Melinda Camber Porter

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

2010-06-04T07:55:00.000-07:00

{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...

2010-06-02T13:59:00.000-07:00

(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

2010-05-27T13:37:00.000-07:00

(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

2010-05-26T13:25:00.000-07:00

“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.]

Envelop Series of Poems: Love Song

2010-05-21T09:55:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-20T11:02:00.000-07:00

{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.

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

2010-05-17T12:29:00.000-07:00

(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.

A Painted Note

2010-05-10T14:16:00.000-07:00

So Be Still In The Hands Of Time

[Red crayon on canvas board 10x18 inches. Poem hand written on canvas board over two entwined lovers. Note painted after Melinda learned cancer had come back.]

Your heart visible to me now brings
Sweetness to the elements
A softness to the roughest oceans currents
So be still in your living refrain
No one is asking you but
Imagery is being gathered into new forms
So be still in solitude, to the
Healing was good you said,and
Forgotten, but
That still stop the flow of blood
In you. So when you are
Deeply breathing and dying deeply
In your own thoughts, they tried
More soon into the heavens
Waiting for you
So be still in the hands of
Time, trusting

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.

Writer and Art Dealer Val Schaffner

2010-05-04T10:32:00.000-07:00

(Val Schaffner)

“Melinda was a brilliant and amazingly accomplished person.”

Val Schaffner, Writer/Art Dealer

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

Val Schaffner, an art dealer and columnist for the East Hampton Star on Long Island, N.Y., offers a lively and eclectic collection of some 40 brief essays on topics from travel to technology. Nabi Gallery

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.

Barcelona Point

2010-04-29T10:15:00.000-07:00

{Melinda enjoyed walks at Barcelona Point and Havens Beach}

Barcelona Point Series

Composed of 15 oil on canvas works executed by Melinda between June 1997 and September 1998. She loved the light at the beach because it reminded her of Cornwall in her native England, and she created a number of paintings, some film work and written pieces using the location as her inspiration.

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.

Cover My Flesh and Death

2010-04-28T11:27:00.000-07:00

{Melinda always anticipated one's emotional states of being during lives hardships}

Cover My Flesh

A 1996 watercolor from Melinda's book of paintings and poems, Earthly Fidelity

Death

From Melinda’s poem in The Art of Love [her book of paintings and poems 1993]

No more
air enters
motions your lips.

I cannot make clean the squalor.

But the many breaths
drawn from your life
come
to the rooms where you lived
fill them with quiet.

The many breaths
all your time past
passed to
the drawers
littered
each room
where I sit where you sat.

I cannot make clean the squalor.

There is
no more air.

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.

Artist Bobbie Braun

2010-04-26T08:41:00.001-07:00

(Bobbie Braun)

“We were honored to be among those who honored your wife [Melinda Camber Porter at her Lincoln Center Memorial]. As an artist, I found Melinda's work to be inspired…I found her energy and spirit on canvas evocative…a mystical sensation of the possibility that Chagall and Matisse were lovers.”

Bobbie Braun, Painter/Designer

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

Bobbie Braun has a BFA from Boston University and an AAS in design, from the Parson's School of Design in NYC. Her creative life has included an active career in interior design, which included owning and operating a successful, full service design firm, Braun Design Inc. She also taught at Parsons and the New School and was a participant in the prestigious Designers' Showcases®. Her creative abilities also include creating a unique line of hand made precious gem jewelry. Bobbie has always expressed her creative vision and focus through her oil painting. Her works are shown in galleries throughout the Hamptons, and Florida and her private collection.

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.

Melinda's New York City Memorial Celebration a Success!

2010-04-22T11:17:00.000-07:00

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

Melinda's friends, family and fans joined together for a reception at the Samuels Teaching Studio to view her visual art, writings, and photographs. Please view Melinda's Photos on Facebook to see pictures of this amazing event!

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.

Sag Harbor Express Writes About Melinda

2010-04-22T10:33:00.000-07:00

{Patti Archibald with Joe Flicek at Melinda Camber Porter's Memorial}

Melinda Camber Porter lived in New York and Sag Harbor with her husband, Joe and their two sons, Robert and James.

“She was very much into her boys,” said Patti Archibald, a family friend and Sag Harbor neighbor for 18 years. Porter‘s deeply tied roots to Sag Harbor, a town she made her home, produced one of her largest painting series depicting the seascapes of Barcelona.

“The Barcelona Point Series” is composed of oil-on-canvas paintings and depicts a seascape of high dunes at the popular nature preserve just outside of Sag Harbor.

The short film, “Luminous Journey,” shows how Porter was inspired to create the series because of the area and shows how the artist’s connection to nature began to dominate her exploration of light and shadow. This in turn produced large, vibrant oils infused with natural light, making the paintings in the series really come alive. “She loved Barcelona,” said Archibald. “She was very much into and inspired by nature."

Barcelona became a part of Porter’s daily life, both physically and emotionally, often going to the area to walk around and be at peace. Porter enjoyed the area so much, husband Joe Flicek said throughout her life here in Sag Harbor, she became known as “that woman who walks on the beach.

[Text from the Sag Harbor Express April 16, 2010 article: Prolific Local Artist to be Honored at Lincoln Center]

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.

Recalling Melinda... from Heather Norman Soderlind

2010-04-14T10:22:00.000-07:00

(Heather Norman Soderlind with Melinda on Columbus Avenue)

“I recall something about Melinda practically every day and find the thought inspires me to go on aiming high in everything I try to do.”

Heather Norman Soderlind

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

© 2010 Melinda Camber Porter

Envelop Series of Poems: To Love You

2010-04-07T09:36:00.000-07:00

To love you

We turned it

Over and over

In our minds

We turned it

Over and over

in our bodies

We made ecstasy

The word

Disappeared

Oh give me

The strength

Give me strength

To love you

To the full

Oh lord

Give me

The strength

To love you

To the full.

By Melinda Camber Porter

Side one and two of the envelop in pencil

Sag Harbor NY written on two sides of a white envelop.

A Loss of Great Beauty

2010-04-02T06:16:00.000-07:00

That the sweetest part of Melinda's life and support was you is obvious from all that has been written. She always seemed so young to me, so very alve with such a full celebration of color and thinking, it is indeed very sad news to hear of her passing. I was certain I was far older. we were only a year apart and both devotees of spirit in art. I so, TRULY, would have loved to be with you on the 18th, to learn and hear from those who knew and loved your wife best, more of her wonder. I apologize that I had promised over to take a special tour of Williams College Trustees through AVAM on he same Sunday. If there are any transcripts of comments/tributes made, I should be very happy to recieve them. May you and your sons be comforted. You have a fine angel in one who was always with one foot in spirit even when she was here.

- With admiration,

Rebecca Alban Hoffberger

Founder/Director American Visionary Art Museum

[A touching email that was sent to Joe, Melinda's husband, from Rebecca Alban Hoffberger. Rebecca is the Founder and Director American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore, Maryland.]

Melinda Camber Porter: A Memorial Celebration Art and Family

2010-04-01T06:55:00.000-07:00

(Melinda at Lincoln Center sitting by the Henry Moore’s [1995])

It is our pleasure to invite you to

The New York City Memorial Celebration for Melinda Camber Porter (1953-2008).

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Reception 1 pm to 7 pm

Clark Studio Theater and

Samuels Teaching Studio

Lincoln Center Institute

Lincoln Center at 165 W 65th Str.

[stairs or escalators www.lcinstitute.org]

Please join us for a reception from 1 to 7 pm at the Samuels Teaching Studio to meet Melinda’s family and friends, and to view her visual art, writings, and photographs. In the adjacent Clark Studio Theater there will be a series of film screenings, music, and readings from 1- 4:30 pm, and personal remembrances from 4:45 – 5:45 pm. The detailed schedule is in preparation and will be emailed to you in March, and also postings on www.CamberPorter.org.

Please RSVP by email to Joe Flicek at flicekjr@pipeline.com.

We very much look forward to your attendance and participation.

Lincoln Center Program

Samuels Studio: Reception Hours [1pm to 7pm]:

Clark Theater Program Schedule:

2pm to 3pm: Screening of Melinda’s Films

3:30pm to 5pm: Music and Poetry Readings

5:30pm: Closing Remarks

Exhibition of Melinda’s Art of oils, watercolors and drawings: There will be approximately 25 paintings in the Samuels Studio and 10 paintings in the Clark Theater as a retrospective of Melinda’s art.

Melinda’s Literary Works in the Samuels Studio:

Badlands, a novel set in Wounded Knee, South Dakota.

Boat Child, a comedy set in California.

The Art of Love, a book of Melinda’s art and poetry.

Though Parisian Eyes, interviews of Parisian cultural figures.

William Blake Illuminates the Art of Melinda Camber Porter by Robin Hamlyn.

Screening of Melinda’s films [2pm to 3pm]:

The Art of Love: film on Melinda’s art and writing the influenced by the French.

Sacred Journey: film of Melinda’s cultural exchange with Native Americans.

Luminous Journey: film on Melinda’s creative inspiration from Sag Harbor, NY.

Vision on Film Shorts: film by Melinda on Michael Apted.

Music and Poetry from Melinda’s friends and collaborators [3:30pm -5pm]:

Carman Moore: composer of The Art of Love and Night Angel music for Melinda.

Liz Swados: composer of Journey to Benares music for Melinda.

Hubert and Brian Francis: Mi’Maq Indian musicans/producers.

Marjory Wentworth: Poet Laureate of South Carolina.

Scott and Megan Chasky: poets from Sag Harbor.

Emily Toy: poet and writer from Sag Harbor.

Sabu Ochiai-Okinawa sanshin, Nobuko Miyazaki-Bamboo flute, Hideko-dancer.

Closing Remarks [5:30pm]:

Peter Trippi, Editor of Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine on Melinda’s art.

Peter Watson: Lady Margaret Hall Oxford University.

Robert and James Flicek and our adopted son, Musa Jalloh, from Sierra Leone.

Joe Flicek remarks on Melinda.

This will be an opportunity to enjoy Melinda’s art, family, friends, films, ideas, and literature. There will be beverages and light refreshments served in the Samuels Studio.

A Poem for All Women Past, Present and Future

2010-03-31T11:29:00.000-07:00

(One of her son’s James’ sunflowers in Melinda’s last garden)

A Poem for All Women Past, Present and Future
By Melinda Camber Porter

Hear As…

Hear as
the flower blossoms
silence of awe
there is no imagining
more beautiful
and no words
describe
this woman

from Melinda’s poem in The Art of Love
[her book of paintings & poems]

© 2007 Melinda Camber Porter

Who is Melinda Camber Porter?

2010-03-31T11:06:00.000-07:00

(Melinda Camber Porter with her family)

Melinda Camber Porter was a woman of remarkable versatility; a novelist, artist, poet, journalist and playwright. Though her life was tragically cut short in 2008 from Ovarian Cancer, she accomplished more than most in love, life and art.

"The Exposition of Melinda Camber Porter" begins...