Birthday month & why I make art

No. 04 | November Newsletter

Hi friends!

It’s November, my birthday month, which is usually a very introspective time for me as I reflect on the past year, and the direction I want to go.

I’ll be turning 27 at the end of the month, and while I’ve hardly given much thought to my age in the past, admittedly, this year was different. I guess it has to do with societal pressures of achieving certain things in young adulthood.

“I’m 27 years old. I’ve no money and no prospects. I’m already a burden to my parents. And I’m frightened.” (Pride and Prejudice)

At the same time, the older I get, the more I realize we’re all just figuring things out as we go and everyone’s path and timeline are different. There’s no need to rush.

Bits of sketchbooks from the past month (I work in multiple sketchbooks at a time)

Why I Make Art

Even though I’ve been busy with life and work lately, I’ve been trying to carve out a bit of space to make art for myself because it nourishes my soul, even if it’s just 15 minutes of doodling in my sketchbook.

It got me thinking about why I make art in the first place, outside of making a living and beyond social media likes.

Cherished childhood drawings from 1999-2002 (3-7 years old)

1. Fulfill my need to create

Ever since I was a small child, I have always been drawing. Expressing myself creatively is just so much fun. I love playing with art materials and noticing how colours interact with each other. It’s fulfilling to create something out of nothing.

2. Practice mindfulness

One of my favourite things about making art is that it requires me to be fully present. In order to interpret the world around me, I look for things I find interesting or important. It helps me feel connected with myself and my lived experience.

Sketchbooks (2015-present)

3. Document life

Looking at old art and sketchbooks transports me back to the time I made them. It’s fun to look back on my growth as a person and an artist. Recording experiences and memories also allow me to inject real-life elements into my artwork, adding authenticity to imagined worlds.

Memories of my grandmother’s garden in northern Ontario (Summer 2020)

4. Connect with others

As much as I love to make art for myself, it brings me the most joy to share it with others. The thought of people interacting with something I’ve made and it resonating with them gives me the best feeling ever.

The things that make a creative practice truly fulfilling are what make it sustainable in the long term. It’s easy to get caught up in the wrong reasons like metrics and validation which can lead to burnout and loss of motivation.

What is the driving force behind your art? What is your ‘why’?

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In the Shop

Gallery-quality fine art prints are available in my INPRNT shop, it’s a great way to support my work. If you’re interested in purchasing prints for the holidays, be sure to order them soon so they can arrive in time.

Between November 7-13, I’m offering a 20% discount on orders over $25 with this coupon code: NV49JU

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Thanks for being here!

Writing to you is something I look forward to. It has greatly reduced the pressure and anxiety I feel around social media now that I have this algorithm-free space to connect with you.

Talk soon,
Danielle