Laura Mayo's painting featured on the cover of the Mississippi Poetry Society Journal Contest Edition, Prone to Wander, features a double gate leading into a wide meadow and a distant tree line.  The artist is renowned for capturing moments of beauty in her tonal landscapes, bringing color, light, and softness to the Mississippi landscape. 

A sense of the mystic pervades Mayo’s work and new releases are anticipated by collectors of her art. Click Here to see Laura's full collection.

Poet Pete Massey shares his poem based on Laura's work as attendees purchased art and poetry books throughout the evening. 

Pictured Laura's artwork Quiet Paths and the poetry book.

Poet Tommy Little shares his poem Quiet Paths, read below, with the artist. 

The painting spoke to many of the poets who had written a piece in response to the painting. 

PARTICIPATING POETS 

Poets attending this month's event brought forth their own experiences and imaginations through poems inspired by Laura's Collection.  

Back Row from Left to Right:

Pete Massey, Darby Damon Robertson, Pat Martin, Linda Owen, Bill Gressett, Tina Lantrip, Tommy Little

Front Row: Pacesetter Gallery Assistant and Poet Sheri Lewis and Artist Laura Mayo

New jewelry and accessories artists Pam and Marsh Young, of Young at Heart Designs  join us for the first time for poetry night.  A great night to meet gallery artists and learn more about our Mississippi artists!

Written and performed by Linda Owen inspired by the painting, Prone to Wander

Linda Owen is featured in the video sharing her poem inspired by Laura Mayo's artwork, Prone to Wander. 

Linda Owen, the Mississippi Poetry Society, Poet of the Year for 2023, wrote a poem about and purchased Laura's painting, Sweet Dreams to add to her art collection which will bring back memories of this amazing night at the gallery. 

Poet Pat Martin Finds Unusual Inspiration

Always a great experience to hear and see the work from creative Mississippi thinkers like Pat Martin.

Golden Afternoon, Laura Mayo, acrylic, 10"x10"

Inspired by Golden Afternoon (pictured left)

As summer fades color of Autumn sneak in

Yellow, reds, and oranges replace the greens

Until the last touch of green stands alone

As if to say Remember

Remember the summer now gone

The summers of times past

The memories calling you back

Calling from your mind's canyons

Of times when cotton bloomed white

Summer sun burned hot

Fireflies glowed in evening's silence

Crickets and frogs the ensemble

Yes that last memory of then

As the last touch of green holds on

As summer fades

And winter hints

Hints of a sun setting

Setting in life's Autumn

By Bill Gressett

Laura Mayo Shares a Poem

Laura Mayo shares poetry from her father, one of many special moments on this day we celebrated her artwork on the cover and also the artist's birthday!