Interview: Riley

Today we’re joined by Riley. Riley is a phenomenal performance artist who does a bit of everything. She dances, acts, sings, and even does public speaking. Riley is a fascinating artist with an incredible presence, as you’ll soon read. She’s an artist to watch and definitely has a very bright future. My thanks to her for taking the time to participate in this interview.

WORK

Please, tell us about your art.

I dance, act, and sing, and do public speaking! I’ve also dabbled in expanding those specific interests of mine by choreographing, playwriting, songwriting, and I’ve started a YouTube channel where I can focus my speechwriting.

What inspires you?

I always find myself so inspired by other people who can break the mold of their art forms and selves. I’m also inspired by the idea that I could fill that same role for another person.

What got you interested in your field?  Have you always wanted to be an artist?

My mother was a dancer, but how I found a love for acting, singing, and otherwise performing, I haven’t got a clue where the passion originated. I do think that I’ve always wanted to be an artist- performing was, is, and will always be a part of my life.

Do you have any kind of special or unique signature, symbol, or feature you include in your work that you’d be willing to reveal?

I like to bring my knowledge of acting into each of the art forms I am involved in. I think that understanding character, role, and the ability to outwardly perform that in any artistic production is an integral piece that I hope to bring to all of my work.

What advice would you give young aspiring artists?

Know why you’re doing what you’re doing, and never ever stop. I know how cliché it sounds, but it’s so true! If you love it, keep at it, and keep reminding yourself that you love it, even if it gets tough (and it will get tough).

ASEXUALITY

Where on the spectrum do you identify?

I identify as aro-ace, but really my sexuality is just one big shrug emoji ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Have you encountered any kind of ace prejudice or ignorance in your field?  If so, how do you handle it?

Grade 11 was my first onstage kiss… Or it was supposed to be, anyways. It ended up more as some weird mashing of lip corners, cheeks, and chins. My inability to properly articulate my odium and quasi-fear of romantic interactions led to an angry director and a hurt castmate, and my attempts at explanations only led to anger and confusion.

Every child has heard the “advice”: if you break a plate while washing dishes, you’ll never be asked to do the dishes again. That’s seemed to work for me- I haven’t had a PDA role in the three years since performing that scene.

What’s the most common misconception about asexuality that you’ve encountered?

“Asexuality is biologically impossible, humans were made to copulate and procreate”, to which I eye roll so hard I strain a muscle. I just don’t like the idea of sex- and romanticism is a man-made and societally enforced idea. Nothing in the animal kingdom are holding hands and bringing each other flowers. If you like it, you do it. It’s just not really my style.

What advice would you give to any asexual individuals out there who might be struggling with their orientation?

If you want to adopt a label, do it! If you don’t, that’s cool too! Orientation is about comfortability for yourself. Don’t be afraid to chuck a label you’ve found for yourself and pick up a new one if it’s a better fit. Life is too short for constrictions you’ve set for yourself.

Finally, where can people find out more about your work?

You can find my dance videos and some of my rants on YouTube, and I have some more videos and updates on my Instagram and Tumblr! Come and chat!

Thank you, Riley, for participating in this interview and this project. It’s very much appreciated.

Interview: Jennifer F.

Today we’re joined by Jennifer F. Jennifer is a phenomenal visual artist, who specializes in collages. While she’s done a bit of everything, Jennifer is truly passionate about creating collages. Her work shows an amazing eye, making incredible use of colors and lines. The images are so beautiful and they draw you right in, as you’ll soon see. My thanks to her for taking the time to participate in this interview.

Asexual

WORK

Please, tell us about your art.

So recently I’ve started creating collages, though my past art has ranged from fifteen years of dancing to writing to drawing (which I am actually awful at? But it’s fun and I like to doodle)

Pride

What inspires you?

Lately, it’s been pride flags because there’s so many colors and it makes so many people happy to see themselves recognized in some sort of media that I love it. However, I also love nature. Flowers, elements, rock formations, space… They’re amazing and probably my other big inspiration.

Politics is the other big one just because I’m a political science/pre-law major. Especially with all the stuff going on in the news.

And sometimes Disney.

Honestly, life. Life is probably a more accurate answer.

Friendship

What got you interested in your field?  Have you always wanted to be an artist?

I took a two dimensional art class over a year ago and I LOVED it. It was an accident, but it was such great stress relief that I honestly fell in love. Then I quit one of my jobs and had a bunch of time on my hands… That was when I really started to pick up the fact that I love collages. I created over 20 pieces in the span of three months.

Yes, actually! I just expected to be a dancer, not a collage maker. So, kinda?

Do you have any kind of special or unique signature, symbol, or feature you include in your work that you’d be willing to reveal?

I don’t know if it’s unique symbol or anything, but I love working with blue and it’s always my favorite part of a piece is the blue section. It is always is the easiest for me, so I consider my blue sections part of my signature just because they’re my favorite?

What advice would you give young aspiring artists?

Don’t be afraid to try your own art style. Do what makes you happy. (That’s generic, right?) But really. Everyone paints and draws, but your style in it is about you. Choose something that you think looks neat instead of choosing what you think others want. If you enjoy it, someone else will too.

Also, take your time and let your art change. You aren’t going to stay the same, and neither should your art. So explore! It’s fun. Do something stupid or out of your comfort zone. You’ll get there.

ASEXUALITY

Where on the spectrum do you identify?

Ace, all the way. The rest of my identity is kind of in the air. That’s the only part I’ve felt the need to figure out. I’m just me otherwise.

Have you encountered any kind of ace prejudice or ignorance in your field?  If so, how do you handle it?

Thankfully, not so far. My first work to gain popularity was an Ace flag, so that was great! In political science, we don’t really discuss it. My sexuality hasn’t come up, thankfully.

What’s the most common misconception about asexuality that you’ve encountered?

That I’m also aromantic. Explaining that the two can be separate, though aren’t necessarily, has been the most often issue I’ve had. Usually, it turns into a giant lesson on sexuality, romantic attraction, and gender.

People

What advice would you give to any asexual individuals out there who might be struggling with their orientation?

Breathe before you do anything else. Then figure out your feelings. Terms can come last, though it’s nice to have a community. Your feelings are more important than anything else. You don’t have to label yourself, and you don’t have to come out. Sometimes just a term can make you feel better.

And don’t worry. There’s a community waiting for you wherever you go!

Finally, where can people find out more about your work?

Tumblr: collagesofcollege.tumblr.com
RedBubble: https://www.redbubble.com/people/cajunhusker
Facebook: facebook.com/collagesofcollege/
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/collagesofcollege.

Thank you, Jennifer, for participating in this interview and this project. It’s very much appreciated.

Interview: Bridgett Cains

Today we’re joined by Bridgett Cains and she’s the 500th artist interviewed by Asexual Artist (YAY!). Bridgett is a phenomenal dancer from Australia who dances in a variety of styles. She has been all over the world, dancing with various troupes and in a variety of venues. She also teaches dance and choreographs too. Bridgett loves to share her passion for dance and I could not be happier to feature her on this blog. My thanks to her for taking the time to participate in this interview.

WORK

Please, tell us about your art.

I’m a freelance dancer, choreographer and teacher working in a range of styles, but generally fusing contemporary dance, belly dance, and contortion. I’ve been performing and teaching for the past fifteen years without any real plan other than to take chances and make opportunities wherever I can, which has taken me on some unexpected adventures. I’ve worked in Australia, the US, and Europe in a range of contexts including performing in dance projects, arts festivals, outdoor events, music videos, belly dance troupes, circus cabarets, experimental theatre shows, burlesque shows, body art competitions, fashion shows, and corporate events.

Although I’ve pushed myself to become confident in improvisation, I’m a choreography geek at heart, and as a teacher I love nothing more than to give my students the skills to create their own original choreography.

What inspires you?

I find inspiration in people who haven’t followed straight paths, or who put their own spin on their genre. People like Garry Stewart, Marion Motin, Cera Byer, April Rose, Henry Rollins, Mike Patton, Amanda Palmer, Tim Minchin, Rachel Brice, Noel Fielding, Martin Martini, Diana Vishneva, Tom Waits, Tanja Liedtke, Philippe Petit, Aya & Bambi, Heston Blumenthal… (I keep a running list here). When I’m looking for inspiration for a specific project, I try to look outside of dance so as not to accidentally steal anything, and instead turn to circus, sideshow, music, theatre, books, stand up comedy, film, visual art, and whatever else I’m surrounded by at the time.

What got you interested in your field?  Have you always wanted to be an artist?

I took my first ballet lesson when I was three and continued in regular classes well into my twenties, but never dreamt of being a professional ballerina, instead alternating between wanting to be a librarian, a scientist, a teacher, and an author. When I was fifteen I saw a contemporary dance performance that permanently shifted my focus to dance, and I started taking my training much more seriously. A few years later while I was recovering from a hamstring injury during full-time training, I took up belly dance and contortion which have taken my work in directions I’d never dreamt of, and introduced me to some of the most incredible people.

Do you have any kind of special or unique signature, symbol, or feature you include in your work that you’d be willing to reveal?

With over twenty years of ballet and ten years of belly dance in this body alongside all the other styles I’ve dabbled in, I’ve accidentally developed a signature style that’s mangled them all to the point where I definitely don’t look like a ballerina or a belly dancer. Whenever my work is reviewed or audience members comment on my performances, they always mention my hands, my flexibility, and my lines, so I guess they’ve unwittingly become a signature in my choreography.

What advice would you give young aspiring artists?

Try to explore things that challenge you to question your understanding of your artform. For me, setting foot in a belly dance studio for the first time after only ever having trained in ballet, jazz, and contemporary taught me entirely new ways to approach my work. It was terrifying at first, but now I’m hooked on taking classes in styles I’m not familiar with, and going through the humbling experience of being a beginner over and over again.

Being open to new things has taken me on so many adventures, including volunteering at a circus school in the Hawaiian jungle, running the dance program at a summer school in the UK, teaching at a performing arts camp in New York, working with burlesque performers in London and San Francisco, learning flamenco in Seville, taking belly dance lessons in Albuquerque, and taking Butoh and Irish dance lessons in Dublin. None of these things would have happened if I’d followed the plan of my fifteen-year-old self; to get a degree in dance and perform with a local company for the rest of my life, and I’ve since developed an aversion to long-term plans.

ASEXUALITY

Where on the spectrum do you identify?

I’m aromantic and asexual. I flirt subconsciously and regularly develop crushes, but I have no interest in sexual or romantic relationships.

Have you encountered any kind of ace prejudice or ignorance in your field?  If so, how do you handle it?

I usually work alone, but it’s never come up when I’ve worked on collaborative projects.

The only issue I’ve faced is in marketing my work, because I’m uncomfortable with the idea of anyone finding me attractive, but simultaneously love the way I look and need to promote the idea of people watching what I do with my body. It’s definitely a struggle to present myself well and with confidence without people projecting sexual undertones.

What’s the most common misconception about asexuality that you’ve encountered?

I’ve had a few people insist I’m just going through a phase, or I’ve just not found the right person yet, and that they’re willing to wait for me to change my mind or grow out of it. I also find a lot of people assume that asexuality stems from some kind of fear or a traumatic experience, and that I must be an easily offended prude.

What advice would you give to any asexual individuals out there who might be struggling with their orientation?

Build yourself a network of supportive people you can trust. Talk to people, keep a journal, and even make art about what you’re feeling if you need to. It’s difficult to understand and process it all when you’re in the middle of it, but if you can get it out of your head it’s a lot easier to step back, start making connections, and understand what it is you’re experiencing. I’ve only recently (in my thirties) realised that asexuality and aromanticism explain so much of who I am and what I’ve experienced, and I came out to close friends and family who generally seemed to have figured it out before I did, even if they didn’t know that these things had names. Most importantly, know that you’re not alone, you’re definitely not broken or dysfunctional, and that working on being comfortable in yourself is a very important thing.

Finally, where can people find out more about your work?

BridgettCains.com
Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/Pinterest (at) BridgettCains
bridgettelizabeth.tumblr.com

Thank you, Bridgett, for participating in this interview and this project. It’s very much appreciated.

Interview: Angel

Today we’re joined by Angel. Angel is a wonderful writer who also enjoys musical arts. When they’re not writing, they enjoy singing and playing instruments, as well as dancing. They’re very passionate about their art, as you’ll read. My thanks to them for taking the time to participate in this interview.

WORK

Please, tell us about your art.

My art is mostly writing but I also do music such as playing instruments and singing, and I also dance too.

What inspires you?

The world — the universe itself is my inspiration. Also, my own experiences are my inspiration to because my work tends to be autobiographical.

What got you interested in your field?  Have you always wanted to be an artist?

The knack and passion I had for those three things got me into it. It helped that someone with each of those things I do for art like my work. I always wanted to dance and do music, but writing aspirations came later but I always loved writing as well.

Do you have any kind of special or unique signature, symbol, or feature you include in your work that you’d be willing to reveal?

No, I do not.

What advice would you give young aspiring artists?

I would say to be bold, be yourself, and do not try to appeal to others, but yourself. Also, make sure your work is not bigoted and always analyze your work.

ASEXUALITY

Where on the spectrum do you identify?

I identify as demisexual and aceflux.

Have you encountered any kind of ace prejudice or ignorance in your field?  If so, how do you handle it?

Yes, I have since acephobia is everywhere. I just counter the acephobia by reblogging ace positive content or just what acephobia is without addressing the acephobic people; so essentially no-platforming.

What’s the most common misconception about asexuality that you’ve encountered?

I have encountered mostly that “asexuality is not a sexuality” and “asexuality equals repulsion”.

What advice would you give to any asexual individuals out there who might be struggling with their orientation?

I would say to focus on the support. I would say to look at ace positive blogs or reach out to people who are ace-friendly to regroup.

Finally, where can people find out more about your work?

Since I am an independent writer, it is on my Tumblr blog: angelofsunshine99.tumblr.com and I would either have my work tagged as “poetry” or “writing”.

Thank you, Angel, for participating in this interview and this project. It’s very much appreciated.

Interview: Julien

Today we’re joined by Julien. Julien is a young performance artist who loves everything about the theater. They love to act, sing, dance, and are particularly fond of musical theater. They also have a love of writing and enjoy writing screenplays and comics. When they’re not performing, Julien enjoys working on crafts, mostly friendship bracelets and cards. It’s very apparent they have a great deal of passion, as you’ll read. My thanks to them for taking the time to participate in this interview.

WORK

Please, tell us about your art.

My primary art form is probably theatre, where I sing, act, dance, stage manage, write, and direct. I’ve written and directed 2 one act plays in the last year. I just finished stage managing my first musical, and was very surprised at how much fun I had. Before getting into the technical aspect of theatre I was more focused on the performing arts and was not sure how exciting tech would be, but I was so glad to find a use for my managing skills in a medium I already loved! I have been singing as long as I can remember and started vocal training 5 years ago. It’s been great to watch myself grow in something that I don’t have much natural talent for – only natural passion.

I also love writing and am currently working on writing the scripts for a comic my friend is making.

Friendship bracelets and other crafts are the art I turn to as mediation. I find the repetition and the slowly emerging pattern very soothing.

What inspires you?

In theatre, I am continuously inspired by the trust and camaraderie that always develops between the entire cast and crew. I love the different aspects of it, and I love being able to use my analytical management skills in conjunction with my creativity and flexibility.

What got you interested in your field?  Have you always wanted to be an artist?

I’ve wanted to be many things, and had been resisting a theatre career path because I worried it wouldn’t be monetarily rewarding enough. I have now come to the point where I realized that while my many interests come and go with time, theatre has always been such an important part of my life that it’s a safe bet to assume it will continue to be.

What advice would you give young aspiring artists?

Try everything. If you become interested in blacksmithing one weekend, find a class. Anything you can teach yourself, do it. Learn as much as you can while you’re young and find out what sticks with you as you get older.

ASEXUALITY

Where on the spectrum do you identify?

Demisexual

Have you encountered any kind of ace prejudice or ignorance in your field?  If so, how do you handle it?

As a writer, a-specs are commonly ignored even among LGBT+ literature.

What advice would you give to any asexual individuals out there who might be struggling with their orientation?

Find analogies for asexuality. They’re usually aimed at allosexuals (non-asexuals), but they can help even a-spec people understand their sexuality, especially if they’re questioning. Find ace-friendly blogs and a-spec people who are confident in their sexuality and see how you relate to their experience.

Finally, where can people find out more about your work?

phoenixfire-dragonblood.tumblr.com (/tagged/my+art)
passing-human.tumblr.com

Thank you, Julien, for participating in this interview and this project. It’s very much appreciated.

Interview: Cin

Today we’re joined by Cin. Cin is a wonderful young artist who hasn’t met a medium they didn’t like. They do a lot of visual art and writing, but they’re also quite interested in music and dance. They demonstrate a wonderful passion and enthusiasm for art, as you’ll soon read. This is definitely an artist with a bright future. My thanks to them for taking the time to participate in this interview.

WORK

Please, tell us about your art.

I’ve really just been intensively drawing since about April. I’ve been doodling for a very, very long time though. I mostly draw fanart, from Steven Universe and Homestuck. I have many OCs that I continue editing and creating. I occasionally draw real people too, like this drawing of Thomas Sanders (at thatsthat24 ) I recently did.

I write and I’ve been writing for about 3 years, and surprisingly, I’ve stuck with one story and it’s about 100 pages long by now. It’s called The Portal Guards.

I also dance, sing, and act, all three of which have been for 9+ years. I take dance classes and voice lessons too. (Tap, jazz, ballet, and lyrical, and I’m an alto/mezzo-soprano)

Finally, I play both the viola and piano. I’m a novice piano player, having started a month or so ago, and I’ve been playing viola for 4 years. I recently started writing sheet music for strings too.

What inspires you?

I guess, other artists, and my friends. If I find something interesting to myself, I research intensively then draw or write.

What got you interested in your field?  Have you always wanted to be an artist?

Hmmm… I’ve really never thought about how I started… I mean, none of my art hobbies really had a backstory. I sorta just got interested…

Do you have any kind of special or unique signature, symbol, or feature you include in your work that you’d be willing to reveal?

I mean my signature is pretty special, but I mean there’s not very much significance behind it…

What advice would you give young aspiring artists?

I am an aspiring young artist! But if anything, be your own critic. Let others be critics. Don’t let people’s bad critics get in your head. I guess what I mean to say is, don’t compare your work to others.

ASEXUALITY

Where on the spectrum do you identify?

Just ace! I guess I’m sex neutral hehe

Have you encountered any kind of ace prejudice or ignorance in your field?  If so, how do you handle it?

Yeah, kinda, I mean, if you count me getting overly uncomfortable when some friends are making sex jokes and stuff ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

What’s the most common misconception about asexuality that you’ve encountered?

That an asexual has to be virgin. I mean, I am a virgin but gosh

What advice would you give to any asexual individuals out there who might be struggling with their orientation?

Accept yourself as who you are. What other people say can’t and will not change you. I completely know the utter feeling of dejection, and I just had to take it as it was and roll.

Finally, where can people find out more about your work?

http://why-nyello-i-am-trash.tumblr.com/
http://blubberfish23.deviantart.com/

Thank you, Cin, for participating in this interview and this project. It’s very much appreciated.

Interview: Andromeda

Today we’re joined by Andromeda. Andromeda is a phenomenal dancer who specializes in partnered social dance with a passion for the Lindy Hop in particular. She has been dancing for two years now. Andromeda is a female lead, which is always cool since dance traditionally has a male lead and female follow. Andromeda is incredibly enthusiastic about her art, as you’ll soon see, and the pictures she sent along are absolutely stunning. My thanks to her for taking the time to participate in this interview.

WORK

Please, tell us about your art.

I am a swing dancer! Swing dance is a partnered social dance, typically performed to big band or jazz music from the first half of the twentieth century. Lindy Hop, the style that I primarily dance, was developed by 1940s African American dancers in the dance halls of Harlem, most notably the Savoy Ballroom. Along with traditional 8-count Lindy Hop, I enjoy incorporating elements of 6-count Lindy Hop, Charleston, blues, and solo jazz into my dancing.

What inspires you?

Because swing dancing is a social activity, I constantly dance with other great dancers who inspire me to polish my swingout (the Lindy Hop basic step) and make my dancing as clean and energetic as I can. Along with my dance partners, one of my most consistent sources of inspiration is taking Lindy Hop classes. I have a theory that because we rarely feel inspired in school, many artists hesitate to look for inspiration in classes about their art, but it can be a great way to both improve your technique and be inspired by the instructors. It always makes my day when an instructor tells me, after struggling to nail a move for an hour, “That was perfect!”

What got you interested in your field?  Have you always wanted to be an artist?

I first became interested in swing dancing when I went to college and joined a swing dance club. Once I discovered the swing community’s world of opportunities for personal, social, and artistic growth, I was hooked!

I have never had artistic aspirations – I actually don’t think of myself as a very “creative” or “artistic” person – but swing dance is always challenging me to step outside my comfort zone and create new ways to express myself while dancing. I guess I just kind of fell in love with it – which, in all honesty, is probably the best way to become an artist.

Do you have any kind of special or unique signature, symbol, or feature you include in your work that you’d be willing to reveal?

I am a lead, which is unique because I am also a female. (Traditionally, male swing dancers lead and females follow.) Because I followed for a while before I realized that I preferred dancing as a lead, I have a special understanding of what the dance is like for my follows, and I do my best to make sure that they are comfortable and have plenty of room for their own styling while dancing with me.

Although there are many swing dancers, both male and female, who are “ambidancestrous” (can both lead and follow), I am one of the only female dancers I know of who leads exclusively – which is to say, I will always lead unless my partner specifically says that they would like to lead. To help visually communicate this idea, I usually dress androgynously (jeans and a button down or t-shirt) when I dance – not to look like a man, but to separate myself from women who exclusively follow, who typically wear skirts.

What advice would you give young aspiring artists?

Never be afraid of hard work. I won’t lie – it can be extremely difficult to invest your time, money, and effort into learning new styles and honing your technique. But the truth is, if you’re dedicated to your art, hard work is just passion put into motion – and for dancers, the moment you get out on the dance floor and feel new confidence in yourself and your abilities, everything becomes worth it.

Also, as a side note – don’t buy any special equipment until you feel like you’re being held back by inadequate supplies. I danced for two years in oxfords or sneakers before the rubber soles became a problem, and then I dropped the big bucks on real swing dance shoes with suede soles (the industry standard). You CAN start to become a great artist using whatever you have available, as long as you dedicate your focus and effort!

ASEXUALITY

Where on the spectrum do you identify?

I identify as asexual.

Have you encountered any kind of ace prejudice or ignorance in your field?  If so, how do you handle it?

No, I’ve actually been very lucky – the president of the swing dance club at my school is also ace! We like to laugh together about how so often people think that dancing together is an expression of romantic interest or sexual tension, when for both of us (and most swing dancers, regardless of sexuality) it’s just a fun activity that we love.

When I have encountered prejudice or an unwelcoming attitude, it’s because I’m a female lead. If a follow turns me down when I ask them to dance, I just shrug my shoulders and find someone else. Sure, there may be some follows who won’t dance with me, or who think I’ll never be as good as a male lead, but it’s not my job to make them change their minds. It’s my job to become an amazing swing dancer – for myself, not anyone else – and let them think whatever they want as they watch me fly around the dance floor.

What’s the most common misconception about asexuality that you’ve encountered?

There are two. The first is that I can’t appreciate how lovely people are. I’m a dancer – I have enormous amounts of appreciation for how people can move their bodies in beautiful and artistic ways. Being asexual is in no way a detriment to my ability to appreciate good dancing in others, and I think that’s really important to understand.

The second is that I can’t enjoy dancing a more sensual style, such as blues, where the follow’s torso is pressed against (or “connected with”) mine, and we’re moving together in very close sync, typically swaying (or “pulsing”) to a slow beat. I actually enjoy blues very much – not because it feels sensual or because I’m attracted to my follow, but because it’s fun to invent ways to make slow dancing interesting, and I like the sensation of having a strong physical connection with my follow. I think that allows for better dancing, which is always my goal.

What advice would you give to any asexual individuals out there who might be struggling with their orientation?

If you’re struggling with asexuality – and especially if you’re scared for the future – please know that being asexual isn’t the end of the world. It may be the end of your expectations, but that means new opportunities to grow. I spent a lot of time a while back telling myself I wasn’t ace, because I was terrified of what it would mean if I was. I wish I had spent that time honestly exploring my identity, rather than being afraid of it. The most important thing you can do is accept who you are now and grow from there.

Finally, where can people find out more about your work?

Bobby White, one of the best swing dancers out there, writes at https://swungover.wordpress.com. If you’d like to know more about Lindy Hop, I definitely recommend reading his articles.

Thanks for reading!

Thank you, Andromeda, for participating in this interview and this project. It’s very much appreciated.

Interview: Jen Barry

Today we’re joined by Jen Barry. Jen is a phenomenal performance artist who does a bit of everything: singing, dancing, and acting. It is quite obvious that the stage is where her passion lies and from her interview, it definitely shows. Jen is an enthusiastic artist who loves to perform. My thanks to her for taking the time to participate in this interview.

WORK

Please, tell us about your art.

The best way I think I can describe my art is “Show Choir” and Theatre”. The rest of my descriptors (singing, dancing and acting) fall under those two. I love being able to play a character and portray stories and emotion that I usually don’t get to feel in my every day life. It’s also a good outlet for negative emotion, such as when your character gets to fight with another, you can pretend that person is whoever you hate! Probably not the best outlet but hey whatever. Also, it’s a way for me to express my physical sexuality, but more on that later

What inspires you?

Broadway actors. I aspire to be as great as them and whenever I see a show, professional, at a competition (for show choir), or just at a high school, I immediately get this little kick of “hey, this gives me a huge adrenaline rush, they look like they’re living the best life they can and enjoying so much, this is what I want.”

What got you interested in your field?  Have you always wanted to be an artist?

I would say I pretty much always have been interested in performance. My preschool teacher Miss Ellen gave me the jumpstart that I needed when she cast me as a lead in our preschool musical and would constantly have karaoke days.

Do you have any kind of special or unique signature, symbol, or feature you include in your work that you’d be willing to reveal?

I love winking whenever appropriate. Whether it’s just visible to a fellow performer or to someone in the audience, I will find a place. Examples being when walking off stage, when bowing, or more specifically, my boyfriend came to see me at a show choir competition, and one song was its raining men, so when I did a spin, I winked going into it.

What advice would you give young aspiring artists?

Never give up. Find what inspires you, find what you love, find places to do what you love, and keep pushing, practicing, just keep having fun. It makes life so much better.

ASEXUALITY

Where on the spectrum do you identify?

Autochorissexual, so I am attracted to the idea of sexual activities, but don’t want to engage personally. I describe it as I’m attracted to everyone but myself.

Have you encountered any kind of ace prejudice or ignorance in your field?  If so, how do you handle it?

I have, just with friends or acquaintances, I just try to keep a level head, and set the record straight (haha straight as if) while cracking as many jokes and making as many puns as possible.

What’s the most common misconception about asexuality that you’ve encountered?

That we can’t have healthy relationships, that we can’t love someone, that we can’t eventually have a sexual relationship with and for the benefit of our partner(s). I have a boyfriend, and I do things with him because I know he has those wants and needs. We just make sure to be completely honest in our communication such as when I am not willing to do something.

What advice would you give to any asexual individuals out there who might be struggling with their orientation?

Research, research, research. Not only your personally identity, but other identities and spectrums as well as finding communities where you can connect with similar people. Find your school’s/community’s GSA if that’s a safe option. Just find as many people to connect with as you can, and you will feel happier (and in my case less broken).

Finally, where can people find out more about your work?

YouTube I guess? I like posting behind the scenes vlogs, and I will usually link to videos of my performances if they’re floating around YouTube. Sometimes I’ll put clips online of rehearsals and things, and I post the occasional cover as well.

Thank you, Jen, for participating in this interview and this project. It’s very much appreciated.