Wild Greens
Volume 4, Issue x
Ekphrasis
Wild Greens 4, no. 10 (August 2024)
Ekphrasis
Welcome to the August 2024 issue of Wild Greens
It’s that time again: the Wild Greens Ekphrasis issue is here. This is our favorite issue; the theme we love so much that we make it a yearly tradition.
The works in this issue delve into the Wild Greens archive to speak to, be inspired by, and reinterpret works of other artists. In music this is called a contrafact. In literature, an allusion, or perhaps a citation or a reference. Here, we call it Ekphrasis, from the literary device whereby an author describes a work of visual art, translating the visual to the poetic, transmuting one medium to another.
Full of references to past issues, recent and long ago, the Ekphrasis issue shows how our community builds upon, reinterprets, and has conversations with each other across time and across issues.
Of everything that we do here, this encapsulates what makes Wild Greens special.
Hayley Boyle’s watercolor cover, which paints Lauren Kimball’s patio from the very first issue of Wild Greens, Creation During Covid (Part 1), bridges this issue to our origins.
Maggie Topel’s digital logo takes its imagery from Elke Hasselmann’s poem, “Spring Upon Us,” and its pond of ducklings.
Melissa Lomax’s “Gourmet Coffee Flowers” draws upon Nancy Clarke’s poem “Morning’s Brew.”
Hayley Boyle’s poem “Abundance” is inspired by Pat Lipperini’s “Jars and Plenty.”
“Gift of the Robin,” by Melissa Lomax, illustrates a scene from LJ Ireton’s poem “Interlude.”
Jessica Doble’s poem “Dear Mom, I Forgive You” is written in response to Liz Lydic’s short story “Son, Are You Still Mad at Me? (Also, Do You Need Me to Send You Some Socks?)"
Irina Tall (Novikova)’s ink, gel pen, and collage “Green” is inspired by Ben Nardolilli’s poem “The Genius of the Place.”
In the comic “One Bob to Play Them All” by Lauren Kimball, Turtle and Hare go to the movies to see “Bob of the Rings” by Vivienne Brecher. And, “It’s Not Slow” by Melissa Lomax draws inspiration from Lauren Kimball’s longform comic “Late: Three Weeks and Twenty-Four Hours with a Deadline.”
Tim Brey’s work on piano, “Onfim (an improvisation)” is inspired by Rebecca Lipperini’s poem “Onfim.”
“Verde Diverso,” in watercolor and pen by Smrutirekha Dalai, captures the colors and diversity of flora in Michael Simms’s “The Apothecary in the Back Yard.”
“Interlude” by Myra Chappius, inspired by Hayley Boyle’s watercolor cover “Northern Lights,” invites us to pause, rest, and wonder at the beauty around us.
In this issue we connect, we reinterpret, and we speak to the artists who inspire us in our Wild Greens community. We hope this issue inspires you to continue the conversation!
-Rebecca
Table of Contents
Digital drawing
Inspiration: For Ekphrasis, I looked into the archives for inspiration! I wanted to find a written piece to base my art on this month. I found the poem I wanted to use in the Garden issue. I loved the vivid imagery from "Spring Upon Us" by Elke Hasselmann. I also loved the undercurrent of nostalgia, and a feeling of reclaiming youthful enjoyment of nature. The short list of images I took from the poem:
- tulip reaching for sunlight after the first rain- a garden of tulips and magnolias- a hallow filled with pixie dust and ponds of ducklings- orange lilies, milkweed, and blue robin eggs in a nestFrom these images, I settled on a logo featuring a pond full of ducklings. Seeing ducklings is one of my favorite springtime treats. I also drew some of the orange lilies floating in the water for their beautiful pop of orange color. That's not typically where you would find lilies, but let's say it's the pixie dust. I drew inspiration from the blue of the robin's eggs to color the pond. There were too many lovely images from the poem to incorporate them all into one logo!
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Digital drawing, watercolor
Inspiration: The poem, "Morning’s Brew" by Nancy Clarke (from the "Escape" Issue) absolutely warmed my heart, just the way a perfect cup of coffee always does! As my favorite beverage, I love the flavor of coffee but I equally adore the atmosphere it helps to create. This joy is doubled when I get to share it with my husband, laughing, talking and sipping our favorite brews, happily side by side.
Abundance
after "Jars and Plenty" by Pat Lipperini
by Hayley Boyle
AbundanceTrue abundanceComes to us not in wealth, not in power, not in thingsBut in moments.
Those moments sit with us—Weighty on our chests,Making us catch our breath,Surprised by the heaviness.
It seizes in our throatsAs joy—simple, beautiful joy—But also sorrowWhen we least expect it.
Those moments we remember—Moments of loveMoments of effortMoments of sitting around kitchen tables—Feeding our souls with the company of one another,Preparing to feed each other with a warm mealTo fill our bellies,While we unknowingly feed our future with the moments.
AbundanceTrue abundanceComes to us not in wealth, not in power, not in things
But in moments.
Traditional drawing, digital color
Inspiration: Robins hold a sentimental place in my heart, hopping by with their warm hue and bright song, making me smile when I need it most. Nature helps to remind me that there is a cycle for each season, a progression to every situation and an overall rhythm to life. With all of this in mind, the lovely poem, "Interlude" by LJ Ireton caught my attention the moment I read the “Rhythms” Issue!
Dear Mom, I Forgive You
after "Son, Are You Still Mad at Me? (Also, Do You Need Me to Send You Some Socks?)" by Liz Lydic
by Jessica Doble
The shirts, the recipe,The lemon seeds.Thank you.Call me after the appointment?I remember--I
Congealed beef on the Formica countertopYou drifted, stared, dreamt From under the comforterAnd the red-stained couch.We left you what we could make--Bagel bites, pb and j, kool-aid--Like you taught us.
II
You slipped a PattersonInto my suitcase when I went awayTo college.Honestly,I didn’t read it before Jamie ElstonLeft it at the beachOur first spring break.
III
Jeff made stir-fried beef,Our first wedding anniversary.We kissed on the red-stained couchFrom our living room.You remember--Jeff was in residency.We ate from the pan,Loved our future and our present.
IV
I’m replacing the deadfig tree three years later.I forgive you.You, youForgive yourself.Love, Adam.
Ink, gel pen, collage
Inspiration: I would like for a woman to scream, for her to open her mouth wider, and for the world to swallow that mouth. Ben Nardolini wrote a magnificent poem, "The Genius of the Place," and for some reason, it resonated with me.
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Digital stylus
Inspiration: Vivienne wanted to imagine her favorite movie as if her stuffed pig, Bob, played all the roles. Turtle and Hare went to see it! This is her movie poster.
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It's Not Slow
after "Late: Three Weeks and Twenty-Four Hours with a Deadline" by Lauren Kimball
by Melissa Lomax
China marker, digital color
Inspiration: I always enjoy the work of Lauren Kimball and found so much delight in her long-form comic, "Late: Three Weeks and Twenty-Four Hours with a Deadline," from the "Mediocrity" issue. I immediately thought of my turtle illustration, where time is truly objective! For those who are regular Wild Greens readers, you may appreciate my nod to her continual and constantly clever comic, "Turtle and Hare!"
Onfim - Tim Brey.mp3To listen:
For mobile listeners: Pressing "play" will open a new tab. As long as you keep the tab open, most phones will allow you to listen to the song while you explore the rest of the issue in a separate tab.
For desktop listeners: Simply press "play."
Inspiration: This improvisation was inspired by Rebecca Lipperini’s poem “Onfim” about a young boy from 13th-century Novgorad whose schoolwork and doodles are preserved to this day on soft birch bark. Rebecca muses on Onfim’s drawings, mundane and fantastical: “I draw myself and my teacher,” “I draw myself as a wild beast – I caption it – I am a wild beast! / I breathe fire.” She also captures the gravity of the scale of time before Onfim and since, “Helena had dug the wood up from the ground in Palestine / in 326— as distant from me as you are.” I was very moved by the idea of capturing something so fleeting and seemingly insignificant, while also recognizing the incomprehensible scale and permanence of time. I tried to capture the spirit of that duality with this improvisation.
Watercolor, pen
Inspiration: I love and revere Mother Nature. I think all plants have medicinal and therapeutic properties. The various greens in their colors are magical–all so different but yet the same mother shade (when looked at from afar). I have tried to capture their color diversity in this art.
The work shows the plants discussed in the prose titled, "The Apothecary in the Backyard" by Michael Simms in the "Recognition" issue.
Interlude
after "Northern Lights" by Hayley Boyle
by Myra Chappius
In the swirling light above me is every possibilitySpiraling,Cascading,Moving in, and out, and pastThrough, round, and fastIt all seems worthy.
Even the stars pauseCeasing their twinkling oh…so…brieflyBecause even they knowSomething magical is happening. And it costs them nothing to be still.
Perhaps they relish the respite The momentary opportunity to just stand byTo take it all in
And so should we.
Artists and Contributors
Maggie Topel
Artist
Maggie Topel (she/her) is an artist and writer living in Philadelphia. She designs our seasonal Wild Greens logos and social media avatar.
Melissa Lomax
Artist
Melissa Lomax (she/her) is a freelance illustrator, writer, and cartoonist, with 20 years of experience in the creative industry. Some of her clients include American Greetings, Sellers Publishing, Great Arrow Graphics, Lenox Corporation, and Highlights for Children. Her comic 'Doodle Town' posts on GoComics.com, the largest catalog of syndicated cartoons and comics. When she is not in the art studio, she enjoys spending time in nature, drinking really good coffee, and 'everyday adventures' with her husband. Pop by her Instagram @melissalomaxart for weekly inspiration!
Hayley Boyle
Poet and Arts Editor
Hayley (she/her) creates the cover image for every issue of Wild Greens and serves as the Arts Editor. Hayley is a social justice seeker, world traveler, rock climber, dog snuggler, frisbee player, event planner, and storyteller. She loves to paint with watercolors, embroider, and write. She grew up reading sci-fi and fantasy, and, to this day, she still turns to those genres to help her make sense of the world. She calls Philadelphia home where she lives with her husband Evan and dog Birdie, and she wouldn't have it any other way. You can find Hayley on Instagram @hayley3390.
Jessica Doble
Poet and Poetry Editor
Jessica Doble (she/her) holds a PhD in English from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She's published two critical works: “Hope in the Apocalypse: Narrative Perspective as Negotiation of Structural Crises in Salvage the Bones” in Xavier Review, and “Two-Sides of the Same Witchy Coin: Re-examining Belief in Witches through Jeannette Winterson’s The Daylight Gate” in All About Monsters. Her poetry has appeared in PubLab and Wild Greens magazine.
Irina Tall (Novikova)
Artist
Irina Tall (Novikova) is an artist, graphic artist, and illustrator. She graduated from the State Academy of Slavic Cultures with a degree in art. She also has a Bachelor's Degree in design.
Her first personal exhibition, "My soul is like a wild hawk," (2002), was held in the Museum of Maxim Bogdanovich. In her works, she raises themes of ecology, including a series of works in 2005 that she devoted to the Chernobyl disaster. She also draws on anti-war topics for inspiration. The first big series she drew was The Red Book, dedicated to rare and endangered species of animals and birds. She writes fairy tales and poems, as well as illustrates short stories. She draws various fantastic creatures: unicorns, animals with human faces, and images of the human/bird called a Siren. In 2020, she took part in Poznań Art Week. Her work has been published in magazines such as Gupsophila, Harpy Hybrid Review, Little Literary Living Room, and others. In 2022, her short story was included in the collection "The 50 Best Short Stories," and her poem was published in the poetry collection, "The wonders of winter."
Lauren Kimball
Artist and Writer
Lauren Kimball (she/her) lives in Philadelphia. She teaches literature and composition at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. In her spare time, she plays with paint, digital pens, words, and home improvement tools.
You can find her comics on Instagram @turtle_n_hare_comic.
Tim Brey
Pianist and Composer and Music Editor
Tim Brey (he/him) is a jazz pianist living in Philadelphia. He holds positions as Artist-in-Residence and Adjunct Faculty at Temple University and The University of the Arts, where he teaches jazz piano, music theory, and improvisation. Check out more of his music and his performance schedule at https://www.timbreymusic.com.
Smrutirekha Dalai
Artist
Smruti, the manifestation of memory (as is the meaning of the name), is a human diary whose memory fades slower than the rest. She, hence, stays plagued by nostalgia that sometimes pulls her deeper into grief. On happy days, however, she greets the sun with greater light.
Myra Chappius
Poet and Poetry Editor and Copyeditor
Myra Chappius (she/her) is the author of six works of fiction and poetry. While her passion lies with shorter creations, it is her aspiration to complete a full-length novel and screenplay someday. She enjoys reading, running, cinema, music, and seeing the world. When not doing mom things, she is working full-time, learning a new language, and planning her next trip.
You can follow Myra on Instagram at @inwordform. Her work can be purchased on Amazon.
Jacqueline Ruvalcaba
Senior Editor
Jacqueline (she/her) edits fiction and nonfiction as the senior editor for Wild Greens magazine. She earned her BA in English and creative writing at the University of California, Riverside, and completed training as a 2021 publishing fellow with the Los Angeles Review of Books. She previously served as a co-editor for PubLab, editor for UCR's Mosaic Art and Literary Journal, and as an intern with Soho Press. In her free time, she loves to read all kinds of stories, including YA, literary fiction, sci-fi, and fantasy.
Rebecca Lipperini
Editor-in-chief
Rebecca Lipperini (she/her) is a writer, teacher, and academic living in Philadelphia, and the founding editor of Wild Greens magazine. She holds a PhD in English from Rutgers University, where she taught all kinds of classes on literature and poetry and writing, and wrote all kinds of papers on the same. Her essay on the soothing aesthetics of the supermarket was recently published in PubLab. She teaches in the Critical Writing Program at the University of Pennsylvania.
You can find Rebecca on Instagram @rebeccalipperini (personal) @wildgreensmag (you already know it).