Roadtrip

pics from my trip to the Westcoast Nature Reserve

Inspiration

Ginkgo

I have been spending a lot of time watching, photographing and reflecting on my favorite tree this week... I think it is one of the most elegant and beautiful plants on this earth. Love the way the leaves bend and move in the wind., the shape of the leaves and always thing of Goethe when spend time admiring a Ginkgo.
I want to in-cooperate it into my designs at the moment- so been sketching leaves (trying to sketch is more accurate actually)
Oh, and do you see the fading and small yellow dots? Well, looks like autumn is slowly making its entry into the cape...

Monochrome Wanderlust

Istanbul

The enjoyment of pottering around the city and snapping monochrome moments was a discovery I made during the Soccer World Cup last year... and while traveling I rediscovered my passion for it.

The stripping of colour makes it easier - at least it seem like that to me- to try and depict an essence of something- a scene, a moment or whatever I discover in the movement of the big city. There is just something defining and deep when one switches off the colour -- and captures the moment (or at least tries to). Suddenly I don't only see colours and details-- I sees events (we speaking about second long ones) . I think that's what makes my monochrome photography different to my 'normal' photography.

In the anonymity behind the lens watching life unfolding in a city,  one discovers a lot about a place and I feel I connect with the momentary happenings much more.

AND every time I take monochromes I find myself desiring to be a better photographer-- which I guess is a really good thing!

Colours

Gold & Blues

Sometimes I am honestly amazed to discover how different project seem to be made to match.... I guess my love for details and colour effects me much more than I am aware of.
What's your colour inspiration this week?

Colourful Tuesdays

PINK

I am still into the West Coast Colours... my choice this week- all the different shades of pinks. It's a hue that often surprises me. In all the greys, stones, beiges, greens and blues it pops up every now and then. Often one has to take a good look before discovering it. But then one finds the tip of a leave dipped in deep burgundy or flamingos roaming in the turquoise lagoon.
Clicke here for a more detailed palette
Next Tuesday will be yellow...

What's your colour of choice today?

Corner View

Autumn

In Cape Town Autumn, unlike in my home country Switzerland, is very subtle. You have to watch out for it other wise you missed it and its winter....due to this most people base seasons around here on the Calender. So on the 1st of April its Autumn- But Autumn like all the other seasons does not keep to calenders- so here are the signs of Cape Autumn:

suddenly the rains start again

the summer flowers are spent

the light becomes softer and the colours brighter

seed pods appear

Salvias and Proteas bloom

and the surest sign of autumn is the oak leaves are falling



but that seems a small eternity back- it is late spring in Cape Town at the moment!
so it looks more like this around here:

(more Cape spring in Stellenberg on Enchanted Gardens)

you can find more autumnal gorgeousness Corner Views visit here

Autum

just a quick post of sundays watercolour...

Letting go & taking a journey

It all started with this

I was touched by the quirky beauty of this ancient giant. While I was wondering what he might have seen, and how old he might be. I also realised that here in Cape Town not many signs of the season are to be seen other than on this fellow.

With my attempt to embrace autumn, which in this weather is a walk in the park, the oak trees have stuck out, their autumn colour show is gorgeous and since lots of tree are ever green around here, they are of the few celebrating autumn!
This led to me taking (tons of) photos of oak trees and leaves in last few days.

Yesterday I started painting into my notebook that has been laying around for months... ( instead of cleaning)

I really enjoy it, but it also made me aware that I have no experience in painting!
Today I added another little painting

I decided to see where all this takes me and just go with the flow. Will try and paint a little sketch everyday...
There will be more autumn photo daily over at the Viewing Glass.

Embracing Autumn.... with some goodies

 

 

Can't believe its Thursday already! soon weekend!!

The weather in Cape Town was glorious this week. We had 26C, not too bad for winter. isn't it? I wanted to go on a photo session, only to realise that my battery was flat- and (much much worse) I lost my charger! Somehow everybody in Cape Town has done the same, every photo shop seems to be out of stock of them. So I went for a walk without my lumix.

The pictures above are from the DKNY Fall'09 Collection.  I love the bright colours, bold patterns and the ladylike cuts. Am at the moment searching for a gorgeous dress like the above, or even a great cut pencil skirt- without killing my budget! which is a wee bit a problem for me (a recurring one actually)

 *sigh* for now I am just dreaming of owning these, and those cute boots too ;)

Embracing Autumn

Live in the moment!

For a while I have been trying to live after that motto. Because it's so true. On the surface so simple and easy. Not so easy to achieve though. Ones mind always wanders, one always wishes to be somewhere else... and misses the small miracles and beauty in front of us. In these rushed times I feel I get often carried away, forget to notice the details, forget also to enjoy the beauty of each moment and with that miss so much life brings. I truly believe that each moment has its benefit, difficulties bring reflection and gratitude for what one has. Good times bring good memories and the strength to brave the world and difficulties. And what is life other than many moments lined up together? So I have been trying to be in each moment, take its benefits and enjoy its (sometimes) hidden beauties. I also believe that when I do that I am more grateful, less forgetful of others and content. 

In this light I have , after some contemplation, been searching for the beauty in the autumnal rains and storms that have been sweeping through the Cape. The grey and wet weather makes me want to hibernate, or better even run away! Armed with my lumix, wellies,and umbrella i brave the rains and go out. - i have to mention that a raincoat would actually much more helpful since the winds here finish off any umbrella in a Bries, literally- 

Pottering through the rain last Tuesday, made me think of my childhood. How nothing could stop me going outside, how i used to enjoy the change of season, and how i loved discovering stuff- i guess i haven't changed that much. So I have embraced autumn!

At least I decided to try to embrace Autumn. Not quite sure I'll be ever in love with the cold and wet weather it brings. But I am making myself see the beauty and yes, live in the moment!

Don't forget to comment here, the give-away finishes tomorrow! 

I will be posting autumn photos here and on the Viewing Glass. Or you can just directly visit  flickr.

xo