A visit to Montsalvat – an artist colony

Montsalvat is an artists’ colony in Eltham, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Established by Justus Jorgensen, the colony is set among gardens on five hectares of land, and is home to dozens of buildings, including houses, halls, studios, galleries and stables.-Wikipedia I visited this place together with some of my friends, a few weekends…

Warm colours of nature

This week, Egidio leads us for the Lens Artist Photo Challenge with the topic of Warm Colours. “Traveling is not just about reaching a destination; it’s about embracing the warmth of new experiences along the journey.” Autumn is my favorite time of the year, so twice already, I have opted to travel in the months…

Thumbs up if it is OK!

Just got home to see the Triennial exhibit at the National Gallery of Victoria. This is a sculpture in front of the NGV by David Shrigle. Linked to Debbie’s 6WS

Empty Chairs at Montsalvat

Went to this artist colony called Montsalvat last week. Sadly the restaurant and cafe is being renovated so there were many empty chairs with nothing to munch on. Linked to Xingfumama’s Pull Up a Seat Challenge

Doors in and around the Dali Museum

Figueres, the birthplace of Salvador Dalí (May 11, 1904 – January 23, 1989), is not only where this iconic artist was born but also a town that reflects the brilliance that defined his work. I have compiled some doors that I saw in and around the Dali Theatre Museum in Linked to Dan’s Thursday Doors…

Angel’s Trumpet

This is my Last on the Card photo which I took last weekend at my sister-in-law’s garden. Taken with my IPhone 13 This is the Brugmansia which is commonly called Angel’s Trumpet. Linked to Brian’s LastOnTheCard and Cee’s FOTD These are some shots that I also took on that day.

Tuesday Streetart by Bronik – 25

BARCELONA, SPAIN A streetart by Bronik. Clearly, she is becoming one of my favourite street artist. It is only now that I found out that she is an artist/muralist/streetartist/illustrator from Peru but now based in Melbourne. Gotta search for her work now in my walks.

A walk through Dali’s Mind in Figueres

TRAVEL DIARY: FIGUERES About a 40 minute bus ride from Girona took us to Figueres, the home town of Salvador Dali. “I want my museum to be a single block, a labyrinth, a great surrealist object. It will be [a] totally theatrical museum. The people who come to see it will leave with the sensation…

Bluestone Chapel’s Windows

This is the Bluestone Chapel that sits high on a hill within the grounds of Montsalvat Arts Colony, only about 40 minutes away from Melbourne. Stained glass windows surround the chapel. While the main altar appears simple at first glance, closer inspection reveals attention to detail on its wooden carvings which elevates its elegance.

Exploring Melbourne’s Day & Night

This week’s topic for Lens Artist Photo Challenge is Day & Night I’ll stay close and showcase my home city, Melbourne for this challenge. Its diverse neighborhoods and vibrant urban culture create a lively daytime atmosphere, offering a variety of cuisines and renowned for its coffee culture. As dusk falls, the city transforms into a…

Hey kitty: why the purr-plexing look?

Saw this kitty who was very friendly to us when we went to the art gallery. It even knows how to pose for the camera. Linked to Debbie’s Six Word Saturday – 6WS

Two red Chairs

LONDON, UK Somewhere in London I found this shop dedicated mostly on pre-loved chairs. Linked to Xingfumama’s Pull Up a Seat Challenge

Doors of Girona

One of the most historic sites in Spain is Girona that lies in northeast Catalonia. The doors in Girona are a mixture of extravagant and elegant ones. … simple, wooden and metal doors … and some mural and graffiti doors Linked to Dan‘s Thursday Doors

She lost herself in the trees

For this week, Anne-Christine leads us with the challenge of picking a poem or quote and using 1-4 pictures to illustrate this. (Ooops Sorry for having an extra photo) I stumbled upon a brief poem by Christy Ann Martine on Google, and I was intrigued by its mystery. Here goes … She lost herself in…

Stachys Byzantina

Stachys byzantina or Lamb’s Ears, is an evergreen perennial known for its velvety silver leaves resembling lamb’s ear, and its fuzzy flowers. Saw this at the Wilson’s Botanic Gardens. Linked to Cee’s FOTD snd for John’s Cellpic Sunday

Laundry day

BARCELONA, SPAIN This is my initial entry for My Vivid Blog and the prompt today is Laundry. I just saw her blog on Brian’s space.

Barceloneta Beach

The Barceloneta Beach is one of the most visited and most famous beach in Barcelona. As we arrived late in the day, we witnessed the staff already in the process of removing chairs from the beachside eatery . Linked to Xingfumama’s Pull Up a Seat Challenge

Streetart Doors in Barcelona

In Barcelona, vibrant murals adorn front safety doors, cleverly doubling as advertisements for shops even when closed. Linked to Dan’s Thursday Doors Challenge

Ways to communicate…

In what ways do you communicate online? Migrating to Australia with my husband and one-year-old son left me homesick for a long time. Back then, snail mail was my lifeline to connect with my dad, workmates, and relatives due to the expense of long-distance calls. In today’s digital age, communication is easier but lacks the…

As the sun sets

“Sunsets are the most peaceful moments that nature offers.” – Unknown The word “dramatic” immediately takes my thoughts to the enchanting canvas painted by sunsets. There’s a certain beauty and emotional intensity in the way the sun bids farewell, with a sense of drama and wonder. “As the sun sets, the world becomes a canvas…

A tiny plaza in El Born Gothic quarter

The Sant Pere de les Puelles Catholic church in the Plaza de San Pedro, or Placa Sant Pere, in the El Born Gothic quarter of Barcelona, Spain. I discover a quaint plaza nestled beside the church, adorned with inviting benches and chairs—an ideal spot for serene moments.

Doors of the La Sagrada Familia

Welcome back, everyone! We’re diving into Dan’s Thursday Doors challenge for 2024. Here’s my initial entry for the year. In 2015, they put the first doors on La Sagrada Familia’s Nativity façade Charity portal. Made by Etsuro Sotoo, the bronze doors with ivy leaves represent lasting love for Mary and Joseph. The doors on the…

Exploring the Wonders Within and Beyond Sagrada Familia

TRAVEL DIARY BARCELONA 2: It is not unusual to walk down the streets of Barcelona and not see art in whichever way or form. From Casa Batllo we walked about 10 minutes and we reached another of Gaudi’s masterpieces, Casa Mila, more popularly known as La Pedrera (meaning stone quarry in Catalan). We didn’t go…

My Personal Favourites for 2023

A photo becomes a favorite for various reasons. While it might not hold the same significance for everyone, for me, it’s the attached memories that make it special. Linked to Patti’s LAPC Challenge “Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes…

Whimsical: for the child within you

Step into a storybook dessert place, adorned with lollipops, fairy floss and magical trees … a whimsical world of sweets. In Camden market, London, I saw this delightful sweets and ice cream shop called Hans & Gretel. I had this Ube (purple yam) & Honeycombe flavoured ice cream. Linked to Natalie’s Photographing Public Art Challenge…

Tuesday Streetart – Banksy Originals- 21

BRISTOL, UK Here are two original murals by Banksy in Bristol. Well-hung Lover is best viewed from the Park Street bridge above Frogmore Street, as the work is approximately five metres above street level. The attention to detail is impressive because the windows are of the same size as those on surrounding buildings. The Girl…

Stepping to a new year

As we step into the new year, may our hopes and our wishes come true. Wishing for abundant joy, success, and cherished moments. Here’s to more family time, thrilling adventures, exciting travels, and moments of self-indulgence in the activities we love. Cheers to a fulfilling 2024! Linked to Johnbo’s Cellpic Sunday

Tuesday Streetart by Otto Schade – 20

LONDON, UK A typically painted interwoven ribbon creation by Otto Schade can be seen in Hawley Street in Camden Town. It is Amy Winehouse plus other examples of his work. This is a scheduled post for this week.

My 2023

My last post for this year is a look-back on the year that was. So many memories made and much to be grateful for. Linked to Cee’s FOTD and to Xingfumama’s Whatsoever is Lovely Challenge ————————- oOo ————————- Wishing all of you a blessed Christmas Season and joyous New beginnings… ————————- oOo ————————- “No matter…

Tuesday Streetart Red Flowers -19

CATALUNYA, BARCELONA, SPAIN It’s such a waste when people vandalise a gorgeous mural. I found this one in Barcelona. It is a mural entitled Red Flowers by Bronik. _______________________________oOo____________________________________________ *Five days before Christmas, amidst the festive preparations, my husband and I find ourselves contending with COVID. Thankfully, our symptoms aren’t severe, marking our first experience…