RODOS DAYS!

Here I am... enjoying my beloved Island...
One of my favorite spots is the enchanted old Turkish Cemetery, Zoe's first home! It is such a peaceful and magical place, where time seems to stand still. This place is really dear to my heart. Lovely cats live here, they are well fed and healthy. One sweet tortoise-shell cat even cuddled up on my lap...

Passing the harbor you enter the enchanting Old Town...

A stop for a café frappé! My diary is with me of course...

Time seems to stand still in the enchanted alleys of the Old Town...

Hibiscus in bloom in Ixia...

And a gorgeous moon to end the day with my special one :)...

RHODES!

I'm enjoying a short visit on my beloved Island of RHODES... planning for more in the summer!
It's so quiet and beautiful now... deserted beaches, plenty of flowers and lovely climate! Dreamy!

GREEK FRAPPE!

We've had really hot days here in the North-West corner of Italy these days! It feels like full summer... It's kind of a mini heat wave, with temperatures that have climbed up to 30-32° C and plenty of sun and blue skies.
It feels like summer, so I've been thinking about my favorite summer drink in Greece: Greek frappé! I'm going to taste it very soon, as I'm off to my beloved island of Rhodes this Tuesday for a week!
Greek frappé or Café frappé (Greek: φραπές, frapés) is a foam-covered iced coffee drink made from instant coffee. It is very popular in Greece and Cyprus, especially during the summer.

This drink is so popular in Greece that there is even a website devoted to it, Frappe Nation! Here is the description from the site:

"A frappé is nothing more complicated than instant coffee, sugar, and a small quantity of cold water shaken vigorously together to produce a thick foam, then poured over ice in a tall glass, and finally topped off with milk or water. That basic formula gets muddled not only by personal habits but also by the homespun guidelines passed on by its practitioners.”
"It may be best to describe the frappé formula in terms of volume proportions. A gliko (“sweet”) frappé, for example, is typically made with between 1 1/2 and 2 measures of sugar per 1 measure of coffee. To prepare a metrio (“medium sweet”), up to 1 measure of sugar should be mixed with 1 measure of coffee. To create a thick, creamy foam, the ideal coffee-to-water ratio is about 1 part instant coffee per 4-5 parts water."

The basic recipe:
"1. Place 2 teaspoons of instant coffee, sugar to taste, and a splash (3-to-4 tablespoons) of cold water in a shaker, jar, or drink mixer. Cover and shake well for 30 seconds or, if using a standing or hand-held drink mixer, process for 10 seconds to produce a thick foam.
2. Place a few ice cubes in a tall glass. Slowly pour the coffee foam into the glass. Add a splash of milk (evaporated or regular), if desired. Fill with water until the foam reaches the top of the glass. Serve with a flexible straw."

THEO

This is Theo, my mom's new kitten. Well, he is already a "big kitten" now, he is about 7 and a half-8 months old now. My mother adopted him at the beginning of November, when he was about 2 and a half months old. My brother had found the tiny kitten crying under a car in the village where he lives: it is a rural village, with plenty of farms... and where there are farms there are plenty of cats, not always taken care of, let alone neutered. The kitten had obviously lost his mom: as the shop owners close to where my brother and his wife had found him told them, he had been there all day and crying all day. My brother took him home, but he already has 6 cats... and my mother was looking for a new kitten! So she was happy to adopt him!
Theo is a very lively, active and playful kitten, he's full of energy and never standing still... an energy bundle who's always on the move! And a little mischievous too :)... he likes to jump on his older sister Lilli while she's asleep, to play with her! Lilli and Tommi (3 years old) were very upset the first few days when the new kitten arrived... lots of hissing and growling... but after a short time they all got a happy and loving family!
Here he is with his "big sister" Lilli:

... and with his "big brother" Tommi:

Aren't they just TOOOO sweet? And here are the two sweet siblings Lilli and Tommi -- how they often sleep... hugging eachother in my mom's armchair. Pure bliss!

ANNUK'S LITTLE PARADISE

This is my little paradise... my little Eden in my beloved mountains. I had a wonderful walk here yesterday... So many memories of thoughts, moments and phases in my life are linked to this enchanting walk and views... I have been there before important events in my life, before trips, it has seen me in so many times and moments of my life... and always it is my little paradise, my safe haven, the most beautiful place in the world! The walk itself is wonderful, it leads through woods and opens up to stunning views... and the view from the top of the hill, where a little white chapel stands, is breathtaking: the valley beneath, the still snow-covered peaks, and the mesmerizing green slopes covered with pine-tree forests and bathed in sunlight. When I look up and I see the little white point from below, I know my little paradise is always there, awaiting me.

CALYPSO RINGS!

Here they are! My new rings, created with beautiful wooden disks and polymer clay.
I called them Calypso... In Greek mythology, Calypso was a sea nymph. According to Homer, she kept the fabled hero Odysseus on her island so she could make him her immortal husband. Calypso detained him in her island for seven years, until she was obliged by the gods to allow him to continue his journey homewards. Although she is often seen as a negative symbol of a temptress and seductress, Calypso was also a rescuer: on her island she welcomed the exhausted Greek hero, who was adrift in the open sea after losing his ship and his army when heading back home to Troy.
Each Greek island is a Calypso who welcomes the visitor who lands on it, and when he is there she keeps him in her thrall, spellbound and bewitched, with her seductive and mesmerizing powers. When I look at this ring I see an Island. And I see Calypso.
Created with gorgeous natural wooden disks from Helmitarha Supplies, and polymer clay in a custom mix of blues, turquoise and white. Before baking I have added a touch of glitter for extra sparkle: just think how it will pop on a sunny day! The touch of color highlights the wonderful texture of the wood. A gorgeous ring, simple and elegant yet sunny and colourful. Perfect for hot summer nights… or for dreaming about your Island!
Now in my Etsy shop... except Calypso (the first ring): that's my own little treasure :)!

Artist Interview: STEPHMEL

Welcome to my April Artist Interview!
My new interview takes me to Athens, Greece, where I meet Stephania, the talented artist and lovely person behind Stephmel and le Petit Foyer. As soon as I ran across Stephania's photographic work on Etsy, I was bewitched. I love the dreamy, nostalgic atmospheres Stephania is able to achieve with her photographic artwork, the often oniric character of her images takes me back to long lost atmospheres and to childhood dreams. Her images touch me deeply, they speak directly to the heart, they bring back memories and convey feelings and evoke atmospheres.
Stephania is a full-time working artist and she keeps a workshop and small gallery in her native city, Athens. Mostly known as a photographer on Etsy, Stephania is an exquisite and passionate painter as well, which explains the painting-like character and feel of her photography. And it is very interesting to know that her main profession is related to Eastern Orthodox religious art, where she works in painting and restoring icons.
She tells me: "I wanted to add that I am a huge fan of your country too, which I have visited many times and will never feel tired visiting again :) I also have Italian roots from the part of my father. I guess that my love is obvious in my photo gallery :)"
Meet Stephania! Here she shares her artistic journey and inspiration with us!
Welcome Stephania!

Nocturne

- How did you choose the lovely names for your two Etsy Shops, Stephmel (for your photographic art shop) and le Petit Foyer (for your jewelry shop)?

- Stephmel is composed of the first letters of my name that I combined with the first letters of the name of my beloved dog Melody, my sweet companion for eight years now. Melody has followed me patiently in many photo sessions since my first steps in photography and I just felt to show her my gratitude this way.
Le Petit Foyer was a result of a longer search. Before starting my jewellery shop, I had dreamed of a little corner with warm artistic atmosphere and lovely handmade things with a vintage nostalgic feel. This finally recalled to me the foyer of a small theater where visitors can visually enjoy a relaxing break and watch things happening offstage. I also love the sound of French words, so this was my favourite and most representative name.

Passage

- How did you first come to art and creativity? How did your journey in art and creativity begin?

- As a child I was encouraged from my family to express myself creatively. During my early childhood years, I discovered the magical world of images and the endless possibilities that come by holding a pen and a blank piece of paper. I can't specify a certain moment when this journey began. It was there for as long as I remember myself.

Oblivion

- You express yourself artistically through both photography and painting. What does each of these mediums mean to you?

- Painting and photography help me both to visualise my inner world.
Painting is more a monologue, a confession. It needs isolation, self-discipline and concentration.
Photography is a dialogue, to discover the hidden poetry in the world around. It is my personal escape and gives me a great feeling of freedom with its endless possibilities.

Awakening

- When and how did you realize art was your real life path?

- As I mentioned before, I had always the feeling of walking along this path.
Through my school years, I used to draw in my free time and read books about art and painters. During college, I took art classes and finally discovered the mystic appeal of icon painting along with my partner some years later.
Photography came much later, when I received a Nikon D80 as a present and started experimenting in this field.

Morning Dance

- What are your main sources of inspiration?

- I find incredible inspiration in urban living and all things that suggest the traces of human presence - old decayed buildings, dark empty streets, train journeys, harbours, street markets after closing time, abandoned places, but also in poetry, music and my own dreams and emotions among others. In my photos, I often try to capture the certain mood of a poem or a song.

Nostalgia

- What do you like most about the creative process in both photography and painting?

- The creative process in both of them is an exciting experience.
In photography, I particularly enjoy to recreate my images with digital methods, so that the final result reflects my own mood and feeling. I often like to give them a painting-like effect and a poetic, dream-like atmosphere.

Midnight Blues

- You also create beautiful vintage inspired jewelry with a romantic and nostalgic touch, which you sell in your other Etsy Shop Le Petit Foyer. In some of your pieces you incorporate lovely miniature paintings, can you tell us a bit about that?

- Thank you for your kind words. I started making jewellery quite recently, when I introduced my first photo-necklaces, trying to make my work more accessible. This attempt had a warm response and so le Petit Foyer started. Creating romantic jewellery with a nostalgic touch gives me a huge pleasure as it drives me back to my childhood. In my hand painted miniatures I choose whimsical and nostalgic themes, such as teacups, hot air balloons, owls and anything that can be part of an imaginary world. I plan to work more on this section in the future.

Path To Nowhere

- How has life affected your art and art affected your life?

- I always like to put feeling and soul in my work. Art is my refuge in sad and happy moments. It is also my every day's job and hobby. I could never imagine my life without it.

Moonrise

- Art is about light and color! What are your favourite colors?

- The refreshing sea green, the mystical quality of cobalt blue, the rich burgundy, the deeper shades of purple are among my obsessions. In photography I love the range of black and white tones accented with sepia for a nostalgic result.

And The Moon and The Stars and The World

- Did you have a formal training in the arts or photography or attend art/photography courses?

- I have a degree in History of French Art. During my college years I attended courses of drawing and painting in a private school. In photography I am self-taught.

Venezia

- Do you have a studio or home studio or particular part of your home you have devoted to your artwork? Besides your online shops, you also have a “physical” workshop and gallery in Athens, can you tell us a little about it?

- I recently moved back to my old family house which I converted into a workspace. There is a large room for painting and printing and many more little corners for other jobs. There is also a small apartment at the basement where my family business is settled. We use it mainly as a gallery and showcase. I feel really privileged to be able to devote as much time and space as I need for my creative activities, which had been one of the big dreams of my childhood years.

Over The Aegean Sea

Thank you dear Stephania for this really beautiful and inspiring interview, and for sharing your artistic journey and inspiration! We wish you continued joy, inspiration and success with your art and in your life.

Choosing an artist's artwork to show in the interview is always a hard task for me, but this time it's been particularly difficult because I feel a soul connection with each and every one of your photographs.

You can find Stephania's wonderful photographic artwork in her Etsy shop Stephmel, and her beautiful handmade jewelry in her Etsy shop le Petit Foyer.

Ricordami

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