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My Creative Roots: Week 1 with Gia Graham


Inspiring Taste Across Generations
Week 1
This week, letterer and illustrator Gia Graham finds inspiration by exploring the erased history of an American staple – french fries – and invites you to create along with her.

By shifting her focus (literally!), Gia welcomes us to discover James Hemings, the most influential American chef you’ve never heard of. Explore his legacy and get inspired with Gia’s creative prompt just for you.

My Creative Roots with Gia Graham
Tell Us About Your Inspiration
A slave and personal attendant to Thomas Jefferson, James Hemings accompanied Jefferson to Paris in 1784 to learn “the art of French cookery.” Hemings became the first American (of any race) to train as a chef in France and introduced the American palette to crème brulée, meringues, whipped cream, macaroni and cheese, ice cream and our most beloved French fries.
I'm no chef, so Hemings and I don't share the same creative medium, but when I learned of his story, I was immensely inspired by his ability to not just succeed, but flourish and excel when thrust out of his comfort zone.
What’s Our Creative Prompt?
Hand letter and illustrate one of these subjects, and learn more about their erased origins here.
  • The bed, created by Henry Boyd
  • The traffic light, created by Garret Morgan
  • Rock and roll, pioneered by Sister Rosetta Tharpe
  • The light bulb, invented by Lewis Latimer
Where Can We Go to Create with You?
Follow along in my Staff Pick classes, or join me in a Live Session on February 2 at 3:00PM EST.
Share your creations with us on Instagram. Be sure to tag @skillshare.

Lettering Courtesy of Gia Graham 2021 © All Rights Reserved

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