Christi Johnson, a designer, artist, teacher and author of the beautiful book Mystical Stitches: Embroidery for Personal Empowerment and Magical Embellishment, did a studio visit last week (with her daughter Juno!). She picked out and styled a few of her favorite Namai pieces and chatted to us about life, inspiration and travel.
Don't miss her inspiriting cultural recommendations below too! Who doesn't need a cultural boost in the early Spring?
What's exciting to you?
The fresh feeling of a new idea that is still in the unlimited potential phases, the fleshing out of which will keep me up all hours of the night and fill up pages of my notebook.
Music on repeat?
On your night table?
A book on a Russian ballet from the early 20th century called "Ballets Russes: The Art of Costume"
What's a book you think everyone should read?
Read "Jitterbug Perfume" or "Skinny Legs and All", by Tom Robbins.
What's something you used to believe but don't anymore?
That frantic work and stress is the only way to get anything done. Good planning, while not my forte, saves time in the end and allows you to actually enjoy the process, not just feed off the cortisol release from stress.
What's something that's really difficult for you?
Organizing my studio - it takes me forever to get around to, and then I'm stuck with a hundred thousand loose ends to tie up. Send help.
But dreaming up new ideas is really easy! Getting them done is not as easy! Especially in a totally chaotic studio.
What trip changed your life?
Staying off grid in a Hobbit house - at least that's what the owner/builder of the house called it - on the south end of the Big Island in Hawaii. I was working a corporate fashion job in Los Angeles and I wanted to find a different way of living. The owner of this house had cashed out on an invention of his in the 1970's, and moved to Hawaii to build his own homestead (renting out part of it to pay the bills). It was the most sensible decision I'd seen in years, and being there, the peace I felt...I knew I'd never be happy in a city, no matter how much money I made. But I continued to live in cities for the next five years (some things take time to actualize).
Where are you traveling to next?
The beach! I don't know when or where, but I feel the ocean calling me back (I grew up near the beach and it's a part of my soul)
These Suzani florals are some of my favorite types of embroidery, and in this combination of jade green and dark brown it just feels like you're laying in a field of blooms!
What are some words that you live by?
Do what you like - this also applies in letting others do what they like, provided no one is harming another in the process.
What's a secret favorite place you'd take friends to in Upstate NY?
A trip up here is not complete without at least a drive-by at the Church of the Little Green Man!
Explore Christi's Picks below and check out her Journal entry about her Studio Visit Namai!
