A Community Thread

I first met Mandy through Shanan Kelley the night I was a guest on The Night Light Show. Shanan auctioned off some T-shirts that I designed and Mandy “won” one for a  generous sum. Then, a short time after that, Alyson Brown officially recommended Mandy to this project. It took us some time to meet as I was compiling all of the 2018 interviews into a book and having an exhibition and all that jazz. I am very glad to start off the third year of this project with Mandy and I’m very happy to introduce you to her as the first interview for 2019. She’s a friendly, smiling, warm, caring, thoughtful, and kind lady with a very handsome dog named Booker. We met for this interview above Forge Humanity where she had a pop-up version of her shop Wren and Wild while waiting for her new location to become available. 

As I mentioned in the last interview, Jill Rose immediately mentioned Courtney and Amy when I asked her to think of someone to refer to the project and I can see why. Amy marks the final interview for the second year of A Community Thread. So, she's the 60th for this year and the 110th since I began doing this. And I couldn’t have asked for a better way to wrap up this year. Amy’s heart and compassion shine through all of what she says below. She’s got zest and fire and an ever-ready smile, too. This was another of the more conversational interviews - a sign of what I hope is to become more regular in the future. 

When I asked Jill to think of some folks to recommend she immediately named Courtney and Amy from Sunny Yoga Kitchen. I had met them both previously, but never in a very personal way, so I was excited for this chance. I put a little scheduling pressure on them as I was scrambling to get the last of this year’s interviews on the calendar so I could then work on the book and prepare photos for an exhibition and, thankfully, they responded quickly and with care. I met Courtney after hours at Sunny Yoga Kitchen and we chatted at one of their dining tables. I felt a very warm and loving connection with Courtney and was so happy that she answered these questions from her heart. 

When I asked Barbara to recommend people to this project, she immediately mentioned her husband, Ian, who I had the chance to chat with briefly at Rose's house in the summer. We found some time that worked for both of us and then put something on the calendar and then we pushed that date around a bit. We met at Ian's mother-in-law's house which is serving as the Trask basecamp while they work on their own home. And we dove right into meaningful conversation over some coffee and traded loads of stories and experiences before I turned the recorder on. Ian has an incredibly kind affect and finds easy access to his emotions and tears - a trait which I find very becoming likely because I share it. Ian's brilliance and articulation seem to only be surpassed by his compassion. It was an absolute treat chatting with him.