Sketchbook_6-1_JanFeb_2011_Ekphrastic_Poem:_Silence:_Bernard_Gieske,_Poet_and_John_Pototschnik,

Sketchbook

a journal for eastern and western forms

Ekphrastic Poetry

Bernard Gieske, US Poet and John Pototschnik, US Painter

Silence Painting by John Pototschnik 9" x 12" Oil

Bernard Gieske, US

Rhymed Couplets

Silence

The afternoon sky began its early yawning this day
Spewing out gusts of snow softly sifting down our way
Slowly muffling the busy noises all around
Until there came to rest all disturbance of sound.

Of the evening meal we gratefully partook
Then settled down sedately with a quiet book.
The embers in the fireplace now quieted
With a gradual gnawing of added wood.

Rising from the chimney leisure thoughts of curled smoke
Bespoke a calming glow and a comfort free of yoke.
From the windows there exuded a mellow yellow emanation.
A single porch light clearly burned with a genuine invitation.

Standing nearby a tree stripped nude gleamed in a somber mood.
Silenced was the night around us in a hushed subdued blue.
Within there still reigned a silence created of solitude.
Our minds engaged actively awaiting the God of plenitude.

Grateful were we for the revelations of this new day
As revealed to us in this solitary silent way.

John Pototschnik (Poe-toe-sh-nick) was born in St. Ives, Cornwall, England but grew up in Wichita, Kansas. He received his art training at Wichita State University in advertising design, followed by instruction in illustration and design at Art Center College in Los Angeles. Most recently he has studied human anatomy at the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts in Old Lyme, Connecticut.

In 1982, Pototschnik began painting professionally in the fine arts. Prior to that, he worked as a freelance illustrator for ten years with many of Dallas' major advertising agencies and companies.

Since beginning his fine art career, Pototschnik has become a popular speaker and juror among art organizations. His paintings are in many private collections from Hawaii to Rhode Island and also in several public collections including : cities, banks, corporations and museums.

Pototschnik resides in Wylie, Texas with his wife Marcia. They have two grown sons. He is a past president of Artists and Craftsmen Associated and the Plano Art Association. He has been honored with four George Washington Honor Medals from the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, the John Steven Jones Fellowship, plus many other regional and national awards. He is recognized in "Who's Who in American Art" and "Who's Who in the Southwest". His work has appeared in "First", "The Artist's Magazine", "Southwest Art", "American Artist", "PleinAir Magazine", "American Art Collector" and "International Artist", plus six books..."The Best of Portrait Painting", "200 Great Painting Ideas for Artists", and "Expressing the Visual Language of the Landscape", "100 Ways to Paint Landscapes", "100 Ways to Paint Flowers and Gardens", and "100 Ways to Paint Seascapes, Rivers and Lakes". Several of his paintings have been published by the New York Graphic Society and Bentley House Publishing. He is a signature member of the Oil Painters of America and the Outdoor Painters Society.

"My artistic influences are diverse, ranging from the Barbizon painters of Corot, Daubigny and Millet to the American tonalist, George Inness. I believe all I need to know of the principles of art are to be found in the works of the masters. My paintings are not flamboyant, mysterious, trendy or shocking but I am interested in depicting the truth about life, as I see it, in a naturalistic way free of frills and bravado. I enjoy depicting simple, common, everyday life and its objects as things of beauty and worth. I intend to show the dignity and value of the subjects I paint - just as my artistic influences have. Through continued hard work I want to give to society paintings that transcend the culture and it's ever changing tastes. . . paintings that speak to the heart."

Web Site: John Pototschnik Fine Art

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