Poetry is one of the oldest forms of artistic-creative expression and in that respect, this poetry book is very close to my heart. A poetry book, a chance for thirty authors to expose their raw and deepest emotions through writing whether it's about love, anger, fear, or peer pressure. Along with the opportunity to be published, there is the hope that many reading this book will remember these poems and read them time and time again. "Pocketful of Garnets" began as one person's poetical odyssey, but eventually it formed into a book of thirty authors contributing 100 poems collectively. The authors of this book would like to leave a legacy behind that will be remembered as good, even for some, great poetry. This book became the vehicle by which thirty previously unpublished and unknown authors/poets finally see their work become part of the English literary tradition.
"Pocketful of Garnets" is exactly as the title implies: a collection of poetical gems...an eclectic coming together of thirty regular but talented people who express in their poems emotions and feelings readers can relate to. Each poet has something to say, each poet expresses his/her philosophy, outlook on life, aspirations and values a different way. Like a good painting, each poem may be interpreted by the viewer however the words speak to the heart, like that favorite song that reminds us of a time that was a hallmark in our lives. Within the contents of this book, there is a wide range of sentiments at play for each reader to take with them, relate to, use for comfort, or just enjoy at any given time.
I have had the distinct honor and pleasure to see this book come to life, and make it part of a collaborative legacy. This book, to support a humanitarian cause that is near and dear to myself and all of the other contributors. Half the proceeds of this book will be donated to the Montreal SPCA, ('The Annex', a NO KILL animal shelter and rehab), located on Jean Talon and Mountain Sights.
Joyce Gobin Hutchinson, Editor-in-Chief
About the Author:
As I dedicated my life to joyfully raising my three children, David, Sarah, and Ian, now in 2015 full grown adults, it was time to move on and set them free, and so I did in the spring of 2013, which proved to be one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. You never really finish raising your children: my role as Mother doesn't end until the end of my life span but my job as Mother has ended. My own Mom, Margarete Johanna Kudruss Gobin, 80 years young in 2014, who I adore and love and is still always there for me. I also have another younger sister Anita and brother Joey and their families I love so very much. But there is no looking back and no regrets. I raised my children with all the love I had in me and today I have an accomplished feeling that their outcome states: "Job well done."
I currently live in Jacksonville, Florida, and close to my father Joseph Gobin Sr., brother Gerald, and sister Grace. This is also where I have re-opened my 15 year running art school, now named "Joyce Hutchinson Studio Academy of Art & Literature". Here, I continue to teach art education and literature to the young and not so young artists and writers at heart. I also substitute teach to keep flexibility in my schedule. Thusly, I am planning to expand my art school into a future art gallery to be established locally with another branch of my art school included as part of the art gallery. The uniqueness the art gallery will possess will certainly gain attention to making adifference in people's lives. Besides teaching, I am a fine artist using oils, acrylics, watercolors and color pencil to render images that are colorful and based in natural elements. I also use photography as a minor means of expression but mostly as references for future paintings. I also accept commissioned art work, have an online gallery of my prints that can be seen at this website: http: //www.fineartamerica.com and of course, I continue to write, edit and publish to my heart's content.
I have high hopes and plans to touch lives in a positive way with every project I become involved in together with my best friend and partner Garnet Troy Rossi, who has never lost faith in my abilitiy to go outside my box and explore new areas of creations together. I plan to reach out to the underprivileged, the special needs and of course always, the 'furries' that need loving homes and their lives saved.
