Tea, Butterflies & Friends

New Paintings & Doodles of the Day

2012-02-14T13:19:00.000+01:00

Hello Lovelies!

I'm glad to tell you guys I have resumed my "Doodle of the day" personal challenge. It consists in doodling/drawing a small drawing, one per day, every day. You can see the one I did yesterday here, and the one I did today right here.

Insects, tea scenes, gingko leaves are to be expected in these series... ;-)

While uploading my doodle of the day to flickr today, I realized that I had mistakenly put some of my oil paintings in the wrong set! This is now corrected and you can see all of my moody oil paintings online. One of them is shown above.

Enjoy!

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

If Sounds Were Colors... (Monday Mood)

2012-02-13T18:42:00.004+01:00

Hello!

Since you are my lovelies, i wanted to share an awesome piece of loveliness with you this Monday. See for yourself:

Enjoy!

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

Oh, and Happy, Happy Friday

2012-02-11T19:17:00.001+01:00

Hello Lovelies!

photo via Etsy

I'm a bit late, but still wanted to wish you all a very happy weekend!

Me? I'm doing some crazy-bitch top-notch supercalicious & fragilistic decluttering project. Maybe I'll post some before/after pics, we'll see.

Other than that, I love to be reminded that Winter too,can be beautiful. Here is a gallery I dedicated to the theme. Enjoy!

See ya Monday!

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

Cozying Up - in the depth of winter.

2012-02-10T10:10:00.000+01:00

Hello lovelies!

photo, my own.

This week has seen the last days of my struggle against the flu. It's finally over, hooray! So i have been eating macarons to celebrate (see above).

Even before I had fully recovered, I ventured outside (crazy, I know) because the depth of winter is so beautiful, and I wanted to take some pics of ice and snow before they melted.

photo, my own.

After going outside in the cold, here is a glimpse at what I come home to:

photo, my own.more here.

After much inner debate, I have discovered the virtues of Dr Bach's flower elixirs. They really work! Life has been good to me ever since I started taking them, from day one. Quite amazing!
I personnally use the hornbeam remedy, but you might want to read a book or two before you take the plunge and choose your own flower.

I am starting to think about and prepare an exhibition of my oil paintings this year. This is a very exciting project! I need to count, name and photograph all of my oil paintings, not just these three few you can find here. More to come about that.

In the meantime, I have tried the following "Joyful Simplicities" for February, as advised by Sarah Ban Breathnach:

wear perfume everyday,

try a "muddy rose" lipstick, (mine is called "ripe rose" by eyeslipsface.com)

treat myself to a single white flower for my desk

listen to the music of Cole Porter.

What are your pleasures in the depth of winter?

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

Unplanned Sharing

2012-02-03T13:19:00.003+01:00

Hello Lovelies,

photo via OhOceane's blog

And Happy New Month! February is knocking at our doors, and I wanted to welcome it, just like Paula did, and beautifully, too. Especially as January has been tough and well, ugly.

Now I want February to be a winter wonderland of creativity and fun and warmth. After all, this is the time of year we got the first snow here in the south of France where I live.

My cold is still on... Since January the 18th. I'm seeing the doctor again this afternoon, because it just can't go on like this. I had plans for this blog this week, beautiful plans. On Tuesday, I wanted to share a new "Tuesday's butterfly" with you, via oeuf NYC.

"oeuf NYC"'s embroidered and framed butterflies.

On Wednesday, I wanted to welcome February's first day, sharing some exciting new photography challenges (challenge one & challenge two) that could let our creative juices flowing. I'm in!

contest photo via pinterest

On Thursday, I wanted to share some February pleasures with you, along with some pics of corners of my house. I use fresh white flowers and a bowl of citruses for that punch of color in an otherwise neutral living-room.

bowl of fruit. photo, my own.

I believe February is meant for paper whites and other forced bulbs, to bring in some living, growing greenery inside.

via pinterest

February is extra cold and we all need everything to be extra warm and soft to soothen our bodies & souls. This is the time my cat's fur gets super soft and fluffy, I love stroking it! I drink lots of hot chocolate, too, while watching the snow falling... Winter pleasures!

Here, I did share after all... :-)

So what are your plans for this new month? Any news worth sharing?

Pray, tell!

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

Monday Moodboard

2012-01-30T14:00:00.000+01:00

Hello Lovelies!

from pinterest - I love the winter look of this!

As you may have noticed, I'm in the middle of re-designing this blog of mine (all by myself for now, maybe I'll hire a webdesigner someday), trying to reach a more cohesive look, and including more of my own drawings of tea and insect art in the banner, for instance.

spices that warm up the harsh winter months - via imagine childhood

The flu is still there (who would have known a flu could last for over two weeks?!). So I'm back with my Winter Essentials, simple remedies such as fresh grated ginger root, lemon juice and lots of lavender honey...

fresh ginger - lovely taste!

I love the look of seeds and pods all bare by this time of year, so this sets the mood for today's flickr mosaic. Don't forget to have a look at the original photographs, they sure are worth a visit!

this Monday Winter Moodboard, via flickr: don't forget to visit each photo in person, they're well worth it. Hooray for talented Flickr members! 1. matchstick skiers, 2. bubbles, 3. white on white, 4. tag teapot, 5. Kerri & Kenneth - invite detail, 6. maple

During this upcoming week, I'll also be adding some photographs of my own on my flickr photostream today, so you'll see what my face looks like of late, where I have been this past week-end, and probably where I'll spend the next one! I also love this kind of moodboard...

I have important news to share with you this week, concerning my art, both old and new projects to share...
What are your plans for this coming week? Pray tell!

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

Oh, and Happy, Happy Friday, y'all!

2012-01-27T10:30:00.001+01:00

Hello Lovelies!

Artist: Paul Thurlby

Hooray, it's Friday! Beware of the January blues, though... To go through those tough winter times, how about some spicy chai tea to warm us all up?

hot, spicy chai

try this :
first choose some unflavored black tea, preferably from India

then add to your hot broiled tea
1 clover
1 cinnamon stick
a bit of fresh grated ginger
1 cardamom pod, opened and crushed
a cloud of milk

You can play around with the spices, add star anise, more or less ginger etc...

Sip while very hot!

Vic from TeaButterfly.

Apologies, Readers!

2012-01-26T20:52:00.004+01:00

Hello Lovelies!

"snowy day" By elena {pretty light}

I apologize for staying for so long away from this blog!
The thing is, life's tough right now, it's cold, and grey and plain winter outside plus I caught the weirdest case of cold/flu that is just lasting forever.

But, but, but... my plans are to recover over this coming week-end, start to write some posts and resume posting this coming Monday, January the 30th.

How's that for a plan?

So talk to all of you soon, I have quite a lot up my sleeve,

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

The Process of Drawing, part I.

2012-01-05T00:21:00.000+01:00

Hello Lovelies,

I wanted to share with you the before/after of a drawing I did back in 2009...

Here's the start:

The 'after' will be published tomorrow!

Talk soon,
-Vic of TeaButterfly

Reflections On 2011 & A Poem for the New Year

2012-01-03T11:55:00.000+01:00

Hello Lovelies,

via

I went through lots and lots of files and images yesterday, some saved from the internet, some snapshots I took myself during the last past year and realized I had actually accomplished a lot, even if my etsy shop may still seem small.

Here are a few quotes i find encouraging this time of year for all who start over, take the leap and leave their day job for a more creative outlet.

via

After the inspirational quotes (more this pinterest board of mine), also comes a poem. And a lovely one at that.

I also want to share here in this blog more of what inspires me, more of my daily doodles in my art journals and more of actually finished work. Maybe throw in a healthy recipe or two, from time to time?

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

Wishes for the New Year

2012-01-02T14:39:00.004+01:00

Hello lovelies!

image source unknown

Rather than tedious "resolutions" this year, i have a glass jar full of... wishes!

I wish for... JOY
I wish for PEACE
I wish for... LOVE

More ART, and more SIMPLICITY in my life, too!

What are your wishes for 2012?

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

Peace. Love. Joy.

2011-12-23T13:50:00.000+01:00

Why, hello Lovelies!

It's been awhile, i know... This pre-holidays season has been crazy busy for me (and for you too, I guess).

So without much delaying, here's my wishing you

a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

with the things I love: Japan, art and insects. As you can see below:

Ito Sozan, b. 1884 [fl. ca. 1919-1926

- Lilies with bees

-Vic from TeaButterfly

Hello December!

2011-12-07T17:21:00.001+01:00

Hello Lovelies, how are in this beginning of a new month?

Wow! What a lovely "December fog"! found here.

"I'm so glad I live ina world where there are Octobers." OK, and Decembers, too!

I'm re-reading my list of Winter Essentials, so I won't loose courage and won't forget what I'm thankful for!

Life has been really tough for me and my family the last couple of months and I'm just recovering... But I'm glad and happy for this new season of merriness.

So I'm sharing with you my ideas for a simple, lovely white handmade Christmas, just here!

Have a great time decorating your house!

-Vic, from TeaButterfly.

Advice from Kim Carney

2011-11-27T20:01:00.001+01:00

Hello Lovelies!

A long time ago, I found this sound advice from Kim Carney over the internet (source long forgotten, alas).

I believe she's the same Kim Carney I found here, on her lovely "SOMETHING" blog.

Have a great Monday everyone!

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

Wet Paint

2011-11-19T11:57:00.001+01:00

Hello Lovelies!

photo source : here

I'm busy working on a new secret project... Lots of wet paint involved!
Let's talk soon, and in the meantime, have a nice weekend, y'all.

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

Et la vie continue...

2011-11-14T12:29:00.001+01:00

Hello Lovelies!

image found via OhOcéane

Is it November already?! Wow! Time for some blog updating!

image source via pinterest

Turns out that, well, Mom is very ill but faces her illness with a smile. I admire her, she ages so gracefully...

I want to take care of Mom, but she wants me to go back to "normal" life. So here goes: life goes on! Or as we French people say: "La vie continue".

I don't know yet if I'll be ready for Christmas, art and shop-wise, but I'll do my best. And will keep you guys informed, of course.

Talk to you soon,
-Vic from TeaButterfly.

Finally Fall

2011-10-18T10:05:00.001+02:00

Hello Lovelies!

Autumn has finally arrived and I took a lot of pictures of red, green and yellow leaves (and all the hues in between) lately.

Things are a bit hectic right now as my Mom's in hospital recovering from surgery. So I probably won't blog much this week, but you can drop at my flickr and see details of my latest oil painting, and again, lots of lovely Fall hues.

My best,
-Vic from TeaButterfly.

Happy Monday!

2011-10-11T12:00:00.002+02:00

Hello Lovelies!

source: 1. Anémone..., 2. don't worry, 3. - Katharine Hepburn

I wish you all a Happy Monday!

Above is a mosaic made out of three of my recent flickr faves, and it's all about happiness and living the happy life (as an independent artist and otherwise).

Please do check the original photographs through the links provided above, they are really worth it!

I'm happy with my new oil painting, I'll provide more photos of it soon and when dry, it will be available in my shop. How happy is that?

Let's talk soon,
-Vic from TeaButterfly.

Oh, and Happy, Happy Friday!

2011-10-07T17:43:00.001+02:00

Hello Lovelies!

Untitled. Oil on canvas. Finished October the 4th 2011 (c) Lipson.

Wow, it's already Friday! Happy week-end to y'all!

My week-end will be busy with the drying of a freshly painted canvas (see above), healthy meals and the collecting of leaves for artistic projects like the one depicted below.

GROW: Collect leaves and use paint to make prints. Beautiful, frame-able kids art! Photo by: Kristin from Kleas Typepad

Have fun!

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

My Mighty Life List - Part II

2011-10-04T13:11:00.002+02:00

Hello Lovelies!

Let's daydream! Here's another quarter of my life big wishlist:

26 g~~o night swimmin~~
27 own an original painting by an artist I admire : PeterHammar (see my fave AT house tour)
28 ~~Go swimming in a lake~~
29 Seriously edit my stuff
30 have an art studio of my own (separate from home), a placeshared with other artists at first
31 while in the States, attend a TED lecture
32 thrive as an artist
33 have a lemon tree in my backyard
34 write thank you note to my Latin, Greek and French teacher, MrsC.
35 complete a « whoisamy.com » mission -http://www.whoisamy.com/
36 Do one of Miranda July's projects
37 properly classify family photos in albums – so the memorieslast

image from decor8

38 ~~make my own perfume~~
39 ~~have tea and cake at the legendary « le loir dans lathéière » teahouse in Paris~~

photo by chocoladdict

40 visit Lisbon, Portugal, hometown of the famous poet, FernandoPessoa

image via flickr

41 learn ceramics basics from a Japanese master in rural Japan,maybe in Shigaraki (www.e-shigaraki.org/e/shop/play-e/)
42 ~~have a heavy silk dress made to measure especially for me~~
43 see Emma Kirkby perform live
44 learn to play the cello
45 visit the Calanques, Marseilles, France
46 have a clean and organized closet
47 make homemade preserves regularly (esp. Pickles)
48 visit Fire Island
49 find that dream St-Germain-des-Prés apartment (no need to buyit)
50 visit New England in the fall – and say hello to my friend C.B.

What about you?

-Vic from TeaButterfly

My Mighty Life List - Part I

2011-10-03T12:21:00.009+02:00

Hello Lovelies!

image source : decor8 blog by holly Becker

I wish you a happy Monday, and I hope you had a swell weekend. I spent mine by the sea, it was just great swimming and sailing again!

photo found on jjjjound.com - I wish I knew who the photographer is!

Now, I've first heard of a project callled, "My Mighty Life List: 100 things to do before I go" through the French novelist Geroges Perec (who wrote his 50 items' list in form of a poem) But who knows who had the original idea? It is such a great idea it sounds universal.

I just stumbled upon it again via sfgirlbybay and mightygirl.

Here's what I jotted down so far:

1 read my entire 'ABC Challenge' list by sept 2012
2 continue with my regular yoga practice
3 write/finish my novel

drawing found on a Japanese website. Muji.com, I think.

4 meet Keri Smith
5 help others by recording audio-books for the blind
6 go on an air balloon ride (montgolfière) with R

balloon by Fornassetti

7 regain energy for good
8 go back to my own thin self (and keep the extra weight off) before i'm forty
9 find a job I really like
10 visit Barcelona, Spain again
11 never look back and have no regrets
12 Dance in a flash mob
13 own a small house by the sea
14 age gracefully
15 take photos of self in photo booth
16 have my portrait made by Studio Harcourt
17 finally learn to speak Arabic and pre-war German
18 learn to organize finances and save
19 go sailing on my own again
20 visit San Francisco (and the States for that matter) for the first time
21 tend properly to my 'all white flowers' mountain garden
22 listen to the radio more often
23 find proper storage for my Cds so i actually listen to them
24 make a short movie
25 learn simple sewing skills

What about you? Do you crave a mighty life, too?

-Vic from TeaButterfly

"Birds Flying High..."

2011-09-30T09:22:00.001+02:00

Hello Lovelies!

photo, my own. (c) Lipson 2011.

I'm out of the hospital and free as a bird! Finally ready to blog and post here photos and scans of my latest drawings.

Talk soon,
-Vic from TeaButterfly.

2011-09-20T16:20:00.000+02:00

Hello Lovelies,

Still in hospital but in a great mood. So i wanted to share with you this fun triptych :

1. Cyanotype, 2. Submerge., 3. USA-California / Cup of Steam

Please visit the original pics and have fun!

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

Moth Vibration! ...and Happy Friday!

2011-09-16T16:43:00.001+02:00

Hello Lovelies,

drawing of moth - mixed media, (c) 2011 by Lipson.

Just when I was about to leave home for hospital this last Wednesday, I opened my letterbox, just to check in, and I found an amazing moth ( a butterfly that lives at night and seeks dark places like the inside of a letterbox).
It hopped right on my hand and started vibrating intensely... I wonder what this vibration meant fear for his life? fear of daylight? or just the sheer vibration of life? In any case, it was amazing!

Just as i tried to reach for my camera without frigntening him too much, he took flight! But I drew him afterwards, for you to see...

Happy Friday everyone! I will rest and stroll in the Magic Park. What about you?

-Vic from TeaButterfly

The Magic Park

2011-09-15T15:59:00.002+02:00

Hi there,

This is Vic from TeaButterfly speaking from the hospital. Now forget what you know about hospitals. This one's special. It is set in a beautiful old, decaying palace with a great big park with a magical atmosphere, moss-covered statues everywhere, the hospital's cats napping in the sun, and koi fish swimming in an old pond. Recent additions include fountains and the water murmur in the morning while you stroll there is most uplifting.

The whole place is so picturesque, it is sure to lift one's spirit and and a quick cure is sure to happen soon. I've been taking lots of photos and will show you a selection when i'm back.

I've also taken my black ink and my brushes with me and i've been drawing this morning, so more to come art-wise.

Talk to you lovelies soon,
-Vic

Pale September

2011-09-14T11:22:00.001+02:00

Hello Lovelies!

autumn still life with books - source : http://pinterest.com/pin/100460524/

September is one of my favorites months, down here in the South of France, it's like a long Indian summer, with bright light and just a hint of crispness in the air. Just lovely!

Unfortunately this bright september has turned a bit pale for me, for I've been ill lately and will need to go to a health clinic for a few days.

But at the end of the day, I remind myself that "Pale September" is one of my fave songs by fiona Apple. So here goes:

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

The Life of Tropical Butterflies

2011-08-30T14:00:00.002+02:00

Hello Lovelies!

Tropical butterflies at the Detroit Zoo. via the "obsession with butterflies" site.

No TV At Home.

I don't have a TV at home, but I'm staying at a friend's right now and just saw a very interesting documentary on the life of tropical butterflies. And you know me, I'm crazy about butterflies!
This particular program was broadcasted by ARTE, the German-French TV. You can re-play this "X:enius" program here for a few days (in French and German).

photo found via Dominique's Browning's blog, Slow Love Life. No, wait! Dominique has indeed mentioned her love for caterpillars on her fantastic blog, but this particular image is via the jjjjound.com blog.

The Appetite of the Caterpillar.

One thing that really struck me, watching this program, was the caterpillars' huge appetite, for fresh leaves and for life! Maybe thats why they're called caterpillars, with cater like in catering? I'll have to check in a dictionary. But what I witnessed was the caterpillars' - of any species - huge growth, literally within days, following that massive eating of leaves.

Image from the program X:enius on ARTE TV

But Not Just Any Leaves...

Most butterfly species feed on a specific herb, leaf or plant. That's what makes them so fragile. Hunters and collectors of exotic butterflies don't seem as much as a big threat as deforestation is, or the disappearance of a given environment.
Caterpillars are hungry indeed, but most times they would rather die than eat another leaf than the one they're used to eat! So if a given forest, with the given plants and trees that grow there, disappear, the butterflies disappear with their environment. Just another reason to protect tropical forests and wildlife!

Funky Caterpillars, a triptych made of three of my Flickr faves.
1. Chenille de Bombyx à livrée (Malacosoma neustria) The Lackey caterpillar, 2. la chenille ne tient qu'a un fil, 3. Chenille Machaon (Papilio machaon) Swallowtail Caterpillar

Butterflies in Your Garden.

So you'd like to preserve butterflies and have plenty of them in your surroundings? That's quite simple really. You can either grow specific butterfly-attracting plants like the famous buddleia. Or you could simply let nature do the hard work and leave a small part of you garden unweeded. Yes! Grow weeds! "Weeds", or whatever plants grow naturally in your soil, are the most likely to attract the butterflies that would naturally develop there. Just wonderful, and simple!

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

buddleia !

Winks & Pins

2011-08-29T19:30:00.008+02:00

Sorry Lovelies!

I had the chance to leave for a long week-end in the nearby countryside (see photo) so grabbed my bags and that didn't leave me the time to say goodbye on Friday!

Now that Monday has come (and I wish you a very nice one) I thought it was timely to share some winks (or week-end links).

You know by now that Jane's blog is one of my faves in the blogosphere... I also appreciate Diana's, aka Miss Moss. I think she is right about Pinterest, it can be addictive and interesting to sort images you are interested in, (I also started to use it in order to track where the images I use on my blog come from, instead of just apologizing and saying "photo source unknown") BUT in the long run - or soon enough - you can also discover that a lot of pins are annoying and even offensive. I try to follow like-minded peole, and when a board of theirs does not interest me (say, if it's about their private life, their wedding, or comprises too many cute babies pictures), I just unfollow said boards. No hard feelings towards cute babies, but seeing too many of them is not my cup of tea. I'm also not getting married anytime soon, so the reminder can become an itch.

And now to a new blog I've just discovered, and like a lot. Sorry, it's about home improvement again (one of my hobbies) but it's drool-worthy. It's called "A Roof and Four Walls", and that's really an understatement about the lovely house that is being renovated and decorated by the writer of this blog. Very much to my taste.

Check out Inklore's blog, too. I love Samantha's works and prints, and she has a lovely blog with short, fun and informative posts. Writing briefly is not my forte, but maybe' I should work on it. Like the aim should be: more posts, but shorter ones. We all lead busy lives!

Happy reading, and talk to you soon,

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

Calming Blues

2011-08-25T13:26:00.000+02:00

Hello Lovelies!

hues of blue on ceramics - all photos in this post via the Field & Sea tumblr.

The heat wave is over for now but it is still very hot! When the weather is that fierce, I like to look at this lovely blog, Field & Sea, quite approriately nicknamed "a collection of loveliness" and look for calming, cooling hues of blue.

a wonderful quilt - found via here the Field & Sea tumblr.

love this photograph of poppy seeds, their blueish-green color - found here via Field & Sea.

Have a great creative Thursday!

...and I'll see you soon,

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

Heat Wave

2011-08-23T13:22:00.000+02:00

Hello Lovelies!

The heat wave is in its 4th day now in the South of France (while the rest of the country is experiencing big summer storms) and I. can. barely. type.

It's just too hot!

I just can't write or blog right now, all I can think of is big naps in fresh linens... And lots of homemade lemonade, too!

I hope to be back blogging real soon,

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

note: all photos found around the web. sorry, source unknown.

Sunday Special: Real Life in Paris.

2011-08-21T13:02:00.067+02:00

Hello Lovelies!

Paris view at dusk - source unknown.

Wow! I came back home and was welcomed by quite a heat wave, which almost made me forget the soft grey skies of Paris...

Paris view, August 2011. Photo, my own.

My favorite time of year is this, the end of August and beginning of September, the whole "Back To School" excitement. It's no wonder that I am a stationery junkie, too, as "Back to School" is also the time of year to stock pile lots of new sheets of paper, fresh bottles of ink, etc...

a box of crayons and ginger candy, my faves! (photo, my own).

So in Paris I bought myself a brand new Filofax yearbook, a recycled leather wallett (great price for a great device for carrying money and important papers around). I also bought a box crayons (a gift for my young cousin T.), a small bottle of black China ink and no noteboks, since I own so many already! I gave my old wallet as gift for young cousin E.

"Kusmi Detox" tea with ginger root. Photo, my own.

In Paris, a lot of tea was bought and drunk, too, of course! If you know me, you know I'm an avid tea-drinker!

Tea at my aunt S's. Photo, my own.

Tea & "somethin' else". photo, my own.

I listened to a lot of classic-era jazz, too, as seen above.

I ate food from all over the world there, esp. mezze from Lebanon, chirashi from Japan, gelati from Italy, Chinese food and Vietnamese hot spicy soup. Yum!

Amorino's ice-cream. Photo, my own.

I highly recommend the ice-cream of Amorino's, they have several shops in and about the Luxembourg gardens. Even the smallest cornetto is huge and the ice-cream is shaped like the petals of a rose, a real treat!

image: source unknown

Well... some people like cats, some others don't.

My Dad does not, so in I moved with my kitty to my young aunt S's apt in Belleville, the first Chinatown of Paris, (the second being in the 13e arrondissement).

S has a lovely apt, with sweeping Paris views, Chinatown exotic flair and the right balance between a calm building with a planted inner court and a roaming neighborhood full of restaurants and shops. I love all her antique finds in her home!

vintage tea tins, at S'. photo, my own.

vintage Art Deco seal lamp:

a pair of seals suport the lamp as a circus balloon. photo, my own.

Shortly before leaving for Paris, I fell in love with the art of Amos Lee and bought his latest album when I arrived in the French capital:

cover of first Amos Lee album, it's a stunning photo I think.

You can now read (below) my shopping trips and visits around the parc Monceau. It is a nice little stroll you can try next time you visit Paris.

A lion guarding the entrance to the Cernuschi Museum of Fine Asian Art. photo, my own.

You can start your "promenade" at:
métro monceau or villiers
go through parc monceau
visit the city of paris asian arts museum for free (it's also called musée Cernuschi). Enrico Cernuschi was a private collector and art amateur who first started this Asian Art collection.

entrance to the "musée Cernuschi". photo, my own.

stroll around the parc monceau and discover some ikebana art done the French way:

"ikebana" at Parc Monceau. photo, my own.

go to boulevard courcelles, buy a cake at hédiard luxury foods
continue on boulevard de Courcelles and buy flowers at the crossroadds between boulevard courcelles and ternes

stop at monoprix for great bagains (i bought my caudalie cosmetics there)

stop at the fnac for amos lee's latest album (extensive choice of books, dvds, cds, etc...)

take avenue niel stop at number 75 get inside and find the dimminutive original kusmi shop (reopnes in spetember 2011) or buy their teas at their other paris shop or online.

if you're in a tourist mode and don't mind the crowd, visit l'Etoile, arc de triomphe and the nearby champs-elysées...

Here's the loot of the day: Amos Lee's latest album, Caudalie cosmetics and lots of Kusmi tea!

Loot of the day. Photo, my own.

And now? Back to old favorites, books and tea, as depicted in this peaceful painting by Christopher Stott.

painting by Christopher Stott

More about Paris, the new ikea catalogue, back-to-school, organizing and fall essentials on my next post! Also to come: street art & poetry in Paris. And finally, a shopping guide, drawn directly from my experience.

See you Monday!

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

Back Home Soon (from Paris)!

2011-08-20T15:50:00.000+02:00

A small vignette at my home, with white Aalto vase included. photo, my own.

Hello Lovelies!

My vacation in Paris, France was just like any real life event, a bit sad, a bit exciting, with awesome moments and some not much so, some even annoying. Now I'm glad I came and bid my little sister goodbye - she is off to live in South America with husband and kids. Then I strolled about in a glorious weather in the Parisian streets, visited my fair share of museums, ate and drank food from Lebanon, China, Vietnam, Japan and so on!

I love Paris for its cosmopolitan flair!

I've also been away from any computer device for up to 10 days, and I missed you lovelies, but not the internet or blogging per se. Thinking of it, I really want to use less the computer once at home, and live more fully and simply. Get in shape, too!

Tomorrow, you'll get the full report from my trip to Paris, together with lots of pics! I may have to divide that post in two or three parts, though, as I really did a lot of things around town and took a gazillion pics! ;-)

See you soon for a Sunday Special on Paris,

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

A Small Guide To Paris.

2011-08-08T21:33:00.009+02:00

hello Lovelies,

My Mariage Frères favorite spot in the Marais - wonderful tea!

I'm leaving for Paris this wednesday, and I'm thrilled to go to Merci for the first time! OK, so this time I'm leaving for 10 days (I'll be back on August the 20th) and I just won't miss my train, promise! ;-) Hopefully I will be back to blog about my own suitcase confessions!

Here is a selection of shops (all personal favorites) that I intend to (re-)visit. I may even purchase there a thing or two...

Muji (preferably the St-Sulpice one)

Merci of course

Fragonard 196, Boulevard St-Germain (perfumes, fragrant candles, ceramics, home wares)

Florame ( deluxe organic cosmetics) - near place de l'Odéon

Kusmi Tea - beautiful Art Nouveau tins and wonderful tea! small street near Boulevard St-Germain

Le petit Atelier de Paris - 31, rue de Montmorency

L'éclaireur 40, rue de Sévigné - this Sévigné street is a great place for shopping!

Another great spot for high-quality tea: Mariage Frères. I love their 30, rue du Bourg Tibourg spot.

Médecine douce for nice and affordable jewelry: 10 rue de Marseille.

And... if you like Asian-style ceramics and home ware on the very cheap (but good restaurant-like quality) go to Eurotra, 119, Boulevard Richard-Lenoir. They have a great choice for great prices! Their wares are usually made for restaurants, but they also sell to you and I. My secret Paris address! ;-)

A reading corner in the Merci shop (cum coffee shop). photo by Jillian Leiboff, via the decor8 blog.

I also second the choices of this page - really great selection.

Finally, I recommend you read about "my fave walk in Paris" - I posted it on my previous blog, but it's still up-to-date!

Enjoy!

-Vic from TeaButterfly

August, You're a Funny Month that Way!

2011-08-01T20:58:00.010+02:00

Hello Lovelies!

Untitled I - mixed media and acrylic on paper.

From my new abstract compositions series. (c) Lipson 2011.

Happy Monday and Happy First Day of August!

Today I'll share with you some personal thoughts about this coming month and my feelings, both old and new, towards it. And of course, the reason why they changed over time...

I used to feel and think I utterly dislike August. A bit like January, it's a bland, non-special kind of month. I don't like summer much, as I suffer from the heat and it makes me lazy. The days in August usually feel endless and I long for some "Back To School" time, some action, like new lessons, be it in creative writing, singing or playing the cello!

But instead of submitting myself to my worst instincts this year, i'd like to avoid boredom and sleuth this time and actually start to enjoy August for what it has to offer: sensuality. Peaches are a delight to be enjoyed, the lovely Jane reminded me today.

I live far from the beach but there are plenty of small rivers and creeks to explore and water to dive in. And what about my town swimming pool? I should give it a try!

photo by anna emilia

August is also a great month for walking barefoot in the tall grass, wearing soft linen dresses and DIY jewelry, like the sweet Anna Emilia, catching fireflies and taking long naps before it's too late and we're too busy again.

August, the month of sensuality. Image via jjjjound.com

We have great rainstorms around here, in the South of France, during August, and they're a marvel of Nature.

firelfly animated gif - found via google images.

Untitled II (detail) - mixed media and acrylic on paper.

From my new abstract compositions series. (c) Lipson 2011.

On the creative front, i've been quite busy lately with new abstract compositions and I'd love to continue on that strand.

pinterest

Keeping an art journal is fun and I found some great ideas over pinterest to fill in blank pages with dots, stripes and melting colors!

Thanks to the wonderful book, "Simple Abundance: a daybook of comfort and joy", by Sarah Ban Breathnach, I seek the simple affordable everyday pleasures in August, too. My mindset has shifted from the negative to the positive. September will be all the more beautiful for it, i'm pretty sure!

And you? Any month or period of time you dislike during the year? Let me hear about it!

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

The Moon At The Window

2011-07-29T20:07:00.004+02:00

Hello Lovelies,

via pinterest

Wow, that was a short vacation, indeed! I never quite made it to Paris. And guess why? My handbag was stolen from me the day I was supposed to leave! Phew!

My bag was found by a kind man the next day (today) and was handed to me by the local police, so all's well. I'm quite glad I didn't sweat too much. Instead, I remembered the poem:

The thief has stolen everything from me
except
the moon hanging at my window.

This poem (my own translation from French, see official translation below) has been written by a Zen monk a long time ago (~~maybe~~ it's Ryōkan, ~~not sure, will have to check~~) and I'm glad my love for Japan and anything Zen helped me stand in front of adversity. After all, it was just a bad day, I had, not a bad life!

So the good news is I get to stay and hang around here, I go on creating and painting (every day these past few weeks!) and my etsy shop remains open. You're welcome to just go in!

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

PS: more about the wonderful Ryōkan, courtesy of Wikipedia:

"One evening a thief visited Ryōkan's hut at the base of the mountain only to discover there was nothing to steal. Ryōkan returned and caught him. "You have come a long way to visit me," he told the prowler, "and you should not return empty-handed. Please take my clothes as a gift." The thief was bewildered. He took the clothes and slunk away. Ryōkan sat naked, watching the moon. "Poor fellow," he mused, "I wish I could have given him this beautiful moon." This story may be an interpretation of an account mentioned by Ryōkan in a haiku:

The thief

Left it behind-

The moon at the window."

A Short Vacation

2011-07-28T09:46:00.001+02:00

Hello Lovelies,

image via jjjjound.com

I'm taking a few days off the blog, for a little summer vacation. See you soon, in about a week...

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

Exciting Week & Already Friday!

2011-07-22T19:53:00.002+02:00

Hello Lovelies!

...this has been an amazing week for me!

the Heather Smith Jones book about watercolor i just received in the mail (and mentioned here yesterday) is great and very inspiring! I have drawn up to four drawings for my shop today, inspired by its techniques.

Now I just need to scan these new watercolor drawings and photograph them well before they go up in my etsy shop... More on that Monday!

in the meantime, let's enjoy a few of my flickr faves, shall we? and have a swell week-end!

1. Untitled, 2. toujours odieux, 3. stand, 4. Untitled

do not forget to click and visit the original photographs, they're stunning!

Have a relaxing time this week-end, enjoy your summer,

-Vic from TeaButterfly

Things Floating Around My mind

2011-07-21T08:00:00.014+02:00

Wow!

quote in the handwriting of Keri Smith

This week barely started and it's already been so inspirational! Thank you, blogosphere! And I specifically mean you, you you you and you.

There have been a lot of things floating around my mind lately. So here goes:

Things I've Painted Recently

Here's my friend Christophe standing in front of rows of oil paintings.
The blue butterfly is by me.

Another blue butterfly, I have started painting awhile ago:

Things I Got For Myself

the water paper paint book

green dangling earrings by Rachel Unger Jewelry

a black skirt with brown beige and white polka dots
a geometric dress for fall

Things I'd Like to Have Soon

Any book by Keri Smith, esp. "How to be an explorer of the world".
This perfume, because of its name... "Iris de nuit"... dreamy!

Things That Inspire Me

Jane's Flanagan's blog, "ill seen ill said", for her wonderful, heartfelt description of summer feelings, the color green and the shade of trees.
This article about bubble painting.
These birds from the Liebe shop via Traveling Mama:

and just like Amy Krouse I "love to make things"...

so I'll sum up by just quoting the following:

Have a great week, everyone!

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

Summer Dreams

2011-07-18T13:04:00.011+02:00

Hello Lovelies!

...and happy Monday to y'all!

dream.

Despite the heavy heat going on here in the South of France, I've been living life to the full lately and so neglected this blog a bit, sorry. Now here's what i've been up to (i like to kiss and tell). 'Cause, yes, I've been kissing and quite a lot!
I've fallen in love! First I tried boy no1 then boy no2 but they wouldn't do. Then out of a sudden, i met IRL an on-line friend i've been corresponding with for over a year! instant mutual click, it was.

And so i've been daydreaming about moving back to Paris because that's where I'm from and also where he lives and about decorating our new place because I love home decor and i dream of the place we will live in together. he's a man, so this has revived my love for masculine flair and he is from Togo, West Africa, so I thought of adding some African highlights to an otherwise, modern, sleek and clean home.

African chic style - As'art galerie

If you follow my pinterest (i have won the hearts of over 20 45 followers within a very short time - all total strangers to me), you also know i will add a touch of orange, an old love of mine, to that dark, masculine african wenge wood. it will make everything just bright and chic!

source

I've also been needing to redecorate/reorganize my home office for some time now. I love contemporary art, as you well know (so sad about Cy Twombly's recent death).

decorating with tape: source unknown.

So everything will be clean, tidy and counter-balanced by a crazy, colorful piece of art by Yellena, just like this:

art by Yellena.

Our bedroom will be very tranquil, peaceful and understated in a "greige", or "perfect grey" spirit. Just white linens, soft grey accents and a comfy bed. The bare essentials.

bedroom image via decorology

The bathroom will also be very plain/bare in white and lightest grey possible. What i call "Belgian gray", because of the likes of Vincent van Druysen and other great Belgian architects. See more Belgian gray interiors here.

source unknown, maybe the jjjjound.com blog

It will have soft turkish cotton towels (the best quality!) and a few streamlined bottles of organic (since 1983!) French cosmetics by Centifolia-bio.

For a similar look and quality, try the organic products of John Masters' in the US.

source

Lately, i find myself more and more drawn to simplicity and the bare essentials. I have categorized them by season on pinterest, and now have a Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring Essentials inspiration boards. The main reason for that is to not face harsh winter or very hot summer days unprepared.

"al fresco in the valley"

My secret for winning over any winter blah? Ginger!

excerpt from the "3191" magazine.

Yes, ginger, be it the root dipped in hot water and then slowly sipped or wonderful, deluxe scented ginger souffle by Origins. Since the latter is a bit difficult to find in France, it will be replaced in my all-white bathroom by the "gingembre" rich moisturizing cream by Roger & Gallet.

I find very hot, dry summer days difficult to bear sometimes so i turn to citrusy, zesty, light scents and drinks! rosemary lemonade is a must, and i use guess what the organic citrus weleda deodorant as a light cologne. it's very cheap for a great summer scent!

Want to know more? Follow me on pinterest! What's your current summer obsessions? Pray tell!

source.

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

Twelve New Doodles

2011-07-03T15:22:00.001+02:00

Hello Lovelies!

To Americans, tomorrow is the Fourth of July, or the American Independance Day... Here in France we celebrate the beginning of the summer holidays, or "grandes vacances"!

I thought it would be timely to publish here some new doodles from last May and June, before I head to the countryside and draw some more! Here are a few doodles, you can see the whole set at my flickr set called "TeaButterfly, Doodle of the Day"!

Here is my set for the all bunch of doodles, an open dictionary, a small found vase, and a succulent:

Enjoy!

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

Oh, and Happy, Happy Friday!

2011-07-01T09:42:00.000+02:00

Print above by Sarah Marshall at Etsy - via the design+sponge blog

Hello Lovelies!

After working hard this past week, at my day-job that is, I am now enjoying the sun, a friend's swimming pool and happy French appetizers! July is among us and a fierce wind is blowing here in the South of France.

Have a sparkling lil weekend, my dears!

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

Playing with Sun and Shade

2011-06-27T18:21:00.001+02:00

Hello Lovelies!

French actress Eva Green in the summer shade - photographer unknown.

Is it Monday morning already? Oh my! I've been in a crazy day-job situation and I couldn't, just couldn't blog, I'm sorry! I hope you did enjoy my interviewing collage artist Susan Jokelson last week, though! It's such a sweet interview!

Other than that, I'm just baking in the sun, hoping for bright, crisp autumn days to come... I love Fall most of all!

And you? Please share what is your favorite season, and why, in the comments section.

Have a great week, talk soon,
-Vic from TeaButterfly.

I

Tea With... Susan G. Jokelson

2011-06-20T18:01:00.002+02:00

Hello Lovelies!

Blackbird

I'm happy to announce that my "Tea with... [insert name of artist here]" series will now become full-blown interviews with living artists whose work I admire! Their art is also somehow related to my visual obsession, esp. tea scenes, Japan-inspired art, and insect drawing.

'Heavenly Bodies'

I'm honored to introduce you today to the body of work by Susan G. Jokelson, a web-friend I met through flickr. We first exchanged some ATCs (artist trading cards), then happily emailed back and forth. I sent her some of my insect art, while she sent me one of her 'Kyoto' collages.

Here is the interview. All art is scanned collages by Susan G. Jokelson. Enjoy!

Q: Hello Susan! Make youself comfortable & have a cup of tea with me today. Could you please describe your perfect morning?

A: That would be Sunday. Get up early as I always do. Exercise first
in bed, then at the gym in their pool. Afterwards hot tub & sauna,
after showering. Then home where the New York Times awaits.
Make my husband his omelette & orange juice & bring it to the
'T.V room" where's he's watching some sports show. Make myself
French toast w/ apple slices stewed in butter & cinnamon, a
capuccino, and sit at the dining room table slowly eating & reading
the New York Times while looking occasionally out the window
at the jungle that is our back yard.

Q: When did you start making vintage collages?

   A: In the '70's, I combined watercolors with old stamps and
   maps, using trompe l'oeil. Slowly, the watercolors disappeared
   until I was using solely old ephemera.

Twosome

Q: Where do your find inspiration?

    All over the map. Just walking around my city (that's Berkeley, CA), looking at
    gardens & trees, at cast offs on the pavements. At the
    museums & galleries here. Also from the magazines &
    newspapers I read: the NYTimes, the New Yorker, the
    World of Interiors. From poetry, novels and art books.
    From images I see on Flickr of other artist's works. From
    places traveled to on vacation.

Chinese battle scene

Q: How long has Asia, more specifically Japan, been on your
   mind?

    A: Since we moved from the East Coast to California 40 years
    ago. Living in the Pacific Rim one is surrounded by Asian
    & Japanese culture; the art, the cuisine, the philosophy are
all pervasive here -- much more so than on the East Coast.

Buddha II

Q: Where & when did your love for typography & calligraphy
   arise?

   A: I've always been interested in and attracted to handwriting,
"a fine hand," as a calligrapher friend of mine would put it.
   Again, it was not til we came to the West Coast that I
came in contact with people who were involved with
calligraphy, graphic design and book design. Their skills
and interest inspired me to learn more and to try to
emulate what they were doing. I made my first artist's
book, "Le Sorcier Malgre Lui," at the invitation of an
Italian friend from Milan to participate in a show there
in '82. That was Betty Danon who also got me involved
in mail art. What fun we had corresponding via snail mail!

Don' miss Susan's Flickr photostream. You can get in touch with her through Flickrmail.

Thanks you so much, Susan!

Mes amitiés,

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

Visual Obsessions

2011-06-15T11:07:00.000+02:00

Hello Lovelies!

My home office, together with my visual obsessions. 2005 (c) Lipson.

Sorry for not posting much, it's been a long (Pentacostal) weekend over here in France. Plus I missed my plane to Portugal and felt disheartened... But deep down I know...

EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON!

So I'm glad to be on my own again, right here, right now, and to share with you today a few of my visual obsessions...They're all pictured in the photograph I took... back in 2005! I can thus tell I've been nurturing my own visual obsessions for a long time now.

You can have a closer look at this photograph here on Flickr, together with specific notes. So let's see... obviously I love beautiful butterflies (and I love "pinning" them there). And all insects, for that matter. I love anything tea and/or Japan-related. I love books, books, books... ('cause, you know, "book lovers never go to bed alone"...). I love spirals, vortex and whirlwinds... pinned here , too.

So, can you tell now I'm hooked on Pinterest? Obviously...

Talk to you soon,

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

Let It Be...

2011-06-06T08:16:00.001+02:00

Hello Lovelies!

via this tumblr

Well, believe it or not... I missed my airplane to Portugal. I guess I didn't want to miss the comforts of being home!

I will go and visit my friend in Portugal, but some other time. It is the timing that wasn't right. Portugal is fine, by me!

So this means I'm right here, right now, drawing and painting large abstract oil paintings that I'd like to show you. I'll take better pictures of them then post them here tomorrow.

I'll also translate some of my posts into French to post them on French Handmade, a lovely site indeed, a 100% French creators' site!

Talk to you soon,

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

And If You're Looking For Me...

2011-06-02T19:37:00.002+02:00

Hello Lovelies!

photo via the jjjjound.com blog

Well, if you're looking for me, I'm in the garden!

image via the Miss Moss blog

See you on Saturday, June the 18th. Hopefully with lots of happy reports from my trip to Portugal.

another image via the Miss Moss blog

Love,
Vic from Teabutterfly.

We All Live in a Yellow... Tram!

2011-05-30T13:37:00.000+02:00

Hello Lovelies!

Yellow Tram in Lisbon, via pinterest.

I've been thinking (it happens, too). And guess who's gonna ride those beautiful Lisbon yellow trams? Well, me, very soon!

So while I'm away, blogging will slow down. I'll post on Mondays (moodboards) Wednesdays (beautiful butterflies found around the net) and Fridays (interesting links and flickr faves of the week).

I'll keep that slow rythm when I get back from Portugal, since I believe I need to find a balance between blogging (too much) and actually drawing and making art (not enough at the moment).

So what do you say? I think blogging three times a week is fair enough, right? And you'll get more interesting posts when I get more art-related content to share with you!

I also have a couple of projects (secret, hush) up my sleeve. And I want to share them with you, some time soon!

Much Warmth,

Vic from TeaButterfly.

Drawings - my best of 2010 video

2011-05-30T10:37:00.001+02:00

Hello Lovelies!

Insect In a Maze I - 2010. by (c) Vic Lipson.

Please check out this video on flickr to see my best 2010 drawings.

Some of them will appear as postcards in my shop very soon (I'm discussing princings with my printer as I write this) so that you can have a piece of my original work of art for an affordable 5 dollars!

Yay for affordable original insect art!

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

It's Monday... It's OK!

2011-05-30T09:30:00.001+02:00

Hello Lovelies!

via pinterest via sun-believable

It's Monday, but it's OK... 'cause... summer is almost there! Rejoice! And... let's look at some pretty butterflies...

Happy Monday everyone!

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

Keywords

2011-05-29T21:28:00.000+02:00

butterflies
butterflyes
butterflyphoto
insect art
art insect
pictures of monarchs
insect artist
photo of moth
insect graphics
butterfly artwork
butterflies art
tea leaves
loose tea leaves
art
pictures
loose tea
art of japan
japanese ceremony
japanese for tea
city guide paris
guide de paris
travel paris
restaurant paris
hotel paris
visite paris
info paris
guide to paris
paris metro
paris map
visite paris

Happy Week Report (art exhibition and new projects inside)

2011-05-27T13:17:00.010+02:00

Hello Lovelies!

I had quite an eventful week! A trip to Avignon, France and a weeks' long art collective exhibition, including two of my works (oil paintings).

Here is my latest drawing, in its blue envelope:

Also of note:

A series of coasters I've been drawing lately... (c) Lipson 2011

Here are some snapshots from the medieval city of Avignon (mainly the Virgin with Child, i dunno why):

Sandro Botticelli, Virgin and child, from an art poster found in Avignon. A current exhibition.

Virgin with Child: in the streets of Avignon.

Another Virgin, another corner of Avignon.

Amazing wooden carved door - St-Pierre Church, Avignon.

I went to Avignon in order to meet a friend, a photographer who had an exhibition there, called "Oeuvre nocture" (Night Art Work).

The "Oeuvre nocture" (Night Art Work) poster. Avignon May 2011.

The "Oeuvre nocturne" exhibition consisted in night-lit shop windows displaying art of young and emerging artists. Here are my friend's Yoan Loudet photographs, as displayed (they are of Avignon's streets under heavy and unsual snow):

Last but not least: as an emerging artist, I really enjoyed reading (and I hope you will, too) this Pikaland interview. These are Summer's top tips be for people struggling to juggle their daily commitments/day jobs with their creative endeavours.

enjoy!

-Vic from TeaButterfly

PS: I'm in love!

Back from Avignon, France

2011-05-26T14:28:00.000+02:00

Hello Lovelies,

this butterflies watercolor is by artist Stina Persson - see her portfolio here.

I just spent two days in medieval-extraordinaire city, Avignon, in the South of France, visiting friends, modeling for a photograph, going to art exhibitions and having a great time all around.

Photos will be posted tomorrow!

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

Tuesday's Butterfly is... "Amour"!

2011-05-24T07:29:00.002+02:00

Hello Lovelies,

Today I'm pleased to share with you a butterfly collage I did a while ago.
I love the mix of color/patterns in it, and the meeting of a butterfly with the word "amour" (that's "love" in French).

Enjoy!

-Vic from TeaButterfly

Fog at Dawn over Lake

2011-05-23T11:57:00.000+02:00

Hello lovelies!

I Hope you had a great weekend! Mine was stunning!

I went to a camping in Haut-Jura (France) with my SO and I wope up at 6AM to witness the fog over the nearby lake. Amazing!

So here's to some fog and rain (that I now miss in this very heated season, here in the south of France):

1. Lac Jean-Péré, Québec, 2. Brume sur le lac du Bourget, 3. brume sur le lac, 4. brume2

please check out the original photographs. on flickr, they're worth it! And the fourth picture is by me...

Enjoy!

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

Oh, and Happy, Happy, Friday!

2011-05-20T18:47:00.001+02:00

Hello Lovelies!

How about a happy Friday in soft, gray tones and shadows? Here are some of my favorites from flickr, enjoy:

And remember to visit the original images,they're stunning!

1. 光線そして影, 2. Untitled, 3. ., 4. DSCN9953.JPG

Have a nice weekend!
-Vic from TeaButterfly.

Wild Horses

2011-05-18T06:37:00.001+02:00

Hello Lovelies!

"Chevaux" - courtesy of Jérémie Korenfeld.

Remember my mentioning (Monday) walking among no less than fifteen wild horses this past week-end?

Here is a photo of the place and the horses... Pure magic, isn't it? The photograph was taken by my brother, Jérémie Korenfeld, btw. Check out his ever changing photostream.

And... enjoy!

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

Tuesday's Butterfly is... Perfection!

2011-05-17T06:32:00.002+02:00

image found via pinterest

Hello Lovelies!

I really really love this home decor with framed winged coleopters. Oh! That perfect splash of red that "makes it" (without dominating). That hint of very warm yellow. The vintage mirror. And white lilies? Those are my favorite flowers! Elegant, classy and so very fragrant.

Of course, what I love most is the Wunderkammer (aka "cabinet of curiosities") Spirit of the framed insects. Gonna draw me some!

Have a nice Tuesday, and enjoy!

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

Pinterest love

2011-05-16T11:51:00.003+02:00

Hello lovelies!

the big lime tree for shade... photo by me Vic Lipson

How are you this Monday? I had a great weekend, spent at the French countryside with a dear friend. Longs naps, short walks... just an amazing landscape, and wild horses surrounding us...

Now I wanted to share with you some Pinterest love with you this morning, esp. my Type Love, my Tea Love, and my Love for Beautiful Butterflies...

Enjoy!

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

PS: I'm now off to add new drawings and paintings to my Etsy shop. ;-)

Hot & Dry

2011-05-14T06:49:00.003+02:00

Hello Lovelies!

It is starking hot in here and i'm only wearing the most diminutive linen dress on. ouf ! We already had cherries (which are normally due in June) and every bloom is faded by now. I hate it when it's so hot and dry. so i'm escaping to the countryside (lots of tree shades there) with a friend for the day.

And you? What plans for the weekend?

Vic from TeaButterfly.

A Summertime Wishlist.

2011-05-11T13:25:00.001+02:00

Hello lovelies!

I have started a summer wishlist, and made a new treasury at Etsy.com for that purpose.

photograph by Labokoff.

High on my list are :

a fedora hat. a masculine trench-coat.

colors: soft hues of white
and soft grey
with splashs of
aquamarine/turquoise.

walking barefoot in the tall grass.

Labokoff's hand-painted photographs.

music: Siobhan Wilson's "Songs".

perfume: Fleur de Vigne by Caudalie.

It is already quite hot here in southern France. Do you dream of summer, too?

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

Tuesday's Butterfly is...

2011-05-10T18:34:00.000+02:00

...on Betty's shirt.

yes, Betty from the Mad Men series. How timely!

such a fashionable TV series indeed! So classy, elegant, and cynical in tone.

Do enjoy any TV series? Would you care to share which one?

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

It's Pin-Pin Time!

2011-05-10T03:41:00.002+02:00

Hello Lovelies,

Just a side note, but a nice one: I've finally started to use "Pinterest". Now i love pinning! Above is shown an image I have just re-pinned.

And you? Are you in pin-pin mode?

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

Monday Mood with Grant Hamilton.

2011-05-09T21:48:00.000+02:00

Hello Lovelies,

I really love abstract art (I paint some myself sometimes) and I also move polaroids. Now you can see both trends reunited. Just check this out: http://www.flickr.com/photos/granthamilton/collections/72157620090299380/

Also of note, Grant Hamilton's photostream : http://www.flickr.com/photos/granthamilton/

-Vic from TeaButterfly

I Love the 'Small is Beautiful' Manifesto !

2011-05-06T14:54:00.000+02:00

I just love the "Small is Beautiful" manifesto, brought to the world by Rachelle Mee-chapman a.K.a. Magpie Girl, to "Magpies" wolrdwide!

Starting May 1st 2011, I also embarked on a wonderful journey with her, renewing with the lost "Art of Noticing". What a creative treat!

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

Sorry About the Inconvience!

2011-05-06T07:47:00.001+02:00

Hello Lovelies,

I had prepared a couple of posts, when I realized that blogger didn't support images anymore. Sorry about the inconvenience, until i fix, this issue!

Have a lovely butterfly day!

-Vic from TeaButterfly

Monday Mood: Happy in Black & White.

2011-05-02T03:38:00.002+02:00

Hello Lovelies!

This Monday, I'm feeling especially happy and in a good mood. So here's to happiness in classy b&w:

1. HAPPY FURRY FRIDAY :), 2. Black & White Becki, 3. Reach For The Moon! (Black & White series) 48 x 36 in. Acrylic on Canvas. Donation for Holy Family Hospital Spokane, WA. Annual Fundraiser, 4. Untitled

Don't forget to go and visit the original photographs, they're stunning!

And also of flickr note, I just discovered Zoë Murdoch's photostream, it is very much worth a look!

Have a happy monday everyone, and see you tomorrow!

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

Saturday's Butterfly Surprise

2011-04-30T14:18:00.000+02:00

Enjoy!

Vic from TeaButterfly.

Oh, and Happy, Happy, Friday!

2011-04-29T19:11:00.001+02:00

Hello Lovelies!

This week has been good to me, as I got back on track on the art front (I have an oil painting up my sleeve), the blogging front, (right here of course!) and on reading two blogo-neighborhood favorites of mine : Jane Flanagan's beautifully balanced "Ill seen Ill said" blog, (Jane, I'm happy to say, just launched a beautiful shop called "Coterie") and Dominique's Browning's "Slow Love Life", who is so well written and thought-challenging.

On the butterflies side of thing, I have found this amazing fabric hung in the Black+Spirop window:

via the ABT blog

I like the vibrant, almost 'gone wild with colors' style of this fabric and this photograph as a whole.

Also of note is Amy and David Butler's house tour on AT. Turns out Amy has a cabinet of curiosities, filled with dried butterflies and found shells... Simply lovely! Just see for yourself:

photo by David Butler

Have a swell week-end everyone!
-Vic from TeaButterfly.

Exotic Insects as Inspiration

2011-04-28T09:27:00.001+02:00

Hello Lovelies,

It's time for some Thursday's Insect Inspiration... So I wanted to share with you some beautiful pictures of nude males...ahem... insects! (just kidding).
They are my daily inspiration. Please open your mind to their natural beauty, and don't say "yuck, bugs!"
(All images from the "Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle, France", found via MSN Entertainment).

Enjoy!

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

It's Time for Spring (and Renewal, too!)

2011-04-27T10:32:00.000+02:00

Hello Lovelies,

I've had some difficulties of late, sure did, as I got very ill this last winter and had my computer stuck in for repair for two whole months.

Now I'm back on track... And I'm feeling ready for things and art to spring under my little fingers!

This is also a time for renewing my pledge to the Creative Everyday Challenge, the 2011 edition! more details here...

Talk to you soon!

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

Entomologia - Insect Art

2011-01-25T12:00:00.012+01:00

Hello Lovelies!

You might think that loving insects and most of all, drawing them all day might be a strange delight of mine... But I'm not alone.

Here's some of my insect art, namely "Imaginarium", "Waiting for Checkov" and "Clones", followed by the poster of the Entomologia Art show that was held in NYC in 2010. It means many artists are inspired by insects, just like me!

Have a nice creative week,

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

Oh, and happy, happy Friday!

2011-01-22T10:43:00.000+01:00

Hello Lovelies!

I really love this picture and wanted to share the love with you.

It's all about Japanese sense of serenity and soft elegance...

Have a nice weekend, all!

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

January Blog Update

2011-01-20T04:44:00.004+01:00

Hello Lovelies,

photography by (C) Minh Ngo.

So sorry i've been away for so long!
I hope your new year is filled with
HOPE,
JOY
& CREATIVITY!
I know mine is...

Talk to you soon about what's cookin' in my creative mind and hands...

My computer is down for the moment but i'll keep you updated anyway!

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

Inspiration For the Upcoming Year

2010-12-26T08:01:00.004+01:00

Hello Lovelies!

jeltje fotografie via the style files.

I love Victoria's post on inspiration boards! I keep a couple of them myself. One on a wire above my home office desk, the other is simply... on my fridge.

I long to rotate and change the images on them for the fresh, new year to come!

Here are a few of my favorite things, that will inspire a new home office and mood board (mine is far too cluttered right now!).

Here's a look at my own personal "lab" as it looks like right now (c) Vic Lipson

I need to tackle all those papers!

photo souce unknown

Fave Winter decorations: Simple & White (as can be seen at my place)

"White & simple winter decorations" by (c) Vic from TeaButterfly

Fave smell: almond (plus it's allergens-free!)

Fave song of the moment: "Song For Anthony" by Siobhan Wilson

Siobhan Wilson's first album, "Songs" - as photographed by me, Vic Lipson.

Fave colors: a combination of almond, sage & apple greens. Like in this image:

And a touch of Orange.

Fave mood board : by Jeltje Photography (see above)

All-Time fave: decorating with butterflies & weird teaware.

geninne’s art blog.

Crooked teapot, at Brian P's place, via Apartment Therapy.

What are your favorite things right now?

-Vic from TeaButterfly

Happy Holidays!

2010-12-23T21:33:00.000+01:00

Hello Lovelies!

I wish you a heartfelt Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

And most of all:

PEACE, LOVE & JOY!

Above is a picture found on the "mochatini" blog via the decorology blog depicting quite well my ideal Christmas morning: lovely silver, simple & handmade decorations, white linens and lots of tea, of course!

Again, here's to this season to be merry!

-Vic from TeaButterfly.

In The Mood For: Decorating with Bugs.

2010-12-20T14:46:00.002+01:00

Hello Lovelies, it's me again!

I hope you're fine on this Monday morning.

detail of an Etsuko Furuya fabric, available here.

I've been thinking lately, especially after seeing this amazing apartment found on ApartmentTherapy...

Fact 1: I love home decor... obviously!

Fact 2: I also love bugs, yes, insects. I draw them, as you well know. Butterflies, dragonflies, scarabs, you name it! They're beautiful!

So why not decorate with bugs?! I think this new category on my blog will be dedicated to:

1: My bug art. So I'll share my love with you.

2. Examples of beautiful homes decorated with insects (be it fabric pattern, real insects dried and framed, pâintings and drawings, etc...). I'll do my best to give due credit to each home owner of course!

3: Photos of bugs decorating my own home.

See you, butterflies!

Vic from TeaButterfly

Oh, and Happy, Happy Friday!

2010-12-19T18:09:00.001+01:00

Hello Lovelies!

I wanted to share with you some winter beauty with you this week end... So here goes, some of my faves from flickr:

1. snow, 2. Closet Visit : Momoko Suzuki, 3. Leo ~ Blogged by Flickr!, 4. quiet

Don't forget to click on the links and go see the orignal photographs, they're stunning! I love winter, when it turns to a wonderland of ice and snow... We don't much of that in southern France where I live, so it's more like a fantasy to me...

Hope you'll have a festive week end!

Vic from TeaButterfly.

Tea with Katarina K. and Other Good News

2010-12-15T09:31:00.000+01:00

Hello Lovelies!

My Etsy Shop reopened yesterday !

so let's celebrate with a very nice cup of tea, shall we?

"one morning" by (c) Katarina K.

I really love Katarina K's photgraphic body of work and her blog, called "Grain & Silk". Dainty, feminine, soft, but not in the frivolous, annoying yeah, see what I mean?

Simply lovely.

"honeylights triptych" by (c) Katarina K.

And apparently, as seen above, Katarina masters beautifully the art of the triptych and adds honey (oh, my) to her tea! ;-)

Have a great day my lovelies,

Vic from TeaButterfly.

Monday Mood: Iridescent Grey!

2010-12-13T12:47:00.004+01:00

Hello Lovelies!

image found via the jjjjound blog

Did you know? Even the otherwise colorful Miro drew in grey sometimes! But more on that later...

First, let me ask you if you had a great weekend! I hope so! I didn't shop for gifts but curled up on my sofa and watched the great movie "Lola" by Jacques Demy.

Now I'm singing all the time:

"C'est moi... c'est moi Lola !
Celle qui rit à tout propos,
Celle qui dit : "l'amour c'est beau..."

You can view a subtitled excerpt of that great movie on youtube, right here. Really worth watching, even if it's just the trailer...

And this sunny (at least where I live) Monday? I'm in the mood for grey/gray.

Like on this iridescent butterfly's wings:

or these matte Whitney Smith's vessels:

grey can be silvery, too, and become a seasons' decor!

...so silvery it becomes a mirror and reflects light... lovely!

Grey can become a great outfit for winter...

photo by Kamel Lahmadi from http://www.styleandthecity.com/

...or that perfect summer grey street style outfit in the wonderful grey capital that is Paris.

Grey is great for drawings....

And a soft yellow can nicely compliment the pattern...

Black and grey adorn the most handsome men in town...

Grey can express love and tenderness... (photo via the jjjjound.com blog)

Jane's Flanagan Furla grey bag (I just love Jane and her great blog, ill seen, ill said):

photo from this blog.

Grey is great for depicting ghosts, of course! (photo by Rodney Smith).

Michelle's twin grey paintings (via apartment therapy)

Find the perfect grey paint, wallpaper, or cushion for your home and peruse "greige" , too ! I love grey!

Grey can be rusty and weathered : see jelens' diptych and Susan Wolfe's bench with lichens...

So... Iridescent, matte, greige, on leather, a canvas or on a butterfly's wings, which is your favorite grey?

Vic from TeaButterfly.

PS: I'm trying my best to locate the actual owners of the pictures used here. Please let me if a photo is yours and I'll be happy to oblige and add your name.

Marvelous, Snowy Paris

2010-12-09T08:31:00.002+01:00

Hello,

Oh I almost forgot, my lovelies!

I also spent 10 days in Paris! It was magical under the falling snow... And so was the nearby countryside...

Here's the bride (my little sister) in her diminutive white dress I mentioned yesterday.

I also ate a part of this wedding cake (amazing, huh? consider that each and *every* little bun is filled with cream...)

I took pictures, just like my paparazzi brother (and really talented photographer).

I had my hair cut short and took a bunch of "glamour" pictures in the mirror, just for the fun of it.

I also celebrated my nephew's fifth birthday on December the 2nd. The candles read his name, simple idea, but brilliant. His cake was made of a pile of real Belgian waffles, brought back straight from Belgium by his travelling father. Cute, I say.

Had a "chocolat viennois" (that's a hot chocolate beverage with whipped cream topping) at an Art Deco café with my best friend.

The "Le Zeyer" café amazing Art Déco roof and lamps...

Enjoyed a Haendel opera. And cried.

Went to see the ceramic work of a pretty incredible 400 years' old dynasty of Korean masters who came to Japan, the CHIN family. I have no words for their craftmanship. I snapped a couple of pictures of their more simple, understated work:

A simple Korean bowl

White crackeled vase with a decor of orchids.

Otherwise, the exhibition was filled with golden dragons, lions and phenixes... not much to my Mingei (zen, local, low-key) taste.

The Petit Palais Museum's round interior garden.

Also went to the Petit Palais Museum (with its pretty round interior garden, under the snow again) and discovered quite a master in the rendering of light. The Italian impressionist Giuseppe de Nittis. Oh my!

Snowy entrance to the Petit Palais Museum.

So Paris was a feast of all the senses as usual, and my sister's marriage came as a climax of family gathering, and general peace, joy and warmth... ;-)

Last but not least, it was also nice to come home to find my comfy sofa and nicest, sweetest cat ever, just waiting for me...

I will be back tomorrow with more buterfflies news, so in the meantime... enjoy!

Vic from TeaButterfly.

PS: And tea-wise? I drank a lot of Japanese genmaĩcha... ;-)))

Frightened Or Festive?

2010-12-08T17:54:00.002+01:00

Hello lovelies,

I've been away for quite a while, but believe me, it was worth the wait! My little sister got married under snow flakes in the most diminutive white dress (she was sooo lovely as a bride!) and I drew and doodled as usual...

Above is a result I'm happy with: "A Frightened Caterpillar" that looks actually quite festive and X-massy with her red horns (that she shows only when she fears danger).

My Etsy will re-open this week I promise!

Until then,I wish you the best butterfly dreams, lovelies,

Vic Lipson from TeaButterfly

Oh, and Happy, Happy Friday!

2010-11-05T17:29:00.001+01:00

Hello Lovelies,

Blogging daily is not always easy. Sometimes life gets in your blogging way. But that can be good, too. Means you're busy, creative, enjoying real life!

Last weekend was a long one here in France, so I went away for a little while. I snapped way too many pics, doodled a lot, and then... forgot my dear notebook at my mom's! :-(

So let's see what I *can* show you lovelies right now.

Early autumn soft light on a pair of unripe kakis:

The countryside, where I've been lately:

"Autumn colors" - shot from a running car!

Have a swell weekend everyone, and I'll be back soon with new drawings of caterpillars (the funny kind), insects and the like!

Vic from TeaButterfly

Tuesday's Butterfly

2010-10-26T12:46:00.002+02:00

Hello Lovelies!

It's no secret by now that I love butterflies (hence my nickname, for instance!)...
So I decided Tuesday will be from now on the day to show you on this blog, first, an inspiring butterfly I've found on the Net, second, a butterfly I have drawn or doodled myself!

I also started a Flickr gallery called "Butterflies inspire me", check it out!

So without further ado, here's this Tuesday butterfly:

it is a brown butterfly tray, skillfully made of decoupaged glass, and you can see and purchase it here.

And a page from my notebooks, with a doodled butterfly:

Have a nice "butterfly" day everyone!

Vic from TeaButterfly.

Finding the Perfect Outfit For a Winter Marriage

2010-10-25T08:33:00.006+02:00

Hello Lovelies!

photo from a colorful DIY marriage, via sunny's blog

Today I'll tell you a bit about fashion, a thing quite not in my habits, or rather my search after the perfect outfit for my younger sister's marriage. The happy event will take place in December '10 (too long story to tell you why). So first of all, I need to find chic clothes that are warm enough! :sigh:

The thing is, I can't wear white - that's for the bride. ;-)
I can't wear black either - simple choice, but suits more a funeral, alas.
And I simply cannot wear pastels like the lovely ladies in the picture above, since my skin is very fair, and when wearing pastels, I pretty much look sick!

What is a girl aspiring to simple elegance to do?!

Since I love anything related to Japan, as you may have noticed from my tea drawings, I decided to wear a taupe silk obi belt over this taupe Japanesesque-patterned skirt that bears a bright orange bird pattern over it. My top will be a matching deep orange cashmere sweater. That's a bit Halloweeny, black and orange, but taupe saves me here & I'll do my best to wear it with style!

Vic from TeaButterfly

Oh, And Happy Happy Friday!

2010-10-22T08:00:00.001+02:00

Hello Lovelies!

Both photos from my flickr photostream - mosaic made using this famous tool. 1. black vintage dress sold on Etsy, 2. black

It's that time of year again... This weekend is the right time to start hunting for the perfect little black dress you'll wear during the upcoming holidays... Have a swell time!

I'll see you Monday!

Vic from TeaButterfly.

PS: About the two dresses shown above: both little black dresses appeared on sfgirlbybay.com, one a long time ago, and the other not so long ago...

Latest TeaButterfly drawings...

2010-10-21T10:19:00.002+02:00

Hello Lovelies!

So this time I'm really back home at last and happy to share with you the handmade postcards I drew while staying at the hospital. Here are the goodies:

"Steaming Teapot with Two Dragonflies" - by TeaButterfly - oct. '10

"Steaming Teapot with Orange-Winged Dragonfly" - by TeaButterfly - oct. '10

I used them both as postcards for friends, so these two won't appear in my Etsy shop (to re-open asap), but I still wanted to share them with you.

During my stay at the hospital, I also drew in different style, did some collages including dried leaves found in the marvelous garden you'll virtually tour with me tomorrow, and got inspired by Hungarian Fauvism, as I mentioned in a previous post... ;-)

So more goodies to come soon!

Vic from TeaButterfly

Just a Hint...

2010-10-18T16:05:00.000+02:00

...at where I've been...

photography by me -oct 2010.

Talk to you lovelies soon!

Vic from TeaButterfly.

Back Soon!

2010-10-18T15:53:00.000+02:00

Hello Lovelies,

photography by me - "The Lonely chair"

I have finally very good news. I'm happy to tell you I'm doing fine and will be back home from hospital this coming Wednesday! See you here Thursday for lots of photos and news!

my best,

Vic from TeaButterfly.

Tea With... Alice Melvin.

2010-10-14T08:58:00.001+02:00

Hello Lovelies,

I first discovered the lovely art of Alice Melvin through the decor8 blog, which recently featured her. Then I had a thorough look at her website. Oh my! So many teapots, both contemporary and "mod"!

I love art that features tea and teapots, as you may have already noticed... So from now on, more artists and tea-related art to come on my blog, once a week. ;-)

artist: Alice Melvin
website: http://alicemelvin.com

Vic from TeaButterfly.

What I Love...

2010-10-13T05:16:00.001+02:00

Hello Lovelies!

photograph from Adore, the new e-zine (via the decor8 blog)

I wanted to share with you this very ealy morning a picture that says it (almost) all, all the things I particularly love:

butterflies of course, esp. when hung as art!
home decor,
typography as art, esp. ampersand(s)
and art hung on the walls!

XXX,

Vic from TeaButterfly.

PS: I'm home for the fortnight and strangely enough I can't sleep! (must be the excitment to be home again and playing with my cat, too! - I missed poor kitty that was so nicely attended by two of my best friends... Thanks, you awesome gals!

Getting Lost is Good for You

2010-10-12T15:27:00.003+02:00

Hello Lovelies!

I got lost in the many halls and corridors of the hospital today, and thus stumbled upon an amazingly beautiful cupboard from Provence, France.

I loved the whole cupboard:

But especially liked this exquisite detail:

Talk to you soon,

Vic from TeaButterfly.

Topiaries & Making Do

2010-10-11T15:25:00.001+02:00

Hello Lovelies!

The very charm of gardens "à la française" are the many symmetric, geometric topiaries in them. I have taken many pictures of said topiaries and will show them to you soon!

I also gathered a couple of gingko biloba leaves to make a new collage that I'll show to you in the next few days, if all goes well technically-wise... ;-) To make a good collage, you have to make do with what you have!

Other than that, my health is improving and I'm doodling away.

Talk to you soon,

Vic from TeaButterfly.

Simple Pleasures

2010-10-07T15:46:00.000+02:00

Hello Lovelies!

I'm still at the hospital, but small pleasures are part of my life all the same!

I've walked barefoot in the dew-covered lawn this morning. I've taken photographs, which is always a pleasure.
I've met a friend who came to visit me. Even the hospital food wasn't so bad today.

In a word, I feel good and optimistic!

Now off to making a new collage... ;-)

Vic from TeaButterfly.

Trying Something New

2010-10-06T16:25:00.000+02:00

Hello Lovelies,

József Nemes Lampérth's self-portrait, 1911, Budapest.

I love hungarian Fauvism, and I intend to copy this self-portrait one of these days...

Now back to my hospital life.

I dreamt of Brancusi last night. Here's why.

Today, in the crisp early morning air, I got out in the Park, feeling pretty excited. My path lead me to a small corner with all kinds of half-carved stones, mostly of the softest kind.

At 8:45 came Joel, our teacher. A nice, tall man, he taught all the men (I was the only woman around!) and me how to carve soft stone or even plaster, which is even better for beginners.

I am an artist at heart.

I have tried with some success - and some interesting "failures" - b/w photography, film editing, oil painting (abstract mostly), insect drawings (now my the specialty at my Etsy shop), Chinese ink sumi-e, creative writing, ceramics and more..

So, yes, I was pretty excited this morning to try a new art form. It always brings some inspiration to your current body of work. This morning, I have tried my hand at stone carving for an hour and half. At the end of the lesson, I felt hot and my back hurt.

But what I wrote to Joel in the end was that I felt happy trying something new and glad to deal with something "concrete", as opposed to abstract (and usually gloomy) thoughts.

A delightful morning, indeed.

Vic from TeaButterfly.

As usual, pictures will be posted here as soon as I come back from the hospital. ;-)

Cats in the Park

2010-10-05T15:39:00.000+02:00

Hello Lovelies!

When one's staying at a hospital, there isn't (seemingly) much to report about. Except the boring: got up at this time, ate at this other time, had a walk in the surrounding park...

The thing is this park is just awesome. You'll get to see lots of pics when I get home, because it is really beautiful. I've never met cats there before, but today I got lucky and met three different ones!

I got the opportunity to play for a long time with a ginger one, that looks a lot like the one pictured here.

So yeah, the day is still young, but it feels good already! Now I'm off to some craft and collage.

Vic from TeaButterfly.

A Little Hello!

2010-10-04T15:58:00.000+02:00

Hello Lovelies!

The "asanoha" traditional pattern

I'm writing to you right from the computer-room of the hospital. How neat to let the patients have a couple computers to use daily for free!

The "hospital" is actually set in an old typical house of Provence (near Avignon), and has the most beautiful garden "à la française". I took a gazillion photographs already, but can't show them to you right now. They're safe inside my mobile phone, lol.

Speaking of laughing, I feel pretty well, very rested and not depressed. Fall is such a crisp season, I love it.

Actually, it's my favorite season of all!

Hoping to write here more soon,

Vic from TeaButterfly.

PS: I'm currently obsessed with asanoha (starry net) traditional Japanese pattern. We'll see where it takes me, art-wise!

Telling Certain Things...

2010-09-29T16:45:00.003+02:00

Hello Lovelies !

"A Disappeareance Print" by "swanbones"

I'm so glad I feel good enough today so I can write to you, awesome followers of this blog and explain a bit why I'm not writing/creating more often. It seems ilike I have disappeared in some frightening Victorian Wonderland, like in the beautiful picture above, by one of my favorite (and now a featured) Etsy artist, "swanbones".

Truth is, it is difficult to tell about certain personal things. Like undergoing a serious illness. Or having a broken heart. Or experiencing loss and mourning. Or all of these at once.

I'm sure Dominique Browning would know how to tell you about these things. And Maira Kalman, would certainly tell/draw about it perfectly. But I'm just me, trying to find the right words... heartfelt words.

So here goes: I'm undergoing a serious, non life-threatening (but still) illness. It cannot be cured, but it can be "stabilized" enough with the right care and medicine, so that I can live a so-called "normal", let's say, "satisfying" life.

I've been very ill through all of September. And I've been waiting this whole month for a place in hospital for me. So now the time has come, and I'll be finally be able to rest and find a better treatment for my illnesss during this month of October.

I'm taking my beloved watercolors and special Japanese paper with me, so you'll get to see doodles and maybe even complete drawings when I return.

It might look like I've disappeared from the blogosphere and the Net for a while, but I'll return for the best!

Wish me luck,

Vic from TeaButterfly

Perfect morning

2010-09-06T08:06:00.002+02:00

This image/collage (all from flickr faves) shown above is called "perfectmorning.jpg" and I'd really love to find the blog where it comes from. ID, please!

This poem is by Billy Collins.

Morning
Why do we bother with the rest of the day,
the swale of the afternoon,
the sudden dip into evening,

then night with his notorious perfumes,
his many-pointed stars?

This is the best -
throwing off the light covers,
feet on the cold floor,
and buzzing around the house on espresso -

maybe a splash of water on the face,
a palmful of vitamins -
but mostly buzzing around the house on espresso

dictionary and atlas open on the rug,
the typewriter waiting for the key of the head,
a cello on the radio,

and, if necessary, the windows -
trees fifty, a hundred years old
out there,
heavy clouds on the way
and the lawn steaming like a horse
in the early morning

poem found at ill seen ill said blog right here

Handmade Love with The Animal Shop

2010-09-03T08:01:00.000+02:00

I just love this wonderful photograph of a lazy racoon. Maybe because I can relate...

shop at: https://www.theanimalprintshop.com/

I Thought I Was Sad Today But...

2010-08-30T09:45:00.002+02:00

...but then I stumbled upon this poem - Mondays are for Moods, aren't they?:

(and the perfect picture to illustrate this would be this one, a fave of mine on flickr)

The Charm Of 5:30
It's too nice a day to read a novel set in England.

We're within inches of the perfect distance from the sun,
the sky is blueberries and cream,
and the wind is as warm as air from a tire.
Even the headstones in the graveyard
Seem to stand up and say "Hello! My name is..."

It's enough to be sitting here on my porch,
thinking about Kermit Roosevelt,
following the course of an ant,
or walking out into the yard with a cordless phone
to find out she is going to be there tonight

On a day like today, what looks like bad news in the distance
turns out to be something on my contact, carports and white
courtesy phones are spontaneously reappreciated
and random "okay"s ring through the backyards.

This morning I discovered the red tints in cola
when I held a glass of it up to the light
and found an expensive flashlight in the pocket of a winter coat
I was packing away for summer.

It all reminds me of that moment when you take off your sunglasses
after a long drive and realize it's earlier
and lighter out than you had accounted for.

You know what I'm talking about,

and that's the kind of fellowship that's taking place in town, out in
the public spaces. You won't overhear anyone using the words
"dramaturgy" or "state inspection today. We're too busy getting along.

It occurs to me that the laws are in the regions and the regions are
in the laws, and it feels good to say this, something that I'm almost
sure is true, outside under the sun.

Then to say it again, around friends, in the resonant voice of a
nineteenth-century senator, just for a lark.

There's a shy looking fellow on the courthouse steps, holding up a
placard that says "But, I kinda liked Reagan." His head turns slowly
as a beautiful girl walks by, holding a refrigerated bottle up against
her flushed cheek.

She smiles at me and I allow myself to imagine her walking into
town to buy lotion at a brick pharmacy.
When she gets home she'll apply it with great lingering care before
moving into her parlor to play 78 records and drink gin-and-tonics
beside her homemade altar to James Madison.

In a town of this size, it's certainly possible that I'll be invited over
one night.

In fact I'll bet you something.

Somewhere in the future I am remembering today. I'll bet you
I'm remembering how I walked into the park at five thirty,
my favorite time of day, and how I found two cold pitchers
of just poured beer, sitting there on the bench.

I am remembering how my friend Chip showed up
with a catcher's mask hanging from his belt and how I said

great to see you, sit down, have a beer, how are you,
and how he turned to me with the sunset reflecting off his contacts
and said, wonderful, how are you.

-David Berman

poem found at Jane's blog, Ill Seen, Ill Said. Thank you so much Jane, you made my day!

-Vic from TeaButterfly