"I’m inspired by connections - exploring the ways that we connect to and interact with nature, how we connect to each other interpersonally to build community, and how we connect to our selves to better know and care for our bodies and minds. I’m also always inspired by simply spending time outdoors."
Presenting our Kindred Artist of the Week series! We are big fans of all the artists we work with and we are so excited to share their stories!
This week’s featured artist is Angie Flickinger, a southeast Alaska sister who infuses the beauty of the outdoors into the beauty of our bodies.
Who are you?
I’m Angie Flickinger. I make my home and community in Wrangell, Alaska where I run my small handmade skincare business and a cooperative neighborhood shop that serves as my working studio, a flower shop, and storefront for a lovely collection of locally created art & handmade goods.
What do you do?
I create nature-inspired and plant-infused skin and body care from the plants I grow and forage among my home garden, backyard, and beautiful playground of ocean, forest, and muskeg in Wrangell.
Who/what inspires you?
I’m inspired by connections - exploring the ways that we connect to and interact with nature, how we connect to each other interpersonally to build community, and how we connect to our selves to better know and care for our bodies and minds. I’m also always inspired by simply spending time outdoors. Taking a walk in the woods, tide pooling at the beach, or squishing through muskeg to see which new plant friends are making their appearance as seasons change never fails to spark inspiration and deepen my curiosity.
What’s your favorite moment in the process?
My favorite moment is that sweet moment of finally releasing a product into the wild and sharing my goods with others! My hope is that these products serve as a means to help people connect a bit more deeply with nature while caring for their bodies. It’s such a joy see someone try something you created and experience an instant connection to it. These are the moments that fill up my cup and keep me pushing through the more challenging days of small business life.
What’s a trick of your trade, or a piece of advice for other artists in your medium?
My advice for any maker in any medium is to always stay curious, and seek ways to always be learning! Keeping an open mind and thirst for knowledge keeps us growing and pushing our comfort zones. Continued learning has helped me to deepen and enrich many practices in my life, and keeps the creative fires burning!
What’s next?
This year I’m learning and experimenting with the art and science of whole plant distillation to extract scents and aromatic plant waters that will make their way into future formulations for your skin and senses. I’m also planting some new additions to play around with in the backyard medicinal herb garden… there’s nothing like springtime in Alaska to get creative juices flowing!
