Tell the Same Story 5 Different Ways

Working with the same subject matter, tell your story 5 different ways.

If you’re a painter, paint the image 5 different ways. That could be oil, water color, acrylic, encaustic, and crayon. It could be red, green, blue, yellow, etc.

If you’re a writer, write the story 5 different ways: 5 character perspectives, funny, tragic, open ended, tightly wrapped, etc.

If you’re a dancer, alter the dance by 5 different speeds, locations, costumes, genres, etc.

You can also cross mediums, so something like make a painting, write a story, write a song, perform a dance, and make a website all about the same topic.

Consider, Connect, Collaborate

1. Consider

Consider an artist whose work you admire. Make a list of local and long distance names. They should all be people you’d like to work with. Shoot for the stars!

2. Connect

Call or email the artist(s) and pitch an idea. Obviously not all artists will accept your call, let alone your invite to collaborate with you, but that’s their loss! Don’t give up. Keep working your way down your list until you hook up with someone.

3. Collaborate

Work with that artist. Bring to reality whatever vision you both agree upon. Some collaborations go terribly while others turn out amazing! That’s the fun of getting outside your box and creating something from nothing with someone new.

What is the Value of Your Art?

What is the value of art? More specifically, what is the value of your art? For this exercise we’re loosely defining value as “something that people hold precious.”

What is precious about your work? Do you know? Can you identify why people—folks who do not know you—would find your work valuable? Would they pay for your work? If so, why? What specifically and generally is interesting, useful, and innovative about that thing you do?

Consider not only the value your art gives to others but also the value it brings to you.

For example:

• I am innovating new ways of engaging the public through dance
• By expressing myself I feel connected to my community
• Dancing keeps me healthy
• Nobody can move like me
• My work inspires young and old people to move

Brainstorm and identify the value of your art. Doing so will help you in making, marketing, and explaining your work. If you’re unclear about your value then how will you convince the rest of the world that they should pay attention to your efforts?

Describe Your Art Practice

Brainstorm 50 words that describe your practice. Doing so will help you identify your values, goals, brand, direction, etc. It’s a simple and effective exercise.