Meet Vanessa Matic | Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Vanessa Matic and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Vanessa, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I’ve always been interested in creating a space where artists come together and become more successful while pursuing their efforts together. It’s something I’m really passionate about and what I desire to do is create as much as I can in all fields which I please to dabble in.

The impact of my family life being artistic has also played a large part on my character and the way I was raised. My father was a writer and a professor, and my mother has always been very fashionable.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have always floated through life creating art. My first published piece was at age 10 in Stone Soup Magazine and even relocated to Berlin to make short films for a couple years. My proudest moment was having my first poetry collection, Romance & Revolution, published by Tough Poets Press who has put out work from some legendary authors.

I don’t consider any passion to be easy but more often filled with both love and sadness, which are both filled with intensity that are worth your time. It’s a part of you that grows as you grow. I want to continue to bring artists together. Especially in a time filled with confusion and a world that’s falling apart. Living life as a creative is becoming harder to upkeep for many talented folks nowadays.

Maybe if we’re loud enough, maybe we’ll stop the chaos and have some time for love that we can share. That’s what I’m all about, that’s what Agape Lodge Poetry Society is about. I’d like to quote the movie Jubilee 1978 “As long as the music’s loud enough, we won’t hear the world falling apart.”

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If a friend was visiting I would go to Sunset Tower because to me, it is old Hollywood. It was built in the 1930’s and there’s nothing more lovely than drinks or dinner there. Another great place that I like to haunt is Colombo’s, it’s a really cool Italian Steakhouse, it gives me wonderful Goodfellas vibes. Some other favorite spots I love to go eat at are Little Dom’s, Sushi Gen, Bestia, Musso and Frank and Bottega Louie.

We’d probably visit the Hollywood Forever and I would take them vintage shopping on the east side. Perhaps visit Cliftons or have a coffee at Alfred.

I also cook at home a lot and like to cook for my friends and people I love the most. If you know me well enough, I’ve probably made you some sort of home cooked snacks while you visit.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
In the beginning of my journey there were a few poets who were my friends and one of them was Brent L. Smith and he is still part of the pack. Joey Camello also helps me navigate through all the chaos that comes with putting together these poetry nights and is also one of our frequent readers. I’d also like to give a special shoutout to my friend Stefan Lerakis for providing a really interesting space to host Agape Lodge Poetry Society.

Website: www.agapelodgepoetrysociety.com

Instagram: agapelodgepoetrysociety

Image Credits
Joey Camello Pamela Garcia