Dirt Dance

My creative session started with a proud cry in the mirror, and ended with a bloody knee.

This was definitely a rollercoaster of a time, with all positive emotions and moments of self healing. In my original idea for this concept, I was more focused on the sexual connotation of intimacy, leaning towards imagery and topics I knew held shock value. But as I got to know this project and it began forming, it asked me to release the need for public validation and the “shock value” mindset. What did I want to explore? That's the whole point of this anyways, right? So, I sat with that, and asked myself how I wanted to be intimate with my art that day. I knew I felt called to make a mess, that was certain. I knew I wanted it to involve staining some paper with coconut oil (I had a photo client a couple days prior that had left some inspiring marks on my paper roll). But what would be the pigment that tracks my train of thought?

I thought about my impending adventure into a place known for their beautiful landscape, and how I will have lots of opportunities to get in touch with nature. I decided to grab an expired plant , who's been sitting in the same place on my porch for at least a year; the soil must have been aching for purpose, stranded there for so long. I mixed the coconut oil with the soil from that pot and used it to cover my body before exploring the sensation of those materials on my skin. At times, it was abrasive. Other times, it felt like a comforting exfoliant. Unexpected pebbles and a small spider friend kept things interesting. Each love song that came on, I imagined singing it to myself, and every word felt deeper than I had understood them before. I got to hold myself and touch myself with the tenderness that I deserve, and explore sensual discomfort along the way. I used my dirt and oil covered body to stain the paper. Stretching and scooting to create visual punctuation. At one point I had noticed that there was a red spot on the paper, my knee had been cut in all of the scooting and sliding around. Oh, well… I guess I’ll just use that, too.

After it was all said and done, I gathered the soil that gave itself to me. Its atoms, charged with the vibration of self love. All my realizations and intentions that I had during that experience, now live on in that soil. I believe this bit of earth knew it would be needed for this moment, and I cherish its divinity deeply.

(full uncut video of this experience will be played at the physical gallery)