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three things we love
Fashion Designer Gary Graham
Clothing Designer Gary Graham
Clothing designed on Making the Cu, Photo courtesy of LATimes
Courtesy Vogue Magazine
I am very interested in the process of creativity, no matter what field. I never thought of myself a fan of reality tv but I do really enjoy watching shows like Top Chef (cooking competition) and Project Runway (clothing design). I was very excited to see that a designer I have met and admired very much over the years, Gary Graham, was one of the contestants on Making the Cut, a fashion designer competition hosted by Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn. He has been aptly described as a designer with a visionary eye of a fine artist and I wholeheartedly agree. Some of my favorite articles of clothing are designed by him. He not only designs beautiful garments but there are intellectual thoughts and stories behind his process and he also is creates the fabric and prints that they are made of. For many years he had a loyal following out of his own shop in Tribeca (and ABC Carpet and Home), but has now relocated to upstate Franklin, New York, opening Graham 422, "a site-specific creative endeavor dedicated to creating small-batch collections of hand-finished garments using antique textiles and custom jacquards." I just finished binge watching the whole season 2 of Making the Cut (season 1 is good too) and it just confirms to me that Graham is a creative genius. It is interesting to see that what is usually the most popular is often not the most (spoiler alert) innovative and interesting...
Poet Mary Oliver
Poet Mary Oliver. Photo courtesy Boston Globe
Probably shouldn't be writing this as I sit smack in the middle of New York City, but having spent quite a bit of time in Maine this past year, I have rediscovered the importance of nature in my life and now know that getting out of the city is essential to my wellbeing.
With Thanks to the Field Sparrow, Whose Voice is so Delicate and Humble
by Mary Oliver
I do not live happily or comfortably
with the cleverness of our times.
The talk is all about computers,
the news is all about bombs and blood.
This morning, in the fresh field, I came upon a hidden nest.
It held four warm, speckled eggs.
I touched them.
Then went away softly,
having felt something more wonderful
than all the electricity of New York City.
Dhar Mann
Dhar Mann
In the course of doing research for this blog, I often fall upon unexpected things that take me to new and different places. Recently I have kept coming across videos from one of the highest viewed content creators in the world, Dhar Mann. I got curious and wanted to find out more about him and his moral lesson videos that are spreading across the internet like wildfire--he happens to be one of the highest viewed content creators in the world with over 23 billion views. These videos out of the Dhar Mann Studios contain lessons about fat shaming, bullying, and racism, among other current topics. They may come across as simplistic and obvious, but if he can teach one person to look at something with a little more empathy and compassion, it is all worth it and I think his audience is meant for the younger generation.
When I looked deeper into the person that is Dhar Mann, I discovered a real interesting life story--this unique, driven entrepreneurial man has a real fascinating story to tell about himself, his background, his motivations, successes and failures over the course of his existence so far. He had me captivated in this one hour interview with Lewis Howes. Seldom do you encouter a more colorful character!
painting of the week
Pam Smilow, Tree of Life Series, mixed media on paper mounted onto canvas, $4000.
artSHOP: tree of life series
Donate to Help Families in Afghanistan
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.