Need inspiration? Look to other arts. This practice, known as ekphrasis–the art of making art inspired by other art, can “fill the well” and create a rich field of ideas to play with. In this episode, Rosemerry offers a provocative list of specific ways one might engage with another work of art and gives examples from her recent poems responding to the paintings of Vincent van Gogh and the music of our previous guest Kayleen Asbo (episode 27, Creative Communities). And Christie talks about novels she’s read this year by Emily St. John, Anthony Doerr and others that are teaching her new ways to engage audiences around the pandemic, the destruction of the natural world, and how to live in a broken world. 

Kayleen Asbo

Love Letters to Vincent Salon with Kayleen and Rosemerry

“In the Wheat Field with Crows” by Rosemerry

“Wheat Field with Crows” by Vincent Van Gogh

“Almond Blossom” by Rosemerry

“Almond Blossom” by Vincent Van Gogh

Novels Christie recently read and loved

Emily St. John Mandel, Sea of Tranquility, Station Eleven

Benjamín Labatut, When We Cease to Understand the World

Anthony Doerr, Cloud Cuckoo Land

Richard Powers, The Overstory and Bewilderment

Lily King, Euphoria

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