The art and dance of sage jacote

We recently asked Sage Jacote a few questons.  Here is her entire interview:

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AC:  Can you recall an instance or culmination of events that prompted you to 'decide' to become an artist?
SJ:  I have no instance or event.  It was just a calling from when I was a kid.  This was my path from day one of coming into this world.  I had a very supportive mother who encouraged me to do Art and exposed me to lots of different types of Art.  It is my therapy and is my way of expressing my multitude of emotions.  It helps me shape shift to whatever I want to be or express so I have a multitude of variety in my life.  I can feel like many people instead of just one person.
AC:  Does your work have any deeper meaning than is perceived at face value, and if so, what it that meaning?
SJ:  Some of my work has deeper meaning, especially when I work with stones.  I use them to manifest healing or different aspects of themselves someone may need.  Also I work with many symbols that have all kinds of deeper meaning to them.  With my fire dancing that is a whole different story.  There is always deeper meaning with that.  It is an element that is very powerful to work with and it brings in change, passion and burns away what we do not need anymore and invokes very primal feelings that I believe are very good for us in this day and age.
AC:  Of all the artwork (jewelry, etc.) you've created, what is your favorite piece, and why?
SJ:  I do not have a favorite piece of jewelry that I have made.  There are definitely some I like better than others and it usually has to do with the pieces creating  themselves.  Where mistakes happen that aren't really mistakes and take you in a different direction than you had planned.
AC:  Can you think of anything unique about your art that is different from others working in a similar medium?
SJ:  Many of my jewelry pieces have a very old tribal feel to them but are very classy at the same time.  These two styles are not usually paired together.
AC:  When you aren't making art, what do you spend some of your time doing?
SJ:  I like to clean and clear my space before working on Art.  This is a type of a ritual for me so that I can bring in what is needed without any stagnant energy.   I also like listening to stories and self help CD's while I make art.
AC:  How has your current work evolved from earlier works, and can you identify reasons for this evolution?  Is there anything fresh and brand new that you'll be 'unveiling' at the Artwalk?
SJ:  Well my work has gotten better because of learning new techniques and practicing.  I can make the things I see in my imagination better now because I have more tools in my tool bet so to speak.  As far as with my Fire Dancing it is always evolving and changing.  I have more than 15 year experience with it so it is definitely better.  I am always bringing new things to the plate with that.  I will have some new pieces for the Artwalk and will be Fire Dancing.  There will be some new things people have not seen before for sure.
AC:  When you are creating, is the personal fulfillment gained by the finished product, or is it the process that 'does it for you'?
SJ:  Honestly it is the finished product with the Jewelry because it takes hours and is very tedious work (although I do like the alone time and not having to dress up or have make up on to do this work), but for the Fire Dancing it is all of it.  The process is just as good as the end product!  Creating different characters with costumes and make up, picking out the music to convey exactly what I want for that performance, dancing for rehearsals, working with others, lighting the fire and bringing light to the people are all so amazing and I absolutely love all of it!  Dance is an amazing Heartform!

...and just a little more about Sage:
Enchanted by things of fire and light for more than 15 years, Sage has traveled the world to inspire, while releasing the burning embers of her spirit through unique dance and performance.
She was winner of Home of Poi “Circles of Light 2″ fire spinning contest with a special featured video called “Behind the Flame”. She also has been featured in “The Fire All-stars Vol 1″, “Encyclo-Poi-dia volume 2″ and has been cast in several movies with her fire performing. She has taught and or performed at Fuji Fire and Santoga Festival in Japan, Fire Drums, Flowstorm, Pacific Fire Flipside, Nocturnal Fest, Euphoria Fest, Electric Daisy Carnival, Arise, Burning Man and more. She also has performed with such artist as Tool, Polish Ambassador, Ghostland Observatory, Crystal Method, Rev. Horton Heat, Cheap Trick, Opiu, KanNal, Bassnector, Atash and more.
Sage continually pushes the boundaries of fire, light, spinning and fusion dance performance with innovative tools such as, glow and LED props, veils, fans, flags, Egyptian wings, fire-wings, fire-fans, fire-fingers, fire-crowns, fire-hoops, fire-bowls, palm torches, fire-staffs, fire sword, fire orb and poi. In an effort to be very versatile she has studied Hip Hop, West African, Middle Eastern, Belly Dance, Tai Chi and Salsa.
A founder and Artistic Director of performance art troupe, Sangre Del Sol, Sage has been intrinsic to the overall creative process of the group for the last 17 years, applying her skills in management, directing, producing, choreographing routines, and costume design in most of their shows.

Be sure to attend the First Friday Artwalk on June 3rd, 2016 to meet Sage and watch her spectacular performace of Fire Dancing!