I am coming back to California with a big selection of art
October 22nd through November 12th, 2021
Please contact me if you would like to book a private appointment to see the art in the quiet of your own home (no obligation) or are interested in hosting a small “art party” in exchange for a painting.
To get the most out of this blog, please click on many of the images, underlined words, etc. for links to more information, interviews, music, etc.
three things we love
Hint Water
Kara Goldin, Founder and CEO of HINT Water
Undaunted, Kara Goldin’s book about her journey and building HINT
We all know that hydration is important—and some of us struggle drinking enough water every day (how many actually drink the recommended 8 glasses a day even though we know it is crucial to a good diet and a healthy body in general?). Making water more attractive, like in a spa where cucumbers or citrus is immersed in a pitcher, always helped me drink more but I never seemed to get it together to do that at home. Along comes HINT, founded by an accidental, in her own words, entrepreneur named Kara Goldin, who simply set out in the beginning to get herself healthier, off of drinking diet sodas and trying to make water more interesting for herself, her family and her friends to enjoy. I met her about the time she was just starting the business (we sat next to each other at the bar in Picco Restaurant in Larkspur, California and struck up a conversation) and remember thinking she seemed very determined although it seemed a big stretch to me to enter into what I knew as the very competitive beverage market, especially with just plain water. Well, many years later, HINT is everywhere and business is booming! So impressed by Kara Goldin! True to its name, Hint contains just a hint of flavor so people expecting and looking for something sweet will be disappointed (the only negative comments I can find on this product are about this). But I LOVE this product. It makes me drink more water. The flavors are subtle and yet just enough to make a glass of water interesting and delicious. And now they are even branching out into some new markets--check out their new sun and body products as well.
Fire Shut Up in My Bones Opera
You probably have heard of Charles Blow as a journalist, most known for writing op-ed political and social commentary in the New York Times. But he also is the author of a memoir Fire Shut Up In My Bones about his difficult life growing up in Louisiana which was adapted by Terence Blanchard into an opera by the same name. This very powerful production debuted at the St. Louis Opera House in 2019 but is now being performed at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City and lucky me, I had the privilege of attending last Monday night. The cast was very impressive with Baritone Will Liverman, one of opera’s most exciting young artists starring as Charles, soprano Angel Blue as Destiny/Loneliness/Greta, soprano Latonia Moore as Billie, and Walter Russell III as Char’es-Baby. Dance played a very important role in the opera and that, along with the beautiful set design, was a highlight for me. Fire Shut Up In My Bones is a watershed moment for the Met Opera, long overdue I might add: the first time for a black composer and also a very large all black cast. “There were so many faces of pride,” the composer recalls of last week’s premiere. “Obviously it was directed towards me but it was much bigger than me. Seeing themselves on the stage, seeing people that they knew, seeing the culture on the stage at the Met had people in tears." It was encouraging to see a much more diverse audience--not just your normal older white crowd. If the opera is to survive and reach out to a younger more varied population, this is the way to go. And after such a dry spell during our pandemic isolation, I can't tell you how weird and at the same time exhilarating it was to be back inside a theatre.
The Snoo
My niece just gave birth to a beautiful baby boy and she already has taught me something. Have you ever heard of the Snoo? It is a robotic bassinet/baby bed that falls into the "what else will they come up with next" category. It is the latest and hottest invention of pediatrician Dr. Harvey Karp and Nina Montée Karp, whom Forbes Magazine describes as "the pediatrician behind the Happiest Baby empire... turning night-night into a $50 million business who won't rest until parents do." The Snoo is a combination swaddler, rocker for newborns and seems to make them feel totally comfortable and stave away the possibility of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDs). (It seems to have reduced the infant mortality rate because it prevents the baby from rolling over). It looks like a straight jacket to me but hey, whatever works, keeps the baby safe, comfortable and not crying is a good thing, right? Sadly, it is not affordable for most people, weighing in at a hefty price of approximately $1500. People do seem to be sharing though, buying them used, etc...and has created a whole new market in baby goods...Time will tell if this will stick around and become the baby bed of the future. P.S. Does anyone remember the Skinner Box?
paintings of the week
One of my Yellow Spruce Series pieces, mixed media on canvas, 49” x 66” $7500
Mandala Series : Pink Bird, mixed media on paper, 27” x 19” $1500
Donate to The Coalition for the Homeless
Another Self Portrait going grey in the time of Covid…
About The Author
New York City based contemporary artist, Pam Smilow created the creative lifestyle blog “things we love” in an effort to foster a sense of community during times of isolation and reflection. To read more about her and her art, visit her website and check out the essay written by the Hammond Museum's Frank Matheis entitled The Sophisticated Innocence of Pam Smilow.