Ringling
Layering, I spin
turmoil—sparkled spheres reveal
the unplanned design
A fierce dance, a brazen leap–
vortexed and saturated
For Colleen’s Tanka Tuesday, using synonyms for vigor and energy, and for Sarah at dVerse, who asked us to think about the circus.
My life has been too chaotic to do collage, so I’ve been doing watercolor circles, some with stitching, some with monoprint on top. This one has monoprint. Although I am slowly learning how to exert some control over the results, there are always surprises. Like a circus.
In Middle English the word ringling means “the sound made by something ringling; ringing, jingling, tinkling”. I also like the association it evokes with rings, and circles in general.
Tags: #tanka tuesday, circles, circus, dVerse, mandala, monoprint, poetry, tanka, watercolor
About memadtwo
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This sounds like an incantation to me. I didn’t know that about ringling. Interesting. And sometimes we just have to leap.
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I was going to say an incantation, too! Lovely imagery with the word ringling. 😀
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Thanks Merril. Yes we do.
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We do! (I thought I already replied, but my tablet is inconsistent with its ability to follow my wishes…) Thanks Merril.
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The art is like a one-ring circus, full of life. I see a few faces whirling in there.
And the words – they’re perfect.
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Thanks Ken.
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The painting made me think of lights at night. Full of energy and movement, words and picture.
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Thanks Sarah. Circuses do remind me of many things going on at once.
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I always enjoy your creative expression, both in words and your art. This would be a wonderful incantation in my next book. 😀 ❤
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I like the idea of an incantation for a book! Thanks, Colleen. (K)
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It would be magical! 🔮🦄💜
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I forgot to add that I LOVE the meaning of the circle, too. ❤
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Any kind of circles…
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Yes! Lots of meaning with the circle symbolism. 💜
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Nice phrase: “unplanned design”
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Thanks Frank. My motto in creating…
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These colours definitely have a circus feel, like clown soup.
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Clown soup! That is the best comment I’ve read on a post all day!
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lol
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What a wonderful idea!
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The focus of colors is definitely bringing out the circus…
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Thanks Bjorn. Always a whirl of competing activity…
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A fierce dance, a brazen leap – this line really speaks of the art peice. It makes me imagine a ballet of clowns.
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Thanks K. A ballet of clowns is a great image. And nice to meet another K!
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I love the close up of your painting. It reminds me of Kandinsky’s first experiments with abstraction. Your poem works well with it and gives a sense of how life can spin out control sometimes when illness blights a family. (I’ve been busy myself this week with a family medical emergency).
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Thanks Suzanne. That comparison pleases me as I like Kandinsky a lot. Hope things calm down for you soon.
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Yes, our crisis is over now thank goodness. It’s all about recovery now. I hope you are finding some peace within your own situation. I sense it is on-going and very difficult.
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Yes, a constant up and down. We hope the latest treatment will lead to some stabilization.
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Oh I hope so. Sending you love – Suzanne
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Thanks Suzanne.
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This is cool, the associations between the watercolor circles, rings and the circus. Abstract and a wonderful take on the dVerse prompt.
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Thanks so much.
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I could wear this image, thanks for posting in spite of your own life chaos at this time.
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Thanks Sharon. It does have a textile feel. Can’t leave the past behind!
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Unplanned designs are often beautiful.
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Even when I plan things, they always have their own ideas!
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A sure sign of creativity!
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This is beautiful and bold
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Thanks Lynn. Bold is something to strive for.
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Colorful and pleasing circles – and words!
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Thanks Betty.
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I thrill from the explosion of colors and images in your art! Even chaos needs to go untethered some days.
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Thanks Rose. Untethered most days around here…
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Lol. Yes, here, as well, K. 😄
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Your ringling piece seems like a very intricate, spiritual dance amidst the chaos of whirling unknowns. I find the creative spirit finds solace in expressing the chaos it has no control over. Beautiful colors swirling together, Kerfe.
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Thanks Olga. Trying to tame the unknown…a life’s work!
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I really like the colors in your painting as well.
Pat
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Thank you!
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Beautiful bursts of color and Tanka. Did you really dance while creating these? 😉
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No, but I should have. Thanks!
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Yes! 😀
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