Saturday Review: “The Poet and The Painter: Exploring Personal Landscapes”
a review of Kenneth Chamlee by Michael Beadle in NCLR Online Winter 2024
If Not These Things (2022)
The Best Material for the Artist in the World (2023)
“If life is measured in moments, Kenneth Chamlee savors a full cup, brimming with possibilities and unpredictable adventures.” Beadle states at the beginning of his review. It’s not often a reviewer does two books by the same author and Beadle puts in the work to compare and contrast these two texts.
About If Not These Things, Beadles writes, “[Chamlee’s] work dazzles in metaphoric mastery, revels in
stunning imagery, humbles itself in honest, human foibles, and boldly proclaims that each moment is
worth preserving.”
About The Best Material for the Artist in the World, Beadle writes, “In Chamlee’s homage to Bierstadt, the poet takes his time, as any painter should, to capture just the right mood, just the right subtle language, just the right amount of scenery.”
Beadle points out the few flaws he finds in each book, but overall is enthusiastic about this award-winning poet’s latest work. The review is coupled with one of Bierstadt’s paintings held in the People’s Collection at the North Carolina Museum of Art.
Read the entire review in the Online Winter 2024 issue out now! And order both books from Bookshop.org or your favorite independent bookseller.
