Meet Izzabella Irwin: Dancer & Visual Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Izzabella Irwin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Izzabella, is there something you believe many others might not?
Any notion that being book smart will have any relation to your success in life is, in my opinion, a complete fallacy. While I think a traditional education enriched my brain, I would say many things I was taught do not have practical application to the pursuit of transforming my body of knowledge into a business. I was AMAZING at school, but for years, I floundered as an artist in the world because I had a gap in my education. At the root of the success of any artist is confidence and belief in their unique point of view. For me, I have moved closest to this feeling from the practice of mindfulness and meditation, rather than writing essays and artist statements. I learned how to write well about a point of view, but I did not learn how to practice and live that point of view. The ability to network at events, be in touch with the art scene and speak about yourself like you are a product, not a student is integral in succeeding in life. If you don’t sharpen those skills, you will limit your opportunities to show the world who you are as an artist.
Some people have a natural ability to learn and take tests, others have a knack for emotional intelligence and being able to navigate the world. Everything is a skill: painting, choreographing, conceptualizing a show, finding shows and artists that inspire you, having moving conversations with other artists, introducing yourself to someone you look up to, confidently presenting your work. I found an imbalance in the skills taught in school. There was a heavy emphasis on technique, history and theory that mislead me to believe those are the only important things in life!
Setting up a schedule that promotes balance, stubbornly believing in your vision, interacting with the art world you exist in, and creating your own opportunities are the skills that allow you to show off everything you learned in school. Without a solid set of practical skills, booksmarts can be unused potential laying dormant inside of you. Both are extremely important, but you cannot succeed without knowing how to fit yourself into the world. Only then will you perform at your highest potential!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a dancer, choreographer and visual artist. I think my difference as an artist stands in my ability to allow one medium to soak into another. I love performing, but I truly see myself as a creator, and work best in environments in which I collaborate with other artists such as musicians or actors. The human desire to compartmentalize art and artists is extremely prevalent and takes a lot of energy to resist. It was not easy at all to realize this. As a dancer, I have gotten completely lost in the dance world and forgotten how much joy and inspiration I get from other art forms. There is also immense beauty from watching, for example, an actor and dancer share space in a collaborative performance. A common misconception is that by combining dance with other genres is watering down the art form or confusing your audience. That was something I had to truly leave by the wayside to be able to live my truth.
A challenge that comes along with not fitting in the mold is that I often feel like I am walking in two worlds, neither of which I know everything about. Either I am an artistic dancer, or an artist who dances-and I feel oddly inadequate as both. It has been challenging not having a mentor who does what I do. I need to remind myself that it’s OKAY that I am not doing what others are doing. That confidence has been the hardest, but most rewarding attribute to cultivate within myself.
If there is one thing I am learning and want other artists to know, is your art is good enough. You don’t need the grant, you don’t need the dream role, and you don’t need to have thousands of followers to be a success. You can build your own art and vision little by little, you don’t need anyone else’s approval to create. Use what you have, create something that is true to you.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am still new to LA! Most of my time here has been in quarantine, so I haven’t found all of my favorite spots…YET. If anyone is going to Chicago, though, call me up and I’ll tell you EXACTLY what to do!!! Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
As I continue to move through life, I find “it’ not what you know, but who you know” to be one of the most frustrating but true phrases. While it’s frustrating for a socially awkward, and imposter syndrome ridden artist like me to embrace the idea that there are unknown gatekeepers blocking me from living my truth… In reality, the world is full of artists and patrons of the arts with true hearts that only have the intention of connecting dots. The art world can have a false narrative of scarcity, but there are some people who always give knowing that there is a place for everyone to succeed. Since I have moved to LA, one person that has unrelentingly and generously connected me with others, promoted my work, shared other artists with me and given me true friendship and love is Marlene Lacasse. She is a photographer, video producer and so much more! An amazing woman to have as a friend and incredible artist to remain inspired by. My former dance company in Chicago, Hot Crowd gave me opportunities to explore my point of view as a dance teacher, choreographer, and performer. It was a truly unique dance company that deserves so much recognition for their unique point of view and collaborative environment that gives dancers the freedom to contribute to the vision of the company. My time with Hot Crowd enriched me with confidence and opportunities dancing all over Chicago and the midwest.

Website: https://www.hellobellabye.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hellobellabye/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/izzabella-irwin-348084191/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hellobellabye/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXHDfQiNdOPToyRSM_Jb8-g

Image Credits
A. Deran Photography