Nan and Megan at CROSSROADS: the junction of Poetry & Painting   I've been sharing a lot in recent months about the complex process of creating a poetry and painting show, so I thought you might enjoy some updates. Thanks to Lynne Martin, the show was hung on 4/4. Thanks to Jean Northington and other members of the Fredericksburg Art Guild, we had a very successful opening reception on 4/7. It was a personal best for me as far as attendance, sales and my ability to talk to people. Bluebonnet for Still poem I did end up making three less exuberant bluebonnet paintings to go with Megan's poem "Still" that I shared with you VIPs the last time. It was about a bluebonnet that still blossomed, long past its usual season. This was the best illustration: intentionally weak colors, but hanging in there.   You may also remember the dragonfly digital painting and poem. That has been our most popular of the poem/painting pairs that we made into greeting cards to sell at the show. (Being digital, that painting is already available on my website.) Many people have asked how The Great Double-Dare (wherein Megan has to paint and I have to write a poem to illustrate her painting) turned out. Here is Megan with a young friend, examining the Double-Dare. Megan and a young friend I actually wrote this! My poem: nothing to suggest hidden poetic genius, but I had fun with it. I've actually written another since then, but you'll have to ask me if you want to see it. Join us live Weds 4/26 at 3pm Central Time The last item you may recall was me daring myself to figure out Facebook Live and Instagram Live to do an online presentation of the show. It turns out to be not too difficult, except that I want to be broadcasting on both of my accounts, Megan's and perhaps even the Fredericksburg Art Guild's Facebook, all at once. Wish me luck! And check out the recordings on Facebook and Instagram if you can't join us on Wednesday. I had to include at least one poem and painting that I have not yet published here.   "Blinded" Foolish trusting boy Left his glasses out for me Now I see as he -Megan Willome   (Based on a true story that sparked her interest in the intelligence of crows, which in turn led to her children's poetry book, Rainbow Crow, available on Amazon) Nearsighted Crow for the Poem Blinded The Cure for Writers Block part 1 Here is my favorite poem of Megan's collaged right onto the pair of paintings that will hopefully brighten someone's laundry room one day soon. The Cure for Writers Block part 2 My favorite lines: "But wait The dryer is already packed because you forgot to fold the last load. Divest the dryer."   Now I begin to understand about poetry being full of universal truths! The show runs thru the end of April, and any unsold poem/painting pairs will start migrating to my website. But don't wait too long if you see something that you love here or in the live video event. Email me to get the info on size, price, shipping, etc.   Thanks for joining poet Megan Willome and me on this unusual show's journey. We hope you enjoyed our foray into poems and paintings and dares.   I hope that, like me, you gain a new appreciation for what I call "Real Life Poetry."   May you always find your dryer empty (and the filter clean), Nan

Dear Art Friends, Family and Students,

On Friday 4/7, First Friday Art Walk at the Fredericksburg Art Guild is featuring me in collaboration with local poet Megan Willome in a show called “CROSSROADS: at the junction of Poetry and Painting.”

 

If you are local, please drop by to meet Megan, say “Hi” to me, sip some tea or wine and enjoy the nibbles starting at 4:00 pm.  Be sure to check out the paired poems and paintings in this unique art show, including one that was a double dare: Megan did the painting and I wrote a poem to pair with it!  (Fair warning concerning the quality of my new-fledged poetry: This whole process started with a note from me to her starting with the words, “I don’t even LIKE poetry!”)

 

If you are busy or too far away, please follow Megan and I on social media throughout April as we continue to celebrate National Poetry month by sharing our painting/poem combinations.

 

Here is one example:

 

Dragonfly

Oh! There you are!

You’ve changed color

from an angry box of eight crayons

to sixty-four degrees of glory.

 

I will be as still as water

(as still as water can be)

no ripple from your dragon

landing can ever disrupt me

                    -Megan Willome

 

Thank you for your ongoing interest and support of my art adventures,

Nan

www.NanHenke.com

P.S. Some other upcoming art stuff:

-The next Watercolor Workshop is Saturday 4/8 and the one after that is probably going to be Saturday 5/13. Contact me to register. $40 covers all tools & materials, beginners welcome.

-My Open Studio days at the Guild are Friday 4/14 and 5/19 (free: bring your projects and questions.)

-May 5 is the opening for the Guild’s annual juried show. I’m hoping to have some art juried in again.

-if you sign up for the free VIP list on my website (you get an art adventure email about once a month plus notices on my best new art) you will automatically be entered to win one of 5 paintings that I give away every December.  I’d love to stay connected with you this way!