Danielle in comic strip.
Here’s a little bit about her:
With my partner Michèle, a backpack, some boxes, and my cooking certificate in hand, I took the train from Montreal to call Vancouver my home in 1988.
I quickly “moved up the ladder” as a restaurant manager in a successful restaurant chain. Then, in 1995, I took a sabbatical to explore photography, dark room, faux-finishes and papier-mâché techniques. I started selling my art at markets and fairs. A couple of years later, I ventured back to the world of food as a sous-chef for a catering company and met a major setback forcing me to quit in order to take care of my health.
Then a wonderful thing happened to me during my recovery time: in 2001 I got involved with Public Dreams Society. I met Dolly Hopkins on a Monday morning dressed up in my version of a Jazzy Zebra. With her support, I started creating a “ménagerie” of characters inspired by my favorite children t.v. shows and was invited to participate in festivals and community events.
Acting, clowning, magic and dance movements classes became part of my new life. It connected me with my sensibility and my inner trickster. Life became a celebration! So, what do I do for living? I am an “interactive roving costumed character”. Maybe we crossed paths in Stanley Park at Halloween or at a convention or a fundraising event…or maybe it was the dog, the lizard, the leopard or the zebra…
And here’s how Danielle answered my 6 questions about creativity:
Madline
What does is mean to you to be creative?
It means to display the ability to have a childlike view on life, to minimize the seriousness of our daily routine and to see, feel and act like the glass is half full instead of half empty. (It’s also my life challenge ).
What inspires your creativity?
1) My life partner (she brings the best out of me, she listens to my ideas)
2) My dad (the trickster runs in the family)
3) My desire to love and being loved (sharing the love is so gratifying)
4) World music (it reminds me to sway or go with the flow with exotic notes)
5) Insomnia (got my best ideas around 4:00 a.m.)
6) Nostalgia (Red Skelton, Lucille Ball, old sketches for the simplicity and the strength of their intention)
7) Animation movies (it’s like comfort food)
and #8…La boite à surprise, La Ribouldingue, Grujot et Delicat, Le Pirate Maboule (my chilhood t.v. shows)
Deluxe Cool Kat
What keeps you moving forward in making things happen?
My need to contribute, to communicate, to make a difference.
I love the magical moment during a “clownversation” with someone when the inhibitions disappear, we connect, feel, react, participate together and savour “the moment”. We become sort of accomplices in the “play”.
When the public gives me the permission to act silly and to touch them at the core, It’s therapeutic for everybody.
What’s the wildest journey your venturesome spirit has taken you on?
Being a 5’3”tall kitchen manager in charge of 30 cooks with little english, weighting 102 lbs with a passion and energy to win over any opponent in a new city.
Then, I met an opponent in the dark corner called “depression and burnout”: the journey was painful but the outcome turned out to be positively life changing!
What’s the boldest, most provocative statement you are willing to make about yourself, your business or industry that you are in?
“I AM THE SPARK!” I believe my purpose is to help people connect with their inner child, their inner diversity and allowing playfulness without guilt or justification. It’s like a positive release.
Whats next for you?
1) happiness
2) health
3) wealth
4) to be discovered
5) embracing life with less fears
6) ALL OF THE ABOVE
And here’s a few things that Danielle said inspires her creativity:
On YouTube:
Factor XS animaciones (they are all good but I relate most to the dog Perrito)…here’s a link to get you started.
Pirate maboule ( t.v programs from my childhood )….click here.
www.tagtele.com/videos/voir/22495 …70′s french kid’s t.v. shows. I would hurry back from school to watch a different show every day on “La boite à surprise” before dinner.
Thank you Danielle, you definitely are THE SPARK!
