Monday, February 05, 2007

A Friend is the present You give yourself

My trip to New York seemed to be over in the blink of an eye. I had a wonderful time checking out the latest and greatest products and trends at the New York Gift Show, talking with Sundance Catalog artist, Clare Goddard, and seeing interior designer, Jonathan Adler up close and in person.

While in Manhattan, I also had the chance to visit trendy Soho shops, funky boutiques of the Village and Upper West Side, and the posh stores of Madison Avenue. But meeting with fabric artist extraordinaire, Alma Stoller, was a highlight of my trip.

On my last day in the Big Apple, Alma and I had the opportunity to have lunch at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. During our meal in the museum cafe, we discussed our love of fibers and mixed media. She told me how she came to create zines, and I talked about my job as a product designer/illustrator.

After lunch, we dashed off to the Impressionist gallery and spent time enveloped in the atmosphere and artworks of Van Gogh, Monet, and Degas.
As we stood together in front of my favorite painting, Van Gogh's Cypress Trees, soaking in every nuance of this breathtaking masterpiece, Alma pointed out details that I might have missed without her careful eye.

Our time together felt somewhat surreal and was over all too quickly. Before we parted, Alma gave me some of her beautiful handmade fabrics, beads, and the most cherished gift of all... friendship.

7 comments:

Lori S-C said...

Wow, I am jealous of the wonderful trip you had! You are so fortunate to have had such an inspiring opportunity!

Heather Simpson-Bluhm said...

Sounds like a great trip. It was fun to open up your blog this morning and see Alma's smiling face. A sweetie she is! Welcome home.

Anonymous said...

I missed you, Tracie! But oh, it sounds like you had such a fun time! I wish I could have packed myself in your suitcase. I'm off to my first drawing class this morning and I'll be thinking of you all day... Hugs, Shari

Anonymous said...

Ohh what an amazing trip!! Jam packed with fabulousness!! Isn't NYC just mindblowing?

Sounds like you had such an amazing time!!

Cannot wait to see how this trip will find it's way into your creations! : )

Hope you are doing great! Best Wishes!
xoxo Jenny : )

Anonymous said...

Oh those yummy fabrics!! Yeeeow! Okay, so New York....what's in what's out what's up what's down....spill!

Anonymous said...

sounds like you had one amazing adventure!

Lorraine said...

Sounds like your trip was just so much fun, even though it flew by! What wonderful goodies you came home with!