Big I’s

Posted on January 15, 2015 by AM Roselli

My Friends,

Big I’s
I wish I had miles of long hair to toss out a tower window.
I wish I knew my children when I was a kid.
I wish I kept the little black motorcycle I never stayed upright on.
I wish I had a spotted cow in my backyard.
I wish I could wear a silver ball gown and waltz.
I wish stars were close enough to taste.
I wish I felt this young when I was.
I wish beds were made of clouds.
I wish I could share all my thoughts.
I wish I could wear night as a pair of mismatched socks.
I wish the sun set on my shoulder.
I wish words were made of water.
I wish dreams fit inside my secret decoder ring.
I wish I had a secret decoder ring.

And yes, my post title was inspired by the movie, Big Eyes which sadly I haven’t ‘scene’ yet, but hope to soon! In homage to Margaret Keane and her lovely Big Eyed Waifs, I’ve done a quick sketch of a modern Big Eyes. There is only one Margaret Keane. I am an imitator here, though I really did own a pair of earrings like the one(s) shown. Back in the 1990’s, a coworker quipped, “…waiting for the dog that’s gonna jump through those things!”

Thank you. May you dream wishes into your coffee…

Face Feature Mix done for studio class way back in, hum, I think 1983. Big Eyes Homage done quickly while wishing…

When’s the Last Time You Talked to a Tree?

Posted on January 13, 2015 by AM Roselli

My Friends,
Give yourself the freedom to imagine. Open your mind and hear the gracious wisdom of a tree. Spend a precious moment. History is gently preserved within its wooden clock rings. Deep-etched lines of warm bark, give rise to fantastical images.
Rooted in a tree’s very heart are magnificent stories there for the listening. Magic is all around. So I must ask my friends, “When is the last time you talked to a tree?”
Thank you. May you dream of having a tree party with friends.

Tree faces created yesterday while listening to the giant husband and big son’s football ruckus 🙂 Tree Root photo taken this past summer at a Newport, Rhode Island mansion. I thought the root looked like a slumbering child.

Wildlife Resolve

Posted on January 4, 2015 by AM Roselli

My friends,
Yesterday after watching the big son’s wrestling tournament, then returning home to a messy house, I did nothing. The icy rain allowed a guilt-free couch plopping session. My family ate frozen pizza.

Today the big son has day two of his wrestling tournament. The delicate daughter goes to work in the early afternoon. The giant husband plans to start working down his winter ‘to do’ list. Rocky the Shepherd and Mojo the Dachshund will get their outdoor exercise. I must empty the fridge of all holiday food remnants then fill it with resolution food after grocery shopping. I’ll take down Christmas and all its trappings. I will return to my studio in the evening and mentally prepare for a new work week. Laundry must also be done or my family will travel naked tomorrow.

This morning I find myself struggling to ignite my New Year’s resolve. I’m fighting the ennui smothering my warm slippered feet. Sitting at the kitchen table sipping coffee, the Christmas Tree taunts me while nearby wildlife drawings stare at me. My eyes begin focusing.

AnnMarie, wildlife doesn’t feel sorry for itself. Wildlife doesn’t put on slippers and ‘veg.’ Wildlife pushes through each day until physically unable.

Today, I resolve to embody the wildlife spirit – to live without complaint, to care for my young without issue, to live each day as if it’s the one I must get through to see tomorrow. Today I resolve to be as wise as wildlife.
Thank you. May you dream of accomplishing your resolutions…
Staring Gorilla created in 2008

2 new poems published in the Avocet

Posted on December 12, 2014 by AM Roselli

Turquoise Eyes

howling through the blackest part of night
damp nostrils inhales the moon
silver molding the shape of their song
turquoise eyes cry out for harmony
as voices peal across the earth
a universal language floating on the wind
beckoning to the deepest part of light
and to the humble sleeping spirit
of all living things

Fake Smells

behind these walls
annoying lights flicker
a singular flame   attempts escape
desk   tick tocks   tick tocks
white noise is suffocating
beneath night’s cape
foxes hunt
coyotes beckon
stars breathe
should go out and play
with the ‘rousing moonlight
where the autumn dogs
don’t give a damn
about work deadlines
or silly jar candles
laced with fake scents

Published in, ‘Avocet Magazine,’ a marvelous print journal paying homage to nature and its beauty

wolf created a few years ago using prisma pencil and dabs of acrylic

Crossing More Than Fingers

Posted on December 10, 2014 by AM Roselli

Dear Friends,
Over the last few days, I’ve seen two excellent conscience-bearing movies. Into the Wild, directed by Sean Penn is based on a true story. It’s a convincing cinematic portrayal of a young college-educated man who forgoes the trappings of society and our manmade shackles. His search for a ‘purer’ existence ultimately brings him to Alaska where he must attempt survival. The other film, The Eleventh Hour, directed by Leonardo DiCaprio lays out mankind’s future if global warming isn’t taken seriously. Both films left me thinking about how I live my life. They left me pondering my children’s futures if we can’t reign in our want, and stop treating nature as a thing to be bartered and sold.

Yesterday my post included a silly Christmas tree. For reference I’d snapped a photo of the delicate daughter crossing her arms. While on a sub break today, I was perusing my photos and stopped at my daughter’s image. I drew her sweet face during lunch. I pray the bright future reflected in her caramel eyes, is the bright future she will have on a beautiful healthy planet…
Thank you. May you dream of pure air and crystal water.
Delicate Daughter sketched today. Little Miss Green Apple below done with Prisma pencils several months ago.