sailing the endless seas

My latest quick sketch for a uni tutorial activity. Based on a 1950's rockabilly, nautical tattoo styling I have tried to capture the essence of the Flying Dutchman tale (see below) that may used for an application as a decorative logo for the 'Flying Dutchman' Rum liquor.

Clearly, many elements can be refined and this would be accompanied by a holistic marketing campaign in the taste of the rockabilly movement. Think pin-up girls and sailors, carribean beaches and turbulent seas... developing this concept further could be an adventure in itself!

All feedback is much appreciated.

The legend of the Flying Dutchman concerns a ghost ship that can never make port, doomed to sail the oceans forever. It probably originates from the 17th century nautical folklore. The oldest extant version dates to the late 18th century.

Sightings in the 19th and 20th centuries report the ship to be glowing with ghostly light. It is said that if hailed by another ship, its crew will try to send messages to land or to people long dead. In ocean lore, the sight of the phantom ship is a portent of doom.

how do you (do)?

... colour your world?

With bold, brash colour or whimisical wonder?

{just here}

state your creative quest

This is mine.

a captured heart

I just came across this heart stopping jewellery piece by Black Spot Books, and I'm sure my life has changed.  I have to have it... when I can spare the hefty (but oh so worthwhile) price tag.

It is a one off piece - yes, every little book, page and binding is unique to the individual necklace.

They really do speak for themselves.

Hint, hint.

Hint, hint.

I guess they'd say a lot about the lucky person able to don such a piece too... oh, they're so beautiful I can almost feel the texture of the leather!

time to toast

Whilst the picture is for pure comic relief (albeit there is some degree of talent to be merited!), today holds a particular significance for those of the X chromosome.

It is International Women's Day.

It's a day to celebrate beauty, generosity, sacrifice, love, perseverance, friendship, family and many more facets that women around the world convey with their colourful personalities.

It's a day to celebrate your significance as a great-grandmother, grandmother, mother, mother-in-law, godmother, aunty, sister, step-sister, half-sister, cousin, daughter, friend; and of course the significance of those in your life.

While today is being celebrated in over 70 countries, take the time to say it...

'Happy International Women's Day'

to those around you.

Let's bring the consciousness of this day to the foreground in our immediate communities.

Pussy power?

{YOU heart it}

all it is

All it is, is Sunday.

The first weekend I've had to relax and get ahead in a long time - I feel like I'm talking before Christmas, and so much has happened since then.

Today is breezy with patches of cloud, patches of sunshine. My bedroom come studio blinds are open and up. Brandi Carlile is singing away via Madeline (my MacBook Pro) and I had the loveliest sleep-in in years. It's true.

Lunch plans were cancelled, so I'm going to take full advantage of the day with reading, writing, studying, relaxing and baking (scones - how I can't wait for the smell to fill my home!).

Followed by catch-up chats with friends throughout the evening and my third day of my Wii fitness adventure.

It is Sunday, and it is good.

I finished another novel this morning, and as far as my reading goal goes (to read 24 by the end of the year - the same as last year), I am well on track. A total of 13 books, so far. I await two novels in the post from the Book Depository in the UK, so today will be all about typography, visual rhetoric and a catch-up on my last frankie magazine.

Finally, I have something to share on this blog, albeit the movements of everyday life - it is something nonetheless.

And so autumn is here, and todays weather is definitely much more bearable than the week past, so I'd like to welcome autumn whole-heartedly. There is a content I feel in this season unlike any other during the year. Perhaps it's the colours, the cool  crispness, the ease of sleep and the beginning of snuggle season,  the feeling of home that comes so vividly with all of the above.

Easter - a holiday I can't wait for. Seven weeks away, but the reward of five days at home with my parents, brother, sister and our gorgeous family dog, Spitfire. Perhaps cousin & cuzband will join the holiday too, as they did last year - that would be divine.

As I look at my Beatrix Potter calendar (yes, I'm in love with the illustrations that appeared so fondly in my childhood), I wonder what wonderful things your Sunday entails...

I hope it's happy, productive and seasonally sound.

friendly fire

I plan to accomplish great things this year.

Uni resumes for me, this Thursday.

Watch this space.

{poster found here}