A Gallery of Art & Words

On December 3, 2025December 3, 2025 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Art, Poetry56 Comments

A few weeks ago, Matt and I were enjoying a lunch at a great Mexican restaurant, Flores, and this beautiful piece of art caught my eye. The artist’s name is in the lower right hand corner. I immediately thought of my good friend, Resa, at graffitiluxandmurals.com because she has an eye for stunning street art that she shares on her blog. I had to get some photos, so I pulled out my cell and took a few. Then I sent them to Resa, and she was thrilled to include them in a post last week. Since I was on a blogging break, I’m sharing her fabulous post today where she not only spotlights this gorgeous painting, but many other faces that will take your breath away.

Please click on over to Resa’s blog for more! She is an amazing seamstress, photographer, artist, and friend who raises the bar when it comes to supporting others. 💖

Gal-lery I

In addition to Resa’s blog post, if you saw mine from Monday, you’ll know that my haiku “The Reveal” was published on Gobblers by Masticadores. Well, Resa left a comment on Gobblers, and here’s one of her lines: “This Haiku is so pretty, I want it to be a longer poem.” Not only did she inspire me, but she challenged me too. I met the challenge head on, doing my best to create a series of six haiku – #1 is the original.

(1) The Reveal

in the night abyss
shimmering with white diamonds
hope winks with promise

(2)

optimism shines
through each gem pushing aside
sierra-sized angst

(3)

mystery flows from
one star to the next for our
steady pondering

(4)

wonder breathes beneath
darkness in its cluster of
bright luminaries

(5)

glimmers emit warmth
fulfilling souls longing for
pure enlightenment

(6)

peace sinks into hearts
entwined with a promise from
one momentous wink

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I hope peace found you through this haiku series, and thanks again, Resa, for using the mural I sent you, and for your continued kindness! Thanks to all of you for stopping by, and I wish you a magical December. 💖

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© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com
Author and poet, Lauren Scott, enjoys small-town living in the Bay Area with her husband, Matt, of thirty-seven years. Their adult son and daughter live out of state, and with frequent visits and technology, the family of four remains close. Lauren has published four poetry collections, a memoir, and her first children’s book. Her latest poetry collection is a tribute to her family’s Chocolate Labrador who crossed over the Rainbow Bridge in spring 2025. Lauren is a recent Pushcart Nominee and has been a guest on several podcasts. Her writing is featured on Spillwords Press where she was voted Author of the Month and garnered Publication of the Month awards. She is a contributing author in several anthologies, and her work is also shared on Gobblers and Masticadores. Her muse discovers inspiration from her family, spending time outdoors, reveling in simple things, and marveling at the mysteries of life.

A Fun Collaboration with Resa!

On July 26, 2024July 28, 2024 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Art, Poetry177 Comments

Dear Friends,

After almost two months on a break, it’s good to be back because I’ve missed you all, and I hope I haven’t been forgotten. 🙂 Before the break, one of my friends, Resa, and I had decided to collaborate on a post. First of all, if you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Resa, you can find her at https://artgowns.com/ & https://graffitiluxandmurals.com/.

We were talking one day about limericks (during my limerick phase) and she suggested adding some artwork with a few that I had written. Thus, the collaboration commenced! Resa is a costume designer of gorgeous gowns. She is a passionate photographer of outdoor ephemeral art. And her artistic talent is incredible, appealing to our emotions as seen in her sketches below.

Two limericks I sent to Resa were about my lovable canine, Copper, who is almost 14 years old. He doesn’t go fast or far anymore, and his hind legs are weakening. But he is the biggest sweetheart with amber eyes that see right into your soul. The other limerick was about blooms because of my love for nature. Then Resa suggested that I find inspiration from her sketches to write some poetic thoughts. This was challenging because of the writer’s block I’ve been up against. But in its own time, inspiration arrived, which turned into shadorma poetry both serious and soothing. Resa’s beautiful artwork inspired, along with our current political climate, and Nature herself.
So, I hope you enjoy our teamwork!

My responses to Resa’s blooms…

Nature’s Therapy

She lounges
in nature’s embrace
in a world
that rages
unsettling to the core
blooms provide comfort

Her country
spins and twists and turns
an outcome
uncharted
she finds a place of respite
reveling in silk

Blooming Comfort

Colors of
nature offer hope
golden, pink,
purple, red
evoking elation for
tomorrow’s sunrise

She sinks her
soul into their hues,
fragrances,
spring softness,
being a part of their world
a setting divine

A Big Thanks to Resa for collaborating with me,
and for sharing her artwork
that enriches our lives! ❤️🌺❤️

And Friends, Thank you for stopping by!
I hope you discovered a takeaway
to enhance your day. 💜💛❤️🩷

Dog Love Abounds!

On November 11, 2023 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Art, Books57 Comments

Resa at Graffiti Lux Art & More recently featured my 13-year-old chocolate lab mix, Copper, so I’m reblogging because if you’re a dog lover, you won’t want to miss her post! But not only is Copper Boy featured, so are John’s adorable Twiggy and Marina’s beautiful Hera!
But first, below is a little bit about Resa if you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting her:

I’m an amateur photographer who has a passion for taking pics of outdoor ephemeral art.

My name is Resa McConaghy, and my site, “Graffit Lux and Murals”, was originally dedicated to showcasing & documenting Graffiti Art and Murals in Toronto and Winnipeg. However, I now find I am featuring the Street Art of other cities around the globe through travels of mine, and guest contributors.

Taking these pics is a passion and a joy. Each work of graffiti art or mural evokes thoughts in me, and these thoughts are reflected in the titles of my Posts.Some of these pieces may already have been named by the artists. If I know the original name, I will name it so.

If I know the name of the artist, I will credit them under the photograph and/or in the body of the post. If you are an artist & have not been credited, you can reach me by email with your info. I will gladly update the post. If you’re here, it’s probably because you love this type of art as much as I do. I hope my pics do the pieces some justice.

I am thrilled that Resa loved my poem “Copper Boy” enough to include it. So, here’s what she has to say about Copper in which she gently inserts a plug for Ever So Gently:

And now to see those gorgeous dogs at Resa’s, click on the link below ⬇️.

Dog Love

Thanks again, Resa, for including Copper! He sends you lots of slobbery kisses! Good thing you keep those sponges handy ‘cuz he loves to give kisses, but in his senior years, he’s also a bit drooly! 😂🐶

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.
Featured photo of Copper is 6 years old, but it’s one of my faves. 🧡

Click on the image to
purchase your copy. 💚

I am touched by those who enjoyed my book
and who have written beautiful reviews. 🩵
And a friendly nudge… if you enjoyed my book,
please consider sharing a review on Amazon
and Goodreads. The best gift for authors! 🙏🏻

Thanks to you beautiful friends for visiting today,
and I wish you a fabulous weekend!
~Lauren ❤️❤️

Resa designs Midnight Nightingale for Charlotte Hoather!

On September 3, 2023 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Art, Blogging

Resa at artgowns.com designed a performance gown for the fabulous soprano, Charlotte Hoather. For those of you who don’t know Resa, her gowns are hand sewn from off cuts, repurposed clothes, curtains, table cloths, etc. and NOS (new old stock). To learn more about Charlotte’s incredible singing career, visit her blog: charlottehoatherblog.com.

Please visit Resa’s blog post for more gorgeous photos and videos of Charlotte. ❤️

Midnight Nightingale

Let’s talk about coffee and mugs…☕️

On June 12, 2023June 12, 2023 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Art, Books67 Comments

Are you a collector of mugs like I am? Every so often, I have to let go of a few so I can buy more! I always find another mug on a trip that I can’t pass up. My latest additions are from my talented and lovely friend, Marina. She is a fantastic photographer, artist, and musician. In fact, she and her husband, Oannes, have a band MK-O [the music of Marina Kanavaki & Oannes]. I think it’s easy to say Marina is definitely multi-talented! But she is also one of the kindest people I’ve ever met (even though it’s only through blogging). Please visit her blog if you haven’t had the pleasure yet. You’ll love her incredible talent but also her gentle nature.

The mugs below are my new additions with artwork by Marina, and I think they are just gorgeous! For some reason, I couldn’t get my act together to take a photo with coffee in them.😁 But I believe you can imagine. They are perfect for a hot, soothing cuppa! Don’t you love the colors and the cheer? We’ve had June gloom weather, so these delightful designs and colors brighten the mood. So, why don’t you pour yourself a cup and enjoy!

**If you’re in the mood to shop, check out Marina’s page where you’ll find a whole host of her amazing designs and products.** **I hope you’ll do some shopping!**

Thank you, Marina, for being YOU! I look forward to perusing more of your gorgeous art! ❤️

And now I don’t mean to overwhelm with more about coffee, but yesterday I saw the link come through from Selma’s blog. She wrote a review for my latest book, More than Coffee, that couldn’t help but put me in the mood to dance! I haven’t known Selma for long in this warm blogging community, but in a short time, I know she is a lovely and compassionate individual, not to mention, a beautiful poet. And I already consider her a dear friend. If you haven’t had the chance to meet Selma,
I encourage you to pay her a visit. She will welcome you with open arms where you can immerse yourself in her incredible writing. Below is her stunning review. I am over the moon again!

More Than Coffee—Memories in Verse and Prose by Lauren Scott

Ah, life! It doesn’t come with a manual on how to live it, but if you’re looking for a role
model to live authentically to radiate happiness from within, I invite you to look no
further than More Than Coffee—Memories in Verse and Prose by Lauren Scott. What
a lovely book. It’s loaded with personal stories sprinkled with heartfelt poetry that
enhances each phase reached in the Author’s narrative. Her resonant heart and calming voice befriended me from the get-go.

From the preface and the first story, entitled Silver Heirlooms, that opens with the
Author telling us about an old set of silverware she inherited from her mother. To the
last one, Magic, a poem, she had me glowing with gratitude, as was her hope for me in
the preface. Mission accomplished. I’m all lit up.

This Author doesn’t overuse language, and in More Than Coffee, she writes about her
life with reverence. The cadence of her voice reached under my skin, and I found myself
nodding to her words.

This 63-page paperback compilation of memories in verse and prose is estimated to be
a 100-minute read. It is if you want to breeze through it. But slow reader that I am, a
sentimental romantic, who loves her family just as much as this Author loves hers, I
went slow—savoring her beautiful words. And glad I did—I had many epiphanies and
pauses that helped to uplift me for knowing people with beautiful hearts like Author
Lauren Scott exist.

In this modern age of AI, fake and negative news in the media, and varied lifestyles, in
the middle of just such a life, there exists room for more happiness—this book will get
you one step closer.

Because happiness does that—seeing someone happy gets us all closer.

I’m glad I read More Than Coffee—Memories in Verse and Prose by Lauren Scott
and want to recommend it to everyone—a resounding 5-star rating.

…Because even second-hand happiness makes us all happy.

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com

Thank you again, Selma! My heart is bursting with gratitude! ❤️

Selma’s original post can be found here, and you’ll be able to read her wonderful review for
It Ain’t Winning If Without You by Michelle Ayon Navajas, another book added to my TBR.

Thanks so much for dropping in, and I wish you a wonderful week! ❤️❤️

Azure Sky

On August 31, 2020August 31, 2020 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Art, Painting, Poetry71 Comments

As blue embraces the glow
and pink shades shimmer,
I liberate my worries
then hope delivers.
With beauty so near
of a soothing deep sapphire,
thoughts become clearer.

I attended a painting party sometime ago and this landscape was my first attempt at painting anything, except for walls in the house. The process was so much fun and it was interesting to see the final masterpieces of the other “students.” Not a single one was identical. They were all vibrant and magical in the same color scheme, but included details only distinctive to the artist.
Then recently, a friend told me about Seguidilla poetry, which inspired me to write a poem to pair with the painting. And so, I present to you another first attempt. It’s good for the brain to step out of the box now and then and I hope you enjoyed both.
~Lauren 💗