like most people, i have always had an urgency to depart my hometown, well not just town, but state, coast, maybe even country. i remember begging my mom to go to high school in vermont because the people seemed more down to earth to me than the kids i knew in my town. i was always on a search for something different. living in cities have always energized me + helped me start build the career i have wanted. suburban life kills that creative drive. sometimes it puts a dagger deep in my soul. i also know I am not and will never been one to conform. that is part of being an artist for me anyways. not like most people, I am easily amused + content observing. its energizing for me to be meeting new people. i have always considered myself a wanderer. and not all those who wander are lost!
when you get to go to an event with a friend it makes it way more fun. joining tailored home design (sara s) was just a pleasant surprise. she tells me she wants to attend the lecture by hgtv show personality candice olson + we have about twenty minutes before it starts so we casually stroll the halls of the sdc. unlike the boston design center that I was part of for about ten years the seattle design center is smaller but more intimate. this being my only second visit, we know the showrooms + what they offer. a new fun showroom is craftex, a custom cement artisan. candice olsen’s lecture is about to begin. we take seats. like most events you get asked to put our biz cards in the bowl. i have never won anything in my life + when candice calls shapirodesigns in front of her 100+ crowd I slowly stand up + wave for winning the grand prize from the shade store. during the talk candice describes her upholstery collaboration with kravet in detail down to the name. sensual boucle in dove is my favorite. super luxurious + ultra soft! post my win at the sdc event we casually shove cupcakes + cookies into our hungry faces each labeled by flavor: true sdc style. i get the chance to pitch my artwork to candice + give her my card. wow what a day! even when you might not feel too social + stuck it really does help to get out of your comfort zone: it truly is refreshing.
