pieces of ria

Growing up, I spent a scary amount of time underwater. I was born with a very vivid imagination, and even up to my 12th year, I loved imagining I'm a mermaid and that I could talk to dolphins and other sea creatures (even in a swimming pool!). As result I developed a terrible ear ache quite a few times, and more than once had to spend time on the side of the pool rather than in it, during a summer holiday. I have a fascination with the underwater world, and I love art, especially sculptures. Anything 'larger than life', like land art always catches my attention. I've come accross this ghostlike underwater wonderland this morning ( Underwater Sculpture ) - the artist is Jason de Caires Taylor. His "underwater sculptures create a unique, absorbing and expansive visual seascape. Highlighting natural ecological processes Taylor’s interventions explore the intricate relationships that exist between art and environment. His works become artificial reefs, attracting...

Take a deep breath.. and open this site: Engrish Warning: You might be killing yourself laughing, & injure yourself laughing, or embaress yourself by having a histeric laughing fit soon... :) Enjoy it, this site always manages to make me wipe tears from my eyes (literally)!! SO FUNNY!!

Lovely print by an artist called Kelly Vivanco. This one is called White Ribbon. Love the innocent eyes.

When I moved house earlier this year, I've managed to 'misplace' the face of my cd player / radio of my car. I've been driving in silence (except for the moments I couldn't stand it and started singing like I'm on MTV!) for a few months now, and lost touch with what's happening in the music world. I have however stumbled accross last.fm - a fantastic site where you can listen to samples of any song you can probably think about... they also offer full length tracks, and 'radio stations' of spesific genres of music is freely available for your listening pleasure. A great site, very informative, very entertaining. (I hope they never decide to block this site!) *

I came accross this site containing amazing illustrations (Central Illustration Agency) - the work of Louise Brierley really caught my eye, and made me remember times when I was a little girl with an already over-active imagination. Creatures and beings like waterbabies and mermaids kept me curious for hours. Enjoy the site, herewith a few of her works:

Stamps are the reason letters get to their designated owners, and I love letters! Found this really cool site with new designer UK stamps (leave it to the Poms to make sure their envelopes look gorgeous.. it goes with their fantastic postal service! love it.) Stamps by Sir Alec Issigonis I think it's really cute - I'm going to try & convince a friend in London to post me something!

I have to keep the brain busy, otherwise i tend to think myself into a frenzy. (don't ask) i've once started a blog a few years ago, but it didn't work, and i couldn't keep it up. hopefully this time i'll be able to post regularly. i guess i see it as a type of 'bookmark' for weird and wonderful things i find on the internet. i spend a lot of time on t he web, and i come accross very interesting sites, that i want to share with people... that's a good enough reason, no? (not that i need one!) stumbled accross Jeremy Nell's site this morning, he's a cartoonist who lives in Cape Town and has the funniest strip called "The Biggish Five" - I LOVE it, especially the russian crows... they are absolutely brilliant! the worm is super cool too. he also uses other characters (the big five) and his clever, dry humour will make you laugh, guaranteed. * a must see!

i have to admit it - i have a strange fascination with the world of celebrities. that is why (when i have time) i like to visit People Magazine . it provides you with a daily fix of celeb quotes, news, information, and fantastic pictures that keeps you up to date with their daily lives. i love movies, and have a broad general knowledge when it comes to actors / actresses / movies / music, and that's probably why i like th is site so much. i know, i know... a bit brainless, but what can i say! :) enjoy.

Although I'm no expert at all (I leave that to my sister, Marle) I do love taking pictures, and try my best to make it look good! I wish someone would teach me how to really do it right. I want to know more about lighting and composition, settings on cameras, etc. Any volunteers? I have browsed quite a few photographers' websites, but this one caught my attention today: Shanna Jones Photography . She re ally captures the essence that I love. Take a look at the we dding portfolio - the pictures are creative and original and a mazing. Maybe one day, Ria!

www.owlhouse.co.za One of the most memorable and amazing experiences I've had this year, was my visit to Nieu Bethesda, to Helen Martins' Owl House & Camel Yard. Since I've studied Athol Fugard's book (" The Road to Mecca ") in my English Literature class at university, I have had a deep-felt fascination with Helen Martins and the work of art she created. Now, almost 6 years later, I have had the chance to visit the little Karoo village. I did a bit of research before we took the long road to the Valley of Desolation, and also took 3 guide books with me, to make the experience more interesting. It was everything and much, much more than I ever could've imagined. The village is set in a valley about 30km's outside Graaff Reinet. You turn off from the N1, and follow a gravel road that snakes through the koppies down, down into the little village of Nieu Bethesda. It truly feels as if time has stood still there. An eerie, almost spiritual athmo...

I've always been a fan of beautiful handwriting. Having a few different handwritings myself, I appreciate the different styles and designs when it comes to beautiful letters. I love writing, and my handwriting regularly showcase the mood I'm in. I have a big love for all things stationary - paper, pens, ink, envelopes, stamps, notebooks, etc. When I was in my early teens, my mother enrolled me for a calligraphy course, which i thouroghly enjoyed. I can't remember much, but have tried to pick it up again. I own a few calligraphy-type pens, but do not always have the patients to practice the letters. I have been a fan of Elsje Designs ( www.elsje.co.za ) since I laid my eyes on their work for the first time. I would love to work in their studio, creating amazing designs and fabulous letters in the various different styles, contrtibuting to wedding days and other special occasions. Makes me wonder why I didn't develop my artistic side more, and did a graphic desig...

www.kardoes.co.za i was lucky enough to stumble accross this amazing website. "kardoes" is an online shop where you can buy the most amazing creative fabrics. i was instantly hooked, and found myself mesmerised and staring at the various colours, shapes and prints for unforgiving amounts of ti me (during work hours!). i find that when i see something i find absolutely beautiful, it's not just a visual exprience for me, but a total physical experience. i get goosebumps, my brain decides to halt all other activity, and i am overwhelmed by a feeling of total bliss. i had to tear myself away from this site (beware!), and have managed to addict a few other people to it as well. enjoy!