We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Laura Hodge. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Laura below.
Laura, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?
It’s certainly tricky to earn a full time living as an Artist. As an Artist – I am very creative. Like many Artists I am a Multi Hyphenate, meaning that I do many different Art related jobs, in the Performing, Creative, Visual and Media Arts as well as being a Teaching Artist in Dance, Theatre, and Visual Arts. I have many balls in the air at any given time.
My passion for the Arts is how I make it happen. I believe.
I think that everything happens in Divine Timing.
As an Actor I have worked in Film, TV, Stage, Musical Theatre, Touring Companies, and do Voiceover work.
As a Dancer I have performed as a principal dance, and soloist with a number of Dance companies.
As a Choreographer I’ve worked on many musicals, Dance Concerts, Special Events, but I must say one of my fondest memories is Choreographing a scene for the Film, “Won’t Back Down”, for Actor Oscar Isaac.
As a Teaching Artist I feel like teaching is a gift that gives back.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am grateful to have a family that exposed me to the arts from a very young age – performing, visual, and media arts. I have studied all of the above, and as soon as I graduated from high school, I started working professionally – performing in Dance and Theatre Companies, Singing in Bands, working with Photographers and Stylists, Acting in Short Films, Teaching and Choreographing, and was very into the Underground and Performance Arts Scene.
At the age of 19 I had rented a mansion in Pittsburgh’s artsy Shadyside neighborhood. (Rents were cheaper then.) It had three floors and many rooms.
I named it Gallery X. I produced and performed in monthly events filled with different art/artists in each room, and live music, dance, and performance art.
Since I have created quite a few Dance & Theater companies, Art Galleries, Fashion Show, Special Events, Raves, and written scripts for my plays.
A lot of people don’t realize that as a multi hyphenate, I can go from teaching Dance & Theatre Classes at a School or Senior Center, then go to a Recording Studio to record a Voiceover, then go to do Choreography for a Film, Video, Musical, and so on…
I must say above all, that I am a performer and entertainer. I also really enjoy teaching and sharing my knowledge and all of the passion and creativity inside of me through the arts.
I run a couple of businesses and work for others on contracts so there’s never a dull moment. I always feel like there’s not enough time to do everything that I want to do.
Creatively I have been trying to hone my video production skills, self taping, and creating a persona/aethstetic while using my acting, voiceover, and dance skills.
I currently create a few posts on Social Media each week. These include at least one Video of me out somewhere sharing self affirming ideas, one movement/dance video with special effects, a photo collage of my travels/day and all the interesting things that I cross my path, and dressing up and redoing iconic actresses, photos, and music stars, and a lot more…at and have plans to launch my Youtube channel very soon.
I think in the current world, Art is changing rapidly, and more and more is considered Art. There are less boundaries.
I have been using myself and my everyday life to create Art.
Art and Age have no boundaries.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
First and Foremost, I think that Art should be available to every Child, Adult, and Senior Citizen.
I support of Artists I have a suggestion. Istead of just looking, actually tell the Artist what you think. If you have questions-ask them. There is so much to see in our wold, that sometimes people have a look and swipe reaction.
Artists work very hard to add a little splash of color and emotion to the sometimes mundane way of the world.
Show appreciation!
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
One of the best parts of being a Creative Artist is that I rarely feel stuck, and tied down to one way of doing something. I live fully free of that tidy confining “Box” that so many people try to fit in.
Live a little!
Contact Info:
- Website: LauraHodge.me
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thereallaurette?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laura.hodge?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-hodge-55748818?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Other: Threads https://www.threads.net/@thereallaurette