On my table...

...

is this very old piece of heavily embellished fabric.

It may have been part of a decorator item, a pillow maybe. Anyhow, my guess is, it is from India and it is very old. I bought it years ago at Quilt Europe in Karlsruhe (Germany) and this morning I rediscovered it among other treasures. Finally it is going to be used! I think I will make it the focal point of an evening bag... time for partying is almost there!

Michigan - part 1

It is time to move on again with my report on our recent USA-trip!

After having visited Shipshewana (Indiana), our destiny was the state of Michigan. To tell the truth, the word Michigan did not mean a lot to me before, other than being one of America's states, but the change already came during the first days of our trip while we still were in Montana. We met a fellow-camper and fisherman in the Bighorn Canyon who was originally from Michigan and he was so truly and warm-heartedly promoting this state for its beauty, its unique qualities etc , that we decided to spend some time there. One of the very remarkable things we noticed, was the fact that there seems to be a huge number of inhabitants of Dutch origine. While driving on one of the states highways it could even have been Holland, because of the way the landscape had been used, you will understand that I felt very at home ;-) !

The busy traveling throughout the western states along Lake Michigan made us longing for nature, and less traffic, so some researching on the internet led us to the Sleeping Bear Dunes Nat'l Area in the north. It turned out to be a great choice, what beauty, what nature...

If you click the map below, you can see the details

I had heard a lot about the lighthouses on the Great Lakes; this actually is the very first one we visited: Point Betsy Lighthouse

we decided to drive a scenic byway and this was one of the 'not-to-be-missed' places.
OMG, one would expect to dive into the water immediately, isn't it?

this is the view from a little distance. People were being warned via big signs, the trip back (up!) apparently was very strenuous, we saw youngsters lying like fish on the land, gulping for air...

Our 3 day stay in the Sleepy Bear Dunes came to an end and we continued to our next goal. All along Lake Michigan's coast it went, via Traverse City (which looked remarkably attractive, despite its name) and the Cherry route up North:

Another thing the fisherman had advised: the Mackinaw Bridge and Mackinaw Island.

We decided not to leave our camper behind in order to visit the island, so it only was the bridge, which was impressive.

In fact I love bridges, I discovered...

Next time I will continue from St. Ignace (Michigan)!

With only a few parts reporting our trip to go, I hope you will tune in once again, see you!

Regina

Amazing...

Last week on Curacao we visited one of the beaches and found these amazing rocks

As an artist I am delighted by the colour combination of land and sea...

normally the rocks rise up from the water, but this one hangs above and you can even see the water lighten up below them: I would not dare to swim underneath it!

Colours of the Caribbean!

I got a message from Seth of the Altered Page that a part of my studio will be shown on his blog next Sunday in Studioscapes. Have a look, it is great to see where all the art is being created!

A lovely Friday,

Regina

New collages: River series

Funny how art can start!

In order to keep things managable in the house, I was screening my beloved magazines: which one to keep, which one to get rid of, you know the situation, don't you?

I have been collecting magazines for years on an end, browsing them every now and then and always feeling kind of 'rich' while doing so. Rich as a source for future inspiration. My most favorite zines are Cote Sud (which is French) and Happinez (Dutch). This 'treasure' traveled with me from the Netherlands to the Caribbean and I realize it would be crazy to bring them back again, no, not now , but in the not too far future. Books: ok, but magazines?

Back to the collages: I ripped out the articles and pictures that cannot yet be missed and in the series below I was mesmerized by the intense blue colour of lapis lazuli. On this island we are surrounded by the most beautiful turquoise waters, but this lazuli in an article on the Nile river, is a good runner up for me, I love it! The combination with the warm terracotta colour of buildings and sunset has it all for me.

Will you follow me along the river Nile?

Bleu Lazule

River series 1

original collage 5 x 7"

recycled magazines

River view
River series 2
original collage 5 x 7"
recycled magazines

Day's End
River series 3
original collage 5 x 7"
recycled magazines

Felouka
River series 4
original collage 5 x 7"
recycled magazines

With this new collage series I hope to be back in the creative groove. My working table is clean, materials organized, my mind brimming with ideas!

Leave a comment please if you want to let me know what you think about this new work, I look forward to hear from you,

A great Tuesday for all of you!

Regina

A country house on Curacao

This week we spent a few days on the isle of Curacao for a celebration and between the various parts I had some time for visiting an exhibit in one of the old country houses. Upon entering the venue, I was quite surprised of the beauty of the place, the soft light entering through the arched porch windows and the shadowy, tropical garden.

Country house Bloemhof

entrance of the gallery

the porch's roof, centuries old, so beautiful!

this wall was my favorite,
you can click it for a detailed look

click

the exhibit itself was not too great, I am sorry to say. But I was happy to have paid a visit, for the building alone was so worth it.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Regina

The Lionfish

The lionfish is entering our Caribbean waters.

It has no natural enemies and is said to threaten the species that have their habitat here. It also is very poisenous for humans. As often, I wonder how something so beautiful in itself, can have such a dark side. The news had me make this collage, a combination of the fish, a sea urchin and a picture of my art with tiny shells

Lionfish


digital collage

Inside it is cozy

Our island is under a flood watch, there seems to be a big depression near the Virgin Islands and as a result it is raining cats and dogs on Sint Maarten. And what about me, inside my tropical house?

I am enjoying the grey weather, the rare absence of the ever present sun and hot weather, just for a while that is! Have been working hard in my studio this morning, finishing my travel collages, varnishing them and cutting mats. Below is one of the series, referring to yesterday's post

Amish Girls
original collage 4 x 4 "

recycled tourist brochures


Keep it dry today!

Regina