When Grief Becomes Your Muse

What I find fascinating about human emotions like grief is that every one of us deals with them differently. Some people shut down and process their feelings internally; others need the support and shoulders of friends and family. But sometimes it is deep emotional turmoil that gives birth to some of the most amazing pieces of art — because some people work through their grief by writing, painting, or singing about it.

It is those songs born out of pure emotions that give me all the feels. Those are the songs that make me cry, give me goosebumps, or just allow me to travel down memory lane. It really got me curious about the creative process that goes into writing and performing from a place of grief.

And I was lucky enough to meet just the right person to talk to.

Gina Harris is a singer/songwriter and actor who has performed in theaters and jazz clubs in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. She wrote a solo musical called “The Magic of Ordinary Things,” where she addresses her thoughts and emotions while dealing with her own grief after the loss of her parents and her singing teacher Lilian.

Her music, grown from her jazz and blues roots, is magical and dreamy. Her lyrics are haunting, nostalgic, and deep.

I was curious to have a look behind the scenes and find out more about her creative process and how she was able to blend love, grief, and hope into music.