EDUC 849
Veronica Stewart
Letter to An Artist
Dear Me,
I’ve decided to take the time to direct this letter to myself. My students often ask about careers and futures in the Arts. I always answer with encouragement, honesty and passion. I know that I may be that student’s only cheerleader when it comes to this career path and I want to convey the fulfillment it entails. I sell it and sell it well. I advertise the trials and tribulations of this fabulous lifestyle choice. Many of these students have taken the Arts path. Some, not at first, but found it later when their souls are craving to be fed. Yet, they are not the only souls that are in need of snacks.
I need snacks. I have been involved in the Arts since age six. I have trained extensively, worked professionally and been teaching for a decent chunk of time. I feel at this time in the junction of my Arts journey I am looking for some reminders. I need to remember what has inspired me. Yes, I do what I do because I love it, but I want to create more for myself, develop notions, ideas and bring projects to fruition. I have been lucky to learn from great mentors and teachers; therefore, this letter is encouragement, honesty and passionate reflection from lessons I have learnt along the way.
At UBC Theatre I had a great acting teacher, Bonnie Allen. She was very bohemian, expressive and a little crazy. She had two things that I have applied to both acting and dance. First thing, “you need a willingness to fail”. This straight forward scary advice has helped me to push boundaries. Second thing, “never be afraid of going blank on stage”. I remember her telling us to think of monks meditating for years, trying to empty their minds. “When you forget everything and your mind goes blank on stage is when you have achieved what these sages have been trying to do for a lifetime. Embrace it.”
Dave Winstanley, my undergrad Theatre Production teacher taught us the value of time. How to value your own time and how to create time. His moto, “never reinvent the wheel”. Often what you need has been created before, research it, look for it, but never reinvent it. Sound advice that I need to remember. This also goes along with don’t pretend to know it all, reach out get help, seek advice. Be humble.
“The squeaky wheel always gets the oil”. This was a saying my late husband would use almost daily. Jayson McLean was a Technical Director and Production manager who worked all across Canada in both Film and Theatre. He made his way to work for the Stratford Festival as Assistant Director of Production. He was short in stature, but big on brawn when it came to getting what his shows needed. He wasn’t afraid to stand up to naysayers. Another important reminder from Jayson’s all but too short life – take care of physical and mental health. Don’t wait until it’s too late!
Networking, making connections, community and collaborating are vital in the field of the Arts. It’s not only people helping people, but creative minds coming together. Workshopping moves this concept along with having other eyes view ideas and work. According to Terry O’Reilly form CBC’s Under the Influence, “the Art of the idea and creation comes from friction. Debate amongst creative peers pushes productive debate, better ideas and a fresher path”. He also encourages to continue to change things up, work with different teams, have humility and don’t be afraid to change and evolve. Take risks.
Terry O’Reilly also recommends to value hunches. He describes a hunch as “half-baked ideas, that need to be kept alive to mingle with others”. Hunches grow and become valuable in story telling through words, music, theatre, dance and art. I feel that valuing a hunch is trusting in one’s gut, which often proves to be the right thing to do.
Think outside the box! This has been told to me by so many and I encourage it amongst my students. I recently heard about the troubles Steven Spielberg had during the filming of Jaws. Apparently, the machine shark broke the first day of filming. Spielberg turned to music composer John Williams to create not only emotion, but the intensity of the shark. Spielberg hated the famous score at first, but it defines the movie and makes the shark have presence when in fact it doesn’t appear until an hour and a half into the movie and for only four minutes at that. John Williams also included a soft trumpet to represent the four hunters and their harrowing plight.
Lastly, my flamenco mentor and teacher, Rosario Ancer has always stood by the notion of continuing training and education. The learning shouldn’t stop, otherwise “you never grow as an artist”. This is one of my favorite things. There is no end result with Art, it continues, changes shape, grows strong, evolves and lives on. There is a danger in stopping, becoming stagnant and having a sense of low satisfaction. I never want to travel that road, I wish to continue to grow and thrive.
Ok Me, I know I have forgotten somethings, but making this reflection of advice has inspired Me to pursue artistic hunches and to surround myself with likeminded community. I’m excited to continue my Arts journey.
Yours truly,
Veronica
Work Cited
O’Reilly, Terry, host. “The New York City Library once refused to carry Goodnight Moon.”
Under the Influence, CBC Radio, June 8, 2024.