GOOD FRIENDS:
SHELLY & LANCE

Making Friends
Friendship is a unique thing. Some friends have been a part of our lives since before we can remember while others wander into our lives well into our adult years. Some friendships are instant connections, and others grow more slowly eventually forming into deep, meaningful relationships. One is by no means better than the other, and perhaps, that is the amazing thing about friendship. Each relationship is unique. No two are alike.

Back to the Beginning
Shelly and Lance Hyman came into Karen’s life as customers and fans but have grown into true friends over the years. It was fifteen years ago that Shelly was first introduced to the whimsical metalwork of Karen Rossi. Shelly describes the moment of discovery: “One day my Aunt and I went to 100 Pearl Street where there were art exhibits in the lobby.  Karen was having a one women show….I knew right then and there that I had to have one of her pieces.” After seeing this first exhibit, Shelly and her husband, Lance, visited one of the open studio events that Karen used to hold at her Windsor Locks location. It was there that Shelly purchased her first and favorite Rossi sculpture – Tea Lady. To this day, the piece still hangs in the window of the Hymans’ house.

Memories
When asked about her favorite Rossi moments, Shelly is not at a loss for wonderful memories. One of her favorite times was when Karen attended her retirement party. They didn’t know each other too well at the time, so it meant a lot to Shelly that Karen would attend the party. She had always thought it would be fun to get to know Karen more, and this was one of the first steps in their growing friendship. Always ready and willing to help, Shelly soon made herself available as a volunteer helper for Karen’s many shows and events. She recalls the very first open house that she helped Karen with. “It was my first bonfire at Norfolk .  It was freezing cold, but there were a lot of people there.  I had only known Karen a short time but she trusted me with her money and her work.  That meant a lot to me.”

Cruising
When they aren’t helping Karen with shows and projects, Shelly and Lance can often be found traveling the world and taking cruises. Shelly has visited 5 continents and has been to all 50 states. Lance comes pretty close to Shelly’s record, with 3 continents and 49 states! But, of all the places they have visited, they claim Cape Horn as their favorite. “It is truly at the end of the world,” Shelly describes, “There is nothing there except one Chilean outpost that is manned by one person and his family. They get provisions helicoptered in once every 5 months and other than that see no one.”  

Cat Lovers
In addition to their love of art and their love of travel, Lance and Shelly adore their three cats, Ming, Mama, and Elvis. Loving real cats has translated into loving cat artwork, as well. After one of the shows that Shelly and Lance attended, Karen didn’t have room to pack one of pink cat sculptures. So, Shelly and Lance were happy to take it home and “babysit” it for a few weeks. To their surprise, Ming, Mama, and Elvis never even approached the sculptural kitty.

At the Heart of Art
Shelly and Lance have a deep love for the things that they are passionate about, and this is shown in the way that they live their lives. When it comes to artwork, and especially Karen’s whimsical sculptures, Shelly says that, “Every piece [makes] me smile…. I love watching other people as well, especially kids. When they see Karen's work, their faces light up.  I love seeing that wonderment.  Karen's work does that to people.”