I didn't realize how much fun I would have writing this creative lifestyle blog and I hope that this comes across in my posts. I have an ongoing list of things that I want to write about and people whose lives I want to call attention to. There is so much inspiration out there!
Catching a glimpse of light has made me aware that the tunnel we have been in has been deeper and darker than I even thought...We came very close to losing our democracy and we must remain totally vigilant lest it happens again. But for now, how great, as CNN's Van Jones put it, that "the stutterer won over the bully."
Please consider giving me your feedback in the comment section below and if you like what you see, I'd so appreciate your forwarding this new blog to anyone you think might be interested. Thank you so much and stay safe out there!
three things we love
Portrait of Irmi Selver by her daughter in law Cappy Coates
The documentary film IRMI tells the interesting life story of German Jewish refugee, Irmi Selver, based on a personal memoir she originally wrote for the eyes and ears of her two grandchildren, read in the film by the German actress, Hanna Schygulla. Included as one of the featured films in the upcoming New York Jewish Film Festival (don't worry--you don't have to be Jewish to enjoy the Jewish film festival!), her story is told lovingly by two long time filmmakers and dear friends, Veronica Selver, (Irmi's daughter) in the Bay Area and Susan Fanshel in New York City, a cross-country collaboration! Irmi had an indomitable spirit, and yet her life was laced with unthinkable tragedy. I had the good fortune of knowing her personally and I see her in my mind's eye standing in her bright yellow kitchen, full of life, with her huge infectious smile and her familiar German accented voice loud and clear. Irmi's journey took many turns, over two continents, through wartime and a lot of different kinds of experiences--what we walk away with is the strength of the human spirit and most of all, her resilience. IRMI will be available for screening on January 26th, 27th, and 28th. Purchase $12 tickets here for the virtual screening and sign up for a special Q and A Zoom session with the filmmakers on January 27th here.
Young at Heart Chorus
You might have heard of the Young at Heart Chorus out of Northampton, Massachusetts or seen the wonderful documentary about them. To beccome a member of this singing group, you have to be over 70 and this is no ordinary old people's choir. Led by the only youngster in the bunch, Bob Climan (he's in his sixties and started out playing piano at a senior citizen community center), the group plays a variety of his musical favorites which include a repetoire of punk rock and rock and roll. There is a documentary about them that is pure pleasure and a must see. But here I want to share with you a very special moving performance by Young at Heart chorus member, Fred Knittle of the Cold Play song Fix You, that touched me deeply, mostly because it shows that if you have soul, you don't need anything else. One of the participating instruments in this performance is an oxygen machine! I will never hear Fix You in the same way again.
Jeong Kwan, Zen Buddhist Nun and World Renowned Chef. Drawing by German artist Alice Pelzi (https://www.portrait52.com/blog/jeong-kwan)
I love to eat good food, explore different types of cuisine, dine out, and find great restaurants near me. (Hopefully we will get back to that when the Covid 19 Pandemic is over.) In the meantime, I am a big fan of many of the cooking shows and definitely consider myself a "foodie." I also realize that cooking can be a highly creative venture not far from other fine arts and chefs can be true artists in the real sense of the word. Chef's Table is one of my favorite food shows and this episode that I highlight here stands out above the others for me. Jeong Kwan is no ordinary chef. She is first and foremost a Korean Buddhist nun and her temple cooking predates farm to table by thousands of years. She champions simplicity and vegan cooking at its absolute best. Watching this episode, I am reminded of how simple, good clean living can be. Watch Netflix's Season 3, Episode One here.
painting of the week
Pam Smilow, Lavender Tree, mixed media on canvas, 50” x 80” , $8500
I chose this painting of mine this week, Lavender Tree, for its softness, its peacefulness and because it is a dreamy one. I thought it was particularly apt as we emerge from four years of being fed lies, negativity and hate. And then I realized too that these colors are the colors of Kamala Harris and Jill Biden's coats on Inauguration Day! My favorite image of January 20th, 2021 was of the four of them: Joe Biden, Jill Biden, Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff, on the east steps of the U.S. Capitol, standing proudly in all their glory. I loved the colors--the jewel tones against the grey steps, and the combination of Kamala's purples against Jill's turquoise teals. My art is often based on these types of color sequences, where I stay in the same family of colors rather than mixing a palette of opposing ones.
photo by Johanna Resnick Rosen
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, check out the essay written by the Hammond Museum's Frank Matheis entitled The Sophisticated Innocence of Pam Smilow.