Tal's Adventures in Wonderland: Part 1

After two whole weeks in London I'm back to the blogging world satisfied and relatively calmer. Though I could always use another vacation obviously…the world is too big and lots more to see every day.
I had my first 'Blind date' with one of the most talented and sweet people from the blogging planet, Thereza, as you may know as Tiny Red, a very colourful and joyful character herself.:)
I think we both came with different visions in our heads as we imagined each other according to the little story we tend to build once looking at each other's blogs and art. Meeting in person is obviously much more appealing and I just had the loveliest afternoon with Thereza, drinking tea and hot chocolate, taking pictures of pretty much everything (my fingernails for example) and getting to know the person behind the written words. Later she took me to a brilliant designer bookstore and handmade goodies shop.

Thank you Thereza for this wonderful experience! This blog has influenced me to meet lovely people who share my own passion in life. A wonderful opportunity which I appreciate so much.:)
I feel a bit silly as I made a wee drawing for you Thereza but forgot to give it to you from all of the excitement. haha I'll keep it for now as a reminder…;)

If you wondered, I'm the one with the old unattractive brown boots. Though I bought a new pair during my stay there, so please don't question my taste.:)

Dreaming of London

It seems as I'm drifting from here to there rather than staying at home lately.
The need to experience the world has pushed me from Berlin to London, trying to exploit the opportunity and free time I have before starting Bezalel Art Academy on November, as I know I'm going to have four demanding hectic years. Hectic, but challenging in a good way, exciting I'm sure since this is it, my passion in life, graphic design and art in general. I'm still overwhelmed by the thought of actually learning what I desire and dreamt of ever since I can remember myself.

Now is my last (ok, not LAST last) chance to feel that freedom of those wanderings around the world, to feel surrounded by that wonderful feeling of inspirational environments. I will see your pretty faces (words perhaps) in about two weeks or so.

Oh London, I've always felt this is my second home. Art galleries and design around every corner. Small cafes I can enjoy for hours with tempting looking pastries and food markets I can't wait to explore (and share with you guys of course!).
I will miss you all (again!). Have a great time while I'm gone, enjoy doing what you 'are', or something like that…:)

me x

Berlin " Yummy yummy I've got veggies in my tummy"

As a food lover, a part of my trip has to contain that passion of mine of finding new ingredients I can't find at my local organic markets, and obviously enjoy good food. In my case, when I say good food I mean fresh, vegetarian, preferred organic that fits my budget. In recent years I haven't done those food researches I'm doing right before I'm flying somewhere and therefore found myself being forced to eat at places that didn't serve my kind of food. But believe it or not, I found my way in Berlin, among its massive sausages industry and creamy unfamiliar mashes. There is something reassuring in finding fresh quality food ahead. Now I'm not talking about fancy gourmet quality food, as I simply enjoy a bunch of seasoned vegetables lying happily on my plate.
Give me any fresh veggie and I'm a happy camper! :) I can't tell you how much I enjoyed the organic German veggies I found in my big colorful salads everyday. They were so vibrant and fresh that the colors just shown through. I've never seen a lettuce in such bright green before. Do I sound deranged while talking about vegetables? Perhaps. But I realized that is how I should always eat them. That is how they're supposed to look, taste and smell. And sadly enough I'm not used to this kind of fresh products back at home.

If you plan on visiting Berlin any time soon, here is a short list of some nice food places where I found my desired simple and comforting vegetarian food:
Seerose - a very cute buffet and salad bar, where I only chose the cold combination with salads and whole grains, as the warm dishes looked a bit heavy on the creamy side (though I think it was all vegan). Mehringdamm 47. Open Mon-Sat 8.00-24.00, Sun 12.00-22.00
Einhorn Mommsenstrasse - a delicious buffet of warm dishes and cold interesting salads. Mommsenstr 2.
Weilands Wellfood - organic and health food restaurant. Not all the menu is vegetarian but everything is organic, fresh and well made. I got a hugeee fresh looking salad along with spelt penne in carrot sauce. Very interesting. Marlene-Dietrich-Platz 1, the second one in Platz vor dem Neuen Tor 5.
There are loads of other bio supermarkets and organic stores with prepared food such as Fresh N Friends Foodstore and Gorilla chain.

I also managed to find a few interesting stuff in many of those bio organic stores they have there (lucky them!). I finally put my hands upon a nice looking walnut oil! It's not that rare, but at least where I come from, it couldn't be found ANYWHERE. And my summer salads pleaded for a fresh drizzle of that nutty flavor that surprises your taste buds in every bite. I love it.
A much heavier product I found is a basket full of the loveliest kinds of pumpkin I have ever seen! Cute aliens look alike. I suspect they're more for decoration rather than for cooking as it appears a month before Halloween. But still, gorgeous crops! No matter it took half of the place in my baggage, it was a nice surprise for my mom who agreed I was crazy and LOVED it.

I almost forgot about the delicious doughnuts... (Below the donuts lady)

Guten Morgen to you all

Ohh I just had the most amazing time in Berlin! It seemed quite short, but I felt every minute was being captured.:) I marked in my memory every Graffiti scribble, the old interesting structures that hid a whole history between their walls, the colorful flea markets and the unbelievable worn out nostalgic objects they sell these days, and believe it or not, I won't forget the organic vegetarian culinary experience I managed to draw within their mountains of sausages. But that's a different story, as I'm going to have a whole different chapter for the veggie food adventure.
The photos I took mainly represent the instant inspirational vibes I was getting while looking at their graffiti and bold colors, the combination between old and new, painful history alongside contemporary hard shaped technological buildings.
I found their flea markets especially interesting as many families took out all of their old and unused toys, nostalgic books, retro clothes and furniture that no longer stand out for their functionality, but for their personal history.
There's nothing like a vacation which you feel like 'taking all in', enjoying the moment and everything your eyes manage to catch.:)

Hope you all enjoyed your week as well! *hugs*

"Eternal Thirst"... Berlin here I come.

I have to say my goodbye for only a week, as I'm flying to Berlin tomorrow! This was all a total last minute kind of experience and I'm SO excited!! Can't wait to be thrown into a whole different background, atmosphere, air and alternative style. I believe this city has so much art to offer, so expect serious artistic influence and inspired works once I come back. I promise pictures and stories! :)
I desperately needed a break and some fresh air, and it began to show upon the "paper", or as a matter of fact on the carton box. A few days ago, right before I decided to book a flight, I had spent a few days sitting on the floor, as I took out the permanent markers I never thought I'd use again besides their usual task (to mark the carton boxes before moving to a new house.). I cut these boxes into smaller cardboards and painted whatever came to mind…not accidentally I painted boxed, rough graphic shapes with bold colors. "I live in a box". I drew a sealed, limited desert, a reconstructed world, rising through angles, squares and basically, not hard to spot, boxes.

So you see, my current creative thought process needs a short vacation, which in my case means to change my environment and location, even for a little while, inhale a different kind of art, colors, smells, patterns, textures, people… Berlin's art in this case. And actually, ten days after I land, London. Yes…CAN'T WAIT.
I know it's only for a week but I'm really going to miss the writing in this blog, and your lovely comments that always push my farther.:)

Promise me you'd have a brilliant creative week, set aside what you're doing, step outside and breathe that air slowly…let your mind drift a bit.

Luv,
me x

"Inspiration for sale"

Taking my weekly regular walks to the food market, is definitely one of my ways to feel reconnected with the ingredients I buy, and the whole wandering-shopping-smelling-feeling experience I just love to have in the middle of the week when I'm planning my next recipe and dish.
That fresh air is consisted mostly of vibrant colors, smells of fruit, exotic spices and baked goods.
This 'sensual' trip I've made into my routine begins once I walk by foot all the way downtown (it's not really downtown as there are some major hills along the way), usually caring on one side a bag that is big enough to consume my sketchbook, pens, heavy wallet with enough change for the market, my sweet old heavy camera and some free space for the future spices that are about to spread their fresh ground aroma in this small air pocket.

I must say that even on the hottest days when I'm feeling too exposed to the sun and heat, it's all worth it after I enter "Shuk Mahne Yehuda", stumbling upon a whole different world that shudders with such freshness diluted with an ancient vibration, as this market has been there for hundreds of years.
I thought of sharing some of those weekly photographs each week, and perhaps into my little blog's routine.:)

Now I must ask you all as I'm very curious when it comes to other people's inspirational sources…in which place or environment do you seek your inspiration? Is it someplace hectic, full of life, sounds, sights and smells, or perhaps your intimate workplace at your own cozy home?
Wherever you're heading tomorrow morning, there will always be that tiny well shaped stone situated along the road…and I just know I'd be the happiest girl at that moment for noticing it down at my feet.

Lines and Borders

Graphic illustration style plays another roll in my artlife lately, rather than indicating clear, distinct lines and shapes, I turned it into an emotional tool.
My hand works systematically and mechanically, trying to define each dot, but at the same time, being dictated by my current emotional state.
By the disoriented and unbalanced perspective I try to achieve that blurriness and uncertainty between the lines and borders. When is it a line, and when is it a border?
I'm feeling this drawing system is quite like a therapy actually. It feels a bit like a psychological analysis. There's something relaxing in working on those fine details with your hand.
I might as well say these lines dictate a rhythm, almost like in music. If you're familiar with Thom Yorke, the most brilliant musician and his recent solo album "The Eraser", you might feel what I have experienced; an emotional distorted electronic music, definitely not an oxymoron.

Any thoughts about the not-so-cold graphic style that by its rough and sharp quality can arouse deep emotions?
I know I may sound too serious at this early hour of the day, but after listening to some wonderful inspiring music this morning, I really felt like sharing this series of sketches. You know I'd love to hear your opinions and thoughts about it.

Enjoy your Wednesday lovely people.