Have a wonderful and Happy New Year 2020!

©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com
Intuitive Watercolor Paintings- FINE ART – Illustration
Have a wonderful and Happy New Year 2020!
©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com
Today is a very special day for me!
The submission of my new poem “Magic” has been accepted and Published!
Is a long time that I haven’t posted here my new writings, I have been focusing primary on my Art, watercolor paintings and illustrations but I did write once in a while when words suddenly appeared in my mind.
I am so happy to have my poem “Magic ” first Published on Spillwords.com one of my favorite online platform and Literary Press, sorry I haven’t submitted much lately. I am honored to be listed as one of their collaborative Authors for the English Literature category. I always love to submit my poetry there!
Spillwords.com is an online Press
home for all that live and breathe words, spilled or inspired, through literature of every genre, from writers and poets of every walk of life”.
❤ Here you can read my New Poem: MAGIC
The poem is Illustrated with a combination of my watercolor paintings, you will recognize my image since is used as the header of my Blog and I think fit my poem greatly. I love to see them both published together. My illustration is now available as Limited Edition Print in my Shop.
You can read all my poems published on my Spillwords Author Page Carolina Russo
I want to thank the editor for accepting my submission and publish my work. Thank you so much!
Please If you have the time head over Spillwords.com check it out is a very interesting press where a variety of authors share their work you can have some good reading and the opportunity to submit your work too!
Thank you for reading,
let me know if you like my poem, does it speaks to you in any way?
Your comments are loved!
©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com
I have created a New Page for this Blog and it is dedicated to my motivational and inspiring “Manifesto” Do’s I personally use to inspire and prepare myself for my daily Creativity, Art and Life….I hope my motivational list will inspire you…
MANIFESTO
I hope that my creativity and Art shared on this Blog will motivate and inspire you during your artistic journey. Share it with me here if you’re a beginner or not. Art is a wonderful and powerful form of expression that allow me to express myself through colors, shapes and forms while freely painting nature or faces that express feelings without words in hope to reach out many hearts and deepest souls. I love what I do, is my passion and is my life. I have discovered my artistic talent when I was a child and it never left me only improved over time. I love to share all my creations in all the mediums I work with I enjoy to share it with you and the rest of the world… let’s be inspired! ❤
These Are My Motivational Do’s:
Make time for your work daily
Enjoy the process fully
Allow yourself to explore techniques and styles
Allow yourself to do mistakes, you learn from them they are valuable to your artistic growth
Have an open mind
Be Perseverance
Be Patient
Be Positive
Be Inspired
Be Fearless
Be YOU
Where your focus goes energy flows like the colors that bleeds in the water
Set your Intentions before painting
Practice I AM Affirmations
Listen within you and shine your light
Smile when you’re stressed and leave your painting alone for awhile
Look around you for inspiration
Let the Universe and Nature inspire you there is not a greater Masterpiece for you to get inspired from
Share your work and creativity in any medium you express yourself
Connect with other Artists
Help to inspire others especially beginners
Celebrate always when you’re happy! When your creations turn out as you wanted Be Happy!
Love every painting good or bad
Love your Art because it is YOU!Never Give Up!
When you need encouraging and inspiring words you can always find this Page on my Blog! No matter if you’re an artist or not. I wrote this to be applied to anyone in need….
Anytime Check on the Blog menu for >> “Manifesto”
©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com
My Interview with Author and Poet SYLVESTER L. ANDERSON
Today I am very happy that I can finally share my New Interview!
I like to introduce you with my dear friend and long time follower of my Art and Blog my special guest is Author and Poet Sylvester L. Anderson also known in our Community Aka “Syl” the name of his Syl65’s Blog I am really honored that he accepted to do this interview with me. Syl is a great soul and inspiring Author he writes beautiful poems, his flowing words are encouraging, motivating and filled with strength and positive energy. For some mysterious reasons it happens to read them just when you need them in your heart. Syl post daily on his Blog his poetry, haiku, quotes and inspiring music he introduce his Blog with these words and verses….
“Poetry, creative writing and a desire to inspire…..Isaiah 40: 31 But they who wait upon the Lord will get new strength. They will rise up with wings like eagles. They will run and not get tired. They will walk and not become weak…”
I wanted to illustrate our interview with a mystical, ethereal and powerful image as Syl creative writings are. I think that my Digital Artwork “Angels” that you see above is just right because I see Syl like the encouraging and supportive Angel in our Blog’s community. Since the day he started to follow my art and blog years ago, he is always there leaving encouraging and beautiful heartfelt comments which I appreciate very much.
Right now here are my questions, let’s get to know Syl better let’s get started! Enjoy the interview….
1. For who doesn’t know you and your Blog, can you please introduce who Syl is?
First, thank you Carolina for having me on your blog. I have always appreciated your art and creativity. Now, who is Syl? I am a poet, blogger and author trying to inspire and help others see that they do matter in this life. Aside from writing, I enjoy music (a part of my blog), movies and I’m always open to learning.
2. When did you discover your talent and love for writing?
I would say at an early age. I use to sing out these little rhymes I had made up and my very first poem was a mother’s day poem (to my mom of course). I was very shy growing up so writing was my way to express what was going on inside of me, especially in my high school years. For as long as I can remember I have been writing, whether it was extra little notes in birthday cards, writing down my thoughts, or poetry.
3. You have a beautiful way to create your poetry expressing your words giving beautiful messages, there is a superior presence in your poetry and you often mention God? How much he inspire and influence your creative writings?
Thank you for your words. I will say that I am a born again Christian. I have no denomination, I follow Christ and He is the center of everything I do. I believe I was blessed with a gift to write and I want to use my gift to inspire others. I want to share what God does for me on a daily basis and that is love me unconditionally. I am so very happy that it comes through in my poetry. That right there is my central purpose and also to entertain. If you can smile after one of my poems, then it’s all good.
4. Can you describe your writing process? Do you plan your writings or do you write whenever words come to you?
My writing process is simple. I think the only time I plan my writings is when I am doing my Monday Thought post or when I am working on a book. I do a lot of spontaneous, whatever pops into my head writing. When the inspirational spark hits I get to writing. Sometimes the words come like a flood, line after line, or I am writing down one line and see what comes from it. Also, I find photos to go with my poetry and many times I choose the photo first and write about what I see in it. The most important part of my writing process is not forcing anything. If it’s not there I don’t write. I write because I enjoy it, not because I feel I have to.
5. You published several Poetry Collections can you tell us about it? And where we can find them?
I have published four print books and two eBooks, all self-published. I will list them in order and where you can find them.
Life through Celestial Lenses – Amazon (print and eBook)
The Darkness, The Light and The Glory – Amazon (eBook available at smashwords)
Heartspeak, God and Love – Amazon (print and eBook)
Soul Embers – Amazon (print and eBook)
33 In The Name of Jesus – smashwords (eBook)
The Sevens – smashwords (eBook)
6. What suggestion or advice can you give to someone who wants publish their poetry for the first time?
Poetry is expression, so write what you love, be authentic and be original. Amazon Publishing Services offers free publishing tools and guides to help you get published. You will be doing the work yourself as far as formatting and editing but it is worth it if you are looking to publish your poetry. Winning Writers is a website where you can find legitimate poetry/literary contest (also a great way to get your poetry published). You can also look for poet/poetry forums or writing communities. No matter what your goal is, do your research and don’t give up.
7. What is your creative Dream Project?
Wow, that’s a great question! I would like to do some type of visual/spoken word videos and take my poetry to another level. Another dream project is to do some spoken word in whatever audio format and I definitely do not mean me reading some poetry in this robotic tone, but something with some oomph to it. I don’t think we should put limitations on our creativity. Also, I am open to doing collaborative projects with any of my fellow creatives out there.
8. I love to ask this question to everyone I interview because is personal and introspective, If you describe or picture your inner soul how will you describe it? And what color would it be?
I picture my inner soul as an observer, standing in the background, taking notes about what is going in and around me. My favorite color is black but I believe my inner soul would be blue. Blue has a calming, tranquil affect and I hope that I bring that type of peace and calm with my everyday presence. Another thing about the color blue is that when you look up and see a clear blue sky it looks never-ending, limitless. I believe we shouldn’t put a cap on our dreams or goals, not limit ourselves.
9. This is my last question you are one of my long time followers and I can call you my friend I know by now that you like my art and I like to ask you what do you like about my Art? What do you see in my paintings?
I believe when I first started following you, you were doing these digital portraits and I was blown away immediately. Your art is so original has such a distinctive, vintage look and quality about it which I can say is your signature style. What do I see in your paintings? I get a sense of hope, especially within the eyes of your characters. There is this good vibe flowing beneath what you put on canvas. Lastly, I see you, maybe it your facial features that show up but I see you. You are your art.
Thank you so very much for this interview, Carolina, and for having me on your blog. It was fun and very much appreciated.
In conclusion of this Interview….
I am leaving you with one of Syl latest Haiku – The Stars Are Speaking Again
A clear sky tonight
The stars are scattered just right
Speaking their language
Clasping your hand much tighter
Vivid in my mind
You can find and follow Sylvester at:
WordPress Blog Syl65 – www.syl65.wordpress.com
Twitter – @SylvesterPoetry
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/sylvester.l.anderson
LinkedIn – http://linkedin.com/in/sylvester-anderson-7536259a
I hope that you enjoyed the interview and to discover Sylvester L. Anderson. I want to thank you Syl very much! I loved this opportunity and I wish all the best for you and for all your future projects!
And to you all I always love your comments, let me know what you think about this interview I know Syl would love to read them!
❤ And if you like to read more of my previous Interviews to other talented and amazing souls check my Interviews Page
Until next time have a great weekend! ❤
©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com
And now I climbed clouds
I stole the moon because of you
Oh I am nowhere now
-CR
Haiku 5.7.5
Inspired by the words of the song “Harlem River” by ©Kevin Morby
This is my second Haiku of the 2019 inspired by one of my favorite song lyrics. Last week I posted my first one title “Dark” Inspired by a song of The Cure. I started this “Favorite SongHaiku Series” inspired by my friend at Cyranny’s Cove! and I have seen others getting inspired to do this as my dear friend Syl he posted his beautiful Haiku “When The Wind Blows” inspired by one of his favorite songs. I like to do this very much and thank everyone that join in! Today I was inspired to write a second Haiku by one of my favorite songs “Harlem River” by Kevin Morby l love the sound of this song and especially this specific version of 9 minutes long I love the long instrumental part in the final of the song. I often listen this song on repeat while painting! I am sure you will enjoy the song and if you are brave enough try to write your Haiku pick your favorite song!
Try to write your Haiku from your favorite song it’s fun, a great practice and very challenging…
How to do it? Go through the lyrics and use the words that more speaks to you to create your Haiku be careful to keep the words in a way that combined in your Haiku will remain the song! Yes I know isn’t easy but you would be surprised!
I am thinking to make this as a weekly or monthly Challenge where we can all post a link to our song’s inspired Haiku!
What do you think will you be interested to participate?
Let me know and I will think how to create the event here on my Blog! Any suggestion is welcome 😉
Leave me a comment if you like the idea so that I know I wont be alone…. ❤
©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com
There is a dark Forest
Run into the trees following my eyes
I hear a girl voice…
-CR
Haiku 5.7.5
Inspired by the words of the song “A Forest” Written by ©Robert Smith -THE CURE
Hope the New Year found you all well!
Today post is my first Haiku of the 2019 and I have to say that I wrote this Haiku in a whim right after I read the Haiku posted by my dear friend Cyranny, you can read it at her Blog Cyranny’s Cove! She inspired me to create my Haiku using the words of one of my favorite songs, I also illustrated the Haiku with one of my older watercolor paintings (Prints available in my Shop!) I loved to do this and to write my Haiku I actually played a bit with the words and I have changed the sequence from the official lyrics but I was able to keep the sense and meaning of the words in the original song! Check it out this is the beautiful song “A Forest” of The Cure…I found a video that has the lyric on screen!
I think this is a great idea if you love music and love to write Haiku it is pretty challenging to create a Haiku from the words of a song…Sure it is a good practice I suggest you to pick your favorite song and try! What do you think?
©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com
Have a wonderful and Happy New Year 2019!
I leave you with one of my Haiku…<3
New Year
The time is flowing away
rain drops are slowly falling like tears
new beginning the New Year
©CR
❤
Haiku 5.7.5
©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com
My Interview With Author MJ MALLON
Today post is my interview to British Author MJ Mallon, a nice way to get to know her and discover her latest work, the new released book “The Curse of Time #1 Bloodstone” I am very happy to introduce you with MJ Mallon, she is a debut author and blogger, her interests include writing, photography, poetry, and alternative therapies. MJ write Fantasy YA, and middle grade fiction as well as micropoetry – haiku and tanka.
Some of you that follows my Blog remember one of my latest posts: “Characters Illustration – A Collaboration with Author MJ Mallon” where I was announcing my artistic collaboration with Marje Mallon. We had a wonderful collaboration together .
Today post is my interview to MJ, a nice way to get to know her better and discover more about her new released book “The Curse of Time #1 Bloodstone” that includes my art in form of character illustrations.
Thank you so much Marje for allowing me to do this lovely interview with you and give the opportunity to our readers to get to know you better.
Let’s get started!
Here there are my questions:
1. For who doesn’t know can you please introduce who is Author MJ Mallon?
I’m a debut author based in Cambridge, UK.
I published my first book The Curse of Time Book One Bloodstone in kindle and recently in paperback.
The Curse of Time is a YA magical fantasy series with many intriguing themes: time, crystals (representing light,) and self-harm/darkness/shadows. The magnificent clock featured on the book cover is the world renowned Corpus Christi chronopage invented by Dr John C Taylor, OBE. The chronopage is a popular tourist attraction in Cambridge which draws much attention, comments and gasps from passing tourists.
The Curse of Time Book One Bloodstone is available to purchase via Amazon. You can buy the book here: “The Curse of Time”
I set up my publishing company Kyrosmagica Publishing with the intention of publishing my own books under this name. In the future, I hope perhaps to extend this to publishing for like-minded clients who wish to create magical writing which aspires to be different.
Allie Potts created a beautiful logo of a dragon and a unicorn twirling in an endless dance to represent my vision for Kyrosmagica Publishing.
2. You have a very nice writing style, can you describe your creative process and what prompt and inspire you while writing?
Thank you Carolina that is very kind of you to say.
I begin with an initial idea and often look to art to inspire my creative process. Visuals are important; I visualise the scenes in an action movie of my creative imagination! Then I type the words up on my laptop.
I love poetry so I included short Tanka poems at the beginning of each chapter (or puzzle piece,) to add a further creative dimension to the story-telling.
3. What are you working on right now? Any new project?
Several! Of course one of my priorities is to focus on the second book in the series which I have entitled The Curse of Time Book Two Golden Healer.
But, I intend to submit to at least two anthologies. One involves flash fiction for publication in Charli Mill’s carrotranch.com/ second Carrot Ranch anthology and I also hope to be included in Claire Plaisted’s Ghostly Writes Anthology
Oh, I must also mention some amazing news. I discovered that I won first prize in the Bloggers Bash Blog Post Writing Competition with my entry “The Queen’s Dress Down Day”.
What a wonderful validation of my writing. Here is the trophy.
It looks as if it was made with me in mind! It’s so beautiful and is cut glass, crystal!
Winning this has encouraged me to enter more competitions. The next one on my radar is Dan Alatorre’s 1000 Word Sprint.
4. What is your writing “Dream Project” if there is one?
To be honest, I have so many wonderful projects in mind. I’d love to write a poetry/flash fiction/short story compilation. I have the rough draft of a middle grade novel featuring a dragon and a half Scottish/half Chinese girl that I would love to develop. I have so many plans but not enough time! I truly have been cursed! So my focus has to be on my current dream project — The Curse of Time. It’s an ambitious debut project but with hard work and dedication I hope it will be successful. Only time will tell how this dream develops.
5. This question is very personal and introspective, If you describe or picture your inner soul how will you describe it? And what color it would it be?
Fantastic question Carolina! My soul colour would be green. I believe green is the colour associated with the Heart Chakra which links with love, earth, growth, and abundance. My very first crystal selection was green Malachite. Apparently, my green soul colour makes me a healer, mediator, balancer and harmonizer. Perhaps that is why I love meditative exercise such as Tai Chi and explains my attraction to alternative medicine and crystals.
6. Reconnecting with your latest book “The Curse of Time” which character do you love the most and why?
Oh, this is so hard! I love all my characters. If I had to pick just one it would have to be Amelina, the main protagonist. I love how her character develops as the story progresses. Perhaps there is a little of Amelina in me, (even though I don’t have a dysfunctional family!) I’m such a different person from the young girl I used to be. Writing has made me a much happier and more confident person. Amelina is changing too. Perhaps that is why she is my favourite.
7. I loved to create the paintings of the two characters Esme and The Creature as illustrations for your book, what did driven you about my Art that you thought I was the right artist to visually bring to life your characters?
I’d been following your beautiful art for a good while and been so impressed by your portraits. There is a definite sense of fragility in your portraiture (I particularly love how you portrayed Esme the Mirror Girl’s eyes and mouth,) and a beautiful use of colour and movement in The Creature’s portrait. Those key elements attracted me to your work and of course you are such a lovely lady!
8. At last, what you would like to say to our readers about The Curse of Time story and why they should read it?
The Curse of Time is a unique, imaginative story.
Time is life. Life is Time. Each hour, minute and second is precious, don’t waste a moment! Read a magical story that encapsulates so much of the light and darkness of life. It will mystify and puzzle you, make you laugh, wonder and cry.
❤ Visit my ETSY Shop where you can find my illustration of the character “Esme and The Mirror” available in Limited Edition Fine Art Prints, only 20 high quality numbered and signed prints of my original watercolor painting.
In conclusion of this interview I want to thank Marje for the beautiful and interesting answers to my questions! I hope that you all enjoyed to read this post and the opportunity to get to know more about Author MJ Mallon, visit her Blog and if you get the chance to read the book, please leave her a review and comments. I am sure she would love very much to hear from you. Best wishes to Marje for this new release, may “The Curse of Time One Bloodstone” project be very successful and of course to have a sequel! Can’t wait to see what she is writing next and if we will collaborate again you will see more of my illustrations to come in the future! I always love to read all your comments, please let me know what do you think and thank you so much for taking your time to read it!
❤ You can find MJ Mallon on Social Media at:
Have a wonderful day and stay connected!
If you haven’t yet follow me on Instagram @carolinarussoart
©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com
Inspired by Classic Art and the Old Masters
“Girl With a Pearl Earring” Original Oil Painting, (c 1665) created by Golden Age, Dutch Painter ©Johannes Vermeer
Today post is to talk about “Inspiration” in any creative mind there is inspiration that comes from something. As an artist I get inspired by everything, just simple things like a color, a word, the shape of a cloud, the rain just to mention a few can inspire my imagination to create.
Many times I got asked where do you get your inspiration from? My answer is always the same “from everything”!
Sometimes not just visual things, but also intangible things can inspire, like a sound, music can inspire, the wind can inspire and it is from that starting point that magically trigger your mind to be inspired to create, develop and evolve your work in a beautiful creation. Often artists takes inspiration from the work of others, especially the “Old Masters” from the Classic Art as a learning process that helps to try new visions, techniques and skills. The best way to be inspired from another artwork is to change things and transform it in your own. Do not copy exactly! Just take the inspiration and add your own language, give your transformation and a new vision in order to grow your own art and identity as an artist, learn from the process. This is a great suggestion for beginners, a way to practice and challenge yourself to evolve in your work finding your own voice. This is not only for visual artists but it can be applied to writers, designers and any type of creative that use inspiration.
Inspired by Classic Art, this is my watercolor version of this famous oil painting “Girl With a Pearl Earring” (c 1665) painted by Dutch Golden Age Painter Johannes Vermeer. I always got inspired by the original painting and I have seen many other artists inspired. This painting has several things that captures my attention: the lighting, the innocent expression of the girl face, the colors and intense contrast, all these things inspired me to paint my own watercolor version of the “Girl With a Pearl Earring”. In my portrait, I left a white background, not a dark one, I focused on the light on her face, her eyes and lips. I wanted to change and give her a slightly different expression to do not copy her, but instead giving her a new soul. As you can see if you compare the two paintings, you see my inspiration from the original, but I changed her in my own style. This time I haven’t used any ink outline, is just watercolor. I also gave her an extra touch with my signature long lashes! 😉
I hope that you enjoyed this post and that will help someone to feel inspired to try this and look into “Inspiration and Transformation” as a form of learning and growth in your art!
If you do please comment below I would love to know!
❤ Details about my painting:
Pencil sketch with Alvin Draft/Matic #03 Limited Edition Mab Graves automatic Pencil. Painted with French Artists Watercolors Sennelier l’Aguarelle Artist grade, Pentel Aqua Brush – Bee Paper for watercolor 140lb, 100% cotton, cold pressed.
Fine Art Prints are available at this moment upon direct request to me:
❤ Feel free to contact me if you would like a Limited Edition Signed Print of this paintings, you can order yours right here on the Blog just Contact me let me know that you want it and you can pay directly here on the PayPal button on my side bar, very easy!
Details: Fine Art Prints sizes available is 5 x 7 and 8×10 inches, Special Price $25 and $35 + shipping (contact me) ! ❤
More Limited Edition Fine Art Prints of my paintings are listed on my Etsy Shop!
For more of what I am up to daily, follow me on Instagram @carolinarussoart
Have a wonderful week and stay tuned for more Art!
©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com
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