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The ever-blossoming art community in Milwaukee is nothing to turn your nose up at. It is an ecosystem of creativity, connection and growth. It supports anyone involved in it as it fully stands behind the concept that a high tide lifts all ships. Today’s Spotlight Series focuses on one of these members our conversation about why a right-brained state of mind can be so important to wellness.
Annah Horst is the creator behind the name Naked Lady Creative. Although she has been creating for years now, the brand only started this past summer, when she was rewarded with the opportunity to create a mural on a picnic table for the East Side BID’s Art Lot. “It gave me the kick in the butt I needed to start building a brand of my own,” Horst said.
When asked about the name Naked Lady Creative, Horst mentioned that it emerged for two reasons: 1- she would walk around naked at all times if she could, 2- she builds her work around having no limitations, whether that be subject, medium or concept. Horst’s interests are transparent and open to all of it.
Horst didn’t start working in the arts in order to sell her work and make a profit. Instead it was something she did for fun, as a stress reliever, and a way to figure out what kind of an artist she was. “I get a sense of accomplishment when I make something, even if it is just for me,” Horst said. “I don’t often make art for others. It is a way to challenge myself, and a source of relief.”
Horst agrees that she definitely started her new art brand in the right city. “The Milwaukee artist community is so tightly knit. I get an immense amount of support from people, some of whom I’ve never met before,” said Horst. “I threw myself into this idea because of the Art Lot, and I still keep in touch with a lot of the other artists who worked there. The community is so supportive of each other that it really brings a new light to the phrase Smallwaukee.”
And Horst is a great supporter of getting more people to join the community. For people wanting to start to play around with some art materials, Horst recommends setting up a regular schedule to work with them. This way, it doesn’t matter how bad the work is, the point isn’t to make something life changing, what matters is that you are committed to playing with art. “You will see yourself grow over time and that growth will start to make you happy,” Horst said. “In the meantime, focus on what your style is, learn more about the community and reach out to artists that you idolize. Especially if they are Milwaukee artists, you have a good chance of them responding.”
As for the growth of the Naked Lady Creative brand, Horst recently opened an etsy site where she is currently selling her work. She hopes to expand into more content and other mediums as time goes on, but for right now is excited about what progress has been made so far. To check out Horst’s etsy shop and support her work click here. To follow the Naked Lady Creative brand on Instagram click here.
