Art Under Pressure: It's a Teamwork Thing

What separates the part-time artist from the full-time pro?

Attention to detail, stress management, and teamwork.
Believe me, I’d love to spend all day every day just writing songs, playing music, and sitting behind a board, but art isn’t worth much if you don’t put it somewhere where the public can buy it, or put their money into it. So, more and more I’ve learned, you have to be the businesswoman first, and the artist second. Get hired on with a well-established band, or get ready to do it yourself. These days, the labels are going under, symphonies are declaring bankruptcy and scrambling for funding, and most tours are temporary contracts that last max, for a couple of years.

This means, as musicians, it’s up to us to take charge of keeping our careers going past the next contract. Here’s a short list of things I’ve used to do this:

• Going back to college to take accounting classes so you can manage your books and run your business.
  
• Taking marketing classes if you can’t afford to hire a publicist, and/or shelling out the dough for a good PR guy.
  
• Getting your brain around technology, so you can design, maintain, or envision a website for your business.
  
• Get really good at finding others who believe in your art as much as you do, and getting them to work for you, put their money behind you, or otherwise give you a giant shove into success.
  
• Have amazing people skills so you can schmooze and make contacts
  
• Not be afraid to take the risks and commit to the the things no one else in your industry dares do… in the odds the it will work out for you, because your just that nuts, and you’re just that good.
  
• Have self-esteem that can be stepped on, crushed, broken, and is tougher and more obnoxiously hardy than any weed in your front lawn. Keep bouncing back no matter how many rejections you get, or how many pitfalls you find.
  
• And, last but not least comes the fun part… still finding time to do your artwork. Only once you have conquered all these little but essential details for a long time, and done it well, will you find yourself in a position to delegate most of these tasks to someone else.
  

I’m sitting in a Starbucks at the moment. All around me are Los Angelinos stopping n for coffee and breakfast. Almost every single one of them is on the phone talking filming, chatting with each other about the next scene they have to shoot, complaining about how they were on set late last night… This is just business as usual for this amazing city. All of us, to some degree or another, are related to the entertainment biz. Disney is a mile down the street, NBC is closer, and Worner Brothers is there, too. I love living right in the thick of it. But it takes so many people to make one musician, one record, one film or celebrity a success.

I’m down to the wire on a current contract right now, in that mad adrenaline rush to get it all don and perfect before the looming release date. I love the rush, live for the stress and the pressure, but it always reminds me forcefully of just how heavily any artist depends on the business side of things, and on her colleagues to get the artwork done.

Writers need editors, agents, publishers, booksellers, publicists, marketing, art directors, cover artists… copy editors and printers. Musicians need recording engineers, producers, other session players, publicists, event planners, graphic designers, photographers, marketing coordinators, distribution labels or companies, venue coordinators, managers, attorneys… film people need lighting, direction, sound guys, makeup and costuming, directors, producers, film editors, cameramen… you get where I am going here.

It takes all of these people to make one thing! it takes money, it takes time, it takes unflagging guts and dedication, but most of all, it takes perseverance, and business smarts. If you are wondering what it takes to make it in this business, grow a thick skin, get ready to lose a lot of sleep, and never break your cool cucumber exterior. Work well under stress, get good at a myriad of things, and swallow your pride. Most of all, put a good team around you who knows what it takes to do the art work, and who believes in you more than you believe in yourself, most days. If you can do all that, and still have a good love life… You stand a pretty good chance of success. :-d

-Sassy

News Flash! Jason Hemmens debut single out now, Sassy outwater, executive producer

What do you get when you combine Sassy Outwater’s signature production style with the edgy, cool sounds of master songwriter and musician Jason Hemmens? Go find out.

Jason has released his debut single “The Sun Don’t Shine Anymore,” from his album “Welcome to reality,” due out on December 8, 2009. I’ve been producing the album with him, and I promise, this thing will blow your mind. It’s pop, jazz, rock and funk, a trip into the unexpected. Ever heard sax with edgy electric guitars and the vocal stylings of a modern-day Prince? Another song will be coming soon. Jason recorded with members of the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus to benefit Retinoblastoma International, a children’s eye cancer charity.

We will need your help to make that song go as far as it can to help cancer kids and their families around the world.

Sign up for Jason’s newsletter on his site to receive the latest news of events, music and all kinds of fun stuff. Please help by spreading the word. This is an independent release on Jason’s own label, Fan2C Records, and to keep the music coming the way you like it, we need your help. Word of mouth is our best advertising tool, and you are our best marketing resource. If you like what you hear, share the link to his website or mine on facebook, myspace, twitter, your blogs, everywhere you can think of. Get the word out, and help us make music to change the world!

Enjoy the single, and count down with us to the release of this album. It’s going to be incredible, I promise that much.

Thanks for all your love and support! Now, go listen, enjoy, and spread the Hemmens Fever to all you know!

Remember, please, that an artist is made by his or her fans. Jason and I are living our dreams, because of you, the fans. Please live your dreams—that is our wish to you.

With love,

-Sass

Going to the Dogs: Labrador Vs. Chihuahua. Which artist are You?

Going to the Dogs: Labrador Vs. Chihuahua
Which artist are you?

My Guide Dog, Kody, and I were crossing the street when a woman passed us walking two Chihuahuas. Toy chihuahuas. Little tiny things no bigger than my hand.

The dogs began growling and scrabbling at the pavement, trying to reach my sixty pound yellow Labrador Guide Dog, who promptly dove for cover beneath my skirt, and hid his face in my leg in stark terror. The itty bitty menaces were ten feet away, and yet my seasoned, fearless Guide Dog was reduced to a huddled up, crumpled pile of furry terror in the face of all that yapping, snapping power. Hmmm… not quite sure what that says about Kodak’s ability to fight off monsters, but I am sure of one thing.

We as artists are just as bad as Kody! How many times have you read through an opera score and wanted to play the leading character, but thought to yourself, “There is no way in hell I’d ever be cast for that role; I am just not good enough.” You’ve had years and years of training, you bring down the house when you do recitals, but somehow auditioning for the role of your dreams is tabeau? Yeah, you’re Kody.

Have you been ogling a window in a high-end gallery every time you walk by, envisioning your paintings hanging there with a hundred thousand dollar price tag attached? And then you go home, and refuse to pick up a paintbrush because if you took that much time away from the kids, you’d be a bad parent. Yeah, You are Kody, too.

Maybe you pick up the New York Times and scan the lists, and choke on your morning coffee because you wish it was your name on that page with the number one bestseller. Or you wish it was you walking onto that stage at the Grammy’s and holding that shiny trophy in your hot little hands. But your guitar sits collecting dust rather than fingerprints, and your finished novel sits in the closet because you can’t stand the thought of another rejection letter. You are Kody, too!

Stop hiding your face out of tiny little inconsequential fears, and start doing your job! Kodak faces down buses, huge airplanes, and things as a Guide dog that would make most of us cringe! He never flinches when a truck rumbles by inches from his paws. He just leads me fearlessly wherever life takes us. So should your creativity as an artist lead you. You have too much to do to let a little thing like fear snap and snarl at you, sending you scurring to an imagined safe haven. Kodak, after realizing that mom wasn’t going to whip out a flaming sword and slay the advancing villains, got himself under control, and realized that he had to be a big strong Guide dog. It was up to him to save his human from the scourges of little dogs, by guiding her safely away. :-d

Was Kody in danger from two walking pipsqueak bad guys? Not a chance. Are you in danger if you audition, or paint for that window spot or write? No. Will you be embarrassed if you don’t get the part the first time you audition? Yes, and the second and the third time… it’s called rejection. It’s part of being an artist. Eventually, when you learn it’s only a little nip, and it doesn’t leave your throat cut open, you’ll get up and do it again. You will if you love your art enough.

Things like fear, rejection—things that hold you back from getting your art where you want it to go, they are the chihuahuas, and you are the Big strong Guide Dog. Or are the roles reversed. Are you going to be the little guy barking at the weirdest things and chasing after things a zillion times bigger than you?

Some days you’re the windshield, and some days you’re the bug. Some days you’re the Guide dog, and some days, You are the Chihuahua.

Learning from the Masters: Timing is Everything

I am an avid reader, but often times, I get a few pages into a book, and drop it because I “can’t get into it.” Either the characters don’t appeal to me, or I’ve figured the plot out already, or there’s not enough reality to make the book believable… A good book is like a good song. You know after the first few bars of a song if this is something you want to stick around for or not. You either sing along, turn it up and rock out, or make a grab for the skip button.

One of the keys to art is timing. And lately, as we flood the bookshelves and music download sites with product, timing gets lost in our drive to put product out. Okay, do not get me wrong here… I’m under deadlines, too, I have to make money doing this, so I’m all about that bottom line, but beneath that business side of me lurks the perpetual artist. Have you ever stood in front of an impressionist painting in a museum, and seen faces, and turned to leave, thinking you were bored? Then, just as you drew your eyes away… something made you look again. You stand there for several minutes, engrossed in watching the light play on the brush strokes, waiting for whatever-it-is to appear again. Slowly, the silhouette of a magnificent woman emerges through the blurred lines. No matter what artform you work with, writing, painting, performing… we all have to be the masters of timing, so that just when the person thinks those faces are not worth a second glance the light glimmers on a strand of the woman’s hair, and the onlooker gasps in understanding and surprised wonder.

Two of my favorite masters of artistic timing are Pieter Tchaikovsky and Brandon Sanderson. They are masters, specifically, of the climax. No, I know where your mind is wandering… please retrieve it before it falls into the gutter… I mean that edge-of-your-seat, is-it-going-to-end-like-that, I-can’t-take-one-more-sus-chord/sword-swing climax. How many times do you listen to a symphony or concerto by the brilliant Russian composer and know that he’s going to end it there--and suddeny he sends it off in a whole new direction and you’re left wondering what happened? Brandon Sanderson, author of the Mistborn fantasy series, does the same exact thing with words that Tchaikovsky does with music. They slowly work their way into your mind, messin with your emotions so subtlely that by the time you notice, oops, it’s too late, you’ve been bewitched, and you can’t help but turn that next page or shush your chattering date so you can hear the next note of the cello.

The master artist takes his time, and isn’t concerned with how long it takes to get your attention. He knows he has you from the get go. He can afford, not by virtuie of his meager paycheck, but by virtue of his total command of his art, to take his time and set up every little detail just the way he wants it. Like dominos, when the finale falls, the words or notes do so seamlessly, spectacularly, in perfect rhythm with your emotions. He moves beyond that place of fear-driven creation, and into a form of art fueled by the subject itself.

Brandon Sanderson takes six hundred pages to tell his story, but you know from page one that you’ve picked up something worth reading. Every page demands your attention, lest you miss that one little detail that seals the whole thing together. Every scene makes a difference, every word leads you one step closer to that cliff-hanging conclusion. Then he throws you headfirst over the edge of the cliff… and leaves you dangling there for a while… before jerking you up again by a single thread, only to throw you over again just to make you squirm. He takes his time, setting every character’s thought, every nuance of the world he has created, so that you get hopelessly sucked in. The story may seem to drag, but you keep turning the pages, and making your eyes (or fingers or ears) read every word, even in the slow parts, just so you know that one little detail that makes the whole book make sense at the end. These are the kind of books where you can’t just flip to the last chapter and read ahead to learn what happens when things get boring. A: you’ll have no idea what’s going on, and B: you don’t want to miss a thing along the way because there are thousand little climaxes hidden on the way to the big one! It’s like a literary wedding night or fireworks show; the sum of the parts is greater than the whole.

And Tchaikovsky’s even worse! Talk about a wild ride! Just when you think you’ve figured out the melody, he builds it, note by note, horn by horn, beat by agonizingly drawn-out beat until the orchestra has you in a musical strangle-hold… and then it drops back to a single violin letting out one haunting note, and that whole building process starts all over. You can’t help but glance at the program and wonder if you moved into the next movement of the symphony, but no, not enough time has elapsed… and the conductor’s hand never dropped.

Just when you get yourself oriented to this new melodic idea, he builds it up again, letting the cellos break your heart, and the French horn set you on edge and the drums shake you apart… and then he drops it suddenly to a complete caesura. Finally, just when you’re about to burst… A lone clarinet gives rise to a whole new idea. And over, and over he works his magic on your mind and ears, building just a little bit with each successive melodic motif until they all culminate at the end, leaving you breathless, holding your clenched hands together, begging for release. He draws each note of the final climax and resolution out with slow ecstasy, milking every last emotion out of you with a practiced hand, and a well-placed formata or two. Playing his music is spectacular, but sitting in the audience, hearing a good orchestra do it… is indescribable.

Both men have complete command of their art form, to the point where you can only witness it and marvel, and enjoy the art for what it is. When I read Sanderson’s books, I know that the long journey, the myriad details and the cruel twists and turns add up to a momentus gestalt worth every minute I spent reading. Likewise, listening to Tchaikovsky’s music--whether ballet, symphony, concerto or song--leaves me in awe of what a masterful hand can do with a few simple notes and a vast array of sounds.

In my own artwork, I can strive to emulate these men, creating not for the sake of productivity, but for the sake of the product itself. Not for the sake of fear, but for the sake of joy. Know that the art will be enough if you let it lead you. Follow real human emotions, perceptions and logic, and the art that results will captivate you audience.

So who are your favorite artistic masters, and why?

-Sassy

Shedding fear: Learning to parent your artwork

Whoa!! Sorry! It’s been way too long since I’ve been on here!

The family reunion was brilliant; it was wonderful to relax, spend time with family, and enjoy the beautiful Cape Cod scenery and food all at the same time!

I came home rested, bug-bitten, sunburned and rejuvenated. Then the madness of catching up with work set in, one thing led to another, and well… I just checked the last date of my blog posts, and… yeah, oops!

So on to today’s topic: parenting your artwork. Yep, I’m going there. :-d

Every artist knows that feeling. That picture, that sculpture, song, poem, design… It’s YOUR baby! And it has to be Perfect! No note out of tune, no line blurred, no scratch blemishing the surface… And Heaven forbid anyone say it’s flawed!

Think of your artistic creations like kids. They have lives of their own, and hard as you try, you can’t control them; you can only make them, and guide them, then stand back and hope for the best.

No matter how much you edit, how hard you practice, how many hours you slave over it, perfection will elude you. Get ready to hear the critics speak. Get ready to take rejection. Get ready to bite your lip and listen to feedback with an open mind… Cuz you’re gonna get it. It’s the nature of the business, baby, and believe it or not, it means growth. Nobody is perfect, and consequently, neither is your art. But it’s yours, and if you don’t believe in it in spite of the criticism and rejection, no one will. Just like parenting. Yep, you will have to spend the money, you’ll get bad report cards, you will even get messes and bad behavior no matter how often you scold and nag. Get used to it. It’s all part of artistic parenting.

At some point, be ready to let your baby fly, and let go. Then develop a thick skin, and tough it out; it’s part of being an artist. You will hear “No.” You will hear “Bad.” You will hear “expensive.” And you wil feel hurt, frustrated and angry. There is no way around it; there is no cure for it; and if you can’t tough it out, art is not the long-term career for you. Being a professional artist takes savvy, courage and obstinacy. When the rest of the world says no, you have to be able to look your artwork in the heart, and say “YES!” Believe in your work so completely that nothing and no one can shake your determination. Practice resiliency. Listen to the feedback you get. It’s necessary, hard as it is to hear.

Go artistically where the money is, or you won’t last long. It may mean you have to write romance instead of fantasy, or play pop instead of blues, but if you want to make a living at art, you have to be flexible and roll with the cravings and needs of your audience. Your art defines you, but your flexability defines your paycheck.

Last but not least, the best artists are business people. Know your industry, know the ins, the outs, the whos, the whats and the hows. Know the wheres and whens, and be there. Success doesn’t often come knocking on your door and invite itself in. You have to put yourself out there, and do the work. If you know a ton of music execs are showing up to a friend’s show tomorrow night, show up dressed for success, and with your demo in hand. Let them see your face and know your name. If you hear of an audition, go sit in the rain for 6 hours and dance, then do the same thing the next day before the same judge. Eventually, she’ll realize you’re dedicated, and it’ll be another star in you book with her, even though your style isn’t quite what she’s looking for. She’s more likely to call the face she knows then the one girl who shows up once and does well. Just because one publisher rejects you doesn’t mean your work is bad; it may just not be what they have the budget to sell right now.

So, to sum up, you do have a parental role in the creative process, but know where to be flexible, and know where to stand strong. Toughen up, shed your fear, do the work, follow your dreams, and wake up to reality. Then… let go!

Cape Cod Blog: Outwater Family reunion under way!

Greetings from the Cape!

I’m lying in bed right now in a hundred year old house, overlooking Horseshoe Bay and the larger Pleasant Bay on the shores of Cape Cod, Ma. The sun is just barely creeping into my room, and I am listening to the rain pouring down outside my window, and the thunder grumbling in the distance. Tide is on the way out. It’s been up all night, and I could hear it rolling in and out, like listening to your lover breathing in bed beside you. Every once in a while, a gentle breeze will reach her hand through the open window to toy with my hair and spread it across the pillows. Kody is curled up beside me, snoozing, happy as a clam.

WE got here last night just in time to enjoy the first of our family dinners at this reunion… Let me explain an Outwater reunion for those of you not familiar with my humungous family…

My grandparents on my dad’s side had six kids, who all married, went off and had kids of their own, who are just now beginning to marry. We live all over the place, and our reunions happen once every two years, always in the same place at the same time. It’s been that way as long as I can remember.

So, there’s about thirty Outwater descendants who fly in, and pack into one giant house for a week every other summer.:-d It’s quite the event.

WE always stay in the same house. It’s a big, rambling Cape Cod style house built in 1906 by a doctor and his wife. It sits on a peninsula, surrounded by a backwater bay on three sides, bordered by a marsh on the fourth side. The house has ten bedrooms, some big, and others just large enough for a bed, dresser and chair.

It’s one of those houses where one footstep echoes through the whole house, thumping on the hardwood floors. We have all generations covered at these reunions, from ages five, to eighty-six, and everyting in between. Some of us grandkids are out of college, and some are just starting kindergarten. So, some of us are up at 6 AM, and some sleep in until noon (which makes life very confusing and funny.) Stuff thirty Outwaters, a Guide dog, all kinds of interests and personalities and a whole lot of love into one house, and the resulting cacophony never ceases! I love it.

A beautiful porch wraps around three sides of the house. We spend most of the day outside, on the rocky beach watching birds and fish, or relaxing on the porch chatting and reading.

The dining room has a table big enough to seat all of us. The uproar at our nightly dinner has to be heard to be believed, but grace at our table, with all of us holding hands, passing a kiss, and toasting each other is truly magical.

Every room has windows thrown wide to the sea breeze, and the smell of salt and old weathered wood is thick in the air.

I don’t know which I love more. Being in this house, a place I love so dearly, or being around all my family at one time. Or perhaps it’s the enchantment of the combination that makes this my favorite place in the world.

There’s an old out of tune baby grand piano in the living room. I can sit there for hours, and even through the out of tune keys, I can pick out melodies that bring out the best side of my songwriting. There’s something about this place that sends my art catapaulting to a whole new level every time I come here. Is it any wonder that “art” can be found in heart??? :-d The two are inextricably linked, I’ve learned. Where my heart feels cared for and full, my art will flourish.

Now it’s late afternoon, and I’m sitting in the dining room with the sun on my back, and the sound of an awsprey hunting cry drifting through the open window. We went for a beautiful sail, and I just spent a day lounging and relaxing, reading, catching up with family, enjoying the beautiful weather. Tomorrow, I’ll probably swim the narrows with my uncle, or go for a long walk through the woods with Kody.

Tonight, I’m looking forward to a huge lobster feast. My sister and cousins are in the kitchen making a hot pink lobster to go on my grandmother’s birthday cake. Kids are down at the beach digging clams, taking turns learning to sail with my uncle, or seeing how much sand they can track into the house. Dad’s grilling corn… Grandma is herding grandkids, and yet more grandkids are running upstairs, chasing each other. no matter where you go, there’s something fun to be found, and someone fun to do it with.

Love from Heaven on earth,

-Sassy

What is the Secret of artistic Success?

I heard a very inspiring talk at a church event this week, and I wanted to pass it on to you.

There was an old man, a wise man. Perhaps the wisest man in the world. He was seen by the entire world as sitting at the pinnacle of success in every aspect of his life.

A young man decided to go to the old wise man and ask what the secret to success was. Wouldn’t we all like to know that one?

“What is the secret to success?” he asked.

The old man smiled and said: “hatif tiwohut srwok seidad.”

“What?” said the younger man. “I don’t know that language.”

“Yes, you do,” the old man replied. “I’ll tell you a story, then you must go off for a year and think about it. AT the end of the year, come back and tell me what you’ve learned.

“There are two young men I know of,” the old man recited. “Both want to be doctors. One has read every book ever written about medicine, watched every film ever made, and talked to every doctor he could find. The other studied hard, and in every way he could, prepared himself for his training as a doctor thrugh learning and public service.

“Now go an ponder,” the old man said.

The next year, the young man returned, discouraged, to sit at the feet of the old wise man. “I can’t figure it out,” he sighed.

“Tell me what you’ve learned so far,” the old man said in a kind and patient voice.

“Prepare yourself in all things?”

The old man shook his head and smiled. “That is important,” he replied, “but it is not quite the secret of success. I’ll tell you another story,” he said. “Come back in a year and again, tell me what you have discovered.

“Two children were with their mothers, shopping for the holidays, when they saw a homeless family huddled in the cold under a bridge, beneath ragged blankets, with no food, and a tiny fire for warmth and light. Both children asked their parents what the family was doing sitting out in the cold.

“The mothers explained sadly that the family had no home to live in. They had no money to buy food, and no holiday gifts to look forward to.

“The first child went home, and sat before the Christmas tree in his living room. He looked at all the presents with his name on them stacked beneath that tree. He thought about what it must feel like to be a boy with no presents on Christmas, and he grew very sad. He ate his Christmas dinner, and thought about how awful it would be to have no food to eat.

“The second child finished shopping with her mother. When they got home, she went immediately to the kitchen, and began gathering things. She went to her parents and asked them to collect all the Yule gifts they had for her. With their help, she made a big pot of good wholesome stew, a loaf of dark bread, and a lovely pie. They gathered fresh fruit and nuts from their garden, and brought the food and the gifts back to the bridge, to the hungry family shivering in the cold. They covered the family in warm clothes, fed them, and sat with them sharing stories and smiles late into the night.

“Now go and ponder” the old man told the young man.

Another year passed and the young man returned. “Act with kindness and charity? Give?” he told the old man when asked what he’d learned.

“That is a key to the secret of success,” the old man said. “You come closer. But I must tell you another story.”

He told another story, and another and another, year after year. Ten years elapsed, and the young man returned for his yearly visit frustrated and still unsuccessful at figuring out the secret of success. Every year, the old man said he had found a key, or come closer, but the young man never quite found what he sought.

The old man always smiled, told a story, then said “Go and ponder.”

Then one year, the old man said something new. He asked the young man, “all the lessons you’ve learned from my stories, son, have you put them into motion in your own life?”

The young man thought long and hard before answering. “Some of them,” he said truthfully. “Not all. I could do better.”

“Then go this year, and put all the lessons into practice. Do that which you have learned. Go, and ponder.”

A year later, the young man arrived with a glowing countenance and a springing step. “I know the secret of success!” he proclaimed joyfully.

“Tell me,” said the old man.

“Faith without works is dead,” the young man said.

The old man just nodded silently and smiled. “Yes.”

Books and stories say things just happen to you. Synchronicity is wonderful, and it is very real, but don’t you think if things are lining up in your life along every step that it might just mean God is helping you out because you are helping yourself? God sent you here, he didn’t come himself. No doubt he could have accomplished with a look what it took you a lifetime to do, but he sent you. That means that no one else in all the generations of time can do what you are able to do in this moment. He Chose You!

if we depend on serendipity to propel us through all the big things in our lives, we become like a ship floating on the ocean, just waiting for the wind to catch the sail, rather than turning to find the wind. We have no captain at the helm directing our path, ensuring we get safely to the right port of call. You could pull a Christopher Collumbus, which isn’t a bad thing, but it wasn’t what you set out to accomplish.

It’s not enough to just dream. You must act upon your dreams, do that which can bring your goals closer to your physical hands. To live with unrealized dreams is to cheat yourself, and kill the wings of your soul and spirit.

Faith without works is dead.

We had fun figuring out the anagrams, but you could have heard a pin drop in that room when we finally got it.

It’s so easy to go through life day by day, going to work, taking care of friends and family, meeting obligations, doing life. We come up with these great ideas, and shove them in that mental closet, promising ourselves we’ll get to it someday. Last summer, I realized I might not get a someday. It’s something I’ve known all my life—people die—but facing neurosurgery kind of laid it out in black and white before me and there was nothing I could do but walk up to it and accept it. So don’t have faith that someday will happen, make your someday happen.

It’s so easy to feel selfish if we steal time for ourselves to put toward our own dreams. It’s selfish to hole up in your cave on a Friday night and write the novel you hope will get you your first publishing contract, rather than going out with your girlfriends to help get your best friend over that guy she just broke up with. But the publisher you want is now accepting manuscripts in your genre, and if you really work hard, you know you can get it in to them. But the more you put toward the art, it feels like the less you give to your friends and family.

Guess what? If they are real friends, they’ll see your dedication for what it truly is, and they’ll believe in you and your vision. They’ll be ringing your doorbell bringing you dinner so you don’t have to get up from the desk and go cook when you’re so deep in writing the climax you can’t get out. And if they’re REALLY good friends, they’ll add your favorite candy or treat to their care package, because they know you need the boost. A good friend doesn’t mind picking up the slack in your life when art calls. And yes, it’s okay for you to ask them for help! That’s why we have friends, to share, to help, to love and to rejoice with when you do finally get that publishing contract. You’re friend will feel accomplished to for having helped you, so don’t deprive them or yourself of that victory.

Before you say I’m nuts, and life doesn’t work that way, know that I’m speaking from experience. Surround yourself with friends who believe in your artwork. Sometimes other artists are best, and sometimes not, everybody is different.

And before you say it, yes, good friends are hard to find.

I’m lucky enough to have a few who have stuck by me through life, art, and all of the accompanying challenges. There are those who decided that I wasn’t worth waiting around for every time I got to a point where I had to put my art and service before my friendships. But we’re each called to something different in life, called to do different things on this earth. The truest friend will understand that, and know that I’d drop everything in a heartbeat if they need me, and vice versa. A true friend understands my phases of frenzied creation, and I don’t have to worry about giving myself completely to the art. Those true friends will be there waiting when I get back.

I love my friends and family very much, and my dedication to my callings in life never diminishes that love. It just means I have a fine line to balnce on between devoting myself to what I came to earth to do, and devoting myself to helping those I love. When the two things come into conflict, it’s very hard on me, but I know that the true friends, the ones who love me and understand me, will still be there when the storm of creation blows over.

Being an artist is not selfish. Giving time and sacrificing to create is not selfish, it is answering the call of that dream, that vision that God planted in your soul. Being an artist is not the hedonistic, starvation-ridden, fruitless lifestyle the world makes it out to be. You can be an artist and be responsible. You can be an artist and be “normal.” You are an artist, and you are still subject to the laws of humanity. :-d It is the law of nature that a healthy baby bird will spread its wings and try to fly. If it does not, it will eventually die of starvation or as prey to a predator. A healthy human baby will learn to crawl, then get to its feet and practice walking, then running, dancing, leaping. Artists have the same urge within them to exercise their talents of creation. If we do not practice creation and strengthen our fledgling wings or spread our full-grown wings regularly, they will atrophy and become crippled and unable to bear weight. Those wings are your ticket to freedom and success, so have faith that God gave the to you because you are supposed to use them. It is not enough for the hawk just to know he has wings. He must unfhurl them and fly to hunt and eat. If he does not, he dies. Feed your spirit. Have faith that God knew what he was doing in giving you this all-consuming urge to create.

I pray you have people inyour life who understand your calling to create, and who support you in that. I pray that this aspect of art is not a struggle for you, and that you can accomplish that high-wire balancing act with grace, agility and joy.

Namaste,

-Sassy

PS. Thanks go to cam Walker for the secret of success story and the anagrams. I paraphrased, and I hope I didn’t kill it. :-d Thanks, Bishop Walker!

Learning = Inspiration: Mental Fireworks make good art

Hello, world,

Sorry for the long silence. I spent one week dealing with work issues, and last week not feeling well. To say the least, it’s been a crazy couple of weeks, and I’m glad to be back.

Sumer has officially arrived in Los Angleles, with the heat beating off the pavement, blazing hot car interiors, and afternoons spent in the pool. With the summer heat comes wonderful things like fresh fruit salads, sun dresses, beach buming, and friends coming to visit. And of course, let’s not forget, the all-important vacation! (mine starts in two weeks and I can’t wait!)

I got asked a very interesting question the other day that I thought would make a great topic for a blog post.

“Sassy, so why do you keep going to school and studying? Wouldn’t you get more done just working in the industry, sweetheart?”

Actually, I think the opposite is true, for me, at least. As a musician, I’ll never know it all. As a healer and yogini, to stop learning would effectively blocade my progress in my practice for myself and my patients. And as a person, I love change, and get bored with the status quo really quickly. I’m a gypsy at heart, and need to always be moving on, seeing what’s new, exploring and pushing my limits. It’s part of having butterfly as your spirit animal. :-d

Yep, it’s summer, and I am a student again. I’m taking a crystal therapy corse right now. I’ve already done my certification work, but felt like I could use training from a new perspective. Plus, things in my life have evolved, and additional education will greatly enhance how I function as a healer. It’s also nice to meet classmates--see who else is out there doing what I do, and how their techniques vary from my own.

I may be a yoga teacher, but I still have teachers of my own, and attend yoga classes on a regular basis. I teach, but I must also learn.

A degree doesn’t mean much in my field of commercial music, but I still want to go for my masters and doctorate soon, just to learn as much as I can about the subject I love. Learning, for me, equals knowledge. Knowledge equals growth, understanding, and an open doorway to advancement and new concepts.

We as artists never stop learning. Taking a color class, receiving updated training on technology, studying martial arts, reading, watching a documentary; in whatever way you can, fill your life with learning.

Time to re-visit that mental neighborhood I keep referring to. Bring a construction crew with you this time--neurons make great builders when given good building materials.

Have you ever noticed how downtown in your city may look kind of run down and crime-infested? Then city counsel approves an initiative to spend money on revitalizing the area. Suddenly, new buildings pop up; colorful streetlights replace the darkened broken ones. New trendy cafes push out the sleezy bars; apartments for high rent explode around the district; art galleries appear; and a few high-end shops open their doors. Slowly, a new crowd begins to trickle in. The bums, hookers and whinos who used to haunt these streets find other places to go. A few loyal troublemakers still hang around, but overall, the seediness of the area becomes artistic, rather than overtly dangerous. Somehow, the shabby shic appeals, rather than repulses.

Our brains work in exactly the same way. Without attention to detail, and a little time and yes, money, invested In our brilliance, we fizzle out. Before we know it, we’re a a few years out of school, and life got boring and monotonous. When you stagnate mentally, you kill off your artistic impulse. It feels easier to just do your daily routine, and not break it to allow inspiration in, or artwork out.

How in the world can you expect to create new, fresh, marketable art if you don’t feed your starving brain new ideas?

As artists, we can never know it all. There’s always a new fingering exercise I can practice, or a new color being released by your paint supplier. There’s a new computer program that makes graphic design a breeze, or maybe learning a foreign language allows you to incorporate new concepts and words into your lyrics. Even taking a yoga class and seeing the tall blonde in the mirror behind you can give you an idea for that character in that novel that’s been sitting dormant in your desk drawer. Go shopping and see what’s new this season. What’s in, and what’s out? Is it time to finally break out that leopard-print jacket and shoe design you’ve been hiding and start sending it to boutiques?

As you embark on your summer adventures, let yourself learn. You’ll be surprised at how easily learning opportunities just insert themselves into your path when you make room for them. It feels almost like they’re hunting you down, waiting just on the edges for you to give them the go ahead to manifest. Find opportunities to fill your mind with new things, and consider new ideas. The family that moved in across the street doesn’t speak English or decorate the house for the 4th of July, but maybe you can trade a backyard bbq with them in exchange for a lesson in foreign art or culture or language. Have patience for new concepts and people; they’re the artist’s best inspiration sometimes.

We tend to write, play, paint, and dance what we kno, what we’re familiar with. In your art this sumer, step outside the normal comfort zones you’ve drawn for yourself. I challenge you to break the boundaries, and learn to broaden your horizons and your expectations for your artwork.

And happy 4th of July! I remember seeing the fireworks as a kid, and this holiday is always a wash of memories and dreams for me. I love it!

When you see the fireworks explode across the sky in honor of our freedom tonight, close your eyes for a moment, and envision your artwork, your dreams, exploding up there for the world to see. Fireworks aren’t just pretty lights; they symbolize the pinnacle of our achievements. Put yourself up there across that sky in color, and feel what it will be like when you light up the world. Give yourself a match, and light the fuse.

Be safe, and have a wonderful weekend!

-Sarah

The Dreaded first date: analyzing the artistic process

I just got back from a closet raid. There are clothes piled all over the foot of my bed--discard pile, maybe pile… nothing in the YES pile yet. And I haven’t even started looking for shoes or makeup and jewelry yet!

How do we girls do this? Putting ourselves together for a first date is like decorating the damned Christmas tree! Or worse because you don’t take the Christmas ornaments, lights and tinsel off a thousand times until you get it just right.

From makeup to hair, nails, the colors I choose for my outfit and shoes… Every little detail counts. I, in effect, become a piece of walking talking artwork.

It’s one thing to have an artistic vision. Many of us have great ideas floating around in our heads for artwork of one kind or another. But manifesting those ideas is the hard part, or the part where many people find an excuse to shelf the idea and forget about it.

Think of your artwork like a first date. First you have to get up the courage to ask your date out… (getting started is the hardest part sometimes for me.) You could get shot down before you even get off the ground. If you do get a yes, then you have to plan where you’ll go and what you’ll do. What you’ll wear, what you’ll say and even the kiss at the end… it all requires forthought, preparation, execution, and spontaneity.

Forethought: What are you going to wear? Where are you going? How are you getting there? How long will you be there? It’s second nature for us to consider these questions when we plan a date.

But the artistic questions might not seem as obvious. What is the art you want to create. What are you trying to accomplish with the artwork? What kind of profit is involved, and how much will you have to expend before the profit rolls in? How are you going to put the artwork out there? How are you going to make the art in the first place?

I’m going to use music, since that’s my artform, but substitute your art in wherever necessary. I start with a song. What does the song need to convey to the audience, and how will I make it do that? Chords, melody, rhythm, all have to flow together to create an overall impression. Is it a song I need other players for? How will I pay them? Where will we meet to practice/record or perform?
You get the idea. There’s so many parts to planning artwork. But details are where it’s at.

Preparation: Getting dressed, doing my hair. Be sexy, but not slutty. What color should my outfit be? Does the color choice and cut of the clothes accentuate my good points and hide my imperfections? What colors should I use for my makeup? Hair up or down? Shoes—is he taller than me, or can I get away with heels? Should I make him wait just a little, or be ready right on time?

Again, details make the impression; the more put together and organized your artwork, the better it will be received. The more rehearsed the musicians are prior to hitting the studio, the tighter the sound will be. How are the instruments mixed? are the right people on the project? Is that the right feel for this song? Does the whole song flow well? What kind of snare do I want for this song, tight, or deep and ringing? Even the smallest detail matters.

As you are putting together your artwork, or considering how to put it together, remember that art is a growth process and requires one very special ingredient that snags most people.

Execution: From answering the door, to conversation over dinner, to leaning in for a kiss good night and going out on the date in the first place, a date takes execution and desire. Without that, you’re left home alone on a Saturday night.

Execution is the most important part of artwork. Get out there and just do it! You’ll never know unless you try. Even the best grammy-winning musicians make mistakes (and I have the tapes to prove it!) It takes a thousand wrong notes to hit the right one. Give yourself room to mess up, room to grow, and the chance to do both.

My makeup might not be perfect, but at least I’m trying. This guy might not be my eternal mate, but we’re having a good time. The movie was awful, but at least the food’s good! Art requires fluidity and flexibility from you. Things might not turn out just the way you envisioned them, but that is the fun of life.
Roll with it, and let the artwork happen to you, not the other way around.

Art is an experience in living. You could go on the date wearing Prada and Burberry, or you could go wearing a no-name designer that was within your budget, and really brings out your personality and your coloring. You could do what everyone else is doing artistically, or you could find your own voice and take a little longer to achieve success. Just because your art isn’t the hottest thing out there doesn’t mean it won’t be. And it certainly doesn’t mean you’re right or wrong. Those concepts are null and void in art. There is no right or wrong. It will either fit with what people want right now, or it won’t. It all depends on your execution, and the reception you get.

The execution is your job, the reception belongs to your date or the audience. You may be drop-dead gorgeous, but your date may prefer blonds. You may detest the food, but your date may be in seventh heaven over your eyes, and not notice a thing he’s eating.

Which brings up my last point. Learn to let go of your artwork. Once you’ve done all you can, let your audience do the rest.

I may have a wonderful first date tomorrow night, or it might be a bust. All I can do is prepare, be present, and let God and fate do the rest. Have fun with your artwork, enjoy what it brings you, and don’t be afraid to just watch what happens.

I’m gonna look gorgeous, I’m going to enjoy myself, and if it’s meant to be, it’ll be.

So get your art done right, enjoy yourself, and then kiss it goodbye and let it fly.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go re-organize my closet and clean up this mess! 

Prune the Tree, Harvest the Fruit: the Cultivation of Artistic Space

I’m on a balcony overlooking a beautiful pool. A mockingbird is sitting in a tree nearby, crooning out the most beautiful song. There’s a soft Pacific breeze playing with my hair, and children are laughing and splashing in the pool below me. I can hear the rustle of nearby leaves like a lullaby. It’s overcast, and the sun is just barely touching my face, disappearing behind scudding clouds every now and then. I like it best when it’s cloudy like this, cool and breezy, quiet and a little moody.

I often come up here to write, to think, practice or just sit and meditate. It’s beautiful here, the true definition of west coast living. Around me, I can hear the beating heart of the city--cars on the freeway, planes, garden machinery humming, crows and sparrows arguing over who-knows-what…

Becoming more in tune with your artwork requires you to become more in tune with yourself, and with the world around you. The places I live and the people I meet often wander into my songs and stories in one way or another.

Most people wouldn’t see my neighborhood as a place for an artist, but surprisingly, there’s a lot of us living here. Actors, musicians, painters, dancers, models, photographers, all on our way up or down the mountain of artistic success. Most of us are somewhere in the middle; more than a few are a little jaded with the industry, but still in love with the process of creation.

I live in a unique neighborhood. It’s not uncommon to see horses walking around here from the nearby equestrian center. Squirrels, possums and raccoons sneak over from Griffith Park, and even a skunk or two shows up for an unexpected visit. It’s a place where neighbors know you by name, and drop in unannounced just to chat and bring you treats. They know my name at the local stores and restaurants; they doat on Kodak and know the latest in my life through the grapevine. My starbucks knows my favorite flavor of tea. My Jambajuice has my order ready for me when I walk in. It’s a place in the middle of a whirling cityscape, but somehow, it hovers just outside the big city rhythm, safe, comforting, paradisal in its simple friendly existence.

I’ve never lived in a small town before. In Arizona, neighbors mostly kept to themselves, moving in and out like gypsies. I knew a few of my neighbors, and I might get a smile here or there from clerks at the store who knew me, but for the most part, I stayed in my circle of friends and colleagues, and didn’t venture much outside of that, and neither did anyone else.

Stepping outside the normal boundaries of your life can be a huge asset to your creativity. Meeting people from all walks of life, brought together by circumstance is an opportunity we can’t afford to pass up. Change means growth, momentum, inner strength, breaking down resisting barriers, and opening our minds.

Ask yourself this question: When was the last time I opened my mind, and gave myself room to grow?

You might be very surprised by the answer.

Give yourself and your art room to grown,and a safe place to do the growing. It’s important to place ourselves mentally, physically and emotionally, in an area where growth isn’t something we intentionally do. It should happen naturally, like a tree.

We as humans, as artists, were given the blessings of growth, change and expression. If we bury those gifts, and let them stagnate in the rush of life--bills, worries, relationships--they’ll be like a seed beneath the snow, never able to emerge.

I love the book “The Secret Garden.” The garden lies dead and barren until Mary brushes away the ivy and finds the hidden door. She unlocks the door and begins tending the garden with loving care and attentiveness. Metaphorically speaking, the garden is your inner artist, your soul.

When was the lasttime you opened that hidden door, and snuck in to spend some quality time with yourself? You might have to do some serious pruning and weeding, and it might take a while to see sprouts poking their tiny heads out of the cold hard earth. But with enough love and care, any planted seed will grow.

Each of us requires different inner self-care. Whether you need beautiful colors around you, in your house or in nature, or you feel more at home with good music and lots of friends surrounding you, create that space for yourself. Actively go out and cultivate your garden this week. Find what makes you grow, opens you, allows you to receive the rain and sunlight, and reach for the Heavens and your utmost potential.

I love fragrances, warm familiar scents of flowers, fruits, and spices. I love unlocking my door, and walking into my house to find myself surrounded in the scents of vanilla, cloves, cinnamon, ginger, white tea, citrus, or lilies. I love feeling beautiful, so I take the extra time to wear clothing and jewelry that makes me feel peaceful, happy, and successful. Reading allows me to step out of my world and into another for a while, so I read at night before I go to bed. I love teas and inhaling the fragrant steam, so I always have the kettle on and a cup of tea near me.

Spiritually, I grow when I’m at church. I love being with Church family and nurturing my spirit in God’s love and truth. Nothing is more miraculous to me than serving in the temple and studying the gospel of Christ. Prayer is a daily part of my existence, at all times, and in all things.

Second only to God, is my need to create, heal, and inspire. I do this through my music and my writing and my Yoga. If I do not create, I stagnate, I hurt, I fail to move forward in my life.

What things do yu do to care for your own inner artist? How do you inspire yourself, invigorate your art, and create an artistic space that allows you to grow and produce fruit?

new blog up: Sassy's crystals

The new blog is up and going over at Sassy's Crystals.

This blog will still be going here, too.

The cryrstal blogs will be all things Yoga, aromatherapy, massage, crystal healing, dietary and nutrition, herbal and holistic. Enjoy!

And a big thanks goes to Seth, who helps spruce this blog up and gets my links active.
Follow seth's adventures. You will never cease to be amused.

Also: one of my favorite authors comes out with a new book on June 2. If you haven't ever gotten a taste of Yasmine Galenorn's storytelling, then you are suffering a serious case of literary deprivation. Go get your copy of Demon Mistress, and enter the world of the deArtigo sisters.

To partake in all the Yasmine fun, go browse her blog.

As you can see, today's Artist's Way theme is shamelessly plug those who inspire you/add to your artwork. If you like an artist, spread the word so they can continue doing what they do/make enough to live their art. Every time you get a chance, talk your artists/writers/musicians up!!! :)
They need to make a bumper sticker that reads

Save the artist... remember the release date! :-d

Artistic inspiration ambush: clean up your dirty mind!

Welcome back to your normally scheduled blog topic: The Artist’s Way... sort of. Can anything abou this blog be considered normal anyway??? Not when I’m at the keyboard… I haven’t blogged about the Artist’s Way for a while, so let’s get back to it!

Before diving in, I need to cover a few quick housekeeping items.

First, music biz Q&A part 2 is coming! Come visit on Friday for all the fun.

Second, I’ve had a ton of questions on crystal healing and Yoga, so starting next week, I’ll put up a whole new blog devoted to living yoga, crystals, holistic healing, herbs, and anything concerning mind, body or spirit. I’ll let you know the link.

Okay on to today’s blog, finding inspiration.

I don’t have a set formula for where or when artistic inspiration will strike me. I can be reading, watching TV, going through something in my life, joking with friends over dinner, hearing a talk at Church… All of these scenarios are full of ah-ha moments. Ah-ha moment: when the hand of inspiration reaches out and smacks you in the head and commands: “Make me! Create me! Give me life, a voice, a form.”

I’ve found artistic inspiration to be an equal-opportunity attacker with no compunctions or shame whatsoever. It invades my thoughts when I'm dead asleep, jerking me awake and plunging me into the midst of a new song before I even figure out where I am or what time it is. It steals my peace when I'm eating dinner or having a good phone conversation with a friend. "That would be a great lyric line!" pops out of my mouth at the most inopportune moments, followed by frenzied hunning and a mad dash for the nearest instrument. This is a familiar scene to all who know me--one they probably dread because it's usually followed by a long period of them being banished, and me hacking my way through the tangle of another tune or story.

But it likes to find me most often during my most private moments. Music walks right in while I'm stealing a moment of peace in the shower. I'm usually full of suds, enjoying a hot soak, and some solitude.. and the next thing I know there's this stranger sharing the shower with me, rocketing around inside my head going "Let me out! Let me out!"

"I didn't invite you in," would be my first response, but then again, that mental gate is standing wide open, even when I'm butt naked and dripping wet, running with a towel half-on for my digital recorder or a scrap of paper.

Anyone know if they've invented water-proof paper and pens yet? Not even the digital recorder can save me when the shower ambush occurs. Nasty, scandalous, dirty little sneaks, those ideas. And yet, so satisfying. :)

Whenever and wherever inspiration hits, it’s usually a head-on collision, an the only fatality is that of bordom. My pride might be injured, my mind might be pried open and lit up like Christmas, but you can bet that I feel better after I get it all out.

Keeping artistic inspiration locked up inside is, for me, like turning myself into a human volcano. Too many stifled ideas, and I promise you, Mt. St. Sassy will erupt and spew stuff everywhere with no regard for damages or bystanders. It’s far better to control the inspiration, direct and channel it, let it out all over paper instead of some poor friend’s unsuspecting ear.

I think it’s time we re-visit the Mental Neighborhood from a few months ago. Take a walk around your neighborhood and do inventory. Are there a few ideas you stuffed into hidey-holes, promising yourself you’d make time somewhere down the line to fix them up nd show them to the world. Is that a discarded idea I see being blown down the street like a piece of flotsome!

Grab a notebook and a pen (or a computer if you’re blind or a geek), and go clean up that internal neighborhood. Don’t litter by just dropping ideas all over the place, pick them up anddispose of them properly, onto a piece of paper, or nto a waiting instrument, piece of clay, canvas—whatever form you work in! The world likes new ideas, so throw yours out where they’ll have a chance to flourish!

Blind drivers coming to a road near you!!!

You’re running late for a meeting, and the last thing you feel like doing is braving L.A. traffic. You run out to the car, put your route to the office into the GPS, and pull up your fave playlist on your Ipod. When you pull up to the stoplight, you happen to glance to your left, where you see a Corvette revving her engine. You do a double-take as the Corvette moves out onto the freeway beside you, then passes you by… There’s a Guide Dog sitting in the passenger seat, tongue lolling, ears flying in the breeze… but the only person in that car is in the driver’s seat…

Hey, guess what, it’s not that far away. Before you know it, you’ll be seeing blind people all over the road, and not just in the cross-walks or on public transit.

I woke up this morning, and since I didn’t have to leap out of bed and make a mad dash for Yoga class, I turned on the TV for a moment, and came across a documentary on the science channel about robotic cars. The driverless cars had to negotiate their way through a sixty mile race-course without any human intervention. Tasks ranged from maneuvering through a traffic circle and parking lot, to merging on a high-speed freeway. The bots faced a dirt road, and had to figure out traffic jams.

While the technology was developed to save the lives of soldiers by sending automatons into battle, it’s effects will be far felt. Over ninety percent of vehicular accidents today are caused by human error. Not only would automated cars allow blind people to drive, and revolutionize safety for combat, it would completely change the face of civilian driving.

While some of you read this and moan because it would take away your cruising fun, or damage your ability to speed to a meeting, think about the bigger picture for a minute. It’s on the horizon, so get ready! I’ll be sharing the road with you before long, and baby, I can’t wait!!!

Oh, and before you ask, yes, I have driven a car before. :-d No, I will not divulge where or when.

This and other technological developments in the past fifteen years or so have completely changed how we as a society function, obviously, but it has really had an impact on how blind people access life, and accomplish their work. From specialized computers designed specifically for the blind, to cell phones and computers made for the general public that are modified for our use, more and more products are blind-friendly these days.

There are still plenty of hurtles to be overcome, such as inability to fully access print materials, but even that is changing. I can snap a picture of a document with a cell phone now, and read it, or scan it with a regular OCR scanner. Gone are the days of luging around a million pounds of Braille--now a meg or two of memory on a laptop or in a flash card and all my books are at my fingertips.

A common misconception is that blind person = musician. Not all of us make music, but for those of us who do, the days of being relegated to the studio or stage and bared from the control room are history. Thanks to David Pinto and Dancing Dots, we are now able to engineer and produce as quickly and proficiently as anyone else.

This accesability extends to almost every field. In medicine, in science, in politics, in law, retail, engineering and mathematics, there are blind people advancing the limits of what is possible every day.

Growing up, my dearest wish was to become a veterinarian. With advances in technology, that goal is probably attainable for an ambicious blind person today, or it soon will be. If, in a few years, your surgeon, president or police officer is blind, don’t be surprised.

It just proves there is no speed limit on ability.

Brenda Novak diabetes Auction and Retinoblastoma Awareness week: Spread the word and save lives!

There are two very important health-rlated issues I would like to bring your attention to throughout the coming week and month.

First, the Brenda Novak Diabetes Auction is up and going strong.

Click on the auction link and buy yourself some goodies while also giving money to fight one of the top killers in the world today. There are items for everyone and every budget up there, and remember every little bit helps, so get over there and start bidding!

Secondly, it’s World Retinoblastoma Awareness week, and we need your help.

I was six months old when I was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, an aggressive cancer that attacks the retinas and optic nerves of children primarily under the age of five. As you can imagine, it is devastating to parents who find out their little babies must suddenly be plunged into the nightmarish hell of chemo therapy, radiation, surgery, dialated eyes and hospitals. I underwent nearly three years of treatment, including seventy surgeries on my face, high doses of open bema radiation, chemo therapy, and yes, I do remember quite a bit of it vividly, even though I was very young.

My mother began noticing something was wrong with my eyes when I was three or four months old. She took me to several pediatricians and opthomologists who insisted that there was nothing more seriously wrong with me than a case of lazy-eye. She noticed I had trouble focusing on objects, I seemed to be in pain, and my eyes in photographs were very red. In her heart, she knew something was seriously wrong, and she kept taking me to different doctors, until one opthomologist dialated my eyes, and broke the news to my parents that I was very, very sick, and needed immediate surgery. A mother’s heart is never wrong, and my mother’s fortitude and perseverance saved my life.

Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles was one of only two hospitals in the United States at the time able to adequately treat me, so my parents began bringing me back and forth from Arizona every two weeks for care.

I do not need to tell you the strain my parents endured over the next several years. Watching your child fight for her life is a pain I can’t begin to understand because I have no children of my own yet, but I know it is heart-breaking.

When I was three, I lost my sight to the cancer when they removed both of my eyes and replaced them with prosthetics.

I am a survivor of retinoblastoma. I know first-hand the pain it inflicts upon children and their families, and I am asking for your help. It’s no coincidence that this awareness week falls so close to Mother’s Day and National prayer day.

Please say a prayer or send your thought to all the families facing the challenges and trauma of childhood cancer. Every prayer, every thought, every outstretched heart and hand makes a huge difference.

And above all else, please spread the word. If parents don’t know the signs to look for, this disease can rage out of control like a wildfire, and spread to a baby’s bones or brain, killing an infant. Retinoblastoma now has a high survival rate in the United States and Great Britain, but in other countries, this disease is still ravaging families and killing children. Only when the disease is stopped before it spreads to bones or brain is it treatable at this time, so detecting it early is vital.

Symptoms of retinoblastoma include red eyes in photographs in infants or children under age five, crossed or bloodshot eyes, difficulty in visual focus and facial pain or crying at harsh light.

For more info on retinoblastoma, please visit Retinoblastoma International.

For links and resources for parents and families of RB children, please visit Retinoblastoma Arizona.

One word from you can save a child’s life and eyesight. Spread the word to everyone you know about Retinoblastoma, and do your part to stop childhood eye cancer. Speak up, save a life; it is that simple.

Thank you.

A day late and a dollar's worth of sleep deprivation...

I promised part two of the music biz Q&A would go up tonight, but it is after one o’clock in the morning, and I only just got home from the recording studio a few minutes ago. I still have plenty of work to do before I sleep, so please know that Q&A is coming, it’s just been delayed for a day or so. There’s still time to get your questions to me on myspace, facebook, twitter, here on the blog, or by any other of the ten million ways you have of finding me.

Okay, back to work for me, off to bed with you, I hope. Thanks for your patience.

Good night!

Getting down ‘n dirty: the reality of the producer in the recording studio

I’m veering away briefly from the normal Artist’s Way theme of the blog this morning to address a few questions which have recently come my way about the technicalities of the recording biz. I’ll do this in a three-part series throughout the week. Today’s post will focus on what to look for when hiring a producer and an engineer for your recording, and why they make invaluable members of the team when you pick the right ones. Thursday’s post will be all about money, royalties, advances, and the talk of the industry. This weekend’s post is on a more sensitive topic: what it takes to go from amateur to professional musician these days.

So on to today’s questions…

Q: What’s a producer, and why do I need one?

A record producer is a multi-purpose organism who, all in all, is responsible for maintaining the sanity, artistic quality, and financial stability of the recording session, among other things. Your producer, if he or she is a good one, alternates from being your best friend to your hardest critic, often several times an hour. It’s the producer’s job to take you as an artist, and deliver you as a CD or MP3 to your eagerly awaiting fans. We’re the liaisons between the artist and the engineer, the label, the editors, the agents, and everyone else affiliated with a particular musical project. Consequently, a producer is akin to the ref in a game. You can play ball without a ref in the park, but to hit the big leagues, you need someone who knows the rules, and knows just when and how to push them, re-negotiate them, or in some cases, break them completely, all for the sake of the bottom line. This means that yes, at least once, I guarantee you’ll hate your producer’s guts, and once, you’ll love her enough to drop on your knees and propose. Okay, it’s not that bad. But sometimes, a producer may have to tell you that something isn’t working, or you’ve got to change part of the recording you were in love with. Your producer must be someone you trust implicitly with your artistic vision, your music, your career.

Q: How do I pick the right producer for my music?

A few things to consider: Pick a producer who has plenty of experience in your genre, and with your instrument. Never skimp on experience. That having been said, how do you find out what experience a candidate has that applies to you?

It’s often very hard to check up on a producer’s credentials. The best way to do this is by word of mouth, talking to people who have worked with that producer before, or seeing that producer in action in the studio for yourself. A word to the wise: someone may be a great musician, but that does not make them a great producer. When you choose a producer for your project, make sure they understand your ideas, your musical influences, and the direction you want the album to take. If not, you could be working from opposite sides of the wall, going nowhere fast. Also, make sure that you are comfortable with that producer’s style. If they’re a hard critic and don’t mince words, it might make you very uncomfortable in the studio, and you’ll find you’re nerves eating you alive. Make sure that the two of you develop a good emotional rapport before you hit the studio.

If you do not know the producer personally, check online at allmusic.com or on a similar site to find their credits. Some may not have credits there, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t legit. You can ask the producer for a resume and a demo of their work, but keep in mind that it’s often next to impossible to verify that kind of info in the music industry, especially for indie producers. Another way to verify your producer’s credentials is through their union. Most producers are affiliated with aSCAP, BMI, SESAK or one of the other music unions. AFM or most indie and major labels know who is affiliated with which union, and can guide you there.

If you are independently hiring your producer, treat it like hiring an employee, and find out as much info as you can from sources close to them. If you’re label puts you with a producer, do everything you can to ensure that he or she knows where you are coming from, and where you want to go with the album. A good producer will listen, advise, and learn from you, not push you or pull you into something that doesn’t feel right to you.

If you do find yourself with a producer that doesn’t feel right to you, there are several legal steps you can take, depending on contracts you signed before the project (hopefully you signed them, and read them carefully). Before you hire a producer, or allow a producer to work with you, read the fine print, know your rights under your union, and/or seek legal advice from a qualified music attorney. Always, always get things in writing! I can’t stress this one enough. A good, honest producer will most often insist upon it before yu ever begin work on a project. Without that contract, your legal recourse should things turn sour, is very limited, so be smart, and know what’s going down on paper.

Q: So what goes on behind that mysteriously sound-proofed door for the producer?

If you’re one of the huge twenty year vets with a dozen platinum records and grammies to your name, then I can’t speak to what your day looks like. But if you’re starting out, trying your hand at production or engineering, here’s a glimpse of an average day for me.

I’ve been producing and engineering for seven years, and I’m a mid-level producer right now. I don’t have a huge hit to my name yet, but I’ve worked with enough well-known artists and in enough studios to get a good resume going. I can often choose which contracts and musicians to work with, and I no longer do demos and EPs as a rule. I specialize in acoustic music, full-length studio albums, and working with artists who generally do most of their own songwriting and have a pretty focused idea of the sound they want.

Nope. Definitely not the glitz and glam you see on Entertainment Tonight… or at least, not in my line of work. Engineers and producers work long hard hours. Most of what we do involves listening to minute snippets of songs over, and over, and over again to get things just right. Other things we find ourselves doing include, but are not limited to:

setting up microphones
crawling into tight dusty holes in the wall for equipment that hasn’t been used for years
climbing through mazes of cabling to reach the switch that’s short-circuited
going toe-to-toe with musicians when you re-direct/get-in-the-way-of their dreams
getting electrocuted by the malfunctioning piece of gear you were so excited about using
giving massages, a shoulder to cry on, and comfort or encouragement to tense, freaked-out new artists
slave-driving yourself and others until all hours to beat deadlines
maintaining the patience of a saint
feeding musicians, and/or sending someone else to do it
placating ruffled feathers at least 2 or 3 times a session
keeping a choke-hold on the purstrings and the hands of the clock
Negotiating contracts and financial affairs for the project
Selecting and booking musicians, studios and venues
For recording
Answering questions an astrophysicist couldn’t answer
Keeping morale high and smiles on everyone’s faces as much as humanly possible
Make a little music
and generally run, and/or referee everything else going on in the studio. You often get frustrated, often get to see the rougher side of everyone involved, and it’s not uncommon to get dirty, or tear your clothing in the process of lugging around equipment.

So while the diva may walk in, sing, and swagger out, the rest of us, believe it or not, aren’t driving jags or Mercedes, and we certainly aren’t walking the red carpets. Yet.

A producer and engineer are there to take the pressure off of the performing artist. The engineer is responsible for setting up equipment, keeping everything running without glitches, running the computer or console, and monitoring the recording process. The producer does many of the same things, but generally directs the engineer, guides the artist, and makes sure that the product being recorded with match the requirements of the label/artist. The engineer and producer determine which mics to use, how to place them, which take to keep or discard, and generally, how to acquire the best possible sound for each musician.

Q: I want to produce. What do I need to do?

I may get dirty, spend all day doing paperwork and negotiating financial dealings and calming down musicians, but when all is said and done, I love every aspect of my work. I get a chance to compose, perform, engineer, and boss people around all at once. I get to do business, work closely with people, be a support, and friend, and watch dreams coming true every day of my life. It’s a high stress, very hard job, but in it’s own way, it’s infinitely rewarding. I’ve tried other jobs, and would rather be doing this than anything else on Earth. I love to perform, and I love to engineer, but producing is where I put my heart and my life’s work.

Many musicians enjoy producing as a side career, but it’s very rare for someone to do production full-time. Being a producer requires a good head for business, and excellent people and leadership skills. Patience and strength of will are a must. You have to have a good understanding of just how far you can push before people, things, music and deals are just right--push but don’t break them. A producer must have a good working knowledge of music theory and most of the instruments in the studio, as well as skills as an engineer, to a certain extent. Every producer has their own trademark sound, and to gain yourself a reputation (and clients), you must know what defines your sound, and how to achieve that sound with whatever comes into your studio. Flexibility and adaptability are a must, since no two musicians are the same. Finally, a good working knowledge of the music biz is essential. College can teach you a lot of these skills, but real life in the studio will be your trial by fire.

If you’re looking for your chance to produce, do the schooling first, then get into as many studios as you can. Get down and dirty—don’t be afraid to crawl back there to adjust the mic, or lean over the engineer’s shoulder to see how they just eqed the guitar. Experience is your best friend.

Hope this helps answer your questions. I’m off to another day of music production and dream-making, just another work day, thank God.

Blessings!

-Sassy

songs, strangers, stories and dreams: an improvised artist's date

Never under-estimate God's ability to throw you a curve ball, or your abilities to field it.

I did not set out to have this week's Artist's date tonight, but it just kind of happened.

I spent the day glued to my phone and the computer, and only got up to walk Kody and make a fresh pot of tea every now and then. It was one of those days where I kept catching myself wondering why I ever thought it was a good idea to start my own business... then I'd kick myself in the ass for doubting my ability to reach my goals. Consequently, by the end of the work day, my brain and my ass were both feeling pretty sore.

A friend called around 9:00 and chastized me for still working.
I realized I hadn't eaten since noon, and I really didn't feel like braving the kitchen that late at night, so I walked over to a little Mexican restaurant and bar near my house for dinner.

This place is the local hangout for L.A.'s honest-to-goodness cowboys. Not the kind you see at the bars in boots and hats who have never been on a horse or roped a steer, but the everyday working horsemen and women. I live close to the largest stable in Los Angeles, and people who work there often stop in for a bite to eat. I hardly ever go out to eat alone, but tonight, not having anyone across the table from me gave me a chance to people watch. (yes, blind people can still people watch.) I found myself having fun observing the melting pot around me. Three or four guys walked past me with spurs on, fresh off the saddle. I wouldn't have been surprised to find their horses tied out front (there are hitchingposts out there for that, and it's not uncommon.) Across the room from me, I could hear two men in the movie biz discussing film types, caracter-building and lighting for their movie. In the bar, an open mic night was in full swing, complete with pitchy guitars, twangy drunk crooners, and rough-and-tumble voices that sounded like they'd seen one too many late nights over a cheap bottle of wine.

I got to have a nice chat with myself over dinner about a lot of the good and bad points of being the owner of a small business, and what it's going to take to really make it fly. I'd been reading the artist's Way a little more today, and had stumbled across a passage about self-imposed limits.

We assume that we can't possibly do something, or reach a goal... it's just too far out of reach. "I couldn't win a grammy," we say, or "that's too expensive." "It's nice to dream about that, but in reality.." or "if I could make money in that... but I can't..." Yeah. If you work in the arts, you've said something along those lines to yourself at least once. A day, a week, a month... a minute... admit it. I realized I've done far too much of that lately, trying to be frugal and not giving myself the benefit of the doubt. I need to shake off these self-imposed limits and change course a little bit. I decided that it's time to re-think my strategy a little bit, and approach things from a different angle.

When I walked out of the restaurant, I passed the open mic stage, where a raucous blues guitarist was hammering away on his out-of-tune guitar, and the feedback was ear-splitting. Outside, the night felt so peaceful, then I heard soft guitar music and I stopped to listen. A soft voice, true in pitch and quiet, was singing with the guitar. I stood there listening, until my phone rang. It was a client with some recording questions. I took the call, then reached into my purse for a card and a tip for the guitarist.

We introduced ourselves, and wound up talking. She's starting her career in music, just releasing her first EP, and had tons of questions for me.

As I walked home after watching her performance and talking with her for over an hour, I couldn't help but marvel at what had just happened. We each had something to give the other. She needs a fiddler. I fiddle. She had encouragement for me, and reminded me why I do what I do, and in turn, I gave her inspiration, advice, and encouragement.

Art flows like a river. A river does not flow if there is not water, and the water doesn't come from within. It comes from God, the world around you. The tributaries for your art pour in at the least likely bends in the river, revitalizing you, replenishing your dwindling resources, keeping you flowing toward your eventual goal.

Meeting the guitarist tonight reminds me that God answers prayers in his own strangely beautiful way, if you give him the chance. When you open your heart, it will be filled. When you open your hand, be generous in giving, and in accepting. Open your ears and your mind long before you open your mouth or turn your back. Wehn you give to others, you give to yourself far more.

I'm a pretty shy person when it comes to meeting strangers, and I'm not usually the type to walk up to a new musician and hand them my card. That usually brings the immediate response of: "You're a producer? Produce me! Make me a star! Pay for my record." I don't do that at all... so I can be very hesitant to reveal my job to those I don't know well. Everyone thinks of a producer as the big shot with the big bucks and the big mouth and the big ideas. I'm about as far from that stereotype as you could possibly get. But tonight, something abou ther music or the moment just struck me, and I'm glad it did.

God puts us in places for a reason. I needed my wellspring renewed, and she told me that earlier today she'd been praying for something to point her in the right direction--some guide or signpost to tell her where to go from here. It's amazing how two complete strangers can help each other on such a deeply spiritual level with just a few words, a song, a smile, and a shared dream. I guess that's why I launched this blog in the first place, to share a dream, share a vision, to find ways through this crazy world without letting the river run dry in the process. In fact, thats the very reason I chose a career as a producer. Finding that dream that is tied up inside a soul, and helping a talented musician set their music free for the world is why I produce. It's the joy in life I live for, knowing someone's vision, and helping them turn it from a tiny spark of thought into a momentous force that changes lives, touches hearts, opens minds and accomplishes who knows what else in this world?

I have the best job.

Taking the Plunge: No media this week

And you're thinking... what as she, nuts?

No, just a procrastinator. In the Artist's way, Cameron directs you to spend one week without the influence or distraction of media of any kind... no books, TV, or anything else you use to distract yourself from your artwork. The goal is to use this time to focus on internal home improvement if you will. It's time you should spend getting to know yourself without the world outside tainting what you see in the mirror.

Okay,, so this is my--um--sixth or maybe eighth week of the Artist's Way, and she urges you to do this in the third or fourth week, but hey, I put out the warning before that me and time management around these sorts of things just don't make good bed fellows. So here I go, better late than never. No facebook or myspace for a week, no TV (I usually only watch it for news or documentaries anyway, but no means no.) No books (this will be by far the hardest for me. No internet browsing to catch up on the latest blog posts from friends or reading newsletters and articles. I will be checking emails and work-related things out of necessity, but that is it.

It's Springtime, and I have spring-cleaning goals for this medialess week, if that is a word, which it's not--but I'm claiming creative license. :-d

First goal: Spring clean and home improvement on the outside. I'll be re-decorating... on a budget. Much as I love snuggling with Kodak, it's getting hot, and the fur is driving me nuts. I know, I know, the dog rules the house and it's called "Fur-niture" for a reason, but, well, we need to compromise a little here. I allow myself one "splurge" per month in this Artist's Way journey. Last month, it was an IPod. This month, it will be a beautiful new ensemble for my bed--mint green, purple and gold with beautiful designs you can run your fingers over, and soft mint green sheets and embroidered pillows. And no dog fur!!! Kodak gets a new bed, too; and I'm actually going to put effort into making him sleep in it!

Hey, cut that out... I hear you snickering as you read this. I'll still spoil the Bear rotten, but he's going to have to find somewhere else to leave his fur, because I'm done sleeping with it! :-d

Right. We'll see how long this lasts. It better last until Kodak makes money of his own... dog claws and fur and nice coverlet for the bed do not go together well.

But I have wanted to decorate since I moved in, and I just have put it off to concentrate on other things, and because my money was going to other more pressing issues. I'm trusting my intuition that this is something I need to do; so I'm going to bribe friends to help me put pictures on the walls, and I'm going thrift shopping... combing through the second-hand Holly wood shops to find those one-of-a-kind treasures that will take this place from a house to a homemade masterpiece. Greens, purples, warm golden and blue tones, and the bathroom in purple, silver and lavender ... plus everything will have exquisite texture. A feast for the senses. I love making my home a place where you can smell good things when you walk in, see beauty, taste wonderful food, touch soft, unique fabrics and elegant artwork, and hear laughter, love, music and godliness. I do love color, even though I can't see it. It's hard to explain. I still have very vivid mental pictures of color, and love mixing and matching shades in my head.

My second goal for this week of no media is to give my internal neighborhood a good clean-up. Intense Yoga, and starting a ten day fasting cleanse will get my body back on track. I have appointments for acupuncture, crystal-therapy, and herbal consulting this week. I'll go spend time serving in the temple, and the only material I'll read this week aside from work-related things will be Scriptures. All that extra time I spend catching up on the news and browsing the internet will be much better spent in Scripture study, and doing Yoga.

i'll post this week and let you know how it's going, but I won't read comments or anything until next week... Who knows what will emerge along the way? I've attained the goals I started the Artist's Way with (a few very big ones), so now it's time to set the bar even higher, and keep moving forward. Hopefully this is the next big step.

Tea + fiddle-shopping = Delicious!

It’s past 1:00 in the morning, and I’m still not in bed. I have to work all weekend, and I need to be sleeping, but I’ve been thinking about a few things I wanted to blog about. If I don’t do it now, they’ll vanish into the depths of my mental blackhole to-do list… which means… they’ll never get posted. :-d

First, Rishi Tea.

I love herbal teas. I don’t drink caffeinated beverages anymore, but I still love a hot mug of tea in my hands. Nothing clears my mind better and helps me focus and relax when I’m facing a difficult problem, or just needing some peace.

I’m always on the hunt for good tea. I like my tea very strong, with a good flavor, and nice body to it. It can be hard to find good herbal teas that are strong enough for my taste.

I found Rishi Tea at Whole Foods, and ordered a few teas off their website that weren’t in the store. No matter what tea I’ve gotten from them, I like it. Every tea brews well, is strong and flavorful, but doesn’t leave a bad after-taste like some teas. They’re very creative in their flavor and potanical selections, too. My favorite is their tangerine ginger tea. It’s amazing!

Plus, they’re organic and fair trade certified. They have a great selection of green and black teas, too, if you drink that. They sell saches, so you can make your own teabags or brew from loose leaves, and their teas are good for more than one brewing. Enjoy!

Next: Fiddle stuff

I’ve really gotten lax with my Artist’s Way work this week, since I’ve been working on a new contract. Excuses, excuses! I did have a good Artist’s date, though last weekend.

If you haven’t read the book, an artist’s date is time you take away from work and the world to just go spend time with your inner artist, give her food for thought, and do something fun.

Last weekend, I attended a great electric violin workshop. Quite a few lutiers were there, including Yamaha, Mark Wood, and Jordan. They had a couple zetas out for display, too, but they were four-string. (I play extended, five string.)

I’m torn between a really cool-looking Viper by mark Wood, and a beautiful, one-of-a-kind custom electro-acoustic John Jordan fiddle. Jordan fiddles are works of art in their own right, but a Viper… If you’ve never seen a Viper, do a google search on Mark Woods violins,and check them out. They’re really cool!

But since I’m in the studio more than I’m on a stage, and the Jordan fiddles are one-of-a-kind masterpieces with a unique sound I love, I’m going for a Jordan. I’ll have to wait a few months while he finishes building my violin. But I’m already composing in my head for that fiddle!

I also got to test-drive the new Coda Joule bows. Light, but with a good feel to them, I like them. It’s easy to over-rosin them and get a hard, gritty sound, but if you go easy on them and keep your touch light on the electric fiddle, the Joule feels like it’s a great bow. I like wooden bows, but who knows what I’ll wind up using on the Jordan when I get it.

I haven’t blogged at all this week, and I’m sure there are other things I should get in here… but my eyes are shutting, and Kody’s barking in his sleep. I’m off to join him. Sometimes, that dog is smarter than I am… okay, most of the time, I must confess.

Good night!

A Need to Serve: Public service and art

I love volunteering, fundraising and serving in the community; it's one of my life's passions. I think it's one of the foundations of life--not just charity, but service. Giving of your money is very important, yes, but giving of yourself and your time is a completely different feeling. I've served in a wide variety of settings, from children's cancer organizations to homeless shelters, Yoga and wellness centers, hospitals, art classes for the disabled, animal welfare programs, blindness advocacy organizations, etc. If I have one regret in my life, it's that I haven't done more. The more I serve, the more I want to do. I'd love to travel overseas someday and do what I can for third-world countries. Whether I'm spending time with animals or people at shelters, offering a shoulder for moms when they just need to break down and cry about the latest chemo treatment or surgery, or if I'm singing to spread hope and raise money, I find so much joy and inner peace in serving. It empowers me--helps me understand that I can do a lot in this world; but it also reminds me that no matter how hard my life gets, it could always be worse. It makes me so grateful. I can cultivate empathy, joy, love, forgiveness, hope, courage, strength, humility, and fearlessness in myself and in those I serve. Service isn't just something to put on your tax deduction list, brag to your friends about, or feel good inside about (those are not good reasons to serve, and they'll get you about as far as the first time you put your fingers into a rotten grapefruit at the food bank.) I serve to learn, teach, grow, understand, give, receive and overcome. Serve because there is work to be done and you can do it.

You learn so much. There's a depth to giving of your time and talent that reaches into every part of your life. You hear homeless people tell their stories, the old folks at the nursing home love to reminisce about scenes from their lives that go along with the song you are playing... The feeling you get knowing that you've brought hope and new resolve to a family whose child is stricken with cancer--all of these things are proof that there is so much good in this world.

Once in a while I have to bow my head alone and cry when the things I've witnessed are just too heart-breaking, but if I can make some small difference, then I can keep picking at the lock until the door opens wide. Sometimes the work is back-breaking, frustrating, I feel like I'm getting nowhere, but I've always found in the end that the work was well worth doing. I've never once regretted serving, never found a better way to spend my time. I'm really busy, and making time to serve is often hard, but I've never regretted foregoing a few other activities in my life to go down to the center and teach a Yoga class for senior citizens. They can use the things we do in Yoga to help themselves get up if they fall, and Yoga will minimize injury when they fall. It may be hard to teach them in the class, but what I'm doing will help them and their families for a long time to come. Taking a few minutes out of my day to give a free singing lesson to a homeless child means that I'll get a little less of my own work done, maybe, but it's so worth it to hear her starting to believe in herself and leave her fear behind. I can't put a roof over her head single-handedly, but I can bring her some joy, and show her that she's loved, and she has wonderful gifts to give the world even though she may be penniless.

So why am I blogging about public service on my Artist's Way blog? Because the work that I do directly affects my art. The stories of people I meet form the basis for the songs I write; the experiences I have change my viewpoint, as I survey a finished piece. Everything you do in your life affects your artwork, I'm learning. Life is a circle, a balancing game--everything affects everything else. (Hey, I wasn't going for the Circle of Life song from the Lion King, but cliche... touche.)

I've given money to charities, and I will continue to do so as long as God graces me with the means, but for my own benefit, and for the benefit of those lives I can touch, I'll always give of my time and talents. When I was working my way through school, that's often all I had to give, but in the end, it was enough to accomplish what needed to be done. Sometimes I never thought I could do the things that came my way that needed to be done. I struggled, not believing that I could do anything to help, but knowing that I could not just sit still and do nothing. Ultimately, I learned the essence of the phrase "Where there's a will there's a way." But I learned a much more valuable lesson in the process. I learned that each and every one of us has something the world needs.

I've also been the recipient of service. More than once I've had to swallow my pride and reach out a hand to the world for help in one way or another. The world is full of angels and kind souls, who have reached out to me, and given me so much. When I was younger, I often felt very helpless. I received so much, but felt I had this huge debt I could never pay back. What could a blind woman do? What could I do? I didn't have money to give, or much of anything, I felt. As I began to accept the gifts God placed in my life, and as I learned to heed my artistic voice and God's role in my life, I began to understand that I did have a debt, and I did have the means to repay it. I had a voice; I had faith; I had wisdom and insight and courage; and I had love. What more did I need?

Life is give and take. We each give, so that in our time of need, we may take. I have taken, now I'm giving, and I'm sure things will circle around again. Be sure that when you are able, you give, so that when you are in need, others will do the same for you.

Your homework: Go serve. Find an organization in your area that needs your time. there's tons of them, so don't say "I don't know any." Then, make the time!!! Work, school, family--hello! Serving is a priority item on your to-do list. Sit down with your planner, and really look at your jam-packed week. If you really squeeze, I promise you'll find an hour or two in there somewhere--is everything on your priority list Really a priority or is there a little give hiding in there somewhere you just can't admit to? :-d

Serving your community is serving God. Get the family involved! Take a day away from soccer practice or school and go help teach art classes at the battered women's shelter, or go play with the animals at the local Humane Society. Go to the food bank and sort vegetables or pack boxes for them (they always need extra hands.) Serve dinner for the homeless; they don't just need you at Christmas. Don't just whine at dinner about a sad news story you saw... find a way to help! (A few of you reading this may want to pinch me for that last statement.)

These things may seem transient, short-lived to you, but if you can take a homeless child's mind off the fear and the pain for a few minutes by helping him color a picture, or you can sit with an aged woman and squeeze her hand when she talks about her days as a young girl overseas... You're helping. You'll know it deepin your soul, you will feel it when the work you are doing is helping. Putting food on a plate at the soup kitchen, cutting your hair for Locks of Love... you don't see the end result of the work you do, but do what you can in the moment, and put the rest in God's hands.

Then, apply that principle to your artwork. Do what you can in the moment, and put the rest in God's hadns. His hands are much bigger than mine, and can hold so much more. When my art enters His hands, I feel this incredible weight come off my shoulders, and I know it will flourish and be more than I could ever make it alone. When I give my art to him, which can sometimes be very hard and frightening, it always turns out for the best.

How do you let go and "give it to God?" What public service have you done that inspires your creativity and your art? What makes you feel God's presence in your life? Share, so others can grow from you.