A certain kind of joie de vivre
Maira Kalman and her son Alex Kalman. Image by Andrew White taken from The New York Times
‘The Normal, Daily Things We Fall in Love With’ an interview of Maira Kalman by Krista Tippet at On Being.
With an abundance of honest ideas and a refreshing outlook on finding the positive, this interview was by far the best podcast I listened to last year. Since I first heard it in September, I have listened to it on repeat, each time taking delight in the phrases and ideas of this well regarded artist.
I didn’t know much about Maria Kalman prior to listening, and have since fallen in love with her person and her work (such is the divine power of podcasts and the information portal of the internet).
Her illustrations are a light hearted observation of life’s idiosyncrasies. They encourage you to slow down, look around and find pleasure in your day to day activities. An idea that we share and strive to live by. Maira looks at everyday situations and people and presents a way of looking at them that can only be described as quite simply joyous. From illustrated children’s books, textiles, talks and exhibitions there is a lot to love (and I’ve realised a whole lot more to discover) about Maira Kalman.
Next time you have an hour of leisure, or even a moment during your daily commute or morning walk, I can highly recommend filling your mind with the voices of Maria Kalman and Krista Tippet – it might encourage you to stop and appreciate a tree you walk past everyday, or an inanimate object that is filled with joy . You can find the podcast here.
Image from “The Principles of Uncertainty” by Maira Kalman
Several of Maira’s words which have stuck with me from the first time I listened to ‘The Normal, Daily Things We Fall in Love With’ . . .
“challenge the idea that there is any reason to be in a hurry”
“retain your sense of wonder about the world. the sense of beauty”
“my heart goes out to everybody. That’s it, my heart goes out to everybody”