6th Jane Reichhold Memorial Haiga Contest - First Place and First Runner-up!

Who wants to do the happy dance with me? Thank you, Lord for my two recent awards - First Place in the Traditional Category and First Runner-Up in the Photography and Mixed Media Category. This is one of the beautiful ways you have turned my life experiences into gifts to be shared to everyone! I am very grateful!!!

I hope you all enjoy these. Congratulations to all the winner! See all the winners and the commentaries here. 

First Place - Traditional Category

At first reading and viewing, this haiga by Chrissi Villa grips you. With each successive reading, the compounding layers of possibilities in this senryu are echoed visually in the varied and multi-textured circles of the image. One can’t help but to wonder of the other rings once worn. Are the bestowers now as nameless as the moon? The wonderful balance between fragment, phrase, and image invites the reader to insert themself into the narrative and make it their own without diminishing the original intent of the author, were we privy to it. (Commentaries by judges Kelly Sauvage and Bryan Rickert)

                             First Runner-Up - Photography and Mixed Media Category

This haiga by Chrissi Villa activates all our senses, as she invites us to view the textures, smell the flowers, and contemplate all the varied interpretations of her one line senryu. The image and senryu combined show a wonderful balance of softness and strength; yet, it is the sense of whimsy that offers an uncommon optimism. Oftentimes, when we think of abandoning a place or a situation, it is in the context of escape. Yet, in this instance, the leaving is a lofting—ripe with infinite possibility. (Commentaries by judges Kelly Sauvage and Bryan Rickert)