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Margaret Gibson Simon and father, John Gibson
I am visiting my parents in Mississippi. My father and I are working on the final touches of our book project. Yes, you heard me…book project. I am excited to announce the publication of Illuminate, a book of poetry and art.
I started writing poems to my father’s Christmas cards in December of 2012. I’ve posted some of the drafts on this blog. My friend Victoria Sullivan at Border Press will be publishing it. The book will be small, about 25 pages. The drawings to me are striking, done in pen and ink pointillism. I hope the book will be ready mid-October in time for Christmas.
In 2008, I wrote my first poem about my father’s art. There is a drawing framed in my bedroom of an American Indian woman with her child, wrapped together in a blanket as though she is shielding her child from all danger. The writing connected me to his art work in a spiritual way. I share this first poem in the preface of Illuminate. Check back in October to order your own copy.
My Father’s Drawing
Dots of ink and graphite rise in tension with paper
to form a likeness of mother and child.
The wild contrast of darks to light plays
in harmony creating a vision of love.In the meantime, I grew up,
became a woman with children
living away from my father.
His letters come to me in thank you notes.Yet everyday, I look at this drawing—
the dots of pointillism reach out from the wall
and grant me an audience
with his graceful praise.
–Margaret Simon, all rights reserved
Mother Earth by John Gibson
This is beautiful, Margaret, as is the artwork. How exciting to have this book published!
I enlarged the drawing to get a better look, Margaret. It is so beautiful, as is your poem, sharing your special relationship with your father. I loved your earlier work too, and know the book will be a treasure. Funny how the genes come in, his pointillism ‘dots’ become your words! Congratulations on this project!
Gorgeous! What a wonderful project with your father: your words, his images! I am glad that I just read LInda’s comment. I enlarged the drawing and it blew me away. How lucky you are to collaborate with your dad.
So lovely, Margaret! What a labor of love and pleasure – especially so, since it was something you worked together on. Congratulations!
Congratulations on your book being published! But even better, how wonderful it is to have the opportunity to create something beautiful with your father. That is something you can cherish forever.
Such a beautiful combination, the art and the words. I’m looking forward to the book. What a wonderful experience for your and your father!
What a wonderful idea! How great is it to have a family member with talents that spark your own creativity! Congrats on getting the book published, too.
What a joy and privilege to work with your father. Look forward to your book!
Congratulation. What a beautiful accomplishment! Can’t wait to see the book.
I have always had such admiration for John’s talent. Now to see the little girl down the street that I remember has grown into a talented woman combining her talents with his is wonderful. Thank you both. I will be getting the book for myself and for each of my kids.