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One of the ways I get inspired is through thinking in shape, color, tone, texture, and experience instead of words. For example, the thick consistency of black squid ink, or the millisecond right after am iridescent bubble pops and the billion fractals it break apart into, or the release of oily juice from a porous lemon when you rub it in between your fingers. I get inspired through these specific moments in life that people often overlook and never think about, but I think that is where discoveries are made, leading to originality and specificity.

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I really love getting inspired through Pinterest, as it is a data base of art and visual creativity.

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Jul 28, 2021 - Explore Ana Ovidia Lara’s board “Design”, followed by 152 people on Pinterest. See more ideas about design, house design, dream home design.

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Another way I get inspired is surprisingly through restrictions. If I have guidelines, usually a budget, requirements, want's by a director or playwright, etc. for designing a theatre set, it gives me a container to think and create from. Whereas if I have no direction to work towards, and exist in a vast realm of possibility, I easily get overwhelmed and frozen in my thoughts and ideas. Having a case to work in is very helpful, and sometimes helps me think more creatively.

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This style of dance is incredibly captivating to me in its biotic, zoomorphic movement techniques. It blows me away every time I rewatch it.

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I find traveling very inspiring, as I expose myself to new architecture, aesthetics, fashion, traditions, ideals of beauty, foods, and so much more. Whether it be taking a trip downtown to go to a museum and grab lunch, or flying all the way to Hong Kong for a couple weeks, I find site specific adventures as very stimulating and pleasurable, and incredibly important in expanding your horizons and way of thinking.

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This is a set where I think the structure and color of the space create such a dynamic and avant-garde environment that really makes me curious.

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One of my goals is to be a professional set designer, specifically for regional theatre and to create beautiful spaces for art to inhabit. I want to inspire, excite, and awe people with the spaces and worlds I create for the stage, and possibly for the screen. I dream traveling across the country and even the world to set design at many different theatres with a vast array of collaborators. I would love to keep moving from place to place, as I want to continue traveling while doing what I love.

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Another goal I have for myself is to be an actor and continue my passion for acting and recreating life onstage. I absolutely feel it is incredibly helpful to have a background of acting going into theatre, and know that having both skillsets of an actor and a designer will make me a more well rounded and holistic artist.

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This is just one of many set designs that I think the lighting and texture and world is just so beautiful. It really shows how transforming a space can really take you anywhere, anytime.

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Another aspiration I have for myself if to break out of traditional theatre and possibly design spaces for music festivals, operas, museums, restaurants, and more. I think having an opportunity build upon your design skills to accommodate different areas of entertainment and leisure would be so rich and exciting. My overall goal is just to create beautiful spaces for humans to envelope themselves in and get lost in their present emotions and sensations.

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One more goal I have for myself is to possibly go to graduate school. I am not sure where, or for what exactly, but I want to continue to expand my knowledge through education and experience. Perhaps I'll go to Europe to finish up my studies... ! I think learning is a lifelong gift than doesn't ever expire.

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I make an effort to have a healthy relationship to the things in life that can sometimes do more harm to you than good. Things like this includes partying, spending money, drinking, giving someone too much of myself, being too honest to the wrong people, social media, etc. I am a strong believer that life is about balance, and that it is not always better to cut something out completely (depending on the circumstances). I think like is on a balance scale and that if you are not careful it may tip over the wrong way. I think seeking pleasure from external sources is a slippery slope, and is one that I do not want to fall into.

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I always fall asleep with some relaxing background noise, sometimes rain, other times the sound of a running fan to calm my mind and body after a stimulating day.

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Gentle Rain Sound to Sleep Fast & Beat Insomnia. Soft Rain Sounds to Study, Relax

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Something I am trying to do for myself now is to take care of my body and mind. I haven't always taken care of myself, and am really now trying to prioritize my overall health. This ranges from making sure I have a least a little fruits and/or vegetables everyday, ending a stressful day with a self-love skin care routine, drinking less, and making an effort to reframe negative and self-destructive thoughts. I am a strong believer that your body is your temple, especially as an artist.

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I will forever and ever recommend this fascinating talk about how we can essentially manifest anything we put our minds to (relatively). I recommend you watching it, it changed my life!

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Epigenetics & DNA Manipulation

When you want to supercharge your life, you need to really understand how our thoughts and beliefs come into play. This is something that guest Dr. Bruce Lipton has put a lot of time and research into.

He's a developmental biologist that is shaking the foundation of conventional science.

Read on to learn more about the science and philosophy of Dr. Bruce Lipton, and how it goes hand in hand with the power of belief and its effect on epigenetics and DNA manipulation.

Dr. Bruce Lipton - An Expert on Belief

Today, Dr. Bruce Lipton has emerged as an expert on belief, and he has released a lot of information on how you can build your own. He maintains that we can change our DNA and genes by changing our thoughts.

He stresses affirmations and positive statements we can say that will change us down to our very core. This enhances your body's ability to heal itself and can help you to unlock tremendous powers in your everyday life.

The Power That Both Positive and Negative Thoughts Have on Our Lives

Another tenet that Bruce Lipton espouses is that both positive thoughts and negative thoughts have an equal effect on the brain and body.

What this means is that we have just as much control to change our lives for the better as we are to change it for the worst. The key to this is by setting the tone for what you allow your mind to think, rather than letting your egoic, neurotic roving mind take over.

By having a set of affirmations that you say on a regular basis, you can take control over virtually every matter in your life.

Work the Honeymoon Effect in Your Life

In his talks, Lipton often talks about a state of mind and spirit he calls "The Honeymoon Effect", and he's also written a book with the same title.

Think about the last time you fell in love. That period of good feelings had you operating with an elevated mood, clearer thinking and a feeling of bliss.

When we manifest this effect in our lives consciously, we can experience euphoria and productivity that is unmatched. Lipton states that this is something that everyone can do as long as they cultivate the belief system and use the practices in their daily lives.

Catch Bruce Lipton's Episode and Many Others

Dr. Bruce Lipton has studied matters that can provide life-changing self-development and evolution when you apply the teachings.

As you might imagine, you can use these teachings to help you on several levels. Whether you just want more peace and joy in your life or if you want to shoot toward some sort of goal, these words of advice can be helpful to you.

There are several professionals that specialize in matters of the brain and spirit, and their techniques fall right in line with the information that Lipton is teaching.

Consider these points and watch Dr. Lipton's episode. Check back for more episodes on mindfulness and spirituality.

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Bruce Lipton - The Biology of Belief: Unleashing the Power of Consciousness, Matter & Miracles

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When you want to supercharge your life, you need to really understand how our thoughts and beliefs come into play. This is something that guest Dr. Bruce Lipton has put a lot of time and research into. He's a developmental biologist that is shaking the foundation of conventional science.

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I really enjoy going to the gym at least 3 times a week. I think physical movement is so crucial for your mental clarity and energy levels, and it really makes your feel great in your body. I feel more confident and strong when I work out, and feel good when I am doing something beneficial for my health. I think mindful movement is very underrated in our culture, and is something I wish I could pass onto everyone.

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I don't even know how to approach describing my identity in just three short sections of writing... I guess I will express the obvious to begin with. I am a very creative person in many ways. I sing, dance, act, play piano and guitar, mix music on my DJ board, I write stories, and am a visual artist as well, and do theatre (but that's a given). Art and expressing myself has always been a priority in my family growing up. I often have a hard time using words to express myself because I feel like I don' t have a wide enough vocabulary to translate what I am feeling, so I use art.

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I am exactly 50% Cuban and 50% Norwegian. Both of my parents did the 23andMe DNA testing, and both came back nearly purebreds! I actually just got my Norwegian citizenship renewed this past year, which I think is one of the most valuable things I have. This will give me the opportunity to study outside of America, and get a job and live somewhere in Europe, if not Norway. I feel very connected to both of my roots, but think I have a little more Cuban blood in me than Norwegian, while my sister is the opposite.

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This is a platypus monster I drew a few months back. For some reason, I am really intrigued by drawing animalistic monsters. One could say my visual art is a little on the darker side, but that's just what I've been artistically interested in recently.

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I am a person who is very impressionable and in need of love, (but who doesn't). I have a tendency to look for external validation and words of affirmations to keep myself motivated. I am someone who loves attention (lol) and connection with not only people, but my surroundings and experiences. I lack confidence in my intelligence, but am currently trying to re-find it for myself. I am a very sensitive girl and am very much in tune with my emotions. I am an emotional creature.

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I keep a journal with me and jot down notes, ideas, quotes that speak to me, doodles, for my creative process. To be honest, my journaling has been a bit out of practice for quite a while now, but I am trying to recommit my time and effort into really putting all of myself down on paper. I think having a journal is incredibly helpful and really aids me in fleshing out my ideas and organizing my thoughts. Also as a designer, your journal is priceless and is so important in your creative process.

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Pinterest is a HUGE inspiration for me and is a very big part of my creative process. For every show I am designing, I create a Pinterest board, sometimes multiple, with ideas for tones, colors, themes, patterns, textures, mood, etc. I am a very visual person and rely on imagery to express my artistic vision while collaborating on a project. I think Pinterest is a fantastic platform that is a great hub of artistic media and material.

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For example, here is a Pinterest board for one of the DRT dances I am set designing for.

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Explore a hand-picked collection of Pins about MICHIYAYA 4.0 on Pinterest.

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This is a snippet of an interview where Alan Rickman talks about the sheer importance in learning to actively listen while acting. I implement this is my creative process with acting because I think listening is the majority of the work as an actor.

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When I am working on a project, I always ask people for feedback and their input. What they think could function or look better, what would be most time and cost efficient, etc. Theatre is a collaborative field where I think asking for help and/or an opinion is encouraged and engrained in the work. I used to feel ashamed for asking for help, but I am starting to learn that sometimes saying "I don't know" is an opportunity to learn and expand your knowledge.