Genres... are a funny little concept aren't they?

Having finally made the decision to jump back into creativity as a career option, I had begrudgingly resigned myself to the fact I was probably going to have to overhaul my instagram page AGAIN. Archiving old posts from the interior design work I did, creating a separate account for photos of my personal and social life (by which I mean…photo’s of my cat or a song I feel it is imperative that everyone knows I am listening to) 

In the end I decided not to. I think most of us are painfully aware with how negatively the “picture perfect” idyll that social media (particularly instagram) can impact us; and whilst when I look at my own profile, I’m definitely guilty of only including the highlights - at the same time from both an aesthetic and professional point of view there is no denying that it does look a bit of a mess.

However much like that chair everyone has in their bedroom that they dump all their clothes on, I’m hoping it's a slightly endearing mess - and to be honest it feels like a pretty accurate representation of how it feels to be someone trying to figure out a creative career. A lot of different projects, a lot of experimenting, a lot of stopping and starting. It’s not always a linear path and all the randomly scattered photographs or reels of friends, family and travelling - well they are the very things that inspire and support me with the making and doing. It feels ungracious to cut them out now because they don’t fit in with the “professional” aesthetic. They are part of the fabric of the work. 

When making this decision, I was emboldened by the fact that the content I personally engage with the most is made by people who don’t shy away from sharing all parts of their creative process rather than just the end product. I appreciate people who are brave enough to be transparent about how difficult it can be sometimes or are open about projects that didn’t quite turn out as expected. The work of artists across all creative disciplines who are willing to be vulnerable, to experiment and to keep on experimenting always ends up being the work I find the most exciting and joyful. 

Added to this - I do feel now more than ever that I am absolutely done with trying to keep the personal and political separate from the professional. I am not going to censor myself, my life, my work or the things I value because I may reach a wider audience if I take a neutral stance online. I will never be able (nor do I want to) appeal to everyone. I would be happier if my work resonated with others who shared my hopes and values for the world and happier still if it helps others to feel connected to one another, to feel empowered and maybe even to go on to inspire their own creative practice. 

Ok sure but... what does any of this have to do with arts and crafts?

It may seem like my personal values have very little relevance to teaching a craft workshop or the creation of a fabric banner or a whimsical illustration but my values absolutely inform the type of work I want to make, other creatives I would love to collaborate with and the direction in general I would like my work to take as it evolves in the future. 

When I think of the jobs or projects I have found the most rewarding it has been those that I have felt a small part of building a community. Where I have been a part of facilitating a space where people felt safe, comfortable and relaxed enough to experiment and play - which is what creativity is all about after all. This is what I hope to continue to do moving forward - be it during physical events and workshops or online. So in amongst sharing creative and work related content - I will be continuing to share and speak out about things in my personal world and the wider world that make me happy or sad or angry - from trivial and funny things (like when I had to hide behind some pigs in a local farm to avoid seeing a guy I went on a bad date with) to global issues and causes that are important to me. 

So. To conclude. Not that anyone asked. But I’m keeping it all in. Let the AI art accounts have the perfectly curated instagram feeds. Mine will continue to look like a (hot) mess.