“Let your imagination get carried away…”
When the creative mood strikes, I’m ready! Out and about with my blackout poetry kit means instant access to an array of colored pencils, markers, a compass and ruler, a pencil sharpener, some book pages...
Even with my art tools spread out in front of me, I often don’t know where to start. How many different ways can a page be filled? Where did my inspiration go?
Sometimes all it takes is one little spark to stoke artistic energy and may come in the form of daily prompts, weekly challenges, or even playing a game of blackout BINGO. It begins the process of exploring materials, parameters, layouts, colors, mood, a subject, or pet-peeves and personal favorites.
Having a problem or a task to solve lights the fire, providing boundaries to push against, an opportunity to see things differently, an idea for a first step. Take it! And get carried away...
Carried Away is a compilation of blackout poems and whimsical art inspired by simple, one-word prompts.
"Out with the old, in with the new."
"The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time."
So said Bertrand Russell, and I agree. Making blackout poems, the process of choosing words from a page of text and restructuring them into poetry, is a great way to turn those forced idle moments--wasted time--into instances of creativity.
After a summer of travel, where delays weren't uncommon, I made a habit of bringing my blackout poetry kit along. Selecting the right words, adding playful illustrations, and coloring became therapeutic and relaxing while waiting in hotel lobbies, train stations, and airports. Instead of watching the clock, I focused on the page in front of me, letting the words, lines, and colors take me away.
Distance Between is a compilation of blackout. poems made possible by all kinds of unexpected opportunities.
