William Blake

Artists Richard Selesnick and Nicholas Kahn spoke at Brenau University last night, and their exhibit is on view in the galleries there. In their lecture, they referred to William Blake several times as a source of inspiration. So, in honor of National Arts and Humanities Month, Blake is today's daily art focus. A poet, painter, and printmaker, he is the perfect artist to kick off NAHM.

To Autumn
by William Blake

O Autumn, laden with fruit, and stained
With the blood of the grape, pass not, but sit
Beneath my shady roof; there thou mayst rest,
And tune thy jolly voice to my fresh pipe,
And all the daughters of the year shall dance!
Sing now the lusty song of fruits and flowers.

"The narrow bud opens her beauties to
The sun, and love runs in her thrilling veins;
Blossoms hang round the brows of Morning, and
Flourish down the bright cheek of modest Eve,
Till clust'ring Summer breaks forth into singing,
And feather'd clouds strew flowers round her head.

"The spirits of the air live on the smells
Of fruit; and Joy, with pinions light, roves round
The gardens, or sits singing in the trees."
Thus sang the jolly Autumn as he sat;
Then rose, girded himself, and o'er the bleak
Hills fled from our sight; but left his golden load.

 William Blake, The Ghost of a Flea, 1819-1820, tempera heightened with gold leaf on mahogany panel

 William Blake, Hecate, The Night of Enitharmon's Joy, 1795, watercolor tint