My Valentines day

I wore this outfit to my valentines day dinner and outdoor movie date. I know its not your typical Vday pink or red and white outfit, but I felt pretty in black. I tried to lighten up the outfit with the colourful head scarf. 

My boyfriend and I went to an outdoor movie screening of Paris je taime at the Maboneng Precinct in downtown Jozi. As we arrived on Fox street for the movie, we were welcome by a gorgeous visual of tens of red beanie bags across the street laid out before the big screen. After a refreshing welcome cocktail, we had dinner at Shap'braai which is a chisa nyama esk township style kind of restaurant. Then with bubbly and pop corn in hand we watched the movie under the stars. It was a really cool experience, and the beanie bags were surprisingly comfortable and created a conducive environment to cuddling. 

What I wore:

- Peplum skirt- Jo Borkett

- Tux blazer- H&M

- Scarf worn as a turban- Forever New

- Peep toe boots- Edgars

Long time..

Dear readers,

Its been a while since my last post, this is due mainly to the fact that I no longer have a camera. I dropped my camera with the lens extended a while back, now the lens is stuck and will no longer extend fully.
If any of the blogs on Nikon and Canon cameras are anything to go by, after trying all the recommended "fixes" with no luck I should just throw the camera away.
I will get a new camera eventually, hopefully one that is a lot more sophisticated than my previous one which really was for taking holiday photos and certainly not for blogging.

Enough about my camera woes, what I wanted to talk about is Arts on Main in the the Maboneng Precinct in Johannesburg CBD.
I went to the living room, a lounge like cafe this past weekend for a late lunch, and never have I felt the pain of not having a camera more sharply than then. Arts on main is simple gorgeous with the old city feel of the buildings,cute coffee shops, art galleries and boutique stores like LoinClothandAshes all in one place, it is the perfect place for any art lover.

The living room is on the rooftop of one of  the city center buildings, whilst enjoying a Margarita you can also watch the sun setting in the city's sky line.

The only problem is that you have to drive in the cbd midst speeding taxis, possible smash and grabbers and one way streets to get to Arts on Main, but once you are there you realize it is worth it.

To see all the cool stuff that happen at Arts on Main at the Maboneng Precinct such as markets and events visit their website http://www.mabonengprecinct.com

My boyfriend took some photos with his Samsung phone, he was gracious enough to lend me some for this post.

I will be going back to Arts on Main for a valentines movie screening. If you have nothing to do on V day, see details of the movie screening of Paris Je Taime hosted by Arts on Main.

Thanks for the visit.

ARTISTICALLY FABULOUS!

Like many ordinary people I find myself baffled by some so called artistic images; usually left confused and unable to interpret what I'm confronted with. Often left with the question what does it all mean? I have heard many times that when presented with a piece of art whether it be a song, a picture or a drawing; you should be able to see a narrative or a story. The story you see need not be that intended by the artist, this story  is your own interpretation of the art piece. One can be brought to tears by a Spanish performance of a ballet musical; not knowing what the words mean yet still moved by ones interpretation of the movements and the expressions of the artists. The connection with an art piece is similar to that of the Spanish musical, it is inexplicable and at times difficult to understand.

Fine art encompass all art forms developed primarily for aesthetics rather than practical application.  All visual and performing art is fine art. 
African art leaves me a little less confused than art from any where else in the world. There is nothing blend or boring about African art; the colours are bold, the images daring and moving. The images of dark skinned women with full bosoms and haunting eyes send chills down my spine. The colourful people on the canvas, the vast landscapes and stacked tin roofs feel like déjà vu.The depictions feel as though they are of me; the narrative is familiar as if I have lived it...there is an easy connection. 



Comic art is one of the more popular forms of art especially amongst the youth. Established as early as the 19th century, this art form wasn't born yesterday. More than any other, comic art's purpose is to tell a story. It is one of the most bankable art forms with the ability to move  swiftly from paper to screen. The art work below is by a young passionate artist Mvelo Makongolo working under Mvelo Comics; his work is evident of his attention to detail and the crazy streak I think every comic artist should possess. Any artist with the ability to make pencil on paper this evocative is talented beyond words.

By Mvelo Comics Makongolo/Facebook

By Mvelo Comics Makongolo/Facebook

By Mvelo Comics Makongolo/Facebook

Abstract art is a visual form of fine art that does not use any real properties of the world; but rather uses colour and lines to create a picture. Below are are great examples of this form of art by Portia Ntuli. Like most great artists Portia does not premeditate her paintings; this was a spontaneous paint meets canvas incident with fabulous results. Her use of colour is bold and the moving feet leave you with a sense of wonder. 

Moving Feet by Portia Ntuli http://www.picturesplendor.blogspot.com

Moving Feet by Portia Ntuli http://www.picturesplendor.blogspot.com

Moving Feet by Portia Ntuli http://www.picturesplendor.blogspot.com

Contemporary art is perhaps the art form that confused me the most and yet equally intrigued me. This is the art that has been and continues to be created during our lifetime. I battled to understand the depictions of contemporary art or what message the artists intended; until I was captured by this haunting sculpture of a little boy gazing with much intent at the sky. I realised that I need not understand all contemporary art I need only connect with individual pieces.

LeBelle by Kevin Brand Spier Contemporary 2007 book

LeBelle by Kevin Brand Spier Contemporary 2007 book

Whatever your preference, Africa has it. This may just be the year to start a respectable art collection.