Commentary by Ron C. Moss, Haiga Editor

Haiga Showcase: Debbie Strange

Debbie Strange’s work has been published widely; her haiku and art are always of a top standard. In this gallery we can see how she combines colors and shapes to create mesmerizing images, and then pairs them with poems that deepen the experience.

The “hammered dulcimer” is a lovely kaleidoscope of shapes and colors, with a touch of textures and human emotion. The text has been balanced well on the image and contained in a small box, which allows for readability amongst all the busyness.

Two strong brushstrokes compose the main visual of ‘the wingspan,’ and they’re countered nicely by the vertical text—something that is not easy to achieve. The subtle background colors give us a feeling of a sky in the digital realm.

Wow! The colors and shapes of “city skyline” ensure that this haiga will stand out anywhere. The clever visual of repeated shapes connects well with the one-line haiku, which is nicely balanced at the bottom the image.

“Our bodies” offers another strong image. The tree takes the whole frame, and the white space surrounding it gives us room to breathe. The haiku’s use of the curving wind echoes the leaning tree, making everything come together in a balanced way.

About the Artist

Debbie Strange is an internationally published short-form poet, haiga artist, and photographer whose creative passions connect her more closely to the world and to herself. She is honored to be the recipient of the 2020 Snapshot Press Book Award.

Please visit her publication archive at debbiemstrange.blogspot.com.

From the Artist: My daily practice of creating art in a variety of media helps to distract me from chronic illness. I enjoy the meditative aspect of making haiga, and the challenge of pairing words with images in innovative ways.