“You don’t need everyone to love you… Just a few good people.” (The Greatest Showman).
I come back to this a lot, including with my work.
I started North Delta Art as a hobby. It still is, but it is also slowly growing.
With every new creative project, I remind myself who it is for.
So who is it for? For my few good ones.
- For the child who shared words inspired by the imagination of the Peysu Pals to express how a wind chime could be the interaction between Elska (love) and Tuuli (wind) telling us that we are loved.
- For the child with mis-matched shoes teaching me more on our nature saunters than I could ever teach her.
- For the grown up “magic smuggler” who provides space and support for me to create.
Sometimes I’m asked why I don’t do specific things to make my art more broadly interesting or why I rarely jump on trending bandwagons or study algorithms. I admit it is a privileged position to be in, but this is why. I don’t need the world to love me, or my work. I already have my few good ones (including all of you who took the time to read this).
I do welcome the potential of meeting a few more good ones. I’ve loved the local approach I now prioritize which has led to great conversations with amazing bookstore owners and artists. I hope to make an impact in a few good ways as I begin to add classes to my rotation. I hope my art is connective and meaningful to a few good people who so kindly have purchased and supported my work. Ultimately, though, I hope that I never forget why this started in the first place.
If this grows organically, I’m excited to see where it goes. But if I never make another sale, I will still have the few REALLY good memories of “happy sheep” dances in my living room and family craft time in the Sunroom Studio. And those few good moments are what make a life.