In the weeks following the roll-out of shelter-in-place mandates toward flattening the curve against COVID-19, the practice of self-care has become an increasingly important tool for creatives in combating stress and strengthening immunity against the virus—as they continue to retool their platforms to virtually engage with audiences. The state-mandated social-distancing and self-isolation protective measures have also presented an unexpected opportunity for introspection and

Isolation is intrinsic to the creative process and journey, as experienced through the haphazardness of business and tour travel, market downturns or the voluntary solitude that allows for the requisite focus and study needed to strengthen performance and technique. Regardless of circumstance, isolation also provides an opportunity towards the strengthening of morale and quarantine of the mind against destructive environments, influences and distractions that hamper creative

Most artists and creatives carry a natural desire and ambition for the spotlight--and in turn to have their work appreciated at scale. However, as powerful and satisfactory as that spotlight may be in conquering the hustle and flow of the marketplace or moving the needle of industry trends, there is another point of light that allows an artist to transcend the temporal aesthetics of status and wealth towards impactful creativity—resulting in a transfiguration of an artist’s c

Most artists aspire to achieve a portfolio of evergreen work that, per the legendary Nina Simone, “reflects the times”, while remaining culturally relevant throughout the decades, across demographic divides. This can be a difficult bar to set and meet for creatives working within the seasonal constraints of entertainment and commercial industries that revolve around trends and discourage against the artistic freedom and exploration that engineers the synchronicity of talent,

No one knows what the future holds. Despite the translucent appeal of the creative path, for the majority of artists and creatives, there are no real guarantees towards the timing or successful realization of individual artistic vision, as they journey ahead—whether navigating the highs and lows of a professional career as a full-time creative or executing on their career aspirations against the demands of a day-job. Given the uncertainty underlying creative careers, how can

Although professional and marketplace criticism are unavoidable realities of the creative career, it is easy to become distracted by them, given the basic human desire for acceptance and approval by others. For artists and creatives, criticism, whether constructive or unwarranted, is never really anticipated at the release of their work—as the sharing of it in the marketplace is an indicator of its perceived value and worthiness. In today’s viral digital climate, the offense

The road of an independent artist is often romanticized for its bureaucratic freedoms and creative control, but it is a difficult and complex path of intersectional responsibility that requires a high level of discernment and personal accountability—carrying a greater level of liability and risk than creatives whose careers may benefit from the financial strength of corporate or privatized support. However, regardless of the absence or presence of corporate sponsorships or be

At the outset of an artist’s initial baptism into their calling, there is a honeymoon phase, in which passion comes easily. In order to extend that passion over time beyond self into a ripple effect towards the betterment of the culture, the practice of immersion is necessary through the daily exercise of individual gifts, continual study of craft, active self-awareness and deliberate self-care. Although par for the course towards facilitating artistic growth and development,

Art in and of itself is a form of communication--an extrapolation of the thought-life of an artist that metabolizes into different forms of energy. It can live kinetically in liquid form as music or film—or as a solid compound through art forms such as photography, literature or the fine arts. Whether birthed through inspiration or facilitated by means of commercial commission, art in all its forms carries the core goal of influence. As an artist seeks to rise and evolve beyo

When we begin walking out our commitment to our craft, it usually originates from a photo-capture of our ideal self, performing at the height of our conceived creative capacity—an empowering image that provides context, meaning, and a sense of purpose to our lives and the sacrifices required along the road to success. As time progresses, a certain level of courage becomes mandatory to continue forward—To execute on the belief in the equity of your voice as an artist. To conti

The experiences of an artist converge over time with their talent to shape and inform their creative voice—as seen throughout the work of renowned artist and painter, Frida Kahlo, whose series of self-portraits reflect a distinctive identity steeped in self-awareness, female power, the beauty of Mexican culture—and a life narrative underscored by trauma and pain. At the age of eighteen, Kahlo was gravely injured, when an electric tram rammed into the bus that she was travelin

Romantic love can become complex and weighted, when diluted with fear, dysfunction and self-serving motives--causing a considerable amount of pain for each party in the relationship. In consideration of the relationship with self and the practice of self-love, it becomes even more crucial to distill the relationship with self in transparency for the release of anger, depression or addictive behaviors that can hamper positive momentum towards the fulfillment of creative goals

In a Cyber-Monday world where almost anything can be ordered and delivered according to expectation via express shipping, it is a wonder that so many people remain unfulfilled—and yet, the question answers itself, given that the finer things of life such as faith, hope, love, and wellness are not accessible via app or download. When we make it a priority to reconnect our lives with the author of our life’s purpose through prayer, we also establish our access to the spiritual

Rejection is never easy to receive. In the case of realizing your career goals, it is rare to ever learn the exact reason why you were rejected for an opportunity. Most feedback offered will be mixed with a placating neutrality to buffer any anticipated reactions of anger or combativeness, particularly in a corporate environment. It can be additionally confusing when you’ve received commendations on what you’re holding in terms of talent or ability—only to have the door polit

Some days you just need someone to listen without judgment. In some instances, a good sermon can be just as helpful, when you're overwhelmed. I was on my walk today, listening to one of my old-school Joyce Meyer cassettes... A few years ago, I found myself YouTube'ing her "Life In The Word" sermons from back in the day, listening to four or five of her broadcasts daily--they kept me from going under, when I was neck deep, wading out of personal trauma, and was afraid to talk