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Northwest Bergen, NJ February 2021

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F E B R UA RY 2 02 1

ARTS + M AKE RS


C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S 2 0 2 1 N E W J E R S E Y S U P E R L A W Y E R S

JONAS K. SEIGEL Partner

JAN K. SEIGEL Partner

L I K E FAT H E R , L I K E S O N

JAN

HONORS, AWARDS & ASSOCIATIONS

JONAS

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Super Lawyers

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NJ State Bar Association Young Lawyer of the Year

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3

Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum

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NJ Supreme Court Fee Arbitration Appointment

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Trustee, NJ State Bar Association

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National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawers

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To learn more about Seigel Law and the criteria used in the selection process for the above awards, please visit www.SeigelLaw.com.

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

FEBRUARY 2021 PUBLISHER

Marc Schwartz | marc.schwartz@lifestylepubs.com EDITOR

"Artists in Residents" WELCOME PHOTOGRAPHY LOVERS, MUSIC AFICIONADOS, ART CONNOISSEURS, AND CULINARY ARTISTS OF NORTHWEST BERGEN. In the words of Steve Harvey, “We’ve got another good one for you!” This month Kris Pepper and Jean Terman labored with love and passion, creating our Arts and Makers issue. And now the results are in; a compilation of visual creativity and expressive commentary which will certainly tantalize your palate. February’s issue is all about what you love as a hobby or appreciate as a devotee. We have managed to compile a diverse group of incredible artists who are remarkably

Kris Pepper | kris.pepper@lifestylepubs.com CRE ATI VE MANAGER

Jean Terman SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Lauren Cali STAFF WRITER

Lucy Probert AD DESIGNER

Matthew Endersbe L AYO UT DESIGNER

Kelsey Proctor

talented in their craft(s). It may be their life’s work; however, they love what they do. Having said that, you would be hard-pressed to find any one of them stating what they do is "work." Below, please find our featured artists. Ryan Davis – Ramsey Michael Malandra – Mahwah Jake Thistle – Paramus Arthur Boden 1927-2019 – Upper Saddle River Michele Figliuolo - Waldwick Do you have a special talent for baking/cooking, carpentry, jewelry making, music, painting, photography, pottery, or something else? Maybe this month you will take a leap and rekindle an old passion or possibly start to explore something new. Do you

CORPORATE TEAM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore

already have a side gig in the works? We would love to see what it is that you do. Tag

ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

us in your posts at @northwestbergenlifestyle so we can support you and share the

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

incredible makers in our community.

AD MANAGER Chad Jensen

The show is ready to begin. Please take your seats, shut your electronic devices,

REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR Eric Williams

relax, and enjoy.

WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

During intermission and after the show, please venture out and support our local businesses; they need all of us now more than ever. Whether it’s shopping or dining in, curbside pickup, or having something delivered to you, our local businesses will accommodate you. Here’s a great reason to shop local in February: Local businesses are owned and operated by your neighbors. They care about you and

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are invested in the well-being of our community, Northwest Bergen County. Keep safe, be careful, and most importantly, stay healthy. ARIZONA | CALIFORNIA | COLORADO | CONNECTICUT | FLORIDA | GEORGIA

Marc Schwartz, Publisher

IDAHO | ILLINOIS | KANSAS | MARYLAND | MASSACHUSETTS | MICHIGAN MINNESOTA | MISSOURI | MONTANA | NEW JERSEY | NORTH CAROLINA OHIO | OKLAHOMA | OREGON | PENNSYLVANIA | SOUTH CAROLINA TENNESSEE | TEXAS | VIRGINIA | WASHINGTON

CityLifestyle.com/NorthwestBergen ON THE COVER Jake Thistle in Ridgewood PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEAN TERMAN 4

Northwest Bergen Lifestyle | February 2021

Proverbs 3:5-6 Northwest Bergen Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Northwest Bergen areas’ most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Northwest Bergen Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.


INSIDE THE ISSUE FEBRUARY 2021

FEATURES 10 Dumpster Decor Ryan Davis' Deep Dive

22 Down the Line Gettin' Petty with Jake Thistle

26 Arthur Boden, A True Original Upper Saddle River's Pioneer of Corporate and Graphic Design

26 10

30 Don't Wait for the Perfect Sunset Check out the View with Mahwah’s Michael Malandra

22

30 DEPARTMENTS 4

Lifestyle Letter

8

Around Town

10

Artist’s Palette

16

Local Limelight

26 Back Stage 30 Inspired By 34 Page Turners


AROUND TOWN

VIRTUAL TOUR OF THE HIDDEN ARCHIVES OF THE RIDGEWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY Take a virtual tour of the Hidden Archives of the Ridgewood Public Library on Monday, February 8 at 7pm. A backstage tour of the Ridgewood Public Library's hidden gems with Local History Librarian Sarah Kiefer. In this rare opportunity you'll get a glimpse at what the Bolger Heritage Center has to offer. Learn how to research your home, find information on your ancestors, and gain insight on the history of Ridgewood. In addition, you'll get a chance to view our newly restored Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, thanks to a grant funded by the Bergen County Cultural & Historic Preservation Committee. Registration

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Northwest Bergen Lifestyle | February 2021

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ARTIST’S PALETTE

D U M P S TE R

D EC O R RYAN DAVIS' DEEP DIVE THE MUNDANE THINGS WE SEE EVERY DAY CAN BE A SOURCE OF ENLIGHTENED ART--IF YOU HAVE THE RIGHT PERSPECTIVE. Ramsey’s Ryan Davis, a finance professional, worked from home last spring during the pandemic when he took on some demolition work. He looked into a dumpster, and he got a new perspective. “I always had a creative side,” says Ryan. I noticed the inside of

ARTICLE KRIS PEPPER PHOTOGRAPHY JEAN TERMAN

the dumpster was beautiful. I took a shot of it with my cell phone and

AND RYAN DAVIS

thought that I had something special. Even my wife thought it was cool, which made me feel that I was on to something,” he laughs. The abstract patterns in the scars, paint splashes, and markings on disposal containers captured his imagination. He began taking his camera to construction sites to photograph dumpster gates, which were the perfectly-sized canvas for his purpose.

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Northwest Bergen Lifestyle | February 2021


“Part of the fun is the thrill of finding one and getting into it. If it’s a weekday, I may go back on the weekend to take the photos,” he says. After snapping the images, Ryan makes enhancements on his computer to play with light, color, foreground, and background while maintaining the integrity of the image. Then, a large print file is created and mounted between aluminum and glass. The photo itself may dictate the size, but the finished artwork is usually 5’x6’. Smaller images may be combined into collections and displayed as well. CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/NorthwestBergen

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ARTIST’S PALETTE (CONTINUED)

The Ramsey resident is unique in this type of artwork and hopes to build his business selling pieces that lend themselves to a hip, industrial vibe to corporations, boutiques, and restaurants. He also hopes to create awareness of sustainability, recycling, and the zero-waste movement. “It’s a good canvas to educate people about things that may otherwise go unnoticed and eventually help to benefit environmental organizations,” he says. His website, Seikopath.com, further illustrates his mission, being on a “path” to “seiko” (Japanese: related to truth and sincerity). “The pandemic caused us to look at everything as either superficial or super-important,” says Ryan. “People are taking time to find out what’s important to them. This was my chance to build something creatively—it’s like a revitalization of my childhood as opposed to the wash, rinse, and repeat of adult life.” Ryan likes to get the perspective of others regarding their favorite piece of art. “Everyone likes something different, and that’s very rewarding,” he says. Seikopath.com @seikopath_ See more this month at Northwest Bergen Lifestyle on Instagram and Facebook 12

Northwest Bergen Lifestyle | February 2021


“ T h i s was m y c h a n c e to b u i l d s o m e t h i n g c r e at i v e ly— i t ’s l i k e a r e v i ta l i z at i o n o f m y c h i l d h o o d as o p p o s e d to t h e was h , r i n s e , a n d r e p e at o f a d u lt l i f e .”

CityLifestyle.com/NorthwestBergen

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LOCAL LIMELIGHT

“ON THE CHEW, I STYLED THE FOOD FOR TELEVISION AND PRINT.”

When selecting dried pasta, I love brands with minimal ingredients. First, I look at the ingredients label. All I want to see is “flour and/or semolina and water.” Brands with these ingredients tend to have more starch content, which helps create the sauce. For me, picking pasta brands with minimal ingredients really makes a difference with any pasta dish!

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Northwest Bergen Lifestyle | February 2021


ARTICLE KRIS PEPPER | PHOTOGRAPHY JEAN TERMAN

CULINARY MICHELE FIGLIUOLO SEES FOOD AS ART

ARTISTRY FOOD STYLIST AND CULINARY PRODUCER, MICHELE

such as Godiva, Dove Chocolate, and M&M Mars for social

FIGLIUOLO, IS ONE OF THOSE CHEFS WHO ADDS A

media and advertising photoshoots. She also hosted luxury

TOUCH OF CREATIVITY TO EVERYTHING THAT COMES

cooking events that featured the product lines of an exclusive

OUT OF HER KITCHEN.

appliance dealer in Manhattan.

The Johnson and Wales graduate worked for “Chopped” and

Michele plans to open up a local café in 2021, offering delicious

“The Chew.” “On the Chew, I styled the food for television and

food that’s delightful to the eye. The café will feature Montreal-style

print,” she says. “I was part of the back-of-the-house team that

bagels, hand-rolled, boiled in honey water, and baked in a wood-fired

ensured that all of the dishes looked beautiful. We worked with

oven. The menu will also offer breakfast sandwiches, salad options,

celebrity chefs, tested recipes, and catered food for the show’s

soups, and freshly baked goods. “We want to make it beautiful and

guests in the green room. It was a crazy, fun, high-energy job.”

different than a typical bagel shop,” she says.

Michele’s career history also included a position at a content production company that styles food brands

(Northwest Bergen Lifestyle will keep you updated on when and where.) CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/NorthwestBergen

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LOCAL LIMELIGHT (CONTINUED) Valentine's Day Spaghetti

Michele’s Valentine’s Day Spaghetti:

METHOD 01 Fill a large stockpot with water and bring to a boil. 02 In a large sauté pan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add breadcrumbs and sauté until crisp and golden brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl, set aside.

INGREDIENTS

03 In the same pan over medium heat, add the remaining 1/4 cup of olive oil. Add the shallot and garlic and sauté until just golden.

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+ 1 lb. spaghetti

04 Add salt to the boiling water and cook spaghetti 2-3 minutes less

+ 1/4 C plus 2 Tbsp of extra virgin olive oil

than the package's cook time. Reserve 1 ½ cups of the cooking water.

+ 1 shallot, diced

05 Once the shallots and garlic are golden, add the tomato paste.

+ 2 garlic cloves, minced

Cook for another 3-5 minutes or until the paste starts to get rust-col-

+ 1 (4.5-ounce) tube tomato paste

ored. Add the reserved pasta water to the tomato sauce, and mix.

+ 1/3 C heavy cream

Add the heavy cream, mix, and add salt.

+ 3 Tbsp unsalted butter, diced

06 Over medium heat, add the strained pasta to the sauce and con-

+ 1/2 C fresh breadcrumbs or panko breadcrumbs

tinue cooking until the pasta is evenly coated and the sauce starts to

+ 1/2 C fresh basil, torn

thicken; about 2-3 minutes.

+ 1 Tsp red-pepper flakes (optional)

07 Shut off the heat and add the diced butter; mix until butter is

+ Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese to garnish

melted. Top with toasted breadcrumbs, fresh basil, red pepper flakes,

+ Kosher salt to taste

and freshly grated cheese.

Northwest Bergen Lifestyle | February 2021


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arthur boden, a true orig ina l

Northwest Bergen Lifestyle | February 2021

ARTICLE KRIS PEPPER | PHOTOGRAPHY CONTRIBUTED BY IVAN BODEN

ARTHUR 22


UPPER SADDLE RIVER'S PIONEER OF CORPORATE AND GRAPHIC DESIGN

ARTHUR BODEN WAS BORN IN NEWARK IN 1927, THE SON OF RUSSIAN IMMIGRANTS WHO GRASPED THE AMERICAN DREAM AFTER LIVING A DIFFICULT LIFE IN RUSSIA. Growing up, Arthur became an accomplished bass player and musician. He enlisted in the navy attended the Newark School of Fine and Industrial

When he heard that IBM was looking for

Arts, where he studied painting and illustration. “He

designers for their new art department, Arthur

was true to his creative side,” relays his son, Ivan,

decided to apply. IBM was ahead of its time in

“and his passion for art overtook his love of music.”

understanding the need for an official brand

He continued his studies at the Art Students

development policy. As the company’s leadership

League, the New School with Alexi Brodovich, and

was riding the trajectory of the computer age,

the Pratt Institute with Aaron Burns.

IBM’s then CEO, Tom Watson Sr., believed that

His education led him to a graphic arts career, working in design studios and advertising firms

“good design is good business” and had much more than technology on his agenda.

as a layout artist, illustrator, graphic designer, and

He hired graphic and industrial designers who

eventually as an art director—all in the days of

were at the top of their fields. IBM’s employees

t-squares, ruling pens, and photostats. “My father

were instructed to dress conservatively and pro-

never learned how to use a computer,” says Ivan.

fessionally and were enrolled in Dale Carnegie classes. No expense was spared in any department--especially the art department. Watson wanted to project a progressive image for IBM by investing in a dedicated design department. He was the force behind the creation of IBM’s Corporate Design Program, the first of its kind in America, to create an environment of harmony between business and design. Watson hired an outside graphic designer named Paul Rand, a consultant who oversaw IBM’s design program and was credited with developing that iconic 8-bar IBM logo. Rand’s job was to find talented artists and designers who could bring the corporation’s professional look and culture to a new level. Rand hired Arthur to create and manage projects including industrial design, displays, and trade show collateral, involving plenty of oldschool typesetting, mechanicals, and storyboards.

BODEN

toward the end of World War II, and post-war

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/NorthwestBergen

23


ARTHUR BODEN, A TRUE ORIGINAL (CONTINUED)

“My dad worked on anything carrying the IBM logo,” says Ivan. Arthur worked closely with Paul Rand to develop the company’s IBM brand design guidelines in the late 1950s. Although branding guidelines are commonplace for corporations now, this was groundbreaking at the time. The art department ensured that all of the imagery, messaging, and colors were branded appropriately and that guidelines were created for international consistency across the entire company’s expanse. Eventually transitioning to a freelance designer, Arthur continued to work for IBM, creating the graphics for their presence at the 1964 World’s Fair. He also produced creative work for major pharmaceutical, automobile, and accounting corporations. Inspired by a paper mache giraffe that Ivan made, Arthur wrote and illustrated a children’s book called “Boden’s Beasts,” which was picked up for segments by several magazines and NBC’s Gene Shalit. The 1970s brought contemporary art into the picture. Arthur loved to use brilliant colors and show how they can be combined with various shapes in exciting ways on a large canvas. The elements’ arrangement implies the perception of colors moving forward toward the observer or slipping into the background. At his first gallery opening, Arthur sold every painting, some for as much as $70,000. “Style changed over the years. He was always sketching and drawing figures,” says Ivan. “He always made a card for my mother’s birthday. He was true to being an original.” Inspired by Pablo Picasso, Jean Dubuffet, and Paul Klee, Arthur encouraged creative thinking. “I had a coloring book that I loved,” says Ivan. “But my dad took it from me and encouraged me to create and color my own original images. He forced me to think and not be lazy. I hated it then, but now I realize the value of expressing things in your own way.” Arthur passed away in 2019 at age 92. “He lived and breathed art and design 24/7,” says Ivan. “Artists are always second-guessing, but my dad was true to his creative side. He never gave up on anything he set his mind on doing.” Artwork by Arthur Boden is available at Olive 54 in Ramsey. @olive54ramsey See more this month at Northwest Bergen Lifestyle on Instagram and Facebook

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Northwest Bergen Lifestyle | February 2021


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ods • cu t fo st


BACK STAGE

Jake (Center) at Norman's Rare Guitars in LA with Jason Sinay of The Dirty Knobs (left), and Ron Blair of The Heartbreakers (right)

At the Easton PA Baconfest

GETTIN' PETTY WITH JAKE THISTLE

26

Northwest Bergen Lifestyle | February 2021

D OW N THE LINE


ARTICLE KRIS PEPPER PHOTOGRAPHY JEAN TERMAN AND COURTESY OF JAKE THISTLE

Jake at 11 in front of Kilwins

Jake at 16 in front of Kilwins

“THEY’LL TELL YOU HOW TO LIVE, BUT THEY

11, I played at a bar with Dave Gellis of Blood, Sweat,

DON’T HAVE A CLUE, SAY THAT THEY KNOW BET-

and Tears. We hit it off, so before he went back on tour,

TER THAN YOU, SAY THAT LIFE’S SO SHORT WHEN

he gave me my only in-person guitar lessons. That was

IT’S THE LONGEST THING WE EVER DO.” – The

the only live instruction I ever had on any instrument,”

Lines on the Road/Jake Thistle

he says. “I learned the keyboard by applying what I

Jake Thistle is a classic rocker wrapped up in a

knew from the guitar.”

16-year-old body. As a musician/singer/songwriter from

As a junior at Paramus High School, he plays in the

Paramus, the guitarist has an impressive self-taught

jazz band and takes a music theory class. “I’m self-taught,

musical affinity. Referred to as “the real deal” and “a

but I’ve been fortunate to play with a lot of excellent

spectacular talent” by renowned music industry profes-

musicians. I make sure that I pay close attention to what

sionals, Jake’s retrospective spirit serves him well.

they’re doing when we’re on stage together. I have a lot of

And it all started with the Super Bowl halftime show in 2008.

great teachers--whether they know it or not,” he laughs. Jake had sent a performance video to John Hiatt

“I was three years old when Tom Petty and the

before attending his show, and Hiatt invited him to

Heartbreakers performed in the halftime show. My par-

accompany him during the encore. “It was such a fun

ents let me stay up to watch--thinking I may be inter-

night,” says Jake.

ested in football--but the music is what drew me in. My

Having raised over $100,000 for various charitable

parents allowed me to Google other bands and similar

organizations, Jake’s involvement in a charity called

genres, and I fell in love with classic rock,” says Jake.

Rock the Dogs led him to connect with Mike Campbell,

When he was 9, a family friend presented Jake with a

Heartbreakers guitarist. “In 2016, Tom Petty sent me

guitar and taught him a few chords. He learned the rest

front row tickets to his show for Christmas,” says Jake.

on YouTube. “It snowballed from there, and now I have

“I got to meet the band members, but Tom was not feel-

20 guitars in my collection!” says Jake.

ing well that night.” Despite Tom’s untimely loss in 2017,

It’s fair to say that Jake is self-taught, but he also

Jake has remained in touch with the band members and

had a few good mentors. “I started playing some open

Tom’s brother, Bruce. “It’s so nice to learn from people

mic stuff around my 10th birthday. When I was about

with experience,” he says.

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/NorthwestBergen

27


BACK STAGE (CONTINUED)

At El Rey Theater with (left to right) Chris Stills (son of Stephen Stills), Todd Morse (of The Offspring), Jake, Severo Jornacion (of The Smithereens), and Ron Blair (of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers)

COVID, but the world needs music now more than ever, so I had to find a way to bring an album to life this year. The album has a type of Americana vibe that I hope people will enjoy.” Jake will donate a portion of each sale to Rock The soulful artist has also played on Friday

The Dogs/Tazzy Animal Rescue Fund.

evenings outside Kilwins. When he noticed that

Although he hopes to work professionally in the

Bruce Springsteen songs were a popular request,

music industry, Jake has a backup plan of becom-

he taught himself “No Surrender” and posted a

ing a history teacher. He skillfully weaves his two

few recordings on Bruce’s fan pages. As a result,

loves together in his lyrics for “Frontier of Time.”

Jake was offered a gig in England for a Bruce

“I watch the world move from what they declare

Springsteen weekend. “I had to learn a lot of

obsolete; then I watch them do it again. Anything

songs in two months to play four hours of music,”

we’re not bound to learn, we’re bound to repeat. So,

he says. “I’m grateful for that because now I’m a

we’ve been going forward without moving ahead.”

big fan. I do a lot of work in Asbury Park covering Bruce as well,” he says. The six-string guitarist recently released an

jakethistle.com Youtube.com/jakethistle

album called “Down the Line,” performing every

Facebook.com/jakethistlemusic

instrument track and then layering them on his

@jake_thistle_music

soundboard. “My album is the direct result of

28

trying to make the best of the pandemic,” he

See more this month at Northwest Bergen Lifestyle

says. “My full studio EP was put on hold due to

on Instagram and Facebook

Northwest Bergen Lifestyle | February 2021


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29


ARTICLE KRIS PEPPER | PHOTOGRAPHY JEAN TERMAN AND MICHAEL MALANDRA

INSPIRED BY

"...if I'm not creating something or teaching someone, it's just a job."

D O N ' T WA I T F O R T H E PE R F E C T S U N S E T 30

Northwest Bergen Lifestyle | February 2021


"Down by the Pier" by Michael Malandra

CHECK OUT THE VIEW WITH MAHWAH’S MICHAEL MALANDRA

MIKE MALANDRA IS ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO NEVER HAS TO WORK. “I believe that if I’m not creating something or teaching someone, it’s just a job. If I’m creating something, I’m happy.” The Mahwah resident has a self-defense studio in Suffern, which also houses Mike’s art and photo gallery. If you look closely, you’ll see evidence of his other gig--he’s also a talented musician who plays guitar with his band, The 710 Experiment. These four disciplines check all of the boxes for creating and teaching, allowing Mike to earn a living doing what he enjoys most. “My primary love is photography, he says. “I went to school for architecture but realized that I didn’t like sitting at a desk. However, I loved the art and design aspect and the creativity involved.” His studies included going on location and snapping images of structures, then returning to the classroom to design them, piquing his interest in photography. “When I quit architecture, I put the camera aside and began my martial arts career,” he says. He then took a watercolor class when his instructor gave him some valuable advice. “Rather than trying to

Mike in his Gallery

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/NorthwestBergen

31


INSPIRED BY (CONTINUED)

replicate pictures from magazines, he told me to capture what I wanted to paint through the camera to grasp my unique perspective. Once I did that, I began to realize that I loved photography

"Center Stage" Antelope Canyon in Page, Arizona by Michael Malandra

and questioned the value of painting a subject when I’d already captured it with the camera.” His post-production work has taken his photography to new levels, stretching the tenets of traditional photography. “Before you break any rules, you have to know the rules,” he says. “When we went to Hawaii, I put myself under such pressure to get the perfect photo. I was stressed out trying to chase the best shot by forcing the perfect light, wave, sunset, or waterfall. That follows the human conception of perfection,” he says. Frustration set in as he was shooting the Napili coast in Kaui, Hawaii, because he could not get the results he wanted. Later at home, he converted one of the images to black and white and infused the blue water back into it. “That photo won awards and is one of my most popular shots. It would never have happened if I had waited for the perfect sunset,” he admits. His love of the craft has sent Mike to unique landscapes, including Iceland, Switzerland, Italy, and Germany, as well as the Sierra Nevada mountain range, Arizona, the Grand Canyon, and other national parks throughout the United States. Mike doesn’t feel that he has to jump on a plane to catch incredible imagery. He enjoys shooting at Harriman State Park and Ramapo Reservation, as well as studies of local urban landscapes like the Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, and the Flatiron building in New York. He has his lens set on visiting Tibet in the future and hopes to shoot the people, culture, and landscapes of Tibet and Nepal. His realization of satisfaction and success in photography has led him to turn back to painting, free of the self-imposed restrictions that his

Thanks to Mike and his creativity, even if

paintings needed to be realistic images. He now

you can’t travel right now, you can take the

enjoys painting colorful, graphic mandalas. “It’s

beautiful inspiration with you, along with his

a free-form concept, not a pre-planned image. I

sage artistic advice: “Let go and trust your

draw an object and expand off of it. It’s a freestyle

instincts and intuition.”

method, and you don’t have to follow the rules.” Mike’s artwork is available for purchase online or at his Suffern studio. He also prints his works

https://www.michaelmalandra.com/ https://positivevibesartwork.com/

on products and apparel like face coverings,

32

tapestries, yoga mats, and puzzles through his

See more this month at Northwest Bergen Lifestyle

site, Positive Vibes Artwork.

on Instagram and Facebook

Northwest Bergen Lifestyle | February 2021


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33


PAGE TURNERS

Books of Love

ARTICLE LUCY PROBERT | PHOTOGRAPHY JEAN TERMAN

LOVE STORIES CAN BE THE MOST ENGAGING OF READS, ESPECIALLY AROUND VALENTINE’S DAY. From a love story written in 1813, to a lost love spanning decades, to the journey of grief after a loss, our picks this month have something for everyone with a passion for reading. With help from Walter Boyer, owner of Bookends in Ridgewood, and his staff, these timeless gems will make your heart soar.

LOVE THAT’S ENCHANTING, MELANCHOLY, PAINFUL, AND EVERLASTING

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE

THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING

BY JANE AUSTEN

LOVE IN THE TIME OF CHOLERA

BY JOAN DIDION

THE ART OF HEARING HEARTBEATS

BY GABRIEL

BY JAN-PHILIPP SENDKER

GARCIA MÁRQUEZ

This book has been an under-

Quintana, the only daughter

Nobel Prize winner Márquez

the-radar reader favorite for

of Joan Didion and writer John

writes

unforgettable

almost a decade. It tells the

Return to the original source

Gregory Dunne, falls into a

story of Florentino, in wait for

story of a New York lawyer

for Austen’s wit and to fol-

coma. Days later, Dunne dies

"fifty-nine years, nine months

who

low the delightful Elizabeth

suddenly of a heart attack.

and four days" to reunite

leaving his wife and daughter,

“Lizzy” Bennet and her four

Tragedy strikes again a few

with his true love Fermina.

Julia, behind. When Julia finds

sisters on their search for true

months later when Quintana

Separated

Fermina

a decades-old love letter in

love. The opinionated Lizzy

passes away as well, and the

marries a wealthy doctor,

her father’s belongings she

catches the eye of Mr. Darcy

author is left in deep bereave-

Florentino flourishes in his

sets out to find him and ends

and their love story begins.

ment. This penetrating and

business career and has 622

up in Burma in the village

frank

Didion’s

affairs but never forgets his

where the woman he once

unimaginable losses written

first love. When she loses her

loved lived. Their love story

in her own honest and eclec-

husband, Florentino takes

leaves both Julia and rapt

tic style touches on learning

one last chance at love.

readers, breathless.

Many have seen the movie and TV adaptations of this

In

classic novel of love and manners

1813.

written

in

December

portrait

of

of

2003

to live on her own. 34

Northwest Bergen Lifestyle | February 2021

the

when

suddenly

disappears

book-ends.com/


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