Swing

At DRIP the crew and I arrive early to set up the show. One day I left the room for a few minutes and when I came back Tink and Dimitri had decided it was play time. 

Their moves could have put the performers to shame. 

I love having a job that allows me to access my inner child so readily and I cherish the fun we can muster even on the busiest of days. These two can light the room with their smiles.

Markings

At DRIP we throw a lot of paint around. By the time the show is over it is all over the audience, the floor, and especially the cast and crew. On this particular day I had gotten splashed with a healthy dose of red and blue. 

The red landed on my skin first, followed by blue, which took the same path as red. The colors mixed creating blurry purple lines. Most of the time I get covered in paint it just becomes spots of color. But this time it morphed into beautiful markings.

I examined it in the mirror. At first it looked like a wild bruise or veins just under the surface of my skin. It also reminded me of a jellyfish sting or those intricate lace-like burn patterns some people get after being struck by lightning. I looked down at my arm again. Everything reminded me of horrible injuries and yet I still thought the marks on my arm were beautiful.

That night was actually our sixth month anniversary of having opened the show. I have been with DRIP for about six years - almost since the beginning. I thought of all the hard work I put in and the criticism I have endured from friends and family who didn't understand why I would follow such a crazy dream. All of those things could have easily broken someone else, but they never broke me. And the beautiful markings on my arm became a reminder that all I have survived makes me a more stunning and interesting person.

The paint washes easily off my skin in the shower. But I would gladly wear these markings over and over again.

Wearing The Work

In working with DRIP I find myself always covered in paint. Although a few people are afraid of getting messy I find it leaves beautiful marks. 

I took this photo of myself after a show were I got pelted with paint. The pale blue river ran all the way from my neck to the middle of my torso, melting away the DRIP logo I had stamped myself with along the way. 

Then I noticed my hand, splashed with blue and flecks of red. Dappled like some kind of surrealist Appaloosa. It soaked into the rims of my fingernails and collected in the ridges of the ring I had gotten from the antique shop.

I have never been concerned with my hands being smooth or perfect. After all these years of making art I've grown more accustomed to seeing them covered in material or scrapped up. That suits me just fine. I'd rather my hands be used to make something beautiful than simply look beautiful. I have always been comfortable wearing my work.

Unlikely Elegance

During the set up for one of the DRIP shows, a crew member took some water from a prop and dumped it in the parking lot. The water trickled down the sloping pavement in thin, winding rivers. I happened to walk by and I thought it was stunning. 

I am amazed at how something as simple as water on concrete can transform into so much more. This picture makes me think of long strands of seaweed twisting in a gentle current or a birds eye view of the vast network of streams that make up the Amazon River.

 I stop and marvel at how this empty parking spot has taken me to exotic locations half way around the world.

Tech Angel

After each DRIP show there is quite a bit of clean up and resetting for the next performance. While we were all scrambling to put the show back together I was able to capture this shot of Kaleb, one of our crew members.

Kaleb was holding one of the props so we could clean it properly. Silhouetted against the lights of the stage he becomes the picture of serenity. While we rush around him he remains still and calm. Almost angelic, with a wrought iron halo to match. 

Open

I remember my job interview with Mariko. I was almost done with my classes at the University of Central Florida and I needed to get an internship. I had two great interviews with two different ad agencies and in both instances I was the second choice. It was great to come so close but frustrating to be just good enough to not get the position. I complained to a coworker at Starbucks about my struggle to find an internship. She worked briefly at the Arts and Cultural Alliance downtown and recommended that I call Mariko to see if she could offer me an internship. I took the number and called Mariko. She told me that the Arts and Cultural Alliance did not need any interns at the time, however, she did have her own side project and asked if I would be interested in helping her. I agreed and we decided to meet for an interview.

My car was broken down at the time and my friend Neill offered to drive me. As I was getting dressed I tried on a few conservative looks I had worn to the other interviews. Nothing felt right. I hadn't had any luck before so I wanted to take a risk this time. I decided to change into a bohemian shirt with a lovely blue trim and some sequin accents. When Neill came to pick me up he raised an eyebrow at my unconventional attire.

"Are you sure you want to wear that?"
"Yes" I said with confidence. "I've got a good feeling about this."

He drove me to the interview destination which was Dandelion Tea. I had never been before and I was expecting a formal restaurant. Dandelion was a small, bright green cafe tucked inside a renovated house. Neill said he would wait for my interview to be done and I headed inside.

I got their before Mariko and nervously thumbed through my portfolio while I waited. When she arrived I was surprised to find out that she was only a few years older than me. She was very nice, she asked me more questions about myself than anyone else I had interviewed with. She bought my food and took time going over my portfolio with me.

At the end of the interview she said that she would like to work with me. We made plans to meet again and I ran out to Neill's car. I was so happy I startled him from his nap.

"What? What's wrong? Did you get it?" he asked as he adjusted his seat back up.
"I GOT IT! I GOT IT!" I remember smiling from ear to ear.

It was an unusual project to say the least. There were late night meetings in backyards of people I had never met. I was spay painting canvas and rolling up plastic tarps. I was holding props and learning to listen for my cues which were timed to music. I remember not having any idea what I was doing. This had nothing to do with graphic design. But everyone I met was nice and the project seemed interesting so I decided to stick it out.

We were actually getting ready for our performance in the 2008 Orlando Fringe Festival. I had never been until that year so I didn't realize what a big deal it was until I was knee deep. We had one of the most complex set ups that had ever been at the Fringe Festival, and we couldn't get a drop of paint anywhere. I always had a towel with me just in case I spotted any stray drops. Everyday we had to move an enormous thirteen foot tall waterfall box in and out of the venue.

Once the performance started I had a hard time keeping up with my cues. By now I knew where they were but I was so enthralled by the performance that it was hard to pull myself away. Up until then I had only seen bits and pieces of the show, but now I was able to see how everything fit together and it was beautiful. Watching the excitement the audiences faces was extremely rewarding. I remember actually being happy to take dirty towels home from the show to wash them. I knew that if I was this happy doing laundry that this was something I need to stay involved in.

At the end of our run at the Fringe Festival Mariko thanked me for all of my help. I just remember looking at her and saying "You will never be rid of me". And I am proud to say that I have been with DRIP since that day. Now, aside from Mariko, I have been with the company the longest.

It took me a while but I found that one of the reasons I fell in love with DRIP was deeply rooted in my childhood. When I was younger I used to try to choreograph dances and plays to music with my younger siblings. As I got older I moved into other types of art. I almost forgot those childhood plays until years later when I found DRIP. In an unusual coincidence, I discovered that Mariko actually did the same thing with her siblings when she was younger.

I had also been through a rough year before joining DRIP and I recall that being a part of that production was one of the first times I had felt truly happy in a long time. That experience was also part of the inspiration for my tattoo. I wanted something to commemorate that for the first time in my life I felt like part of an artistic community. I have six hands done in the style of those found on cave paintings on my right shoulder. It reminds me of the connection I share with all artist who have come before me.

From that show at the Fringe Festival it has been about six years to get our own venue on International Drive. I can't express to you how good it feels to finally be open.

Light illuminating the smoke for our show. 

Dancers waiting in their places during one of the shows performances. 

Jessie splashing in water coming from one of the chandeliers. 

Jessie performing in a piece called "Cleanse". 

The rainbow of colors left on the floor after the show. 

People often ask me if I do any graphic design anymore. I would have to say no. I am immensely proud of what I was able to accomplish at the University of Central Florida and I have absolutely no regrets. I still use all of the knowledge I acquired even if it doesn't manifest in a traditional way. I have always loved art and I realized that as long as I am still making it I will be happy. 

I think that one of my greatest strengths is my ability to follow my instincts. Those instincts have let me to create my website, work with DRIP, and grow as an artist as well as an individual beyond anything I thought I could do. I am so glad that I let myself explore instead of following a narrow path. I firmly believe that the rewards are great if you take risks to do what you love. I have more than I ever thought I would and I owe it all to being open. 

Behind the Scenes Photo Shoot with DRIP

I have been a part of DRIP since 2008. I have been lucky enough to see this amazing show grow from backyard rehearsals to designing a full length production on International Drive. As we approach our Grand Opening I would like to share a look back on our first photo shoot for our permanent show.

Mariko and photographer Tisse Mallon guide one of the band members through his head shots. 

I love this shot and the bursts of light that highlight Tisse's frame as she photographs the drummer. 

Mariko and Tisse getting some shots of our teal salt in motion. 

David, our musical director, amidst some of the prop construction. 

This beautiful blend of colors was the result of mixing two different color bags of salt. 

Kelly and Steven, two dancers working together to create a dynamic pose while balancing on ropes suspended above the salt. 

The colors melt and fuse in patches - the delightfully squishy result of mixing the materials over and over again for the photos. 

Kelly getting ready to pose with the props. 

Creating these photos is such a labor intensive process. But you never forget when you show someone the finished product and all they can do is gasp. 

Watching the show is breath-taking, being able to help create it is nothing less than magic. 

The View From Above

We were looking for a spectacular venue to host DRIP's Prison Party Fundraiser. We ended up getting the best view the city had to offer. Gregg Pollack, founder of Envy Labs - a web development shop - has an office on the 20th floor of the Plaza Tower in downtown Orlando. He was generous enough to let us rent the space adjacent to his offices. The view was simply breathtaking.

Jessie admiring the cityscape next to Gregg's inspirational ping pong table. 

Josh, one of our volunteers, enjoying the vista while making a phone call. 

Serafina, a local belly dancer, performing at our fundraiser. 

And finally, as the night came to a close, we were treated to the lovely sight of a glittering golden city wrapped under a purple sky. 

To learn more about Envy Labs please visit their website at: http://envylabs.com/

DRIP Backstage (2009-2011)

I got involved with DRIP during their 2008 show WET at the Orlando International Fringe Festival. I feel in love instantly and have been honored to be part of the company for so long. With a new permanent show on the horizon I went back through my photos and picked my favorite backstage shots from the past few years.

Our musical director David with videographer Josh after one of our performances at Blank Space in Downtown Orlando 2009. 

\

Samantha performing in the water box piece at Blank Space in 2009. 

Creative engineer Evan at our Winter Fundraiser in 2009 with ice from one of our installations. 

Performers Darci and Nikki applying makeup in our warehouse. Shortly after we moved our supplies into the warehouse we began rehearsing for our FRESH show. Being the creative people that we are; we set up a mirror in the bathroom and doodled over it with a dry erase marker. I got a kick out of watching the girls applying makeup between all the art work. 

Darci rehearsing for our FRESH show in 2010. 

Evan constructing some of the FRESH set in the workshop.

Performers Ashka and TinTin waiting outside during FRESH in 2010. They were covered in dirt for one of our installations but had to wait outside the backdoor at one point during the show. It was cold outside so I brought them a towel. They were excellent sports and remained in good spirits until their cue. 

David refilling ice for our fountain in our white room during FRESH. 

Performer Michael after a FRESH show. 

Micheal, Darci, and Steven at out Rock Out With Your Cocktails Out fundraiser in 2010. As part of the fundraiser patrons could participate in a live human body paint by number. 

Creative engineer Ben working on one of our installations for a private performance at the Isleworth Country Club in 2011.

Looking back over the years I can't believe how much working with DRIP has influenced my life. I feel much more in tune with my own creativity and the arts community of Orlando. I can't wait to experience all of the new adventures that our next show will bring. 

Salt

When it comes to working with DRIP we love to experiment with unusual materials. One such material is salt. We dyed it for a pervious show and decided to play with it during a recent rehearsal. The object was to discover how many unique ways we could use it while having as much fun as possible.

DRIP rehearsal

In order to prepare for the upcoming DRIP show we hold rehearsals at the Harwood-Watson Dance Studio in Baldwin Park. These were some moments I was able to capture.

Kim and Devondra practicing lifts.

The girls running across the floor as Mariko and Elise, the choreographer, look on.

I captured this shot with the flash, which showed up in the mirror and hovers over Elise's shoulder. 

Liquid Light

This painting was made after the DRIP show we performed at the Fringe Festival in 2008 called WET. During the show we had dancers performing silhouetted against a screen projected with light and different colored liquids. It was an absolutely breathtaking show to watch as well as be a part of.

Months after the show I made this paining and I had a bit of a revelation. This painting reminded me of drawings that I made in 7th grade that were very similar. A figure silhouette against a green background with light radiating around their body. For some reason I never saved those drawings and I had almost forgotten about making them until I had finished this painting. 

That memory ended up being a huge affirmation for me. Something I am currently involved with is reminiscent of sketches I made years ago. I felt very in tune with my sub-conscious and my inner child. It reminded me that trusting yourself is one of the best gifts you can give yourself. Most people view leaps of faith as dangerous, I believe they can save you. 

I'm on the right track. I know I was made for this. 

The Road to Greater Things

I was driving up to Atlanta on my first DRIP business trip with Jen and Mariko. I had been up early that morning so I spent most of the ride up sleeping in the back seat. The combination of being a light sleeper and being excited about the trip only allowed me to sleep in spurts. Most of the scenery was forests or flat pastures, but at one point I woke up to a large cityscape.

"What city is this?" I asked sleepily
"Welcome to Jacksonville!" Mariko replied cheerfully

I looked out the window at the rolling landscape of twisted highways, concrete, and glass. The heavy fog from the rain hung thick in the air.  I've never been to Jacksonville before. I sat up and tried to take in everything I could from the car. The architecture, the streets, the overall look of the city. My eyes darting back and forth as we zip across the interstate.

We move on to Atlanta and leave Jacksonville behind. My eyes start to get heavy again. I pull my jacket up over me like a blanket and snuggle back into the seat. I listen to Jen and Mariko discuss upcoming DRIP business. I think about us taking this big step forward to expand our horizons and teach classes in Atlanta. New roads, new cities, new adventures. These women make me feel like driving eight hours in the rain is just one more path on the road to success.

I watch the trees and the rain droplets move across my window like a shower of shooting stars. I can't wait to see what Atlanta holds for us.

WET Performance

The follow painting was made after working with DRIP during our WET show at the 2008 Fringe Festival. After the show I came across a photo that Tisse Mallon had snapped of Mariko's performance. I was taken by the beautiful colors, the abstract shapes, and the expressive pose. I was so moved by the photograph that I decided to abstract it further and make it my own. 

Influence from DRIP

These are some watercolor and ink paintings that I was inspired to make after working with DRIP when we did our "WET" show at the Orlando Fringe Festival in 2008. 

Painting

Admittedly, I wouldn't consider myself much of a painter. I prefer to work in dry media because I feel like I have better control. At one of my final semesters at UCF I enrolled in an Advanced Drawing class. Because only a small number of students signed up, we were all moved into the Advanced Painting class. The instructor told us that we were welcome to draw, however, he encouraged us to paint because that was the only thing he was going to teach. I decided to go with the flow and try to learn something new. To my disappointment the instructor was reluctant to teach the basics of painting and I found myself working in a unfamiliar medium with little direction. I had never taken a painting class before and now I was in an advanced class trying to figure out how to do simple things like use a brush. The only thing the instructor would tell me was that he "didn't like my brush strokes". When I asked him how I could improve my technique he would only offer vague advice like "just keep trying". 

One day he came up to me and again proclaimed that he "didn't like my brush strokes". In a moment of frustration I threw my brush down and said "FINE!". I smeared paint all over my hands and forearms and rubbed them all over the canvas. I rarely used a brush in his class after that. 

"The Sneeze"

After I painted the background yellow I used my finger tips to create the field of green. For the blue, I soaked a rubber dog toy in paint and slapped it against the canvas.

"The Spark"

This affect was achieved by flicking the paint on to the canvas. 

"Slippery"

For this piece I layered thin waves of green over a yellow background. Thick globs of dark green and blue were dropped onto the canvas.

"The Flare"

For this one I painted spurts of red and splattered black on top.

As frustrating as the process was in the beginning, I have to say that I did enjoy the liberation that came from choosing not to use a brush. Shortly before I began these paintings I had started to work with a performance art company called DRIP. The first show I was involved with was one we did for the Orlando Fringe Festival called "WET". During "WET" the dancers used their bodies as a way to move paint and create art. As I worked on these paintings I began to see it as my way to better understand DRIP and use my own body as a medium to create.

Being in a class I was uncomfortable in, being willing to try something new, and ultimately finding my own solutions, helped me relate to art in a brand new way. I was no longer just the creator, I was actively involved and participating on a whole new level.