Reading lady

Outside our studio, Everyday, same time this lovely young lady with hearing aid implant sits on the bench and reading stories to elderly people. a special lady reminding me what is important in life

Genius at work

In a book soon to be published, Lester says Leonardo used to travel with a small notebook hanging from his belt, and "whenever something caught his eye," he would make a note, or begin "sketching furiously."

"It is useful," Leonardo wrote, to "constantly observe, note, and consider." But when you are Leonardo, what sorts of things are buzzing around in your head? Well, Toby Lester describes what is essentially a "To Do" list buried in one of those notebooks, a bunch of things Leonardo planned to do one week, or month, in the early 1490's. (via: www.npr.org)

Teper House

There is nothing special about Teper House, its location is nothing special, on the border of South Tel-Aviv and Hulon city. a 5 story building, outside is fairly new, ugly building, I cant even remember its architecture style (if any)
I step into the lift, on my way to a meeting on the 3rd floor, the lift doors open and wau! an  industrial flavour, a hint of working class people, manufacturers, makers welcome me into this roofless building, with its internal road (all the way up from the ground to the fifth floor), loading bays, heavy steel sliding doors. beautiful

Studio ethics

A humorous, tongue in cheek, step by step guide to good studio practice for directors and employees!  Great short movie by the talented artist, Mr Sachs.  Enjoy my dear Tel Aviv...

10 Bullets. By Tom Sachs

My Studio

My studio.. I spend all day here, in this small old grocery shop converted into a working place.
its a messy place, packed with things and most inspiring for me

Horse Anatomy

This is the amazing Ms. Gillian Higgins!  She uses water-based hypoallergenic paints which are easy to wash off afterwards.  It takes 4 hours to apply the equine make-up, painting the skeletal structure on one side and the musculature on the other.


"Painting the skeleton and musculature on the other side of the horse really helps to bring the subject to life," she says.  "You discover how to get the best of your horse by seeing what happens as it moves."

Learning and preparing for our horse anatomy test!!

Equine studies, my classmates drawing each individual bone using water-based chalks in the correct locations on real horses, in preparation for a test.  Ours not as fancy as Ms. Higgins!

The Goat Rodeo

Music is the most inspiring thing for me, spending a day without listening to music, makes me sad.

I just discovered this new project named the Goat Rodeo. I know it has nothing to do with Tel-Aviv or anyplace but that's what amazing about music, just like art, it can reach us all

have a look:

 

Sunbury antiques market

Recently, I enjoyed a day trip to Sunbury antiques market.  It's the largest and longest running Bi-monthly market in the country.  Set in a beautiful surrounding of a horse race track with over 700 stalls, heaven!

Dragging my sorry-self outta bed at 5.30am in the morning was not easy and pretty hard going without a morning coffee to give me a kick start, but once we arrived I was like an kid with A.D.D in a candy store.  Trying to be good and disciplined I had decided to take £40 cash with me to prevent myself going nuts with purchases.  NOT one of my brightest ideas!  I could have easily bought the whole market given sufficient funds and a large home to house everything.

Alas, I was very good and careful with my purchases, which might I add, that I am very proud of considering my poor budget.  Coming home with me in the bag...(2) vintage attache cases, (1) very old book on equine, (1) woven vintage bicycle basket, a piece of vintage 1950's floral cotton fabric, a length of French ribbon from 1940's, (4) x vintage buttons from the 60's and a vintage linen flour sack.  Not bad for a £40 budget don't cha think???

Oh and sadly I had to leave behind the vintage lamp above.  It was super unique and quirky, definitely one of a kind!  The boy inside is made from rubber and when the glass jar is filled with some kind of chemical, he acts as a conductor between the glass, rubber and liquid which in turn, illuminates the lamp!  A bit of a steal at £85.

(Photo's of purchases to follow shortly)

Good morning

I love it when summer heat is all of the sudden disappearing and the freshness of the fall takes over. first day of long sleeve shirt, a morning coffee at the local cafe. its mid week, everywhere is the same

Stone carving workshop

Carved in one single day from a breeze block, this is the fruits of my labour!

Hazalmania shop

Zalmania came from the word Zalam, in Hebrew: a photographer.
The Zalmania shop in the heart of Tel-Aviv, is the only shop left in Israel with unique collection of original photographs since and before the state of Israel was founded (year 1948) and the city of Tel-aviv (year 1909).

the owner, a 98yr old lady, fights against all chances to keep it going. Now, her grandson made a documentary film about this timeless place and special lady. a must seen film, have a look at this link here, you'd love it




Miriam Visenshtein and her grandson





Golda Meir prime minister and Elvis





The shop



Biting

Been a little pre-occupied with school lately, learning about the 'Bit'.  Super fascinating but very hard work on the old memory bank!  Let's give you a mini lesson into what I have learnt...

Firstly, if you didn't know already?  A bit is a piece that sit's in the horses mouth which is connected to several elaborate pieces of leather that make up the Tack.  When action is properly applied by rider who has learnt to influence the horse through the media of legs, back and seat, the horse moves under control and within the permitted outline.  The rider would only use the bit to communicate to the horse and the very end to either stop, lift it's head up or down.

There are five main groups of bit's and an uncountable number of types within each group.  The fitting of a bit is dependant on each individual horse.

1) SNAFFLE
2)PELHAM
3)GAG
4)BITLESS
5)CURB

Pilatis

I am doing Pilatis for some 9years now. really addicted to it and hardly skip it even if I feel bit sick.
twice a week I cycle from my Tel-Aviv house to this beautiful place, used to be a village called Kiryat Shaul. as a child I used to hang out there, playing and running through the fields, there was an old man living there, we all used to call him "the birds man" as he had loads of bird in his house and kids from all over the country were welcome to come in and see the beautiful birds.
Today, Kiryat Shaul became an expensive land and a new opportunity for heartless developers. they bought the land, destroyed the small houses and built expensive residential towers.
There are just few houses left, less than 10. My Pilatis studio is one of them, trapped between the new shiny monsters.
For me, every time I cycle (6km each direction so its not really far from where I live) come in through the gate, I feel amazed by its beauty and wonderful childhood memories of freedom coming up. maybe that is the reason why I keep on doing Pilatis



The garden




Entrance



Dalyat El Carmel - Druze vilage

1H drive up north from Tel-Aviv, there is Druze village called Dalyat El Carmel. we went there for a food and culture festival called Ahalan wa Sahalan (means welcome or hello in arabic)
The village sits in one of the most beautiful spots on mount Carmel, you could clearly see the mediterenean sea from the west and on the east, lower Gallilea.
The Druze specily in goat Cheese, olives, olive oil making and in one of the most delicious deserts called Kenafe.


making the Kanefe dough



Labane cheese and olive oil

 

Rugs - traditional flooring



Roasting Coffee beans



fresh Israeli dates




Cardamom roasting for the Coffee







I heart Sam Maloof

Artist, designer and craftsman Sam Maloof died aged 93.  He carved a sign giving his profession as "woodworker".  He was also an inspiration to many studio furniture makers and a key figure in the new crafts movement that emerged in the US after the second world war.

His home was on a compound that included a display and education centre and his woodworking shop, where, until within months of his death he designed, cut, joined and shaped elegant handmade furniture with the support of his three assistants.  His output reflects his open and inviting personality. His furniture is a joy to experience - comfortable, sensuous and expressive. It has "soul" that reflects his human warmth, and is to be found in museums and private collections around the world.

Reading power station

I love power stations; I find them romantic and powerful. This art decor building built in the 30' is located in one of the most romantic places in Tel-Aviv, just where the Yarkon river delta is, where its water spill into the mediterranean sea, on the other side, Tel-Aviv port and white sandy beaches of Tel-Aviv.

lifefull monument

St. Ali

 

Had the morning off today and went for breakfast at St. Ali,
one of my favourite coffee shops of the moment with some
friends to catch up.  I had a Flat White followed by French toast
with Bramley lemon curd mascarpone and caramelised cardamom
apples & walnut. Yum!!!

World Skills London 2011

Yesterday I attended World Skills 2011 London.  An event that happens every two years, each time in a different hosting country.  Skills shape our world. Every community and business in the world thrives on skills, enterprise and inspiration: 

The worlds largest rocking horse made by the rocking horse shop in York.  
Took eight weeks to make and six people to do so.  
The horse which stands at 6ft high was brought to World Skills 2011 by a pick up truck.  
Imagine seeing that on the motorway!

Yom kippur

Today is Tom kippur, Also known as Day of Atonement, is the holiest and most solemn day of the year for the Jews. Its central themes are atonement and repentance.
I love this day (I don't fast or pray obviously), this day there are no cars, busineses and shop are closed, no national television. Just loads of kids out and about with their bicycles.
We cycled all day, since yesterday.. To the beach and locally. It was a great day!

Rear Window

Dear Tel Aviv, it's my 2nd week at school.
We are having an Indian summer!
Unbelievable for October!
This is the view from my workbench.

Early morning

I wake up too early in the morning, kids from all over are jumping on me, pulling my arms and calling me mom?! mom I want this and that..
Anyway, on my way to work, 7:45am, half asleep, I noticed loads of beautiful bubbles
coming down the road directly from the local fountain. some people might call it vandalism; I think its beautiful