There is no other human on the planet who has impacted my creativity more than Sal Talon. In fact, almost every time I start a new project, I can hear Sal’s voice in my head.
Unexpected Beginnings
In the summer of 2017, I had an explosion of writing and creativity. At the time I was obsessed with death—a long story which I’ll share another day. But I suddenly had so many words to express that I was unwilling to let die inside my heart.
When Sal Talon reached out to me, I had no idea who she was.
She wanted to know if I was open to working with an editor, to which I immediately said no. Actually, I said that I didn’t have the money for an editor, and that my writing was mostly for self expression and assumed that would be the end of the conversation.
So when she said, “That works for me,” I was very confused.
I remember in that moment feeling like what she was really saying was, “Dude, your writing has potential because it has heart, but your spelling and punctuation needs help.”
So eventually I said yes to this very unusual proposition. And after around 2 months of collaboration, I realized just how valuable working with Sal was and I hired her so that we could continue.
Our Creative Culture
On the surface, Sal looks like an editor who helps me with my writing—and she most certainly does. But Sal is so much more than an editor. Because Sal knows firsthand the joys and hardships of living with an open creative heart.
—> Some days, Sal feels like a creativity doula, sent here to help me give birth to ideas and stories that would have no chance if it was just me working alone.
—> Other days, Sal feels like a bullshit detector who will fight me tooth and nail to prevent me from being dishonest with myself and the world.
—> And sometimes, Sal and I feel like two old war veterans, sharing the battle scars of living a creative existence with courage and an open heart.
Over the past 7 years, Sal has blessed me with so many lessons on creativity and life, both through our work together and through her music as an incredible singer songwriter. It’s almost like working with Rick Rubin’s daughter, because she’s got so many simple yet powerful insights on living a creative life.
Her brain works very differently from most people I know, yet she can somehow tap into the sensibilities of society and the general ethos of the times with great precision. She is a paradox in so many ways, and the older I get the more I realize God leaves clues in the paradoxes.
My artist self feels safe with Sal because I know she’s been to the deepest parts of her own heart. And my dream is for us to continue working together for as long as humanly possible.
I can see us old and wrinkled, looking back at several decades of honest work with pride. But not for too long—because while looking back is fun, knowing us, we’d be more interested in getting one more post out before it’s too late.
Love you, Sal Talon.
Thank you for walking with me all these years.
Big love,
D
PS: These are some of the many photos I have taken of Sal over the years. It brought me great joy going back in time and looking at the the hundreds of photos Sal and I have co-created together.
What a lovely homage. Once again, it's incredibly helpful to see what's behind the amazing fountain of joy, art, and creativity that flows though the Darius we know of Artist Morning. The myth of the lonely artist doing it all by themselves is a powerful stereotype to battle, but this post is a powerful antidote. Thanks again!