Ocean of Life... A poem and work of art

{Melinda often would create works of art and write poems on them}

Ocean of Life

A 2004 sketch, felt pen and colored pencils on handmade paper, 8" x 6"

Ocean of Life... the poem

Poem written on the piece, Ocean of Life [2004]

his body brought with it
the ocean of life
he drifted through me
day and night


All Rights Reserved ©Melinda Camber Porter and Joseph R Flicek 2010
The rights on this blogsite and the presented images and text belongs exclusively either to the artist or the coding authors. We dissociate ourselves from any other internet-site or other 3rd party pages that may be linked on our pages or other materials. We declare hereby that we don’t have any influence on the third party usages or pages or organizations and/or content of eventually linked 3rd party pages or other materials. Therefore we refuse any responsibility or adhesion for any contents or effects of those sites.

The Ability to Listen...

(Melinda on the telephone while painting)

"The Interviewer"

Being an interviewer
requires
you
to put yourself
aside
and
listen to
someone
else.

Melinda Camber Porter © 2006
All Rights Reserved ©Melinda Camber Porter and Joseph R Flicek 2010
The rights on this blogsite and the presented images and text belongs exclusively either to the artist or the coding authors. We dissociate ourselves from any other internet-site or other 3rd party pages that may be linked on our pages or other materials. We declare hereby that we don’t have any influence on the third party usages or pages or organizations and/or content of eventually linked 3rd party pages or other materials. Therefore we refuse any responsibility or adhesion for any contents or effects of those sites.

Sacred Journey, A Documentary Film

(Writing Down Vision's Pull, by Melinda Camber Porter)

"Sacred Journey"

A feature documentary, Sacred Journey, which explores the powerful influence of Native spirituality on the paintings and writings of Melinda Camber Porter and her collaboration with Mi’kmaq rock musician and spiritual elder J. Hubert Francis, aired nationwide in Canada on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network commencing Christmas Day and subsequently on Vision Television.

Through the inspiring collaboration between these two artists, the rich cultural heritage of the Wabanaki People is celebrated. A focal point of the documentary is the exciting resurgence of respect for the vital ancestral values of the Mi’kmaq People.

Sacred Journey offers an in-depth look at a unique evolving relationship between artist and author Melinda Camber Porter and J. Hubert Francis, a Native musician from Big Cove, a First Nation community in New Brunswick, Canada. These two artists exchange ideas about their individual spirituality and art.

Melinda Camber Porter charts the arduous creative journey in her paintings, commencing in the early 1980s with the inspirational effect of the elemental landscapes of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, culminating in her ecstatic communion with nature as documented in her series of large oils on canvas, Barcelona Point and The Triptych Series, and the introspective watercolors and pen-and-ink drawings in the Luminous Bodies series.

Her ongoing creative collaboration with J. Hubert Francis is revealed to be a fount of support, wisdom, and spiritual illumination. J. Hubert Francis, in turn, expresses his gratitude toward his Aboriginal tradition and the strengths of the teachings of his Mi’kmaq ancestors.

These two individuals, who are worlds apart, trade stories of the trials and tribulations encountered throughout their careers and show us what beauty can be achieved when racial and social barriers are stripped down and a mutual sharing of self occurs through their respective art forms.

For more information and reviews about the film and other works by Melinda, visit www.camberporter.org.

All Rights Reserved ©Melinda Camber Porter and Joseph R Flicek 2010
The rights on this blogsite and the presented images and text belongs exclusively either to the artist or the coding authors. We dissociate ourselves from any other internet-site or other 3rd party pages that may be linked on our pages or other materials. We declare hereby that we don’t have any influence on the third party usages or pages or organizations and/or content of eventually linked 3rd party pages or other materials. Therefore we refuse any responsibility or adhesion for any contents or effects of those sites.

Alexandra Henderson, London Film Producer

“Melinda was undoubtedly one of the most original and interesting people of our generation...

...Melinda always dressed in an interesting and unusual way and never seemed to suffer from the need to conform or necessarily do things in a standard sort of way. Through that she came up with so many original thoughts and ways of being. I always admired her for all that and for pursuing her art and her projects in such a strong and single minded way.”

Alexandra Henderson, London Film Producer

[An excerpt of an email sent to Joe Flicek.]

All Rights Reserved ©Melinda Camber Porter and Joseph R Flicek 2010
The rights on this blogsite and the presented images and text belongs exclusively either to the artist or the coding authors. We dissociate ourselves from any other internet-site or other 3rd party pages that may be linked on our pages or other materials. We declare hereby that we don’t have any influence on the third party usages or pages or organizations and/or content of eventually linked 3rd party pages or other materials. Therefore we refuse any responsibility or adhesion for any contents or effects of those sites.

Envelop Series of Poems: Love Song

Love Song

So my
Simple
Love song
Declares
I will climb
The higher mountain
Why does love hurt
Count on me.

By Melinda Camber Porter 2008
Side two of the envelop in pencil
Sag Harbor NY written on two sides of a white envelop.

All Rights Reserved ©Melinda Camber Porter and Joseph R Flicek 2010
The rights on this blogsite and the presented images and text belongs exclusively either to the artist or the coding authors. We dissociate ourselves from any other internet-site or other 3rd party pages that may be linked on our pages or other materials. We declare hereby that we don’t have any influence on the third party usages or pages or organizations and/or content of eventually linked 3rd party pages or other materials. Therefore we refuse any responsibility or adhesion for any contents or effects of those sites.

The South Dakota Memorial Celebration for Melinda Camber Porter

{Friends, family and fans celebrating Melinda's life}

The celebration of Melinda's life continues. Buffalo Ridge will serve as an open reception and gathering place for Melinda’s family, friends and guests and to view Melinda’s art, books, films and photos as your time permits. Melinda’s artwork and books will be on display in the Buffalo Ridge Galleries July 6-11. Melinda’s films – Sacred Journey (Native American film), – The Art of Love (Melinda reads from her novel Badlands set in SD) – Vision on Film, and – Luminous Journey, will be shown continuously Jul 9-10 in the screening room. There will be an informal BBQ Friday Jul 9th and Speakers on Jul 10th, and sunrise prayer ceremony on Sunday July 11th.

View invitation. Please RSVP by email to Joe Flicek at flicekjr@pipeline.com. Also contact Buffalo Ridge Complex (605-272-7777) directly for accommodation and directions. We very much look forward to your attendance and participation.

All Rights Reserved ©Melinda Camber Porter and Joseph R Flicek 2010

The rights on this blogsite and the presented images and text belongs exclusively either to the artist or the coding authors. We dissociate ourselves from any other internet-site or other 3rd party pages that may be linked on our pages or other materials. We declare hereby that we don’t have any influence on the third party usages or pages or organizations and/or content of eventually linked 3rd party pages or other materials. Therefore we refuse any responsibility or adhesion for any contents or effects of those sites.

Badlands, a Novel

(Badlands, by Melinda Camber Porter)

"The Need to Give and to Get Love"

Badlands is set in the forgotten soul of America, in the awe-inspiring landscape of the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. To the cosmopolitan New York lawyer Adam and his British lover, the lives of the Sioux are dark reminders of the massacre at Wounded Knee. Adam returns regularly to the Badlands, determined to make amends for America's past and "get back the land" for his friend, the charismatic young leader Blackfoot. But politics and ideology give way to a more desperate underlying quest: the need to give and to get love.

When Adam is obliged to return to New York, his lover does not want to accompany him. Instead, she plunges into life on the reservation, as if rediscovering her true home. The Badlands become her gateway into her true self. Enmeshed in desire and in need, with Blackfoot and his willful adolescent daughter, Minnie, she finds herself awakening to new and infinite vistas of her own sexuality and deep running passions. As she takes the young girl under her wing and enters Blackfoot's world, an intoxicating love emerges between them that transcends politics and destiny.

Within the fabric of this intensely moving novel lies the story of modern day America's awakening to its own nascent spirit—a spirit made of the visions of Blackfoot and his ancestors, and of the deep dreams of the newer immigrants.

For more information and reviews about the novel and other works by Melinda, visit www.camberporter.org.

To purchase a copy of Badlands, visit Amazon.co.uk.

All Rights Reserved ©Melinda Camber Porter and Joseph R Flicek 2010
The rights on this blogsite and the presented images and text belongs exclusively either to the artist or the coding authors. We dissociate ourselves from any other internet-site or other 3rd party pages that may be linked on our pages or other materials. We declare hereby that we don’t have any influence on the third party usages or pages or organizations and/or content of eventually linked 3rd party pages or other materials. Therefore we refuse any responsibility or adhesion for any contents or effects of those sites.