A Note from Lindsay, founder at Light Grey Art Lab
For the past 15 years I’ve been a teacher. Throughout the years I’ve felt more and more connected to the idea that giving isn’t necessarily always about providing, but it can be about mobilizing. At my most introspective, I wonder if I was meant to be a catalyst for change, and that the biggest contribution to positive progress I can make as a single individual is in assisting others in achieving a greater concept of their own potential.
I believe in the ripple effect of happiness and progress. I believe that success (in the emotional and spiritual form) comes from chasing opportunity and gaining perspective from the process. I think confidence grows from understanding and living, and with that confidence, great, new, different things are possible. So -- when I think again of what I can personally give, I think about support, about promoting innovation, about embracing research and investigation, and about subtly shaking things up for and with others in order to open up new pathways. Maybe this is how I’m meant to make my biggest difference.
- Lindsay Nohl
Jasmin Dreyer is an illustrator based in Hamburg, Germany, whose colorful works glow with energy and motion. Her playful works portray a variety of people, animals, robots, and otherworldly creatures, all existing in the same space (and having a pretty good time doing so). Read below to hear her thoughts on giving, especially within artistic communities.
What is your definition of "giving?" Can you tell us about a time when you think the act of giving was life-changing for you? (Either you as the recipient or the giver?)
I think this is actually a very essential concept in the art community! Having fellow artists you can turn to for help and support and in return always being open to giving help and feedback has been such an important part in my creative development and I am forever grateful for it.
Do you have any personal exercises, mantras, or reminders that help you work towards being a positive force in the world?
We are all influenced by the constant flood of visual media around us (for better or worse) and we as picture makers have this very cool opportunity to create positive diverse representations of people and normalize things like different body types. I don‘t have any specific exercises for this, but I am always thinking about the way I portray people in illustrations and try to challenge myself on a regular basis.
Also, I hope that my work always has an aspect of joyfulness in it and that it can make the world a more colorful place, even just for a little bit.
What made you choose the organization that you are donating to? What is this organization doing that you find especially important?
I chose the Humane Society because I love animals and I think living beings all deserve to be treated with respect. And we as humans still have a long way to go when it comes to how we are treating animals right now.
Beyond the causes represented in the SAFBC show, what are some worthy causes worth contributing to?
There are so many really. Two organizations that come to my mind are the Trevor Project, which provides suicide prevention resources for LBTQIA+ people and Rainbow Railroad, who help queer people in dangerous living situations immigrate to safe countries.
You can see Jasmin Dreyer’s work on her website and instagram.