At 14 I decided to go into film acting and directing. I was on
track, studying acting in London, student directing, acting wherever I
could. Then at 18 I paralyzed my left hand in a work related accident.
Everything in me said 'Learn to Draw' - deep down I knew it was a skill
I'd need. Moving forward with my studies I made a documentary film in
Nepal while living in a farming village and backpacking through the
Himalayan mountains. I also painted watercolor landscapes.
When I went to art school, I was shocked the teachers carried razor
blades in their pockets to make sure the students did things 'right,'
physically cutting student's work while saying "there's only one right
way." 6 weeks into the quarter, I re-enrolled at my college, and
committed to learning as much as I could from other art students in the
short time I had left. The professors who sent me to Nepal were decent
and supportive. I studied film making through the anthropology
department and learned about cultures through film making. I decided to
study the art of other cultures with them also. As a result I learned
about the valuable role of the arts in cultures throughout time. I
leaned how symbols like images, music and dance hold cultural stories
and help pass them from generation to generation.
My biggest
hurdle was my own self perception. In American elementary schools kids
were judged by their illustrated stories. Students who knew how to draw
were praised. Everyone else, including me, felt bad about their ugly,
messy work. Changing that self perception took years. Creating skillful
work wasn't enough. My early deep belief had to be overturned and
replaced in order to move forward with pride.
I worked in television in L.A. and left a big promotion to move to
New Mexico with my boyfriend to paint. Stuart convinced me my energy was
better spent painting, and I knew the air pollution and stress in LA
was harmful. I'd have nightmares and wake up with an uneasy feeling. And
yet I loved my work and the people I worked with. In New Mexico I
painted a lot, but I felt I was leaving valuable story telling skills
behind. This Kalendra project helped me find the balance.
My paintings needed a story - one that was universal, timeless and
bigger than all of us. I've been developing this world, it's
characters, and a map of their journey. This is where it all begins. And
I invite you to enjoy the journey with me moving forward.
Beyond the shores of the Washlin Ren and above the Kumerlin Plains,
lies a world of magical characters and breathtaking valleys. It's
powers have been discovered, it's borders still unknown. Join me as I
explore this world through a cast of characters who find themselves
struggling to navigate harsh environments and develop a keen sense of
whose advice they can trust and what must be discovered for themselves.
We have just entered the "Land of Kalendra." Welcome.
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