Why Artish? A Very Sensible Career Decision…

I’ve spent most of my working life doing something connected to art, design or education. I’ve worked as an illustrator and designer, completed private commissions and produced work for large companies—including Royal Mail, Nestlé and Unilever. These were proper jobs, with proper briefs, proper deadlines and, most importantly, proper money.

I also spent many years teaching art and design to young people. That taught me something rather important: creativity is rarely just about producing a lovely finished picture. It can give someone confidence, help them communicate, provide a little calm and make them feel that they have found somewhere they belong.

So, naturally, after years of being paid to create and teach, I decided to start Artish—a community organisation that involves carrying boxes, untangling yarn, searching for missing glue sticks and frequently earning no money whatsoever.

A perfectly sensible career move.

But Artish came into existence because I wanted to create the sort of place that doesn’t always exist elsewhere: somewhere welcoming and relaxed, where people don’t have to be confident, sociable or even believe that they are “good at art.” They can simply arrive, try something, meet people—or quietly get on with making—and feel comfortable being themselves.

Over time, I’ve realised that the finished artwork is only part of it. The real value is in seeing someone return, begin to relax, try something they thought they couldn’t do or feel that they are genuinely part of something.

And that is why I do Artish. It may not always pay me in proper money, but it gives me something equally valuable: the knowledge that creativity can help people feel more confident, connected and that they belong.

Although, to be completely honest, a little more proper money would still be lovely.