Calligraphy, Art Lettering and Jean Wilson

Us creative types are inspired by other artist types. We love to share our creative talents and encourage eachother because the truth is that we are often secluded; the reason being that we are creating or getting inspiration. Inspiration is a personal thing. Not just because I named my blog Inspirations by Stella, but because it means something unique to each of us.

I follow Jean Wilson's blog "Pushing the Envelopes". It is a delightful tiny inspiration contained on the modest and overlooked envelope. 

Here comes my Greek plug:

Calligraphy is a Greek word...( no windex in this blog post)

Its root is calli which means good/beautiful and graphy which means writing.

So Calligraphy is a form of art lettering that is expressive, harmonious, beautiful.

As a gesture of inspiration, Jean Wilson made me an envelope which she featured on her blog on March 23,2013 two days before Greek Independence Day.

Red is a favorite color of mine. I particularly like the white lines, and the negative space which draws the eye even more attentively to those lovely lines that meet the postage stamp.

Next I received an envelope of my own from her, in response to her offer to send me some exemplars of calligraphy. So delightful to receive one of these in my very own mailbox! 

Imagine my surprise opening the mailbox after mundane monday at the office.

Ok, so its Easter now, not Hannukah, but the lettering....it looks like bead work on the letters.  I do collect stamps and really find these to be a sweet addition. Look how the colorful stamps offset the minimal linear letters. Not to mention the waves of the postmark, contrasting the linear forms and the barcode that looks like an echo of the Des Moines postmark.

Interesting how one can combine postage with lettering and bingo you have a personalized art gift. 

Who doesn't like to receive hand written mail?

Thanks so much Jean Wilson, I do enjoy your blog so much.

Happy New Year 2013

As I prepare my heart for the New Year there are many quotes that I can search for. The opportunity to contemplate new beginnings and fresh starts is unavoidable. Personally, the new path of my life has been a challenge.

However, my faith in God under-girds me and enables me to embrace the new.

This quote is taped on the door of my studio:

"A few days and our work will be done.

And when it is done, it is done to all eternity.

A life once spent is irrevocable.

It will remain to be contemplated throughout all eternity."

by Adoniram Judson (1788-1859)

&

Everything will be all right in the end,

and if its not all right, 

then its not yet the end.

from the movie The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

May we all embrace the New Year in health, love, and kindness.

Happy New Year ♥

Merry Christmas and God bless you ♥

How does time fly by so fast? Its almost six months since my last post. 

Life gets busy for all of us - I find every year gets more challenging to slow down the pace of our everyday. Even singing Christmas Carols ... as a young girl there were many occasions, on the radio, in the shopping centers, in school, at church. Now everything is rushed and its more like singing O Hectic Night.

Lets try to recall that this is a season that records a historical event. The birth of Jesus, the Son of God. Whether or not you believe He was the Son of God does not change the fact that His birth is recorded in history. There are those that say He was a prophet, a wise man, a great man.

One thing is sure. He came humbly, and He lived among us. 

He came to pay a debt He didn't owe because we owed a debt we couldn't pay.

The most quoted passage in the Bible is John 3:16. I also love the verse after it:

For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have ever lasting life. 

For God did not send his Son into the World to condemn the world but to save the world through Him.

I hope my friends and family will enjoy a reflective moment this Christmas season. A holy moment instead of a hectic one. A faith journey is an intimately personal one. May the wonder of Christmas bring you faith, love and hope.

Getting a new groove

Life has seasons of quiet, and busy. Then there is that place between projects. One project is completed, the next is waiting in your brain, percolating. Before the one was completed, I decided it was time to nourish my artist brain. So I enrolled in an advanced watercolor course at the Visual Arts Center.

Julia Cameron author of the Artist's Way, calls it "filling the well, stocking the pond"  She writes that over an extended period of time our creativity becomes like an overfished pond, then we get artists block . The solution is to consciously put fish back in the fish pond.
For artists, we do this by a sensory  input-visually, musically, a walk in the forest, or a trip to the museum. We must do what intrigues us, gives us joy, and in my opinion, get out of our comfort zone.
My teacher, José Duclos is a gifted teacher who gently nudged me out of my comfort zone, patiently, all the while o000h ing and aaaahhhing when I did some miniscule step in a new direction.

This painting was my breakthrough. Artistically it is so different from my current style. As much as I struggled with it, I fell in love with the technique.

People often say you have to learn to control watercolor. Jose does not teach this.  

This is my practice for painting tulips...see how much in control I am?

Then there was this practice...hmmmm, I actually began to relax with this.

And while this whole painting is only a practice painting, it is the loveliest of all. I need to make time now to practice my new groove!

Susan Mitchell - Illustrator of Children's Books

I have known Susan for several years and have admired her illustrative style and talent. The sweetness of her personality shines through her art work. Her site can be found at http://www.susan-mitchell.com

Stewart Hall in Pointe Claire

Originally from Scotland where she studied at Edinburgh College of Art, she moved to Montreal in 1993.
When Susan was a child, her mother would read books to her and her sister every night. They would then spend hours making their own stories and creating illustrations for them.

Recently she had an exhibit of her original art work on display at Stewart Hall in Pointe Claire. It was delightful to see so many paintings and the toys that she sews herself on display. Right after I finished taking the photos the room was flooded with children from a neighbourhood school. They loved the toys and books.

Pumpkin Baby by Jane Yolen

You can find Susan on Facebook, and like her page.

Stuffed Toys and magazine featuring her toys

Claire and the Unicorn Happy Ever After

Canada's Titanic-The Empress of Ireland

With all the reminders about the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, I am moved to bring to remembrance an event of equal proportion that happened in May 29, 1914 in Canadian waters.
I learned about The Empress of Ireland when I met Anne Renaud, a Montrealer, presenting her book for young readers: Into The Mist.

The Empress of Ireland carrying 1,477 passengers and crew sank in the St.Lawrence River. The loss of life was great, a total of 1, 102 people died. Of that number, 840  were passengers, 8 more than the Titanic. The ship sank in just 14 minutes. There was a collision at 2:00 in the morning with a Norwegian ship, SS.Storstad, the dense fog was to blame. This is the greatest maritime disaster in Canada. The Empress carried the people who helped build modern Canada.

It had left Quebec City, returning to Liverpool. This ship was a Royal Mail Ship carrying mail and immigrants to Canada who was giving free land on the Prairies. Unlike the Titanic, this ship had to her record 95 round trips between England and Canadian shores.

The Empress, had severe damage to her starboard side, and listed rapidly, taking on water. The lower decks were only a couple of feet above the water level, and with the portholes open, water rushed in they drowned. The passengers on the upper decks had little time to get out and into the lifeboats before the Empress listed so far on her side that it became impossible to launch any more lifeboats.

The passengers included 167 officers and soldiers of the Salvation Army who were travelling to London for an international conference. In Toronto, the Mount Pleasant Cemetery has a monument in their honor.

This tragedy was soon forgotten with the declaration of  World War I, and the epic loss of life on foreign soil.

The Pointe-au-Pere museum in Rimouski Quebec houses a permanent exhibit of artefacts.

The artistry of simple prayers

The great painter will tell  you that he mixes his brains with his colors; and when he takes his brush and dips it into the paint, he lays it on with his soul. In a great picture, such as sometimes we have seen my Titian, or Raphael, it is not the color but the man's heart that has got out on to the canvas. Somehow he has managed to drop his brush into his soul. That is real painting.

And so it is with prayer. The humbles man that prays to God with his soul understand the fine art of prayer; but the man who chants a pompous liturgy, or repeats an extemporaneous effusion, has not prayed. He has dashed off what he thinks to be a picture, but it is not a picture, it is not a prayer. Had it been a prayer it would have had a palpable inspiration in its light and shade. A painting may consist of few lines, but you will see the painter's hand in it; a prayer may consist of only a half dozen words, but you can see the hand of God in it.

From a sermon by Charlse Haddon Spurgeon entitled "The Chariots of Ammi-Nadib"; image by Stella Papadopoulos-inspired from a trip to the Holy Land.

Happy St.Patrick`s Day

About the man:  His father and grandfather were deacons in the Christian church. At the age of sixteen, he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and taken captive to Ireland as a slave. After a dream in which God told him how to escape, he returned to Britain and went to school to become a priest.
In 432, he went back to Ireland as a missionary, to convert the pagan polytheistic Irish to Christianity. He used the Shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to them. That was his life's work for 30 years, and is today highly esteemed by the Irish church.

The pillars are 25 meters high made of white oak encased in marble

Montreal connection: Well there isnt really, except that we have a St.Patrick's Basilica built in 1847. It is just gorgeous! The stained glass work inside is very beautiful. It is the Mother church of English speaking Catholics in Montreal. In 1996 it was designated a National Historic Site of Canada.

Thomas D'Arcy McGee, a Father of the Canadian Confederation, was a member of this church. He was elected to the first Canadian Parliament in 1867 as a Liberal-Conservative from the riding of Montreal West. He is the first Canadian victim of a political assassination.



The beautiful sanctuary lamp weighs 815 kg and was installed in 1896.

Add caption

I went to visit this church last summer. It is so exquisite, and surrounded by skyscrapers. The grounds are beautiful, there is a sense of peace that overcomes you as you enter- the noisy downtown core is drowned out by the shelter of the building. Really it is worth a visit.

Montreal’s original Skyscraper: The Aldred Building

Art Deco is my latest inspiration. A beautiful example is the Aldred Building in Old Montreal's Place d'Armes public square. It is a sister building to New York's Empire State Building, also completed in 1931.

Art Deco is an artistic design style that began in Paris in the 1920's, influencing architecture, interior design and jewellery. It is typified by linear symmetry, elegant and modern styling. The designers often integrated motifs of local flora and fauna.

The Aldred Building’s distinguishing feature was not only its height. The Art Deco style of its design was a jewel among  the surrounding buildings with classical style detailing.

The architect, Ernest Isbell Barott also designed the Bell Canada building on Beaver Hall Hill. Construction began in July 1929, and continued despite the stock market crash of 1929. In 1931 it was completed at a cost of $2,850,000. 

I'm freezing out here taking pictures!

Montréal ranks in the top ten cities in the world for its Art Déco architecture.

Art Deco Society of Montreal is a bilingual, nonprofit organization formed to foster awareness and appreciation of the Art Deco period (c.1920-1940) http://www.artdecomontreal.com/

Tiles ! Guest Post from Mosaicology blogger

Magda Papas of my blogger links: Mosaicology is the guest featurer; Such a beautiful blog! Such a privilege to have her guest blogging.

How tiles can help you express and define your style

Tiles, tiles, tiles!

We have all broken some and we will always be surrounded by them.

Our relationship with them is to say the least a “bonding” one.

But have we ever considered what lies behind the tile choices we make? It’s really intriguing to think that the tiles you will use to embellish and waterproof your home have an everlasting effect that you will not be able to alter unless you are a constructor who does this for a living or a maniac who constantly needs to break things.

You will want to make sure you make the right choices based on your style, attitude, way of thinking, principles. Having said that I realize how challenging it is because we ALL CHANGE as we grow.

Another “challenge” when deciding what tiles you want has to do with men who LOVE to get in your hair with their own “recipes” for aphrodisiac dinner solutions and who will not SPARE A SINGLE MOMENT to tell you what they think about home decoration. Or maybe they do? Are you one of those lucky women whose husbands/boyfriends SHARE or better HAVE a point of view on what style you want for your home in which YOU BOTH live?

Aha, make sure HE reads this post too!

Today I will be highlighting the qualities of some tiles I have spotted analyzing how they can help you express and define your style by taking into consideration the mood and feelings they convey to the viewer.

GREEK ISLAND DREAM

The tiles from Avente are extraordinary. This little tile mosaic in blue and white reminded me of Greece as soon as I saw it. What is striking about this little jewel is that, being comprised of smaller tiles and mosaic tiles, it is small enough that seen from a distance you get the idea of an integrated, balanced wall that doesn’t get “interrupted” by the gaps between the tiles (interstices). Then, if seen closely, you discover its complexity. It’s a wonderful way to add colour in your kitchen and buck the trend of using plain coloured tiles. Blue is the colour of calm and tranquility and this specific product, the way I see it, is the quintessential Greek island lover design. 

CLASSY TRADITION

Since we are into blue, let’s take a look at this Baroque composition here from Euromkii, Portuguese tile artisans. A look from close will demonstrate the craftsmanship involved. Two colours are enough if you know your art and you are able to embrace tradition and employ your imagination to produce such exquisite patterns. If you love rich patterns but seek a calm effect, this is for you.

INTRINSIC WARMNESS

We will stay with Euromkii because they are full of surprises starting with this design, apparently their latest published product as at the time of writing. Intrinsic detail, optimistic colour combination bound to make a statement of a highly creative individual with a hint of boldness for choosing pink for the kitchen. Combining however green with pink, softens the boldness and gives that effect of optimism and warmness.

EDGY LITERALLY

Did I give the impression I am old-fashioned? To prove you wrong, this little geometric beauty is a relief ceramic tile predominantly fit to modern settings. The minimalistic effect is perfect for those who do not want to engage in something too complex and elaborate as far as design is concerned while they are sure to receive lots of compliments for their sophisticated choice. Relief and uneven tiles are a trend right now so maybe you should hurry up if you want to revamp your kitchen now.

WINDOWS TO NATURE

Last but not least, this tile blew my mind with the astounding imagination behind the idea of a tree and a bird in two different backgrounds. The balance in this tile is achieved with the intelligent use of colour (e.g. soft green colour for the bird’s body), bird’s inclination towards the tree, relief outlines around the two pictures. Who can ask for anything more? Surely this tile is not for covering an entire wall but patches here and there on a light green or beige wall will guarantee a very stylish kitchen with “windows” to nature.

1^st and last pic from www.aventetiles.com

Others from www.euromkii.com

Magda Papas besides providing freelance translation services loves writing about mosaic/tiles, luxury, work life balance and naturally freelancing. Hire her to write elegant and powerful content''.


Connect with her through her twitter account @magdameta, email her at phimag@live.com or contact her via her web profile on Proz

Persevere

Josh Billings, the 19th century American humorist penned:

"Consider the postage stamp;it secures success through its ability to stick to one thing till it gets there."

Grandma Moses from Bennington Vermont

Grandma Moses (September 7, 1860 - December 13, 1961) is the perfect example. This lady was creative since childhood, known also for her quilting and embroidery. But when her responsibilities on the farm were done, at 76 she began to paint. She painted American scenes of rural life and was soon discovered by an art collector who gave her first solo art exhibition in New York City in 1940. Her painting, The Fourth of July, hangs in the White House. And in 1969 the US Government issued a postage stamp in her honor.

Bennington Museum in Bennington VT

Montreal Etsy Sellers

Etsy is more than a marketplace: it's a community of artists, creators, collectors, thinkers and doers. In case you don't think handmade is that significant...here are some statistics:

*$69.8 million of goods were sold by the Etsy community in December 2011, 12.9% higher than November’s *$61.8 million.

*The $69.8 million of goods sold by the community represents a 69.9% increase from December 2010′s total.

*That represents 3,356,890 items sold for the month, 8.1% higher than November’s 3,106,122.

*788,562 new members joined the Etsy community in the month, up 124,408, or 18.7%, from November.

*1.2 billion pageviews were recorded on the site in December.

Now that I have your attention, here are afew Montrealers:

Chic texting fingerless mitts, winter, hand,alpaca, original design

BijouxTricot Fait au Quebec par Suzanne Charlebois. She is a uniquely creative designer and better than that a darling person!

Monsterrama Art by Tyson
http://www.etsy.com/shop/TysonBodnarchuk

This next shop is also run by Tyson and Angie:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/VintageHeadquarters

And another creative soul who typifies Montreal is JaneHeller:

Habitat 67 - Fine Art Photograph - Montreal Landmark Series

What Burden Do You Need to Put Down?

There are things that we were never meant to carry. Yet we do.

Worse still, sometimes we put them down and after a little while, go back and pick them up again.

In this photo my teenage daughter is holding up the Leaning Tower of Pisa !

Teens do that sort of thing...

I came across this sweet story on the web:
Long ago and far way there were two priests who went on a long walk that lasted many days. They were walking through a forest when they came upon a wide river. On the banks of the river, there stood a young woman. She told them that she needed to cross the river but that she was frightened that she would be swept away by the current. She asked for their help.

The older of the two priests immediately lifted the woman up into his arms and crossed with her to the other side. The younger priest followed. He was astounded by what had just happened. He thought to himself, ‘we’re not allowed think about women, talk about women and certainly not touch women and yet my older brother lifted her and carried her across the river’. He couldn’t believe it, he didn’t understand it. But he did not say a word.

The two priests kept on walking in silence. The younger priest could not stop thinking about what had just happened. Finally, after many hours had passed, the younger priest turned to the older man and said,
“Please, tell me, how is it that you did what you did? We are not allowed touch women and yet without any hesitation you carried her across the river.”

The older priest replied, “Yes, I picked her up, I carried her across the river and I put her down…You, my son, are still carrying her”.

What are you carrying that perhaps you should have put down?





Just in case you missed it...Greek Etsy Team in London

Featured in December 2011on their blog:

Although Greece is through a very hard economical crisis... our members always find their way for something special!

Last week, 1 and 2 of December the Etsy Greek Street Team graced London with some rays of creativity, brightness and loads of wide smiles. Several of our members, as well as the team itself, were featured on a rather fabulous billboard display in Potters Field Park just across the London Tower Bridge. Even the sun came out to greet us in an otherwise gloomy London. We had a blast engaging in some much needed shameless promotion and we like to think that we helped get Etsy just a little bit more out there :)

I told you they are a special bunch!

Put Down Your Burden

There are things that we were never meant to carry. Yet we do. Worse still, sometimes we put them down and after a little while, go back and pick them up again.

I came across this sweet story on the web:

Far, far way there were two priests who went on a long walk that lasted many days. They were walking through a forest when they came upon a wide river. On the banks of the river, there stood a young woman. She told them that she needed to cross the river but that she was frightened that she would be swept away by the current. She asked for their help.

The older of the two priests immediately lifted the woman up into his arms and crossed with her to the other side. The younger priest followed. He was astounded by what had just happened. He thought to himself, ‘we’re not allowed think about women, talk about women and certainly not touch women and yet my older brother lifted her and carried her across the river’. He couldn’t believe it, he didn’t understand it. But he did not say a word.

The two priests kept on walking in silence. The younger priest could not stop thinking about what had just happened. Finally, after many hours had passed, the younger priest turned to the older man and said,
“Please, tell me, how is it that you did what you did? We are not allowed touch women and yet without any hesitation you carried her across the river.”

The older priest replied, “Yes, I picked her up, I carried her across the river and I put her down…You, my son, are still carrying her”.

What are you carrying that perhaps you should have put down?

 

HAPPY 3rd Anniversary Etsy Greek Street Team!

February 15th is the 3rd anniversary of the Greek Street Team!

Chronia Polla to a very special group!

The Greek Street Team is a group of artists and crafters who sell on Etsy and are located in Greece or related to Greece by heritage.

Featured from top left is

katerinaki1977

Lasunka

Nafsika who has her Etsy shop button on my blog (go see!)

nicethingsmatter (who has also been featured)