Category: art

Announcements, art, Book Announcements, poetry, Poets & Events

ANNOUNCEMENT! “End of Earth” by Nolcha Fox and Mike Armstrong is now available!

Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

Poet Nolcha Fox and Artist Mike Armstrong have known each other for over 30 years. It is only natural that this would result in an amazing collaboration. “End of Earth – A Collaboration of Poetry and Painting” is the result. The rich, colorful, expression art by Armstrong encouraged Fox’s poetic muse to create these thought-provoking poems.
Such a collaboration is like no other and, well, you must see this for yourself. It is a little book with a big WOW factor. This would make a lovely gift for art and poetry lovers.

What do others have to say?
End of Earth, a Collaboration of Poetry and Painting, by Nolcha Fox and Mike Armstrong is ekphrastic art at its finest, a seamless coming together of vibrant brushstrokes and memorable lines in poem after poem. From “They circle” we have “Ah, they are money vampires. / They tell me they can hook me up, / no, cook me up in style.” The wit, music, and metaphors that comprise Nolcha Fox’s style are alive and well in End of Earth; it contains some of her best recent work. She is our contemporary Emily Dickinson, but also an original, fulfilling the potential of her poetic self in this new book.
Peter Mladinic, author of House Sitting, and The Homesick Mortician
***
Without a doubt, Nolcha Fox is the most interesting, inventive writer of poetry on the scene today.
— John Yamrus, author of Present Tense

Why “End of Earth”??

The title is based on one of Mike Armstrong’s paintings. In this collection, Nolcha Fox wrote a poem based on her interpretation of Armstrong’s paintings. Here is the painting the tile is based on and the poem in response:

I love children, really, but

they’re so unsanitary.
Their clothes are stained
with food and blood.
Snot runs unchecked
down grubby cheeks,
especially when in the pool.
I’ll skip the pool and shower.
Thank you.

Nolcha Fox’s poems have been curated in print and online journals. Her poetry books are available on Amazon and Dancing Girl Press. Nominee for 2023 and 2025 Best of The Net, 2024 Best of the Net Anthology. Nominee for a 2023 Pushcart Prize. Visual Editor for Chewers by Masticadores.Websites: https://bit.ly/3bT9tYu and https://nolchafox2.wixsite.com/nolcha-s-written-wor/blog 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolchafox/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nolcha.fox/ 

Mike was drawn to art in 3rd grade. He noticed a crayon landscape book report cover displayed in Mrs. Montgomery’s English class. Only later did he realize that the artist was his 8th-grade sister, Carol. He also made his first attempt at throwing a pot on the potter’s wheel. Actually, it was a small hole in a big piece of clay.

In high school, to stay out of trouble, he spent much of his time in the art room as an art major and art minor.

His time at the University of Alabama as an accounting major was short-lived. He changed to a major in painting and a minor in ceramics.

He was an art teacher for 34 years. He continues to practice his love of painting and ceramics.

Get your copy of End of Earth: A Collaboration of Poetry and Painting at the following:

Go directly to ProlificPulse.com/nolchafox

OR Amazon Barnes & Noble BAM BookShop

art, poetry

Artist & Poet Talk with Francisco Bravo Cabrera

Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

Dive into the mesmerizing world of Francisco Bravo Cabrera, also known as Bodo Vespaciano! A graduate of Miami’s Florida International University, Francisco has been conquering the art scene since 1998 with his innovative blend of “JaZzArt” and “Surreal-Expressionism.” From the bustling streets of New York to the vibrant shores of Miami, and even the enchanting cities of Istanbul and Barcelona, Francisco’s masterpieces have captivated audiences worldwide! His canvases sing with the harmony of musical instruments intertwined with ethereal bodies, inviting you into his realms of jazz and fantasy. But it’s not just about the art – Francisco’s mission is to spread a message of hope, peace, and unity through his paintings, touching hearts and inspiring minds. And mark your calendars! Francisco has graciously donated his talent to illustrate the cover of “One Petal at a Time” by Joni Caggiano, coming your way on April 5th! As Francisco himself says, “One must be true to oneself. I am a painter of my day, giving spirituality to my work. Talent is the result of hard work, but art is a gift from God, and to God goes the glory.” Connect with Francisco and explore his breathtaking creations at paintinginvalencia.com. Don’t miss out on this journey of artistry and soul-stirring expression!

You may also opt to listen to this via the audio podcast.

Announcements, art, poetry, prose, writing

ANNOUNCEMENT! Dear Heart has been published!

Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

Before computers, we wrote letters. My mother’s letters were like little novellas, several pages long. Her family members and friends loved to get her “books.” Letters from mom were heartfelt and brought tears of love. As her pen moved passionately across the pages, sometimes her clear, blue eyes would well up. Letters were her release. They were her way of expressing herself in ways she could not voice. Occasionally, she would write letters to people out of anger and then tear them up. These could have been to politicians, relatives, and those are the ones I knew about. She would express her heart’s desire, open up her soul, and pour out her thoughts.

While I did not have the beautiful penmanship of my mother, I learned that the pen was my power. Some of my letters were releases which I destroyed. At age 15, I even wrote one about the need for a doctor in our little town. The letter and story was published in the newspaper.

As a writer and a poet, I write as if my words are letters to the world, perhaps to express the desires of my heart. Other times I write to simply write.

When we do express our desires within our heart this has a way of stirring up thoughts and even action plans to make things happen. They could be acceptances of things that can’t be changed, but often are steps toward courage to make something happen.

I posed this question and requested to others: What is the desire in your heart? This is my challenge to you. I would like to read about the desires in your heart in the “Dear Heart” anthology of letters, poetry, art, photography, and whatever ways helps you express your passion.

There was a caveat to this. In honor of my mother, the expressions were to be sent to me via good old fashioned snail mail.

Now, it is my pleasure to bring to you these beautiful heartfelt responses via Dear Heart.

Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

Contributirs: Alice Taylor, Chyrel J. Jackson, Danielle Martin, Jia-Li Yang, Jill Sharon Kimmelman, Jodi Lynn Nehring, Karen Monteith, Max H. Tomey, Nanci Arvizu, Pratibha Savani, Rebecca Herz, Richa Dinesh Sharma, Robin Klammer, Sarah Ryan, Shiela Denise Scott, Steve Anc, Terri Michels, and Zaneta Varnado Johns.

Special Shout out to Kay Doiron for the cover art and to Zan Johns for her wonderful editing skills.

Get your copy today on Amazon