Here are my personal favorite entries of the year.

Dewdrops and Decay

Frills and Frivolity

Flowing Folds

Strands of Expression

Traces of Ink

Sometimes it seems as though modern art is only catching up to some of fantastical shapes, colors, and patterns in nature, especially those in the vivid world of of sea creatures. They seamlessly combine appearance and function in ways that baffle and amaze the modern scientist and artist to create displays that we could only hope to imagine.

Be sure to listen to David Gallo’s talk on some of these creatures!

Sites to visit:

Sea Photos

J.Lambus Photography

As fall weather creeps upon you, please stay warm and enjoy these halloween treats!

The withered lotus slowly dips its blackened finger into the water, distorting the reflections of the surrounding reeds as they swirl around the textured form, trying to quench its parched skin, or hold on to their tangible lines. An old Japanese master at work, he creates brush strokes that flow through lines of spontaneity into a cool melody of abstract shape.

The dry shell of its leaf floats below like a forgotten piece of brown parchment, collecting fallen pieces of the moon. These luminescent dewdrops settle as glass spheres in their lackluster surroundings, as the thin leaf of the reed lowers its delicate arch, almost touching its dying neighbor. Veins of life, branching out like the Amazon, are imprinted upon its mint-green skin.

The solemn catfish swims by, saddened by autumn, and erases the fragile reflections.

With the overwhelming trend to buy eco-friendly items, it seems as as though it’s moving further away from actually being effective, and few of us actually incorporate environmentally friendly actions in our own lives. I thought I would share some products that I use: they may not make any difference, but they are good in their own ways as well.

These shopping bags are a little pricey, but they are sturdy, fit well on the shoulder, and can contain an unusually large amount of groceries. Proceeds go to feed school children in Rwanda.

You probably don’t flip through most of the catalogues you receive, so why not unsubscribe on this website and reduce the amount of paper wasted.

Most nail polishes are incredibly toxic, but these have very little smell, and look just as good as those from other companies.

Ecover products are also non-toxic and much more pleasant to clean with.

Most importantly, go to a local farmer’s market while there are so many fall vegetables still around. Here’s a list of farmer’s markets in New York.

Reflections travel
In ripples, slowly moving
Past the steadfast rock,
Midsummer breezes replaced
By deceptively sweet wind.

Lonely lily pad,

Lets enjoy the quiet dusk,

While we wait for fall.

As you float in cool water,

I will relish my brush strokes.

Ana Hagopian’s cascading grapevines, petals, poppies, and tulips seem to transcend their fabric construction to both embody their natural forms and exist as vibrant artistic melodies. They are spontaneous enough to be worn only by the most confident yet lively enough to be desired by everyone. Most of all, they appear as though they were found on a vine, tree branch, or plucked from a grass field. The Capuxines rings or Bugamvilia earrings are little creations that look like souvenirs from a colorful morning’s walk.

Mari Ishikawa’s work, on the other hand, looks like it came from the careful thought process of the elements. The silver rings are assemblages of a fallen leaf, a thin branch, and the binding force of the wind and rain. The brooches, gold or silver, are gloriously tangled with an artistic irregularity that is unrestricted from conscious regulations. They are all subtle, smiling indications of the perfectly imperfect forms of nature.

Dorothea Dähnickare’s creations are more immediate reminders of verdant greens, and evoke the same happiness one gets after finding a young leaf saturated with clean dew or a particularly successful day at the farmer’s market. Her freshly picked pearl-with-leaf pieces are effortless and ephemeral, living at the peak of midsummer. They are inherently elegant with a sense of fresh, fluent humor, such as one strand of grass delicately looped with two small pearl touches at the tip.

Royal geese, floating
Leisurely in reflections,
Models for Degas.

I certainly won’t move my little finger if I don’t have a cup of tea first. It’s a matter of principle.

In the mornings, I prefer no nonsense black tea such as Red Dragon (the blend of irish breakfast, ceylon sonata, and earl grey bravo makes it particularly flavorful):

During the day, I like to experiment with different kinds of teas, depending on my mood. Choosing from a variety of teas on the spot, is, admittedly, quite satisfying. Whether it’s the aromatic and fresh Green Mango Pineapple tea or the rich chocolate flavors of the Scorpio blend, I’m always in the mood for another cup.

Green Mango Pineapple tea • Scorpio blend

There is always time to sneak another cup in the evening; this time, something a little more mellow. Capricorn is a blend of irish breakfast, coconut, and vanilla, and has both a luxurious taste and smell that is perfect for nighttime.

Please look at the Zodiac Blends and order your sign or one for a friend. They are all delicious, however, so find one that appeals to you!