Leaves...

When one mentions autumn, what springs to mind is autumn colours. Nature paints such a diverse palette in such an easy manner that it is a joy to walk around, even if it is cold and/or raining. We very often focus exactly on the colours only omitting other aspects that are also worth noticing...

Take these leaves hanging off a tree. When I went past, I thought how different it was to see leaves that have aged in shape, loosing colour completely, yet are still on the tree...

You can actually see some green at the background but it was these wrinkled, rolled-up leaves that I found so extraordinary. The texture revealing the structure of a leaf, the new shape that suggests autumn/winter stage of a leaf's life, the monotonous colour that is beautiful and, at least to  me, belongs to this time of the year.

Yes, this is when nature becomes art…

…and this is when nature becomes poetry.

This is when nature starts taking over the rational and becomes the magical…

This is when the delicate stands against the rough and it does not matter. It simply compliments each other…

It would be a shame not to use elements that nature provides. Whether it is wrinkled leaves, leaves sparsely distributed on a bush or leaves dipped into a puddle, it all can become poetry depending on how we look at it.

This scene opened up in front of me one evening, when there was just about light to take a quick shot. It was also very cold but still, when one is confronted with such a picture, it would be a sin not to stop and stare in wonder.

Indeed, leaves can take any shape and form. We can see them as individual pieces admiring their structure. And they also work very well as a part of something bigger, as a part of scenery.

They can evoke feeling of nostalgia, toned down after a warm and bright summer, and they can also open a new and exciting approach to life for any one of us, all depending on how we look at them. Seriously, do not tell me that you wouldn't have a smile of incredible and wonder spread all over your face after gazing at this…

Have a lovely week and do not forget to look for wonders. They are there… K-)

Every time I visit the V&A... - part 7

…I walk straight past both walls that display postcards. Ouch, this did not come out very well. To be honest I can see how impressive it is to fill two rather large walls with small postcards. I just think that since I visit this museum quite often I end up looking for books or jewellery (for inspiration) in the shop rather than postcards.

And this is why it took me by surprise when I stopped in my tracks and turned around in order to have a second look at a postcard of magnolia by Georg Dionysus Ehret (1708-1770), one of the most influential European botanical artist of his time (at least that what wikipedia says).  Looking at this image of magnolia, a watercolour and body colour on vellum, one cannot help but admire the painterly skill…

Admiring the postcard and thinking of the craftsmanship, I remembered taking photographs of magnolia tree in blossom last spring. It took me a while to locate the pictures in my photo collection but once I found them I felt quite surprised by them...

I remember it was quite a bright morning after rain. The pink tones of the blossoms put together with the colour of the leaves contrasting with the darkness of the tree trunk made a charming juxtaposition.

Finding the images that were more less forgotten behind newer arrivals cheered me up enormously. This is why I am wondering if the postcard was meant to remind me of my own pictures long forgotten. Yes, I am open to this possibility…

Have you ever had the feeling that things happen at the right time, when you stop hoping for any resolution to a problem, when you do not expect it anymore/at all? I find this the case more and more. But this does not mean that we should stop trying. Without trying there is no outcome. On this note, have a lovely week and see you next time. K-)

Familiar environment

Having lived in England for a number of years, a talk about the weather enters everyday talk. It is a must. Which is why even I start this post with a comment - what a lovely weather we have had today. It was sunny, it was bright and it was sooo cold. Just the combination I love and adore. And so, I took my camera and off I went…

First, I stopped by the pond. The sun was hitting the water creating quite an atmosphere. When swans are added to this, a picturesque scene is complete.

Seeing a scene like this I cannot stop myself from thinking of B&W photography. Maybe it is because I was brought up on B&W photographs. I remember my father developing rolls of film and spending hours in our so called darkroom (windowless bathroom) when we would keep him company. As children, we must have been quite a headache for my dad but he left us with him anyway.

Remembering all this now, I must admire him. And what a base this gave us. How great it is to witness the process of developing own photographs.

As I walked through the park, I came across some cut down logs of trees that suddenly became very artistic in my eyes. I found myself studying this broken piece, its sharp spears, the texture...

It became a piece of art when the bark would equal to carvings, when the cut in the log produced a beautiful contrast, when all was so natural. The addition of extra colour (green) at the background
would settle and smooth the entire composition.

Talking about colour, what do you think about the rich, strong red of these roses? When I saw them tied up to a tree near a church I thought what a poignant gesture to today's Remembrance Sunday. Stopping by, I also fell silent for a while…

Honestly, in such bright day the colour stood up enormously. Suddenly, I felt as if I was in a fairy-tale about Sleeping Beauty. The passionate vibrant colour of the roses, the clarity, the charm. I could not help but let my imagination run into the world of magic...

As I turned back, I passed Prince Albert Memorial in Kensington Gardens. It was getting dark which again created quite an atmosphere. I could easily continue slipping into a different world, other time…

Amazingly, one can discover so much in a familiar environment. How many times did I go past the Memorial? How many times did I take a picture of a flower? How many times did I stop by logs of wood? How many times did I admire the graciousness of white swans? And still I find them different every time I  see them. There is so much to discover. So keep your eyes open. It is worth it.

Have a lovely week and see you next time. K-)

The importance of a successful layout

For some time now, I have been observing the layout various shops display. How come that some shops have better success of catching my attention than others? Yes indeed, as you can see, my post today is about back-of-the-house, about the hidden power behind.…

Have you ever thought why there is fruit & vegetables located at the beginning of a grocery shop when toiletries can be found at the end/back? A grocery store, however, is not what made me think about a successful layout. It is one specific clothes shop where I always find something interesting and in many cases actually buy the item.

Nowadays, I actually go straight past this store (so that I do now spend so much) but last week, I decided to pay the shop a visit. And as usual, something caught my eye. Feeling strong, I resisted bearing in mind that a few days later I will be in a different location that also have a store of the same brand. By that stage, I had decided to purchase the item and so sat up to find the garment…

…Honestly, if I was not on a mission to find this dress, I would have left after setting two steps into the shop. Even though this store is also large (same as the first one), I felt that I did not want to spent any time there; so many people and too much produce that would inevitably lead to overcrowding and mess anywhere. Exactly what I experienced there…

I just braced myself, walked three time in circles till I finally located my item and rapidly hurried to a rather slow till (which is what happens very often when I approach the till - my special). As soon as I paid, I ran out and away, away, away… (I have decided to share an image of the dress so judge for yourselves if this experience was worth it.)


And so, what is it about the first shop that always makes me spend money and what is it about the other one of the same brand or many other shops that make me leave after two or three steps in?

The only difference I have observed in my experience last week is the fact that less is more. Sizewise, both stores are similar. However, the first shop seems to have more space given by the distribution of hanging rails, there are no tables to display further items and so the shop ends up more tidy and more spacious. This makes it easier to discover and consequently purchase an item.

I have been thinking about the trick of a successful display ever since. Can you see the importance? Or is there any importance? What works for you? Are you like me preferring a space to see everything at once without endlessly browsing throughout or do you prefer the buss of a busy place? Do share your experience if you like. I am curious. K-)