Sassoferrato

The Virgin in Prayer

Sassoferrato

1640-50

'Sassoferrato places emphasis on the softly modelled draperies, the white veil and brilliant blue cloak, painted in ultramarine. The face remains largely in shadow, the eyes downcast, and this has the effect of highlighting the hands joined in prayer. '

The colours used in this painting are so perfect and presented so vibrantly against the solid black backdrop, that looking at it from the screen of a computer does it no justice at all. You can find this gracing the walls of The National Gallery in London, which if you ever get the chance to visit, you really really must!! In real life this painting looks completely 3D, Like you could put your hand into the picture and feel every drape and crease in the fabrics. I really do not think that talent like this exists anymore, i've yet to see the work of a modern painter who uses as much detailling and takes as much time to produce such photographic-like images.

The colourway of ultramarine, coral and white are going to definately be of some influence on my spring wardrobe this year! :)



-a

It's a LOVE/HATE thing...

Sometimes I wish that we were all just happy to run around naked, riding horses, making daisy chains and drinking rum around fires. Then this industry, would not exist. An industry whose aim is to create visual beauty, is actually itself very ugly. FULL of ugly personalities with total disregard to the people and world around them. An overload of Ego’s, fakery and false relationships.

I am not a hateful person. I dislike confrontation and never like to finish on a bad note with anyone. However sometimes, just sometimes…I really…REALLY…hate the Fashion industry….and then I hate myself for hating it…and then I hate that I hate myself for hating it…because I can’t help but actually LOVE fashion.

Because, you see, on the other hand I am wholly grateful that it does exist, otherwise these STUNNING images would never have been born...

Vogue Hommes Japan, Issue 4

Photography : Hedi Slimane

Styling : Nicola Formichetti

right, now I feel like a hypocrite...but I want to jump and live in these pictures, just like Mary does to Dicks chalk drawings...but alas I am not Mary Poppins and I do not own a duck handled magic umberella...

Any who now I've vented my anger...LETS GROOVE

x

Sleep Tight

Such an incredible talent, such a tragic loss.
x

Red and Purple

absent...but not forgotten!!

Hello hello hello...just a quick note to say that this has not been forgotten about...it is still in action! just not too much lately.

I'm going to be shaking it up a bit and doing a more behind-the-scenes look at the Fashion industry. I'm also now freelancing with a pretty nifty stylist in London, who has kindly given me access to all they gain access too, so expect lots of pictures of truley marvelous things ;)

over and out....

why a hummingbird?

Seeming as the aim of this is mainly a style blog, it occured to me that the name 'Hummingbird' probably doesn't make sense and seems a bit random really. There is an explanation behind the name and it is as follows... I once came across this beautiful piece of writing, I think it was on a card or something like that...

'Legend says that Hummingbirds float free of time, carrying our hopes for love, joy and celebration. Like a hummingbird we aspire to hover and savour each moment as it passes, embrace all that life has to offer and celebrate the joy of everyday. The hummingbird's delicate grace reminds us that life is rich, beauty is everywhere, every personal connection has meaning and that laughter is life's sweetest creation'

Nice, isn't it? Hummingbirds are native to the mountains of South America and have a number of spiritual meanings, some believe they are messengers between worlds, but the main belief is that they are here to bring our conciousness away from the routine and mundane, to draw our attention to the beauty and wonderfulness of life itself.

ooo getting deep there...

As you can see, i actually found this so lovely I got one inked to my arm for all eternity, although I've had to get used to this statement...'I like your kingfisher'...

MUSIC

p.s. I saw avatar last night. STUNNING. go see it asap. I bet you all £500 that the catwalks of ss 2011 will be awash with influence from this brilliant film.

P P P P P P P P Paintface...

'warpaint - elephants'

I was listening to this song whilst battling my way through the blizzards of London town and think you should have a listen too. And going with it's name, this post is going to be all about the wonderous invention of the colourful liquid substance other wise known as PAINT.

Iain Crawford, now he's a man who knows how to work with paint. He is a fantastic beauty photographer who creates stunning images that make your eyes go wide and your mouth go wow. Every image is based around the movement in explosions of paint or a liquid as it hits the skin. His work pretty much speaks for itself...

And of course, I couldn't talk about paint without at least mentioning the brilliant A/W 1998 Givency show, where Mcqueen sent his models down the catwalk in white cotton dresses, who were then met by paint spraying car robots at the other end. But, that, really, deserves its own whole post. So ill just leave you with the mental image...

A