Meredith Markworth-Pollack
Where were you raised? Has the landscape of that place influenced your work in any way?
I was raised in Ventura, California. Growing up in California and especially by the beach has definitely influenced my character and my work. I’m often told I’m quite “chill”. Especially when I lived and worked in New York and Toronto. It’s also this particular stretch of coast- between Ventura to Santa Barbara that has called me back to it. I find this land, water, and air incredibly healing and calming and that was a huge inspiration to move back to Santa Barbara and open PALMA.
Do you collect anything?
I would say I collect crystals but the reality is my daughters confiscate them immediately so I’ve really slowed down with my collection because they just keep disappearing. However I currently have a very thoughtful and inspiring collection of oils for the face and body as well as essential oils. I really love botanical face oils and they just keep coming to me. My daughters are too young to appreciate them so I think I’m safe for another couple of years.
What was the last thing that you fell in love with?
A dress that I got recently from TULSI Shop in Puglia. We’re carrying the collection at PALMA and this dress was my first clothing purchase in a year. I have completely shifted my relationship with clothing and shopping and only making mindful purchases of slow fashion and ethically sourced brands. It felt incredible to not purchase anything for a year- but this dress spoke to me. It makes me feel like myself. It’s comfortable, light, chic and sexy. I love it.
What do you love most about yourself?
I love how empathetic I am. I didn’t fully understand my empathy for a long time and I found it confusing and even debilitating at times. But once I embraced the power and beauty of my empathy I found it to be my strongest gift. I deeply feel the energies and stories around me.
What is your favorite smell? How does it make you feel? Or what memory does it bring you toward?
Currently my favorite scent is Immortelle - specifically the perfume from Carta. It makes me feel grounded and very much in my body. To me it’s the essence of femininity - earthy, healing, and sensual. It reminds me of a previous life… all the women I’ve been before and all of their strength and beauty. Which is interesting because Immortelle translates to “everlasting”.
How do you recharge your creative battery?
I find my creative inspiration in music. I listen to music mostly in a meditative state. For walks, when driving, in ceremony … and in those moments I’m usually flooded with creative ideas. I have a very cinematic imagination, I studied film and have been working as a costume designer for the past twenty years. I think of scenes and I watch them play out. Then I make them happen in my life. It’s my form of manifestation and it’s my big PISCES energy coming though.
Art Pedro Friedeberg
What book are you reading?
I’m not currently reading a book, nor am I going to pretend that I am. I’ve just launched a new business (PALMA) and have a 3 year old and 8 year old at home - so currently any downtime I have, which is rare, is spent in self care for myself. That’s usually bathing, meditating, or walking. I will say though that I just took a moment to look and read through PLANT MAGICK by Jessica Hundley and it was absolutely glorious. I love the curated imagery and the thoughtful prose used to describe the healing properties and lineage of the different plants addressed. It’s part of a four book collection for Taschen from The Library Of Esoterica.
Who are your role models?
I’m really inspired by my friend and collaborator Nathalie Kelley. We met in 2016 on DYNASTY - she was the lead actress on the show and I was the costume designer. Nathalie introduced me to my first tea ceremony and first sound bath, I owe so much of my path to her. She has always been very present in who she is and what she’s here to do. We have both been on our own, wild journeys and have very different lives than we did seven years ago when we met. I am in awe how Nat has used her platform to raise the voices of those who otherwise would not have a voice. Specifically the work she’s done with Indigenous tribes to help grant back their land is quite impressive. She’s also an advocate for regenerative farming, composting, and the fungi foundation. She is one of the most passionate, intelligent, and beautiful souls I know. She’s magnetic and uses her magnetism for change and advocacy.
If you could change one thing about our world, what would it be? Is there an individual or an organization doing work in this area that you want us to know about?
I would soften the suffering of children. Seeing or hearing a child in pain, grief, hunger or loneliness is the most painful thing to me. I wouldn’t eliminate it all together because it’s the beauty and sorrow of life, but I would soften it so there weren’t so many children suffering. I think it’s on communities to make these changes and support families in need.
If I was not afraid, I would…
probably be exactly where I am now. I feel proud to say I have not lived my life in fear (for the most part). But I would have jumped out of a plane by now, that’s definitely not on my list any time soon.
Photos courtesy of Meredith Markworth-Pollack
