Before our chat today we had a brief (20 minute) presentation from the studio of Spectral Arts. T Byron Kelly read poetry including Blake's Tyger. My screen shot was not wonderful so I allowed myself this fantasia which I somehow like and hope Byron may, reading with guitar...
here from his amazon book site is his self portrait
The chat which went for an hour and more following engaged the work of Spectral Arts.
Based in Blacksburg Virginia this is a multifaceted working over the years in the arts music, painting , poetry, which draws on the Appalachian Mountain region and its rich heritage of lives well and deeply lived and of art and yet which is little considered in these terms and when thought of ,seen too often instead in stereotyples as a land of hillbillys and rednecks(a pejorative term now for ignorant hicks but Byron observes originally from the bandanas worn by mine workers fighting for their rights in the early 20th century) As a Christian artist Byron (and the Arts) have also avoided stereotypes in their material... and the whole work in its conception and aspiration and developing achievement seems to me rich and deep indeed , we are honored by their collaboration.
In what distant deeps or skies.
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand, dare seize the fire?
well God as first maker of course ,of lamb and of tyger, but we too can be makers beyond expectation in the mystery of art...and thanks to Spectral Arts for showing a way...
-Bishop Seraphim Sigrist, Transfiguration Fellowship
May 2021
