Gratitude for the Contrast
Gratitude. It’s the word we hear endlessly this time of year, woven into commercials, splashed across social media, and nestled into self-help spaces. But how often do we feel gratitude deep in our core, rather than just going through the motions? Has the repetition dulled its meaning?
Contrast is something I often talk about—whether it’s with my clients, my dance students, or even myself. In tap, we find shading through soft and loud sounds. In contemporary, I ask my dancers to explore smooth and sharp textures. With clients, it’s negative space and balance, knowing when too much is too much. Even in design, contrast—like pairing thin, delicate ligatures with bold, solid typefaces—creates interest and depth.
But beyond art and movement, contrast exists in life itself. It’s what gives us a full spectrum of experience. And when it comes to gratitude, contrast has taught me this:
How can we truly know gratitude for the light if we haven’t also known the darkness?
Piano Man
Can you brand a dance routine? Turns out you kind of can! Last year, I accidentally took my piece Piano Man through parts of my brand exploration and I think it helped capture the story better, but see for yourself! Check it out!
Get to Know Me
I can’t believe the last time I introduced myself was four years ago when I first started this wild ride. I remember that “version of me,” but honestly, it feels like I’ve lived through hundreds of phoenix cycles since—burning to ashes only to rise again. And now, here I am: a whole new me, ready to reintroduce myself after a summer-long social media break. So, here’s the updated, current-chapter version of me.
Failing Forward: Months Four & Five
While I was doing my best to show up as my best, I couldn’t be because I wasn’t taking care of myself. Which feels so dumb because after so many years of therapy and journaling and finding coping mechanisms, you’d think I’d be good at this. I know in my head all the things I need to do to keep my cup full. There’s a part of me that really did feel like I had things under control. But I guess that’s how mental health issues can sneak up on you, right? You’re okay til you’re suddenly not. Or you kept telling yourself you were okay until suddenly you weren’t. Sometimes, you remember to use your toolkit, and other times, you’re so exhausted at the end of the day that you can’t even open the box, let alone use the tools inside. (Hello darkness my old friend…)
Failing Forward: Month Three
This month, more so than the previous two, feels the most “failure-like.” But not in the sense that I failed at a crap ton of new things, but more so failing at doing any new things at all. In the “we’re back in the thick of it, more so grinding” work mentality, I feel like I didn’t actively take any steps to try something outside my comfort zone. I’m trying to give myself grace and space – but my inner critic today is holding some judgment.
Month Two of Failing Forward
Somehow, it’s the end of February - which has both felt like the longest and fastest month. Unlike January, where I could hold a more balanced life/work boundary, February went full force into the work side of that sea saw. But also, unlike January, I’m taking the failure-risk level up a notch (or two). My brother-in-law and his now new wife got married at the end of the month and, as a part of me wanting to show up for them in the only way I really know how, YFK did all of their signage.
A Year of Failing Forward
It’s been a hot second since I’ve sat down and actually written something that’s more than a project or process explanation for this site. And while I’ve loved sharing the projects I’ve been working on and some insight into why we made the design choices we did, I’m also feeling like there are opportunities to help you all know me a bit better. I believe that creativity is one of the most human things we have, and I want to share more of my “human side” with you all.