Justin Donnelly is the co-founder and furniture designer behind Jumbo, an NYC-based design practice creating joyful, whimsical pieces you've likely stumbled upon online. With soft edges and thick forms, the furniture appeals to your inner child – you want to touch it, climb it, maybe even gnaw on it. We're big fans of Jumbo's approach to design, so we had to ask Donnelly what's been on his mind.

What’s the best compliment you received recently?

I’m a clothes horse, and I like it when people notice. In fact, I’m so particular about my clothes that I order most of them from Japan, via a third party shipping company called WorldShipping. There is no exchanging the clothes if they don’t fit, so it’s a commitment. In return for this leap of faith, I have some very unique cuts and materials, and the piecework/sewing is unmatched.

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What’s the last thing you read?

For my birthday this year, our studiomate Kickie gave me a book Die with Zero by billionaire energy trader, Bill Perkins.  The book outlines a framework for maximizing net fulfillment over net worth. 

In childhood, I framed my life around curation of vintage clothes and objects rather than buying new stuff. As a result, I learned to save what I earned. Over time, it became more and more difficult for me to spend money.

Die with Zero is essentially a philosophy to spend down what you have saved, and for me, it has been very beneficial.  In addition to loosening up about my material purchases, I’ve begun to reframe my life around prioritizing experiences over achievements. This philosophy has helped me to turn down projects that aren’t emotionally rewarding, and take on projects that aren’t lucrative. I feel richer for the read.

What do you want to read next?

Every week, it’s the next issue of the New Yorker. I’m a bit of an obsessive, so I tend to dive deep into a specific topic or genre (I’m engrossed with what is happening with groundwater and water rights and so should you). The NYer helps to curb these obsessions by exposing me to a broad range of subject matter that I might not seek out on my own.

I subscribed to the magazine before I moved to New York, and the publication takes on another dimension when you live here – Goings On? Tables for Two? The NYer has so many great recommendations for what to see, do and eat in New York City. I try to read every issue cover-to-cover, which is ambitious, but I come close. And then I recycle them, so they don’t take up valuable space in my apartment.

To find articles you've saved later, search the publication or any keyword you remember.

A quote that’s meaningful to you?

I recently came across a quote in a New Yorker article about Demna’s work at Balenciaga:

“There is no excellent beauty, that hath not some strangeness in the proportion.”

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The quote was attributed to Francis Bacon.  I assumed, incorrectly, that it was penned by the 20th century, Irish-British figurative painter known for his raw, unsettling imagery. Turns out that it goes back further — to the 16th Century philosopher and statesman, known as the father of empiricism. 

It’s as true today as it was 400 years ago. Our fundamental appreciation of the natural world has not changed much in spite of all of our material and technological advances.  Now that we have access to many centuries of art and design from different cultures and places, it has become more difficult to achieve an object that feels fresh or different. In our design practice, we use exaggerated proportions in an attempt to elicit surprise or delight.

Best gift you’ve ever given?

A trip to somewhere new. There is no better gift than planning a trip for someone you care about. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a long or expensive, it’s the thought that counts.

Where do you want to travel next?

The Maze in Canyonlands National Park is one of the most beautiful places in America and it is one of the most remote.  I used to not talk about it, for fear that it would be overrun by adventure-seekers. But now that the Colorado River is experiencing historic lows due to drought and overuse, I'm not particularly concerned about the secret getting out. 

Today, you have to really want it to visit.  The best way to get there is by chartered fan-boat up the river, followed by a ¼ mile vertical ascent up the face of a cliff, and a ¼ mile vertical descent into the basin of a many-fingered slot-canyon.  Once you have arrived at the canyon’s floor, an evening breeze makes a whooshing sound that is otherworldly.  It is untouched by modern man.  And it’s the only place I’ve been in America where I did not see another human being for the entire duration of my weeklong trip. No selfie sticks. No garbage. It is a place that was sacred to native peoples, for reasons that I won’t get into, and I still get chills thinking about my last trip there.

What would you buy, if money weren’t an issue?

I think that private property is a crime. But yeah. I’d buy a nice piece of land and build a house with a pool and collaborate with a landscape architect to make it look like the house has existed for a century or more.

What hobby would you take up, if you had the time?

Tennis. I would learn to play tennis. I just love everything about it. My design partner Monling calls all ball sports “sports-ball.”  But even she can’t deny the aesthetic allure of tennis.  We have even themed some furniture design projects around the sport.  And for me as a New Yorker, attending the US Open each fall is a must. Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is like a microcosm of the City, which often acts like an exclusive nightclub; there is a grim approach to the complex where you are hemmed-in by thousands of other attendees queueing on a rickety pedestrian bridge over what looks like a graveyard for MTA subway cars. Or you can approach from Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, away from the sweating crowd, with the shadow of Gilmore Clarke’s Unisphere at your back, knowing that you are a New Yorker in the know.

What’s an image or piece of art you can’t get out of your head?

A few years ago, I corresponded briefly with the English painter Issy Wood. I discovered her via Real Review magazine, and thought she had the funniest and most charming essay. Her early works feature tightly cropped coats and jackets made from nylon and leather. And I love the way she lays down paint. For me, it is a perfect combination of subject matter and technique. We discussed exchanging a Neotenic Chair for a small painting, but the conversation ended prematurely, and now I’m not sure we could afford her work today (hiiii Issy!).

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A product of any kind you’ve been appreciating lately?

This is almost an impossible question for a furniture designer.  There are so very many products that I appreciate.  Curveball—I’ll start with a trash can. I love the lidded bin by Perigot for Rossignol, the ski manufacturer—it’s precise engineering and fun colors, and it has a luxe mechanical operation. It’s unfortunately no longer made, so good luck hunting them down.  Every day, I eat from what I consider rather-neutral tableware by the Bouroullecs for Alessi. Silverware is one of the few things in the house I don’t want to be overdesigned. This particular design, Ovale, has slightly nicer proportions than Jasper Morrison’s KnifeForkSpoon. But if I was in the market for a new set, I would go with Naoto Fukasawa Itsumo Flatware, because it is a little bit softer and rounder. It’s a bit cuter. And I love anything designed by Aldo Bakker.

To find a product later in your mind, search "products" or any keyword you remember. 


The funniest thing you’ve seen or heard lately?

I followed @shittynewyorkercartooncaptions on IG for over a year before I discovered that one-half of the submissions are penned by an old friend. It’s male. It’s juvenile. It’s ridiculous. I think they might have discontinued the feed earlier this summer? If you are reading Matt, I’m hoping you just took a holiday for the summer.


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If you could build an extension of your own mind, what would it look like? How would it work?

My mind? An internet browser with too many damn tabs open. ⚘

The post Into the mind of furniture designer Justin Donnelly appeared first on mymind.

Kendall Latham describes his work as designed anthropology: informed by place and inspired by people. The experiences he's designed for brands like Glossier, Calvin Klein, Dior and Raf Simons are indeed transportive yet grounded in community and location. After admiring his designs and appreciating a few of them in person, we were curious about the mind behind the work.

What’s the best compliment you received recently?

A friend texted me and thanked me for being a really great friend, and I think that’s one of the best compliments you can get (and give)!

What’s the last thing you read?

I read an extremely sad book called "The End of Eddy" by Edouard Louis. It’s an autobiographical novel centered around growing up gay in working-class France. 

What do you want to read next?

After the last book, I need something funny and/or dark — probably something by David Sedaris (last one I read was "Calypso", which is hysterical). I tend to read more than one book at once because I have a short attention span and need to jump between genres.

A quote that’s meaningful to you?

“Say it, forget it. Write it, regret it.” -Dorinda Medley

Right click GIFs to save them to your mind.

Best gift you’ve ever given?

Once I went to a birthday party for someone I didn’t know that well at the time, and brought one of these cool birthday cake candles from John Derian Company. When I gave it to him, he told me no one had brought a cake, so we lit the candle and everyone sang Happy Birthday, which was cute.

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Where do you want to travel to next?

I know everyone says this but I really want to go to Japan. Everyone has been except me!

What would you buy, if money weren’t an issue?

Boring answer but I would buy a house by the water — somewhere accessible by train, so I can go there whenever I want.

What hobby would you take up, if you had the time?

Fencing! It’s exciting to me because I’m not one to take physical risks, but I’m also extremely competitive. Plenty of safety equipment and the sabres aren’t real! 

What’s an image or piece of art you can’t get out of your head?

The Young Martyr by Paul Delaroche (at The Louvre). I will never get this image out of my head.

Right click the image to save it. Search "martyr" or "Paul" or "Louvre" to find it later.

A product of any kind you’ve been appreciating lately?

I got a new fragrance that I’ve been eyeing for a long time. I couldn’t sample before I purchased it but I’m glad I took the risk because it’s GREAT.

The funniest thing you’ve seen lately?

I’ve been re-watching The Catherine Tate Show. She’s a genius.

Search "TV Series" or "Catherine" to find this later in your mind.

If you could build an extension of your own mind, what would it look like? How would it work?

It would probably take the form of some weird Rube Goldberg machine. Something that approaches seemingly straightforward and mundane tasks with creativity, kookiness. ⚘

The post Into the mind of designer Kendall Latham appeared first on mymind.

Good taste and tech don't always go together, which makes Will Bowers an exception. His tech reviews are refreshingly clean, keen and useful. So it was a compliment when we learned he uses mymind. We asked Bowers to share what he's been thinking on lately.

What’s the best compliment you received recently?

Not long ago, somebody who I consider to be a bit of a “digital mentor” told me they took inspiration from some of my recent work.

This was a person who I learned a LOT from over the past few years, so getting that type of recognition from them was a lovely feeling that has stuck with me for months.

What’s the last thing you read?

“The Creative Act” by Rick Rubin. Not only does this book look great on a coffee table or shelf, I believe the contents of it are essential for anyone who wants to be more in touch with their creativity. 

It's currently my go-to recommendation for any of my friends who suffer from writer's block, and I find myself re-reading sections of the book whenever I need a bit of a reset.

What do you want to read next?

A book that was recently recommended to me called “The Infinite Game” by Simon Sinek. I do a lot of business/non-fiction reading so when I heard this is similar to some of the stuff I enjoyed in the past, I had to pick it up.

Beyond that, one of my favorite relaxation books I find myself revisiting often is “The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living” by Meik Wiking. This one is great to flip through before bedtime, and was a big part in my desire to create “cozy” living spaces in my home.

A quote that’s meaningful to you?

“Stay hungry, stay foolish.” - Steve Jobs

Highlight the text, quotation marks included, and right click to save this to your mind as a quote. Right click the image to save it.

I personally think a healthy dose of delusion is necessary when chasing one's dreams, so this quote has always been a reminder to push myself forward while ignoring the self doubt that only serves to hold me back. 

Best gift you’ve ever given?

My favorite gift to give to anyone tends to be exposure to new foods and experiences. I take deep pride in being able to introduce people to new things they have never tried, and I'm always looking for personalized ways to do this for my family and friends. A delicious meal or a well thought out day trip will go a long way in my books.

Where do you want to travel to next?

I seem to have been bitten by the New York City bug in a big way as I am planning my second visit in as many years this Fall. I’m quite a big fan of the non-stop beautiful chaos that exists in the city, and after being raised in a small town in Arizona I love surrounding myself in that environment. 

Australia, Spain and Japan are also high on my list of destinations I hope to visit in the not so distant future.

What would you buy, if money weren’t an issue?

I would buy a plot of land somewhere in the Vancouver area with a view of nature and enough space for all of my family and friends to visit comfortably whenever they wanted. I’d love to build myself a studio space in the home that allows me to make videos with zero friction, and an art studio for my wife.

Big picture, however, I’m realizing as I get older that I’m less motivated by physical possessions. I want to use my resources to benefit causes to preserve the planet or provide relief to marginalized communities. 

What hobby would you take up, if you had the time?

I recently discovered that I am very inspired by interior design! I’ve started carving out dedicated time to learn more about this and the deeper I go, the more I realize I enjoy design as a whole. 

I also have a background in the streaming/gaming space that I wish I could spend more time doing, since it was such a big part of my life when I was figuring out this whole content creation thing. Maybe it's time to revisit some of that soon.

What’s an image or piece of art you can’t get out of your head?

This shot of Charles Leclerc after finally securing his first Monaco F1 win in front of his home crowd. His big win came after years of bad luck and having it slip through his fingers countless times. The headfirst dive into the marina while still in full race clothing shows the pure elation of the moment.

A product of any kind you’ve been appreciating lately?

Lately I’ve been testing out using an iPad as a replacement for my laptop when I travel. The Apple Pencil specifically has made me feel MUCH more creatively inspired when using this compared to a standard laptop. 

The funniest thing you’ve seen lately?

I feel it is only fair to give credit for this one to the greatest cinematic masterpiece of my time: Shrek 2. 

If you could build an extension of your own mind, what would it look like? How would it work?

I imagine it would be similar to the waves in the ocean. My mind is constantly cycling between periods of calm and intense periods of productivity and motion, similar to the changing tides of the sea. My focus is far from linear, but the common thread is that I know the next big “wave” is often right around the corner. ⚘

The post Into the mind of Will Bowers appeared first on mymind.

Ashley Keeper is the founder of KEEPER, a jewelry collection inspired by aerodynamics. Her pieces, sculptural and almost mystical in style, explore the liminal space between motion and suspension. We're always drawn to people who follow their curiosity or hone in on a particular obsession in this way, so we had to get a look into Keeper's mind.

What’s the best compliment you received recently?

I’ve been told a few times that I give off Sara Connor vibes from "Terminator." That’s some badass energy and I’ll take it!

With the collection, we received an awesome product review recently. In explaining a customer’s purchase: “Because it looks like a relic from an alien race.”

What’s the last thing you read?

"The Creative Act: A Way of Being" by Rick Rubin

Click the mymind + button in your browser to save this as a book. Search "creative" or "Rubin" or "books" to find it later.

Filled with some beautiful reminders, this book gave me the permission to create with no audience or outcome in mind. Carving out time to do so is healing the suppressed artist within this designer.

What do you want to read next?

"How to Create A Mind by Ray Kurzweil"

My partner just gifted me a signed copy after your founder recommended the book to me. I’m looking forward to reading it.

A quote that’s meaningful to you?

Designer Massimo Vignelli spoke at my university not long before he passed. Hearing all his achievements, a grad student in the back was eager to know how successful creatives get their first big break. The answer still moves me to this day. 

“When a fire is burning, it’s impossible not to see it.”

Highlight the text, quotation marks included, to save it to your mind as a quote.

Best gift you’ve ever given?

I’ve had the pleasure of working on some beautiful custom engravings for customers. There are two in particular that come to mind:

The most recent was helping a group with a gift for their friend after his mom passed, with a message in her memory. 

After the 2020 explosions in Beirut, I released a style named BEY for Beirut airport. (Each design is named after a different airport code.) A customer gave their Lebanese partner this necklace with the message, “This Too Shall Pass.” 

I’m honored to be involved in making such special gifts possible. And in general, I believe in the power of design to transcend physical objects into modern heirlooms. That’s why I named the brand KEEPER.

Where do you want to travel to next?

Anywhere in nature. 

What would you buy, if money weren’t an issue?

I would fabricate large scale sculptures of my jewelry pendants and install them in different landscapes around the world.

What hobby would you take up, if you had the time?

Getting a new motorcycle to go riding again. I sold my first cafe racer earlier this year, while moving from Mexico to Germany.

What’s an image or piece of art you can’t get out of your head?

The paracompass from the first "Dune" film. I’m a huge sci-fi fanatic and find Villeneuve’s work profoundly inspiring.

Right click an image to save it to your mind. On mobile, long press and share it to the mymind app.

A product of any kind you’ve been appreciating lately?

The Grasshopper plug-in for my 3D software. I’ve always wanted to explore parametric modeling and am developing a collection with some very cool surface details at the moment.

The funniest thing you’ve seen or heard lately?

As a recovering New Yorker, @subwaycreatures takes me right back to the zoo.

If you could build an extension of your own mind, what would it look like? How would it work?

I dreamed to build a treehouse as a kid. I loved to build things so my brother and I tried to make one. Apparently a permit was required where we lived, so it was torn down.

My inner child lives in a treehouse. While living in the jungle of Mexico, my apartment really felt like one. Being immersed in the trees acted as a constant reminder just how small I am. My vast inner world shrinks and it’s the ultimate cure for overthinking. ⚘

The post Into the mind of jewelry designer Ashley Keeper appeared first on mymind.

Harry Dry is the mind behind Copywriting Examples, a brilliant resource and newsletter for ad writers, marketers and creatives. Dry takes his own medicine by writing succinct, compelling copy you actually want to read. He also happens to use mymind for collecting inspiration and references for his work. Here he kindly shares a glimpse inside.

What’s the best compliment you received recently?

“No one knew what you were going to say next.” - Andy, an attendee at a talk I did.

What’s the last thing you read?

"The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath

Best metaphors and similes you will ever read – and you won’t notice you read them!

Click the + button in your browser, or long press and share the link to the mymind app on mobile, to save this to your mind as a book.

What do you want to read next?

I’m staring at "A Farewell to Arms" as I write this, so maybe that.

Search "Bell" or "Plath" or "books" to find this later in your mind after saving it.

A quote that’s meaningful to you?

"I had to learn to think, feel, and see in a totally new fashion, in an uneducated way, in my own way, which is the hardest thing in the world. I had to throw myself into the current, knowing that I would probably sink. The great majority of artists are throwing themselves in with life preservers around their necks, and more often than not it is the life preserver, which sinks them. Nobody can drown in the ocean of reality who voluntarily gives herself up to the experience. Whatever there be of progress in life comes not through adaptation but through daring, through obeying the blind urge." – Henry Miller

Highlight the text, quotation marks included, to save this to your mind as a quote.

Best gift you’ve ever given?

An interview with my Grandpa (who has since died) for my Dad.

Where do you want to travel to next?

I don’t know.

What would you buy, if money weren’t an issue?

A better mattress. Actually, no, if money is no object I’d like a country house in some part of England I’ve never heard of.

What hobby would you take up, if you had the time?

“If if if… doesn’t exist.”

What’s an image or piece of art you can’t get out of your head?

Less the image, more the album (and the story behind it)!

Click the + button in your browser to save this to your mind as an a video.

A product of any kind you’ve been appreciating lately?

Can I say Copywriting Examples?! I know, I made it. But I use it every week and I’m proud of it. One hundred new examples in mymind ready to add. Godspeed!

Search "copywriting" or "marketing" or "websites" in your mind to find the website later after saving it.

The funniest thing you’ve seen or heard lately?

Click the + button while viewing the original post to save it to your mind.

If you could build an extension of your own mind, what would it look like? How would it work?

I’m sure technology will march on and in another hundred years you can just think and poof – that new song ends up in some digital folder. But I really can’t be bothered with that. My mind is my mind. It doesn’t need “an extension." Pen and paper is fine. And for internet stuff, mymind is pretty good. ⚘

The post Into the mind of Harry Dry appeared first on mymind.

Jared Blake is the co-founder of Lichen NYC, a Brooklyn-based design incubator and studio centered around furniture and spatial design. Blake and his partner have created something unique with Lichen: they design furniture; they sell iconic pieces from Pesce to Eames; they make room for conversation around design and community. After several years appreciating Lichen's excellent taste and intentionality around design, we were eager to know what's been on Blake's mind.

What’s the best compliment you received recently?

I try to dodge compliments so as to not get addicted and remain humble. Please forward all compliments to my work or team.

What’s the last thing you read?

"Tribal Scars" by Senegalese film director Sembène Ousmane. I found it at a bookstore called Myopic books in Chicago. It's a great read, a series of chapters which could each be a movie.

What do you want to read next?

I’m starting this book called "The Gene Keys" by Richard Rudd. It’s like a culmination of two other books I’ve read to get to this point, that are connected but also really juxtaposed: The iChing by Fu Xi and "Archaic Revival" by Terrance McKenna.

A quote that’s meaningful to you?

“To be Bobby then, you gotta be Bobby now.” - Jay-Z

It’s a reference to Bobby Brown's rockstar-like stardom in the '80s and the unfortunate cost that lifestyle lead to. It’s a take on the quote "'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all."

Best gift you’ve ever given?

That’s a good question. I wouldn’t say it was the “best” or a “gift” persay, but I was able to track down and return someone’s wallet who left it on a bench outside of our shop the other day. I’m pretty sure no gift I’ve given anyone felt better than that for both of us.

Where do you want to travel to next?

Still haven’t been to Paris. I’d like to see what the fuss is about.

What would you buy, if money weren’t an issue?

A house / farm.

What hobby would you take up, if you had the time?

Homemade small batch Yerba Mate. I’ve been tinkering with my own and it’s cute, nothing serious.

What’s an image or piece of art you can’t get out of your head?

I have a disdain for 90% of art I see. The pricing structure makes it an elitist construct to me, but that’s a nuanced conversation for another time.

A product of any kind you’ve been appreciating lately?

The Hake Brush [Lichen designer] Eric makes. Dust is a part of life; I live a dusty life so...

The funniest thing you’ve seen or heard lately?

The “I’ve been a nasty girl” guy with glasses brings me joy.

I’m also rewatching "Ramy," that's been really funny.

If you could build an extension of your own mind, what would it look like? How would it work?

I think I’m living in that vision with Lichen? Aren’t we all living in our choices to some degree? Dave Chapelle had this quote he mentioned at one of his stand ups:

“We’re living inside the biggest dream in the room.”

He said at the moment he’s rich and we are all paying to watch him do something he loves, but then he mentioned being in Saudi Arabia performing for a prince on his birthday, and that at that moment he was living in the prince's dream. The prince was like “Look, I have Dave Chapelle at my birthday.”

I think if I had some utopian views, money would be obsolete or trade and barter would be more prevalent. Capitalism ain't it, clearly, but we’ll be here for a bit until we figure out a better system. ⚘

The post Into the mind of Jared Blake appeared first on mymind.

Alex Proba's art does something to your brain. It's colorful, playful, tactile. The shapes and colors satisfy your inner child who longs to sprawl on a concrete sidewalk and scribble with chalk for an entire afternoon. As you'll see in this interview, Proba's inner child is still very much at play in her work.

What’s the best compliment you received recently?

The best compliment I received recently was someone telling me that my art brought joy and inspiration to their everyday life.

What’s the last thing you read?

"The Overstory" by Richard Powers. It's a beautiful and thought-provoking novel about trees and our relationship with nature.

Click the + button in your browser while viewing the page to save it to your mind as a book.

What do you want to read next?

I just got myself a copy of Gaetano Pesce's "The Complete Incoherence.”

To find this book later in your mind, search "Gaetano" or "Pesce" or simply "books."

I love his work, especially this dresser and table set up.

A quote that’s meaningful to you?

This is quite surprising because I've never had a quote that resonated with me so deeply until just last week. It's amusing that it's a Nike quote, but I completely agree with it:

“Love your dreams until they love you back.”

Best gift you’ve ever given?

The unconditional love from my dog Sam.

Where do you want to travel to next?

I would love to travel to Japan next. The culture, the art and the landscapes are all incredibly inspiring to me. Not to mention, the abundance of fake food displays fascinates me. I've been obsessed with it ever since I was a small kid and saw Claes Oldenburg's giant dropped ice cream cone on a building in Cologne, near where I grew up.

Right click to save an image to your mind on desktop. On mobile, long press and share it to the mymind app.

What would you buy, if money weren’t an issue?

If money weren’t an issue, I would buy a large workshop with all machinery, tools and materials needed to make amazing art and furniture — where there would be no limits to my creations. The limit I currently run into is cost, although my idea book is full of things I want to make.

What hobby would you take up, if you had the time?

Diving — especially in Fiji, where the crystal-clear waters and vibrant coral reefs offer a magical underwater experience. The chance to swim alongside majestic whales in their natural habitat would be a dream come true.

What’s an image or piece of art you can’t get out of your head?

The Pyramids of Giza presents: ‘RA’ by Sabine Marcelis. The juxtaposition of ancient architecture with contemporary art creates a powerful and thought-provoking visual experience that lingers in my mind. The way Sabine plays with light and form in such a historic setting is just soooo good, like all her work.

A product of any kind you’ve been appreciating lately?

I've been appreciating and at the same time frightened by AI. On many levels it helps me quickly visualize and experiment with ideas in real-time. It's like having a team or co-worker that feedbacks my creative process and makes me feel like I am not a studio of One?

Here some soft sculpture sketches/ideas.

The funniest thing you’ve seen or heard lately?

Always animal reels or videos. Can you sense a theme in my responses at this point?

If you could build an extension of your own mind, what would it look like? How would it work?

If I could build an extension of my own mind, it would be a vast, colorful and ever-changing landscape that people could explore. It would work like a living, breathing art installation, constantly evolving and reacting to the thoughts and emotions of those who experience it. ⚘

The post Into the mind of artist Alex Proba appeared first on mymind.

Frankie Yoshi's comics, published under the moniker stolenchapstick online, have a theme of longing, connection, self-love and gentleness. After saving several of their comics to our minds, we decided to reach out and get to know them better. And we thoroughly enjoyed the youthful, vibrant interior world they shared in this interview.

What’s the best compliment you received recently?

“Your room feels like an art museum!”

What’s the last thing you read?

I’m currently reading “Mickey7” by Edward Ashton and “Dandelions” by Yasunari Kawabata.

I often start many books at the same time and never finish them.

Click the + button in your browser to save these books to your mind. Search "Mickey" or "Dandelions" to find them later.

What do you want to read next?

"Goiter" by Josh Pettinger

A quote that’s meaningful to you?

“As soon as you stop listening to new music, your life is over. You are a fart.”

- John Waters

Highlight the text wrapped in quotation marks to save it to your mind as a quote.

Best gift you’ve ever given?

The gift of friendship. Also, a hand drawn t-shirt given to my younger brother when we were kids. He still wears it to this day!

Where do you want to travel to next?

I would love to visit the Museum of Salt and Pepper Shakers in Tennessee, or somewhere on the West Coast! I love weird things. Oh! It’s a dream to travel to Japan one day, specifically to collect stamped pages from train stations. 

What would you buy, if money weren’t an issue?

Unlimited paint markers, 35mm film, and Smiskis. I would also buy a cool building to live in, somewhere that I could host community events, DIY shows with friends, and create an art studio. 

What hobby would you take up, if you had the time?

Book binding or woodworking / 3D modeling.  I would love to make figures of my characters and maybe a shelf for all my own stuff to be a bit more practical. 

What’s an image or piece of art you can’t get out of your head?

Right click and image to save it to your mind. On mobile, long press and share it to the mymind app.

I’m always thinking about this photo of Keith Haring and the artwork he made for a blimp in 1989.

A product of any kind you’ve been appreciating lately?

I really appreciate my yellow crossbody bag from Uniqlo. I got it last fall while I was on a trip in Chicago and randomly decided to pick it up. I mostly use it as a camera and marker bag, but you can fit a lot of stuff inside! It’s slowly becoming my everyday bag. 

Click the + button in your browser while viewing a product to save it to your mind. Search "products" or "bag" or "Uniqlo" to find it later.

"I always imagine my mind to be like that episode of Spongebob where there’s a bunch of mini-Spongebobs sitting at desks with filing cabinets and running around looking for something."

The funniest thing you’ve seen or heard lately? 

This comic by Nekojiru always cracks me up. ​​

Search any word appearing within a comic to find it later in your mind.

If you could build an extension of your own mind, what would it look like? How would it work?

I always imagine my mind to be like that episode of "Spongebob" where there’s a bunch of mini-Spongebobs sitting at desks with filing cabinets and running around looking for something. I think my mind would look like something like that, but my characters are in place of mini-me’s. You would just go up an elevator and go to the specific thing you’re looking for. Probably a theme to each floor and you’d need a special badge to get in. ⚘

The post Into the mind of comic artist Frankie Yoshi appeared first on mymind.

Katie Benn's art and illustrations are somehow both poignant and lighthearted. After stumbling upon several of her drawings online, we were curious to know the mind behind them — a mind we quickly discovered is as hopeful, colorful and tender as the work she creates.

What’s the best compliment you received recently?

I live on an old property out in the country where a lot of wildlife passes through. The other day, I was out in the backyard and a deer was lying in the grass about four feet from me, made eye contact and just stared at me. Whenever I can capture the calm attention of a wild animal, it feels like a compliment. 

What’s the last thing you read?

"Italian Folk Magic" by Mary-Grace Fahrun. I’ve been reading it in tandem with "Nuns Behaving Badly: Tales of Music, Magic, Art and Arson in the Convents in Italy" by Craig A. Monson, the latter being extra fascinating pertaining to the history of 16th century Italy. I love nonfiction and I enjoy pairing books to read in tandem that have a way of informing each other. 

What do you want to read next?

I have had the same copy of Buckminster Fuller’s "Intuition" for many years. I’ve reread it a few times. Though not an easy read, I always get something new from it, and I think I’m due for another pass. 

To find this book later in your mind, search "books" or "Intuition."

A quote that’s meaningful to you?

Right click an image to save it to your mind. Long press on mobile.

Best gift you’ve ever given?

I think the best gifts we give others are often intangible and generally unknowable. So often the best gifts we receive, if we think about it, are chance encounters with the right thing at the right time, and I think we offer that to each other constantly without thinking — love, making someone laugh when they’re starved of it, introducing a new way of looking at something, randomly sharing a kind word. For instance the deer I mentioned earlier that just calmly looked at me for an extended period of time — that was a gift.

Where do you want to travel to next?

There’s a beautiful, almost weightless place that I took a monorail to in a dream once. I’ve always wanted to return. 

What would you buy, if money weren’t an issue?

World Peace (or the closest I could feasibly get to it). It seems the people that move to block it at every turn might need to be paid off. 

"If there are circumstances that are painful that we cannot change, we must soak in them, feel it all, and allow ourselves to make a food of it, somehow."

What hobby would you take up, if you had the time?

I’d like to be swimming at least once a day. Wish I had the time and place to do that. 

What’s an image or piece of art you can’t get out of your head?

I love old films. I watched David Lean’s "Brief Encounter" recently and it knocked me out. I keep thinking about it. I read some article criticizing how the film luxuriates the pain of love having come into one’s life at the wrong time, but truly, particularly as an artist, if there are circumstances that are painful that we cannot change, we must soak in them, feel it all, and allow ourselves to make a food of it, somehow. And I love how this was depicted in the film — Celia Johnson’s character, specifically. 

Click the + button in your browser to save the link above as a movie, or share it to your mind on mobile.

A product of any kind you’ve been appreciating lately?

Siete Sea Salt Potato Chips. A perfect product. 

The funniest thing you’ve seen or heard lately?

I don’t know how else to say it, but I’ve gotten really into apples this year. I saw this comic by Josh Mecouch recently and it was like looking into a mirror: 

Search any word appearing in a meme or comic to find it later in your mind.

If you could build an extension of your own mind, what would it look like? How would it work?

An extension of my own mind, if I were tasked with building such a thing, would likely be designed after something found in nature. Something ephemeral yet returning, materialized by earthly elements similar to those that comprise a rainbow. And because man-made things like codes can be broken and brass locks can be picked, I’d like the extension of my mind to require some life-affirming elements working in concert to be unlocked—like rainwater, sunshine, and the pure intentions of an observer with the potential for understanding and awe.

The post Into the mind of artist & illustrator Katie Benn appeared first on mymind.

We've long admired Nicole Gavrilles for her refreshing and tasteful perspective on sustainable fashion, specifically her work on ONE magazine. Come to find out, the same strong values she brings to fashion play out in everything she does. Here we get a peek into the designer & art director's mind.

What’s the best compliment you received recently?

I wouldn’t say this is a direct compliment but it felt like one! I visited home a few weeks ago to see my family and spent time with my nephews and my niece. One of my nephews asks, "Why do you have to leave and why can’t you stay with us?"

As they get older, I’ve grown such a love and attachment to them. They make me smile and I love when I get to spend time with them. It feels like a special type of love to want me around more and as an aunt that’s the best feeling.

What’s the last thing you read?

I recently finished Total Ethics Fashion by Emma Hakansson from Collective Fashion Justice which brought so much more clarity to how sustainable fashion should be described. She outlines a total ethics fashion system prioritizing the life and wellbeing of people, animals and the planet before profit.

What do you want to read next?

I have too many books on my list and I just picked up a few more at the Printed Matter Art Book Fair last month. Here’s a few of top choices:

"Let’s Become Fungal! Mycelium Teachings and the Arts" by Yasmine Ostendorf-Rodriguez. It’s been on my list for a while and I’m happy to have finally picked it up recently. It’s such a fascinating book and I cannot wait to dig deeper into it — first for my love of nature and learning more about the incredible powers they possess, but also this book explores the fascinating life and inspiring metaphors of mycelium and the mushroom. I’m so intrigued and can’t wait to jump into this book.

"Not Too Late: Changing the Climate Story from Despair to Possibility" by Rebecca Solnit & Thelma Young Lutunatabua. As we continue to worry about the current state of our climate, I’m hoping this book will shine a light onto how our future can play out if we make the right decisions today.

Search "climate" or "fungal" to find these pages later in your mind.

A quote that’s meaningful to you?

"If you spend your time chasing butterflies, they will fly away. But if you spend your time making a beautiful garden, the butterflies will come to you. When you focus on improving yourself, everything you want will come to you." - Leno Cainelli

Highlight the text, quotation marks included, to save this as a quote to your mind.

Best gift you’ve ever given?

The most meaningful gift I’ve given is a book I made for my grandparents in 2018. I encouraged my family to organize a trip back to Greece one last time with my grandparents. It was a way for them to see their home before it became more difficult for them to fly back.

We visited the village my grandparents grew up in and it was like a dream to me, exactly how I remembered when I was young spending summers there. I photographed their home, them in the home, the village, and some moments during our time in Greece. It was a bucket list thing I wanted to make sure I did for myself and also to give those special memories to them. That trip and that gift still mean so much to me, and I have one of the images I took framed in my apartment as a constant reminder of my time with them in Greece.

Where do you want to travel to next?

I am flying to Copenhagen in a few days for the Global Fashion Agenda, but next on my list I would love to visit Turkey, Iceland and a few Greek Islands. I’m hoping to make it out to Spain at the end of the summer. I’m a huge foodie so any way I can experience different cuisines, meet people, and hear stories while traveling, I love – it’s like collecting special moments in time.

What would you buy, if money weren’t an issue?

I would have my home in nature with my cat, dog, chickens, ducks, my garden, outdoor sauna, natural pool and a space for my friend Victoria to use as her flower farm. Also a small quaint apartment in Brooklyn in my favorite neighborhood, and a vacation home on a Greek Island.

Other than home spaces, I would invest in climate solutions and donate money to combat our climate from warming and protect the futures of generations to follow.

What hobby would you take up, if you had the time?

I’d love to get back into boxing more frequently again. I was training six times a week before the pandemic and it’s a sport I really enjoy.

I’d also really love to get back into drawing, learn watercolor techniques, and more complicated book binding techniques. Having time away from the computer is like recharging your own battery. I’ve been enjoying the moments where I can make things with my hands, and I want to fill in more moments like this every year.

For something I’ve never tried before – woodworking would be really fun, maybe make some furniture pieces (or try to).

What’s an image or piece of art you can’t get out of your head?

Seeing a photograph taken by my favorite photographer, Toni Frissell, in person at The MET on my birthday in 2021. I love to take my birthday off if it’s a weekday and make a special day for myself in the city, and that always starts with a museum exhibition. This one was really special to me because it was called "The New Women Behind The Camera." It celebrated the work of the women who embraced photography as a mode of professional and artistic expression from the 1920s through the 1950s. And at that time, most of these women were the firsts to use photography as a profession.

I’ve been in love with Toni Frissell’s fashion photography since I was young and seeing a piece in person was so special to me. I think about how special that exhibition was and that day from time to time.

A product of any kind you’ve been appreciating lately?

I’ve been kind of geeking about Lapse lately. I think what I really enjoy about it is the feeling of social media freedom. No ads, no distractions, only sharing photos with a small group of friends that feels more authentic and real – kind of what Instagram used to be when it first started.

I love when you take photos, you cannot view them immediately because they need to be “developed." That sense of surprise and wonder brings me back to when I took photos with my film camera as a kid. And as a result of using Lapse, it actually got me back into wanting to shoot film again.

Click the + button in your browser to save a website to your mind.

The funniest thing you’ve seen or heard lately?

These bits on corporate America are so real haha

If you could build an extension of your own mind, what would it look like? How would it work?

Lots of greenery and surrounded by the sounds of nature. It would have cozy spaces to relax and ponder about things because sometimes when you have the moments of relaxation and stillness, that’s when your best ideas come to mind. ⚘

The post Into the mind of designer & art director Nicole Gavrilles appeared first on mymind.