We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Naomi Benson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Naomi thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
For my most recent art collection “To The Sea” I put some thought into how to re-use different materials that would normally be sent to the landfill or recycled. You might be wondering why I am using “trash” in my fine art pieces. I have had a number of personal experiences that have shaped my relationship with waste in our oceans.
Winter of 2022 I was working on an environmental restoration project in a wetland area off Meyers Way in Seattle. The wetland area eventually runs off into the Puget Sound. Every weekend our group would pickup trash and remove invasive plant species. We worked so hard, only to come back to the same area the next weekend to find it full of trash.
That same year in May when the tides were low, my friend and fellow artist asked me to go “mucking” with her on the Duwamish river. A nice way to describe mucking would be; my friend going hunting with friends for interesting pieces of garbage to use in artwork on the “shore” of the Duwamish. I had no idea what to expect really. She told me to wear boots, long gloves and bring a shovel.
We walked down to the Duwamish, which is a very sacred place for the Duwamish tribe that connects to the Puget Sound. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I could feel the energy there. It was so breathtaking, yet so sad at the same time. This sacred space where the Duwamish peoples thrived for centuries, now practically destroyed by industry and waste.
After the Duwamish people thrived here, the river has become a dumping ground for human and industrial waste- hitting its peak in the 1940’s and 50s. Starting in the 1960s, pollution-control measures began to reduce the load of chemical and wastewater contaminants in the river, but its still a mess.
Somehow nature has persevered with all of the muck. There are living things there, crab, seaweed, different organisms working hard to filter out the waste. Nature is fighting a battle with industry, and its barely holding on. The destruction of nature on behalf of profit for a very few. The recklessness of industry amazes me. Why not help to protect the very land that provides for us?
This had me thinking, I want to change the dialogue around trash to something more serious through transforming something left behind into something beautiful and calming. The trash isn’t going away.
While my use of “trash” in my work is yet a microscopic contribution to this effort, I have a strong desire to find larger solutions to this problem through working in collaboration with others. In sadness, there is often beauty that can be transmuted.
In this collection I visit some of my favorite elements of the sea, while also subtly pointing out the darker side. Like oil spills, garbage and sewage contamination. Sometimes darkness can also be transformative and beautiful at the same time.
Naomi, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My pursuit of creativity has been life long. My mom attended the Art Institute of Seattle when she was pregnant with me, so you could even say that it started before birth. My teachers often called me a “space cadet” in grade school because all I wanted to do was draw in class instead of pay attention to anything that wasn’t interesting to me.
My first serious exploration with my own art was when I was 15; I got into poetry, and black and white film photography. I was in the running start program, so I was able to have access to a darkroom and a really good creative writing teacher who saw something in me- and helped nurture it. Having support early on in my creative journey helped me to see that I could grow my creativity over time if I wanted to. Although I had a deep love for art and it was in me, I just did not have the confidence to pursue it very seriously and share with others at that time in my life. I have always preferred to be a wallflower. To watch, to take things in. But I had this thing called art pulling at my heart strings.
I spent a lot of years searching for ideas on what I should be doing as a career, I lacked purpose. I went back to school a few times. I tried many different jobs- I could go on for hours about that journey. At 25 I was in school for graphic design and working part-time at a pizza restaurant. Out of necessity, I decided to start a green cleaning business and give up on my dreams on behalf of making money. I turned away from art and school at that time and lost myself in work. I had no idea what I was doing, but little did I know that cleaning would prepare me for and lead me back to art.
When I turned 29, I was having a bit of an existential crisis. I was working so hard as a cleaner, and having trouble with the demand in my job for constant perfection. I was thinking a lot about mortality and my own mark on this world. I had previously imagined so many things for myself that I had yet to achieve, and I was feeling a bit lost. But I had always loved to make art. So I decided to start by just drawing or painting everyday and sharing it on Instagram.
To start out, I drew or painted things both that inspired me, and from my imagination. It evolved over time, I followed my joy of exploration and it led me to so many places! I would go to the art store and nerd out over every art supply. I worked hard cleaning to afford every paint and brush that I possibly could. I followed my heart and my joy every time. It was necessary for my survival at that point.
Eventually I was asked by a local art nonprofit I had done some art shows with if I would be willing to teach tempera painting. I had never even tried tempera as an adult, but I spent hours researching and practicing for every class. It really helped me to build my confidence as an artist and to make some money too, which felt really good!
Last year I was able to finally get my own art studio, and this last winter I had my own museum exhibit. I have worked with musicians on commissions, had my art in large organizations like banks, and local cafes and restaurants. I painted my first mural this year and started working as a graphic designer. I have my art on marijuana packaging with ART cannabis, and hopefully this is just the beginning. I am so grateful that I get to live out my dreams of making art and follow my joy and purpose on this earth.
Art really saved my life. Through art I have created a space just for me; to unwind, to care for myself, and to feel joy that I channel intuitively into my work. I am very excited that most recently I have been able to connect a deeper meaning in my work beyond just the pursuit of beauty.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
Please don’t tell creatives things like ” I wish I could make art” or ” I wish I could draw.” It is not a compliment. Because you actually can. Being an artist is not a magically imbued skill.
Yes, some folks are certainly more natural at art and creativity, but if you have an interest- please follow it. Just go for 5 minutes. detach yourself from the outcome. it doesn’t need to be pretty! Be easy on yourself. There is no such thing as failure in art. There are so many lessons to learn. Making art can help you get to know yourself, and others better.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
I spent countless hours cleaning local homes and businesses, walking dogs, and house sitting, I was always working weekends, holidays etc. I never took time for myself. But in a way, I was taking time for myself. I was working towards something bigger that really matters to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.gnomegrownart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gnomegrownart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gnomegrownart
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naomi-benson-7b525390/
Image Credits
Photos by Evan Porteous