This poem began as a very simple response only to Marsden Hartley’s fruit bowl, and then, somehow, grew into a sparring match with Vincent van Gogh. Who won? The Lithograph Artist and Van Gogh (i)I draw my images directly on…
The Kitchen Servants – A Poem
There’s more going on in this painting than at first appears. From The Met description: “Sorgh inflects a domestic scene with the art of still life. Two maids clean fish and peel vegetables in the foreground, surrounded by gleaming brass…
The Cabbage Gatherers – A Poem
According to The Met, this is one of many fans painted by Pissarro, intended for a special fan room at an 1879 Impressionist exhibition (more in source link below). I love that Pissarro chose to dignify the work of the…
Still Life with Silver Cake Basket – A Poem
The artist here, John F. Francis, was a portrait painter until his 40s, when he turned to still lifes. He soon began painting still lifes exclusively, usually lunch or dessert scenes. He was also known for his attention to detail….
Larsson House – A Poem
My poem Larsson House is a little different to my usual ekphrastic poetry. You probably recognise the style of Swedish painter, Carl Larsson (1853-1919), as many of his children’s illustrations are still around. A painter of the Arts and Crafts…
Botanical Pears – the Illustrators
How gorgeous are these botanical illustrations of previous centuries? They encapsulate a true blend of art and science. At the time, they, and the books or journals in which they appeared, helped to expand our knowledge of the natural world….
National Wine and Cheese Day – July 25
A little wine, a little song, a little friendship. Perhaps a dinner gathering? A picnic on the beach? A tasting amongst the vineyards? Feet up by the fire? What would be your favourite way to celebrate National Wine and Cheese…
The Fair – A Poem
The Fair Drums.Dance.Monkey.Paris dreamsIn evening haze.He offers Eve a ripened pearand couples everywhere turn to each other and kiss. ©elsp 2025 If you’re interested in the form of the poem, it’s a Fib. More on Fibonacci poetry here. More of…
Struggling To Be Seen – A Poem
According to Art Institute Chicago, Cézanne painted over “at least three other pieces of fruit (presumably oranges) at lower left and near the vase attest to the artist’s changing opinion as he struggled to make the arrangement work“. You can…
Cheese Twists
This cheese twists recipe is not so much a recipe, as a reminder. What else can you say about cheese and puff pastry? That you twist. And bake. Here’s another version on the cheese twist, using salami, with a different…
Noodle Soup
This is not my recipe, but I found this Chinese Noodle Soup recipe from Recipe Tin Eats to be so versatile and adaptable that I want to bookmark it. It’s super filling and satisfying, plus enables you to use up…
Peasants Eat Herring – A Poem
This drawing reached out to me across three-hundred years. It, in turn, took me back in time in memory. I love that these journeys are happening as a result of my decision to commit to this ekphrastic poetry series. Too…
