Filmmaker Makes Dinner
the simple life of a cook-from-home artistAbout
I make art. ^This is a picture of some of my art. I’ve always been an artist. More specifically, I am an emerging artist. “Emerging” is a gentle word to describe the artistic stage marked by obscurity that often ranges from age 18 to 45. Put plainly, no one will know I made anything unless I throw it out into the world violently, repeatedly. That’s what emerging means.
After living in the cornfields of East-Central Illinois for the past four years (see above image)—completing my MFA and teaching 20-years-olds how to think critically about art and film—my husband has graciously decided that Honolulu, Hawaii would be a slightly more pleasant backdrop for our lives. As much as I love corn, 110 degree heat indexes, frat bar crawls, and genetically-modified super bugs, I must agree with him.
My husband is lucky enough to have a purpose down in HI—he is attending the University of Hawaii’s MBA program. I, on the other hand, have no idea what I will be up to. Lounging on the beach? Snorkeling? Hiking? Surfing lessons? Of course. Unfortunately, none of those things make money. I’ll probably end up doing night auditing for some fancy hotel. But that doesn’t matter. What really matters is my film.
(cue musical crescendo)
Yeah. I’m making a film. During the summer of 2010, I shot the footage for my first feature-length documentary. Now I just have to piece it all together, make it look pretty, pay someone to write a score, and try to get people to watch it. Easy, right?
Well, it would be easy if I lived in a vacuum and could work on the post-production 14 hours a day, every day. Life is a little more complex than that, though. For example, I like to eat—and not just microwaved ramen—I like to eat healthfully epic food. I avoid sugar and excessive grains. I make my own yogurt and cashew milk. I make fresh salsa. I soak my own beans. Lately, I’ve even taken to consuming what my mother calls “green drink” (blendered salad greens with a bit of fruit and sweetener). Yes, it looks as disgusting as you are imagining, but boy is it good for you. I’ve found that eating well and staying active is the perfect antidote to crouching over my computer for six-hour editing binges.
All that considered, I hope this collection of images, videos, and text about the creative world I live in will keep me accountable to the important goals in my life. That, or it will be a great procrastination tool.
