|
Success...It's All in the Letter P By now we are familiar with Nigel Lythgoe, the British television director and producer, who created such smash hits as Ameri... |
Recent Columns
On the Other Side of the Fire
Original Publication Date:
March 2008
Located near historic downtown Dunedin, the 5,200 square-foot building, known as Imago Art Group, was home to an array of creative and talented local artists. Each had their own distinct studio and the first Friday of every month they opened the gallery to the public showcasing the works of a featured artist. There was food and drink; music and mingling among the art—a good time was always had by all. Imago magazine, after which the art colony was named, also had their headquarters on the premises. The magazine promoted arts and entertainment in the Tampa Bay area and was a vehicle for members within the group to get more exposure. I had been a friend of Imago's for the past five years, having written a column for the magazine, and was a regular supporter of their events. In September, Imago magazine decided to break their ties and vacate the office space. As fate would have it, I was looking to expand. I was presented the opportunity to take up residence and set up shop. It was the perfect match. I spent the better part of three months renovating the 600 sq ft space. I felt a little like Ty Pennington, only it was an extreme office make-over minus the big design team.
This was the perfect spot for meetings and seminars and to conduct business. It was an ideal place for me to write where the atmosphere was impossible to explain. With a second book in the works, I thought the creative juices could get a boost here in a big way. I can only describe it as quirky and just so inviting. I was taking my career and my message in another direction and this place was going to serve a very significant purpose.
With help from a few close friends, I put my personal touch on every aspect of the renovations. You could aptly apply the expression 'labor of love,' since that is what it became. The walls that were pale yellow and garish raspberry were painted beautiful shades of grey and cherry cobbler red—reminiscent of the colors of my book. From the antique plank table to the cozy charcoal love seat, each piece of furniture I hand picked with such TLC. So, too, I had funky mirrors and phenomenal art to beautify those freshly painted walls from artists like Mark Runge, Robert Sutherland, Denis Gaston, and Herb Starr. I had accent tables and comfortable chairs and stylish rugs covering the newly polished wooden floor that made you want to kick off your shoes, sit and stay a while. Before I knew it everything associated with me as an author was there as well. Prototypes of my new line of Pz merchandise had just arrived. Tee shirts and totes were strategically placed throughout the room and, of course, a generous supply of Natural Muscle along with copious copies of my latest book Club Shattered. In a short but intense period I had totally transformed the room. By the time of the first Friday on December 7th, I was just about there. My door was open that night to accept the visitors who came to the regularly scheduled event. I was the new kid on the block, and an author to boot, so I drew a lot of folks who were curious to see me and what I had done with the space. It was so cool, and I was proud of what it represented. I had exciting plans for the future. Next month was to be my turn for the official grand opening, and I was beginning the preparations. The New Year was going to start off with a bang. Little did I know that my grand opening wasn't meant to be. Little did I know that less than 48 hours later the world wouldn't look the same.
Reader Comments
Tell Pz what you think on Twitter @pzpower!
Be the first to write a comment!
