Hello fellow creators,
This past week, I decided to tackle an art form that I've never been quite able to grasp: playing an instrument... while singing. I know, it shouldn't be that difficult, right? It especially shouldn't be difficult for someone who dabbled with the idea of being a music educator. (That was a high school idea which flew out the window the moment I tried to teach someone how to play some simple things on the piano. I realized that, internally, I don't react well when people don't understand me!)
I can't say that I play any instruments anymore, but I used to be an amateur pianist and I was addicted to the ukulele. (I would still be addicted to my ukulele if I didn't lose it. Don't even ask how I could lose an instrument, because I have no idea.)
Anyway, back in December on a flight to Las Vegas, the movie Pitch Perfect was streaming on the overhead screens, complimentary of United Airlines. So obviously, I watched. I fell in love with Anna Kendrick's character's performance of Cups . (Originally by Lulu and the Lampshades, which, by the way, is awesome. All of their songs are folk-y and great. Check them out!) Since then, learning "the cup song" has been in the back of my mind. I finally got around to attempting it this week! I started watching tutorials on Tuesday evening and within an hour or so, I had the cup-beat down. I just could not sing while moving the cup! No surprise there.
I obsessed over this for two days. Literally. Then, on Thursday night, a magical thing happened... I sang. While keeping the cup beat! Like I said, that probably wouldn't be a big deal to most people, but it's always been such a challenge for me to multitask musically. But enough talk, here's the video of my artistic accomplishment this week. I'm no Lulu or Anna, but I'm dang proud. I only recorded one take, not minding the complete mess up at the end because, honestly, I make myself laugh when I watch it! :-)
Though I was committed to learning this song, I did fill up some more of my time doing a bit of painting. I haven't gotten wine painting out of my system yet, especially not when I've found new ways to apply the paint, like this awesome, unused, scrubber-brush thing I found under my kitchen sink. (Left: Tools used to apply the wine, Right: In or Out?):
I thoroughly enjoyed creating this painting. Not only was the application effect really cool, but I was able to push a story out of me that has been brewing inside lately. The story you "hear" while viewing it may not be the story I was trying to tell, but that's what is so beautiful. What makes visual art such an amazing expressive outlet is it's ability to keep your secrets while showing them to the world at the same time. As of late, my "visual diary" may hold more secrets than my journals, and that's okay with me.
Committed only to creativity...
-Amber