How it started

Sunday, December 27, 2009

I was 15 years old in the basement of my Dad's house with a bottle of Indian ink, a sewing needle, and determination. I didn't know then what would become of it, but that's where it all started.
I have drawn most of my life. As a child, I would make my own cartoon characters. Doodling was a passion of mine and a great way to pass time (in church, school, the car...) - as long as I had the tools, I was drawing. I remember carving my name in my parents' headboard, drawing on the white leather sofa of my stepmom's car, walls... nothing was safe.
Now that I look back, I realize that 15 was a turning point in my artistic ability. I began taking it more seriously, and with the help of Mr. D (my art teacher, Mr. Dexter), I began my path to artistic expression with technique and knowledge.

Fire Dance

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

My first concert ever: Grateful Dead, with Chuck Berry opening. It was awesome and completely memorable, but the image I remember most was a woman in the parking lot... She had fire spinning around her in amazing patterns, and I immediately knew that someday I would do that. But what was it? How was she doing that? I was 16 then.

Whem I was 4, I went to a friend's birthday bash and once again saw a woman spinning fire. I was able to sit and talk with her and find out more about what this was. I learned that Fire Spinning has all sorts of options for tools... Hula-Hoop, Poi, Staff, Juggling, Diablo Sticks, Fans, Palm Torches... The list goes on.

The next day I ordered a basic video and a set of practice Poi. I practiced everyday for 6 months before I went ahead and lit some homemade Poi and performed my very first Fire Show for my family.

I've now been Fire Dancing for 7 - 8 years. I also have been dancing with a fire hoop for 3 -4 years.