Butterflies Next to the Window

A pretty window always calls the attention...

"Little Irène" - Mlle Irene Cahen d'Anvers

Little Irene by Pierre Auguste Renoir, 1880. Impressionism.

I've had a small printed picture of this portrait of Mlle Irene Cahen d'Anvers since before I was a teenager. One day my family received a promotional pamphlet of some kind of art magazine subscription, and one of the artists featured was Renoir. I was familiar with his more known works (such as The Piano Lesson, A Girl With A Watering Can, etc.), but had never seen this one, which was one of the three paintings that accompanied the mini-article about Renoir.

The moment my eyes fell on it I was so taken by it that I begged my Mum to allow me to cut it out and keep it for myself. It is a fascinating portrait! The girl's expression, the smoothness of her skin, her incredibly beautiful hair, the detail of the bow... I could look and study this painting for hours if I had the time.

Irène's father, Louis Raphael Cahen d’Anvers, was a wealthy Jewish banker. In 1880 he commissioned Pierre Auguste Renior three portraits, one of each of his daughters. Irène's was the first to be done, but the family didn't like it, and asked Renoir to do a second portrait of the two other girls together (the result was Pink and Blue). That didn't please the parents, either, and after paying Renoir a mere 1,500 francs the portraits were hung in the servants' quarters. That obviously upset Renoir.

The history of this painting is a little complex due to WWII, and accounts differ from one another. However, it is presently exhibited at the Foundation E.G. Bührle in Zurich, and open to the public. What I'd give to see it in real life some day. [smile] For now my little version stands on my cork board and is admired every day.

Memories

I've just found the pictures I took of the design I painted on my school bag when I went back to public school. It seems like yesterday, but it was really five years ago... wow.

I wish I could design things like this again!

Pastlife Melodies

I may have already posted this video, but I shall repeat it, as it never ceases to impress me. Such harmonization, control, timing, toning! It's amazing. *-*

Leaves

How beautiful can a simple leaf be? Have you ever heard about the leaf nerves forming a natural fractal?

How thankful I am for a helpful little brother (the leaves are his art!), a helpful Papa (he scanned the leaf drawings for me while I was busy working!), and a good scanner!

...starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel...!

Dreamlist

One more entry!

What a beautiful night it would make!

Forsaken Cowboy

An interesting instrumental song composed by a Norwegian group. It doesn't change a whole lot, but somehow it doesn't bore me. The continuity of the song gives it a lot of meaning, I think. ~Enjoy!

Note: you might not be able to watch it on my blog. If that's the case, click on the link to watch it on YouTube.

Lotus by Secret Garden

Secret Garden has been one of my favourite "groups" of music to listen to for a very long time. It's incredibly relaxing, but happy at the same time. I can't say there's been a mood for which listening to Secret Garden hasn't suited!

I have just listened Secret Garden's Lotus, and thought I would share it with you. There are so many other beautiful songs that I can't really say it's my favourite. I would take a very long time trying to show all the songs I like from this group. Still... here's Lotus. :)

Dancing Fountains

While my very-new boyfriend spent some days here in Spain last week, I took him to see a very famous spot in Barcelona: the Montjuïc fountains. I was able to take a couple of videos. I hope you enjoy them, even though there isn't any sound in them

It is a very beautiful place, and worth seeing them. They dance to the sound of different kinds of music, from classics to OSTs to love songs. I wish you could hear the sound in the vids! Sorry about that.

Beauty

Seaside Village by Thomas Kinkade

"A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul."

- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

"And this, our life, exempt from public haunt,

Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks,

Sermons in the stones, and good in everything."

- As You Like It by William Shakespeare

Untitled

"So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

- Mark Twain

Batido de Algo

Batido. Smoothie. It all depends on the language. It's the same thing.

Click HERE.

Which is your favourite?

Ponderings On Collections

During my life, I have seen my friends collect many different things, most of them interesting, pretty, old, etc. I have seen people collect toy cars; people collect stamps; people collect seashells; people collect dry leaves and flowers; I collect key-rings.

But have you ever considered collecting...

...SOCKS?

My Uncle and Auntie gave me these socks for Christmas 2007 and ever since I've been attracted by... weird socks. Freaky socks. Colourful socks. Stripey socks. Call them what you will.

This is just the start.

Subconscious

I have always admired the film companies' logos. You know, the mini clip, the mini video that comes out before the film starts, with the company's logo. Some of my favourites are:

The why I'm posting some of these videos is so you know exactly what I'm talking about, because I've no idea of the official name of the companies' "logo".
I've always admired them, and said, wow, they're so original... I would never be able to come up with such ideas! You know what, people? I was able to! But here's the weird part.
Our subconscious plays a lot with us. After a couple of days of thinking the thought once again, I had a dream, and in the dream I saw myself coming up with a logo in case some day I have my own film maker company. I was able to imagine a clip logo!! When I woke up and found out I remembered that part of the dream (as well as the rest, I'm thankful to say, because it was a beautiful dream), I was so happy, and wrote down how the clip went. I am so excited about it!
So, if I ever own a real, good movie maker, and actually know how to run it, I'll make my own clip of my own logo for my own company (unexistant, as of now, but... who knows?)

Kate ♥

Kate is my cousin. May I add, my very talented cousin. I've had in mind posting about her and her works for a long time, and since I have her permission, what time better than now?

I've uploaded a couple of her paintings just to show my two favourites, but all of you should definitely check out her website, her shop and her flickr! Believe me when I say she's an amazing artist!

Here are the links:

Kate's WEBSITE
Kate's FLICKR
Kate's SHOP on Etsy

Tell me what do you think. Aren't they great?

Washing the Dishes by Mummy

I the model, my mother the artist.

I was very rewarded when my Mummy noticed even the hour of the night in which I washed the dishes for her a couple nights ago. She even included my singing! Isn't she a darling? ♥

The King's Singers

So, what do you think? These are just my two favourites, but you should check them out because they have many other awesome videos!

My Finished School Bag!

It is such a wonder that I am able to post this before starting school! I had my school bag on the to-do list during summer, but I kept putting it off telling myself that I had so much time ahead because I didn't need it till the 14th of September. Well, ladies and gentlemen, I didn't need it till the 14th of September, but I repeat, it's a wonder I am able to post these pictures before the said day! Because I've finished re-decorating it just today. It's a lesson against procrastinating, people!
Anyway, without further delay...

The school bag! I really like how it turned out.

A closer look to the upper part. In case you were wondering, I like hearts and dots and dribbly bits, as I call them.

A closer look to the bottom part. In case you haven't noticed, this bag is totally mine, you can't mistake it. It has so many things to do with me...

For instance, the nicknames painted on them: Nitah and Anjie on the purple side, and C.A., Finis Mens and Bonnie Lass on the golden side. As well as the tinkerbell (or jingle bell, as some other people know it), and many other things. See how many of the ones I've mentioned you find! :D
Oh, and in case you were wondering, it has copyright. See if you find that one too!
How do you like it?