Be Kind 💕 An unfortunate incident happened as I was finishing up this drawing, late in my downtown studio last week. The front doors of the mall hadn’t been locked, and someone came off the street into my space. I always treat everyone with kindness, no matter if they are “regular folk” or those who are in some kind of need. They ignored my gentle “sorry, I’m closed” several times (saying I needed to respect them), messed up several of my displays, and seem to have stolen one of my hand sculpted jewelry sets. (They also took a sticker “because this one’s not in good condition anyway,” asked to take my empty glass Starbucks bottle to use as a water bottle, and bought two buttons.) It upset me, that someone would come into my sanctuary (and I named it such because for me, my art space is my sanctuary), and mess it up. Maybe I should have been more stern, but I fear escalated reactions, especially in those who aren’t in their best state, as it is unpredictable to me. Most have been harmless, just talking a lot, warming up, and then they leave. And so I continue to treat everyone with kindness. Probably I should have tried calling someone, like community support or one of the merchants who lives upstairs. There are a lot of things I could have done, more assertive things. I get myself confused in these situations, where I want to give them the benefit of the doubt, that they’re just another human, wanting warmth and company. But I felt unsafe. I was upset briefly, too, because I connect things with my artwork, and all the kindness I put put into this drawing, I thought would now be tainted by this ironic and somewhat violating experience. I thought this piece would now be spoiled for me. But I refuse to give up. I will try to protect myself more, but I will continue to be kind. #bekind #bekindtoyourself #bekindtooneanother #traditionalart #inkandmarker #bees #peonies #agapanthus #supportlocal #supportsmallbusiness #yxeart #yxeartist #smallbusinessyxe #downtownyxe @dtnyxe @drinkle3 https://www.instagram.com/p/Co72Pyfpr3z/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
