We recently connected with DM Hood and have shared our conversation below.
DM, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?
From a very young age I participated in competitive sports; I played baseball and soccer in school, but basketball was my love. I received a full scholarship to play basketball at a small college in Massachusetts. After my playing days ended, I took up coaching as a way to stay connected to the game I loved. Throughout my coaching career I maintained a “Never Give Up” mentality. Even in the face of defeat, I wanted my players to understand the value of a positive mindset; to remain optimistic about what the future holds.
During my career as a public-school teacher my optimism was evident on a daily basis. One of the quotes that adorned my classroom read, “Make an Effort, NOT an Excuse”. I taught exceptional education for the majority of my career. I learned that students with special needs are capable learners when they apply effort. Some of the greatest gains are often made by simply giving an effort. Trying to do something is Learning to do something.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I was born in Bellmore, NY and now reside in Orlando, Florida. After earning my Bachelor’s and Master’s degree, I started my teaching career in Queen’s, NY. In 1993, I entered the United States Peace Corps and volunteered in Tunisia (North Africa), as an exceptional education specialist.
I returned from my service and immediately began teaching in the Orange County Public School system in Orlando, Fl. During my time with the county, I served as a classroom teacher, department head, dean of students, and coached sports at the middle and high school levels. I enjoyed every minute of each school day while I was teaching and coaching.
But what happens when the career that you have built, and the life that has defined you is
suddenly changed and taken away? When my doctors told me in 2018, that I had to retire from teaching due to a significant medical condition, I was lost. My passion for teaching and coaching consumed each day of my life for close to 30 years – this is WHO I WAS.
This teacher needed to educate himself on how to live a life which centered solely upon his
own health and well-being. Ultimately, the goal was to reduce my stress and live my life at a
slower pace. Fortunately, I have initiated the recovery process within my local artistic
community. Opening an art studio, taking adult art classes, organizing group art
exhibitions, and even completing my first artistic residency has led me down the road to
rediscovering who I am and who I want to be.
Now, I have come to fully appreciate the opportunity to live a creative life. Each new day, I am
consumed with a desire to create. I cherish the opportunities to express my emotions, my
passions, even my inner child in an artistic manner. I just completed my first artistic residency in
the fall of 2023, at the beautiful Chateau Orquevaux, in France. I am filled with a renewed spirit.
I am blessed be able to embark on this new journey filled with such positive artistic energy. Where the road leads, I don’t know; but I believe its all about the journey and not the destination.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The three qualities that were the most impactful to my journey are:
1. Resilience
2. Creativity
3. A Willingness to Learn
Being able to recover quickly from set-backs (those bumps in the road), has been important for me to maintain momentum as an artist. Additionally, the creative process is one of the most important tools in my artistic toolbox. Consistently identifying my goals, generating ideas to reach my goals, and applying actions to reach my goals, has led me on this path towards becoming the artist I want to be. Finally, I’m realistic about the things that I don’t know. I’m always open to learning new things, new tricks, new approaches and all those new techniques; for me there is an excitement to learning.
To those folks who are just starting out on their journey, I would remind them to NEVER STOP believing in themselves. Dream Big Dreams!
As the author Ayn Rand says: “The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.”
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
If you haven’t read the book by Rick Rubin titled: “The Creative Act: A Way of Being” (2023), you should stop what you are doing right now and go get a copy. This book has made such a difference in my artistic practice. It is filled with thoughts and advice for helping artists (across all mediums) connect with their own creativity.
One of the questions put forth by Rubin in this book is, “Why do we make art?” – and in the simplest response, his answer is, “The purpose of making art is to make art”. Art is made for the artist and not for the audience. When an artist is satisfied with their work, that’s when it is finished. The last bit of advice which I found useful in my practice is the idea that “the act of creating art is not a competitive act”. Be sure to celebrate the uniqueness of the creative act.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dmhoodartist.com
- Instagram: @dmhood_artist
- Other: email: [email protected]
Image Credits
photo credit:
Xaiver [email protected]
Lisa Morgan @lisamorganartist
Robert [email protected]
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
