I'm down with Gustav Stickley
by Julianne Brown

"The Lyf so short,

the Craft so long to Lerne"

I know I am in good company, historically speaking, when I read this on the copper fireplace hood in designer Gustav Stickley's NJ home. The quote is originally from the work of Geoffrey Chaucer but it reminds me of why I strive, struggle and sweat. Sometimes I may even turn a blue phrase or two learning my "craft".

As an infant, I seemed determined to develop talents associated with both left and right hemispheres of my brain. The outcome has been, aside from having a skull that is symmetrically lumpy, a proficiency in and enjoyment of design and Highland bagpiping.

During my childhood, I learned many songs by ear on my triola, pennywhistle, flutophone, and recorder. In a regrettable public school decision, I was marginalized to the flute. I then slid down that slippery slope towards the Highland bagpipe as a result of over listening a Royal Scot's Guard cassette tape. My solo career in the EUSPBA amateurs took me to grade two before I stopped to have a family.

My mother told me that my great-grandfather out of Ireland, Thomas Patrick Greengrove, was an unsavory type of street busker who would jig and cut paper dolls while he danced. I believe this was sometime around the early 20th century in Newark, NJ. At the conclusion of his street act, he would give the strip of paper dolls to the most generous contributor in the audience. Being related to this person does not surprise me. Or perhaps it has changed me, having heard the story.

My mother also told me about my Great-great-grandfather out of Nuremberg, Germany named Bernhard Schneider. He was raised in an orphanage and educated to become a monk. To avoid induction into the German army to fulfill the obligation of a wealthy man's son, Bernhard emigrated to the U.S. He joined the Freethinkers movement and became an interior designer, not unlike Stickley in that small respect, although he catered to the Astor family and others of the haute monde in New York City. Being related to this person also does not surprise me. Or perhaps it has changed me, having heard the story.

According to local legend, I have produced paintings, drawings, graphic design, woodwork, metal work, fashion design, costumes, crafts, sculptures, animal assistance devices, dirigibles, cake art, and more things I cannot name here, since birth. Inevitably, this joyful persistence in mess-making led down the path to art school in Brooklyn, New York.

In 1988 while studying graphic design at Pratt Institute and learning to play the Highland bagpipe via New York University's band, I found myself immersed in what would become my two great passions. Sometimes I would practice pipes on the roof of my dorm or in the courtyard of the Industrial Revolution factory buildings that were Pratt's main campus in Fort Greene Brooklyn. Inside the buildings, I would find my vision through hours of traditional fine art and graphic design classes.

Since receiving my BFA from Pratt Institute and performing with The New York University Pipes and Drums for the first time, both in 1991, my journey has been rife with opportunity to enjoy my crafts. I am by trade, a designer. The bagpipe is to me like Ingres's violin, except it's louder. That's what the neighbors say, anyway.

On July 20th 2009, I joined International Playthings as their art director. I look forward to continually raising the bar and developing great design at this NJ toy company.

After nearly half my life with the New York University Pipes and Drums, I remain the pipe sergeant and I regularly enjoy practicing and performing with the band.

Now there are those that would say perseverance is often a form of indecision. I say with no uncertainty that in my case, it is a love of trying and the courage to make mistakes.

You can contact me if you wish

Links to things I find worthwhile
http://atlasobscura.com/
http://www.christian-brown.com/

©2009 Julianne Brown