Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Rita Angus

Hello Lovelies! Becka here again, and I just wanted to say that I am so pleased that you enjoyed my last cyanotype post! Unfortunately we've lost the sun this past week or so in Vancouver, so I haven't gotten mine done yet, but I'm excited to hear that some of you would like to try it yourselves. It isn't too difficult, and there are actually two ways you can try it. One by picking up some sunprint paper like this or this, where it is all done for you and there is no messing around with chemicals. If you're up for more of a DIY challenge however, there is a great tutorial over here on how to mix the chemicals and make the cyanotype paper yourself. Once you have the paper, all you need are objects you find interesting, a good amount of sunlight and water to expose and fix the image. I'd love to hear if you have a go!

Now, for this weeks inspiration! I must admit that I've been feeling a little homesick the last couple of days or so, as sadly I have a friend back home who isn't doing very well after a rather serious car crash. It is times like these that make being a 14 hour plane trip away all the much more difficult. So, if you'd indulge me, I'd like to share one of my all time favourite New Zealand artists with you, Rita Angus. She painted predominantly in the 1930's - 50s, and while she was more interested in developing her own style than a national one, to me her artwork is so very New Zealand. We have a print of 'Rutu', this first piece (unfortunately this is the best reproduction I could find, but it doesn't nearly do the colours justice), in our living room and I never get tired of looking at it. There is something both sad, strong and slightly surreal in her work, and the way she uses blocks of colour is so beautiful.

Rutu, 1951

Cass, circa 1936

Portrait of Betty Curnow, 1942

Central Otago, 1940

Self Portrait, 1947

I hope you like these, and if you like you can see more of her work over here at the Te Papa retrospective. Do you have a favourite local artist? I'd love to hear about them!

Self Portrait, 1936-7

Monday, August 10, 2009

Polaroid in 3-D



images by Markus Kison
xo Flux

something pretty for your monday



Hello darlings!
I have to say I love this blog
and am so excited to be guest posting here.
Thank you Tina!

My name is Vanessa (Joie) and I have my own little blog
over at Pois Rouge.
A few of my favorite things are:
My friends, my faith, my puppy, eucalyptus trees, twinkle lights and Polaroids.
I love Polaroids.

With that in mind I thought I'd share some dreamy, beachy polaroids taken by Rebecca Pepperell. I spotted them over at Feaverish Photography and fell in love. I think you will probably fall in love too.









(all photos are by Rebecca Pepperell and were used with her permission. Thank you Rebecca!)

xoxo Vanessa Joie

Beds, A Haven of Comfort

Hello, it's Micaela. Since I was a little girl, beds have always been my haven of comfort. Waking up to the pitter-patter of rain rhythmically playing melodies against my roof on lazy Sunday mornings, when nightfall is upon me, snuggled up in my cocoon of covers, curling up beneath the little patch of sunlight that hits the corner of my bed, my bed will always be my sanctuary.











I love how not everything is perfectly in place. The messiness is what I find beautiful about all these. The covers and pillows are wrinkled and some of the beds aren't even made, but that makes it all the more pretty to me.

Which is YOUR favorite?


Also, I forgot to introduce Aubrey in my "about me" post.



She says "hi."

Romantic Dreamers

Hello lovelies! It's Micaela. How did everyone's weekend go? Fast, slow, exciting, boring, in between?

I can't believe how fast the month of August is going by...where has the time gone? Total cliche, but it's so true. Although those in the Southern Hemisphere are probably all itching for the start of spring, I am certainly not looking forward to colder weather...the only saving grace is that I get to debut my small collection of scarves.

What are you looking forward to wearing this autumn/spring?

Okay, how did we get totally off topic from what I was meaning to share with you? Oh well...

I've had a Polyvore for such a long time, then deleted it, then created a new one, then never had any time to devote to it (is it just me, or does it take a really long time to create a set?), so now my Polyvore just sits there, untouched. I'm thinking about jumping on the Polyvore bandwagon again, so on this wonderful Monday (major oxymoran there), I was searching the lovely pages of Polyvore, and came across this group: Romantic Dreamers. I think I just might join...





It's funny how all these sets are made by various people, but they all have the same mood, even the same type of muted hues...Sort of looks like what it would look like if Anthropologie ever made collages.

On a totally different note, I just ordered All Things Ordinary a couple of days ago, after lusting over it via the Internet.



Can't wait until it shows up in the mail...I've heard it's extraordinary (haha, All Things Ordinary is extraordinary).

Take care dears,
Micaela

Dear Moschino,



You've got style
That's what all the girls say
Satin sheets
And luxuries so fine
All your clothes are custom made in Italy
You've got something that I really like




Dress me up in my love
All over, all over
Dress me up in my love
All over my body




Let me feel the silky touch of your caresses
They will keep me looking so brand new
Cover me with your velvet kisses
Give me this look -- it's made for me!




Dress me up in my love
In my love
All over my body
From my head down to my toes




{ photos via Style.com; letter to Moschino based on Madonna's Dress You Up in My Love lyrics }