Gosh! I didn’t realise how long it’s been since my last post! Isn’t it always the way; just when you think all is plain sailing and you can finally relax, Life has a way of creeping up and biting you … Continue reading
My Happiness Project!
Tag Archives: photography
Colour: In Black and White
“I could compare my music to white light which contains all colours. Only a prism can divide the colours and make them appear; this prism could be the spirit of the listener.” – Arvo Part Those of you who are … Continue reading
Time for a change….
This week, I waved a fond farewell to the last of my summer visitors and as I watched them take to the skies, I found myself once again filled with mixed emotions….. I always feel a bit sad when yet … Continue reading
Lily White
Aah, the beautiful Lily………. ‘The modest Rose puts forth a thorn, The humble sheep a threat’ning horn: While the Lily white shall in love delight, Nor a thorn nor a threat stain her beauty bright.’ (William Blake 1757 – 1827) … Continue reading
Well I Never!
Once again, Skiathos has surprised me…. Just across the road (literally less than 50 yards) from Villa Nicara, is my local corner shop or ‘supermarket Yadim’: It’s a small roadside convenience store, unremarkable in almost every way. It carries the … Continue reading
Bring Me Sunshine, Bring Me rain…..
Whew! Well, with the first session of the season behind me, I have a few days off now – and can finally come up for air! What a busy couple of months it’s been! Straight after Easter, I returned to … Continue reading
Xronia Polla!
T0day, Skiathos celebrated Greece’s Independence Day. A very brief history lesson : Being one of the holiest days in the Greek calendar, Orthodox Christians draw inspiration from the Annunciation of the Theotokos. It was on this day that Archangel Gabriel … Continue reading
There’s purple – and there’s purple!
The weather here on Skiathos is so changeable at the moment. Throwing open the shutters first thing, through the lilac haze of dawn I can just see the sun breaking through with a promise of a glorious sunny and warm … Continue reading
Spring’s on it’s way!
No painting for me today. The sun was shining gloriously and I just couldn’t stay indoors. What a hive of activity in the garden! My day began at first light when I was rudely awoken by hundreds of screeching seagulls circling overhead.
The flocks were ducking and diving in no particular pattern; erratic, angry, like a mass disorganised rally - in the sky. I’ve no idea what was upsetting them but while the sun was shining on land, the sea was in turmoil and blanketed in a thick fog. Perhaps that was the reason. Eventually the skies cleared and I ventured, camera in hand, in search of signs of spring – and there were plenty.
The bees were busily buzzing…..
Buds were bursting forth
And blossoms…..
were blooming…
well…
everywhere!
Gloom and Zoom
The glorious colours of autumn have all but faded……
Cold dark mornings, shorter days, low grey skies, relentless rain, biting wind, slippery streets sodden with soggy autumn leaves etc etc…..(Sigh)
No, I’m not describing Skiathos (where it appears everyone is enjoying the delights of an unusually warm Indian summer) I’m talking about London of course where I’ve returned to see out the winter. Doom and gloom prevails, pervading every aspect of life here, the result no doubt of the dire state of the economy (amongst other things) and the appalling amount of social tragedies which appear to be growing with unprecedented frequency. Everyone here seems to be slipping into a state of hopeless despair and depression and with no sign of anything but a bleak outlook on the horizon, for the forseeable future anyway, it’s hardly surprising.
In such a climate, creativity is sometimes hard to harness; I’ve picked up my paints and brushes several times in the last few weeks but so far the muse has eluded me. So I turned instead to a new toy; a very complicated camera and I was determined to first decipher the wordy manual (Has anyone actually read and understood one?!!!) before attempting to use at least some of the many features it promised to amaze me with. The next problem I faced was what to capture? Loving bright colours as I do and the bright, clear light and sharp contrasts found uniquely on a Greek island, it is hard to conjure up enthusiasm when constantly engulfed, as we are here, in the thick dull blanket of grey that descends on this city in winter. It’s so dark and gloomy outside and indoors I have to have the lamps lit all day. Then I spotted a beam of light filtering through the glass perfume bottles on my dressing table and I finally found some inspiration.
These photos are the result and I hope you’ll agree they are colourful enough to brighten up even the most dreary of dismal November days. They certainly cheer me up!
Glass Perfume Bottles - blue
Glass Perfume Bottles - Swedish
Glass Perfume Bottles - Italian
Hand-Blown Murano Glass
You can see the whole collection at my IMAGEKIND GALLERY
NEW WORKSHOPS AND TIMETABLE FOR 2009
Plans are afoot for a very exciting season for ‘Painting Skiathos’ next spring. I’m in the process of organising some fabulous new workshops and as soon as they’re finalised I’ll be posting the details here, so watch this space.
In the meantime keep warm and keep painting!
Must be my lucky year!
Gosh! Would you believe it !! – I’ve just found out that two of my Skiathos photos have now won awards too! I can’t begin to tell you how thrilled I am – things are definitely looking up!
This was the show I entered on the
website:
| Flower of the Month: Bougainvillea | ||||||
| Show Opened: 7/1/2008 |  |
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| Entry deadline has passed. | ||||||
| Voting Ended: 8/8/2008 | ||||||
1″Bougainvillea and Blue taverna chair”
Media: photography
Date of Work: 2007
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Winner |
| Member’s Mention |
This is the first in a series of photographs showing the beautiful bougainvillea which grows in abundance in the whitewashed cobbled streets of Skiathos Town, in Greece which has been my second home for many years. I am continually in awe of the striking colours on the island, depicted perfectly here by the hot pink and tradtional blue of the Taverna chairs.
Artist:
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“Bougainvillea and Blue taverna chair 2″
Media: photography
Date of Work: 2007
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Winner |
| Patron’s Mention |
Even having fallen to the ground, the pink of the bougainvillea bracts hold their intensity of colour – a perfect complement to the blue of the taverna chair. This was another photograph taken on the Greek island of Skiathos, in preparation for a series of paintings showing the natural beauty of this tiny Greek paradise
Artist:
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A big “THANK YOU!” to everyone who voted!
