Inspiration #28 - Seeing Red

When I thought of "Seeing Red" I admit to thinking about the theme of anger and as usual am impressed by all our different perspectives {most of which didn't deal with anger at all by the way}.   Should you like to know more about a particular artist or their submission just click on that artist's name or visit the Artists page.  Thanks for visiting the ACoLab!

"Lilliput"

Photograph by Ana

"Seeing Red"

Digital Collage by Anika

"Seeing Red"

A Short Play by Tia & Matt

THE BOY CARUSCO sits on the floor and paints a huge piece of paper with his fingers and hands. HIS MOTHER enters.

MOTHER

(Wearing an apron.) Bambino! Che bella! What is it you make? (He holds up his hands.) Ah! Look at you, red-handed! (She laughs and moves to fetch a towel. Carusco is left examining his hands, confused.)

*   *   *

CARUSCO, a man of twenty, sits on the floor and paints a huge piece of paper with his fingers and hands. HIS LOVER enters.

LOVER

(Wearing an apron. Only.) Is this how you always work, amore?

CARUSCO

(Holding up his hands) What do you see?

LOVER

I see you.

CARUSCO

(Pulling her down to him. She giggles; he leaves red handprints on the apron, on her torso) This. Here. Here. There. (Indicates the handprints, gently.) What?

LOVER

Me.

CARUSCO

Color.

LOVER

Red.

CARUSCO

Which is-?

LOVER

Which is…you. Me. Fire. (She is close to him, teasing.) Last night. This morning. This afternoon again. Redredred. (She kisses his nose. He begins to cover her in paint.)

*   *   *

CARUSCO, a man of fifty, sits on the floor and paints a huge piece of paper with his fingers and hands. He is clearly painting the body of a woman, made of red handprints.

*   *   *

CARUSCO, a man of eighty, sits in a chair by a window. He holds a swath of red fabric, passing it from hand to hand, running it through his fingers.

CARUSCO

I… I could never see… but I could feel… I still feel. Red. I feel it like no other. I know it in my fingers. (He runs the fabric through the fingers of his left hand and lets it fall to the ground. HIS MOTHER enters. HIS LOVER enters. He does not see them. They pick up the fabric together and drape it around his shoulders. They exit. Carusco pulls the fabric tighter around him, until there is no Carusco. There is only red.)

*   *   *

"Redrum"

Photograph by Stephanie

"You Say Tomato"

Photograph by Carrie

"Oath & Loyalty"

Photograph by Joanna

Thanks to everyone who participated for round #28, you keep this site a source of great inspiration and eye candy!  The next round's theme is It's All An Illusion, due October 5th.  If you would like to join in the ACoLab, please do!  There are ongoing themes which can be submitted any time of the month as well as permanent ongoing themes that can be submitted whenever you like.  For upcoming themes please click here. 

Happy creating!

#27 - Perfect Timing

Welcome to round #27, "Perfect Timing".  And a very special welcome to Ana, our newest contributor!  Check out her artist page and get to know her a bit better.  If you would like to know more about a particular image or artist you can always link to their artist page by clicking on their name or Artists page.  Thanks for visiting the ACoLab!

"Purrrfect"

by Ana

"Perfect Timing"

Photo and Poem by Joanna

{Please visit Joanna's page to read her companion poem}

"Plate Face"

by John R.

"Perfect Timing"

by Tia

"#27"

by John & Anika

 If you would like to take part in the ACoLab please do!  {Current and upcoming themes are listed here.}  The next round, due on the 20th, is "Seeing Red".  There are also other ongoing inspirations should you like to submit for those.  Thanks for visiting the ACoLab!

If you would like me to send you a reminder a week prior to due dates please just contact me {anikatoro [at] gmail [dot] com} and I will add your name to the list.

Artist Page - Ana

Ana is from Portugal, has a Degree in Social Communication, was a professional journalist for 12 years and is a holistic teacher since 2004. She is retired since 2010 due to health issues. At first she didn't know what to do with all the free time but then she bought her first DSLR in July 2011, a Nikon D90, and felt in love with Life again.  Ana is also learning how to use Photoshop and having so much fun. She loves to capture all the little things in her daily life. Living with a few cats, they're a source of inspiration when she is not well to go outside. She blogs about all her findings in Wonderland a special place to share dreamy pictures and happiness. She also has an Etsy shop 'Wonder Design' and a weekly photo challenge 'Earth Wonders' -  take a look, get inspired and join in.



Submission for #31 {Light and Shadows}

"Serenity"

Submission for the Permanent Inspiration, Joy   

there are two joyful stories about this photo. the first one is the best. it was the first day this little boy was driving his bicycle without the training wheels (his mother told me). and he was really unstoppable and having so much fun. the second one is the small fact that this shot is my first good 'panning' ever! it's a technique we can do in manual mode, I deliberately chose a slow shutter speed and followed the little racer as he moved from right to left to get the blurred background and his picture sharply in focus. YAY! for both of us

Submission for #29 {It's All An Illusion}

"Seeing Double"

Submission for #28 {Seeing Red}

"Lilliput"

Taken at Serralves Park, Porto, Portugal

Submission for #27 {Perfect Timing}

"Purrrfect"

I love to capture them yawning, it's such a treat!

Artist Page - Tia & Matt

The ACoLab is so proud to have our first actors on board!  Tia and Matt can both be seen performing in Nashville as well as traveling the country spreading their talent and  imagination.

You can read more about Tia and her creations on her blog, The Briefly Beautiful.






Inspiration #30 - Haunted

13 kinds of ghost

  A collection of haunted hint fiction

{hint fiction - “a story of 25 words or fewer that suggests a larger, more complex story.” (Robert Swartwood)}

Untitled
She watched the execution dry-eyed, one hand to her stomach.

Feels No Cold
Laughter echoed through each room of the house. He prayed none of it would make it into his boxes.

Bell’Italia
She still remembers the text message. “I am sorry I cannot meet you forever. I am sorry I have to cheat you. -Alessio”

Untitled (2 Years Later)
Charlie flicked dirt to cover her droppings. She sniffed that hard white thing before her. It looked like what the dog chewed, only much smaller.

Her Eyes
Hollowed-out, a pale blue that seemed to suggest an ocean behind the irises. They search their surroundings wildly, seeking something unspeakable.

Speak to Me
Anne, where are you? I can’t see anything, but I hear something. I think it’s breathing.

Motel
The leftover rain made drippity sounds. They lulled her and the children to sleep, the 3 in one bed together.
‘S how they were found.

Lest Ye Become
Barnes was certain that was his own face staring at him, reflected in the dark pool of blood on the street.

Salem
The wind sounded like a scream and brought smells of burning. Celia watched her little ones play dolly. She failed to see the needle.

Touch
The mirror was cool under her hand at first. The warmth came in the instant before the fingers closed around hers through the glass.

Imaginary Friend
It wasn’t Bella, it was the naughty one. Mommy didn’t understand. Bella tried to mind her beeswax, but the naughty one hated the new baby.

Checking In
Your seat has been prepared in advance, sir. Yes, we knew you’d be along eventually. Now come, join us.

Always and Forever
Smell and warmth in the bed, even on the coldest nights. Ease and happiness in the glow of the bedroom that seems to permeate the darkness until morning, she smiles.

Inspiration #28 - Seeing Red

"Seeing Red"

A Short Play

THE BOY CARUSCO sits on the floor and paints a huge piece of paper with his fingers and hands. HIS MOTHER enters.

MOTHER

(Wearing an apron.) Bambino! Che bella! What is it you make? (He holds up his hands.) Ah! Look at you, red-handed! (She laughs and moves to fetch a towel. Carusco is left examining his hands, confused.)

*   *   *

CARUSCO, a man of twenty, sits on the floor and paints a huge piece of paper with his fingers and hands. HIS LOVER enters.

LOVER

(Wearing an apron. Only.) Is this how you always work, amore?

CARUSCO

(Holding up his hands) What do you see?

LOVER

I see you.

CARUSCO

(Pulling her down to him. She giggles; he leaves red handprints on the apron, on her torso) This. Here. Here. There. (Indicates the handprints, gently.) What?

LOVER

Me.

CARUSCO

Color.

LOVER

Red.

CARUSCO

Which is-?

LOVER

Which is…you. Me. Fire. (She is close to him, teasing.) Last night. This morning. This afternoon again. Redredred. (She kisses his nose. He begins to cover her in paint.)

*   *   *

CARUSCO, a man of fifty, sits on the floor and paints a huge piece of paper with his fingers and hands. He is clearly painting the body of a woman, made of red handprints.

*   *   *

CARUSCO, a man of eighty, sits in a chair by a window. He holds a swath of red fabric, passing it from hand to hand, running it through his fingers.

CARUSCO

I… I could never see… but I could feel… I still feel. Red. I feel it like no other. I know it in my fingers. (He runs the fabric through the fingers of his left hand and lets it fall to the ground. HIS MOTHER enters. HIS LOVER enters. He does not see them. They pick up the fabric together and drape it around his shoulders. They exit. Carusco pulls the fabric tighter around him, until there is no Carusco. There is only red.)

*   *   *

Inspiration #27 - Perfect Timing

"Perfect Timing"

Inspiration #26 - Brushstrokes

  "Hairport: Matt & His Hair at the Airport"

Artist Page - Rachelle

The ACoLab welcomes the very talented photographer Rachelle!  You can see more of Rachelle's beautiful images as well as read her thoughtful and entertaining musings here.

Submission for inspiration #26 {Brushstrokes}

"Nature's Canvas"

This image was captured in the Museum of Natural History,Smithsonian,Washington D.C.  Butterflies are given free reign in their indoor habitat.  A paintbrush is used to coax "tag alongs" off of visitors... but I loved the painted design of the butterfly's wing pattern.

Almost perfect timing

I have just returned from a nice, long vacation but still have family in town for a few days.  Because of that and the fact that I forgot to send out reminders to those who asked for them {who reminds the reminder to remind??} I have extended this round's deadline.  Submissions for "Perfect Timing" are now due by the end of the 8th.  Thanks to those of you who have already submitted!  There is already a nice diverse group of pieces to post.

Hope you are all enjoying the last days of the season wherever you may be.