The History of the Craigslist Artist Project

What would happen if complete strangers, several dozen of them, had the opportunity to read and create beautiful art around my words? That was the crazy idea I had while stuck in traffic in the spring of 2009. Rather than just have Lori Sublett, a dear friend and a talented artist, or my sister George, the most creative person I know, who happens to be a well respected, professional artist illustrate my artwork, what if I asked complete strangers who answered an online ad on Craigslist do it. What would the results be?

Spectacular.

This book, all of the words by me, and all of the beautiful artwork by talented artists, most of whom I have never met came together over the internet during the summer of 2009. The goal in creating this book was simple; let the words of my stories convey a message that would reach the creative spirit of many different artists and let the beauty of their work accompany my words.

This was a collaborative project in the truest sense of the word. I hope you enjoy my poetry and prose and see in the portraits of the many people whose lives are lived entirely in these poems as friends and strangers that you already know.

I thank you for reading my words and appreciating the beautiful works of art that accompany them. Sometimes a crazy idea can be a powerful, beautiful expression in itself.

S.J. Ferrandi