Emsleys Inspiration and Emsley as Inspiration

 Overcoming Shyness

by Rebecca Lewis

Reserved and not sure of unknown surroundings, she hides her face in her moms hip. Her face is turned just enough to peek out of the corner of her eye, taking in the strangers. Some time passes by and the tight grip on her moms hand loosens. With a little courage, she lifts her head from the safety of her moms side and speaks a “hello”. She realizes the stranger isn’t so strange after all. A hello turns to a question, “Do you want to play with me”. And at that moment, her shell softens just a little. 

Emsley is 5 years old and has always been shy. Candace Garlock is Emsleys Booma. Two creatures cut from the same cloth, Emsley and Booma are best friends, two peas in a pod, soul mates. These two artists spend hours together in the studio, often collaborating on pieces. Walking around the space, you can find hearts and drawings of rabbits and birds hidden in all corners and surfaces. Little pieces of Emsleys mind are scattered all around. Most of all, Emsley is Boomas little helper. She is more than aware that Booma suffers from Multiple Sclerosis. She is protective of Boomas energy. They rest when it's time to rest. 

So, Emsley did not hesitate when Booma asked her to help at the RTIA show. Running around with excitement, Emsley said “I will be brave! I will sell your artwork!”. She agreed she would run the booth alone when it was time for Booma to go home to rest.

Wearing her best dress and hair done up, Emsley held her moms hand walking into the show. Her mom was waiting for the moment she would change her mind. Emsley was really shy. There was no way she would interact with people, especially with Booma leaving to go home.

That moment never came. Emsley power walked from the front door all the way to Boomas booth and not one second passed where she looked back in fear or unsettledness. Instead of burying her head in her moms hip, she walked right behind the booth and asked the first person she saw “What would you like to buy?” From there, Emsley blossomed like a spring flower. She showed strangers her Boomas artwork and explained her interpretations of it with so much joy and confidence. She stamped their hands and drew them special characters as keepsakes. To her, she was sharing her special world with them. Surrounded by the birds, sculptures, and prints that she is used to seeing in her special space she shares with Booma. She was letting people into her heart and the shy little girl that used to be was no more.