giving thanks

What a year it's been! Terrifying, stressful, disastrous, upsetting, tumultuous. And yet, this month especially, there is much to be grateful for...and much to hope and work towards!

inspirational sketch artist | Tyrus Wong

The Smithsonian Magazine recently posted an article on Tyrus Wong, Chinese-born American artist. He was a painter, animator, calligrapher, muralist, ceramicist, lithographer and kite maker, as well as a set designer and storyboard artist. 

PBS released the "Tyrus" documentary on their American Masters series in September 2017. Until his death at the age of 106, Tyrus Wong was America’s oldest living Chinese American artist and one of the last remaining artists from the golden age of Disney animation.

PBS official "Tyrus" trailer

The quiet beauty of his Eastern-influenced paintings had a pioneering impact on American art and popular culture.

"Peaceful Forest" - Tyrus Wong

wonder | wander | world also wishes to add a tribute written by Mahala three years ago on her Tumbler, as Peregrine Vision.

"First Ladies" break the mold

A new CNN television series, “First Ladies” premiered Sunday, October 4. wander | wander | world recommends it as the perfect palliative care viewing in the midst of the latest Trumpian fiasco and mucky muck being bandied about on the world stage. 

The six-part docuseries is about America’s most iconic first ladies, narrated by Golden Globe-winning actress Robin Wright, it profiles Michelle Obama, Jackie Kennedy, Nancy Reagan, Eleanor Roosevelt, Lady Bird Johnson, and Hillary Rodham Clinton. 

"First Ladies" on CNN

Blending in-depth interviews, rare archival footage and cinematic recreations, First Ladies is a bold revision of each woman’s traditional portrayal, revealing how they were impacted during their time in the White House, and how their achievements fundamentally shaped American and global history. 

The series premiered with an extended episode on former first lady Michelle Obama. We can't wait for the special they are bound to create for Kamala Harris eventually. Let's celebrate with wondrous women who have broken through the glass ceiling of their times.

CNN Promo

Kazakhstan art & beauty

One talented young woman's dedication to her native music and culture is admirable and inspiring. If you have no idea where Kazakhstan is - much less what their national instrument or cultural dress is - you are in for a treat. 

Marzhan Kapsamat

Marzhan Kapsamat of Nursultan, Kazakhstan, is bringing a vibrant snapshot of ancient Kazakhstan to the modern world of Instagram. 

A dombra performance by Marzhan Kapsamat

“I want to show the world our country and our instrument. My dream and goal is to film with the dombra in different countries, [w]hen I am playing the dombra, I am proud and free.”

Read more about Marzhan and her dreams in this Vogue feature.