Today's prompt comes with an extra helping of whimsy––perhaps you remember our other Weekend Whimsy prompts we whipped up for you during National Poetry Month? Well, if not, here's how these prompts go: we give you a most spectacular piece of art and a quote. You write a most spectacular poem by free writing on art + quote until you find all the right words.
If it helps, free write in three segments. (See my suggestions to get the ball rolling below.) Try to free write on each segment for 10 minutes. All together, you'll have spent 30 minutes generating ideas, phrases, and sounds. Then, see what you can make of what you've got.
The Art
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| Pablo Picasso's "Blue Nude" (1902) |
1. Art: This piece is called "Blue Nude". It's a Picasso. Currently, it's hanging on my wall about two feet away, which is what inspired me to write this post. I've spent many a moment pondering why this is my favorite Picasso painting, but there's something here that just grabs me. Try to project yourself into the painting: what lead to this vulnerable moment? What makes this vulnerability graceful? Is there beauty in baring it all––even your weakest places? What do the colors lend to the painting's meaning? At a time when Picasso was experiencing his Blue Period, what made this painting appear in his mind's eye as blue? What would this painting look like in another color? Food for thought.
The Quote
2. Quote: I'm not sure if you've surfed the quote-sphere often on the Internet, but Picasso has some fantastic one-liners about art, creativity, and talent. I'm sure there is no shortage of evidence of this on Pinterest. But, I digress. Here are some helpful starters to get you going: Has there been a time a piece of art has prompted a revelation? Write about it. Does every piece of art inherently hold a truth? If so, why do you think an artist would wrap a truth in a lie? What is the lie in your favorite piece of art? What is the truth? Give that a whirl.
3. Art + Quote = Whimsy: I chose this quote to match up with this painting because...well, in so many ways it's an accurate description of sorrow, vulnerability, and consciousness. So here's the million dollar question:
If the painting is the lie, what truth do we realize when we view it?
Free write on that awhile.
Bonus: Fun Fact!
In case you were curious, poetry that is inspired by art is called 'ekphrasis'. Curious about how it works? Check out these three poems and the paintings that inspired them. Maybe even write your own ekphrastic poem today based on this post...who knows! Here's what I do know: if you come up with something that you're totally excited about, send it our way! We love to hear what our readers are up to, and we're always psyched to know one of our prompts helped out. :)
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