John's Travels

Having fell in deep with a Philippine gang in NYC that would descend upon me armed with deadly leche flan and delicious pork dishes, I was invited to come over to their homeland to see the abaca that I have long admired from the Island of Mindanao. My old pal, Lenora “Len” Luisa Cabili set up an embroidery collective of sorts and offered to take me with her. I had also named a bed a few seasons ago after this mysterious island.I landed in Manila for the FAME show, which though small, had some great abaca, which are light and intricate weaving groups I want to work with. After the show, Len arranged for us to fly down to Mindanao and visit her group and some of the famous abaca weavers. She informed me politely that I would have a bodyguard since rebels are active on the island and had just attacked an army unit. As you see, I will go to great lengths to get that pillow to you!

When we arrived in the capital, General Santos City, my hefty smiling bodyguard named Ritchie met me at the airport. Len told him not to leave my side, which he barely did. Poor guy was falling asleep in the restaurant as I tried to keep up with my emails.

The first stop the day we arrived was the T’boli Sikat School, which is sponsored by the American Women’s club of the Philippines and Len, among others. I had volunteered to teach the 100 plus kids art that day. At first, I thought to bring blocks from India to block print, but then realized it would be hard to print with that many kids and it would not be that much fun. Plan B was to create large murals with acrylics, which would be fun for kids of all ages. Len and I stopped in a hardware supply store to buy acrylic paints, brushes, rollers, spray bottles, and anything I could think of that would be fun to slam paint on canvas. I tried some of my finely tuned negotiating skills when buying the paints and received a laughable 20-peso discount!

Then we headed to a department store to buy some cotton duct to paint on. The store was decked out with Christmas trees already and Len informed me the Philippines loves Xmas and, as soon as the “-ber” months start, so do the carols and the trees. I thought the USA started a bit early!

Once we loaded up on art supplies we stopped at one of the many roadside fruit stalls to stock up on durian (one of Len’s favorites), small, sweet bananas, fried plantains, local oranges, pineapples, and pomelo. Mindanao is the fruit basket of the Philippines, so the selection was amazing.  Of course, we had some sweet corn for the road, which I have to say, was not as good as CT corn.

When we reached the school, we pulled up to a simple Bamboo building where we were greeted with a program of traditional T’boli dance and music. The kids thronged me with necklaces when I walked in so I looked like a true hippy. I would have to say my favorite was the monkey dance, which the boys probably created because they see monkeys all of the time- it looked real!

Len and I had to say something to the group so I talked about drawing and their traditions and I was sure they had so many images in their heads they would paint as well as they danced and sang in their breezy huts. The children were wearing traditional clothes when they danced. We split the 83 children into 6 groups and cut the canvas into large pieces for each group. I set up paint and brushes on the table and each group had 15 min to decorate their panel however they wanted.

I showed the kids how to use the rollers and spray brushes and off they went! The polite fury of energy was fun to watch as they all negotiated each other back and forth to get more paint with loaded brushes. At one point a tiny girls went right into me with a brush full of paint and smiled but kept moving intent on filling in her flowers with yellow. Len set up one group with sewing. I was amazed to see their intensity. Finally the little guys had their turn. I realized I had better just put the paint trays in the middle of the canvas, as it was a bit tricky for them to get back and forth with the brushes and rollers.  All the while, kids grabbed local drums and just played and sang on their own. I was amazed at how happy and free the kids were. There was no fighting, no crying the whole four hours I was there- it felt like a hippy commune or how I would imagine one to be!

After each group finished they took to the outside and talked about what they painted. The principal said they had never played with paint before. Len and I toured the school and noticed that they needed black boards. If you feel so inclined, this is their website for donations. After the melee Len and I had a sweet, tasty cassava with the teachers and then hit the road.

Next we checked into Mountain Eco Resort for a cold shower and then went to wait for our Tilapia dinner, which is the local fish, and, the only fish around. We had it three times a day! Kinilaw, which is sort of like a Tilapia carpaccio, is amazing and light and then throw in some Sotanghon – sort of like chop seuy with noodles– and, of course, wash it down with the local brew, San Miguel. Ritchie, my trusty guard, kept an eye on the lake for amphibious assaults, but none came and we passed out.

The next morning, we woke up early for a canoe ride on the sparkling Lake Sebu passing rising pink lotuses. Other canoes were taking kids to school singing on the early morning ride. The next school I had donated books to, thanks again to Len, was further in the hills, so we set out for a 30 minute ride with dirt ruts across streams and up mountains to the Klubi Elementary School. The head mistress lined the kids up at attention like a field marshal for our arrival.

We were lucky enough to be presented with more T’boli traditional dances and songs and, again, I got up and so did Len to talk about the fun of reading. We had to wait a bit for all of the local officials to show up to make the ceremony complete.  I told the children that I started reading very young and it took me away from my small village and all over the world and they could travel the world with such books. Next, I gave books out to all 612 students. They were so cute as they thanked me and immediately started reading them. They were hungry so we were given some amazing sweet bananas they were growing at the school.

Now that we had done our work for the schools, Len had to get her orders going for her big shows in NYC with Indagare! The first was the Women’s Weavers Collective, which trades abaca for the local weavers. I tried my hand at the polishing of abaca, which is not easy! The bamboo rod is on a spring and the bundles of abaca are brought to the storehouse to be traded where the finished abaca is polished. I had to buy some rolls, of course.

Next we went to see some of the most famous weavers around, who Len also buys from. Len calls one of the weavers, named Subi Nalon, “The Lipstick Bandit” for her love of lipstick and, of course, Len loosened her up with a stick, which she promptly applied. She said it hides her bad teeth. She also said she wished she met me when she was younger. I bought some intricate, sublime abaca with patterns that melt into each other. Then we were off to another with our roaring motorcade of bikes. The next weaver, Yab Man, served us steamed cassava, which was perfect and light. We found them in a smart hut wearing traditional dress. Then Len let me and the biker boys finally have lunch at Punta Isla- one of local resorts. Note the large Tilapia pavilion, again in all forms, and, of course, lots of deep fried pork. We ate at a lovely pavilion on Lake Sebu sipping lemongrass tea where a wandering minstrel came by. I want to hire him for my wedding someday.

Finally we headed to Lens group, which she had set up last year. The ladies met in the collective hut where we were honored with Tiboli song and dance. My favorite was one performed by a senior member of the group who dancing with the guitar. This group all started thanks to Len and they are all so thankful to her. Before she started working with them they had to go out and look for work since their husbands are farmers. Now they have money to send their kids to school.

Next it was time for Len to inspected her orders. I dozed off in the soft glow of the hut. I think I could live in one of these structures- maybe I will take that other weaver up on her marriage proposal.

On the way home we passed over a wobbly bamboo bridge which the children were swinging on. I wonder how long that bridge will last?

I have to thank Lenora for taking me on this trip to amazing Sebu.  Please go meet this force of nature at her trunk shows with Indagare in NYC and CT and see her new website and donate to the schools if the spirit moves you. Abaca pillows are now available for purchase on in the Souk section of www.johnrobshaw.com.

John Robshaw

Lake Sebu, Mindanao

10/20/2011

In the old days I used to ride around in the bicycle rickshaws when Jaipur was a bit sleepier and trucks were not slamming down the roads. I love the simplicity of rickshaws; a family of 5 can squeeze into one with the seat folded down. I took a rickshaw and reupholstered it in our fabric line for a promo and then realized I owned a rickshaw! Please stop by ABC for a ride.

Best,
John

Istanbul was Constanople

Now its Istanbul not Constanople

Been a long time gone

Constantinople got the Turkish delight

On a moonlit night

“Fortune brings in some boats that are not steered”  Shakespeare Cymbeline

New York was rainy grey in late March and I knew I had to get out of town. I decided to stop on the way to India in Istanbul, one of my favorite cities. I had hung out there during art school in Rome. I loved the faded grandeur of the city-the mosques and churches sprinkled along the Bosporus. I talked to war veterans in smoky coffee houses, went to all of the Sinan buildings I could find and was scrubbed, or, rather mugged, in the Hammans.

Rule number one for the fortunate travelers is to check in with all your friends to see who has been to your destination. I am lucky to know the talented Turkish designer Sara Bengur who insisted I stay in Beyoglu on the European side, which is where all of the new cafes and restaurants are, while still striking distance to Sultana met and the Grand Bazaar.

Arriving midday, I checked into the a-bit-too-faded glory of the Buyuk Londra Hotel. Greeted by an appropriately surly concierge, I flopped into a tiny room overlooking the roofs of the city. I slammed a bitter sweet Turkish coffee, paying attention not to drink the grinds, before I dared venture out onto the main street, Istiklal Caddesi. A perfect pale sunny day greeted me, while throngs of people were shopping, eating and chatting along the busy street, and cable cars wandered by in no hurry.

I dodged through the crowd to the Cukurcuma neighborhood, a warren of old cobblestone streets full of antique shops. Hall Antiques at the top of Faikpaso sok is my favorite. The owners had just gotten back from Damascus and Aleppo with intricate Syrian lamps, olive soaps and a series of delicate calligraphic paintings on black mirrors. I stopped at a dusty bookstore to see what I could find on Iznik tiles- the fellows were heatedly negotiating over old tomes and paid me no mind.

Up early the next day, I walked across the Galata Bridge past hundreds of fishermen not catching anything but having a grand time chatting. I always have to pay my respects to the Rustem Pasha Mosque, which is built with the finest Iznik tiles from the mid 16th century, the greatest period of their production. The mosque is a patchwork of designs. Messy repairs have made it more charming and made me think of a lovely patched blanket I have to sort out for the next season. A fellow offers to have his rabbit perched on a stand pick my fortune, The rabbit obeys and nips a tiny piece of paper that states “Hey you! Intenter!  A very important action going to change your life! You must be careful and part! You can meet with surprise to realize your dreams”.

I took this to heart and decided I had better get to the Grand Bazaar quickly. Taking notes and trying not to get too lost or sidetracked, I make it through the bazaar. I searched for my favorite antique textile dealer. I finally find him, he leads me to his back rooms piled high with Suzanis from Uzbekistan, Turkish felt rugs from the outer provinces that look like Christopher Wool paintings and I was in heaven.  Or, as the rabbit says, I am realizing my dreams!

The Fall collection is the soft blue pink stones of the Hagia Sophia mosque, the deep indigos and corals of Iznik tiles, piles of pomegranate inspire me to add in saturated reds, massive calligraphic roundels become new patterns. Calls to prayers are my backdrop as I sip sweet black tea and a bus pulls up to unload tourists.

It is always exciting to receive a call from Debra Schutt to schedule a showroom appointment. Not only is she very much a pleasure to work with, she is also a highly sought after and acclaimed Hollywood set decorator with credits such as “Boardwalk Empire”, “Spider Man”, “Revolutionary Road”, and “A Bronx Tale” to name a few. She has been a loyal friend of John Robshaw Textiles and her most recent visit proved quite fruitful from the looks of the recently released trailer for her most recent project. “The Change Up”,  starring Jason Bateman, Ryan Reynolds, Leslie Mann, and Olivia Wilde hits theaters on August 5th and the Hollywood A-listers share the silver screen with quite a bit of John Robshaw product if this sneak peek is any indication.

Check out Trellis and Sag Harbor sheets, the Lapis Quilt and Shams and the Goose Decorative Pillows to get the look.

Earlier this year John was invited by the Corcoran Gallery of Art and College of Art + Design in Washington, DC to be a guest speaker to discuss his travels to India and Asia and the traditional printing methods that have inspired his work. The lecture was titled, “Textiles and Travels: The Work of John Robshaw” and took place on May 25^th. There was an outstanding turnout with an audience peppered with students, artists, interior designers, and camera-ready Robshaw groupies. We also brought along our camera and snapped pictures of our travels and stops along the way to see our friends in DC.

The Corcoran hooked John up with a room at the psychedelic Helix Hotel- complete with an understated kelly green hallway. He contemplated wearing the leopard robe he discovered in the closet to the event, but thankfully settled on the blazer he had made from his Mathura Madder fabric.

The first stop was John Rosselli & Associates, located on picturesque Wisconsin Ave. in Georgetown. John Rosselli distributes the John Robshaw fabric line and we were entertained by their lovely representatives, Brad and Kurt, along with their star sales dog, Sophie.

Next we headed to Fourteenth Street to visit Timothy Paul, a neat shop that carries John Robshaw and is guaranteed good shopping for bedding, pillows, candles and more. Also check out their rug shop down the street where you might find the perfect fuchsia Turkish textile and Timothy, himself!

While walking through the amazing collection of European, American, and Modern Art at the Corcoran, John found a likeness of himself in the portrait gallery.

Rehearsals for the lecture were advised, so the fabulous Erin Higgins, who organized the event, was there to oversee the run-through.

Local bloggers, like Anna Schwab arrived early to get front row seats! See what she had to say about John’s lecture at Sweet Thing Blog.

After being introduced by Erin, John shared pictures from his past, travels, techniques, and body of work throughout the lecture.

Guests were intrigued by his successes, as well. This slide features an image of our LA showroom, Hollywood at Home, decorated with JRT wares and walls upholstered in JRT fabric patchwork.

Videos of his travels were shared with the packed house.The guests were also given the opportunity to ask John questions first-hand in a question/answer session after the successful lecture. Afterward, a huge line of ladies formed instantly to get a chance to meet John and take pictures. Thank you, Corcoran!

Gracious Home in New York City hosted a lovely event in their Upper East Side location on Thursday, May 26th. The store was completely transformed for the event. Guests were greeted with Chai tea, samosas and papadums as well as live sitar music combined to create a true Indian ambience.

John Robshaw’s very own Cate Dwyer has opened her own indoor cycling studio in Boston!  Recycle Studio is Boston’s first indoor cycling studio offering classes that are different from those you’d find in a typical gym.  By incorporating John Robshaw’s amazing textiles into the design of the studio Recycle was able to create an environment that encourages riders to escape the outside world and perhaps dream of the far off lands from which John draws his inspiration.  The textiles are paired with soft candle light, loud music and strong instructors to produce the metal vacation urbanites crave. Although the classes are taught on stationary bikes…those in a class at Recycle Studio are going places.

If you’re in Boston, head over to this South End studio for a ride.  For more information visit www.recycle-studio.com

ABC held their annual slumber party on May 5^th. The sale provided incentive while the “pajama optional” attire offered entertainment for ABC residents and patrons. The John Robshaw beds were generously layered with coordinating quilts, duvets, and coverlets and the shelves were brimming with amply stuffed and fluffed pillows.

Our John Robshaw representatives were decked out in kurtas, scarves, and turbans, adding splashes of color an flare to the evening. Guests enjoyed sparkling wine, cupcakes, and discounts on wares while perusing the selections. All of which went off without a hitch!

On May 11^th our friends Jane and Richard Marquard hosted their annual Week of Wow event at their lovely store, Paysage, in Ohio.  The event featured John Robshaw as the special guest.  The Ohio store was bustling with excitement throughout the luncheon and cocktail party thrown in John’s honor.  The store looked quite striking with all of the beautiful product and the enjoyable crowd.  Thank you to Richard & Jane for hosting such an incredible event!