“I don’t wear watches so I can work outside of time” Gregory Colbert

Gregory Colbert, the Canadian artist who prefers to be called a story teller rather an artist has created one of the most beautiful art exhibitions in history. His work caught the attention of millions after first exhibiting in Venice in 2005. Colbert is very special to me, his perception and aptitude for capturing life beyond humans is nothing less than spectacular. Colbert succeeds in his artistic advocacy for animals and tells their story better than any other documentary, film or movie. Colbert left on a cinematic journey years ago where he literally moved in with the animal kingdom. His nomadic exhibition entitled Ashes and Snow documents his relationship with the world around us.  His work has been made in to films and photographic monuments depicting the raw beauty, spiritual connection and purest story of man and nature. I think in this time where so much of nature is being destroyed and ruined Colbert’s perspective is crucial. Many critics have said that this work is staged and contrived. Colbert claims that he became attached to his subjects, waited years to be accepted by the animal kingdom and this is what was produced. In an interview he says “Celebrity is a mask that eats your face”, he has no ulterior motives and his humility is admirable.

There are many videos and photographs that fell out of this exhibition but here are some of my favorites:

Wish I may, Wish I might…

Today I was being bombarded with stories from friends who are currently in transition periods in their lives. New jobs, new relationships-no relationships, vacations on the horizon and internal conflicts you wish would just go away!

My mother once reminded me that the most tragic thought we can have as women is wishing away our days. While reminiscing, she told me that you reach a point in your life where you start wishing you had more days; you wish you could go back to certain points in your life and savour them all over again.  My mother is youthful, patient, content and happy but more than anything I recognize how truly wise she is. Recently, I have been thinking about what our older generations have to say and this is something I want to share with all of you. There is so much wisdom in having patience; it’s no surprise that we hear about it all the time as being a virtue. We are all guilty of being in a vicious cycle of wishing for something else when we already have so much. Let’s stop this pattern and start encouraging one another to be ok with right now.

I know we have all had awful days where we wish the day would just end. We wish away weeks, months, even years anticipating what will come next. We find ourselves saying, I wish I would meet a guy, I wish I had a better job, I wish he would propose, I wish I could get pregnant, I wish we had that house! These feelings and questions circulate in our minds way too often. Sometimes our thoughts get away with what’s to come and sadly we end up forgetting how fortunate we are today. I wanted to post this little reminder on my blog for all of us who have been wishing away our days lately.

Be thankful for today, be hopeful for tomorrow and let’s wish only to enjoy right now!

Et puis il y a eu Chanel...

and then there was...Chanel

Well ladies, if you haven’t already made the effort to seek out the spring/summer 2011 runway show for Chanel then you’re truly missing out!

This just takes runway style and design to a whole new level of fashion extravagance. From catwalk models to live orchestra stage left this dramatic show is a must see.

Unfortunately, I have to say the shoes were more than disappointing but with the architecture and theatrical presence of this show it’s hard not to fall mad in love all over again for Chanel...

Wynken, Blynken and Mod!

Wynken, Blynken, and Mod one night
   Sailed off in a pink Chanel shoe

Sailed on a river of Swarovski crystal,
   Into a sea of blue.
"Where are you going, and what do you wish?"
   The Dior clerk asked the Three.
"We have come to search for the couture we wish
   That live in this beautiful store;
   Nets of Visa and Amex have we!"
   Said Wynken, Blynken And Mod

The cheeky clerk  laughed and worked those red heels,
   As the girls rocked out in their new frocks,
And the Visa that sped them all night long
   Ruffled their lacy locks.
The little threads that made that dress
   That lived in that beautiful store
"Now cast your Birkin wherever you wish
   Never afeard are we";
   So cried the men of the best dressed three:
   Wynken, Blynken and Mod…

Re-created by: Talia Antonopoulos

As many of you know I adore online shopping!

Below are some of my favourite looks from http://www.modcloth.com/ which is one of my favourite online shops.

Please check them out and take a look at this super cute and girly store. It was created by highschool sweethearts Eric Koger and Susan Gregg Koger. All the items are cleverly named taking this online shopping experience to a whole new level of fun and entertainment. They also have a feature on their blog where you can choose the inventory and be the buyer for future merchandise.

From top to bottom: The Eliza, Extra Flare , Frill of the Chase and Whipped butter

Private Collection

When George and I moved in to our first home we had a painting commissioned by a friend of mine who studied at the same school as I did in London- brilliant artist he is! It's about 2 meters long by 1 meter tall with a plethora of colors, arrows, patterns, directional strokes, abstracting the London under ground. To me it is absolutely gorgeous, however when George saw it the first time he thought as complex as it was it was lacking a story. I mean anyone could have painted it, George seemed somewhat let down. I was quite upset with him that he couldn’t seem to see the same extraordinary piece of art work that I was. He asked me to tell him what I saw …

This painting was made for us, the artist chose every color, every stroke and pattern. Strategically he thought through each and every color that hangs on our wall, it is perfectly his, his thoughts, his aptitude, his brilliance and emotions. Each night while working did he hum a tune, drink a glass of wine, cry, laugh or anxiously await tomorrow’s exam? What was his reasoning, what story does it depict?

We could easily have this painting re-done however it would lack a certain brilliance, lustre and aura.This piece tells my story while travelling and studying in London and Europe; my memories both fond and frustrating. This work by Aaron is incredibly special, it is the first piece of artwork George and I purchased for our first home together in 2008.  Just as we chose our sofa, lamp and rug, it’s the artist’s perception that makes an artwork so special. Whether art is created by Michelangelo, Donatello, your father or 3 yr old nephew; it deserves respect, deserves to be admired, studied and attempted to be understood. Even if your interpretation is incorrect the fact that you attempted to understand makes art worthwhile. With that being said I wish to show you our private art collection. Each piece chosen for no reason other than it makes sense; we love these pieces and want them to go through life with us; grow old with us. They have become apart of our home, will be part of our children’s home; each piece has a story and is now part of our story. Everyone should have their own private collection; purchase works that speak to you. Art shouldn’t be acquired solely for the purpose of investment, if you love it and enjoy looking at it every day then I suppose it was the best investment you ever made. These are a few items from our collection...x0

                                          London Under Ground- A. Norton (London)

                                                        Boats in a Harbor - (Japan)

                                            Aphroditi and Eros - Carrie Allen (Canada)

                                                  Coin Relief - Carrie Allen (Canada)

                                                        Oil on Canvas - (Europe)

                                                Oil on Board - John Dickerson (London)

                                                 Mixed Media - Noor Al Sabah (Kuwait)

                                                Portrait of a Lady - Oil on Canvas (Japan)

Understanding Art?

People always ask why I love art so much…why did you move across the world to study it. Why are you so moved by it? Answering this question is rather difficult but I will try my best.

Art for me is priceless. Art makes me feel full, alive, sad, helps me better understand the human condition but most of all encourages me to feel. That may sound completely outrageous and somewhat over exaggerated. The truth is, Art should and can be that experiential for everyone, it should make you feel, make you want and help you gain perspective. Art speaks many languages, it welcomes interpretation and best of all has no distinct definition.

Take a moment and look around your home, each and everything you have chosen to decorate your personal space has been created by an artist. Someone in this world designed that stool, that pencil, that toothbrush, that sculpture, that painting and so on. You have in your home a piece of intelligence that isn’t yours, it’s someone else’s creation that you received as a gift, inherited from a family member or purchased. We are all artists of our own lives; we design, create and surround ourselves with things which help to put our thoughts and personalities in to 3 dimensional objects.

Art is priceless because it is the purest form of creation, like literature it tells a story that is uninterrupted and ever changing. If art is priceless how can it be sold worldwide for millions of dollars a year? How can a self portrait of Andy Warhol sell at Sotheby’s for $20 million USD? I suppose it’s the story behind the work, the history, the evolution of the artist and their struggle to be heard. Maybe it has to do with the fact they were working on pieces which were inspired by a different time. An artist’s instinctual spirit to create and ability to be heard brings the viewing audience back to their roots; it’s humbling. Art is an avenue for discussion, conflict and can even silence the loudest viewer. I think the artists works that sell for millions of dollars all have one thing in common; they created something worth having, displaying and studying; they will continue to tell a story far longer than we are here. Below are some of the most expensive artworks ever sold and then there are the artworks that remain priceless. Ask yourself which artist is more desirable and could you put a price on your favourite painting?

                                        Jackson Pollock No. 5- Sold 2006 $140 million

                                    Andy Warhol 8 Elvises - Sold  2008 $ 100 million

                                       Titian Diana and Actaeon - Sold 2009 $91 million

                                    Mona Lisa 1503-1507  Leonardo Da Vinci (Priceless)

                          Creation of Adam 1510- Michelangelo Sistine Chapel (Priceless)

                               Pieta Michelangelo 1498-1499 San Pietro Vatican (Priceless)

                            Pieta Florence The Deposition Michelangelo 1547-1533 (Priceless)

Friends from afar

This blog has really made me realize just how many friends I have all over the world. At times the world can feel like such a huge place. It can be overwhelming, isolating and frightening. Yet recently I feel like the world isn’t so large after all.
Tonight I spoke to friends in Amman, Paris, Beirut, Texas, Edmonton and of course Calgary. I think when we are feeling homesick, alone or miss friends and family we should stop to think just how connected each of us is. We are fortunate enough to live in a generation which is very advanced, enabling us to communicate with one another literally 24 hours a day. Between facebook, twitter, Black berry messenger and so on... we can keep in touch with people no matter where they are.
I do miss the days of receiving letters though; it was so exciting to receive a letter from a friend, pen pal or  Birthday card from Grandma. Now, email and social networking sites have taken over the joy of opening a handwritten letter. A few months ago I came across paperless post. It’s an e card company with a little more personal touch! You can truly personalize your card or invitation with beautiful envelopes, fonts, messages and even add stamps. This way when the recipient opens your card it's personalized, interactive and super cute. Please check out their site www.paperlesspost.com or better yet find some delicious stationary and write a friend or loved one. The following are some of my favorite stationary collections, thoughts ladies...

                                                    Kate Spade - katespade.com

                         Christian Lacroix - Chapters, Indigo, selfridges, specialty stationary stores 




                                                     Vera Wang -  williamarthur.com

With that my lovely friends sleep well! x0x0