Prompting the Writer and Artist - #Blogging A to Z Challenge 2017

Often the writer needs prompts to get started. So does the artist. That's why I appreciate the A to Z Challenge. This year was no different because the Challenge got me to create poems for 26, mostly small, watercolor paintings. The poetry made me think, and for that I am always grateful.

Past Challenges have sparked new projects, especially the one several years ago when I painted animal images with acrylics on canvas each day. Thanks to Mike Orenduff, my new publisher, for making my new book possible. An Artful Animal Alphabet is a children's book, but it's really for people of all ages. Except for one, the animal images were all created in my Challenge project.

Because of prompting and promotion by people I have never met in person, my latest book will soon become a reality. The Challenge has sparked other ideas, so new projects might await in the future.

I appreciate all the wonderful creative people I have met because of the Internet and also because of the A to Z Blogging Challenge. Thanks to all who have made the Challenge and creative connection possible.

"Z" is for Zealous - #A to Z Blogging Challenge 2017

"Z" is for Zealous in the last day of A to Z 2017 Blogging Challenge. I think of this word as a great and forceful energy within our universe. I see it as strength bubbling with gigantic intensity. As I pondered word possibilities, I considered Zodiac. Perhaps we can use two words, Zealous Zodiac. My painting is a 6" x 4" "Spirit Visions" image.

"Zealous, Spirit Visions" ©Mary Montague Sikes

Zealous Zodiac

Leaping legends fly in our universe.

Dancing daffodils rise in spring.

Spontaneous spirits lift our hearts high.

Ruckus roots keep us earthbound.  

It is the zealous who drag our hearts away,

And leave us yearning for more.

Together we lurk, listening for the song

We never hear and cannot sing.

Still, the evening hides the dimness of the stars

And tells us what to say at midnight.

The rattle at the window turns light away

And sometimes rips darkness from sunshine.

It is the zodiac moments that guide our spirits

In the long journey through the green valley.

From under the little trees, the fairies come

And lead the zealous to the land of angels.

Mary Montague Sikes

  

"Y" is for Youthful - #A to Z Blogging Challenge 2017

Only one more painting/poetry blog after today in the 2017 Blogging Challenge. "Y" is for Youthful. Perhaps today's painting should feature balloons in every color imaginable, but it doesn't. After considering an array of little "Spirit Visions" images, I chose one that has a bright red section in one corner. That "youthful" portion grows into the blue of middle age learning and a larger segment for the wisdom of aging. From an artistic standpoint, I like my painting better turned upside down. However, I want it to read left to right as knowledge grows. We can be youthful at any age, but not always wise. What do you think?

"Youthful, Spirit Visions" ©Mary Montague Sikes

Youthful

Sometimes in my dreams I hold a baby.

She is beautiful, bright, and unafraid.

When I awaken, I want her to be there,

But she isn't my real world child.

Sometimes I look through a window

Into the cluttered world beyond.

The flowers bloom yellow and bright,

But they are not my flowers.

Sometimes I dance into my imagination.

Charm and beauty put up a wall.

I reach to my beginning,

But it is not my story.

Sometimes I know the meaning that

Once upon a time youth knew.

Now I walk with a different stride

And long for those who are no more. 

Mary Montague Sikes

 

"X" is for Xanadu - #A to Z Blogging Challenge 2017

"X" is for Xanadu, a very special place in space. I love the popular song, "Xanadu". I admire the gallery in Scottsdale, Arizona by that name and its owner, Jason Horejs. I consider Xanadu to be a hidden place with all the colors I could ever imagine. It is a sanctuary and a retreat that is the subject of my current painting series. Today's image is one of my favorites and the first of the series. Its new owner fell in love with it just as I did while painting it.

"Xanadu" ©Mary Montague Sikes

Xanadu

Tear-filled eyes consider the beauty and success

That conclude a long and tedious march.

The journey came following the star of peace.

It brought requiem and closure to a troubled mind.

The planet Earth is the war planet

That always was and always will be barbaric.

Those seeking peace must find their own sanctuaries

Hidden in the dream world of Xanadu.

Poetic words lead the way into the universe.

Those who walk to the sound of a different drummer

Are sometimes lost along the path that leads

Through purple valleys and pink hillsides.

Watch the brush of an artist as it moves through space.

See the touch of the musician's fingers.

Hear the sounds of a melodious band.

You have reached Xanadu, your destination.

Mary Montague Sikes

 

 

"W" is for Wonder - #A to Z Blogging Challenge

"W" is for Wonder in the A to Z Blogging Challenge. What word could be more appropriate for the seeker who wonders about everything--people, the world, the universe, the earth beneath one's feet? Today's little painting from the "Spirit Visions" series reminds me of the view from the window of  a big jet, flying above the clouds. What we see from above is amazing and always causes me to wonder.

"Wonder, Spirit Visions" ©Mary Montague Sikes

Wonder

Where, what, why, I wonder.

Wide and wild and wondrous,

Wakening to a vision that rambles

In disarray towards journey's end.

In vibrant wonder, I stand

Seeing and seeking the light,

Sometimes reaching for it,

Just beyond my touch.

One day the clouds will rise higher,

And I shall see them expand,

Always hiding their own secrets

They will not reveal to me.

Forever, I am watching and listening

To a language I do not know

And a vision I do not see

All lost within the clouds.

Mary Montague Sikes 

 

"V" is for Victory - #A to Z Blogging Challenge 2017

"V" is for Victory in the A to Z Blogging Challenge 2017. When do we face victory? Is it only in times of war? I think not. Accomplishments we make each day are victories in themselves. We are fortunate in each victory we have. What about the compliment you gave your friend that resulted in her smile? That was a victory. Today's image is a small, 6" x 4" painting from "Spirit Visons".

"Victory, Spirit Visions" ©Mary Montague Sikes

Victory

Victory speaks in a quiet voice

That sometimes we do not hear.

It sighs on the battlefront

And turns hope into bravery. 

Leather stockings and silken feet

Make light the fields of anger

And the bolt of lightning strikes

That calm the judgment of the aware.

I do not know the scope of love

That reaches into the farthest river. 

But I feel the chill of the water

And know the silence of its touch.

Reach high to the sound of fireworks

That swiftly form bright flags of hope.

Lifting up the tranquil voices

To turn stardust into Victory.

Mary Montague Sikes 

 

'U" is for Universe - #A to Z Blogging Challenge

"U" is for Universe. That word means so much. To me, universe includes the stars and everything in between. To a little ant, universe might be far less expansive. Universe helps us put everything into perspective. Some of my favorite paintings are of the universe. Today's image is 22" x 30" using my favorite bright colors from Robert Doak paints on my favorite surface, Yupo.

"Universe" ©Mary Montague Sikes

Universe

There it is, all fire and ice.

The stars edging through the heavens.

Earth falters in its journey.

We sense the wonderment of it all.

Star bright, the vision leaps into our eyes.

Colors so pure, so real

They are not there at all.

The sight whirls away.

Star light, vision pauses before us.

We tumble and stumble as we watch.

Night and day are the same in the Universe

Where we cannot count the suns.

Fire and ice, beauty turns to water.

Toward the stars, I lift my arms

And let my voice call out

To those on other earths far away.

Mary Montague Sikes

 

"T" is for Trust - #A to Z Blogging Challenge

"T" is for Trust in my Spirit Visions project. This is important in spiritual words. I remember the hymn, "Trust and Obey", when I see this word. Of what does my little watercolor painting, 4" x 6", remind you?

"Trust, Spirit Vision" ©Mary Montague Sikes

Trust

I trust the breeze that blows

To be a gentle, safe wind

That touches lightly in my hair

And sends laughter into the trees.

I trust the rain to fall upon the flowers

Bringing up bright July blossoms

That sprinkle perfumed scents

Into joyful garden beds.

I trust a friend to smile

In a lovely special way

To let me know all is well

As the sun glows in a dawn sky. 

From afar, someone I cannot see 

Watches over the earth and me.

His gaze oversees the roses

That fade into the last sunset.

Mary Montague Sikes

 

"S" is for Serenity - #A to Z Blogging Challenge

"S" is for Serenity in the A to Z Blogging Challenge 2017. I think of sitting in the woods among the trees as thoughts surround me. The painting today is from the "Spirit Visions" small images series. Is this a mindful painting of serenity?

"Serenity, Spirit Visions"  ©Mary Montague Sikes

Serenity

The rock holds me, serene.

I stare around me and see nothing.

Emptiness chills and expands.

Birds stir and sing in the trees. 

Upward far above, I see a vision in the sky.

Fearless, I stand and watch

An angel tall holding a star.

I listen to the sounds of the universe.

Starlight is as quiet as sunshine.

Darkness envelops the woods.

I walk along a dusty path

Brave and strong on a new journey. 

The rock moves to the sound of thunder.

The angel glows and fills the sky with light.

From the earth, trees lift their branches

And share their secrets with the universe.

Mary Montague Sikes

 

"R" is for Revelation - #A to Z Blogging Challenge

"R" is for Revelation in the A to Z Blogging Challenge. In the Bible, I always thought that was the most important book--the most important "Spirit Vision". Today's painting is 30" x 22" watercolor on Yupo. It is aka "A Broken Universe". Please see if you think this works as a Revelation painting.

"Revelation" ©Mary Montague Sikes

Revelation

A new heaven and a new earth,

There is wonder in it all.

A hill of riders on white horses,

Alleluia and praise lift up.

Revelation comes for this star

And all that grows around it.

Strange and frightening for some

Yet comforting, complete, and real.

Our knowledge of mother earth is small.

Wise men look to the heavens

And learn in tiny portions.

They glean from little that they see.

A new heaven and a new earth.

Will new stars and angels instruct us

Or will old ways return?  

 What is the truth of our revelation?

Mary Montague Sikes

 

"Q" is for Quest - #Blogging A to Z Challenge

"Q" is for Quest in today's A to Z Blog Challenge. Life is a journey and a spiritual quest to know more. Who are we? Why are we here? Today's painting is another small one, 4" x 6", in the "Spirit Visions" project. Does this image describe a spiritual quest?

"Quest, Spirit Visions" ©Mary Montague Sikes

 Quest

In my quest for the truth, angels surround me.

Angels carry forth the banner of life.

Colors rage wild in their hands

And make clear the reason for the journey.

Florescent their lights shine

In wide arcs and circles bright.

They beckon me to follow

Promise answers I will find.

Looking near and far, I see

The lonesome trail is weak.

The journey clumsy and sometimes sad,

The riches I seek are invisible to the eye.

Cluttered, hidden, there is a tree.

It is the tree of life

Concealed behind the hardness of a rock.

The tree of life holds all the answers. 

 

Mary Montague Sikes