Today we’d like to introduce you to Theodore Johnson
Hi Theodore, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Having recently graduated with a BA in literature studies, I moved back to my hometown, Park City, UT, for the time and space to write and figure out how I want to pursue my future career. I am a writer, and while I am living back at home, saving money, I decided to create something that would be helpful to both me and my friends for improving our artistic talents. The Salons I have been hosting along with the help of my girlfriend, my mom, and all my friends are based on Gertrude Stein’s Salons in 1920s Paris which sought to bring artists together to grow and innovate. So far, we have successfully hosted two salons where fellow creatives have been courageous enough to share sketches, crochet projects, music mixes, writing, short films, photography, and more. I plan to continue writing and hosting these Salons for as long as I am living in Park City. Each Salon will fall on the last Saturday of each month.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The most difficult part of these Salons is getting the word out to people to come and talk about creative stuff. I want to stress that you need not bring anything, and you don’t need to be an art scholar to talk about creativity. Come talk about the best movie you’ve seen lately. Grab your favorite picture hanging in your room and come show it off. Even better, bring your original writings, drawings, photography, or any creations you have made and come talk about them. Whether it’s a hobby or your primary passion, we want to talk about it with you.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Currently, I am spending my free time writing. I’ve written quite a few short stories, but nothing near novel length. For now, my focus is fiction, both realistic as well as fantasy. I’m really inspired by Raymond Carver’s collection of short stories “Where I’m Calling From.” Fantastic collection. Really subtle. Each story raises more questions than it answers.
I have yet to be published, but I’ve been submitting to small literary magazines across the country hoping one of my stories might get picked up.
What does success mean to you?
For me, I feel successful when I submit something. Whenever I submit a new short story to an online literary magazine, it means I’ve written something that I’m proud to share. That I’ve put enough work into something that it is high quality enough for me to feel like someone else might enjoy reading it. That’s when I feel successful with my individual work.
Considering my salons, I feel successful when anyone that isn’t me feels comfortable enough to share their creativity and originality with me and my friends. That is a fantastic feeling of success.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teddyfuckingjohnson/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theodore-johnson-19a83a1b9/
Image Credits
Elizabeth Smyth
