Shawn

Although 2020 was isolating for everyone, I used my spare time to paint, ride my bike, and Zoom with friends near and far. After moving all around the country for over a decade, I was accustomed to finding creative ways to connect- whether it was through postcards, poems, or photos.

With a new apartment and cat named Ollie by my side, I felt content- content with where I'd gone in life, what I had learned, and how far I had come- but it was only the beginning. I may have been alone, but my mind was full of ideas. 2020 brought out the unexpected, and the Shawn design was no exception.

The second piece I repurposed was a large canvas with streaks of black, gold, white, and brown. Naming it "Oliver," the colors resembled the fur of my cat, Ollie. 

To complete it, I added a touch of glitter to my brush to add sparkle and texture- but was surprised to see a large red streak across the front. I hadn't cleaned the red paint off my brush!

What was once the "Oliver" became something entirely new- so I went with it. I added more red accents to the original piece, creating a new design deserving of its own name. When I thought about my return to Michigan and the people who believed in me along the way, one person that always came to mind was my friend and former boss, Shawn, from Austin, Texas. 

The Shawn design took on its own life from that moment forward- from totes to accessories, the new print quickly became one of my favorites. Shawn has turned into a satin handbag made in London, customized for cashmere designer Anya Cole in New York, and even made an appearance as a mini skirt.

As I painted, I had my own stories to share, but I dreamed of others creating their own memories with each piece, too. This story may have began in Austin, but I've carried my own memories- including all the mistakes and lessons I've collected- with every stop along the way.