Diary of an Artist: Entry 47

October 6, 2008

Visiting New York always inspires me. Of course, doorknobs and spatulas inspire me, too. But my trip up North this past weekend motivated me to keep creating. More than ever, I'm aspiring to be a truly skilled, accomplished, and prolific artist. Maybe it was the bright theatre lights at Times Square. Perhaps it was the view of John Lennon's home from Central Park. Or maybe it was just driving past the MoMa. I'm not sure what it was that drove me on Saturday but right now I feel like I'm bursting with too many ideas, which is great in the sense that my well is full but unfortunate in the sense that I'll never be able to carry out every project that comes to mind. Sometimes I think I need a score of apprentices. Nah, never mind. I don't need snot-nosed kids taking credit for my ideas.

Alright, now I'm delving too far into the world of snide remarks. Let me get on with what has really happened since my last entry and what I want to do soon:

Since I last wrote, I have posted most of my songs on my Associated Content profile (www.associatedcontent.com/christinestoddard). I don't know why the idea didn't occur to me sooner but at least I've done it now. (My friend Cal, from Simply Lark Press, is making a music video for one of the songs, "Alleyway [remix]," so we can put it up on the SLP channel). I also plan to put up recordings of my reading my poetry there, too. Which reminds me! I want to record myself reading more of my poetry and even some of my short stories and satire this week. Then I can post those on AC. Adding my voice to my work will not only add a new dimension to it but will also help me improve my acting. And that leads me to my next topic:

I snagged a role with the ad agency I mentioned in my previous entry. The audition was on Thursday. I simply read my a script, answered a few questions about my experience and interest in the project, and landed the gig. I'm acting in a viral video to benefit a non-profit, Children, Inc. We shoot on October 20^th. More details on that once the project's finished, including a link. I promise. I'm especially excited about working with this ad agency because they're convinced that they can use me as an actress in future projects. Isn't networking wonderful?

Tim Ashworth and I haven't shot anything for "The Garden" since I last wrote but I know that he and I will have time this week. We have finished all of the night, non-dialogue scenes for the film, but those are only a sliver of what we have left.

I'm also still waiting on the rest of the photographs that Jerrell Edwards took of me in the Neo-Victorian costumes. On the note of modeling, a graphic designer, Robb Major, I worked with back in April is mailing me a costume in which to pose soon, as well. Back in April, my friend Paul took photos of me in a red leotard that Major sent me. This time, my boyfriend David will take photos of me in a Gothic get-up. Major's project invites female artists, 18-50, to pose in costumes of their choice (within Major's financial constraints) in a scene of their choice. For the red leotard, I selected a sort of urban, seedy atmosphere to juxtapose against my delicate frame, but I'm not sure what background to choose for the Gothic outfit. I guess I'll decide when I receive the costume in the mail.

What I'm most excited about this week, though, is the Richmond 'Zine Fest. I'm manning the table for Simply Lark Press there and will be selling everything from 'zines to paintings. Last year, apparently over 250 vendors participated. I've never been before so I'm curious to see what the event will be like. I'm also going to be busy finalizing "merchandise" this week. I might want to crank out more 'zines. Wish SLP luck!

In other news: I posted a surreal story that I wrote last year ("Who Named Jesus?") on AC and Facebook. I plan to post more of my writings from last year, too. I have several incomplete pieces I want to return to and finish. I feel that now, not this very moment but soon, is a good time to do that. Paisley and Parasol's readership is picking up but I still need far more people to visit the site (www.paisleyandparasols.com). I need more advertising but I also believe that posting there more often would help. I'm ushering plays at Barksdale and VCU because I want to observe more stagecraft and I'm trying to watch at least 2 movies a week but that's harder to do than I thought. Lastly, I think that the SLP Battle of the Bands this winter will turn into an Open Mic at the Ellipse Arts Center because the gallery won't allow loud music. Oh, well. I tried!