We had a chance to catch up with one of our favorite artists, Marcy Davy who is the creator of All Things Grow. Her products include wood signs, cards and prints and we cannot get enough of them! Read below to find out the back story of how she chose the name of her business as well as her future goals for her business.
Canvas and Paddle: How did All Things Grow begin?
Marcy Davy: In 2006 I moved to Ypsilanti and began working as a sign artist, which really pushed the skills I had practiced as an art student to the next level and made drawing and designing every day become second nature to me. All of that practice gave me the confidence to be an artist in my own right. At the same time I was studying to be an art teacher and was taking a few required studio classes. I had taught low-fi screen printing to kids before, but it was printing in this class on canvas that really captured my attention. The combination of all of those forces led me to start printing small editions in my kitchen on nights and weekends. Printmaking by nature is a medium intended for sharing, so I began looking for opportunities to sell my prints online and at indie craft fairs. In fall of 2008 I opened an online shop and began vending at shows. A few years down the road I left my steady sign artist gig to focus on All Things Grow full time and focus on working with stores.
C&P: Where did the name All Things Grow come from?
MD: All Things Grow is a line in a Sufjan Stevens song called Chicago. I chose it because I loved the way the words sounded together and thought it would be a perfect umbrella for my work to exist under. That songs speaks to an impermanence in life that I find enchanting and have chased in various designs ever since. I have always been happy I chose it and it is an easy touchstone to come back to when trying to decide if an idea would be the right fit for the rest of my work.
C&P: What do you enjoy most about your business?
MD: This is a challenging question because I have a few favorite parts. I love planning, researching, and drawing out ideas. There are so many ah-ha moments along the journey of creating any composition, and I live for them. I like the process of making decisions about my designs, it feels like traveling in a way. You never end up quite where you thought you would. I also love printmaking. It keeps you on your toes by rarely going quite as planned. It gives me a chance to do something physical and repetitive and let my mind wander. I also love when people share with me what my work means to them. When someone connects with your work, they will often share an incredibly personal story or talk about the things they are most passionate about. This kind of connection has enriched my life beyond measure and has pushed me to keep going.
C&P: What are your future goals for ATG?
MD: My goals are to offer a larger variety of work while maintaining my commitment to ethically made and environmentally responsible goods, and want to sit deeper into making prints that are personal to me. Mostly, I want to be able to look back and be proud of what I made and how I made it. I try not to make plans or goals that are too specific so it is easier to shift direction (plus, I change my mind a lot!)
C&P: What is your favorite quote?
MD: My favorite quote changes constantly but is usually a song lyric. Music is my favorite medicine.
Thanks so much Marcy for your continued support of Canvas and Paddle! Stay tuned for more Q&A's from your other favorite artists we carry.
You can find All Things Grow products in the shop by clicking the tab above or clicking here.