We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Andrea Monier a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Andrea thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I believe we are all creators and hold the capacity to create our wildest imaginations and visions; however, society and our programming at times tells us it’s not possible, that we need to adhere to the social constructs, not draw outside the lines and to ignore the soul call within. I was always a very artistic, creative child that was drawn to all mediums of art. I would draw, paint, perform, sing, design, and write out of sheer joy of the process. At some point in the conditioning and socialization process, I focused my efforts on academic pursuits as that is what was expected of me; yet the deep yearning of self-expression still remained. I have my degree in Systems Industrial Engineering; however, 2 years into the program I knew it wasn’t what I was meant to pursue as a career, I completed the program; nonetheless I delved deeper into my creative passions of theater, art, design, psychology, and writing simultaneously. I continued down the path of creative pursuits after college and never looked back.

Andrea , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I have been working in the world of filmmaking for the last 20 years wearing many different hats. I have been an actress, producer, writer, creative studio executive, and storyteller. Storytelling is one of the greatest vehicles for humans to effect change as it weaves the fabric of consciousness. We are all living our own hero’s journey and a piece of art or film can remind us of the power within to reach our potential in this lifetime. Film is a visceral experience where the viewer is transported into another’s story where we can find a piece of ourselves in others. It’s a bridge to understanding and having empathy for another’s path. I have a production company, Peridot Pictures, that is also led by my magnificent producing partner, Courtney Turk. Our ethos is focused on bringing true-to-life stories to the screen. We intend to create higher consciousness projects in order to awaken audiences to the truth of their souls and hearts.

In addition, I recently became a meditation teacher and facilitator. For the last several years, meditation became a part of my daily life and created such profound change in the way I responded to the world as it brought me into alignment with my soul. I have always been drawn to the yogic sciences and becoming a facilitator has led me to the path of service through teaching.

In your view, what can society do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I believe we are at a critical point in the evolution of our species and planet. We have been operating from a survival, consuming, competitive energy that has not taken into account the totality of the consequences of our systems and actions. At this pivot point, we are all witnessing the collapse of old, archaic systems and the collective shadows of our transgressions, yet, we are also being gifted with an opportunity to dream a new world into an existence. One that could not exist without the visionaries, dreamers, artists, healers, and storytellers. We are at a moment in time where we are all connected by technology, we can see how billions of others live and think, and we can see ourselves in others. While the advent of this hyper-connectedness can also highlight the blaring differences, we can also leverage these connections to create new paradigms of thought, vision, and ways of being. Artists are bridge builders. They summon ideas from the ethers and manifest them through into our conscious reality. If we can see the interconnectedness of all beings while also cultivating each individual to find their true voice, we can come together to solve seemingly insurmountable problems, heal generational wounds, and inspire others through our creations. Artists are paramount for a thriving society.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I believe one of the most rewarding aspects of being an artist is the ability to tap into one’s own self-expression and create through a preferred choice of medium, which then becomes completely, uniquely one’s own. The imagination is a fascinating mechanism of the human experience and every human has this gift! We have our own special perspective based on our own life experience. In addition, I believe a work of art can be a language of sorts, where it communicates a story, message, or meaning to the viewer. Art connects us to our fellow humans and can transcend our differences, time, and space.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: an_dream_onier
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=585223242
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-monier-31b85a6/
• Other: instagram theperidotcreative

Image Credits
Kayleigh Hendricks Kat Gardiner Josh Ballinger