One Shot Wednesday - Poetry Week 30

Welcome to One Shot Wednesday - Poetry Week 30

Hi and welcome to another week of celebrating and enjoying Poetry. I am Pete Marshall and I shall be your host this fine evening.

Before we start however I have a few announcements to make....

Over the last six months we have seen One Stop Poetry grow from strength to strength, and in doing so One Stop Poetry has outgrown this site and needed to create a new, more structured place. A place where you can continue to enjoy what we do. As we introduce more ideas and features to an already exciting place, we promise to  keep alive the community spirit and love of poetry that brought us together. We are expanding to include elements that encourage young people to write and explore the arts. We strive to make creative writing explode off the pens of young people. We therefore are proud to announce the creation of  www.onestoppoetry.com.

Obviously moving address is always a stressful time yet we hope that the transfer will be a seamless exercise and cause as little disruption to you as possible.

Thank you all also for your support and votes for One Stop Poetry in the Shorty Awards. If you haven't as yet voted or wish to encourage your followers to vote we are nominated for two awards in the categories Art & Poetry. The voting finishes this week so as much support as you can muster is more than welcome.

Now I feel its time to let One Shot Wednesday begin. If you are new or wish to have a recap here is how it works;

1, Write an original poem and post it to your blog

2, Link back to One Shot Wednesday from your post

3, Sign up in the Mr Linky list,(use the URL from your blog) linking directly to your post, AFTER you've posted it. Mr Linky will be open from 5pm EST Tuesday (10pm UK)  until 3am EST Thursday (8am UK). If you need help with this, please ask in the comment box.

4, Go visit others that have posted. This is a great way to learn new forms, meet new poets and gain inspiration for your next piece. though this is not mandatory we encourage you to visit at least one other poet and give some helpful feedback.

5. For some of you I need to stress - don't feel that you need to comment on each poem, take your time and enjoy the read.

On behalf of all the One Stop Team...Happy One Shot

One Shot Wednesday - Poetry Week 29

Welcome to One Shot Wednesday - Week 29

Welcome to One Shot everyone! My name is Brian Miller and I will be your host today. We look forward to reading your amazing poetic offerings, and are excited you are here, but first let me tell you about a few things that will be rolling out in the next couple weeks with my Friday Poetically.

If you joined us last week, we wrote poetry to the amazing talent of Joe Satriani. Each month we will look at different musical inspirations for our poetry. This Friday, I will launch a new monthly children's wall, where we will be posting poems by children/teens. If you know word artists that happen to be children or have kids of your own, we encourage you to submit their work via email to One Stop Poetry. We will put several up each week and you will be notified the week your child's poem goes up on the wall. In order to provide protection for children under 14 years of age, we ask that you have them create a pen name. Each work of poetry can then be displayed with that name.

Those are just a few of the features you can look forward to on Fridays.

We also would appreciate your vote for One Stop Poetry if you are on Twitter. We have been nominated in two categories  (by the Twitter community) we are in good position to receive an award which would reflect back on each of you as this is a community.  There is a Shorty Awards button to the right of the page. 

Let's give the microphone back to all of you for One Shot Wednesday. Happy One Shot everyone!

If you are new to One Shot Wednesday, please feel welcome to participate by doing the following:

1, Write an original poem and post it to your blog

2, Link back to One Shot Wednesday from your post 

3, Sign up in the Mr Linky list,(use the URL from your blog) linking directly to your post, AFTER you've posted it. Mr Linky will be open from 5pm EST Tuesday (10pm UK)  until 3am EST Thursday (8am UK). If you need help with this, please ask in the comment box.

4, Go visit others that have posted. This is a great way to learn new forms, meet new poets and gain inspiration for your next piece. though this is not mandatory we encourage you to visit at least one other poet and give some helpful feedback.

5. For some of you I need to stress - don't feel that you need to comment on each poem. Take in the inspiration of a few with a good cup of tea or coffee.

On behalf of  my fellow cohorts, Adam Dustus , Leslie Moon, Pete Marshall,Chris Galford, Jessica Kristie, Claudia Schoenfeld, Gay Cannon and myself - welcome and enjoy!!!!!

Moondustwriter Thursday - Guest Hosted by Jessica Kristie. Spotlighting artist Greg Pitts

Welcome! Today I am not only happy to guest host for the lovely Leslie Moon, but also to bring to you a very talented and accomplished artist: Greg Pitts.

Born to a single parent family, Greg Pitts started out life at a disadvantage. Growing up without a father figure made life less than ideal.  He did not meet his father until the age of 12.


Greg got interested in photography as a teen and purchased his first camera on lay-a-way from a camera store in his hometown of Lima, Ohio. The photography set the ground work for his exploration in art. Twelve years ago, Greg began to pursue a formal career in acting and continued to use his photography artistically. 

He has been exhibited at The Museum of Art at Cheekwood Botanical Gardens and the University Club at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. As an actor, he has appeared on several national and regional programs.  Most recently, he was seen in “Transporter 2” as a U.S.  Marshall.  He is a member of the International Freelance Photographers Organization.  He delved into painting as another form of artistic expression about 11 years ago. His first painting, an oil “self-portrait,” was used as cover art for two books that he self-published, entitled “Wisdom,Quotes and Jokes”  and “Wisdom, Quotes and Jokes II.”

Mr. Pitts has gained national recognition by making the top story on Google News on May 9, 2009 with a feature article published about his work in EV Living Magazine.  He has exhibited his art and photography in various venues in the South Florida area.

 Painting by Jackson Pollock ( Blue Poles)

Greg's artwork has been compared to that of abstract expressionist artist Jackson Pollock. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Pollock, Pollock was  famous  for his method of drip or pour painting; his technique creating intricate patterns of color.  

Greg was featured artist of the month for February 2009 with Elements of Art.  One of his photographic images was recently selected as one of 20 semi-finalists in “W” Magazine's The Art Project photo competition.  He was also given honorable mention as one of the contributing artists and photographers in the December 2009 exhibit Through the Eyes of Love which was held in honor of World AIDS Day.           

                                                                                                  

Greg took a few minutes to chat with One Stop!

How long have you studied art?

I have been a life-long student of art - I have been a photographer for over 30 years, but did my first painting as a self-portrait for the cover of a book that I self-published about 9 years ago.

What was the catalyst that made you want to be an artist?


First  -  I didn't choose art...it chose me.

Art seemed like a natural progression.  I have always had an artistic mind-set, even as a young teenager. 

Where or who did you study art with?

I have not formally studied art. Being  in photography for several years, I have learned composition and how things appeal to the "eye."  I am self-taught and paint what I feel, not restricting myself to any medium. I use any and everything that I feel can be an artistic expression...

You are compared to artist Jackson Pollock did you study him?


I never knew about Pollock. I was experimenting with paints and techniques. Someone saw my work, bought it and gave me the title of the black Jackson Pollock. I have since seen his work and a movie about him. 

What are some of the things that inspire your pieces such as “blood on our hands” and “thieves”?

The inspiration of "Blood on Our Hands" was one night I was listening to the news.  It was full of conspiracies, war hate crimes;  the painting was a result of the emotions I felt after hearing all that.  I try and avoid listening to the news nowadays.  

You had a small role in the Film Transporter 2, is acting another passion of yours?

Acting and film making.  In fact, I have written, directed and produced several short indie films, two of which have won national awards at film festivals across the country


Any words for other "striving" artists?
"Don't give up." Greg once met a woman who had gone to art school but gave up because she couldn't face the difficulties of being an artist. "I succeed as an artist because I am resilient, love people and I'm not a quitter."

Check HERE for a list of Greg’s exhibitions prior to 2010. 

Since early 2010, Greg has been at GAB Studios as one of their artists, and in December was one of the featured and very successful artists for their Miami Art Basel Exhibition.

You can find more of Greg's work on his website.

One Shot Wednesday - Week 28

On behalf of all the team at One Stop Poetry, I warmly welcome you to One Shot Wednesday, Week 28!

I am Claudia Schönfeld and will be your host this evening. One Shot is growing - and not only in numbers but also in quality. I personally have learned so much by reading all the wonderful poems you bring to the table each week and thoroughly enjoy the variety of styles, meeting poets from all over the world and the warm-hearted atmosphere and feedback. It's great to be a part of this bustling and alive community.

If you think One Stop is great and like what we are doing, you can nominate us for a social media award in the Shorty Awards. You can do this by clicking on the Logo on the right side bar. We are being represented in two categories, #art & #poetry. A vote for both would be wonderful! 

And now before we start this weeks One Stop, I would like to hand you over to Pete who has a special message;

"Hi everybody and thank you very much for your continued support of both One Shot Wednesday and One Stop Poetry. As we have grown over the past 6 months, in order to maintain the high standards that we set , we have seen the need for the team to expand. Today I would like to introduce to you the newest member of One Stop Poetry, Jessica Kristie. I am sure you will welcome her on board accordingly.

Thank you also to Claudia for a wonderful introduction and I can only reiterate her words with regard to the Shorty Awards, on behalf of us all we are very thankful for the nomination and the votes we receive.

This Sunday, for those of you on Twitter, Leslie  hosted  our first weekly scheduled #ospchat, which is held for an hour starting at 3.30pm EST (8.30 UK). The first of these live chats was a resounding success and we look forward to seeing more of you this coming Sunday at the same time.

On a last note, please do not forget the One Stop Anthology. If you have entered a poem into weeks 1 - 25, then you are eligible to be considered. If you have entered more than one poem and would like what you consider to be your best, to be voted on,  please email us at Oneshotpoetry@gmail.com, headed Anthology, with your chosen two poems and the weeks they were entered. we will only accept these emails up to 21st of January so please hurry. For more details please visit One Stop Poetry  - Anthology. 

Thanks again and now I hand you back to the wonderful Claudia....all the best...Pete"

Well yes - thanks Pete - it's poetry time - woo-hoo - !!

~ Claudia

If you're new to OSW, here's how it works:

• Post a poem on your blog

• Link your poem to One Shot, using Mr Linky. Where the prompt asks put the URL (web address for your poem) for the poem there.

• Visit as many other One Shot Poets as you like. Tell them how you feel when your are reading, encourage and interact with them

• Tell others about OSW by including a link to this page on your post

Friday -One Stop Poetry Featuring Poet Jessica Kristie

With the holidays in the States our schedule is a bit askew. Adam Dustus is off shooting ducks or something so I'm (Moondustwriter) standing in with some fabulous poetry by Jessica Kristie
Just wanted to point out that Jessica is another talented lady who I met on - Twitter. If you aren't there, you should be.

Can you briefly tell me when you first started writing?
I began writing when I was about ten years old.  I was always a very emotionally in-tune little girl, and at an early age searched for some sort of outlet.  I believe I found this venue from a school exercise, then realized immediately it was freeing and very healing.  I wish I could say I have written continuously since then, but it has been off and on with a more consistent run the last five years or so.

What inspires you to write?
I have many inspirations and “processes” for writing.  There is certain music that rings to me as poetry. I play those songs to get me in the mood, and the place I need to be to write. Being a stream of conscious and emotional writer, the flow often needs to be stirred.  I have learned through the years to capture it better and even trigger it more than I was able to in the past.  I also find great inspiration in others writing and will often become inspired by even just a word.  Those moments I love the most and always hope I have a pen and paper close at hand.

What are your hopes and dreams with your poetry?
I just finished putting together my first collection of poetry.  It contains 50 poems and 5 prose poetry works.  I am submitting it to publishers along with a children’s book I wrote, that is currently being illustrated.  I also have a very exciting collaboration I am doing with a photographer. We are collaborating to bring to life a poem I wrote in 11 parts that tells a story.  It is more than just doing a photo to match the words; it is bringing the words out in a unique way. We hope to find a great venue to make it available to the public once it is complete. I am already working on a second manuscript of all prose poetry with hopes to also have it published in the future. 

What is your favorite genre?
Classics always seem to catch my eye from Frost to Neruda, but also find myself attracted to such wonderful poets as Maya Angelou. I continue to find that it is always the romance that pulls me in the deepest. Often it is darker, but romance just the same.  I do hold a place in my heart for the more humorous side of things. It always does me good to laugh and I try to - at least ten times a day.


While e-mailing Jessica,we discovered that we grew up relatively close to each other. My father lived in her home town until his death. We may just have to do a road trip to my favorite city (well one of them) San Francisco. Please enjoy Jessica's fine writing.

Tragedy’s Room

Today I want to put skin around my words

Turn sentences into limbs

And reach across the seas

Finding my way to your door

My blankets of consoling will never do this moment justice

History has been broken

A tear in life’s time table

“Why” lingers at the footsteps you watched from birth

Hands by your side that can’t seem to bring enough healing

This time

Trouble feels so beyond

What you can mend

Warmth can roam

Beyond our flesh

Far past aching bone

It will make its way back

Where darkness looms

Where loss and heartbreak

Now claim this room

Bows break future moments

Pausing time

Covering moons

Lingering in our present

Floating in the in-between

But hands do breathe volumes

When crashing into tragedies door

Look now and know

What strength they hold

Your grip

Your reach

Barriers breaking as we speak

This next poem is inserted into prose that Jessica posted. If you want to read the entire piece, please enjoy it on her blog.

~Nothing~

What poetic justice I weep from my pages

Yet I feel no sense of peace

Painting clouds with my finger tips across
an empty palette

A canvas that mimics hope yet whispers
only dreams

You can’t speak of change

When I Look at you and see the same

You can’t speak of love

When I can’t feel you break through me

I remember when

You speak of nothing

No words

No hope

No difference from one day to the next

Mediocre in this questionable decision

Maybe the hope is within a dream

Or maybe the needle has passed through

Now seamless

The two pieces have become

I remember when you told me

You would not give me up without a fight

When I walked away

You laid down so easy

And still you speak

Of nothing

You can contact jessica @jesskristie

Her blog http://jessicakristie.wordpress.com/

Photography:

Derek Tyson

http://www.flickr.com/photos/derricksphotos/189815067/

Ian Munroe

photograph//www.flickr.com/photos/ian_munroe/4059831412/sizes/m/in/photostream/