Shawna Cross Contemporary Fine Artist

 

New Short Stories

04/22/2011

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Over the past months I've been writing far more than painting; notebooks scattered around my pillows, tucked in travel bags, hovering around in my car. I've been incredibly annoyed with the frequency I've been able to get to my studio, so luckily a pen and paper provide a similar outlet. 

Opposed to the prose I usually write alongside my paintings, I've been working on an experimental set of short stories. Dialogue hardly exists within them, rather details and a train of consciousness paints the story. I've been moving a lot lately, kind of homeless feeling despite the fact that I'm currently renting out three spaces to reside within. I enjoy not being tied to anything, it's a liberating feeling, and these stories deal with my subconscious curiosity and fear of the opposite. What if I did sleep in only one place throughout the week while working only one job in only one county in this state? What if I spent the majority of my time with a relatively stable set of the same people, what if I stated put for a moment...what if I tried. I don't know what it would be like, I specifically haven't tried, but the stories are an outlet for something I question but don't currently desire. Kind of, anyway, in a loose and vague sense.  

I'm posting one of the many here, it's very short, and since they're experimental I'd love any feedback at all, I'm absolutely open to it. Hope you enjoy, read it after the jump (the Read More link). 
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CHILDREN'S BOOK COLLABORATION

08/17/2010

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AHOY! I've recently packed the bags of my overly active and nonsensical imagination and sent it out on a new journey; I've started a children's book collaboration with my friend  P H I L   H A R D Y ,  who has an equally imaginative mind and flare for nonsense. Perfect collaboration? I say yes. 

I'm posting a few sketches and blurbs from the story, but heads up:




i f   y o u   s t e a l   a n y   o f   t h e s e   i d e a s   i   s w e a r   i   w i l l   f i n d

y o u,   w r a p   y o u   u p   i n   c a n v a s,   a n d   s e n d   y o u   w h e r e

a l l   a r t   t h i e v e s   g o   t o   m o u r n   t h e i r   b a d   d e c i s i o n s   

a n d   l a m e n t   t h e i r   i n a b i l i t y   t o   c r e a t e   o r i g i n a l   w o r k




Just a warning. I'm sure you're cool. But, if you needed something to discourage a bad decision, there you go. 

The gist of the story, essentially, is about a small town's mysterious folk, and it's full of the nonsensical riddles that make eyes shiny and bright. Here's a peek! All images courtesy of Phil. 
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"although he was so well liked, no one really knew much about Mr. Hufferpoof or where he came from. His clothing was exotic: colorful, beaded, curled at all angles and full of buttons that weren't needed...he floated into their tiny town one day and just never left. What everyone did know, however, was that he could sometimes be seen floating in the air, suspended by only his suspenders. No one really questioned this, because suspenders, purely by definition, are supposed to suspend something anyway; what's wrong with them suspending him?"

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"When Hufferpoof saw Florence, the town's seamstress & cobbler, his eyes lit up, his mustache got an extra curl on the left side, and not only did one of his pockets fall off RIGHT THEN, but his horse also complained that its shoes were too tight. AH! It must have been the universe intervening! Florence said she could fix these problems-no problem!-for only the cost of 8 dabblers and a dash of lingering (the tiny town's local currency). Mr. Hufferpoof's mustache suddenly drooped on the right side. He was fresh out of dabblers AND lingerings, as he had just purchased a new set of elbows (which don't come cheap, you see). Then, his hat spun around and an idea flashed in his mind."

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"They stepped into the curious ride, and with a loud VABOOSH! that rattled the shingles of all the neighborhood's roofs, they flew into the air. They went above the scattered shingles, now bickering and arranging themselves back in proper order, above the chimneys of the highest post offices, farther than the tree tops, and level with the birds."




It's going to be good. I already worry that I've given too much away, but I also know I left the best parts out. Stay tuned! There's an exciting future for this collaboration; many stories ahead. 

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ROUTE 7 LITERARY MAGAZINE STILL AVAILABLE!

08/17/2010

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ROUTE  7 (a Vermont literary magazine who so graciously published one of my poems and an image of my painting BIT LIP this spring) 's  premiere edition is still available at select stores! Be sure to visit their website to find a location nearest you; indulging in Vermont fiction, non-fiction, poetry and prose is never a bad thing. 


Here's a  L I N K  to my contribution 
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'Bit Lip' as it appeared in Route 7's premiere edition.
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