We're starting a new series so you can get to know the team at MMF... We'll begin with Shawn (who is one of our talented graphic designers!!)
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I'm Shawn
Wallace. I am an in-house textile designer in Kathy Miller's personal
studio on her property in the beautiful Sonoma Valley in California.
I have been fortunate to work here for nine years as a textile designer and also as a graphic designer and sometimes a videographer. My strength is in designing kid friendly art.
Q: What’s your favorite
piece of work that you have created?
A: Hard to point out one piece. The Canada Map I designed
called Canada Eh is a personal
favorite of mine. It was so complicated with so much detail and I had so
much fun creating it ...
But there are others too... the Gnomes series, the Monkey series, Tot Town, Bot Camp, Lil Kingdom, the Pugs, Midcentury Christmas is
close to my heart as well!
Q: What are you working
on at the moment?
A: I am just finishing up a giant Easter Gnome Border and the Way
to Go collection…. (trains, planes and automobiles)
Q: What are your goals
for the future, both work wise and life?
A: I picture myself doing wonderful things, visiting grand places,
meeting interesting people. I picture myself in good health and good spirits
and enjoying simple things.
I close my eyes and put myself in the best possible situations.
I always have. Even when the world was bearing down on me like a mountain. I
knew that the hard times were hard for a reason. I knew that I had to learn and
survive and thrive and go forward. I am not much for whining. I don't like
listening to it. I don't empathize with it at all...
Q: What are you doing when you’re not creating?
What hobbies do you have?
A: I have a huge crush in fixing up my house. I own a 1956
ranch house and I have done everything from opening up a wall, hanging
up crown moulding to pulling up all the carpet and restoring the
hardwood floors. And I have no fear of painting my walls every few years.
I also enjoy "treasure hunting" at local junk stores.
I started running five years ago. I run up in the hills above
our town. It's incredible! Such a joy! We stop sometimes at the
moutain’s edge and look down and point. "what is that orange building?"
Is that the mall?!" We're on top of the world then!
Q: What would people be
surprised to learn about you?
A: Most people think I sew because I design fabric. But if the
truth be known, I don’t sew at all. When I was in the 8th grade, I
took sewing lessons but it wasn’t because I wanted to sew clothes but
because it was the closest thing at my age to driving a car. The
accelerator on the floor that made the needle bob up and down was insanely fun
for me.
Q: Do you have any
favorite blogs that you read?
A: Whenever I’m looking for inspiration, I visit Uppercase Magazine and Print&Pattern is always a great Go-To Blog. I also love to listen in on THIS AMERICAN LIFE and INVISIBILIA... it fuels my soul.
Q: Where
else can we find you?
A: I have a website and blog that is seriously out of date.
Come visit me at doodle girl! I’m on Instagram as doodlegirlshawn.
Q: Do you have any tips or inspiring words for others?
A: Yes. Follow your heart. Be who you
want to become. You deserve goodness... so allow that in your life.
Be it textile design, quilt making, photography, singing, acting,
motherhood- no one can decide this for you. You have to do this on your own.
Decide what that is. Define it. Spell it out. Figure out what fills you
up
And this deal about you not being good enough or smart enough or
creative enough is just crazy! It's a lie to keep you stuck. There isn't
a soul in this world who hasn't listened to the doubtful chatter in our heads.
Every one of us has felt discouraged or ridiculed and haven't
felt supported at some point during the pursuit of our dreams. But at
some point, you need to decide how much time you are going to give in to
that negative chatter. In the end... it is up to YOU … to go after what
you want in this grand life of yours.
Oh, and last but certainly not least: Be kind to
animals.
Q: Do you admire any artists / photographers?
A: Bill Waterson and Charles
Schulz. You can read about my connection with Mr. Schulz here: doodlegirlthoughts on Charles
Schulz
Color: Red and Periwinkle... But not together... only separately.
Animal: All
animals.
Season: Summer
Movie: I think my favorite of all time was
"Ferris Bueler’s Day Off".
Book: I’m not much of a book reader. But off the top
of my head, I say, “Fried Green Tomatoes” and “Secret Life of Bees”. And
“The Great Brain”.
Vacation spot: I go nearly every year to the outerbanks of North Carolina. Emerald
Isle. I stay in the historic town of Swansboro where my granddaddy used
to live. It’s right there on the water. It is an enchanted, amazing
place.
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| Kait, Shawn and Violet in Kansas City :: Quilt Market 2012 |
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Stay tuned next week for my interview with Tara Faughnan!
Have a great weekend!
xo,
Kait
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