Collector Series No. 10 : Founder of Wondercide, Stephanie Boone!

We talk extensively about supporting local businesses and #buyingsmall, but when do we ever thank customers for their patronage? This series of posts is meant to honor the unsung heroes who recognize the hard work, passion and dedication we put into our craft and shine the light back onto them. Without them, we couldn't continue to do the work that we love and for that I am so grateful.

NEXT UP we have the Founder at Wondercide, Business Icon & Hot Mama, Stephanie Boone!

Stephanie and I met through my art and have become great friends. I am immensely grateful for her support of my own art, but especially in my mission of amplifying women in the arts.

Tell us about yourself!

Who are you? What do you do? What area of town do you live in?

Founder at Wondercide | Entrepreneur, Innovator, Investor, Speaker, Mentor, Philanthropist | Shark Tank alum, and single mom to two amazing children. We live in central Austin in Allendale. We enjoy long walks and bike rides on Shoal Creek and supporting local area businesses.

How did you discover Julie Ahmad Contemporary Art Gallery? Why do you buy original art? Is this the first piece of original art you have ever owned? What does it mean to you to support a local artist?

I discovered Julie and her gallery during the Austin Studio Tour several years ago. I always plan out those weekends and was intrigued by what I saw in my research. When I walked into the gallery I felt an instant connection to Julie's expressive work and fell in love with her journey.

I started creating and collecting art from a young age and I have a passion for the authentic connection to the artists and their pieces that hang in my homes and offices. It's so important to me to support local artists because they are the lifeblood of our creative and expressive community.

There is so much to learn and enjoy through the talents and visions of our art community in Austin. It's actually inspired me to seek out paintings and sculptures from local artists when I travel the world with my children. Now, we not only have several of Julie’s beautiful works displayed, we also have an around the world collection in our family room that reminds us of our life experiences together and the diversity of our world through others' lived experiences.

I’m grateful beyond words for the opportunity to share my passion for art with my children, friends, and family because I believe in its innate power to open discussion and expansion.

What drew you to these original pieces of art?

I instantly fell in love with the “Dream Catcher” for its colors and textures. But what I’ve come to appreciate over time are the different things that I can see when I look at it, sometimes feathers in a spiritual offering and other times an astute, content rabbit with proud ears. It allows my imagination to run wild and it never gets old. This piece sits on our matte black upright baby grand piano that is as entertaining and unique as Julie’s work.

The second piece I fell in love with was “Longhorn Lolita”. It originally had a different name! I stopped by the gallery one afternoon just to look around and it caught my eye. At the time, I had just bought a little ranch in the Texas Hill Country that we named Legacy Ranch. Only things that bring us joy and connection get to live there. Its a place we go to unwind from city life, enjoy nature, heal, dream, and of course, party! Unbeknownst to me, the ranch came with a prized Texas Longhorn that I had no idea how to take care of. Julie and I laughed that I could not unsee this abstract clearly as a longhorn, so she renamed it just for me! This piece proudly hangs in the dining room at the ranch and reminds me that while I was not cut out to be a mom to a rambunctious Texas Longhorn, I was destined to love him well and find him a forever home with wide open pastures. Sometimes the things we love we are also called to let go of. I’m so grateful we have Longhorn Lolita to remind us of that strength and grace when life has its way.
“I am anything I want” by Julie Ahmad hangs in my Mistress bedroom (there are no masters in my home!). I remember the moment I saw this curious, resolute, eyes wide open, female presenting form, with the words “I am masculine, I am feminine, I am anything I want” textured and pronounced in gold letters around her face. In an instant, I felt seen and validated in the world, full of familial, societal, and religious constructs. I have spent my life breaking them apart from my authentic self. No other human or entity has the right to impose on me who I am or what I am capable of. Fitting, this seems, because that night was a women’s empowerment event at the gallery. Powerful and inspiring it was! I had become familiar with Julie’s work and I knew this was special. When I suggested this seemed different from her other works, I learned that it is in fact very rare for Julie to do portraits. She’s only done a few, one every couple of years, and they come to her with such clarity and intensity she feels called to create. I am in love with everything about this painting and could not be more grateful to wake up every morning, with resolve myself, in its inherent reminder.

How did you feel about your space before you added the artwork(s) and how does it feel now?

I bought a 1948 mid century modern, completely gutted it, and designed every detail myself. This one is personal! Post divorce, during covid, running a fast growth company, cohabitating with two little humans in a one bedroom apartment, it was a passion project for me to create a timeless, forever home that felt as beautiful as it looked. I was very selective about the art I collected to achieve that while complementing the aesthetics of the house. When people come over they always remark how incredible the energy feels and they start to discover the art and artists akin to walking around a gallery. These pieces inspire such interesting conversations and life experience stories, which I adore.

Did you utilize any of the complimentary services that Julie offers? How did this compare to other experiences you have had purchasing a high-ticket item?

Ie. Try before you buy (take the guess-work out & see the art in your space before your purchase with no obligation), free local delivery, free photo rendering service

I loved the personal touch of Julie delivering the art to my home! I appreciate she can’t always be the one to do it, but I was lucky that day! Also not customary, we even worked together to hang the pieces. Girl power!