Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Eren Simpson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Eren thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
I am actually a journalist by study and trade and I thought I would always just channel my energy into writing. But writing is very emotional for me and takes a lot out of me, so while I still do it, I found that during my bouts of postpartum depression and anxiety following the birth of both of my children, art became a big part of my healing.
I had always been a crafter/maker/artist since I was old enough to finger paint with my mom at the kitchen table. But it was never all-consuming for me like it was for her and when I did AP Art in high school and attempted to major in art and design in college, I found that while I liked writing on deadline, I did not enjoy creating on deadline, or creating things to meet other people’s purely subjective standards.
But something happened when I had kids and I found myself trying different mediums, crafting with the kids and having that lead to a different project once they’d gone to bed, and I just kept going because it helped me work out my feelings and channel my anxious energy without having to unload them on another person (but therapy helps, too).
When my kids were little, digital art was the way I grew my business. I started designing prints, enamel pins, etc. and those things really helped me grow. But when the pandemic hit, I realized I couldn’t depend on overseas manufacturing and needed to focus on more sustainable ways to grow, so I started returning to hands-on projects like embroidery and painting, even sculpting, and have just continued to grow things and experiment with different mediums.
I am fortunate that we don’t rely on my artistic business to pay the bills, because my children are still young and they’re my first job so I haven’t grown Moody Beach Creative the way I envision doing so once they’re both in school.
Art helps me express myself while also bringing people joy, keeps my hands (and mind) busy and shows my children that you can pursue they things you love, be it on the side or as your full-time job.
Eren , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I think what sets Moody Beach Creative apart from other creative businesses is that I’m kind of a Jill-of-all-trades because I cannot ever settle on a single medium. I love to do it all. I’m not sure if it’s because I get bored or if it’s because I feel trapped by limiting my medium, but I do embroidery, painting, embroidery paintings, character plush designs, vinyl work for clothing, design work for print-on-demand formats, sculpting for gardens/kitsch collectors, pins for people who want to wear their art and even oracle cards.
And one of my goals for 2022 is to be more strategic in the things I make so that I am making more sustainable choices. For example, I am working on a series of large tapestries using only material I have, including scraps, random findings, etc. and truly they’ve been some of my most favorite things to make.
The thing that calls to me about art is that it’s not meant to be limiting. You don’t have to just stick to one single thing to be successful and reach a wide audience. I’d argue that just like you’d diversify an investment portfolio, it benefits you as an artist to benefit your artistic portfolio, because if you’re not creating art for the joy of creating, is it even worth it?
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
I feel like the first thing that needs to happen is society needs to place value in the arts and not scoff when someone says they’re an artist. Being an artist is hard, personal work, and art contributes greatly to our society.
We need to support arts in our schools and our communities. We need to create opportunities for artists to showcase and sell their work without being charged exorbitant amounts. We need social media platforms to put artists and small businesses in the driving seat by listening to our needs and concerns since it’s artists and small businesses that have really helped make these platforms successful.
Art is story telling and art tells the stories of what’s going on during our time, and if we are to have stories for the future, we need to strengthen our support for the visual, audible and written arts where we live.
Can you share your view on NFTs? (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)
They’re scammy and weird and I don’t really get it. Kind of like crypto-currencies.
Contact Info:
- Website: MoodyBeachCreative.com
- Instagram: MoodyBeachCreative
Image Credits
All images from and owned by Eren Simpson of MoodyBeachCreative