Rhymes & Reasons

06/27/2023

Title: “Hope”
Subject: Midland Fawnlily (Erythronium mesochoreum). My favorite flower.
Song: Shoulders by “for KING & COUNTRY”
Poem: “Is there any hope left? The child cried to his Father.
The Father replied: Yes, you must never let go of hope. Here son, get on my shoulders and rest...Thank you, Father.” — H. Heart

05/29/2023

Title: “Freedom Isn’t Free”
Subject: A red poppy blooms after a rainstorm.
Quote: “May we never forget freedom isn’t free.” — Unknown
Song: Freedom Isn’t Free by John Anderson

02/22/2023

Title: “The Gathering Place”
Subject: A solitary tree somewhere in the Flint Hills of northern Kansas.
Song: In a Sentimental Mood by Hans Ulrik

“Art creates a profound connection
between the artist and the audience.
Through that connection,
both can heal.”

— Rick Rubin, “The Creative Act: A Way of Being”

02/03/2023

Title: “Hope”
Subject: Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis)
Song: Hope by Jakob Dinesen

“Real hope is found in committing ourselves to vast goals and dreams—dreams such as a world without war and violence, a world where everyone can live in dignity. The problems that face our world are daunting in their depth and complexity. Sometimes, it may be hard to see where—or how—to begin. But we cannot be paralyzed by despair. We must each take action toward the goals we have set and in which we believe. Rather than passively accepting things as they are, we must embark on the challenge of creating a new reality. It is in this effort that true, undying hope is to be found.”

— Daisaku Ikeda. Hope Is a Decision: Excerpt from “The Most Important Decision”.

01/24/2023

Title: “Something Eternal”
Subject: Japanese windflower (Anemone hupehensis, unknown cultivar).
Song: Eternal Peace by Ramsey Lewis

“all i know is there
is something eternal
about us.
some sort of infinite
continuity between
you and me.
before the ocean learned
to dance on the shore.
before the stars found
their home.
somehow, in someway,
there were remnants
of you and me.”

— JmStorm

12/18/2022

Title: “You Shine”
Subject: Midland Fawnlily (Erythronium mesochoreum). My favorite flower.
Song: Shine by Michael Logozar.

“the broken will always be
able to love harder than
most.

once you have been in the
dark, you learn to
appreciate everything
that shines.”

— Zachary K. Douglas

12/05/2022

Subject: Remix of “Get Down” by KOCHAM.
Remix music producer: Michael Cessna
Genre: Dance; House; Nu-disco
BPM: 128 (fast dance pace)
Version: Extended cut (5:36)

I love fast paced dance songs!...it was fun to produce this remix of “Get Down” by KOCHAM; my goal was to give it Nu-disco vibes. I hope you enjoy it:

Remix by mcessna on Kreasound

11/13/2022

Another form of art...

Title: Frog Storm Dance
Album title: Cherry Blossom Dream
Artist: Michael Cessna
Composer: Michael Cessna
Record label: Rhymes & Reasons
Release date: November 9, 2022
Genre: Electronic/Hybrid
Description: This bright and lively dance piece combines samples of traditional Japanese instruments with a field recording of a thunderstorm along with a chorus of frogs and rain in and around our pond (128 BPM, allegro dance tempo).
License: All Rights Reserved

This bright and lively dance piece combines samples of traditional Japanese instruments with a field recording of a thunderstorm along with a chorus of frogs and rain in and around our pond (128 BPM,

09/30/2022

Title: “Rise”
Artist: Michael Cessna
Event: World Cyanotype Day 2022: https://www.alternativephotography.com/gallery/gallery-by-process/world-cyanotype-day-2022-gallery-enlighten/
Imagery: Photogram of Boston fern leaves with a sphere created from a hand-painted monotype transferred to clear acrylic.
Toning: The cyanotype is partially toned with coffee, mate tea, and spicy curry powder. The coffee represents awakening and mindfulness; the tea represents a welcoming of the new day; the curry powder represents passion and truth. The work is created in the Japanese tradition of wabi-sabi.
Paper: Hahnemühle Platinum Rag Fine Art Paper (300 gsm)
Dimensions: 2' x 4' (60.96 cm x 121.92 cm)

09/21/2022

Title: “Hope Is a Decision”
Subject: Daffodil (Narcissus) ‘Firebird’, 1940.
Song: “Tie Your Hopes Down” by Mikael Máni.

“No matter what kind of difficult situations one finds oneself in, some opportunity, some opening, can always be found to fight one’s way out. The important thing is always to have hope and to face the future bravely.”

— Daisaku Ikeda. Hope Is a Decision.