Category: Art

What is Art?

11/20/2018

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Four Gentlemen

11/7/2018

Ever wonder why we celebrate Autumn with bright chrysanthemums?

Today's post is about art and flowers!

Today I wanted to talk about two things I love...art and flowers.
In Chinese Art chrysanthemums are part of what is known as "The Four Gentlemen" or "The Four Noble Ones". They are one of four plants used to mark the seasons. The other three are: Plum blossom, the orchid and the bamboo. You will find these plants in traditional ink and wash painting from the beautiful 'bird and flower' paining category of Chinese Art in most museums or collections.

Love this style!

These plants have been depicted since the time of the Song Dynasty (960–1279) because of their refined beauty, and were later adopted in other parts of East Asia by artists in Japan and Korea.

(Plum blossoms)

These colorful plants represent the four different seasons (the plum blossom for winter, the orchid for spring, the bamboo for summer, and the chrysanthemum for autumn). The four are used to mark the seasons through the year in art and decorating.

Orchids for Spring. (I'm still not happy with the placement of this table.)

(Bamboo for summer.)

And chrysanthemums for autumn.

Now you know the story of the "Four Gentlemen" and why we are drawn to these colorful flowers.

Do you have any art or arraignments featuring these refined plants?

Weekend Reads Continued

11/2/2018

Hi!
It seems ludicrous to think I went on a "book buying fast" for most of the summer, doesn't it? I stayed away from Amazon (for books anyway) and did my best to avoid books stores, not that those really exist anymore. So just recently I've started shopping again. (You can read about the fall mini book haul here.) I held back, so it's a short post, lol.

Part of my recent promise to myself has been to stop working so much and find time to do things I love. I have put so much on the back burner lately because of work, but now that I am taking time to read, make art and travel again I feel so much better! #WIN

So far I've read two books from that mini haul.

The first book I read was this delightful book on Frida and Diego by Catherine Reef. This is a lovely book filled with the artists stories, photographs, history and art.

Frida and Diego by Catherine Reef

Was it a page turner? Yes
Do I like this genre? Yes
Setting: Mexico
The story telling? Yes
Was it well written? Yes
Would you recommend this book? Yes, there are enough stories, antidotes and photographs to make it light reading. If you want to skim these powerful artists histories and learn a bit about politics of the time, its great. It is a light, enjoyable read. One rainy afternoon I lazed around with a pot of tea and read it cover to cover.
Spoiler: I learned more about the artists and politics of the age. I had no idea Frida was hit by a streetcar nor how much pain she endured. I really didn't know much about their relationship or how it impacted their art.
If you are looking for a "traditional" autobiography you will probably not like this.

The book itself is art.

The richness of the paintings featured are captured well.

I am happy to add this book to my collection.

Reading in front of the fire is the best.

The second book I read this week was Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett.

Was it a page turner? Yes
Do I like this genre? Yes (Fantasy)
Setting: End of the world - so mostly England
The story telling? Yes
Was it well written? Yes
Would you recommend this book? Yes, especially if you are fan of either author or need a good laugh. There is a lot going on as the end of the world approaches, but you will enjoy the characters and their bumbling, as the lines between good and evil blur.
Spoiler: Parts are laugh out loud funny, other parts you need an understanding of Britain and the British to really fully appreciate the humor.

This has been on my list to purchase for sometime, but I never seemed to remember it at Amazon. The used bookstore had a well read copy for $1 so I couldn't pass it up. Next I will probably buy in hardback.

Pretty much sums up the book.

Frightening how true parts are though! Yikes!

Now I'm off for a mini road trip~ Have coffee, can travel!

And I packed the new sketchbook - Catch you later!

Happy November

11/1/2018

May it be simple & full of wonders.

Doodle Away the Day

10/12/2018

Hello fellow rebels ~
Are you as tired of work as I am? AGGH! I'm ready for a loooong vacation. I know when I get stressed at work I cannot create or do much of anything. It seems I'm spending more time doing paperwork or sitting in meetings lately than actually working...sigh.

So what to do? I find doodling really eases my mind and lets the tension flow out. While I'm making phone calls or when I need to just take a break from EVERYTHING - I draw. I do color some of my random drawings, but I think just the act of free drawing really helps the mind settle down and relax.

Don't judge me by my doodles...

Everything we draw doesn't have to be a masterpiece. Some times just the act of doodling will really clear your mind and release tension.

Also the colors you choose can tell a great deal about your mood.

The main idea is to have fun! Remember when you were a child and you drew and colored? We did those things for no reason other than to have fun. No pressure or stress - just fun.

And yes I have one blue eye and one green eye. Some days it is more noticeable than others.

But enough about my eyes...I actually did accomplish a lot today & I think taking a break to color and doodle really helped. I've been using this trick for about three years now and it really surprises me how easy it is. What do you do to beat stress and relax? Share your ideas below..
Catch you later~

Top Guilty Pleasures

9/13/2018

Not Guilty about much actually, lol - but the blogging challenge continues.

This is a tough one, cause I really don't feel guilty about much. I work hard and live my life the way I want so I'm not really guilty about anything. #TrueStory

I don't "cheat" as a vegan. I eat 80/20 healthy, plant based. I don't consume sugar, drink or smoke. I haven't had a Starbucks in so long I can't remember when?! So yep, I'm pretty boring and not guilty at all.

Probably my number one guilty pleasure right now is too much online shopping.

#AnotherTrueStory

But its my money and I work hard for it...so I'm not guilty at all. Lately I've been buying winter clothes, art supplies, vegan make up, stuff for the new house and of course stuff for my son.

Random purchase for the house.

Random sampling of beauty products, lol

Newest box.

Even though this kinda counts as online shopping, subscription boxes are another of my weaknesses. I'm currently receiving Vegancuts, Sketchbox, and Fab Fit Fun + add ons and up-sells on all of them. I stopped the beauty mask monthly box just because I wasn't using the masks fast enough. Now that I'm about out of masks I will restart that subscription.

So compared to most people I know, thats not many at all.

Vegancuts

Good amount of random vegan snacks delivered to my door.

My TBR (To Be Read) pile of books is getting pretty low... so I'm not feeling guilty about that at all. If anything I feel like I need to make an effort to find more books. #Yikes!

And you? What are your guilty pleasures? Are you overspending or over indulging? Or are you like me and not guilty about it?

Tune in tomorrow as the blogging challenge continues~

8 Things I Am Currently Loving

9/8/2018

The blog challenge continues. Read past posts here, if you need to catch up.
Today I am sharing 8 things I am currently loving. These are not linked or sponsored. Just my personal finds that I use everyday and love.

Buddha Tea

If you visit here often or follow me on Twitter you know I love tea! And I love trying new organic, eco-sourced products.

This month I'm drinking Root Chakra Tea. Buddha Teas are not the cheapest teas, nor the most expensive, but they are some of the best. I want to say I paid about $6.50 for a box?

Garnets!

And they help plant trees!

I am also loving these three products.

I love this small travel toothbrush from FFF. I picked it up as an add-on and love it! Its compact and super soft. It came with three, instead of two brush heads. I honestly have no idea what I paid, but I know it wasn't over $20-$25?

I am also loving the Essential Oxygen organic toothpaste and brushing rinse. I have been using the brushing rinse for over a year, but had a lot of Earthpaste stocked piled. #TrueStory - When I find a product I like I purchase a supply of it. #NOTaHoarder I promise.

Once I used it all, I bought the EO toothpaste to try. Now I really love it too.
The Toothpaste is only $8.09 on Amazon and the brushing rinse is $10.27.

I still like my old brand. but wanted to try the entire line of EO together to see if it was even better together.

I'm also so loving this Acure scrub and Nelson Hair Mask. I use both while soaking (and reading) in the tub, for a wonderful and relaxing afternoon. The hair mask really helps tame my thick locks and makes my hair super silky.

I love all of the Acure products! I finished off my last tube of facial scrub and decided to try this one with Sea Kelp. I'm so glad I did!

I was surprised it was green!

Between the sea kelp and the French clay this is way more than just a scrub. Really feels nourishing on my skin.

Also on my list:
Pacifica Dreamy Youth Day and Night Face Cream, which I also bought on Amazon for around $15USD. I not sure, but I think that was the subscription price? After using it a week I knew I wanted to try it our for several months, so I quickly added it to my monthly subscriptions. It is amazing and so light weight. In this crazy summer heat you don't want a heavy cream on your face, making you sweat even more. I have been using it for about three months now and am very pleased.

Pacifica is another brand I don't think you can go wrong with.

It's not greasy at all and is easily absorbed into the skin. + Like all Pacifica products it is cruelty-free and vegan. #WIN

My last item is a couple of pens I received in a Sketchbox monthly subscription box. I am drawing more and am so pleased to try out new, professional grade products.

So how many is that?

Tea
Travel Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Brushing Rinse
Hair Mask
Facial Scrub
Face Cream
Sketch Box Markers

Odd list I know, but it was honest. :D
Join me tomorrow for the next challenge post.

7 Things I Need to Improve

9/7/2018

And the Blog Challenge continues...
We are beginning to get a lot more personal, aren't we?
Like most people I have issues that I need to work on...
So its time for another random list!

Time Management. I feel I do pretty good all-in-all at managing my time, but I could Definitely use some improve in this area. I mostly stay on track at work, but once I'm off I can get lost on the net for hours! I also think I spend too much time reading pointless emails and shopping online. Sigh....
Stick to an exercise routine. Also I do okay at this, but I could be better. I will be diligent for a week and then if I miss one day, thats it. All enthusiasm is gone and then suddenly I have missed two days and then its been a month and a half with no yoga!
Self-Care. This is a HUGE issue for me. I have found if I don't schedule downtime I will not take it. I let the needs of other people come first and then I end up burned out. I really need to work on this one.
Write Everyday. I don't and I should. Write for work, write here, write for fun. Just fucking write, but somehow the day gets away from me. I really need to improve my writing skills as well and I know I do this by writing more.
Sleep More. I'm actually doing so much better at this. When I go to bed earlier I sleep better, feel better, and am more focused. I think this is the actual secret to loosing weight. I haven't changed much else in my routine, but getting more sleep has helped me loose those stubborn pounds and also have more energy. #WIN
Organizing/Delegating at Work. I feel like I need to work towards organizing projects at work better. We have a lot that we could repackage or be used as a foundation for other projects, but it feels too scattered. This would probably fix itself if I would turn loose of more stuff and delegate. I admit I have issues with this and need to work on it.
I need to improve my French. I find if I don't use it I tend to forget words and phrases easily. (Plus my spelling is merde.) I am trying though, I'm reading more in French and trying to go back over old emails and visit French sites.

10 points for reading a French book and making art, lol

So that was random as fuck. Do you have anything you want to share? I see you reading this, but rarely does anyone comment. I do get personal emails from ya'll and I appreciate the encouragement very much. :D

If you missed any of this random challenge you can click here and see you tomorrow.

Day 2 Blog Challenge

9/2/2018

Something Your Proud of Accomplishing Recently
Hmmm, I had to think on this one…

I’m proud of a lot of stuff.

My art has been selling and making people happy. #BIGWIN
I’ve lost a bit more weight. It seemed like for years I was slowly gaining 3-5 pounds a year and could not get the scales to go in the opposite direction. But this year I have lost weight every month, at a slow, constant and healthy pace. The weight is also staying off and I’m buying new clothes to celebrate!
Work is going well. New, happy clients are coming in and projects are being completed on schedule.
My son is healthy and happy. (I really can’t take much credit for this accomplishment, but it does make me happy and proud.)

What are you proud of this week? Let me know in the comments section below.
And see you tomorrow for “Favorite Fashion Trend”

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