The wonder of working in a business that you love is that you are able to share your mission, your heart, your work so darn easily. You share with friends, with strangers, with anyone who will listen really. I used to think that was intrusive, and nearly narcissistic, but I feel that I have this unique and wonderful opportunity and NEED to offer it to those around me. I feel that when we are where we are supposed to be in life; we cannot help but to share.
In my day job, I am blessed to work with so many wonderful people. The thing about where I am now, and who I am is that you recognize that rarely is anyone what you initially see. Usually the surface you see in the working environment is just a smidgen of the real deal.
One of the people I am blessed to work with is one of those people described above. He is definitely much more than initially appears. When I first met him, he spoke of things like his time on the ice, (loves hockey) his shenanigans in high school and his dare devil stunts. He made me laugh, always came to my aid when I needed something tech wise or phone wise and was an incredible support to my success at work. He is a good guy! However, As the layers peeled away, I began to learn so much about him. On the outside he appeared to be almost a sullen human being. The character of Eeyore comes to mind. This is not any way to be insulting, just my observation.
In any case- Bruce (my friend and co-worker as described above) lives his life in a pretty matter of fact way. EXCEPT – when he speaks about his son. (yes this is actually not about Bruce, but you have to know the back story!) One mention of Brett (the wonder son), and my friend’s face lights right up. He softens, he’s sarcasm slips away, he glows with pride. It is a beautiful thing.
Bruce likes to play all rough and tumble, but honestly, he is a giant marshmallow when it comes to his son. He has pride, confidence and dreams for his son are apparent even without words. I believe that his faith is well placed. It is because of this clear confidence and pride that work unseen, I invited Brett to exhibit at the gallery.
Brett Baker is a college student at RIT. He personifies that an art student. He is fascinated by form and function, he is one snappy dresser, and he has this confidence that only comes to you by hitting several walls and learning how to navigate around them. Artists by nature seem to need to travel through the muck, to get to their heart’s inspiration.
Brett has ideas, BIG ideas. He appreciates opportunity, he is enchanted with not only how a piece of jewelry feels to those who wear his designs, but also those who view. It is a collaboration of sorts, it is remarkable in one so young.
Brett has a quick smile and even quicker mind. He carries around his sketch book to note the countless ideas swimming around his head. His ideas surpassed the typical rather quickly. He jumped into some particularly sophisticated design. He doesn’t like using pre-made parts- he wants to create everything on his own, from raw materials.
I have no doubt that this his first exhibit will be the first of many, many exhibits. I encourage you to visit his exhibit, to really take in his work- to witness this new work and watch as it blossoms. It will be one exciting journey. I promise.
