An Abundant Life - Encouraging Design

This past week I was blessed to attend an event at Lixil Water Experience Center in Manhattan celebrating the group of Designers who had been invited to join the ICFF Launch Pad. As described on the ICFF website, Launch Pad is "Where emerging designers shape their future, spark meaningful connections, and set the foundation for lasting careers". I had known the evening would be a lovely and inspiring one, but it was even more than that. The environment of the Lixil Water Experience Center is gorgeous and inspiring all on its own, filled with wonderful design and ideas from a variety of manufacturers, and the focus of the evening being on these wonderful emerging Designers and this wonderful program brought a feeling into the room of the promise of so much possibility and joy.

There was a baby in the room, a very young child who was with one of the attendees, and in at least one of the videos I created that evening in that beautiful space, the child's laughter and calls can be heard in playful sounds that somehow fit into this exuberant and fun filled evening. As I walked around within the space and later listened to the panelists as they discussed their work and the program, I found myself feeling congratulatory towards everyone in the room. It seemed as if we were all their together celebrating something so special, the history of creativity and design and innovation that leads each one of us forward in our own projects to create and learn and share and collaborate as we envision the way that we want to make things that are beautiful and inspiring for others and to share inspiring art and design in collaborations and individual works that illuminate and uplift and grow each one of us into a healthy and holistic community, knitting together our shared history, vision and inspiration for the future.

It's with so much gratitude to Lixil Water Experience Center, ICFF and Dwell Magazine that I thank you for including me in this truly special event, and I extend that gratitude to everyone who gave their time and gifts to us all that evening. Bravo to all of the emerging Designers and to all of the wonderful people involved in this beautiful program and heart felt thanks for this beautiful event that brought so much encouragement to the design world on every level.

ICFF Launch Pad

A Celebration

At Lixil Water Experience Center

155 Fifth Avenue

New York City

https://lixilwaterxnyc.com

https://icff.com/launch-pad

Blessings,

Jannie Susan

An Abundant Life - Community Culture

I've know the Artist Mustart for some time now, and have posted photographs of his and sometimes written about him and the beautiful murals and artwork he creates. This past week I saw that he was curating an art show clear across the other side of Jersey City that would also have a hip hop dance battle with youth and adults that was part of it, and I made sure to make my way over to see him and enjoy what he was creating in the community on a beautiful still very warm fall afternoon.

The area where he was holding the show and events around it is near where I have visited other Artists in the past who I have written about in these pages before, and this space was new to me so it was an adventure that was filled with memories of when I had first met Artists whose studios and spaces were part of that community, and also some of the long walks I'd taken at different times over the years just for the fun and adventure of exploring.

The Artists who contributed their work to the show were all wonderful, and the dancing battles were impressive. There was beautiful artwork of all kinds all over the walls surrounding the area and t-shirts and jewelry and other designer pieces that added to the inspiration of the beautiful day.

Jersey City is such a gorgeous place, filled with communities like this that know so much that is so uniquely their own. During the day's highlights I kept hearing the Announcer and MC talking about Culture, and how this day's celebration was so beautifully representative of it. I'm so filled with admiration and gratitude and so honored that I know Artists like this who welcome me into their worlds. Being there was a gift and one that I will treasure in memory and reflection always.

JC Walls

Off Da Hook Jam

Curated By Mustart

Jersey City, New Jersey

Blessings,

Jannie Susan

An Abundant Life - Art Walking

Almost ten years ago around this time of the year I was invited to a wonderful art show at the Cast Iron Lofts in New Jersey and I met an Artist there who took me on many adventures after that, around that place and also in other areas of New Jersey. One of the places where he showed me was right around the corner on Coles Street where there were murals painted all over the walls and structures near the embankment and the overpass, and I remember thinking every time he showed me some new place or space how awesome Jersey City is because of the wealth of art that is there to enjoy.

Yesterday when I was on a long walk to the other side of Jersey City to go to a favorite grocery store I don't often take the time to go to, I walked back on Brunswick Street and realized I was going to be walking right through another area filled with murals and graffiti art that I'd found near that first area I'd been shown on Coles Street. This other place is underneath the overpass, and I'd stumbled into it one day a number of years ago. I walk everywhere that I can and when I'm walking and I have the time, I just walk wherever the Spirit leads. On the day that I'd found this section under the overpass filled with murals and graffiti art I was in awe, and then later some of the Artists who I've met over the years started posting about their own visits to that place and the work that they and their friends were creating there.

On a beautiful September day when the weather still feels like summer is with us but the fall has begun with its golden light, walking with Art all around just feels right. Living and walking with Art all around always feels right to me actually, and taking this walk on this beautiful day to see what was new in this beautiful place hidden away where Artists meet and work together and alone, creating and inspiring and being inspired and making an outdoor place under the overpass that would usually seem dark be filled with light, is one of the things that makes me so excited about Jersey City and so happy that this is a place where I've come to know so well. With so much gratitude to the Artists I've met who have invited me into their worlds and have shown me the places to go, and to those who create in these places and spaces and bring so much unexpected and breathtaking, transporting beauty to us all.

Under The Overpass

For An Art Filled Walk

In Jersey City

Blessings,

Jannie Susan

An Abundant Life - Gently Down The Stream

This past week I heard that Veuve Cliquot was celebrating the launch of a new vintage by making it possible for visitors to go rowing in Central Park at the Boat House for several days for free. I always love the Boat House, and Veuve Cliquot has long been a favorite, and the idea of having an afternoon row sounded like something that I'd at least like to see other people do if not do it myself. I wasn't sure how I'd feel about it because, though I love sailing and used to sail often, it had been a while and I hadn't been rowing in many years.

When I arrived at the Boat House I saw that the line was long but not that long, so I decided to get into it and see what else was a part of the celebration. It turned out that free row boats was what they had planned, and the line was going very quickly, so I went ahead and stayed in line, and found myself getting into a row boat. I had thought I'd feel strange being by myself, but there were a few other solo rowers also, and after it was all done and even during it, I found myself grateful for the time to get my rowing skills back up to speed on my own. In retrospect, rowing can really only be done by one person, unless you've practiced as a team or a duo, and even if there is more than one person in a rowboat, it's often easier if each one takes their own turn.

Being on my own was a bit daunting at first because I had to remember and get used to the way the boat moves with the oars, but being on my own was also freeing because I could sit and experiment and glide and get my bearings, trying out different things to see what worked and what didn't work as well, and to take the time to be peaceful as I figured it all out. Rowing is somewhat like riding a bicycle I think, in that it all came back to me as I started. It didn't take very long for me to remember in my sense memory the different ways the oars helped move the rowboat and in what direction and way to use them to get to where I wanted to be.

It's really a wonderful thing to know that the body and mind can remember physics in this way, that we can remember how to do something that is actually very complicated if you try to explain it in words. Learning by doing is sometimes the best way for some things, and rowing was that way for me. As I found myself on the water in Central Park in New York City, I reflected on the extraordinary circumstances that had brought me to that place on that day. All the years of history, all the times in my life from summer camps up to the present, all the different ways that I had gotten to where I was just then to be able to go ahead and say yes to getting into a row boat in Central Park because why not? And then finding myself remembering after all how to row gently and surely out into the center, and then turn around and find my way back to shore.

An Afternoon In Central Park

Rowing At The Boathouse

With So Much Gratitude

To Veuve Cliquot

Blessings,

Jannie Susan

An Abundant Life - Paper Dreams

This past week was the Art On Paper show in New York City, and I was invited by the gorgeous Linda Gerlach invited me to the opening night with a very special VIP exclusive ticket. I always enjoy going to this show, but having the opportunity to be with Linda as she photographed and created her wonderful images that would become her story and record of the show was enchanting. She is such a beautiful photographer and creative, and is so much fun to be with too. Being invited to join her on this very special evening was a true gift and blessing.

Art On Paper always inspires me because there are so many different ways that people are working with paper to create their art, and in some ways it seems there are endless possibilities when people focus on using this medium. Books and sculptures, paintings, drawings, collage, tiny boxes drawn on with even tinier pens and paint brushes, mobiles, structures, prints and even on at least one year a memorable paper dress and other paper clothing.

The VIP evenings are always a joyous time too, because it's the first night and everyone feels the excitement of being there. Joining Linda made this event that I always love attending become something even more special and beautiful, and with so much gratitude I thank her for thinking of me and extending her generous invitation to this night filled with stars and dreams.

At Art On Paper

With So Much Gratitude

To The Gorgeous Linda Gerlach

For Her Generous Invitation

To The VIP Exclusive Opening

Pier 36

299 South Street

New York City

https://ny.thepaperfair.com

Lane Sell

Printing Live With Shoestring Press

Blessings,

Jannie Susan

An Abundant Life - A Celebration of Community

I posted about the the Three Year Anniversary Celebration at YES Gallery two weeks ago, and shared a poem that I had written in May that had inspired the title of the event with a line from it that was written on the invitation. On the day itself, among all of the beautiful community members and Artists who shared their time and gifts there was one woman who I had met before when she'd come into the gallery and who offered to share some of her spoken word and sung poetry. I had always told her in the past that she'd be welcome to do that, and so when she arrived and after a little while offered to read a few things, I was delighted and said yes.

Her name is Carmen Vega, and she performs in other places all over Jersey City and the surrounding area. I've seen some of her posts and videos of her readings and of the poems she writes and sings, and it was wonderful to have her share her work at YES Gallery. I had asked her if I could videotape and post and when she said yes I was able to videotape one of her pieces in its entirety which I'll share here. It was a beautiful afternoon and evening, and having Carmen and her beautiful presence and words and song added some very special moments to this celebration of community.

Carmen Vega

In Performance

At The Three Year Anniversary Celebration

Of YES Gallery

408 6th Street

Hoboken, New Jersey

https://www.instagram.com/carm.envart 

Blessings,

Jannie Susan

An Abundant Life - Taking A Wayside Walk

I was in Massachusetts for a visit recently, and a beautiful friend asked me if there was anything that I'd been wanting to do. The first thing that came into my heart was that I'd been wanting to visit the Wayside Inn, a place that has a wonderful restaurant and also a beautiful environment to walk and explore. My friend said yes, even though I found out afterward that she hadn't known at first what place I was talking about. She is a gem to have said yes without knowing, just because she knew I"d been wanting to visit.

On the day that we went, she asked me for the address, and when I looked it up for her she saw that it was the place where her daughter had gotten married. The grounds of the Wayside Inn have different areas, and I'd been talking about the historic home part of it, but her daughter had been married by the grist mill. On our way over as we drove, I saw so many reminders of places where I'd been over the years with my Mother, and it brought back so many beautiful memories. When we arrived, and I saw the sign on the house that showed the date it had been built, I realized that the reason I'd been wanting to return is that it was built around the same period as the house where I grew up. 

There is something very special about revisiting a place where you've loved to go that you haven't been to in a while, or at least there is for me. Our afternoon at the Wayside Inn was filled with so many beautiful moments, and I am so grateful to my friend for her willingness to bring me there. We had lunch after our walk around the grounds and after visiting the grist mill, and we took time to view the rooms upstairs where they have a museum and display before walking outside down the paths and roads and fields. One thing that I'd been wanting very much to have is Indian Pudding, something that I always loved to have there and that I'd learned to make because of how much I enjoyed it when I visited. It was still on the menu, and when I asked at the restaurant if they were still serving it, they were, and so I had a beautiful new memory reminding me of days gone by to cherish along with my meal.

One thing I found out this time that I hadn't known, thanks to reading some of the information at the mill and the lovely opportunity to speak with the Miller, is that Henry Ford was an important part of why the Wayside Inn exists. I had no idea all these years that he had walked these road and paths and created the mechanisms that kept things running into a new era, and that was an exciting thing to find out. As I plan for my own project that is part of another historic site, having the experience of walking along in the paths of memory helped me to see that all things are possible. Where once I had walked as a child, a teenager and a young adult, I can now walk and learn in a new way how to create an environment for and with the community that is as special as the places and spaces surrounding it.

A Beautiful Lunch

And A Wayside Inn Walk

Longfellow's Wayside Inn

72 Wayside Inn Road

Sudbury, Massachusetts

https://www.wayside.org

Indian Pudding

Bringing Back So Many Beautiful Memories

Blessings,

Jannie Susan