The World Can't Wait, It Needs to Be You

I have three children who have known nothing other than watching me build a life and businesses as an artist. They’ve seen me painting at the kitchen table, taking classes online, completing certifications, going to banks to get a loan for my venue, organizing acoustic music events at my venue for local singer/ songwriters, plan and facilitate art retreats, attend photo shoots, and now write two books, start a podcast, write a keynote speech, and meet with clients all over the world. And now they have even seen me going back to school to study impact-driven and sustainable business at the University of London and the University of Copenhagen, and even working toward a Master’s in Sustainable Design at the Minneapolis College of Art & Design. Alongside me they have learned to lean into their creative tendencies and are often sneaking my art supplies and never putting them back.

My kids are change makers. I hear it in what they say and how they stick up for their friends. I see it in how they interact with people and their compassion toward others. I know in my heart they will change the world. But, right now, they are looking up to me, which means that I still need to be the example. I can’t be the one to sit back and wait for my kids to do it. What sort of message is that leaving?

I want my kids to know that they can live a life doing what they love that will make an impact in the world. That will make a difference. And I want them to know that making a difference in the world doesn’t mean giving everything away. There is balance in business, just as there is in everything. We need to be prosperous so we can make a living and put our money back into the economy and make a vote with our own dollars as well. But we also need to build a business that looks at the world as a whole and considers people and the planet in our decisions. I want to know that what I’m doing now will be my legacy and hopefully a legacy that my children will continue. Living the life of an artist isn’t frivolous. It’s actually hard work. But when done right, it can bring so much joy and leave an impact in the world. Our big bleeding hearts are our asset and our guiding light.

I believe there’s more to building a business that makes money. I’m not looking for get-rich quick schemes that will burn me out, I’m looking to leave a legacy I can be proud of, and that my children can be proud of. It’s about living your values, making an impact on the world around you, and building something that will last for generations – even when times get tough!

The Sustainable Artisan Guild is part of that Legacy. It’s gathering artists, artisans, and makers from all over the world who have similar values around making the world a better place through more sustainable practices and studios. It makes no difference if they’re just getting started or they have been here for a long time. I firmly believe that collaborations, shared knowledge, shared skills, and shared passions are the way forward.

In the world of sustainability, we are all doing a lot of research, and creative problem solving. There isn’t an easy answer to anything. But with the shared knowledge we all hold, I’m confident we can find solutions together. I’m already seeing this happening in my Artisan Residency program every single day!

Our mission at Artisan and Company is to support and encourage a thriving regenerative community of artisans who are at the forefront of sustainability in our industry. It’s no longer enough to just be creative and make cool things. It’s important that when we do create, we put our Earth at the forefront. Nature is an inspiration to so many artists, but yet there are so few artists that actually consider nature itself when they create. We create sculptures, and paintings, and installations, and other amazing art to tell the stories of deforestation and climate change. But yet the things we create cannot biodegrade safely back into nature. We use petroleum based and chemically laden art supplies that harm our ozone layer and our waterways. We might even use recycled materials but then bond them and coat them with fossil fuel derived materials which are contributing to our climate change.

Artisans and Company, through our Sustainable Artisan Guild and through our one-of-a-kind Artisan Academie, encourages artisans to really look into their practice and design process, slow down and make intentional choices.

So on this Earth Day, and every day really, I remind you: The World Can’t Wait, It Needs to Be You.