Painted Love

What do you think about dating someone who works in the same industry as you? Considering my background is in advertising, I've been surrounded by professionals who are my age and a little older. And the writers are usually a little whiney. And most art directors are running riding their scooters around town in The Cure t-shirts and skinny jeans. Although some of them were pretty hot in the face, I just don't do that tortured artist type. You know, the kind who will defend that Helvetica font they've used for the headline of your banner ad when you asked for Arial. And thinks the shadow he used around the beer bottle in that new ad reminds him of Miller Lite's 1998 print campaign that swept the CLIO awards.

So when I got an email from a cute graphic designer this weekend, I was slow to respond. I guess growing up surrounded by guys who were very traditional has steered me away from the trendy, artsy types. I've always leaned more toward All-American types in jeans and Polo sweaters. I think if I brought Trendy Tony home, in his tight grey cords and high tops, my father would take one look, scrunch his face and then pull me aside to ask why my boyfriend was wearing women's pants.

But since this man was wearing a white tee with a plaid shirt and had some light scruff on his face, I decided maybe he's a manly artist. A guy who sketches an ad campaign sitting in the front row of a cage fight using a pocket knife and some canvas before riding out to his family's ranch to break in some new colts. And then bake an apple pie with his mom. So I decided to reply to the Brawny Man's email.

Hmm...me and an artist? I'll see where this goes. I wouldn't want to...draw any conclusions.