how to catch that rare beast

these photographs were taken by my mum in the early 1960s, when she was spending her holiday on the lago maggiore, northern italy. she took such wonderful pictures with her simple little agfa camera. and, judging by the second photo, which a friend must have taken, she had the perfect time. coffee on the terrace, with perlagoniums and a view anyone?

i myself, meanwhile, am feeling truly uninspired. i haven't shot film in weeks. i miss it terribly, but the light is bad. very bad. so how can i catch that rare beast: inspiration?

p.s.: we could start a whole discussion about the notion of inspiration here, i suppose. do we need inspiration, or do we overrate it? is being creative 90% commitment to just doing things, i.e. 'work', rather than something almost magical and therefore elusive? -- and: is pressure counter-productive?

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those were the days

just look at them. my mum and dad, back in the sixties. they look so cool, and so happy. and then my brother and i came along (that's me on the right, i was wearing my hair very short those days). looking at these family pictures made me smile this morning and so i thought i might share them.

last week was very busy, the weekend still is. a highlight was trading a bread with malin elmlid - her bread is the most delicious sourdough i've ever tasted. it was a close call, as i was running late because of the still icy bike paths. luckily malin waited for me even though she was in a real rush. thank you! (read more about malin's bread exchange here.) ++ since mandy mentioned it, here's the link to freunde von freunden, featuring malin's home. it will get you into a right summer mood, i promise! ++

happy sunday and a good start to your week!

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winter days

the best place to be in winter is home. it's still white out there. and icy, which brought the city almost to a stand-still this morning. i'm glad i can concentrate on my translations, at the moment i'm looking at the most beautiful renaissance paintings and drawings. i'm also fascinated by the historical background of the italian courts in the early 15th century, which sometimes reads like a unputdownable novel.

hope you are all well. what are your days looking like?

p.s.: apologies for the delay, but i've finally drawn a winner to my giveaway post in december. and because i felt like it, i drew a second winner too. tschitschi and P.K., you've both won a 13 x 18 cm print of your choice - please email me (see my profile to the right) to let me know your pick and address!

wish

wishing you a year that ends well,
and a new one
that's fresh-faced
and friendly
and gentle
to you.

p.s.: thank you friends, my father is a little better.

these days

changes can come about very quietly or very sudden. my father fell very ill a good week ago. we have no way of telling what the future holds, and to be quite honest: even if there was one, i don't think i would like to know. i'm quieter now and so very glad to have k and my family and my friends. and i'm amazed how close happiness and sadness can be. i saw my dad very poorly and held my six-week old nephew at the very same time.

i'm letting the sad moments in and meeting them with happy ones. this afternoon, i'm seeing my niece, we'll go to town and have hot chocolate.

the photos were taken on a special sunday in december when having lunch with friends, happy memories!

happy holidays

1. Untitled, 2. Let's talk about cheese I, 3. Flea market find, 4. ., 5. 13_resize, 6. Three, 7. Untitled, 8. Untitled, 9. the good stuff

happy holidays, friends!

the images in this mosaic are not mine, but the work of some stunning photographers on flickr. click on the links underneath the mosaic to see their photo streams. be inspired!

at the museum II

some more impressions from the museum, even though it seems like i've been there ages ago. don't you love that girl reading her book - must have been some serious art text she was pondering.

don't forget the giveaway for a print of your choice in my last post (just leave a comment there by wed 22 dec, midnight).

oh, and some exciting news: lovely astrid featured me in her 'why do you shoot film' series over on hei astrid. thank you!

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