As I was walking to my car last week after teaching junior high school, I noticed a rectangular bush with two Easter Lilies hiding in it. I started thinking about Easter approaching and how there can be such anguish and such joy all wrapped up in one Holiday. Life is like that. Sometimes the sunshine and the joy is hidden for a season. Sometimes all we see in front of us is a cruel cross. Yet, if we believe that He has risen indeed and He is alive, all things in our lives have the potential to become joyful and new. As we realize He did something for us we could never do for ourselves, we rejoice in His love and we want to share it with others. We want them to know His power to raise them up to new heights of joy and belief. When all I see in front of me is confusion, I begin to praise the one who is all powerful and all knowing. Often, the greatest joys in our lives are hidden in Christ.
Patsy Ledbetter welcomes the chance to network with other writers and is hosting a Writers’ Brunch at her San Lorenzo, California home the morning of Saturday, May 15th. She may be reached at patsyled@sbcglobal.net
Ruben Monakhov on the concept behind the still life series:
Almost every piece of figurative art could be considered as a still life, no matter what the artist paints. For the viewer it’s a set of recognizable objects placed within a certain background, so they feel they know what they’re seeing.
But I’ve decided to show the viewers, that their knowledge of the surrounding world is incomplete — there are still some things which viewers don’t notice.
For example, we often take perspective for granted. Perspective not only helps us to see space, but also changes the character of things around us. So, without the element of perspective it can be difficult to recognize some of the objects on my still lifes.
Ruben lives in Russia and may be reached at rubenm.spb.ru@gmail.comor through his website, http://rubenm.spb.ru He welcomes the opportunity to receive feedback on his work and network with other artists.
A chilling breeze of air skims the surface of a moonlit ocean. It blows inland from the gulf.
It seeps through corn meadows,
It tapers around old cedar trees.
The trees combust into the night, exploding with thunder, dissolving and collapsing into a fiery soup.
Breezes are pushed up, vaulted high over burning trees and into a cloud formation. The fires go out as clouds hover and mass, anticipating this new breeze, awaiting its arrival.
Thirstily, greedily, instantly, the new winds are absorbed.
Daybreak in the stratosphere,
Misty forms abound. Cotton candy castles slowly rotate and glide.
Woolen capes flutter above long vaporous
gowns that twinkle and tremble with an irridescent splendor.
Such a frothy promenade,
Drifting westward, at a most stately pace.
Look
Down
Down, far below this feathery ceiling,
Where the black becomes blue
Where the blue goes to white
Where the white moves into yellow
And the yellow begins to heat
With all the promising, resonant oranges
of dawn.
It is there
Where the broad palms of the sun caress the cherubs’ cheek of earth
It is there you will find the town of Masonville.
People ready themselves for their morning routines. Rollers are being removed from overworked hair. Permanent-Press pants are being re-ironed. Children are being overfed, then overdressed for school.
The rugged Cassidy Mountains are now ornamented by newly painted homes
Full of loving, hopeful, fearful families.
Floyd Logan has lived various places within the United States and currently makes his home in San Rafael, north of San Francisco. He would love to hear from, be mentored by, and network with other writers, and is currently seeking publication opportunities. Logan may be reached at floydlogan08@webtv.net
* Synchronized Chaos Editor’s Note – we are not affiliated with Stephen Wagner or the SF Artist Network as a magazine, but I personally have heard him speak on marketing and he was quite knowledgeable and well-prepared. This is a great deal compared to getting this information from art school or other classes. Highly recommended for aspiring artists and those early in their careers.
We are interested in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction that is thoughtful and compelling, but otherwise we do not have any specific guidelines for style or subject matter. We no longer arrange issues with thematic topics, but be sure to check out our Special Section online for announcements as each issue usually contains a section focused on a specific topic relevant to Oklahoma and the Plains.
We do accept simultaneous submissions. We do not accept previously published work. Your submission gives us permission to publish your work online. At this time, we do not pay upon publication. Each submission is, however, automatically eligible for the editors’ prize. $500 Editors’ Prize available for winning submission.
Submit your poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction by August 15 to <shayNewPlains( at)gmail. com> (replace (at) with @). Allow 6-8 weeks for response. Attach submissions in either Word (.doc or .docx) or Rich Text Format (.rtf). Please include type of submission (poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction) in the subject line.
Final performance and discussion for Quantum Entanglement, Assistance League, May 1st
SANTA MONICA – DONNA STERNBERG & DANCERS celebrates its 25th anniversary with the performance of Quantum Entanglement-Final Version.Collaborating with Michael Masucci/EZTV this dance/multimedia event explores the concept of entanglement from both a scientific and human perspective.Quantum Entanglement mixes up the subatomic movement of particles with the emotional ramifications of being entwined with people and situations. This performance is the final incarnation of Quantum Entanglement which has been performed at and adapted to different site specific venues throughout the year.The basis for the piece comes from the science of quantum physics, examining how two or more objects are linked together even though they may be spatially separated.Prior to the performance at 7:30 p.m. there will be a fascinating panel discussion with experts from the fields of journalism, science, philosophy and the arts addressing how quantum entanglement pertains to theirfields.Quantum Entanglement is a continuation of Donna Sternberg & Dancers science series, which seeks to build a bridge between dance and science through the artistic interpretation of scientific principles.
WHAT:Dance/Multimedia Event
WHO:Donna Sternberg & Dancers, Michael Masucci/EZTV
WHEN:Saturday, May 1, 2010, 8:30 P.M.Panel Discussion, 7:30 P.M.
WHERE:The Assistance League Playhouse, 1367 N. St. Andrews Place, Los Angeles
TICKET INFO:$25 general admission, $20 for students, seniors and DRC
* Synchronized Chaos Magazine is not affiliated with Donna Sternberg and Dancers or any other collaborating organization…we simply received a request to publicize this event, and it does sound interesting! I’d attend myself if I lived in the area…it’s all about bringing together people interested in/knowledgeable about different topics and allowing them to brainstorm together, and uncovering intersections among science and art topics.
Women and Poetry: Tips on Writing, Teaching and Publishing by Successful Women Poets
Contributors needed for articles about: markets for women, why women write, time management, using life experience, women’s magazines, critique groups, networking, blogs, unique issues women must overcome, lesbian and bisexual writing, formal education, queries and proposals, conference participation, family scheduling, feminist writing, self-publishing, teaching tips–just a few areas women poets are interested.
Practical, concise, how-to articles with bullets/headings have proven the most helpful. Please avoid writing too much about “me” and concentrate on what will most help the reader.No previously published, co-written, or simultaneously submitted material.
The Foreword is by Molly Peacock, the author of six books of poetry, including The Second Blush (W.W. Norton and Company, 2008).
Co-Editor Colleen S. Harris is a 2010 Pushcart Prize nominee. Her book of poetry, God in My Throat: The Lilith Poems(Bellowing Ark Press, 2009), was a finalist for the Black Lawrence Book Award; These Terrible Sacraments, is forthcoming in 2011. Colleen has a MFA degree in writing and has appeared in The Louisville Review, Wisconsin Review, River Styx, and Adirondack Review, among others. She has been included in Library Journal; and Contemporary American Women: Our Defining Passages.
Co-Editor Carol Smallwood is a 2009 National Federation of State Poetry Societies award winner included in Who’s Who of American Women who has appeared in Michigan Feminist Studies, The Writer’s Chronicle, The Detroit News. She’s included inBest New Writing in Prose 2009. Her 23rd book is Writing and Publishing: The Librarian’s Handbook (American Library Association, 2010). The first chapter of newly publishedLily’s Odyssey was short listed for the Eric Hoffer Prose Award; a chapbook by Pudding House Publications.
Please send 3-4 topics you would like to contribute each described in a few sentences and a 65-75 word bio using the format like the bio’s above. Please send by May 24, 2010 using POETS/your last name on the subject line to<smallwood( at)tm.net> (replace (at) with @ in sending e-mail). You will receive a Go-Ahead with guidelines if your topics haven’t already been taken. Contributors will be asked to contribute a total of 1900-2100 words. You may contribute one article 1900-2100 words or two articles that combined equal 1900-2100 words. Those included in the anthology will receive a complimentary copy as compensation.
