Events & Programs

As a writer, I’ve been fascinated—captivated—by words and letters since I was a child. For me, they have a vivid, palpable quality—you can almost taste them sometimes. I try and incorporate this into my writing, be it poetry or prose, essay or interview. In the past few years, I started drawing images in the margins of my notebook (I still write a lot out longhand), trying to sketch out what I’m attempting to write. A painter friend said, “Why not add color? Pick up some paints and give it a try. See what happens.” I tried. And then again. And I liked it—a lot.

“Painted Words: From Page to Picture,” is the result of this passionate project.

About the Artist

Heather Hartley is author of Knock Knock (Carnegie Mellon University Press, 2010) and Paris Editor for Tin House. Her poems, essays, and interviews have appeared in or on PBS NewsHour, The Guardian, The Rumpus, and other venues and anthologies including The Best Nonrequired American Reading and Food and Booze: A Tin House Literary Feast. She has curated Shakespeare and Company Bookshop’s weekly reading series and has taught creative writing at the American University of Paris. She’s been painting for many years—working on translating words into colors.