Xela

Sunday: Funday

2011-04-24T22:06:00.000+02:00

Fun chocolate hunt!

Awesome lamb cake baked by my lovely neighbour

Afternoon walk up the side of a waterfall

Soda & Lemon break!

Yum yum.

2011-04-13T15:00:00.000+02:00

It's quite disgusting. I've become completely obsessed with Iced Chai Tea Lattes. So yummy and refreshing but oh so expensive. I can't find any good cheap alternatives! The ones at McCafe aren't nice. Any ideas?

Spring fun!

2011-04-09T18:02:00.000+02:00

Hurray for cherry blossoms and other lovely spring flowers!

Two photos above are from my studio and what I've been up to lately. Kind of become obsessed with everything black and white. And my quirky little book from a charity shop called 'The world's best photographs,' 1949.

Print

2011-04-03T14:42:00.000+02:00

I've spent a lot of the last week in the screen print studio. The place is crrazzy. Wouldn't recommend stepping anywhere near it wearing white! I love the walls! Thought I would share a few snaps.

This was the final colour I was printing. I'll get some photos up of the print soon!

It was so hot I rewarded myself with a frozen yogurt :)

Sunday

2011-03-27T19:01:00.000+02:00

Hope everyone's having an amazing weekend!

I just thought I would share a photo of my current favorite pick-me-up/ hangover cure (actually I tend to find any excuse to drink it :)

Looks a little strange but it is delish. I swear.

I put a dash of raspberry syrup into a glass then add one sliced orange and fill it up with cold water.

I usually drink it and then eat all the orange slices.

Perfect for helping rehydrate your body and it gives you a some well deserved vitaminC!

Just watched Adele's performance at the Brit awards. Amazing. So beautiful and moving! You should check it out!

Mini Tiger

2011-03-19T20:32:00.000+01:00

I love photographing my cat! When he's in the mood he's an awesome model!

Sunday

2011-03-13T18:40:00.000+01:00

Can't believe the week and the weekend are over already!

Great weekend, lots of sun, food, friends and dancing!

Wise words.

2011-03-10T17:08:00.000+01:00

from someone some where's tumbler. can't remember anymore!

Fundays

2011-03-05T23:52:00.001+01:00

What did you kids do today?

This is a postcard for my dearest friend on the other side of the world I still need to shade it

And this one is for another dear friend, a fellow art student for her 20th Birthday

Now.

2011-03-05T16:13:00.000+01:00

This is what I'm doing right now:

This one's going to say 'Happy Days' I'm sending it to a friend who's abroad for a year teaching. I'm making some cards for friends as I don't want to leave the house or I'll end up shopping and I need to save for driving lessons.

Where have I been?

2011-03-01T15:06:00.000+01:00

Warning Kids this is an image heavy post! But I'm a strong believer that pictures speak louder than words.

Basically my 10 day trip around England vising friends consisted of:

copious amounts of tea drink and eating,

excessive amounts of dancing,

and the perfect amount of smiles!

Sunday

2011-02-27T20:17:00.000+01:00

I've been gone for ages kids! My apologies. I was trekking around England and then went snowboarding with the family for a couple of days. Photos will come soon!

This is what I've been doing with my Sunday. Chilling watching shows listening to music and making some miniature cookie and doughnut charms.

The earrings are inspired by the gingerbread hearts you can find all over Vienna in the winter with cute one liners written on them!


'Hot Love'

Back to school and work tomorrow :(

What have you been up to today?

Fire

2011-02-08T20:22:00.000+01:00

Photos of the fire breathers at the krampuslauf way back in December!

Such an amazing night! For those of you who don't know Krampus is the devilish companion of St. Nicholas who punishes bad children just as St. Nicholas rewards good ones. The Krampus run is basically where they parade through the town center scaring people. The masks are amazing, hand carved, and the Krampus is head to toe in fur and its oh so terrifying! Might up load some photos of them soon if I'm brave enough to sort through them haha.

Must remember to:

2011-02-06T14:04:00.000+01:00

link

To take more photos!

But I should probably remember to carry my camera with me more.

2011-01-31T22:16:00.000+01:00

You must check this little link out HERE via. It's so much fun to mess about and loosen up on! I don't have any experience drawing on a computer so I found this site so much fun!

ps. I must be crazy! So many posts in one day!

2011-01-31T16:45:00.001+01:00

I would love a floor like this! We can dance around in circles and stair at it for hours!

Happy Monday!

2011-01-31T13:00:00.000+01:00

This weekend I went on an adventure to the Natural History Museum with my littlest sister. We had tons of fun looking at all the minerals, dinosaur bones and things from the bronze age!

We got freaked out by the second floor which was fuuulll of stuffed animals, fish in jars and things. Do I really want to see a dead, creepy looking stuffed monkey posing with a little baby monkey on its back...No thanks! So we ran out and got some hot chocolate!

I got to see Venus von Willendorf (above theres a crapy photo of her from the side)! Was surprised to see how small it actually is, I don't remember my professor mentioning that in my 'Early History' course. I didn't realise I could take photos, I will have to go back with my good camera and take some photos for my work.

What I did today.

2011-01-27T22:34:00.000+01:00

Today I took it easy I had no classes so I spent the morning in a coffee shop reading a book on one of my all time favorite paintings.

It's 'The Execution of Lady Jane Grey' (1833) by Paul Delaroche.

'Narrative suspense, sentiment and realism...gallery visitors were enchanted by the ability to travel so easily into another period, seduced by the compelling, if often spurious, detail of the set. The pulse races irresistibly at the impending fate of delicate innocence.' - Painting History- Delaroche and Lady Jane Grey, Stephen Bann and Linda Whiteley

I can't quite remember when I first saw it at the National Gallery, London, but when I stood in front of it, it took my breath away.

Any way this is what I'm doing right now: blogging and drinking tea :)

It's that time of year again!

2011-01-26T20:20:00.001+01:00

Hello hello kiddies!

Link

It's the last week of the semester and I am planning on blowing my savings on a trip to England! I will be heading off in a couple of weeks. I did the same thing last year as I get all of February off! I have some fantastic friends who will be putting me up around the country. I will be starting in London then going on to Manchester, Preston, Warwick and then back to London. I can't freaking wait :) Hopefully I will have some awesome photos to share with you all when I get back. Just had to share my excitement! I love planning!

MOUNTAINS AND LANDSCAPES: HERBERT BRANDL

2011-01-25T19:31:00.000+01:00

Recently I went with my class to see the Brandl exhibition Mountains and Landscapes at the Albertina. My professor is friends with Brandl, they shared a studio when they were younger or something.

Brandl is an Austrian painter who's work I adore! I really began to appreciate his work when I saw him at La Biennale di Venezia in the Austrian Pavilion. One painting hung outside on a white wall and it really took my breath away in the venetian sunshine (see below)!


link

The exhibition we went to see was of his most recent work, really beautiful and inspiring Monotypes.

He joined us and spoke to us about his work and the process. It was great to hear him speak and to get to ask some questions.

link

You should check him out, you might just fall in love too!

Weekend Photos

2011-01-23T18:35:00.000+01:00

It was freezing today and the sun was shining and my cat loved it! Spent a few hours in Uni today crazy I know!

Open Day!

2011-01-21T20:33:00.000+01:00

After lots of work painting walls white and standing on my tippy toes on a chair with a hammer in one hand, a nail in the other (over the last days) a sample of my work has been hung on my studio walls for my Uni open weekend. Here's a little look at what I've been up to the last couple of weeks:

Here it is in progress:

My little corner of the studio aka my second home! Normally this is where I work with a big table and all my things around the place. It's bigger than it looks in the photo!

2 Series of Mixed Media Collages

Hope you Enjoy kids!

A little Sunday DIY

2011-01-16T14:42:00.000+01:00


link

I bought these shoes as a little x-mas present to myself of asos a while ago and when they arrived I wasn't that impressed. So I just whipped out some studs that I bought of ebay ages ago and could never decide what to do with them!

Wise Words: Joe Pearce

2011-01-15T15:51:00.000+01:00


via

Hopefully I'll have some photos of what I'm currently working on soon! It's nearly end of term and we've got a big open day next week!

I miss the times...

2011-01-13T20:35:00.000+01:00

...when my biggest problem was trying to beat level 3

www.baubauhaus.com

2011-01-11T19:18:00.000+01:00

I lost the source :(

prosit neujahr!

2011-01-03T13:05:00.000+01:00

Hope you all had a fabulous New Years Eve! Mine was wonderful. It's going to be a good year!

Morning,

2010-10-23T10:04:00.001+02:00

This morning I'm on a mission to unpack my clothes from their boxes and put them in their new home! FYI I spent 5 hours in ikea last night.

These are 3 of the 5 trollies we needed, we had to recruit staff to help us push them all! Haha

2010-10-21T12:15:00.002+02:00

Well hello there,

It really has been a long time since I've been on blogger! I'm probably talking to myself again!

It was a crazy summer! I broke my laptop :( & We moved house and are in the middle of unpacking plus Its a new semester & ive started a second part time job. but Here I am! I want to start sharing my photos & things, Again! Now it's tea time!

2010-06-29T14:41:00.000+02:00

Woops, I gave up on the old blogging for a while.

With summer just around the corner I think its time for another post!

I've been really busy lately, I've had uni Mon-Fri and worked Fri-Sun not leaving much time for anything exciting.

This term I took Screen Printing, it really did my head in at first. I couldn't produce anything that I was happy with, it all seemed to lack depth and texture and all the other strange things I love. Then I started to work from photos of collages I was doing, and I started to get a bit excited.

I think I'll take it again next term!

I finish university soon and I have lots of fun things planned for the summer, can't wait!

Tenderoni

2010-04-30T21:19:00.003+02:00

This tune is suck in my head!

Tenderoni by keleokereke

Work in the morning and I just know the weather is going to be the kind where you just want to lie in the grass taking photos and sipping lemonade. :(

On the plus side it's pay day!

Perfect dog walking weather;

2010-04-30T12:28:00.000+02:00

April is the cruelest month

2010-04-13T19:40:00.000+02:00

Here is a painting I finished today, thought I would try something new by incorporating the silhouettes of my hands.

Let me know what you think.

 (Its standing in front of another painting)

April is the cruelest month, breeding

Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing

Memory and desire, stirring

Dull roots with spring rain.

-T.S Eliot

I'm currently stuggling to design something for screen printing in the morning. I think I shall use the above quote as my inspiration.

Amanda Wachob

2010-04-07T22:02:00.000+02:00

Inspiring tattoo artist, does some great abstract and conceptual tattoos. They really look like they have been brushed on. I can honestly say I have never seen anyone waling down the street with a tat like this one!

amandawachobtattoo

You should check out her portfolio. She also has some interesting paintings.

You guys can probably tell I'm bored, chilling in my home town for the holidays. I am getting a chance to post all the things that I have been meaning to for weeks now!

Martin Schnur

2010-04-07T19:49:00.000+02:00

Martin Schnur

I came across this artist recently in a gallery in Vienna. Fantastic massive paintings!

Battersea Park Nr2

2006, 150 cm x 250 cm, Öl auf Leinwand

March-April

2010-04-07T18:28:00.001+02:00

This is the painting I'm working on at the moment. I was really struggling with it at one point but I managed to get myself back into it by pouring a load of brown ink over it :) funny how things work out! I hope to finish it by the end of next week.

its a bit stretched so click on it and see it in better quality!

Country Side Walk

2010-04-03T12:27:00.000+02:00

Recently i went for a walk with the family and doggies we parked near the boarder of Austria and Slovakia and walked through the hills and tree, had Lunch and then walked back. Here are some photos I took.

1903

2010-03-23T01:16:00.001+01:00

The natural aging of the film makes it just that bit more surreal and fabulous!

Stylianos Schicho.

2010-03-22T20:19:00.000+01:00

I went to see this darling little exhibition today.

The artist is Stylianos Schicho. His work seems to feature himself alot. I love the expressive eyes, strange perspective and use of monkeys. The way its painted is great aswell, sort of unfinished and full of energy. They're really massive paintings! Turns out he's a friend of a friend too!

I have no clue what I'm eating right now. I think my mum's American friend must have stuck them in the cuboard.

They remind of my friend who can't eat wheat, she's always munching on strange corn things.

2:51

2010-03-22T02:51:00.000+01:00

Hello my name is Xela and I'm an addict.

I'm addicted to eBay.

I set up a paypal account and have been buying way to many beading things and threads and crafty things. Ah! I now have to wait for the postman.

Mister postman look and see
If there's a letter in your bag for me

I put some odds and ends on eBay, ugly furniture and things so hopefully I shall make back the money I just spent! And woops I'm still awake..

Oakwood Park, Summer 2009

2010-03-21T23:12:00.000+01:00

PS Look how sad yet fabulous this poor little guy is. He's been left out side for 40 years.

The bloke selling it on ebay says 'It's great! Only two previous owners! It come's with the keys!'

um..... ??

a little obsession

2010-03-21T22:56:00.000+01:00

This photo melts my heart

credit: from this lovely photographic blog

I got so excited today. I heard that a friend of the families is trying to get rid of an 'old' vw bus that he doesn't have room for. I was hoping it would be a T1 (1960-1967) or a T2 (1967–1979). The T1 has the split screen (windshield) and the T2 has the bay window. But it turned out be a very hard edged 1984 ish Type25 :( I would have totally been up for working on it all summer till I got it running and the major rust sorted so it was all road safe.

But eh. One day when I have a bit more money in my pocket I'm going to buy a vintage vw bus and a cute little 1950s beetle!

Ahh fabulous weather

2010-03-21T00:59:00.000+01:00

I sound like such an old lady going on about the weather to anyone who will listen but honestly! The few weeks between winter and summer and summer and winter are my favorite! Sun shine but not hot!

Even though I only slept a few hours I got up bright and early and went out into the country side to watch 2 rugby games. Sun, grass, beer, apples and men what more could you wish for!

And on another not look at this little thing asleep in my littlest sister's bed:

La Jeune Martyre

2010-03-16T22:38:00.000+01:00

Just wrote such a long to do list. Fml.

La Jeune Martyre, 1855

I love Paul Delaroche. When I saw this one in Paris I melted.

Photo doesn't do it any favours.

And on another note:

Happy early St Paddy's day kids. I won't make it on to le computer tomorrow 'tis going to be a long day and night. Drink! Feck! Girrrls!

Silly long post.

2010-03-10T00:02:00.000+01:00

Woops, umm I gave up on the whole blogging thing.

Now that I'm procrastinating I'm blogging again.

I've been super busy lately, lots of university and working on the weekends. I would love a day off! Well actually I'm excited, just got an email from my professor saying Thursday classes are canceled cause of protests so I get a day off :)

I always think of things I want to blog about or photograph etc when I don't have a pen to write them down and then I forget.

I had the most amazing time tripping around the south of England during February. Here are a few photos:

the most fabulous resturant in a little bit of London. It had delicious Brazilian food that me and my friends could eat. Its always hard to find something for everyone because I'm a strict vegetarian and one of my friends is lactose and gluten intolerant (and has quite a few other food allergies on top of that).

We had the most amazing lactose free vegetarian Mango and Hazelnut Ice cream!

I lived off coffee, slept on floors and spent hours in trains. This one was taken on the way out of London, delayed because the power lines had fallen down or something silly.

Delish cheese cake before a night filled with vodka and dancing.

A darling little house in Canterbury. The front door matched the bin bags! A lot of rubbish but one of my favorite colours!

:)

A blurry photo of the burnt down Brighton peer.

Me carrying my sister through a flooded tube station.

I should be off to bed because I have my first Screen Printing class at 10am.

I've screen printed before but at this new university I have to attend one semester of classes to be given a key and 24 hour access to the studio. Excited!

couch surfing!

2010-01-27T01:44:00.000+01:00

I'm trying to organise time off work I've planned to go on a bit of a couch surfing adventure around the south of England I was so excited about the whole thing I booked my flights with out getting the time off first fingers crossed it'll work out!

Here's some photos I took whilst I was on my blog free holiday

Ghost Photographic series:

click to enlarge

Hula Bosco :)

2010-01-23T16:10:00.000+01:00

My little sister dressed up one of our dogs aha.

What I'm drinking.

2010-01-21T21:36:00.001+01:00

African Fanta.

Tastes more like Sunkist that Fanta. Yummy and full of evil chemicals and sugar. Neither of which are sold in every-day shops I picked these up in a food shop specializing in international food.

]a[

2010-01-21T16:20:00.001+01:00

I spent today hanging up my work for the 'Rundgand' at my art akademie It's like an open day, where everyone cleans up their studio space and hangs up a couple of pieces. The akademie is then open to the public for 4 days and people go around and look at what we have been up to.

Here are some poor quality photos taken with my laptop.
These are the pieces I've been working on most recently.
Whilst working on them I was reading and thinking lot about T.S. Eliot's The Waste Land.

I was going a bit mental cause the 5 paintings on the board had all bubbled and bent in all different directions and it was very hard to get them to stay hanging on the wall.

Fingers crossed that when I go in in the morning they'll all still be in good shape on the wall!

2010-01-18T16:10:00.000+01:00

Ooo well I took a bit of a break from blogger.

I'll post about what I've been up to in the last month soon.

I came across this collection of tattoo photos. I've been thinking about getting a tattoo for years. If you love tattoos and photography you'll love this. Flipping awesome if you ask me.

Check out: we ♥ it

'Left & Right' Series

2009-12-20T01:26:00.000+01:00

Pencil, Ink and Letraset on paper.

coins

2009-12-09T01:39:00.000+01:00

I pimped a jam jar today to put all my coppper coins in. I stuck this on it :)

one day...one day...

2009-12-03T23:51:00.000+01:00

I really want to get my hands on Lagerfeld Confidentiel but its dead expensive on Amazon :(

I doubt I can rent it from anywhere, I shall ask around see if I can find it anywhere. Looks rather interesting!

credit.

I went through a phase of printing my own t's for a while, I feel like I might get back into it over the winter holidays :) Just need to think up some witty ideas

Argh Sleep.

2009-12-03T01:46:00.003+01:00

I can't sleep. I hate how I always manage to slip back into a nocturnal habit no matter how hard I trynot to. I have to be up early. I know that I would be so much more productive if I could just get out ofbed at 7:30am. I would see so much more sunlight and be able to do many more things in my day. But I can't.
Imagine that typical scene, an angle and a devil sitting on my shoulders telling me what to do. 'Be good, go to sleep, get an early night!' - 'No stay up, watch another show, write another email, read another article.'
Its like that scene in Skins. Where Sid is deciding whether to skip class or not. After initially playing their roles, the (pill popping) angel sides with the devil and says he should skip class and get stoned with them instead.
Some mornings my pill popping angel sides with the devil and they switch of snooze and let me sleep the morning out.
I find that time speeds up as the day goes on, you sit in class or work and time doesnt pass. You get home and before you know it its 2am again. Wtf
What an unproductive day.
♥
Much love kids. Be good, don't let yourselves be badly influenced by aunty Xela. Go to sleep on time, do your homework, dont take drugs, wear a condom and eat your carrots. Good Night and Good morning.

Saatchi Online Showdown

2009-11-29T22:38:00.001+01:00

I've entered a piece in this round of the Saatchi Online Showdown.
Please vote on my work. You should check out the other pieces people have posted too!
Its a great thing, you can win money and have your work shown in the new Saatchi Gallery.
Please vote here
Voting opens 30-11-09 09:00am GMT
Pass the link on to anyone you think might be interested!
http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/showdown/index.php?showpic=244416

Cheers guys, its hard getting your work out there ♥

2009-11-24T22:48:00.001+01:00

9 buses, 4 u-bahns, 3 taxis, 2 planes and 1 tram later I had a truly amazing weekend!

2009-11-19T20:59:00.006+01:00

We bought potatoes today. I'm a happy woman now I can make my mashed potato!!

My head hurts and I don't feel so well tonight :( this is not good as I'm off to Edinburgh tomorrow night for the weekend to visit 2 of my lovely friends that I went to school with. I miss them so terribly I cant wait to give them a big old squeeze.
I've never been to Scotland before! I found really cheap flights with Ryanair and I cant wait to see the gorgeous Edinburgh and St. Andrews.

I've been friends with the gal on the very left since we were 8, and the girl in the 2nd photo (also on the left) for years. Pictured at her graduation with me & my little sister.

I think I'm just going to take a disposable camera with me because I'm only taking hand luggage to save some money on the flights..

Circle time.

2009-11-19T01:22:00.006+01:00

I thought I would share a couple of things with you guys before I go to bed.

Here's some of my art work if any of you are interested in checking it out. Originally I started this blog to blog about my art and artistic endeavors but I seem to get a little sidetracked :)

and heere's a photo I took today:

I need to sleep.

I think...

2009-11-17T23:50:00.008+01:00

...My cat is mental.

Dear Mr. Reily you are mental.

(in a good way of course)

At this time of night he loves to come and sit on the keyboard and roll around in my papers and things. It makes me smile.

Christkindlmarkt

2009-11-17T22:17:00.011+01:00

I had such a good weekend! Realllly amazing. Here are the photos I promised a few of you. The market was packed full of people. We were there on the first day so a lot of people had turned up for the turning on of the lights and things. The atmosphere was great. All bundled up in our coats we laughed and wondered through the stalls looking at all the treats and the tastefully festive lights in the trees overhead.

♥

It was really hard to take photos with out being knocked about as I was using rather long exposure times to deal with the lack of light. So a lot of them are rather blurry.

We went to the Christkindlmarkt (Rathausplatz) There are lots of Christmas markets in Vienna, this how ever is the biggest one. I think its been out side the town hall every year since 1975.
The food stands are amazing and the whole place smells like Christmas. Everyone is holding a mug of mulled wine or punch and is feeling rather festive.
Stalls sell a variety of things from handcrafted ornate Christmas decorations to sweets.
I had a mug of mulled wine and a schaumbecher (a cone filled with a sweet marshmallowy creamy substance covered in milk chocolate) they can be seen in the back of the last photo.

I'v never been to a christmas market in another city, I would love to see what other people get up too!

You should check it out if you're ever in Vienna in November ~ December.

I believe its open until the 24th.

2009-11-13T22:01:00.010+01:00

I went for a walk today to a drugstore. I knew there was one somewhere near by. I remember it being basically in a field. I managed to get totally lost because over the last year they've been building lots of houses round lately. I wanted to buy some cheap false lashes. I should have gone to h&m or somewhere cause when I finally found the drugstore they were like 12€. I did buy some diet coke (aha wtf).

I did manage to snap some photos of the sunset and the lake and things. Have to sort through them, I shall post properly about this little adventure after the weekend and share some of the photos.
I did a photo shoot this afternoon here are two random photos from it.

It was a mod/60s inspired shoot. I drew a lot of inspiration from Twiggy and Edie Sedgwick.
Still have to sort and edit all the photos. I struggled a lot with lighting I don't know why. I really prefer working with natural light. I should get to bed earlier cause its gonna be a wild 24hours with my friend in town! Can't wait! ♥

I'm just going to come out and say it.

2009-11-12T18:56:00.004+01:00

I love mashed potato.

It's my favourite comfort food.
I want mashed potato

We don't have any potatoes. I think the leprechauns might kill me for being a bad Irish woman.
How did this happen?! :(
image via.

2009-11-12T17:23:00.003+01:00

Woo Hoo! Mr sun was out today!! I was so excited. The sky was all blue and lovely. The crunchy leaves looked extra crunchy out my window. I didn't have time to jump in them tho.

Ps. I love this right now: Plato's Atlantis Alexander McQueen Womens Spring/ Summer 2010
The music and imagery in the opening sequence is amazing. When The first girl walks out it sends shivvers down my spine. I'm far from a fashionista. And I know everyone was hyping of McQueen a last month but I just had to share this video. Mind blowing stuff. Perfection.
The pints are spectacular! I would love to know if he hand paints them or collages images or where they come from /how. I read somewhere (possibly style.com) that they are 'digitally printed dresses.' And that 'each dress was a work of computer-generated art.' Who came up with the prints so? Does McQueen sit at the computer all day or does he comision someone 'come up with a few trippy underwater prints there mate, I'll be back in a month!'
Any one got McQueen's number so I can give him a ring?
♥ I wish

Happy Birthday!

2009-11-11T22:25:00.004+01:00

It was my little sister's brithday over the weekend, I'm a bit late about posting about it!

She went to lunch with her dad and when she came home me and my other sister had made supper.
Set the table, light candles, blew up balloons, baked a cake, made party food.
We made cucumber and cheese sandwiches (for the veggies) and cucumber and ham sandwiches. And a large bowl of popcorn. I baked a heart shaped vanilla and strawberry cake.
It was only a little cake but it tasted good even if I say so myself.
Happy Birthday again Lala! ♥

2009-11-11T18:41:00.003+01:00

I wish I could speak every language in the world fluently!!

I'm trying so hard to improve my German and become more comfortable in speaking it but there is something about unexpected lonnng emails from my tutor (in German) that just blows my mind. Its so frustrating. I just spent 25 mins trying to read an email (wouldn't have bothered so hard if she hadn't written that I could earn 800€!)

I get about 25 emails a day from my university, about art openings, competitions, rooms to rent and other different things.
[I googled 'Learning German,' this Image came up and it made me chuckle] image source.
Although I've lived in Vienna for ages now my German is no where as good as my English, which really frustrates me sometimes cause I struggle to express my self sufficiently or to fully understand things at University. If it was all in English I know I wouldn't have half as many problems.
I want to be bilingual, I wish I could snap my fingers or wiggle my nose and be bilingual!!

Perhaps I should challenge myself and blog in English and German :S force my self to use my German more.

Anywho. I think I'm going to do the thing the email was about, which is submit a design for the cover of 'Neurologisch'
The ausgabe will be about Parkinson's. I have no idea where to begin, graphic design is very new for me.

I would love to check out past copies but I have no idea where to find them. Tried googling it but nothing came up.

PET scan source.

Christmas is in the air!

2009-11-10T20:00:00.008+01:00

The kristkindlmarkt is opening on Saturday.

I don't usually go until the Christmas holidays but this year I shall be going on Saturday cause one of my lovely friends will be coming to Vienna for the weekend with some of her new friends.
Its a great place to get punch and hot wine and christmasy things. Shopping at the stalls is way over priced for the tourists, the food and drinks a bit too expensive as well. But its always nice to walk around. When I was little my mum used to take me and my brother there to the Rathaus. There is this thing there where children can make crafts and Christmas things. Really enjoyable and a great way to make Christmas presents for your parents.
I can't wait for E to come! It will be a bit weird because I was so close to her until she moved away to uni in September. We've been through a lot. I hope I get on well with her new friend. Hope it isn't hard catching up with them around.
[this is a photo taken last Christmas with me and too of my other close friends before a wild Christmas party. It was taken in front of the one in the middle's Christmas tree. Her mother always does these wonderful themed trees ♥! I like the tree we do as well, its always a bit wonky and weird cause we don't get the expensive ones, we decorate it with ornaments that have sentimental value with things me and my siblings have made for it over the years.]
♥

Nom nom!

2009-11-10T19:17:00.004+01:00

Did you ever do this thing when you were younger: Peel your orange/tangerine in one go.

Then lay out your peeling, what letter does it look like?

This letter is the first letter of your future husband's name.
Pahahaha What letter is this? Looks like a freaking spider. Omg maybe my new man will be spider man. Hopefully NOT Tobey Maguire!

Come sleep come.

2009-11-09T23:42:00.004+01:00

Don't you hate when your exhausted, but cant sleep. Grr. That's how I feel right now. The sun was shining this morning! Work was really quiet so I kept going and standing outside trying to stock up on rays :D I wanted to take a photo of the blue blue sky but I never have my camera when I want to take a photo.

I sat across from a guy on the underground home. This guy had perfectly plucked or threaded eyebrows. like perfect. I stared at them for about 10mins (woops I know I shouldn't stare)
I couldn't work out how I felt about them. Personally its a big turn off. A lot of guys in Vienna pluck their eyebrows. Makes me feel bad cause mine are tidy enough but not as well kept, symmetrical and what not. Do guys do this where you live too?

It horrifies me at first, and then I think, once upon a time it was unacceptable for a woman to wear trousers. So if I can wear trousers, why can't he pluck his eyebrows... (I don't think I'm really convincing my self here haha)

2009-11-08T14:54:00.003+01:00

I'd really like to build up a collection of portrait photographs. I wanted to enter a competition and the National Portrait Gallery during the summer but I didn't have any good photos. So I think I shall take some photos of my sisters to start off with. I'm looking for some ideas at the moment. For some photographic inspiration.
via
I came across this photo from one of those America's Next Top Model seasons/episodes, no idea which model it is. (funny how none of them actually become top models)
I think its a killer photo. I've read that the photo shot was inspired by these crazy performers: Fuerza Bruta.
They perform in shallow water on a see-through surface over hundreds of people. Its wild, really organic and beautiful.
via Norman Perryman
It reminded me of a Kinetic Painting workshop I did a few years back with Norman Perryman. Which I absolutely loved.

2009-11-06T22:44:00.004+01:00

Over the last few days, its rained and it has snowed and everything in between!

Its been so dark and gloomy. I bought a new winter coat last week and I'm glad I did :)The above photo is my street, I was coming home from work just before 2am and the 7min walk down my road took 35mins because I got a bit carried away and started taking photos of basically everything. I took this photo out side a little church between the unters Beleveder and Schwartzenbergplz. It was really beautiful the warmth and light coming from the ground contrasted the weather perfectly. And I'm not even religious...
I'm so excited about having followers! I hope you guys have a great weekend! Does anyone have any exciting plans? I just painted my nails, I shall be off to bed soon. I'm working tomorrow, hope to go to the cinema or something on Sunday. Somewhere warm and cozy! ♥

Mmm...

2009-11-02T21:54:00.003+01:00

Today I treated myself to a Venti Chai Tea Latte ♥ from Starbucks today. omg It was amazing like always.
I used to have a tub of spiced chai latte stuff that I bought in the uk. I lived off it.
I love the smell. A cup of it makes your room/home smell all warm and Christmasy.
but Starbucks is way over priced so I only get my self a Chai Tea Latte (or an Iced one) once in a blue moon.
The name sort of annoys me tho, because chai = tea so really I'm ordering a tea tea latte. I am so bad at ordering in starbucks its so complicated I get so confused. :D
I went and sat in the burggarten with my latte, no one else was sitting down, guess it's too cold if you dont have a giant cup of tea to warm you up!
I love the burggarten, in the summer it's always buzzing with people just hanging out, and it's gorgeous.
Shame my camera battery decided to die on me!
Do you like tea?

It's a good feeling

2009-11-02T21:19:00.005+01:00

Yay, I'm all happy on the inside.
I had such a lovely weekend it seemed productive, exciting and filled with laughs.
I kept getting confused and couldnt remember what day it was. I worked Halloween, which was ok. Twas rather busy for a while trying to squeeze through the costumed people. We had a few bar fights take place, the police and the ambulance had to be called. It seemed alot of the bars were filled it the rage. Must have been the full moon and the costumes and the booze. Some people don' know how to just have fun.

All the staff dressed up we loved it. I love dressing up! When I lived in England we'd dress up once a month for a costumed event at this club.
I think it really brings out the kid in all of us ♥

I got to see one of my closest friends last night for the first time in about 8/9 months. It was amazing. We hugged and jumped up and down squealing like we'd never been apart.
We then proceeded to get drunk, eat dinner twice, talk talk talk, dress up for no apparent reason, make fools of ourselves in public, talk talk dink and eat, get into a very scary situation with a deranged taxi driver and then cuddle up and fall asleep. It was like we'd never been torn apart.
I don't want her to leave ever.

To all those I still miss; please come home.
It's getting colder and colder here.

2009-10-30T17:42:00.006+01:00

I'm thinking about doing some drawings of my sister's traditional dancing shoes. These are her hard toe shoes. They're really beat up and danced down and I think they would make great subjects. As far as I know she bought them second hand of another dancer. She's absolutely in love with them, I think she takes after me with her love of old and worn things.

I have taken some photos of them for inspiration. I hope to come up with a good composition and medea choice, then I shall draw from the real shoes.
She also has a pair of ghillies, I would like to get some photos of her dancing in them with her proper poodle socks.

2009-10-28T20:01:00.004+01:00

Oh gosh. I decided to do a bit of a spring clean and sort out all of my shoes as lately ive been storing them in a box. I need some sort of shoe rack so that I can pick a pair easily in the morning cause usually by the time its shoe time I don't have the time to go digging for a pair. (aha so many 'time's) I realised whilst sorting that October has been a shoe month. I bought too many shoes..or atleast way more than I normaly buy in a month...

My mum surprised me today with a pair of Tory Pink Plaid Vans (like these but in pink & black)image via

2009-10-27T21:47:00.005+01:00

I went to the best second /vintage store in Vienna, looking for some costume ideas and pieces today.
It's got an amazing collection of 80's prom dresses like the crazy kind made out of flammable material. The real deal like. Shame I'm not going to an 80s party. They have some really amazing stuff.

Most of their stuff is vintage, from an 'old lady's closet' type thing so its a great place to pick up mental knit jumpers and crazy printed things. They have a wild selection of shirts and blouses with trippy prints, unfortunately they're all that shinny cheap material which I can't stand to wear.

The lady who works there isn’t the friendliest so I only managed this one sneaky shot :(
I promised my bank account I would be kind to it today. I did come away with a cute little scarf that only cost me 1€.
I also bought a pair of Mary Jane’s, in a mad asian clothing shop.
I used to have a pair but they vanished off the face of the earth... my justification was that they would be good for my Halloween costume...

If you're ever in Vienna you should check it out. The money goes to a good cause aswell!

Humana 7.,Wien, Lerchenfelderstrasse 45/Ecke Neubaugasse
humana

2009-10-27T20:55:00.003+01:00

I saw a dog today on the tain. He was in the cutest little sailor outfit. Normaly I think dressing your dog up is tacky. I couldn't get a photo tho... he looked a little something like this.

image via.

Saturday Night

2009-10-27T19:51:00.002+01:00

Saturday night is Halloween and I'm working. I have to dress up as we have a big Halloween party and the place has been all decorated. I cant make up my mind about a costume... I don’t want to spend too much money but want to look awesome.

First I thought of Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas,

She's got red hair and I could sew together some old bits of fabric to make the outfit.
But I don’t think I have the time to make the outfit as the next few days I'll be busy with university.

I'm thinking of dressing up as a rag doll, like Raggedy Ann but more gothic. I have a black baby doll dress and black mary janes. I saw a shop in town that sells white old fashioned aprons so I might pick one up there. I'll tale some inspiration from Sally’s stitches and do some on my face and arms....
:S I have this tiny thought at the back of my mind, maybe my colleagues are pulling my leg and when I get to work all made up in an outfit they'll laugh. So just in case I shall pack my normal uniform and a pack of baby wipes :)

What are your plans for Halloween?
A friend of mine is throwing a massive party, really wish I could go but alas I've got to work. It should be a fun night the, all the staff even those who are off will come in and dress up and hopeful the regulars too. I'm excited! Last Halloween I had the flu.

2009-10-26T18:12:00.005+01:00

Larger than Life - Backstreet Boys just came on. Gosh it made me smile. Took me straight back to 1999. Felt like a smitten 9 year old. Cringe.

2009-10-26T02:48:00.003+01:00

I just painted my nails ♥[Rimmel London 60 Seconds, 405 Rose Libertine]

I have quite a few Rimmel London 60 Seconds nail varnishes and I would recomend them to friends. They are mid range price. Dry quickly compared to other nail varnishes out there, especially when they're new. They come in a great range of colours!

2009-10-26T01:47:00.006+01:00

What I wore today...

elephant necklas: Second Hand (h&m?)
flowery blouse: h&m (not very me but theres still bits of black in it and I kinda like it hehe)

faux snake Heels: gifted
black skinny jeans: Levis

I'm always seeing people post about what they wore that day. The photos are always so perfect looking. I got frustrated trying to get a nice full body shot with the shitty lighting so I snapped these standing under my bedroom light :)

2009-10-26T00:22:00.002+01:00

My kitty cat is watching MTV with me, actually he's just napping in my lap. Love having him to keep me company. Meow.

2009-10-25T23:38:00.008+01:00

Went to a salsa club tonight wasn't too sure what to wear oh well if only I had lovely followers to help me out :D
Must be said: I've drank (drunk?) a few white spritzers.
I didn't stay out long as I only got a few hours sleep last night.

I would really like to learn how to salsa. Some people on the dance floor made it look soo easy and they looked all carefree rolling their hips and spinning each other around.

It must also be said: I've got a girl crush on Whitney from The City I think she's gorgeous and has great eyebrows ahaha. I think she pulls the cutest, genuine/innocent facial expressions. She is lovely on the screen...
Its not something I'll admit to very freely because I didn't like the Hills and still don't, reality tv my arse :)

I need to find a cinema going buddy. Last year I lived a 5min walk from an Odeon cinema and my flat mate used to go down on a tuesday (student discount night) in our pjs and jumpers, sneak in sandwiches, crips, fruit, nuts or cider. We'd always basicaly be the only people in the cinema. Those were the times :)
I want to watch An Education I love all British accents and I 300 days of summer because I love Deschanel.

2009-10-25T17:03:00.004+01:00

I'm thinking about changing my header as the current one is a tad grainy and I would like to use my own font. I found the font I'm using now somewhere on a website..

Its a lazy Sunday afternoon so I'm taking it easy messing around in Illustrator, watching a movie, eating grapes drinking blackcurrant and nettle tea.

2009-10-24T16:07:00.007+02:00

Brrrr it is soo fwweezing. Dark skys and frosty winds annnd I start my shift at 9pm tonight.
If only I had rose-tinted glasses!
I would love no more than to currrl into bed at 9 with a cup of hot chocolate and a nice movie with my boy.

next day edit:

The taxi driver was half cracked this morning when I got off my shift.

He preached to me about how amazing arranged marriages are and that if I marry some boy off the street I will never be happy.

Godiva

2009-10-23T22:07:00.008+02:00

I have a small tin chocolate box on my book shelf.
I’m not one for writing diaries or scrap booking.

I think at some point I fell in love with a book/show/movie (I don’t even remember) where a boy finds another boy’s beat up tin box, and tries to track down this boy only to find an old man who once liked to put his favourite things in a box.

This box is filled with all sorts of things; tickets, photos, letters…

This is my great grandmother’s purple glass broach that my nan gave me.

Everything in this box = many great memories

What do you do with all your bits and bobs?

2009-10-23T17:06:00.004+02:00

I've saved up some coins in my piggy bank and now I can't decide: MacBook Pro (1.599 €) or driving lessons (aprox. 750 €)
I have been slave driving and not spending my coins for a few months now...

The MacBook is soo expensive...grr. But this brick is dying on me!
Driving would making getting to work much shorter cause on a good day the commute is almost an hour. Then again driving lessons, will lead to me buying a cheap hunk of junk (been dreaming about a vw käfer since I vos a little seed) that's gona break down on me tons. Better mull this one over for a while...

If only I lived in the centre and then I could have a cute old bike

2009-10-21T14:33:00.010+02:00

I ♥ Tea. Slurp Slurp!p.s. Oh my gosshh... So many things to do. Better start a 'to do' list

go to vorlesung on thursday
go to drawing class on thursday morning
get hair cut
send birthday gift & card to K
tidy room
hoover
draw, draw, draw
do laundry
unpack boxes
wash dishes
change light bulb
hang paintings up
call work: ~~sort out shifts~~
go to ikea, buy plastic boxes
email Renate
~~return J's call~~
work in work book
draw, draw, draw
~~write a responce to A~~
buy a drawing pad (like size A3) & note book for Art History class
buy studs

2009-10-20T00:03:00.003+02:00

I found these earrings that I made this summer. I made a bunch of different fruit, veg and food and sold most of them. I kept this pair of cherries for myself.

An artist I'm digging right now:

2009-10-19T17:59:00.009+02:00

Shawn Barber.

I rather like his series 'Tattooed Portraits' it has some history as it is a series that dates back to 2005 and he's still producing fresh paintings today. He seems to have access to all the big name tattoo artists out there. The paintings that I find most appealing are the ones with layers of images and that capture movement through these layers.

Check out his blog here, or his website here.

Edit: After reading bits and pieces on his websit and blog I must admit he's a bit full of him self and loves to preach...perhaps I just value modesty a bit too much...

2009-10-18T13:33:00.003+02:00

Even the animals wish the sun would come out!

I wish I had a polaroid camera!

2009-10-18T13:23:00.003+02:00

I decided to be a good house wife today and make myself and my sisters a nice lunch.
Pasta with a lentil & corn sauce.

2009-10-18T00:37:00.003+02:00

I must admit my guilty pleasure at the moment is dubstep tunes.
Just got hooked up with loads of Benga stuff.
Listening and munching on chocolate.

2009-10-17T22:53:00.005+02:00

My boss told me today that I have to draw Halloween themed things in all the windows at work :[
seems a bit daunting I must say.

Must start brain stormin asap!

2009-10-16T13:28:00.000+02:00

2009-10-16T09:29:00.003+02:00

I want to make something, sew something, cut and stick something. I don't know what to make and have no fabric :(
Such a sad story don't you think!

I love this measuring tape. It's my mother's been around as long as I can remember. I find something about it so beautiful.

Oh how

2009-10-16T09:18:00.002+02:00

I miss the sunshine!

2009-10-16T09:03:00.007+02:00

I'm now a Grafik und druckgrafische Techniken Student :) (Graphic Arts and Printmaking Techniques.) I'm doing a Mag. Art. in Fine Art. After plenty of exams and interviews I'm in the department I never really considered. I'm excited though, its an opportunity to take a different path and experiment. I've enjoyed print making in the past:

2009-10-14T20:03:00.001+02:00

I can't wait!

2009-10-14T19:06:00.003+02:00

I had a technical life drawing class yesterday, and the Professor said 'We can't afford to have a model everyday so we're going to have to take it in turns to bring in something, a bored friend, your dogs, your children old clothes...It doesn't matter, they can lie down and sleep if they want!'
Looks like its going to be a very interesting class, next week on of my colleagues is bringing in her 3 children for us to draw :)

2009-10-14T18:47:00.005+02:00

Haven't written a word all summer. What a crazy few weeks it's been. Alas the lazy summer days are behind us, the hard work must start again!