Tag: travel
Sultry colors of Morocco
February 21, 2012
The iridescent blue of the sky and sea…
the rich depth of sepia…
delectable hue of blue/black olives…
the comfort of creams of ancient ruins.
Morocco -
a country i can never get enough of. It’s the love of Morocco that makes me live it more in my mind than in my senses.
It goes without saying that Morocco is a country that’s seductively rich with pure beauty and artistic tradition. Morocco made me wonder how my life would have been like if i had lived there. *sigh*…i don’t even know where to begin.
When i visited morocco i was immediately wowed by the rich deep pigments that painted secluded streets, arts and crafts, architecture and tradition. This gave me an idea to interpret through a modern design, what i think are some of the most magnificent color sceneries I’ve seen anywhere. Sceneries that taught me about color, texture and being bold even for a moment. Sultry rug design was born.
I was so excited to get to work. It’s easy to grab a brush and start painting everything i saw and i would if i could, but i had to hold myself and go slow. I chose to work with an abstract pattern not necessarily showing Moroccan motifs, but there are hints in the design showing that influence. I then played with a limited color palette which plays a big part in the design inspiration, picking hues that have harmonious undertone.
The use of custom blend fibers in cool tonal values play off nicely the negative spaces of the abstract pattern. With meticulous artistic hands that weaved this piece, this is a modern chic hand-made rug where colors and design get equal credit.
Just love…don’t you?
Sultry – hand knotted in Nepal. 100knot construction. custom blend fibers. GoodWeave certified.
View it here or visit our showroom
beautiful nepalese faces
November 18, 2011
why i love photographing kids
there is something special about nepalese kids: they always smile. every time when my husband and i visit nepal we get to interact with kids, it’s almost inevitable. if you don’t interact with them they will most certainly interact with you.
most kids i met were happy to pause for my camera after i asked them. one by one they took turn and smiled at me. some wondered. some were just curious and refused to get near. i would wonder around kathmandu between meetings and watched them carry their backpacks or younger siblings on their back, going to or coming from school. being kids. but very different kids. some of them we found to be very clever, street clever and funny too. they are always the ones that ask questions. they make me wonder about them and then…i start thinking about my own kids.
kids are captured in pure expressions, that’s why i love these images:
one of my favorites: my husband (vidal) on the left of course.
the image above: my absolute favorite.
the sweetest little thing.
enthusiastic young boy. he asked me to take five pictures of him. i did. six.
i’m a wonderer but sometimes i try not to think too much. the sad thing with these trips to nepal is when i have to go back home to the states (can’t wait to hug and kiss my own kids), it’s hard to say goodbye, to not think about these children…you know what i mean?
check www.goodweave.org for more happy faces.
where artists create
September 2, 2011
one of the many pleasures i get to experience when i travel abroad is when i explore artists studios…to sense the space…the artist’s inspiration…the thinking process.
on a recent trip to chianti tuscany, i’ve been blesses enough to visit one of the smallest, sweetest and most charming little town: radda in chianti.
a small town with big views where locals ride their bright vespas, dozens of pigeons sitting on roof tops…i could hear them at night…a delightful town filled with specialty shops like leather, ceramics, scents, wine…lets not skip these wonderful wineries.
the trip was a supreme bliss.
we walked into every shop on every street…every little store tells a story. we ate at small restaurants…where the most humble of vegetable is transformed into a delectable dish. you could hear the cook…most times the mother of the owner…yelling from the kitchen that she is out of asparagus…or potatoes…it felt so much like my home i wanted to move in.
and just when i thought i’ve seen it all in this small town my eyes caught this talented artist’s studio:
artist’s heaven.
when i entered there was no one there. scattered around were paintings of tuscany, hand-painted furniture, hand-made ceramics even custom clothing. fabrics hanging everywhere i couldn’t stop but marvel. and the desk…to die for. did you see what’s laid on it? gazillions of tools, colors, crayons, brushes, blue-prints, sheets of gold leaf. i wanted to touch it all. it looked chaotic. i.loved.it.
it was so ready for me to just sit there, grab a brush and paint. i exhibited a strong creative impulse i almost screamed. thank god the artist wasn’t there.
i’m obsessed with artists studios i can’t get enough. will visit again for sure.
but now i realize - i’m a neat freak. i can definitely learn something.
happy creations to you artists out there.
something new coming your way
August 29, 2011
salut everyone,
i have a confession to make…i haven’t been good lately.
blogging that is.
being away from office and home had given me a generous opportunity…made me feel not only very lucky…but awarded me with a new perspective. fresh. maybe this is what i needed.
it also motivated me to make some changes so i gave a mini face-lift to my blog. have you noticed?
so i’m back. planning to re-design my office in the next couple of months…i have three new rug collections at works right now…i’m drawing them as i write this post…and i can’t wait to accomplish the rest of my chores on my to do list. i’m ready.
speaking of collections, one of them i am hoping will be executed for production in the next month. this particular collection excites me because it’s something i haven’t done before and i am feeling very strong and positive that i should be doing this. did i mention i follow by my instincts?
here are some views that inspire me for this collection:
there is something very mysterious about taking pictures in the dark.
the play of colors that interact with each other can sometimes fool the eye…we can’t get that in day light. they are rich, bold and full of expression. i’m almost always inspired at night time (unless i’m Zzzz…). it’s when colors and forms get their full personality and stimulate my imagination.
i’ve already started my drawings and have a lot to go. can’t wait to see the results and share them with you.
for now, bonn journee
going green
August 14, 2011
ciao,
it feels weird to be back. two months away from home then sitting on the kitchen island writing this weekend post…like nothing happened…is no easy task. had too much fun being away…it almost makes me feel bad. almost.
but summer is still here and i didn’t plan to write anything this morning so i thought i would post something goodie…just to say hi to my blog:
radda in chianti, tuscany
tiny. tiny farm in a tiny town in chianti, tuscany
designers’ paradise in rome
tuscany. *sigh*
venezia. *double sigh*
yup. that’s me. didn’t know how cold it would be in tuscany…i packed like i’m about to visit india…tank tops, shorts and flops. it was very cold walking around…(july!). but i loved. loved. every moment.
while staying in italy for a few weeks this summer my eyes were washed with wall to wall carpets of serene, earthy and calming color mix of yellow and blue: green. gorgeous. it was every where: fields, windows, trims, architecture, terraces, interiors…
it was hard to ignore.
for now,
arrivederci.
