Channeling Mr. Rogers

The call came while I sat with my sketchbook on my lap, playing with ideas for the transformational design of the new South Whidbey Community Center.  I answered.  It was Mr. Rogers saying, “Hello Neighbor.” “Hello Mr. Rogers.” He showed up at the perfect time, reminding me of the importance of PLAY and LOVE.  He said, ”Make it fun, playful, inviting. Warm and connecting. YOU KNOW HOW TO DO THAT. After all, we’ve been neighbors since you were a kid!"  

Yes, I absolutely know how to do that!  So with the intention to create something FAST, as in less than 48-hours fast, Mr. Rogers inspired my pen to hit the paper and I started to play!  

South Whidbey Community Center, formerly Langley High School and Middle School on Whidbey Island, was hosting its first big public event, their open house. Island residents would be experiencing the Center in its new incarnation, a hub of artists, artisans, body workers and social justice advocates, for the first time. Formerly a pedagogical institution, is now a house of nurture and nourish.  A place that formerly grew students and learners is now a place that grows community and opportunities.

Mr Rogers inspired SAY HELLO, an art installation with the distinct intention for people to look up, smile and connect.  Even while installing the hand painted signage on the wall, the signs that read SAY HELLO, people walked in, looked up at us and said HELLO. It was working already.  Just as Mr. Rogers would have designed it.

Thanks, Mr. Rogers.  You taught me well. 

~THE WOLF

Healing Space.

I have been asked, "How do you see what you see?"  I don't.  I feel and listen.  I allow Space to speak.   I ask, "What do you need?"  Healing, always healing.  Heal the Space.  Bring balance.  In turn, Space gives back.  Joy, Connection, Love.  

~The Wolf

BAM.

 ART finds me.  It pokes at me.  Pay attention.  It screams at me.  Listen.  It shines it's high beams at me.  SEE.  Creativity won't let me sleep.  Won't let me take a back seat.  Won't let me walk away.  I hear you.  I see you.  I feel you.  

Okay, you got my attention.

~the Wolf

Trusting Spirit.

It begins with a scribble. A doodle.  An idea surfaces on a sticky note, sketchbook, and in this case, a cocktail napkin. For the Geekwire Gala, a celebration of the years top ten Seattle Startups,  Koru commissioned us to design a 6x6 ft cocktail napkin reflecting their pioneering vision for the company.

The process is organic. It begins with a hit. A flash. It can appear on the side of the bus, a billboard, the colors on a rusted out dumpster or graffitied on shipping containers and brick walls. When they hit, I pay attention. Nothing is accidental. Everything is on purpose. I see. I listen. I sketch. Spirit drives the vehicle from there. And when I hit roadblocks, I trust that the spinout will take form in a whole new, unexpected spectacular way. 

The inspiration for Koru’s Cocktail Napkin came from Roy Lichtenstein's Masterpiece series, the wailing woman, reflected the unemployed millennial and Brad, the employer.  The characters' expressions of dashed hopes and disappointment are buoyed by sticky notes illustrating Koru's solution of leveling the playing field for young job seekers and bringing great employees to employers. From there the canvas came to life.

Art is about the process. The journey. The finish result is never finished. Visions spin around in crazed sleep, in my dreams, and in my waking hours. I circle back and forth erasing, sketching, evolving. The deadline calls it closed. I take a breath. Hand it over to Spirit. Walk away. 

~The wolf

Commitment, Nas and Inspiration.

Nas. Multi-platinum recording artist. Change-maker. Inspiration. For Koru's session with Nas, we transformed Koru 220 from a learning hub into an intimate afternoon, very MTV unplugged. We were deeply moved by the candor of the experience and the rawness in which Nas and his manager Anthony Saleh shared. Particularly memorable was Anthony's advice for young job seeking Korus "Don't be an asshole as there's no award for being asshole."  So true.  For us the reward comes in commitment - to the project, our clients, our values, working hard.   When The Wolf tagged Koru with Russell Wilson's father's words, the mantra behind the Seahawks 2014 Superbowl win, "Why Not You?", it was in commitment to the belief that anything is possible. For seven straight days, respiration mask on, she dedicated herself to transformation space into inspiration. With deep love. As Nas was leaving that memorable afternoon, he stopped The Wolf, and they shared admiration for the work they both put out in the world. #theworldisyours. #designedwithlove. #whynotyou?

A Pause in the Streets.

They walked toward me.

Perfectly inked three.

Art.

Black shoes.

Squashed pristine white socks.

A cigarette.

Black polish pointing inward.

Branded knuckles begging,

"Please just take the picture."

Postures.

Needle induced color stories carved on skin.

Click. 

An urban image etched in my brain.

Fueled. 

~THE WOLF