RAR Writes: flowers

Showing posts with label flowers. Show all posts

Friday, January 10, 2014

A Bouquet Of Birds. Artist Hong Yi Uses Flowers Petals To Construct Birds.

above: Owl made of white, orange and maroon chrysanthemums with trumpet flowers for the eyes and a dried leaf for beak

Malaysian artist and architect Hong Yi (aka Red) whose wonderful portrait made of socks and coffee stain portrait for Nespresso I have already shared with you, has this sweet series of birds made from flower petals, herbs, dried leaves and twigs.

Hong Yi realised that flower petals - especially gerbera petals - look similar to feathers especially when they are arranged on top of one another, layer by layer. This is how she was inspired to start this particular series.

Northern cardinal made of red gerberas and deep purple chrysanthemums with dill:

Dodo bird made from white, pink and orange chrysanthemum flowers:

Flamingos made from pink gerberas and twigs:

Flamingo x2:

Kingfisher made of gerberas, butterfly peas and purple shamrocks:

Peacock made from butterfly pea flowers, bottlebrush leaves, coconut leaf sticks, alamandas / trumpet flowers:

Hornbill made of chrysanthemums, germeras and purple shamrocks:

Eagle made of white, maroon and yellow chrysanthemums:

Rooster made from gerberas and leaves:

Parrot made from butterfly peas and gerberas:

all images courtesy of the artist

Hong "Red" Yi

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Arek assemblages, bird art, bird design, birds, chinese modern art, fine art, flowers, modern chinese art, mosaic art

Friday, July 13, 2012

The Big Recital Table

The Vivster (my daughter) recently had her first ballet dance recital. We turned this event into the epic event of the year. I mean, this was like the Academy Awards for three year olds. Both sets of grandparents came to Connecticut for the event. We even made a big dinner for the family the night before the big event.

I have long wanted to write a post about table settings for dinner parties. I haven't had a chance to gather photos from various different dinners, but here are the photos from the recital dinner.

I'm a firm believer that a person's decorating style transcends to everything they do. From the way they dress themselves to the way they decorate a table. It's no secret by now that I love to mix colors and patterns. I do this in my own wardrobe and also in my decorating. The table is no different.

I love to entertain because it gives me the chance to try to set the table in a different way each time. In this case, I found this teal and beige geographic fabric in my coat closet. I had intended to recover a room divider but never got around to it. This was a remnant fabric I picked up from the store for less than $10. I decided to use this as the base for the 'table cloth.' Then I added a burlap runner (also from the fabric store and I literally folded the edges under for a "seam." I added a linen colored place mat. I continued to layer the rest of the settings. The napkins are striped gingham.

The flowers are from Trader Joes. I bought bunches of similar hues and then re-organized them into small square vases. I had been to an event in the past few days that used the table settings (happiness, celebration) so I recycled them for this table. Added lots of low laying candles...and voila.

Unfortunately, I don't have more photos of the entire finished table...but hopefully you can get enough of an idea from here.

Oh, and in case you were wondering...I think a star was born at that recital!

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Arek Centerpieces, flowers, table centerpieces, table settings

Monday, February 13, 2012

Happy Day of the Overpriced Bouquet

Why is it that a normal bouquet

of roses nearly

quadruples on this day of romance?

And who are the suckers that are actually

paying these premium prices?

(If you are one, please, please don't admit it).

Red roses are nice.

Sure, red roses are romantic.

But haven't I taught you anything? Go with the unexpected! It's not just about saving a coin...it's about adding spice to your home!

Try a mixed array of carefully selected florals.

Use a bold vase and an

equally daring brilliantly colored petal

Even pastels can add a punch when paired properly.

Try rannaculas!

Just think outside of the box.

No rule states that a Valentine arrangement must be a dozen of overpriced roses.

Enjoy a wonderful Valentine's Day!

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Arek flowers, Valentine's Day

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Drowning In Brands. Underwater Rosae Still Life Logo Series by Alexander James.

A series of identifiable and popular brand logos comprised of red roses and photographed underwater using the subtle light distortions of the water's own energy. From Louis Vuitton to Nike, the rose logos were captured 'in camera' without the use of post production, either traditional or digital.

Apple:

By taking the red roses, a symbol of unrelenting love, and juxtaposing against a deep dark void, London based photographer Alexander James is making a social commentary on how we ourselves are drowning in a society dominated by a reverence towards branding and celebrity.

Chanel:

McDonalds:

Louis Vuitton:

Mercedes Benz:

Gucci:

Nike:

Volkswagon:

Yves Saint-Laurent:

Fendi:

Givenchy:

images courtesy of the artist and Distil Ennui Studio

About Alexander's work practice in his own words:
"My photographs are always presented ‘as-shot’ without post production either traditional or digital. It is this dedication to ‘in camera’ purity that establishes a predominant focal point for my practice.

The quality of the work and the purity of the process is paramount, distilling elements out with the use of deep blacks; hoping to convey rich layers of meaning in what at first appear deceptively simple images.

Distil Ennui; def... to extract the essence and beauty of life to appease world weariness."

Alexander James is represented by Pertwee Anderson & Gold

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Arek apple, art photography, branding, chanel, commercial photography, floral design, flowers, logo transformations, Louis Vuitton, luxury brand art, photography, underwater spa

Monday, August 23, 2010

The Dior Autumn Winter Haute Couture Collection Will Grow On You.

Fashion has gone flowery in Dior's latest couture collection for Autumn /Winter 2010-2011. Formal dresses, skirts, blouses and gowns emulate pansies, bearded irises, tulips and other flowers (even sea sponges) with their patterns, texture, colors and designs.

The models sashayed down the runway, many of them with their heads wrapped in colored cellophane like a freshly purchased bouquet. Odd hair styles formed shapes reminiscent of floral bulbs and the make-up was colorful with strong eyes and lips.

Paired with brightly colored gloves and high strappy colored suede shoes - whose heels intertwine like vines, John Galliano's collection for Dior is very feminine but bold. And it doesn't need watering.

Below is the entire collection.