An Interview with Artist Abigail Tonda
Every month during the First Friday Art Walk in Denver’s Art District on Santa Fe we bring in an artist or maker for a pop-up! This month we’re bringing in artist Abigail Tonda aka @not_at_designs. We met Abigail at the Rainbow Dome Solstice Market a few months back and knew that we wanted to interview them and have them in to the shop. Ahead of their pop-up with us, we asked them some questions about themself, their art, and sustainability. Enjoy!
When did you start making and selling art?
Like many, I started expressing myself through art when I was little. My childhood bedroom is still filled with pieces from when I was as young as three up through my high school years, with mediums including polymer clay, painting, pointillism, photography, drawing, cross stitch, and embroidery. Ironically cross stitch is the main medium I work with now as it took me the longest to fall in love with. My grandmother taught me when I was in kindergarten before I could appreciate the gift of an elder who was passing down her love, stories, and craftsmanship to me. Thankfully I picked it back up again and though she “doesn’t understand the millennial humor” she is proud that I’m using something she taught me in my day to day life.
Though I’ve been creating for as long as I can remember, selling my art is still very new to me. My first art market and sale of something I created was in December 2023, just three months ago. It’s been a whirlwind experience, but I feel very welcomed and embraced by the Denver art community and am excited to continue this journey!
What inspires your work?
After a long hiatus from creating art (you know, sometimes being entrenched in capitalism can suck the joy and childlike wonder from your life), what got me back into it was a concept called “Craftivism”. Learning that I could combine activism and crafts gave me permission to branch out from the stereotypical and traditional cross stitch patterns to make up my own designs that contribute to the social discourse around many of the systemic problems that we all fight against everyday.
In the early days of my craftivism you could find more of my pieces zip-tied around town with messages about current strikes happening, encouraging notes like “you are loved”, or phrases like “invest in people, not prisons or police”, etc. Though this is still something I participate in, now I use social media more to disseminate information about advocacy or injustices happening and make pins for people to further share messages. Whether it’s “Free Palestine” pins with the Palestinian flag, “Housing for All” or “Stop the Sweeps” pins to advocate for our unhoused community, using my voice as an artist is the most important part of my work.
What does sustainability mean to you and how does your art reflect that belief?
To me, being sustainable is working within the belief that everything deserves another chance at “life” and that nothing should go to waste. The very first piece I sold at my inaugural market in December was one made entirely of thrifted materials. The shop I was at had a graveyard of art projects where I found a kit for a little schoolhouse that came with a frame, thread, needle, and fabric. For whatever reason, the person who initially bought the kit couldn’t complete it, so I was excited to have the chance to give it life. Instead of the schoolhouse, I cross stitched a super cool moth and carefully fit it in the frame.
Keeping with this mindset, as much as I can I get my supplies from ReCreative on Santa Fe in Denver (ReCreative is a wonderful organization that values community and environmental stewardship through art reuse and education. If you have ADHD like me and decided for like a month that you were a candle maker but then got tired of it and now have a ton of candle maker supplies, donate them there!) Shopping at ReCreative reinvests in the local art community as well as lessening environmental waste.
What is your goal as an artist?
It is extremely difficult to be a person, so I try to make the experience a little lighter with my art. While I’m cross stitching I am thinking about making anything that can help someone smile, feel less alone, or express solidarity. This can look a little different than the craftivism I mentioned above, but I believe it still falls under the craftivism umbrella.
For example, my “Bravery Badges” are awards for completing (often debilitating) tasks like grocery shopping, going to the dentist, therapy, DMV, or the OBGYN. I also have pins with phrases like “Lexipro Girlie”, “Lamictal Girlie”, etc. so those who utilize prescriptions can feel solidarity amongst others dealing with the same issues, rather than feeling ostracized. Pronoun pins are another standard that I will always have with my inventory, and I am always ready to make custom ones if someone doesn’t find one that accurately reflects their gender identity.
If you were an animal/breakfast cereal/ice cream flavor/style of architecture what would you be?
If I was a style of architecture, I would be one of the sunken conversation pits that could be found in homes throughout the 1950’s and 60’s. All I want is for people to feel safe and comfortable without having to worry about how they’re being perceived.
What’s next for you? Are there any projects or goals you are currently working toward that you'd like to share about?
I’m excited to continue pursuing art and sharing it with our community! Recently I’ve had a lot of fun working on custom orders for families, couples, or individuals. It challenges me as an artist to represent my various clients in a way that is affirming and puts a smile on everyone’s faces. I had a client recently who asked if I could do a portrait of her, a squirrel, hearts of various shades, witchy stuff, and plants, and it was some of the most fun I’ve had creating a custom piece.
Are there any artistic mediums you’d like to explore that you haven’t yet?
You may be shocked at the number of people who call my cross stitching and needlework art “crochet”. I don’t blame anyone for not knowing the differences because fiber arts can be confusing, but I would love to learn how to crochet since so many people already assume I know how to. This way I can complete the nearly one hundred crocheting videos of tiny animals or hats or balaclavas in my inbox to appease the masses.
Thanks for reading! If you’re interested in being one of our featured artists, send us an email. We’re always looking to expand our community and showcase the talent our city has to offer.
Until next time,
“Be excellent to each other”
