Nissue #2: Kelly Tunstall, Artist.
Welcome to the second nissue of In Search of Lost Answers, a place where I ask industry leaders and other luminaries a series of Proust-like questions (in italics), along with my own ones, about business and life. Michael Ernst had so much fun doing the first nissue that he designed the Proust portrait/logo you see throughout!
Kelly Tunstall’s whimsical but uniquely styled paintings have been on exhibit nationally and internationally, often in collaboration with her husband, the artist Ferris Plock. Her work is very much a part of San Francisco as well, with permanent pieces at restaurants like a16 and Bar Crudo. I’ve known Kelly for years, first as a fan and now a friend (or is it the other way around?). You can see her latest creations here.
Nish: What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Kelly: The ability to sleep well at night, and a nice cup of coffee brought to me in the morning.
Nish: What was your worst job ever?
Kelly: Working banquets at a hotel.
Nish: What was your first job ever?
Kelly: Taking care of children.
Nish: What was your best job ever?
Kelly: My current job, whatever that means.
Nish: What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Kelly: I’m often reminded that I cannot manage my time well. I get caught up in things, but I don’t know that I deplore it.
Nish: What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Kelly: Inspecting other people’s medicine cabinets and closets without being asked to. That’s the ultimate in private space.
Nish: What’s some advice you’d give to yourself at 23?
Kelly: Keep going, but buy some property in San Francisco.
Nish: What is your greatest extravagance?
Kelly: Truffle butter.
Nish: You have dinner reservations for 4 at Noma, excluding family and close friends, who are the three people (alive, dead or imaginary) you’d invite?
Kelly: Alexander McQueen, Martha Stewart, and the Queen of England. I don’t know that she’d like the food, but I would want them all to bring their dogs.
Nish: What is the theme song of your professional life?
Kelly: Move On Up!
Nish: What is your motto?
Kelly: Stay close to the one true thought you have. The first instinct is, generally speaking, the best.
Nish: What is something you’re really excited about right now?
Kelly: The sun is out.
End Interview.
> Stay close to the one true thought you have.
Of course Kelly has a cool motto!
Neat concept for a substack!