Episode 58: Leading with Authenticity and Intuition with Kristen Drozdowski of Worthwhile Paper
Kristen Drozdowski ‘s creative journey is an inspiring tale of gradual growth and artistic evolution. From her early days in high school, dabbling in design, to her current role as the owner of Worthwhile Paper in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Kristen has explored various creative avenues. She has a background doing custom hand lettering, calligraphy, event signage, even working at a screen printing company. However, her entrepreneurial spirit truly ignited when she began crafting and selling her own designs at local craft fairs. Kristen cherished the connections made with customers and decided to channel all her energy into her primary venture, Worthwhile Paper, which now distributes its unique products to retail shops, online platforms, and local events.
Creating From Intuition
In a world where many feel pressured to define a brand or have a signature style, Kristen offers a refreshing perspective. Her background in screen printing initially shaped her style due to the medium's constraints, leading her to embrace a graphic, bold approach with simple shapes and bold contrasts. For her, style isn't something consciously created but rather something that emerges from a deep, intuitive feeling.
Kristen emphasizes the importance of authenticity and letting go of preconceived notions of what art should be. She shares a recent experience where she was simply testing new paints and ended up creating a delightful series of paintings. This process, driven by intuition and creative flow, resonates with the idea of being a conduit for a higher creative force, where true artistic expression happens when one gets out of their own way. Kristen's journey reminds us that creativity is not about following rules but about embracing the magical, unfiltered expression that emerges when we allow ourselves to simply "mess around" and let our unique voice shine through.
Authenticity versus Marketability
Many artists have the creative struggle of authenticity versus marketability, as they have the dilemma of feeling the pressure to conform to trends and create work that fits into a marketable box. If you picture a visualize this as a Venn diagram, where the intersection between personal authenticity and market appeal is the sweet spot. When striving for authenticity, Kristen advises considering whether you would give the created item to someone in your life. If you can't envision it in a real-world scenario, it might not be an authentic creation. This approach contrasts with the impersonal idea of catering to hypothetical masses of customers, highlighting the importance of a genuine connection between the artist and their work.
The Inner Wresting of a Rebrand
Kristen shares her inner wrestle with the idea of rebranding, which is a process of transformation that is rooted in the desire to break free from feeling fragmented and embrace boundless creative freedom. Over time, Kristen’s various creative endeavors began to feel like they were in competition with each other, leading to inner conflicts. She describes her desire to the shift from a narrow specialization to a more expansive approach that allows all her creative expressions to coexist harmoniously.
Kristen’s experience highlights the complexity of creativity and the challenge of presenting a cohesive brand to your audiences while also trying to embrace the multifaceted nature of your creative souls. Even though not everyone may understand the intricacies of an artist's journey, the courage to embrace expansion and evolve creatively is a significant and meaningful step in the creative journey.
Key Takeaways:
The creative process is not a linear path but a journey of self-discovery.
Your style or voice often manifests naturally and is guided by feelings and intuition rather than being consciously created.
Allow your creative process to flow freely, focusing on what feels right rather than what should be according to predefined rules or styles.
Creating some structure or parameters in your creative practice from the start can provide a solid foundation for growth and development. Once you have a strong foundation and a clear understanding of your craft, it will be a natural progression to gradually expand and explore more freely, knowing that you have a solid base to return to if needed.
Trusting yourself and embracing change is essential in the creative process, as both you, your creative practice, and your business are in constant evolution. This mindset can free you from feeling restrained by past decisions or fixed identities.
Let go of attachment to specific outcomes and focus on the process of creating. Sometimes, taking risks and pursuing authentic expression is more important than immediate success.
Trust your gut feelings and body's reactions to creative decisions. Stress and discomfort can be signs that you need to take a step back and reevaluate your direction.
Inspired by the beauty of simplicity, artist Kristen Drozdowski creates each one of the designs behind the brand Worthwhile Paper. Kristen's partner Steve expertly translates their original designs to the screen printing medium and produces each product by hand.
Worthwhile Paper Http://worthwhilepaper.com / @worthwhilepaperKristen’s art website Http://kristendroz.com / @kristendroz
Field of Visions: Kristen’s substack for creative practice: http://kristendroz.substack.com
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