Red Umbrella 2

“Red Umbrella Series” by Jessica McCallum from ‘Raincheck’ Exhibition 2010

 

Ripples merge you and I

into a private existence

mirroring each other;

different shades of blues,

silver rings of protection,

white dots of hope,

green patches of communication,

blue background of love.

 

Until someone else

jumps in with both feet,

splashing and spreading confusion,

drenching our safeness 

with questions, green jealousy 

and blue moon moods,

holding a red umbrella.

 

After a while calm silver

reflects our feelings,

reminding us what we had

in our perfect puddle,

holding a mirror to our faces

before rubber boots intruded.

 

Until we realized what we had

before…

 

Frances Macaulay Forde © 2010

 

‘Raincheck’ an exhibition in case of showers…  2010 

Artworks by Mixed Media Artist, Jessica McCallum

Held Aug 23 – Sept 10, 2010 at Subiaco Arts Centre Gallery, Perth, WA.

(Poetry postcards from exhibitions available from JESSICA McCALLUM)

 

@FrancesMForde  #FrancesMacForde  #ArtAsTheSpark  #Raincheck  #ARTIST:JessicaMcCallum  #Poetry  #RedUmbrella

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Art As The Spark: Connections 2

Three poems written to the painting No 57, 58  and 59 by disabled artists Timothy Schraman, Dennis Goater and Vivienne Sharp sold during the  Creative Connections Exhibition 2008.

 

Racetrack

 

The static audience is a smudged yellow blur

as my Formula Ford whizzes past the stands, in blue.

 

Around the chicane the red Ferrari takes the inside

and I glide past, pedal to the metal with a grin.

 

You won’t catch me – I’m every colour of the rainbow!

Tho’ purple blobs try, they’ve got no space, in my race.

 

Coral Bay

 

Snorkeling with rainbows

just past the breaking surf,

I see the red rocky shores

of the North West Cape.

 

Shimmering white sands where

Coastal Daisies, starflowers

and Sturt Peas grope to grip

harsh hot terrain in fighting wind.

 

At Easter, a hundred yards off

the bay, coral triggers upside down

snowstorms to invite gentle giants

from the depths of Tantabiddi to feed

 

whilst in my imagination I squeeze

the fish colours through my fingers

to paint pictures and feel myself

swimming with whale sharks.

 

Passions

 

a wide smile

weighted hugs

Pavarotti with

new food only

hide this red

cloud thundering

over my heart

 

Frances Macaulay Forde © 2008

 

#FrancesMacaulayForde  #CreativeConnections2008  #ArtAsTheSpark  #Poetry  #art

 

 

 

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Art as the Spark: Connections

Three of five poems written to the art of the disabled and sold with the works during the Creative Connections Exhibition 2007.

Circles

In this match of life
others call a game
my hands flutter to
find the finger holes

I fix my gaze on pins
measuring the lane
grip hard and swing
bowling ball aimed

been knocked down
but stubborn as a pin
I stand again, ready
for the next bowler.

Frances Macaulay Forde © 2007

 

Country

take my hand
walk with me
through family

follow straight
railway lines
in the sunshine

leave hand prints
in caves sprayed
white sand hills

mountains of
red clay heart
brown beauty

take my hand
walk with me
through country

Frances Macaulay Forde © 2007

 

Wild Orchid

With a naturists eye
infinite care, such
considered placement.
A fern frond here.
A gum leaf there.

Pink & yellow dried
petals, delicate veins
like a bridal veil,
placed in the centre
of your wedding cake.

An orchid appears
exotic and rare,
like me.

Frances Macaulay Forde © 2007

 

#FrancesMacaulayForde  #CresativeConnections  #ArtAsTheSpark

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Floral fence

My sister-in-law Grace does an amazing travel blog Perth Daily Photo voted the best last year by our West Australian newspapers.

Currently she’s profiling a unique show on Cottesloe beach  ‘Sculptures by the Sea’  also showing the cloudy weather we’re having at the moment.

It’s such a refreshing change –  such a contrast to our normal clear blue skies and heat.  So I feel in need of some color:

Last year, she commissioned my artist daughter Jessica McCallum, to brighten up a plain and very common style of fence in Australia.

I’ve included one Mural photo to give you a taste, but there are more…  enjoy!

Fence Mural by Jessica McCallum
Photo © Grace Forde

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Red Umbrella

“Red Umbrella Series” by Jessica McCallum
from ‘Raincheck’ Exhibition 2010

I see red

when you raise spikes

along the metal shaft,

sharply snap it open,

stretching the bright silk

above your head

–

I see red

a mobile patio –shelter,

protection from storms,

hurling lightning bolts

of tears from women

left wet in your wake.

–

I see red

in a sea of bobbing grey

between skyscrapers

the calm sway – swagger

of  hips –  loose, lithe strides

confident until another

–

red umbrella takes the stage.

Frances Macaulay Forde © 2010

_______________________________________________

‘Raincheck’ an exhibition in case of showers…  2010 

Artworks by Mixed Media Artist, Jessica McCallum

Held Aug 23 – Sept 10, Subiaco Arts Centre Gallery, Perth, WA.

(Poetry postcards from exhibitions available from WEBSITE)

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Art as the Spark

‘Mute’ by Jessica McCallum 2009

 

My mouth is a gun with a silencer, stopped

mid-sentence from telling you how I feel –

actions speak louder especially when they hurt! 

You see, you say but I can’t speak.  You speak,

I hear but no words are offered because I can’t reply.

I see, I hear so please, throw your words my way

so I can at least aim in silence.

–

Frances Macaulay Forde © 2009

_____________________________________________

The ‘JM Exhibition’ was the first (very successful) exhibition of art by my daughter Jessica McCallum held at His Majesty’s Theatre in 2009, on which we collaborated.  All but one painting sold on the night.

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Raincheck

Umbrella Series (detail) by Jessica McCallum
‘Raincheck’ Exhibition 2010

Like tears

Rain hits my umbrella

Bouncing bursting

Droplets scattering

Spreading my pain

Shimmering images

Relections of you

–

Love like rain

Showers me

With tears

–

Frances Macaulay Forde © 2010

_______________________________________________

‘Raincheck’ an exhibition in case of showers…  2010 

Artworks by Mixed Media Artist, Jessica McCallum

Held Aug 23 – Sept 10, Subiaco Arts Centre Gallery, Perth, WA.

(Poetry postcards from exhibitions available from WEBSITE)

Read Full Post »

“All The Pretty Ones Are…”

Roll up!  Roll up! Crack

the whip!  Circle the horses.

Let the monkeys laugh

–

and play with careless

disarray around this heart;

broken, wounded, fallen

–

from the high wire,

grip gone, hands open

in mute surrender.

–

Your forced false smile

Painted in a permanent

Good-vibe leer… I tip

–

my hat to all who stride

into the ring, willingly –

take a chance on love.

–

All the pretty ones

are gathered for love’s

circus performance.

–

Watch out for the Ringmaster!

He can reach a hand inside

your chest and squeeze…

–

Frances Macaulay Forde © 2011

Written for  “All The Pretty Ones Are…”

Studio Underground Foyer

State Theatre Centre of WA

(Friday 11 to Sunday 20 November 2011)

Funny folk, fear & fascination… complete with feathers…

All The Pretty One’s Are, is an exhibition of mixed media paintings by local Perth artist Jessica McCallum and will be on show for one week only in the Studio Underground Foyer at The State Theatre Centre of WA. Jessica’s style incorporates traditional watercolours & inks with a dark twist, and large-scale pop art, mixed media pieces. Her influences are murals, street art & old-skool comic book culture. Ever wanted to run away to the Circus?

For further information please visit http://jessicamccallum.blogspot.com/

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Bohemia

My daughter Jessica McCallum is an artist and this painting was from her  2011 ‘All The Pretty One’s Are…” Exhibition held at the State Theatre Centre in Perth City.

It’s been our habit to combine my words inspired by her paintings for exhibitions, so I thought I’d share one with you.

We intend, one day to publish a coffee-table book of the artworks and poems from her three of her very successful exhibitions.  Perhaps we’ll crowd-fund…

This work is one of two entitled ‘Bohemia‘ and the poem is written to the artwork.

“Bohemia” by Jessica McCallum from “All The Pretty Ones Are…” exhibition held at the State Theatre Centre, 2011.

BOHEMIA

Like crystal

I am many faceted

not see-through glass

I proudly wear my life colours

individuality scratched into my skin

 –

gaze deeply into my painted experiences

shared memories etched in bright reflections

see strength and character in the vines which

grow in defiance – spirited independence in

the starbursts of my femininity – purposeful

illustrations of original soul inhabitants

–

Frances Macaulay Forde © 2010

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