Cherish Art and Art Cherishes You

Earlier this week, I went to the Wicked Good Aht Mahket led by the Aht Depahtment and sponsored by Chartreuse Microbus Collective , a pop-up shop of handmade goods, art, and vintage.

I love going to these things. It's something inherited from my mom. We would check out many art/crystal/local goods fests throughout the year all over Connecticut. My mom has a great appreciation for art, clothes, and jewelry. Her parents, educators, fit, stylish, stoked that interest probably.

Attending local art shows and markets is a great way to materially support artists as well as build connections locally and abroad. It feels almost easy to find soulless decor at target or amazon that has been mass produced. However, I know many barely have enough to waste money on that anymore, let alone their groceries. It can feel indulgent or wasteful to desire art or the time to create, but it shouldn't. Creating and being social is natural to us. Some of the most important skills and talents (art, education, critical thinking) have been either under-prioritized, derided, or commodified. Taking that back from bloated corporations, bad actors, and billionaires is a powerful act.

I walked around, gathered business cards, and followed socials. Additionally I asked these artists questions. How long have they been practicing? What inspired you to start attending these markets? How do you create prints out of your paintings? What inspired that big project that still inspires your work? What are your muses? The answered were varied. A few had tech and design experience. Some had gone to art school in the area. Others have been doing some of what they offered for over a decade while others just started oil painting two years ago. Hearing the stories and advice was helpful. Pursuing art has often felt inaccessible. My creativity was never discouraged but it has hampered by the pressure to survive and support my brother when my parents pass on. Regardless, it's never too late to start, or to get back to whatever brings you joy and adds to the wonder of humanity.

I know a huge barrier to being more conscious in our consumption is money. We've been taught to justify spending hundreds on celebrities and not on the people next to us physically or socioeconomically. Art has been underpriced such that we balk at the prices of ethically creating art or natural fiber clothing that will last for years, while throwing money into the landfills thanks to mass-production.

How do we break this cycle without breaking the bank? Well, discernment, developing your critical thinking, and communicating. It costs nothing to pick up a business card, to share with your friends or followers a cool print you found and tag the artist. It costs nothing to be real and say " I really love your art and want to support you, but this is as much that I can pay for right now". Most people are open to this gratitude. Many creators are used to doing things that have been under-resourced and under-appreciated. Many creators are working multiples jobs or gigs to support themselves and their loved ones. This is why people produce large and small prints, stickers, pins, plushies, paintings. This is why sliding scales exist. This is why art/skill trades exist. There is no shame in knowing your worth, and understanding that that is necessarily affordable to many people. There is no shame is wanting to do more and feeling that the resources you have aren't enough to make a difference.

A couple artists I spoke with mentioned spending money on the others around them and how it can be hard to make a lot of money when even becoming a part of a market is competitive. In response, I said perhaps it's not the money or all the art we can buy, but it's the friends we made along the way. That's a great place to start.

Banner: Artwork by Talia – a painting in the park

First photo: Matthew Natoli

Second photo: Sam Strojny

"Beet it Creep" Top: Sam Paolini

Mini Flail keychain: Lost Chains