I Love Artists
Hi! I’m Marion Abbott and this is my blog for Performing Arts Artists and their Teachers.
I’ve been pondering this blog for a long time but have only felt in recent months that now is the time to finally start.
You can read more about my journey and evolution as an Artist, but basically I’ve been involved in live performance and theatre/musical since I was 12, and worked full time in the industry since I graduated from Sheridan in 1999. It’s been a roller coaster of a journey, but I’ve loved the challenge of it. But most of all, I’ve loved connecting with Artists.
I love Artists. I am obsessed with how they think, how they work and why their art is what it is.
I wanted to provide a blog that would encourage and inspire both Artists, of all ages and levels, and their teachers. And celebrate the beauty they bring to our world.
I’ve lived with Artists my entire life. And my experiences and ideas that I’ll be sharing, come from my front row seat to the Artist life and process.
My father is a retired professional pianist. When I was a child, he was working as a salesman but taught some piano students and often played at the church for services. Although he was classically trained and achieved his ARCT from the Royal Conservatory of Music, he can play anything by ear. I used to think it was normal for your father to come home from the movie theatre and play the theme song of the movie you just watched. When I was 16, he lost his sales job due to a massive recession that hit the economy at the time. It was at that time that my mother encouraged him to go into music full time and he never looked back. I got to watch as he embraced his entrepreneurial skills and create a career that ended with him playing shows all over Canada, but mostly all across the GTA, particularly in seniors residences where he could play over a thousand songs from memory. The seniors adored him.
My brother played violin, piano, drums and is generally a creative, artistic guy, but when he bought an ‘introduction to magic kit’ at the age of 13, he found his calling. I got to watch him go from practising his tricks over and over (and over!) on myself and my sisters and my parents and our grandmother (and anyone else willing to watch) to being named Canadian Magician of the Year and having his own resident show in Florida. If I never hear the words ‘Pick a card! Any card!’ ever again, that would be okay with my sanity.
My husband a visual artist. His main medium is oil on canvas but he also works with watercolour, encaustic, sculpture and collage whenever inspiration hits. I’ve learned so much from him about the similarities in creative process between artistic disciplines.
And finally, I have a son. He did some singing, some acting, some dancing, won awards and a couple of professional contracts and went to countless art exhibits with his father. But his true artistic gift was building, and his passion was film. And I’m happy to tell you that he’s currently enrolled in a program for Special Effects and Make Up. With dual roles as an Artist and a Parent in this case, it’s been a fascinating experience watching and encouraging him to find his way.
So, as you can see, as well as making my way through my own life journey as an Artist, I’ve had a front row seat to the journeys of extraordinary artists in my own home and I continue to be fascinated how we work and live, as Artists.
Now, why, if I’m creating this for musical theatre/theatre Artists and their teachers, am I referring to everyone as an ‘Artist’? Why not Actor, Actress, Singer, Musical Theatre Performer? I’m so glad you asked! :P
Years ago, I had the pleasure and privilege to see the great Tony Bennet live, in concert. He was accompanied by three musicians - a pianist, a percussionist and an upright bass player. After knocking us all dead with his opening numbers, he said: “I’d like to take a moment and introduce you to my Artists.”
My Artists.
I had never heard musicians referred to as Artists before. My experience, up to that point in time, was that you were named according to what you did.
You dance? You’re a dancer.
You sing? You’re a singer.
You play the piano? You’re a pianist.
It never dawned on me that we could all embrace the same title.
And yet it makes perfect sense.
An Artist is someone who is driven by a force within them to create - whether that’s through music, poetry, photography or blood effects for a horror movie. The need to create unites us, the rest is just details.
I’m Marion Abbott and this is my blog about living and working as an Artist. And I’m excited to begin this journey with you!