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Sometimes We have to go Far Away to Find our Way Home by Eva Gallant
September 10, 2012 by Eva Gallant in Featured / 4 Comments.
Contact Eva Gallant by email or visit Eva's web site, http://www.y-knot-creations.com/gallery.php
“Sometimes we have to go far away to find our way home.” This is my mantra and to me it holds true in all its senses.
I was born in Germany and we didn’t have a lot of money. My dad (Vati) was a total procrastinator and waited until the last minute to come up with a Christmas present for my mother every year. In the 11th hour he would turn to me for help creating a gift and then he would so tenderly say, “Eva, you always make something beautiful out of nothing” This perhaps is my fondest childhood memory.
Inspired to become a Fashion Designer, I was told I had to get a real job first to sustain myself, since my family didn’t have the means to send me to school. I lost momentum, but in my heart held on to my dreams. So, I got the “real” job , and then while “life” happened I got washed up on the shores of America in 1991, being a flight attendant for American Airlines. (I can see where there may be questions now about the “real” job (giggles!))
For many years now I have traveled extensively and lived in many places. Often I wouldn’t bring a camera and when remembering I would ask myself “if that place, event or feeling had a color, how would that look?” This was the birth of collection Morgenstern, my very own Faux Finishes that I created, while still dabbling, self-taught and with no professional instruction.
Back then I was simply looking to enhance my own home and when people came to visit I was constantly asked who did this work? Encouraged by others I decided to launch my Faux Finishes professionally, Y-Knot-Creations.
In 2008 my circumstances changed & I had to relocate to the state of Texas. It was then that I had to completely start over and one day I came upon FE Dallas while looking for a new product. Thru Faux Effects I learned about IDAL and soon I would join IDAL eagerly anticipating my first convention in 2009.
Who could forget that event if it was not our very own Helen Morris with her spectacular Elvis skirt and her incredible story about her professional journey! Helen inspired me so very much. I was star struck!! I remember Cynthia Davis & Melanie Royals coming down the escalator one time and while watching them I was thinking, “I wonder if they will ever notice me?”
Pierre Finkelstein himself taught me a very important life lesson while taking his marbling class, which I will never forget and that has made me a stronger person. Unable to apply the first stroke exercising the rhythm of marbling he turned to me and said: “Eva! Are you a man or a mouse? Make a decision!!” Thank you Pierre, for this incredible learning lesson, I so often apply this in life and can’t help but smile!
Over the years I have added more products and more variations, even incorporating decorative concrete just to stay competitive and may I say it wasn’t all too much about creativity anymore but rather to stay afloat and make a living.
This year’s convention in Reno made no exception; on the contrary, although much smaller compared to the years past there was something more intimate about it. For me it was the best convention ever! I met so many fantastic artisans and made new friends and most importantly I found my way back to being unique in my very creations – painted apparel!
I loved sewing & painting that shawl and I am so humbled by the great endorsement of all who voted for me and complimented this piece. Above all with your amazing encouragement I found my way back to being unique in my creations and is this not that why we are all here? Even before winning best of show for the shawl I knew in my heart that this is what I really like to do, much rather than troweling a concrete patio.
Because of you, my fellow artisans, I found my way back…to me. When I first created everything with all sorts of mediums, and now I can only dream and look to perhaps have my very own fashion show one day. I have nothing to lose, so Y-KNOT?
In friendship and inspiration,
For Y-Knot-Creations, YKC full circle
Eva Gallant
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4 Comments
rima
You are an amazing person, love your story. Life sometimes knocks us down but the strong like yourself fight back & end up standing on their feet. You are a lady of many Talents, Congratulations on all your success, as they are well deserved. Rima
10 Sep 2012 09:09 am
Lynne Rutter
Eva! you are so awesome! I am so thrilled to hear you are pursuing your dream. You have such a gift, and such an beautiful personal style.
11 Sep 2012 12:09 am
Janie
Eva you made me cry – AGAIN! The first time when you told Helen and me your story in Reno and then again here. You are a special lady and I truly hop you enjoy that fabulous bag from Helen!!!
15 Sep 2012 11:09 am
Eva Gallant
For Rima, Lynne & Janie,
thank you for your many kindnesses and encouragement. Lynne, while I had not really occassion to get to know you better you said something to me that was very profound the night we met and it meant the world to me and I took it very much to heart!
I am humbled to be accepted and supported amongst you exceptional artisans and truly YOU are my inspiration and all my reasons to pursue what I love.
Lastly to Artisphere, thank you for publishing my story and lifting my spirits. I feel privileged that my story was in this exceptional magazine for so many to read!
16 Sep 2012 11:09 pm
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