Video about Ann Bracken's Poem Inspired by "Time at the Bus Stop"

"Time at the Bus Stop" poem by Ann Bracken to April M Rimpo's painting by the same title

Enjoy this poem by Ann Bracken as part of our initiative "Every Painting is a Story." The poem was shared as part of my and Elaine Weiner-Reed's exhibition, Portraits of Life: The Art of Storytelling. Each poem was displayed with the painting that inspired it. We loved watching the expressions of exhibition visitors as they looked back and forth between the painting and the poetry. But most exciting of all was listening to the poets read their work during our Poetry Collaboration event on May 21. Thanks to my husband for capturing the readings on video which allowed me to create the video that follows about the event and Ann's poem. I must also acknowledge that the music in the video is a Structured Improvisation created by ROGUE COLLECTIVE for this same painting during our Musician Collaboration event on May 22nd.  The music composition will be highlighted in a separate blog post. 

Ann Bracken has authored two poetry collections, No Barking in the Hallways: Poems from the Classroom and The Altar of Innocence. She serves as a contributing editor for Little Patuxent Review, and co-facilitates the Wilde Readings Poetry Series in Columbia, MD. Her poetry, essays, and interviews have appeared in anthologies and journals, including Gargoyle, Bared: Contemporary Poetry & Art on Bras & Breasts, Fledgling Rag, and Texture among others. Ann's poetry has garnered two Pushcart Prize nominations. She offers writing workshops in schools and community education centers. 

Time at the Bus Stop by April M Rimpo © 2018

My 3 minute 20 second video shares how the poetry collaboration got underway and most importantly Ann Bracken's explanation of her thoughts on my painting and her reading of her wonderful poem. I encourage you to read Ann's blog post about her poem and our event here. 

Here is Ann's poem for you to savor and live with.

“Time at the Bus Stop” Ann Bracken © 2019

I had a vision that if we came here

we’d find a new kind of fortune.

But who feeds guests with scraps

from cans instead of

platters heavy with fruit?

My grandson places his hand of my knee

and pleads “Where is my bed?”

“I don’t want to sleep on this hard step again.”

But steps are all I can see

one step for food, the next step maybe

someone will smile.

Please share your thoughts on Ann Bracken's poem as it relates to my painting in the comments below.

Copyright of images of April M Rimpo Art held by April M Rimpo  All images and content remain the property of the Artist. All Rights Reserved. You may share these videos with attribution and a link to this source site, but all other uses are prohibited.No reproductions or prints are authorized. All rights reserved.

Ekphrastic poem "Time at the Bus Stop" by Ann Bracken © 2019 

Structured Improvisation Music inspired by April M. Rimpo's painting "Time at the Bus Stop"  by ROGUE COLLECTIVE © 2019

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"Time at the Bus Stop" fluid acrylic 12" X 12"

Time at the Bus Stop by April M Rimpo

Time at the Bus Stop

Fluid Acrylic

12" X 12" in brushed silver frame

Available for Purchase Here

Time at the Bus Stop portrays a family having a few moments to talk and catch up while waiting for their ride. The morning light causes wonderful highlights and long shadows that caught my eye. As I was painting the family I couldn't help but wonder where they were headed.  Are the boys on their way to school? Is this a family outing? I decided your context heavily influences how each of us perceives the scene. Perhaps they are really headed to the fields to work. 

But in reality their destination doesn't matter. What inspired me to paint this family is the interactions between them. The young mother seemed to be listening closely to her youngest son, while the older boy looked on while eating some breakfast. I suspect the oldest woman may have been the grandmother who appears to be a bit lost in thought. It was catching that happy moment in time that compelled me to paint. I hope my painting makes you smile.

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Copyright April M Rimpo 2016 All Rights Reserved. You may share my work with attribution and a link to this source site, but all other uses are prohibited.

"Fruit Vendors", 22" X 19" watercolor

Fruit Vendors by April M. Rimpo

Fruit Vendors is based on a photograph taken in Antigua, Guatemala. This painting is intended to capture part of everyday life in Guatemala.  It was morning and these women were setting up their stand for the day.  They were located near a church which was visited by tourists and locals and both appeared to be their clientele. In the background were buildings and people who were at a level above the vendors, that I felt would detract from the vendors and their fruit.

Fruit Vendors

Watercolor

22" X 19" image

28" X 25" brushed silver frame

Available on my website

I started with a design that had very little in the background, but as the painting developed I decided I needed to have more to balance with the front of the painting. My first revision was to add some plants to the background on the left side.  I placed them all at about the same height because I thought the umbrella should be the only item that went to the top of the painting.  However as the painting progressed I felt the woman on the right was off by herself with only a few items of fruit in front of her. There was a large empty gap between the fruit and her that went up to the umbrella.  So I decided to add a few plants on her side of the painting.  This proved to be not enough.  The top still felt quite empty and really needed something dark in the upper left quadrant of the painting.

I decided to research plants native to Guatemala.  I found one called “Heliconia Wagneriana” that had dark stems, long leaves, and great blossoms that had the same reddish orange I used in several other place within the painting.  These plants grow from 5 to 15 feet tall, so they were a good candidate to fill the space.  I found a few different photographs of this plant then drew it to fill in the space that I thought would balance the design. I think the addition of this plant did the trick.  What do you think?  I'd love to hear from you. 

To see other work by April visit her website at http://www.rimpo.org/april/  where you can shop for card or prints.

Copyright April M Rimpo All Rights Reserved. You may share my work with attribution and a link to this source site, but all other uses are prohibited.
 

"Messengers", 22" X 11" watercolor

Messengers by April M. Rimpo

Messengers speaks to a tradition in Guatemala practiced on All Saints Day.  Many Guatemalans are very faithful Catholics and as a result All Saints Day is celebrated with a parade in which they pay tribute to Christ and Mary.  It is also a time when they celebrate the living and their ancestors.  The Guatemalan's visit their cemeteries in throngs, spending the day visiting with each other and with those departed.  It is a celebration, not a sorrowful event. Flowers are everywhere and kites are sold so families can tie messages to the strings and sail these messages to their ancestors.  The recipients may no longer be here in this life, as represented by the empty chair, but you get the sense that these conversations are a vital part of life.

Messenger

watercolor

22" X 11" image

28" X 17" brushed silver frame

$725

AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE HERE

Technical Tip

It's important to watch demonstrations and to attend workshops every now and then.  If nothing else it reminds you of things you've learned but they have fallen into crevices of your brain that you don't seem to access any more. During the demonstration Frank Webb did for the Baltimore Watercolor Society this week, he used Phthalo Green, which is a color I have not included on my regular palette in a very long time.  In fact I'm not sure it has ever been a regular part of my palette.

I loved the colors he achieved with it, so I decided to use it in the dark regions in one painting I finished last week;  I also incorporated Phthalo Green in "Messengers."  I really enjoyed the result and will likely make it a regular color on my palette.  It was fun to rediscover a pigment I owned but hadn't used for a while.