Patchwork: A digital illustration depicting what it’s like to work in a nonprofit

By Satya Akquia, maker of art with whimsy

Artist Statement

Being in a nonprofit, there is always a feeling of pride in your work; you walk around with your head held high because of what you do. But at the same time, you are embattled by what it takes to do your work. You rarely get your flowers. 

Hello, I’m Satya, and I make art that has whimsy. Why? Because having whimsy has become a rare and brave thing in the world. As an artist, I tend to insert whimsy into my work no matter the topic. I use a variety of mediums for my art, such as paint, wood board, moss, pen, and lately the Procreate software on an iPad. Procreate is what I used to create this piece. 

I made this piece to reflect the “vibe” of what it is like to work for nonprofits. Especially what the “vibe” is if you are either the person who does the fundraising for your organization or if you’re consistently the person who needs the funds. 

Being in a nonprofit, there is always a feeling of pride in your work; you walk around with your head held high because of what you do. But at the same time, you are embattled by what it takes to do your work. You rarely get your flowers. 

For this piece, I pulled those vibes together into what I call “Patchwork.” Shown is a woman with a beat-up cowboy hat, head raised proudly, surrounded by daffodils (a flower that traditionally symbolizes wealth). Below her is a dollar bill and a skunk. Why the skunk? Because skunks demand attention and fear the instant you see them. Will the cowgirl be able to smell the flowers today or be forced to react and pay attention to the foul smell of a skunk that has wandered into her path? The whiplash of emotions is what it is like to work in nonprofits. 

If you’re a nonprofit worker and see this piece, keep your head high, aim for those flowers, and try to remember that not every day will end with being skunked.