Jeanine Jablonski is the Senior Director of ILY2—a commercial gallery that opened in Portland in early 2023—as well as an art advisor, artists’ advocate, and busy mom of two children. We joined her at Old Friends Coffee Roasters and visited her gallery, before delving into the contents of her black Ruffle Drawstring Tote.

Hey Jeanine! Thanks for chatting with us about your Tsuchiya Bag today!
First off: Is the Ruffle Drawstring Tote you are sporting your work bag or everyday bag? When do you use your bag?

I am currently using it for my weekday/work —it’s with me at work, on the go, and with me now in Paris! We are here this week participating in Paris Internationale.

How does this bag relate to your personality or work?

Oh good question. I would describe this bag as functional, modern, reserved—it wouldn’t be a stretch to use at least a few of those adjectives to describe myself as well …

What’s in your bag? Can we have a peek?

Laptop, pen, car keys … this brand, you’ll see it on my cell phone too, is Ina Seifart. I’m a mom always with a giant bag, and it’s nice to have something with a long strap! And the cell phone case—this is so nice to have when you travel—my daughter made this drawing in the back.

This is Merit balm in Persimmon—I use it for lip, cheek, and sometimes eye. As a mom, I’ve been consciously in the clean beauty space—and that’s one of my favorite brands. This is a Muji pen in black, 0.38. Myself and all our gallery team always carry this small size Moleskin notebook to art fairs (we have them with us here in Paris!). It becomes so important—you’re writing notes about your clients, and it has a pocket in the back where you’re collecting your business cards. I was alone on an install at a client’s home last week, so I ended up with this Museum wax—it works for securing art works to a wall, or to a table—sometimes when you’re at a fair or in a gallery, you just need to be able to dab a little bit and keep art in place.

My favorite brand of CBD—it’s an organic tincture ... the brand is called Rosebud.

A Westman Atelier Highlight Stick ... and a gold eye shadow—I’m on my second one of these—it’s just Elf from Target, but my friend sent it to me and I use it on the corner of my eye and it comes off like gold leaf! It’s like a hot beauty secret. ;)

My card case, and a dinosaur—I always have a stray kid’s toy in my bag. My kids are 8 and 5, and my son August is currently into dinosaurs—so I often will either find a dinosaur or a Hot Wheel. As a mom I didn’t ever stop taking my kids to restaurants and places … so I’ll pack a bunch of things in my bag and some will end up staying in there.

This is a catalog of one of our artists—Melanie Flood, who’s actually this artist [on the wall]. And lastly (also from last week’s client install) —it is the ultimate gallery tool: white gloves.

If someone found your bag and looked inside, what would they think of you?

“What is happening here??!?” A handbag is like an archeological dig into one’s life, mind, and activities. Mine is no different. One day it could have kids toys, a half eaten candy bar and a t-shirt I thrifted; another day it’s my laptop, wallet and a scarf.

What’s the most important item you carry in your bag?

While traveling for work, like this week, it’s probably a protein bar, my passport, and my Loewe glasses.

What’s the strangest item you’ve carried in your bag?

A can of tomato paste? A bag of green beans maybe? This bag functions like a dialed-up version of a traditional canvas tote, so I often pop a few groceries in there so as not to get another bag.