Interesting stories by artists and writers about how exposure in ArtAscent is helping them.

Karla Linn Merrifield and her poem published in ArtAscent Art & Literature Journal

Poet Karla Linn Merrifield Touts ArtAscent at Every Turn—“It’s the Respect I’m Granted”

I first stumbled across ArtAscent in Autumn 2019. I was alerted to the journal’s call for submissions from one of the many “heads-up” newsletters for poets I subscribe to. I pawed through older issues of ArtAscent and was gob-smacked by the impeccable quality of the art and writing in its pages—the most sumptuous pages of any journal I can recall ever seeing except perhaps one other. 

Is ArtAscent prestigious or what? I remember thinking as I held the issue in my hands, feeling the heavy glossy paper stock in my hands and seeing the superlative reproduction quality of the work presented—every page just screamed respect for the artists represented. 

Karla Linn Merrifield and her poem published in ArtAscent Art & Literature Journal

And so the journey together began with the acceptance of a poem the first time out of the gate, “How to Dress for Success.” I was IN! And since then, I have not missed sending a submission to a single issue—offering poems in fifteen submissions, with only one rejection so far.

And among my successes—ta-da!—the honour of being selected as the Connection issue Gold Writer for my diptych (two paired poems).

Am I a happy poet of what? Thrilled is more like it.

No editorial team comes close to ArtAscent for its faith in my writing. I felt welcomed into the fold. With the greatest of respect as a practitioner of the poetic craft, not just on a Canadian stage, but on the world stage! Wowsa!

By happenstance, my sense of belonging to the ArtAscent fold is deepened because I’m an abject Canadaphile, having travelled throughout the country, writing what became two books about that sprawling country, Godwit: Poems of Canada and Bunchberries: More Poems of Canada, both from FootHills Publishing (US).

Karla Linn Merrifield wth Cirque magazine

I’ve tried my best to return that respect. I was punctilious about acknowledging ArtAscent’s support for my poetry in my newest collection, the full-length My Body the Guitar, released in December 2021 by U.S. publisher Before Your Quiet Eyes Holograph Series (see https://karlalinnmerrifield.org/books/my-body-the-guitar/). Two of the poems in the book first appeared in ArtAscent; I gave due credit where credit was due.

ArtAscent Art & Literature Journal and Karla Linn Merrifield's book of poetry, My Body the Guitar

Here’s one of those poems:

Étude 7-9: Solo

Playing in the sandbox of imagination
is a zero-risk activity.

I am free to tell you I am
an emphatic woman

of exclamation-pointed lyrics,
of fortissimo flamenco submission,

strong, stronger, strongest stresses—
and here I am sans guitar

and without words for what happened
to spontaneity, jammin’, meldin’,

like a naturally hard-strummed woman
at the coda: you were the man on my mind.

Tonight, metaphors aside:
I am my body, this only body.

I meant it when I said—this book wouldn’t have been possible without all the good people at ArtAscent. The respect for and affirmation of my poetry, along with the international showcase the magazine provides for all of us in its pages, are rare and precious. Thank you, ArtAscent, most humbly.

By Karla Linn Merrifield
ArtAscent Art & Literature “Connection” Issue (October 2021) Gold Writer

Artascent Has Helped Me Charge Through a Terrifying Hurdle

Thank you for the tremendous honour of awarding my work GOLD WRITER and for publishing it in ArtAscent. I am truly privileged for this opportunity. 

I think the scariest thing I’ve ever done is to see my name, at the top of an article that tells my true story, on your pages. ArtAscent has helped me to charge through a terrifying hurdle. Publishing my thoughts has greatly impacted my perspective and my writing journey, by breaking down a barrier of silence.

ArtAscent Art & Literature Journal featuring article by Maria Peregolise.

I am especially grateful for the generous introduction written by Alexis Culotta, Ph D. I truly appreciate her understanding of how difficult it is to share such a personal experience. I am grateful for her ability to read between the lines and translate the weight and extent of the immense situation I attempt to convey.

I feel guilty, terrified, ashamed and relieved, to see it published. I couldn’t have raised the courage to push myself past the invisible limits established for me, without the validating and healing insights of those who have come before, such as Nori Muster, Carol Giambalvo, Ron Burks, and the researchers, Michael D. Langone, Ph D, Janja Lalich, Ph D, Lois Kendall, Ph D, and many others. I appreciate their generous work with those of us attempting to navigate our lives within this difficult framework.

Maria Peregolise, writer.

There is an invisible yet growing faction of the population who struggle alone in these uncanny circumstances. It’s crucial we let them know, they are not alone in their aloneness.

The Arts are an imperative medium, in that sometimes only a poem or a sketch or a painting will convey the confusion and grief with which others can make self-affirming connections.

Thank you, ArtAscent, for the encouragement you’ve afforded me by recognizing my work. Together we will get our messages out there.

Thank you for what you do.

By Maria Peregolise, MSc Ed
ArtAscent Art & Literature “Portraits” Issue (February 2020) Gold Writer

ArtAscent Artist of the Youth call for artists

One of the Most Significant Accolades in My Art Career

I feel privileged to have been designated GOLD ARTIST in the YOUTH issue of ArtAscent.

Leah with ArtAscent Art & Literature Journal

It is one of the most significant accolades in my art career that spans approximately thirty years. The images I chose to submit for consideration are three figurative works, painted in watercolour, and based on three of my young nieces, now adults, with children of their own.

I had hoped the pieces would be considered suitable for publication, but that they would earn this level of recognition was certainly beyond my imaginings. I greatly appreciate the thoughtful comments of art historian, and doctoral candidate, Oleksandra Osadcha, whose review accompanies my images.

The journal’s mandate is to showcase international writers of fiction and poetry, and visual artists whose art practices cover the whole spectrum of creative work. The selections that have earned distinction in this, the thirty-second volume, are representative of the entire body of work that constitutes the ArtAscent collection. It is humbling for me to be included with the amazing people who have created all this. I would urge artists and writers to respond to the regular calls for submission, and all like-minded art enthusiasts to become familiar with this superb publication.

By Leah Dockrill
ArtAscent Art & Literature “Youth” Issue (August 2018) Gold Artist
www.leahdockrill.net

P.M. Writer Using ArtAscent to Market His Writing for Years to Come

ArtAscent is a profound exhibition of international art and literature. The quality of the highlighted pieces is clearly that of a careful selection process. As an esteemed Gold Writer for the publication, I can say first hand, that they demonstrated unequivocal respect for my work. Oleksandra precisely articulated the dimensions of my story to an extent that superseded expectation.

ArtAscent’s welcoming of the abstract, obscure and atypical could not be more organized and comforting to the minds and hearts of the artistically inclined. Art has a tendency to persuade perceptions – expanding them beyond the standard realms of reality, but far too often, creativity is stifled by unimaginative editors or conventional beliefs. ArtAscent is holding true to the values of artists by allowing their creativity to be exposed uninhibited internationally. I am beyond grateful for my exposure and will use it as a means to market my writing for years to come.

By P.M. Writer
ArtAscent Art & Literature “Haunting” Issue Gold Artist

ArtAscent Used by Writer Marian Kaplun Shapiro in an Art Discussion

The Rangeley Tuesday Breakfast Group (which actually meets at the Gingerbread House in the yet smaller town of Oquossic, ten minutes up hill) convened this morning to participate in a conversation about “New Eyes: From Order To Chaos And Back Again (And Again).” This erudite and over-accomplished group usually tackles scientific, philosophical, economic, and political topics; this was the first to address any of the arts. As you can imagine, I felt it to be a daunting task!

I pre-distributed poems by Agee, Kunitz, Yeats, Symborska, and cummings, with the question of how each author had set out to catch the reader’s attention and produce the “new eyes” result. I also included a tiny poem of my own, “Spring Sunlight,” in which a shape-shifted line results in this effect. A great deal of time was spent with the members batting around the Agee poem, “No Doubt Left. Enough Deceiving,” a brilliant hybrid poem from the 1930’s (!) beginning with five lines of bald, shocking prose before returning to rhymed ABAB form. We talked about breaking rules – how one has to know the rules and consciously choose to break them for a reason – after which I read my “Please Submit A Brief Bio,” almost all of which is a massive associative sentence, a violation of academic bios for sure. I distributed some copies of other poems that broke rules, including “Flying Poem,” by Caro Williams in the June issue of ArtAscent, a journal I praised as both beautiful and exciting.

We concluded with an exercise in which each person was to write a one-sentence description of anything – idea, living thing, object – whatever, and then write a question about it. My example was a description of a orange-breasted robin, followed by, “Why do we call him red?” After doing that for about 3 minutes, I asked them to play with their creations – break up the words, or lines, add pictures, drawings, making their writing eye-opening to others. Several were delighted with their results and shared them enthusiastically. In fact they were terrific!

What fun to see these serious-minded scholars get into poetry, see the correlations with music, art, and even creative thinking. I was so glad I had the nerve to do it – and now back to the peace of the canoe and my pad and pen.

By Marian Kaplun Shapiro
ArtAscent Art & Literature “Red” and “Unknown” Issues Distinguished Artist

Artist Giovanni Armenio Says ArtAscent Publication Is An Important Career Milestone

Upon completing my artwork titled “Everlasting,” I felt satisfaction that the piece captured a profound and enigmatic spiritual story. “Everlasting” is an explosion of the soul that reaches beyond the limits of life and death – the light generated by each of us.

Magazine in Armenio's studio

I have known about ArtAscent for a while and always enjoy browsing works of quality artists and writers in each wonderful issue. Each issue is a very interesting read, and I enjoy discovering each new theme. When I learned of the ArtAscent “Magnificence” call for artists, I felt that it was perfect for my piece. Would its meaning be understood? I was extremely happy to see that it was, and that my work was selected and published in ArtAscent Art & Literature Journal volume 12.

I am very proud to now be a part of this beautiful magazine. Seeing my work especially on the cover of ArtAscent helped me realize that the meaning of my work can reach many people. This is an important milestone in my career as an artist. I will always be grateful to ArtAscent for providing recognition of my thoughts, imagination, and person.

The quality of the ArtAscent magazine and staff, the magazine’s artistic and cultural value, the honour to be published in ArtAscent, and the entire experience can be summed up in one word: Magnificence!

Giovanni Armenio

By Giovanni Armenio
ArtAscent Art & Literature “Magnificence” Issue Distinguished Artist

Jim Baab, ArtAscent Gold Artist of the Hidden call for artists

Artist Jim Baab Identifies Gold Artist Recognition as Timely Affirmation

The publication of my work, artist profile feature, and Gold Artist recognition in ArtAscent volume eight has given me the spiritual support needed as a new artist to remain on a specific path.

Jim Baab, ArtAscent Gold Artist of the Hidden call for artists

Relative to the “human landscape” photography I submitted to the “Hidden” call, the path was both physical and imaginary. After finding small, natural elements to work with in front of my lens on a path to a pond where our workshop’s final day of shooting was held late in the shoot, a virtual path of creativity opened up before me. I was able to envision, explore and execute ideas without obstruction. It felt as if tall boulders in front of me – suddenly – rolled themselves out of the way. Not everyone in a workshop gets to experience this. Experience gained.

But, was my new work worthy of a larger audience?

When I submitted to the call, I was fresh out of the workshop. I had not spent much time realizing the prints. Still, I felt I had a chance to be included in the Distinguished Artists section. And, to my surprise, my work earned me Gold Artist recognition.

Gold Artist Jim Baab Recognizes ArtAscent

This acknowledgement and feedback solidified my decision to attend an additional workshop and continue to photograph compositions that present playful illusions.

As Gold Artist Mike Rand has already conveyed, the struggle to succeed in the art world will be easier because of this publication.

ArtAscent will advance my career as an artist as this path evolves before me!

By Jim Baab
www.jimbaab.com
ArtAscent Art & Literature “Hidden” Issue Gold Artist

Artist Michael Rand includes ArtAscent magazine in his marketing materials

Artist Mike Rand Includes ArtAscent Magazine in His Marketing Package

Artist Michael Rand includes ArtAscent magazine in his marketing materials

Regardless if artists like it or not, marketing not only our works of art but also our personas is must to succeed in the art world. After a long day in the studio creating, it is difficult just to know where to start. In today’s world of evermore digitally accessible information, artists don’t need to worry on relying on the “by chance” or “word of mouth” encounters with the right person to help further their art careers. With combining the use of tools like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tumbler an artist can quickly reach large audiences for their art work, though a very spontaneous or less controlled manner. However, a hard or digital copy of a fine arts journal like ArtAscent places an artist in a more professional way to world audiences.

Mike Rand artist

Since my own début in Art Ascent in December 2013, I have used both the digital and traditional hard copies to reach a larger audience for my art. By not only posting links for ArtAscent through online media channels, I also carry a copy of the magazine with my personal art catalog whenever approaching a potential exhibition space. The difficult or sometimes seemly impossible feat of getting a gallery or art center to look at my work thaws when I present a high quality printed catalog to match my website, and a third party form of media showing my work, as in ArtAscent. For example, recently while being an invited artist for a demonstration day at an art center in Colorado I set a copy of ArtAscent along with my catalog next to my work space. The result, magazine garnered more attention than my catalog. In the end, you never know who might ask for your contact details after viewing a spread of your work in a magazine like ArtAscent.

By Michael Rand
www.studiorand.com
ArtAscent Art & Literature “Dark” Issue Gold Artist

Writer S.B. Borgersen’s Success Story and ArtAscent’s Involvement

“It really feels like an ascent. Still climbing, the clouds almost touchable, the view becoming quite extraordinary and still not out of breath. It has been a busy year.” This is how Sue Borgersen begins her story In The Ascent, as posted in her blog.

An emerging writer and artist, Sue has participated in several ArtAscent artist and writer calls. One of her winning stories was inspired by her Mother, who will soon to be celebrating her 90th birthday. Happy Birthday Sue’s Mom! Look for Sue’s stories in ArtAscent Art & Literature Journal at www.artascent.com, and click on Magazine Issues at the top of the page.

Sue mentions that ArtAscent “is a magazine with a classy feel and even classier look. It is a keeper. All contributors get their contact and web details published alongside their art or writing. The editorial staff are superb. It is also timeless in a way; unlike other magazines, previous issues can be purchased.”

To read this story in Sue’s blog, visit www.sueborgersen.com.