We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Toni Wendel a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Toni, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I have always known in my bones I was an artist. The creative side of my brain has always been hyper active and every source of accomplishment and fulfillment has been deeply tied to creation. However we are completely conditioned in this society with the “starving artist” narrative… that somehow artistry does not hold value- which I realized after reflection is preposterous. Think about your most joyful and pleasurable moments in life and I guarantee it took some sort of art to create. Whether it be visual art, music, movies, video games, etc… it took an artist to bring that medium to life. Once I was able to hone in my skills and craft- dedicating the time and energy to develop a body of work I was proud of…. I realized this was valuable and I not only deserved to be compensated but that in being compensated, I would be able to extend my gifts to others- who could benefit in profound ways. Ever since that moment- I have embodied the life of an artist and found my true life’s purpose.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

The focus of my discipline is rope art and binding. I use this medium in almost every artistic venture I have founded. I am a rope/shibari artist but I also am I book binder and create jewelry as well that includes elements of binding. My book binding venture is “Books by Toni” and I make hand bound books and journals from scrap materials. My jewelry is named “Shrinky Kinks” in which I draw onto shrinky dink (if you’re a 90s baby I’m sure you remember this fun craft) and then use mirco-bondage to wrap the image and add elements like swarovski crystals and gems for an added design element. However these are just my side passions- my main focus and business is The Rope Collective- which now has a permanent home on the edge of Barrio Logan.

I founded The Rope Collective in 2019 as a place for practice and education for rope (also known as shibari) which is an embodiment practice that can be utilized in many different ways. My perspective of rope practice is from the perspective of an artist and practitioner of human connection. I specialize in rope practice for every body: with a priority in inclusivity, risk awareness, and building authentic and sustainable communal spaces. Our space operates from a place of informed consent and allows us to build a positive association with setting boundaries and negotiating your boundaries, limitations, wants, and needs with other people. With this practice we can start to feel confident with our own autonomy and others, leading to self actualization. Rope is our medium but empowerment is where we arrive through this medium.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

PAY YOUR ARTISTS. Invest your time, energy, and finances into our greatest source of joy and pleasure: ART. We have no qualms putting our money into meals, clothes, recreation, and material items, and yet those are temporary and often forgotten once used. Art can change your life! It’s important we invest in ourselves in this way and also support the very sources of this beautiful thing in life and directly support artists. Too often I have worked for or attended events that pay the artists very little- but why did you show up to the event? You showed up to absorb and revel in the art itself, therefore our support should be going to the artists and creators. A big part of why I started The Rope Collective was to create a sustainable artist space run by artists.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding part of being an artist and creative for me is when I can make an impact or significant shift/change in someone’s life. None of the popularity appeals to me much, the most fulfilling moments come from inspiring others. When I can help and facilitate someone stepping into their power and giving them a green light to live their authentic truth: that is the greatest gift as an artist for me. As an artist, when I’m able to make others FEEL something and truly sink into the feeling is when I know I have done my job, duty, and service to mankind.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.theropecollective.com
• Instagram: @theropecollective
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/theropecollectivesandiego
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH_8b-B6DHFAzR0qFhsSGFA

Image Credits
@safelightlabs