I wrote the following in an essay for a Spirit & Place publication in 2023.
"Creating nourishes me. I didn’t know what that meant for me in a real way until I found myself starving. When I finally figured it out, I learned that it’s not just creating that nourishes me; it is making with my hands that feeds me body, mind, and soul."
This is the truth of me. Sometimes I get the urge to sell what I've made, and I seldom have the urge to do long production of any one thing. So, the outcomes always have a "pop-up" feeling. I make what I'm learning about, make it and make it and make it until I am drawn to make something different. I might come back to something, but it'll always be from a new angle.
I have taken to calling this "business" Darren 2B Different.
Growing up, in my pre-tween, tween, and early teen years, my best friend was a retired art teacher who lived across the street from us in Lagro, Indiana. She would leave me notes addressed to "Darren 2B Different." Daring to be different. I don't know of a better encouragement for me at that or any age.
I still dare.
