Light coming in

Literally light coming in. And since it is not an everyday occurrence then I must make the most of it which is usually just staring and taking pictures, and thinking - I'm doing loads of that lately. 

I'm always amazed how beautiful everything looks, how light can transform something as ordinary as a mandarin or a feather and give it another dimension - as if, all of a sudden they become illuminated from within.  This light coming in where I live, only happens during this time of year, and I have never paid attention how long it lasts. But let me leave the words to the expert...

A light exists in spring by Emily Dickinson

A light exists in spring
Not present on the year
At any other period.
When March is scarcely here

A color stands abroad
On solitary hills
That science cannot overtake,
But human nature feels.

It waits upon the lawn;
It shows the furthest tree
Upon the furthest slope we know;
It almost speaks to me.

Then, as horizons step,
Or noon reports away,
Without the formula of sound,
It passes, and we stay:

A quality of loss
Affecting our content,
As trade had suddenly encroached
Upon a sacrament.

I had a meeting yesterday to show my work, and lo' and behold "he" liked my work (genuinely) and it seems I will get a table at a fair here (more details as the event gets closer). I'm excited and nervous - both at the same time and with the same intensity. I have never shown my work like that before, but it is something that I was secretly hoping to do this year - so I must go and find my courage and faith (I think it is in one of my pockets, the left one, I think).

Hope is the thing with feathers by Emily Dickinson

'Hope' is the thing with feathers-
That perches in the soul-
And sings the tune without the words-
And never stops - at all-

And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard-
And sore must be the storm-
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm-

I've heard it in the chillest land-
And on the strangest Sea-
Yet, never, in Extremity,
It asked a crumb - of Me.

You know how "they" say it is all in the little things or the simple things? Well, this idea from Rachel, gave me so much joy. Watching the light go through those hearts, and that fragile paper was really the highlight of my day. I guess it doesn't take much to make me happy, but please clouds, let the light in... PLEASE!!!

I finished the Big Magic book, and it was just perfect. Most of the things she said, really hit the right buttons with me, and I can't recommend it enough. Now I have started reading this one, and so far it seems so "tender" (if that can be a correct adjective to describe a book). I like how books find me, and how there is always the perfect moment for each one.

I am finding a lot of solace in poems lately (more than usual), I hope you don't mind me sticking the above ones here, I really like them, and hope you do too.

Sending you lots of light, may your days (and weekend) be bright,
Giova

Street Art in Miami

Whenever I visit Miami I always try to fit a trip to Wynwood where most of the street art is located. This time around I was mostly interested in the whole context, not just the wall, but if possible the entire building, or its surroundings. It has started to become a hip area with lots of stores, cafes and galleries, -I'm still not sure whether this is a good thing or not.

Seeing a Space Invader in downtown Miami was quite thrilling for me! See this post for all the space invaders I spotted when I visited Paris. These below are my favorite walls, and I would love to know which one is your favorite?

DALeast

Space Invader

On the left: Mr. Herget

TMNK

This week OneBuntingAway turned one year. WOW!! I still can't believe it. But more on that next week.

I'll be heading where the tulips are blooming this weekend. I can't wait!
Wishing you a blooming, spring weather, peaceful weekend!

Giova

Winter Wonderland

Happy to be back and excited, really excited about January, especially about my trip to Salt Lake City for the Alt Summit! (Very typical of me to be getting back from a trip and already thinking about my next one).
We got back yesterday from our trip to Switzerland. I had wished for mountains and snow, and I got my wish, couldn't have been more perfect than this! What I don't remember was wishing for a sick child, pretty much half of the "snow" vacation was spent indoors, go figure.  As we say in Colombia, "unas por otras,"(some for others? literal translation, don't know if it makes any sense).

I'm so proud of my older son who started skiing lessons in level 1, with kids way younger than him, and he stuck to it, determined to get to level 3, and he did!!
I hope I never forget these views. I still can't believe how very, very beautiful this place was.

Wishing you a great week ahead!
Giova

My Week in Pictures

And a few words, at least...
I was away for the week in Barcelona because my little one had to have surgery done. Thank God all went well and he is recuperating faster than the speed of light or than Spiderman's web! Whenever I have been to surgery (sounds like I went on a cool trip, which it wasn't) my recoveries were long and painful, so I'm quite amazed at how children's bodies react so rapidly and just get better! By the pictures you might think we were actually on holiday. It is a good thing that exhaustion doesn't appear on pictures.

Randomness; View from the plane, street art, Mercat de Santa Caterina, my little one right after surgery, and crocheting on the plane on the way back.

This is what we do best when we are there. We eat and eat! Especially the wonderful pastries like; ensaimadas (the round pastry), melindros (the flat cookie like),  churros (deep fried sticks) and the hot chocolate (as a hot chocolate should be, thick!!).

Have a relaxing Sunday!!

Giova.

Some things...

The sun is out today, after several days of overcast skies and rain. And school gets interrupted today for a week (autumn break), so out we go to enjoy the blue skies. I leave you with some images from this week. And also with some nice posts from this week by blogging friends;

Judith has a nice series called The Typography of Travel.
Deepa's husband cooked some seriously good looking duck a la Game Thrones!
And Peggy has a nice series of breakfasts (I'm very biased with this one) where you can see my kids eating what they love!

Have a great Friday, and may your skies be as blue as they are here!
Giova

Finding Inspiration #2

Here I go again finding inspiration everywhere I go! You're already informed about my obsessive photo taking tendencies, so it is only natural that I keep doing it, it keeps me sane haha! I've enjoyed great weather while finding beautiful scenery. This city (Cali) and its surroundings are really breath taking!

top right: moon rising from a mountain!; below: cotton! Everywhere cotton!

Does anyone know the name of this out of this world flower?

My trip is almost coming to an end. So I'm making sure I take with me as much inspiration as possible. All of this wonderful places and things I not only take back in my camera but certainly in my heart with a special place in my mind! Hoping I remember each and everything for the winter that will be arriving very soon!

Giannina.

Lamps & More

Many lamps were found, none were brought home! Nothing seems to capture my eyes and heart completely, so instead I met Yvonne who was there as part of the "meet the blogger." Remember the Yvestown Fair and how I didn't get the chance to meet her? Well we met here at the Woonbeurs instead of her fair! 

Here are some of the interesting lamps I found. Those felt ones give a terrific light light don't you think?

Left: Vroonland  Right: Spoor 38 

Lower Left: Peanuts & Cherry's  Right: Van Vilt

All part of the house set up by 101 Woonideeen. The lady who makes the crocheted ones is Conzi.

So instead of a lamp, I bought a crocheted garland from Yvonne! The one thing I didn't expect to buy from this fair!

Have a great Sunday!!
Giova

Cali, la linda!

Linda, means nice in spanish! You've probably read that my sister and I are from Cali, Colombia! You've probably also heard or read not so nice things about our beautiful country, but sadly thats how bad news works; it gets around faster and makes the rest of the world missinformed. But there is always beauty to be found everywhere, I think.
Yes, it has been tough, and yes, its been insecure in many places, but nowadays its so much better! It somehow seems that the real beauty that it is so easily found everywhere here can now be really appreciated.
Cali is located in the south west of Colombia. We're surrounded by mountains and it is always warm!

Hope you enjoy a little bit of the beauty we grew up in. I'll make sure I share with you the wonderful fruits we have here and the typical food that my sister and I miss the most.

Giannina.

Inside Design Amsterdam

I did go after all!! It is the first time in so long that we leave the little one with someone, and so grateful that we did, otherwise it would have been impossible to do this with a kid.
Here is a sneak peek of what was "inside" as you know we are curious of most things but definitely not experts, so when it comes to design and interiors I leave that to other really cool blogs out there, like; Happy Interior or My Paradissi. Any way here it is, more to come in the week ahead!

Doesn't this guy look totally cool in this room? Made to match!!!

Happy Sunday!
Giova

Oh Maps!

I have a passion for maps! I always manage to find cities and far away places in shadows, sunsets, water puddles...the list will go on and on. I used to have a blog, were I started sharing this "subway gems"- thats how I called them; they are basically just rust and paint over paint and somehow they really fascinate me! Like finding an island in the middle of nowhere!
Lately my paintings are loosely based on this magical things I encounter by chance and my mind turns them into a city I would love to visit.

Like the wonderful Google Earth, the aerial views and satellite views of this entire planet inspire me to paint accessible places- the ones you can go to by just looking and having a mental vacation.

There is still time to win a sketchbook painted by yours truly!

Giannina.

Palm Trees

I've forgotten how many different palm trees there can be. They're not very popular in New York although there are a lot of types of palm trees that can manage in temperatures of -20F! There can be the occasional palm tree that you spot at someone's garden or a restaurant but never like in Miami! It could easily be called Palm City (yeah right) they're literally everywhere! And quite beautiful may I add...

 Lately I'm very inspired by how their outline changes as the sun progresses in its daily routine. I'm very intrigued by their differences and for the many flowers and fruits they produce.

Another obsession I guess. Those circumstantial obsessions that I happen to love because they make my days much more exciting!

So, how many different palm trees have you spotted lately? And what are your plans for the weekend? I'm painting with a deadline (which is so much fun)! And my sister is super excited to be going to this craft fair!

Have a great weekend!

Giannina.

Instagram

My favorite App of all! The reason why I have an iPhone really! But I am not one to leave my photographs lying there in the memories of computers and such, so when I came upon Prinstagr.am I envisioned them coming out in all their tiny glory (5.3 x 8.5 cms to be exact!). They do have many other options, but I wanted the mini prints. I'm really blown away by the quality, and I'm glad they took their time (4 weeks).  The wait was so worth it!
So then, all those prints arrive (50 of them) and what to do? Here are some ideas, but if you have ideas you would like to share, please do, I'm running out of mine!

 Make an album/Journal. Write a letter to a friend and send a picture with it.

 Display them in a bunting (we love our buntings here in this blog).

Fill the album/journal with those tiny photographs.

Make a cute frame so you can send to grandma for Christmas?

Cover the box the prints come in and leave an opening so you can display a print.

Happy Instagraming!

Follow me or my sister if you like, you'll see where all this prints came from, and so much more!

Giova

passageways

What is it about doors and endless hallways and pathways that make your mind wonder further into the story line that goes on in your unconscious mind (?) I find that more than beauty its actually a fantastical subject because of what it could turn into...the possibility of something being never ending or the obvious 'opening the doors to the unknown'. In the end, its all a matter of seeing past what your looking at. Curiosity? Daydreaming? Hopefulness?

 Mind you, this "worlds" exist only for a moment (it is quite difficult to not have people in them). When your mind is exhausted with the daily struggles, it is inspiring to have a moment to breath and recharge. And then you turn around and find yourself staring at a "mirage"...!

We are all so busy with everything that is going on around us, that we forget about nurturing our mind. Stop. Enjoy?

Have a wonderful day!
Giannina.

Blue Skies

Nowadays the weather is a sore subject. Its so fragile and crazy (I dare say moody!) We all complain of the very, extremely cold winters; feel overwhelmed with the brutally hot summers, the in betweens last shorter than they used to and in some places there are seasons that never showed up! We have to embrace what comes our way, which usually will be what we weren't expecting or hoping for. Anyways, here I am where I have to admit the weather has been exceptionally good! There have been some amazing storms, a lot of raining, chilly days and nights but above all good summer weather!
Hot and sticky! Its summer after all...and the blue skies never stop inspiring me. They never look the same wherever you may be and sunsets will always paint the sky this incredible colors that don't exist!

 I'm fascinated by the infinite blue sky! Wish I could see pictures of the sky above each and everyone of you...I hope that you do take the time to admire its beauty!

Have a wonderful Monday!
Giannina.

YELLOW Thoughts

Yellow has never been my favorite color, but for some reason I'm becoming more and more attracted to it. I have the feeling it has to do with the fact that the sun forgets Amsterdam exists. I don't know about other parts of the world, and most probably the higher you go from here the less you see the sun, also at this time, way in the south, winter has already started, so I shouldn't really complain.
I grew up thinking that July and August were about summer vacations, scorching weather and bathing suits. This perception is slowly changing just as slowly as I'm adapting to the summer here. I don't mind winters really, I actually like them, but when seasons are skipped then I have a problem! So I'm having yellow thoughts for now, just to make my day brighter!

If you are craving more yellow images go here to this wonderful blog!
This week my sister will be at Documenta, can't wait to see what that is all about. And I'll be in one my my favorite cities in the world!! So more on these next week!!

I'd love to know if certain colors evoke nice memories for you? I think just like scents do, colors can be as effective in bringing memories back!  

Have a bright and sunny time (if that doesn't happen, just wear yellow!!)

Giova.

Views from Above

I think it doesn't get much higher or better than the view you get from an airplane. And it won't get more beautiful and different either. You might think, Oh! There is that cloud again, or isn't that the same shade of blue as the one I saw 2 hours ago? Well, NO! Like Heraclitus said; "You can't fly into the same sky twice." Yes, he said river, but it applies to the sky just as well.
To say that I'm afraid of flying would be an understatement, so lately I've been "Instagramming" my flight from take off to landing. So far it has been working, I feel less tense. That is, until I detect a big grey cloud and can foretell the imminent turbulence approaching! The fun simply ends there.

How do you deal with situations or things that you are afraid of? I'd love to hear if you have any tips for making flying easier.

Happy Flying!
Giova
"You could not step twice into the same river; for other waters are ever flowing on to you." -Heraclitus

Check out this blog for really cool views of the Brooklyn Bridge!!

Finding inspiration

Remember I mentioned I have an obsession of taking pictures everywhere I go…? Well it continues, it actually is a very big part of me! (If only you could see my photo albums) Always stopping every chance I get to take photographs of the many things I’m attracted to!  Its really helpful because it focuses my attention and makes me visually aware of everything that surrounds me! These are a few of my latest obsessions…I see stories, I see colors and thanks to my lovely sister I see street art!!!

*the Herman Bang I took from inside an art gallery...I know its not streetart but by me placing it out there it kinda is

I would really like it if you would all share the things you look for when you are out and about! 

What inspires you? What calls your attention and makes you look twice?

Wishing you all a lovely weekend! 

Next week I'm headed to Documenta in Kassel!!! I'm so excited! Will let you know how that goes.

Giannina.