“In circus, nothing is impossible.”

Gregory Bartning

Having left home with only a single month’s rent at 17 years-old, I learned two things quickly: the miraculous role that creating art plays in surviving hardship, and that persistence breathes life into that miracle

My experience of early adulthood was that of many penniless yet ambitious Gen Z’s: watching the American Dream crumble beneath the weight of social media’s mental heath crisis, political hysteria, hyperinflation, and economic barriers to higher education and housing.

Dashed hopes. Existential dread. Tireless work ethics being abused by dead-end jobs.

Before becoming a performer, I was an undertaker for 80+ funeral homes across the pacific northwest. That was when my journey as a performance artist truly began.

Death showed me the importance of sharing hope and joy. It can be a grand hope to achieve the impossible. It can be a humble hope, to enjoy tomorrow.

For me, this is the heart of the indomitable human spirit—to overcome whatever obstacle is in its path.

After watching Cirque du Soleil’s “Alegria” (joy), I realised circus was, for me, the penultimate art form for expressing this profound hope and joy for humanity, pursuing excellence, and self-discipline.

One day, I met a former Cirque du Soleil veteran who needed help opening up a circus school. I worked under him for two years, committing myself to training relentlessly until I broke into the performance industry.

Here I am—four years later. Obsessed with being the best artist and performer I can, in the hopes that by chasing my joy, it inspires others to chase theirs.

My Patreon is a place where people can support my work, and join the growing Grim community.