An Abundant Life - Flowers Of Inspiration

I first met Jaume at a group show at Montserrat Contemporary Art when I saw some of the most beautiful floral watercolors I had ever seen and I asked who the Artist was who had created them. Jaume was standing near his work and he very softly said that he was the Artist, and I think I must have startled him with my exuberance when I said they were absolutely gorgeous because he is a very quiet and soft spoken, humble person who I don't think even remotely understands how talented and gifted an Artist he is. I took a photo of him that day along with some of the paintings and prints that were hanging in the Salon, and I asked if I could come back to meet with him at some point and write about him and his work. He said I could in his very soft spoken and humble, sweet way, but because of his own travels and I think a good part of his own very humble not understanding what on earth I would want to meet with him to write about, it took until now for me to have an opportunity to meet with him again. We had seen each other a few times in between, and I had seen more of his work, including some of his oil paintings and larger pieces, but it was only a few days ago when I was able to share some time with him and talk about his history and his work and how much his beautiful paintings meant to me as inspiration and as pieces to bring beauty and peace into the world.

At the time when I first met him I had taken a few photographs which I posted on Instagram, and the reaction of my followers and other people who happened to see the post was just as positive as my own. As I have met with him over time I have tried to explain the feelings his work evokes in people, and I have also heard from his sister, who is the Owner of Montserrat Contemporary Art, that there are many other people who respond with such a strong positive feeling to his work. I have a theory that has developed over time as I have continued to work with Artists and Designers and other Creative Entrepreneurs that the best of the best are usually the ones who don't understand how great they are. When I tell someone they are wonderful and that their work is the best I have seen, I mean it - I don't just say that to encourage people. If I say it's stunning, if I say it's the best, I mean what I say and I have a history of working with Artists and Creatives to prove it. In this crazy world we live in, there are people who will say they are great or that they have experience when they don't, and I've begun to realize that in some cases people who say they know something or are something can somehow find a way to succeed, because by the time people figure out that they don't have the experience or expertise they've claimed, they've either figured out how to at least fake it well or they've moved on to something or somewhere else. But it's those people who have integrity, who work hard, who have singular and exciting vision, who are truly craftspeople and Artists at heart, it's those people who sometimes can go by the wayside while others are recognized, sometimes for work that someone else did. And in the process, the true greats can sometimes get discouraged, can stop doing their life's passionate work, or can decide that they are just not good enough to promote themselves into the spotlight. And so it is with great pleasure that I learned that though Jaume had stopped painting for a while, he has started again and is now planning a solo show for early next year.

It is hard to describe the feeling that Jaume's work evokes. When I first saw it I was reminded of some of my favorite country homes, a beautiful summer seaside town where I spent many happy days as a child, a walk in the country, my favorite English novels, Louisa May Alcott and Emily Dickinson and some of their Boston and New England stories and poems, and something even more delicate that whispered to me of the innocence of new love, of times gone by when I was young, and of another way of life that was more peaceful and tranquil than the fast-paced life of today. When I look at Jaume's work I also see the intense skill and dedication that it takes to bring life to a page of paper with watercolor or oil paints, and the care that he takes with each brush stroke to make a flower appear in a way that you can feel and smell it. His work takes you into a world as well as into a sensory experience, and you find yourself breathing deeper, listening better and seeing colors in a new way. The artwork of Jaume is a truly special way to view the world, and by experiencing it we are able to see our own lives in a new way.

Jaume

At Montserrat Contemporary Art

547 West 27th Street

New York City

http://www.montserrat.us/

http://www.jaume.com/

Blessings,

Jannie Susan

An Abundant Life - Living In Style

A few weeks ago I attended an Art Event at Contra Galleries in Manhattan. I have attended events there before and I always enjoy discovering what this group of Entrepreneurs is up to, but though I was prepared for a very fun evening of Art and conversation, I was pleasantly surprised that it was even more than I expected. With the gorgeous work of the amazing Artists Alex Smetsky who is known by his signature last name Smetsky and Josh Leidolf AKA TRAN$PARENT, beats and ambiance from the marvelous DJ Tekila NYC, a performance with dance and music by the phenomenally talented Nik Hartfield and delicious beverages from her company Nik Rosé and Blanc Productions, the friendly and joyous presence of her Manager Stuart "Mookie" Sanders the CEO and Partner of MookaMilli Entertainment & The White Guys Music, LLC, and sweet and savory hors d'oeuvres created by Aleks Veyg, Founder of The Boulder Beverage Company who is also a Chef with a degree in culinary arts and a resume from some of the finest corporate and fine dining destination kitchens, there was a feast for the senses. The evening was produced by The Boulder Beverage Company under the banner of its subsidiary BolderArts, and in addition to putting together fabulous art events I discovered that there is a whole lifestyle brand that falls under the name of The Boulder Beverage Company that includes nutritional snacks and beverages, art events, and all of the accoutrements of a high end and very high quality lifestyle.

After the event I had the opportunity to meet with the Founder of The Boulder Beverage Company, Aleks Veyg, and took a lovely summer day trip out to Brighton Beach for a walk and conversation that spanned the length of the boardwalk down to Coney Island and back again and covered all kinds of important topics. We spoke about his passion for creating a brand and putting together events that are memorable, and we also spoke about hard work, integrity, community and sustainability. As he described more about his vision with The Boulder Beverage Company, I found I had a kindred spirit because Aleks is working to create products that are not only appealing to a market looking for nutritious alternatives, but he has done and continues to do the research needed create products that truly are healthy and delicious, and that make the highest nutritional impact possible by making the nutritional value of the beverages and foods more easily accessible to the body by using research based nutritional science. The Boulder Beverage Company line of products was originally created for children, and has since branched out to include adults. There are products that exist and that are in development for individuals from all walks of life and from every health and wellness standpoint.

At the end of our afternoon together I felt invigorated, as much for our walk on the beach as for the experience of discussing the vision and passion of an Entrepreneur who not only wants to create lasting and innovative brands and help promote excellence and collaborate with others, but also someone who in his own way wants to change the world for the better. The mission behind The Boulder Beverage Company is to make products that in their words are "safe and respectful to all ages, and preferences, and markets." There's a saying we used to use at one of the organizations where I taught community nutrition and health workshops, "Each One Teach One," and the saying went hand in hand with something known as The Starfish Story. In short, the story is about a man who sees someone walking along the beach doing something he can't quite figure out until he gets closer, and when he finally sees what the other person is doing, he is astonished because the person is walking along and throwing starfish that have washed up at low tide back into the water. The man stops and asks why the other person is doing that, and the reply is simply because otherwise they will die. The first man says that there are miles of beach and so many starfish and there is no way to save every one and that there is no way to make a difference. And the other person calmly continues throwing starfish into the water and says, "It made a difference for that one." As we walked along the beach, I was rejuvenated by our conversation as much as having my feet in the surf and sand. It made a difference for this starfish, and I can only imagine what this wonderful Entrepreneur will do for others.

BolderArts

At Contra Galleries
An Evening Of Art, Entertainment, And Lifestyle
Produced By The Boulder Beverage Company
https://boulderbeverage.com/


With Gorgeous Artwork By Smetsky


And The Stunning TRAN$PARENT


A Performance By The Beautiful Nik Hartfield
Shown Here With Her Manager
Stuart "Mookie" Sanders

Tastes Of Her Signature Sparkling Rosé "Nik"

Illustrious Guests From The Arts Community

Beats By DJ Tekila NYC

Aleks Veyg On Brighton Beach

For A Conversation

With Jannie Wolff

Blessings,

Jannie Susan

An Abundant Life - Seeing Is Believing

Robert Streicher has a history of excellence. Earlier in his career he was a dancer and choreographer, he has been an actor and a playwright and producer and an entrepreneur. But of all of the gifts and talents that he has, I believe that the greatest one is his work as a visual artist. I don't say this lightly, because he does everything that he does with passion and attention to detail, with a sense of the permanence of the often thought of as ephemeral arts. Although the work that performers do on stage is fleeting and passing and never can be replicated exactly, with Robert there is a precision and focus that makes it so that each performance is memorable. With his intensely critical eye, he knows what he knows, and sees beyond the present moment to what is hidden behind the facade, in the distance or near to the surface. But there is something that happens when he begins to paint that opens up new vistas and possibilities, and it is in that space of creativity that I believe his art truly and most powerfully comes alive.

I met Robert when he was giving an Artist talk at Novado Gallery in Jersey City, and later went to visit him in his studio. We share a history of knowing some of the great people who have populated the New York City Art, Dance and Theater worlds over the years, and when I am visiting with him I am reminded of some of the most memorable days and times I experienced in what I believe is the greatest city in the world. And it is not just Art, Dance and Theater that span his consciousness and fall into the conversation like a heathly rain, he is an avid movie watcher and reader and is knowledgeable about the history of culture and art in many forms. A conversation with Robert is one that is eye opening and inspiring, and one that brings back memories of people and places and brings them into a new light.

As an Artist, his work spans so many different categories that there is no way to really place him except to say that he is always exploring form and line and color. There is an intense quality to his pieces that is at the same time full of light and life, though some of them are darker in tone and color palette. I could spend hours talking with him and looking at his work, and I have on occasion had the opportunity to do that. It's a rare experience to find someone who knows so much and is so discerning, to find a creative spirit with strong opinions and vision who is always trying something new. It's refreshing to meet someone like Robert Streicher, whose vision helps us see in a new way, and whose beliefs and experience are so powerful that we begin to understand a new story.

A Glimpse Into The World
Of The Art Of Robert Streicher
In His Studio
Jersey City, New Jersey

http://www.robertstreicher.com

Blessings,

Jannie Susan

An Abundant Life - Right At Home

Korai Kitchen is a very special place. With a feeling of home that is even more special than home because everything you might want or need is shared with you freely in a way that even the most lovely homes cannot always do when they're your own. When you stop by on any given day, Nur-E Farhana Rahman's mother Nur-E Gulshan Rahman will greet you if Nur-E is not there herself to do it, and you feel as if you've stopped by to see an old friend, someone who you've known your whole life who loves and cares about you. And it doesn't matter if it's your first time there, Nur-E's mother will greet you like you're that someone special she's been waiting for, and if Nur-E is there herself, she'll sit you down at a table and feed you the most delicious food you've ever had. And don't worry if you're in a hurry, there are to-go containers that she can pack full of the ambrosial flavors from her mother's kitchen. You won't go away hungry if anyone there can help it.

I met Nur-E Farhana Rahman at an event at the Jersey City Tech Meetup on one of the coldest days of the year last winter. She had been part of a panel of Chefs and people who own restaurants or are in some way part of the food industry in the area, and when she began to describe her restaurant I knew I wanted to visit. And it was not just because it sounded delicious and like a one of a kind experience because of the Bangladeshi home cooking of her mother - there was something about Nur-E herself that made me want to find out more about this entrepreneur who decided to drop everything to help her mother realize her dream of having a restaurant. As the story goes, Nur-E had thought that she would just help her mother get started, but she was enjoying herself so much in the neighborhood, getting to know people who stopped in and sharing the traditions of her family meals, that she stayed, and then she stayed a little longer, and now she is a part of the place as if she had always wanted to own a restaurant and as if she always has.

When I stopped by recently to set up an appointment with her, she was so busy with customers that she didn't have much time to talk, but she threw her arms around me to say hello and then packed me a delicious curry chicken to take home. We set up an appointment for the following week, and I had a chance to try the lunch buffet. I wanted to try a little of everything because it is food that I have rarely had before, only a few times over the years when friends of friends or family would share meals from their native Bangladesh. And there is such an array of delicious food here, curry and chicken and fish and rice and lentils, vegetables and meats seasoned with coconut milk, ginger, turmeric, garlic, cardamom, cinnamon and cloves, and the smell of each is so enticing. Nothing is heavy and everything so flavorful, and the variety on my plate was so beautiful and so delicious that I can't wait to go back for more. I think if Nur-E had more time that day I would still be there, enjoying the sights and sounds of this lovely oasis, this place of peace in one of the most bustling areas of a busy city. But she was off to the  market and I was off to an event at the nearby Mana Contemporary, and so after a lovely conversation we went on our separate ways. I'll be back again soon, though, that's for certain. Korai Kitchen is a special place, and one that feels very much like home.

Korai Kitchen

576 Summit Avenue

Jersey City, New Jersey

https://www.koraikitchen.com

Blessings,

Jannie Susan