collaboration | Words + Images

Posts Tagged ‘collaboration’

this week, meet the editors of talking writing!

Posted in Inspiration, tagged AWP, collaboration, Contributing Writer, editing, literary magazines, literature, Photography, poetry, prose, storytelling, Talking Writing, writers on March 4, 2013 | 1 Comment »

Pens, Paper, Postcards

The camera is not going away, but if I have one goal in 2013, it is to do more creative writing. Without doubt motivation has come from my involvement with Talking Writing, a nonprofit online literary magazine featuring the work of writers and visual artists. I know firsthand the commitment and dedication of the editors in helping writers dig deep. See for yourself by checking out the Winter 2013 Issue. And meet the editors this week at the 2013 Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP) Conference in Boston.

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“I can’t wait to cut it up!”

Posted in Branches, Inspiration, Nature Notes, tagged art, beauty, collaboration, collage, colors, fashion, illustration, imagination, Inspiration, nature, Photography, storytelling, Zoe Langosy on February 7, 2013 | 5 Comments »

Those are the magical words that collage artist Zoe Langosy will sometimes say after viewing my nature-themed photographs. Most recently they were uttered after showing her the following image from an impromptu hike through the Blue Hills, of deep golden light falling upon a stand of birch trees.

It is my continuing pleasure to view such images through Zoe’s eyes, to learn how to see textures and patterns, and then to imagine how such textures and patterns can become part of a larger work with its own story. The story of this woman on a boat and a coyote, you will have to wait for Zoe to share as she continues with this work in progress. Stay tuned! Meanwhile, you can read this post about how we’ve collaborated in the past. And you can see more of her art on this Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/LangosyArts

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now available: reflect & write (for grades 7-12 and up)

Posted in Books I Love, Inspiration, tagged arts, books, collaboration, Contributing Writer, Elizabeth Guy, Hank Kellner, Inspiration, poetry, Prufrock Press, reading, teaching resource, writing resource on January 9, 2013 | 2 Comments »

One of the best job experiences I ever had was working with middle school students as part of an after school writing program. The children usually engaged in an outdoor activity and then they wrote about the experience. One of the indoor rainy day activities was to present the children with a folder of images. Each child selected a photograph that moved him or her in some way. It was always amazing to read what they wrote. Their imagination and creativity inspires me to this day. That’s why I was excited to be part of the book project, Reflect & Write. I’m honored to have two of my poems included among the nearly 300 poems, photographs and quotations composing this wonderful resource designed to help prompt children to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboards and touch screens). Via this link you can take a peek inside the book and see if it is a resource that might be useful for stirring the creativity of the young people in your life.

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in the words and images of donald langosy

Posted in Inspiration, tagged art, beauty, collaboration, colors, friendship, image essay, Inspiration, musings, painting, poetry, Talking Writing, travel, writers on December 12, 2012 | 1 Comment »

Are the holidays especially hectic for you too? If so, I highly recommend you steal away to a quiet corner and read this image essay by poet and artist Donald Langosy. A treat for the eyes and soul, I’d say. http://talkingwriting.com/image-essay-donald-langosy/

“The Metaphysician and Monsignor” © Donald Langosy

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paper scissors glue

Posted in Inspiration, tagged art, collaboration, collage, illustration, Inspiration, nature, paper on November 9, 2012 | Leave a Comment »

A bit of paper glued down to another surface. Collage is simply that, and so much more than that, at the same time. I’ve certainly come to appreciate the vision and intricate work involved with collage through my ongoing collaboration with artist Zoe Langosy. More to report soon about our next collaboration for 2013. Meanwhile …

* here’s a wonderful essay by artist Camille Martin writing about The Collaged Brain in Talking Writing Magazine

* here’s a vintage post highlighting an early collaboration with Zoe as she took simple branches and sea shell images and wove them into cloth.

* you can also read more about Zoe’s creative process in this interview.

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A Seasonal Collaboration

Posted in Inspiration, Kitchen Inspirations, Nature Notes, tagged collaboration, food, gardens, herbs, Photography, photos, pictures, recipes, spring on June 8, 2011 | Leave a Comment »

Well, just the other day, Steve snatched a large white serving bowl from my hands. As he clutched it tight, he said, “I best put this back on top of the cabinet else you’ll plant herbs in it.” He’s probably right. It’s just been one of those springs. Indoor gardening has consumed me a bit. During the long winter, I collected a lot of seeds. And so now, in pots and cups and old vases, on two floors of the house I live in, are growing: basil, dill, lemon thyme, marjoram, and two types of sage.

Later today, as a reward for completing a few writing projects, I’m hoping to run by the local flower shop for some mint plants. Mint used to grow wildly across my yard growing up in Virginia. My mom showed me how to make mint tea with it. Fun, but not really a palette pleaser. Then I learned that there are MANY varieties of mint. Today I intend to pick up chocolate mint, orange mint and pineapple mint plants. The boon for me is twofold in planting all this greenery. One, of course, they make great photographic subjects. And, two, Steve loves to cook for family and friends.

Lemon thyme plus olive oil, two egg yolks, a hot pepper, and a little mustard were transformed into this delicious lemon thyme aioli. Nasturtium blossoms and leaves are tossed on top of green salads. Fresh basil is layered between mozzarella and fresh tomatoes and then drizzled with olive oil. Toasted bread is rubbed with garlic before being piled high with chopped tomatoes, sage and marjoram. And then … I think you get the idea!

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The Geisha Completed!

Posted in Inspiration, tagged art, collaboration, collage, geisha, illustration, Photography, seasons, Zoe Langosy on May 4, 2011 | 2 Comments »

It was a pleasure participating in Somerville Open Studios 2011. I met a lot of wonderful people. A more detailed post about outcomes I may share later. For those of you not able to attend the event, the two Geisha, representing the overlap of the four seasons, were beautifully presented by artist Zoe Langosy. A few signed, limited-edition prints are still available for purchase. For more information, contact the artist directly through her website http://www.zoe.langosy.net/folio.php or send me a note that I will share with her.

Read about the origin of these pieces here: http://wordsandimagesbycynthia.com/2011/04/14/embodying-nature/

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Down to the Wire: Prepping for SOS 2011

Posted in Photography Exhibits, tagged arts, collaboration, community events, Photography, Somerville Open Studios 2011 on April 26, 2011 | Leave a Comment »

So, with four days to go before Somerville Open Studios 2011 officially opens, I am feeling the butterflies in the stomach. But in a good way. I am excited to be offering high quality postcards this year. Anyone buying one of my postcards this weekend will receive a free postcard stamp (while supplies last). Notecards are back with an emphasis on images that capture the beauty of the four seasons. Last year I brought framed prints.

This year you’ll see more matted prints so that you can frame the images however you like.

Here’s something you won’t be seeing at Open Studios but you may see in the near future.

I’ve always loved the idea of bookmaking and recently tried my hand at using my photographs as the cover art of little blank journals. I made a few experimentally.

I was a bit concerned about the bindings but at least one small book withstood the attentions of a three-year old so, I think the bindings are okay.

There are just a few other details I need to work out before I feel comfortable offering them up. But here’s a sneak peak at one.

And finally I am excited to be sharing the table with artist Zoe Langosy. Over the past few months I’ve been able to share a bit about Zoe as an artist, as well as how she is incorporating my photography into her collage work. This weekend, come on by our table to see the completed pieces. The originals will be on display with prints for sale. I’ve already placed an order.

Here are the details:

Somerville Open Studios, Saturday April 30 and Sunday May 1, 12:00-6:00 PM

Visit as many artists’ studios as you can. There’s lots of transportation options to help you get around. Zoe and I will at the Community Space located at The Armory, 191 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA. That’s Location #57 in the SOS mapbook.

Whew! That’s the scoop. Thanks for reading. See some of you in a few days.

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Embodying Nature Through Collage

Posted in Inspiration, Nature Notes, tagged collaboration, collage, culture, figurative art, geisha, illustration, kimono, nature, Photography, Zoe Langosy on April 14, 2011 | 4 Comments »

In an article titled “Reading for Fashion,” Stan Tymorek writes of clothing inspiring poetry and of poetry inspiring clothing design. Near the end of the article he makes note of “… the elaborate Japanese geisha costumes that still manage to mirror nature.”

Well, the kimono robes that Zoe is creating as part of our collaboration do more than mirror nature.

Each geisha kimono is partially composed of nature photography — the images printed on acid free paper and then applied as dictated by Zoe’s overall design. Once completed, her two geisha will represent the span and overlap of all four seasons.

Here’s snow I photographed one winter in Newton, MA forming the belt of one kimono.

Here’s a shell photographed in summer off the coast of Maine fleshing out the petals of this kimono’s rose.

With each new image she shares with me, I grow increasingly inspired by Zoe’s unique expression of the geisha and the elaborate design of their attire. I consider myself a patient person but I am humbled by her ability to meticulously make her creative vision real … piece by tiny piece of paper.

View the completed artwork in just two weeks at Somerville Open Studios. Zoe will be joining me at my table, located in the Center for Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA 02143. Who knows? We may be able to share highlights of our next collaboration.

Below is the link for general visitor information. Hope to see you there.

http://www.somervilleopenstudios.org/visit/

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With Spring on the Horizon …

Posted in Branches, Guest Contributor, Inspiration, Kitchen Inspirations, Nature Notes, On the Road, Photography Exhibits, Postcards, tagged art, collaboration, family, nature, open studios, Photography on March 10, 2011 | 3 Comments »

It was back in December that I last posted a Words+Images update. It focused on end of year inspirations. Now with spring on the horizon, I thought it time to share new updates. Let’s see …

Preparing for Somerville Open Studios

Somerville Open Studios 2011 is rapidly approaching and so I am trying to get myself in gear. I’ve been sorting through images, selecting a set that will be turned into notecards and others that will be matted and framed. For the first time, I will also have postcards available for sale. The images will be representative of the changing seasons. Seasons is the theme of my collaboration with artist Zoe Langosy.

Leading up to show there are many wonderful opportunities to exhibit including the upcoming SOS2010 Volunteer Show.

Sharing Stories

My business cards say “writer/photographer.” A better title would be “storyteller.” That is what I do whether with words or with images. With the passing of my Aunt Thelma recently, those fires within have been stoked to listen closely to those around me and to tell their stories well.

Memories

Who Killed Cock Robin?

Family Ties

Finding Perspective

There’s all sorts of things I could say about finding perspective this year. With my camera, at least, let’s just say I found perspective by getting up close and personal with house plants and cut flowers.