I have often heard the phrase, "You are a sensitive artist."
It never made sense to me before. I thought it was a stereotype. But the reason why multiple industries need artists is because we are sensitive. We notice what things look, feel, and sound like - what the experience is like. It is our job to be sensitive. It is our job to notice things.
My mother would draw to see. I recently found three of her large sketchbooks from her time in New York City in the 1950s. Through her sketches, I can see what she saw. Men working on the pier, naked bodies in figure drawing sessions, and musicians igniting the night in jazz clubs. She was seeing on a much more detailed level than I see as I walk around.
I’m a choreographer, director, sculptor - I have developed my sense of feel. This keen sense of feel informs every aspect of my work, regardless of the industry. I rent out a loft and every decision I make—from choosing furnishings and colors to selecting the property itself—is guided by my intuitive feel for the space. When managing this property, I focus on the tenant's experience, employing my sensitivity to enhance their comfort in the space and the interaction. This approach is versatile and applicable across various roles and industries. Understanding the sensory impact of design is essential, and I emphasize this in every detail, even down to the tactile quality of my business cards. The atmosphere of events, like our Winter Party, is crafted with this same mindful attention to sensory experience.
When I'm in the mushroom mind, I notice many things about the mushroom mind. I notice what I am drawn to, what it wants, what it feels like. This is how I have developed my program - meticulously, over time, through experiences.
Sensitive artist.