Ansel Adams Photography

I had heard of Ansel Adams prior to our 2005 trip to Yosemite National Park in California, but never truly had an appreciation for his work.

Yosemite Valley, Thunderstorm by Ansel Adams

If your lucky enough to come across one of his originals (or even better inherit one) hold onto it, because they are priceless these days.

Needless to say we had to settle for a print from his online studio http://www.anseladams.com/, but once framed it takes pride and place in our bedroom.

And while Ansel Adams took beautiful photographs all around California, I will always associate him with Yosemite.

Redwoods by Ansel Adams

Etsy: Cute Cat's

So I love to browse through Etsy, and when I get a chance look through their Featured Sellers, Handpicked Items and Updated Blogs. That's how I came across Helene's gorgeous hand drawn items. I could resist her "Dear Kitty" (below) as it reminds me of my cat and her love of feathers!

Helene has a variety of items to select, all her own designs and all so cute it's hard to narrow it down to just one! Check out her shop at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/heleneweston?ref=seller_info or her website at: http://www.helenetheillustrator.co.uk/

Art: LeRoy Nieman Playboy Suite

My parents sent us to check out the Centaur Gallery in the Fashion Show Mall in Las Vegas on our trip their in January 2010. I don't think they ever intended for their daughter to become obsessed with anything in there, or actually end up purchasing something, but they really should have known better.





http://www.centaurgalleries.com/





So what did I purchase? The Playboy Bunny Suite of serigraphs by LeRoy Neiman who famously drew for Playboy magazine over a number of years.

http://www.centaurgalleries.com/Main/Art.cfm?InvNo=47491ab

I don't really know why I'm so obsessed with these prints. I hate the colour pink (predominant in the first picture) and I count myself as a feminist (which people could debate that having playboy bunnies on your wall removes you from the sisterhood), but there's just something eye catching about them, they just make me feel like some part of bygone history.





If you want to find out more about LeRoy Neiman check out the artist bio on the following link: http://www.centaurgalleries.com/Artists/Artist.cfm?ArtistID=00126, where you can also check out a number of his other works including sports stars of the past and present.

Cook Island Artist

Mahiriki Tangaroa is a talented Cook Islander artist, who studied at the University of Christchurch in New Zealand. Mahiriki produces these wonderful paintings, which are not just pieces of art, but hold a story and a history to them.

You will often see the chicken, the jandle (flip flop or thong) and Island dogs embedded in her paintings. The colours are rich and often unique. If DH and I could decide on which style, which size and which colours we liked, we would have one on our wall at home now. Perhaps our next Cook Island trip?

You can find Mahiriki's paintings for sale at Gallery de Novo in Dunedin, New Zealand and also in the Beachcomber in Rarotonga.

http://www.gallerydenovo.co.nz/artists/Mahiriki_Tangaroa.htm