Hi,

I'm currently a Junior in high school and when I am not flourishing, I am usually hanging with my friends, playing soccer, or outside taking pictures :). I began magic around 3 and a half years ago and did it for about a year and a half, taking periodic breaks now and then. After one of those breaks, I came back and started cardistry. I now mainly do cardistry and have been for about a year and a half, however I still enjoy learning a fun magic trick now and then :)

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/Conor0Kane

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What is your creative process - how do you come up with new effects and ideas?

Most of the time things just hit me. I will be messing around and then suddenly do something and be like "Woah, that was pretty cool." I will try to re-create that, practice it a little, then expand on it into an actual flourish or try to incorporate that into a flourish. Lots of times I will create little moves as well and just keep them that way instead of making them into a whole flourish. I rarely try to force things. I often try to take things that are non-related to cardistry and try to blend that thing into a flourish and make something different. If you are having trouble creating something, then take a break from cards for a while and go do something outdoors, like take a bike ride or something, just to get some fresh air. Look at things around you for inspiration.

How often do you practice - how do you keep your skills (and mind) sharp?

I am usually busy a lot with school, homework, sports, etc. but it try to practice as much as I can to stay sharp. Even little bits of 10 min before school or before bed are great. I actually spend a lot of time practicing before I go to bed. I am in a different state of mind, so I think differently and create new things. I usually do that for an hour, record what I have thought of, go to bed, and watch the footage in the morning. Besides that I usually practice only about 1-2 hours every day. However when soccer season ends, I will be getting another hour or two in.

Which artists have inspired you the most in your work thus far?

I have been inspired by lots of people, both by watching people on video and meeting them in person. Andrei and Tobias have inspired me a lot by watching their ideas and encouraging me to be different and think out of the box. Henrik Forberg and Allan Hagan have inspired me a lot with cinematography and editing so that I not only make a video, but try to create a mood as well. In person however, Dom Corrado and Max Galarce are two of my best freinds and have been doing cardistry with me from the beginning. I am lucky enough to see these two great flourishers every day at school and hang with them on the weekends. They have inspired me, helped me make decisions, and even offered a little competition. Two others I meet with often are Jose Morales and Kevin Melone. They live kind of close to me and have both inspired me SO much in flourishing. I meet up with them whenever I can and it is a blast every time I do.