Here's a little more about how my approach to creativity supports authenticity and liberation.
It's an Improv
With improv, we ask not: "How can I get what I want?" and instead "What can I make with what I've been given?" Here, there's no wrong way. The definition of perfection ceases to be a product and instead becomes a process by which we make beauty of life's lessons (let's stop calling them mistakes, shall we?).
As an art form, improv is the revolutionary resistance to the temptation to render an idea (with what we think we need), and instead create something valuable with what's right here, right now. With media, I don't storyboard. I don't plan out scenes. I just take my camera with me into life and shoot whatever inspires. Then, I puzzle it together and watch what emerges from the mystery. When I write a song, I start by simply narrating my reality: describing what's around me or what's inside me and putting it to a melody. When I write prose or poetry, each line inspires the next word. It's grace embodied. Sure, it might not have the same production quality, but it's texture is true and it's magic is undeniable. Don't get me wrong, I still memorize from time to time. I still curate. But, no matter how much I mull over my works, my art maintains its roots in the mystery.
These days improv is more than a creative approach, it's a lifestyle. Just when we thing we've got a handle on things there's a new change: Viruses. Political Unrest. Natural Disasters. Adult Teething (Really: my K-9 baby-tooth (that's lingered for 35 years) is finally being ousted by its adult counter-part, creating the possible catastrophe of a snaggle-tooth, or worse: a holy mouth. I'm not even sure if the tooth-fairy is real anymore). Clearly we have entered a time where plans and scripts are futile. Thankfully, by practicing improv, the surprises are essential to the development of the play, and every moment becomes an opportunity to bring a little grace.
As an art form, improv is the revolutionary resistance to the temptation to render an idea (with what we think we need), and instead create something valuable with what's right here, right now. With media, I don't storyboard. I don't plan out scenes. I just take my camera with me into life and shoot whatever inspires. Then, I puzzle it together and watch what emerges from the mystery. When I write a song, I start by simply narrating my reality: describing what's around me or what's inside me and putting it to a melody. When I write prose or poetry, each line inspires the next word. It's grace embodied. Sure, it might not have the same production quality, but it's texture is true and it's magic is undeniable. Don't get me wrong, I still memorize from time to time. I still curate. But, no matter how much I mull over my works, my art maintains its roots in the mystery.
These days improv is more than a creative approach, it's a lifestyle. Just when we thing we've got a handle on things there's a new change: Viruses. Political Unrest. Natural Disasters. Adult Teething (Really: my K-9 baby-tooth (that's lingered for 35 years) is finally being ousted by its adult counter-part, creating the possible catastrophe of a snaggle-tooth, or worse: a holy mouth. I'm not even sure if the tooth-fairy is real anymore). Clearly we have entered a time where plans and scripts are futile. Thankfully, by practicing improv, the surprises are essential to the development of the play, and every moment becomes an opportunity to bring a little grace.
It's Raw
I throw all professional standards out the window. Indeed: everything about the notion of "professionalism" is oppressive. I get it: it is important that we are able to separate personal triggers from collective efforts, and that (generally speaking) we've got a shared vocabulary and tools. We've gotta be able to work together. Absolutely. But that's not what "professionalism" is. "Professionalism" is a set of standards that have been shaped over-time though the patriarchy, and its children: capitalism and racism. It's a gatekeeper that takes sides depending on the extent to which you follow its standards.
I don't fit those standards. Alongside my neutral sweetness is a troublemaker: a foul-mouthed and irreverent sht-distuber who breaks all her own rules and rolls around in the dirt- regularly. I'm a whole human who stumbles and gets mad and has weaknesses and confusions. I refuse to closet my wholeness in the name of "professionalism." Though I understand that I don't fit the image of a politician or minister, I also understand that Jesus was called a rebel.
As an artist, this means that I expose the bits that I'm not supposed to. I let myself wear spaghetti straps. I show you my day-old-mascara-face. Sometimes my fingers go past my dress-line -along with my opinions, which often blur my party affiliation.
Sometimes I'm quite boring and get pimples on my legs and I'm gonna lose a tooth soon and I'm all worried that no one will take me seriously with a gap or a crooked mouth which is a sign that I'm still uprooting the classist sexist bull that I was programmed by. I'm a bit dyslexic and definitely don't know what I'm doing in these run-on sentances with sloppy spelling. I like it that way. My love-affair with the two elementary cords C & G is just fine for me. I don't actually mind when the ukulele is a bit out of key. And just because not all of us have been able to afford a top-notch editor and sound equipment doesn't mean we shouldn't be able to sing. When we release ourselves from the bounds of professionalism, it's amazing what the moment will bring.
I don't fit those standards. Alongside my neutral sweetness is a troublemaker: a foul-mouthed and irreverent sht-distuber who breaks all her own rules and rolls around in the dirt- regularly. I'm a whole human who stumbles and gets mad and has weaknesses and confusions. I refuse to closet my wholeness in the name of "professionalism." Though I understand that I don't fit the image of a politician or minister, I also understand that Jesus was called a rebel.
As an artist, this means that I expose the bits that I'm not supposed to. I let myself wear spaghetti straps. I show you my day-old-mascara-face. Sometimes my fingers go past my dress-line -along with my opinions, which often blur my party affiliation.
Sometimes I'm quite boring and get pimples on my legs and I'm gonna lose a tooth soon and I'm all worried that no one will take me seriously with a gap or a crooked mouth which is a sign that I'm still uprooting the classist sexist bull that I was programmed by. I'm a bit dyslexic and definitely don't know what I'm doing in these run-on sentances with sloppy spelling. I like it that way. My love-affair with the two elementary cords C & G is just fine for me. I don't actually mind when the ukulele is a bit out of key. And just because not all of us have been able to afford a top-notch editor and sound equipment doesn't mean we shouldn't be able to sing. When we release ourselves from the bounds of professionalism, it's amazing what the moment will bring.
It's a Practice
Growing up in musical theater, I rehearsed for plays to portray life. Now, I've changed my orientation: I rehearse for life by making it a play. It's a practice. No matter how "authentic" or "raw" I offer my reflection, the character that I portray in my art is still a caricature of my forever in-progress persona. The art that I make is always, to some degree, authored by my higher-self. Making it gives me a map to remember the wisdom that emerges from my inner-well, and the Living Mirror itself. It's my medicine.
If ever it comes across like I'm preaching, know this: the one I'm talking to is me. In fact, I needed the message so badly that I had to make a map of it or I'd be lost completely. If ever there's a discrepancy found between what I sing and how I live, let that gap be proof that I'm still integrating my own medicine.
No doubt I change. How I feel about something one day will surely transform soon. My art reflects that. Thus I invite you to receive my offerings not as advice, but as an opportunity to reflect on your own experience. Please see me not as a leader but as a mirror that flows like water. Please approach my art not as a product, but as an invitation to reflect. Please, see yourself standing next to me (not under -or over). It's so much more fun to practice together. We liberate ourselves and each other by lifting the pressure to be perfect all the time. We practice to do our best to stay aligned.
If ever it comes across like I'm preaching, know this: the one I'm talking to is me. In fact, I needed the message so badly that I had to make a map of it or I'd be lost completely. If ever there's a discrepancy found between what I sing and how I live, let that gap be proof that I'm still integrating my own medicine.
No doubt I change. How I feel about something one day will surely transform soon. My art reflects that. Thus I invite you to receive my offerings not as advice, but as an opportunity to reflect on your own experience. Please see me not as a leader but as a mirror that flows like water. Please approach my art not as a product, but as an invitation to reflect. Please, see yourself standing next to me (not under -or over). It's so much more fun to practice together. We liberate ourselves and each other by lifting the pressure to be perfect all the time. We practice to do our best to stay aligned.