubs (also known as batons--tools of compliance). Overhead flew helicopters. It was an effin' peace rally! Today's painting by Mainie Jellett, "Abstract Study," called to mind those billy clubs at the ready. Thank goodness last month's March for Our Lives was a bit less intimidating!

"Abstract Study" (1922) by Mainie Jellett [1897-1944].

on the common

protesters sing,
carry signs

heavily armed police
ready to protect against
messages of peace

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

Poetry Friday--Ekphrastic April, Day 6: "Woman with a Pearl Necklace in a Loge"

Brenda Harsham was the first to suggest a work to use in my NPM Ekphrastic April project--a cherita a day inspired by a painting.

Brenda recommended "Woman with a Pearl Necklace in a Loge" by Mary Cassatt. If you're not familiar with Mary Cassatt [1844-1926], please take the time to read up on her, she was one of America's best interpreters of the lives of women.

"Woman with a Pearl Necklace in a Loge" (1879) by Mary Cassatt.

according to Mother

a redhead should never
be seen dressed all in red

I wear a touch
in the most strategic places
--Mother did not raise a fool

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

Khan Academy has a 5-minute video on the painting by Cassett, and, viewing it you will get a brief idea of the artist, the subject, and Paris in the late 1800s.



National Poetry Month is in full swing and today's Poetry Friday offerings are being rounded up by Amy at The Poem Farm.

Ekphrastic April, Day 5: "The Open Door"

"The Open Door" (circa 1913) by Helen Galloway McNicoll [1879-1915].

long winter

spring finally
arrives in a rush

every pore
of her body absorbs
the April light

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

Ekphrastic April, Day 4: "Bubbles"

"Bubbles" by Helen Allingham [1848-1926).

soapy water and a pipe

the oldest child says,
"bubbles are spherical rainbows"

suddenly all
Gran's pot of gold stories
subject to debate

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

Ekphrastic April, Day 3: "Young Woman With a Blue Fan"

Vera Rockline's early work was heavily influenced by the cubist school, she later took up a style all her own. Sadly, Vera passed away at age 38.

"Young Woman With a Blue Fan" (1919) by Vera Rockline [1896-1934].

Vera paints...

cubists' influence
on this young artist

still, she feels the pull
toward lightness--her edges
will be sanded smooth

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

Ekphrastic April, Day 2: "A Cat"

Artist Henriette Ronner-Knip painted cats and dogs almost exclusively! An obsessive love of pets is not just a late 20th-early 21st century phenonmenon!

"A Cat" (1892) by Henriette Ronner-Knip [1821-1909].

she observes

casually--
her legs neatly tucked

--but always
mindful of signs foretelling
betrayal

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

Ekphrastic April, Day 1: "Easter"

If you're looking for Happy Haiga Day!, it's on hiatus for the month of April. April is National Poetry Month and I'm celebrating by daily posting a work of art by a woman along with a cherita inspired by that particular work. The cherita may describe the scene, the artist, the style or medium, or simply be a thought/feeling that was engendered by viewing the work.

I'll be celebrating Easter, today, with the work of Swedish artist, Jenny Nyström [1854-1946] who made a name for herself during the heyday of illustrated postcards.

"Easter" by Jenny Nyström.

next to the leftover ham

an opened package
of marshmallow Peeps

we refrigerate
them now in this age
of germaphobia

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.