Mapping the Artist: Joan E. Stern

Joan E. Stern and Kathabela Wilson.

An interview with artist Joan E. Stern.

By Kath Abela Wilson

A telescope on the poet

When I think of you, I think what an adventure your life is, and your wonderful companion, your husband, Bob. He is a fellow traveler in every way. how did this all start?

Bob and I have been married forty-four years. It all started with a five-year reunion at Pomona College (we did not know each other at school) with an encounter on the soccer field. We were the only spectators and I asked the bearded young man if he could explain the game—it was love-at-first sight, and although we are not impetuous, we were married four months later. We went to the Ashland, Oregon Shakespeare Festival on our honeymoon and have missed only a few seasons since. Another remarkable thing about our Ashland Shakespeare Festival attendance is that Ryan, our son, always joins us—he even received a certificate commemorating that he had seen the complete canon of 38 plays at age 33!

Compass of the poet

Joan E. Stern with her husband Bob at the Rose Fort in Agra, India.

I love how your adventure has led so far and wide, and that you reflect this constantly in your work with enthusiasm. I know your travels are a huge influence on your writing, as you document your travels with what you call “Poem Cards”. I think of them as postcards to yourself, how does this all work?

Now Bob has a list of the 80 countries we’ve visited over the past four decades plus, and our cruise to Antarctica in January means we have been to all seven continents. I write “poem cards” during our travels to remind myself where I have been. I’ve added some poem cards from our recent trip to Iceland to this page. Our trip to India was a speciai highlight of our travels. Last night I had a dream and wrote this poem that seems to reflect our journey there.

Re-focusing with a Fanciful Dream

functioning faultily and frailly
I turn to a friendly fair elephant
for five dollars that fantastic life form
focuses fully on me alone
flapping its floating ears
and fine formidable trunk
it fashions heartfelt blessing
I feel fulfilled and re-find hopefulness

Pulse of the poet

“Bay-Bridge” – Oil on canvas by Joan E. Stern.

I’ve seen some of your amazing artworks. I love the depth and experimentation, and constant evolution, how has your art been inspired and how has it developed alongside your poetry?

In the early years of our marriage, I found time to paint in oils, but as career demands and the commitments of rearing a child increased, that activity fell by the wayside. It was not until I retired eight years ago that I started painting again, this time in acrylics. I also decided to take a creative writing class, since I hadn’t had the opportunity since the fourth grade to write other than academically. I have written poetry daily ever since. About four years ago, I discovered senryu and was invited to join a group of seventeen women to create a book about the form, which we entitled “Pieces of Her Mind”. At the same time, I started creating my travel-poem cards in senryu as glimpses of my travel adventures with Bob.

A microscope on the poet

Joan E. Stern

It seems your life is full of interesting projects and unusual adventures. Your diligence and vitality bring you to our meetings in Pasadena from Malibu every week. I have always admired your genuine enthusiasm and ability to be a wonderful companion to other poets and your family, remind me of some details?

We accomplished Bob’s goal of visiting all of the State Capitals last year. He was obviously driven by his interest in politics; I particularly enjoyed the history and the architecture. California’s capitol building is one of my favorites—we lived in Sacramento for thirteen years, when Bob worked for the Legislature and Jerry Brown; so, I had ample time to explore it. Another favorite local adventure –every Thanksgiving I take the train with my husband Bob and son Ryan, the Coast Starlight to San Luis Obispo—our eight-annual trip is upcoming.

About seven years ago I was asked by Alvin T. Ethington, who edited Pieces of Her Mind, to visit one of your meetings of Poets on Site, and it was another love-at-first site moment. Talented poets who came together regularly to share their inspiration and support one another welcomed me into their environment and added more energy to my creative process.

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