“Beneath the Bangkok Sun” Hop on a tuk-tuk and get set for a ride you will never forget. Pass street food vendors selling hot, steaming noodles, cold, freshly cut, local fruits, or spicy pork fried rice. Grab a bouquet of fragrant local orchids and then head to a Buddhist temple to pay ohms to the Thai monks. Your day would not be complete without a stroll through an open market, a photo in front of the Giant Swing, or a visit to one of the many historical museums. Douse yourself in sunscreen and bring water, for the one constant in Bangkok is the sun’s heat. (Maxine Margolis)
Beneath the Bangkok Sun: BlackWhiteandMax gallery
Hello and welcome. I am excited to bring you the wonders of Thailand through photographs, travel ideas, and suggestions from myself and some brilliant guest bloggers.
Today, Thailand is seen through the pen and ink drawings of Maxine Margolis, Bangkok resident and creator of the stylish and unique accessory company BlackWhiteandMax.
Won’t you join me for a wander through the BlackWhiteandMax world as we explore life in Thailand through Max’s words and designs?
BENEATH THE BANGKOK MOON: When the sun goes down, the fun and frolicking start up in Bangkok. Head to Silom Road or Soi Cowboy for mind-bending experiences, or just head to the rooftops of the Mahanakhon, Novotel, or the Rembrandt Hotel and Suites, for their rooftop bars will surely delight. Cielo or Octave will send your spirits soaring, as the views from these rooftop bars are truly tops. A stroll down Yarawat Road will set your senses on fire as you taste, smell, and hear the sounds of locals and visitors engage in fun multilingual banter. Don’t speak Thai, no problem! A smile and a wai (palms together slight bow of the head) will get you through. This is the land of smiles, to be sure.
About the Artist:
Maxine Margolis (Max) is a Canadian/American Architect/Designer/Adjunct Professor of Architecture turned pen and ink artist who creates a wide range of accessories that have captured people’s imagination across the globe.
Sisters of Salerno tote bag: Photo credit Melinda Ruck
Maxine and I first met through the National Museum Volunteers (NMV) BANGKOK. This wonderful Bangkok organisation offers a wealth of cultural and educational activities for all those who love the rich history and culture of Thailand and the broader region.
As we searched for deeper insights and intercultural understanding of the country which we found ourselves living, we chatted, laughed and connected and soon became friends.
Max and I AWC Adventuring – Nakhon Nayok Photo credit: Melinda Ruck
Max throws herself into everything with huge energy and an infectious zest for life. So it was no surprise to find she was also American Women’s Club (AWC) Thailand Membership Co-ordinator. It wasn’t long before Max had signed me up as an AWC Associate Member…. yes they do accept non-American members!
Through their extensive social programs, we connected further and thanks to MaxI have now met the most awesome group of women who have made my time in Thailand so special.
We share a love of travel and Max became my Cheerleader No 1 supporting my idea to share some of my off-the-beaten-track blogging adventures with AWC members and friends.
AWC Adventuring – Phu Kariang Nakhon Nayok Photo credit:
BlackWhiteandMax Travel Inspiration:
I have always been impressed when I meet Expatriate women who juggle global moves, with family life AND still find time to follow their passions. Max has lived in Bangkok, Italy, Switzerland, and England and her global perspective is the influence behind many of her works. Max has travelled to over 35 different countries, she considers her travelling unfinished. Told you we got on so well!!
When you flick through the BlackWhiteandMax product range, on her website you will see how this inspiration comes from across the globe, including America, Thailand, Vietnam, Morocco, and Italy to name but a few. You will notice designs that celebrate nature, beaches, restaurants, love, and passion with the odd wine glass or two featured for good measure!
BlackWhiteandMax designs are fun, fabulous, and unique we all love them.
BlackWhiteandMax in Thailand:
Each unique design has a story to tell. Let me share with you some Thailand-inspired creations. As we have already started under the Bangkok Sun and moon – let’s head to the beach. After all Thailand is famous them…
BEACHED IN KOH SAMET:
By definition a line connects two dots. A line can also connect one realm to another, from one emotion to another, from one time in space to another, and from one shape to another; significantly readjusting our ability to accept forms and messages. Koh Samet is the largest and westernmost cluster of Thailand’s islands not far from the coast. Lush forested hills, covered with evergreens and forests and white sandy beaches abundant with beautiful seashells. Sunsets leave you breathless. (Maxine Margolis)
THE MATRIARCH
This drawing is dedicated to Liz Edwards, a friend here in Bangkok, who has made her Expat experience more full by raising awareness and helping support Thai’s in their quest to control and improve the soi cat population. For more information see paws Bangkok. Her commitment to animal welfare does not end with her time devoted to PAWS; she also visits elephant rescue sanctuaries spreading love and compassion wherever she goes.
The Matriarch
Liz with Bangkok views and The Matriarch Tote Bag
BLACK OLIVE:
Is anyone hungry after all that exploring? Let’s check out one of Max’s favourite restaurants.
Black Olive: The powerful and selective among us, gather, celebrate, and rejoice at Olive Mediterranean restaurant. Located in the heart of Bangkok off Ekamai 12. It is here that you will find Siriluck and her team of fellow food connoisseurs cooking up daily specials that always includes the freshest ingredients, the highest quality meats and vegetables, and the loveliest of regional wines and liquors.
Black Olive design: BlackWhiteandMax gallery
GOODNIGHT ELLIE:
This Thailand inspiration is again from nature and dedicated to the humans that care.
“Goodnight Ellie” When nature is cruel, humans must be twice as kind. In October 2019 a herd of Thai elephants was found dead at the bottom of a waterfall. The hypothesis, they were trying to save a baby elephant that went over the waterfall known as Haew Narok (Hell’s Fall). This is only one of many incidents where we are reminded that even the free-to-roam is not always protected from tragedy. There are ethical and cruel free elephant sanctuaries in Thailand. For more information read www.visatravelphiphi.com/ethical-elephant. This drawing is dedicated to humans who care and all the Thai elephants they try to protect.
Goodnight Ellie – BlackWhiteandMax gallery
I’ll leave you with one last favourite of mine, a lot of us have this tote bag design! Come wander with me as we head off to find the magic under the Banyan tree.
UNDER THE BANYAN TREE:
Have you ever explored “Under The Banyan Tree”: Seeing the wildlife and smelling the flora? It is damp and sticky, and hard to see the rich details in the objects before you. The shadows are thick, dense and humbling, but if by chance you find yourself, “Under The Banyan Tree”, heed to the magic. It is where winter dreams bloom into vivid summer gardens. The land of Goldfinches and Goldcrests, of Wrens and Passerines looking for mates. It is a world of children and butterflies and nighttime bonfires.
ABOUT BLACKWHITEANDMAX:
No one wants to wear accessories that everyone else wears; accessories are how we express our individuality. That’s why we focus on unique products that will make you stand out from the crowd. We love hearing the creative ideas our customers have. These ideas are what drive us to create our new collections!
Cecilia with Sisters of Salerno tote bag AWC Adventuring Photo Credit: Melinda Ruck.
CHECK OUT BlackWhiteandMax:
BlackWhiteandMax designs look great on a wide range of products from totes to mugs, cushions, t-shirts even shower curtains you can see the whole product range below:
Website: https://blackwhiteandmax.com
CONNECT WITH MAX HERE:
Do stop by to show Max some love – just tell her a little bird sent you!
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/blackwhiteandmax
- Facebook: https//www.facebook.com/blackwhiteandmax
- Pintrest: https://pintrest.com/maxinebmargolis
Max with the Sisters of Salerno tote bag: Photo credit
I absolutely loved introducing you to the talents of Maxine Margolis here today. I hope you have enjoyed this post. Do you have a favourite?
50 comments
Those are lovely.
Thanks Liz, I thought they are perfect for a teachers life! You can never have enough stylish tote bags for all that work you lug around with you! Hope you are doing ok.
Wren
Beautiful. I like the Black Olive bag best but don’t they all look great in all the different settings. It sounds like you’ve met so many talented people through your travels. x
Hi Karen – yes the black Olive bag is a popular one! Good luck maybe you’ll win one 🙂 I’ve meet some incredibly talented people on my travels and Max is a great example we are thrown together through our life here and it’s always fun learning about people’s backgrounds and interests. As you know I am always drawn to creative people! Have a good week in the UK, it looked a chilly weekend!
Wren x
Hello, the bags are lovely. Great for an outing. Are you able to outside without wearing a mask now. I assume things are better there, we are still on lockdown. Enjoy your day, wishing you a great weekend!
Hi Eileen – These tote bags go pretty much everywhere with me (normally!), except that I’m not exactly going anywhere at the moment! My mask is always on out of my apartment (in fact need to suggest to Max, here’s a whole new range blackwhiteandmax masks!) The Thai Government has asked us to stay home at the moment too. We can keep calm and blog on! xx
That is some really wonderful art. And who doesn’t love a tote bag? Wearable art. I’m in awe over the view of that city. It looks like it goes on forever.
Andrea
Hi Andrea really lovely to see you here, hope all is well in beautiful Canada. I am still drinking out of the mug you sent me at the blackwhiteandmax range also look fabulous on mugs. Wearable AND drinkable art! Yes Bangkok has an amazing skyline doesn’t it!
Love the stories that go with the bags. It’s hard to pick a favorite. But I love the black olive.
Hi Lori – thanks for stopping by. I love Max’s stories that go with each design too. The black Olive one is special. If you win the getaway you can choose from many as we’ve only included a few of the designs here. Good Luck!
How very wonderful! “Beneath the Bangkok Sun” to be is absolutely breathtaking. It’s incredibly beautiful!!
Hello Cathy, from one artist and creative to another, nice to see you here. Yes I have been very happy to have my blog and social media filled with Max’s beautiful designs the last week. Breathtaking is a perfect world for Beneath the Bangkok Sun.
Wren – thanks for sharing Max’s works with everyone at Mosaic Monday. Nice job blending her work and natural scenery. I think my favorite is “Beached”.
Thanks Angie I appreciate very much your kind words here and for stopping by from Mosaic Monday. The beached range covers many countries and is always a winner! Here’s to future days at the beaches of the world! Wren x
These are awesome black and white designs.
Hello Linda – thank you so much. Max and I are thrilled to see you here. Good luck, you could be a winner when are giveaway in announced in a few weeks.
Wren x
Very interesting and I love the tote bags.
Dawn aka Spatulas On Parade
Hi Dawn – who doesn’t love a great tote bag, especially these walking pieces of art! Love the name of your blog and have just stopped by to say hello. Lovely to meet you here.
Wren x
I love her way with words and the lightness and whimsy in her designs. Adventure can be mind when I read her excerpts.
Hi Su-sieee – I agree to find an artist with such a lovely turn of descriptions for each of the designs is a fabulous strength of Max’s designs. I love the fact that each has a story to tell and I reckon there is a fantastic coffee table book to be had with the designs on one page and the story opposite. Whimsy is just perfect for today’s crazy world isn’t it? Thanks for stopping by. Wren x
Lovely black n white designs- any way to see the fill range?
Hello Jude – yes of course you can click in any of the active links in the blogpost that will take you directly to the BlackwhiteandMax.com website and gallery. You can also place orders from here. The orders are shipped directly from the US.
Hope this helps let me know if you need anything more.
Wren x
Thanks for highlighting the beautiful talented Max! I have several favorites! Sisters of Salerno was my first bag that I shared with my two sisters and the one I fell in love with first. My second favorite is Under the Banyan Tree which I have a T-shirt and a custom greeting card that Max tailored for me!! Thanks Max. The Matriarch is another favorite of mine! Most impressive to me is Max’s heart and soul that goes into each of her designs and messages. A beautiful woman and friend!
Hello fellow BlackWhiteandMax lover. It’s no surprise at all to hear you have so many of the range. What is rather unique, I feel is the broad appeal of the designs, they are perfect gifts for many occasions. How clever to gift the Sisters of Salerno to your Sisters! I agree that Max’s heart and soul goes into the designs, messages and we should add friendships! We are both blessed to have Max in our lives!
Wren x
Well designed and I love how she visualized Bangkok in her work. My wife and I used one of her bag and it’s very practical to carry everywhere.
Thank you for stopping by as one of Max’s current customers, lovely to meet you here. We all find those tote bags are just perfect for just about any trips! As you say, they are well designed and very practical. Max has a clever talent to take her inspiration from her surroundings and recreate them in her designs.
this whole article is great. I am a long distance fan of Maxine’s work. I am a friend of her mom in South Florida, USA. So great to understand more why her mom is so proud of her ❤
Hello Ann, it is so lovely to meet a friend of Maxine’s Mom here. Greetings to you in South Florida. It is beautiful of you to stop by and leave this comment it made my heart warm and I’m sure it did for Max too. You have a beautiful day.
Hugs from Bangkok!
Wren x
What a brilliant blog post Wren… and of course you know I love black and white designs. I now feel the urge to finish my floral collection and get back to the ink!
It’s difficult to pick a favourite as I like them all for different reasons. I’d be thrilled with any.
Thanks for sharing and having a giveaway.
Stay safe xx
Hello to my favourite Blogg professor – look what you started! I knew you’d love these as a fellow artist and creative talent yourself. I could see you with one of these bags out and about in bonnie Scotland. Big hugs for stopping by and Good luck! We have other Giveaways coming up to so stay tuned for future posts.
Wren x
Hello! Love the blog! Love the designs! Max is an inspriation!
Hello Keelie, Max is an absolute inspiration indeed – thanks for stopping by with your cheery supportive comments – so lovely of you!
Have a great day
Wren x
It’s so terrific that art can be made so beautiful in black and white! Thanks for sharing these lovely photos.
It’s delightful to see you over at ‘My Corner of the World’ this week!
Hello Betty lovely to see you here and to be able to join with my Corner of the World. Thank you for hosting!
Wren x
Her work is really striking. There’s something wonderful about black and white — it goes with everything! And now, I’m also hungry. Glad to see you back writing, my friend!
Hello Jeanie – hope all is ok in the US, I’ve been keeping up with life at the pond! Thank you for coming to visit. Yes striking is a great way to describe Max’s designs, I know she will be thrilled to read this, especially coming from a fellow artist!
Wren x
Her work is really amazing! Love the tote bags.
Thanks Veronica – the tote bags are a lot of fun for sure. Good luck with the giveaway draw and thanks for stopping by.
Wren x
Thank you for the intro to a great artist! I love her work and even more so because it’s mainly black and white. Proves that we don’t always need colour!
Thank you – glad you have enjoyed this intro. So true about black and white and not always needing colour. Thanks for your visit.
I’ve been a fan, well – since the beginning. The fascinating artwork draws you in to her designs, as well as everyone who sees them. Should you pick me, my interest is in the Tree, white lettering on a black background. Best of luck in your future endeavours. 🙂
Hello Thomas and fellow Max fan! I love your description of Max’s work, each one is simple in design but has a intricate complexity that does draw you in, I agree. Thank you for stopping by and wishing you the best of luck too.
I have to admit I’m a bit obsessed with finding out how the world is dealing with this pandemic (from the standpoint of real people rather than politicians) so I was a little disappointed to see a sales pitch here. Even for lovely products by a friend of yours. Anyway, hope you and yours are staying well. And I do understand the value of thinking about other things during this time — and I try to do that. I’ll come back when I’m in a better mood ))
Hello Sallie – how are you doing? No wonder you are a bit obsessed with the Covid-19 pandemic, especially after your massive dash from Florida to get safely back to Oregon, your social isolation and then the rains.
I have covered Covid-19 a little on my two blogs but have decided largely to keep my blogs as my happy place.
I love Max’s work and this is a fun light hearted way to share her work. Yes you could see this as a sales pitch but it is an honest reflection of how much I love these products produced by a friend of mine. The words and images are perfect for a virtual visit to Thailand.
Absolutely come back anytime Sallie – you are always welcome
Wren xx
I think the bags are lovely, so useful and good for an outing 🙂
All the best Jan
Hello Jan – glad you like the tote bags. Good luck with the draw later one, maybe you’ll be our BlackWhiteandMax winner!
Wren x
Love these designs and LOVE Maxine! What a great article!
Hello Sue – thanks for stopping by and lending your support to Max’s work. Glad you like the article. Did you find your mention in the last post?!
Wren x
Beautiful article and blog! Thank you. I am very impressed by Max and her work. Great job!!
Thank you so much Kevin! Yes Max is so creative with her designs and products.Thank you for stopping by.