Introducing LA dwelling Pia Pack, a gifted artist and art podcaster and flying the flag in London is Jordan Mitchell, a talent strategist and mama of three.

 

PIA PACK | Wearing the Navy Turing

 

“I'm an artist, primarily a painter. My work is centred around highlighting the importance of social connectivity, which considering the pandemic makes the work feel quite relevant.  I also have an art podcast that speaks with female artists in LA about their work and what music they listen to while they're working.” @piapack 

 

ZJ: What are the words you live by?

Pia: The "Golden Rule" of Leviticus, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". It's considered the first moral principle, this version is from the Bible but there are versions of this ethos throughout all religions and history, from Confucius c.500BC to The Quran.  Once you adopt it, it makes life much easier to navigate. But I also just listen to Michelle Obama on her new podcast say 'We are all brothers and sisters', and it has really stuck with me. 

 

ZJ: Do you have an unforgettable place that you have travelled to?

Pia: Yes, Dal Lake in Kashmir - I would like to now take my family to stay on a houseboat there. 

 

ZJ: What are your tips to staying in touch and grounded in today's crazy world?

Pia: Highlight what is important to you and sacrifice the rest. Do whatever feels right for you, right now. 

 

ZJ: Five songs to take you through the next five years?

Pia: With the podcast, I am constantly exposed to new music which is varied and amazing. 

- Old Crow Medicine Show - Ain't It Enough

- Senegal Fast Food - Amadou & Mariam

- Down in Mexico - The Coasters 

- He Did It - The Detroit Cobras

- River - Ibeyi

 

ZJ: What is the best gift you have ever received?

Pia: Probably my pinky ring from The Great Frog, it's a Memento Mori of a skull and crossbones to remind me of the inevitability of death - which in turn reminds me to be wide awake and fully present. 

 

ZJ: What are the books by your bedside table?

Pia: All artists' biographies! Agnes Martin : Her Life and Art, Ninth Street Women by Mary Gabriel which is about 5 female painters in post-war New York and most recently Luchita Hurtado: I Live, I Die, I will be Reborn -  an artist whose paintings and drawings emphasized the interconnectedness of all living things, centred around feminism and environmentalism - she died this month at 99. In short, books about women taking great strides to live their lives true to themselves. 

 

ZJ: Do you have a favourite website you can’t live without?

Pia: https://contemporaryartdaily.com - its a daily journal of International Exhibitions. If I'm staring at my phone I'm either on IG looking at art or on Daily Art Contemporary looking at art. 

 

ZJ: Do you have a favourite photo and what does it make you feel?

Pia: Yes, it's of my partner & I driving away from our wedding in a truck - you can't see us in the photo, just the back of this old 1950s power blue truck with cans and ribbons trailing behind it. It evokes such feelings of romance and optimism for a brand new journey ahead. 

 

ZJ: Do you have a role model or a mentor? 

Pia: I have a quite bohemian godmother who I think has always been at the back of my mind as a role model. 

 

ZJ: How would you describe LA to a tourist?

Pia: Oxymoronic! It can be the most chill, enlightened, cultural melting pot but it's also the epicentre of vanity & greed. So be careful where you go in this enormous sprawling suburban city! 

 

ZJ: If you didn’t live in LA where would you live and why?

Pia: There are so many places I intend on living before my days are numbered. But the next stop for us is probably the Costa Brava, Spain. 

 

ZJ: How do you zone out?

Pia: I walk into my studio and life outside falls away. 

 

ZJ: What defines a confident woman to you?

Pia: Someone who can genuinely laugh at themselves.

 

ZJ: What is your karaoke song?

Pia: Let it go - from The Frozen soundtrack. 

 

ZJ: What is in your fridge/freezer at the moment?!

Pia: Frozen balls of Swiss chard, kale and basil from the garden. And lots of ice cream. And ice for my whiskey cocktail which I have when I return from the studio each night before bed. 

 

ZJ: What is your secret weapon?

Pia: Probably the Golden Rule?!?! 

 

JORDAN MITCHELL | Wearing the Ash Gondola

 

“I'm a mother of three to Jada 17, Jaxson 11 and Jude 1 - I'm married to my highschool sweetheart and I'm the managing director of talent and brand agency LMPR.” @jordanjcmichell

 

ZJ: What are the words you live by?

Jordan: Your value is in your values. 

 

ZJ: Do you have an unforgettable place that you have travelled to?

Jordan: Venice will always hold such a special place in my heart. My husband took me there as a surprise for my 25 birthday and it's always been somewhere I've wanted to go back to. 

 

ZJ: What are your tips to staying in touch and grounded in today's crazy world?

Jordan: I try and practice gratitude everyday. Reminding yourself of the wonderful small things is vital for staying grounded.  I also try to make sure that I spend time out in nature, walking through the forest with the kids does wonders for the soul. 

 

ZJ: Five songs to take you through the next 5 years?

Jordan: Beyonce - Everything 

Chaka Khan - Like Sugar 

Kelis - Millionaire 

Joe Cole - Love Yours 

Soul to Soul - Keep On Movin' 

 

ZJ: What is the best gift you have ever received?

Jordan: The best gifts are the ones I buy myself! Currently it's my Pierre Jeanneret Easy Chair (it hasn't arrived yet!) 

 

ZJ: What are the books by your bedside table?

Jordan: Swing Time by Zadie Smith and Queenie by Candice Carty Williams 

 

ZJ: Do you have a favourite website you can’t live without?

Jordan: The Modern House for stalking properties I can't afford 

ZJ: Do you have a favourite photo and what does it make you feel?

Jordan: This is really hard. But my wedding day pictures with my husband and kids makes me feel like home every time I look at it. But my other favourite picture is one with baby Jude on his own just looking like joy.  

 

ZJ: Do you have a role model? or a mentor?

Jordan: Other than Micheal Obama and Oprah (who mentor me through their books and podcasts lol) my mum is my mentor! 

 

ZJ: How would you describe London to a tourist?

Jordan: A melting pot of culture, steeped in history, rough and rugged around the edges - like good sex. 

 

ZJ: If you didn’t live in London where would you live and why?

Jordan: I'm thinking maybe Worthing by the sea, or Margate.

 

ZJ: How do you zone out?

Jordan: I try and work out everyday to have some headspace. I also find that putting on makeup is like meditation. I just like how you can transform that way you feel with a bit of eye contour! 

 

ZJ: What defines a confident woman to you?

Jordan: Someone that speaks up for others. You don't need to be the loudest person in the room, but if you're prepared to put your neck out for someone else, that has balls. I respect people who stand up for others. 

 

ZJ: What is your karaoke song?

Jordan: Listen by Beyonce and Harry Styles - Sign of the times. All day every day

 

ZJ: What is in your fridge/freezer at the moment?!

Jordan: It's empty, lockdown life all we do is eat! However, I have been using a new food delivery series called Cote At Home and I've had the best chicken supreme and steaks every! 

 

ZJ: What is your secret weapon?

Jordan: Kindness. People don't know the depth of my kindness. I can be confident, I can be bold but at the bottom of it all, I have a big old heart with a lot of love to give. 

 

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