From Art Attack as a kid to building a business rooted in art and experience.
Oh hello reader,
Happy you found your way here (again). If you came from the first post, I’m glad my novel of a post didn’t deter you from coming back. And, if this the first time, you’re in for a great read!
When I first started my business, I always wondered who it would attract. And even when I write blogs (this isn’t my first blog, IYKYK), I wonder who’s interest it would peak. But I think that mindset is limiting in itself. Why would I be concerned about who likes it? Okay, I suppose if you want to make money, that IS an important question to have with owning a business. But I started this cause it’s a passion of mine. And writing is another passion of mine. It has nothing to do with you. Albeit, I’d hope it entertains you and you enjoy what I have to say. But I know I can’t use it as the sole reason for why I do what I do.
I do this for me, as a way to express myself. It can be scary to be vulnerable. But what’s scary is showing a piece of yourself. So often we have that mindset wondering if we will be liked, or if we are enough. But during my growth, I’ve learned that it doesn’t matter if you do. It’s a bonus if you like this, but it doesn’t decrease my value.
Okay okay, so back to the topic of this blog – my creative evolution. I couldn’t have this blog without writing some profound lesson right? Anyways, I grew up watching Art Attack. Did you? I loved all the episodes. I would often have paper maché projects and I’d show it off in school. I remember making a super size pencil with a sharpie at the tip so I could actually use it!
I loved getting an art kit for Christmas. I think I owned a couple of these briefcases. You know, the ones with markers, pencil crayons, pastels etc. It was so much fun having it altogether. Getting any type of art kit that let me create was so exciting.
But as a perfectionist, art allowed me to create even with the imperfections. And I’m sure that will be a separate topic to dive into. Cause, breaking out of perfectionism is a challenge that needs constant nurturing.
Anyways, art wasn’t just for fun. There’s always avenues to lean into your creativity especially with school and work. I loved doing projects involving bristol boards, large signage where I could show off my bubble letters and building anything for science projects. Being artsy has always been a part of who I am. As an adult, I would lean into that creativity with powerpoint presentations and any digital design work.
Pinterest was and is a wealth of ideas! I would get inspiration for the different pins and see what I could make myself. And, over the years, I’ve found my passion in event decor. I’m a social butterfly and I would often offer my services and talent to create centrepieces, signage or fun games for a specific occasion. It didn’t seem like work for me, it was genuinely fun for me to create. I would design timelines, and my Type A mind would go into detail of all the specs of an event and my mind would start to race on how I could help elevate it by adding so much more beauty in the aesthetics.
It actually worked in my benefit that I have a background in hospitality management and I by working in hotel industry earlier in my career, I was surrounded by so much elegant decor for events! It was exciting to see all the ways someone could celebrate their life.
I was fortunate to be able to test so many of these inspired designs with friends and different ways they were celebrating their lives. To me, it was another craft project I could challenge myself with creating. Then, it expanded to hosting games. It seemed like the natural fit when I’m designing these games for events, to be the game host bringing people together.
The pandemic shifted my view of how important it was to celebrate. There’s always so much happening in the world, and weighing people down. It was important for me to be able to share my gifts and talent to create that allows people celebrate. Even if we were social distancing outside, we are able to gather with fun interactive games, and indulge in beautiful themed decor.
And, that is the foundation of how I started my business. Creating from passion, and building capacity to celebrate all cherished moments through my art and creative designs.
