10 Questions Every Artist Should Ask Themselves

Here's 10 important questions to ask yourself. Read them constantly as a checklist to make sure your are heading in the right direction and using your artistic potential. 

1. What motivates you to create art? Write down your answer and think about how you can use this very important information.

2. What kinds of information have you been putting on the internet? The internet is the new resume. If I can find dumb pics or comments from you then other people can too...

3. Does your art express something interesting? Great art means something to its viewers, not just its creator.

4. Does failure push you forward? How you deal with failure will determine how skillfull you will become.

5. Do you enjoy arguing or flaming people's work? If you are the type of person to hate on others, it will come back to you. Especially with the internet and all the social networking. 

6. Do you try out new methods/materials/subjects that might be unconfortable at first? Success is inevitable if you always choose to believe "It is my obligation to try."

7. Do you have a strong purpose or goal? When you have a purpose, you stand by it. Something special happens when you show an undying drive to achieve a goal.

8. Are you open to meeting new people and hearing others opinions with an open mind? Your heart & mind are the gates to success & happiness. Keep them open or miss out on great opportunities.

9. You can either let your environment shape you or choose YOURSELF to be who you want to be. The body & mind can be shaped into almost any type of person you wish to be. You just have to train it through persistence & constant search for knowledge. (*I started to be "good" in art when I decided to be extremely serious about it.) What kind of person do you want to be?

10.Do you constantly think about your goals? The best way to accomplish a goal is to have it on your mind all the time. Keep thinking about it until you obtain your goal. I'm not the first to say this one but I can't emphasize it enough.

Source: deviantart.com 

PLEASE DON'T BREAK MY HEART LOVE

PLEASE DON’T BREAK MY HEART LOVE

When we are young we have these dreams and desires for ourselves. Our imagination has no limits! The question is always asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”  A child might answer: a doctor, lawyer, teacher…the usual culprits. “Well, work and study even harder; that will get you there!”, someone might say. “And what would you like to be when you grow up?” “A dancer.” “Oh how nice!” The person is impressed, but what advice does the hopeful little dancer receive? 

Let’s make it personal….I’ve been dancing since I was 2, teaching since 14, was teaching with a national dance company by 18, got my degree in theatre and dance at age 23 and then everything just stopped. I had all of this knowledge, training, experience, drive, passion, etc but had no idea what to do with it. So, here I am, I’ve devoted my entire life to this one thing. There’s no turning back now! But wait…how do I do this? What do I do? How do I find auditions? Should I get an agent? How should I wear my hair? Where should I live? How will I train and make money to live? Should I get a 9-5? Is this the right path for me??? STOP! I have never met a true artist that did not have passion behind what they do. No one makes you become an artist; It grabs your heart and gives you a high. It feeds and fills you in an indescribable way. So, what happens after that amazing feeling? 

Uncertainty, confusion, misdirection, little to no information, possibly no support….reality. Sidenote: An artist whose family and friends are in support of what they do has struck gold! So here we are….
passion yet no direction
talent yet no support
fear yet no comfort
dreams yet no opportunity
drive yet no path

We are lost and alone in a world of possibility. Drowning and can’t get above water, but all you wanted to do was share your passion with the world! Contemplating giving up. I’ll just let it go and get a job, you think. Something more practical, logical, stable…..hmmm….don’t those words sound good?!? So you get the job, but where’s the passion? You're at work everyday, but where’s the drive? You completed the project, but where’s the fulfillment? 

You take a deep breathe and make the hard decision….I’m coming home! So now you’re there (at home) that studio that you’ve spent so many hours in. Your heart is lifted because you now get to do what you were placed on this earth to do! You’ve stretched, water in hand, and reconnected with old friends. You take one last breathe and as you exhale you think, 'please don’t break my heart love. I surrender, just don’t break my heart'. 

This blog is all about HELPING DANCERS FLOURISH IN THEIR CAREERS! I wanted to kick the blog off with a rough topic that (I feel) we all go through...the breaking point! Everything you need to know that comes after you decide to trust your heart you will find in this blog. Tips on auditions, from agencies, class, work opportunities, hair, makeup, style, discussions, etc. I will be posting a surplus of valuable information to dancers on a weekly basis. Please consider sending topic suggestions as this blog is all about YOU! THE BEST WAY FOR ME TO SERVICE YOU IS FOR YOU TO OFFER IDEAS...YES YOU!!! :-) 

I believe we are lucky to have a passion! We just need the tools to make it happen!!!