Meet the Artist: Jessica Grindstaff

Hometown: NYC

Occupation: Artist/Designer

Favorite destination: Japan!

Dying to visit: Mongolia.

Bizarre travel rituals: I always apply Young Living Thieves oil in order to protect my lungs from, say, Anthrax or other airborne unmentionables.

In-flight relaxation regime: Lavender spray, Rescue Remedy, scarf, tea selection.

Always in carry-on: An orange (my grandmother told me that when you peel an orange on the plane it is a gift for all of the passengers), as much water as I can physically carry, and several books.

Concierge or DIY? DIY.

See it all or take it easy? Both.

Drive or be driven? Drive.

Travel hero: My grandmother, always on time, always glowing, always pulling some delicious snack or remedy from somewhere, always meeting new and lovely people.

Weirdest thing seen on travels: Country bar filled with confederate flags and square dancers in the suburbs of Prague. Or, 150,000 penguins standing on a small rock island.

Best hotel amenity: Radiant floor heating, hands-down.

I dream about my meal at the tsukiji fish market at 6 a.m. in Tokyo.

Everywhere I go, I check out the flea markets, seaside, and zoo.

When I arrive in a new place, I learn the lay of the land by walking or biking. Satellite maps help too. I like to see the shape of the city.

I always bring home taxidermy, vintage clothing, beauty products, teas, things in beautiful packaging. Basically: too much.

If I never return to most of Florida it'll be too soon because every time I go, someone (me or one of my traveling companions) falls sick from a food-related illness.

I travel for the context.

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Websites: jessicagrindstaff.com
phantomlimbcompany.com
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