Art for art’s sake – well for fun actually. What do you think? What should I call it?
This?
or this?
art
Post Script: Book of Colours – Robyn Cadwallader
The Book of Colours
Robyn Cadwallader
Harper Collins Australia
4th Estate
ISBN: 978 1 4607 5221 0
Description:
From Robyn Cadwallader, author of the internationally acclaimed novel The Anchoress, comes a deeply profound and moving novel of the importance of creativity and the power of connection, told through the story of the commissioning of a gorgeously decorated medieval manuscript, a Book of Hours.
London, 1321: In a small stationer’s shop in Paternoster Row, three people are drawn together around the creation of a magnificent book, an illuminated manuscript of prayers, a Book of Hours. Even though the commission seems to answer the aspirations of each one of them, their own desires and ambitions threaten its completion. As each struggles to see the book come into being, it will change everything they have understood about their place in the world. In many ways, this is a story about power – it is also a novel about the place of women in the roiling and turbulent world of the early fourteenth century; what power they have, how they wield it, and just how temporary and conditional it is.
Rich, deep, sensuous and full of life, Book of Colours is also, most movingly, a profoundly beautiful story about creativity and connection, and our instinctive need to understand our world and communicate with others through the pages of a book.
‘Cadwallader’s writing evokes a heightened attention to the senses: you might never read a novel so sensuous yet unconcerned with romantic love. For this alone it is worth seeking out. But also because The Anchoress achieves what every historical novel attempts: reimagining the past while opening a new window – like a squint, perhaps – to our present lives.’ Sydney Morning Herald
‘A novel of page-turning grace’ Newtown Review of Books
My View:
A fantastic read that has a Dickenson like bleakness juxtaposed against the passion and the colour of the limners for their craft; a black/grey existence versus illumination and colour, creativity, life.
In depth research, locations that leap of the page, characters and their circumstances that will touch your heart, this is a great read.
And there is a bonus for all art lovers/creators – each chapter is prefaced with a paragraph or two from a book that one of the character is writing about their craft “The Art of illumination.” I appreciated every word.
It’s Ok To Feel The Way You Do – Josh Langley – Award Winner and All-round Nice Guy
Press Release
Josh Langley’s inspiration book It’s OK to Feel The Way You Do was awarded 2018 Small Publisher’s Children’s Book of the Year Award.
Bunbury author, Josh Langley has won the Australian Book Industry Award (ABIA), Small Publisher Children book of the year for ‘It’s OK to Feel the Way You Do’, a powerful and fun book to help children understand their feelings. This is the fourth book in his inspirational children’s series.
What a terrific acknowledgement of a wonderful author and his little books with big messages. Josh’s books have been adopted by parents, children, grandparents and even government departments within Australia and overseas.
In the aftermath of receiving his award Josh was already looking to the future, “I’m excited about the new possibilities for Being You is Enough and It’s OK to Feel the Way You Do and where it’s all going to lead. It also comes at the same time that the Western Australian Education Department agreed to add both books to the Statewide Services and Resources Centre making them available to schools and special programs.” He said.
Head of Big Sky Publishing Children’s division, Diane Evans who worked with author Josh Langley across his much-loved little books with big messages series could not be happier, “As a publisher I love how fresh and unique Josh’s book is. As a parent, I know how powerful his simple messages and illustrations can be in connecting with kids and building self-esteem”.
The Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIAs) is an annual celebration that celebrates the connection between Australian readers and the ‘book makers’ – authors, editors, publishing professionals and retailers, who unite to create the must-read books of the year.
Josh’s new book for Find Your Creative Mojo: How to overcome fear, procrastination and self-doubt to express your true self will be available in September 2018. (Big Sky Publishing).
My View:
Josh Langley is a remarkable human being – full of life, supportive, encouraging and talented (artist, writer, speaker…) and generous. I met Josh at a writers festival a few years ago and have kept in touch by social media (http://www.joshlangley.com.au ) and over the odd cup of coffee.
I was thrilled when Josh’s inspirational children book (life lessons here can be applied to humans of all ages) won this ABIA award – the book is gorgeously illustrated, easy to read and brilliantly observed. To say I am a fan is an understatement. I cant wait to read Josh’s new book Finding Your Creative Mojo (another timely message from the universe I think). Go Josh!
I Think I Am Being Sent A Message
Over the past few weeks I have read 3 books; A Place to Remember, True Blue and the Book of Colours, (4 if you include the The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart with its gorgeous cover and flower art between the covers) that have spoken to me about art, painting, creativity and the therapeutic value of creativity. The universe feels like it is sending me a message, to say I have been inspired is an understatement – I cannot stop painting! And I am loving the process.
Post Script: A Place to Remember – Jenn J McLeod
A Place to Remember
Jenn J McLeod
Head of Zeus
Harper Collins Australia
ISBN: 9781786699923
Description:
A man loses five years of his life. Two women are desperate for him to remember.
Running away for the second time in her life, twenty-seven-year old Ava believes the cook’s job at a country B&B is perfect, until she meets the owner’s son, John Tate. At twenty, the fifth generation grazier is a beguiling blend of both man, boy and a terrible flirt. With their connection immediate and intense, they begin a clandestine affair right under the noses of John’s formidable parents.
Thirty years later, Ava returns to Candlebark Creek with her daughter, Nina, who is determined to meet her mother’s lost love for herself. While struggling to find her own place in the world, Nina discovers an urban myth about a love-struck man, a forgotten engagement ring, and a dinner reservation back in the eighties. Now she must decide if revealing the truth will hurt more than it heals…
My View:
A remarkable read! Jenn J McLeod has out done herself with this epic Australian family saga. Fantastic settings, family dramas that will wrench your heart, a little mystery and a compelling narrative. All that is left to say now, is, what’s next Jenn?
It’s All About Perspective
Recently we hosted a couple of young travelers in our home for a labour exchange – have you heard of Helpx.net ? A great way to meet new people, learn about other cultures and get some jobs around the home done too. This time around we say thank you Jessie and Scotty (and Adele and Kendal who also stayed briefly with us).
We have Scotty and Jessie to thank for this wonderful drone image of our house and garden.
Scott’s amazing art and photography can be viewed here: http://scottdenholm.com/
To learn a little more about Jessie (and see more shots of our garden/home) and read about the helpx experience first hand- check out this blog post http://theycalleditparadise.com/blog/helpx-travel-affordable-experience-culture-meet-lovely-locals/ Thanks Jessie.
It was lovely to meet you both.
For the Baker In Your Life
Soulful Baker: From highly creative fruit tarts and pies to chocolate, desserts and weekend brunch
Julie Jones
Jacqui Small
Murdoch Books Australia
ISBN:9781911127246
Description:
From apple rose and plum and frangipane tarts, to lemon madeleines and muddle cake, trampoline bread and grissini to chocolate ganache, delizia di limone to banana, pecan, and chocolate muffins and fluffy pancakes, this incredible bake book has all the recipes you need to create something beautiful, imaginative and impressive. Whether you’re making pies or cakes, bread or brunch, this stunning book is full of recipes that bakes that feeds your soul as well as your stomach.
Baking became a form of therapy for Julie Jones when her mother, who taught her to bake, was diagnosed with dementia. They began baking together again, and Julie started her Instagram account as a way to document this precious time and now her delicious recipes are available for the first time as a sumptuous cookbook that would make an inspired addition to any kitchen bookshelf!
Learn to cook crafted, beautifully styled pies, tarts, cakes and bakes, but be sure to cook with Julie’s secret ingredient – love.
Across the 175+, heavily illustrated pages, you’ll find chapters on:
Fruit Tarts and Pies, containing recipes like apple rose tart and plum and frangipane tart, plus pastry decoration techniques
Cakes, Bakes and Treats, with dipped lemon madeleines and muddle cake, as well as tips for getting cream fillings right every time
Bread and Yeasted Dough, with trampoline bread and grissini
Chocolate, including a stunning triple chocolate celebration cake and chocolate ganache
Desserts, with delizia di limone and a meringue sharing nest wreath
Weekend Breakfast and Brunch, with banana, pecan, and chocolate muffins and fluffy pancakes.
This is the ideal Christmas present for the baker in your life – regardless of their skill level they will find something in this recipe book that they can conquer and share with those they love, because isn’t that what baking is, sharing food made with love, for those you love? That’s how it works for me anyway. 🙂
And this book is gorgeous! I love the images (even if you don’t bake you can sit and ohh and ahh at the wonderful creations within this book), and creations/work of arts they are! Buy this for yourself or for someone you love and get baking today 🙂
**I look forward to sharing a few of the recipes and the glorious art that is the finished product, with you soon.
