Multidisciplinary artist Spinks shares her journey through dance, acting, writing and ceramics as a queer, biracial woman. She shares why she walked away from musical theater, how she found freedom in commercial work, and the profound reason she hasn’t returned to a dance class…yet. Spinks and Jess also discuss the impact of capitalism on joy, creativity, and a building a career in the arts. This episode is for you if you’re looking to define success on your own terms, find fulfillment in your chosen craft, and carve your own unique path. 

Time Stamps & Topics

00:00 – Meet Spinks; multidisciplinary artist, passionate soul, and creative wildflower.

02:08 – Weird Little Badass Babe

02:53 – The Winding Journey of a Multi-Hyphenate

11:04 – Walking Away From Musical Theater Dreams

18:34 – Storytelling and Movement Across All Art Forms

24:22 – Paycheck or Passion?

30:57 – The Brave Act of Vulnerability

34:54 – Reclaiming Creativity Outside of Capitalism

35:22 – Dance, Revisited

39:00 – Facing Fear, Again and Again

45:02 – Dance as Medicine

52:04 – Redefining Success

57:02 – Finding Calm in the Chaos

About Spinks:

Spinks is a multi-disciplinary artist based in Brooklyn. First a musician, then a dancer, and eventually an actor, Spinks has found herself entirely devoted to the performing and visual arts her entire life. Her work has been displayed in various theaters, on stages big and small, in cinemas, and in the quiet pages of several magazines all around the world. 

On screen, she's been lucky enough to work with the likes of Google, Clinique, Planned Parenthood, Bio Glitz, and Cocoa Jones (to name a few). Her writing can be found published in FROTH Magazine, Strong Young Thing Magazine, Mixed Mag, and Issues 1-3 of Susie Magazine. Her ceramics have been featured by Florence Contemporary Art Gallery and American Design Club. 

When not working as an interpretive artist, she can be found experimenting in all things performing and media with her production company, VERNE.