Continuous Growth

I believe that the artistic process is a lifelong venture of increasing ability and fortifying personal expression of depth through the inspiration of life's many experiences. Training to develop, maintain and increase skill serves as a foundation for artistic freedom and is a constant in any medium. What we begin with in our chosen artistic path only continues to grow with dedication and effort, and the commitment to expanding our vision and technical abilities should never cease, no matter how seasoned we may become. Technical training is a responsibility to the fortification of art. Adding in personal perspective and infusion of a deeper meaning is what gives technique life. Without depth, insight and a rooted message technique can be left meaningless, yet without strong technique, expression can lose impact as it falls short of the tools to bring vision to life.

I have encountered performers who believe that the gain of popularity is a substitute for continued personal artistic growth, believing that once a certain height of recognition has been reached it is their right to merely appear and gain applause. I realize this mentality will create a short shelf life for even the most popular stars of a certain field, yet beyond that, the quality of an art form can decrease through the representation of an individual's decrease in effort. To have the personal goal of releasing the process of artistic growth once you have caught the attention of your public is not only a let down to the public who has supported you, but more importantly it is a let down to the potential of an artist that was left behind inside of you.

When reading about the lives of many great artists in our history such as Beethoven (who’s hearing began to decline in his twenties), Frida Kahlo (who suffered through many physical injuries from the time she was a small child), Bruce Lee (who continued expanding his philosophies through critical periods of being bedridden) and many other astounding artists in our history who never quit giving back to their art even when they were past the point of “good enough”, it is hard not to take notice of the depth of dedication they had and be inspired. Of course these are extreme examples of overcoming life’s obstacles, but we all have battles we fight. The largest battle we will fight in our lifetime will undoubtedly be with ourselves to continue forward with hope and leave a positive mark on the world.

Though I recognize that the desire to feel as is the finish line has been crossed and the process of our efforts have now been completed is appealing, it contradicts a method of creating that is based off of a humble and continuous movement forward. Every completed project is in essence a relationship that took you on a ride of heartbreak and inspiration, hopefully wrought with passion, and then was released to stand on its own. Though there will always be a continuous flow of enrapture and release, it is important to keep focused on the core of how we want ourselves and our message to be represented and to stay connected to the reasons why we are drawn to create. We have an obligation to our art form. Just as it feeds and inspires us, we have the responsibility to fight to not fall short of our potential in giving back. As artists we should never be "finished" growing, until we take our last breath…….and even that moment of completion is debatable!