November Shadows #4 presents an unusually warm day for November; the temperature is 10°C, which is quite rare for us. No complaints here—I’m enjoying it! I plan to keep sharing glimpses of my study—my office space. I moved a desk from another room to create a workspace for my art projects, and currently, I’m focusing on aquarelle painting. Here’s a look at my desk; you’ll also see some of the statues I’ve created, along with my art displayed on the wall. Similar to the previous shot, this photo is taken with the light coming from the outside entrance, as the room itself was quite dim.
In my attempt to capture shadows, I created compositions in square, landscape, and portrait crops; since I have them, I thought, why not share?
A workspace, aquarelle painting supplies, colorful statues, and artistic wall displays.A workspace featuring a colorful painting, hand-crafted statues, and art supplies, illuminated by soft light.
Artistic workspace featuring colorful statues and a vibrant art, showcasing a blend of creativity and personal expression.
It seems that I am frequently posting food photographs on this post, showcasing the delightful variety of dishes that capture my attention. However, I haven’t taken many photos with my phone this week. I do like taking shots of beautifully served food, usually it’s a meticulously plated gourmet meal at a restaurant. I always strive to highlight the artistry and creativity behind every plate.
Yesterday I had lunch that took four hours with a friend; we enjoyed a three-course meal and a bottle of nice wine, savoring every bite as we reminisced about our past adventures together. Good conversation kept going, even though we got into a rather fiery one about what’s happening in the world, but we remained polite, respecting each other’s viewpoints while passionately expressing our own. Ultimately, we thought about the issue the same way but approached it from different angles, and this diversity of thought only deepened our connection, allowing us to appreciate the complexities of our discussions.
Starters: Burrata cheese, marinated tomatoes, Marcona almonds, and fresh basil and Creamy chanterelle soup with allspice cream and thyme
Mains: Grilled pepper steak with garlic–blue cheese gratinated potatoes, tomato–onion salad and creamy pepper sauce
Desert: French lemon meringue tart with vanilla tuile
A beautifully plated French lemon meringue tart adorned with delicate tuile, garnished with fresh flowers and herbs.
First time I saw this, my first thought was I have nothing to share on this topic.
I did try to find a neutral spot to take a shoe shot, considering various backgrounds and environments that might complement the shapes and textures of the shoe. I could have used more time on creativity, as I could have explored different lighting or settings to really make the shoes pop visually. However, with the next two images, I just got lazy and took the shots in the cupboard where I keep jugs and bowls, simply because it was the most convenient option. The ease of just snapping photos in the cupboard won out over my original intentions.
So first thing this morning I took these images, the ceramic shoe by artist Kipa Kirsi (2013) is a gift from a dear friend.
And these Heluna Cow jugs, the bigger one was my grandmother’s, and during our trip, we found the smaller cow jug in Canberra. We thought it was funny that someone had taken the trouble to bring it all this way, and now we are returning it back to Finland. They are Vintage Arabia, a milk pitcher pottery by Kaj Frank from 1950.
Vintage Arabia Heluna Cow jugs, one a cherished heirloom and the other a recent find in Canberra.
The bowl with the sea decoration is also Arabia; my husband rescued it from his father’s barn. I think it is really pretty; the colors are white and blue. It’s called Sampo. Based on the seal at the bottom of the bowl, the manufacturing date is from 1928-1932.
A beautifully crafted bowl featuring intricate blue and white designs, showcasing vintage Arabia craftsmanship.
Then I remembered that I had these ceramic shots I took on Vancouver Island from the Craigdarroch Castle Museum, that showcases the grandeur of the Victorian era. It is the quintessential Victoria, BC experience, giving visitors a glimpse of privileged life in the 1890s, complete with exquisite furnishings, beautifully landscaped gardens, and a rich history that reflects the lifestyles of the wealthy elite of that time.
For Leanne and Brian’s Monochrome Madness challenge.
Starters or to share: King prawn pan with pilpil parmesan butter, rucola, and bread and Mains: Grilled beef tenderloin with fried king prawns in jalapeno sauce and grilled sweet potato
Today’s word “repeat” got me thinking, and honestly, it feels like the universe is just taunting us with its insistence on repetition! Seriously, saying the same thing over and over is a tactic that grabs attention like an annoying earworm you can’t shake off. Picture a pile of colored pencils—oh yeah, they’re nature’s bold statement of vibrancy and monotony all rolled into one! These pencils practically scream, “Look at me! I’m identical, yet stunning!” When you snap a ton of photos, it’s like transforming mundane art into a riotous spectacle! Each image becomes an explosive reminder that repetition isn’t just for artists or philosophers; it’s a rebellious nudge towards those deeper thoughts about life and creativity that most of us shy away from—so, are you ready to embrace the chaos?
A vibrant arrangement of colored pencils showcasing the beauty of repetition in art.A vibrant collection of colored pencils arranged neatly, showcasing the beauty of repetition and creativity.A vibrant array of colored pencils, showcasing the beauty of repetition and creativity.A vibrant array of colored pencils showcasing the beauty of repetition and creativity.
I tried different edits to this decoration I have in my garden; originally, it is a candle holder – decoration. However, over time, I noticed I don’t burn candles so often, so I use its visual appeal and blend it more harmoniously with the surrounding plants. Now the candle holder is a focal point on the table under the oak tree. Here are some edits of the same subject, sharing them just because I took and edited them 🙂
Red apples are like the overachievers of the fruit world, flaunting their bright red jackets and screaming, “Look at me! I’m healthy!” They don’t just catch your eye; they practically do a little dance on the grocery shelf, coaxing you to munch on their juicy, crispy goodness. Legends say that these red beauties are the tempting fruit of choice, luring us in with their sweet charm—just try not to bite into one and imagine it’s forbidden! as A last thought, I for some reason associated red apples with Christmas.
A close-up of a shiny red apple, highlighting its vibrant color and texture.
Three shiny red apples against a dark background.
Granny Smith apples, those sassy little green gems, are like the zesty grandma who sneaks you cookies while insisting on a kale salad for health! With their vibrant skin glowing like an emerald on a sunny day, they practically shout, “Stop right there and savor this tangy delight!” Taking a bite is almost like receiving a playful pinch that jolts your taste buds awake; it’s so refreshingly sharp, you might just second-guess if a lemon moonlighted as your snack! I had to add something about my favorite apple 🍏
I’m not going say this is a easy one, I seem to lean towards green and blue colors. I found some that I can start with, strawberries 🍓 are now in season.
Just before Christmas, we experienced an unusually warm spell of winter weather, with temperatures soaring to a surprising +7°C (43°F) for a couple of days. This unexpected surge caused all the snow to melt away, leaving the landscape in a dull, uninspiring gray hue. The atmosphere has been heavy with drizzle and fog, shrouding everything in an almost melancholic veil, not very inspiring to say the least. the week ahead, it is supposed to get colder, and there’s even a possibility that we might see some snow, which could bring a much-needed touch of light and cheer to our surroundings. With the weather keeping me indoors, I have spent the last few days reading a books I’ve been meaning to get to, binge-watching my favorite TV series, and unfortunately, spending way too much time scrolling through social media. This endless cycle of news updates has so much depressing news, making it even more difficult to shake off the gloomy vibe.
Today is the most important day of Christmas, filled with the joyous arrival of Santa on Christmas eve, who brings gifts and cheer for everyone, and we celebrate it surrounded by the warmth and laughter of family and friends, creating cherished memories that last a lifetime, as we gather around the beautifully decorated tree.
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography 