Say YES to the art.
We’ve all been there. Trying to make a purchasing decision and just wishing someone could do it for us! As time goes by I’m becoming more and more conscious about what I allow into my home. Just ask my family- they’re probably sick of me rabbiting on about it! 😂
Maybe I’m thinking more about it lately because we’re renovating. I’m trying to make the best design choices for our family. Our home doesn’t need to be perfect. That’s not what I’m concerned about! But I do want it to reflect what’s most important to us and to tell our story.
I want to be mindful about the stuff we allow into our lives.
Do you struggle with the same choices? It’s even harder when the purchase you’re considering isn’t a ‘need’ item but a ‘want’ item. A “I love it and it sparks joy but I’m not sure if I should” item!
Here’s my perspective as an artist and fellow artisan appreciation aficionado:
Our goal here isn’t about storing up worldly treasures or wealth for ourselves. If the reason you want to buy this piece is to design an insta-worthy space that you can brag about to your friends- don’t do it! You will feel very unfulfilled very quickly.
It’s about celebrating and appreciating the amazing talents that God has given to another human being. When you see something that you absolutely adore that someone else has made you’re also appreciating the way that the artisan themselves has been made and encouraging them to continue on with their creative journey. You’re MAKING IT POSSIBLE for them to keep expressing their God-given gifts!
It’s about embracing the story behind the art and fitting it into your own story. Often when an artisan creates a piece they’re also hoping to create deep connection with the receiver through their work. They want to bring feelings and memories and inspiration that will be a part of the collector’s everyday life. You’re not simply just making a purchase. You’re communicating a strong message! You’re saying “this is an artist that I deeply respect. The piece makes me feel ______ and reminds me of ________ that’s important to me. It inspires me to _______”.
Yes, it means being intentional. For some (like me) it can mean budgeting. It’s about finding an artist you deeply respect and following along with their process and story. It means listening to your heart and intuition. Buying from an artist is very special indeed. It’s so much more than rocking up at a Target store and looking for something with the right dimensions and colour palette to suit a space. It’s about connecting with an artwork and artist that you’ll remember and talk about for years to come. It’s VERY exciting!
I want to be a collector. An encourager. A celebrator. A story teller. When you collect art from an artisan you are all of these things!