An Abundant Life - Adventurous Beauty

Ranie K. is a beautiful young woman who is not afraid of reinventing herself. Raised in Queens, New York, she received a B.A. in English Literature and worked in the hospitality industry, moving into a position at the Renaissance Hotels when the Midtown location on 35th Street in New York City first opened. She is currently working as a Navigator there, the name the Renaissance Hotels gives to their Concierge because of the very special work they do that is above and beyond a regular Concierge, and it's a title that suits Ranie to perfection. Among other special projects, the every day work of a Navigator is to help find interesting things for the guests of the hotel to explore and to answer questions about the area with knowledge and finesse, guiding guests to the people and places that would most suit their interests, goals and needs while they are visiting the hotel and the city.

When I first met Ranie, I was attending a whiskey tasting event at the Renaissance Midtown, and she answered my questions expertly, while directing me to the people who could give me more information and making introductions to the people who were at the event who could insure that I'd make the connections I needed to learn and know more about the hotel. When I asked if it would be possible to write a blog post about the hotel, she invited me to other events so that I could get a more in depth knowledge of the excellence in service and the cutting edge atmosphere that is available and is a part of the Renaissance boutique hotel experience.

Over time as I got to know Ranie, I started to see that there was even more to her than her already very busy and detail oriented role as a Navigator. Her work as a Navigator would have been enough for me to be interested in writing about her, but as I got the chance to know about some of the other things she was doing, I asked if we could sit down to talk a bit so that I could get a fuller picture of who this woman of mystery was. We met at the hotel for a brief talk so that I could clarify some of my questions, and then she was off to help more guests and make sure that everything was running smoothly for the evening events. It was a very brief talk because she takes her position very seriously, and though there were many questions I had and there are many things that she had to share with me, doing her job with excellence is her highest priority. I asked if she could email me some information, and I'll incorporate some of her own words here because the way that she has of expressing herself is delightful in its honesty, integrity and strength.

She's a beautiful woman, one who is very lovely and like a blooming flower, but like a flower she is strong and resilient, and goes through many phases and times of growth and renewal. She has started modeling, and when I saw her photographs I would have thought that was something that was a part of her history because she is a natural for it, but it is something that has been evolving fairly recently. She also travels all over the world, not as part of her job but because she loves to do it, enjoying each journey as a new adventure. She embraces change and growth and renewal, and faces new experiences head on, taking care to celebrate life and caring for the path she is on as a part of her own growth and personal journey. She writes a blog, and posts on Instagram @__lirio_de_los_valles__, and the stylist for her modeling is Ricardo Poulard who is on Instagram @primproperbrothers. Ricardo is the owner of Prim & Proper BrothersTM and is a Brand Manager, Image Consultant and Stylist. He has worked with Garçon Couture, Dleak Bow Ties and Pstudios as well as being the personal stylist to Ranie K. As a bio that Ranie shared with me describes him, "His vision and creativity goes beyond your imagination. He is always looking for new ways to be innovative in the fashion world. The sky is the limit and there is no stopping him."

Along with the beautiful photos that Ranie shared with me for this blog, she wrote some words about herself and her personal exploration and journey: "This blog is reinventions of myself and how far I have come – being comfortable in my own skin and understanding and accepting my flaws as progression in my life. Learning to change with every passing day to improve myself to be a better person. Modeling is an outlet to expressing and embracing my sexuality as an older woman. I have a great passion for traveling the world and intend to see as many countries as possible in this life time. I love unique food adventure and like to eat locally when I travel. The best way to experience a culture is through history and food. Favorite quote: "If you're going through hell, keep going." – Churchill. Why I name my blog A Lily of the Valley: - despite the lack of sunlight it still grows. Hence, despite all life has thrown at me I will still: Smile, Shine and be Happy; I owe that to myself."

I can agree that she still smiles, shines and radiates happiness - she brightens the rooms she is in with her lovely smile all the time. But I will disagree that she's an older woman - she may feel that way because of her personal maturity and some life experiences that have been challenging, and she is very serious about doing her work in the best way possible, but there is a charming and youthful quality about her that is the very essence of that Lily of the Valley - a flower both tender and sweet as it grows with resilience and brightens the paths of others around it. 

Ranie K. Around The World

Photographs Courtesy of Ranie K.

Paris

Brussels

Rosé Mansion Event

New York City

Blessings,

Jannie Susan

An Abundant Life - A Taste Above

The first time I saw a cocktail created by Stephanie O'Neill it was in a post on Instagram for Negroni Week at Antique Bar & Bakery. I love Negronis and have ever since I read about them in the New York Sunday Times food section years ago in an article on summer cocktails for enjoying with lawn games. They paired different games like Boules, Petanque and Bocce with the cocktails made by their associated countries that used Campari and similar aperitifs, and not only was I introduced to Campari for the first time, but I bought a set of bocce balls and started playing during my summer vacation in Rhode Island. I don't own the bocce set any more and I haven't played in years, but when I saw Stephanie's specialty cocktail it made me want to buy a new set and head on over to Antique to play on the sidewalk out front. I left a comment about my bocce sidewalk dreams on the post that had the photograph of the beautiful cocktail, and she responded with enthusiastic encouragement, saying she'd make special bocce ball drinks to go along with my game, and though that wonderful dream never happened, I felt like I'd made a new friend.

It's not often that someone as talented as Stephanie is has the time or interest to respond with such fun to a comment on a post, and when I discovered one night when I was at Antique that she had started working there a few days a week, I told her I'd love to meet with her for a blog post. I had thought her Negroni post was just a special once in a lifetime Negroni Week guest appearance, and to hear that she would be at Antique weekly was so much good and delicious news. She's always concocting something as delicious as it is beautiful - one afternoon when I stopped by she presented me with a surprise of an interactive cocktail that changed colors from blue to lavender as I poured one elixir into another. Topped with pea blossoms it made my chemistry loving summer gardener's heart as happy as could be and refreshed my tired soul as it brightened my day with its loveliness. She also works at Vu Restaurant and Lounge at the Hyatt Regency Jersey City On The Hudson, and so after experiencing her wonderful skill at Antique a few times, I made an appointment to meet her at the Hyatt. The views over the Hudson alone are worth the trip, and with Stephanie crafting the most delectable and creative cocktails the evening was sublime. Add into that the delicious and creative food available from Chef Cruz, and my cup ran over into blissfulness. I don't usually give warnings about the people I write about, but with Stephanie I will have to in all good conscience. Her cocktails are so smooth and delicious you'll want to drink them quickly, and though they're made with such high quality ingredients they won't hurt you, I'd recommend sipping them in a more refined way to enjoy them all the longer.

Stephanie is fun and funny and full of life, and she's very well educated and lady like too. A graduate of CUNY with a Masters Degree in Political Science, she taught at Queens College for four to five years in both the Political Science and Urban Studies departments before she decided to pursue her side job of bartending full time, and she enjoys bringing more in depth and philosophical ideas into her conversations and her cocktail creations. She's one of the lovely flowers from Georgia that has been transplanted here to help us all grow more lively, so stop on in for a visit at Antique or the Hyatt and enjoy beautiful views and beautiful tastes with a Mixologist who can make any cocktail shine brighter.

Stephanie O'Neill At Vu Restaurant and Lounge
The Hyatt Regency

Jersey City On The Hudson

2 Exchange Place

Jersey City, New Jersey

https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/new-jersey

Beautiful Views On The Way

And Lovely Views Inside

Delicious Creations From Chef Cruz

A Perfect Pour Every Time

Adding A Special Mist Over The Top

For Added Perfection

Stunning Views

As Afternoon Turns Into Evening

A Perfect Garnish For A Perfect Cocktail

My Initial Made From Citrus Peel

Perched Happily On The Glass

Stephanie O'Neill
At Antique Bar & Bakery

122 Willow Avenue

Hoboken, New Jersey

www.AntiqueBarBakery.com

An Interactive Specialty Cocktail

That Changes Colors

Topped With Pea Blossoms

Complementing The Marvelous Creations

Of Chef Paul Gerard

Blessings,

Jannie Susan

An Abundant Life - Healing The Soul

One afternoon a few weeks ago when I was on my way to a gallery in Tribeca for an Artist friend's opening reception, I got the feeling that I needed to take the PATH train to Christopher Street and walk downtown instead of doing what made the most logical sense and taking the train to the World Trade Center. I've gotten to know by now that when I listen to that inner voice that tells me where and when and how to go somewhere I'm listening to the prompting of the Holy Spirit, the highest power there is and one that is always leading every one of us if we can just tune out some of the voices that would tell us we're being silly to do something that is going out of our way and tune into the frequency that knows the best way for us to go. I love thrift store shopping, and some of my favorite thrift stores are near the Christopher Street stop, so I left a bit early and planned the route. As I began to walk down Hudson Street, I saw an outdoor market set up in front of a school I know well. I've walked that way many times and I used to live right around the corner for many years, and I'd never seen an outdoor market there before except for one time when some of the students were hosting a fund raiser. But this was a very different kind of market - school was not in session and the vendors seemed very professional, and as I looked at the different tables and saw the jewelry and clothing and home goods for sale I was impressed. Each person had a very high quality of artisanal products, and because I am always interested in the work that artists and designers are doing, I spoke with each one on my way down the block. Just before I reached the corner I saw a table filled with artwork that drew me in, and the artist sitting there seemed in some way familiar. As I looked at the artwork, he said, "Welcome to my world," and I knew somehow that my own world would be forever changed.

Irrix Screen is a graphic artist who founded D.U.O Gear in 2011. He had already completed projects for clients such as The Wu Tang Clan and Red Dragon Music, and his unique and deeply personal abstract creations had gained respect and admiration. He was receiving requests for shirts, jackets and hats with his designs, and as he began to envision D.U.O. Gear, he had an epiphany stemming from the original D.U.O. ideology of 1999. In his words, "D.U.O. Gear should stand for the people. Not for those who try to impress everyone, turn the heads of the opposite sex and let their egos run wild. It was, and still is, about staying true to your core. It's about bathing in the greatness that is you, and letting words of the the neigh sayers fall to the side, like water off the side of a cliff. It's about being at one with the world, and more importantly, yourself. That's why D.U.O. Gear®'s slogan is Strength In Peace!®"

In an interview in 2016 with Sara Nardea of Letage Magazine, he states, “Through my whole life I have been a creative and an artist. I can remember, as far back as when I was five years old, knowing that I was an artist. I always colored within the lines in my coloring books, and I always had an eye for color blending. Throughout my life I’ve been creating. It was either in my teen years through photography, and poetry, then as the computer age crept up on us, more sophisticated programs allowed me to create within the field of graphic design/computer art. In my early 30’s, I followed my passion to create awesome illustrations, and images through programs like Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. I attended Parsons, New School For Social Research, and I am also an alumni of the School of Visual Arts."

He also attended Iona College in New Rochelle New York, studying business, with a minor in marketing, and after graduating he was offered a job at Apple Computer, as an ASC/Apple Computer consultant. He goes on to describe that, "This was my corporate job, and for the most part this position introduced me to myself. I learned that I am not a corporate person. With the help of being laid off in 2011 from Apple, I was forced to move on, and live my passion, and to do what I was born to do. Create art works! Looking back, I remember envying those who could paint. I tried to paint once, and I did not like it at all, not the painting part, but there was no real concept, I just wanted to paint. Now moving forward, to go back to 2011, when I got laid off. You know sometimes things are done for a reason, well the universe makes no mistakes. It is at this point of transition, when I truly started to find out who I was without being led by the occupations I once lived by; simply put I could think for myself now. . . . How I started my clothing line, and becoming a designer collected worldwide, well it started as simply as doing weekend shows at art markets, selling T-shirts. Each one of my designs are original one-of-a-kind pieces . . . . I started selling shirts on the weekend, at an art market in Chelsea. The name of my company is: D.U.O GEAR, D.U.O for short. D.U.O stands for: Da.Underground.Organization. Anything that was underground was always more authentic, didn’t matter if it was music, art, anything that was raw talent I gravitate towards. People at the beginning, and even now see my work, and will sometimes say, it has a Jean-Michel Basquiat feel to it, or some say Keith Haring, others may say Norman Lewis. Though whoever views my artwork always says, although your artwork has a feel of these great artists, still your artwork stands apart as original . . . . My artworks, either on T-shirts or paintings are now collected globally. I received awards, best of Manhattan for the last three years for small business art gallery . . . no matter how successful, or where my art takes me, I will never be a celebrity, let me explain. I am a person that creates, art is to be shared. The true celebrities are the people who appreciate, and support emerging artists. They are the ones to be celebrated! If it wasn’t for the arts supporters no one would know us for what we do, and the passion behind it. I am just an artist, surrounded by celebrities, that take me from point A to point B. My goal is to help others, and if I could do that in a creative way through my art works, well that works for me.” For the full text of the article, please see http://www.letagemagazine.com/irrix-screen/

And these are not just words. Irrix Screen lives by the words he speaks, sharing his art and his inspiration freely with anyone who takes a moment in time to enter his world. That day on Hudson Street when I stopped by his table, he began to speak to me about his work, using words that spoke directly to a very deep part of my soul. It is very rare that I've experienced that, someone who has a message that can heal a weary heart and calm a troubled mind. After describing some of his work, he pointed to a drawing on paper and asked me what I thought of it. It was beautiful, and I said so, and he handed it to me saying, "Take it, it's yours." I was so moved I was nearly speechless, but it was such a beautiful gift that I didn't want it to get damaged during the rest of my afternoon and evening, and so I got myself together enough to ask if he had anything to protect it. He reached for a white paper bag, and began to draw on it, describing in detail as he drew what each section and symbol represented, each word touching a chord so deep in me that I began to cry. But I was smiling too, because of the pure beauty of the divine moment I was experiencing, and he said, "See, that smile? That right there is what makes the art worthwhile."

The next day I posted the piece and the bag he'd drawn for me on Instagram, and he responded so beautifully and gratefully that I was again amazed and moved. I had already thought that I wanted to get in touch with him to see if I could write a blog post, and when I asked him if that would be possible, he was so welcoming that we arranged it for the following week. I took a train up to Stamford, Connecticut to see his shop and studio where he is located in the Art of Framing store owned by the wonderful Manuel Chagas, and from the moment we walked in the door the afternoon went from one magical and inspiring moment to the next. The art work is gorgeous, and he is also creating one of a kind pieces of clothing from vintage and reclaimed materials. I am very careful with my own budget from necessity, but I could have bought everything in the shop. It was an incredible afternoon, with Manuel Chagas as a gracious and welcoming host, and marvelous Artist and builder Michael John Santoro and the wonderful Entrepreneur Leroy Webber stopping by, sharing stories, talking about art, history, and life. When I got home I posted a group photo that was taken by Manuel Chagas, and the next morning I posted some videos of Irrix talking while drawing, creating another one of a kind piece for each guest and leaving us all with words and inspiration to live by. Irrix responded to my posts with his beautiful words of thanks and gratitude, and then left this poem on my page: 

Meshed

The night is filled, with broken hearts, ♥️ broken glass, and unresolved, differences. love is a book, filled with secrets, written in, invisible ink. I have come to realize, that nothing matters; but time. Old age, will not kill an artist; though love ♥️ will.

When did we get to old, to smile. Why do we not have that same look of love ♥️ in our eyes, as we did, when we first, fell in love, with one another. How is it that, loneliness embraces sadness, in the presence of a crowded world. 🌎 Why is it that we forget to love ourselves, for the fear of losing those, who pick, and choose love at their convenience.

In truth, sometimes, I feel so; dead 💀 inside; as if I could no longer breed poetry; for my emotions, are being crushed by the weight of despair, as my heart disintegrates; decaying; withering away; forever lost; and then I think of you; and I know, my life is reserved to protect you; from sadness, fear, and the thought that; you are average. You, are; spectacular, in every way. 
The night is filled, with broken hearts, ♥️ broken glass, and unresolved differences, though remember; Sometimes, the enlightened path, is the darkest road. When you find yourself; questioning life's journey; it is then; when the awakening, to the path of consciousness occurs. One thing for certain, we are all meshed up, to some degree. I love ♥️ you. Always! ~ Irrix Screen

When we had been talking at his studio and shop, he had shared this poem with me:

Love

I have found that the soul rests better in the day, than at night. The night provokes, the prowling mind; quite; Listen to my thoughts, they are solely of you. An Artists mind fascinates, mystifies, and intrigues, through emotions, and torrents that rage, like a sun storm, through an abandoned lighthouse. I know I love you, and yet; I am uncertain, of your alluring enchantment, surrounding my heart. I do, love you; I have always; loved you. Feasting on romance, I am happy to facilitate you, with a well, of pure lavished admiration to where I am humbly yours to command. No, I am not weak, by any means; I trust you, like no other in this world; I trust you with my heart. The time is now, of a new day; and like many days, before this one; my days always begin, and end with; I love ❤️ you. 😘 Until the end of my days; I will love; only you.

~ Irrix Screen 

And when he emailed it to me, his signature included these words which were also on the walls of his studio and shop:

“Art Forces Us To: Ask questions, have an opinion, evoke emotions, to look around us and inside ourselves, take action, unite, love, think, remember, create, learn… art has no boundaries!”

                              ~ Irrix Screen

It is hard to add anything to words as beautiful as that, so I'll leave you here with some images of the beautiful and life changing artwork of Irrix Screen.

Irrix Screen
At His Beautiful D.U.O. Gear
Art And Design Shop
In The Marvelous Manuel Chagas'
Art Of Framing
67 High Ridge Road
Stamford, Connecticut
www.framingct.com

http://www.duogear.com/

www.Irrix.com

With Artist and Builder Michael John Santoro

Cover Art By Irrix Screen

For "Venenum"

By Christian Sauvage

A Gift Of A Signature T-Shirt

Creating A Carrying Bag For His Art

That Is A Work Of Art Itself

And Another Bag
For Entrepreneur Leroy Webber

Three Videos

From That Lovely Afternoon

Art In Motion

A Beautiful Afternoon With Irrix Screen

From Left:
Leroy Weber, Irrix Screen, Jannie Wolff, Michael John Santoro

The Art Of Irrix Screen

Hand Painted One Of A Kind Zero-Waste

Refurbished Vintage And Designer Pieces

And Always Beautiful Poetry

For Some A Wall Of Fame

For Irrix Screen, A Wall Of Friends

A Vintage Halston Dress Made Stunning

With Gorgeous Art

A Sign Selected For Its Perfect Message

Feeling Very Glamorous In Vintage Halston

Hand Painted With The Stunning Art

Of Irrix Screen
Photographs Taken By Manuel Chagas

Blessings,

Jannie Susan