I am one of The Artists of Crow County

I am One of the Artists of Crow County

In 2017, Dr, Kara Smith launched a book of poetry entitled The Artists of Crow County, the result of her time spent at the Chatham-Kent Cultural Centre (CCC) as the Writer-in-Residence in 2015-2016.

"Poets and artists create through the same archaeological process of brushing off, scraping back, and building up deep-rooted experiences so that we may see our home and ourselves in unique ways. The Artists of Crow County passes through the working lives of Ontario artists, and allows readers a chance to tour with the exclusive stories of inspired worlds. The poems within depict creative lives in Chatham-Kent, Canada and Mâlain, France. Two of the poems were shortlisted for the 2016 Walrus Poetry Prize, and the Polar Expressions Poetry Prize". (from ResearchGate )

I came across my signed copy earlier this week and it made me smile. Marshall Heaton and I collaborated on a print/collage exhibition at ARTspace here in Chatham, Ontario and Kara used one of our images in her book.

War Stories (2017) by Marshall Heaton and Laurie Langford collage on print

She wrote many poems, one of which was a poem in response to "War Stories" (above), entitled "New Sheriff in Town". It was Kara's first book of poetry, and it generated a LOT of buzz. Two of the poems were shortlisted for the 2016 Walrus Poetry Prize.

She was interviewed by Debbie Okun Hill and here is an excerpt:

"Which of your poems in this book is your most favourite and why is it important to you?

Now you are asking me to choose ‘who is my favourite child’, and that’s impossible! But I have to say that I am always drawn to models of strong women ‘taking on the world’. “New Sheriff in Town” (pp.20-21), and found-object artist Laurie Langford’s work, really evokes that matriarchal strength for me, “Tuck your tanks under these skirts…and crown this Queendom already!” Her exhibit, “Four Housewives of the Apocalypse” will be in Leamington this July."

As an artist, I am always fascinated with how people react to my work and I have to honestly say that Kara's poem is the strongest, most flattering response I've ever received. Finding her book was a lovely reminder that my work IS reaching people and is inspiring people. In turn, re-reading her book has inspired me to fire up my pen and start writing poetry again.

With a twist. I'm going to write poems with random words I've cut out of magazines. And maybe collage around the poems.

Thanks, Kara.