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MidweekMINDFUEL

For years now my mind keeps trying to build ways and possibilities how to go on with Life, and all sorts of dreams about what I want to do with it. There are loooads of things, paths, places and works I could imagine and huge amounts of wishes fairly "realistic"... Most of these plans still seem extremely improbable and/or really hard to accomplish.
But WHAT THE HECK?! - why should THAT destroy golden plans for this splendid single one of LIFE one has been lucky enough to have on this earth??

Trying and failing is ever so much better than not trying at all...

midweekMINDFUEL ~ Young-Ha KIM: "Be an artist, right now." ~

Today I want to share someone's words with you, that I believe should be heard by anyone who ever felt the slightest hint of creativity-craving inside their souls. . . but hesitated to live it out loud.

Kim Young-Ha (Kim is the surname, which in Korean - as well as Japanese - usually precedes the first name)  is a Korean novelist, who has an outstanding talent in vivid storytelling and engages in encouraging children and everyone else, too, to believe in their artistic vocation and let their fantasy and imagination strive. . .

His talk on the TED conference gives an insight in the possibilities of cultivating arts and boosting (hidden?) talents in everyone of us. And he does it in a really humorous way! ;)

Only a few quotes of his site at TED's

“We are all born artists. . . . Almost everything kids do is art.”

“The magic question is, ‘What for?’ But art is not for anything. Art is the ultimate goal.”

 

But you should better listen by yourself. . .

 

 

mondayMAKINGS #2 ~Drawing a Dream Home~

Drawing of a Black Pearl Farm Hut - 2009

This drawing was made in 2009, when I had one of my peak phases of dreaming wildly about my future, and what I want to do with my live. . .
I was in preparation for the entrance exam and portfolio needed for architecture college, when I found a photo somewhere in the web of this stilt house. It immediately triggered fantasies of becoming a (pearl) diver, living a poor but happy life at a beautiful beach. . . 
hahhh. . . 
woudn't you want to live in that hut, too?! =)

Anyways, of course I had to draw it. And here it is.
Still not my house. . .not even similar to my current home, actually. . .(besides, maybe the leaky walls;b) but still loved and dreamed of.

Someday,. . . I'll built something like that and declare it HOME. ^^ 

. . . Who's with me?! . . . 

Leaf Umbrellas

Leaf from below...as seen on Indiana Public Media

Orang-Utan in the rain - found on Mongabay.com

In this ever more futuristic, technical-based and digitally controlled world we live in, isn't it revitalizing
to discover some more nature inspired design, that speaks to our archaic instincts and comforts some
of our deeply rooted needs...?
Like taking shelter.
In fact this might be one of THE most natural and basic instincts, that applies to all sentient beings!
Be it for rain or sun or to hide from predators, even animals use tools for taking shelter.

And humans surely did that since their earliest states of appearance on this earth.

Found on dftvpress.org

taken from dailypicksandflicks.com

 

 

 

 

So how about some Leaf-like designed Umbrellas today?! =)

The first one you might already know.
Droog Design presented the Shadylace Parasol, designed by Dutch Designer Chris Kabel a few years ago. On the big Interior Fair "immCologne" 2010 I had the pleasure to stand under it and enjoy the wonderful shadow plays it produces around you.
It's among the Top Sellers on Droog's site, still costs 235€.
One day I'll purchase one of these...hopefully. ;)
Oh, don't overlook the sweet birdie figure attached on top! =D

SHADYLACE PARASOL

This next one here - shared by my favourite painter artist JOSH KEYES on his Facebook page - is responsible for this post in the first place.
Oh, that reminds me on how urgently I need to write apost about Josh's work!!!
Stay tuned for that, or go find out yourself - that man's got a wicked talent!

from Third Drawer Down

I bid on this here on ebay.de, but unfortunately didn't win the auction =,( *snif*

from The Sign Maker

designed by Shinmura DesignOffice

I think this one's my favourite! Not just printed, but sewed on leaves!

Galleria Palm Tree Folding Umbrella by Outblush

found on Polyvore

sold out they say...what a pity! =/ - from Shade USA

by Ella Doran - Kensington Umbrella

these are only shaped as one leaf, but still nice! ^^ - found on Rakutan Global Market

this here goes even more natural:

the Banana Leaf Umbrella

Das erste DaWanda-Buch ist da!

   YAY!! Here it is! Finally, a book from DaWanda!

Kreativ mit DaWanda

   DaWanda?! - What's Dawand?!--- if this question pops into your mind, let me tell you it's SO worth learning the answer! ;)
I cite their FAQ Website here:

"DaWanda is a marketplace where you can buy unique, customised and handmade products made by talented people, and sell your own creations. It also functions as a meeting place for artists, designers and creative individuals, buyers and sellers alike. On DaWanda, you can find out about the creative minds behind the items for sale, compare notes with other members, comment on products, be inspired by great design and share ideas and experiences in the blogs and forum.
Plus on DaWanda you can find a huge selection of handcrafting supplies (fabric, beads, accessories etc.)
And since Summer 2009 we have also included a category for vintage products us. For us, vintage means: unique ‘Products with Love’, which are at least 20 years old."

   Those of you knowing ETSY, will have a déja-vu on DaWanda, but that's sure a great thing! Never enough Handmade goods out there! =)
I have my little virtual booth at that platform, too. THough at the very moment there's only one item online... I promise to work on that!

   Well, to the point:
DaWanda published a book! And I SOOOO need to get it!
For the time being it's only in german I think, but I must spread the word and promote it, because it surely is worth even just for the pictures of items! ;)