today's portraits

coup on distillate

I am pleased to announce that my pigeons were mentioned on the super-cool Australian site Distillate, which I have just spent a great deal of time clicking through— seriously, this is one fun site. There are pages and pages full of fabulously hip design, décor, art and delicious recipes— margarita popsicles and madeleines? Mmm.

I highly recommend checking them out. I'm looking forward to trying out the Kuchen recipe and making some cushions from random fabric— perhaps from some of the striped scarves from the Spice Bazaar.

le sunday

Coffee... a little drawing... a little thunder... a movie. I love going to the movies. In San Francisco, I lived around the corner from two marvellous theatres: the Lumiere and the AMC Van Ness. I went all the time— even to movies I wasn't interested in, for the simple pleasure of sitting in a room full of strangers, watching a story unfold on a big screen with a bag of popcorn. I hadn't been since I moved to Istanbul, and decided that today was the day. I went to see Angels and Demons, which is not something I would normally see, but the choices are pretty slim. I found it pretty entertaining— especially once I noticed that a certain priest was a certain Ewan McGregor. I've had a fondness for him ever since The Pillow Book and Velvet Goldmine.

le saturday

//Cezayir sokaği/

//5 Kat/Cihangir/
Restaurant/bar with the tastiest caipirinhas I've had in Istanbul so far. You feel like you're about to walk into someone's apartment until you get off the elevator on the fifth floor and find yourself on this lovely rooftop hangout. The view is just spectacular.

the danger of a crush

Click on the images to see them larger.

reflect

and finally...

My entry in Ramires' book for Moly-X34 is complete.
I am so happy with the way it turned out.

Please click on the image to see it larger.

sunday

I am back to drawing again, thankfully. I drew all day today and Saturday.
And my coffee grounds predict a rather hm... exciting future.

images of today

my hands' unwillingness

Lately I have not been able to draw.
It's a terrible feeling like a loneliness, not being able to draw.
It started three weeks ago but I think, I hope, this is about to pass.
I'm getting a flood of images in my head and they are welling up with no outlet.
Inshallah, soon, my hands will cooperate.

sadberk hanim müzesi

There's a lovely little museum right between the towns of Büyükdere and Sarıyer called the Sadberk Hanım Müzesi. Unlike Istanbul's larger museums, the Sadberk is a private museum that feels more like a home— it's housed in two 19th century wooden villas right on the Bosphorus. Unfortunately I practically ran through it the other day, as I got there right before closing time. There was an exhibit of Iznik ceramics that I've been dying to see for about a month, and I was worried that I'd miss it. I had planned on taking pictures and doing a little writeup of the pieces, explaining what Iznik is, but right after I snapped the photo below, I was told to put the camera away.

I plan on going back soon to draw the motifs— I am a huge fan of Iznik design. Named after a town in Anatolia where the ceramics were produced, Iznik is an incredibly beautiful, ornate style that was originally influenced by Chinese porcelain. Tulips and carnations were popular motifs, as well as vegetal and geometric patterns. Vibrant turquoise, cobalt, red and green were the main colours that were used— I am particularly fond of the pieces that are heavy on the blues. There's a lot of symbolism involved in these gorgeous designs, which I hope to delve into when I can share some more images.


I also have to add that the Sadberk has one of the most wonderful collections of Ottoman women's clothing, accessories and needlework that I have seen so far in Istanbul. It feels quite personal, looking at the dainty combs and stitched purses once worn and loved. I was fascinated by a couple of dresses that were completely Victorian in style, except for the massive ornate silver belt and embroidery that was clearly Ottoman. They seemed to exemplify the blending of East and West that is truly Turkish.

When visiting Istanbul, I do suggest taking the ferry out to Sarıyer to this unique little museum, it's worth every lira— and it's open every day of the week except Wednesday.

random

Those white flecks above the bridge are birds.