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Jess Pillmore

Founder & Horizon Activator of Creatively Independent, a revolutionary art education company that puts your process through its paces so it's sustainable, buoyant, and authentically you!

Jess Pillmore is co-founder and artistic director of the revolutionary arts education company, Creatively Independent. Using the performing arts towards self-efficacy, Jess has toured the past 20 years as an international guest artist (K-post grad, professional development, conferences), director/choreographer (International, Off-Broadway, fringe, regional, educational), singer/songwriter (3 Nat’l releases, 1 musical), sustainable artistry coach and published author. Her book, Creatively Independent, was supported by international best-seller Seth Godin and her provocative essay on ageism in education appeared in Psychology Today. TRAINING: MFA Interdisciplinary Arts (Goddard), BA Theatre (FSU)

The Art of the Impossible
Essay

The Art of the Impossible

21 November 2016

Jess Pillmore encourages artists not to limit their thinking to what may seem “possible.”

The Complexities of You
Essay

The Complexities of You

A Binary Battle

1 November 2016

Jess Pillmore invites us to push beyond binary thinking to uncover the rich complexity in ourselves, our art, and our world. 

Diva in Full Swing
Essay

Diva in Full Swing

Owning Your Process to the Nth Degree

5 August 2016

Jess Pillmore writes about the power that comes with owning and speaking up for one’s artistic needs.

The Sensitive Artist
Essay

The Sensitive Artist

Insult Turned Asset

6 July 2016

Jess Pillmore discusses different definitions of the word “sensitive,” and how understanding and embracing your own sensitivities can be beneficial to your art.

An Outside Eye
Essay

An Outside Eye

Is it feedback or permission?

13 May 2016

This installment of Jess Pillmore's Sustainable Artistry series discusses the difference between asking others for feedback or for permission.

Skin in the Game—Staying Curious
Essay

Skin in the Game—Staying Curious

11 April 2016

Jess Pillmore writes about the importance of maintaining and embracing creativity in creative work and education. 

Artist as Game Changer
Essay

Artist as Game Changer

The End of the Information Age

8 March 2016

Jess Pillmore’s call to action to the artists of the world to move us from the Information Age to the Devising Age.

Monkey See, Monkey Do
Essay

Monkey See, Monkey Do

Choose Your Role Models Wisely

3 February 2016

Jess Pillmore advises artists to be cautious when choosing and emulating professional role models.

From Inside the Fog
Essay

From Inside the Fog

Embracing the Unknown

1 January 2016

This installment of Jess Pillmore’s Sustainable Artistry series discusses the possibility for discovery that exists in the fog of the unknown. 

Bringing All of You Into The Room
Essay

Bringing All of You Into The Room

29 November 2015

This installment of Jess Pillmore's Sustainable Artistry series encourages artists to embrace all facets of their identities at all times.

Conscious Creation
Essay

Conscious Creation

An Identity of Your Own Making

17 November 2015

In the third installment of her Sustainable Artistry series, Jess Pillmore discusses the importance of having a clear sense of identity, and how to make that happen.

Non-negotiables
Essay

Non-negotiables

Why You Must Say No

5 November 2015

Jess Pillmore’s series on Sustainable Artistry continues with this post on the importance of having and knowing your non-negotiables.

You Don’t Need a Five- or Ten-Year Plan. You Need A Horizon.
Essay

You Don’t Need a Five- or Ten-Year Plan. You Need A Horizon.

22 October 2015

In the first installment of her new series on Sustainable Artistry, Jess Pillmore encourages readers to think more broadly than a five-year plan.

Sustainable Artistry by Jess Pillmore
Series

Sustainable Artistry by Jess Pillmore

Jess Pilmore explores sustainable artistry by breaking down the starving artist myths and giving mindful support for blazing your own, flexible, dependable path.