At the age of 4, I can remember doodling on my mom's utility bills. Recreating my favorite cartoon characters made my little heart happy. Drawing and sketching turned into a love language for me. Creating what I felt were masterpieces on the pages of my notebook for family and friends. Comic books brought me into a whole new world with its bright colors and graphic design. As a kid, my idol was Stan Lee and every sheet of paper I got my hands on ended up with a superhero on it. I aspired to be the next famous comic book artist. That dream didn't pan out the way I planned but I still held a love for the visual arts. I say all of this because living here in Houston I've seen glimpses of creative arts in the form of beautiful paintings crafted on buildings throughout Downtown Houston.
Now as a published author, paintings like this speak to me and I truly understand the phrase that "a picture is worth 1000 words". Unlike a literary creative, who has to paint a picture in its reader's mind with their words, a visual creative does the same with the eyes. Storylines, plots, climatic scenes all play out through every stroke of their paint brush.
Just like a writer who displays their believes on paper, an artist does the same visually. Politics, economic issues, environmental issues, social issues and so much more layered out in a color pattern that draws the onlooker into the works displayed. Several visual creatives, with the permission of the building's owner, have done just that to multiple buildings in Downtown Houston.
These visual displays aren't small either, averaging two stories tall or taller on buildings throughout Downtown. Each artist having their own form of media to create their works of art. Bright cartoonish paintings, realistic works, geometric art and more decorate the boxed shaped buildings that make up the area people call Downtown.
These artists bring life to everyday buildings that would more than likely be looked over or passed by without a second glance. These eye-catching works of art tell a story, multiple stories and every one of them are best sellers in my book. Some artists create their works just using the buildings as a canvas and others use the aesthetics of the building to create personal pieces, like this. All with their own personal touch, honesty and innocence.
The part that makes it intriguing and so beautiful is that these paintings aren't centralized on one street or one section but sporadic. Some sitting pretty, perched on the side of a wide building, to be seen from multiple angles or multiple streets and others tucked away like hidden gems to be found by accident. Every painting holding its own purpose, its own journey to travel, telling its own story on its own personal building.
Visual Art that is giving life to what was once just a stack of grey bricks forming the side of a building on a city block, beautiful in their own right. It's amazing how the first language was actually the very thing that now beautifies papers, canvases, walls and in Downtown Houston, its buildings. A beauty that if you ever get a chance, you need to drive through just to witness, trust me you can't miss them.
I know a few of our readers are thinking, "I thought this blogger was all about showcasing and highlighting literary creatives?" That's absolutely what The River's Edge Writers main goal is all about but without the aid of graphic designers and artists what is a book cover but words on a page. The visual creative is a gateway to the literary genius readers are drawn to, a captivating image that gives life to the words on the pages inside.
A systematic dance of images that sometimes give a face to the character a reader has fell in love with or a dramatic scene the author wants etched into the reader's mind as they read through the story. As a published author, a lover of the visual arts and a graphic designer also, I understand the importance of the visual effect the outside of a book can have on a reader along with its content. True enough, I didn't become that famous comic book artist I dreamed of being when I was young, but my daughter inherited my talents and gift.
Just an innocent teenager now, she's seen enough from the world to give her view through her paint brushes. Touching on views that many think but are afraid to voice their opinion on. Not following the norm of painting but glimpses of her favorite painters in every creation she makes. Even having one of her one-of-a-kind artworks used as a book cover for a children's book.
I'll end this blog with a few of my favorite works of my own over the years. But also to let you, my readers know these paintings and pictures you've seen through this article has created over 4700 words and counting. So the phrase "A picture is Worth 1000 words" is a literary creative's dream come true. It inspired me to write this article here.
Thank you for stopping by and joining us today. As always, we salute you and if you know of a literary creative we should be showcasing, please let us know.
THE RIVER'S EDGE WRITERS
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