Thank-You Kingston.

Thank you. That’s how I want to start off this blog. A big thank you to everyone who has been with me the past week.

Being in a new space is hard and I have never felt this accepted and loved, especially so quickly by a community. So for that… thank you, Kingston.

Thank you to all the friends I have made, and all of the folks who helped me through a pretty difficult part of my arts career.

A few days ago I was writing about how I was debating quitting the arts and maybe focus on supporting myself through different means. And… honestly… I don’t see myself quitting anytime soon.

Being a touring artist (especially from one of the “biggest art scenes”) is extremely difficult. It can really feel like a gut-shot when you come to a new town and don’t sell tickets or don’t feel support from the venue/festival you are in, but that’s the complete opposite of Kingston. Honestly, it’s the people there that have made this experience so friggin’ positive. Thank you, thank you, thank you for believing so much in my work and me.

It’s nice to be around folks who believe in the work that they create, versus churning out pieces just to do it.

That’s the thing about art for me… I mean, it would be nice to support myself fully by it, but it’s a bit unrealistic. My time in Kingston really snapped me back to my roots. Wanting to create art because of the way that it affects people. Story-telling. Sharing the important stories that don’t commonly get heard. Using art as a bridge to discuss the important issues (and hopefully, bridge together misunderstood/underrepresented communities.)

As I grow older I really realise that the thing I love most about the arts is the conversations art sparks.

I couldn’t have asked for a better team to work with than the team of Oasis Love. I couldn’t ask for a better team to run a festival than the Storefront Fringe.

To all the friends I’ve made, let’s keep in touch. Let’s continue to inspire each other to create authentic pieces. Not for the praise we get. Not for the sold-out houses, but for love and support of a community.

Thank you, Kingston, for re-inspiring me.

I hope to be back whenever you’ll have me.

Each and every one of you has a place in my heart.