Guest Post: Goodnight Little Spoon

by | May 15, 2014 | Creativity | 3 comments

I doubt I have to point you in the direction of my Sticky Note Lists post for you to remember who Bianca of Goodnight Little Spoon is. You have probably followed her for years on your computer, because she’s just so amazing. When I first started talking to Bianca as more than a star-struck fan of her blog and creations, my excitement wasn’t able to be contained. So having her answer questions for my blog, interview style, is a beautiful reminder that life is a fucking dream.

One of my favorite things about you is how many different kinds of art you excel in. If you had to pick a medium/type of art that you enjoy the most, what would you pick and why?

Thank you! I enjoy sticking my fingers in lots of creative pies but I probably enjoy abstract doodling the most – just doodling geometric shapes on the backs of envelopes and on post-it notes. I find it therapeutic and spontaneous. A lot of the other work I do involves a lot of planning and sketching and working out, but doodling is just so easy and flowing.

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The way I originally found your blog was through the mail art community, and one of the many things that attracted me to your mail was your handwriting. As someone with horrible penmanship and a love of writing, I’m always curious as to how people are able to create such beautiful type. Would you say that you make very little effort to create the gorgeous font that is your handwriting, or does it still take concentration?

 Mail art was (and, when I have the time, still is) a great way to exercise your creative muscles in a low-pressure format and then send those little bits of art off to somebody else. Doing a lot of mail art made me make more art and get better at lettering and drawing, but it was in a format that I didn’t have to worry too much about it if wasn’t “art” enough. My penmanship and typography style really developed as I was writing 10+ letters a week. I think my handwriting style developed out of observing my different high school teachers’ beautiful, varied writing styles on chalkboards. I guess I just picked up little bits and pieces and was always doodling little notes in the borders of my exercise books. Eventually it became second nature and I just do it without thinking about it. Good pens are also a good place to start – I really like 0.5 UniBall eye pens for drawing and writing with – I write horribly with a biro!

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After becoming a mother last year, what’s the biggest difference you’ve noticed in your creativity? (Besides the time factor.)

Probably the biggest difference I’ve noticed in my creativity is that I want to document everything obsessively (in a creative way). I take a lot of photographs, I made a little scrapbook that I write about things my son is doing in and stick photos in Project Life albums. Time goes by so quickly when you have a small child and I think it’s important to make time for being creative, as well as taking time to stop and smell the roses and record some of the special moments.

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You’ve written posts and done projects related to interacting with strangers (like your collected shopping lists). What’s one of your all time favorite interactions with a stranger?

I have a lot of affection for strangers. I am working on a zine at the moment about working at a supermarket and I’m making little comics of different interactions I’ve had with strangers. There are lots of interactions I remember fondly but one subtle one I really enjoyed was when I asked a man if he wanted his receipt and he said to me, completely deadpan “I don’t need a receipt, I’m not from this planet” and then walked away. The photo above is from a little project I did where I made woodcut prints based on shopping lists I’d found. I love little remnants of stranger’s lives like shopping lists.

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What would you say the biggest creative benefit to living in Australia as opposed to any other country in the world?

I don’t really have any comparison to make, but I think one enormous benefit is that in Australia, you can go to university, study to your heart’s content, and you only have to repay your loan when you start earning over $50,000 per year (and even then, it’s a small percentage of your yearly earnings). The government also give me a student allowance to live on while I study, which means I have more time and money to allow for creativity. I know that if I were in a country where my fees had to be paid straight up or immediately after graduating, I wouldn’t have the luxury of being able to study at my own pace and dabble in a couple of different fields. I’m about to graduate a Bachelor of Contemporary Art and I’ll probably start my Masters of Teaching next year (that’s my studio at uni in the pictures).

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Tell me, in as few words as possible, what your relationship is with the color red.

Red makes me feel good. I carry it with me at all times in one form or another (usually bright red lips) and it makes me feel most like myself.

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What’s one piece of advice you would give to someone who is having a creative block?

When I’m feeling lacking in creative ideas, I like to pick one of Keri Smith’s Ideas to do. Mary also has some awesome lists of creative ideas. I also like to go to my local art supply shop and buy a new material or tool to play with. I went through a long ideas drought year and now I feel like I have a hundred ideas and no time to do them, so I guess these things are cyclical!

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Cheers, Bianca.

Make sure you check out her blog if you haven’t already, and let her know in the comments how beautiful her handwriting and brain are. If you want to be a future guest poster on Uncustomary Art, send me an e-mail!

In Columbia, Maryland, there’s a former grocery store that has been transformed into a department store for mythical creatures, time travelers, and intergalactic tourists.

It’s called DoodleHATCH.

You can groom a unicorn, visit an intergalactic space station, climb onto a giant’s bed, meet guinea pigs, explore an artist’s studio, and discover approximately a million other things that somebody actually sat down and made.

It’s a nonprofit interactive art museum, a community project, an educational resource, and one of my favorite places I’ve ever discovered.

And it could be demolished as part of a proposed redevelopment of the Long Reach Village Center.

But there’s still an opportunity to help.

You don’t need to donate money. You don’t need to live in Maryland. And you don’t need to know anything about zoning laws.

You can start by writing an email.

🚨 Here's what's happening

Developer Columbia Concepts has proposed redeveloping the Long Reach Village Center in Columbia, Maryland.

The proposal would replace existing buildings with new housing, recreational facilities, and other development.

Unfortunately, that puts a whole collection of existing community resources at risk of being demolished, including:

  • DoodleHATCH Interactive Art Museum
  • Maryland Fashion Institute
  • A makerspace used for community education
  • Local restaurants, shops, and service businesses
  • Early childhood education and community programs
  • A 140-foot-long mural created by approximately 100 community members

This isn’t just about losing a fabulous museum. It’s about losing an entire collection of places that people have built, supported, and relied on.

And there’s another possibility!

🌈 Meet The REALM

Lee Andersen, the founder of DoodleHATCH, and her nonprofit ManneqART want to preserve the existing community resources and transform the village center into an arts and culture destination called The REALM.

Imagine a place where artists have studios, children have room to explore, students can learn creative skills, people can attend performances, and local businesses continue serving their neighbors.

There are plans for a performing arts space, more opportunities for artists, and a Witches Kitchen that might serve you a horrible-disgusting breakfast.

Which, personally, I think sounds promising.

The people behind DoodleHATCH are gathering support to oppose the developer’s zoning proposal and advocate for The REALM.

And they’d love your help.

💌 How to help in about two minutes

If you live in Howard County, Maryland

If you’re 18 or older, DoodleHATCH is asking eligible county residents to visit the museum and sign their petition in person.

📍DoodleHATCH Interactive Art Museum

8775 Cloudleap Court, Unit 101
Columbia, MD 21045

⏱️ Museum hours: Friday–Sunday, 10 AM–5 PM.

And while you’re there, I highly recommend exploring the museum. Bring someone who needs a reminder that being an adult doesn’t mean you have to stop enjoying ridiculous things.

If you don't live in Howard County

You can still help!

DoodleHATCH is collecting emails from people who oppose the proposed Columbia Concepts redevelopment and support preserving the existing arts and community resources through The REALM.

Send your email to: Lilou@DoodleHATCH.com

Suggested subject: Support The REALM | Oppose Columbia Concepts Zoning Proposal ZB 1132M

You can write your own message or use one of the templates below.

You don’t need to write an essay. A short, genuine message explaining what you support and why is enough to participate in this email campaign.

✍️ What should your email say?

To make your position clear, include these three things:

1. Say what you’re opposing.

State that you oppose the proposed Columbia Concepts redevelopment and zoning amendment for the Long Reach Village Center, case ZB 1132M.

2. Say what you’re supporting.

Express your support for preserving DoodleHATCH, the Maryland Fashion Institute, existing community resources, and the proposed arts and culture center called The REALM.

3. Explain why you care.

This is the part that makes your email yours.

Maybe you’ve visited DoodleHATCH. Maybe you’re a parent who wants more creative places for children. Maybe you’re an artist, an educator, or someone who thinks it’s important to protect the few spaces where people can explore and make things without needing to buy something.

Maybe you live across the country and just learned that there’s a department store for mythical creatures in Maryland, and you think the world would be a little less interesting without it.

That’s a perfectly good reason to care.

Automatically Build Your Email!

💌 Email templates you can copy

Option 1: Short, simple, and effective

Subject: Support The REALM | Oppose ZB 1132M

Hello,

I’m writing to express my opposition to the proposed Columbia Concepts zoning amendment and redevelopment of the Long Reach Village Center (ZB 1132M).

I support preserving DoodleHATCH, the Maryland Fashion Institute, and the existing community services and small businesses, as well as the proposal to create The REALM arts and culture center.

Creative and educational spaces like these provide valuable opportunities for families, artists, students, and the wider community. I believe they deserve to be protected.

Please include my email with the messages of support being collected for DoodleHATCH and The REALM.

Thank you,

[Your Name]
[Your City/State]

Option 2: For artists, creatives, and fellow merriment makers

Subject: Please Protect DoodleHATCH and Support The REALM

Hello,

I’m writing in opposition to Columbia Concepts’ proposed redevelopment and zoning amendment for the Long Reach Village Center (ZB 1132M), and in support of The REALM.

I believe communities need places where creativity, imagination, and play are actively encouraged.

DoodleHATCH is an extraordinary example of what can happen when artists and community members are given room to create something that doesn’t fit into an ordinary commercial space.

Places like this are rare. They encourage people of all ages to experiment, learn, explore, and connect with one another.

I support preserving DoodleHATCH, the Maryland Fashion Institute, the existing community resources, and the vision for The REALM.

Thank you for collecting these messages and advocating for the creative community.

[Your Name]
[Your City/State]

Option 3: For people who've visited DoodleHATCH

Subject: Please Save DoodleHATCH | Oppose ZB 1132M

Hello,

I’m writing to express my opposition to the proposed Columbia Concepts redevelopment and zoning amendment for the Long Reach Village Center (ZB 1132M), and my support for The REALM.

I’ve personally visited DoodleHATCH, and I want to share why I believe it’s worth preserving.

[Write two or three sentences about your experience. What did you see? Who did you bring? What surprised you? What made you want to return?]

DoodleHATCH is more than a collection of exhibits. It’s a place where creativity is something people can actively participate in, and I believe losing it would be a tremendous loss to the community.

I support preserving the museum, the Maryland Fashion Institute, and the other existing community resources through the proposed arts and culture center, The REALM.

Please include my email with the messages of support you’re collecting.

Thank you,

[Your Name]
[Your City/State]

A few tips before you hit send

Automatically Build Your Email!

DO:

  • Use your real name.

  • Include your city and state so organizers can understand where support is coming from.

  • Clearly identify the redevelopment proposal you’re opposing.

  • Specifically mention your support for The REALM.

  • Add a personal sentence or two if you can.

  • Be respectful, even if you’re frustrated.

  • Share this page with other people who might want to help.

DON’T:

  • Pretend to be a Howard County resident if you’re not.

  • Claim to have visited DoodleHATCH if you haven’t.

  • Make up experiences or information.

  • Send threatening, insulting, or harassing messages.

  • Assume your email is the same thing as signing the official petition.

  • Worry about making your message sound impressive. Clear and genuine is better than elaborate.

💌 The Save DoodleHATCH Email Machine

A few clicks, a little personality, and an email that helps support DoodleHATCH and The REALM. No account or signup required.

What's your connection to DoodleHATCH?
Why does protecting places like this matter to you?
✨ Your email preview
To: Lilou@DoodleHATCH.com
Subject: 


✉️ Open in My Email App




Your information stays in your browser until you choose to copy or open the message. The email does not send automatically. Emails support DoodleHATCH's advocacy campaign; they are not the same as official petition signatures or zoning testimony. Please review the message before sending.
 





			

			

				
				
				
				
			

				
				
			

				
				
				
				
				
				
				

				

				
				
				
				
				

				
				
				
				
				
🐹 Wait. What exactly is DoodleHATCH?

			

				
				
				
				
				
			

				
				
				
				
				
I’m so glad you asked.


DoodleHATCH is an interactive art museum in Columbia, Maryland, created by artist, designer, and professional generator of wildly ambitious ideas, Lee Andersen.


The museum is designed as a pretend department store for mythological creatures, time travelers, and galactic tourists.


There are dozens of installations, and unlike most museums, you’re encouraged to touch things, explore, and participate.


There’s also an artist’s studio full of fabric and handmade garments, workshops, special events, birthday parties, free books, and opportunities for local artists to share their work.


The museum welcomes families and children, but adults are absolutely allowed to enjoy themselves, too.


And the woman behind it has spent decades bringing creativity into the community through fashion, festivals, education, and public art.


I discovered DoodleHATCH in 2020 and loved it so much that I started volunteering.


I’ve been back multiple times, and there are still things I haven’t seen.


That’s part of what makes it special. You can keep discovering things because people keep creating them.

			

			

				
				
				
				
			

				

				
				
				
				
				

				
				
				
				
				
You don't have to live near DoodleHATCH to care about it.

			

				
				
				
				
				
There are Merriment Makers everywhere.


People turning empty buildings into art spaces. People organizing parades. People teaching kids how to sew, paint, dance, or build things. People putting enormous amounts of time into projects that make their communities more interesting.


Sometimes they’re running nonprofits. Sometimes they’re working out of their garages. Sometimes they’re making something weird in a strip mall that you might drive past a hundred times without realizing what’s inside.


I hope you’ll help protect DoodleHATCH.


And I hope you’ll look around your own community, too. Visit the strange little museum. Go to the local art show. Find the person who makes giant puppets or organizes an absurd annual festival. Spend your money at the independent shop with the handmade things.


There are people everywhere creating reasons for us to be curious about being alive.


I’d like them to be able to keep doing that.

			

				
				
				
				
				
			

				
				
				
				
				
Help save DoodleHATCH. Help protect The REALM. Help keep the world interesting.

			

				
				
				
				
				
💌 Email: Lilou@DoodleHATCH.com


🌈 Visit: DoodleHATCH.com


🦄 Share: Uncustomary.org/Doodle