POETRY
FROM MY RESIDENCY AT SUSSEX PRAIRIE GARDEN
POETRY AND PAINTINGS FROM MY SUSSEX PRAIRIE GARDEN RESIDENCY
The images below of my paintings and poetry were taken directly from my book Reflections on Being Human in These Difficult Times
I was artist and poet in residence at Sussex Prairie Garden for the year of 2021 and these paintings and poems formed the main part of my exhibition there.
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My father passed away a couple of years before, and the exhibition and prose charted my journey navigating this loss and responding to the ensuing pandemic and lockdown. Prior to my father’s death, I had always painted with ease. However, as I struggled to come to terms with his passing, I found I lost my desire to paint, and even more so once the pandemic struck.
As you can see from images on this website, my garden backs right onto beautiful local woodland. During this time, I would spend hours alone walking there and poems would come into my mind unbidden, and often fully formed. I kept a notebook with me whenever I was in the woods or spending time alone at Sussex Prairies and in doing so, this body of poetry came to be.
I have paired the poems with paintings new and old.
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The poetry books are A5 in size and full colour.
TO PURCHASE MY BOOK DIRECTLY FROM ME, PLEASE CONTACT ME HERE
THE COST IS £10 INCLUDING P&P
Coming from an arts destination in America I can truly say your work Claire is phenomenal. You are able to move the onlooker to tears - this is what art is about and your poetry is truly inspirational, thank you. Jenny Bleackley