Category: Autumn

A Bridge to Fulfilment

19/11/2015

A few weeks ago, I had a difficult time at work. I needed to escape to a place where I could relax and contemplate, so I decided to paint one for myself. A place where one could go for peace of mind, to unwind from our daily duties and expectations on this planet. Somewhere one would go for a time to sit with oneself and connect with reality, not the reality we have created for ourselves, a life of servitude to the 1% that control this world, but a life filled with wonderment at the gift that is the journey on this Earth. A place where we can explore to our hearts desire, meet with others, exchange ideas without judgement, and create magnificent moments, because lets be fair who knows the truth anyway. In other words live a fulfilling life without boundaries and restrictions.

This painting is called 'A Bridge to Fulfilment' a path that we must cross if we intend to live a life worth living. I have included an inspiring video that is fitting for those of us who need to rethink our lives and follow the path that is right for us.

By the way, this painting is on display in Manchester at Healthy Spirit. Take care and keep listening to your heart.

Love
Samira :)

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Meeting on the Bridge

18/10/2015

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Hi folks, a couple of months ago I painted this painting called 'Meeting on the Bridge'. It showed two lovers meeting on a bridge making plans of their future together. Again this painting was based on an oriental theme. I really wanted to paint lots of trees with different colours a relaxing body of water with water lilies and a bridge to add to the beauty of this quiet secluded area where people could come and meet in peace and quiet, sit and dream together.

Well I put it up in the Healthy Spirit café until one day I received an email from my sister- in – law. She told me that a customer, who was a member of a spiritual reading group read a passage to her and then said to look at my painting hung on the wall. She said it was a very moving experience for her, so much so that they decided to print the poem out and place it next to my painting. Well I thought it would be a good idea to share it with you. It is by Nayyirah Waheed, I hope you like it.

“Someone can be madly in love with you and still not be ready. They can love you in a way you have never been loved and still not join you on the bridge. And whatever their reasons you must leave. Because you never ever have to inspire anyone to meet you on the bridge. You never ever have to convince someone to do the work to be ready. There is more extraordinary love, more love that you have never seen, out here in this wide and wild universe. And there is the love that will be ready.”

Nayyirah Waheed

By the way this painting is now sold. Here are the different stages of my painting.

Keep smiling

Samira :)

Meeting on the Bridge...........SOLD

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Autumn series completed.

13/1/2014

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Hey everyone I do not know if you remembered, but I was doing a series of paintings focusing on the autumn theme. Well I have completed them and decided that I would like to share them with you. So here they are.

First of all the painting on the right is called 'Autumn Trees'. It is an oil on canvas, 16" x 12" piece. A while back I did a blog called 'Autumns Grace' in which I gave you a sneaky peak of this painting, well here it is completed.

I thought about a place where I would love to sit and contemplate the beauty of autumn and I really wanted to paint a picture using bright colours. So I decided to paint a stream with beautiful coloured trees with hues of gold, orange and red, on either side and a quiet little place to meditate. I always love painting white marble gazebos and this was the perfect place to put one, overlooking a castle in the distance. I could just picture myself there loving the view, appreciating the gorgeous scenery.

The next painting in this sequence is called 'Mystic Domain'. I have already done a blog on this so I will not bore you too much with the details again. But I love the idea of enchanted forests with their hidden secrets. This is my version of them. Again this painting is in oils on canvas size: 16" x 12".

I have always wanted to have a go at painting leaves floating on water, so this was the perfect moment to try it out. This next painting called 'Floating Leaves' shows vibrant coloured leaves floating on still water. To me it reminds me of people of all creeds and colour together letting life pass them by, not knowing where they will end up. this is also oil on canvas size: 12" x 16".

Last of all if you would have read the blog ' Day out in the Derbyshire Countryside', you will have noticed that we stopped of at Whirlow Park at the edge of Sheffield. A beautiful park with offerings of amazing trees of all kinds. Well I decided to collect some leaves that had fallen to use on one of my projects. Here is the end result.

I used the leaves as templates in the foreground for this abstract painting. As for the background I wanted to paint a kind of aurora borealis signifying the oncoming winter. I also painted the top with cold colours and the bottom with warm for contrast. This is called 'The Fall', the last in this collection. I wanted to finish this autumn collection with a bang so I picked a huge sized canvas, 30" x 47.5", using acrylic paints. It reeeeeaaaally looks good on my wall. I think I will find it difficult to part with, but I must one day.

Well that about wraps it up. All these paintings will be up for sale soon. However if you wish to purchase beforehand, just email me and I will arrange something. Meanwhile take care, keep warm and enjoy the winter.

Love and peace
Samira :)

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A Day at Chatsworth House

2/12/2013

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This stately home is famous for being featured in 'Pride and Prejudice' staring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen. On this occasion we did not go to the gardens, but instead rambled around the grounds, something we have not done for a while.

Whilst exploring the area we discovered lots of old trees, some of them hollowed out by animals. I would envision that they would still be living inside of them. These areas are popular with badgers, rabbits, squirrels and foxes. However the estate have their own animals too like sheep, cows and deer.

I imagined it as an elderly person, wise, full of stories of past times offering comfort and warmth to everyone around.

There were trees that had long died and looked like natural sculptures as you can see in the next photo. The deep crevices and weathering added another dimension to the original bark. These trees enhanced the character of the surroundings.

Later on during our walk we discovered a water fall, which was directed onto an old viaduct bridge. The area was called 'The Dell', situated near the top overlooking the estate and gardens. A charming, quiet area, to just sit and daydream.

I could visualise myself sitting among the trees communing with nature. Just as I would at Chatsworth House.

We stayed there until sunset and were rewarded for the wait with a beautiful sunset as you can see.

Saturday was a beautiful crisp autumn day, with the sun shining bright and the skies clear as crystal.

We decided to go to Chatsworth House, home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, situated in the Peak District in Derbyshire. This is one of my favourite places to visit, especially the gardens.

I saw a very old tree and instantly fell in love with it. I wondered how it would have seen the world change over the years. The trunk was really wide as you can see in this picture with me leaning against it, yet part of it was hollowed out.

This reminded me of one of my watercolour paintings of an arched bridge, which was inspired by a photograph given to me by a family member. The painting is called 'Golden Arch' as shown here.

Overall a magical day giving me inspiration for future projects. I hope this journey was enjoyable for you too.

With love

Samira :)

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After the Rain

25/11/2013

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Water the source of all life, what would we do without it? Our very existence depends on it. When I contemplate how much we have in common with our Earth and our bodies it is a miracle, a gift. The earth contains two thirds of water and so do we. Streams and rivers flow around the planet as veins and arteries run through our bodies. Each cell inside of us is filled with the life giver.

Everything seems alive after rainfall, leaves seem greener and the colours of flowers are more effervescent, even animals look more lively. It is because of these reasons and many other that I decided to capture its majesty and subtle beauty in our environment, through photography.

I was at home in the kitchen, it was a dreary wet day, then all of a sudden the sun came out and everything lit up with ethereal light. The garden looked bejeweled with diamonds, sparkling off everything. I could not resist the temptation to get the camera out and join in this splendour. I was not disappointed, as is evidenced by the photographs. If you think about the rainbow hidden within each droplet it is like witnessing drops of life awakening the sleeping. I was like a child in a sweet shop, wondering where to look and where to begin. I was transported to another existence, the honour was all mine.

On this note I thought it would be a good idea to introduce a book I have read in the past called 'Messages from Water', by Masaru Emoto. You will never look at water the same way again after reading this. Dr Emoto realized that frozen water crystals formed in water, reacted in different ways when it was exposed to positive and negative environments. For example positive thoughts, and loving words, formed beautiful, symmetrical crystals. The negative thoughts, polluted water produced incomplete, asymmetrical crystal patterns. This was a breakthrough in realising how behaviour and the environment can have a good or bad effect on our health and the planet.

With this in mind, I remembered that I painted a picture called 'The colours of Life', to portray the magnificent colour spectrum within water. Here it is.

Finally when we look closer at something as insignificant as a drop of water, we understand the complexity and importance of our fragile existence.

Love

Samira

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Day out in the Derbyshire countryside.

18/11/2013

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I thought I would show you some of the places I hang out with my family. These are the type of places that inspire my artwork too.

Yesterday, I went, with my husband and youngest son, to the Derbyshire countryside to take some snapshots of the lovely autumn colours and hopefully get some ideas to help me paint. Although it was a really misty day I rather liked the mood of the effects of the mists on the countryside. It gave it a haunting atmosphere, an air of mystery. You could not make out what you were looking at sometimes.

There were a number of places that we visited. Firstly we went to Burbage brook, just outside Ringinglow, a favourite for climbers.

So quiet and peaceful here, particularly on a misty day like yesterday. The mists seem to somehow dampen sound, almost muffling it. After that we moved on to Stanage, again a local haunt for climbers. My family love climbing here with their ropes and harnesses. I do not like heights, but I have tried abseiling a couple of times, frightening experience, I do not think I will be doing that again in a hurry.

Then we went to Ladybower Reservoir, which has a rich history. In the 1940's the villages of Ashopton and Derwent among many others, were submerged under the reservoir. During severe drought seasons you can just about see the church steeple poking up above the water. Unfortunately, because of this many farmers lost their livelihoods. If you would like to find out more here is a link...

http://www.peaklandheritage.org.uk/index.asp?peakkey=40300621

Love this misty picture of a bridge surrounded by multi-coloured trees. The deep greens, reds and browns are highlighted by the uplifting yellows. Makes me want to get my paint brushes and start painting. I might make this one of my projects.

The reflection of the dam, in this next photo, is so clear. The texture of the smooth water next to the rugged rock of the dam is a great contrast.

Here is a closer look at it from the other side. I love coming here when it overflows and the water comes gushing down. It looks spectacular and the roaring sound of the water crashing to the bottom can be quite deafening.

Here is a tiny snippet of a video giving you a feel of what it is like at the dam.

Our final stop was at Whirlow park at the edge of Sheffield near the Peak District. We did not stay there too long as it was getting dark. But I managed to take a few snaps along the way.

I have been coming here since before I was married, and over the years I have seen the park transform. This park has a gorgeous woods with a little stream going through it. Many a happy day has been spent chilling out in them with the family. Whirlow Hall is situated within the grounds and is a popular venue for weddings.

I am going to end on the park bench photo. The red tree behind it reminded me of my beloved Acer tree, which I used as an inspiration for one of my paintings. This looked like a lovely place to sit down and contemplate the day.

I hope this trip motivates you to get out there and take a deeper look at nature's glory. This world is a gigantic work of art and we should take pleasure in being a part of it.

Music plays a big part in my paintings. Whilst painting I often listen to chillout music. It helps me get into the zone. Here is a playlist that I often listen to, for you to enjoy. The images are awesome.

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Mystic Domain

13/11/2013

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Just finished another painting, from the autumn theme, called 'Mystic Domain'. I love the atmosphere of this painting as It reminds me of a book I have been reading called 'The Ringing Cedars'. This is a series of books. The first one is called 'Anastasia', which is a story about a business man, Vladimir Megré's trade trip to the Siberian Taiga, in Russia. He discovers amazing healing and spiritual properties of 'ringing cedar' trees. During this trip he meets up with a woman, Anastasia, who gives him a different perspective on nature, child-rearing, healing and other aspects of life. This encounter enlightens him and changes his outlook on the world drastically.

I thoroughly recommend these books, if you are a nature lover like me. I love the idea of self sustainability which is discussed in great lengths in these books, as well as new ways of educating children at home and school. For those of you who like to focus on the spiritual side of things, there is plenty of insightful information for you to absorb.

Back to my painting. I love the idea of a misty forest holding all kinds of secrets within its fauna and flora, divulging them only to those who possess a spiritual connection to it. I can picture myself sitting in amongst the autumn leaves meditating and contemplating on the mysteries of the universe. Trying to unlock the hidden powers we all posses inside of us.

Now, I am going to put a link here for those who enjoy films about nature and harmony. This film called 'The Green Beautiful', is a French film with subtitles. I am sure you will love it. It is a comedy about an intergalactic alien race who help to bring a message to the world about living in harmony with nature and understanding the human condition. If you would like a synopsis of the film before you watch it here is the link below:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115650/synopsis

Here is the film: Enjoy!!!

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Autumn's Grace

1/11/2013

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For me autumn is a visual treat. It is full of warm, rich colours falling from trees, adding fire to the cold days. It is like nature reminding us to wrap up for the winter. Before I started painting, the coming of autumn was a sign for me that winter was coming. Short days and long dark nights used to get me depressed. In the UK the skies darken around 4pm by the end of October. This continues all the way to February. As a person who enjoys warm days and walking for miles, winter for me was
gloomy and grey. I missed the sunny days full of colour and vibrancy.

However, since I started painting, I can appreciate tiny nuances in our environment, like water droplets changing into diamonds as they trickle off icicles. I even noticed the intelligence of animals as they get ready for the winter through collecting food, migrating or going on a long sleep. I become aware of the roaring fireplaces warming the homes and hearts of the warriors after battling with the bitter cold evenings. Now I have come to the conclusion that even winter has its own beauty. It is a promise of life, reincarnation of nature, when the sleeping will soon awaken.

Well I thought it would be a good idea to celebrate autumn and its glory by producing a series of paintings. I have just about finished my first one. Here is a sneaky peek, enjoy. Don't forget to watch the amazing video about the awesomeness of
autumn. You will love it. :D :D

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A Bridge to Fulfilment

Meeting on the Bridge

Autumn series completed.

A Day at Chatsworth House

After the Rain

Day out in the Derbyshire countryside.

Mystic Domain

Autumn's Grace

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