Laura Ballerini is an accomplished artist who has been running a thriving design boutique for over 20 years. She is the author of The Green Velvet Chair. This book is a collection of heartfelt stories depicting how art and design influence our lives. The essays span over Laura’s 40+ years in the design industry and are viewed through her unique creative lens. Her discovery: Art is not only found in a museum—it appears in music, food, nature and so much more. We are all artists in our own unique way. Laura has a degree in Visual Communications from The Alberta University of the Arts (formerly the Alberta College of Art) and is a recipient of numerous awards throughout her career. Her passion for continuous learning includes regular educational initiatives. • Laura has been running her own design boutique, BluBrown Communications Inc., for over 20 years (BluBrown is named after her two daughters; one with blue eyes and one with brown eyes—the concept was to always look at design through the fresh eyes of a child—and always asking ‘why?’.