Pink is Nice. Or rather… Nice is pink. Nice, France… that is. Lots of lovely faded pink buildings. And pale blue and pale green and pale yellow…One can’t help but smile at these gorgeous old buildings in such wonderful summer/beach colours. So pretty and so much faded, past it’s best, glamour. The wonderfully ornate architecture, gorgeous shutters and delicate wrought iron everywhere in the most pretty faded pastel palettes. I never tired of these grand old ladies.
The mountain was covered in mist and cloud today set against an abstract deep grey sky. It seemed moody, monstrous and majestic. I felt like it was saying to me “Yes, you will see gorgeous monuments, ancient buildings and spectacular scenery while you are away but I will be here still when you get back..I do not change. I am strong, proud and present – a resolute protector. Don’t forget me while you are away”.
The mountain view from the air will be, as for many others, the final visual and metaphorical symbol that I am leaving home and familiarity for a while. The first glimpse of it will be the sign that I am indeed home again, upon return.
Today – Taranaki,
Tomorrow – Packing…
Wednesday – The world!
I am off this week to explore, photograph, write, blog and be inspired by the sights of new (to me) places. I will be travelling through parts of Europe and Singapore… camera, tablet, and journal in hand – ready to share with you what inspires me along the way…what I notice, what inspires me, what I love. I hope you come for the trip. Keep an eye on my Facebook page and on Pinterest too (if you are not already signed up) as I will be posting on both regularly!
I have been loving Pinterest recently – getting loads of inspiration on a whole range of things including art and photography but also great ideas I have collected about up-cycling furniture, gorgeous patterns and colours and drawings, wish list interiors and gardens, and awesome inspiring words. Please have a look and share anything you think is inspiring for you, or just leave a comment or share a pin. It is so great to see all the other people’s ideas and collections and passions. Share the love I think.
There was a low, dense fog rolling into the valleys and a few chimneys on the hills in the distance, and nearby, curling out a trail of grey smoke. I imagine people stoked their fire places to warm up and dry out after three solid days of rain. Everything is drenched and it is cold, but it also looks so sparkly and clean after such a deluge. The storm clouds continued to gather on the horizon at dusk. All combined, it was a magical scene, for a fleeting moment before darkness.
Last year I was shocked to find a stem of orchid flowers growing in my garden on a seemingly almost dead plant. And this year, not one, not two, but three stems!
This stem I put in my bedroom, and the other two stems are in my lounge so everyone can enjoy the stunning display! Displayed in a slim-necked old tarnished silver and glass vase…Elegant beauty I think.
While on the top level of a double decker bus recently, I had an unusual view of the world. Being so much higher than normal it altered my perception somewhat of the streets and buildings I passed. Having a view directly into second story windows gave me passing glimpses into many people’s homes and workspaces…While downstairs at street level is open to the public or carefully protected for privacy, the second story windows were generally wide open and offered a real glimpse into anonymous lives lived in a busy city. It made me wonder about who lived here and who looked out their window directly into tree leaves and city street scenes…
I don’t typically take a lot of photographs of the mountain. But you can’t deny it’s majestic presence and its imprint on the psyche of anyone who lives here. Ask any child from around here to draw where they live and the familiar conical shape with its ‘too perfect’ snow cap (for most of the year) is almost without exception, the first thing they draw. It really is the sign of “home” that we all recognise.
I was doing observational painting today with a group of children. It was so inspiring and enjoyable to see their passion and enthusiasm for art, nature and painting. Surrounded by spectacular trees, a stunningly wide river, lots of rocks and grassy meadows, a garden full of vibrant flowers…what did they mostly paint when asked to paint a symbol representing where they were ? What inspired them most? Not the river, or the flowers or the trees… No, they tended to look beyond the obvious. Many cast their eyes into the distance and found the sign of home, their mountain.
H is for being Home for Christmas.
I saw them putting up the lights today for the start of this year’s festival of lights, and it reminded me how Happy I was the night I took this image, wandering around the park with excited children.
This is my Home..a small sea-side city with a pretty park decked out in twinkling lights and full of music and people every Christmas.
Home really is where your Heart is.
Today, being the third day of Christmas, is all about the letter C for the Children and the Christmas Trees.
Putting up the tree and decorating it is a key part of most families’ Christmas preparations. It is a special time together. At my place, (and maybe at yours) the best bit is laughing with my children as they admire their handi-work (both in decorating the tree and in admiring the decorations they made and loved over the years). It reminds me that traditions like putting up our tree together are a part of building strong childhood memories. Simple traditions, home-made and home-grown, help to give kids a sense of identity, tradition and belonging.
A Christmas Tree doesn’t need fancy shop decorations, it doesn’t need twinkling lights or glittery balls, or even be a fir tree or green for that matter…(you may recall my driftwood Christmas Tree from last year, with shells for decorations). It can be a branch or a bush. What matters is that to you, and your family, it is your Christmas Tree…your tradition. Your story.
I am always pouring over magazines about homes, real estate magazines, architecture, restoration and home-focused magazines and tv programmes…interiors/design/garden magazines – they all fascinate me.
I love pictures of people’s homes and reading about who lives there and why…gathering and exploring ideas for interiors, garden/landscaping/restoration/renovation/furnishings and finding about the lives of people who live in their homes and what inspires them.
This little house intrigued me, mostly because of its tiny cottage and the relatively enormous trees almost overshadowing it and threatening its very existence. Who lives here and why? What stories does this tiny cottage have?
Black Box Art Studio 
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