"What's the definition of a badass? Someone who is tough, uncompromising, and intimidating.

Laura Ballerini, the author of The Green Velvet Chair, is two-thirds badass. Read her book to

find out which two. Through her collection of essays in her debut book, Ballerini invites us to

experience how art and design can influence everyday life. With personal reflections that will

make you laugh and cry, Ballerini recounts her early days as a designer for a big city newspaper,

shares worldly travel anecdotes and family tales that we can all relate to."

- Allison McGee

"Ballerini's writing style is excellent. Engaging. Each word and paragraph draw me to the next

word and paragraph. The images that her words create are vivid. The stories are wonderful.

I didn't know about The Sphere in New York City that stood between the North and South

Towers. I looked it up, and I loved the sculpture and the story behind it. I also didn't know what

a Callery Pear tree was and the incredible story behind it. This piece is amazing. "

- Jeff Nelson, President, Anduro Marketing

"The timeliness of the pandemic stories made the book very current, and these chapters

resonated deeply with me. Another aspect of the book was that Laura's "work" was blended

into every aspect of her life...She isn't a designer for 8 hours, then goes home and becomes a

'non-designer.' Laura is a designer through and through. Her creativity doesn't stop when the

workday is over."

- Caran Magaw, Artist

"Loved the Graceland and Red Crayon chapters. I could feel Laura's anxiety coming off the

page. I connected with that feeling of not being in control."

- Dana Goldstein, Author of Murder on My Mind

"The storyteller hits it straight on. Sharing her life stories brings us to a place of our own. We

can truly see the passion Laura Ballerini brings to the page of her life experiences with humour,

compassion, creativity, and love. LOVE to read "real life" stories that I can relate to. I enjoyed

each chapter as it exploded with a different story. Tying each precious chapter into her work

as a designer brings the stories to life. I think we can all find a chapter or two that will bring us

back to the 'good ole days'!"

- Brenda Sevick

"An original piece of art. Laura Ballerini generously shares her experiences in life. She has

described her experiences of art and design in a most unique way. Heartwarming stories of her

and her loved one's creativity and talents. The artist is a gifted individual who is able to capture

her audiences with her storytelling. She conveys touching tales about her mother and mother-in-

law. Having known them personally, I would say they were described to perfection. I could

clearly see the green velvet chair and the smoking. In fact, I have seen both. The green velvet

chair is a true testimony of the writer's mother. This book immortalized hard work, dedication,

and perfection, which, simply put, is Laura's greatest creative self. And yes, she is a BADASS."

- Lindsay Walters