Karen Taylor and Her Tri-C Legacy

Karen Taylor is a mentor of mine and to many.  She created an unprecedented legacy at Cuyahoga Community College by developing an interior design program there 34 years ago.  This was at a time when a number of universities were just beginning design degree programs!  For a two-year program, it has graduated some highly talented designers and is respected by many in the field.

I was a student of Karen.  I decided upon returning to school to get a degree in design that I really didn't need another bachelor's degree, so I transferred from a four-year program to Tri-C.  It was an honor of mine in 2005 to fill in for her sabbatical year and then continue teaching adjunct beyond that.

I learned she had pretty big shoes to fill for one so petite (she often made light of herself as being vertically challenged).  And, a representative from Knoll, who will remain anonymous, once told me that he remembered first meeting Karen nearly 20 years ago and said, What a little Hottie!  Karen has a certain je ne sais quoi (I love that phrase)!

Karen's strength was in introducing her students to a myriad of resources that inspired us to grow and create.  She gave us latitude and never looked over our shoulder and when she did, it was with a tough love that pushed us to continue exploring possibilities.  She is a person of class, style, and she has the coolest shoes too!

Karen retired as director of the interior design program at Tri-C in Cleveland, Ohio, this past spring not long after I moved to Santa Fe.  I miss her and the school, and yet, have the best memories of my times there.  Just this past week I was identifying individuals during the course of my life that I see as a 'believing mirror' reflecting myself:  Karen is on my list.  Lucky me, that she came into my life.  Thank you, Karen, for all you mean to me and to so many others as well.

The Artist's Way

I first discovered The Artist's Way in 2006.  I happened to be surfing around the net when I clicked on a link to a site sponsored by L'Oreal cosmetics for empowering women.  The link contained a thread wherein women could contribute info about what had changed their lives.  One individual identified that The Artist's Way by Julie Cameron had changed her life.  I went to the library the next day and found a copy.  For the next 12 weeks I worked my way through the book and so began my foray into her key tool of the Morning Pages.  I have filled dozens of notebooks over the past six years.

And, it changed my life.  Imagine my surprise in September when I opened up a local publication and found that Julia Cameron herself would be giving The Artist's Way workshop near where I live in Santa Fe!  We are about half-way into the 12 weeks, and I have further experienced insight and transformation.  To give you a summary phrase of what comes from this magical unfolding, it would be learning to Let Go and Let God, an expression that many have quite likely heard at points in our lives.  And, one of my favorite discoveries that I actually ignored so much of my life?  Synchronicities and the meaning thereof.

Also, one other discovery:  Movement and action.  Right, wrong, or indifferent that our Doing may seem to be (and it does not require perfection either!), just Do It, take action and move!  From Doing what you love, flow is created.  Magic happens.  We create.  Thank you, Julia, for your guidance.

The Art and Soul of Santa Fe

The Karen Melfi Collection, a boutique on the famous Canyon Road in Santa Fe, is now representing my personal accessories line!  What a delight that she loves The Canyon Road Collection as much as I do. 

Karen has been designing jewelry for over 30 years, and has had the boutique for over 21 years.  She specializes in natural color raw diamond designs, and showcases several Santa Fe artists and designers in her boutique.  Her web site is http://www.karenmelficollection.com/


Following is part of my labeling for one of the handbags.  The Canyon Road Collection is a Limited Edition of only nine handbags, two sizes, three colorways:

Kimberly B. Gray

Santa Fe

HOME GOODS AND PERSONAL ACCESSORIES

Kimberly B. Gray is an interior designer by trade.  From those experiences, she has chosen exclusive To-the-Trade textiles in the crafting of handbags and other pieces useful to the Art of Living.

   The shell of this handbag is from S. Harris, Exclusive pattern woven in the USA; Pattern:  Canyon Road; Colorway 02, Terracotta and Umber; 98% Cotton, 2% Polyester

   The lining is Henry Calvin, USA; Pattern:  Tucson Twill; Colorway: Saddle; Sueded and Washed 100% Cotton

   Embellishments come from natural materials and may include naturally shed antlers, elk ivories, horsehair tassels, leather, polished stones, forged metal, glass beads, natural fibers, cholla wood, and other finds.

Good Design is the Art of Living

All Rights Reserved by Kimberly B. Gray

Designer in the Making

Recently, I finished crafting a handbag for 8-year-old Abby, the granddaughter of a friend.  She aided in selecting the textiles and collaberated in the design.  I am amazed by her eye on design.  She wholly embraced all we accomplished!

The result?  Confectionery pink, chocolate, and pistachio lined with a chinoiserie linen by Ralph Lauren (well, of course!) in pink and chocolate! The embellishments are pure Sante Fe . . . horse hair tassel, leather, naturally shed mule deer antler medallion, and forged metal.

Ricky and Ralph Lauren and the Double RL Ranch near Telluride, CO

No less than six times have I viewed the interview by Oprah in May with Ricky and Ralph Lauren; it is beyond inspiring!  He told Oprah in response to his creating his home line beyond his fashion creations, "Because I'm not about fashion . . . I'm about Living . . . and that's been my whole career.  And the clothes that I've designed and everything I've done is about life and how people live and how they want to live and how they dream they would live; and that's what I do."

The Double RL Ranch is breathtaking; it is apparent why he continues to include the Western way of living in his designs.  The interview was a rare occurrence.  What a remarkable family.