Rodney Smith

Rodney Smith - where to begin!?

I am such a big fan of this creative genius who

has the ability to make the ordinary beyond

extraordinary through his photographic magic.

Actually, it doesn't stop there because he is good

with words too, and when reading his blog posts

I feel I am taken on a pilgrimage through amazing

insightful tunnels of honesty and refection. He is

so clearly connected to 'that greater source of life'

where perspective and insight come easily.

Perhaps it is the fact that he studied theology
and received a degree in Divinity from Yale,
or simply because he walks this world wide
awake, his mind open and his eyes peeled.

I completely 'get' his creative expression and so
enjoy the fact that his fantastic images are shot

using a regular SLR camera onto Kodak film

- i.e. not the result of digital photography.

These photographs are the true reflection

of a person who is one with his instrument.

Someone who is open to the possibility

that life's magic is present everywhere

if only you allow yourself to see it.

Rodney has won 75 awards, however

I have a feeling he doesn't actually need

any or all of these proofs of his brilliance.

You see, even as a young man, he turned down

a few seriously impressive offers to lecture

at some of the world's best universities in favour

for riding slow trains in India, bicycling through

the Camarque, and strolling the streets of Paris..

It seems very clear to me that he is more interested in

life itself, the world and the people in it, than in any recognition.
But don't get me wrong though, he is all but arrogant or ignorant!
Instead he is so genuinely sweet when given a compliment.

I have written to him twice in starry eyed admiration of his work

and have received the loveliest replies within a day of doing so.
I think that says a lot about him - that he takes time to

respond in a genuinely friendly and interested manner.
He has also given me his permission to share with you
his work via this blog - something I find incredibly nice!

Before this post becomes an essay..

I really just wanted to say two three a few things here..

1. You must jump onto Rodney's website,

see his pictures & take time to read his blog, and

2. take note of the recent launch of his latest book

'The End'.

The book is extremely limited edition - a must have!

From the idea behind it, the creative concept, through to

the images, layout & typography - it is pure brilliance.

I am happy to relay your interest in buying

the book - please just leave a comment below

or drop me an email on charlottaward@y7mail.com.

Hopefully this post marks the beginning of your own

journey into the photographic world of Rodney Smith.

xCharlotta

Anita Kaushal

If you are not yet familiar with Anita Kaushal,

please allow me to introduce her to you now.

Anita is a designer of products & interiors, a shop owner, a writer,
an art director, a mother, and a woman whose vision is to always
create a feeling that gives comfort to the soul. She believes
products and interiors should be enjoyed, and not just admired
- something that comes through clearly in her own home,
that she shares with her husband and two children.

All pictures and words are borrowed from Anita's blog.

"The swing is long enough to seat both my children, who use it most days as

they look out onto the garden. Guests are apprehensive at first but in no time

at all they too get into the swing of things. It is my way of showing this

is a house to be enjoyed and one in which children are welcome always."

"We love sharing this kitchen and having the children lend a hand."

"Cherished possessions should be enjoyed and not hidden away. These butterfly 

cut-outs, made by my husband for my birthday, bring a smile to my face every day."

"The kitchen sofa is where we indulge in the Sunday papers & latte."

 "The hall is more than a utilitarian space and ours provides the perfect place for this

large mirror which reflects the living and kitchen, bringing both together. Favorite CD's,

pictures and a piano make it a space to gather and share, rather then simply pass through."

"Our bedroom and bathroom are one, simply divided by space. The shelves

are filled with favorite night time reading and treasured mementos. "

"The headboard is covered with a velvet bed-cover that I have stapled to the back
of the base as is the valance. I change both with the seasons. Light linen or voile
in the summer and silk or velvet in the winter. It is an easy update and transforms 
the look of the room."

"My son's room has a little hatch in the ceiling above his bunk; from here
he climbs into the loft, which has been converted into his playden."

"My daughter just turned 8 but the pink stage is very
much alive and I love that there is some colour here."

"The children's bathroom is given colour with the Rug Company's
needlepoint. I brought this to celebrate my first book deal."

I love how fresh and simple, yet warm & inviting this home is -
it is so full of personality and detail without feeling contrived or
cluttered. Needless to say, all this light and airy white appeals to
my Swedish soul and I could definitely spend a lot of time here!


Being close to nature, giving gratitude, learning and evolving,
facing challenges, living without regret, giving more than we get
and surrounding ourselves with loved ones and precious objects;
these are the things that add to our sense of inner happiness.


 These are the words that greet you when you log on to Anita's
shop site - 'Happiness Itself'. This online store is full of hand-picked

items that are presented with the most charming way...

Do jump across and have a browse through - it is well worth a visit!

 

 xCharlotta

Jakko Pernu

Amazing twig sculptures by Finnish artist Jakko Pernu.

Beautiful!

xCharlotta

Baby Animal Photography

These would look great blown up large, framed

and hung in a nursery or a child's room.

via

Sharon Montrose's Etsy shop

xCharlotta

Animal magic!

Just look at these breathtaking pictures by UK photographer
Nick Brandt!! Imagine being there, seeing these magestic
animals in real life. I am in awe of the talent of this man!

Do go to Nick's portfolio (HERE) to view these images in
larger scale and to flick through the rest of his collection!

xCharlotta

Sheep art

I am on some sort of farm-animal love trip right now..

You may have read about my recently spurred craving

for equestrian themes and horse art... well my latest love

was found via the 'Small and Chic' blog..

Sheep art! ..that made me go baaaah in delight!

The rooms they are set in and even the way they have been
framed is not right in my opinion, but the actual images
and photographic idea are just wonderful - I love the look of
over-sized close-up portraits of animals, and think there is a
big & lucrative market for this in the domestic pet-world as well.
In fact I have told my photography loving husband this, and hope
he will grant the Australian market quirky, cool and fabulous
portraits of their pets in the near future.. Be so much fun, right!?

The images also reminded me to revisit the amazing gallery
of animal photographer Catherine Ledner. Her work is fantastic
and so much fun! The bull on red (left below) is my favourite
and would look divine above the mantle in our dining room.

I wrote about her earlier - click HERE if you missed that post.

xCharlotta

Esquire Magazine - vintage covers

I  have framed many great old magazine covers

that I have picked up in Swedish antiquariat stores.

They are a wonderful resource of unique wall art,

that just keeps on getting better with the years.

Here are some fun covers by Esquire Magazine

that I saw HERE and sourced from HERE.

 

 

 

 

 xCharlotta

P.S. Vintage magazines are also a great birthday gift.

I once gave my father a whole pile of magazines issued

during the year he was born, and he was so chuffed.