November 20, 2009

Bold Color, Small Space: Bradford Shellhammer for Dwell by Gary Nadeau from gary nadeau on Vimeo.

It is a unique setting. Sitting in your tiny apartment, microphone running under your shirt, and four grown men with cameras and lights and recording devices hovering around. And yet here I was once again whoring myself out for a pr opportunity. This one was different: I was worried about the outcome. Video? Me? An editor of Dwell, my favorite shelter book, had called only the month prior. She'd read the Times this summer and wanted to do a video shoot for Dwell's site. The theme: Bold color, small space. Makes sense.

I agreed to the shoot. Obviously, it's an ego boost. But, you know, it made sense for me to agree. I do work in design and furnishings and it would only benefit my career. And I do write on the side for various publications and websites, so again, it is good to get out there. But I was concerned (really) about appearing like a media whore. I mean I don't have an album to sell or a book to sell or a clothing line to sell. But I guess I do have myself to sell. And I guess sales is what makes the world go around.

I too also did not want to shake up my relationship. Who wants to date a guy who is hungry for fame and attention? And not everyone wants their home on display for thousands online and this is Georgi's home too after all. But, the positives outweighed the negatives, and Dwell, like the Times, is a pretty classy joint. I was a bit honored that they'd asked me. Finally, others besides myself were catching on to my talents! Bout time.

Immediately I was at peace when Gary Nadeau and his team arrived at our place. Gary had done his homework. He too had read the Times' piece and he also had read my website and was cool and complementary when talking about my blog. And then it hit me. I do have a body of work to sell. I do have something to talk about. I am a writer. I am a designer. One must believe these things to make them a reality. And too often I've brushed away my writing online as mere journal keeping, of no real value to anyone, but myself. But this is not true. Ten years (almost) after blogging for the first time I am at a place where I've amassed many a word published online. Youngbradford. Bradford Shellhammer. Queerty. Design Notes. SUNfiltered. Full Frontal Fashion. I've made a little go a very long way. And made some money along the way doing it.

So I relaxed. I chatted with Gary. Showed them our home. I showed off my toys and talked about inspiration. And they left after 8 hours.

The video Dwell published yesterday is really quite lovely. It made me smile. It showed off the humor and fun I attempt when decorating. It was very colorful and I think it so accurately portrayed me. I am really quite thankful to have this little treasure to take with me into the future.

It will be a reminder of this time. A time when I am the happiest I have ever been and a time where I felt I could take on the world. I did get a little sad noticing where my body was changing. My eyes' skin is no longer as taut as it had been. I looked older than I do in still images. And my nails! Jesus I needed a manicure.

But even Gary's macro shots of my cuticles, wrinkles and dry skin could not distract the viewer, and myself, from the brief film's point: inspiration, color, laughs, and love are everywhere. It's your job to find them. Talk about them. Write about them. Sing about them.

That's your job here on earth.