7.28.2011

the visual art of architecture

Today I thought I would do something different and share my own personal photography that shows my love of architecture. I hope you enjoy!

"Architecture in general is frozen music."







"Architecture aims at Eternity."
-Christopher Wren












"Architecture is a visual art, and the buildings speak for themselves."
-Julia Morgan 

All pictures copyrighted. Permission must be asked before using.

7.24.2011

colour my life

When it comes to painting, I love playing with different colors...seeing what matches, what will blend well together, and how different shapes and patterns of color can make up a piece of artwork.

Vivid colors are all around us in the most ordinary of things. Take notice of small things around you...they might be the most inspiring.


 plants


cinnamon


book cover




peeled paint and rust


a door


What inspires you in your chosen craft? Is it color...lines...shapes....?

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15

7.20.2011

guest post from the citybirds nest!


I am so excited today because Cristie from the citybirds nest is guest posting here! So please give a warm welcome to this special lady. I admire her work and love her paintings and jewelry! When you're done reading, don't forget to check out her shop. She is such a talented individual with a sweet and kind spirit and I am so happy to know her! :)

hi poppy and sunshine readers! a big thanks to the lovely shawna for having me here on her beautiful and inspirational blog! shawna has such great taste and does such an amazing job putting collections of pictures together and i love the inspiration that oozes from her blog, so thank you again for letting me be a part of that!



let me start by introducing myself... i'm cb the writing and lady behind the pictures of the citybirds nest and the crafty lady of citybirds! i wanted to share with shawna's readers my little crafting world.




i have always been an artistic. i grew up with a mother who is an amazing artist who has shaped me into the artist i am today. so being artistic is in my blood and a huge part of who i am. i love it, breath it and if i could eat it i would! 



over the years my art has changed and grown but i never have strayed far from color. it is what moves me and speaks to me as an artist. one of my favorite things is painting and experimenting with color combination and manipulating the color on my palette.



i opened up my first etsy store a couple of years ago and my retro chicks were the first paintings that i started to produce. i love how fun  they are and the bright vibrant color combinations. they are just so darn happy!



 i just started doing water color illustrations again and i love creating them and giggling at them when they are complete. i love the personalities that shine through with just the simple stroke of my quill.



i also LOVE to make jewelry. i am a jewelry hoarder by nature so making jewelry came a bit naturally. i make earrings and necklaces using hand painted porcelain owls with a combination of leather and i love adding a bit of a surprise to them like silver pistol charms.


i am in the midst of coming up with a bit more mature line that is inspired by nature and the inner hippie in me. i can't wait to share when they are ready!


thanks so again shawna for having me, you rock!

xo,
cb

7.18.2011

magic in the small things

I'm sorry for being extra absent lately! I've been on a mini vacation, and as it is hard to always get back into the swing of things, time away is always a nice time to reflect on the things that make you happy.

There is magic in the little things.


bows

retro glasses

fairy lights

sweets and coffee

the small details in architecture

sitting in a quiet place


What magic are in the things that make you happy?

Take a moment throughout the day to enjoy those things.

7.11.2011

everything you do leaves a mark

I just received an email about one amazing artist, Dalton Ghetti, who is a pencil lead sculptor. It truly is incredible to see these tiny sculptures made from the lead of a pencil! And at the end of the email, it applied lessons that we can learn from these pencils...
















"A PENCIL MAKER TOLD THE PENCIL 5 IMPORTANT LESSONS JUST BEFORE PUTTING IT IN THE BOX :

1.) EVERYTHING YOU DO WILL ALWAYS LEAVE A MARK .

2.) YOU CAN ALWAYS CORRECT THE MISTAKES YOU MAKE.

3.) WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS WHAT IS INSIDE OF YOU.

4.) IN LIFE , YOU WILL UNDERGO PAINFUL SHARPENINGS, WHICH WILL ONLY MAKE YOU BETTER.

5.) TO BE THE BEST PENCIL, YOU MUST ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE HELD AND GUIDED BY THE HAND THAT HOLDS YOU.
 

We all need to be constantly sharpened. This parable may encourage you to know that you are a special person, with unique God-given talents and abilities. Only you can fulfill the purpose which you were born to accomplish. Never allow yourself to get discouraged and think that your life is insignificant and cannot be changed and, like the pencil, always remember that the most important part of who you are, is what's inside of you and then allow yourself to be guided by the hand of God."

I hope you could find inspiration in these words. 
Remember, you can always correct the mistakes that you make.