Champions among champions

Wow! What a challenge. I am delighted with the amazing response. Before discussing the winners' lineup, I have to say that I did not read a single entry that was not worthy of the top prize. And why so high a response?

More than once I have spoken of the inspirational benefits of spending time looking up at art. It astonishes me that, knowing several artists, few seem to spend any time in art museums. It seems some would prefer to sit in their studios and ponder the question of what to paint next. I could say the same about some of my writer friends.

Wandering around an art gallery might seem an idle pursuit, suitable for a day when there is nothing better, nothing more productive to do. When was the last time you tried it? Even if you do not have the time or inclination to visit a gallery, there is so much artistic inspiration to be found online, not least in the Vocal Art Community. Why not start by taking a look at this awe inspiring work from The Dani Writer:

If nothing else, Oh Jeff challenge has served to demonstrate the power of art to inspire creativity, not least creative writing. With a total of 57 entries from a wide range of authors, there can be no doubt that Lichtenstein's painting Oh, Jeff... I love you piqued our interest.

Was it the enigmatic pout of the cartoon heroine, the quizzical look on her face, or was it the seven-word speech bubble? Or was it simply that the story told in Lichtenstein's painting was left hanging, leaving us to finish it with our own thoughts. The real challenge and inspiration, I would suggest, was set by the artist and not by me.

The Winners

Rather than name a winner and runners up, I have split the awards into

Individual category winners: $5 tip

Non-category winners: kudos to one and all for such brilliance

Overall winner: $10 tip as promised

Everyone’s a winner, babe. Therefore, finally, and without further ado, I am simply overjoyed to announce the winners...

Most original story or poem

This was the toughest category to choose a winner for. Fact is, every single one of the entries was unique, original, and individual to the style of the fellow Vocal creative who wrote it. Having read each contender several times over, I had to base a decision on a combination of originality, unpredictability and overall impact, not to mention a spark of humour. And now, I have no hesitation in commending this interpretation of the challenge by Kendall Defoe

True Love

Most uplifting story or poem: Sam Harty

For: New Girlfriend for Sam

Best crafted story or poem: Kelli Sheckler-Amsden

For: Not So Stiff Breeze

Most impact, story or poem: JBaz

For: Texting Drunk

Non-category winners

For inspiration, an object lesson in highly effective creative writing, a demonstration of the power of art to inspire, inspirational writing itself, and some beautifully-crafted stories and verse please see:

Complete list of non-category winners.

And now, please honour...

Not So Stiff Breeze

A brilliant piece of writing. Although the challenge guidelines required the first line to be the seven word quote from the painting, flexibility was also permitted for poetic expression. Well done to Kelli for noticing the 'Oh Jeff...' quote consisted, not just of seven words, but of seven one-syllable words, thus fitting the middle line of the haiku format. The end result was original and funny too and had huge impact because of its well-crafted brevity and economy. Ever word, every syllable was well chosen. It also told the whole story in just 13 words, 17 syllables in total. Not only that, the chosen illustration added to the humour. The whole piece had impact, brevity, clarity of lyrical expression and with an unexpected ending.

Congratulations and really well done Kelli: 2024 Oh Jeff Champion.

Congratulations to all the winners

Love and best wishes for the new year

New Orleans in our hearts and minds, thoughts and prayers

Ray