Labels are fake anyway.

I don't know what to call myself anymore and that's okay.

I wrote this about myself for an event I’m co-facilitating in July:

“Olivia Marie is a multidisciplinary artist and healing arts practitioner. Her passion is to help people restore and transform through art, storytelling, and integrative practices.

Olivia is honored to share a sound blessing with our community, a transcendental transmission that will take you on a journey to intangible worlds. This blend of intuitive song and minimal instrumentals will open your heart, harmonize your inner landscape, and unify our collective with love.”

I have to be honest, I had to resist the urge to include “photographer” as a label in there. But it just didn’t feel relevant. Every time I’m asked to write a bio for myself, I want to barf.

Labels are fake anyway and if I had to label myself anything it would be, “Constantly Changing.”

At this point, I laugh at myself when I feel the urge to pivot. As a business owner, this feels scary as fuck. The voices inside my head whisper scream, “no one is going to know wtf I do.” “Why can’t you just commit to something?” “You’re going to be bad at this new thing because you’ve spent so much time and money being good at this other thing.”

I could go on, but I’ll spare you the self-destructive criticism.

So instead, I’ll share a direct excerpt from my journal that is more uplifting:

“There is a dull ache inside to let it out—stories untold and hidden in the shadows. Why do I even have to tell it—wait, I don’t. At least, not in words. Sometimes, expressing it differently is just as potent. Through a painting, photograph, collage, movement, or sound—it all works.

Expressing is my greatest joy and purpose. It comes out in all sorts of ways. Everyone is always surprised by the infinite skills I have. (I’m allowed to brag, okay?) Sometimes I even surprise myself. Like, who am I to call myself a painter and yet, I paint. I may not be a master, but I do it for my own sanity and self-expression.

To the multidisciplinary artist: you have every right to pursue the medium that feels right in the moment. Different stories and feelings may call for different mediums. You are worthy of sharing this with the world—or not. You get to make that choice.

Do what comes natural to you. This is what my Gene Keys tells me: if it is like banging your head against the wall, it’s not it. Move on.”

My Voice is Desiring to Be Heard

Photo by: Elyssa Rae Cooke

For some time now, I've been feeling the call to share more of my voice. Singing was the first creative practice that called to my soul as a little girl. Over time, as I leaned into visual arts, this part of me died for a long time.

It felt terrifying to sing in front of others, even the people I love. I still feel this terror rise to my throat from time to time; a black obsidian ball, lodged in my vocal chords. After careful inquiry and practice, my voice has come alive again, bursting with life and wanting to be heard.

Since last summer, I've had the pleasure of sharing vocal sound healing at the Thrive Recovery center in Westhampton Beach, invited by my dear friend Christianne Gentry—grateful for you sister! 🙏🏽

Now I get to expand this vision of sound to Divine Madness Collective gathering and exhibition on 7/13 at The Better Man Distilling Co. The description I shared above is for this event! I’ll also be showing visual art that will likely not be photography. *gasp*

I am so, so grateful for the people in my life who continue to support me, no matter what the vision is. I am constantly shifting as an artist and trying new things. It is how we grow, after all!

Special thank you to The Rose Lineage Mystery School for teaching me and holding space for throat clearing and jaw release, which has opened up my desire to sing even more. I am eternally grateful to walk this path.

With multidisciplinary passion,
Olivia

If you feel called to receive a sound blessing, join me for two community offerings coming up:

Community Healing Circle
Friday, June 14th, 7-8pm in Westhampton Beach, NY
Reserve here

Art in Motion Divine Madness Collective gathering & exhibition
Saturday, July 13th, 10am-2pm in Patchogue, NY
Reserve here

Or book a 1:1 session with me🌹