The Painter's Studio: August 2010

Monday, August 23, 2010

Mesmerized By Those Days at Sea

What worth has beauty if it is not seen?

- Italian Proverb

Hello all!

As summer is slowly drawing to a close, I feel the sinking tug, like a nostalgic golden feeling slowly reaching its fade.

I always had this story that I made up and painted in the back of my mind. It was about a sailor who drifted off to sea in search of Wonder. He left behind all his worldly belongings as well as the people he knew and cared about, and built a beautiful blue boat. He didn't know what was ahead of him, but had this sensation that was a beautiful as the sun's warmth on a cold day.

As he sails along the vast blue depths of water all around him, there is a sense of immense release and a feeling of being alive that was at its height, and was never felt before. A stretch of pure happiness. A realization of finally reaching one's dreams.

As the sailor floats to unknown wonders, he finds the love he only read in novels, experiences events and things that he never thought would encounter and only imagined- that throughout all those happenings, there was an inner search tucked away deep within his mind where he would be looking for his lighthouse- the one that would shine only for him, leading the way back home wherever his heart were.

This is what I felt about this summer. What was once lost has now been found, lights of intricate moments shine brighter than anything before. I breathe in fond recollections of laughter, of strong heartbeats of love.

It was truly a summer of first-times, such as being the first time I learned to step into the water and float ( which to my surprise, I highly enjoyed- I love that feeling of being surrounded just by water, as if you are your own island, looking up into the vast sky), saving small birds in the middle of the night with Tim, discovering all these interesting hidden gems in the city, and still moments as staring up into the vivid starry sky in near pitch-black.

Here are images I took, of moments which I wanted to capture and share. Moments that were just in the middle of nowhere, away from the city lights and seeing fireflies at night and being with loved ones wherever I went.

Looking out into the night over the city while strolling with Tim near Castle Frank by the bridge.

Strolling around Lakefield and coming across this scenery and I knew I had to capture it. The sun was setting and the light was rippling across the water... it was stunning.

Alongside the lake:

Launching a model rocket: it was my first time witnessing such a moment, and it was fun! I loved how it just soared into the sky where for a long moment on the boat, we would all look upwards, finding any sort of trace of its return.

I love visiting small towns... there's just something so different and knowing that possibly there might be a unique story behind it.

I love wandering through the lush greenery of forests- i've always had this imagery in my head where i'll be lying down next to a big ancient tree with a favorite book in hand, and then afterwards closing my eyes and drifting away...

Going to the Allan Gardens Conservatory

Experiencing events like the Waterfront Night Market:

And that's all for now!

Note: all these images that were taken are my own, and may be used with permission.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

An Interview With... Emma Wallace

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams"

Eleanor Roosevelt

Hello all!

I'm here to present a special segment in my blog which I will be putting on from time to time, known as "An Interview With..."

I have the pleasure of putting the spotlight on the lovely Emma Wallace, as my first feature artist, who is not only a singer, but a "maker of songs for those wearing rose-colored glasses, those who love life and happy endings.

She hails from Orlando, Florida, so not only will she take you to ever brighter places, but bring you back to the golden days of daydreaming and all that is classic and timeless.

A memorable moment in listening to her songs:

I remember the first time when I heard her song "Would You".

She kindly sent the song along, and I added it into my playlist "Always Summer" on my iPod, and when I hopped on the subway to get to the city, the song began its tune. It left me with a soft smile on my face as I looked at the atmosphere around me with a hint of a glow, as if i was secretly carrying a handful of colorful balloons without a single care in the world.

From love, to Ginger Rogers, and the inspirations behind her songs, here are nine questions about Emma that will leave you charmed.

How do you begin your day?

My favorite way to begin my day is slowly and leisurely (and quite late! I'm definitely a night owl). If it's not too hot, I like to make a cup of tea, eat some spice bread and fruit, and daydream while looking out the dining room window...

What are some of your inspirations behind some of your songs, can you share a couple of them?

A lot of my inspiration comes from a specific feeling in a song I'll hear and I'll want to capture that same feeling and express it my own way. Some songs that have inspired me are Joe Dassin's "Champs Elysées," George Michael's "Kissing a Fool," U2's "With or Without You" and a ton of classic jazz standards like "Never Gonna Dance" by Jerome Kern and "Don't Fence Me In" by Cole Porter.

Is there a certain method or way in which you work with your songs?

Sometimes I have sparks of inspiration but for the most part, I usually try to write based from a challenge - usually one I've given myself! For example, I wrote "Connoisseur" because I had seen "Ratatouille" (I love Pixar and Disney movies) and I wanted to write a song that would fit in the film and "Fred Astaire" is written from the point of view of Ginger Rogers!

What do you like to do when you have time to yourself?

I love to put on music (I have several Pandora stations all set up), make myself tea and toast (or a scone, if I have it!), and read on the couch! Once a month, I read my favorite magazine from cover to cover while sipping my favorite tea. It's very rejuvenating!

What has been the happiest moment in your life thus far?

I've been lucky enough to have had many, many happy moments in my life! One of my favorites was when I was in Venice with my husband and we were on a ferry to visit the island of Burano. I thought, "If I had all the money and Oscar nominations in the world, I couldn't be happier than I am right now!"

What's a favorite quote that you hold on to?

My all-time favorite quote is by Thoreau:

"If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them."

Favorite book(s):

I absolutely love to read! My favorite books are definitely children's books. I tend to read "slice of life" books, where the characters just go through regular day-to-day experiences. Some of my favorite authors are Eleanor Estes, Elizabeth Enright and Carol Ryrie Brink. I recently read "Diary of a Fairy Godmother" by Esme Raji Codell and I loved it! Filled with wisdom, humor and great illustrations.

One thing you can't leave without when traveling:

A notebook - in case inspiration strikes me!

Complete this sentence: "Love is..."

Doing what makes you happy and letting others do the same!

I then leave you to enjoy Emma's latest single "Song In My Head", courtesy of the artist herself!

Her recent album Temptation is now available on iTunes. Be prepared to be immersed in a Parisian café state-of-mind.

P.S. She also has her own blog as well so be sure to have a look!
Not to mention you can follow her on twitter!
While your at it, check out her myspace page as well!

And that's all for now, ciao!

Note: Images are used by permission of the artist