BURNT UMBER

moods and watercolors

Watercolor rolls on my canvas

as a sprinkle of tears on my cheeks

cool colors of blue, green, dark purple, jet black

mimic my sober mood

I scrawl repeatedly

until I strike my resolve

Trees obscure the atmosphere

lakes succumb to burnt umber

vacuous canvas swallows my spine

hues of paint befit my spirit

Gratification commands accomplishment

my cheeks prove to be dry

so too the consummate work of art

I trust my next attempt

reflects a warm-hues mood

as the break of dawn awakens

strokes of red, orange, yellow

splash on my canvas

in a flight of frenzy

my hand on the run

as my world unlocks

clarity prevails

Author's Note

I am also an artist; and had to make color charts when taking art courses, therefore burnt umber!

Reviews

[Lorry]

This is what I wondered of artists who paint, do they, like writers carry their emotions onto their "page" like those who write. 8 did come to the self conclusion that it would've extremely difficult not to, just like people locked in this craziest of years don't go around telling knock knock jokes when the colours and vibrancy dissipate from their world.
Moy impossible, but when the view is lacking the brightness and vibrancy of people, smiles and the smiles returned, perhaps our heart, minds and souls choose colours that match their mood.
I think of Autumn with that colour. A very enjoyable scene most times, but aren't we all just hibernating until summer comes around and we can all dress like an explosion in a skittles factory.
I'm guessing next years fashion must will be a whirl of rightness after this prolonged period of enforced seclusion. Let's hope so at least.
I look forward to the accompanying piece mentioned in the notes, or perhaps the quartet of seasons showing the passing of the seasons and the journey our lives take.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thanks Lorry for comparing artist’s feelings as they paint, to writers’s feelings as they write, I can tell you that I try to snap people unposed and paint them; however, I do paint still life’s and some abstracts; I would say that color and faces are my choices which do often reflect a mood. Thanks for your very curious review
Yours, Bet

[Patricia Wedel]

I keep fresh Roses for most occasions to keep me hypnotized in love for ever entwined. Burnt umber is soothing to the Soul... as pink orange Roses keep me Mellow... Poinsettias pink orange set beside my Roses like Lovers to greet the Season of Burnt Umber... Frankincense and Myrr... following a Star... Amen

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Pat, I love the warmth of burn umber and use it quite often in my paintings....I love the colors you choose to match your moods.
XO,B

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Here's to having "warm hues moods"; those of the sunrise and sunset when beauty paints the sky without oils, watercolors or acrylics. Feelings are often reflected in the works of artists, whether written word, paint, pastel, or even the charcoal sketch...they may seem only black and white but the subject matter may yet give an indication. I've never been able to master the difficulty of watercolors, it's a very tedious medium for me. But I do appreciate those with that particular talent. Andrew Wyeth and Winslow Homer are two of my favorite watercolor artists. I enjoyed this very much. I do hope you can get beyond the burnt umber mood. Bless. F.

[Betty Hermelee]

Hi F. Thanks for your review! I actually paint in acrylics which is easy to correct mistakes ... of which I make many...and I also work with colored chalk often in very muted blacks , browns and white ... it’s just a medium.. many of my portraits have sober looks... as that’s the way they looked when I photographed them...but I also paint abstractly ...
see you around the cafe , best Betty
P S take a peek at my newest chapter of COOL JOE!

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I worked in powder pastels quite a bit as a young adult. I liked blending and shading with them. My hands were multicolored most of the time. (smile) I'd run out of fixative and rush out to buy hairspray. At the time I had lots of hair so it didn't seem strange. (laughing) I always enjoyed painting and drawing animals and seascapes; never got much into portraits and the human hand has always been a difficulty for me in painting. How nice you have so many varied artistic interests. I'm off to school!

[Betty Hermelee]

Thanks I haven’t been painting very much lately. I have a studio but poetry and fiction have been tugging at my heels. So follow my own lead.
B

[CLR9]

I'm gay and losing my hair.

[Betty Hermelee]

Is this a review of my poem? sorry for your troubles

[Coyote Poetry]

Dear Betty. I loved the poem.
"I trust my next attempt
reflects a warm-hues mood
as the break of dawn awakens
strokes of red, orange, yellow
splash on my canvas
in a flight of frenzy
my hand on the run
as my world unlocks
clarity prevails"
The above lines. I understand and I believe. We color our thoughts and our mind. This is poetry and thank you for sharing the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you so much, I appreciate your review!

[Coyote Poetry]

I enjoyed your work and you are welcome dear Betty.

[John the Baptist]

As I read the last verse, I thought of Scarlett O'Hara's famous declaration, "Tomorrow is another day!" In the poems's beginning, the poet is in a "sober mood," and the picture being painted reflects it. The colors used are "blue, green, dark purple, jet black." Not exactly the shades one would see at Mardi Gras. The mention of tears shows they match the speaker's mood. In the last verse, that mood has definitely elevated, as we see such hues as red, orange and yellow, splashed on in a "frenz

[John the Baptist]

"frenzy." Evidently, inspiration has made a sudden entry and the juices are flowing. But that all initially difficult strivings could end this way.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thanks for your kind review John, really appreciate it!
Fondly, Betty

[barleygirl]

One of my favorite painter/poets at the cafe is Ken Simm (link: https://www.writerscafe.org/Ken%20Simm) . . . I've "stolen" much from him over the years. He has written a number of poems that describe painting (incredible painter & photographer) much as you've done here, both having your distinct styles, of course, but both of you being equally sparkling while bathing the reader in the imagery. Ken tends to describe the painting itself coming together & not so much describing the artist going about it. Yours is a share of the experience of going thru this yourself, putting the reader into your shoes & sharing your obvious joy & transcendence while painting (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

PS Almost forgot to mention my aversion to burnt umber in the crayon box. Seemed such a weird name, I would avoid that crayon.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thanks Marge for that lovely review; I've been painting now for about 30 years...it runs in the family; from Great grandfather on down...
hugs, B

[Wild Rose]

Mmm Burnt Umber
I made some watercolour pictures using only burnt umber - sky mountains and lake - Sky village buildings road and stream
Just a change from pencil drawings

I trust your multi-coloured pictures will be treats to behold

Why not post a picture with words to match for us

[Betty Hermelee]

thanks for your review; i may just put up a painting and write a poem, good idea! best, Betty

[Wild Rose]

Hope you do - I am waiting

Any problems posting the picture just ask

[Betty Hermelee]

Thanks for your nice gesture!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I did an art show once...but I was not the painter...that artist's work was paired with my poetry.
It was an honor for me.
they are just two different ways to paint feelings...one in pictures, one in words.
nicely done, Betty.

j.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thanks so much Jacob, really appreciate you comment, best, Betty

[Chris Shaw]

Poetry is very much like painting. You can use words instead of paint, however you can create a masterpiece just the same, and about a shared topic. You can create moods with either paint or words. All creative expression and thought is worthwhile in my opinion. Thank you for sharing Betty.

Chris