Soft Thoughts
by Alayna Hryclik
Pictured: A Forest City sweetheart. Photo by Rachel Long
Something I learned early on when I started to become more involved in the local arts scene is the value of collaboration and community over competition. People come together in supportive, sustaining ways because they need to but also (and more importantly) because they want to. Community starts at bars, shows, and venues that help to create and sustain spaces for art and life to happen, but it extends past these spaces and connects us through shared memories and accomplishments.
How many of these foundational spaces have closed over time? This is not a phenomenon that is unique to London, but it certainly is a pain point in the city. But I think the strength of this community has been the commitment to continued planning and programming despite constant loss to spaces that feel like home.
I started soft flirt because the community around me supported me in doing something that felt brave, and continues to support me in everything I do. I felt encouraged to try time and time again, both with longtime friends and supporters and after meeting new people, who gave me consistent opportunities to share my art with new people and new audiences. That kind of community encouragement is life changing; it’s life-building support.
Pictured: Two artists actively collaborating, Pamela Scharback and Alayna Hryclik (aka Soft Flirt). Photo by Rachel Long.
soft flirt is successful because I’ve been supported. Creating soft flirt has instilled confidence in my art and that overflows into my personal life: I’ve felt “seen” by other like-minded people, which not only grew my confidence in my unique personhood but allowed me to share more of myself, and that builds back into my community in supportive ways. Finding confidence in myself, as a plus-size person, has motivated me to create space for other plus-size folks with my organized clothing swaps. Confidence in my art has allowed me to share my story and offer support through things like artist talks, offering support, or creating markets or events for younger emerging artists. It all spills over. Supportive communities have a ripple effect.
When I think about my own origins I can’t miss touching on London’s Punk Rock Flea Market. I launched my business at Punk Rock Flea; we have a shared history. Over time, the connection that happens at these events led me to feel so seen and heard in that particular space. These events brought me to like-minded artists, vendors, and customers who have become supportive friends, community members, and collaborators. I feel so lucky to now be in a position (that I may have weaseled my way into) where I can—as part of the PRFM team—create these events and add my own soft touches so that we can inspire and support endless new businesses. With Punk Rock Flea Market we are able to give artists a space—one that exists outside of a physical building—to call home.
Pictured: Artists Pamela Scharback and Alayna Hryclik of Soft Flirt collaborating on a project for Laurie's Cookies, as a neighbourhood project for Carling Heights. Photo by Rachel Long.
Something about soft flirt draws in specific people who feel seen and represented by the art that I’m making; it’s honesty about what we want and don’t want in the world. It’s tenderness and being soft with your friends and prioritizing kindness and platonic relationships. It’s being confident and comfortable enough in what makes you unique and what makes you, well, you— it’s also about being comfortable sharing that with others. My art has grown with people who feel like they see something about themselves in soft flirt. Intentional softness is a way to build what you want to see in the spaces around you.
I think about the growth it took from calling myself an entrepreneur to the confidence to call myself an artist.
I think about the constant battle against intrusive thoughts and imposter syndrome.
I think about the new artists in our community who are trying something out for the first time and hoping it works.
I think I am always brainstorming ways to continually connect and engage with this community: event planning, collaborations, murals in beloved neighborhoods and for local businesses, creating clothing that feels like a comfort to many, designs that connect.
I think about a customer spending time to type out a heartfelt message to me about how I created space for them at an event.
I think about a legacy of creating with intention.
I think about honoring my niche.
I think about strength in softness.
And I promise that I’m thinking about even more.
I hope that I can continue to build intentional spaces where people feel seen and heard. I hope that London continues to accept the weird and wonderful artists who call this city home. And I hope that this uniquely supportive community shines as a beacon of the kind of magic that can be created when people don’t get discouraged, when they don’t give up.