Let me explain my passion for drawing. “No, there is too much. Let me sum up”, to quote The Princess Bride movie, based on Morganstern’s book of the same name. During the month of February, I chose to sketch twenty-eight black authors whose books I have read or who have influenced me along my journey. There are a couple from my to-be-read shelf, but mostly they are authors whose books made me think or see the world in a different way.
The men and women who put their words on the page did so both in conflicting times and joyful times. However, a reason they wrote their poetry, essays, memoirs, or novels was because they wanted their words to continue to impact people long after they are gone. Their writings speak of freedom, love, passion, and courage.
Some of my favorite authors are the ones I first read when I was a kid, and some of their books I still share with my students. Others I found in the last couple years, geared towards young adults and teens as they maneuver through what it means to grow up and make important choices. I hope that my day job as a teacher, but also as an artist and author, influences people in this same way. If I can touch people’s lives—and really, more than that: show others how to work through problems in a healthy way—that will leave a legacy! Those who see my creative attempts might develop their own gifts to share. They might learn what it means to solve a difficult problem. They might find a new way to approach something they thought was unattainable. This is what I hope to inspire.
As I’ve stated in previous posts, I cannot do all of this in my own power. I trust in the Lord for strength because I am way to scattered to come up with this on my own. I hope it shines through my work that I pray over my portraits and try to lead in a way that reflects Christianity in a humble manner. I keep drawing because I love it. I keep writing because it shows me that I can share the worlds that grow inside my head. I keep teaching because I see that kids are always looking for ways to express who they are, and they don’t always know how to do this in a healthy way.
Will circumstances change in a year, or two, or ten? Absolutely! The world has changed from when slavery first ended up to the point in the future when we see a black woman president. And yet, there is still so much hatred for people who are different from us. It scares us. And sometimes we really do see ourselves in that person who is different, so we push them away. We have come so far, but we can’t do this on our own. We cannot see past our prejudices, judgements, and fears by ourselves. Just like I can’t even stick to a writing or drawing routine on my own. I am constantly reading, asking questions, taking classes, all to grow the knowledge of my art. The same concept must be applied when we are trying to get out of our comfort zone. Find a new place to spend time once a month. Go to an art exhibit. Visit a new restaurant in the area of town you never go. Take someone with you and learn about different cultures together. This is my challenge to you! Who knows? You might like it!
Stay creative,
Hannah Marie. 🎨
I display a lot of my artwork on Instagram and sell customized and digital artworks on Etsy. The link for both is at the top of my homepage.