Art is an exacting goddess that demands one’s offering of heart, mind and body.
Serenity 2024©Isadora DeLaVega
Art is an exacting goddess that demands one’s offering of heart, mind and body.
Serenity 2024©Isadora DeLaVega
Peacefulness surrounds me as I hear a songbird’s trill …. I drift away so peacefully.
No peace is greater than the one within yourself … be peaceful.
There are times to be quiet, and time … to be peaceful
2024©Isadora DeLaVega
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Crimson Creative Challenge – #283
for rules and to join in click here
Genre: Poem
Photo Prompt: Crispina Kemp
Word Count: 36 words
Mother’s gaze was always distant, as if she belonged to another world. Her eyes shimmered, hinting at unshed tears, but she remained alone in her thoughts, tapping her foot in the solitude of her rocker.
The visiting nurse shared a poignant tale of my Father and Mother. They weren’t just a couple, but a single entity, bound by a love that transcended life itself. He read to her, by the gentle glow of the lamplight, until his final breathe. A secret language on every page read.
For eternity, she will wait, her heart aching with the anticipation of their reunion.
2024©Isadora DeLaVega
Genre: Romance
Word Count: 100
Photo Prompt:©SusanRouchard
To join Rochelle and her Friday Fictioneers challenge
Welcome to Friday Fictioneers, where a band of writers create original artful stories inspired by a photo prompt. The title of this story has a #2 because several weeks ago I wrote the original here for Friday Fictioneers. Both stories are independant of each other but continue in theme. Enjoy, Isadora
Silence in the car was deafening.
Exasperated, Rita asked, “What’s your name?”
“Charlie.”
“Charlie, huh! Gotta a last name?”
Ignoring Rita, he said, “With all this rain, no cars were passing. Thanks for the lift.”
“Where are you going?”
I live right across the Lawson Bridge. “Is that out of your way?”
“I can manage that.”
It was a dark, starless night after the rain.
Crossing the bridge, the lights in the distance called to Rita. She felt freedom was on the other side of that bridge.
First she’d drop off Charlie. After all, he could be a serial killer.
2024©Isadora DeLaVega
Genre: Crime
Word Count: 100
Photo Prompt:©SandraCrook
To join Rochelle and her Friday Fictioneers challenge
The Last Supper
It’s dark when you leave.
Alone, I’ll wait for you.
Fear and prayers,
a safe return; my mantra.
2024©Isadora DeLaVega
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For Sadje’s ‘What Do You See’ #232 – Photo Challenge
to join in click here
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“Por favor, Renaldo, can we stop all of this practicing? My feet are swollen, and my toes ache.”
“Esmeralda, we must practice if we’re going to win the competition.”
“It’s snowing, and I want to go home while I still can.”
“The Flamenco has to be perfect; no missteps. We must be flawless.”
“Okay, go,” he snarled.
“Work on your costume and return early tomorrow. No excuses.”
Cautiously, Esmeralda walked to her car.
From behind, she heard a scream.
Immediately, she turned and saw Renaldo sitting on the icy concrete.
With a sheepish grin, she shouted, “No practice tomorrow … right?”
2024©Isadora DeLaVega
***** If you’re not familiar with the Flamenco dance, watch this video .
Genre:Flash Fiction
Word Count: 100
Photo Prompt:©Dale Rogerson
To join Rochelle and her Friday Fictioneers challenge
Opportunity ©photography by Isadora DeLaVega
Artwork is personal. Whether you view a painting by the great masters in a museum or a painting in a gallery or art show, you feel a personal connection to it as you look at it.
My husband and I decided a very long time ago to refrain from purchasing gifts for any occasion. Instead, we felt that a piece of Art would be much more enjoyable for both of us. Over the course of years, we have purchased a great deal of Art.
The photograph of the above painting called ‘Opportunity’ was a Christmas gift we have enjoyed viewing every day.
We admire it. It reminds us every day that life is a challenge. Our journeys won’t always be smooth or without stumbles.
However, it’s in our ability to rise above disappointments and setbacks that we can overcome the struggles. Sometimes, in the darkness, there is light, but we are blinded by our disappointments and fail to see what could be right in front of us.
The moment I saw the painting, I knew it would be added to my Bucket List. It has not disappointed us.
The artist Juan ‘One’ Sepulveda creates works of Art with inspirational Symbolism. His style is unique and speaks to the viewer of various moments in life’s journey,
On his website, he writes: “From the vibrant energy of my ‘Inspirational Symbolism’ to the intricate optical play of ‘Perspectivism’, this space merges passion with canvas. Explore, enjoy, and uncover the layered interpretations within Art with a Purpose.©JuanSepulveda.
The meaning behind the painting:
In our journey through “LIFE,” we often encounter opportunities and disappointments. In this painting, a person appears defeated after a door closes in front of him. The disappointment of his recent loss has drained all his energy and prevented him from noticing the other opportunities available.
The painting intends to help the viewer realize that we are bound to find closed doors in our lives, but our perseverance will lead us to find other opportunities.©JuanSepulveda
Juan ‘One’ Sepulveda values his relationship with God. In his work, he portrays the struggles we encounter with inspirational meanings.
Life is not a straight and easy road along which we travel free and unhampered, but a maze of passages through which we must seek our way, lost, confused, and now and again blindly.
Some gifts you hold in your hand … some you hold in your heart.©Isadora DeLaVega
In Love and Light,
2024©Isadora DeLaVega
Namaste
I honor the place in you
in which the entire universe dwells.
I honor the place in you
which is of Love, and of Truth,
of Light and of Peace.
When you are in that place in you
and I am in that place in me.
We are One.
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To view more of these wonderfully moving painting
or to purchase Juan ‘One’ Sepulveda art click here
Rain obscured the dark Georgia back road. Rita squinted as she drove the unfamiliar stolen truck. She had no choice but to meet this challenge head-on.
A man in a white coat, a hitchhiker, jumped in front of the truck. She slid while braking on the rainy road. Pulling the door handle and hitting the window, he shouted, “I need help. My car broke down”.
“Are you a doctor from the asylum?” escaped psychotic Rita asked.
“Right, the hospital. The escaped murderous scoundrel lied while chuckling inside.”
Two strangers, one rainy night, might be in for a gripping ride.
2024©Isadora DeLaVega
Genre:Flash Fiction
Word Count: 100
Photo Prompt:©RogerBultot
To join Rochelle and her Friday Fictioneers challenge
Shaking his head, Sam couldn’t believe what he’d bought at auction.
Frost was on the ground; more to come tomorrow. No outdoor work ’til Spring.
How’s he going to flip the Strokov House with its blackened reputation? What was he thinking?
Mrs. Strokov had rented the house with her small salary at the fabric shop. Mr. Strokov would soon follow from Russia.
That morning, she argued fiercely with her daughter.
“You will testify against that teacher who shamed and violated you.”
“No, Mama’, Marta wailed. “I beg you”.
“We have pride”.
That night, from the rafters, she hung her anguish.
2024©Isadora DeLaVega
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Crimson Creative Challenge – #280
for rules and to join in click here
Genre: Flash Fiction
Photo Prompt: Crispina Kemp
Word Count: 100 words
*****I wrote this story in April, 2015 for Mental Health Day in October. It was well-received. I often write about mental illness and the misunderstanding and consequences of the disease. This activism began after my grandson’s suicide.
Depression is a real illness that impacts the brain. Anyone suffering from depression will tell you, it’s not imaginary or “all in your head.” Depression is more than just feeling “down.” It is a serious illness caused by changes in brain chemistry. Research tells us that other factors contribute to the onset of depression, including genetics, changes in hormone levels, certain medical conditions, stress, grief or difficult life circumstances. Any of these factors alone or in combination can precipitate changes in brain chemistry that lead to depression’s many symptoms. Click here to learn more …