Notes by Bill Calhoun

March 31, 2013

Scapegoat Review

Scapegoat Review
Three of Emily's paintings and two of her poems have just been published in the Spring issue of the Scapegoat Review.  You can view it here, or click on the image to the left.

Scapegoat Review is an online literary journal published by Erika Lutzner, who also published the anthology Some Stories Are True That Never Happened which featured the collaboration of Emily and the poet Nin Andrews.  (Read about that anthology here.)

March 23, 2013

The Circus of Lost Dreams

Emily and Nin have a book!  It is titled The Circus of Lost Dreams.  Actually, what they have is an interactive digital chapbook.  The chapbook was published by Didi Menendez, the publisher of PoetsArtists, and it features 30 poems by Nin Andrews, all paired with Emily's paintings.  It's available as a very cool interactive iBook via iTunes.

The iBook can be viewed on iPads and iPhones - it has audio and video as well as text and images.  It's available for free, from this link, or just click on the image below.

The Circus of Lost Dreams In The Circus of Lost Dreams, Nin Andrews and Emily Lisker become a magical duet.  The two share an insatiable, tender, and wry imagination.  Their poems and paintings together are profound in their insights regarding power, male/female relationships, and spirituality.
- Denise Duhamel


Just finished Nin Andrews new poetry/prose collection "The Circus of Lost Dreams".  Andrews has imagined and developed a make-believe island and a personal history that echoes the wild, bizarre, and heightened sexuality of our dreams, yet at the same time never divorces us from the weight of the real world (with all of its human failings and problems) in which we daily walk and breathe.  These fable-like tales are full of the enchantments of magic, empowerment, humour, wisdom, and lyrical language.  Utterly engaging, fantastical, and at times breathtaking, "Circus of Lost Dreams" is a delight.
- Michael Parker

March 20, 2013

More Videos with Nin Andrews

Just published!  Two more videos of Nin Andrews reading her poetry against moving backdrops of Emily's paintings.  In the first video, published through the journal MiPOesias, Just the Chillies is paired with Emily's painting Embrace.  View the video here, or click on the image below.

Just the Chillies In the second video by the same publisher for the journal PoetsArtists, The Dancers is paired with Emily's painting Trio.  View the video here, or click on the image below.

The Dancers And in case you didn't check out the first video, read all about it here.

March 10, 2013

Alphonse and Gaston

Click for Larger ViewI once went to dinner with Emily's grand-parents, rest their souls.  In the middle of a chaotic meal, Emily's grandmother called to the waiter "Alphonse, Alphonse!" which seemed unlikely to be anyone's name in this Brooklyn Italian restaurant.  Only much later did I realize that her mind, in searching for "Garçon," had stumbled across the names of a pair of cartoon characters from her youth.

Alphonse and Gaston, 2013, oil on canvas, 16" x 20"


March 06, 2013

Wheels Within Wheels

Click for Larger ViewThis painting started its life, as do all of Emily's paintings, as a drawing.  Unlike the current batch of paintings completed, or nearly so, this one has remained in its infancy.  This happens - the drawing is so wonderful on its own that Emily does not want to disturb it.  This one could stay this way for years, but I wanted to share it anyway, and give you a glimpse into how Emily paints.

Wheels Within Wheels, 2013, oil on canvas, 18" x 24"


March 05, 2013

Taking After Father

Click for Larger ViewAre the tomato twins anxious to keep up, or anxious about being pulled along?

Taking After Father, 2013, oil on canvas, 16" x 20"


The Bird Maiden

Click for Larger ViewThe maiden character has appeared before (see an earlier painting below).  She appears in calm command of her flock.

The Bird Maiden, 2013, oil on canvas, 16" x 20"


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Cat's Cradle, 2007, oil on canvas, 11" x 14"


March 03, 2013

Target

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Target, 2013, oil on canvas, 20" x 16"

If the only tool you have is a hammer, you treat everything like a nail.

Rebus

Click for Larger ViewTake your time solving this puzzle - there may be no solution, or an infinite number of solutions!

Rebus, 2013, oil on canvas, 16" x 20"