My Life Slogan: “Autonomy with Connection”—In the Arts

What I seek in my life is “autonomy with connection.” What does that mean? To be fully myself, but in the context of community. To have a balance of time by myself, and time to connect with others. To me, this is the quest of the artist. To create anything, there is always a period of time when the creator must be alone. Then, there is another stage when the creation goes out into the community and a collaboration begins.

I experience this contrast as a writer. When I write, I need time alone (or at least quiet time) to concentrate and bring ideas and words home on the page. I might seek out a writing buddy (rather than a writing group), but the act of writing happens alone. Later, in promoting the work I venture out to speak and present workshops, and celebrate the completion of the work with friends.

I experience this contrast as a visual artist. The physical work made in the studio is created alone, and then placed publically in a clean space (outside or inside) to be enjoyed by a community of viewers, and celebrated in an opening. How apt is that phrase, “art opening”?

I experience this contrast in my performances as storyteller, actress, comedienne, and musician. The material is always practiced in private and sometimes also created in private. Then, there are group practices…followed by group performances. Theater and orchestra by definition are more public, but still involve private time before joining in public to perfom for the community.