MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – Inspired by her love for Memphis, Martha Kelly finds joy in highlighting the various landmarks of the 901 Now.
“I’ve been lucky enough to do this for a lot of years. I’m so grateful, it’s what I wake up wanting to do. “
The books by Martha Kelly share a common theme: MEMPHIS.
“I’m a proud Memphian; I love this place,” Kelly said. “I am so rooted. I think a lot of people think you have to go to the southwest to be an artist and I’m like, ‘y’all, we have the trees, funk, the place.’ That’s where all of my art springs from.“
It’s common to spot all the fun things in Kelly’s books that bring color to the city.
“I was driving down Summer and hanging out at the taco trucks and doing some sketches there,” Kelly said. “I got out to the Clark Tower, Shelby Farms, Orange Mound and all the different places in the community that make us a great tapestry.”
From East Memphis to South Memphis, Kelly aims to show to it all, making a space for graphics and storytelling through the eyes of a Memphian, for Memphians.
“I’m an artist first, so I think the art is really central to all the books I make,” Kelly said. “I start with the art and then I think to myself on how I can add a plot or verbal. The ABC books have been key, because I can put little snippets about each place, but I don’t have to come up with a big novel plot. So, the art is central but I’m pushing myself to write more.“
Currently, Kelly is working on a book that revisits the most recent snow day in the Mid-south.
You can find more of Kelly’s work here.
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