Alexa Rae

Gallagher
CUT TO:
Songwriters Monthly Presents:
Ashley
Madekwe
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Julianne
Hough
Jillian
Ann
Rose Anne
St. Romain
Contents

Editors Notes . . . Page 2
Alexa Rae Gallagher, Alexa talks about her recent television role . . . Page 5
Sanya G: Unstoppable, the pop star talks about her modeling career . . . Page 9
Rose Anne St. Romain: Master Storyteller . . . Page 13
Julianne Hough and Ashley Madekwe, Old Navy Oasis . . . Page 19
Jillian Ann: Making Life A Ritual . . . Page 23
Editors Notes
This long-time-coming Editors Notes is a painful reminder that we can fool ourselves
and make plans and try our best, but we really have no clue of what tomorrow will
bring. That being said (written), prepare yourself for some (feeble) explanations and
a few confessions!
Confession: I never thought I would be a writer. Wait, thats a lie, Ive frequently
entertained the notion of being a novelist... and I have hundreds of half finished
manuscripts to back that up. What I meant to write was, I never thought I would be
a journalist. Journalism never entered my thoughts as a child, and as a grown-up, I
kind of stumbled into it and I still have a hard time defining myself that way.
Confession: Being a journalist is an addiction. There is a rush that comes with having
a direct access to celebrities, events, and products that other people simply do not
have. You have to learn how to handle that high without burning out, without
abusing it, and without getting jaded. I usually mess up in the first of those three
aspects.
Confession: Im optimistic and tend to say yes. What that means is I always take on
too much work because every day I am confident Ill be able to get it done.
About a year ago, I reached out to an incredible woman who put me in touch with an
actress who literally changed my life. Up until last year, Id mostly written about
music and the music business. I wanted to go beyond what was safe and known (at
least for me) and write about someone simply because I was impressed by them. I
had no clue of what to expect when I interviewed Emmanuelle Vaugier, but the
experience turned out to be so overwhelmingly positive, that I gained a crazy
amount of confidence. Also, after 20+ years of writing about the same topic, I felt a
need to prove myself. I was convinced that being a good writer meant I would have
to learn how to write about everything! Not just music.
So, I started gathering contacts and doing more interviews. I wrote about everything
from fashion to food to sports to even writing, itself. I was stoked, after those
aforementioned 20+ years, I felt like I was just starting out. Writing had become
fresh and new to me again.
However, just about the time I was ready to launch a new magazine filled with
interviews from people from all walks of life, an editor noticed my writing and started
sending me assignments. The assignments turned into paying gigs. Those paying
gigs turned into a job. A dream job. Insane pressure, but a good insane pressure.
So, I had to make a choice, did I turn down the offer because I had my own project,
or did I take the offer and potentially let down everyone I had been working with
over the past nine months? I told myself that I could do both.
Confession: I couldnt do both. Maybe somebody better than me could have found a
way, but Im only me and I had reached the limits of my abilities and time. A number
of months ago Cut To: and Songwriters Monthly were unofficially put on hold.
But I refuse to completely give up! I made promises to a lot of amazing people, so
Im going to try my best to get their stories to you.
What you hold in your hands is the first offering. Heres the rundown: We have
Alexa Rae Gallagher. Since the time of her interview, this stunning young actress/
musician/model has moved from television to film. Her career is taking off, but
hopefully were not too late and this issue will still be her first, much-deserved cover!
Sanya G is an international sensation. She is a model, a pop star, a fashion blogger,
and much, much more. What weve covered in this issue is just a taste of her dazzle.
After reading, I urge you to like, friend, and follow her! When I was covering the New
Orleans Jazz Festival, so many artists I talked to told me I needed to track down
Rose Anne St. Romain because she was the best. A storytellers storyteller. And
she is! Julianne Hough and Ashley Madekwe? I was invited to a party on the
other side of the country to meet these two celebrities. I couldnt make it, but I did
receive plenty of photos after the event, so I could see exactly what I missed. When
I say that Jillian Ann is the embodiment of the concept of creativity, itself, I mean
that. She lives her life in the constant pursuit of honoring art. I am very honored she
was able to spend some time with us to let us know all about RITUAL!
As I wrap up these Editors Notes, I do not know what tomorrow will bring. But I do
know that there are many, many more wonderfully talented individuals whose story I
would like to share with you in some way... so stay tuned!
In the meantime. If youd like to see what Ive been up to at my day gig its a little
more newsy there, no first person, etc. after reading this issue of Cut To: click on
over to AXS.com for news, reviews, interviews, and more exclusive photos like the
one of Kevin Bacon above yeah, to get the job, I had to tell them I was a
photographer, too!
Stay in touch and feel free to write! Im at a1foster@aol.com.
Alexa Rae Gallagher
Alexa Rae is a young musician
with a broad range of talents and
gifts. Not only is this fetching
artist an accomplished vocalist
[she was a member of the New
Jersey Sussex County All-State
Choir] and an aspiring songwriter
with both piano and guitar skills in
her arsenal, but she has been
blessed with enviable aesthetics
that make her the obsession of
the cameras eye. In other words,
Alexa is also a model. Gallagher
has worked for Abercrombie &
Fitch and was chosen as a lead
model in the Garden State Croatia
Soccer Team photo shoot. And
recently, this thriving talent has
added yet another endeavor to
her list of pursuits: acting.
Even with all that is happening,
Alexa found time to answer a few
questions about her career and
her role on Investigation Discoverys series titled Frenemies: Loyalty Turned
Lethal.
Cut To: You are a model, an actress, and a songwriter/performer, which one came
first? Which one would you choose to be, if you could only excel at one? Why?
Alexa Rae Gallagher: I am very passionate about them all. Modeling is such a
blast. You get to get all dolled up, have someone take pictures of you, and get paid!
Whats not to love?! But, I would have to say singing and songwriting would be at
the top of my list. It just comes more naturally to me, whereas acting is more of a
challenge.

CT: Do you find any similarities between modeling and acting? Between acting and
singing? Between singing and modeling?
Alexa: If someone was a model and then went into acting, the fact that theyve had
some experience being in front of a camera and are comfortable could definitely help
them to come across as more natural in an acting role. But, other than the fact that
they all require being in front of the spotlight and/or camera, I would say, no.

CT: When did you first start to realize that you wanted to be an actress?
Alexa: Ive always been into entertaining. It started with singing and songwriting
when I was about 6. Then, when I was about 14, I discovered acting and modeling
and fell in love with them, as well. Ive just always known the entertainment industry
was something I wanted to be involved in and that it was the way I wished and
hoped to earn a living.

CT: Can you give me a brief description of your character in Frenemies Friends
with Benefits? Who is Vanessa? What is she like? Can you relate to her?
Alexa: Vanessa was definitely the mean girl in high school. She was the one
everyone looked up to and most certainly did not want to mess with! I can relate to
her in the sense that I would not want my boyfriend spending time with another girl,
but Id like to think Im a
little more compassionate
than her and would handle
the situation in a less cruel
and hostile way.

CT: How did you get the
part of Vanessa?
Alexa: Funny thing, I was
actually called into audition
for the first episode of
Frenemies. I thought I
gave a great audition, but
about a month went by and I didnt hear back. Then, a few weeks later, they called
me and said they had a different part in the final episode that would be great for me.
Thats how I landed the role of Vanessa.

CT: What was the experience like?
Alexa: It was a blast. I had so much fun on set. I loved meeting everyone and
sharing this amazing experience with them.

CT: Did you bond with anyone (actors or otherwise) on set? Did you make any
friendships that will last beyond the shoot?
Alexa: Yeah, everyone was really great! I do keep in touch with the other actors and
I see some great friendships emerging out of this experience.

CT: What was the most startling thing you learned about the television industry
through this experience?
Alexa: I dont think there was anything startling about it besides the story line. Its
crazy and horrific to think that this really took place. My heart goes out to Amber
Alexa Rae as Vanessa on Investigation Discoverys Frenemies Friends with Benefits.
Hess and her friends and family. I am so sorry they had to experience this terrible
tragedy.

CT: Whats next for you?
Alexa: Im definitely trying to move even further with my acting career. Im also
looking to do some more modeling, and Im actually trying to kick-start my singing
career. I will be heading into the studio this month to record my first demo EP, which
will be all original songs that Ive written. I cant wait to share them with every one.
It will be out within the next few months!

CT: Whats the best way for fans to stay in touch with you?
Alexa: Social networks, for sure. I may not always be posting, but I check them
constantly. And, I love meeting new people and getting to know my fans, so thats
definitely the best way for them to get in touch with me.
Facebook Twitter Instagram IMDB YouTube
Sanya G: Unstoppable
Sanya G is unstoppable! Not only is she an accomplished songwriter with a
phenomenally powerful voice, but she is also a striking model with a devastatingly
edgy sense of fashion. Sanya delivers an insanely high level of energy and radiates
an irresistible passion for life in everything that she does. Its easy to see why this
exhilarating performer is rapidly becoming a bona fide sensation!
A little while back, Sanya and her manager, Tanya, met with Paolo Barbato, an Italian
underground DJ/producer, and his friend/musician, Simone Ermacora, to write a hit.
The result became Sanyas current single, Magic. The infectious, invigorating dance
track features some of the strongest vocals of Sanyas career to date. Magic is the
artist at her best, focused and turbocharged.
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Sanya G recently shared some of her time with Cut To: in order to answer a few
questions about herself, her beauty secrets, and her fashion sense.
Cut To: What is your favorite aspect about working in fashion?
Sanya G: I like being creative, being different, and being edgy.
CT: In your photos, your poses and attitude are flawless! How did you learn such
control and precision? Were you a dancer?
Sanya G: I did take dance when I was younger, so that helps, but I also have the
advantage of having been a model for so long. I am such a perfectionist. When the
camera is in front of me, I am the one in control.
CT: The photos of you are stunning!
Who designs your looks?
Sanya G: Thank you! Usually, I do. I
like to be creative and in control. I
present an idea, then I talk about it
with my photographer usually we are
on the same page. It is funny, though,
the photographer who played a big role
in my Magic music video as the co-
director asked me to dye my hair ombr
blond with bangs for the video,
and I did. My goal is to be always
different, edgy, and I dont want to look
like any other artist, I dont want to be
the next Pink, Gwen, or Rihanna . . . I
want to be Sanya G!
CT: What are your favorite colors/
patterns/fabrics? Why?
Sanya G: Hmm, it is difficult to just
pick one as fashion evolves so much
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that we can combine almost anything and it could still look great. And, since people
really love my outfits, I have made a fashion blog. I like the bad girl look, but I
cant be bad all the time, so I save that for the stage, haha.
CT: Do you ever see yourself getting into acting, as well?
Sanya G: I do! I love being in front of the camera, so I would try it. Ive already had
a small role in a Slovenian television comedy series as a guest star. It was fun, but
music is my first love!
CT: Do you have any fitness routines? What is your favorite way to keep your body
in shape?
Sanya G: Well, you wont believe it,
but its all just good genes. As much
as I eat, I should be twice my size!
But every year, I do find that I have to
exercise more and more. If I have to
work out, then I always pick running.
CT: What is your biggest temptation?
Sanya G: As far as food goes, my
biggest temptation is french fries!
CT: What is your number one beauty
secret, the one thing you do to make
yourself feel and/or look your best?
Sanya G: Sleep! I have to sleep eight
hours to keep me looking rested. Also,
I always take care of my skin, I clean
it in the morning and before I sleep.
CT: What helps you get through the
tough periods?
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Sanya G: The support of my loved
ones . . . and listening to music, that
really helps.
CT: What do you do when you are
not writing, singing, or modeling?
What is your favorite hobby?
Sanya G: I used to draw a lot, but it
has been a while. I do love to read a
good book.
CT: Is there anything youd like to
talk about?
Sanya G: Maybe my future music
plans? We are promoting Magic at
this moment, but we are also
preparing the next single release.
That song is called Buzz, it is more
urban, raw, and it is coming out later
this year. Buzz will also be the name
of my EP.
CT: Do you have a personal message
youd like to offer your fans?
Sanya G: I always say, If your dreams dont scare you, they arent big enough! So,
dont forget to dream my dreamers!
Website Fashion blog Facebook Twitter Magic video
Note: For the songwriting/performing side of this captivating artists multi-faceted
career, make sure you check out her article on AXS.com.
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Rose Anne St.
Romain:
Master
Storyteller
Ive long believed that if you pay
attention, life gives you clues for
your next move. The hard part
seems to be recognizing which
little flashes of coincidence are
indeed the important ones, the
ones youre supposed to pursue. I
was wrapping up the information
gathering phase of a rather
extensive writing assignment on
the New Orleans Jazz and
Heritage Festival by getting a few
quotes from the wonderfully
helpful and extremely
knowledgeable and talented, Johnette Downing. During the interview we were talking
about the art of storytelling and Johnette casually remarked that if I wanted to speak
to the best, I should contact her friend, Rose Anne St. Romain. But with Johnettes
input, I already had the information and quotes I required to finish the assignment,
so there was no real need to talk to any more artists.
However, there was such an unquestionable respect in Downings voice when she
mentioned her friends name that I decided something was urging me to follow up on
the lead, anyway. And boy, am I glad I did! Not only is Rose Anne St. Romain an
author and an award-winning storyteller many call her a master storyteller
but she is just an all-around, delightful human being. Her perspective is fascinating;
her insight, priceless. After communicating with her, I felt like I imagine I would have
felt if I had been granted the opportunity to question Marcel Marceau about the art
of silence.
Im a country girl at heart who loves the attractions in a city, Rose Anne expressed
while we were informally exchanging information about each other. I am currently
living in my very small hometown [Mansura, Louisiana], but I am looking to move on
soon. I came here to take care of elderly parents who have both passed on. I am
glad I could be here for them, but I am looking forward to what is next.
In that pre-interview stage, I also discovered that Rose Anne had been a journalist,
as well. I had a weekly human interest column. I loved writing the column and I
learned that I was pretty good at it! My two best articles were about a 102-year-old
woman and a young man who traveled 2,187 miles along the Appalachian Trail in
one long hike during a six-month period. I also wrote a nifty article about a gigantic
turnip and another one about a huge watermelon. It seemed like there was never
enough time to write as well as I knew I could while I was at the office, so I often
worked on articles while at home.
Since Songwriters Monthly now publishes an online magazine for actors as well as
for songwriters, one important aspect I needed to decide was where to run Rose
Annes feature: was storytelling closer to songwriting or was it closer to acting?
I see storytelling as a pretty unique performance art, she responded. A case can
be made for it in a songwriting magazine as well as in an acting magazine. In the
first instance, storytelling is like songwriting in that the storyteller makes up the
words used to communicate ideas and images. However, once a songwriter writes a
song, its up to the musician to adapt it to the audience, not always the songwriter.
I could also make a case for storytelling having an affinity with acting since one
performs stories and acts out all the parts, including the narrative, she continued.
But where it differs from acting is that actors speak words somebody else wrote and
they memorize lines. Conversely, storytellers make up the words they use to
describe the story images that they see in their own minds eye. Storytellers also
adapt the pace, audience participation, and even sometimes, the content of the story
on the spot in order to appeal to the audience and situation at hand.

Ultimately, Rose Anne advised, You can decide where youd like to place this.
As you can no doubt see, Ive opted to place Rose Annes feature in the acting
magazine. So, without further ado, heres the interview:
When did you start telling
stories?
My first storytelling experience
occurred in 1982 when I was
working on a Masters degree in
Speech Communication at
Southern Illinois University in
Carbondale, Illinois. My area was
Oral Interpretation, a little known
academic field of study that
focusses on crafting live
performances from works of
fiction, non-fiction, and poetry.
The narrator is actually a
character in these productions. At
the time, I was in a storytelling
troupe that performed at local
festivals and schools. The first
time I performed for our troupe, I
was terrified, I honestly thought I
was going to pass out when it
was my turn to tell my story. I
had been in many theatre
productions, so I was accustomed to learning lines, but in storytelling, you dont
memorize the lines, you memorize the series of images in the story and use
language to describe what you see and hear in your minds eye.
How did you develop your craft?
While I was working on my masters degree in Library and Information Science at
LSU in Baton Rouge in the late 1980s, the State Library of Louisiana sponsored a
grant to send professional performing artists to Louisiana public libraries to promote
reading during the states summer reading program. I auditioned and was honored
with being the states first touring storyteller . . . at least I think I was! Anyway, I
selected five stories and hit the road, performing the same stories over and over and
over, day after day after day. I was completing an independent study in storytelling
that summer as part of my graduate course work, so Id study about the art of
storytelling in the evenings, then try out what Id learned the next day. That summer
changed my life. I fell in love with the art of storytelling! For me, it was a bridge
between just talking to people and being in a theatrical production. I thoroughly
enjoyed playing all the characters as well as the narrator. My experiences with the
field of Oral Interpretation greatly informed my performance choices. I learned, most
importantly, that mastering a story comes only after many, many tellings of the
same tale. Only then, do you find the most effective words and timing.
Are there any highlights of your career, so far, that youd like to mention?
I toured with Jimmy Buffett in 1998. He saw me perform at the Jazz Festival and
asked me to go on the road with his band and staff to perform stories on a satellite
stage prior to his concerts. It was
a grand experience! I felt like
Cinderella at the ball. Jimmy, his
band, and his staff were incredibly
friendly and hospitable. I
collaborated with Jimmy and his
staff to find ways to draw the
crowd to the storytelling stage. I
performed Jimmys two picture
books as well as my own stories.
One of the things that impressed
me was that, even though
everyone was dressed informally
and the atmosphere was relaxed,
Jimmy ran a tight ship.
Storytelling works best in a more
intimate setting than the grounds
of a Jimmy Buffett concert, so
after I worked with Jimmy in
Boston, Atlanta, and Raleigh, we
switched gears. Radio
Margaritaville, Jimmys Internet
radio station, was just starting up,
so his staff recorded about 10 of
my stories and broadcast them for a couple of years as a program called The Stories
We Could Tell, named after one of Jimmys songs, of course. Jimmy also arranged
for me to do a live internet broadcast of me performing at Margaritaville, Universal
Studios in Orlando, Florida. When my first book was in the works [Moons Cloud
Blanket], I asked Jimmy to read it and to write a quote about it and he did! Part of
his quote is published right on the cover of my book.
What makes storytelling so special to you?
Storytelling is part of everyones heritage, whether or not theyve ever even heard a
professional storyteller. People tell stories all the time. They tell about what
happened to them over the weekend, or about their children, or about how to cook
something, etc. Stories are a natural part of our daily lives; they are how we connect
with other people in a very human way. Our personal stories help us to understand
each other, touching our hearts and minds through the imagination. When someone
listens to another persons story, they see the events unfolding in their minds eye,
the imagination. The art of storytelling takes listeners out of their everyday lives and
into another plane of being in which they experience, through their own
imaginations, a characters dilemma and success. The story becomes a new memory
for them.
Where do you find your inspiration?
I find story material all around me. Ive found a lot of inspiration from folktales as
well as from real life, especially times past. Two of my stories that were first crafted
as performances were published by Pelican Publishing. The first one, Moons Cloud
Blanket, is a Louisiana Native American folktale. I was delighted that it won three
national awards and is also in a Louisiana social studies textbook used by many
schools. The second book, Monsieur Durands Grosse Affaire, is based on a true
story that happened in St. Martinville, Louisiana in 1870. My audio collection of
folktales, Once Upon a Shoe, is available on iTunes and CDBaby.com.
What can someone expect when going to one of your shows?
If someone is attending one of my shows for the first time, they will see just me. I
use no props or scenery, no masks, and no fancy costumes. I do wear something
dramatic that looks different from everyday clothing to help audiences trust that I
have something unusual to offer them. They will see and hear me transform my face,
body and voice to portray different characters. They will see me guiding them
through the world of the story by changing my point of visual focus and my location
on the stage. Best of all, they will see the story in living color in their own minds.
Whats next for you?
Im currently working on a true story about a bayou monster that haunted my
fathers cousins mattress. Its a story Ive told a number of times and Im developing
a written account of it.
Im also frequently inspired to write short little poems about things I see in my
everyday world. Ive posted many of them on my Facebook page. Im also writing
two stories in rhythm and rhyme: one is about how ducks got flat feet and the other
is about frogs. They are both really fun!
Website Facebook CD
Julianne Hough And Ashley Madekwe
Attend Old Navy Oasis At This Year's Coachella
ABC's Julianne Hough (Dancing with the Stars) and Ashley Madekwe (Revenge)
were recently spotted at the Old Navy Oasis event that took place in Indio, California
the first Saturday of this year's Coachella. Both ladies were sporting Old Navy blues
in their festival looks Julianne in a chambray shirt and Ashley in denim shorts.
[Get The Look: Old Navy, Ashleys Shorts: $24.94, Juliannes Shirt: $24.94.]
Old Navy Oasis was held at Shadow Hills RV Resort approximately 7 miles from the
festival grounds. While at the event, both Julianne and Ashley snacked on Sno con
Amor shaved ices and picked up some Old Navy Indio essentials, including
lightweight scarves and bandannas. Later in the day, Hough enjoyed an exclusive
acoustic performance by indie rock band Young The Giant.
Michael Simon
Relaxing
eventgoers
soak in the
gorgeous day.
Michael Simon
Michael Simon
Eventgoers
find fun
ways to
keep cool!
Michael Simon
Michael Simon
Jullianne Hough
from ABC's "Dancing
with the Stars"
sports a casual
dazzle in her Old
Navy chambray
shirt!
Ashley Madekwe
from ABC's
"Revenge"
peruses the Old
Navy Indio
essentials.
Michael Simon
Michael Simon
Julianne Hough
pauses to enjoy a
Sno con Amor
shaved ice treat.
Indie rock
band, Young
The Giant,
delivers an
exclusive
acoustic
show.
Jillian Ann: Making Life A Ritual
A Q&A With Multi-Media Artist Jillian Ann
Jillian Ann is a groundbreaking visionary
who is ever expanding the boundaries of
what art is capable of. She is a
sophisticated and sensual creative who
lives her life adrift in the elegant flow of
reflection and expression. Recently, Jillian
Ann took some time to respond to some
questions about art, her RITUAL line,
creativity, and crowd sourcing.
Cut To: Everything you do is evidence
that you live your life in a way that always
honors art of any kind. As a result, you
are more like a Greek goddess than an
artist in that you are the embodiment of a
concept. What is art to you?
Jillian Ann: Art is my spiritual path. It is
something that challenges me extensively
to evolve, grow, and work through any
fears and insecurities. Heroes and
goddesses are people who are
remembered for being extraordinary, but
anyone I have ever encountered who was
extraordinary got there because they didnt settle for allowing their own shadows or
past to hold them in place. To me, art, be it music, film, or fashion, is a place where I
cannot do anything but give all of myself. I work to inspire others to do the same as
I believe that art carved with spirit and intention can change the world for the better
and inspire others to invent, dream, and grow.
Cut To: What does RITUAL mean to you? Why did you choose that name to
represent your latest works?
Jillian Ann: I was actually cleaning the floor one day and, as it often happens, when
I stopped thinking and got into a meditative space, RITUAL just came to mind. I
googled it and discovered I could use it so I wrapped RITUAL around both music and
fashion. For me, life is a RITUAL. Its everything we do from drinking our coffee to
making love to putting on our clothing to creating and connecting. I feel sadly that
RITUALS have been given a bad name, or have lost meaning. I feel the human soul
needs RITUALS, be it small or large, to help us see, feel, experience, and grow. We
hope to bring back that connection, be it through art, music, or fashion, to that
moment of experiencing magic, an awareness of something beyond us. I never really
thought of coming up with a name or having a band again, it just came to me and it
was clear that it was the right thing to do. So, I have followed it since.
Cut To: Fashions main purpose seems to have become to shock and stand out.
There is no honesty in it, it is simply designed to get attention. Your current line, on
the other hand, seems to have a
soul. It is risqu, but sophisticated;
it is eye-catching, but still truthful.
How did the RITUAL line manage to
capture all that?
Jillian Ann: My partner and I are
both artists. He left fashion because
he felt he couldnt express that soul
where he was. With RITUAL, we
dont follow trends, we dont follow
the rules as all the rules are
created by others for reasons I do
not understand. We create clothing
that will make us and others feel
powerful, beautiful, and sensual. We
create clothing not just to be
clothing, but to be something
magical, something that transforms
not only the person wearing it, but
those who see it. Clothing is an art
form to us, and even with the
simple pieces, the question is not
how do we make them fit in with whats hot, normal, etc., but rather what would look
beautiful, inspiring, and comfortable, but still magical. After over a decade of
modeling and an obsession with clothing, I found myself constantly feeling as if
clothing had become safe, boring, and oversized without soul. Some designers still
had that magic, however. One was Alexander McQueen. He was someone who
created something magical. I didnt understand all of it, but I understood it wasnt
boring. Nothing makes me happier then seeing people feel beautiful, strong, and
sexy, so we create things which dont hide people, but rather bring out their curves,
structures, and energies. We do have a few rules with creating: we have to have fun
or we stop, we have to be inspired or we stop, and we have to feel it and love it or
we dont do it. We spend a lot of time doing yoga, meditating, going to Korean spas
and dreaming, and being in nature and reflecting on why we are doing this. Our
clothing and music is made at the same
time, so its inspired by the sound of
what we are creating. I feel we are able
to capture it because we live it. We
cocoon a good bit when we create, and
in general in order to be able to actually
capture dreams and visions because
most of our clothing and music comes
from dreams and visions. Ive woken up
after a dress was formed in a dream just
to actualize it. Same with music. RITUAL
is a reflection of our spirits, dreams, and
visions, so it grows and goes where we
do.
Cut To: Do you think crowdfunding,
where an artist gets paid before the
work is done, will help or hurt art in the
long run?
Jillian Ann: Very good question. I
personally would much rather find ways
to create and then be paid. Although,
sometimes that becomes very
challenging when you want to create
very large things. Without crowdfunding, a lot of art would not be made these days
because between streaming and other massive changes, music and, soon to be, film
is just like water, we will not be able to control it or stop it from being streamed or
stolen. That makes it very hard for labels, artist, filmmakers, and even studios to
continue. People do not consider that making an album takes a lot of work, time, and
energy in order to creatively channel it. Also, someone has to pay for the lights, the
food, the water, and the shelter. If an artist has a connection with their followers, and
the followers want to support the artist, then its amazing as long as the followers
dont turn into record labels and then say they dont like the art or artist because its
not what they thought it would be. That is the danger, in my opinion, with
crowdsourcing. As we change, our art changes, and our lives change. For me, I much
prefer doing things like, My laptop was stolen, do you want to donate toward getting
a new one so I can keep making art? I did that, and my followers helped me so I
could continue making art. I am not sure whats going to happen, its all shifting and
changing, but I feel like crowd sourcing is great for some people and projects, but,
just like anything else, its not for everything or everyone.
For more information on Jillian Ann and her visionary work, visit:
www.MakeLifeARITUAL.com