Wild Greens
Volume 3, Issue x
Ekphrasis
Wild Greens 3, no. 10 (August 2023)
Ekphrasis
Welcome to the August 2023 issue of Wild Greens
Our theme this month is Ekphrasis: that is, art, writing, music, and more based on previous art, writing, music, and more inspired by the Wild Greens archive.
What can I say except that I. Love. This. Theme. Seeing you all respond to and create art from past Wild Greens issues has been emotional for me. This theme is the dream of our magazine: people inspiring each other to new creative heights. For this issue, Maggie Topel (our in-house artist) created our monthly logo by combining plants, images, and ideas from her past logo designs. Hayley Boyle (our arts editor) based her monthly watercolor on Maggie’s digital logos.
Melissa Lomax’s “1970’s Ski Jacket,” in watercolor and crayon resist, takes the rhythm of drawing shapes from Sam Sobel’s poem “Circles, Everywhere.” The Ekphrasis issue is a bit like a circle, too—each piece of art in this issue connects back to a work in a previous issue. For example, “Gratitude,” in acrylics and ball point pen by Angela Patera, responds to “A Lil Love Long Goes a Long Way” by Melissa Lomax. “Cloud Share” and “Grass, Bare Feet” by Melissa Lomax illustrate moments from David Brey’s “Nostalgia (or Zen and the Art of Time Travel).”
A poem by Holly Genovese, “Sorry, Honey,” responds to “Direct Hit” by Aimee Nicole, taking that direct hit and applying it to living through climate change in Texas. Robin Brownfield’s mosaic, “America is a Gun,” expands on her previous work “The Enemy” to protest gun violence and motivate people to push for change. “Don’t Leave us Behind,” a poem by Cara Morgan, responding to the collage “Community” by Grace Clements, addresses the lack of empathy towards disabled people throughout the ongoing pandemic.
“Girl” by Irina Tall (Novikova), inspired by “Medusa” and “Aphrodite” by Robin Brownfield, depicts women, angry, with wings, and reflects on the diligence and meticulousness of the original mosaic medium.
In Lauren Kimball’s “Hungry Art,” Turtle and Hare go to an art museum and get inspired for dinner by “Hermitage,” a watercolor by Lauren’s twin sister Meghan Woodard. Mariah Harned narrates Turtle and Hare in "Turtle and Hare: Off the Beaten Track," a series of written vignettes, styled to capture the feeling of comic panels. Meghan Woodard’s “The Turtle King in Color” brings the line art of her sister’s digital comic to life in watercolor.
“Tree Pose” in watercolor by Melissa Lomax illustrates the peace and serenity of Jessica Donahue’s poem “Our Stars.”
“Wild Greens Found Poem,” by Crystal Rivera, voices the collective of past Wild Greens contributors. The poem, much like Wild Greens itself, evolves into something uniquely and entirely its own.
-Rebecca
Table of Contents
Crayon, watercolor resist
Inspiration: I was instantly inspired while reading “Circles, Everywhere” by Sam Sobel (from the the Obsession issue). As an illustrator, I often enjoy the soothing and methodic rhythm of drawing shapes. These patterns then seem to unveil themselves in the world around me. I love finding a series of circles etched in the architecture of an old building, or as Sam Sobel so beautifully put it, “...the round shapes that bugs make in chewed leaves, the symmetry of their feast.”
Acrylics, gel, ball point pen
Inspiration: My piece responds to "A Lil Love Long Goes A Long Way" by Melissa Lomax. I love the colors, and especially the shapes and patterns that were used to create the original piece. For my version, I used a free-handed style and other art mediums, specifically acrylics, and gel and ball point pens.
"Cloud Share" and "Grass, Bare Feet"
after "Nostalgia (or Zen and the Art of Time Travel)" by Dave Brey
by Melissa Lomax
Pencil, watercolor
Inspiration: The poem “Nostalgia (or Zen and the Art of Time Travel)” by Dave Brey (from the Nostalgia issue) truly touched my heart. Much of my Doodle Town comic is inspired by simple moments in everyday life. I also love to revisit memories from the past and pay homage to my childhood experiences. David summarized this perfectly, “...By embracing yesterday, make tomorrow brighter than today.”
If you like the issue, you can donate to Wild Greens through our Ko-fi page!
Sorry, Honey
after “Direct Hit” by Aimee Nicole
by Holly Genovese
Do we all live in the eye (or I) of the storm now? Toto, never again in KansasThe burning Texas heat–104, 107, 110 upwards upwards we go. Cloying, fainting, gulping, Water-the only relief, a finite resource Is the world on fire?where in the world is not on fire?We watch as we burn burn burn How do we prepare for the end of the world?Sorry, honey. We didn’t.
What was it like before I knew about power grids, about fires, about airborne diseases? I can’t recall, really. Bread and milk won’t save us now. But maybe they could have What if everybody had bread and milk? Would we still be Burning Freezing In the dark Inhaling fumes, inhaling deathA deadly disease and the death of the world.
America is a Gun
after "The Enemy" by Robin Brownfield and "America is a Gun" by Brian Bilston
by Robin Brownfield
Inspiration: I was pondering how violent life is in the United States. and how the US also inflicts that violence around the world. I decided to continue addressing the themes of gun violence and its relation to US military actions. Inspired by the poem, "America Is A Gun" by Brian Bilston, and connected to the piece I did for Wild Greens called "The Enemy," I wanted to show that the victims of gun violence and war are innocents—people we love or should love. I want people to be upset, angry, and moved to push for societal changes that could end the violence.
Please Don’t Leave Us Behind
after “Community” by Grace Clements
by Cara Morgan
“Once you become disabled, death will be the figment chasing you every single day and everyone around you will root for it.” -Imani BarbarinThe data and the doctors told me to stay inside.I wash my hands, wear a mask, keep my distance.For myself, for each other. 3 years later I’m still a homebody.Still a dull body chained to my distrust of the world.No one cares anymore about keeping me safe.In the rush to return to normal,I am deemed an acceptable death.
When you’re sick enough for long enough everyone stops caring.
It will come for you too.Be it COVID or an accident or old age,there will come a day when your body betrays you.You will feel shame and terror and disgustand you’ll realize how much you hated me when you hate yourself instead.
You will hide in your home and the world will cheer at the loss of you.
Please don’t leave us behind.One day, however soon, you’ll be like me.Another dull body.Another acceptable death.
The space you leave will fill like a fetid wound no one cares to clean.
Ink, paper
Inspiration: In part, I relied on the work of Aphrodite and Medusa by Robin Brownfield. I wanted to make a non-collective appeal, but my inner voice dictated a certain image of a girl who can have wings.
I like the work of Robin Brownfield. Her mosaics have the feel of the images in old photographs. When I look at her mosaics I rejoice in her diligence and ingenuity, the care behind each fragment. Once, I created from her other work—a guitar laid out in dozens of small pieces. The guitar was slowly sprouting with flowers and stems.
Women's images have always attracted me; they have some kind of perfection.
Read about the inspiration for this month's logo on Ko-Fi.
Turtle and Hare: Off the Beaten Track
after “The Rematch,” "Changing the Narrative," "Interior Turmoil," and "Beat Bias" by Lauren Kimball
by Mariah Harned
The Rematch
Hare rubs his bleary eyes as he stumbles up to the water station. There’s no time to rest. Turtle’s tromping down the hill behind him. And he mustn’t fall asleep this time. Only the crowd’s cheers at his graceful leap across the finish line could erase the humiliation of having been beaten by a clumsy turtle.
Ears drooping behind his back, Hare looks up at the young mother hare and down at the pitcher in her paw. “No water,” he says. “Double shot espresso. I’m not losing to this guy again.”
A giggle calls his attention to the toddler bouncing at their feet. “Mommy? Did Misther Hare fall asleep again?”
With a scowl, Hare gulps the cup of espresso and leaps back into the race.
Changing the Narrative
Hare staggers over the finish line, gasping for breath. He looks over his shoulder and finds that, to his relief, Turtle is still plodding around the last bend. Victory! Caffeine pounding through his veins, Hare rests his forepaws on his knees and glances up at the approaching reporter. “Here’s your headline: Slow and steady doesn’t win the race. Print that.”
The reporter scribbles in his notepad before looking up at Hare, his ball cap askew on his long ears. “So, fast and hopped up on caffeine does?”
Interior Turmoil
Hare stares down into the gloomy shadows of the rabbit hole at his feet, clutching his aching head. Maybe that was one cup of coffee too many, he muses. But he still needs something to keep him going. Not another double shot of espresso, but something else. Strange. He used to dream about that triumphant moment when he would finally win the race. But now that he’s reached his goal in life…now what?
Too deep in thought, he almost doesn’t notice when a cool, scaly paw touches his shoulder. “Hare, you seem down. Maybe you should talk to someone.”
Hare looks up at Turtle’s friendly face. Amazing. His long-time rival seems to hold no grudge against him. Is it possible that he’s taken the race too seriously? He takes a deep breath. “You’re right.” And he knows exactly who to talk to.
Beat Bias
The melodic squeal of Hare’s electric guitar melds with the steady drone of Turtle’s drums. Once the last note fades away, Hare grins at his new best friend and bandmate. “You’re dragging,” he complains.
With a mischievous glint in his eye, Turtle looks down his nose in mock severity. “I thought you were rushing.”
Hare giggles, and Turtle tosses a drumstick at him with a chortle.
With the start of a new friendship comes the promise of endless adventures together. This is going to be the best summer ever.
Watercolor, pen, ink
Inspiration: My amazingly talented twin sister, Lauren Kimball, gave me permission to render one of her comics in watercolor. We both agreed that "The Turtle King" would work beautifully in color because of the expressive night sky. It was fun to delve into her imaginary world and think of colors for these iconic characters.
See behind the scenes of Wild Greens. Our Ko-fi page contains concept art for past issues.
Watercolor
Inspiration: When I came across “Our Stars” by Jessica Donahue (from the Celestial issue), it transported me to the first experience I encountered in a yoga and meditation class. I was lucky to find this practice during an intense time at college and in my personal life. After the first session, I felt peacefully grounded and learned that this experience was something I could revisit at any time—a new part of my being unfolded. To me, Jessica's poem speaks to this feeling of transformation, “Celestial souls, spirits in a physical body” and the evolution of what is to come.
Wild Greens Found Poem
found poem, from titles in the Wild Greens archive
by Crystal Rivera
What they won’t sayspirited away in wild greens and wild numbers.America the—faded. America the kettle’s uncontrollable rage. America the—Not here to meet you. Herefor the snacks.
What they won’t say of imagined future, the tender spots, I’ll say
Where there is peace or rage, be anything. Morning’s brew. Flour. Water. Heat. Foodfor fruiting bodies. The thing withfeathers, the thing withsalt. What theywon’t say, I’ll say
Be gentle instructions for finding concrete in bloom. I wasmarigold love learning sunflowers.From where I grew, wild with gratitude, another love followed.You—Little bud big bloom in a vacant room of dandelions. Go boy go.A lil love long goes a long way. Take me fragile, take me simple, take me with you.
Sitting still in the bone is aremembering you do-over.
What they won’t say, we need.Handle with care.The root of pure love is
Wild again. Home again. Take me takeme take you.
Artists and Contributors
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 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!
Angela Patera
Artist
Angela Patera is a self-taught artist whose art has appeared in numerous publications, as well as on the cover of Selenite Press and Penumbra Online. Her art usually draws inspiration from the genres of horror and fantasy, but also from folklore and nature.
You can find her on both Twitter and Instagram as @angela_art13
Holly Genovese
Poet
Holly Genovese (they/them) is a non-binary neurodivergent Austin-based writer, artist, content creator, and very tired PhD Candidate in American Studies at UT Austin. Their visual art is primarily collage, mixed media, and acrylics and they served as art director for the 2021 issue of PubLab and have shown their work at the Da-Vinci Art Alliance in Philadelphia. Their writing (poetry, criticism, and journalism) has been published all over the internet and you can find out more at holly-genovese.com.
Robin Brownfield
Artist
Robin Brownfield (she/her) is a former sociology professor in Collingswood, New Jersey who turned to mosaic art after becoming disabled. She was featured in a FOX-29 (Philadelphia) News report because, after sharing a series of award-winning “Black Lives Matter” mosaic portraits online, she was commissioned by Tamika Palmer to do a mosaic portrait of her daughter, Breonna Taylor, whose death, in part, launched a rebirth of the Black Lives Matter movement. That portrait can be seen in the documentary Bree Way: Promise Witness Remembrance. Her award-winning artwork has been in galleries in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York City, Las Vegas, Norfolk, Virginia, Texas, Illinois, and San Francisco, and has recently received praise from Dr. Jane Goodall. She recently finished supervising a community mosaic mural project entitled “Childhood Memories,” which she designed at Thomas Sharp Elementary School in Collingswood, NJ. Visit her website, www.robinbrownfieldmosaics.com, to see more of her work.
Cara Morgan
Poet
Cara Morgan (they/them) is a disabled, neurodivergent, queer writer and artist from rural Maine. They host a Spotify podcast called the sunshine lounge and virtual workshops for traditionally marginalized voices to make art. They are passionate about their cats, cool rocks, making playlists, funky earrings, and supporting other creatives. Their debut chapbook, Dear Diseased Body, is available now through Bottlecap Press.
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, and 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 Bagdanovich. In her works, she often raises themes of ecology and draws on anti-war topics. In 2005 she devoted a series of works to the Chernobyl disaster. The first big series she drew was "The Red Book," dedicated to rare and endangered species of animals and birds. She also writes fairy tales and poems, and illustrates short stories. She draws various fantastic creatures including unicorns and animals with human faces. She especially likes the image of a woman - a bird - Siren. In 2020, she took part in Poznań Art Week. Her work has been published in magazines: Gypsophila, 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 collection of poetry 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.
Mariah Harned
Author
Mariah Harned (she/her) is a graduate of Greenville University and a future medical research scientist. Given her background in biology and chemistry, she usually channels her love of writing into science fiction. But sometimes her childhood on a farm shows up in the form of talking animals.
Meghan Woodard
Artist
Meghan (she/her) enjoys painting scenes from childhood, travels, dreams, and her backyard in watercolor. She began exploring this medium after the birth of her daughter in 2020, looking for a relaxing creative outlet that she could fit into her daughter's nap-time schedule or after a day of work. When Meghan isn't looking after her almost three-year-old or painting, she enjoys a rich performance and teaching career as a classical oboist.
Crystal Rivera
Poet
Crystal Rivera (she/they), a long-time poet, is also a food stylist, food photographer, and recipe developer located in New York City. Born a Russian-Puerto Rican Jew in Queens, NY, many dishes merge cuisines into poems. Follow Crystal on Instagram @cookonyournerve for all things love, food, & poetry. For full recipes, visit cookonyournerve.com.
Myra Chappius
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, music, travel, and learning. When not doing mom things, she is working full-time, seeing the latest movie, or waiting an acceptable length of time before returning to Universal Orlando to satiate her Harry Potter obsession.
You can follow Myra on Instagram at @inwordform. Her work can be purchased on Amazon.
Jessica Doble
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.
Tim Brey
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.
Jacqueline Ruvalcaba
Fiction Editor
Jacqueline (she/her) earned her BA in English and creative writing at the University of California, Riverside. She was a 2021 publishing fellow with the Los Angeles Review of Books and an editor and co-editor for PubLab and UCR's Mosaic Art and Literary Journal. She is currently the fiction editor for Wild Greens magazine and a copyeditor for the Los Angeles Review of Books and The Arrow Journal.
Maggie Topel
Artist
Maggie Topel (she/her) is an artist and writer living in Philadelphia. She designs our seasonal Wild Greens logo and social media avatar.
Hayley Boyle
Arts Editor
Hayley (she/her) creates the cover image for each issue of Wild Greens magazine 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 and wouldn't have it any other way. You can find Hayley on Instagram @hayley3390.
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 (hi!). 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).