Origin Story: "I Am NOT A Prostitute...It's Just A Walk"

Althea Jones out side of Summit Art Space. Photo By Kenneth Cody

"I have art in my spirit."

If I ever text you this sentence, watch out.

I am not the type of artist that creates new work often, and when the art happens its more that it happens to me than I am creating it. Recently, I was able to secure a new studio at Summit Art Space (so excited).

One week day while walking to the studio an older gentlemen approached me saying something about the heat and the time of day. I smiled gently and attempted to go on as he mad a point to open his wallet and show me all the hundreds and 20s he has (Good for him I'm not a theif. I'm sure I run faster than he does.) He offered me something cold to drink which I declined as I walked away.

He too continued on to his pickup truck, but just before he closed his door he yelled something back at me about about giving him a little head for one of those $20s. I think it took me 5 whole minutes to understand what had been said.

How rude, and presumptuous, and ugly, and nasty. What do I look like? Not on his best day when he won the lotto and the angels were shining down on his face. What the fuck was/is he thinking.

My annoyance past quickly as I went on with my work. But it was when I went to leave my studio that it hit me. When I closed the door behind me I looked for that truck. Had he waited for me. What he watching. I was afraid. Pit of my stomach afraid.

If you know me that doesn't happen often. I am not fearless, but it is no often that fear moves my decisions especially carnal fears. But, in this moment I was fearful. And the next day when I walked back that fear remained. Then something happened the next time the studio door closed behind me and I began to talk to myself.

As my internal soundtrack played, I reminded myself how fearless I am. I told myself ho much I love my life and how I was not gonna let some horny old man stop me from living it my own way.

"Because this is my time. This is the moment I have worked my whole life to get to. All the pain and the struggle lead me hear to this cute little studio in this cute little city and I like it here. No, I fucking love it here and no one is going to take that away from me.

I mean what do I have to do put it on a fucking t-shirt? I AM NOT A PROSTITUTE!