Julie Grist: Typewriters

"The Poetess" - detail of the larger painting

Vintage typewriters. The CLUNK CLUNK of the metal arm reaching up to hit the rubber roller of the carriage. The ZING when one moves the carriage to the next line, and the ZIP sound rolling the paper in or out of the carriage. And the beauty of each perfectly round key sitting upright, open below, showcasing a single letter.

Have you ever tried using a classic typewriter? The physical finger strength one needs to push down each key seems unbelievable given the easy tap delicacy of our modern day keyboards. My daughter bought one 20 years ago and then it seemed ancient, now it seems like a beautiful piece of mechanical sculpture.

For several years the Ojai Farmers Market was graced with poets who, given prompts by a customer passing by, typed out a poem. They sometimes tore paper from paper bags and burned the edges right in front of you. They took a moment to think, fed in the paper, then typed out a poem. Clunk clunk zing zip.

I "commissioned" a number of those poems on sight, and loved the old-school, non-digital, tactile results. I also took photos and painted several pieces. "The Poetess" will be showing at the Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts this year in OSA's group show, Jan 17-Mar 17, 2026. The Center is open Fridays-Sundays, 11a-4p so come by and see it.

"The Poetess" - 48"h x 24"w oil on canvas, framed.

"Cowboy Poet" 20"h x 16"w oil - SOLD - but available as archival print.