♦ Art Appreciation Monday! ♦

Welcome to Art Appreciation Monday! 

We had the pleasure of seeing photography by Logan Houchens, last Art Appreciation Monday. 

This week, I am very honoured to be joined by a very talented actress! 

I've never had an actress before on Art Appreciation Monday, and I'm really excited to introduce the wonderfully talented actress... *drum-roll*!

Jacqueline King!

Actress Jacqueline King, has an astounding reputation with films such as Star Trek Into Darkness (2013), Hello Herman (2012), The Riverside Shuffle (2010), and recently portrayed Ariana (awesome name right?!) in The Exes episode, Prelude to a Kiss (2013).  Not only is Jacqueline King an amazing actress she advocates extremely green living and shares her healthy advice, and delicious recipes on her blog, Beverly Hills Farms!

Ariana: What's your name?
Jacqueline: Jacqueline king

 Ariana: Are you human/boy/girl?
Jacqueline:  Woman

Ariana: What Country/Planet/State are you from?
Jacqueline: California

Ariana: Do you have brothers/sisters/only child?
Jacqueline: I have one step-brother and one step sister

Ariana: Do you have any pets?
Jacqueline: Yes, a chihuahua named Lola and a bulldog named Shakespeare.

Ariana: What is your favourite colour?
Jacqueline: Periwinkle.

Ariana: Favourite movie?
Jacqueline: Sunset Blvd.

Ariana: Favourite song?
Jacqueline: I can't say that I have one favorite. It depends on my mood.

Ariana: Birthday?
Jacqueline: October 28th- Scorpio

Jacqueline King employs her amazing talents as an actress, she works to fit into each role with a natural ease and a clear mind- touching each part uniquely and individually, so that all of her characters are special. And they're truly given a special flair, by such an astounding actress!  

Ariana: What inspires you most to act?
Jacqueline: I love putting myself in other people's shoes. In getting to know my characters I get to know myself better and hopefully the same happens for the audience

Ariana: How do you cope with lack of inspiration?
Jacqueline: I do love good coffee but I don't think it helps with inspiration as much as stamina. When I'm preparing for an acting role if I get stuck the best thing is to go back to the text. When you read it triggers your imagination so I always feel like that's a good way in. When I'm working on a character I also like to think about what kind of music they like to listen to, what a normal day in their life would be like. How what is happening in the script is different. Scripts aren't written about average days. When I need a break or to change my mood yoga is always like hitting a reset button.

Ariana: Talking about munchies... do you have a favourite food/drink?
Jacqueline: My favorites would be truffles and champagne as special treats, Green smoothie and tofu are day to day favorites. Oh and even though I live in LA, I love both gluten and dairy. Love them.

Ariana: You have a lovely blog called Beverly Hills Farms, when did you decide to start raising your own garden?
Jacqueline: I started growing herbs and tomatoes on the patio when I lived in my old apartment mainly because I like to cook and it was nice to have them handy. When I moved to a house with a yard I figured "why not try to grow more?" so I did and was surprised how easy and rewarding it is.

Ariana: What started this idea of Beverly Hills Farms?
Jacqueline: I was really interested in the urban farming movement and I have always had friends tell me I should be a chef so I decided to start writing down my recipes and focus on cooking with fresh seasonal ingredients. I think eating healthy is really important as is the local and slow food movement, so I wanted to promote those ideas in a way that is fun and entertaining.

Ariana: You've got some amazing recipes on there, are these all your own original recipes or are they already existing recipes with your own modifications?
Jacqueline: They are for the most part my original recipes. Occasionally friends will give me recipes to share and I make a note of that when that is the case.

Ariana: What are some of your favourite things to grow in the garden?
Jacqueline: Tomatoes and lettuce.

Ariana: What you're doing is very important, to raise awareness of GMO and inspiring people to go out and work outside more and be part of the world. This isn't exactly what a lot of people would expect to find in Los Angeles- Are people ever surprised to discover you're as natural as you are?
Jacqueline: I don't think anyone who lives here would be surprised, but people from other places might have only seen the LA of the tabloids, movies and reality TV. This is another reason why I write my blog- to help dispel the myth that LA is full of only plastic people. There are so many wonderfully grounded, creative and spiritual people here. This city is an inspiration in itself.

Ariana: To return to acting... Acting can be very tiring, how do you manage to have energy afterwards to garden?
Jacqueline: Sometimes the garden gets unruly and things get overgrown, especially when I'm traveling, but its small enough that you can take an afternoon and get things back in good shape. We also have automated irrigation which really helps.

Ariana: Getting into character can be difficult, what is one of the hardest things for you to do on set? Jacqueline: Every day is a little different. Acting is a balance of staying relaxed and focused, and trusting the preparation you have done. Some days it's easier to find that balance than others.

Ariana: Of all the things you've done so far, what has been your favourite role so far?
Jacqueline:  I had a role in a small movie called "From Grace" the cast was amazing and we shot in a lovely little town called Idyllwild. I played a young woman with cancer so it was very challenging but I felt like I learned a lot about gratitude, the fragility of life as well as acting. So that was probably my favorite role. I had a very small role in Star Trek into Darkness but I got to work on that set for a month and again the cast was wonderful as was working with JJ Abrams. It was an incredible experience, a dream come true.

Ariana: What would you suggest for someone who is just beginning with acting?
Jacqueline: Learn your craft, take classes, do plays, read books but don't forget it's a business and you need to market yourself.
Ariana: When did you decide you wanted be an actress?
Jacqueline: I did my first play when I was in third grade.

Ariana: Do you have any interests outside of acting?
Jacqueline:  I teach yoga and I volunteer with an organization that is working to limit the influence of corporate money in politics and overturn citizens united.

Ariana: How do you wind down after a day of acting?
Jacqueline: I love to hike with my dogs, do yoga, hang out with friends or my fiancé, eat good food, drink good wine, listen to music...all the usual stuff.

Ariana: What would your advice to other artists/actors and actresses be?
Jacqueline: My advice to anyone would be nourish yourself. Physically, emotionally, spiritually. Do things and surround yourself with people who fill you rather than deplete you. Take time every day to sit quietly with yourself. Find a way to express your creativity, don't wait for someone else to give you permission. It's easier now than ever.

Jacqueline was recently featured on Big Morning Buzz Live, you can watch her here as she promotes her blog Beverly Hills Farms!

I want to thank Jacqueline so very, very much for participating in Art Appreciation Monday! She has, like so many of the past artists, encouraged and inspired new artists in the world. It is really fantastic to have different artists participate in Art Appreciation Monday, so that way all art can truly be appreciated! 

So, thanks to Jacqueline King again for participating, and taking the time to answer with such kindness as she did! :)

*****All the artwork/pictures/videos/music belongs to Jacqueline King!!!! 

There are links in blue which will direct you to 

the originals.**********

DO NOT USE ANY OF THE PICTURES/MUSIC/VIDEOS/or/WRITTEN WORK 

POSTED HERE WITHOUT PERMISSION!!!!!!! 

♦ Art Appreciation Monday ♦

Hello, and welcome to another Art Appreciation Monday! 

Last week I was honoured to spotlight musician and singer Phildel, and so...while you've been enjoying her music all week, I hope you will still be listening to her music as you read and enjoy this week's Art Appreciation Monday! 

This week we have artist who is (for a change) a little closer to home. This week, I'm proud to spotlight an amazing photographer, Logan Houchens!

This is probably one of my favourite pictures that Logan Houchens has captured. Not just because it has a glimpse of Italy's endless beauty, it is also because of the adorable little Volkswagen Beetle, I love old cars and this picture just wouldn't be as awesome if that little car wasn't in there. 

Ariana: What's your name?
Logan: Logan Houchens

Ariana: Are you human/boy/girl?
Logan: I am a guy, and also a human.

Ariana: What Country/Planet/State are you from?
Logan: I was born in Indiana but I have lived in Kentucky for most of my life.

Ariana: Do you have brothers/sisters/only child?
Logan: I have four siblings. My brother is the oldest, followed by two sisters, myself, and then another sister younger than me.

Ariana: Do you have any pets?
Logan: Yes, our family has many pets but my animals are most definitely my two dogs. Beau is an old Border Collie and my new puppy is Simba who is a Border Collie, German Shepherd mix.

Ariana: What is your favourite colour?
Logan: Hm, I would have to say its a tie between green and blue.

Ariana: Favourite movie?
Logan: Oh boy, this is a three way tie, my favorite movies all tied for first are... Into the Wild, Fight Club, and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. All of them are great movies with something to learn built within them.

Ariana: Favourite song?
Logan: I like a ton of different music so again I will have to build a tie between songs of different sections. Julie-O by Mark Summer, Free Falling (John Mayer's cover), and Ben Rector's And Then You Love Someone or his song Making Money. I know that's a lot, (oops!) but they are all lovely songs, so go check them out.
Ariana: Favourite book?
Logan: All of the book versions of my favorite movies, and also a political thriller called American Assassin by Vince Flynn.

Ariana: Currently reading?
Logan: Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë, also Persuasion by Jane Austen.

Ariana: Guilty pleasures?
Logan: You know, I don't know if I do have any guilty pleasures. I guess I watch too much Netflix.

Ariana: Birthday?
Logan: May 29

This photo not only captures the end of a beautiful day with all its radiance intact, the bright pinks and light blues are like a farewell gesture. The bird flying towards its nest for the night symbolizes the urge for all of us to turn homeward at dusk. I'm utterly fascinated by the colours in this picture and the softness of the pinks! ♥

Ariana: What inspires you most to take pictures?
Logan: I think I really am always inspired. I have always wanted to look at the world from a different perspective and appreciate every little thing I observe. But if I had to pick something that inspires me to go out and take pictures over my regular amount it would be when I listen to music. Music puts me into a mindset to just simply think (or not think I don't know). It puts me into a state of calm and my photography flourishes from that.

Ariana: How do you cope with lack of inspiration?
Logan: Like I said, I think I am always pretty well inspired, but if I am in the rare case of not being inspired being around close friends that just make me laugh truly inspires me.

Ariana: Talking about munchies... do you have a favourite food/drink?
Logan: I have always been a meat and potatoes lad so lets just say steak and mashed potatoes.

Ariana: Do you have a favourite thing to photograph, landscape, portrait, etc?
Logan: I must say I do not have a favorite thing in particular. I love to photograph people that actually know what to do when there is a camera around (aka they know when to model and when to simply be themselves) and then I also just loved the whole experience of taking pictures in Italy. That experience in and of itself was the best time of my life.

Ariana: When did you decide you wanted to be a photographer?
Logan: You know I am not sure. I always thought I would love to capture what I saw because it seemed other people couldn't see the same things I was. When I finally was able to get my hands on a camera I started learning how to use that tool to capture what I wanted other people to see as well. But the time I said hey this is a passion of mine and I want to do it as much as I possibly can would have to be when I traveled to Italy. The experience was amazing and I also received tons of support from my friends who saw my pictures afterwards and during.

Ariana: What kind of camera are your currently using?
Logan: I am currently using a Canon EOS Rebel T3 DSLR camera. I use it in tandem with it's standard Canon 18-55mm lens it comes with and a Canon 75-300mm lens.

Ariana: Is there a camera that you wish you could have?
Logan: I am a Canon fanboy so I would love to get Canon EOS 5D Mark III or the Canon EOS 5D Mark II.

Ariana: Do you take commissions for photography?
Logan: Ehh this is a tricky question. I prefer to shoot for people and then give them their pictures. Afterwards if they feel they need to pay me they do, if not I do it for the fun of it anyway. In the future I hope to start moving my way up doing senior pictures for people and weddings hopefully. I have already shot prom photos, travel abroad pictures, and even an engagement which I just happened to be next to.

Ariana: Is there anything you would not desire in way of commissions?
Logan: Like I said if someone feels they need to pay me they can but I don't ask for money. Once I become more practiced and know I will be able to deliver a result that lives up to my own standards I will give an estimate before a shoot. But as of now, I am not picky no.

Ariana: Do you edit any of your photos?
Logan: Nope, not as of now. I have been looking into some editing software but what I am looking at is pretty expensive so I will have to take that dive soon. But all of my pictures I have uploaded are original photographs without editing.

Ariana: What is something you most want to take a photograph of, but haven't got to yet?
Logan: There are many things I would like to photograph but haven't got the chance to yet. I want to drive cross-country in a converted bus of some type with a close group of friends and camp out along the way. I am sure that adventure would have an innumerable amount of good photographs. I want to go to Colorado with only one other person and snowboard and hike mountains. In this adventure I would like to get a picture of someone sitting atop a mountain looking out. Finally I have always wanted to travel to New York. Sit atop a building in downtown NYC and just enjoy the coming night. All of these I want to accomplish and I am determined to do.

Ariana: Are you planning a professional career as a photographer or is this more or less a hobby for you?
Logan: I am still working on that right now. All of me wants to but my head is keeping me back. Part of me says getting a real job in photography is too unstable but another part of me says what good is a stable job if you aren't doing what you love? So I am working that out in my head right now. I am unsure if I have what it takes.

Ariana: Who are your favourite photographers, or artists?
Logan: Meleah Reardon and John Huba. Both are very different artists that have very wide and expansive travel portfolios that are simply awe inspiring. If I had to pick one of the two to relate to however, I would have to pick Meleah Reardon. She encompasses everything I would love to do. She travels almost nonstop and she also mixes her photography with blog posts about what she is experiencing and her thoughts. I hope to do something similar but I fear my writing is too unstructured for people to want to read my posts as well. I am going to pursue it though just right now I am very busy with attending a University.

Ariana: How do you wind down after taking some of those brilliant pictures?
Logan: Wind down? I don't know what that is. Just kidding, but really I don't ever wind down from taking pictures because it really is my calming thing. I am also known for not letting myself relax though as I work almost 24/7 without sleeping much. So what I do after taking the pictures is I usually start going through them filtering out the bad ones so I can upload the album. I have been known to take pictures at say Prom which lasts until about 3 a.m. and then stay up to filter the pictures. Sometimes it isn't a very good practice though because when you upload things at 5 a.m. usually it gets covered by other stories and doesn't get much attention (case and point Prom pictures).

Ariana: What would your advice to other artists/photographers be?
Logan: I would just simply tell all other artists/photographers to go for it. You may doubt yourself in the beginning but assuming you work hard and you enjoy what you're doing you can't fail. This advice works with another little tidbit, however, and that advice is that art as a field is very unsteady and the only way to bring some order into it is for you to not only use your creative mindset but also your logical one. I urge all types of artists to know that you must look at what is successful and learn from it. You cannot remain stubborn to your originality if it makes you live in a way that you cannot sustain yourself. I am not saying to give up your creative perspective or any of your artistic talents, I am saying find a balance.

Logan Houchens has used a unique and interesting angle to capture this beautiful Italian street. 

Of course, the Christmas lights are in great focus and aren't blurry or smudged (I've been there before!). Even though the lighting in this picture is very, very particular, it creates a hauntingly beautiful scene.

Thank you so much Logan Houchens, for agreeing to be part of Art Appreciation Monday. 

I'm very honoured to be able to feature a local artist and I'm so thrilled he agreed to do an interview and  share his amazing talent.

 Like all the other artists featured on Art Appreciation Monday, I can't wait to see what is next for him. 

While Logan Houchens doesn't have any blogs or websites available yet, whenever he make a blog or website, I will most certainly post up a link. :) 

This picture looks to the horizon, just as all artists and my readers should. Look to the horizon like Logan Houchens did while taking this picture, even if you aren't a photographer! Keep your head up so you can see the beauty in the world and your dreams! 

*****All the artwork/pictures/videos/music belongs to Logan Houchens!!!! 

DO NOT USE ANY OF THE PICTURES/MUSIC/VIDEOS/or/WRITTEN WORK 

POSTED HERE WITHOUT PERMISSION!!!!!!! 

♦ Art Appreciation Monday! ♦

Welcome to another Art Appreciation Monday!

I have spotlighted quite a variety of different artists on Art Appreciation Monday.

We've seen the beauty captured by photographers and the unparalleled talent of traditional artists like the brilliant Joshua Edwards of Grefell-Fine-Art, last week.

However, we haven't touched upon the great artists who create art that is heard, and seen differently by everyone who hears it. 

This art that I'm referring to- is music. 

And I have, for a very long while, been enjoying the amazing music by the beautiful and talented singer and composer, Phildel!

Ariana: What's your name?
Phildel: Phildel is the name on my birth certificate. It is made up of my parents names - Philip and Della...they took the first half of each of their names and put them together.

Ariana: How do you pronounce "Phildel"
Phildel: It's pronounced as it is spelt...Phil-del

Ariana: What Country/Planet/State are you from?
Phildel: Moonsea.

Ariana: Do you have any pets?
Phildel: Yes, I have three beautiful cats - one is a stray we took in.

Ariana: What is your favourite colour?
Phildel: Red...I love the energy and strength of that colour.

Ariana: Favourite movie?
Phildel: Punch Drunk Love

Ariana: Favourite book?
Phildel: The Prelude, by William Wordsworth

Ariana: Currently reading?
Phildel: Interview questions.

Ariana: Guilty pleasures?
Phildel: We have a gossipy reality show in the UK called 'Made in Chelsea', it's about wealthy, young people and their soap-drama-ish lives...I lived in Chelsea for a long time and I find it funny seeing how the area is presented in the series - it's all super aspirational and the post-production makes it look really idyllic. It's pretty different in real life, it's grubby and littered in places and the area has in recent years been dominated by numerous Tesco Express outlets. The plot (basically that someone cheated on their girlfriend) never develops beyond that topic and it's been that way for about two years - but still, I seem to gravitate back to the show again and again...

Ariana: Birthday?
Phildel: 23rd November

Storm Song

One of the first songs I ever heard by Phildel was Storm Song. I was introduced to her music by a good author friend of mine, who happened to post this video on his Twitter feed, I was spell-bound! (I literally listened to this song on repeat for a week!)

Listening to Phildel's enchanting music brings back memories of my childhood when my mother would listen to Enya. 

Ariana: What inspires you most to sing?
Phildel: The emotional release

Ariana: How do you cope with lack of inspiration?
Phildel: It's rare I suffer from a lack of inspiration...generally, I can always write when I sit down at the piano. I'm a very emotional person so musical expression flows from that and I'm always 'feeling' something. If anything, it's having the energy to sit down and engage so deeply emotionally to create music that can be hard. It takes a lot of energy and focus. So - I just try to get a lot of sleep and eat well. If I'm tired, I never battle on...I have a rest and cancel social plans to make sure I get enough rest. Despite enjoying a generally active and easily inspired imagination - I find that reading poetry, opens my mind up to a very creative mood. Especially existentialist or metaphysical poetry that features nature or humanity, such as TS Eliot, Ted Hughes, or Wordsworth.

Ariana: Talking about munchies... do you have a favourite food/drink?
Phildel: My boyfriend Chris makes the most delicious sweet potato cakes...at the moment I'm loving those. My favourite drink is probably homemade banana milkshake...

Ariana: Do you ever get nervous before performing anywhere?
Phildel: Sure, if I haven't performed in a long time - like say, six months or more...I get a little nervous before I go on stage. But I think it's something you just learn to ride out. As soon as I'm on stage and start the show, it quickly disappears.

Ariana: How do you handle your jitters, and is there anything that might be helpful to other singers/performers to overcome their fear of performing publicly?
Phildel: It's good to keep a sense of perspective, it's natural to be nervous, to fear things going wrong etc - but just remember, the bottom line here is that you're a music artist, not a heart surgeon - it's not like anyone's life is depending on your live performance - it's not like anyone is going to die if you make a mistake. That isn't true across all career paths. In fact, there's pretty much zero consequence if your performance goes wrong other than you might feel silly for about five minutes. But this time next month you and everyone else will have totally forgotten about it. And plus when you're starting out and mastering your fears on stage, it's likely you're not going to be playing an arena show. You're most likely going to be performing a reasonably low key venue to a laid back audience. And now is the time to make mistakes and learn how to calmly navigate around those mistakes. The vast majority of the time, only the artist is aware that something has gone wrong. Because even the biggest acts make small (and sometimes large) errors when they play live. So try to relax and know the more experience you gain, the more relaxed you will be...it's never pleasant breaking through the barrier of your first ever show. But it will get easier...I remember my first ever live performance, I was so, incredibly afraid of performing live. I feared I'd break down into tears I'd be so nervous and be a shaking, nervous wreck...and you know what happened!? I broke down into tears and became a shaking, nervous wreck. I totally crumbled. BUT - I knew it would never be that bad again - and it was a million times easier the next time. If you can learn to accept the worst that could happen - you will be a lot more confident and relaxed - and nothing will stop you in the long-run.

Ariana: Of all the songs you've written/sang so far, which one is your favourite?
Phildel: I don't really have a favourite, I love them all for pretty different reasons. I love "Moonsea" for the arrangement. I love "Storm Song" for the melody. I love "The Wolf" for its ability to transform me into a stronger person.

Ariana: What would you suggest for someone who is just beginning with singing?
Phildel: Don't be afraid to sing however you want to sing...I feel like the natural uniqueness of so many singers is stifled by techniques that promote a 'healthy vocal technique' - but in this day in age, in most areas of the music industry we have microphones that mean we don't have to do as much vocal projection work or risk damaging our voices to be heard, unless we're opera singers - we don't all necessarily need to project in exactly the same way as one another.

Ariana: I understand that you write a lot of your songs, which are always beautiful and so inspiring, how do you begin writing a song?
Phildel: Yes, I write all of my songs. I sit down at the piano, think about something I feel strongly about and then the melody and the fragments of lyrics just flow out. But it is all about that emotional connection. The emotional connection is the source.

 Ariana: What is something that you haven't gotten to do yet, but really want to do someday?
Phildel: Ride in a hot-air balloon...I might be able to do it later this year as we're going on a safari holiday to Kenya. I'd also quite like to own my own horse...it's kind of a childhood dream of mine.

Ariana: Is there anything you would go back and change in your musical career?
Phildel: Not musically.

Ariana: I read on the Guardian, that you mix all your own music using the computer program- Vienna Symphonic Library, what is that essentially?
Phildel: Yes - Vienna Symphonic Library is a digital library full of samples of real recordings of each individual instrument of the orchestra. It's a fantastic piece of equipment for composers. The difficulty these days is that session musician fees are basically unaffordable for most composers and arrangers. There is no way on this earth I could afford to actually hear a live orchestra perform something I'd written. So, the only option is to rely on high quality recorded samples.

Ariana: Is the program fairly easy to use, would you recommend it for other artists out there?
Phildel: Yes, definitely. But it is quite expensive so it's probably only worth purchasing if you're already making some income from your music. The installation process is lengthy and can take up to a whole day, but their customer support is pretty good.

Ariana: Do you believe in trade secrets for your music, or would you help other musicians by sharing your knowledge?
Phildel: I'm always happy to share...

Ariana: When did you decide you wanted to sing?
Phildel: I didn't really ever decide to 'sing' as such, I more have a drive to create music than I do to sing. Singing is just something I do to communicate the music.

Ariana: Do you have any interests outside of music?
Phildel: Sure, I love gardening. I garden to relax and also get generally excited about planting new flowers/fruit/veg.

Ariana: What would you be doing now, if you hadn't pursued music?
Phildel: I'd probably be dead by now if I hadn't pursued music.

Ariana: How do you wind down after a day of performing/singing?
Phildel: Watching tv, cuddled up with my partner Chris and our cats. We've just been catching up with "Breaking Bad", "House of Cards" and are re-watching The X-Files...which is quite funny to watch again. I'm amazed by how dated it looks now! I remember when it seemed so cutting-edge!

Ariana: Do you have any live upcoming performances?
Phildel: Yes - we're announcing a September live date at The Roundhouse Studio, London.

You can buy tickets to see Phildel in person here!

Ariana: What would your advice to other artists/singers/songwriters/musicians be?
Phildel: Experiment with music - and through that experimentation, find your own vision. Then stick to it - despite what's fashionable, despite what others say. You have to stay loyal to what you think is right. That's credibility. And it's the greatest quality an artist can have in my opinion.

Ariana: Finally, can you give us any spoilers for your next song?!
Phildel: I'm working on a collection of pretty dark songs currently. I guess in the vein of "The Wolf". I think the second album may well be very dark and atmospheric.

The Wolf

Phildel has an amazing ability of mixing so many sounds and tones to create such dark and beautiful music! 

Not only is Phildel's music captivating and well written, her music videos also create such a new perspective of the music. The Wolf is very ominous, and dark, however, it compliments Phildel very well! 

Moonsea

Moonsea won Phildel first place in Pop/Top 40 in the International Songwriting Competition 2014!

It is so easy to see why, the melody is catchy and the lyrics are so beautiful, this is another one with an amazing music video! Of course as always I'm awestruck with the sounds she uses and how well they all blend together!

I really wish I lived in London, because I would absolutely love it if I could see Phildel perform live, however...I don't live in London, so I want any of my subscribers or blog visitors who live near London (or in London) to go to and see her perform if they can! Phildel is an absolutely astounding singer and musician, and I highly recommend listening to her music! 

If you want to see Phildel perform live get your tickets here!

If  you love Phildel's music, go and buy some CDs, T-shirts, and bags here!

You can also follow her on Twitter  and Facebook!

I want to thank Phildel so very, very much for agreeing to be spotlighted on my blog for Art Appreciation Monday! Not only for answering the questions so kindly but also for answering them with such good advice for other artists, as well as being so inspirational with her awesome music! 

It is always a privilege to have an artist to spotlight and I want to thank Phildel, so very, very much and I wish her all the best as well as all the young musicians and performers who are just beginning! :) 

*****All the artwork/pictures/videos/music belongs to Phildel!!!! 

There are links in blue which will direct you to 

the originals.**********

DO NOT USE ANY OF THE PICTURES/MUSIC/VIDEOS/or/WRITTEN WORK 

POSTED HERE WITHOUT PERMISSION!!!!!!! 

If you wish to contact Phildel please click here.

 Not to mention she deserves many more subscribers so go subscribe here.

♦ Art Appreciation Monday! ♦

Welcome to Art Appreciation Monday! 

If you missed last week's Art Appreciation Monday with Alexandra Marie you can view that post here.

I'm very excited for this Monday, we have an artist who not only draws and paints...but she also can bring art to life by sewing her elaborate and exquisite cosplay costumes!

 Please welcome.... *****Drum roll!!!!!***** Lyumos of Deviant Art! 

 Ion Fortuna Earl of Memphis

 Ion Fortuna is the Earl of Memphis (from the novels: Trinity Blood).  He is a Methuselah of a high-ranking Imperial noble family and a favorite of the Empress.* Lyumos has done an amazing job detailing her costume with embroidery and jewels, I am especially intrigued by the hat which is gorgeously designed to match!  

Ariana: What is your name?
Lada: My name: Lada.

Ariana: Are you human/boy/girl?

Lada: I am a girl. 

Ariana: What Country/Planet/State are you from?

Lada: I live in Russia. In the city of Veliky Novgorod, it is a small town, but it is very ancient and beautiful.

Ariana: Do you have brothers/sisters/only child?

Lada:  I am an only child. 

Ariana: Do you have any pets?

Lada:  Yes , I have a pet, it is a cat. His name is Maximilian, or simply Max.

Ariana: Birthday?

Lada: I was born on May 1.

Trinity Blood An Itinerant Priest

Lyumos has done an excellent job painting this priest from Trinity Blood. His face and eyes are absolutely astounding with details and lifelike tones. One of my favourite things about this picture in particular is the eyes, which are really beautiful almost like sapphires! :) 

Ariana: What inspires you most to paint/draw/make cosplay costumes?

Lada: I love to create costumes. Designing is my great passion. I am interested in working on the details and embroidery. I  also love to draw with crayons and watercolors. Most of all, I like to paint portraits. I find human faces very interesting.

Ariana: In your own words what exactly is cosplay?

Lada: My new hobby is cosplay. Cosplay is when people dress up as cartoon characters, computer games and comics. I like the feeling of playing different roles, sewing the costumes and being photographed in them.

I've been doing cosplay for almost two years . But this hobby has become a very important part of me.

Ariana: Why is cosplay important to you? And why do you like helping other people achieve their dream of a certain cosplay costume? 

Lada: Cosplay is very important for me because I'm happy when I make a new suit . It takes a lot of time and money, but I believe that someday my efforts will be rewarded . In the end, I would like to design fashion in the future. I like the costumes from films by type: " Game of Thrones " " Alice in Wonderland ," "Elizabeth " and more. =)

Ariana: So what are your plans for the future? 

Lada: I dream that my future will see me engaged in drawing. It will make me a happy person.

Ariana: What are your favourite fabrics and beads to work with on a costume? 

Lada: For the costumes , I like to use the church fabrics like velvet, silk... for the beads, Japanese pearls, rhinestones and various filigree details....

Ariana: When did you first decide you wanted to make cosplay costumes? 

Lada: The first time I took up cosplay was in the summer of 2012 .

Ariana: Do you have a favourite thing to paint/draw/make cosplay costumes from? 

Lada: I love to watch anime and read the books. My favorite anime series: " Trinity Blood ", " Hellsing " and " Gravity ". I prefer to work from books, mainly Rusko classical literature. I really love Dostoevsky and Bulgakov. I like poets like Blok, Yesenin, and Fet. Of foreign literature I like Oscar Wilde and Arthur Conan Doyle. 

Ariana: Do you have any interests outside of painting/drawing/making cosplay costumes?

Lada: When I have no inspiration, I take a break from business and watch movies. Sometimes I want to walk around the city or go to bed.

Ariana: Do you have a favourite food/drink? 

Lada: I love pizza , sushi, dairy products, sweets and pastries =)

Ariana: How do you wind down after working on cosplay costumes or painting/drawing?

Lada: I basically just do what I do, I sew and paint. But as I said, I love to read. I also enjoy taking pictures, but it's not serious.

Ariana: What would your advice to other artists be? 

Lada: Other artists I would give simple advice: try to create the art they feel in their heart and do not be lazy . Love your business and find your unique style. If no one believes in you, do not dare to give up and keep going on! You are the master of your life and if your life is full of creativity, it's fine. ^_^

Embroidery For My New Suit

Here is a very detailed picture of  Lyumos's handiwork up-close! On church fabric is carefully placed Japanese pearls and Swarovski crystals. Not only are the colours truly beautiful together, the elaborate details on this are mind boggling! 

The final masterpiece I want to share with you from Lyumos, is her painting:

Imagination Doll Caren

I like this painting because it is so unique, the colours are so vibrant! The blue hues are intense alongside the orange and reds of the fish. I think one of the greatest things to find in an artist is a unique and colourful imagination that has endless ideas- this is certainly something that Lyumos has! 

Now, one final question for Lyumos.

Ariana: Do you take custom orders for cosplay costumes or artwork? 

Lada: I accept individual orders for tailoring cosplay and making jewelry and ornaments, as well as embroidery. 

If you like Lyumos's artwork or cosplay costumes you can contact her below for information about a custom order or a special commission! 

Contact her through:

Deviant Art

Twitter

Facebook

Or

vk.com

I am very happy that Lyumos was interested in taking part of Art Appreciation Monday! Not only has she brought a great new splash to Art Appreciation Monday, but she has also shared some great words of wisdom for new artists and even professional artists! 

*****All the artwork/pictures belongs to Lyumos!!!! 

There are links in blue which will direct you to 

the originals.**********

DO NOT USE ANY OF THE PICTURES/or/WRITTEN WORK 

POSTED HERE WITHOUT PERMISSION!!!!!!! 

If you want to use some of Lyumos's artwork or commission her for a costume, contact her here.

 Not to mention she very much deserves loads of followers... so go follow her here. 

Sources

*Ion Fortuna is the Earl of Memphis. He is a Methuselah of a high-ranking Imperial noble family and a favorite of the Empress. (Source: http://trinityblood.wikia.com/wiki/Ion_Fortuna)

♦ Art Appreciation Monday! ♦

To get over the Monday blues, I've decided to do an Art Appreciation Monday. On which every Monday (I hope!), I will spotlight an Artist of some sort, whether they are traditional painter/drawer or photoshop artist, or photography,writing, poetry, pottery, crafts or sewing...I'm going to spotlight only the best! :)

Today's artist is Matt Nguyen of Deviant Art!

**Before we start, I ask that you please remember to not, EVER use any of the art from the artists without their consent! If you see something you like- just ask. They will appreciate it!**

I thought we'd start off with a short biography on MattNguyen, so we know and understand the artist a little better! :)

Ariana: What's your name outside Deviant Art? Is Nguyen your surname? If it is how do you say that- it looks really cool.

Matt Nguyen: My name full, official name is "Matthew Đại Dương Nguyen," though I've been going by "Matt" recently.

To explain the name, I'll do it part by part. "Matthew" is because I'm Catholic, and it's highly common to give children saint names. My dad in particular, wanted to have four kids and name them after the four gospels, Mark, Luke, Matthew, and John. He had me and my brother, John.

As for my middle name and last name, those are Vietnamese. In our culture, we usually put the middle name after the last name because it just sounds better that way. My middle name, Đại Dương, translates directly to "big ocean," which also can be seen as the Pacific.

"Nguyen" is a/my surname, yes. It is a very common Vietnamese surname. You can pronounce it "gwin" or "win." The "ng" is a sound most non-native speakers can't pronounce, but you can get close.

Ariana: Are you human/boy/girl?

Matt Nguyen: Well, I'm a male, since most "Matt's" are males.

Ariana: What Country/Planet/State are you from?

Matt Nguyen: I was born in southern United States, but am Vietnamese.

Ariana: Do you have brothers/sisters/only child?

Matt Nguyen: I have one younger brother. He's four years behind me, and though he's stubborn as well as some other things, he is still my brother in the end.

Ariana: Do you have any pets?

Matt Nguyen: No. My parents don't really like them, and I never had the largest interest in them. If I were to get one, though, it'd be a cat.

Ariana: Birthday? 

Matt Nguyen: The fifteenth of May.

Before we continue with the questions, let's see some examples of Matt Nguyen's great work!

My Favourite Matt Nguyen's poem:

*****

Someone Like Me

Sometimes, on a lonely and cold winter night,

I stare up at the radiantly glowing full moon,

And subconsciously, I begin to think to myself:

I wonder if there is a living soul somewhere,

Who is seeing the same beauty that I'm seeing.

Even more so, I long to meet a breathing soul

Who thinks and has the same thoughts as I,

When they see this spherical grandness.

A person like this is out there,

There just has to be, I know it!

It is all about up to whether or not

I will ever meet this amazing person.

Will I meet him or her in my lifetime,

Or will we both be deceased before then?

Is it a male, who will become my best friend,

Or a female, who will become my ultimate lover?

Have I already met this spectacular person,

And have not yet realized?

We will just have to wait and see, won't we?

The time will come when two paths intersect,

Two lives converged, inseparable forever.

But until then, we must be on alert,

Our eyes and hearts opened wide,

For no one knows when this time will be,

Not even the greatest scientist or genius.

The man upstairs might know, but it would be ruined

If he ever told us before it happened,

As this is a life filled with surprises,

And not a predetermined destiny we are condemned to.

*****

I don't know how Matt Nguyen can capture in words the feelings which you feel when you are alone! He not only captures the feeling of loneliness but the beauty of it... And without any elaboration or special details he captures the mood and the soul of his audience!

Another Favourite of mine, is his recent artwork,

Into The Void

The reason, I love this picture is because I think it could go on for an eternity! The swirling colours, with the dark shades of blue on the left and the warm golden colours on the right leading into the white, it's so beautiful to look at- I think it looks like an entrance to another world... :)

Ariana: What inspires you most to write?

Matt Nguyen: The crazy and imaginative ideas get me going. Once I get one, I feel the rush and need to get it out to the world in hopes that they will feel what I did. So in the end, "all that could be" inspires me to write.

Ariana: How do you cope with lack of inspiration?

Matt Nguyen: Well, I just simply take a break to be honest. Sometimes it ends up being longer than I meant for it to be, but something usually gets me back on my feet, whether it be inspirational music, a show, or nature.

Ariana: Do you have a favorite subject to write about?

Matt Nguyen: I write mostly science fiction, emotional stories, and some poems. My favorite is the creative ones, though.

Ariana: When did you decide you wanted to write/be an artist?

Matt Nguyen: It gradually sort of built, as I've been drawing since I was little. Mostly, it was because I didn't want to sing or dance since I'm shy. As for writing, that came freshman to sophomore year of high school, when I wrote a piece for school and really liked it. Now, I want to be able to do it for a living.

Ariana: What would your advice to other writers/artists be?

Matt Nguyen: I'll steal Nike's slogan for this one. "Just do it." There's no harm in doing so. You miss all the shots you don't take, so take them. There's so much you don't know you can do. Also, get help and assistance from others, and try to learn from the best, not be discouraged by them.

Ariana: Do you have any interests outside of writing/art?

Matt Nguyen: Well, I play games sometimes as well as watch television. In addition, I read and use the computer.

Ariana: How do you wind down after writing/art?

Matt Nguyen: I just go back to doing other hobbies or showing my art to others. Eating or sleeping are classics, too.

Ariana: Do you have a favorite food/drink?

Matt Nguyen: The best food is probably spaghetti or pasta, and the best drink is sweet iced tea. Brownies are also nice for dessert.

Ariana: What is your favorite Doctor Who villain/and/character?

Matt Nguyen: My favorite Doctor is Ten, and then Eleven. My favorite companion is either Rory, Amy, or Clara. My favorite villain is the weeping angels, though the Daleks are a classic, too.

I asked Matt Nguyen to pick a favourite of his work, and he sent back,

The Creation Of The Universe (A Creation Myth)

Our story begins on my home planet. It was once a beautiful place, full of life and wonder, until it was stripped down of its resources by the greedy inhabitants that lived there. I could have stopped them if I wanted to, but that was not my duty. So for several millenniums, I watched my planet slowly being destroyed by my own people. The destruction of my planet only got worse as nations fought each other with advanced technological weapons of mass destruction. Soon, a good percentage of the planet's population was gone.

One nation was so desperate for resources that they developed and released a biochemical gas on the planet, one that would kill everything living, except them. Forgetting to protect themselves, the planet's species went extinct within a couple of days. The only thing, or person rather, that survived was me.

I am an immortal, the only one to have existed, at least in my universe. You'll understand more as this tale continues. Barren and deserted, the planet was definitely post-apocalyptic. Going back to my shed, I could see nothing but a desert like landscape for as far as the eye could see. The sky was blue, and so was I. I knew this would happen one day; I had just hoped it wouldn't come this soon.

.......

*****

If you want the rest of The Creation Of The Universe (A Creation Myth), click on the links provided. I would have included all of it, but I think you should go and check out Matt Nguyen's other artwork and written work as well on Deviant Art yourself, because it is definitely worth every second of it! :) So go finish reading  The Creation Of The Universe (A Creation Myth), right now, because it's awesome! :)

Special thanks to Matt Nguyen for agreeing to be the first artist of Art Appreciation Monday, and for letting me post some of his amazing masterpieces on my blog! :) 

*****All the artwork and written work belongs to Matt Nguyen, there are links in blue which will direct you to the originals.**********

DO NOT USE ANY OF THE ARTWORK/WRITTEN WORK POSTED HERE WITHOUT PERMISSION!!!!!!! 

If you want to use some of the artist's artwork or written work, contact him through Deviant Art, here.

Thank you!