Poetry Friday: Artist Dates
A Trip to the Building Museum
I know Julia Cameron recommends doing an artist date alone, but I’ve often broken this rule. I recently went to the National Building Museum with my writing friend, Liza. The National Building Museum has a new exhibit feature children’s book called “Building Stories.”
Some of my favorites included the picture book dummy for Caldecott-winner Hello, Lighthouse by Sophie Blackall.
I also really enjoyed the David Macaulay room where dozens of sketches are pinned to the walls along with explanations of his process.
This inspired me to start a wall with my Work-in-Progress images and see if I can make sense of the mess in my head.
Besides the National Building Museum (which I do recommend if you’re in DC), we also visited The National Portrait Gallery and Kogod Courtyard, which currently has a gorgeous display of orchids. This courtyard is one of my favorite places to write. It’s filled with natural light and has tables where you can work (or eat).
We also went to a stationery store called Jeni Bick near Dupont Circle and a bookstore, which I’ll talk about in a few weeks.
Definitely a great day for inspiration!
Haiku of the Week
splash of winter sun
sprinkles on fragile flowers—
summer dreams
Photo © 2023 & Haiku © 2024 Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Photo Taken: December 21, 2023 at Green Spring Gardens
Haiku Written: January 4, 2024
Poem as Picture Book
by Joy Harjo
Illustrated by Michaela Goade
This is a 163-word poem originally published in 1983. It was illustrated by Caldecott Award winner Michaela Goade’s gorgeous illustrations in 2023.
Poetry Connections
- Repetition
- Connection to nature/nature poetry
- Connection to family stories
- Second person POV
Links
Grow
I think this week has been less about growth and more about PUSH! I’ve got several deadlines coming up for critiques on various projects and I’ve had to be really cognizant of how I’ve been spending my time. I did a big push on two projects this week. It’s always great to look up from keeping your nose to the grindstone (keyboard) and realize that words strung together actually do make some sense.
32 Comments
Linda Mitchell
ooooh! I love seeing that idea board. I really need to do that. I have lots of computer files…but if I could arrange and re-arrange all the little bits of things it might spark more in way of a story line. Thanks! I adore the word sprinkles–it just makes me happy.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Do it!!! I’m working on mine now.
Tracey Kiff-Judson
Wow, the Natational Building Museum looks like a cool place! We will be in DC next weekend. I hope we get a chance to check out some of the places you mentioned.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Oh yay! If you want to see the National Building Museum exhibit, I do recommend getting tickets online ahead of time. Some Saturdays are very busy. Hope you have loads of fun. There’s so much to see and do! If you get a chance to see the Library of Congress, I’d highly recommend.
Denise Krebs
Marcie, thanks for sharing about the museums you visited. Wow. So many delights near you. I’m glad you take advantage of seeing them. Thanks for sharing the links to the Remember resources. So beautiful!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
I don’t go nearly often enough–especially since the pandemic. I need to make a point to go more often.
Diane Anderson (newtreemom)
You always GIVE so much in your blog posts. Beautiful writing and photos, and interesting links and book recs. I like the image of the winter sun splashing sprinkles of summer dreams.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you, Diane!
PATRICIA J FRANZ
Oh gosh! That story exhibit would be SO FUN to see! The book dummy!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
It was fun. There are lots of gems in there.
Mary Lee Hahn
That’s a museum exhibit I’d LOVE to see! (Plus all the extras sound like loads of fun.) We have had some sun these past few days, so I’m right there with your flower — dreaming “summer dreams!”
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Oh I’m dreaming of summer too! 🙂
Rose Cappelli
Hooray! The sun is finally out this morning so opening your post to your haiku was perfect. Thanks always for the inspiration. I’m going back next week for a second look at the children’s literature exhibit at the Brandywine River Museum. Wish I could get to the one in D.C., too.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Oh enjoy the museum! It sounds wonderful!
Linda Baie
I’d love to see that exhibit, Marcie, would be an inspiring time, as it was for you, now creating your own idea board. I won’t see the ‘winter sun’ today as it’s raining, maybe changing to snow after all the sunshine last week, so thanks for yours! Enjoy the weekend!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you, Linda!
Heidi Mordhorst
Thanks for reminding me about the Building Museum exhibit, Marcie–must get there! I appreciate how you fit three seasons’ worth of light into your haiku. Looking forward to the Harjo/Goade book!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Definitely go! It’s really a fascinating exhibit.
jama
Thanks for taking us along on your artist’s date. I, too, would love to see that children’s book exhibit. Sophie is one of my fave PB creators! Lovely haiku and photo this week!! Thanks for all. 🙂
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
I was so lucky to see her accept her Caldecott for Hello, Lighthouse when ALA was in DC in 2019.
Susan T.
The next time I’m in DC I’d like to visit the Building Museum; I’ve never been. The exhibit looks wonderful, and I love the idea of a writing date. And the stationery store. Must check out! Thanks for all the goodness here, including the winter haiku, Marcie.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
They often have different exhibits. In the summer they used to transform the huge lobby area into a giant interactive kid-friendly thing. I’m not sure if they’ve brought it back post-pandemic.
Laura Purdie Salas
Have you thought about a career as a literary tour guide? And each client could receive a beautiful haiku of the week as their souvenir of the day! Inspiring to drop by, as always, Marcie!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Oooh! I’d love to be a literary tour guide! Yes, please. Maybe when I retire from my librarian job. 🙂
Molly Hogan
Wow! That exhibit looks amazing! There was a fantastic Robert McCloskey exhibit at a local library this past summer and seeing the drafts, revisions etc, in person was so powerful and inspiring. I wish I could manage a quick trip to DC to catch this exhibit! Also, in an odd coincidence, I just (literally five minutes ago) put “Hello, Lighthouse” in my cart to buy. It’s wonderful!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
I was so lucky. I got to see Sophie Blackall accept her Caldecott Medal when ALA was in DC in 2019. I have the program featuring her beautiful art hanging up in my office.
Elisabeth
Your excursion sounds delightful and inspiring! I love getting a peek at the creative processes of others. Good luck with the deadlines! Thanks for sharing your photos and haiku with us today!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thanks for stopping by!
Janice Scully
Thanks for this trip to D.C.! I used to live in Arlington and would spend a lot of time around Dupont Circle and often think of it. Thanks for sharing your day!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Dupont Circle has a lot of gems. It was great weather for walking around.
Karen Edmisten
Wow, those visuals are so inspiring!
I love the image of the sun being conscious of the flowers’ fragilitly, carefully sprinkling her gifts as needed. 🙂
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you, Karen!