They Say The Lights Are Bright...

I find myself singing "my own" version of George Benson's song! If the lights are bright??? Why haven't I found my own magic in the air? LOL There are not many job opportunities available to talented artist who paint and who write on things seen from another perspective! 
Long before I started my quest in the arts, I was an event coordinator. I had spent years climbing the food and beverage ladder finally landing the sweetest gig ever but like all else when the 2008 crash fell upon us so did my job.

Not knowing what to do and thanking the high heavens for unemployment, I started on this search of self to try and figure out "ok, what's next"? Lining up every marketable contact that I could to claim fame and fortune( Ok this is where you all laugh!) I made phone calls, went out on cold calls and sent out over 200 resumes and to no avail not one offer came. { please, absolutely please, NO sympathy...I hate sympathy}

I could hear my dad from beyond the grave say" Kit get your head out of the clouds...who do you think you are"? "What in the h--l do you thinking you are doing"? And to answer his reverie... simply it was..."I have no idea"! and for some odd reason, I can't stop. This search was and still is too important to me!

 There I sat at my dining table with a few paints and a few brushes, wondering well... now what? At that time, an acquaintance happened to mention a news affiliate's website was looking for "parental" contributors for their online discussions. I knew that I could do! As I applied and inquired my approach was, " I am a mom, a single parent, I have an opinion and hey look I can paint too"! Being told I was most likely over qualified, they brought me on for a 12 week stint...which I was more than thrilled about.

My little post that I got to contribute on got quite a few rave reviews. I was able to settle minor heated controversies and I got the laughs that I intended with my witty and sarcastic words. I admit it was fun but it really wasn't landing me any substantial work but I continued on.  

In that sweet spot, I was offered an opportunity to do an on TV appearance to showcase a painted craft. I jumped at the chance while others shunned the opportunity to have a live camera crew (ok one guy) come into their home.  I dismissed their ill notion and happily invited in the anchor and the crew! ( ok again the one guy!) Shy I am not! I was more than ready!
So, in my clean Affton house, there it was, my 15 minutes of fame and I enjoyed every minute of it. 

(If you want to know why I was not intimidated, I shall share...a very very long time ago, my mom worked for that news station and as a little girl, I traipsed back stage under those bright lights and as I grew and  followed along her singing career until her passing it was where I seemed to be... I was right where I belonged under the bright lights)

Nothing came from that opportunity other than the chance to paint more and hone in on some very needed writing skills. I remembered how much I loved to write and how comfortable I was at sharing my thoughts.

Are you asking so how does this apply to now? Well... Fame and fortune has YET to land at my front door but since I have continued to freelance write. I currently am working on a book. I have been very lucky to have had an opportunity to submit and co-publish an article on the Peabody Opera House ( a few seasons ago) for a local magazine. My interest in photography has emerged and with those photos I turn them into one of my creative paintings. I offer on going instructions for my techniques in acrylic painting to  large amount of willing participants. LOL ( Oh I do love an audience!) and I keep a current 2 day a week gig (to survive) for a local watering hole on... where else but... Broadway!

So to wrap this ditty up: They say the lights are bright on Broadway... they say there's magic in the air!  I won't quit... til I'm a... 

 Oh you know the rest! (wink wink) Until next time...

Meet Me In St. Louis,
Kitryn Marie