November 30, 2023
Consider with Kelly Johnson
1 Describe an art form or medium that piques your interest and why.
1 Glass continues to fascinate me ~ how it can refract and reflect light, mimic water, distort imagery. It’s incredibly magical. Having recently moved to Brooklyn, I met a neighbor practicing verre églomisé ~ an ancient art form that combines applying a design and gilding it onto the rear face of glass to produce a mirror finish. After a trip to her studio, we’re already discussing ways I can get closer to the practice.
2 What is a meaningful keepsake you own?
2 I’ve always been excited by outer space, specifically Neptune. When I was 8, I bought a silver beaded necklace with a bulbous Neptune charm, which I wore daily. I recently rediscovered it and have been wearing it to honor my inner child. It provides a sense of grounding in who I am, who I was, and somehow... who I will become?
3 What are you curious about learning?
3 I want to learn everything about mushrooms, hence the vintage ones I sell! They play such a vital role in the ecosystem— addressing climate change, from cleaning up oil spills to aiding in forest fire recovery and beyond. They're also revolutionizing the leather industry and hold so much promise for our future. Mushrooms will save us.
4 What moves and inspires you most?
4 Always nature. It is my escape, inspiration, and restoration. Nature has the magical ability to activate all of your senses, creating a full-body connection to the land and oneself. The aesthetics and movement evokes a deep sense of tranquility ~ the gentle wind on flowers, the sun reflecting on water, the subtle movement of sea moss with the tide, etc. All of these nature scenes create an overwhelming sense of calm allowing me to connect and disconnect at the same time.
5 What does a family heirloom mean to you?
5 Family heirlooms shape our identity, connecting us directly to our ancestors and homeland. The physical object or symbol holds the emotional weight of previous generations, while providing hope for future ones. For my family, it is a WWII-era blanket that was gifted to my grandma when she immigrated from Norway. It is kept in a beautiful Norwegian-painted chest and will be passed down for countless generations to come.