I received an email a little over a month ago. The subject line read:
Being an Artist vs. Being Materialistic.
Hi Nici!
My name is Sarah Brousseau, I’m a fellow creator, writing you from Baltimore, MD.
I read your blog posts often, follow your Instagram feed and earnestly ooggle over your newest creations. Whenever I read your words, hear your stories and view the images you take, I feel an undeniable connection to what you’re sharing. Many times I find that your experiences help me relate to my own! (As a creative myself, this is what I hope to do for others)So, you may be wondering, why am I telling you all of this? Well, your latest blog post evoked a question that I ask myself often but have never been able to answer. I wonder, as artists who makes physical objects, how do we translate the isolation from materialistic needs and mindsets to our creations? In my darkest moments of creating, I feel almost guilty for making more “stuff”, for playing into the commercialism of art or falling into a business oriented mindset. I was wondering if this something you or your husband have ever questioned? And if so, how have you dealt with it? How, as artists who believe in minimizing materialism, deal with our inherent desire to make more things?
Here’s a link to my artist website and personal blog. I make paintings as well as letterpress prints. One day I hope to run my own printing business making greeting cards, stationary and other fun paper goods.
http://sarahbrousseau.weebly.com
http://www.thebeautyofacontinuousjourney.blogspot.com
I look forward to hearing from you!
Warmest Wishes,
– Sarah
One of Sarah’s mixed media pieces.
I loved this email so much. It is thoughtful and thought-provoking. I wrote back:
Hi Sarah!
I love this question. YES, I think about that all the time!
I want my kids to be materialistic. Meaning, I want them to make smart choices, invest in and value the objects in their lives instead of buying the cheap stuff that gets tossed. People think of materialism as a bad thing but I think our culture needs more of it, in a certain sense. We purchase the cheapest leggings/vacuum/art supplies that get a hole/falls apart/breaks and throw them away and buy more. And we are disconnected from the maker/seller of the objects we purchase, creating a thoughtless void where there ought to be a handshake.
I love beautiful things. I love making things. And I love to invest in another’s beautiful, made thing. I hope that when people purchase something from me it is because they value my creation and will use it well, enjoy it for a long time.I feel the guilt you feel, at times. I think all sensitive artists do. Wondering if what I do is the best use of my time on this planet, for this planet. And if the answer is maybe or no, I use that information to make changes. It keeps it interesting and intentional. And, having my goals be mostly about doing what feels good and right and alive and purposeful forces my work represent those things.
Thanks for your email.
with love,
Nici
Me, installing a sculpture at The Brink in 2011. This piece was everything I’d written since becoming a mom. I printed it all out, cut it up, sewed it together and used straight pins to attach to wall in the shape of a tree.
Our emails continued and the exchange came up in conversations with friends. So I asked a few pals how they approach their tree-hugging ideals and their need to make things. They said smart things. I hope you’ll weigh in too!
PAIGE GREEN
Paige is a photographer and one of my very best friends since we met in the University of Georgia dorm bathroom in 1996 when I was all angsty and bulimic and dying my hair red. We bonded over being two of the only women not in a sorority (at least it felt that way), art, love of animals, environmentalism and cheap beer. 20 years later, it’s now much deeper than that. The first image is of Paige documenting the second image.
“Yes. Totally. I feel that way… which is why I don’t create “stuff” often. And that is one reason I had trouble in art classes in school, because of the waste of paper, resources, chemicals (paint, turpentine, dark room stuff.)
For me, taking photos of people’s lives feels ok. It feels like a more worthy way for people to spend their money than on expensive jeans made in Malaysia that pollute the environment and hurt the people making them.The truth is we live in a capitalist society driven by consumerism. If we don’t shop and spend money, we are all out of luck. Teaching people how to consume smarter, better, more thoughtfully… by supporting local artists who are sourcing their materials in thoughtful sustainable ways is the best thing we can do. Bring it home. Bring it local.We need art and creative people to survive. To feed our souls. If you are making “stuff” you don’t believe in that doesn’t fuel your soul then you are probably contributing to the problem. If you are making art and inspiring community and encouraging people to think about sense of place and their connection to people and the world, then you are helping make the world a better place.”
BOBBY TILTON
Bobby is an artist and retired art professor from the University of Montana. Bobby taught art education at the U when I was there and, while I never had a class with her, I was always drawn to her big love. And then, years later, she emailed me and said “we are selling my parents house and this might sound wild but I imagine your family living here.” I told her thanks but that we weren’t looking for a house. Long story short: we now live in that house! And Bobby is my neighbor. My kids have French Toast with her every Friday.
You might recognize this piece! We own it. A fun story: Andy and I were in art school, no money and loved this piece. We went to a benefit auction and placed a bid of like $50, knowing there was no way we’d get it. We got a call the next day saying we’d won! We panicked, worried our bid was misread but, nope. One of our other professors – MaryAnn Bonjorni paid the difference as a gift.
“Should we (as artists) bring more stuff into the world?
Many objects are brought into this world with the “sole“ intent of making money.
Some objects are made with the “soul” intent of bringing beauty, comfort, joy and dare I say love into the world. Some objects are beautifully birthed into existence to help us think.
How do we spend our life blood? How do we “make it“ in this world?
We make and choose with intent. Watch for the aura…you know when its there.”
ELISE ROTHAMEL
My cousin, my sister. Elise is one of the most creative people I know. She works with photography, clay, glass…she turns everything into art. And she teaches art in Bend, Oregon. We have many stories but here is one about the creative process: when we were 6 and 8 years old, we slept over at our grandparents home. We stayed up all night watching the Sound of Music and whispering under blankets with flashlights. Then we had a great idea to get up and make breakfast! We’d surprise everyone! So we got out the flour, eggs, milk, sugar, baking powder. We laughed quietly as we mixed many different concoctions in many different bowls, all to be pancakes. Our grandparents weren’t as thrilled as we’d hoped. I couldn’t get a photo from her of her making art so here is one of us as kids. She made this image into a magnet for me long ago. Another of her glass work.
“I guess for me, the need to create is something I have to do. It’s a need in me and I fulfill it. I honestly don’t feel right when I can’t make art and create something. It’s my therapy,So to speak. My lifeline. We all have things that we need to do to help us live in this world, and for me creating is one of them. It helps me to be a better person. A better me. I can only hope that others find joy in my creations as well. For me giving the gift of art; being a teacher that celebrates art is one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life. Sometimes in this crazy world, art is the only thing that makes sense.”
BRAD BERNHART
Brad is the artist and genius behind Earlywood. My husband grew up skiing with Brad and I’ve known him since high school. He is dear friend and one of my very favorite people to talk business with; we have handmade/ecommerce pow wows whenever we can. We just had one this last weekend in Red Lodge!
“We (at least here in the US) live in a capitalist society. As a result, supply and demand are always hard at work filling gaps, setting prices, spurring innovation, and creating opportunities for those who pay attention. I know that if I don’t make what I make (wooden utensils in my case) then someone else will. So, the net result is that someone is going to be making what I make. It’s me, or them. With this in mind, my goal is to make the kind of product that is not disposable, but more like an heirloom. I strive to make utensils of quality and designs that will be kept in a person’s kitchen for 50 years, then passed to grandchildren. This is how I see it is possible to create while reducing waste at the same time.”
ANDY CLINE
My beloved partner, lover and co-parenter. Among the many things he is good at, Andy paints contemporary landscapes. He portrays the current state of land — it’s use and evolution and how it interacts with interstates, construction, humans and animals. The top image is Andy at work in his itty studio using his itty paintbrush, the bottom of him in at the Orange Street Food Farm holding a recent article about his work that you ought to read (#proudwife).
“We all place value on certain objects. If a person has a real desire to create something, they should do it. In the very human need to make art – that is enough. If we have good intentions and big desire, we don’t need to think about it so much. We just need to make it. And hopefully share it with others.”
ON MAKING ART WITH KIDS.
I feel strongly about using natural and recycled materials. Art and craft supplies can be obscenely wasteful. Or, not at all. The last real body of artwork I made and exhibited used dryer lint, eggs and thread clippings. In our home, we forage for seasonal bits or reuse materials from recycling. I get the allure of the craft store. And, you can do so much with what is laying about.
A valentine garland my daughters and I made many years ago. They painted scraps of white and cream fabric. I stuck the fabric to newspaper with fusible interfacing. We cut hearts and machine-stitched the hearts together. I was taking photos of it this morning when I noticed all the cut paper on the floor! See my thoughts on this below. I tell you: my kids are scissor-crazed fanatics with paper.
An equinox mandala art project I taught Margot’s second grade class:
A fall garland made from leaves and cray-pas:
Our holiday candle holder: stick, glue, glitter, drilled holes:
I have also discovered that quality art supplies make all the difference in both joy and endurance. Literally, 100% of the time – when I buy cheap: they expire quickly and fail to produce the consistent marks my kids want. Tips break, watercolors crumble, markers wilt. When I invest, we have these supplies for years instead of months. And the quality is consistent and excellent. Actually, “twice as expensive” ends up being a “less than half the price” in the long run — more enjoyable and lasting. Hmm, ’tis the case most of the time.
I’ve made the mistake of buying one of those “affordable” art kits, wowed by all those supplies neatly organized and at the ready only to discover the paint trays have a skiff of paint, the crayons are so waxy that color can’t get through and the pencil tips snap every other stroke.
I don’t want to call out specific brands that I find unimpressive; instead I will list a few of our favorites (nothing sponsored post here, just what we dig obv. I will of course always be open about that!).
Faber Castell Colour Pencils :: Tips rarely break, vibrant color.
Sakura Cray-Pas. The junior Sakura sticks are great for toddlers who might not take care of supplies — they are cheaper both in price and quality. Once kids develop a love of mark-making with oil pastels, the upgrade to this set is worth every penny.
Stockmar Beeswax Stick Crayons :: We’ve had one set of these crayons for years. Great color, no breaks.
Art Alternatives Pocket Watercolor Set :: Ruby especially loves to paint; this tin is durable and the bold paints last like 10x longer than the cheaper brands.
Prismacolor Scholar Graphite Drawing Pencils :: Have you ever drawn with a 4B pencil? And then a 2H? There’s no going back to the yellow #2.
Pentel Fine Point Color Markers :: These markers are bomb proof! They last and last. Even when the lid is left off for a few hours, they draw like a boss.
Paint Brush Set :: My kids actually use really nice brushes because they get their dad’s handmedowns. Do yourself a favor and skip the crummy, bristly packs sold in the kid art aisle. They are nothing but frustrating and for a bit more money, one can move the paint effortlessly.
I bought Kids Create! Art & Craft Experiences for 3- to 9-Year-Olds at a local book exchange a few years ago and it is a go-to in our home. We especially love all the clay recipes; We used the salt dough recipe to make this LOVE banner that hangs over our bed:
All Year Round: Calendar of Celebrations is another favorite creative book. It is full of stories, recipes and activities that honor the ceremony of season.
Let’s talk paper. I take paper consumption seriously. We don’t use paper towels or paper plates. I don’t buy wrapping paper unless it is exceptionally beautiful and will be reused many times. I only print double-sided and reduce the size. We only use 100% recycled toilet paper (I kinda can’t believe anything else is even legal)…you get it. A challenge in our home is that my kids FLY through paper like little artist maniacs when we make stuff that includes paper. If we simply leave a something that is paper – a bill, a magazine, a list – lying on the counter, Ruby will scoop it up and get all Edward Scissorhands on it.
So, our general approach: use garbage or found objects (paper from recycling bin, cardboard boxes, wood scraps, rocks, pinecones etc) except when my child has a vision and intention to make something on real, nice paper. Then we use real, nice paper and we treasure it. I’m trained as a printmaker and painter so the feel and weight of paper is something I deeply appreciate; lovely paper carries marks in a way that feels like flying. So, every so often, we splurge on great paper and have a holy experience in making something worthy of for-keeps, for us or a loved-one.
Additionally, I’ve found that my girls cherish blank books. The small, bound object is valued and cared for in a way loose paper just isn’t. If you’re a friend of mine, I’ve likely given your children blank books as gifts. And I won’t stop.
I made these adventure journals for our road trip last fall. And, they are now available, customizable, for sale in my shop!
One last thing: art-making doesn’t need to result in a thing, right? Right. It doesn’t need to be finished. It doesn’t need to hang on a wall. Kids get this: they stack sticks, construct fairy lands, build forts, arrange beads, doodle on scraps without any need for it to become something else forever.
So, back to Sarah’s question about the reconciliation of what we add to this world with what we want this world to be for our kids and their kids. I think we know how to do this. I think we know when we make a purchase that is wasteful, use a thing that is selfish in its ease. We understand we are creatures continually trying to make sense of our own contradictions. We know what to do, we just have to listen to and act within that knowledge. And, goodness, we must never ever stop making art.
I like what Bobby said:
“We make and choose with intent. Watch for the aura…you know when its there.”
30 Comments
Of all the art I’ve seen on your blog, the stones arranged on the drift-log is by far my favorite. I want it in my home. I’ve been paring down my life over the past several years choosing to own, as much as possible, things I use and things I love. And the more I love the feel, look, heft… of what I use, the better. For the record – I LOVE (and use often) my Earlywood pieces. I’m eyeballing a couple more! Thank you for this thoughtful and thought provoking piece.
Yes! I would buy a print of the stones on the drift-log to hang in my home. Can it be so?
I could arrange that! 🙂
Yes, that is my quest as well – to possess things worth possessing. And, thank you for reading!
This was a great read. It really made me think about how we approach and adopt art and art-making in our home. Thank you for taking a random (though genuine and thought-provoking) email and turning it (recycling it!) into a great conversation and post. I love how you shared your emails with Sarah, and then asked others in your circle to share their views. Great post and what a great start to 2016. xo
Yes a breath of fresh air thanks for being authentic
I am so glad you appreciated it! And I love your analogy to recycling words. 🙂
I love this piece. Thanks for sharing it. The images are beautiful, as are the musings from your creative clan.
Josh is one of the most creative people I know, and his ethos is 100% about using something that already is. Alden said about him once, Daddy makes things… out of things.” Rust is his favorite color.
And… PENTEL COLORPENS FOREVER!!!!! My best preschool teaching job, I was introduced to them. We used them in the classroom, and though they are definitely more expensive they last so well and the colors are infinitely more satisfying to use. The brands you were diplomatic enough not to mention (Crayola, Jo-Art) SUCK in comparison. Pentel = money well spent.
“Rust is his favorite color.”
I adore this. And you, yours. x
As someone who sews, I’m curious how you manage fabric consumption. So much of it is produced under horrible conditions. I notice you take care in sourcing the premade garmets used for your business, and want to know if you have any insight/ideas on sources for appliqué fabric, besides organics/hand-me-downs/thrift stores? I make quilts and clothes for my family and friends, and have found that when you sew people just give you fabric often, and thrift stores have good selection, at times, but it’s not always prints/colors that fit your personality/ideas. I’ve pushed myself by making projects with fabrics I’d never select for myself and ended up happy with expanding my process a few times, but also get frustrated not having the materials to create what I really want/planned/dreamed about. One of my biggest struggles is scraps. I hate tossing them, and have only made one scrap quilt, but holding on to them is hard to do when you live in a small place and value your sanity.
Thanks for this discussion. I’ve loved reading it.
Ah, shit. It’s hard!!! When I started I used thrifted shirts, thrifted clothes-turned-fabric. But, that became unreasonable. I mean: I had to have something to list that was also what the person would receive. Also, people don’t want spiffed-up, used onesies. So I started buying items and fabric. You are right: it’s a tricky market. I have room to grow but my solution is to purchase fabrics from local/online mom-n-pop shops. I’ve looked into spoonflower a bunch but without success (re: knit fabrics + small repeats + good production quality; just haven’t found it yet).
Also, scraps: I toss them. I didn’t for YEARS. But now I do. I just can’t find use for so much. We try *really* hard to be as frugal as we can be but the reality is: there’s waste.
Do you have ideas? I’d love to hear them!
Thank you so much for this post. I struggle with all of these issues as an artist and parent. I love to know others are thinking similar thoughts and finding clarity and inspiration.
Another “Brilliant” piece. Your aura shines!
“I think we know when we make a purchase that is wasteful, use a thing that is selfish in its ease. We understand we are creatures continually trying to make sense of our own contradictions. We know what to do, we just have to listen to and act within that knowledge. And, goodness, we must never ever stop making art.”
Yes. I think we understand this too. Thank you for taking the time to gather and share so many perspectives in this piece. I’m saving this one for future and frequent reference and sharing. We are a family of makers who value things that are well-made, hand-made, intentioned. This value can absolutely come in conflict with other values but your definition of materialism is the way we are (still) learning to work around those conflicts. And for the record, my husband cherishes the hat I bought from you. It’s become his uniform.
I love this Burb…JUST LOVE IT! I especially love that I know every one of these artist, (with the exception of Sarah, hopefully I will some day) and cherish each one of them for the exceptional people that they are. I think this will inspire all who read it to think in a more positive respectful way of doing and creating. As far as buying the best quality versus cheap, I quote your dad…”you get what you pay for” & “it is what it is”.
xoxo
What a thoughtful dialogue about such an important topic. Since I’ve been reading your blog, you’ve inspired me in so many artful ways. How you make + create and then share your life + artistic endeavors with your children is so generous to your readers. It’s been a true gift to me over the years. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I’m kind of with Andy and wholeheartedly agree with his statement that “If a person has a real desire to create something, they should do it. In the very human need to make art – that is enough.” I’m a late bloomer in the art department, but so grateful for the outlet and feel honored to witness the bravery of an artist to put themselves out into this world we live in and express themselves through their different art forms + mediums.
Kids + creating is one of my favorite topics. And, hell yes to buying quality art supplies for little ones. Why should they get the cheap stuff? I won’t use them, why should they?
My son had an incredible preschool teacher who honored the children and what they created. She introduced them to Joseph Cornell’s shadow boxes; Basquiat’s graffiti art; had her musician husband come in and record the children speaking + laughing and mixed their sweet voices over a Johnny Cash song (because one of her students LOVED Johnny Cash). They splattered paint on Pollock-inspired paintings, and rubbed dead fish with ink in order to make Japanese-inspired gayotaku prints on rice paper; they block-printed their artwork + made stationary. Dallas Clayton came out to their rural schoolhouse on a sheep ranch and read to the children. The teacher read Langston Hughes poetry to them + then asked the little ones questions and wrote down their answers, resulting in the most beautiful collaborative poem (below).
After Langston
by the Children of Pastures Preschool, Bodega, CA
I had a dream of dinosaurs made out of buckets
A dream that lasts all day long… underground
One night to start, one night to finish
We dream about eating TOO many marshmallows, twirling costumes, pretty pierced ears,
miner’s lettuce, chocolate, all kinds of candy and bones all night long
One night to start, one night to finish
That woman taught me how’s it’s done + I’ll be forever grateful to her. When he went to public school and was encouraged to “color inside the lines”, I decided I would supplement his sterile art environment by working with him at home. The reward was all mine + he ended up teaching me how to let go + finally create from a less judgmental place.
A book that I’d like to recommend to your and your readers (of any age) is Drawing & Painting Imaginary Animals: A Mixed-Media Workshop with Carla Sondheim. This book is genius. We’ve spent hours at our kitchen table making imaginary animals + talking. For me, what we end up making is totally besides the point. The conversations that we’ve had while making art has deepened my relationship with my son and taught me how to let go, have fun + just make what I’m moved to make.
This is long, but I wanted to thank you for this blog post. XO!
Seriously that poem.
And you, your heart.
Thanks, Tammi.
I was hoping to hear from you on this piece! I really appreciate your thoughts. xo
This was such a wonderful read. Thank you for a space that presents ideas in such a holistic and thoughtful way.
Hi Nics,
You are my hero! But you already know that.
First, thank you for a great holiday! Always amazing to see what you and Andy are nurturing (one of my favorite word btw)!
Just felt compelled to chime into this fantastic discourse since I know almost all of the players here.
Quality is the common thread here from what I can see. Your friends, your business practices, your household, your desire to make a difference, your desire to create sustainability, your desire to (dig) deep into the things that make us better people. Every purchase matters and should be treated as an investment in your portfolio.
But….what’s most impressive is your entrepreneurship. You and the rest of the team, here, manage to live the dream in a way that makes sense for any sensibilities. You guys have cracked the code to make $ in the context of your foundation and core values. This is what makes America great regardless of your persuasion.
Love you all!
Hans
Well, dad. I think you’re tops. And, is this your first-ever blog comment?! I think so. Not sure you’ll check back but if you do: I LOVE YOU. If you don’t: I’ll call you with that same message.
Oh Nici, this is so what I needed to hear but in a completely different way. I’m a dancer and going back to work soon and have struggled with leaving my almost year old and 5 year old in the hands of another care giver while also feeling such a pull on my heart to create my art, dance. I love my children so much, but I also LOVE dancing. It has been life’s passion since I was a little girl. I’m realizing that there is a season for everything. Sometimes it’s hardcore Mama time, and sometimes it’s soul time. I’m not sure how to balance any of it, but I know it’s all worth it. ❤️
Thank you for letting me read all of these artists thoughts.
“Sometimes it’s hardcore Mama time, and sometimes it’s soul time.”
HECK YES. This. Love. Keep it up mama.
Nici, this really is a great topic of discussion. I too am a UGA grad and studied environmental econ & management. I’ve stayed true to my passion and now live in the world of sustainability. What you’re discussing actually is a much larger topic that’s being explored; sustainable consumption. How do we consume consciously (least impactful), and still support our economy? I think your responses from other artist are exactly how we do both! Reuse found objects, use objects from nature, make time to create, support local businesses that support the theory of sustainable consumption. One day I hope to be my own business owner; a reuse store, because found and disregarded items are the best and still hold a great deal of value! Now, off to make Valentine cards with all the left over art supplies that come home at the end of the school year!!
Nici, what a neat discussion! I’ll add a thought. It seems to me that sometimes we, as a society that includes people who don’t think of themselves as artists and which places a weighty emphasis on consumerism, I think sometimes we define art too narrowly and with an need for the superlative. In order to be “proper” art, it must be prettier, grander, bigger, more original, more shocking, more expensive, more costly in time and grief, and ultimately, in order to be most “successful, ” it must be palatable to the majority. Granted, I’m a person who does not consider myself an artist and I’ve only had one art history class as any sort of “art education,” but what I learned in my art history class is that, what we think of as “art” grew out of people making tools, things they needed to get through their daily lives. The foundational purpose of the object was to increase an individual’s survival functionality, but the need to create a beautiful thing followed almost immediately after. My personal theory is that the key to defining art is what the act of creating means to a human. A tool that you have made to fit your needs is not really something separate from you. A tool that fits in your hand beautifully, moves with your body effortlessly to produce a more perfect product–that thing nears holiness. It seems natural, then, to adorn such a thing with iconography, with prayers praising grace and use and hope. To ward off trouble and evil. To bring fertility and prosperity. Before the competitive sport connotation of it, art was a paean to the god of use. That’s the commonality I see in all these and other artists, including yourself and your daughters.
I love and believe in your definition of art: “the key to defining art is what the act of creating means to a human.”
And I always appreciate your words. You’re an artist. No doubt.
I loved this post, all the ideas have me thinking so many new things! I really appreciate the art supply suggestions for kids. I do have a question (not sure if you answered this in a different post): how do you teach your daughters to care for their supplies? I have a 6 year old, a 4 year old and a 2 year old and while the oldest is doing alright with taking care of art supplies the younger two don’t and it’s so overwhelming trying let one create while making sure the boys don’t break things or carry markers all over the house, etc. If you have any suggestions I would to hear them!
I think (way) less is more. When my kids have one 12 pack of markers, those things are well-kept and for a really long time. When they have 4 mason jars full? Lids off all the time, under couches, tossed about. It’s the same for me, really. If I have one water bottle that I love, I always know where it is. If I have several I’m *meh* about, they disappear like water down a drain.
Any suggestions on making “art” with a 19 month old? My son is constantly on the move and I’m desperate to find activities that’ll keep his little mind and body engaged. I know vision and reality are often not in sync with toddlers – but any suggestions would be much appreciated.
I wrote a bit about art making with young ones a while back! See here: http://www.digthischickmt.com/2010/11/making-art-with-my-kids.html
What a wonderful dialogue, and so easy to get pulled away from these values by our culture’s non-stop drive to buy. It is always reassuring to be reminded that there is a tribe of folks who create with passion and intent, as there are folks who consume with discernment and diligence. Thanks for sharing these thoughts and images; it’s an inspiration to go make, explore, express – venture again into the creative process, and invite others (especially our small people!) to follow!