Today we’d like to introduce you to Rene Nesbit.
Hi Rene, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am a painter, poet, dancer, and choreographer. I love to make things. I believe that creativity is the access point to so much of our emotional life and the components that help the rest of our existence to flourish. That is also one of the founding beliefs of my company–Can I Color Now Studios. We believe that art is powerful and that it can help change and unite the world.
So where did all of this creativity begin? Well, I have danced since I was about six years old–studying ballet, jazz, and tap to begin with, and later adding modern, hip hop, and acrobatics. I started seriously training in Las Vegas at Backstage Dance Studio. I continued at The Ailey School in New York when I was 16. I enjoy all styles, but my passion lies with Horton and Graham-based modern. There is something about the long lines, deep emotions, and storytelling nature of those techniques that has always inspired me.
I grew up in a military family, so we never stayed put for too long. I think the variety of places and experiences in my childhood made my connection to art that much stronger. No matter how much else changed, the music and my peers in class were in a space that remained constant–the studio continues to be one of my favorite safe places.
Writing was another outlet that followed me throughout my family’s travels. I have always kept a journal. Stories, poems, and adventures would fill the pages. In my scribbles, I would imagine new worlds and their communities. I was often just noticing–nature, music, things people would say to me–and I would unfold them and explore them like maps. To say that I was a sensitive creature would be accurate. As an only child, I was often more adult than kiddo-like (and this has reversed, I think, as I grow older).
Painting was something that I had never really tried until my 30’s. I have always doodled, but it wasn’t until I was working as a sign language interpreter at a middle school in South Georgia that I actually began to experiment. My student was in an art class where, for once, there was not a ton of lecturing, and the class was encouraged to create. I took that lesson home and started trying things out on my own canvases. I often started with one of my photographs, a process that I continue to enjoy to this day.
A lot of things along my journey have happened on accident. Sign language and dance were hobbies that turned into careers. Writing carried me through much emotional turmoil and gave me a voice in the darkness.
These creative outlets also connected me to something else–people. I am so grateful to my parents, teachers, mentors, and all my peers along the way. If I hadn’t met so many generous individuals, I would not be who I am today. Because of their patience and kindness, I feel driven to make something new and meaningful with the time that I have. And I cherish that process so much.
Speaking of which! Perhaps you have heard of Cherish Dance? We are a brand-new modern dance company based in Atlanta. An offshoot of Can I Color Now Studios, Cherish is a non-profit organization committed to bringing inspiring performances your way. We also offer open classes once a month to train, stretch, and uplift anyone wishing to join.
What unites Can I Color Now Studios and Cherish is that they both exist because of my deep belief that ANYONE can be an artist. As soon as we *value* our creativity, as soon as we pick up a pen or a mic and boldly decide to create something new–in that moment! We are empowered. And because of the vulnerability inherent in art, we have the opportunity for more genuine connection than ever before.
I hope to lend all of my artistic tools to the stories inside me and pass those gifts along to the students and community that I teach. I hope, in some small way, this story has inspired you, too. I am excited and honored to be a part of Voyage ATL…
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In the midst of a creative boom in 2018, my daughter was also born. She is three and a half years old now (and a dancer and an artist, all her own). As a new mom, my life, time, responsibilities, and expectations all went topsy-turvy. I suddenly felt that I had no other excuse not to TRY to do things. If not now, you know, then when? Perhaps you have had a similar moment? The feeling that there *is* no other life than this one. At 36, in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, that was my sudden realization. I finally stopped putting things off. I finished my first book of poetry–self-published on Amazon. And I went to my first dance audition in about a decade and a half, two years post-baby, and thought, no way I will get this. And then I did.
Experiencing different dance classes and companies since 2020, I’ve learned a lot about how “not” to be. And I’m thankful for each and every one of those sometimes awkward or painful experiences because THAT is how I learned. I learned how I wanted to be treated and how I wanted to treat others. I learned what I wanted to do with my time. And I finally figured out what was most important to me–people and art.
If I hadn’t been disappointed or felt such frustration, I might not have ever been brave enough to start something new. If I hadn’t been pushed by the new demands of motherhood or the novel environment of Atlanta, then I might never have decided that NOW was the time to make something that truly mattered. Something that connected people together.
Some personal struggles for me? I deal on a daily basis with depression and anxiety and keep them both at bay with an intense self-care regime (that includes art, of course). As a young person, I did not know what I was struggling with or from, and that was confusing and often caused more self-isolation.
Throughout my development, I also often prioritized being “tough” and constantly “put-together.” Not only is that perspective exhausting, but also completely unrealistic. People need other people (I am a big fan of TWLOHA) and no one is perfect. Asking for help is NOT a sign of weakness–it is a moment of honesty, trust, giving, healing, and reciprocating.
To this day, I struggle with managing feelings of disappointment or loss. Big emotions draw out my inner critic and turn up the volume to attack mode. I continue to learn new ways to focus, recover, and adapt–as an individual, as a parent, and as an artist.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I published my first book of poetry on Amazon! You can find it here:
http://amazon.com/author/rnnesbit
I paint and doodle all kinds of things, but mostly landscapes, oceanscapes, and poems. You can find them here:
http://www.canicolornowstudios.com/
I create dances with some really awesome people! You can see what we’re up to here:
https://www.instagram.com/cherish.dance/?hl=en
I record my poetry, dances, and other performances and you can watch them here:
https://www.youtube.com/c/Ren%C3%A9Nesbit
What matters most to you?
What matters to me is connecting deeply with other people through play, art, teaching, and exploring. I value being genuine and open and discerning. I value art, music, and laughter and sharing those things with the people I love.
Contact Info:
- Email: canicolornowstudios@gmail.com
- Website: www.canicolornowstudios.com
- Instagram: @canicolornowstudios / @cherish.dance
- Facebook: @canicolornowstudios / @cherish.dance.family
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Ren%C3%A9Nesbit / https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSJbzZ0wdVXeLXPnwrErIlA
Image Credits
The first photo of myself in “additional photos” with the mic was taken by Cody Julian Jacques (@cody.j.jacques on IG).
