I can’t draw to save my life.
Nonetheless, I am immensely inspired by visual art.
Though I don’t fancy myself a great fiction writer, I can look at a portrait of a woman — be it a photograph, painting or sketch — and create a character. I can look into her eyes and imagine her name and whole life story.
In April I traveled two and a half hours to the High Museum in Atlanta to see the exhibit Frida & Diego: Passion, Politics & Painting because Frida Kahlo inspires me like none other. Her self-portraits motivate me to write personal essays.
Frida once said, “I paint self-portraits because I am so often alone, because I am the person I know best.”
And Frida inspires me to be bold in my writing.
She once declared, “The only think I know is that I paint because I need to, and I paint whatever passes through my head without any other consideration.”
I don’t need a fancy art museum exhibit, however, to get inspired by visual art.
I find inspiration in offbeat art galleries too, in places like Naked Art Gallery.
Naked Art Gallery is all about making art accessible by focusing on functional art and funky wall art too.
Naked Art Gallery, located at 3831 Clairmont Ave., is one of our July sponsors and to show our appreciation we’ll be hosting a mixer at the shop on Saturday, Aug. 3 from 2 to 4 p.m.
At Sketches & Scribes we’ll browse the shop, eat some snacks, and chat. Also, we’d like to challenge those who attend to go home and write something inspired by a piece of art seen at Naked Art Gallery. Then, if you’d like, submit your piece or a link to your blog post to seejanewritemag@gmail.com and your work may be featured on our new online magazine.
I hope you’ll join us. You can RSVP via Facebook here.
Sketches & Scribes will also be a See Jane Write membership drive. Find more details on SJW membership here.
Check out Christmas In July: Great Gifts for Writers for a preview of the great functional art at Naked Art Gallery.
