Captivating Artist Couples

Kara L. Morrison

Opinion/Perspective

Captivating Artist Couples 

Throughout History

There's just something that really appeals to me about a great collaboration. Strong partnerships in the arts have produced some of the world's best albums, paintings, films and performances--and I'm not talking about Simon & Garfunkel (although, they are the definition of shining perfection.) I'm talking about those heated, passionate, whole-heart-and-soul type of collaborations that leave their mark on pop-culture and the arts. Whether or not these couples were able to stand the test of time, we can't stop talking about their impact. Here are just some of my favorite artist couples of all time (in no particular order).

Marina Abramovic & Ulay

Marina: Performance Artist 

Ulay: Performance Artist

Relationship/Collaboration Years: Mid 1970s-Late 1980s.

Marina and Ulay are certainly the most unusual couple on the list--but their shared body of work is completely fascinating. If your personal image of "performance art" consists of nudity, some bodily harm, and fasting, then you've got a general idea of some of the things that Marina and Ulay were engaging in during the 1970s and 1980s...but remarkably, as you watch them you find that they're not so freaky. Footage exists of Marina and Ulay slapping one another in the face for hours, running and slamming their naked bodies into one another time and again, doing all sorts of things that couples rarely do in public or elsewhere, but their combined performances ooze with an electric energy. Marina has an almost super-human ability to connect soul-to-soul with Ulay and audience members. You feel a surge of the couple's combined vulnerability and the mutual respect they feel for one another as they perform together. Perhaps one of the most heart-wrenching videos I've ever seen was a piece about Marina and Ulay's final and most poignant performance collaboration,  The Great Wall Walk, that signified the end of their rocky relationship. Both artists began walking at separate ends of the Great Wall of China where they met in the middle, embraced...and just like that it was over. Marina was visibly heartbroken as she took in the sight of Ulay as she neared their meeting spot. If you can bear the oddities and the nudity (which I don't even notice when Marina and Ulay perform because their energy is extremely intense), I encourage you to find videos of their work together.  The Artist Is Present is a fabulous documentary (currently on Netflix!) that chronicle's Marina's 2010 exhibition of the same title at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. In the doc, She addresses her past works with Ulay and (spoiler alert) he makes an appearance at her New York exhibit that will leave you in tears. Marina's reaction to seeing Ulay is deeply honest and human.

Lauren Bacall & Humphrey Bogart

Lauren Bacall: Actress

Humphrey Bogart: Actor

Relationship: Married 1945-Bogart's death in 1957.

Notable Collaboration: The Big Sleep, 1946

Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash

Johnny Cash: Songwriter, Solo & Duet Recording Artist

June Carter Cash: Songwriter, Recording Artist (Soloist, member of The Carter Family, Duet Artist)

Relationship: Married March 1, 1968-June's death, May 15, 2003.

Collaboration Years: 1956-2003.

It's said that everyone wants a "love like Johnny and June", it's a major cliche--while they are perhaps one of my favorite couples to have ever existed, they were not joined together by any fairy tale means. I love them because they went through hell and back and they survived. Both were married to other people when they began their love affair. Ultimately, they were a perfect fit but it took many years of bumpy roads for Johnny and June to finally forge a smooth partnership. The two were nothing short of magic together. Johnny had grown up listening to June and her family singing on the radio; eventually the two would meet and create perhaps one of the most enthralling romances in popular culture. Both were rough around the edges in different ways; for a time, Johnny was hell-bent on living out his bad-boy image, while June straightened him out by loving him fiercely and abundantly despite his sometimes baffling behavior. June had been steady ground for Johnny in his shaky life; she had been a soft place for him to fall when his world turned him upside down. The two remained deeply in love until June's death in 2003, John famously followed June in death shortly after. The Carter/Cash romance is wonderfully depicted in the 2005 film Walk The Line. (I wish Reese Witherspoon had delivered a more feisty, grittier June Carter, but let's not split hairs: the portrayal of Johnny and June's love was excellent). My personal two favorite of the duo's recordings are Jackson, You're A Part Of Me and If I Were A Carpenter. In 2013, I briefly met the songwriter of Johnny and June's 1960s hit Jackson, his name is Billy Edd Wheeler. The song, Jackson, has been a lifelong favorite of mine and what a treat it was to discuss the spunky song with the man that wrote it! If I Were A Carpenter is a sunny tune that never fails to make me smile, you fall in love with June as she sings with warmth in her voice. You're A Part Of Me will make you believe in love again. Also, you should drop what you're doing right now and watch Johnny Cash's Hurt video. It is entirely mesmerizing. "Ladies and Gentlemen, here's my lady, June Carter Cash."

Sonny & Cher

Sonny: Songwriter, Recording Artist, Musician, Actor, Television Personality, Politician

Cher: Recording Artist, Actress

Relationship: Unofficially Married in 1964. Divorced 1975.

Collaboration Years: First singles released in 1964. The Sonny And Cher Comedy Hour, 1971-1974. Remained friend and reunited off/on throughout the years until Sonny's death in 1998.

Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz

Lucille Ball: Actress, Physical Comedy-Comedienne, Television Producer

Desi Arnaz: Actor, Singer/Musician, Television Producer

Relationship: Married November 30, 1940. Divorced May 4, 1960.

Collaboration Years: 1948, co-starred in radio programs together. I Love Lucy 1951-1960. Co-Founded Desilu Productions 1950. Desilu Productions merged with Paramount in 1967.

When we think about America's golden couple, we summon up a perfectly clear image of Lucy and Ricky Ricardo in their quaint New York City apartment during the 1950s. To call Lucy and Desi's relationship a "whirlwind romance" would be putting it too lightly. The couple quickly and radically eloped in 1940 only to file for divorce in 1944--that is until Desi convinced Lucy to reconcile. Each week, America laughed at Lucy's antics as she and Desi created the ultimate gold-standard for American sit-coms. Television was still a very new medium when I Love Lucy first aired in 1951, but instead of stumbling and making rookie mistakes, Lucy and Desi crafted arguably the most iconic television show to ever exist. Off-screen, Lucy and Desi were very different from their on-screen personas. Desi was a hard-drinking, womanizing, difficult man. Lucille struggled to remain married to Desi, as he had been unfaithful to her many times, but in all reality...Lucy loved Desi, and he loved Lucy. Their marriage crumbled rapidly as the years rolled on, as I Love Lucy drew closer to its end, Lucy and Desi famously refused to speak to one another. Eventually, Lucy and Desi were able to revive their friendship. It has been said by many that knew them, that they both loved each other deeply until their deaths. I grew up watching and studying I Love Lucy late at night each weekend; Lucy and Desi were terrific screen partners, and even though their marriage ended explosively, their performances continue to entertain generation after generation. My personal favorite lovey/dovey, Lucy/Desi episodes of I Love Lucy are during Lucille's real-life pregnancy. Hands-down the best episode of the entire series is episode #45 "Lucy Is Enceinte" in which Lucy surprised Ricky with the news that she is expecting a child. As Ricky sings "We're Having A Baby" to Lucy, both actors (who were welcoming a new baby in real life) become emotional. Desi and Lucy's eyes both light up with joy as Lucy starts to weep at Desi's sweet song. It is terrific to see such a sweet real-life reaction from both actors.

Ava Gardner & Frank Sinatra

Ava Gardner: Actress

Frank Sinatra: Recording artist, Actor

Relationship: Married 1951. Divorced 1957.

Perhaps the best word to describe Ava & Frank's marriage is just this: Explosive. Some would argue that Gardner and Sinatra would top a favorite "Celebrity" marriage list instead of an Artist list, they didn't really collaborate much during their on-and-off fiery, fling, but they admired the hell out of each other and pushed one another into a new stratosphere. In 1950, Frank Sinatra began making plans to leave his wife, Nancy, for Hollywood's striking actress, Ava Gardner: America was outraged. Frank suffered many career hits as his fans and backers left his side. Ava and Frank were fierce friends and passionate lovers that were completely addicted to one another. They drank, they fought, they loved. The pressures in their floundering careers, coupled with their similar, "can't-be-held-down", bigger-than-life personalities, they couldn't hold it together. Songs and films have been written about the pair, all with a similar theme: they could have been great, but love just wasn't enough. There were so many outside factors working against these two. I've always been fascinated by Ava and Frank's relationship because it went unfinished; the two of them were apt to explode at any moment, neither of them were equipped to hold down a successful relationship when they came together--It couldn't work, but they were truly the loves of each other's lives. They never truly let go of one another. Maybe they were both too beautiful, maybe they both drank too much, maybe they were both too wounded. Their explosive relationship scares the hell out of me, because they tried their very best and they loved one another deeply, but their relationship is a tale for the ages and I've personally learned very much from it: heal the wounds, grow up a little, cut back a bit on the drinking and cussing someday and maybe love's got a shot. 

Much love to all of you!

Kara

Adventures In Artistsville: Love And Art, A Tricky Recipe

Kara L. Morrison

Opinion/Perspective

February 8, 2015

Adventures In Artistsville

Vol. II 

Love And Art, A Tricky Recipe

It's that time of year again: Walgreen's is overflowing with flurries of red, white, and pink. Everywhere you turn there are candies, cards, and unusual stuffed animals that are usually clutching plush hearts embroidered with the words, "Be Mine" on them. No matter your feelings about February the 14th, it seems that if you ever leave your home or watch TV at this time of year, you will be reminded of this impending occasion time and time again. For the sake of this article, I suppose it's only fair to share my personal feelings on St. Valentine's day: It truly differs. Some years I'm all about it, other years it fills me with dread, but I never write it off completely because I look forward to the day that I can really, really celebrate it by purchasing all of the slightly distorted, plush, Walgreen's dachshunds that my loved one can handle. Sure, I've bought Valentine's Day gifts for significant others in the past, but when gifting something "cute-sy" I always delivered them with a note of sarcasm because it felt silly. Of course, it is silly, but I've since learned that giving a gift from the most loving and sweet part of you is the only real way to go about it. That being said...if you're reading this please don't try setting me up with anyone, that seems to be happening a lot lately...trust me, I'm good, my friends (eeek).

This week's Adventures In Artistsville  actually took place in (*gulp*) my counselor's office. Yep, you read that right, I go to counseling, and while it feels strange to share that fact, there's no shame in admitting it. I'm committed to my own happiness and health and counseling helps discover things just by talking through them. I starting going to counseling back in college when I had a hard time juggling my personal life and my chosen major: Theatre Arts with an emphasis in Acting. Whoa...It actually wasn't until this very moment that I realized that the very same circumstances are what brought me back to the couch. 

Now, like most Artists and Theatre folks, there's a fairly blurred line that sits between career and relationships. I'm personally a big fan of being surrounded by like-minded people. I sometimes struggle relating (and vice versa) to "normies"-those not involved in creative work. Artists are notorious for dating and befriending people in their field; it's nice to have someone around that understands the wacko stress that we go through before each audition, photoshoot, or performance. But...sometimes the wacko stress proves to be a mighty strain.

My counselor (a very sweet, warm, and kind woman) always seems to be very interested in how I manage to function as an artist. "Do you worry about rejection when you audition?" "Not really", "Do you worry about romantic rejection?" "Umm. Let's not go there." BOOM. And there it is, I've broken the first rule about being an artist: being open. Each time I have an appointment, I make it a point to let down another wall and really say the deep feelings that I don't really discuss with anyone else. I've laid out every flaw of myself on that couch as well well as some of the issues that I've run into in past relationships and the more I reveal, more dots finally begin to connect. One of those dots brought me a discovery. It wasn't a pleasant discovery, but a discovery nonetheless to actually realize that being in an Artist + Artist relationship sometimes ='s AWESOME...but also sometimes equals ='s TOUGH. This is why I don't like math, you guys. Why don't we always come out with a great sum?

There are a lot of things that happen when Artists come together with other Artists. I've watched (and sometimes participated in) both the demise and flourish of relationships in the arts. 

Don't see what I mean yet? Here some things to think about:

(In my experience) Artists are often very passionate, sensitive, and very dedicated to both their partners and their careers. Balancing any two large and important sections of your life will always be tricky, although certainly not impossible. Also, because work in the arts is so difficult to come by, we're used to packing up and settling in new places, away from our partners--this translates into those darned long-distance relationships. Any couple that survives strain and makes it to the long-term, deserves a medal. I completely admire and applaud you. It's tough, and there are a lot of outside factors that prove to be powerful. 

During a chat towards the end of my morning appointment the counselor says, "You sound like you're grieving." "Hmm? What do you mean?" "You just said that you and several of your most treasured relationships have been plagued by distance." "Yes..." "Do you struggle with the fact that your career has put you in some difficult positions with your significant others?" "Yes. My career or things revolving around my career have caused a few bumps in the road. I guess I had a duel image of my life. Smooth career. Smooth love life. I envisioned everything being stable and moving together fluidly." "But you've discovered that sometimes those things move in opposite directions." "Yes, I guess it's hitting me that while I achieve things in my career, I have to place my focus there...when I want to split my focus a little more between career and love. I haven't been stable enough in my work to make both go smoothly. I'm grieving the fact that it's difficult for me to make both happen at once...and I don't know how long it will take me to figure it out. It could take years and that's a sad thought." "Yes, you're grieving the loss of your positive expectations. Your reality is centered differently than you thought it would be." I suppose my glass was half full before I even placed it under the tap. I spent so much time worrying about having it all, that I wasn't paying enough attention to having most of it right. This, my friends, is why I need to talk things out. I'm not the strongest communicator, especially not with myself. I knew that I had been sad about something, but I couldn't work out the puzzle until I was given the vocabulary and the thought process to form those words. Through counseling and my own self-reflection, I'm learning about necessary balance. I'm a long list of conflicting things. I'm rebellious, but I'm sweet. I'm young and free, but I've been told by the people that I admire that I'm an old soul. I love the idea of love but I've occasionally been known to struggle with the idea of commitment. I yearn to be open but I lock up emotions internally. These interesting little quirks are what make me Kara. These quirks are the things that will eventually teach me how to balance it all. Career, fitness, love, reading, watching Jimmy Stewart films; you know, the good stuff.

You mustn't get me wrong, I've seen some beautiful, healthy relationships work between artists. I admire the designers, actors, technicians, painters that make it work year after year: I strive to find that mutual balance, commitment, and dedication with someone special someday. I'm not saying that the recipe for Love and Artists is impossible...I'm just saying that if you've had difficulty, it's okay...we've just got to go back to the kitchen a time or two to add in a pinch of self-discovery. In the meantime, focusing on myself and my career proves satisfying...after all, they were my two first loves and they deserve my attention.

Kara L. Morrison

Catch more from Adventures In Artistsville soon!

Adventures In Artistsville: What Will 2015 Bring?

Kara L. Morrison

Opinion/Perspective

Adventures in Artistsville

Volume 1.

What Will 2015 Bring?

Mandatory Pre-Aerial Silks Class Selfie.

       For many of us, ringing in the new year brought on a feeling of having a beautiful new canvas on which we could splatter our greatest hopes and goals. There's nothing like a fresh start to bring you to a place where you can really take some time to pay attention and re-evaluate what you need to improve in your career, finances, and well-being. Personally, I never really did the whole "New Year's resolutions" thing and in years past I didn't want to bite off more than I could chew for my brand new 365 page sketch book (a.k.a. the new year). I did, however, feel differently this year...for several reasons. For one thing, 2014 was the year that I really got smacked with a brick wall of reality: my mid-twenties are happening and there are so many things that I thought I would have accomplished by now. After watching trendy sitcoms about twenty somethings for the last twenty-something years, I had come to the unrealistic conclusion that the puzzle pieces would align a certain way. I suppose that deep-down I thought that I would fall right into a terrific life and my acting career would feel a little more stable. What a wake-up call it was to find out that I'm not actually the Jennifer Aniston character on Friends and that my life hasn't transitioned smoothly from adorable coffee shop waitress to adorable fashion buyer for a big clothing label.

     I spent the last few days of 2014 doing a heavy amount of self-reflection and after a some time I arrived at a conclusion: Back to the drawing board Kara L. Morrison! My life, post-college, has brought me a tremendous amount of opportunities in the arts...but somewhere deep inside I knew something was off. The past year had given me opportunities with big companies, my first appearance on cable television, and a new network of friends in the arts. Grateful, you bet I was, but I couldn't deny that something was eating away at my career and more importantly, my soul. Suddenly it hit me: I hadn't done my work as a human. I had gone on all the auditions, took some chances, tried new things but I never faced myself. I truly believe that the best art (whether it be in acting, painting, or photography, etc.) comes from the most real and honest part of its creator. I wasn't growing in acting or writing because I had shut down the most honest, real, and raw part of myself. I was too afraid to face the things that took me back to the past and I was too afraid of the uncertainty of the future. Anxiety and misplaced focus had kept me from happily doing my work here and now in the present. I had been so willing to bust my butt in my career that I lost my way. I had become locked in a state of panic and that panic completely derailed my career growth and my soul growth. 

    So now that I'm back at the drawing board, I'm busy finding the present and finding myself. I feel that balance is the key to the best parts of life. You need the bad times to teach you the important life-lessons that humble you and you need the good times to keep your hope alive. When I wrote down my goals for the new year I didn't waste any time thinking about resolutions that would add stress, I just thought up some simple things and they all ultimately boiled down to a very large goal: take better care of my entire self. We are each gifted with one heart, body, mind, and soul and neglecting our own well-being only keeps us from what we truly want. How will you thank all the parts of you that make you human? 

     My very first adventure in Artistsville took place during my new Aerial Silks class. Tonight, my muscles are crying out: "Thanks for discovering me on that trapeze!" My mind is busy reflecting on how much fun I had dangling in the air and learning the terminology. My heart is feeling happy and filled with pride. My soul feels full on the bravery that it took to try something so new and difficult. It's the human part of us that makes us artists. 2015 presents us with an opportunity to finally do the work that we've always meant to do: finding the real and honest parts  that makes us and our work so very beautiful.

Kara L. Morrison

Check out more from The Artist I Know and Adventures In Artistsville very soon!

January 8, 2015