Re: Music and Art

Hello readers,
I'm back to writing, my art, creating, designing, gawking at other artist works that inspire or leave me wondering "how did they do it?". After a long blogging break, my fingers itch to keep this going, hoping to keep your interest alive with my posts and give you something to enjoy, reflect, smile, anything really as a break.
As I re branded my art line and relaunched on etsy recently, I have been thinking about creating art with content - themes and designs that celebrate life, inspire the artist within each of us, reflect on the positive, make gifting more meaningful, etc. One of my favorite jewelry pieces in my latest collection that flew home to Australia is a violin pendant. Its my way of blending music with art, in fact the jewelry was intended for a musician as a gift. How many people think of music as purely an art form? Or is it science or entertainment? In my opinion it is a bit of each of the above.
Interesting and fun tidbits about the majestic violin:
The violin is also aka the fiddle. The oldest violin traces back to the 1500's. The oldest surviving violin is named Charles IX-lol! The current record amount paid for a violin is $15.9 mill in a 2011 auction. The music styles that use the violin are classical, jazz, folk, Arabic, & pop mainly. Who knew all this stuff about the violin - Not me! Here is my humble reproduction of the instrument:
Also here @ http://etsy.me/1qASfxw

Birds, Telephones, Trams, & Iced Teas!

Hello!
March brings with it blooms and the scent of spring is somewhere in the air. And spring means color, lots of it! Talking of color makes me extra happy and so does Pragya Kothari's art. Pragya specializes in one of a kind digital illustrations, posters, ACEO, and mixed media 3D wall art. Her themes are very chirpy and whimsical. One predominant theme is birds - vibrant colorful birds set amongst quirky surroundings, articles of daily living, weaving a joyful connection between nature and human life. Pragya's art stand out in that it speaks a language all of its own - simple and happy! Her online shop on etsy also features commissioned pet portraits, a variety of kitchen and nursery art, musical instruments, floral and romantic illustrations. In her own words, "My illustrations are often loosely based on my own life, random incidents, and far off dreams." Take a peek at her portfolio @ http://www.etsy.com/shop/pragyak and I promise you will leave smiling...............

Pragya is also a good pal of mine and I am glad to be featuring her work on my blog, friends always make it extra special!:) Have a great day everyone as I sign off listening to "Three Little Birds" By Bob Marley.........

Re: Birds of Prey Amaze me!

Hello Readers,
I couldn't wait to get out my notes this morning, the little fun tidbits I had written the other day while attending a volunteer training @ the Audubon Society. A workshop has never been this much fun and the people made it so special! Starting with the history of the society, the land, the building, took us down a century ago in black and white photographs of early settlers, innovators, and real estate developers. Not to bore with a history lesson but just learning that a fully destroyed forest land has in fact regrown itself to a beautiful rain forest a few decades later almost to the point of no recognition, makes me wonder at the self restorative property of nature. Nature is so mysteriously powerful! so brilliant...
Enjoyed learning about birds, specifically birds of prey, owls (fell head over heels in love with Hazel, the white spotted northern owl), amazed at the binocular vision of the hawks! Did you know that hawks can literally see a tiny rabbit amidst tall green grass from a distance of nearly 2 miles?? I am sure that leaves them never hungry huh! And that vultures open their wings wide on hitting the sun's rays to kill bacteria on them? and they sure have a great sense of smell too, that works in a 2 miles radius. I can barely smell a burnt pan on the stove till minutes later and by then my DH is yelling his lungs out:)!
I wish to go back and pitch in a few hours every week as I get to spend time with nature, birds, and children teaching them how to spot bird species and explore their habitat.

I gave myself a pat on the back when I scored 10/23 on a bird id quiz at the end of the day, should have done better but the yumm veggie pizza with artichoke made me fuzzy brained and all I could gather was a mere 10, well nobody ever saw or need to know so its all cool:)....

Re: New hair do, new skill, new life!

Good Morning,
Its amazing sometimes how small things can impact your mood and overall feeling of well being, that lil something to get your groove back on. I have been a bit under the weather lately thinking about a bunch of things and  decided to get a new haircut and also learn a new skill. And bam! It worked or what? It has surely reset a few things for me. A new hair do (provided your stylist did her job well:) does change how you feel about yourself, changes your perspective and adds to your sense of self. I walked out 6-7 inches shorter on my tresses and all that much lighter too! My steps had bounce in them as I cheerily walked out in the mist making my way home uphill. I had a feeling I left behind something I dint need, cut out some noise.

I also took an hour private lesson with a jewelry maker and learnt how to string beads and crimp and wrap wire to make basic necklaces and earrings, an addition to my hand painted jewelry line. It made my day when I came home to see my creation in class, a beaded necklace with a hand painted pendant! Wow, did I really do it all? A great feeling......Here it is! What do ya think?

Hoping to work on some blue pearls and a butterfly pendant, soon in my etsy shop!

New Year, new hopes.....

Dear Readers,
May 2012 be an year of strength, hope, renewal, and joy. Let the year of the dragon be fortifying and fulfilling to all. I had a fun holiday season, with a mix of everything thrown in. A trip to Vegas, Argentinian food in old town Pasadena followed by grooving to an amazing remix to usher in the year, a day trip to Catalina island, some shopping, and I call it a good end and beginning.
Few things I've thought about as I bid goodbye to 2011: I would like to start volunteering as much as possible, would like to start a small organic garden patch, go around town to do some self exploring, spend quality time with nature, and cherish the small little things in and around. Also, would like to practice more of living in the present.
What have you thought to change or add to your life this year?