New South Minneapolis art shop shines with ingenuity

The exterior of Lydia’s Creations resembles an ambitious elementary school art project. Its glittering purple and silver cutouts declare the store’s name amidst a flurry of lavender hearts, golden leaves and swirls of fake flowers. A giant fork and spoon, freshly spray painted gold, sit drying on a card table near the doorway. Owner Lydia Perkins changes the store’s exterior frequently. Last week a series of old oil paintings redone with spirals of words and images let you know you were entering the world of Lydia’s Creations.

“The landlord asked me if I could lay back on the constant decorating a bit, but I didn’t listen,” Lydia says, laughing.

With cascades of newly golden curls, bright blue fingernails and large dangling earrings, Lydia herself resembles a creative child as she grins at the opportunity to show off her latest project.

“Artists never grow up. You just put on an image of being an adult,” she says. “If you’re not in touch with the part of you that’s a child, you can’t be artistic.”

Inside the shop is every bit as whimsical as its exterior. Baskets intertwined with flowers provide a home for toy ponies, shrubs sprout with colored candies, dolls sit for tea in an antique dollhouse, and a large garden of colorful flower pens greet you. An art gallery in the back shows off Lydia’s paintings, which are culminations of both religious and familial inspirations. A gold framed painting, proudly displayed in the store’s entryway, marks Lydia’s first entry into an art show, the 5th Annual Juried Religious Art Show, and her first award, an honorable mention.

“That was the first time anybody outside of my family encouraged my work. I wouldn’t keep my paintings but my husband would. He’s the only one that valued them.”

The child-like quality seen so strongly in both Lydia’s appearance and in her shop is also as evident in her paintings. Simplistic lines, the use of colored pencil, an assortment of jewelry, and the one-dimensional qualities of her subjects’ faces all evoke a child’s view of the world. Figures from the Bible hang alongside paintings of Lydia’s daughters, all bursting brightly with crayon box colors and gemstones.
Jurors at the show cautioned Lydia, “Never take any formal training; they’ll destroy your creativity.”

This spring was a major turning point for Lydia—it marked not only her first art show but also the opening of her first shop. She returned to art early this spring after feeling dissatisfied with her life.

“I told my husband that I was worried about not being anybody and he said that my art is my legacy.”

Lydia’s daughters further encouraged their mother and found a site for the store, located near 37th and Chicago. The area shows a growing arts community fostered by the existence of the Pillsbury House.

Prior to opening her store, Lydia created handmade gifts that she readily gave away.

“My daughters hope having this space will force me to start charging for some of my stuff. I used to give my things away everywhere: at the Hennepin County Hospital, in a parking lot, or just meeting people on the street. I still keep giving things away to potential customers.”

About the same time that Lydia opened her shop, she spotted the ad for the Juried Religious Art Show, entered and won an honorable mention. The exhibit also allowed her to display additional work at the winner’s showcase, which led to her selling her first painting.

Even though Lydia only recently began working as an artist, she found art to be useful when she worked as a teacher’s aide for disabled students in the Minneapolis Public School system.

“Kids with down syndrome really work well with art, because they have this secret world to share through the use of art.”

Lydia also expressed her artistic energy in church settings alongside her husband, who works as a preacher. Lydia used art projects to excite children about religion, and often painted their faces at church events.

Lydia also encourages both her children and grandchildren to express themselves visually. She lovingly points out a skillfully done pencil drawing her grandson did.
“I guess the talent runs in the family,” she says with a shrug.

Evidence of Lydia’s newly brightened disposition lies all across the store. A small grinning doll in a hot pink track suit wears a sign declaring “I’m Lydia!” Among the newest works hanging in the store is a large painting of a woman covered in jewels and bright colors; a card hanging next to its frame reads “Lydia: In Her Glory.”

“This has really been marvelous. For the first time in my life I really feel complete. This is my coming out, this is my first time just being me,” Lydia says as she stretches her arms out across her store.