Författare: Leya

Lens-Artists Challenge #120 – What a Treat!

/ Leya / 72 kommentarer

Tina has got a marvelous treat for us this week! African wildlife in glorious images through her lens. So, now we are looking forward to seeing Your treats – be it candy, grandchildren’s visits, a splendid hike or…

One of my own biggest treats is a visit to Kew Gardens – I don’t go that often…maybe once every fifth year – and this year should have been a Kew year for me. But then came Covid-19.

Maybe the fact that something is not easily available is one of the reasons for making it a special treat?

I will let the images speak for themselves. And, I really long for a new visit … In the opener, a late night view from the plane back from London.

A microphone? Yes…listen to Mother Nature and do everything you can to help her!

If you feel lost, disappointed, hesitant, or weak, return to yourself, to who you are, here and now and when you get there, you will discover yourself, like a lotus flower in full bloom, even in a muddy pond, beautiful and strong.
― Masaru Emoto,

This week we are including what we hope is a treat for all of you! At the suggestion of one of our followers we are announcing NEXT week’s theme. Our host, Patti, will share “FOCUS ON THE SUBJECT” on her blog Pilotfish. Please let us know what you think – is it helpful to know the theme in advance or do you prefer to be surprised?

Finally, sincere thanks to all of you who participated in my Hideaway challenge last week. I am glad most of us have a special place where we can focus on Life and our inner thoughts. Mindfulness. As always we enjoyed your creativity and the glimpses you gave us of your own lives.

Whatever you choose to treat us with, please remember to link to Tina’s post, and to use the Lens-Artists TAG. Until then, have a lovely week and please remember to stay safe.

Thursday Thoughts – Ifö Center

/ Leya / 37 kommentarer

Since 2014 this artist run culture project has brought some of the world’s best street artists to paint and create the old ceramic factory area, Iföverken, in Bromölla. This center is located about a 45 minutes drive from where I live. So, I decided to ask some friends to join in for a guided tour.

Please come along you too! The tour will take some posts further on…so stay tuned.

In the opener you see the main outdoor painting, Abstrakt Komikz Palais by D. Brains (2017) from Ronneby, Sweden.

You can see the outdoor works for free if you stay outside the old factory’s fence. This is T-Rex, a painting by world famous Belgian artist ROA. ROA generally paints wild or urban animals and birds that are native to the area being painted. Dinosaur skeletons were found around Bromölla in Skåne, thus a T-Rex it had to be.
Boy with Stone Face by Argentinian Milu Correch (2016)

Living Room by Teresa Holmberg. There is sound and light in the ”sofas” and the glass in the pillars are made from discarded Tiffany lamps.

Mandala by Sigrid Wallskog (2018). Made from discarded ceramic pieces found at Ifö.
Thoughtprovoking and important. Dehorning by Italian Vera Bugatti (2019). Discussing the poaching of our rhinos – and is dehorning the answer to save them? Is it the same animal without a horn?
We are what we think – Buddha, Wild Drawing (WD 2019), Balinese artist based in Greece. And…a car
Hand sign by Carolina Falkholt

Finishing off the outside of this 42000 square meters’ art factory – with nature’s own art.

Hope you enjoyed the tour – it is to be continued!

Lens Artists Photo Challenge #119 – My Hideaway

/ Leya / 188 kommentarer

First of all – a big thank you to Anne Leueen for helping Biasini host the excellent challenge last week! We have learned so much about communication – and in many ways we never had thought of before. Let us continue communicating in every positive way – it is essential for a good life!

This week, I thought we should go inside for communication – A Hideaway, is a place to which a person can retreat for safety, privacy, relaxation, to seek seclusion or refuge. Where or What is Your hideaway? We are looking forward to seeing your interpretations…and revelations!

The forest has always been my hideaway, and so have my garden. Two years ago I decided I had reached the end of my working days as a teacher, and I could finally think of yet another hideaway – in my garden – a glass house. I dreamed for many years – and planned for a whole year.

Finally – the day arrived when they started digging – but sadly I had to let go of the old birch tree stump that had supported my Agapanthus for several summers.

Then, a sunny August morning, our Green Room arrived and landed softly on the lawn.
When the frame was set, the ground stones were put in place…
…and lastly – the whole house. Two very skilled guys from ”Thyme and Trees” were engaged for this special work – craving meticulous attention to details. It would have taken my husband and me several weeks (or the rest of the year…)to accomplish.
Finally there! And my two little rascals made it Their hideaway before I even said ”Yes!”. Totti in the warm bosom of the house (of course) and Milo in the cooler outdoors.
A garden mirage, this misty morning?
No, Milo tells me it is for real!
Early evening, and the light is already fading here up north. I silently move inside and light the candles. I told mother we would sit here, sipping on a glass of wine on my birthday – Alone under the blanket, I feel the quietness, tangible, and my eyes rest in the
enigmatic reflections through the glass. Dreamy. Even if there wasn’t much time to grow things inside my glass house this year – I have great hopes for the coming year. Until then, I sit in the soft candle light, contemplating this strange year, 2020. Thinking of life and its constant flow.

”Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.” – Rachel Carson.

Have you seen these:

Andy of Aekshots

Paulie of Lifeinmyyears

Maria of Citysonnets

Looking ahead to October 24, Tina will invite us for Challenge #120, so be sure to visit her site on Saturday!

In closing, many thanks to all you creative people for your continued participation and support. I hope you have a great week – keep inspiring us and stay safe.