mangrove

Moving right along... with my series on the Everglades.

I decided to tackle the landscape motif of mangrove in the gator pond.

It's a lovely static image of the isolated mangrove in the middle of the pond.

The reflection and sensitivity of light to water--- was extrordinary.

I plan to do a larger version of this painting.

Mangrove

watercolor

11" h x 15" w

2012

Vertical Horizontals

Vertical Horizontals

By Donuts

Purchase and view this and more at:

http://www.redbubble.com/people/donuts/works/8410912-vertical-horizontals?

Cheers!

Apple of my i - Brainless Tales

 

Just Passing Thru

JUST PASSING THRU

by Donuts

Purchase and view this and more at:

http://www.redbubble.com/people/donuts/works/8410900-just-passing-thru?

Cheers!

Cropped Top Tutorial

I have seen so many cropped tops lately. I thought it would be so easy and fun to make one, since it is basically a square or rectangle.

I had some of this polka dot fabric which I picked up at the fabric store last year. I just never got around to making anything.

I gotta say, I am really liking it.

I want to make at least one more for myself, perhaps in a solid color.

Next time I will have to cut the fabric a little wider so I can make the sleeves a little longer.

If you want to see how I made this top, stick around

First determine how long and wide you want your top.

I cut my rectangles 29X23

Next I found a shirt where I liked the neckline

I used it to trace the neckline on my fabric

(eek... I am using a permanent marker, hubby stole my fabric marker, his excuse was he loved how smoothly it wrote )

I made sure my front and back lined up at the shoulders

My fabric was kind of silky

In order to hem it, I folded down once and sewed

I used small scissors to cut of any extra fabric

Then I folded the fabric over twice and ironed the neckline/shoulders/and back

I sewed down the edge

After sewing the neckline, I ironed everything down

Here is how the finished neckline looks like

I bought a 7 inch heavy duty jeans zipper at Walmart for under $2

I folded the back portion in half and cut down about 6 inches to fit the zipper

Here is how I finished the zipper hole.

I think it would have looked really pretty with a button to.

Then I sewed on the zipper with matching thread.

Exposed zippers are so easy!

Here is the finished zipper

This is how the inside looks like:

Then I sewed the shoulders together and ironed open the seams

Then I eyeballed how I wanted the "sleeve" to look and marked it with a pencil.

I sewed along the line and then cut off the access fabric:

To make sure both of my sides matched up, I folded the shirt in half and marked where I needed to sew the other side

Once I sewed that side together I cut off the access fabric

I used a small zig zag stitch to finish both of the sides

Then I used an old shirt of mine with a rounded bottom as a template for the hem.

For the front I just flipped the shirt upside down to get the "cropped look"

I cut the "cropped" front and longer back.

Then I just hemmed the bottom using the same method I did with neckline

That's it!

I managed to sew the top and take the pictures all during my little mans nap time.

That should tell you how fast and easy it was!

Here are a few pictures

Back:

Front:

Side:

Thanks for visiting!

Daniel Radcliffe Poses for Esquire

The boy who lived has gone and landed himself the cover of Esquire's March issue. Looking more like the man who lived in tasteful shots taken by Yu Tsai and styled by Catherine Hayward.

Sporting slick, tailored suits, preppy polo shirts and collegiate cable knit sweaters. The former Harry Potter star looks rather dashing as he discusses his overwhelming bank balance and how he feels he does deserve it. His relatively unknown New York status and his relationship with girlfriend of nearly 2 years Rosie Corker. Whom met whilst working on set of the last three HP films. He also hilariously adds a special mention to his overzealous fans who write to him asking for sex.

Esquire also teased the upcoming issue posting via their style blog "He’s 22. He’s worth close to £50m. He’s among the most recognisable film stars in the world. And this month, with The Woman in Black, he makes his most dramatic bid yet to bury the ghost of Harry Potter."

Daniel Radcliffe's new film The Woman In Black is set for UK release February 3. Catch Daniel's shoot and accompanying interview in full in Esquire's March issue available February 2.

Lana Del Rey 'Born To Die' Album Review

Lana Del Rey's sophomore offering has arrived Ladies and Gents and as to be expected, the American vintage singer does not disappoint.

Kicking off with the infectious title track and worldwide hit Born To Die before moving to the slightly more up-beat Nicola Roberts/Kesha sounding Off To The Races. The already fan-favorites Blue Jeans and previous single Video Games follow to provide an exciting tightly formed opener with the catchy and quirky Diet Mountain Dew lending a hand five tracks in.

String and drum driven chant-worthy National Anthem stands out at this point. The momentum slowing slightly by Dark Paradise, Radio and Carmen but with the same haunting melodies flowing throughout moving to the Bondesque Million Dollar Man and the deliciously chilled track Summertime Sadness.

This Is What Makes Us Girls isn't overly impressive but Without You serves as a dark piano/drums ballad with a catchy hook. The energetic and funky cheer-leading sounding Lolita and the vocal wonder that is the Lucky Ones serving as the album's closing tracks. A mix of maturity and occasional stroppy but fun teen angst to round it up nicely.

Overall the album is consistent, with a solid sound, direction and musicality. Lana Del Rey's sultry and soft vocals weave in and out providing a mesmerising effect from the opening to the closing of this delightful 15 track sophomore offering. Its clear a lot of hard work has gone into the creative craftsmanship of the project, evident by the album's general structure, flow and overall distinctive nature.

Favorite tracks: Born To Die, Off To the Races, Blue Jeans, Without You, Lolita and Lucky Ones.

You will like this if you like Nicola Roberts, Diana Vickers and Florence and the Machine. Lana Del Rey's sophomore album 'Born To Die' is available to purchase via Itunes now with the album debuting at the top spot in over 11 countries. Lana Del Rey is set to re-release her debut album in the summer having bought back the rights under her new label Interscope.

Bluebird at Bisset Park

As long as there are bluebirds, there will be miracles and a way to find happiness.

- Shirl Brunnel

About the image: Taken 01-28-12 at Bisset Park - Radford, Virginia

David Guetta Premieres Frankenstein Inspired Video

David Guetta has debuted his new video for current single 'Turn Me On' featuring the one and only Nicki Minaj in a Frankenstein's monster themed cut.

The clip begins with a robotic Nicki Minaj looking like a sexier T100, lip-syncing as her maker (D-Guetta) is hard at work on the finished product. D-Guetta releases Minaj upon the streets of Old London in a Jack the Ripper inspired costume complete with long flowing pink locks as Minaj roams the cobbles. With an assortment of extremely freakish mannequins in tow.


Yes its creepy. Yes its a tad weird. But it is more than a little refreshing to see David out from behind those bloody decks and stupid air bubbles floating about the city. He also dons a full body chain mail suit at one point. He actually looks attractive as a man made of metal. Who knew?


The visual closes with Minaj on a black stallion being chased by three naked and highly animated female mannequins. I think I'd just bash my own skull against a wall if they were to ever run at me like that.

'Turn Me On' is Guetta's fifth single to come from his fifth album 'Nothing But The Beat'. The song will also be featured on Minaj's upcoming 'Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded'. The music video was directed by Sanji with the track getting its official release February 14.

I'd Recommend Vintage

Marc Jacobs once said “Fashion is about falling in love over and over again, usually with someone new” but in this case its with something old. The 1950s to be exact. Clean, cut, conservative and with a preppy edge straight from the Ivy Leagues themselves.

What I love about wearing my grandfather’s vintage pieces is the story behind them. The history of a person’s life and character. His ocean blue round neck jumper reminds me of Christmas’ gone by. Sitting in front of a warm fire, sleeves rolled up, drink in hand. His ivory cable knit sweater, handmade by his loving wife showcases months of hard work and devotion for an almost perfect finished product. His brown worn leather messenger bag with a broken clasp tells the tale of a man who worked long after retirement. Now used to transport the possessions of the future generation’s working man. Namely me.

Pride and admiration are the main feelings generated when I don his brown tweed blazer worn almost every time he taught a class at his favorite University. Although I doubt he would be too pleased to know that I roll the sleeves, opting to add a blue denim shirt underneath. Sorry Gramps. I can hear the trademark tut already, followed by ‘Don’t roll those sleeves’ and ‘Catch yourself on.’ A legacy I’m sure will follow suit by the time I reach my sixties. For now, I will be content in carrying on his lineage in a variety of shades, shapes and styles that I will not be letting go of anytime soon. Moreover, neither should you.


So the next time you feel like taking yourself on a trip to your local high-street. Stop. Turn around and look through your relatives’ closets. Alternatively, hop on a bus/tube/air balloon and find your nearest vintage fair. If not to purchase, simply to browse, discuss and learn of all the amazing stories and individuals one rustic standout item of clothing is sure to hold.

THE MOON

Memory Oil on linen 80 x 120 cm 2002
Memory Previous Post

I am working on a new painting...an 'everything landscape'. But, whilst I have been working, thinking, sitting and standing in front of my easel, I realised that over the years the moon has been a significant inspiration. As reguler readers know, the cosmos inspires me...not just the literal one out there in space, but also the metaphoric one within our psyches.

So I decided to upload a selection of my paintings where the moon appears. And, as I went through my files I realised that whilst the moon represents time and cycles it also anchors me to my childhood... or rather it stirs my inner child through memory. Indeed, the painting above is called Memory. Childhood memories were also the stimulus for the painting below When I Was A Child I Dreamt I could Fly.

In both paintings the phases of the moon orientate the figures in time and space. Time's dance of infinite cyclical movements, stirs the universal memory. I am reminded of a recent post Elemental Dance where I mention the Whirling Dervishes. Their mesmerising, and trance inducing, whirling movement seems to condense the universal/multiversal cycles of life to a persistently contemporary beauty which reminds us of life's propulsion. Like a vortex the Dervishes suspend time linking all experience.

When I Was A Child I Dreamt I Could Fly Oil on linen 80 x 120 cm 2003

When I Was A Child I Dreamt I Could Fly Previous Post

The painting below The Flat And Fanstastic Horizon is also grounded in memories of my childhood growing up on the flat treeless Pirrinuan Plain outside Dalby, in S.E Queensland Australia. The whole painting is created with a cascade of tree-of-life symbols. The full moon forms a portal-like presence in the night sky.

I have previously written about my Grandmother, who had a great interest in astronomy. She tried to teach me and my two brothers to identify certain stars and the constellations. Apart from my Grandmother's cosmological interests, the night sky of my childhood could not be ignored. On a clear night the Milky Way was like a swathe of glistening fabric flung across the heavens. The glistening was not dulled by any ambiant lighting from cities or major settlements. The stars and the moon glowed fulsomely and elegantly.

This takes me to another painting, a more recent one to The Flat And Fanstastic Horizon. In fact, only since starting this post have a I realised the connection between the two paintings. The second one is The Beginning Of Everything  [It is below The Flat And Fanstastic Horizon.] Please read my previous post where I write in more detail about my grandmother and the landscape of my childhood.

In 1969 when man first walked on the moon, my parents, particularly my Father, insisted my brothers and I stayed home from school to watch the landing on TV. I still remember the grainy black, white and grey images.

The Flat And Fanstastic Horizon Oil on canvas 100 x 120 cm 2006

The Beginning Of Everything Oil on linen 90 x 180 cm 2010

The Beginning of Everything previous post

In Unison Oil on linen 92 x 208 cm 2006

In Unison previous post

I did not write much about In Unison in my previous post but regular readers will identify my inspirations. And, there's the moon reminding us of cyclic rythms over time. This painting was sold to a collector in Korea.

Meeting Place Of The Mind Oil on linen 100 x 70 cm 2011

Meeting Place of The Mind previous post

In Meeting Place Of The Mind the morphed male/female figure, synaptic in its connective qualities, is hooked into the universal/mulitversal tune. The phases of the moon are watchful as they shed their varying nuances of light on generative impulses. The moon is more commonly thought of as a symbol of feminine power, with the sun symbolising masculine power. However, there are exceptions in some cultures [some African and American Indian tribes, in Japanese, Maori and some Oceanic symbolism where the moon has a masculine fertilising symbolism]. When I read this I thought of Meeting Place of The Mind where 'mind' is neither male nor female, but a force where life's compulsions become one.

Mother Nature Gouache on paper 30 x 42 cm unframed 2011

Previous post

In Mother Nature [above] the female figure, representing Mother Nature, seems partnered with the moon. In this case the moon is a symbol of feminine power. The fulsome light of the moon is reflected in the curves of Mother Nature's womanly body and the vascular/placenta-like branches erupting from her feet. The moon's light reveals Mother Nature' aura, shared with all existence.

Sap Of Life Oil on linen 55 x 80 cm

Sap Of Life previous post

Sap of Life essentially refers to water, the sap of life. As in Meeting Place of The Mind the female figure represents Mother Earth, her aura reflected in the moon's nuanced light. The feminine power to give life with a fertility that flows in an eternity of cycles dances along with the universal song, waxing and waning in timbre. Please read my previous post here

BOOK LAUNCH AND TESTIMONIALS

Just a reminder that my book launch for 'For Everyone: Words and Paintings' is Thursday 23 February! Click HERE for more details.

TESTIMONIALS

Not only is Kathryn a deeply talented, original and inspiring artist, she has a gift for wordsmithing as well! Utilizing the raw power of her art, ‘For Everyone’ is a masterful insight into the very essence of who we truly are, our complexities, our simplicities and who we are meant to be. Dr George Blair-West, Author of The Way of the Quest

In Kathryn Brimblecombe-Fox’s book, 'For Everyone: Words and Paintings', the combination of words and images is a gift to the senses. I highly recommend it. Felix Calvino, Author of A Hatful of Cherries

For Everyone is absolutely beautiful and as I read the prose, and looked at the paintings, it was like going on a personal journey of my life. It touched on fond memories of my childhood and reinforced my beliefs in being an individual. As a teacher I know this book could be used in so many ways. In 2011 I organised and ran the Gifted and Talented Program in Writing at my school. Many students in my class published their poetry and stories in an Australian wide writing competition. I am continuing in this position in 2012 and will incorporate this unique book to help my students develop their ideas and be more expressive. The paintings and phrases in For Everyone are great conversation starters. They will also inspire and encourage students to be brave enough to share and express their thoughts and individuality. This book is a fabulous resource for educating and inspiring young people to share the beauty from within! Lou Walsh: Primary School Teacher

BLOGS/SITES OF INTEREST

Here are a few blogs/sites I think are interesting. It's a broad array!

EVERYBODY MEANS SOMETHING

WOLF ART + WORDS

DUCKSMAHAL

MONEYTHOUGHTS

SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN SYMBIARTIC

QUILTOPIA DESIGN

Cheers,

Kathryn

www.kathrynbrimblecombe-fox.com