Little Garden Painting

Summer set lip to earth’s bosom bare,

And left the flushed print in a poppy there.

Francis Thompson

Something that came to me, while i was painting outside, in a soft summer breeze. It's a small painting 30 x 40 cm, mixed media on canvas - one of a series of 3. Hope you enjoy June so far - for me, it should be 3 times as long! This coming weekend brings the summer solstice and the longest night of the year. And it falls on a saturday - anything planned yet to celebrate?

Painting: Martina Voigt-Schmid

The music of spring

Do you hear the music of spring?

It is cold still and the colors have not yet appeared. 

Maybe there is snow still, but the light has changed somehow 

and blackbirds are singing in the morning.

I want to bend and stretch and shed my winter skin.

I want to dance to that little tune

in a ray of sunlight amidst the bare trees.

A little poem that just came to me over morning tea and while looking at these gorgeous photos of our lovely friend Juli. She is such a talented photographer and does unique photo-sessions that show the things, a person might not talk about in a very artists way. Often, she also does special costumes to create a mood . Have a look at her site for more. And also, have the most sweet and special day!

Photos: Juli Gaston

Monday Love: Pinecone garland DIY

Happy new week flowers!

Hope you all had a delightful second of advent. It had snowed here and everything looked white and magical. Fitting top the winter atmosphere, i've created a little DIY for you, in case you're not yet finished decorating. Try this garland, made from pinecones, painted white, pink mini-pompoms and some nice ribbon.

Here's how:

You paint the pinecones white and let them dry

Tie them into a nice ribbon

and glue Mini-pompoms in between

At the ends, knot ribbon together so as to make a hanger

Finito! 

Idea and photos: Martina Voigt-Schmid

New Year, new colors

Let the sunshine in! 

I've just returned from a lovely trip to Austria and Munich, meeting a lot of family and taking a break from it all. Now, January is here, looking like a white canvas, kind of empty and bland after all the opulence of christmas. A new year, a new page. a new story - hmmm, what colors am i going to use?  What plans and resolutions do i have - and how can i make my dreams come true?

The modern prints and bold flower patterns in this California bungalow designed by Krista Ewart appealed to me. It is just the mix of fresh, clean and creative that seems right to get the year of to a great start. Get rid of some old stuff and bring in some new inspiration!

A toast to 2011 and to all of wonderful you - see you soon! 

 Photos:Victoria Pearson, via House Beautiful

A new challenge

White canvases with nothing on, ideas flowing, empty space, colours and shapes emerging - we'll see what's going to happen ...