Becoming an Artist

Becoming an artist involves searching oneself to a depth previously unknown and allowing one's creativity to blossom in fresh new ways. Artists become artists through the willingness to take a risk and being open to unexpected possibilities.
With the guidance of a teacher, and a format of exploration and collaboration, an artist learns what makes the desired impact. Trial and error is a necessary part of the work. Invention is often born from this process: silly putty and popsicles are a couple examples that you may already know.

Asking students to leave their day-to-day life and transform themselves into a productive frame of mind (generous, inspired and imaginative) before entering the classroom is a HUGE endeavor and practical life skill. Once in the studio, building effective skills of communication without uttering a word takes many repetitions to refine and clarify the purpose of every nuance in a movement.

Thus, it is necessary for performers to perform in the studio and on the stage even if it is not seemingly ready. Performing art is fleeting. Its life is limited to the time it is in action and for as long as it is remembered. Its impact can live on in an emotional state.

Art is art when it touches the senses and arouses a thought or feeling beyond the status quo. Art is not always appealing. It can insight negative reaction and inspire adversity. Art reflects life. It changes the audience's thoughts or feelings about a matter.

Everyone has an artistic side. Not everyone cultivates it. Someone who becomes an artist can move another being into another state of being. How powerful is that!