I've just put the finishing touches on my story submission for the Fiction Project, the sister project to the Sketchbook Project. Open to all, "The Fiction Project is an opportunity to tell stories in a different way by fusing text and visual art. Add your voice to this year's coast-to-coast tour and create new work grounded in the act of writing. After traveling across the country, the Fiction Project will enter into the Brooklyn Art Library's narrative collection, archiving your stories to share them with the public." There is still time to participate – check out their website - their sign-up deadline is March 31st and stories must be postmarked by May 1st. We've all got stories to tell – real or imagined.
I wrote my story, The Tent, as an assignment for an art installation class I took at Anderson Ranch a couple of years ago. It seemed to be a perfect place to play with my new found love of watercolor illustration.
The assignment for my Anderson Ranch story was to write about a childhood memory that could contain exaggeration, imagination and invention.
Growing up in a 1960's, post World War II subdivision, each house had approximately 2.5 children and there were always cohorts in suburban adventure mucking about. We had freedom to roam and time in the summers to explore…even if it was just over to the next cul-de-sac or a bike ride to the neighborhood 7-11. It was our land, our childhood country – beyond which there be dragons.
My story is about memory and imagination. A tent of old army blankets in the backyard can become anything on a hot summer afternoon.
Every experience that I've ever had has led me to where I am today. Writing this story was a glimpse into how that happens – even as an exaggeration and fantasy I can see how these moments of my childhood informed who I am today.
A collector and scavenger from a young age, the adventure began and I didn't even know it.
Having seen this work of art in person, I’d like to take another opportunity to applaud, toss roses and swoon. Your illustrations are divine and the story is SO fun and memory evoking. Yet ANOTHER addition to your huge arsenal of talent.
I LOVE watching you spread those talented wings.
Brava Fran!
I hope to see this before you send it off…your story is both revealing and memory evoking and your lovely little water color illustrations…love it!
x..x
I signed up for The Fiction Project in a moment of enthusiasm, forgetting that I neither know how to properly write a story nor any skill at drawing. I’ve been busy procrastinating ever since. I use the cheap paper in the journal as an excuse. But seeing a finished project I hope I can get inspired to make something, however tacky. Yours is great! Thanks for sharing!
I love your Fiction Project story. It makes me think of when I was a kid creating make believe houses out of blankes, too. My story is about a Mischievous Muse who finds a blank, abandoned book and what she does with it.
I’ve never written a book like this before but I’ve been enjoying the journey. It’s creation has helped me through a difficult time in my life making the Fiction Project even more special for me.
I’m doing the Fiction Project too and for the first time. It’s good to come across a fellow ‘Projecter’ and see an example of their work. You are well ahead of me on the project! I’ll try and post something on my WordPress blog soon.
Good luck!
I’m ‘projecting’ from the South East of England.
Ann
wow, this is gorgeous 🙂 love your water colour style! would love to read the whole story.
i came across your page while looking for other fiction projects – i participated this year as well. i live in india – and i’m not going to see the project tour, so i was a little sad about that.
i didn’t have time to scan my book – so i just have a few pages – do take a look if you’re interested 🙂 http://assignmentsubmitted.blogspot.com/2011/05/water-stories.html