Poetry Inspiring Art & Vice Versa

I have visited many galleries in my life, and love the slow, quiet wandering pace. I am fascinated to see what the human mind can conceive and create, and I always come back inspired and can't wait to get back in my studio to write or create.

An inspiring collage by Eric Carle found at the Eric Carle Museum.

My uncle Tom Norpell, a well-known miniature artist, was very successful. He used "found objects" in his art. His work and creativity inspired me to want to show my own art in a gallery one day.

L-R: Tom Norpell, President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalyn Carter, standing in front of a miniature of President Carter's father's general store that my uncle created for him. He fashioned every brick, sausage, fruit and vegetable. The store was beautiful when it was lit up. Read more here.

I soon began collecting found objects as he did, along with pieces of packaging and other materials whose color or texture appealed to me. Little drawers, plastic containers, handled grocery bags. became filled with things. I wasn't sure where it would lead, but I was inspired.

A few of my collected treasures ;)

Then one day, I pulled out an old canvas and started dabbling with paint, which led to decoupage, which led to my little drawers. Soon, I added a gold spiral from a notebook, fringe, crumpled magazine bits, feathers, and drywall patching tape. I was hooked! I was starting to find beauty in the broken.

My first recycled collage piece.

This past July, I received True Grit Galleries 2026 Poetic Voices Exhibit sent out a call for poets and artists. They would choose five poems and give them to 50 artists to create original works of art. The gallery would show the poems and art in the fall. I submitted poems, but unfortunately they were not chosen. But I decided to throw my hat in the ring as an artist.

I was assigned a poem by Robert Demerjian and had the fun but challenging task of seeing what art his words would inspire.

Here is the poem:

You can hear Robert Demerjian read his poem here.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/d9550d_741137f0711e43cd85658d8d1783852e/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

After several readings, I was off and running.

A cardboard box became its foundation. I incorporated some very old sheet music my grandmother had penciled out, along with many found objects I had collected.

I called the piece "Legato."

(Legato means "playing or singing musical notes in a smooth, connected manner with no gaps or silence between them.")

What a thrill it was to drop the piece off and then see it straight ahead when I arrived on opening night.

Such a great turnout!

Poet Robert Demerjian and I talking about my interpretation of his work.

The other paintings above my collage were also inspired by his poem.

Some other pieces of art inspired by Robert's poem.

Poetry and art just seem to go together. I am excited to include Legato in what I hope will be my own gallery show soon, combining more of my collage art with poems I have written. More details as they become available.

Happy Poetry Friday, everyone! Please stop by Carol Varsalona's Blog for this week's round-up here!