Today we’re joined by Lettie Harris. Lettie is a phenomenal artist who does machine embroidery. They have made a trans pride themed line of accessories and are hoping to start an ace one as well. Their work is positively beautiful with bright, vivid colors and a great eye for detail. Lettie is an amazingly dedicated and talented artist, as you’ll soon read. My thanks to them for taking the time to participate in this interview.
WORK
Please, tell us about your art.
(Artist owns a crafting business in its startup phases. They do machine embroidery and want to make an ace pride themed line of accessories. They already started on a trans pride themed line)
What inspires you?
I would say my activism is the main thing. Not only am I Asexual but I’m also Non-Binary. I feel both things have a lot of misconceptions and misinformation about them. I’m hoping with my art to maybe open some eyes and start some conversations.
What got you interested in your field? Have you always wanted to be an artist?
I have always been an artist of some kind but with different mediums. I got into my current job of machine embroidery through learning hand embroidery. I got into hand embroidery through a medieval reenactment group I joined.
Do you have any kind of special or unique signature, symbol, or feature you include in your work that you’d be willing to reveal?
That is hard to do with my current medium. I definitely will be passing out business cards though!
What advice would you give young aspiring artists?
Don’t let others tell you not to create. I’ve had many critics but now I’m living my dream of being a full-time artist.
ASEXUALITY
Where on the spectrum do you identify?
Probably Gray Ace. It’s fluid like most things and flows between the Ace spectrum.
Have you encountered any kind of ace prejudice or ignorance in your field? If so, how do you handle it?
Not yet in my field, but definitely outside of it. “If I was better at sex I would like it more” or “I just haven’t met the right person” I have heard things like that. Even from a therapist, who I promptly stopped seeing.
What’s the most common misconception about asexuality that you’ve encountered?
That it is a choice. I have heard this many times and it always frustrates me. I don’t like feeling weird and outcast by my peers and society I would never choose that. But it is not fair to myself to just conform and follow what’s “normal” and be unhappy my entire life
What advice would you give to any asexual individuals out there who might be struggling with their orientation?
You are not broken. Nothing is wrong with you. I thought those things most of my life until I found out that there was a thing called Asexual and I wasn’t alone and it was okay to feel this way. It is also 100% okay to be in a romantic relationship where sex is not the main focus. Which is not how life is portrayed in our culture.
Finally, where can people find out more about your work?
This page might not be fully up and running by the time this is seen but it will be soon so if you like it I will post when the shop function is available if you are interested in that. Otherwise I have a folder with my Pride stuff in it you are more than welcome to look at. Which I add more to every day!
Thank you, Lettie, for participating in this interview and this project. It’s very much appreciated.
Asexual Artists 