At last I accepted that my experience of life is entirely up to me.
I have identified as an artist well before I had any idea what a vast arena that term encompassed. I knew artists made things. I knew that they had wild imaginations. I knew they weren't afraid to express themselves. That's what I wanted... that's what I knew I had. Brave, unapologetic and passionate, nothing else felt so close to home. At age 4 I tried, somewhat successfully, to make shoes out of old cereal boxes. My obsession with creating has not dimmed.
I grew up in Michigan in a conservative, religious family and was homeschooled most of my life. I didn't watch tv or movies and my internet use and music intake was highly monitored. I spent my time reading textbooks, training in classical ballet, playing piano and sewing clothes. Hungry for inspiration and artistic opportunities, I moved to Philly. After a couple years of college, working in retail and playing keyboard in an indie pop band, I at last decided to commit to following my dreams, and headed to New York.
I am now in my 9th year in New York City. After 4 years of dancing in strip clubs and slowly tapping into the performer gig scene, I am now a full time ballet, aerial, contortion, stilt walking, pole dancer, showgirl, actress and model, and make many of my own costumes and iconic everyday looks. I have been making my own music since I was a teenager and am at last pushing it to the foreground of my career with the recent release of my 5 song EP.
All my life, people have encouraged me to pick one of my skills and focus on it above all others in order to find success. I have always resisted this notion. For me, success is the ability to continually learn and explore new crafts and art forms. To indulge in a medium when juices are flowing, and take space when I need to clean my palette. Success is the ability to continually reinvent without fear of losing ones identity. Success is the option to hustle relentlessly or take a break, spend time with loved ones, let a day melt at the beach. I have found my own success. My only hope is to be an example to help others find theirs.
"One thing I try to do is motivate on every level. I do a lot of things but god forbid I ever settle. I gotta lot of dreams, they're lookin like quite big endeavors. But if I'm gonna make it happen, it's now or never."
-Gabriella