4/1/2013 A couple Friday’s ago we got the chance to get a glimpse into Tommy’s world. When we decided to move to Minneapolis it was to invest in Tommy’s career. We have found that the design community here in Minneapolis is very tight knit. Everyone knows so and so and at some point or another it seems like everyone has worked with each other. Additionally social media fosters friendships without even meeting in person. Tommy has virtually met a lot of designers that work in and around Minneapolis. Now when he attends the designer events he is able to meet some these people face to face and pick up a conversation as if they have known each other for months. Lucky for us Zoe and I got to attend one of his designer events. Studio On Fire and Westwerk were holding a joint open house party. I think this was by far the best open house I have been to (speaking from a teacher’s perspective)! There was lots of yummy food. Natedogs was catering along with Dogwood Coffee. They had a stamping area for kids to create their own “flip” books. 
We also got to see the beast in action! Over the past couple years I have learned my fair share about paper, screen printing, letter press, and much more. So it was really cool for me to finally see how it’s done! I found it very fascinating that the technology has not changed much, but I guess it really couldn’t. Zoe was fascinated by the heavy machinery and the “beat” it had when it was spitting out the prints. 
We got our free poster and then we checked out some of the beastpieces. 
Seeing all of the work and process it really gave me a new sense of appreciation for what Tommy does. It is amazing how he imagines these concepts in his head, sketches them, then brings them to life in the computer, and then they are finally produced into an tangible item. I love watching and being apart of the creative process as much as I possibly can. Zoe really enjoys watching Tommy work too. I often find her sitting on his lap while he works on the computer, mesmerized by the magic. There are a few traditions I know Tommy wants to do with Zoe that involve drawing. I love that she will always be surrounded by art whether it be the posters hanging in our house or her actually creating the art. I am so excited to see how she will embrace and express her self through art. So far her coloring skills are coming along.
It is well with my Soul 