Saturday, February 25, 2012

The Sunday Challenge ~ Featuring Ellen Wilson

This weekend will be spent in the company of the multi-talented Ellen Wilson, of Ella's Edge.  
Not only is Ellen a creative genius, she is also a multi-tasker, able to have many projects on the go at once, and I am so grateful that she added this feature to her "Things To Do" list.  


Self-Portrait of the Artist


Edgar Allen Poe said, “Poetry is the rhythmic creation of beauty.”
I discovered this truth, when I captured a mood in a photo.
Photography feels like an open window to the world.
I use light and shadows, instead of words to portray a moment, in time.




Heartword by Ella's Edge


Fragile parchment opened
Imprinted with lampblack ink
Timeless journey continues in a
Pressed rambling rose


Faded fragrance lingers with time’s passage
Boundless whispers of youth arrive
They dance over the gold leaves
Held intact by
Stitched Irish linen threads


Scattered moth wings and kisses
Lie waiting for hope’s promise
Tiny green shoots
Soon will erupt
In gray mattered soul


Bursting forth
Baby buds with notes of Narcissus’ beauty
Awaken
Spring’s eternal romance
With
Knowledge


Blossom

Ellen was given her first camera at the age of eleven, and is always consciously aware that photography means writing with light.


Web

Many of Ellen's images can be found by following this link to the Etsy On-Line Shop, but please do not select an image from that gallery which is more to your liking for this prompt, without asking permission from the artist.


Teatime

I have long been an admirer of Ellen's photography, and what strikes me most is her attention to detail.  I believe she sees with a poet's eye, and a poet's mind that is able to focus on the parts which make up the whole.  If you missed the Real Toads Interview with Ellen, it is well worth a read.

Fragile

Ellen has generously offered these beautiful photos for our poetic inspiration. She has also decided to make this a Giveaway Challenge, at her own discretion.
If you add an image to your post, please acknowledge the name of the artist.


Cotton

The Sunday Challenge is posted on Saturday at noon CST to allow extra time for the creative process, so please do not link up old work which kind of fits the image. Members will only respond to poetry written specifically for this prompt: this is in the spirit of our Real Toads project to create opportunities for poets to be newly inspired.

21 comments:

Kerry O'Connor said...

I love all these images, and have yet to decide on which one I want focus on. I shall see what my brain brews up in the night, and start fresh tomorrow morning.

Good night all.

Fireblossom said...

What does "give-away challenge" mean?

Kateri said...

I'm not sure I will end up having time to write a poem (I'm working this weekend), but that these photos are so beautiful--"photography is writing with light", I wouldn't have thought to put it that way, but have to agree, and Ellen's photos are a beautiful example of that!

Kay L. Davies said...

Ella and Kerry — I love the last photo, but it didn't speak to me the way the paper heart did.
"Writing with light" is very much an Ella thing to do, isn't it? I really enjoyed this prompt.
K

Melbourne Australia Photos said...

Great post, I'll try and join in, although I'm really busy thee days...

Ella said...

I m touched and thrilled to be part of this process. I am hosting a giveaway on my blog tomorrow. I am giving away an 8x10 photo. Winner selects which picture they would like.
Kerry you are too kind! Oh it doesn t matter what country you live in. The giveaway is for everyone. The only requirement is be a follower of my blog, I can t wait to read your poems!

Mary B. Mansfield said...

Amazing photos! Love these weekend photo challenges :)

Sherry Blue Sky said...

GORGEOUS photos and nice doable prompt. Cool! Thanks, kiddo. You so Toad-ally rock!

kaykuala said...

Beautiful photos Ella! Perfect play of light and shadows!

Hank

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Ella is one of the most creative and versatile artists I know!

hedgewitch said...

I often have difficulty writing to photographs, but these were a pleasure. Thank you Ella, for letting us use them.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Ellen for the images, you inspired me to bring out some childhood memories into poetry. I, as a photographer, admire your work on many levels and sense a kinship there with your artistic touch. Great stuff!

Unknown said...

Ahhh Ella I have a horrible suspicion that you are gonna be a regular at my blog. I feel compelled to steal you from everywhere. I really love everything you do.

Hey Toad. Thanks for hosting Ella. I adore this post. New follower.

Kerry O'Connor said...

Mine's up. I hope I did the photo justice.

I'd like to remind all participants to follow the link over to Ella's Edge and sign up for the giveaway.

Susie Clevenger said...

Your photos are so beautiful. You are so talented! I wrote one from the teapot photo...

Mary Ann Potter said...

Ellen, these are beautiful images! I wrote about "Cotton", and my little verse took such a different direction than I expected. Thanks so much for sharing your work!

"' said...

I feel so bad about missing this. That's alright I am going to read poems by other poets. :)

CC Champagne said...

I know that I've technically 'missed' this one, but the pictures so inspired me... And also, I'll now have a chance to go around to each of you and see what you've written!

Ella said...

Thank you everyone for your kind words!
I loved all of your poems, it made me see things in a whole different light~
Your words are inspiring, haunting, and filled with magic! I had a feeling tea would stir and brew up some unique ideas!
Thank you Kerry for featuring me! It made my month~

Margaret said...

Oh... this is amazing photography! I am popping in while hubby isn't looking. This "blogger break" is killing me :) BUT we are getting ALOT done. New carpeting, new cooktop, double ovens, microwave, dishwasher all picked out and being installed Friday and things boxed up and GIVEN AWAY ... Hope to be participating again after this weekend. We still have windows to wash, garage to clean, yard.... yeah, I better get to it... I miss my toads. :)

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous photos, Ella - I especially love the heart and the blossoms... but used the teakettle in my poem :)