one-star review
How do you turn negative feedback into positive change?
chain-link fence
hamburger wrappers
in the trash
…
at the end of the day
there will always be
some people who will
unlike and unfollow
the products we create
but this doesn’t mean
we don’t create value for others
into the blender
When have you experienced regret?
bruised strawberry
our knees dropped
to the floor
…
when we experience
complex emotions
such as grief, regret,
to even jealousy
our internal dialogues
and outward appearances
may or may not mix
reputation
What name are you making for yourself?
billboard sign
hamburgers turn into
blueberry farms
…
our brand
means more than
our reflection
of our identities
but takes time
to build up
maintain and care for
everybody wins
Who is your work for? Yourself? Your audience? Both?
cool afternoon
drum and guitar loop
on the radio
…
a better way to focus on
whether to create art
for ourselves or an audience
might just be to make
one for us
and then
one for them
time to trade
What are you trading your time for?
blackened rings
the asphalt road
bares our mark
…
our seconds
minutes and hours
for trying, learning,
and starting something
as a complete beginner
until one day
we become the master
choose wisely
How do you reduce the paradox of choice?
flash, snatch, drop
loaves of sourdough
in the shopping cart
…
shopping smarter
could prove to be difficult
when we are presented
with too many options
for what kind of bread
we want to enjoy eating
when we make toast
never been done
How do you approach making something new?
vertical farm
flowering strawberries
among honeybees
…
doesn’t mean we aren’t
anxious or afraid of failing
but embracing these emotions
can help us understand
why these new paths we pave
for others to walk on
are needed and appreciated
etch a sketch
What in your life is permanent but temporary?
the red box shakes
skyscrapers disappear
into white space
…
whether or not
the displays we create
will last forever or pop-up
for a limited time
shouldn’t take away
from how their stories
will make people feel
street signs
Where is your favorite place to travel?
a changing circle
colors come and go
traffic circle
…
can indicate
our general location
but what really
stands out
is what we
plan to do
in the area
stones and hedges
What details do you notice?
morning dew
glistening over
green laurels
…
while both decorative
the intended purpose
for gardens using stones
to form pathways
and hedges for keeping us
within walkable boundaries
is a small detail
with large implications
one plus one equals three
What are you collaborating on?
old town mural
peeling off the wall
the artist’s hand
…
isn’t about mathematical logic
or breaking rules
but the actions
of people or parties
when we choose to collaborate
in order to make differences
for the greater good
of our communities
making music
Do you prefer live or studio music?
black and white
ten shadows dance
across the keyboard
…
when we perform live
strives to achieve
a number of things
from entertaining, inspiring, to dancing
for our audience’s delight
yet in the studio we aim
on making quality music
thinking and talking
When was the last time you acted on an idea?
red blue and yellow
plastic bottle caps
sit in the sand
…
it’s important
we realize that
thinking and talking
about problems and solutions
is a good start
but we must ultimately
take action on our ideas