Sketchy : Give good

I'm the happiest aunt ever. I spent Sunday to Tuesday at my bro's place in the Hunter Valley playing with my little niece and gardening with my sis-in-law. Sunshine and mulberries, she's so cute! My sis-in-law and niece stayed with us last night and I'm about to have morning tea with them. Perhaps later when they head back to the country I might get some work done. In the mean time, I wanted to share these divine pics with you.


I love Shelli's - aka Studio Mela - work. Her illustrations are fresh, spunky and a whole lotta beautiful. I wish I had the innate ability to work with colour, but alas, I don't know much. I just work with what I love and hope it all goes together. I also wish I had the ability to not procrastinate, but that's another kettle altogether.


Back to Shelli... you should head here if you want to see more of her illos, here to check out her blog and here to see some cute and colourful mini cards.


Pics from top down: Hello Sunshine, So Very Happy, Curiosity and Give Good

Snapshot : Hey doll face

I was in a crowded cafe today having lunch with a friend. My beautiful friend was chatting away about numerology and the planets and the girl behind her looked over at me a few times, uncomfortable with our proximity. It would have been the usual case of person goes to delicious cafe, person forgets how popular cafe is, person sits unsure of self listening in on others wondering why they're so open and chatty, person sips coffee and makes a run for it. Except the girl behind my friend had loads of make-up on, really nicely done, but not suitable for anything outside a Friday night or fashion shoot. Glancing around the cafe she just looked at odds. With herself mostly.

It's amazing what we communicate with just our eyes, and often don't realize it. A glance can convey all the love or hurt in the world... make-up doesn't hide any of it, it only illuminates how you feel.

And here we have a coupla dolls, gazing down a Polaroid's lens, conveying a novel full of sassy story lines. Hilarous! I'm a sucker for a beautifully shot flower, but flowers and doll faces together? Heaven. Meet the super sweet lady behind these pics... Nancy of Futurowoman Fotographie



What do you love about Texas?

I am a native Californian, so Texas is an adopted home. One of the things I really love about Texas is that people here have a "live and let live" attitude about life. There is a strong streak of "don't tell me what to do, and I won't tell you what to do" in the Texas identity, and I love that. People are very friendly, and Texas is so diverse! You meet people from everywhere, everyday--there is something for everyone. Although I miss my home state, Texas is a great place to live!

What makes you laugh?

I love dry, sarcastic humor, and I also laugh at the weird antics of my dogs, a terrier mix named Orson and a whippet named Laika. They are hilarious!



Any hidden talents?

I'm not sure if these are "hidden" talents, but I love to cook, and in the past couple of years, I've gotten into making preserves. I love to pick fresh fruit and make jams! This summer, I've also gotten into making homemade ice creams! My favorite so far has been Absinthe Ice Cream.

Favorite subject to photograph?

I love to take photos of my dogs, both artistically and as personal family heirlooks. I also adore old vintage signs, botanical subjects, and the sky. Basically, I just love to take photographs! :)



Polaroids from top down: Blythe / Gentle River "Who, me?", Peony, Blythe "Hello Bitches" and Purple Artichoke.

More: futurowoman.etsy.com

Dreamvisions : Oddly romantic

Award-winning, Brooklyn-based photographer Gary Heller captures beauty in the strangest ways. He makes sad and abandoned scenes look oddly romantic and beautiful subjects look fragile and a little gloomy. Either way, I think it creates more depth, a bigger story. If these were in a gallery I'd stop and ponder a while. Here's Gary...


What's your favourite subject to photograph?
Some of my fave things to shoot are things that portray abandonment, isolation and mystery. The specific subjects can vary.

When did you first pick up a camera?
I first picked up the camera seriously at end of 2003.

Who inspires you?
I am inspired by many and cannot name anyone specifically. I loved album art and comic/fantasy book art as a kid growing up. I get inspired by things and visions in my dreams as well.


Favourite blogs/books?
I don't get to read nearly as often as I would like but I love mystery, science fiction and thrillers. There are so many great bloggers out there and so many talented artists and photographers that it's hard to keep up with it all. It can get overwhelming.

More (including toilets, barns and bridges): garyhellerphotograph.etsy.com
Pics from top down: The little things in life, Broken promises and Bonsai.

Amateurhour : Frankie says snap

These roses have been sitting in a little square tealight candle holder all this week, opening slowly. Funny how one little branch with two perfectly imperfect flowers are just so incredible to watch. Ah, it's the little things, innit?




I heard that epsom salts absorb radiation from puter screens and phones. So I prettified some noodle boxes with floral paper, filled them with epsom salts and put one behind each puter in the house. They turn to powder when they've absorbed all they can so you know when to refill. Luckily I found 50kg for a bargain here. I also have a bath with 1kg of epsoms in it every week. And apparently a dip in the ocean is the best way to rid the radiation from your body. Hooray!



Last weekend we were hanging out with puppy (below) at a park. On the way back to the car I saw this diving board that wouldn't look out of place in a 60s motel in Florida. Love the colours. Spring away...




Remind yourself regularly that you are better than you think you are. Successful people are not superhuman. Success does not require a super-intellect. Nor is there anything mystical about success. And success isn't based on luck. Successful people are just ordinary folks who have developed belief in themselves and what they do. Never sell yourself short.
David J. Schwartz

Snaplock : Rare 'n' precious

I've never been more drawn to pastels in my life than in the last six months. Normally I would read quite substantially into such a fact, but not today. No, today is not for introspection. It's a day of sunshine and scrambled eggs and dandelion tea and lovely books (currently devouring Chasing Harry Winston by Lauren Weisberger). It's also a day for perfectly romantic and sophisticated pics... such as these here by lovely Lynda, aka, Among the Hedgerows


When did you pick up your first camera?
It was while I was studying interior design. I took a photography elective because it looked like fun. I had to borrow a camera for the course but absolutely loved every minute I was there. When it was over I promised myself that someday I'd get back to photography.

It took several years before I picked up a camera again but about 3 years ago I grabbed a point and shoot camera my husband had bought but wasn't using. I haven't stopped taking pictures since. I received my first DSLR a couple of months ago and now there's no stopping me! Other than that one course in college, I'm completely self-taught.


Fave magazines?
My favourite magazines are Somerset Life, Romantic Homes, Victoria and English Home.

Daily blogs you can't miss out on?
My daily blog reads consist of Creature Comforts, Decor8, Heather Bullard and Modish.


Pics from top down: Peonies, Hydrangeas, Columbine and Lilacs in a Vintage Watering Can.
More: amongthehedgerows.etsy.com & flickr.com/photos/amongthehedgerows

Illohaven : Some kinda wonderful

I'm in awe of these illustrations by Mari Katogi. The illo above is the sweetest Little Red Riding Hood ever. It's so fresh and modern in a definite Japanese style.


And here we have the cheekiest Alice in Wonderland... I'd murder that pile of macaroons in a split second. Oops. Sometimes I confuse what's not real with cravings. Ahem. Next?


Hansel & Gretel on their way to nom their way through a candy house... Mmmm candy...


Alice through the looking glass...


This one is such a fave, I've saved it as my desktop background.What a talented artist, these are absolutely divine. Go here for more: mari.lomo.jp

Now I'm off to the beach!! I'm stopping only to pick up my friend C and her dog Ferris. Fish n chips here we come... xxx

Pictureperfect : Sometimes I get the giggles

I had a super busy day yesterday, so busy that I slept brilliantly, but still woke exhausted. Being so out of it isn't fun, but this morning I rather enjoyed it. Out for a walk with my pooch, the air smelt fresher, the leaves looked crunchier and the flowers - what's left of them - looked sensational. I almost wish I had that kind of warped clarity every morning... but perhaps next time I'll take my camera and see if I can capture some of the lovliness.

Someone who most certainly knows how to capture a delightfully perfect moment is Amy of ara133photography... (Peeps please note the mention of shafts of light on a stormy day in the first answer, that's pro speak for cloudburst beauty)...

What's your fave subject to photograph?
I love trying to photograph sunlight, back lit flowers and weeds, and high contrast scenes (such as bright sunlight shining into the deep woods, or shafts of light on a really dark, stormy day). Those are subjects that just amaze me to the point that sometimes I just stand and stare at them... they're also the most difficult for me to photograph effectively! But I keep trying :)


What are you reading?
Usually I have more than one book that I'm reading at a time, especially if I'm rereading books (which I do frequently). And, sometimes I need an adventure to read at breakfast or lunch but something calmer for before bed! Right now I'm rereading 3 books - Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Susan Cooper's the Dark is Rising (I have a penchant for children's books!), and Melissa Nathan's the Nanny. I'm also rereading Plant Physiology for my big PhD comprehensive exam coming up!


What makes you laugh?
My husband, The Office, the Shopaholic book series, and bedtime (sometimes I get the giggles before bed, everything seems funnier late at night somehow!)


Pics: Willow, Flourish, Sea Flower and On the Way to the Picnic.

More: ara133photography.etsy.com

Artcomp : Expressing an impression

I was chatting to a friend yesterday, who has just returned from a whirlwind holiday throughout America with his family, and I was reminded of how long it's been since I mooched quietly through an art gallery. He had seen some of the greatest paintings ever created and I felt an instant longing for the feeling you get standing before a precious work of art.

So although my usual obsession here in the cloudburst is illustrations and digital art, I thought I'd hail a cab to pure, paint-on-canvasville. Not that it's better or purer than any other form, but it makes a nice change.


The works here are by Linda Monfort, a California-based painter. Forgive me for describing her works in such layman's terms, but there's something so sumptuous about the colours and flow. Linda... over to you:

My style of painting has evolved through many years of exploration. Today I paint original contemporary abstract expressionist paintings, original contemporary abstract and impressionist landscape and floral paintings and original contemporary figurative paintings in acrylics on stretched canvas.


Some of my pieces have an oriental influence due to a period of time spent living in Japan during my impressionable childhood years.

I grew up loving to draw and design dresses for my dolls and paper dolls. I was always the best artist in my class and knew I would be an artist when I grew up.

The thing I love the most about painting is that the end result is always a surprise to me, usually a very pleasant one. It's also great that I can earn a living using this great gift from God.

Other creative outlets?... I recently designed my daughter's wedding gown.


So timeless, so so divine. So right here: lindamonfort.etsy.com

Snapshot : Mooching moments

The reason I call my blog Cloudburst Beauty is because I love the way sun bursts through dark clouds so brightly - in big, fat, stunning golden rays - that all you can do is stare. And stare. And smile. Whether I'm on a plane or in the country or just looking out the window from home, it'll get me every time.

That's what it's like when I see a photograph or doodle or notecard that I love. I kind of connect with it, though I can't explain what I mean by that. When you see art that you love, you just get it. Right?


But nothing can replace being in nature. Sitting under a wise, old tree. Feeling alive in the wind and rain. Watching a snail mooch around its 'hood, listening to crazy birds and staring into the wonder that is a flower.

Which is why I'm so excited... I'm minutes away from jumping in the car with the hubby and dog and going bush! We're heading to a friend's cabin for a few nights. Bring on the log fire, the impossibly slow roasts and the books. Oh the books.


The pics I'm featuring today are by Ioana. Her entire collection is so relaxing to flick through, I had trouble choosing only a few to post. In the end, I fell for the rounded corners. They 'feel' nice. Here's a few words from Ioana:

I love to photograph people, mostly in the street, trying not to get invasive. And my sister.

I photograph because, as I don't have any other talent, it's the only way to express what i constantly observe. I'm a visual third-person narrator. Even when I shoot self-portraits. Sometimes I try to create memories I don't have.


Well, I won't be posting again until next week, so don't miss me too much.
Thanks Ioana for sharing your incredible photos.
And happy birthday to me.

flickr.com/aliteratia

Snapshot : Desolate beauties

Soon, dear readers, Gemini season starts. Next Thursday in fact. How do I know? Because I was born right on the Taurus-Gemini cusp. What does that make me? Weird.

Geminis like opposites. We're twins after all (though some of us have waaaay more than two personalities to deal with). We like dark and light, pink and brown, marshmallow and toffee, bert and ernie... We're a bit childish, but lively and smart. A little inconsistent, but completely versatile and the best laugh ever. And we're sensitive. Which means yes, we can get cranky easily, but we also notice subtleties like no-one else.

Flowers bloom in desolate places (Mandalay's words, not mine), and I think flowers that bloom in between cracks of cement look the prettiest. Sure, fields of tulips are amazing, but one flower amongst a sea of grey adds a fragility to an already tiny life. How did I get onto all of this? Check out the orange playground horse above. It's the most fun a four year old could have without chocolate chips, but look how sad it looks. It has no friends, it's stuck there and it doesn't even have anything pretty to look at.

I love these pics by Ze (aka zenog). They're beautiful and sad and a little tragic. Here's a bit about him...

Where is your favourite place to take photos? I take most of my photos in the Botanical Gardens of Rio de Janeiro. I walk almost every day, finding treasures as I go...

What gets you in a creative mood? I'm excited when I see a special light or I find something very interesting on the ground of the garden.

flickr.com/zenog

Cheers y'all. Thanks Ze. And happy Friday.

Frenchlove : Blowing in the wind

If you had a room full of vanilla and pear candles, and shoved inside my hubby, the dog, a roast chicken, a bottle of Champagne (ok let's be fair, try three), scrabble and a mix of Miles Davis and Elle Fitzgerald tunes... you might have just created my favourite place to be in the world.

When it comes to the lush land of creativity, Fabienne from France fulfills my artistic cravings quite nicely. She takes the most exquisite photos of petite French scenes, digitally mixes them with painting, and prints on Hahnemuhle fine art paper (imagine velvet as paper). Has a poppy ever looked so perfect? A tussle of wheat so romantic? Non. Until now.

Fabienne... What gets you in a creative mood? Harmony and simplicity!
Favourite artist and author? Mark Rothko and Jiro Taniguchi

labokoff.etsy.com

Clockwise from top left: piquant blanc, souvenirs, papillo, ble, abricotier, monnaie du pap, seul dans le froid, coquelicot and ballons

Snaphot : Best monday ever

Happy monday lovlies! I hope you're enjoying your morning as much as I am. First monday freelancing, and I'm beyond busy... and busting with excitement! My home office is coming along rather nicely, thanks for asking. It's feeling comfy and looking pretty and organised. Almost.

What better way to kick of a week than a whole bunch of cherry blossoms delivered to your door. You can almost smell their sweet beauty. Ahhh. I was so excited when I discovered Lauri's pics. What a beautiful talent. Here's a bit more about her.

What gets you in a creative mood? Browsing Flickr or reading other blogs always seems to get my ideas coming. A rainy day does too.
What do you play in the background while you work? I play re-runs of shows, like Lost or Survivor, or sometimes I'll just play a movie.
Favourite artist? James Tissot. I love his paintings of fashionable women.
Favorite author? Charlotte Bronte. I just love Jane Eyre and read it over and over.

Above: Ranch Exit
Top: Collection of blossom pics from here