Artsy pics of the week

Sandra Merwin

Ellen Magdalena

Ellen de Groot

Artsy Peeks of the week

Black Raven Wash 5x7 by poordogfarm

Home by Claire Elan

Winsome by Donna Zhang

The Middle of the World (O Caminho das Nuvens) by Vicente Amorim

The Middle of the World (O Caminho das Nuvens) is one of my favorite movie of the year. The story is about a family road trip on bicycles throughout Brazil looking for jobs. It is beautifully made. It is intense and weirdly  soothing. Yes, it gives a real perspective of how hard it  is to make a living in this global economy.  It is a simple movie that captures  the conflicts and complexities of life and family. I just love it! A must watch!!! On Netflix oh yes...In Portuguese with English subtitles.. Enjoy!!!

Same Moonlight for our Dreams

The Middle of the World is a road movie on bicycles. It is freely adapted from the true story of an unemployed truck driver who, with his wife and five children, pedals from Paraíba, in the poverty-stricken Northeast of Brazil, all the way to Rio de Janeiro looking for a job. Romão (the father) feels destined to earn 1000 reais (about 300 US$) a month a vast sum for Brazilian standards. On four bikes, the family goes through five states, knows solidarity and indifference, aggressiveness and cordiality. A 2000-mile odyssey through the hinterlands of Brazil all the way to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil's best-known postcard. The Middle of the World shows the quest for the dream of a decent life a story of dreams and hope.

Sunni Colón - Lost Tribe

This one is for my two brothers with all my love!!!
See you soon!!
 "Reality is wrong. Dreams are for real." Tupac Shakur

Artsy Peeks of the week

Résilience by Bruce Clarke

Irisee Sombre by Isabel Chavet

The fashion Designer  by Salvador Dali

Foundation of the week:Cultures of Resistance

Cultures of Resistance:  The Official Trailer from Cultures of Resistance on Vimeo.


I stumbled on this amazing documentary by filmmaker and activist Iara Lee working with Cultures of Resistance.
Just watch the preview!!! I am buying the DVD!

CULTURES OF RESISTANCE is a project, a campaign, a mission, and a living, breathing, growing network. Our collective of activists, agitators, artists, and dreamers is primarily focused on issues of peace and justice in the global south, and we are especially interested in supporting organizations and activists around the world who are working toward international solidarity and social justice.
Worldwide, people from all walks of life are finding creative ways to oppose war and promote peace, justice, and sustainability. Culture, including film, music and food, is fertile terrain for this struggle. Education that nourishes a critical mind and fortifies the soul is just as essential. CULTURES OF RESISTANCE was established to identify and support international and diverse initiatives that embody these values, and to fortify an international network of activists and agitators, educators and artists, insurgent musicians, guerilla filmmakers, vanguard gardeners and gourmands.

Quote from August Wilson

I just love this quote!!!

“Confront the dark parts of yourself, and work to banish them with illumination and forgiveness. Your willingness to wrestle with your demons will cause your angels to sing. Use the pain as fuel, as a reminder of your strength.”

 August Wilson quotes (American Writer, 1945-2005)

Artsy peeks for 14 th july

Growing up in France, civic lessons were my favorite part of the school day. Our elementary school principal was the mayor of a small village(Mr Clavez... if I recall). He was so passionate about our future as citizens.  He gave us a beautiful message of hope. Thanks to him, I loved everything about  the French revolution. The Marianne was the emblem of that free republic. In high school, I found out about Cordier's sculptures. Cordier described that other part of France, which I belong. Nevertheless, when I turned eighteen years old, I rushed  to get my card of elector. So Mr Clavez did a great job.Thank you!!
Here some of Cordier busts...
Enjoy!!!

White Lion by Michael Swan

This was our evening movie last night. It is a feel good movie for children. However, it is an amazing movie. The scenes are beautifully filmed. Each scene is filled with endless metaphors. They are powerful and so real. It was a perfect way to discuss confidence, strength, weakness, fear, and life with our 8 years old.  The metamorphosis of a fragile awkward cub into a fierce lion king is fantastic.  I just found the entire movie on YouTube so I had to share!!!Thank you  Michael Swan!! Enjoy!




"When a rare white lion is born to a pride in an African valley, a Shangaan boy named Gisani (Thabo Malema) believes it his is responsibility to protect the cub, which he names Letsatsi. Tribal beliefs dictate that the lion is a messenger of the gods. But Letsatsi breaks free of his pride and must learn to survive on his own. Meanwhile, Gisani learns that a trophy hunter wishes to track Letsatsi down and kill him."

Artsy peeks of the week

Lino Tagliapietra

Tsang Cheung-shing

Holly Lentz

Artsy peek of the week

I took this picture last week. I could not enter to take a good picture but I love it!

" LOOKING FOR INSPIRATION CAN BE DANGEROUS, BUT IT IS ALWAYS WORTH IT"

Book of the week: The Alchemist: A graphic Novel

Being in my graphic novel therapy, I am searching  the web for my next read. And here, I found  it, The Alchemist; A graphic Novel! I am ordering this one!! It will be a new project for my favorite second grader as well as a perfect educating tool. This a perfect addition to the original version and accessible to new dreamers.
Same Moonlight  for our Dreams

Pride of Baghdad written by Brian K. Vaughan and illustrated by Niko Henrichon

I finished this graphic novel this weekend. It is a great fictional story based on a true story of four African lions that escaped from the Baghdad Zoo after an American bombing in 2003. It is a captivating allegory on freedom, humanity, community and survival. The illustration is the soul of this masterpiece!  Seriously, the illustrations are breathtaking. The plot is good: Baghdad in decline during the American invasion and four African lions in quest of freedom. The plot starts slowly  then it goes into a mind blowing "fictional dystopia allegory"  like  the animal farm of Orwell. That is why I love the story. According to Wikipedia, a dystopian society is also often characterized by mass poverty and brutal political controls such as a large military-like police. I like how fiction challenge our critical thinking.  Pride of Baghdad is an allegory on domesticated wild animals escaping a zoo in an urban jungle at war. Fighters or hunters, captives or servants, we are all starving for freedom.  One of the character says  "There's an old saying, Zill. Freedom can't be given, only earned".
 Thank you to K.Vaughan and Niko Henrichon for this masterpiece.
A must read, specially in our current revolutionary climate....
Same Moonlight for our Dreams

The king's speech

This is a brilliant, amazing, and inspirational movie. It was exactly what I needed!!! A speechless Prince that has to talk like a King!! The movie is about love, friendship, trust and fears.  It is about finding your own voice and talk to the world. It is not about the eloquence of grandiose orators.  It is about that inner voice, you want everybody to hear without being too vulnerable.  The movie also reminds me, how I used to change my voice to match my environment.  As a child, my dad used to call me the chameleon. I could copy accent, timbre and tone. It was my way to blend in.  The funny thing is that our son also noticed.  He said that he knows when I use my voice with my own accents or my “people” voice.  The truth is that imitating “people voice”  helps me in pronunciation.  I still easily stutter on many English words. It reminds me who I am and where I come from. So it is all good.

This movie beautifully depicts a struggle within each one of us.

A must see!

Artsy peeks of the week

Niliiroll Nikailike

Enoch Mukiibi

Dr. Rashid Diab

Artsy Peeks of the week

Anastasia Sarantinou

Ashley Cecil

Ryan Hewitt

A Prophet -Un prophète by Jacques Audiard.

It is about the journey of a young North African prisoner in France. He is sentenced to six years in jail. I was expecting stereotypes and a lot of clichés. I was agreeably surprised. It is a fiction about  our fantasy “hero”, a Tony Montana like personage that makes it out alive.

In this pure fiction, I like how the racial tensions are portrayed.  The main character managed to stay alive. He went from the invisible “slave-maid” to the “ultimate gangster”. It is perfectly done because it already takes place in prison. It does take away the glamour of “wannabe Mafioso”.  

Seriously, it is a must watch. The movie is in French, Arabic, and Corsica with subtitles. It is nice to have movies about Arabs in France. It is sadly so familiar but the message coming out from some of  silent scenes is outstanding. One of the best films I have seen!!!

Verdict: Excellent !!

 Enjoy!

Arsty Peeks: Allan Bean

Allan Bean was the fourth man to walk on the Moon. He is an Astronaut-Artist. He incorporates small amount of Moon dust in his paintings!!! He is using color to express what he felt. My fascination to the Moon is obvious!!Allan Bean lived the dream. He is  sharing the bliss.Thank you!

Enjoy…

Underwater Sculpture by Jason deCaires Taylor

Jason deCaires Taylor is an artist, a diving instructor, an underwater naturalist, a photographer and the creator of the underwater sculpture park in Grenada. Just amazing!

Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Art of the Animated Series by Dark Horse

I love comics from Dark Horse!!!I am also a fan of Avatar:The last Airbender. I guess that Shyamalan and Paramount Pictures Studio did their best in the movie!! However the "Art" behind this animated series is the "soul" of the story. Thank you to the authors and artists: Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante Dimartino for this masterpiece! This book is on our wish list.

"Since its debut in 2005, Avatar: The Last Airbender has remained one of Nickelodeon's most talked about and highest-rated animated series to date, and it's not too hard to see why . . . Not only does it offer an epic storyline, engaging characters, action, adventure, and a powerful message about the importance of hope in a world long-besieged by war, all the while serving up top-notch entertainment. It's also beautifully executed, a stunning masterpiece of animated storytelling that harmonizes Western influences with aesthetic inspiration drawn from a diverse array of cultures, including those of China, Japan, India, and the Inuit.
An unprecedented look at the concept, design, and production art behind this smash-hit series, Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Art of the Animated Series chronicles the show's development -- from the very first sketch through to the series finale and beyond!"