Great Writing Conference London GW:

Great Writing:  The International Creative Writing Conference 2016
After 2 days of attending the Great Writing Conference at Imperial College in Londen my head's full of new ideas how to connect creative writers with... creative writers! Wouldn't it be great to combine Fine Art with Writing?

On Nicole Cooley

She put down her glasses

Creating a moment of peace

In her dazzling world of words

Photo Poem by Melanie E. Rijkers © 2016.

Scholarship

In the Netherlands we can't study Creative Writing so it seems. Bummer. I am curious if it would be possible to get a scholarship to study abroad. What I learned from the conference is that all lecturers were very driven to share their thoughts, papers and projects. I wonder, after you get your degree, what's next?

More than once I heard someone say: "Pity I cannot land myself a teaching position in Creative Writing". In the future I would like to see Academies of Art hire inspiring people like these to teach Creative Writing to art students. Writing is changing. Art is changing. Let's collaborate!

On Hyde Park: Face

Staring down

Stuck in place

Tiny feet touching his head

Flying off into space

Photo Poem by Melanie E. Rijkers © 2016.

Photo Poem: a new Short

Nicole Cooley's talk Tiny Texts: Flash Fiction, short poems, one minute plays raised questions like "But what if someone wrote a brilliant piece of 300 words, and the assessment says 2000?" At an Academy of Arts they'd know what to do. Also the digital era is here. Graphic Design, Arts and Writing are all in it together. A photo and a text are only ordinary until an artist puts them together brilliantly.

During Nicole's inspiring talk I wrote 3 pieces of what I call Photo Poetry. Being a visionair, working with Miksang Contemplative Photography and teaching Eyespiration, this is my answer how I'd like to combine the art of photography with the art of creative writing. 

On Hyde Park: Fountain

In the air I fly

Having landed I slide

Blending with family

I watch people walk by

Photo Poem by Melanie E. Rijkers © 2016.

Thank you Nicole, your talk was the last piece of information I needed to accomplish my writing goal. I was also inspired by Daniel Juckes and many more speakers, and will tell you more about Great Writing in my next blog!

Alaska Cruise Golden Hour Workshop

It’s the first morning onboard the Jewel of the Seas, when I go outside on deck to watch the sunrise. I’m in Alaska in June and nights are short, it's 5 AM. The wind almost blows me of my feet when I enter the top deck, but the views are so worth it. Amazing infintiy, with on one side a hazy purple light blue sky and on the other side a warm, golden glow behind some clouds. 

I never imagined you could see this far from a boat. Sorry, ‘ship’. The cruise ship amazed me by not being bumpy by waves at all, and I actually enjoy the movement of the water while meditating with the group. I am attending a seminar at sea, and never been onboard a cruise ship before. With the amazing views I see each morning I want to sail forever. Staring over the water, with only a few other people present, I feel one with nature.

Amazing skies, infinite water and colours that touch me like I am in a light bath of beams. Golden eye in the sky, the sun finally rises above the mountains. I am surrounded by pure magic, I never felt so close to nature before. So much Eyespiration! I feel blessed to witness all this beauty on earth. I am sharing my photos with you to show you how beautiful Life is, if only you can See.

You can join me in October 2016, when I will be attending the Cruise into Spirit. I will teach you how to See if you join me onboard for an Eyespiration photo walk. It not so much a workshop, it's Meditation with Eyes Open, and free of charge. You can join me with any kind of camera, or even without one and take 'mind pictures'.

Being in the moment. Onboard a cruise ship, early morning, you can really be whole, complete, one with nature. We'll use Miksang techniques, when you learn how to look at Life with Pure, Fresh Eyes. Be, See, Zen.

Onboard you can walk. I like walking, It makes my head clear. I can really stop thinking when I walk. If I concentrate on what's around me, if I am in the moment, I see Miksang Moments. Miksang Moments are photos with a very, very good moment captured, with great composition in lines, light and subject. Most of the photos in this blog qualify Miksang Contemplative Photography.

If you'd like to know how to take those photos, I'll show you how to See. Join me onboard for an amazing Full Moon Cruise into Spirit in October. Please note you don't need a fancy camera, the above photos were all taken with a smartphone. Seeing Fresh, with Pure Eyes, is all you need.

© MelanieRijkers.com 

#Eyespiration: Reflection

Landscape pictures with a reflection will draw people's attention and keep it. Reflection in water or double images in a window: when did you look into the 'mirror' with your camera lately? 

Dutch landscape by Gerhard Nel

Looking at something beautiful twice 
 By using a reflection of your subject you'll create an intriguing image. This beautiful Dutch landscape is twice as impressive because of the reflection in the water.

Apply extreme cropping and use the mirror image only. Use the image you see in a puddle. Look in a window and use the double image that makes a weird, but often fascinating picture. Also shiny surfaces like chrome hubcaps can create beautiful images.

Hindu offering Kuta Beach, Bali Indonesia

Clouds visible in the water, how beautiful to capture this in one photo. All you have to do is bend over and zoom in, crop the sky and place the horizon line in the top of the photo to create a fascinating image.

If you're on holiday try to use this kind of photography next to the snap shots and selfies, to create a story with alternating images. When you travel you'll find many new compositions because of the new environment you're in. Try to experiment with reflection and mirror images, and most important of all: have fun while doing so!

If a photo doesn't work out: just delete it. Oh, the joys of digital photography ;)

Cityscape: a sort of selfie in a chrome hubcap

To find reflection 

• Landscape: we all know the beauty of landscape photos with reflection in water. 'Sandard' or not, these kind of photos always work out. The beauty of a landscape seen twice in one composition, yo can't go wrong. Try to place the horizon at the top of the image.

• Water: a true mirror of the sky. Taking a picture of a reflection in water only also works well. Try to place this photo upside down for a change. This will create an intriguing image for sure.

• Rain: a wet day? Use the puddles and rain drops. Make sure you use a camera that's not affraid of water and can handle a drop or two. Always try to avoid direct rain when possible. If you're with someone: make this person hold an umbrella to keep you and your camera dry while you'ra taking photos.

• Glass: a window or bottle will create a whole new world when you take photos through it. Alienation is fascinating always, but try to avoid vague photos unless you like to create an abstract image.

• Chrome: shiney surfaces always work well for photographers. Not just to take a different kind of selfie, but also to capture reflections of the world.


Try to challenge the viewer. Alternate images will make your story more exiting.

By using reflection and mirroring in your story, it will be much more fun to look at. Being a photographer shooting a wonderful and exiting image will make your day. Even on a rainy day, you'll feel the joy of capturing a beautiful image using the rain. When you find that treasure and are able to capture it... utter feeling of joy and pure happiness.

Find reflection by... reflection. It's also very mindful to look for reflections. The happy feeling you get, 'Yes! I got it' when you take a good photo is priceless, no Prozac necessary, nothing can beat this emotion. It's really worthwhile to learn how to see and find your Eyespiration.

But I'll tell you more about that in my next blog!

Cityscape: challenge the viewer with a see-through photo

Use modern architecture to capture reflection 

The more I travel,

the less I want to go

Eyespiration, New York City - Times Square

Last night, I spent another lonely Christmas
Darlin', darlin', you should've been there
'Cuz, all the ones I dream about
You are the one that makes my love shout
You see, you are the only one I care for

Remember the time we swam naked
In your father's pool?
Boy, he was upset that night
But boy, was that ever cool

Remember that night we played pokeno for money
And you robbed me blind?
Remember how you used to scream so loud
'Cuz, you, you hated that number 9?

Hey, I saw your sister skatin' on the lake
This afternoon
Good heaven, how she's grown
She swoons the boy skaters, she's so tall

But of all your father's children
All your father's children, baby
You know, you are the finest of them all
You are brighter than the northern star

And I, last night, I spent another lonely Christmas
Darlin', darlin', you, you should've been there
You see, of all the ones I dream about
You are the one that makes my love shout
You see, you are the only one I care for, yeah

My mummy used to say, always trust your lover
But now, I guess that only applies to her
'Cuz, baby, you promised me
Baby, you promised me, you'd never leave
Then you died on the 25th day of December, oh, baby

Last night, oh, I spent another lonely, lonely Christmas
Darlin', baby, you, you should've been there, oh, oh
'Cuz all the ones I dream about
You are the one that makes my love shout
You see, you are the only one I care for, yeah

Your father said it was pneumonia
Your mother said it was stress
But the doctor said you were dead

And I, I say it's senseless

Every Christmas night for 7 years now
I drink banana daiquiris till I'm blind
As long as I can hear you smilin', baby

You won't hear my tears
Another lonely Christmas is mine
Yeah, mine, yeah
Another lonely Christmas is mine

Last night, yeah, I spent another lonely, lonely Christmas
Darlin', darlin', you should've been there, yeah
'Cuz all the ones I dream about
You are the one that makes my love shout
You see, you are the only one one care for

...I have always loved his lyrics, it's like poetry ♥ RIP my Prince, superfunkycalifragisexy you are!

Prince, 1987 pencil drawing by me

Prince: Another Lonely Christmas, B-side of I Would Die 4 U (12" vinyl Purple Rain album, for sale)

More lyrics via Metro Lyrics 

Eyespiration at Art Breda show 2016

Today is de last day of the annual Artbreda show, a big show with fine art and antique. I made this set of Eyespiration photos during opening day 9 April 2016, using Miksang Contemplative Photography:

Do you look?

Or 

Do you See

Eyespiration


Inspired by life my photography shows life as it is, subjects SEEN as they are. Struck by its beauty or remarkable appearance, in detail often, life is photographed by me. The plant in above picture makes the photo, the weird relation between its leafs and the paint curls of the piece of art. This is #eyespiration. Let life inspire you!

Red, White & Blue - 2016

(Floor)




Each year new groups of Miksang Contemplative Photography start at Artstudio23. In only 10 meetings you'll start to see life fresh, with pure eyes! You can sign up for the newsletter if you'd like to know more or join me in a workshop.

Eyespiration bij Art Breda

Vandaag is de laatste dag van de jaarlijkse Kunst- en Antiekbeurs in Breda. Tijdens de opening op 9 april jl. maakte ik deze fotoserie getiteld 'Eyespiration'.

Kijk je zo?

Of 

Ga je Zien:

Eyespiration

Geïnspireerd door het leven met onbevooroordeeld ZIEN. Mediteren met open ogen. De plant hierboven bijvoorbeeld maakt het plaatje helemaal af. #ikzieikzie de beetje rare overeenkomst tussen de plant en de krullen verf. Het rode houten plankje staat niet eens heel erg in de weg, want we proberen nul Photoshop toe te passen op Eyespiration foto's. Uitgaan van de pure fotografie, op zoek naar op perfecte compositie of vastgelegd moment.

Ik zie, ik zie... wat jij niet ziet!

Red, White & Blue - 2016

(De vloer)



In september begint er weer een nieuwe groep Miksang Contemplatieve Fotografie bij Artstudio23.
10 bijeenkomsten in 1 jaar laten je anders kijken. Hierna Zie je de wereld nooit meer hetzelfde!