No wonder why Manech is holding this cool vintage Pop Corn cup in the last 52 Project photo. We spent part of the day Sunday playing around with it, making up a fun photo-shoot with a pineapple and a red pepper involved in the picture (you gotta go with what's there for you to grab!). It had us cracking up a lot. Manech loved stealing the pop corn cup right when I was about to take the shot. And I would start chasing him around the house which made him laugh so hard he had to stop running. He also loves seating behind the camera and watch the photo appear on the screen. A good reminder that the time we spend with our kiddos is also a good time to get creative, they love it! The challenge for me was to remain still while shooting even though I had a little monkey either pulling on my feet or jumping on my head playing with what was left of a pony tail. But at the end of the day and after importing all the pics in my computer, I happened to really like some of the shots. I mean yes it's personal tastes here but living a fear-free life is also about exposing yourself to the critics whether you are an amazing painter or an amateur photographer. Practice Practice Practice has been one of my mantra lately. I am exploring new medias and new doors are slowly un-locking. I just printed this on regular copy paper today and I still like it. I would like to try and print it on some wooden surface. The best part about it is that there are some great memories of a fun happy time attached to the photo too. I don't see just a pineapple and a pop corn cup, I can hear Manech's laughter too. And so I will be sharing a few more photos of this essay.

I completely fell for this self-taught Photographer when I first saw the one photo right below. 
Matthias Heiderich focuses on German architecture.

"photographs of architecture are important, not only as art, but also as a testimony of time, trends and evolution, as documentary of buildings that have since been destroyed" (...) Gwen Lafage

Too many stunning photographs to only pick a few but here are some amongst my favorites. I chose to share some of his colorful pieces but he does have truly beautiful Black & White ones. 
I highly recommend you take a look at his work.
WANTED: his book, please? 

Ha. I know. Great post title. 
It's the very sarcastic title of advd I got for him (the hubby) on xmas. Yay me!
And with Valentine's around the corner I thought I'd throw it out there for anyone in need of a little help to pick a fun (corky?) V-present. Even though we don't do the whole Valentine's day thing. Never have. I know most people here in the US love it, it's not as important in France. Cultural difference. Who cares, it's all about love so no judgment here. 
This dvd will suit any boyfriend, husband, best friend (girlfriend, wife, grand'ma) who enjoys a good old school slide. 
45mn. Super 16 mm. Artsy Longboarding, surfing with quite entertaining intermissions...(try and guess what the dots stand for!).
Starring Alex Knost, Dane Peterson, Kassia Meador and another half dozen inspiring surfers. 
Make sure he (she) opens the gift so that the 1st thing that shows is the title. And look for their reaction. Their look. Their blush. Their smile. Their sweat. I wanna know! 
Make it fun xx 
 

The Montreal based duo at Vallée Duhamel comes up with mind-blowing videos for their customers. I mean at least they blow my mind. I can only imagine the work put into it (check out their making-of). Inspiring creative brain. 

By Danish artist HuskMitNavn 

Inspiring people are all around. So are inspiring places. I did not move to Maui 7 years ago just because of my love for surfing & windsurfing. There was more, much more about this place. Its energy. Its people. The Aina (Hawaiian name for Land). The Volcanoes. There is a Hawaiian name for this extraordinary energy: "Mana" = the Power of the Elemental forces of Nature. 
Over the years, this Mana seems to have drawn a whole community of Art-minded people to Maui. People who have a strong respect for the island. People who care for one another. People who inspire me. Every day. 
Over the next few months, I want to take you on a tour through photos & videos, I want to share with you inspiring places, I want to introduce you to inspiring people.
Looking at our world lately, looking at humans acting like monsters has scared me. It scares me to think about the world that will be left for our babies. But then looking at the beauty of the Earth, looking at the pretty Souls out there gives me hope. 
I want to hang on to that hope, I want to focus on positive energy and leave the bad and the ugly monsters behind. Because hey! we are Happy Bandits. 
As I am writing this, I can watch my hubby through the window. He is in the yard working hard to start a little garden of our own. Manech, our 17 months baby, is hanging out with his daddy. He has his own tiny shovel. Even from a distance I can see mud all over him. I love it. And most important, he loves it. He doesn't care about tv (yet). Good because we don't have a tv. All he wants is play in the yard, he can spend long minutes staring at the leaves of a coconut tree dancing with the wind. He'll clap his little hands of joy and excitement. Let's remember that we can inspire the young ones in the most positive way. We are responsible for their future. Let's not forget it. And it all start with us, being inspired ourselves. Come with me, I'll take you on a magic ride, just like a little twinkling star I love. 

And yes, I will take you to this magical place below.