Artist Noah Verrier
From his artist statement: "What I enjoy most is working from life. Through the act of quietly observing, my aim is to accurately yet personally discern color and light. My subjects have included still life, portrait, and landscape. Not unlike the great painterly realists of the late 19th century, my work emerges through painting directly, while striving to retain gesture and emotion...“For me every painting is like a prayer to God, I can be still, look closely, and interpret the colors, shapes, and emotion before me”
Noah Verrier in his studio in Tallahassee, Florida
Animal Communicator Anna Breytenbach
Click image to read her bio
I always thought if we humans are so smart, how come we don't know what the birds are saying? I have been very interested in the subject of animal intelligence and animal communication ever since I was a kid and I read my first book on the subject called "How Smart Are Animals." From then on, I knew that common knowledge that humans were the only ones with superior intelligence, self reflection and the ability to use tools was not true. I think discoveries in the field of interspecies communication will lead us to the next big frontier--something that the ancients and indigenous peoples across the globe knew very well intuitively but which most of us have totally lost touch with today.
If you are interested in learning more and you don't think I am totally crazy (I'm not), here is an hour long, fascinating interview with Anna where she explores this subject matter. It is well worth a listen.
For those of you with kids and grandkids, Anna has even written a children's book about this black leopard entitled How Diablo Became Spirit (in collaboration with Andrew Newman).
Click image to read an article in Vie Magazine on Anna Breytenbach
Song: Fix You
Here are two versions of one of my most favorite songs: Fix You written by Christopher Anthony, John Martin, Guy Rupert Berryman, William Champion and Jonathan Mark Buckland.
Just click on the videos above to first hear Cold Play's version and then a very touching rendition by Fred Kittle and the chorus of 70+ years olds out of Northampton, Massachusetts, The Young at Heart Chorus.
Lyrics
When you try your best, but you don't succeed
When you get what you want, but not what you need
When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse
And the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you can't replace
When you love someone, but it goes to waste
Could it be worse?
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you
And high up above or down below
When you're too in love to let it go
But if you never try, you'll never know
Just what you're worth
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you
Tears stream down your face
When you lose something you cannot replace
Tears stream down your face, and I
Tears stream down your face
I promise you I will learn from my mistakes
Tears stream down your face, and I
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Christopher Anthony John Martin / Guy Rupert Berryman / William Champion / Jonathan Mark Buckland
Fix You lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Mgb Ltd.
There is a full length documentary about Young at Heart Chorus--click to watch it below
Just click on the videos above to first hear Cold Play's version and then a very touching rendition by Fred Kittle and the chorus of 70+ years olds out of Northampton, Massachusetts, The Young at Heart Chorus.
Lyrics
When you try your best, but you don't succeed
When you get what you want, but not what you need
When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse
And the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you can't replace
When you love someone, but it goes to waste
Could it be worse?
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you
And high up above or down below
When you're too in love to let it go
But if you never try, you'll never know
Just what you're worth
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you
Tears stream down your face
When you lose something you cannot replace
Tears stream down your face, and I
Tears stream down your face
I promise you I will learn from my mistakes
Tears stream down your face, and I
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Christopher Anthony John Martin / Guy Rupert Berryman / William Champion / Jonathan Mark Buckland
Fix You lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Mgb Ltd.
There is a full length documentary about Young at Heart Chorus--click to watch it below
Hummingbird, mixed media on canvas, 50” x 80”
Charity of the Week: American Civil Liberties Union
About The Author
New York City based contemporary artist, Pam Smilow, began writing 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 Frank Matheis entitled The Sophisticated Innocence of Pam Smilow.
