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Cherie Burbach

writer, artist, poet

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Home | Lifestyle | Cherie's Art | Smiles and Poetry and Color

Smiles and Poetry and Color

February 25, 2013 5 Comments

I’ve been experimenting with smiles. I’ve been told a couple times that while my poetry can be uplifting (depending on who you are and how you read it), some of my artwork has too serious looking faces. Expressionless. I’m not sure why that is, but when I really looked at it, I saw that was true.

I’d like to create art that helps people smile, and if my “girls” aren’t encouraging that with their solemn faces, maybe I need to change things up. So I’m experimenting.

The one thing I kept going back to, though, is I’m not a huge smiler all the time myself. I smile for pictures. When I first see someone. But in general I’ve been told I keep a pretty straight face. So I didn’t wanted to paint girls with toothy grins. It isn’t me.

I’ve been experimenting with smirks. Or, a slight smile, like in the picture “Tomorrow I Will Laugh Like a Child.” You can’t talk about laughing if you’ve got a solemn face. Something in you has to realize you’re about ready to smile, so I wanted to paint the beginnings of a smile there.

Maybe I’m over-thinking it, which is probably one reason I’m not much of a smiler. I’m more of a thinker. If you saw me across a room I’d probably have a frown on my face and you’d wonder if I was unhappy. But I’m happy! I’m just thinking.

So anyway, I took a couple poems, one very old and one from my latest book, to help illustrate a couple of pictures. I’ve also been experimenting a lot with color. I love the vibrancy of acrylic paints. Did I ever tell you why I use them? I started out with oils. I loved oils, but one day I got a chemical burn from the products I needed to clean up after painting. I had some paint on my shirt and mistakenly rubbed the linseed oil on it and it soaked through and burned me.

After that, I realized that the space I was painting in really worked better for acrylics. I could clean them with water and no more chemical burns for me.

So back to it, I’ve been experimenting with colors and smiles and poetry. Here are the two new ones.

your talents are embedded in your soul

 

These words are taken from my poem, “Your Talents” from Yes, You.  It’s available in my Etsy store.

The second one had words from an old poem, “With Every Breath” which was first in The Difference Now and is now available in New and Selected Poems.

i breathe in

 

It’s available in my Etsy store too. Incidentally, I realized (just this weekend!) that there was a spelling error with this poem that has been carried through from the first book to the “greatest hits” book, and neither me, my editor, or my first readers caught it! In fact, I’m surprised one of my readers hasn’t emailed me with it, because you guys are awesome about pointing out my flubs! LOL! (I don’t take offense. It means you’re paying attention.)

I suppose the spelling error is the way it goes sometimes.

Tags: mixed media, poetry, smiling girls, soul Categories: Cherie's Art

About the Author

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Cherie Burbach is a full time artist and writer. Her art prints, originals, and functional art pieces are available in artsy stores and galleries through the country and here at her site. Join her for Painting the Psalms. She is the author of over fifteen books, which vary from nonfiction to poetry to kid's books. Just for fun she created a family card game called Cupcake Commotion. Her first novel is The Space Between Dreaming.

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Comments

  1. Eileen says

    March 15, 2013 at 2:39 pm

    Lovely. Both the smiles on the girls and the one in your profile picture 😉

    Reply
    • Cherie says

      March 18, 2013 at 6:43 pm

      Thanks, Eileen.

      Reply
  2. Cyndi L says

    March 16, 2013 at 12:28 pm

    Personally I’m more into “Mona Lisa” smiles than big toothy grins too, so these suit me fine!

    Reply
    • Cherie says

      March 18, 2013 at 6:41 pm

      Ha! Excellent!

      Reply

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Reviewed by Edith Wairimu for Readers’ Favorite

The Space Between Dreaming is a moving novel written with warmth and heart and which contains valuable wisdom. I loved that...
Cherie Burbach
2020-02-16T15:00:57-06:00
The Space Between Dreaming is a moving novel written with warmth and heart and which contains valuable wisdom. I loved that the work tackles difficult topics about childlessness, childhood trauma, and betrayal by friends with sensitivity. It tenderly captures the social and emotional toll of being childless. I loved the main characters and found them to be realistic and engaging. The work masterfully explores the themes of friendships and relationships, drawing important lessons that can be applied in real life. The inclusion of art and the process of painting also enhance the story. Cherie Burbach's unforgettable novel will resonate with readers for its applicable themes and compelling characters. Fans of women's novels will love it.
https://www.cherieburbach.com/testimonials/lisa-l/
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Cherie Burbach

“Nerdection Must Read”

Cherie Burbach's writing is surprisingly vivid, this being her debut attempt. She can take you inside the character's mind within...
Cherie Burbach
2020-02-16T14:48:24-06:00
Cherie Burbach's writing is surprisingly vivid, this being her debut attempt. She can take you inside the character's mind within a span of words, all the things they're struggling with put bare before you. The prose isn't flowery, but gentle enough to nudge you into relating your traumas too, and heal as the characters do.
https://www.cherieburbach.com/testimonials/jenn-z/

K. Fink, Amazon

Loved learning more about art, and the community surrounding the people in the book. Couldn't wait for the next chapter...
Cherie Burbach
2020-02-16T14:49:12-06:00
Loved learning more about art, and the community surrounding the people in the book. Couldn't wait for the next chapter and following the women in this story. I am hoping the author has a second book in mind, to continue the journey of Jane and Grace. I would recommend this to book clubs, so they could meet and discuss what they read and what they think will happen next.
https://www.cherieburbach.com/testimonials/cheryl-m/

Julie, Amazon Reviewer

A beautifully written story about the lives of two very interesting women who come together and form a life long...
Cherie Burbach
2020-02-16T14:50:50-06:00
A beautifully written story about the lives of two very interesting women who come together and form a life long bond. I love how this book is written. I found myself placed in the story like I was an innocent bystander watching each moment unfold and learning more about art than I ever thought possible. As the book ended, I found myself wanting more. My hope is that there is a 2nd book in the works so I can continue watching the friendships unfold and the lives of the main characters continue to grow!
https://www.cherieburbach.com/testimonials/shelley-w/

Reviewed by Edith Wairimu for Readers’ Favorite

The Space Between Dreaming is a moving novel written with warmth and heart and which contains valuable wisdom. I loved that...
Cherie Burbach
2020-02-16T15:00:57-06:00
The Space Between Dreaming is a moving novel written with warmth and heart and which contains valuable wisdom. I loved that the work tackles difficult topics about childlessness, childhood trauma, and betrayal by friends with sensitivity. It tenderly captures the social and emotional toll of being childless. I loved the main characters and found them to be realistic and engaging. The work masterfully explores the themes of friendships and relationships, drawing important lessons that can be applied in real life. The inclusion of art and the process of painting also enhance the story. Cherie Burbach's unforgettable novel will resonate with readers for its applicable themes and compelling characters. Fans of women's novels will love it.
https://www.cherieburbach.com/testimonials/lisa-l/

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