What does a typical Thursday look like for you, starting from when you wake up – to heading to bed?
My Thursdays are unpredictable: like the rest of my schedule! Sometimes I’m up at 7 a.m. to do my hair and make-up for a 9 a.m. acting or modeling audition, other times I drag myself out of bed at 10 a.m. to work on my artistic fashion photo editorials that I produce for Maisonneuve Magazine. Either way, I dedicate a large portion of my day to artistic contract work, be it pre-production, the job itself or post-production. I use the Internet a lot to communicate with my many clients so I’m on and off the computer all day long. Somewhere in the afternoon, I usually take an hour-or-so walk to stay in shape, often ending up at my favourite second hand shops to score vintage clothing for my work.
At 5 p.m. I head home and cook dinner for my son and boyfriend. The rest of the evening is homework and family time, culminating in a bedtime story for my son at 8:30 p.m… At 9 p.m. I’m back onto the Internet to close any details for my next day, and by 10 p.m. it’s the nightly news and couple time – if I have time. Lately, with all my concurrent projects, including an Internet and television show that I’m developing and hosting, we don’t have a lot of time to goof off together! I’m usually asleep by midnight unless I’m up obsessing about the state of my art…
What was your first job out of school?
As I had just given birth to my son Max straight out of University, I was doing freelance writing for 20ishparents.com. Shortly after that, I began to write medical articles for AskMen.com under male pen names. I worked with them for about a year and a half.
What are the 3 skills you require most to do your job well?
In both the performing and fine arts, I’d say persistence, creativity and a good business sense are the best skills to have.
What do you love most about your career?
I love having my hand in a lot of different artistic projects and the freedom of not being tied down to a routine, or an office. I also enjoy transforming myself and creating new and unusual works. I live through a lot of crazy experiences that make for good stories!
If a woman wanted to get into this business, what are your recommendations of how they should start?
I have come to the realization that modeling, acting and the visual arts have a lot in common: they require a hefty dose of self-esteem, patience, persistence, style and networking. If you can handle rejections and unpredictability, you can handle a job in the arts. You also need to assemble a good portfolio: it is your business card.
If a woman wants to be a model, she should make sure she meets with a reputable agency and that her body type and look fit the needs of that agency and the industry. She should also be comfortable posing in front of the camera and with clients at castings.
If a woman wants to be an actor, she should get some acting training, and do as much theatre or improv as she can in her spare time. A good head shot is essential, as is a good agent if you want to book high paying work.
Finally, if a woman wants to be an artist, she needs to create at any opportunity, master her technique and build a body of work. She should join artist associations and attend a lot of art shows and openings. She should submit her portfolio at any opportunity to galleries and exhibitions. Insomuch as an artist creates, they also have to sell if they are to make a living off of their work.
If you could try a different career on for a year, what would it be?
I would try medicine. If I wasn’t such a germaphobe and princess when it comes to needing sleep, I would actually be completing my residency right now.
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