Art & Poetry

Art by Amita

  I met Amita Bharak’s work at various events in the Florence, AL area. I would not meet her until we served on the board of the Tennessee Valley Museum of Art. Her art depicts the warmth, vibrance, and spiritual nature of her culture, and Garden Spices delights…

Above & Beyond by Aletha Metcalf Evans

  Leave no stone unturned Nor…Nary a corner cut Get to the bottom of things When others give up Put yourself in the place Of those you’re sworn to serve Delivering star treatment Not only VIPs deserve Going the extra mile Isn’t just a saying It’s doing all…

Dorothy Small-Spaulding: Why Not Paint!

The featured image is a card sent to me and created by my longtime friend, Dorothy. It sits on my family room shelf as artwork and inspiration. I’ve known Dorothy Small-Spaulding for over 40 years. We met in Cleveland, OH, my first friend there. With bright eyes, wearing…

ART – Artist Cecil Bernard

  We did not take part in any of the videos, but Cecil Bernard has been a cherished friend and artistic presence in the homes of our family. He has also been a favorite of artists featured in Garden Spices Magazine. – Victorine This video expresses how many…

Art by Tara Banfield

  A Crown of Flowers. I am blooming from the wound where I once bled. I would rather wear a crown of flowers than diamonds around my neck. Tara Banfield   I met some of the Tara Banfield Skull Girls on my visit to Houston.  They were on…

The “Visual Rhythm” of Carole Morisseau

If it hadn’t been for the above image, this impression of casual swag and splendor, with eyes that say “You got me, and… I bet you wanna know about this stripe on my hand;”  if it hadn’t been for this image, I might have been too intimidated by…

Artist/Activist Lee Murkey: Rage

During 2020, Lee Murkey was a constant presence at daily protests to take down a monument.  The protests were formed by a  local racial activist group in Florence, AL, Project Say Something, (PSS).    Murkey was called upon to speak at the rallies.  He had this cool, unassuming demeanor,…

Second Act: Millicent Garland Photography

I met Millicent Garland over 30 years ago, in the Shoals, and I have always been in awe of her.   At that time she was the active  President of the Black Engineers group from Tennessee Valley Authority.  Beyond working at TVA, she raised three of her nephews…

Art Ethereal: Pamella Allen

I rendered our current topic to Garden Spices Contributors, “Exploration.”  Immediately, this artist,  unknown to me,  appeared in my Facebook News feed.  I was immediately mesmerized by her work, and I was familiar with one of her frequent subjects, indigenous spiritual mandalas.  On further exploration, I found that…

Barbados Splendor: “Creative” Fred Odle

  instaclouredlotus Artist Bio Artist Fred Odle has been a Creative for a very long time; it is always a better question to ask, “How long have you not been an artist than the other way around. He is more interested in the “creation of” rather than any…