Art Imitates Life

I never lived in the Mississippi Delta. I never really visited there as a child. It was when I was a student at Mississippi State University back in the mid-70's that I first met people from the Delta. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but they were different from the kids I grew up with in Jackson.

The Delta kids were much more independent. They knew how to work hard, and they knew how to play hard. They kind of scared me.

As the years have gone by, I've befriended many a person who grew up in the Delta. Folks from Yazoo City, Greenwood, Greenville, Clarksdale, Itta Bena, Indianola and Cleveland. I've been in their homes through the years, and one common denominator with all of them is that they always have copies of Delta Magazine laying around.

I started reading Delta a few years back. I picked one up on a visit to the Shack Up Inn and I've been reading it ever since. The articles are great--smart, informative, interesting and entertaining. I already had a good feel of the Delta through the people I've gotten to know who are from the area, but it was the pages of Delta Magazine that I learned more about what the Delta is all about.

A couple of years ago, I contacted Melissa Townsend, the Editor-in-Chief of Delta Magazine. I already wrote for the The Delta Business Journal, another publication in the Coopwood Magazines, Inc. umbrella. I told Melissa I loved the magazine and I'd really love to write for her. She gave me an assignment, and I've been writing ever since!

Melissa tends to give me assignments about Delta artists, which is great, because they are usually the most interesting people to write about, and I am a big lover of art. One of my favorite articles I've written for Delta Magazine was about several up-and-coming Delta artists. Entitled "Young at Art," it ran last November.

This month's issue is a favorite. I love fall, and this one just exudes all that is wonderful about the season.

In this issue, I have an article about Earl Robinson, who, with no art training, paints spectacular real life scenes from his memories of growing up in the Delta. 

I loved interviewing Earl, and getting to know his story. His art truly imitates his life. Whether you're from the Delta or not, I encourage you to pick up a copy of Delta Magazine and read about Earl, and all the other wonderful articles the magazine offers this month. 

Happy fall, y'all!