One Vision 2011 - An Evening of Fine Art, Poetry and Dance at the Oconomowoc Arts Center on Saturday, October 22, 2011

One Vision: A Fusion of Art & Poetry in Lake Country / 2011

The Pewaukee Area Arts Council (www.pewaukeearts.org) proudly sponsors the third year of “One Vision: A Fusion of Art and Poetry in Lake Country,” bringing together 8 pairs of artists and poets, as well as the new element of interpretive dance this year, in partnership with To the Pointe Dance Studio in Hartland, WI (www.tothepointe.com). Please join us at 7 p.m. Saturday, October 22, 2011 at the Oconomowoc Arts Center (641 E Forest Street, Oconomowoc, WI) for a fine art exhibit, poetry reading and dance performance. Our artists, poets and dancers will be unveiling the final results of a summer-long collaboration. A reception with live music and refreshments will also be part of the evening’s event. Our special musical guest this year will be local musician and composer Chip Cruz (www.myspace.com/chipcruz). This performance is free and open to the public. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with music for a preview and meeting with the artists, poets and dancers.

Called “ekphrastic” (that is, art or poetry inspired by other creative mediums), the project’s goal is for the artists and poets to interact with each other to create a new expression of art or poetry from that experience. Poets and artists will spend the summer viewing/reading each other’s work as they got to know each other and how the creative process works in each of their respective mediums. From this exploration, a poet could write a new poem to a piece of artwork, the artist create a new piece inspired by a poem, or the two could craft a whole new expression of art and poetry. This year we have the exciting new element of interpretive dance to add an extra layer of creativity. Dances will be choreographed for select pairs.

“Working toward a creative vision that incorporates many different genres and sources of inspiration has been so fulfilling for our participants,” says Cristina Norcross, co-editor of the project.

Sponsored by the Pewaukee Area Arts Council, this is the third year for the program, which had a successful debut in 2009 at the The Raven Gallery in Pewaukee and an expanded show in 2010 at the Oconomowoc Arts Center. One Vision continues to give many area artists and poets the opportunity to participate, and to bring awareness of the diversity of the arts to the community as part of PAAC’s ongoing mission.

"Adding the element of dance brings a new dimension to the project," says co-editor Liz Rhodebeck. "We can't wait to see the results of this collaboration."

Artists participating in this year’s project are: Anne Raskopf, Albin Erhart, Melissa Schoechert, Judith Reidy, Dara Chappie, Angel Troyer, Heidi Hallett and Susan Foley. Poets participating are: Mary Jo Balistreri, Khristian Kay, Anjie Kokan, Fred Kreutz, Janet Leahy, Katy Phillips, Paula Schulz and Judy Wucherer. Co-editors Liz Rhodebeck and Cristina Norcross are coordinating the project with the assistance of Art Advisor Dint Sweitzer and Dance Choreographer Nina Gaydos-Fedak.

An outgrowth of the project has been the production of limited edition notecards featuring the artwork and accompanying poem of each pair; sets will be available for purchase the evening of the reception. All profit from the sale of the notecards will support PAAC’s programs and outreach in the community.

Both the artwork and poetry will be on exhibition to the public at the OAC (www.oasd.k12.wi.us/page.cfm?p=96) through November 20, 2011. There are plans for winter 2012 exhibits at local libraries and other venues.

Please visit and join our One Vision Facebook group page for more updates: www.facebook.com/home.php#!/home.php?sk=group_105325084866.

One Vision is sponsored by the Pewaukee Area Arts Council and funded in part by a grant from Arts Waukesha.

For more information, visit www.pewaukeearts.org or contact co-editors Liz Rhodebeck (262-695-2761) or Cristina Norcross (Bookndz@yahoo.com).

Things I’ve Learned Before My 40th Birthday

Things I’ve Learned Before My 40th Birthday

I’ve learned that slow and steady wins the race,
and I’ve learned that it’s not a race at all.

I’ve learned that I am the only one keeping count
of what I’ve done, and what I haven’t done yet.

I’ve learned that it all goes by too fast,
like a summer vacation that you take for granted –
grains of sand slipping through in a dusty whisper.

I’ve learned that if I can’t hold on,
I’ll just let go.
This threadbare bag of expectations
hangs on a hook –
full and reproachful.

I’ve learned that I feel most beautiful
when my heart is full.
It has nothing to do with the size of my jeans.

I’ve learned that on some days,
inspiration leads me by the hand,
and on other days, I sit and wait a very long time.

I am thankful to be 40.
If I’ve learned nothing else,
I’ve learned that seeing my youngest son
in a superman cape
supersedes any other happiness.


Cristina M. R. Norcross
Copyright 2011
(June 11, 2011)
*The photo above is of my youngest son who loves to inspire his mother with his many super man talents.)

"The Shower Prayer" by Cristina M. R. Norcross

The Shower Prayer

The hot rain of the shower
comes down.
Walls blurred
from early morning vision –
I leave the high hot setting
and simply stand in the moment of daybreak.

Calendar unmarked,
computer untouched –
this day is thankfully unspoken for.
For now,
I am just falling water –
and this is enough.

Slow movements become a prayer
of self care –
lathering curves to the music of raindrop rhythms
and the scent of almond, vanilla and ginger.
I use every bottle,
lengthening the morning ritual
to match the continuous, blowing hum of the fan –
spinning my day into circles that meet and overlap
but never end.


Cristina M. R. Norcross
Copyright 2011

"STAR WOMAN" ~ A Tribute Poem for Teacher and Astronaut, Christa McAuliffe

STAR WOMAN
(Christa McAuliffe ~ 1948-1986)

Fly me to the moon –
weightless and astonished.

I
am
history.

Teaching –
connecting worlds –
I wave through the window.

An ordinary life
made extraordinary by chance –
one letter out of eleven thousand.
Touching comets from my desk –
I see galaxies.

Ship of stars
edging closer to the sky.
Galactic plans,
explorer dreams –
lifting off,
then ending.
Seven memories –
still in flight.

Cristina M. R. Norcross
Copyright 2011

This week marked the 25-year anniversary of the crash of the space shuttle, Challenger. I wanted to honor the memory of the only teacher on that flight, Christa McAuliffe with this poem.

"Seven astronauts died Jan. 28, 1986, when Challenger was destroyed just after liftoff. It was NASA's first in-flight calamity, and it dealt an especially severe blow to the millions of teachers and students watching on TV to see Christa McAuliffe, a civilian high school teacher from New Hampshire, become NASA's first Teacher in Space." ~Clara Moskowitz (Full article here - http://www.space.com/10708-shuttle-challenger-anniversary-nasa-lessons.html)

One Vision, Art and Poetry Winter 2011 Library Exhibits

PRESS RELEASE

One Vision, Art and Poetry Winter 2011 Exhibits

The project One Vision: A Fusion of Art and Poetry in Lake Country, sponsored by the Pewaukee Area Arts Council, will feature a sampling of collaborative artwork and poetry at various Lake Country public library locations in winter 2011. As an arts opportunity for the community, members of the public who missed seeing the poetry reading and art exhibit, hosted by the Oconomowoc Arts Center in October 2010, will be able to enjoy viewing the works of local artists and writers at the following venues: Pewaukee Public Library (starting mid-January), Kettle Moraine High School (starting mid-January), Delafield Public Library (starting February) and Town Hall Library in North Lake (starting March). Artists and poets collaborated to create ekphrastic work, which is a dialogue between two mediums of creative art. The conversation continues with readers and viewers who have the unique opportunity to enjoy this exhibit.

An inspiring experience of art and poetry is at your local public library. For more information about One Vision, please visit the Pewaukee Area Arts Council website: www.pewaukeearts.org.

GIVING YOURSELF PERMISSION TO WRITE

Finding Time to Write:
Feeling Overscheduled?
Give yourself permission to say, “No”


Our calendars are filled to the brim with bells, reminders, things underlined or highlighted in orange – a neon banner of endless obligations. Some of these appointments and tasks are necessities. Others are tasks that we have either foisted upon ourselves, or that we have unwittingly agreed to do, simply because we feel obligated or guilty. But what about the times we feel drawn to do something that would benefit others? Yes, this is definitely a good thing, but not when our own calendar is so filled that we haven’t left enough time for our own lives, our family or our spirit. Put your “dedicated writing time” into that category called spirit. If you are a creative type, then your writing time is vital to your spiritual well being. Don’t allow everything else to come first. You will ultimately regret it.

My family is primary, then my daily responsibilities, projects, poetry readings, hosting literary events and volunteer work. My writing is stuck in there, when I can fit it in time-wise. I try to schedule writing time late at night or for those 2 precious hours per day, when both of my children are in school at the same, overlapping time. I am a happier mother and wife, when I have the right balance between “everyone else” time and “me” time. Writing makes me whole. It helps me to have vision. My heart relies on writing time to function. Having uninterrupted time to create, based on how I am currently processing life experiences and the world is vital for me to feel centered. I can breathe easier when I get things down on paper. Poetry might not solve everything, but it gets the images and thoughts out of my head and productively down on paper in a hopefully coherent, sometimes beautiful way.

Being able to say “No” releases the Girl Scout in you (I quit after Brownies. I’m not really a “joiner”). It’s freeing to put yourself first for once. We writers should do it more often. How am I ever going to write another book and get it out there into the world, if I don’t sit down and write? Sorry, that was meant to be rhetorical. It's empowering! Now, say it to yourself. How am I ever going to finish X,Y,Z … writing project, if I don’t just put bum to chair, fingers to keyboard and write?

Just DO IT!

Think of this blog entry as your personal writing cheerleader. Read it when you need to give yourself permission to create from the heart without stopping!

Cheerfully yours,
Your fellow wordsmith

"Calling Forth the Dream" by Cristina M. R. Norcross - A Tribute Poem for The Dreamers Center for Creative Arts in Delafield, WI

My poem, "Calling Forth the Dream," appears on The Dreamers Center for Creative Arts website, as a tribute to their goal of:

... inspiring hearts and minds through the experience of the visual, performing and literary arts.

The Dreamers Center for Creative Arts is located in Delafield, WI.

Read the poem "Calling Forth the Dream" HERE at The Dreamers Center official website.

IN THE FLOW

Eckhart Tolle writes:

It seems that you are torn sometimes between the outward movement into form, and the inward return movement to the Source where it all started. The Source that was never really lost, it is always there because it is timeless, and it is within you. You feel drawn back to that, and that is the pull toward spirituality, peace, Stillness.

Every day life seems to be all about form. We buy groceries, feeling the weight of them, as we lift brown bags into large SUV’s. We make concrete lists of what we need to do that day ~ go to a dental appt., pick up the dry cleaning or go to the post office to mail off a package. Things surround us ~ our closets full of clothes, our bursting racks of DVD’s and the piles of shoes in the mudroom.

When do we escape form then, melting into the universal moment of presence and flow? It is our creation time, our Zen moments, that allow us to transcend the material world, even if it is just for the length of a 3-minute song on the radio. We are flowing into the Great Mystery of Being in these moments. We lose track of time ~ we float on high, reaching a state of awareness that provides both clarity and an endorphin-producing spiritual high, because we are shedding form for spirit.

I am not a runner, but I can see the beatific smiles on the faces of runners in my neighborhood. There is a good deal of sweat and exertion going on as well, but you can see that they are somewhere else entirely while on that run. This is why reflective gear and bright orange jackets are a very good idea! If your head is in the clouds, then drivers need to be able to see the part of you that should to stay safely on the side of the road.

My running Zen is writing, making jewelry, reading, riding my bike, walking by the lake and listening to music. Often all of these blissful activities inspire and inform one another. I’ll be taking a walk or stringing a new necklace, gazing at the way the trees are swaying in the breeze or how the red and blue stones make a pleasing pattern, when the first line of a poem will appear in my head. I won’t get the whole poem, but that first line, fully formed, will come to me like a gentle deer. I run to the page, capture that first thought and keep going ~ passionately in flow. Time will pass, and I will still be in that dream-like state of creation, not caring whether my form is cold, hungry or late for an appointment. Form ceases to matter ~ for those two hours of creation.

Eventually, I will have to return to buying rolls of toilet paper and taking the garbage out, but my spirit will be lighter, closer to the heavenly realm than ever before. I will be complete, full, still ~ for now.

Staying in the flow means accepting the now and embracing where that first line leads you.

CMRN

Why Do We Write?

This is a question I ask myself almost daily, because I genuinely want to know why I am compelled to write, even if I don't know what I am going to write about that day. The magical poetry sprites whisper in my ear that they have a message for the world, and that I am their trusted scribe. No - not really. It does feel at times as though something larger than myself is at work though. I think all artists and creative minds work this way. There is so much energy swirling around in the universe. We are meant to reach out and grab it - to share it. I once watched a "TED Talks" podcast where the presenter spoke of a poet whose technique was to pull in a new poem from the ethers, as if pulling in a kite from the sky. If she didn't run home right away and capture the poem, it would be lost to her - dancing across the sky until finding another poet to write down the words.

C.S. Lewis wrote, "We read to know we are not alone." I believe that we write to know we are not alone as well. Connecting with the consciousness of others gives us the comfort of knowing that we are all having an earthly experience together. We are all feeling pain, loss and suffering - alongside love, joy and fulfillment. If someone else writes about the joys and challenges of parenthood - the same, exhausting months of sleep deprivation as well as the heart warming moments of first giggles and first steps, then we know that there is hope for tomorrow and the day after that.

Nothing is more frightening than an empty page and not knowing how to fill it. If we clear the mind of what we think is the sublime poem or the ultimate narrative, then we might just stumble upon the engaging story that everyone can relate to, so that none of us will ever feel alone.

Why do we write? I write because there isn't a single day that goes by when I don't feel my hands reach out for the keyboard with passion. I write because I would be quite miserable if I did not throw the contents of my brain into a Word document at least once per day. I write because everyone else in my household would be miserable too, if I did not write. It calms me the way classical music soothes the baby that will not go to sleep. Writing allows the restless part of me to find peace. Once in a while, when I write a really good poem, someone tells me that it made a difference in their day to read it, and this makes me feel like I've given something back to this sweet, sweet world.



CMRN

"A Prayer for the Waters" Fine Art/Poetry Giclee by Artist Holly Kallie & Author Cristina M. R. Norcross to Benefit the National Wildlife Federation

ARTISTS HAVE IMPACT!

With this fine art/poetry giclée, “A Prayer for the Waters,” artist Holly Kallie (www.hollykallie.com) and poet, Cristina M. R. Norcross (www.FirkinFiction.com) hope to raise awareness for the needs of the environment. Through the beauty of visual art and poetry, we propose to inspire others to answer the call to action, by purchasing these giclées. After covering basic production costs, all profits will go directly to The National Wildlife Federation.

What can we do as individuals, if we feel helpless to help? We can donate what we can afford, we can raise awareness in others, encouraging them to donate as well, and in the process we can aid research efforts. Recovering the natural environment’s delicate balance for birds, fish and other wildlife is a healing process. As artists, we hope to inspire, encourage, and raise the white banner of peace in the name of charity.


For more information about “A Prayer for the Waters” giclées and how to place an order, please contact artist Holly Kallie (hollyjkal@yahoo.com) or visit her website.

Visit and join "A Prayer for the Waters" group page on facebook today, to start helping the cause!


A Prayer for the Waters
(Inspired by the painting by Holly Kallie)

We are being called.
From the depths of indigo pain,
springs the glowing chakra of re-birth.

We have muddied the waters
with our disrespect –
our muddled minds.

With golden feather reverence,
create a new philosophy
by healing the now.

Leading the way of undisturbed skies,
eagles watch and wait.
Elders live in quiet hope.

Our arms hold the reflection –
a surface of untouched light.
Roots in waters reach.
We truly see ourselves and weep.

With this prayer for the waters,
raise your voice and be heard.
Lift up life with life –
spirit is healing.


Cristina M. R. Norcross
Copyright 2010

EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT! Poetry Reading and Art Exhibition at the Oconomowoc Arts Center on Saturday, October 16, 2010

One Vision: A Fusion of Art and Poetry in Lake Country
(Sponsored by the Pewaukee Area Arts Council)
Co-editors and Co-hosts: Cristina Norcross and Liz Rhodebeck

Poetry Reading and Art Exhibition at the Oconomowoc Arts Center

Saturday, October 16, 2010 / 7pm Poetry Reading and Art Show

6:30pm LIVE MUSIC

6pm DOORS OPEN



(Special Note: One Vision logo designed by visual artist Anne Raskopf. Anne was one of the ten artists on last year's project.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS! Calling All Artists and Poets in Lake Country, WI

Call for Submissions
(February 15 – April 15, 2010)


One Vision: A Fusion of Art and Poetry in Lake Country


We are seeking to help promote the creative works of visual artists and writers in the Lake Country community by creating a project of collaborative, ekphrastic art (Ekphrasis: poetry inspired by art - the conversation between two mediums of art). We will organize visual artists and poets into 15 compatible pairs. Each creative pair will have 2-3 months to work together to create 1 visual artwork and 1 poem. The artist and poet can come up with a theme together, the artist may offer up an original work for the poet to write about, or the poet may have a poem they wish to offer for inspiration to the artist.

There is a two-part scope to the project, One Vision: A Fusion of Art and Poetry in Lake Country, which is sponsored by PAAC (The Pewaukee Area Arts Council). Last year’s first project show (2009) at The Raven Gallery in Pewaukee was a wonderful success. This year there will be a combined art show and poetry reading at the Oconomowoc Arts Center on October 16, 2010, featuring the completed ekphrastic works of each artistic team. For each year, we will produce sets of fine art/poetry note cards to be sold as a fundraiser for PAAC. There is also a proposed anthology of Lake Country artists and poets after the 3rd project year (publication date to be determined), offering the opportunity for wide exposure for all contributors.

Liz Rhodebeck and Cristina Norcross will be co-editors of the book project and judges for the poetry submissions. Dint Sweitzer will be this year’s guest art advisor for art submissions.

Call for Submissions: February 15 – April 15, 2010

Editorial Reading Period: all candidates will be notified by June 1, 2010 about final selections for the project.

For a complete list of submission guidelines, where to send sample works and to download an official application form, please go to the PAAC (Pewaukee Area Arts Council) website:

http://www.pewaukeearts.org/


For examples of ekphrastic poetry, some helpful websites are: www.poets.org and www.puddinghouse.com


Eligibility
Those who either live or work in Lake Country are welcome to submit. Lake Country is defined by communities which feed into the following high school districts:

Arrowhead HS
Kettle Moraine HS
Pewaukee HS
Oconomowoc HS

(NOTE: This year we have expanded eligibility to include a limited number of applicants from outside the Lake Country area. However, other applicants must be residents of or work in Waukesha County.)

Taking Poetry to the Next Level ~ Multi-Media: Listen to and Watch My Latest Poems

Watch a multi-media film featuring my poem, "Why I Love You," from the book Unsung Love Songs. This film was created by artist, Jennifer S. Peña, and provides the viewer with a voice recording of my poem, a musical background and images that float across the screen.

Check it out by clicking HERE.

Why I Love You … in 35 Words


Breath, beyond which my hands extend,
is where you live.

Only you are safe,
when my moods mingle with cloudbursts.

Your acoustic guitar fills the house with music,
leaving no corner without joy’s pure sound.


Cristina M. R. Norcross
(from the book Unsung Love Songs, Feb. 2010)
Copyright 2009
*****

Listen to my poem "Waiting to Swim" right now! Click HERE


Waiting to Swim


The hotel room is empty,
save for our mess of clothes.
You are already deep in conference.
I can no longer keep the cleaning ladies at bay,
so I gather up solo essentials
and take my place by the concrete pool.

The days are hot and open in The Bahamas –
spread out like white flames on wheat.
I imagine your pen scratching paper,
while I read –
adjusting my shades
and this unforgiving bathing suit.

There is no escaping the floor to ceiling fish tank.
Marine life follows me through the lobby –
my pacing in time with aquatic circles.
Night settles with quiet steps.
The door opens,
and our solitary days join
into a jagged puzzle
of business and vacation.


Cristina M. R. Norcross
Copyright 2009
www.FirkinFiction.com
Unsung Love Songs (Forthcoming, Feb. 2010)
*****


Watch words bounce and glide as meaning finds its focus in the short visual clip featuring my poem "The Red Drum" from the book of the same title. Film created by John Norcross.

Click HERE


The Red Drum
(Inspired by the writing of Stanley Kunitz)


Your heart – a red drum.
Taut leather bound
to the infinite shape of a circle,
seeks the music of other beating hearts.

Sound changes,
when a strong wind blows,
when the leather is rain-soaked,
when the sun makes the circle
jump into the light.

“I made this,”
says the drum.
Dreams take shape in the air,
with each, bellowing note.
“Now change it by living,”
says the drum’s stick.
Sing a new song.
“Truth –
Of thee I sing.”

Many more layers of change
bring syncopated rhythms,
ballads of longing,
and newly discovered voices.

Your heart is a red drum –
now crimson with passion,
tomorrow the sun makes it pink –
a tender, summer rose.
Sing your transformation to the world.
Beat the drum.
Beat the drum.
Beat the drum.

Cristina M. R. Norcross
Copyright 2008
The Red Drum (Nov. 2008)

January 16th Book Signing at Books & Co., Oconomowoc, WI

Here is the article from the Living Lake Country Website about the Books & Co. local author event. I will be there on Sat. Jan. 16, 2010 to sign copies of my books: Land & Sea: Poetry Inspired by Art (2007), The Red Drum (2008) and my latest book Unsung Love Songs (2010).

***

Local Authors Gather for Book Signing
Writers network, Discuss Their Latest Endeavors

By REBECCA SEYMOUR

Posted: Dec. 16, 2009

If spending more time curling up with a good book or two is one of your New Year's resolutions, then stopping by Books & Company in Oconomowoc between 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16, is a good first step to achieving that goal. The independent bookstore will host seven or more local writers for a book signing, refreshments and a chance to visit with the authors and discuss their works.

Co-owner of Books & Company Lisa Baudoin said the store tries to offer this type of event at least twice a year. "We have a lot of requests by local authors to do book signings and we thought if we grouped them all together they would attract a larger crowd," said Baudoin. "It's also nice because the event gives the authors a chance to network with each other."

Participating writers include Ilona Fridl, author of the book, "Silver Screen Heroes," Mary S. Hanson, author of the non-fiction book, "A Moment In Time," and Ted Iverson, author of the sci-fi novel, "Mission to the Stars."

Jeanette Michalets, author of "Vera Textiles: Add Color to Everyday Fashion" and "Christmas Household Textiles" will also be on hand to discuss her works, along with ekphrastic poet and author Cristina Norcross, who will share her books of poetry, "Land & Sea: Poetry Inspired by Art," "The Red Drum," and advanced copies of "Unsung Love Songs," which will be released in February.

Freelance writer and poet, Liz Rhodebeck whose writings are included in the anthology "Keeping Time: 150 Years of Journal Writing," and Jill Vento, author of the parenting book, "What To Do and How To Do It" will round out the group.

Books & Company is located at 1039 Summit Ave. in Oconomowoc. For more information, call (262) 567-0106 or visit the store's Web site, www.booksco.com.

http://www.livinglakecountry.com/oconomowocfocus/news/79435457.html

On March 11, 2010, I will be teaching a poetry workshop at The Lakes Gallery in North Lake, WI. Come join us!

Ekphrastic Poetry 101
with Cristina M.R. Norcross
Thurs., March 11, 2010 from 7 - 9:30 PM
Workshop with group discussion, writing prompt exercises & feedback sessions.
$20 per person. Registration required @ Lakes Gallery of Fine Art at (262) 966-1804


http://www.lakesfineart.com/classes___events


Ekphrastic poetry is the conversation between two pieces of art. The writer interprets a work of visual art and then creates a narrative in verse form that represents his or her reaction to that painting, photograph, sculpture or other artistic creation.

Cristina resides in the U.S., dividing her time between Wisconsin & New England. She graduated with a B.A. Honors Degree in English Literature from the University of Ottawa, Canada. Cristina lived in London, England for 5 years where she worked in publishing & taught high school level English. She also taught creative writing & language skills at a youth organization & is the author of a grammar usage manual. Ms. Norcross has had over 50 short stories, poems & articles published in literary magazines in England, Wales, The United States, Canada & Algeria. Published books: Land & Sea: Poetry Inspired by Art (2007), The Red Drum (2008), Unsung Love Songs (2010). Visit Ms. Norcross @ www.FirkinFiction.com

***

***Hope to see you there for interesting discussions with other poets, inspiring exercises and positive feedback in a supportive, literary environment.

Unsung Love Songs by Cristina M. R. Norcross * Book Launch Party * February 6th, 2010

Book Launch Party and Poetry Open Mic at Artavina Gallery for local author Cristina Norcross. Celebrate Unsung Love Songs on Sat., Feb. 6th from 7-9pm!


Local author Cristina Norcross of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin has her third book, Unsung Love Songs, coming out in February 2010. Come join us on Sat., February 6th from 7-9pm at The Artavina Gallery, managed by artist Kathy Boritzke, 378 Main St. in Waukesha, WI. We will be showcasing an evening of poetry, art and live music in an innovative, eclectic gallery setting. We will kick off the evening with live music by Nick Scholz and Shino Ishioka. Intermission will feature the ukulele stylings of special guest, Eric Raskopf. Cristina Norcross will give a reading from her new book, Unsung Love Songs, with a poetry open mic to follow. All are welcome. Get your name on the list to share your love poems. We will also have a fine wine and gourmet chocolate tasting at intermission, so come with eager ears for poetry and taste buds at the ready! To bring greater awareness to heart health this Valentine’s Day, we will be collecting donations for the American Heart Association at this event. ALL proceeds from book sales of Unsung Love Songs at this event will go directly to the AHA. Please come with a heart full of enthusiasm and support.

Cristina Norcross is a freelance writer and poet living in Lake Country with her husband and their two sons. She has had numerous works published in literary magazines in the United States, England, Wales, Canada and Algeria. Ms. Norcross is the author of Land & Sea: Poetry Inspired by Art (2007) and The Red Drum (2008). She is the co-editor of The Lake Country Project for Artists and Poets. This latest collection, Unsung Love Songs, celebrates the quiet, every day moments of love and how the recognition of this deep, abiding calmness can be the heart’s biggest flourish of all.
For more information about this author, please visit her website: www.FirkinFiction.com.

Where’s the love? Bring your poems with the theme of love found, love lost, love regained – love in all of its varied, wondrous forms. Please RSVP to Cristina Norcross at author@firkinfiction.com to get your name on the poetry open mic list in advance. The order will be based on the earliest e-mails received, so reserve your spot today!

For more information about this event, please contact Kathy Boritzke at the Artavina Gallery in Waukesha, WI: 328 W Main St.

"Frames" - new poetry by Cristina M. R. Norcross

Even a house of mortar and brick can have spirit. What would happen if that new house you bought could speak to you? What secrets would it reveal? What stories could the painting you inherited years ago share with you?

Let's see ...


FRAMES

Seeing out from a cave of light,
a cresting spirit rests on all four corners
and waits.

This day cannot contain thriving,
wanting, or persistence.
It ends with a hovering full moon –
low and yellow.

I hang on the wall you never look at,
slightly tilted,
wanting to be touched –
just left of the center that will not hold.

Trace and retrace the hairline fractures on the ceiling.
Someone lived here before.
Shadows of being remain,
as you fill the space with aura and light.

Once this living room swelled with post-dinner conversations,
meandering, bubbling outbursts of shared humor –
shared loss.
Memory thick with images floated high in the air
and lined the walls with a viscosity,
that one person sitting in the corner
just could not bear.

This is your dwelling now.
Fill it.
Shape it.
Stop hiding behind your frame –
so contained.
These eyes are your eyes.
Use them.


Cristina M. R. Norcross
Copyright 2009
(from the collection, Still Life Stories, with Jennifer Peña)

Poetic Captured Reflections at The Griffin Gallery

Gallery Night in Oconomowoc Begins with an Elegant Splash of Fine Art and Poetry




The Poetic Captured Reflections Gallery Show,
with paintings by Holly Kallie
and poetry by Cristina M. R. Norcross will be on display at The Griffin Gallery of Fine Art
(www.griffingalleryfineartllc.com) in
 Oconomowoc, WI on Friday, November 6th from
5-9pm. This exhibition begins on Gallery Night and will be on display through the end of Dec. 2009.

Poetic Captured Reflections are comprised of hand-signed, fine art, poetry giclées, created from original artwork by Hollie Kallie and original verse by Cristina M. R. Norcross. Each scene of beauty and form reveals a life beyond our earthly borders, inspiring poetic stories of the soul’s journey. Each giclée is unique, invoking the reader to live more fully in the present moment, by incorporating rich colors, evocative images and poetic narratives.

Holly Kallie (www.HollyKallie.com), a founding member of The Griffin Gallery of Fine Art in Oconomowoc, WI, is a self-taught artist who has been drawing and painting all of her life. Her favorite subjects are women and children in settings that include area lakes or the seashore. Ms. Kallie’s artistic intention is to show the similarity and connection between feminine energy and the flowing, reflective surface and depths of the water surrounding them.

Cristina M. R. Norcross (www.FirkinFiction.com) is a freelance writer and poet living in Wisconsin with her husband and their two sons. She has had over 50 works published in literary magazines in the U.S., the U.K., Canada and Algeria. Ms. Norcross is the author of two published books - Land & Sea: Poetry Inspired by Art (2007) and The Red Drum (2008), both available on Amazon.com. Ms. Norcross is the co-editor of The Lake Country Project for Artists and Poets.

Holly Kallie and Cristina Norcross have collaborated on this unique collection for the past year to create a beautiful array of soothing images and words. Please join us for a special reception on Nov. 6th to meet the artist and the poet in an elegant, gallery setting.

For more information about this event, please visit the Griffin Gallery website: http://www.griffingalleryfineartllc.com.

Lake Country Reporter Feature Article

I am the co-editor of The Lake Country Project for Artists and Poets. We will be having our gallery show and poetry reading event at The Raven Gallery in Pewaukee, WI on Saturday, October 17th, 2009 @ 7pm.

I am pleased to include a link here on this site to the feature article about our project and show, printed in the Sept. 29, 2009 edition of The Lake Country Reporter and The Oconomowoc Focus, as well as the Living Lake Country website:

Ten artists, ten poets - one vision
Lake Country project uncovers talent in our own backyard
By REBECCA SEYMOUR

http://www.livinglakecountry.com/lakecountryreporter/news/62332932.html

We hope you will join us for this exciting evening of music, art and poetry!

Best Wishes,
Cristina M. R. Norcross
www.FirkinFiction.com
Co-editor, The Lake Country Project for Artists and Poets

The Lake Country Project Art Show & Poetry Reading at The Raven Gallery on Sat. October 17th @7pm

Sat. October 17th, 2009 at 7pm - The Lake Country Project Ekphrastic Art Show & Poetry Reading

The Raven Gallery

690 Westfield Way • Pewaukee, WI 53072

10 Artists + 10 Poets = One Vision

On Saturday, October 17th, 2009 at 7pm, The Lake Country Project for Artists and Poets will have its first, fine art show and poetry reading at The Raven Gallery, owned by artist and editor Troy Tatlock, 690 Westfield Way, Pewaukee, WI 53072. We will kick off the evening with live music performed by Nick Scholz and Shino Ishioka, followed by a poetry reading with an intermission. Audience members will have the opportunity to meet our artists and poets to learn more about their work. Our artists include: Barbara Reinhart, Toby Colton, Holly Kallie, Orel Rooney, Anne Raskopf, Heidi Hallett, Dint Sweitzer, Luke Wein, Troy Tatlock, and Judith Reidy. Our poets include: Cristina Norcross, Liz Rhodebeck, Paula Anderson, Khristian Kay, Betty Rose, Sue Huebner, Mike Lane, Fred Kreutz, Abby Lorenz, and Kathleen Carlson. For more information about this event, please direct questions to either Cristina Norcross (Bookndz@yahoo.com) or Liz Rhodebeck (262-695-2761).

Upcoming Poetry Readings - Cristina M. R. Norcross

*UPCOMING POETRY READINGS*

Sat. Sept. 12th, 2009 at 10:15am / The Women's Center, Jeri Phillips Charity Walk and Poetry Reading (Waukesha, WI)

http://www.twcwaukesha.org/

Sat. Sept. 19th, 2009 at 6:30pm / Waukesha Food Pantry Poetry Reading at Martha Merrell's Bookstore (Waukesha, WI)

http://www.foodpantryofwaukeshacounty.org/
http://www.marthambooks.com/

Sponsored by the Wasteland Poets
http://www.wastelandpoets.com


Sat. October 17th, 2009 at 7pm / The Lake Country Project Art Show & Poetry Reading at The Raven Gallery (Pewaukee, WI)

10 artists + 10 poets = 1 Vision

http://www.ravengalleryandframing.com/

Singer/Songwriter Meaghan Owens will perform LIVE at the Poetry Open Mic Night at Whelan's Coffee

Meaghan Owens will perform LIVE at the Poetry Open Mic Night at Whelan's Coffee, Sat. July 25th at 7pm, Oconomowoc, WI. (http://whelanscoffeeandcream.net)

Meaghan Owens is an Americana songwriter from Wisconsin. Meaghan has released one cd with favorable reviews and airplay in American College/ Indie Radio and European radio. She splits her time between Nashville, Wisconsin, and touring. She is currently co-producing her second cd with Sigmund Snopek III. Meaghan's new album will feature the best Milwaukee and Nashville players including members of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Meaghan tours nationally and regularly performs in Songwriter Festivals. Most recently, her song, "Copper Pennies" written for the Steel Bridge Songwriter Festival in Sturgeon Bay, was selected for the festival headquarters website. You can hear her newest song at http://www.myspace.com/holidaymusicmotel or go to her myspace to see a complete list of shows: http://www.myspace.com/meaghanowensmusic.

Poetry Open Mic Night at Whelan's Coffee in Oconomowoc, WI

Hello Fellow Lake Country Poets!

Here are the details for the upcoming Poetry Open Mic Night, Sat. July 25th from 7-9pm, at Whelan's Coffee House in Oconomowoc, to benefit the Oconomowoc Food Pantry!

We will have LIVE music to kick off our evening with the talented musician and songwriter, Meg Owen. The Lake Country Poets will have a featured reading from 7-8pm and the open mic will be from 8-9pm. The open mic is open to all local writers and those who feel the calling of the poetic muse! Come on out and share your verse!

All attending are asked to bring 1 non-perishable/canned food item to donate to the Oconomowoc Food Pantry. Poetry with a purpose!

Poetry Open Mic Night
Saturday, July 25th / 7-9pm

Whelan's Coffee
165 East Wisconsin Ave.
Oconomowoc
262-560-1678

Please feel free to let friends, family and other writers know about this event!

Promoting Your Poetry!

Hello Fellow Poets!


I wanted to share a recent poem called "What the Sea Brings". I wrote this poem while vacationing on Martha's Vineyard and plan to save it for a later collection of water-themed poems. I came up with an idea to create free poetry postcards and spread them around at local bookstores, libraries and coffeehouses as well as to give them out at poetry readings. I thought I would share this poet promo idea with the other writers here, because it's such a great way to get your work out there and in the hands of potential readers. Vista Print has a good deal on oversized postcards that you can customize with designs and your poem on the back! Make sure you list your name, copyright date, and your writer's website address (if you have one) or an e-mail address where readers can contact you. Give it a try!

Spread poetry widely and often!

What the Sea Brings

Water secrets,
spread from depths of salty blue -
the sea washes clean
sandy edges and pebbled worlds.

Each wave laps
against the shore with pause -
the heartbeat of the land -
a reminder of stillness.

Boats in the harbor exchange glances,
conversing over sails -
voyages to the center of time.

Cristina M. R. Norcross
Copyright 2009

Cristina M. R. Norcross
Author of:
Land & Sea: Poetry Inspired by Art (2006, 2007)
The Red Drum (Pub. Date Nov. 2008)

Website: http://www.firkinfiction.com

Regular guest appearing on "The Sound of Ink" at The SpeakEasy Cafe on Blog Talk Radio:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/speakeasycafe/2009/06/18/The-SpeakEasy-Cafes-Sound-of-Ink-Open-mic-Poetry-show
Thursdays @ 6pm Central/ 7pm Eastern

A Father's Day Poem

FOR MY FATHER

I am a storyteller because of your stories.
Sharing with me the fabric of our family,
characters come to life.
I imagine my grandfather and great grandfather
teaching you how to build train layouts
or how to play stick ball.
A rich history unfolds with each re-telling
of tradition and anecdote.

I may pretend to know each line,
but secretly I want to hear how the story ends
over and over,
until I commit my ancestors to memory –
the kind of knowing that comes
from faces being painted on a wall.

The mystery of life is happening right now,
in this swirl within a salt pond, you said.
We knelt by the edge of this tiny, aquatic universe
and shared a moment of awe for what God creates –
for how small we are in comparison
to the expansiveness of nature.

As I look at my sons,
I wonder what stories I will tell them about you,
to ensure that memory holds the key
to the wonder that is you –
my father.

You take pride in your projects,
regardless of the outcome.
You show me the miracle of small things every day.
Your eyes light up when you see me,
and you still pat me on the head.
I remember how you used to call me,
Little Person.
I still beam and glow.


Cristina M. R. Norcross
Copyright 2009
www.FirkinFiction.com

Listen Up & Tune In to The SpeakEasy Cafe Open Mic Poetry Show - "Sound of Ink"

If you love to write/hear poetry, check out The SpeakEasy Cafe's "Sound of Ink" Open Mic Poetry night on Blog Talk Radio every Thursday Night at 6pm Central Time / 7pm Eastern Time:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/speakeasycafe

I plan on becoming a regular contributor to this poetry open mic on the radio!

This week was my first appearance. If you missed the show, just download the free podcast from iTunes for Thursday, May 14th, 2009!

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?i=54941669&id=299192853

If you fast forward to approx. 8 min. 30 sec., I chat with the show's host and read my poem "One Story" (inspired by the film Synecdoche, New York by Charlie Kaufman) until minute 12:12.

Thank you for reading and listening!

Here is the poem, "One Story"

One Story

There are nearly thirteen million people in the world. None of those people is an extra. They're all the leads of their own stories.

~Charlie Kaufman, from his film, Synecdoche, New York


Playing the lead in a haystack,
existing side-by-side in our solitary lives,
solace comes when we join these needles together –
the thread of life.

Jumping into character,
taking leave of the present world –
who wears your clothes when you sleep?

I am just a forgotten pebble –
a spark of granite daring to glint.
You see me walking down the street –
out of focus lines of arms and legs –
a disappearing narrative.

The screens keep getting wider –
a stage full of leading ladies and leading men.
They all spin in circles –
red curtains flying.

The cleaner, unheard,
leaves all untouched except the dust.
The man attached to his phone,
alone on the airport walkway –
his family waits.
The actress learns her lines on a threadbare couch,
sitting on hope.
We are all One Story.

Cristina M. R. Norcross
Copyright 2009
www.FirkinFiction.com

A Mother's Day Poem - PASS IT ON!

Mother’s Day
(for my mother)


Anticipating needs,
in tune with moods –
even from across the ocean.
The road to home begins
with the memory of a mother’s welcome.

When you walked with unstable gait,
she held one finger for reassurance –
two fingers for balance.

With blue spotlights shining
on a stage of dancers in pink tulle,
her applause filled the room –
her pride lifting your arms even higher.

The science project that refused to spin,
sent her on a late night, craft store expedition.
The satin ribbon still sits in a box of reflection.

Walking down the aisle, you notice perfection –
a mother’s precise planning.
Smiles appear –
framed by white flowers and ribbons on pews.
Platters arrive with culinary concoctions for every palate.
Boxes and boutique bags are whisked away and stored,
as your car travels to the first night’s chateau –
a trip with your honey to the moon.

On this day of mothers,
all standing in a row of love,
let the thank you from your lips
reach the patient ears
of the woman listening
for all of these years.


Cristina M. R. Norcross
Copyright 2009
www.FirkinFiction.com


FREE POEMS! I will be giving away free, signed copies of this Mother's Day poem, printed on parchment paper at the upcoming Aprons in the Wind show, Sat. May 9th, 2009 at The Lakes Gallery in North Lake, Wisconsin. Local businesses will also have copies to give out Mother's Day week-end, as a special promotion to give poetry as a gift! The two fine art/poetry giclee collections in collaboration with artists Anne Wall and Holly Kallie will be on exhibit (May 1- June 2) at The Lakes Gallery as well! www.lakesfineart.com

Distribute Widely! If you would like to have this special poem to give to your mother, just e-mail me, and I will send you a copy to print out! I will also have this poem on the Home Page of my website. Pass on the link!

GIVE THE GIFT OF WORDS!

An Exhibition of Art and Poetry

"She Slept Like a Log" Painting by Holly Kallie, Copyright 2008

The water’s current is a lullaby.
The air brushes her hair in sleep.
The wood’s grain welcomes floating dreams ~
exquisite balance.

Excerpted from “All is in Balance”
Cristina M. R. Norcross, Copyright 2008



"Awaken the Senses" Painting by Anne Wall, Copyright 2005

Petals of self unfurl,
like a rose uncovering the world.
Senses find space to roam
in a cavernous mind.

Excerpted from “Awaken the Senses”
Cristina M. R. Norcross, Copyright 2008


An Exhibition of Art and Poetry to be Featured at the Upcoming Aprons in the Wind Show at The Lakes Gallery, North Lake, WI

Lovingly woven within intricate stitching, the history of steamy kitchens and bubbling pots evokes the scene of hearth and home that a mother creates. The symbol of an apron waving in the wind brings back memories of nurturance floating in the air. In honor of Mother's Day (May 10th) and National Wear Your Apron Day (May 11th), artist Teri Peterson, owner of the The Lakes Gallery (www.lakesfineart.com) in North Lake, Wisconsin will be hosting Aprons in the Wind (May 8th-11th), an apron event of vast fabric proportions, as a tribute to women everywhere.

The Lakes Gallery of Fine Art LLC is housed within an historic 1906 Garden Tudor home set against an idyllic, pastoral setting. The Lakes Gallery is also home to Teri Peterson’s new business, Revival Consignment (www.revivalconsign.com). The gallery features 3 rooms of artwork from over 20 artists and intermingles with consigned women's clothing and accessories, as well as artisan jewelry and handmade clothing.

Aprons in the Wind invites you to dedicate a fabric apron to your mother, grandmother, sister, or any special woman in your life.  In tribute, these colorful aprons will be displayed on a clothes line that will span the outdoor property of the gallery on Mother's Day weekend and the following Monday (May 8th -11th). The Aprons in the Wind exhibit will be on display sunrise to sunset. The aprons will become a permanent part of the exhibit, displayed every Mother's Day weekend. There is no limit to the number of aprons for dedication.

For more information, as well as the mailing address where aprons can be sent for the event, please visit The Lakes Gallery website: www.lakesfineart.com. You will even find a link to a pattern for how to sew your very own apron out of 1 yard of fabric!

As an added feature, The Lakes Gallery will be presenting a special, limited engagement exhibition (May 1st – June 1st) of the collaborative, ekphrastic works of artists Holly Kallie and Anne Wall with poet Cristina M. R. Norcross. The two collections, Poetic Captured Reflections and Soulful Inspirations, are comprised of hand-signed, fine art, poetry giclées, created from original artwork by each artist and original verse by the author. Each scene of beauty and form reveals a life beyond our earthly borders, inspiring poetic stories of the soul’s journey. Each giclée is unique, invoking the reader to live more fully in the present moment, by incorporating rich colors, evocative images and poetic narratives. These giclées are available for purchase through The Lakes Gallery and make a wonderfully thoughtful Mother’s Day gift to be cherished and appreciated.
 
Anne Wall and Holly Kallie are both members of The Griffin Gallery in Oconomowoc, WI (www.griffingalleryfineartllc.com).

Anne Wall (Soulful Inspirations) (marketingnav@aol.com) is an artist, athlete and sports marketing consultant known internationally for her work in brand protection. She holds a BS in Fine Art from the University of Wisconsin and an MS in Integrated Marketing Communications from Medill at Northwestern University. While traveling and participating in a variety of sports, Wall has captured the spirit of outdoor adventures and the beauty of nature through her enduring works of art.

Holly Kallie (Poetic Captured Reflections) (www.hollykallie.com), a founding member of The Griffin Gallery of Fine Art in Oconomowoc, WI, is a self-taught artist who has been drawing and painting all of her life.  Her favorite subjects are women and children in settings that include area lakes or the seashore. Ms. Kallie’s artistic intention is to show the similarity and connection between feminine energy and the flowing, reflective surface and depths of the water surrounding them.

Cristina M. R. Norcross (www.FirkinFiction.com) is a freelance writer and poet living in Wisconsin with over 50 published works in literary magazines in the United States, England, Wales, Canada and Algeria.  Ms. Norcross is the author of two published books - Land & Sea: Poetry Inspired by Art (2007) and The Red Drum (2008), both available on Amazon.com.  She is currently the co-editor for The Lake Country Project for Artists and Poets, and her upcoming book, Living Nature’s Moments, is in collaboration with Fine Art photographer Pat Bashford.  

Within the many-layered hues of an image, lives a hidden world of story and verse. Likewise, vivid memories can come to life by examining a single thread. Aprons, art and poetry align together to create a special weekend. Please join us for an exciting event and a unique exhibit celebrating the human spirit. What better way to honor Mother’s Day than to attend a show of loving tributes at the Aprons in the Wind event, exclusively at The Lakes Gallery in North Lake.

Contact details: Teri Peterson, The Lakes Gallery of Fine Art, N76 W31428 County Road, V.V.
Hartland, WI 53029, Tel. (262) 966-1804, Website: www.lakesfineart.com.

Where else can you find this beautiful artwork and poetry on display?

The Soulful Inspirations and Poetic Captured Reflections collections are currently on display as part of a special engagement at The Ommani Center for Integrative Medicine (http://www.ommanicenter.com) located at 1166 Quail Court, Suite 210, Pewaukee, WI 53072, Tel. 262 695 9744.

The Lake Country Project for Artists and Poets - CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

The Lake Country Project for Artists and Poets
(Wisconsin)

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS!

We are seeking to help promote the creative works of visual artists and writers in the Lake Country community by creating a project of collaborative, ekphrastic art (Ekphrasis: poetry inspired by art - the conversation between two mediums of art). We will organize visual artists and poets into compatible pairs. Each creative pair will have 2-3 months to work together to create 1 painting and 1 poem. The artist and poet can come up with a theme together, the painter may offer up an original work for the poet to write about, or the poet may have a poem they wish to offer for inspiration to the artist.

There is a two-part scope to the Lake Country Project for Artists and Poets, which will be co-facilitated in partnership with PAAC (The Pewaukee Area Arts Council). There will be art shows and poetry readings at several venues, starting fall 2009, featuring the completed ekphrastic works of each artistic team. There is also a proposed anthology of Lake Country Artists and Poets (publication date still to be determined) offering the opportunity for wide exposure for all contributors.

Liz Rhodebeck and Cristina Norcross will be co-editors of the book project and judges for the poetry submissions. Troy Tatlock will be the art advisor for judging art submissions.

Call for Submissions: January 12th – March 23, 2009

Editorial Reading Period: all candidates will be notified by May 1st, 2009 about final selections for the project.

Those who either live or work in Lake Country are welcome to submit. Lake Country is defined by communities which feed into the following high school districts:

Arrowhead HS
Kettle Moraine HS
Pewaukee HS
Oconomowoc HS

Visit the PAAC website for full details and guidelines: http://www.pewaukeearts.org/project.htm

The 15th Annual Poetry Marathon at Woodland Pattern Book Center

I had the great honor of participating in the 15th Annual Poetry Marathon at Woodland Pattern Book Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin this past Saturday, January 31, 2009. The poetry readings ran from 10am until 1am the next day. This was truly a wonderful, literary experience. I want to thank our hosts at Woodland Pattern, the people who sponsored my time slot of 11am-12noon, as well as the local businesses who sponsored each hour of the marathon. This was my first time reading at this event. I explained to the audience that I was a recent transplant from New Hampshire. I felt very welcome in this supportive environment of very talented writers and appreciative listeners. What a wonderful crowd! I only wish I could have stayed to listen to all of the hours of performances. In the evening, they even had an hour devoted to songwriters and musicians who took turns with poets, and I think they had some collaborative efforts between writers and musicians.

The talent in that room was mind blowing! Each poet read an average of 4 poems, some just had one long spectacular poem to share. I was one of only two female poets during this hour. The rest were male poets who were all so clever and humorous in their styles. Our last poet even used props. The applause in that one room sounded like hundreds, because of the sincere appreciation of the audience. I felt very lucky to be surrounded by such fine writers. There is so much creative, synergistic energy when a group of poets get together.

Thank you to Woodland Pattern and thank you to my fellow poets for a wonderful day! I hope to return next year with a new set of poetic offerings to share.

If you happen to be in Milwaukee, Woodland Pattern Book Center now carries several copies of my latest poetry book, The Red Drum. Go in and have a browse at this amazing independent bookstore. You will find yourself gazing at the shelves in wonder at their thoughtful selections.

Thank you to Woodland Pattern for supporting local writers!

Keep Reading!
Cristina M. R. Norcross
www.FirkinFiction.com

A Reminder for Writers to be in the Flow

There is no greater feeling as a writer than to be in the flow of the creative process. It is that time when the clock on the wall (or the digital time in the upper right hand corner of your computer) no longer exists. You are so focused on your passionate journey through the worlds of fiction, that it is as if you are swimming underwater for miles and miles without ever needing to come up for air.

Sometimes, we need to warm up our brains and hearts to get to this desired entry to the flow of writing, but once we are there nothing short of being short-listed for the Orange Prize for Fiction will cause us to take our eyes off the page. What takes the writer’s intensity away from the act of writing after a project is complete, and necessarily so, is the need to market, publicize and sell the book that took two years to write. Finding balance between selling books and writing books can be quite frustrating, and it can cause a certain literary malaise to fall like a curtain.

I have yet to find the balance between promoting books and the process of writing a new poetry collection. To be honest, I find it difficult to find the juggler’s balance between being a writer, mother, wife, chauffeur, cleaner, cook, folder of laundry, events organizer, editor, and daydreamer. What makes me think I can fulfill the roles within the scope of being an author too?

While it may take me the rest of my life to figure out this question that many women writers before me have faced and which all writers endure, one thing remains certain – with an eye for creation, a vision firmly set on the new world created through the interplay of words, I can help others heal, find joy, and reflect on this wondrous life. This is the reason why I write – to be a light for my own dreams and to shine a halo of inspiration over the many journeys my readers take every day. If I can stay true to this purpose, I will never lose sight of why I write in the first place – not to sell books, but to create them. (Of course, feel free to buy my books, like The Red Drum that just came out in November!!! Excuse the plug – it was a moment of weakness.) I write because I cannot imagine a life without writing and the surprise of the discovered, beautiful expression that ensues from playing with the roll of words on the tongue.

Keep writing and reading. Stay in the flow and your heart will lead you to yet another undiscovered land, where life holds truth in the center of an outstretched palm.

Peace & Poetry,
Cristina M. R. Norcross
www.FirkinFiction.com
Author of: Land & Sea (2007) AND The Red Drum (2008)

"Kindred spirits mix mediums to celebrate life"

The Paintings & Poetry Event made front page news!

Check out this wonderful article by Living Lake Country reporter Paige Smaga! Click on the headline below:

Kindred spirits mix mediums to celebrate life

And don't forget to come out to this exciting, fun charity event featuring the oil paintings of Anne Raskopf, poetry by Cristina M. R. Norcross, Liz Rhodebeck, Mary Jo Balistreri and Charles P. Ries at The Lakes Gallery of Fine Art in North Lake, WI.

TWO SHOWS!
January 17th 2009 / at The Lakes Gallery of Fine Art
2:30-4:00pm
4:30-7:00pm

Free Event!
Door Prizes!
Refreshments!

Donations collected for The American Heart Association and the rebuilding of The Merton Town Hall Library

Paintings and Poetry for a good cause!

Paintings & Poetry Event at The Lakes Gallery!

Paintings and Poetry

Saturday, January 17, 2009



Oil Paintings by Anne Raskopf


Poetry by Cristina M. R. Norcross, Liz Rhodebeck, Mary Jo Balistreri, Charles P. Ries and other guest poets who will present an evening of poetry.


Free Event!

Due to limited seating, there will be 2 performances. 

Please call to reserve seating (262) 966-1804.


Door prizes with each performance!



Donations will be accepted for the American Heart Association and the Merton Town Hall Library



Matinee: 2:30 - 4 PM
/ Main Performance: 4:30 - 7 PM

The Lakes Gallery of Fine Art
N76 W31428 County Rd. V. V. 
North Lake

The Secrets of Dawn

The Breeze at Dawn Has Something to Tell You

The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.

Don’t go back to sleep.
You must ask for what you really want.

Don’t go back to sleep.
People are going back and forth across the doorsill,

where the two worlds touch.
The door is round and open.

Don’t go back to sleep.

~Rumi - Sufi, Mystic Poet (1207-73)


I heard this poem spoken to me in thought and images, but I only recognized it when doing a search for poems by my favorite mystic poet, Rumi, this evening. I woke up with my 2-year-old son at 6am, and the view from the bedroom window caused me to stop breathing – stop thinking, until I could take in the full beauty of the sunrise. A salmon pink, with hues of peach at the center, painted the sky in a wide ribbon. My mind wanted so much to label this, to intellectualize the experience. My spirit would not let this happen. I simply gazed at the emerging light at the horizon and allowed all other thoughts to evaporate into the quiet calmness of the room. Outside that window was the sound of stillness – the grace with which we are born and the dignity with which we cross over. It is the pure beauty of nature’s humble grandeur. No other sight can make us feel as complete as the majesty of this earth and the heavenly glimpses we are gifted with at dawn.

I hope that you create with this same sense of awe today, when you raise your pen to write or bring your strong fingers to the keyboard. I hope your heart sings with the spirit of truth with each word on the page, so that your readers may experience the joy of first light and the brightness of being we are all capable of shining.

Cristina M. R. Norcross
Copyright 2008
www.FirkinFiction.com

A Gallery Display of Poetry & Art - The Griffin Gallery (Oconomowoc, Wisconsin)

Poetry & Art - On Display at The Griffin Gallery

In collaboration with two very talented, fine art painters, Holly Kallie and Anne Wall, ten of my recent ekphrastic poems are on display at The Griffin Gallery in Oconomwoc, WI. These poems appear alongside beautiful oils and pastels in the form of fine art giclées. Each fine art, poetry giclée inspires and engages the reader to live more fully in the present moment, by incorporating rich colors, evocative images and poetic narratives.

ARTIST BIOGRAPHIES:

HOLLY KALLIE is a self-taught artist who has been drawing and painting all of her life. She has always been fascinated by the human figure, mainly women and children. Having spent much time as a child on area lakes, Holly developed a close affinity to water, and as a result, most of her subjects are placed in this type of setting. Her intention is to show the emotional connection between feminine energy and the flowing, reflective surface and depths of the water surrounding them. She has shown and sold her work in exhibits and galleries for many years, is a founding member of Griffin Gallery Fine Art in Oconomowoc, WI where her work is on permanent display and has many fine art giclée reproductions of her paintings. Her work is held in private collections throughout the United States. To view her beautiful collection of oil paintings, "Captured Reflections", Please visit her website: http://www.hollykallie.com.

ANNE WALL resides in Wisconsin, where she trains as an athlete, maintains an art studio and runs a sports marketing business. Through fine art, Ms. Wall expresses her passion for outdoor sports and love of nature by capturing light and movement on form in a variety of mediums. Art and sport bring about intense concentration and a sense of calm in harmony with one’s surroundings. Through this experiential state of enlightenment and self-discovery, the conscious mind transcends the physical state, so one can live in the moment. By creating enduring works of art, which capture the spirit of outdoor sports, adventure, and the beauty of nature, Anne inspires others. Educated at Northwestern University, Wall received her Master of Science Degree in Integrated Marketing Communications. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Fine Art from the University of Wisconsin. She is known internationally for her work as brand protection advisor to well known sports organizations and multinational businesses that sponsor sporting events. Anne’s articles about intellectual property protection have been published in academic journals and business manuals distributed domestically and abroad. Traveling overseas and meeting with delegates from nations around the world, Anne’s work puts her in touch with many different cultures.

To read samples from the collections I have written, inspired by each artist, please visit the "Firkin Works" page on my website: www.FirkinFiction.com.

To view and/or purchase these rare poetry/art giclées in person, please visit:

THE GRIFFIN GALLERY OF FINE ART

133 E Wisconsin Ave
Oconomowoc, WI 53066
(262) 567-1826

http://griffingalleryfineartllc.com/


Art and poetry - a beautiful collaboration of images and words.

Enjoy the beauty of ekphrastic poetry and visual art.

To view a sample fine art/poetry giclée, click HERE to see "All is in Balance" on Holly Kallie's site.


Keep Reading!
Blessings,
Cristina M. R. Norcross

AUTHOR OF:
Land & Sea: Poetry Inspired by Art, paintings by Irene Ruddock (2007) available on Amazon.com, BN.com and RevolutionBooksellers.com

The Red Drum (2008) available at Lulu.com and Amazon.com

November Release of: THE RED DRUM! - my new poetry book!

Dear Readers:

I am thrilled to share the news that my new poetry book THE RED DRUM will be released in November 2008 and will be available to purchase on-line. I will have a separate webpage through the publisher. Readers will be allowed to browse through the first few poems and will be able to see the front and back cover, featuring a beautiful, stained glass window from a bell tower at a church in Western Canada.

Here is a preview of the book's description:


THE RED DRUM is a collection of poetry celebrating the joyfulness of living in the presence of authentic moments, creating a dream-like, poetic form that captures the leaves of thought that fall from the sky. AUTHOR'S BIOGRAPHY: Cristina M.R. Norcross resides in Wisconsin with her husband and their two sons. She has had over 50 works published in literary magazines in the U.K., the U.S., Canada and Algeria. The author’s latest book is Land & Sea: Poetry Inspired by Art (2006). To learn more about the writing of Cristina M. R. Norcross, please visit her website: http://www.firkinfiction.com.

Stop by again in 2 weeks for more ordering details, press release information, as well as future dates for poetry readings!

Happy Reading!
Cristina M. R. Norcross
http://www.FirkinFiction.com

Honoring Wholeness

“Whatever ceases to honor the wholeness of your spirit ~ release it to the wind.”

~Cristina M. R. Norcross


Try saying these words either aloud or quietly within. Now choose a clean, white page in your journal and write this mantra at the very top, before you begin your writing session for the day. The world will open up inside of you, as you realize that anything is possible on the page.

You are whole. Breathe this mantra into your lungs and exhale the exquisite thoughts that come sweeping into your mind like a tornado. Let them have life. Set your spirit free and see where the wind takes you. If your words find a home in a poem or a story, then the world will be that much more glorious for your gift of sharing.

Write something wonderfully open, honest, engaging, fearless … and then share it with other readers and writers.

Now go ~ write!

Cristina M. R. Norcross
www.firkinfiction.com

(Just in case you need a cheering section for motivational purposes today, before you take that leap onto the page, these words should be a literary rocket booster. Happy Writing.)

NEW POETRY: "Thank You, for this Day"

Thank you, for this Day


Instead of thinking,
I made it through another day –
I should be saying,
thank you, for this day.

The soul appreciates its progress
when each moment is savored.
The struggle comes
when we believe in the transitory –
when we honor the self’s sense of comfort.

True growth,
stems from an understanding
of our connections with others.
Golden threads appear
when hearts reach out,
forming a loving grid
of our human existence.

Today I saw a circle of pure gold
floating just above my eyes.
Everywhere I turned,
this loving globe attentively followed,
until I examined my thoughts,
and walked towards my higher consciousness.

I gently bowed my head in agreement,
eager to hear the whispers
of my gracious guide.
All she said was,
lead the way …



Cristina M. R. Norcross
Copyright 2008

Visit The Ninth Moon ~ Must-Have Gifts for Writers!

"I only plug what I love!"

I would like to take the opportunity to support a business owned and run by the writer Laron Glover. The Ninth Moon is a fabulous site that provides wonderful books on the writing process, gifts for literary inspiration, and all sorts of writerly goodies for yourself, a friend, or anyone you know who has a passion for the written word!

The birthday presents my husband ordered for me were beautifully wrapped and presented. Each item in the Writer Mamma Kit was perfectly chosen and lovingly prepared. I truly appreciated all of the professional care with which everything was labelled, right down to the gold seals and ribbon! When I ordered myself a copy of Julia Cameron's book, The Artist's Way, and the exquisite Artist's quote pendant, everything arrived with the same creative flair. The pendant will be a lovely reminder to create from the heart ~ from the source of energy that inspires all good work.

Have a browse and see for yourself!: The Ninth Moon

http://www.ninthmoon.com/

They have something for every writer and every gift is heart-inspired!

On a final note. I will share with you the quote on my new pendant, which I plan on wearing at my next series of book signing events for my upcoming book with photographer Pat Bashford, Living Nature's Moments.

"Artistic success is not measured by what you get - but what you give: whispers of truth, captured on paper, dispatched from the heart."


Enjoy and Happy Writing!
Critina M. R. Norcross

New Poetry: "Your Clear Will"

Your Clear Will

Let go of what you cling to.
Release it to the wind,
a mighty throw –
grief swallowed by the night sky.
You will be whole once again –
in the morning,
when the grass is new,
when the hills are bare,
except for the sun
and your clear will.

Skin prickles with light touches,
portending what is to come.
A new life –
a new place for your hands to work,
a kinder resting place for your limbs at night.
This land will change –
transformations of a higher calling.
It is the calling of the wind,
the chimes,
that send out Celtic melodies
from the porch by starlight.

Place your heart in my sight.
I will see you shining brighter
than ever before,
when you surrender
to your best life –
the life you chose to begin,
when your bare feet
first touched this rich soil.

Begin again …


Cristina M. R. Norcross
Copyright 2008

RIVER WALK: Poetry Inspired by Music

RIVER WALK
(Inspired by the music of Craig Werth, “Slow River”)


Finding my depth
in this new, slow river.
It carries me along
in its daily patterns and rhythms.
I hear the hum of town activity,
as the flow of rippling pathways
takes me past an old willow tree,
brushing the water’s surface
with broad strokes.
An oriole sits,
impossibly perched,
on the tip of a reed.
In perfect balance
he flashes me a glimpse of red and yellow,
like a flag guiding me in for a landing.

I am still a newcomer,
a stranger floating down
a lazy river.
The earth vibrates
just under my feet
on this solitary river walk,
where I will later bring my family.
Carved stones mark a place of memory
for town heroes.
Each monument is a breath of reverence
on a white bridge over water.

Follow the river to find
the soul of this day.
The sound of rushing water
has a hypnotic pull
for one who is stepping into a new life.
Stroll along the water’s edge
to hear the ebb and flow
of the future that meets you where you stand.


Cristina M. R. Norcross
Copyright 2008

For more information about Craig Werth and to hear samples of his music please visit: www.craigwerth.com - better yet, go see him on tour with David Francey!

A Magical Evening of Music with David Francey and Craig Werth at the Wil Mar Center / Madison,WI

Storytelling brings the audience back to the beginning of love and renews memory, so that the girl in that song getting married is you. The father going off on a trip who misses his 5-year-old son is you. The 80-year-old mother who hears a bird singing and knows that this is the spirit of her dear departed husband is your mother.

I had the great pleasure last night of hearing David Francey and Craig Werth perform at the Wil Mar Center in Madison, WI. Sponsored by the Madison Folk Music Society, the intimate setting of the concert provided the perfect backdrop to an evening of beautifully written and superbly performed songs. The very talented Craig Werth opened the show with a few samples from his new instrumental album, SIDEVIEW. “Slow River” was a particularly engaging piece that brought me into the dream world rhythm and flow of water. I first met Craig while attending the Poets and Songwriters Retreat on Star Island off of Rye, NH last September. Star Island is a magical place to create and meet other like-minded souls. At the group share sessions we had late at night in one of the cottages on the island, I was mesmerized by Craig’s soulful melodies and the warm, dulcet tones of his voice. His vocal/guitar album LOOSE GEMS is a collection that I highly recommend to any avid folk listener and the title song itself "Loose Gems" is one of my favorites! I play this song when I'm missing the ocean and all of the precious friends I met while living in New Hampshire.

David Francey's songwriting is richly layered and affecting. It was truly a blessing to have the opportunity to hear David’s beautiful Scottish accent permeate every note. His stories of living in both Scotland and Canada were steeped in the loves and losses of life itself. I picked up a copy of his latest CD, RITE OF PASSAGE, from which he played songs at the concert. We played the CD on the way home as a way of revisiting our moving, musical evening. As a writer, what I enjoyed most was hearing David tell the story behind the songs before performing each of them. While listening to one of David’s songs,"Their Wedding Day," which he wrote for friends, my husband and I held hands and gazed at each other in remembrance of our own September wedding day. David’s song brought me back in time to my own celebration. Another song that touched my husband’s heart quite deeply was "Ballad of Bowser MacRae", as he reflected on hearing our own son ask the question, “when are you coming home, Dad” (from one of his business trips). From a writer’s perspective, I wholeheartedly identified with a song David wrote about sitting in his friend’s backyard in Portland, Oregon called "Under the Portland Weather". He shared with the audience that this spot is where he always has success writing songs. I find this to be true when writing poetry on Martha’s Vineyard, sitting at one of the beaches near the ferry landing in Vineyard Haven. Hearing David speak of places that foster creativity caused me to reflect on the spark of the muses in art, and how messages are often whispered to us to share with others. The whole evening was a musical journey of spirit that I felt quite honored to attend.

For more information on both David Franey and Craig Werth and to hear samples of their music please visit:

David Francey – www.davidfrancey.com

Craig Werth – www.craigwerth.com

I only recommend artists who hold a candle in my heart. Check out these amazing songwriters and enter their worlds of enchantment.


~Cristina M. R. Norcross

"Once You Were Dreaming of a Future That is Now Your Present"

Sometimes I feel like I am desperately trying to learn how to live. Is working hard the path to fulfillment? Is achievement going to fill the void of the soul? Should I be more self-sacrificing and gain happiness only from taking care of others? Do I need to slow down more and pay attention to each act of living in a loving way, regardless of the end result? Aha! This is the sentence to pay attention to - right now.

Eckhart Tolle (The Power of Now / A New Earth / Stillness Speaks) writes about living in the now, fully appreciating each experience as it is lived. Living in the past has never been one of my problems, but I do struggle with living with an eager eye towards the future and how much happier I will be “when” I can have more time to write, “when” my husband and I can have more time together again, “when” life will feel more balanced as a mother whose actions and thoughts are constantly interrupted by small (adorable) children.

My mother and I had a discussion recently about this concept of always wishing for the life you see just down the road. This is the golden kernel that stayed with me from that conversation. “Once you were dreaming of a future that is now your present.” I just did not know that those dreams would happen, and that I would wish for other things - for a different future to take shape.

I think this insight can be valuable to the soul of a writer too when the ever-too-present restlessness, that we all feel as artists, starts to gnaw away at one’s peace of mind. There is waste in discontentment. It takes far too much energy to analyze why life could be better three years down the road: if only that magazine would publish your story that you have been submitting everywhere, or how you will only feel complete when you write a full length novel, or that there is never enough personal time in a day to finish all of your beloved writing projects. Engage in your present with fervor. Be thankful for what you are able to write, knowing that it is a gift to bring inspiring ideas together on the page. If others enjoy what you send out into the world of writing, then this is a blessing too, but it is not the goal. It is a pleasant side effect. Making connections in spirit with others through writing may never bring recognition, but it will make a difference in the life of the reader who engages more fully with their own world, because you have shown them one of life’s golden keys.

Keep sharing – keep writing. Don’t look back on your past with angst or regret. Don’t look ahead to your future life with longing. Bring to the page what you are meant to create – right now.

This is the most fruitful moment and tomorrow’s moment will be just as ripe.

Keep writing!