Showing posts with label art and photography. Show all posts
Showing posts with label art and photography. Show all posts

Thursday, June 18, 2026

Artists I Fancy: Venice in Beautiful Color Images 125 Years Ago | Open Culture

Historical photography.  Below is a view of the Rialto Bridge, which spans one of the city's famous canals, Venice, 125 years ago.  Though not "real" color photographs, they have been colorized and, as such more accurately reflect a lively period in late 19th-century Europe.

The Library of Congress' page on the photocrom process explains it: "Photochrom prints are ink-based images produced through 'the direct photographic transfer of an original negative onto litho and chromographic printing plates.'"  

Have you always wanted to visit Venice?

Wouldn't it be even more interesting to travel back in time and visit 19th century Venice?

You can do so through this wonderful collection of photographs.


Venice in Beautiful Color Images 125 Years Ago:
The Rialto Bridge, St. Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace & More


Sunday, May 10, 2026

Artists I Fancy : Claudia Tremblay

Do you love artwork that honors women and womanhood? Lovely portraits of women, mother-and-daughter or mother-and-child, sisters, young girls, mature women, etc.?

If so then you will love paintings by Claudia Tremblay

She is a self-taught artist who began her career painting Mayan women when she worked for an NGO in Guatemala. Her inspiration is derived from the “beauty, serenity, colours, and sense of mystery that pervades Guatemala”. Her paintings “evoke a sense of peace, harmony, and a certain melancholy” and she “imbues scenes of everyday life with a dream-like quality”. (Source for quotes)

Ms. Tremblay has an official website ~ claudiatremblay.com ~ and over 600 pieces of her paintings and illustrations are for sale via her Etsy shop

It is impossible for me to pick a favorite piece. All of her work is captivating, bewitching even. Let's just say these caught my eye.





Thursday, April 9, 2026

Artists I Fancy : Succulents (Canvas) by Oliver Gal at Gilt (Plus Gardening Tips)

Succulents (Canvas) by Oliver Gal at Gilt

via Joie de Vivre Magazine on Pinterest

~ Source PIN URL: http://ift.tt/2vanppG



NOTE: Oliver Gal is not a single artist, but a female‑founded art studio based in Miami, created by sisters Ana and Lola Sánchez. They produce contemporary, fashion‑inspired wall art, often featuring bold colors, glam themes, and pop‑culture motifs. Their work spans canvas prints, hand‑embellished pieces, abstract art, and decorative objects.  They’ve become widely distributed through retailers like Gilt, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale’s, Amazon, and Wayfair.

SUCCULENTS ARE BEAUTIFUL BUT ...

Succulents are plants that store extra water in their leaves, stems, or roots, allowing them to survive in dry or unpredictable climates. They come in many forms—from tiny stone-like Lithops to towering baobab trees—and make up roughly 3–5% of all flowering plants. Their defining trait is water storage, which lets them thrive in environments where many other plants cannot.  (REF:   British Cactus and Succulent Society)


🌱 Are succulents good for the environment?

Short answer: They can be—but it depends on how they’re grown, sourced, and used.

Below is a breakdown of the environmental benefits and concerns, based on current research.


🌍 Environmental Benefits

  • Water efficiency
    Succulents use far less water than traditional garden plants. Some need only 1–2 ounces per week, compared to several gallons for other species. This makes them excellent for drought-prone regions and water conservation efforts.  (REF:   shunwaste.com)

  • Climate resilience
    Their drought tolerance and ability to store water make them valuable models for adapting agriculture and landscaping to climate change. They can help maintain greenery in increasingly arid environments.  In other words, they can be very eco-friendly.  (REF:  cactusandsucculents.co.uk)

  • Ecosystem support
    In their native habitats, succulents provide food, shelter, and water for animals, especially in deserts where resources are scarce. Their fruits help with seed dispersal and support biodiversity.  (REF:  cactusandsucculents.co.uk)


⚠️ BUT! There Are Some Environmental Concerns ⚠️ 

  • Overharvesting and habitat loss
    Some succulents—especially rare cacti—are illegally collected from the wild, threatening species already at risk of extinction.  (REF:  Oxford Academic)

  • Carbon footprint from global trade
    The booming popularity of succulents means many are shipped long distances, increasing carbon emissions.  (REF:   shunwaste.com)

  • Invasive potential
    Certain succulents can become invasive when introduced outside their native range, disrupting local ecosystems.  (REF:  New Phytologist)

  • Soil degradation
    Overharvesting wild plants can damage fragile soils and lead to erosion.  (REF:  shunwaste.com)


🌿 So… are succulents environmentally friendly?

They are environmentally friendly when:

  • grown locally or ethically sourced
  • used to replace water-intensive landscaping
  • planted in appropriate climates
  • not taken from the wild

They are harmful when:

  • poached from natural habitats
  • mass-produced with heavy resource use
  • shipped globally in large volumes
  • allowed to spread invasively

Succulents are adaptation champions, but like any trend, sustainability depends on responsible choices.


I don't have a green thumb.  But if I ever own a home, I'd like to have a garden and want to know what the best flowers and plants are to grow.  Succulents are good for indoors or outdoors.  To learn more, do additional research on eco-friendly succulents and how to grow them sustainably.

Thursday, January 8, 2026

Pajau Yan is the Vietnamese Goddess of Healing and Good Fortune

Pajau Yan is the Vietnamese Goddess of Healing and Good Fortune. She lives in the moon, and provides the Flowers of Transition to the dead as they pass into the underworld. She is also known as Lady Moon.

via Joie de Vivre Magazine on Pinterest

Photo by Ivan Aguirre
~ Source: King Creative on Tumblr
Shared via Pinterest: http://ift.tt/2vf8Cdj

Vietnamese Goddess of Healing and Good Fortune

Found this image on a Tumblr blog.  When I did additional research, the findings indicated that“Pajau Yan” as described doesn’t appear in documented Vietnamese folklore or credible sources; however, similar motifs appear in the well-known Vietnamese moon goddess traditions (e.g., Hằng Nga/Chang’e) and broader Southeast Asian folklore, which can enrich your narrative while grounding it in documented mythology (see sources cited):


Pajau Yan is the Vietnamese Goddess of Healing and Good Fortune, revered as a luminous lunar spirit who dwells on the shimmering moon and guides souls with her sacred Flowers of Transition as they travel from life into the underworld. In many Asian traditions, the moon is more than a celestial body — it is a sacred realm inhabited by divine beings who influence earthly life and the spirit world alike, and Vietnamese folklore vividly reflects this belief system. The beloved Vietnamese moon goddess Hằng Nga, for example, is celebrated during the Mid-Autumn Festival; she is often associated with beauty, festivity, and harmony, and her presence on the moon symbolizes peace and reunion among families on Earth, illustrating how lunar deities bridge cosmic and human realms. (Gods and Demons Wiki)


In some folk tales, the moon also hosts other figures such as Cuội, a man who flew there alongside his magical banyan tree, and the Jade Rabbit, an immortal companion often depicted as a helper or symbol of selflessness and longevity — motifs that echo the idea of mystical moon dwellers aiding humanity. (senorganicsmallplate

Within the broader tapestry of Vietnamese belief, female deities often embody nurturing, healing, and protective qualities; for instance, mother goddess traditions (Đạo Mẫu) emphasize divine feminine figures who intercede for good health, abundance, and transition between life stages. (Facebook) Pajau Yan’s role in guiding the dead with flowers resonates with these themes of compassionate guidance and renewal, reflecting humanity’s ancient hopes that life’s ending is not a final loss but a sacred transformation under the watchful grace of benevolent spirits.

https://mybackgroundnoize.tumblr.com/post/805211428705501184/mythical-stories-of-china-vietnam-and


References:

  • “Hằng Nga.” Gods and Demons Wiki, fandom.com/wiki/Hằng_Nga. Accessed 8 Jan. 2026. (Gods and Demons Wiki)

  • Why Do Mr. Cuoi, Hang Nga And Jade Rabbit Live On The Moon? senorganicsmallplate.com/trung-thu-post/why-do-mr.-cuoi%2C-hang-nga-and-jade-rabbit-live-on-the-moon%3F. Accessed 8 Jan. 2026. (senorganicsmallplate)

  • Discover Vietnam’s magical Mid-autumn Festival. Vietnam.travel/things-to-do/vietnams-magical-mid-autumn-festival. Accessed 8 Jan. 2026. (Vietnam Tourism)

  • “Đạo Mẫu (Way of the Mother).” Vietnam Centre, Facebook, 2.5 years ago. (Facebook)


Monday, August 18, 2025

Artists I Fancy: Classic Movie Lovers Will Love This Spotlight on Gordon Bruce Art

The 1942 film "Casablanca" which starred Hollywood legends Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, did not make my list of memorable war movies, even though it was set during a war. If I was maintaining an official list, it would for sure be on my Top 10 favorite romantic love stories.


Using that introduction and background to shine the spotlight on one of the most incredible artists in the 21st century, Gordon Bruce.  Take a look at his painting.  Is it cool or what?!!  

Nobody will ever forget the line:  "Here's looking at you, kid."  

Everybody who sees this piece of artwork might be tempted to say:  "WOW!  Look at this, kid!!!"













Friday, May 2, 2025

The Raft of the Medusa by Théodore Géricault (Reblog)

Reblogging this post from a wonderful blog which is published by an art teacher. If you are an art lover you could spend hours at this blog.  She posts about the works of Van Gogh, Degas, and many other artists.  She shares fascinating history and information about various paintings like this one:



"The Raft of the Medusa, created in 1818-19 and exhibited in the Paris Salon in 1819, is a huge painting in the Romantic style by Gérica...This painting, which is a self-promotional piece Géricault created to advertise his skills as a painter of large-scale commissions, is based on an actual event in French naval history. The frigate Medusa ran aground on the coast of Mauritania, in Africa, in July of 1816. ... this is another example of Géricault's mastery of composition and of creating a dynamic and powerful narrative with painting. It is hard to imagine that he was only 27 years old when he finished it, and sad to know that he lived only a few years more, dying in 1824. One can only imagine all the further masterpieces he might have created!"


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While you are here at this blog, check out some of my other posts tagged "Artists I Fancy".  You'll find content about impressionist painters, popular Asian artists and more.  Enjoy!

Thursday, October 3, 2024

Artists I Fancy: Kyoung Hwan Kim

"South Korean artist Kyoung Hwan Kim, freelance concept artist and illustrator, digital illustrator, fantasy art, etc. ..."

Artists I Fancy: Kyoung Hwan Kim

Art by Kyoung Hwan Kim



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If you fancy my tastes in art, check out some of my other JDV blog posts which shine the spotlight on other Artists I Fancy.

Wednesday, June 26, 2024

Artists I Fancy : Kat Lowry

Pinterest started in 2010 and it was either that year or the next year 2011 that I created my Pinterest account. Even though my account was created with the intention of supplementing my affiliate marketing and other home biz efforts, a lot of my pinboards are personal, i.e. just stuff I like to collect. Two of my favorite boards are Artists I Fancy and Legends, Myths, Fables, Folklore, Culture.


Was going through my Facebook memories and found a lovely piece of Asian art and couldn't remember where I found it. Thank goodness for the Google search feature that helps you find images. So I found a source to credit the image but in the process, one thing led to another and I found this amazing artist, Kat Lowry. Her artwork was a Japanese sun goddess named Amaterasu.  Her art was so beautiful I couldn't decide which board to pin it to, so I shared it via both pinboards. Take a look! Isn't it lovely?  The first image is from her profile on Deviant Art where she uses the name Fragile Whispers.  The second image that follows was shared via her latest post (Apr 2018) on her blog called Kat Lowry Illustration.  Are you impressed?  I am!



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Saturday, May 4, 2024

Contemporary Female Artists That Should Be On Your Radar

Are you an art lover? I am an amateur art lover as opposed to a professional art aficionado. It’s a hobby. My Pinterest account has over 50 pinboards and one of my popular boards is labeled Artists I Fancy. It has almost 3000 followers and over 300 pins.
  
There was once a time when I was an active member of a social blogging community. I responded to a fellow blogger’s request to publish a post and share facts about myself. In my list of Ten Facts About Me, mention was made of two artists who allowed me to publish an article about them even though my freelance writing experience was practically non-existent. If you were connecting dots on my writing experience timeline, find the Dot labeled “None” and connect it to the Dot labeled “Nothing to brag about”. Nevertheless, despite my inexperience both of these talented ladies allowed me to write an article about them.

ARTIST 1: Andrea “Adka” Jones

The name of the first artist is Andrea Jones. But most friends and admirers know her by her childhood nickname which is “Adka”. Discovered her on Facebook. She describes her paintings as “vibrant and happy”. We agree! 🙂 Ms. Jones was born in Slovakia, however, she now lives and works in the United States. A current resident of North Carolina but has visited New York, New York, aka the Big Apple. Her artwork which she aptly titled “Inspire New York!” (featured image, used with permission ) has won awards. She is a recognized and respected International Contemporary Master.
Official Website for Adka’s Art
ARTIST 2: Michelle Lohr
The name of the second artist is Michelle Lohr. Like Ms. Jones, she was also on Facebook. She was displaying her artwork on her timeline and instantly won me over as an admirer. Similarly, when approached and asked if she would not mind me writing an article about her artistic goals and aspirations, she approved, granted me an interview, and supplied me with digital images of her work. Ms. Lohr is Israeli-born but lives in Austin, Texas just like me. By contrast to Ms. Jones who has a style categorized as folk art, Ms. Lohr’s painting style was influenced by Henri Matisse, Claude Monet, and Vincent Van Gogh. Her painting which she titled “Nightbloom” is one of my favorite pieces.
♦ Unfortunately, the site where my articles were published shut down. But because of these two female artists, I gained rich experience. They encouraged me to continue my hobby of searching online and collecting examples of artwork by artists I fancy. They also encouraged me to take my freelance writing efforts more seriously. That was an incidental benefit or perhaps I should say that it has been a blessing.
♦♦ Links to Posts About Other Female Artists I Fancy:
Kat Lowry ~ Ms. Lowry is an illustrator. Her drawing of a Japanese sun goddess named Amaterasu will captivate you.
Sayada Ramdial ~ Ms. Ramdial lives in Trinidad and Tobago. She specializes in watercolor paintings and illustrations, mainly of the flowers that grow on the island.


(Original Source: RationalMind.club)

Friday, January 6, 2023

Floral Diversity's Finest! Electric Blue Lotus Lily AND The Stealth flower, Courtesy of Linda Stokes, Talented Photographer

Never been to Oklahoma. Evidently, I didn't know what I was missing. Back in 2014, when the Google+ social network was still up and running, some Google Plussers were in a flower photo-sharing frenzy, and I came across a lady, Linda Stokes, who shared photographs of floral diversity's finest!  What was even more amazing was ... the flowers grow in Oklahoma!

Sorry.  I grew up in Florida.  Florida!  The word literally means "abounding in flowers"!  I have never seen gorgeous blooms like these!  Oklahoma means "red people" (Choctaw words "okla" and "humma").  I'm perfectly OK with that.  (No pun intended.)  But these flowers are blue!! 





https://texaxwib.tumblr.com/post/705752241893736448/via-linda-stokes-on-instagram-reflection

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Electric Blue Lotus Lily (Nymphaea caerulea)

  1. Not Uniformly Electric Blue: The real Nymphaea caerulea—sometimes marketed as “electric blue lotus”—doesn’t normally have neon-blue flowers. Authentic petals show a gradient from pale lavender toward deeper violet-blue at the edges and have a faint honeyed scent, while extremely bright blue hues in products often indicate dye or mislabeling. 

  2. Distinct from Sacred Lotus: The blue lotus lily is botanically distinct from the sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera). The sacred lotus often has pink or white blooms, whereas the blue lotus (N. caerulea) is a water lily species native to the Nile River basin. 

  3. Alkaloid Content Varies Widely: Studies and lab testing show that many commercially sold “blue lotus” products may lack authentic alkaloids (like nuciferine and apomorphine), with significant variation depending on origin and processing, so identifying the correct species and sourcing is important. 


Stealth Flower 

The "Stealth flower" photographed blooming at night near Loco, Oklahoma, by Linda Stokes is a Night-Blooming Cereus (Epiphyllum oxypetalum). Also known as "Queen of the Night," this rare, fragrant, white cactus flower blooms only for one night, typically opening around dusk and wilting by dawn.


📚 Sources

Alibaba. “How to Choose the Best Blue Lotus Flower Dried: A Complete Buyer’s Guide.” Alibaba.com Product Insights, 2026, https://www.alibaba.com/product-insights/how-to-choose-the-best-blue-lotus-flower-dried-a-complete-buyer’s-guide.html.

Alibaba. “How to Choose Real Blue Lotus: A Complete Buyer’s Guide.” Alibaba.com Product Insights, 2026, https://www.alibaba.com/product-insights/how-to-choose-real-blue-lotus-a-complete­-buyer’s-guide.html

Articles of Interest for Aspiring Photographers:





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Best cameras for newbie photographers

Artists I Fancy : Artist Barnali Bagchi (aka moonbeam1212) ...

Artist Barnali Bagchi (aka moonbeam1212) has so many charming, delightful, fanciful, mesmerizing pieces to choose from, it was difficult for me to narrow down a “representative sample”. These two are inadequate to represent but they are a delicious enough sampling to whet your appetite and make you crave for more. What's not to love about her art? 

Shared via Pinterest: http://ift.tt/2gv8fWW


* Barnali Bagchi is Renderosity member. Here is a quick excerpt from a detailed interview. 
(Question) What does art mean to you?
(Answer) “To me art means beauty. … If I remember correctly, it was the poet Keats who said "A thing of beauty is a joy forever." I feel the "beauty" and "joy" he is alluding to can be encapsulated in one word - art.”



Simply must share this exquisite piece found in her gallery on DeviantArt.com.





Friday, November 4, 2022

lllustration of a Chinese man and a Native American from the 18th or 19th century ...

Illustration of a Chinese man and a Native American from the 18th or 19th century, artist unknown. Ancient Native American glyphs versus ancient Chinese pictograms. Interesting revelations put forward by research analyst John A. Ruskamp Jr. who believes there might be genetic links between Native American DNA to people who lived in China during ancient or medieval times. 







Monday, May 2, 2022

Operation Wanderlust ~ Mission: Satisfy Travel Desires

Wanderlust is defined as “a strong desire to travel”.

But travel for me these days is out of the question. (For private reasons which I choose not to disclose.) All I can say is that we should all thank the Lord for being able to partially satisfy our wanderlust through virtual travel and the Internet. :)
One of my hobbies is collecting outstanding photographs by talented photographers. It's great that there are sites like Pinterest and Tumblr and Flipboard where you can organize your photo findings and share them with others.   :)
Speaking of Flipboard … I received an eMail that my flips have a new follower.  Checked to see who and it turns out its a couple of “Award-winning travel photographers from Wisconsin” who can help me fully satisfy my wanderlust!  YAY!

Divergent Travelers


Through their photographs, I have already visited some lovely spots here on planet earth.

7 Exotic Places You Can Visit Without a US Passport

Fortunately, one of the exotic places I have traveled to on business more than once. Puerto Rico.  Yes DT.  You are correct.  PR does have a “culture all its own”.   :)

Is Jordan Safe to Visit?

Terrified of traveling to the Middle East thanks to all the news broadcasts via mainstream U.S. media. But if I were to travel there are two Middle Eastern countries that would be on my list. One is Israel. The other is Jordan. Would love to see where Jesus walked. :)
Divergent Travelers shares pics from almost everywhere in the world.   They get around!  New Zealand, Southeast Asia, the Maldives, Germany, Tibet, Morocco, etc.  Check out their 20 Flipboard magazines or go straight to their website!
There are no photos from other planets in the universe.  However, I read somewhere that there are groups of people making plans to travel into outer space. Space exploration is not just for astronauts anymore.

Bet if the Diligent Travelers went with those space travelers they would bring back unbelievable photographs!   :)

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Sunday, October 20, 2019

Artists I Fancy: Inspirational Quotes Adapted Into Cartoons by Gavin Aung Than, Zen Pencils

Cartoon quotes from famous folks like Maya Angelou, who inspire us - Presented to you by ZenPencils.com.


Discovered this site because it showed up in the post stream via Tumblr.com. Someone has taken one of Maya Angelou's well-known poems - “Phenomenal Woman” - and presented it in comic strip format. Their artistic endeavor was … in a word … phenomenal!
The image supplied with this post is a partial view of his work. To view the entire comic strip, click here.

Gavin Aung Than is the talented cartoonist who creates these “essential” moments in time.

You can submit a quote and he will create a cartoon or comic for it. He has done quotes by Kahlil Gibran, Eleanor Roosevelt, Lao Tzu, Winston Churchill and many more.
If you have a few hours, a slow day, nothing much going on … spend some time perusing this site. You'll leave inspired.

♥ In Memory of: - Maya Angelou (1928 – 2014)





♦ Official Website: zenpencils.com
♦ Tumblr Blog: zenpencils.tumblr.com
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Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Artists I Fancy: The Art of The Munsters : Arnold Kohn (Reblog)

Saw this fun piece of artwork and wanted to credit the original artist. Thank goodness for that Google “Search by Image” tool.  Found this at another Blogspot blog and reblogged it.

Frankensteinia: The Frankenstein Blog: The Art of The Munsters : Arnold Kohn (Reblog)

“The Munsters” used to be one of my favorite comedy TV shows. Imagine. A TV series where there are lovable monsters who live right next door and are great neighbors! Who thought of that?? :) This blogger's archived posts date back to 2007. If you're in the mood for Halloween you might want to stop by.

"Artist Kohn established himself in the late Forties with his dynamic pulp covers, fronting such titles as the venerable Amazing Stories. ...The piece was used as a cover for a Whitman “Authorized TV Adventure” book called The Munsters and the Great Camera Caper, written by William Johnson ."



Cast of Characters Represented in the Art:
(Celebrity's Name / Character's Name)
  • Fred Gwynne / Herman Munster
  • Al Lewis / Grandpa
  • Yvonne De Carlo / Lily Munster (wife)
  • Butch Patrick / Eddie Munster (son)
  • Pat Priest / Marilyn Munster (daughter)







Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Artists I Fancy: Women Artists of the Renaissance

The wisest man in the world describes a virtuous woman as a savvy businesswoman, among her other many valuable attributes and characteristics. (Proverbs 31).  I say it has nothing to do with gender. If you have a gift or talent, it's a shame and a disgrace for others to try to prevent you from developing it and sharing with others. That's a sin!! 




Sharing a link to a slideshow of 10 women who made it in a man's world. (As if ... women haven't always made it.)







March is Women's History Month. 
Join the celebration.













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