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"Artistry Matters..."
Inspiration Blog Post for Shari Shaw Studios
To be an artist is just that – a way of being. Becoming an artist isn’t a career choice as much as a calling, and we who have been called know this well. We also know the inherent worth of art, artists, and artistry. Another layer of our calling is to apply our artfulness to all that we do.
Merriam-Webster defines ‘artistry’ as “artistic quality of effect or workmanship; artistic ability.” One of its definitions of ‘artistic’ is “showing imaginative skill in arrangement or execution.” Therefore, whenever we use our skillful, trained imaginations to effect some sort of change, we are using our artistry.
Have you ever stared into your closet wondering what on earth you’re going to wear, when all of a sudden you realize a perfect pairing that has been under your nose for months but you have never before put together? This is a moment of artistic inspiration, and when you execute – ie, wear your newfound pairing – you have just found artistry in the act of something as potentially mundane as getting dressed! You’ll begin to notice artistry expressing itself in the way you plate your food or style your hair, or the new route you might decide to take to a familiar place once Coronavirus is manageable.
Artistry is a way of life. As the saying goes, “The way you do one thing is the way you do everything,” so notice your process and your approach. Infuse as much ingenuity and imagination as you can muster into your daily life and interactions – even the most mundane of them. Trust and believe that your artful living can help make the world a better and better place.
Artists are the noticers of the world, and those with exceptional artistry respond to that which they notice. This is also the specific magic of good acting, too, of course. Good acting requires active listening and noticing, with exceptional imagination to be able to then behave truthfully under imaginary circumstances. We must allow ourselves to make new discoveries about our scene partner, and sometimes even ourselves, each and every time. We keep our scenes and characters fresh by conditioning ourselves to live in such a way that we easily find the artistry in everything we do, not just our creative work.
"Pick Tales,"
Reality TV Story Treatment for Rugged Productions
In a world full of cheap plastic and disposable goods, the search for meaning and substance intensifies. Places like antique shops and boutiques overflow with goods from people and times gone by, and shop owners watch as family histories and interesting stories fall by the wayside. Is it possible to preserve the history and unique beauty of any of these items? What about repurposing otherwise overlooked materials destined for dumpsters? Could sharing these stories benefit the communities from whence they came and leave a positive mark on the world?
Meet picksmith Dustin Headrick, owner and founder of Nashville Picks out of Nashville, TN. Dustin searches all across America, hunting for interesting, new, or odd materials; researches and learns about their histories and origins; and fashions and shapes the materials into pocket-sized stringed instrument picks. He then presents beautiful handcrafted pieces and their unique stories of origin to his clients, after which the picks find their way all around the world. Dustin comes from a long line of musicians and music lovers, and he has never envisioned another way to make his mark on the world, especially since he also loves making music and telling untold stories. What inconspicuous story will Dustin uncover the next time he hits the road, and where will it end up once he fashions it into the perfect custom shape?
Welcome to PICK TALES!
PICK TALES is an educational hour-long multi-episodic documentary series devoted to uncovering and telling untold stories found in antique shops and transforming the antique materials into tools for musicians who then use them to help tell stories of their own.
Each episode of PICK TALES opens on Dustin hitting the road to look for adventure, interesting individuals, and new stories to uncover. Where do different sets of antique coins come from, whose hands might they have passed through, and what is the equivalent of their worth today? Are there specific challenges dealing with such metals? Whose family owned the beautiful set of antique Indian plates that create such a special tone when used by American Idol runner-up Clark Beckham to strike the strings of his mandolin? Does knowing the history of the materials enhance his performance? Can Revolutionary War-era copper outshine ancient porcelain in backstory or performance? Do certain materials suit certain styles of playing better? What sounds and stories can old, worn leather or healing stones bring out? What materials were most readily available and preferred by the musicians immigrating to America in the early 1900s, or mid 1800s for that matter? What was required of the picksmiths back in those days?
Through antiques and musical storytelling, PICK TALES uncovers the American dreams of past, present, and future in a variety of times and places. What piece of forgotten history will Dustin uncover next? Find out on PICK TALES!
"Walking on the Wild Side,"
Press Release for Russian Winter Records
Russian Winter Records proudly announces our new Country/Alt-Country/Americana sub-label, Buffalo Burger Records, launching on January 1, 2019. Buffalo Burger is devoted to the nostalgic, folk-roots, heart-of-America music; our first signing being none other than Jim Martin, a country singer/songwriter renowned as one of the hardest-working musicians in modern Nashville. Watch for the label debut in early 2019 to get a taste of the saucy, home-cooked flavor Buffalo Burger Records will be offering the online world music scene.
To find out more about my past or current work, contact me!