Blog No. 233: Old Age: Anything but Boring, Meditation for Beginners, Mark Nepo Poe

June 7, 2025

Old Age: Anything But Boring Young at Heart Chorus

Who says we are too old--too old to dance, too old to sing, too old to enjoy hard-core music? I've written about the Young at Heart Chorus before--out of Northampton, Massachusetts, since 1982 this soulful and anything but boring chorus of 70+ year olds have been entertaining crowds around the entire world with their versions of hard rock and punk rock tunes. I love their rendition of David Bowie's Let's Dance, their version of the classic Led Zeppelin tune Stairway to Heaven and their wild interpretation of the Ramones famous I Want To Be Sedated. You will never think of those three songs in the same way again! If you want to see more of them, there is a whole documentary on them from quite a few years ago but it is still available on Amazon.

And while we are on the same subject, here are a few photos of my friend Carolyn Doelling, who after a full career in philanthropy, became a model at the age of 73 determined to show that older women can be passionate, colorful, beautiful and proud rather than ignored and invisible...She is succeeding!

Click image to read an article about Carolyn

Meditation for Beginners

Click iimage to access this free 21 day meditation journey

I do not at all claim to be an aficionado of mediation--I come relatively new to the practice but I thought i would share this Deepak Chopra/Oprah Winfrey 21 Day Journey to Perfect Health Series that I listen to on youtube. I am not one that likes a guided meditation--I prefer the silence and I think their series' are good for beginners because they walk you through and take the mystery out of the practice. It starts with Oprah saying a few words, introducing the theme of the day, and then Oprah passes it on to Deepak, who goes deeper into a brief lesson. And then he shares a mantra and guides you in reciting it a bit and then leaves you in silence for 10-15 minutes, beginning and ending with a soft bell. There are many other of their series available on youtube as well of various themes such as "Get Unstuck: Creating a Limitless Life"and Creating Peace From The Inside Out. Emptying your mind is always a good thing, especially these days! I try and do it at least once, if not twice a day...

Mark Nepo Poem

Click image to read more about Mark Nepo’s new book

This Slow Quick Dance. by Mark Nepo

After everything has gone wrong,

after what we believed would never

break has broken, something gives
 
way and, against all despair, a sliver 

of light reaches us like dawn through

the night window to lift our sorry face.

No one knows how this works, but 

we are stirred to step out of our story
 
and reach beyond all the warnings 

to ask for love one more time.

This can happen in a second: when
 
I pick up the book you dropped, or 

as a stranger asks if I’m ok when 

she finds me staring into traffic.

This excerpt is from Mark Nepo's new book of poems, The Fifth Season due to be released on July 15, 2025you can You can pre-order your copy today through the retailer of Barnes & Noble, Powell’s, etc. using this link here.

Painting of the Week

Pam Smilow, mixed media on paper 52” x 52” sold

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.

Source: old-age-young-at-heart-chorus-mark-nepo-no...

Blog No. 232: Matisse's La Chapelle du Rosaire, Birds, Two Thai Salads,

May 31, 2025

Matisse's Chapel of the Rosary

I have my own list of "wonders of the world" and Matisse's La Chapelle du Rosaire in Vence France is definitely near the top of my list.  A small structure, its architecture, stained-glass windows, interior murals, ceramics, liturgical furnishings, and priests' vestments were the focus of Henri Matisse's life in his later years (1947-1951) and by his own admission, "his masterpiece, the crowning achievement of his career."  I love everything Matisse did--his paintings, his sculptures and bas reliefs, his collage, but I have to agree--this is a crown jewel...  

This chapel in southern France is small and open very limited hours to the public.  I was lucky enough to show up when they had visiting hours (it is a working church) and my reaction upon entering was one of utter awe.  My jaw fell and I gasped!  The beauty of it, the simplicity, using just a few saturated colors: blue, green, yellow, black and white.  It recalls the Japanese word shibui for me--a concept we don't have a single word for in English (and one of my dad's favorite words) which describes a combination of simplicity and beauty.  If you are ever in southern France, this chapel is a must see!

Courtesy The Robert Capa and Cornell Capa Archive, Gift of Cornell and Edith Capa, 2010

Birds

Click image for Xavi Bou’s website. Photo courtesy of this Catalan photographer and Fog and Moss

Going to be heading back to the City in a few days and what I am going to miss most about these delicious Maine mornings is sitting out on my deck, listening to the waves and enjoying the birdsong.

I've had the app BirdNet for a while now and can walk around, hear a song and record and idenitify the species. But recently my friend and yoga teacher Anne DeBevoise would come into class and recite a long list of all the birds she heard that morning. She told me about another app which is far superior to the one I had--it's called MERLIN. Who knew I too had this long list of birds as neighbors: Blue-Headed Vireo, Blackpoll Warbler, Black-Throated Green Warbler, Purple Finch, Yellow Warbler, Black-Capped Chickadee, Red-Eyed Vireo, Yellow-Rumped Warbler Gray Catbird, Cedar Waxwing, House Finch, American Goldfinch, American Robin, American Crow, Double-Crested Cormorant, Common Eider, Tennessee, Warbler, Dark-Eyed Junco, American Herring Gull, Common Loon, Osprey, Mourning Dove, Mallard, Chipping Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Bald Eagle, Song Sparrow, Laughing Gull!!!! All ithis in the last day or two...

And then this morning, speaking of synchronicities, an email from my friend, astrologer Leslie McGuirk appeared in my inbox, sharing with me an entry from Moss and Fog, an amazing website with a story about an artist, Xavi Bou, who photographs bird flight. These cool images arrived at the perfect moment!

Have a look at Moss and Fog's story (courtesy the Audubon Society) and some of Bou's photos. And while you are at it, explore the amazing site Fog and Moss and about its founder Ben VanderVeen. They are kindred souls seeking, like me, to spread more inspiration and beauty in the world. I spoke to its founder Ben this morning and told him how impressed I was at what he has been putting together since 2009...

Photo courtesy Catalan photographer Xavi Bou

Photo courtesy Catalan photographer Xavi Bou. Click image for more info

Click image above to read more about Ben VanderVeen, founder of Fog and Moss.

Two Great Thai Salads

Photo: David Malosh for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.

CRUNCHY THAI STYLE SALAD
courtesy Kay Chun and the New York Times
Yield: 4 servings

INGREDIENTS
3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 tbsp lime juice
1 tbsp fish sauce
1 tbsp minced shallot
½ tsp minced garlic
1 serrano chile, thinly sliced
Kosher salt and pepper
8 oz asparagus, trimmed, halved lengthwise, thinly sliced at an angle
4 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
3 cups thinly sliced mixed vegetables (Your choice incl carrots, radishes and cucumbers)
½ cup coarsely chopped cilantro leaves

INSTRUCTIONS
1. In a large bowl, combine oil, lime juice, fish sauce, shallot, garlic and chile; season with salt and pepper. Whisk well.

2. Add the asparagus, tomatoes and other mixed vegetables and season with salt and pepper. Toss to evenly coat and let stand at room temperature for 5 minutes, tossing occasionally.

3. Fold in cilantro and serve.

BEEF PAPAYA SALAD
Courtesy Feast at Home

Marinade: Place garlic, chile, soy sauce, lime juice, honey, and oil in a mini food processor and process until smooth.
Place beef in a small baking dish, pour the marinade over, and turn to coat. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour. BR> Preheat the grill to medium-high or cook stovetop.
Veg Remove the beef from the marinade and season it with salt and pepper. Grill meat until charred and cooked to medium-rare doneness, about 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from grill and let rest 10 minutes before slicing into 1/4-inch thick slices.
Papaya Dressing:
In a small bowl, whisk together the shallot, chiles, mint, vinegar, sugar, and fish sauce. Set aside.
In another bowl, toss the lettuce leaves and watercress together and then arrange the mixture on a platter.
Combine the papaya and carrots in a medium bowl. Evenly distribute the papaya mixture over the lettuce. Drizzle with a few tablespoons of the dressing.
Arrange the steak on top and drizzle steak with some more dressing.
Garnish with chopped peanuts and cilantro.

Painting of the Week

Pam Smilow, mixed media on paper 30” x 22” $1500

Charity of the Week:
American Civil Liberties Union

Source: la-chapelle-du-rosaire-matisse-chapel-venc...

Blog No. 231: The Quilters Documentary, What I am Listening to These Days, Some Helpful Tips

May 23, 2025

The Quilters Documentary

For anyone who has ever made a quilt (or not), this is an inspiring story about a group of inmates in the South Central correctional Center in Licking, Missouri, a small town two hours south of St. Louis, who spend their days sewing beautiful quilts to give away to foster children in the area.   Meet Ricky, Jimmy, Chill, Fred and Potter, five men who have been incarcerated for many years now, who are now participants in a Restorative Justice Organization (RJO) project.    They have found purpose, community, and a way to give their life meaning through working with their hands and creating beautiful quilts to give away.  This uplifting documentary, directed by Jenifer McShane, has been the recipient of many awards and was a contender for best short documentary at the Oscars.   

What I am Listening to These Days

Turning off the news for now and trying to listen to more music. I am still out on the streets but need to take a break from the blow by blow details of American politics right now for my own mental health.

Chris Smithers Link of Chain

David Gray Babylon

Jim Sullivan Whistle Stop

Mojave 3 Bluebird of Happiness

John Prine/Steve Goodman Souvenirs

Mark Knopfler/Emmylou Harris Romeo and Juliet

Some Helpful Tips

Occasionally I will come across some life tips that seem helpful for every day living.--little tricks that can make our lives easier. Here I share a few of them with you thanks to Katrinalechuga616 on instagram.

And here are a few more useful hacks for issues that may come up in any household...

Painting of the Week

Pink House with Butterflies mixed media on canvas 52” x 80” $8500

Charity of the Week:
American Civil Liberties Union

Source: the-quilters-documentary-what-I-am-listeni...

Blog No. 230: Jacques D'Amboise Teaching Dance, The Collections of John and Ellen Whalley, Two Rumi Poems

May 17, 2025

Jacques D'Amboise
Teaching Dance

Click Image to watch Jacques D’Amboise teach dance on a rootop in New York City early on.

There aren’t enough superlatives to describe Jacques d'Amboise (1934-2021) and his vision of dance and art education. The video above is a film released in 1983 that documents his teaching methodology, the kids and their ultimate performance at the Felt Forum at Madison Square Garden in the early 1980s. NDI has been going strong ever since and next year his baby, National Dance Institute, will turn 50.

Jacques was a visionary who firmly believed that the arts should be part of every school's curriculum, equal to math and science. Beginning with a class of boys, teaching kid-friendly dance moves with rigor and joy, accompanied always by live music, fifty years later this wonderful program is thriving in 42 schools in NYC, 13 affiliate programs across the United States and internationally in Shanghai and Beirut, Lebanon.

Look for all kinds of festivities in the next coming year and in the meantime, if you are in New York, their much beloved Event of the Year is taking place on Father's Day weekend--June 14, 15 and 16, 2025--if you want to be infused with a shot of pure inspiration and joy. This is no typical kid's dance performance--come see for yourself. I know that Jacques will be watching down with a big smile.

The Collections of John and Ellen Whalley

This is not the first time I have been enchanted by artist John Whalley. I fell in love with his art about 15 years ago and have wanted to meet him ever since.

Today was the day! I made a 10am appointment to visit his studio in Nobleboro, Maine and had the pleasure of not only meeting him and his wonderful wife Ellen, but also getting a tour of his studio, his art and the extensive collections he has of just about everything. I am not a fan of clutter and tend to be more on the minimalist side (my daughter would laugh at that!) but John and Ellen have assembled a curated collection of objects they have picked up at tag sales and flea markets that make me salivate, even just thinking about it. Everything is carefully arranged in sections and what might be a jumble of a mess looks like art itself... John clearly gets his inspiration from these objects and Ellen collaborates by styling these curios into wonderful compositions for John to paint in oils or draw in graphite. These objects take on a life of their own. Below are photos of just a small seletion of their collections in his studio and home.

I have written about John Whalley before in blog no. 40 where you can see his I am sure you would like to view his incredible photo realist paintings and drawings on steroids...

Two Rumi Poems

Jalaluddin Rumi, 1207 - 1273. click image above to read about him

THE BEAUTY OF THE HEART


The beauty of the heart
 is the lasting beauty:
 its lips give to drink
 of the water of life.
 Truly it is the water,
 that which pours,
 and the one who drinks.
 All three become one when
 your talisman is shattered.
 That oneness you can’t know
 by reasoning.



LET GO OF YOUR WORRIES

Let go of your worries
 and be completely clear-hearted,
 like the face of a mirror
 that contains no images.
 If you want a clear mirror,
 behold yourself
 and see the shameless truth,
 which the mirror reflects.
 If metal can be polished
 to a mirror-like finish,
 what polishing might the mirror
 of the heart require?
 Between the mirror and the heart
 is this single difference:
 the heart conceals secrets,
 while the mirror does not.

Come Visit our Products in our artShop

Scarves, Tea Towels, Charcuteria/Cutting Boards, Backpacks, Travel Cups, Table Runners, Phone Cases, etc. etc.

Charity of the Week:
American Civil Liberties Union

Source: pez-candy-i-like-the-ones-who-see-things-d...

Blog No. 229: I Like the Ones Who See Thinks Differently Animation, Pez Candy, Mediterranean Spinach Feta Crisps

May 10, 2025

I Like the Ones Who See Things Differently Animation

This beautiful animation above that starts by "I like the weird ones, the black sheep...," created by Brooke Boeding from instagram @the_zen:_honeybadger/ speaks for itself...

If you enjoyed that video and want another, click here for a different animation by the same woman based on an old Japanese legend about the sun and the moon, also amazing.

Pez Candy

Click for the history of Pez, dating back to the 1920s in Austria.

The highest consumption of candy per capita in the world is (who would have guessed it!) Scandinavia. Sweden leads the way with the other Scandinavian countries not far behind...Could that be why they are considered the happiest people in the world?

I remember my husband Gert telling me that for his generation, in Denmark the dentist would visit and treat children in their schools and those days were the most dreaded...Dentistry in Denmark was terrible in his opinion. He was once at an art event where he met the mayor of Copenhagen and what he noticed was that "even the mayor had bad teeth!". Could that have something to do with their love of candy?...

I recently came across this Pez dispenser and it reminded me of my favorite candy growing up. I simply liked everything about PEZ. I loved the taste of those sweet little colored brick of compressed sugar as well as the variety of dispensers that they popped out of. Well into adulthood I had a collection of them lined up on my windowsill. You can't taste them through this newsletter but you can admire the cast of characters of these plastic figurines and perhaps you too remember the candy of our past and have your favorites...Put a comment below of the ones you liked the best...

There aren't too many of these penny candy stores left. In 2018 The New Yorker wrote about a Swedish candy store called Bon Bon, now expanded to three locations in New York City. And then there is the store my family loved the best: Granite Hall in Round Pond Maine is a legend to all of us who love mid-coast Maine. It is an old school penny candy store and gift shop and I can just picture my kids, standing just at eye level at the counter, choosing one by one "two pieces of this, one of that" and the person behind the counter patiently and lovingly fulfilling their orders...Thank you Granite Hall, not only for the sweets, but for those wonderful memories!

Click to take a virtual visit to the Pez Museum in Orange, CT

The original Pez was a peppermint candy created by Eduard Haas III in Austria in the 1920s. The name PEZ comes from the German word for peppermint, "Pfefferminz" taking the P from the first letter, E from the middle letter and Z from the last letter to form the now iconic brand name PEZ

Mediterranean Spinach and Feta Crisps

I came across this Gordon Ramsay quick recipe somewhere on the internet and since I love everything in pancake form, I thought I would try it and share it here:

MEDITERRANEAN SPINACH AND FETA CRISPS courtesy Gordon Ramsay

INGREDIENTS
1 cup fresh spinach, washed and chopped
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
2 large eggs, beaten
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. dried oregano
Salt and Pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat Oven to 375 degrees (190 Centigrade)
On parchment paper, spray lightly with olive oil spray.
In large bowl mix all ingredients, pour in egg mixture and combine and mix well. 
With small spoonfuls, place on parchment paper on baking sheet in small circles and flatten lightly with back of spoon. Spray lightly the tops with olive oil. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges turn golden brown and crisp. Let them cool slightly before serving.  Yield 12-15 crisps.  

Painting of the Week

Pam Smilow Mandala Series Blue Tree mixed media on canvas 56” x 56” $7500

Charity of the Week:
American Civil Liberties Union

Source: pez-candy-i-like-the-ones-who-see-things-d...

Blog No. 228: The Penguin Lessons, Keith Lissner: Art is an Illusion, Don't Take it Personally

May 3, 2025

The Penguin Lessons

Click image above for a conversation between actor Steve Coogan, Jonathan Pryce, director Peter Cattaneo and author Tom Michell,

The Penguin Lessons is a heartwarming and inspiring movie that I absolutely loved!

Based on an autobiography by Englishman Tom Michell, it is a true story that functions on many levels. Not only is it a heartfelt tale about the relationship between a man and a penguin, it is also laced with humor while exploring the themes of education and teaching in shaping political and moral values. It takes place in the setting of an elite private school in 1976 Argentina, just as the military dictatorship is taking hold in that South American country.

The Penguin Lessons has particular relevance today given the political situation in the United States, forcing us to face our personal and moral responsibilities, as the main character did, in light of the rise of fascism in Argentina and the U.S.

Keith Lissner: Art is an Illusion

Click image for the Art Tour of the Metropolitan Museum in NYC

Click image for the Art Tour of the Louvre in Paris

Keith Lissner is a real creative talent! As a designer, he has worn many hats in the fashion industry and his creative spirit shines through in many other ways as well. These two imaginative videos illustrate his love of art, his sense of humor and his pure creative playfulness and joy. Click theses links to take a trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Louvre in Paris, witnessing the art there like you have not seen before.

Lissner has taken to heart Edgar Degas' quote, “Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” And at the same time, he gives a nod to Marcel Duchamp's thought "all art is an illusion."

Thanks to my friend Barb Murphy, a real creative talent herself, for bringing these to my attention.

Don't Take It Personally

A friend shared this quote with me last week that has something to say about human relationships of all types.  It falls in the category of "not taking things personally" and helps manage "hurt" and "expectation" when one is not met.  Hope the sentiment of this quote speaks to you too...

No matter how open, peaceful or loving you are, others can only connect with you at the depth they've reached within themselves.  As Carl Jung once said: "Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves."  People's capacity to meet you with understanding, compassion and vulnerability is limited by the inner work they've done on their own soul.  You can offer all the light and love in the world, but if someone hasn't ventured into their own shadows they will only be able to meet you on the surface.  This is a profound truth about human relationships, whether it be about friendship, romance, or just our everyday interactions.  The depth of connection is not just about what you bring but about how deeply the other person has explored their own heart.  It is the essence of clarity; understanding that, while you may strive for connection, others can only offer what they found in themselves.  Accepting this can bring peace, for you realize that everyone's journey is their own and sometimes they simply haven't gone deep enough to meet you where you stand."

Silkscreen of the Week

Pam Smilow Mandala Series: Red Bird silkscreen and mixed media on paper 30” x 22” $1500 Giclee Print: $350

Charity of the Week:
American Civil Liberties Union

Source: franz-hofmeester-mark-morris-dance-company...

Blog No. 227: Father/Daughter Over 20 Years, Mark Morris Dance Company, Jeffrey Sachs Primer on Tariffs

April 26, 2025

Father Photographs Daughter Every Week for 20 Years

What a creative mind to come up with this idea of documenting a life so extensively and to stick with it, every week, for twenty years. After some digging, I found out the name of the father, Dutch filmmaker and visual artist Frans Hofmeester. This video project is really amazing. Hope you interests you too!

In Franz Hofmeester's own words, "I wanted to document the growing up process and create an artistic project we could all enjoy forever,"
"When Lotte was born, she was changing at such a rapid pace, and I was desperate to keep the memories intact. As any parent knows, the difference between a child at two days old and two months old is startling.
"One of the reasons that the project has had such an impact, I think, is because it's very moving," Hofmeester wrote. "People are touched by it because it conveys a feeling of the soul. They've written to me about their own children. The film makes you realise what life is about, in a direct way."

Mark Morris Dance Company

The Mark Morris Dance Group in “Spring, Spring, Spring,” an adaptation of Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring.”Credit...Ken Friedman

Mark Morris is a master choreographer and his dance company is one of my favorites. In honor of spring, which has (finally!) arrived in Maine, here is an excerpt from his lovely dance Spring Spring Spring which I think so aptly captures the sense of the season.

And here is a overview of Mark Morris over the years and gives you a taste of him, his company and several of his pieces. If you happen to be lucky enough to be in any of the following cities during their upcoming tour, I would highly recommend it!

Economist Jeffrey Sachs Primer on Tariffs

Jeffrey Sachs, Professor of Economics at Columbia University and president of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a well respected economist with a long list of credentials and accomplishments in the field of economic development, global macroeconomics, and the fight against poverty. This video provides us with a a primer on tariffs--I found it very clearly stated and informative--it should provide us with everything one needs to know about world trade and our current economic policies.

Silkscreen of the Week

Pam Smilow Overcoat Series silkscreen and mixed media on paper 30” x 22” $1500

Charity of the Week:
American Civil Liberties Union

Source: franz-hofmeester-mark-morris-dance-company...

Blog No. 226: David Hockney Paris Exhibit, Mary Oliver Poem, Delicious Hummus Recipe

April 19, 2025

David Hockney Retrospective

**The Arrival of Spring in Woldgate, East Yorkshire, 2011, iPad Drawing, Copyright The Artist**

We Two Boys Together Clinging, early painting . Copyright David Hockney. Photograph courtesy Prudence Cuming Associates

David Hockney, *Mulholland* Drive, June 1986 Copyright David Hockney

The David Hockney retrospective exhibition opened at the spectacular Frank Gehry designed Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris last week. I for one wish I could beam myself there--but alas, I can't be in two places at once so this video (courtesy Judith Benhamouhuet) will have to suffice. Although I can't say I love absolutely everything Hockney has done, there is so much that resonates with me and I definitely respect him as an important, amazingly prolific artist who definitely has something to say. I love the variety of his work, beginning with his early paintings and I have been especially inspired by his ipad drawings of later years..

Here is an interesting interview for those who want to read more about him, his motivations and inspirations: The Colorful Life of David Hockney (courtesy Hochhedel).

Mary Oliver Poem

Finally, signs of spring on my walk this morning…

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.

Delicious Carrot Hummus

**Photo courtesy Tony Cenicola/The New York Times**

I recently attended a great three day workshop with the talented artist Rebecca Chappell at Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts in Edgecomb, Maine. On top of loving having my hands in clay again, we were also fed some awesome meals during our time there. That included this delicious carrot hummus made by chef Henning Vagtborg of Straw's Farm. Henning has been a chef in many restaurants around Boston, Portland and Damariscotta and I can attest to his talent, judging from the meals he served us during the workshop. Thank you Henning for sharing this delicious Carrot Hummus recipe.

CARROT HUMMUS
5 lb carrots, peeled and cut into 1” pieces
1/4 c olive oil
2 T cumin seed
1 t red pepper flake
1 T salt
1 clove garlic
Juice of one lemon
1/4 c honey
1 t sesame oil

1. Toss carrots with olive oil, cumin seed, red pepper flake, and salt. Roast in a preheated 400 oven for 15 minutes or until softened and caramelized. Let cool for 5 minutes.
2. Place carrots and remaining ingredients in blender or food processor with 1/4 c of water and blend until smooth, pushing down with a rubber spatula and adding more water as necessary.

Silkscreen of the Week

Overcoat Silkscreen, mixed media 30” x 22” $1500

Charity of the Week:
American Civil Liberties Union

Source: david-hockney-louis-vuitton-foundation-car...

Blog No. 225: Infused Joy: PS 22 Chorus, David Hogg Speech, Insects in Flight

April 12, 2025

1920x2561_cmsv2_1d499f4e-c12e-535a-ba43-669138ce9636-9178856-1.jpeg

Infused Joy:
PS 22 Choir

This is not the first time I have written about these beautiful singers but I think it is time to return to this Staten Island chorus of 4th and 5th graders for a little touch of magic and infused joy. We all need it right now! If you can take a few minutes, I encourage you to take it in--it will bring you a big smile.

Here are a few of my favorite songs they sing but you can also go and discover more of them on your own on youtube...

Andy Grammar
Don't Give Up On Me

Paul Simon
Still Crazy After All These Years

Cold Play
Viva La Vida

Look at all those beautiful kids in every shape and form...the beauty of New York City, the wonder of music and the power of an arts curriculum in the schools...If you want to see more, there is a documentary about them entitled Once in a Lullaby that includes their performance at the Academy Awards--well worth watching.

Gen-Z Youth Leader David Hogg

If you haven't heard of David Hogg, I would like to introduce you. David was a senior at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida when a shooter shot up the school and killed 17 people and wounded 18 others in 2018...After the school shooting, Hogg emerged as a leader in the gun violence protests. He subsequently founded a youth organization called Leaders We Deserve which has done a great deal to involve young people in politics.

In February 2025 Hogg became a vice-chair of the Democratic National Committee, after winning his race for one of those positions, becoming the first gen-z member to take on a national leadership role within the DNC.

Last week he spoke at the Woman's National Democratic Club and I share with you his compelling speech here. He is defintely one to keep an eye on as a rising star... .

Insects in Flight

Thanks to biologist Dr. Adrian Smith, of the Evolutionary Biology & Behavior Lab at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and Assistant Research Professor at North Carolina State University, here is some amazing close-up video of insects in flight. I've never seen anything like it: the intricacy of nature is beyond words...

And thanks to my friend Susan Baum Moyer for sending me this video...

Painting of the Week

Pam Smilow Mittens Series: Red with Flower silkscreen and mixed media on paper $1500

Charity of the Week: American Civil Liberties Union

Source: PS22-Chorus-david-Hogg-dr-adrian-smith-ins...

blog no. 8: Wayne Dyer, A. Gallo Watercolors, Mary Oliver

February 19, 2021

We are beyond excited and honored to be collaborating with A.Gallo Watercolors @agallocolors on this ***SPECIAL INSTAGRAM GIVEAWAY*** We are giving away two artworks by Pam Smilow and two of A.Gallo’s watercolor collections. The winner will receive: A. Gallo's full 48 palette watercolor set; an original mixed media Pam Smilow painting (choose among 3) measuring 20" x 16" on paper. One additional winner will receive: an A. Gallo Essential 6 pigment mini palette; and an 8" x 10" animal giclee print of your choice by Pam Smilow and Gert Mathiesen. ENTER TO WIN ON INSTAGRAM by following instructions at the bottom of this blog.

A.Gallo Watercolors 48 colors

Pam Smilow Collage with A.Gallo Watercolors

A.Gallo Essential 6 Watercolors

Animal Giclee Print: Orange Dog

three things we love

Many of you might have heard of Wayne Dyer, the American author of many books on self help and spirituality. I can't remember when I first heard his name but I have been following him for a while now and always find something to relate to in his teachings. I admire his totally unpretentious, down to earth, compassionate style. Dyer's film The Shift is in a way a primer to his life's work. It may at first seem slightly hokey but stick with it--this seemingly simple film is, I believe, intentionally so as to reach out to a large audience and is actually very profound. He was a regular contributor to public television and after his death (1940-2015), PBS produced a commemorative series entitled The Forever Wisdom of Dr. Wayne Dyer. In addition to his many books, many interviews and material can be found on the internet about him if you want to explore further. There is a lot of wisdom to be had...And if you want to start right away, here's a lesson I found particularly useful on forgiveness.

A.Gallo Watercolors made by hand in Assisi, Italy.

Alina Santa Gallo and her small production watercolor "factory" A.Gallo Watercolors, is a marvel to me. I have known Alina, the daughter of one of my best friends, literally since the day she was born and she has blossomed into an incredible artist and small business owner. She and her husband Giulio make their watercolors in an Italian artisan workshop in Assisi, Italy, poured by hand and wrapped in individually painted labels. Each palette comes inside a professional artist tin with a Tintoretto brush. These beautiful paints are crafted with such love, according to a traditional recipe of raw pigments, gum arabic, local honey and rosemary essential oil and mulled by hand on a glass slab. Honey is added to help the paints retain water and increase their longevity. The colors are exquisite, rich, and so heavy on pigment and quality. Their business is doing so well that they sell out within hours after releasing a new batch. Take a look at the full array of their products in their shop and know that their next restock sale begins on February 28th (mark your calendars so you don't miss out) or enter our giveaway this week for a chance to win a set.

Portrait of poet Mary Oliver by illustrator Gillian Gamble (www.gilliangamble.co.uk) from the Children’s really cool book Holy Troublemakers & Unconventional Saints by Daneen Akers

I thought this Mary Oliver poem paired nicely with Wayne Dyer's message in his film The Shift.

The Journey
by Mary Oliver

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice --
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
"Mend my life!"
each voice cried.
But you didn't stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voice behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do
determined to save
the only life that you could save.

And for those who want to learn more, here is a good interview with Mary Oliver from Krista Tippett's podcast On Being.

Instructions to Enter Giveaway

Rules to enter the giveaway 1. Click on this link to go to: Instagram, comment on my giveaway post and Tag two friends who would LOVE to receive this new beginnings watercolor and artwork bundle! 2. Follow @agallocolors and @pamsmilow on instagram 3. Share this post on your feed for an additional entry (optional) Giveaway is open worldwide and ends on Saturday February 27th. Winner will be announced shortly thereafter. This giveaway is in no way sponsored by Instagram. No private accounts please. Good luck!

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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.

blog no. 7; James Baldwin, Challah, Searching for Bobby Fischer

February 13, 2021

I remember my first eureka moment about the internet. After years trying to reproduce (unsuccessfully) a cup of deliciously sweet Moroccan mint tea I had so enjoyed in Marrakesh many years prior, I discovered maybe I could look it up. Through my search, I found that I had been leaving out a key ingredient: green tea. Mystery solved after wondering about it for quite a few years! Sounds trivial but I am struck by how much we take for granted regarding access to information: we have a full expansive library literally at our fingertips 24/7. Technology has its good and bad sides, but for this endless access to resources, I am eternally grateful...

**HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY from me (and courtesy Jill Biden)**

three things we love

Without leaving my desk, I have spent the last few days with the great American writer James Baldwin. Two things I choose to share with you here are a letter he wrote to his nephew in 1962 and an interview he did with the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) entitlted On Being Black in America, both still, sadly, very relevant today almost 60 years later. For those who want to delve deeper, he has written many books and essays, and the internet affords many other opportunities to hear him in his own words, including a notable debate between Baldwin and William F. Buckley at Cambridge University in 1965.

Recipe for Challah Bread — Recipe for **Challah Bread**

"With bread, all sorrows are less" words spoken by the character Sancho Panza in the novel Don Quixote.

One of my favorite childhood memories was a bread "bake-in" I attended at the local library in Katonah, New York, where we built an outside oven and sculpted bread dough into animal shapes before baking. I made a snail. The pandemic seems a perfect time to try this again (minus the outdoor oven). Everyone should make bread at least once in their lifetime! Here is a SIMPLE RECIPE FOR CHALLAH, a good and easy place to start: Ingredients: 1 stick melted butter/1 pkg. active dry yeast/1.5 cups warm water/pinch of sugar/3 large eggs/1/2 cup honey/5-6 cups flour (1-2 cups of which can be whole wheat)/1 tbsp salt/1 egg lightly beaten with a little bit of water/sesame or poppy seeds (optional) Instructions: Melt butter in sm. saucepan, set aside to cool a bit/Pour approx. 1 tbsp butter in large bowl and swish around to coat sides/dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup water, add pinch of sugar and set aside. In large bowl, beat together eggs, honey and melted butter. Add remaining 1 cup warm water and mix well. Add yeast. Add flour, with salt, 1 cup at a time, blending well after each addition cup until dough is thick enough to work by hand. Spoon dough onto floured work surface and knead for several minutes. Add 1 cup raisins here (optional). Add more flour to make a smooth elastic dough. Rub top of dough in the buttered bowl , then flip dough over and nestle inside. Cover the dough with clean kitchen towel and place in warm place until doubled in size (approx. 5 hours). Divide dough into three pieces and roll each into a long rope. Braid them and curve into circle, pinching ends together. Or divide into two smaller braided loaves. Cover with clean kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place again for 40 minutes. Brush top and sides of challah with egg wash and sprinkle with seeds (optional). Line a baking tray with parchment paper and sprinkle with cornmeal. Bake in 350 degree preheated oven 30-40 minutes depending on loaf size, until golden brown.

There is a resurgence of interest in the game of chess these days, probably brought on by the popular series "The Queen's Gambit," which if you haven't seen, is well worth watching. Here I take you back to a family movie I enjoyed many years ago which is currently available on netflix, Searching for Bobby Fischer," about a young chess prodigy. It is a real New York story, full of wonderful scenes of Washington Square Park, based on truth and the life of Joshua Waitzkin. It is also a touching story about parenthood and misguided expectations we often have for our children.

painting of the week

Pam Smilow Pink Composition with Purple Ladder mixed media on canvas 54” x 80” approx.

My favorite pink painting which hangs in the entry of a beautiful home in Northern California. Perfect for this Valentine's Day.

“A man dies when he refuses to stand up for that which is right. A man dies when he refuses to stand up for justice. A man dies when he refuses to take a stand for that which is true.” — Dr Martin Luther King Jr

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blog no. 6: P.S. 22 Chorus, Brian Weiss, Stephen Wiltshire

February 6, 2021

I never thought of myself as a writer but producing this blog is bringing me an enormous sense of pleasure. I truly do love the things I am sharing with you and revisiting them again myself brings me joy and inspiration. Thank you so much for reading my new venture, please consider forwarding it to friends if you feel so inclined, and I welcome any comments, reactions and suggestions you might have for me (you will find the comment section all the way down in the bottom of this post just below the keywords after my photograph). It is always good to get some honest feedback.

three things we love

Music Teacher Greg Breinberg, with his student PS 22 Chorus

Celebrate the teacher! With Jill Biden in the White House, maybe these incredibly important people in our society will finally get their due. Inspiring music teacher Greg Breinberg is cream of the cream of the crop and his amazing PS 22 Chorus, out of a working class Staten Island public school, shows his magic in action. Some of you might have heard of these children as their youtube videos have gone viral for years...Here I share such a nice a rendition of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah. Watch the longer joyous documentary to see the power of the arts to transform children's lives and the story behind how they ended up performing for millions at the Academy Award Ceremony in 2011.

Many Lives Many Masters, a book that changed my life view

The book Many Lives Many Masters was suggested to me from a friend just after I lost my husband, Gert, in 2013. I can tell you that it literally changed my life, opened my mind, and set me on a new and spiritual path of exploration that continues today, almost eight years later. Having a skeptical mind and someone who has trouble shutting off the rational part of my brain, believing that consciousness survives your body was something I never would have entertained. Having the Yale and Columbia educated Dr. Brian Weiss, respected head of psychiatry at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Miami Beach, Florida, a total skeptic himself, tell his story of a certain patient that transformed him and his whole life view got me going to take the first steps in believing that maybe, just maybe, this is not all there is.

I have long been fascinated by the human brain and things that we cannot yet explain about its inner workings. Savant syndrome is a rare condition in which individuals, often with an autism diagnosis, exhibit abilities that far exceed what we might consider as "normal." In this amazing story, Stephen Wiltshire is an extraordinary example: with his photographic memory and his interest in cityscapes, Wiltshire can fly briefly over a city, in this case, Rome, reproduce it completely and accurately on paper, down to exact details including number of columns and windows in every building. To see a longer video about Stephen, click here. If you want to find out more about savant syndrome, and other intriguing individuals with extraordinary abilties, this short documentary should be a good introduction.

painting of the week

Gert Mathiesen Facebook 70” x 77.5” acrylic on canvas

If I had to pick one painting of Gert's, it probably would be this one. I love the colors he chose and its scale...and it contains all the themes he cherished: people, ceramics, flowers, fish, animals...If you look closely, you can see some writing in the background. Gert used to gesso my canvases for me and would leave me little love notes on it afterwards. On this one, I answered back. To see other paintings of his, click on the image above.

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