2010 Artistic Retreat: Movie Day

Photo from: gettysgirl

Day 3: Movie Day!

Oh devotees, I am so excited about today! Why you may wonder? Because, ever since I read a paticular article on the Secret Society of List Addicts I have been looking for a day where I could devote my time to watching and analysing certain movies. You see, in many ways film and television are treasure chests of inspiration waiting to be uncovered. A lot of the time people claim watching television is a passive activity, but that doesn't mean it can't be active. Whenever I watch something with a particular goal in mind, I find that I become a lot more aware of what is happening on the screen. I'm kicked into analytic mode and begin to look at things in a more intense way. You know when you've just finished watching a movie and people ask you what it was about and you just can't (for the life of you) remember? Yeah, that doesn't happen to me when I'm like this.

The real object of the drama is the exhibition of the human character.

-Thomas Babington Macaulay

I believe that television and film evolved from drama and therefore aim to reflect common human experiences to the audience. Since art comes from powerful emotions caused by experiences, it follows that watching movies and tv shows should open your mind to different parts of life you may not have had firsthand experience in, giving you the opportunity to derive inspiration from them.

Assignment Summary:

1. Get hold of movies that you feel may give you a peek into a life that is different from your own, whether its movies set in a different society, time, or world (They can be old or new, related to your field or not).



2. Note things that you're attracted to/inspired by in these movies. Ask yourself the following questions:

-How is life in the movie different from your own life? How is it similar?

-What do you like about the movie? What don't you like?

-What you do you find interesting? Is it real/factual. Note it down for further research.

Write down your answers in the retreat notebook.

My Interpretation:

Like I mentioned before I'm watching/ rewatching all the movies on this list as well as some others like A walk to remember and The Other Boleyn Girl. I'm also going to watch some of my favorite style shows like Gok's Fashion Fix and Stylista. I strongly recommend Vicky Christina Barcelona, if you haven't watched it too. As usual, I'll get back to you with some of my answers later.

Love you all and Stay inspired,

P.S. So let me know what you think. What movies/shows are you watching? Why are you watching them. Feel free to let me know in your comments below.

P.P.S Sorry about the late post. My server was down for quite some time.

Building Blues

A new year, a new beginning, and new responsibilities *groans*...and in my case, a time to renovate the home that Erwin and I share; but since my dear Erwin is already busy enough working his tail off in RL, I guess I'll have to do it (and there goes my shopping time)...*darn*

Dress: Lilia from Gold in the Night--1L
Bracelet: Diamond Bracelet from G&T--gift
Earrings: n*Love Earrings from noir*Lily--free
Hair: from Hair OH--group gift
Shoes: Anais' Karine (comes with colour hud for shoes, skin, nails)--gift from my dear friend Miko (thanks Miko !!! xxxxx)
Nails: from MAI--gift
Skin: Pamela from Lazolli--1L

Now, where do I start?




Oh...my precious new shoes!!






Think I should change into something more comfy...

Outfit: Ciccia black (gloves and cap included) from SLC--previous advent gift
Boots: Redgrave Girls' Biker Boots from Xstreet--gift from my dearest Erwin (thank you dearie, just lurrrrrrve them!! Muachhhhh!!!)
Hair: Cuteness from Groovygirl--free
Skin: Santa's Baby from Oceane--100L (limited edition)




Now to give it all I got!!!




These sturdy boots should be able to take the impact...




Um....maybe I should leave it to the pros...*LOL*



Building Site Hammer, Cement Mixer, Stack of Bricks and Scaffolding: all from James Benedek

http://crazyaboutslfashion.blogspot.com/

2010 Artistic Retreat: Stop and Capture

Day 2: Stop and Capture

Today I encourage you to get up and move. This exercise is about opening up your senses to everything around you. I want you to take some time to see things more closely, hear things more clearly and generally observe your surroundings in a more defined way. If you're a writer, I want you to take your notebook and describe something that catches your eyes in a way that creates a perfect picture of what you've seen in words. If your a photographer, test your skills by trying out different shots or different angles of looking at everyday things. If you're a dancer observe the way people, or even animals, move , whether it's in their everyday lives ( think yoga, gymnastics, other forms of dance or even any sport really) or during performances. The more aware you become the more easily inspiration will come to you.

Last semester, although immensely challenging in some ways, taught me a lot about myself and people in general. I was under a lot of pressure to find my major (or majors) and to begin to work towards a certain career, and I had just transferred from another school. I was very confused about what I wanted to do, so one day I bought a book called The Career Guide for Creative and Unconventional People by Carol Eikleberry, PhD. It's a really good book and I totally recommend it. In the book, she talked about how the ability to create stems from the ability to perceive and build on / or translate accurately what you have perceived. We usually go through creative blocks when we are under so much stress or hassle that we are too distracted by daily life to stop and see things clearly. Little breaks in routine tend you to give the chance to get over this dull, dreary or blocked feeling and give you a fresh outlook on life. If there's one thing I learnt last year, it's this: No one is a robot. You can't keep running like the energizer bunny. Breaks are totally ok.

Summary of Assignment

• Take something to record what you perceive: a video camera, camera, a recorder, a notepad, a sketchpad anything, and go for a walk.



• Note everything you see, hear, feel, that captures your interest. Try to capture it as best as you can.
  


• Go over everything and assess how well you captured what you perceived.



• Write down in your notebook: what you perceived, and what attracted you to certain things.
  

My Interpretation:

I'm taking a walk round this lovely park that I've only ever driven by before. I'm gonna take pictures and my notepad and try to capture and describe things as best as I can. When I'm done, I'll see if I can post some of the pictures with my answers later.

(Photo from: adornments on Flickr )

Love you all and Stay inspired,

P.S. So let me know what you think. Feel free to give me your answers and or links in the comments below, or you could email them to me too.

Curvilicious!

When I came across Curvy Silhouettes Shapes by Xanthe Audeburgh, I was immediately struck by the beauty of the faces she created and the bodies of real women that looked both cute and yummy!! I scanned the shop and just could not decide which one to buy, I mean, they were all fantastic!! So I finally settled on this beautiful shape Saffron, and then I experimented with two different skins: a darker shade (which Xanthe used on her poster) and a pale shade, just to see the difference. My conclusion? Whether dark or pale, I still love Saffron!! And I was also reminded of what I learnt from young, that whatever shape, colour etc, we are all beautiful in God's eyes:-)))

Oh and one more thing, which is the MOST important to me, is customer service--I think in all of SL, I have not come across such great customer service as Xanthe's--she spent more than half hour just to modify my shape to my heart's content, and remained cheery and bubbly as ever!!! And the modification is all FREE!!!

Ok, here are the pics:

This is Saffron shape from Curvy Silhouettes Shapes, wearing Mimi skin from Gatti, eyes from MAI (free) and hair from OH (group gift):-







Here is Saffron shape again, this time with Asuka skin from Lara Skin (group gift), Slate eyes from Oceane's and Zinai hair from Ali&Ali (free):-







Bikini worn in all pics: Outrageous from AXE Wear (gift from Erwin.. thank you dearie!! xxx)
Earrings in all pics: gift from CCD
Ring in all pics: Calla Lily from JCNY


And just in case you're interested to know, I got more IMs from the men on this beach when wearing this shape than when I was in my usual slimmer shape!!!

Newness

Just love these two new dresses--sure is a great start to the New Year...

Dress: Sequin Chemise from Hyper Culture--New Year gift

Hair: from Fairy Tail--New Year gift

Choker: Ebony Choker from Purple Rose (comes with matching bracelet and earrings)--free

Dress: Summah Dress from Kitsune Couture--10L

Hair: Esclava from Simply Britnee

Necklace: EVA from Donna Flora

Skin in all pics: Asuka from Lara Skin--group gift

http://crazyaboutslfashion.blogspot.com/

2010 Artistic Retreat: Starting From Within

Photo from: Alesa Dam

Darling Devotees,

I hope you had a fabulous day yesterday and are ready to make this year into everything you want it to be. Well, as I mentioned yesterday I've decided to start off my year with an inspirationally-charged retreat, an artistic retreat of sorts, to prepare me for the year ahead. I would love for you all to join me in it, too. After all, art is about the way you express yourself, how you feel and who you are. It's therapeutic and purging, because it helps you take all of your experiences and emotions, good and bad, and turn them into something truly beautiful. I love how William Wordsworth said

“Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility”.

However, I believe that this is true of not only poetry but any art form, be it fiction or non-fiction writing, music, dance, photography, painting, sculpting, fashion, gardening or anything else, really. To be able to express yourself sufficiently is a talent. It comes naturally but you can improve your ability by exercising and making use of it. For some people, this talent is their career and source of income so being able to find inspiration in even the smallest events and dullest days becomes vitally important. Whether or not your art form is your food source is irrelevant though. Finding a muse, being able to translate something that moves you or the emotions that you feel into art is a good skill for any one to learn. So please join me if you can and I would love to see your results. You can send them (pictures, scans, links to blog posts) to me via email, or tell me about them in the comments. I will also share my plans and adventures too in each blog post.

Things you will need for the retreat:

a notebook, camera, video camera and/ or recorder- something to record things that inspire you, pen or pencil
a backpack / purse to keep your stuff
your art supplies -depending on what your art is
a portfolio ( a binder, or folder) and virtual one- saved on flash
a board (preferably cork) with tacks

Day 1: Starting from Within

Today is all about looking through your past work and familiarising yourself with the dominant themes in your past work. Looking through this stuff will probably be like seeing a movie on your personal history. The purpose of this exercise is to give you an idea of who you are and where you're coming from, in order for you to be able to grow. Just let loose and let your mind wander and be free. I want you to delve into these exercises wholeheartedly in order to unlock the freespirit within. So gather all your old notebooks, paintings or drawings you've done, personal photos, items of clothing or other personal items, or even past portfolios, and take all these things into a quiet, cosy place where you can go through them without being disturbed.

*** summary of assignment***

1. Read through your old notebooks or sketchbooks, look at old pictures, paintings, drawings, portfolios. What common themes do you see in them? Are most of them about love, important events in your life, dreams you may have about your future?

2. What does each item say about you, or who you are or who you were at that point in time?

3. How have you changed through the years? How have you remained the same?

4. What did you like about what you've done? How would you like to improve or change?

After you've asked yourself these questions, write your answers in a notebook .

***summary of assignment***

My interpretation:

I am going to a cute little café in the old part of the city called Viel Ville, and I'm taking some of my notebooks as well as my camera, because it's a beautiful day out. I'll spend part of my day there and then come back to my room and spend the rest of my day going through the rest of my stuff. I will seek out my themes and critique my work. Then I'll note down all the things I learn about my past from my disjointed portfolio, in my retreat notebook and get back to you guys later today.

Love you all and Stay inspired,

P.S. So let me know what you think. Where are you going? What have you learnt about yourself? What do you look through? Feel free to let me know in the comments below.

A day in the life: Happy 2010!!!

Photo from: Stuartpilbrow

Dearest Devotees,

IT'S Here!!! It's finally 2010! And I know I said this at Christmas time but I just want to make sure that you all know how much you mean to me. I started this blog to express myself but also to connect with people who shared the same ideas and interests as me. I love hearing what you have to say, and I feel like I'm getting to know all of you better each day. You are all beautiful people, inside and out and I hope that this year brings you more joy and happiness than you could ever wish for! Have a great New Year's Day and a fabulous 2010!!!

Love you all and Stay inspired,

P.S. I'm starting my year off with an Artist Retreat, to gather inspiration for the art-intensive year in front of me (see: my New Year's Resolutions here). I will give you more info tomorrow and I invite you all to join me. Until then, ciao.