What are your project's strengths and weaknesses as a podcast?
I had some problems with ambient noise. There were one or two times when the door opened and closed. And my roommate was talking in the background. That was a little frustrating/annoying. I think some of its strengths however, are that because I was close to Jessica before we did the interview, I was able to capture the way she really feels about it. I knew exactly what motivated her music and why it was so important to her. I wish I would've had time to include how she feels about the students she teaches. I also was very particular in making sure that her playing the piano was the original. I recorded it while she played. She wanted to just give me a CD, but I felt that destroyed the whole point. I wanted to see what she could do for her future clients. I wanted a taste of what that would be like.
What did you learn about yourself as an artist while creating this project?
I learned that art doesn't have to be perfect for it to be uplifting, good, and inspiring. I think a lot of times artists get it in their heads that it needs to be 'perfect', when part of the whole beauty of art is that it is man-made. It doesn't have to be perfect because we are imperfect people. There's a part of the song in the podcast where Jessica messes up a little. She says oops really quietly and struggles a little bit before continuing on. It's barely noticeable in the tract. And yet this imperfection shows loads about what she has chosen to do. Rather than a vain expression of how talented she is, she has chosen to lift and help people with the talents she does have. This to me is the epitomy of what Jesus counseled when he told us not to hide our talents. I think this is where a lot of artists miss the mark. Your art isn't about you, and how good you think it is. The question is, 'how does your art help others to be better?' Jessica really taught me that as I listened to her passionately describe her current piano students, how much she cares about them and wants them to succeed, and how she wants to continue helping people with her skills for the rest of her life. I think I've always had the goal to focus on others when I create art, but she just showed me what kind of potential there really is for that. I want to take my decision to work like that even a step further.
What does it mean to you to be a Mormon artist?
I already talked about it a little in the question above. But to me, to be any kind of artist, your focus should be to expose truth, bring to light things that might not otherwise be heard. Your work should motivate others to do good, to move towards the things of worth in this life. I think the title Mormon artist really isn't that different at all. I just have one distinction. Because we are blessed with knowledge and light about what truth really is, we have the responsibility to be in accordance with the aim of the artist. So, to me, being a Mormon artist really isn't that different at all... there's just more pressure to do the right thing. There is more pressure to make art that is meaningful and really change those around us, or those who view our art. This is true in other aspects of a Mormon's life. Mormon's don't drink. Why? To stand up for truth. I don't believe it's necessary to only produce paintings of Christ. But, I think it's important to do work that is uplifting and meaningful, inviting others to do good.
I had some problems with ambient noise. There were one or two times when the door opened and closed. And my roommate was talking in the background. That was a little frustrating/annoying. I think some of its strengths however, are that because I was close to Jessica before we did the interview, I was able to capture the way she really feels about it. I knew exactly what motivated her music and why it was so important to her. I wish I would've had time to include how she feels about the students she teaches. I also was very particular in making sure that her playing the piano was the original. I recorded it while she played. She wanted to just give me a CD, but I felt that destroyed the whole point. I wanted to see what she could do for her future clients. I wanted a taste of what that would be like.
What did you learn about yourself as an artist while creating this project?
I learned that art doesn't have to be perfect for it to be uplifting, good, and inspiring. I think a lot of times artists get it in their heads that it needs to be 'perfect', when part of the whole beauty of art is that it is man-made. It doesn't have to be perfect because we are imperfect people. There's a part of the song in the podcast where Jessica messes up a little. She says oops really quietly and struggles a little bit before continuing on. It's barely noticeable in the tract. And yet this imperfection shows loads about what she has chosen to do. Rather than a vain expression of how talented she is, she has chosen to lift and help people with the talents she does have. This to me is the epitomy of what Jesus counseled when he told us not to hide our talents. I think this is where a lot of artists miss the mark. Your art isn't about you, and how good you think it is. The question is, 'how does your art help others to be better?' Jessica really taught me that as I listened to her passionately describe her current piano students, how much she cares about them and wants them to succeed, and how she wants to continue helping people with her skills for the rest of her life. I think I've always had the goal to focus on others when I create art, but she just showed me what kind of potential there really is for that. I want to take my decision to work like that even a step further.
What does it mean to you to be a Mormon artist?
I already talked about it a little in the question above. But to me, to be any kind of artist, your focus should be to expose truth, bring to light things that might not otherwise be heard. Your work should motivate others to do good, to move towards the things of worth in this life. I think the title Mormon artist really isn't that different at all. I just have one distinction. Because we are blessed with knowledge and light about what truth really is, we have the responsibility to be in accordance with the aim of the artist. So, to me, being a Mormon artist really isn't that different at all... there's just more pressure to do the right thing. There is more pressure to make art that is meaningful and really change those around us, or those who view our art. This is true in other aspects of a Mormon's life. Mormon's don't drink. Why? To stand up for truth. I don't believe it's necessary to only produce paintings of Christ. But, I think it's important to do work that is uplifting and meaningful, inviting others to do good.
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