I am my own experiment

Posted by: gretchen on October 15, 2007 | 4 Comments

Playing roulette with the quotes at the top of the page over last week has been fun. I never know what I am going to write about until I refresh the page. No cheating - I take what I get. :D

Today’s randomness happens to be from Madonna. I am no closet Madonna fan. I will openly admit to liking a lot of her music. As an artist, I am constantly amazed at the many ways that she can reinvent herself and carry on with her career. I don’t think her success is any kind of fluke. Madonna can recognize opportunity, works hard and is not afraid to take risks. Her words to us today are:

“I am my own experiment. I am my own work of art.”

Some might interpret that as “be unique,” but we have already learned that “unique” does not describe us. I think the key point to take from her statement is that we must not let others make us into something we are not. We must use our resources to be our OWN experiment. Don’t try something just because everyone else is trying it. Do your own thing. Madonna certainly has. Whether you agree with her choices or not (and let’s not get into that because I know that is a huge can of worms), Madonna has bucked trends right and left. She doesn’t look at the norm and try to fit into what everyone else is doing. She tries new things and we all learn from her experiences. Sometimes we learn that maybe we shouldn’t do what she is doing and sometimes we learn some really cool stuff.

One thing I’ve learned as I’ve grown older is that sometimes I think I don’t like something, but I find out later in life that I actually enjoy it. A good example (and I am so gonna get busted by my band for confessing this) is singing. I don’t like singing in public and for nearly my entire life I didn’t even sing privately. I was forced to sing in college classes, since it was a requirement to pass my ear training classes as a music major, but I HATED it. I’m pretty sure it is because I was traumatized by my grade school music teacher who once told me that I couldn’t sing. Regardless of her opinion, my grades in college from those ear training exams proved otherwise. I can carry a tune and recognize pitch. I majored in music, afterall, so what did she know? ;) Read more

4 Comments |

New Marching Band Design

Posted by: gretchen on October 10, 2007 | 4 Comments

Having spent the better part of my high school and college years in field formations and braving the extreme heat and freezing temperatures known to musicians as “Marching Band Season,” I was particularly excited when someone asked me to create a custom Marching Band design for the girls at her daughter’s school.   I tweaked their version into a more generic representation and have posted it in the Girls Can’t WHAT? shop. The hoodies and sweatshirts would make great Christmas gifts and would fit snugly under a uniform to keep the chill off during those final football games.   For summer parade days when no marching band uniform is required, check out the tank tops and tees.   ;)

Marching Band Design

4 Comments |

Yeah, that’s my band!

Posted by: gretchen on September 24, 2007 | 1 Comment

Amplified417 LogoI’ve been asked to post music from my band when it’s available. We are almost finished with our demo album, so we’ve posted a couple of tracks on our myspace. They need a few minor tweaks still, but these two tracks are mostly done. Feedback is much appreciated. :)

1 Comment |

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