ARTIST NOTES:
THE WHY
When I asked the universe, “Will I find my own passion project this year, and what will it be?” the answer came to me as clearly as the lines in a painting and the lines in dance.
Watching abstract and contemporary painters, I realized—they really are dancing with a paintbrush. So why couldn’t I do the same? I have always been fascinated by painting and art, so why not take it a step further and paint my own choreography? An art form I already know and love.
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Painting my own choreography felt innate, effortless—because it’s literally my movement. No one can take that away from me. No amount of formal training is needed when you’re in a free-flow state (and thank god, because Lord knows I cannot draw for nothing—ha!). The beauty of movement is undeniable, and seeing it translated onto canvas in color makes it even more powerful.
THE PROCESS
As easy as it sounds, painting choreography comes with its own thought process—and my brain craves it.
- Do I use more than one paintbrush or switch hands?
- When will I run out of paint?
- Do these colors convey the energy or emotions of the story I’m telling?
Even choosing the choreography itself is intentional. Like in art, dance is made up of lines, textures, and shapes, so I naturally pick pieces that I can visualize in my head too.
When dancing with a paintbrush, sometimes the most important step is feeling the movement on the canvas before the paint even touches it. I go through the choreography on a blank canvas, moving the brush without paint making sure the strokes will translate. This moment lets me connect with the canvas and reminds me that pressure matters—just as it does in both dance and art.
CONT.
THE JOY
I love the way strong, sharp movements contrast with flowy, feathery ones, and how that dynamic is captured through movement and paint. While in the flow, I may miss a stroke—and that is the only time I ever go back into a painting. Because once the choreography is painted, I cannot add more or less without losing its essence.
This process allows me to step out of my perfectionist head and simply be in the moment with the art.
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Thank you to my local community for your continuous support and inspiration. Without you, I’d be nothing. As I step into this new world of art and dance, I do so as a novice with an open heart—eager to learn, grow, and embrace the journey ahead. I look forward to the endless opportunities to come and hope to be welcomed with the same warmth and embrace that has already touched my soul so deeply.