Squeeze My Orange

Before digital, there was Frida…

Photographers do it all the time with the lens–snap those moments of life that not only capture a moment in time but what matters in that moment also becomes evident to keen observers. Before digital, Frida Kahlo’s way of doing it was with her self-portraits.  With her remarkable name,  she is memorable for pouring her humility and passion onto canvas for strangers to view and examine. To the beginner’s eye, some of her self-portraits will appear dark and narcissistic but beneath the paint are stories stroked with rich hues of her life and death.

Her paintings mimic her heart pulsating rapidly to the beats of pain and passion. Stories of her crippling accident and her love for Diego Rivera are balanced with a dualistic paradox.  To endure her anguish, she sublimated herself onto canvas to make sense of her reality. Her paintings are raw and unfiltered and gives us access  to bliss in life as well as bliss in death. Her portraits serve as an autopsy to study not in a morbid but enlightening way.

Her story and portraits are amazing to view for a particular purpose: what matters? What matters in life, clearly surfaces to be examined. To examine is to focus. With focus, pictures of our lives become less obscured and gives us the opportunity to extract some truth out of it. The gift of a great piece of art is that it is truthful and raw. Some of the most amazing photographs capture a scene in its natural state. In the same way, Frida Kahlo captures an honest life with her photograghs of herself as depicted on canvas with colors that represent where she was physically and emotionally throughout her life.

Swallow Your Smart Pill!–Kahlil Gibran

If you want to swallow a smart pill, read Kahlil Gibran’s, The Prophet–such amazing insight and perspective on life. Among the topics explored are: the ecstasy of friendship, giving, freedom and love. There are some books that are a must, this is one I value in my personal library. Not only is it a great read but it is poetically written, philosophically stimulating and mysteriously true to the unraveling phenomenons of this world.

The Prophet explores life in fine poetic form and tone in that layer by layer, topics of life are revealed to us rather than told to us. Kahlil Gibran encapsulates what life is through a story that explores the human core that links everyone that bleeds together. This text is secular and helps cushion any spiritual belief(s).

Kahlil Gibran exudes timeless wisdom that permeates boundaries. In our speed-driven, easy-to-forget-the-simple-things approach to life, this is a fantastic book to keep us grounded. The Prophet is a classic that rejuvenates the weakened spirit and revives the lover in us all! Purchase your copy for the bedside at this Amazon site.

Affordable Island Art–Heather Brown

Starry night as depicted by Van Gogh hangs on millions of walls. Renditions of his work have made its way into stores at affordable prices worldwide. His iconic style of portraying the night sky is cross-cultural like Heather Brown’s depiction of the islands. With the use of organic lines and complimentary colors to evoke feelings, Heather Brown’s collection calls to those who love the islands.

These artists are respected in the art world for taking the usual and giving it a creative twist that makes their style different and noticeable. When walking into Hawaii’s art galleries, Heather Brown’s painting style clearly resonates with Island Life. Glassy Green, Bamboo and Orchids and Lost in Paradise are among the many favorites that are affordable with high-resolution gyclee prints that can be chosen from gallery porfolios. Prices begin at $30 to $2,000 or more depending on the size and art work.

Like music or clothing, art mirrors personality. Gyclee prints allow collectors to support and display artists that speak to them. Likewise, it is advantageous for artists to branch themselves out to the mass. This technique of  reproducing art is reputable in the art community and is used in prestigious  museums worldwide, the Met in New York being one. In this technological world, art is affordable for everyone. If you embrace island life or nostalgic for it, get reconnected with the aloha spirit through Heather Brown–Jack Johnson’s artist of choice.

JINROKU–Authentic Japanese–HAWAII

Ever had a delectable dinner you want to savour because the flavor in your mouth is so amazing you just want to take your time? Jinroku, Tokyo based, now in Hawaii, is the perfect excursion to Japan without leaving the island! Master Okonomiyaki chef and Teppanyaki artist, Mr. Hisakazu Ohta and Mrs. Yuki Ohta have created the perfect escape to Japan with food, carefully crafted to perfection in accordance with Japanese tradition.

The visit to Hawaii is an experience and to top it off is to deliciously devour the flavors of Hawaii by experiencing the cuisines that are available at every street turn. One imperative stop is Jinroku–It doesn’t get better than this! Start with the Takoyaki and for pork lovers, try the buta kimchee okonomiyaki. Regardless, to get the real experience, taste any of the okonomiyakis–the restaurant’s specialty–that are available to order on the menu. For those unfamiliar to Japanese cuisine and eating style, select from any of the full course meals that will surely please your palette!

Located on 2427 Kuhio Ave, after dinner at Jinroku, take a stroll down Waikiki to experience street performers and view the various art galleries. On this strip, there is everything imaginable for the consumer and observer in you. First, create a great night in Hawaii with authentic Japanese at Jinroku and be prepared to hear friendly shouts of “Aragato Gozaimasu!” throughout dinner.

Peter Lik Photography, Serene Art for Home and Business

The mood set by a room is important to personal space as well as business space. How a room looks can provoke feelings of  idleness, productivity, passion, or any emotion in between. In particular, if you want to create a serene feel for your home or business, Peter Lik Photography is a bulls-eye way to do it! As a stallion of photography, Australian-borne, Peter Lik, has captured and produced photos of some of the most serene-induced and awe-inspiring landmarks of this country. Self-taught, with camera in hand, he’s traveled and captured some of the most amazing landmarks that makes any adventurous person jealous. His collection can be viewed and purchased at www.peterlik.com for home or business.

If you are a collector or simply appreciate art, whatever your budget is, check out the site to get yourself in tune with nature’s spell.  Peter Lik’s ability to capture color paralleled to nature’s serenity is very respected and has earned him worldwide recognition. If you are ever in New York, Vegas, Florida, California or Australia, check it out. The enlarged photos are impeccably displayed and the landscapes change before your eyes in congruence with light.  At the gallery, ask someone to show you!

For a nice conversational piece on your coffee table or as a gift for a friend, check out the affordable collection of Spirit of America on the website to give to yourself or that special someone who you feel will appreciate it.

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