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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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’?
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
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
It's always good to think about where it all came from and why you make art. Thanks to this post; it is inspiring me to do the same and i think it is a great way for a good reset! The meme is sooo accurate. I love that movie! Thanks Danielle! :)
Hello Danielle! I have followed your Instagram from quiet some time but I'm glad I followed you here as well. There is something about this space that feels so cozy to me. 🥰 This is the reason I started my newsletter too! All the best to you and looking forward to reading more about your journey!
P.S. I'll be turning 26 next year and it's terrifying to think how old I am now 🥺 Mentally I am still 20