A personal interview with my childhood friend Travis Powell.

I caught up with Travis early on a Sunday at his studio in Youngstown , Ohio. It was nice having some one on one with him in a place that is normally bustling with loud music and people moving every which way possible. And as intimate as our chat was about life and love and every day goings , it was even more so in such a large studio with no people in it. Besides shooting some portraits and chatting it up , we shot a few videos of Travis dancing across this lineal set of windows across the front of the studio. The lighting was perfect and Travis was incredibly on point in some improvised routine he made up on the spot. Alas, the footage turned out a bit too shaky for my liking as I was using a media cart with a shaky wheel (I should have just hand-held). I'll add the footage into my Youtube page as an "extra" in the future. Just because my video didn't work out doesn't mean you shouldn't see his awesome moves! I absolutely loved getting to see what Travis was going to say with my short questionnaire I gave him about a month before we shot. No matter how much you think you know about someone , there is always something else you can learn from a 20 question submission!

What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Being in nature
What is your greatest fear?
Drowning
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Henry David Thoreau for his respect and admiration of nature
Which living person do you most admire?
Todd Pownell
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Hubristic
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Selfishness
What is your greatest extravagance?
I travelled around the world on a cruise ship performing in the shows
What is your favorite journey?
Hiking across Iceland
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Righteousness
On what occasion do you lie?
When it's needed to soften the harsh truth
What do you dislike most about your appearance?
My nose is quite large but I'm ok with it
Which living person do you most despise?
Well...
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Lately it's been "ugh"
Which talent would you most like to have?
I would like to be a better swimmer. ( I still have to plug my nose and doggie paddle)
What is your current state of mind?
Bewildered... but cautiously hopeful (2015 has been a rough year)
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I am far to trusting of people, I need to change that to trusting my intuition.
If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be?
I would change any past misunderstandings into compassion
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
I saved a mans life
If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be?

What is your most treasured possession?
My DeLorean
Where would you like to live?
In the mountains (Grizzly Adams style)
What is your favorite occupation?
Dancer
What is the quality you most like in a man?
Integrity
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Integrity with a dash of self-sacrifice would be great
What do you most value in your friends?
Being there with empathy when I needed them the most
Who are your favorite writers?
Kahlil Gibran followed by Dr. Seuss
Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
Mad Max
Who are your heroes in real life?
MJ, of course
What is it that you most dislike?
Disrespect
How would you like to die?
I wouldn't like to die I would like to transition

Unbreakable Travis Pownell

— Courtney WRight—