We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lindsey Elcessor a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Lindsey, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today. Can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers?
My name is Lindsey Elcessor. I’m a compulsive creator. I sometimes do art professionally, but as I’ve gotten older, I try not to be too attached to the idea of myself as a professional artist. Instead, I try to use my experiences with art, whether it’s my personal practice or a paid project, as a vehicle for learning, connecting, challenging myself, and finding joy, stillness, and center.
I’ve worked as a freelance and hobby animator- making stop-motion, hand-drawn, and digital animations for music videos and art installations. I’ve worked with Duke University’s Theater Department on multiple performances doing illustration and puppet building. I’m a singer-songwriter, illustrator, painter, licensed massage therapist, gardener, and kitchen herbalist. My ability to find fascination in most things has led me down many paths and provided me with a menagerie of things I can do for fun or money. If I can bring a sense of playfulness and curiosity to the things I do- that, to me, is an indication of great success.
How did you get into your industry/discipline:
Well, first, I should admit I’m not sure what my industry is. I tend to refer to myself as an interdisciplinary artist, which gives me a little room to be between or to transcend disciplines. I’m by no means the poster child of creative entrepreneurship. If anything- for most of my life, I’ve been criticized for being a “Jack of all trades, master of none,” That is to say- I’ve been swept around by my tendency towards fascination. Which- I’m learning is not a tendency everyone shares. Perhaps this is a way in which I am unique. Or at least a particular type of person.
So, aside from defining my industry, I think there are two parts to how I can answer this question. They are related to nature and nurture.
It is in my nature to be creative. And I have made decisions throughout my life that have nurtured this innate quality. My mother and many in our family before her were visual artists or creatives of different disciplines- and I believe creativity is a practice that lives inside me, generationally handed down in both direct and subtle ways. This phenomenon of creativity, being able to use this body in acts of appreciation of beauty and inspiration, for some reason (one which I’ve stopped trying to understand)- is incredibly precious to me.
I have made space, made sacrifices, and found structure to support this innate creativity. It is a plant I water. When I am in the flow of making, in the fullness and excitement of my creativity- I find myself connecting in synchronistic ways with people and projects that continue to support this creativity. As the years have passed, I’ve grown to trust that my art will always be there when I need it. Of course- I would love to be in the constant springtime of making, but I’ve come to accept and even appreciate the ebbs and flows. I open my aperture to other focuses and these things color my world and vitalize the expression of my art when I return to it.
What problems do you solve for your clients or what do you think sets you apart from others:
My willingness to explore options, to learn and try new things, as well as the random assortment of practical and soft skills I’ve picked up by being a dabbler, I believe, is what has made me unique and valuable in the creative positions I’ve held.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
When I think about what would go into supporting a creative community, It’s difficult for me to think about it outside of the context of our culture in general. I think a simple answer could be to “support arts funding”. But that answer alone glosses over how the dominant culture (at least here in the US) prioritizes funding projects that actively destroy and oppress culture- both here and overseas.
The devaluation of art, especially juxtaposed with the violent agendas that do receive funding, is baffling to me- especially considering how strengthening the arts can be for the health of our social ecosystems. I believe that our culture needs art and beauty in the ephemera of our day-to-day and the history of our artifacts. We need healthy, non-violent ways to connect with our sense of collective identity, and art is an avenue for that. Imagine how -literally- beautiful it could be if funding the arts was prioritized over agendas that perpetuate violence.
Some other less charged things that come to mind in response to this question are: investing more money in grants, public art projects, and creating jobs for creatives; Uplifting underserved communities and the creatives therein; Non-negotiable arts curriculum in public education- giving children access to art as a developmental and therapeutic tool. These are just a few ideas… but ultimately, I believe supporting creative communities is largely about a shift in cultural values and acknowledging the vital role art, beauty, and diversity play in cultivating a healthy, thriving culture.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
I’m always getting insights into how to live a better life through my art practice. It helps me engage with and strengthen my patience, provides me with a meditative space to get grounded, and inspires me to look at the world differently. But, perhaps the most rewarding aspect of being creative is being in relation with other’s sense of inspiration.
Sometimes, people will approach me after seeing or hearing my work- maybe they feel like they’re supposed to, or they’re called to share something about how it was for them to experience it. The saddest thing is when a person looks to me with stars in their eyes only to express deep despair over their own lacking creative process… It’s as if their appreciation of art cannot happen without also being a context for self-deprecation. Whether or not they’re aware of it- this person is telling me that I threaten their sense of creativity. Needless to say, I don’t find this sort of response very encouraging.
However, an alternative response goes something like this: “Damn, your work made me want to make. Made me want to do better. Made me want to try something new.” Then I know a person is receiving. I know I’m feeding them… that I’m welcomed like a companion and peer into the joy of their creative process. That call and response, where one person takes my inspiration, makes it bigger within themself and shares it back with me… is one of the most rewarding aspects of being creative.
Contact Info:
- Website: LindseyElcessor.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/LindseyElcessor