Apr 29, 2014

Three Groovy Inspirations of the Week

(1) Photography




Aya Cabauatan's photography is gorgeous in one wordThis teenager's subjects are simply her group of pals it appears, but her work celebrates the lightness of being, most of her photographs glow like surreal. 

Her instagram feed _positivity has some serious magic for you.


(2) Cinemagraphs 

...  are images that contain within themselves "a living moment that allows a glimpse of time to be experienced and preserved endlessly." 

I LOVE this breezy animated skirt by Kevin Burg and Jamie Beck. Follow the link for more!






(3) Illustrated Book



This is the cutest I've ever seen, haha! 

BIRD BEAK BOOK by Oscar Bolton Green. "His immediate, essential style, with its patches of colour and clarity of line, shows how tiny hummingbirds stretch into the flowers to draw out the nectar and how graceful flamingo dips its spoon-shaped beak beneath the surface of the water."

I think having a toddler at home makes me listen keenly to the sound of say, a cuckoo, just to point it out to him and do a cuckoo call together! :-) And this "birdie" book totally sings to me.

Apr 27, 2014

10 Unmissable Textile Tours and Craft Tours in India

Are you the kind of traveler who loves a dive into the art and crafts scene of any place you go to? Do you love watching artisans create from scratch? Or learn ancient techniques of weaving, craft making, and watch experienced hands at work creating magic with their fingers?

Here is a list of craft tours and textile holidays in India that you must check out.

Art tours India, Textile tours India, Craft tours India
Sources (Clockwise from top): BoutiqueTours, MastyaCrafts, GoIndia.about 
  1. Textile tour in Kutch, Gujarat: Kutch is a destination quite popular among art and textile lovers already. The Mumbai-based Neha Gandhi of Matsya Crafts can take you on an unhurried, customized journey to the craftsmen of rural Gujarat.

  2. A Textile Trail in Kanchipuram by Breakaway: All die-hard Kanchipuram saree lovers must do this one to know where your "temple borders, checks, stripes and floral buttas" are coming from. Visit the traditional looms to see how your Kanchipuram saree gets woven from raw materials sourced from all parts of the country.  

  3. Indigenous textiles, jewelry, and handicrafts in Delhi-Nagaur-Jodhpur-Jaipur by Prior Knowledge: This is a 12-day tour initiated by David Prior. Prior Knowledge is "a membership-based ‘travel society’ – a luxury service with a not-for-profit arm, focusing on truly unique travel experiences that highlight and preserve culture, rather than exploit it."

  4. The Crafts and Textiles of Kolkata and West Bengal for the longer vacay-goers: This is 11 Days/10 Nights and is organized by Lost and Found Travel. Visit weaver villages around Kolkata known for their silk and cotton hand-woven saris, dhotis, jacquards, and jamdanis. They promise explorations of silk farming, cork carving,  textile villages around Shantiniketan, a community workshop for embossed leather goods, and much more.

  5. Legends of Lucknow: A Craft & Textile Exploration by Breakaway: Let the words on the website speak for themselves, "Drape yourself in the stories that make chikan so delightful to wear. Let the divine fragrances of ittar transport you to the heavens. Allow the traditions of naqqashi to delicately engrave their way into your heart." And indulge in "Ganjing" - this is a term used to describe ambling and shopping in the wide lanes and bylanes of the city's Ganj market."

  6. Visiting the Looms in Tamil Nadu by Breakaway: A journey to Tamil Nadu's vibrant and time-tested expertise in textiles through Kalakshetra (Chennai), Kanchipuram, Auroville (Pondicherry), Karaikudi, Gandhigram, and Madurai.

  7. Bagru Block Printing Workshop, in Bagru, Rajasthan by Vedic Walks: If you're hard pressed for time in Rajasthan, this one is for you. It gives you a quick half-day with the bagru artists in their workshop.

  8. A 12-day tour to remote tribal villages on the east coast of India by the UK-based Colouricious Holidays. This tour gives you a chance to "visit indigenous peoples in their heritage villages, making their cultural crafts for their livelihood"

  9. Painted Histories - Rajasthan by Breakaway: Peak into lesser known art forms, their creators and cultures - miniature art, Bundi style of painting, Kotah style, the Kishangarh style and so on in Rajasthan.

  10. A Brush with Nilgiris by Breakaway: The photographer, painter, traveler Mukesh Munim offers 2/3-day workshops in photography and painting (oils, acrylics, pastels). This tour also offers a stay at a farm "at the Khans' whose 22-acre property is a naturalists haven and who have also turned cheesemaking into a fine art". This is an ideal one for artists and art lovers who want to create in the lap of nature.
Don't you feel like packing up your bags and heading out now? Any of these craft tours in India could be an ideal exploratory vacation for a creative traveler, offering a chance to briefly immerse into our artistic traditions.

Apr 21, 2014

Bespoke Magazine and Wood-Block Art DIY

You ought not to miss the action at the Bespoke Magazine - a quarterly publication "jam-packed with crafty projects, handmade products, artisan interviews, indie business inspiration and tips, and an abundance of creative inspiration. The magazine is primarily for and by the creative and handmade community, and is "designed to delight and inspire the international creative community." The Bespoke blog is also loaded with creative content - tips for business owners, DIYs, etc.

Why am I excited?
I am guest blogging at Bespoke this entire week.

Today's post is a smart wood-block art DIY that you can try out too. How do you transform plain-Jane wood blocks into a piece of art in seven easy steps? 
Here is a glimpse... 

Guest blogging at Bespoke Magazine - Wood Block Art DIY

Please go over to the post on Bespokezine to read in detail and see the process. Do tell me if you have done any wood block artwork, would love to see yours too.

May the sun shine bright on your week! 

Apr 18, 2014

Three Groovy Picks of the Week

(1) Art + Photography
Antaratma by Elena Ray. Elena's stunning work is a visual exploration of a holistic universe using camera and brush. She is a "yoga student and desert soul" who lives in California. 
Clockwise from top: 'Hands of an Indian Dancer', 'Lotus Woman Meditation', 'Chosen', "Ringing of a Tibetan Bell'

(2) Creative Entrepreneur 
Ariele Alasko, a New York-based furniture builder and wood worker who crafts magic using plaster lath.
IMG_1674.jpg

Follow her Instagram feed for some daily wood goodness with a consistent color palette that is earthy, rustic.

(3) Website with Artsy Recipes 
Erin Gleeson's The Forest Feast filled with simple, healthy recipes - the best part is Erin's photography overlaid with her type and illustrations.
Hello, cute Superbowl Party food! I’m going to make these little Hummus-Tomato Deviled Eggs for the big game on Sunday. It’s been unseasonably warm in Northern California (with a lot of early blooms!) and I’ve been sitting outside with these for lunch several times this past week… and I can’t get enough of them! Just mash together the yolks with hummus, mayonnaise, and (spicy) mustard until creamy and spoon the mixture into the egg whites. I top each with a half of a grape tomato (like cherry tomatoes, but oblong like a football!). Finish with a sprinkle of smoky paprika and (Maldon) sea salt. Enjoy!

(All images sourced from the respective websites.)

Apr 17, 2014

Art Journal Exploits Prompt #6 - LEAF

I think this prompt has endless possibilities. Even as I type, I can picture it being represented in a zillion beautiful ways.


I painted/journaled it this way!

 



She shares secrets with the leaves and the wind.

A happy rest-of-the-week folks!

Apr 7, 2014

Color Blocking for Summer, and Art Journal Exploits Prompt #5

Summer doesn't sizzle as much here in pleasant Bangalore as in various other places in the tropics. However color blocking with summery hues and Juicy Watermelons are definitely on top of my mind.

I put it down on canvas today...
Summer - Acrylic on canvas, Ambika Sudhakaran, 2014

Juicy, yes!

Alrighty, Your Art Journal Exploits Prompt #5 is
Summer! 

Tell me what is top-of-your-mind when you hear "Summer"

Apr 2, 2014

Three Groovy Picks of the Week

Today's trio happens to be botanical inspirations.

Blog
Plant Propaganda "a horticultural design blog" by Delen Kitchen which curates products, artwork, fashion, food and interior design inspired by plants, besides containing the informative aspects of a traditional garden blog.
 Click to visit Plant Propaganda
Don't you love botanical prints, and plant inspired design? This site celebrates it all. I LOVE it.

Instagram
@aleajoy The beautiful feed of Alea, one of the ladies behind the floral studio Solabee Flowers
 Click to go to Solabee Flowers
I love the warm, rich tones she maintains throughout her feed. The photographs of her studio, home and floral arrangements are absolutely tasteful!

DIY
Botanic sketches tote bag tutorial by Mandy Pellegrin of Fabric Paper Glue blog.
A simple one to keep you occupied on a Saturday noon, and to carry along on a shopping trip.

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