Brewing
Haiku and Coffee-Toned Prints
Three weeks ago, inspiration came unexpectedly through a tag by Ann Collins on Notes. The instruction was simple: write a haiku using the closing line of her composition.
in the space between
my stars and yours, we invent
new constellations
I don’t remember the last time I wrote a haiku. A year, maybe longer? It’s one of those things I’d like to do more but somehow gets lost in the busyness of life. I don’t say it as an excuse. What I do believe instead is that creating something has its own time and space. Ann’s haiku felt like a gentle nudge so I took a moment at the end of the day to sit still and compose one.
New constellations
a star illuminating
oh, whispering soul
Two days before Ann’s tag, I met with Sandi, who gave me a tour of two exhibition spaces at the university. We had worked together on a show there a decade ago. “This is such a moving project and your art is inspiring,” she had written in November, after I shared the Marica Notecards. “Maybe you could develop this into an exhibition. Please let me know if you are interested.”
The idea hadn’t even crossed my mind.
On the drive home in the pouring rain, I began to think about it more seriously. I could resurrect prints from images that had been sitting dormant for years — photographs with a certain emotional resonance but no clear theme, no finished shape.
Somehow, my gut told me it was time.
Toning the prints with coffee felt like the right place to start — and not only for aesthetic reasons. Ate Marica always made coffee in the mornings when we gathered. To work with it, to dip my hands into the brew, was a way of inviting her into the making. A way of processing grief through the hands.
An excitement I hadn’t felt for a long time with my photographs was beginning to emerge.
Back in August, another wonderful artist, Marta Blum had sent over some watercolor paper along with a handful of word prompts printed on delicately thin slips. I tucked it all under my desk, knowing I’d want to use it someday.
That someday had arrived.
With Ann's haiku prompt, Marta's gift, and Sandi's seed, I had the raw materials to breathe new life into these images. This is only the beginning. I know the work will evolve over time, but for now I am marveling at them.
My sources of photography inspiration:
Dawn Surratt
Raymond Meeks
Masao Yamamoto
Deborah Turbeville
On Substack:
Anne Silver Mondinot
Manuela Thames
Marta Blum
Al Adlard
Marica Notecards
These notecards honor my sister Marica’s gift for small, thoughtful gestures. Each one transforms collage pieces into meaningful connections, carrying both art and intention.
The collage “Cords and Chords” is a wordplay that captures both her love of gadgets and our memories of learning and playing guitar together in high school.
Begin the year with intention— share words of encouragement or gratitude, or offer a simple reminder that someone is loved.
With every note sent, her presence lives on.
To learn more, visit: MARICA NOTECARDS
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I love how this was inspired and where it led you. Beautiful work, Stella!
These are fantastic, Stella! Really inspiring. I love the coffee tone. I should practice Haikus. I tried it before and failed miserably. It seems like it would be easy but I don't think it is. :) Thanks for mentioning my name. It feels like an honor. Truly love these images!!