You know what I simply love? Collecting odd bits of wisdom and meeting creative people who do things either better or more passionately than the rest of us. Add connecting. Always connecting.
And what better place to exercise the love of meeting exceptionally talented and focused people than in the New York City area?
Recently I’ve just spent twelve days in that endlessly fascinating metropolis. I didn’t see one Broadway show, set foot in one museum nor enter one designer showroom. But I did meet three extraordinary women: one meeting was pre-arranged. Two were totally random occurrences.
Lesley Schiff – a classically trained artist hailing from Chicago – has a unique way of portraying her artistic talents: through means of using color laser printers to create images. Her work hangs in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Whitney Museum of Art. And she currently is looking for a corporate sponsor for her portfolio of work featuring the iconic Bob Dylan.
Her website: LesleySchiff.com
Here’s Lesley in her Upper East Side studio – connecting technology with artistic endeavor:
And here is one of her creations. Can you guess what it is?
Later in the day, I visited a local Brooklyn bookstore for tot story time. Both the author, Frieda Wishinsky, and the illustrator, Natalie Nelson, of How Emily Saved the Bridge were there – telling the spellbinding story of Emily Warren Roebling and the building of the suspension bridge connecting Brooklyn to Manhattan in 1869. My two-year-old grandson was oblivious to the details of the dramatic tale, but days later I causally mentioned the book to one of my granddaughters and got an unexpected response: “Nana, I know all about that story. My teacher read it to us last spring. And to show the bridge was safe after rumors that it wasn’t, P.T. Barnum led 21 elephants across the bridge – proving it was safe!”
Kudos to Wishinsky and Nelson for connecting storytelling with history in such a provocative and upbeat narrative.
The very next day I met a young Israeli woman as I wandered the booths of a eclectic neighborhood arts fair deep in Brooklyn who has made the United States home for over 17 years. She is a multi-disciplinary artist who paints, illustrates, curates, installs and also dabbles in the art of tattooing. The most surprising thing about Libat Ohayon? The tattoo on her forearm she put on HERSELF!. Her works are mystical and spiritual, melding the influence of Israeli and Moroccan influences.
Below is one of her many pieces featuring Hamsas:
(A hamsa is a Middle Eastern amulet recognized and used as a sign of protection.)
Her website:
https://pocketartdesign.com/
What did these four women have in common? They had a spark, a lust for life, a belief that small creative actions benefit the world and the world will smile back.
I left all four lighter of heart, with a strong sense of hope. Why? Because connecting with these people showed me how others keep the fires of creativity burning. They value their inherent talents and generously, tirelessly and passionately share their gifts with the world.
I’ve also got six fascinating little people – my grandchildren – in the New York City area – also quite a magnet of joy and inspiration. Below is the youngest little tyke (on the left) walking with a friend. He’s learned the power of connecting too.
Ignite your own flame, keep it burning and forge connections – while also Preserving Your Bloom,
Iris Ruth Pastor