When Art Isn’t Neutral: Minnesota, Creative Exploration, and Life in January

Trying something completely different.
But I am not disconnected from what is happening.
People are being shot. It is criminal. I refuse to act like it is normal.
So the art is shifting. Because I am.
If that bothers you, unfollow.
I am not interested in silence dressed up as politeness.
This art is not neutral. I am okay with that.
⎯Perch Handmade | Katie Simmons

Witnessing Life and Tragedy Through Art

Art is not neutral. I said this on Instagram because I am not interested in silence pretending to be politeness. What has been happening in Minnesota, where ICE and federal agents shot and killed Renee Good and Alex Pretti, is horrifying and unacceptable. People across the country are protesting. Local officials and activists are calling for accountability and change.

I want to be clear. I am paying attention. I care. One way I respond to human suffering is by making space for honest, imperfect reflection on the world and on our lives within it. This year began with that tension: serious events unfolding while life continues here at home — creative experiments, anticipation of becoming a Grammy, and the everyday joys and messes that make life feel full.

January Reflections: Curiosity and Everyday Exploration

January was not a month for grand resolutions. It was about moving through moments with curiosity on the front burner.

Some days felt like rest. Other days felt like experiments. A few days felt like remembering what I love to do. That is a form of exploring.

If your January was slow, tired, messy, or mostly about getting through, that is more than okay. Exploration does not follow a timeline. Some days it is stillness. Some days it is showing up. Sometimes it is simply breathing.

New Prints and Warmer Colors

I experimented with my color palette and created four new landscape prints this month with warmer hues, including lavenders, peaches, and soft sunset tones. It felt like stretching a familiar visual language.

Beach Experiments and Ocean-Inspired Art

On a sunny winter day, I took three canvases to the beach and let the ocean inform the paint. I dipped the canvases into the waves, let water and salt leave marks, and used rocks and watercolor crayons to add patterns. The sun was out, the sand was cold, and I had no plan other than to play.

Planting Seeds for Community

I applied for a couple of grants this month, one of the first large creative moves I have made in years. Part of it is personal growth. Part of it is curiosity about creating a community art space or collective in my town.

I want local artists to have a place to show and sell work consistently without the pressure of renting a full storefront. It is early. Mostly conversations and hopeful thinking. But planting that seed feels good.

Markets, Galleries, and Sharing Work

I signed up for the Manzanita Farmers Market this summer and am planning to apply for additional art fairs in the Portland area.

I also submitted work to my first gallery show at the local community center. At the reception, I met gallery owners who expressed interest in showing my work in the future. Small steps like these feel meaningful and real.

Becoming a Grammy and Rediscovering Old Skills

Yes, I am going to be a Grammy. I pulled out my knitting needles after years away and started a new quilt project. Along with burp cloths from my repeat pattern, I made coming-home hats for my new grandbaby and her two older sisters. The hats are not perfect, but they are warm and joyful.

Sunshine, Walks, and the Ordinary Joy of Winter

In the Northwest, January can surprise us with long stretches of sunshine. When the light shows up, I take it in with bare faces and happy lungs. Beach walks, time with friends, and simple joys remind me why paying attention matters.

A Print for a Cause: Stand With Minnesota

This ICE artwork is a response to what is happening in the world. It is a witness.

If you would like a print of this piece, you can sign up below. All profits from the prints will go to Stand With Minnesota, supporting affected communities.

Features:

• Size: 11 x 17 inches

• Paper: Premium 32pt Finch Smooth, bright white, archival

• Durability: Built to be held, mounted, or displayed wherever it matters

• Protection: Shipped in a protective sleeve to keep your statement bold and safe, rain or shine

• Pre-order: Prints will be produced after pre-order window closes February 19th, 2026

• Limited first batch — only 100 prints available

Holding Opposing Truths: Life and Art in Tension

Life does not pause while real, painful events happen around us. We continue living while we mourn, protest, learn, and push for change. Creating art in the middle of that tension is not a distraction. It is a way to breathe while we fight for justice and support each other.

Thank you for being here, for showing up in the ways that you can, and for making space for your own stories. If you want to share how your January has felt — heavy, quiet, creative, or a mix of everything — I would love to hear about it. This space is big enough for nuance and heart.

Hi, I’m Katie and this is

Perch Handmade.

I’m a digital artist and teacher offering you a look into my creative adventure. Enjoy the ride!

I may receive commissions from purchases made through links in this article. I wouldn't promote them if I didn't believe in them wholeheartedly!

(At no additional cost to you)

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