p e o n i e s

this was taken with my cellphone, sorry polaroid 

pe·o·ny  (p-n) n. pl. pe·o·nies Any of various garden plants of the genus Paeonia, having large, variously colored flowers with numerous stamens and several pistils.

It saddens me that they are no longer in season (late spring).  These beauties made my room smell so sweet.  Waking up to them was a magical experience. 

Peonies are mentioned on the Madewell blog here. 

Happy Monday!

your friend,

ava

Vivian Girls

Copyright Ava Alamshah 2011

I had no idea about Henry Darger until Jeaux pointed out one of those ridiculously expensive coffee table books showcasing his abundant paintings. We were at that Skylight Books continuation next door & among the sea of books, zines, and knick knacks, there was the Darger book staring right at me. The cover alone was so beautiful and when I opened the book, I was confused as to why this guy drew little girls with penises. It wasn't until I saw "In the Realms of the Unreal" that I found out about this man, who was basically a loner all his life. His innocence startled me & I believe that was the only way someone could paint the way he did. There is no irony in his work. Its just pure, from the heart and it became his world. I envy that sort of creative freedom.  I'm currently thinking about my next tattoo, which would be Darger inspired. It would help if I had this.   

Here's a little something from a band named after those loveable little ladies.

your friend,

ava

More Madonna Inn!

  The very regal Madonnas (Check out the accordion to her right!  I would love to find out more about their life story.)  

I wonder if Jane Mansfield ever stayed here? She would have loved these pink booths as much as I did.

Flower Power (this is on the way to the hotel pool)

*Jeaux*

  

Sprinkle on some pink sugar & Voila! (I wasn't that impressed with the cake to be honest. It was really hyped up & then when we finally ate it after breakfast, I thought "meh..it's just a vanilla cake with really sugary frosting".  I think I'm just more of a chocolate girl. It certainly looks magical, but my polaroid does not do it justice. Here's a better view from Jeaux's camera. 

"Hey is for Horses, but better for Cows"

     

MOOOOOooooooo!  (I wanted to get closer, but Jeaux was frightened for my life!) 

  

Mellow Yellow

If you look closely, that's a lil sea lion peaking out from the ripples! 

Waiting for our fish & chips!

                                        

epic

Copyright Ava Alamshah, 2011

Stream of Consciousness

Inspired by Henry Darger's paintings of flowers. I had the pleasure of watching "In The Realms Of The Unreal" with my boyfriend, Jeaux. I highly recommend this touching documentary. It has really inspired me to illustrate more. His work was so pure and I think that had something to do with his lack of human interaction. I wish my own work could have that kind of innocence.

Painted in our "love" journal using paint pens, colored pencil, markers, highlighters, & sharpies. 

your friend,

ava