Beatrice Milhazes is a Brazilian artist who uses geometric shapes and vivid colours to produce stunning abstract art.
She studied art in Rio de Janeiro in the 1980’s and whilst her work has more than a passing nod towards to Mondrian, Matisse and Kandinsky, her style is unique and inspired by movement of nature. Maracorola (below) captures images of sun, waves and flowers and the circles she describes as an organic shape which is spiritual and meditative.
Maracorola
The picture below Midnight, Noon again shows the fascination with nature. The blazing sun and vegetation with vivid colours displayed in linear design.
Meia noite, meio dia
During her UK tour Beatriz is exhibiting 20 artworks and the exhibition is in St Ives until 29th September 29th 2024.
Answer:St Paul’s Cathedral 9th January 1806 It was over a year after his death hit by a sniper in the battle of Trafalgar on 21st October 1805. His body is reputed to have been preserved in spirits of rum or brandy.
10. How tall is Nelson’s column in Trafalgar Square? 52 metres, 102 metres, 152 metres
Answer: 52 meters or to be exact 169 feet 3 inches equivalent to 51.59 metres
He discovered the cholesterol-reducing compound in 1973 which has saved the lives of millions of people.
“A remarkable scientist”
Prof Bryan Williams of The British Heart Foundation described him as “a remarkable scientist”. Akira said he was inspired by Alexander Fleming’s discovery of penicillin in 1928 which led him to study the mould of fungi to develop new medicines.
His research involved testing more than 6,000 concoctions.
Statins are prescribed by doctors for patients who have had a heart attack and those at high risk of heart attack or stroke. The pioneering biochemist received several awards including the Laska Award in the USA.
The Laska Award is known as the US’s own version of the Nobel Prize and whilst he didn’t receive the actual Nobel prize, his contribution to medicine is one of the major achievements of the 20th century.
2. How many years ago was the Big Bang? 10.8 billion, 12.8 billion, 13.8 billion
A. 13.8 billion
3. In which century was the French revolution? 17th, 18th, 19th
A. 18th century (5th May 1789 to 9th November 1799)
4. Hoosier Hill is the highest mountain in which state? Montana, Indiana, Texas
A. Indiana (383 metres above sea level)
5. Where was Michael Jackson born (City and state)
A. Gary, Indiana (29th August 1958)
6. How many times has Harrison Ford played Indiana Jones?
A. 5
7. Caricature comes from which Italian word? Face, Exaggerate, Art
A. Exaggerate (caricare to exaggerate detail in drawing)
8. Which American state calls itself the ‘small wonder’? Vermont, New Hampshire, Delaware
A. Delaware – the second smallest state in the USA Named after Thomas West – the English nobleman and first colonial governor third baron of De La Warr.
9. Who invented the Kevlar bulletproof vest?
A. Stephanie Kwolek invented it in 1965 while working for DuPont in Wilmington, Delaware
Join our book club and share your favourite books. We have reviews, new release news and reading for writers. Are you writing for business or pleasure? Have you got time to share with other writers?
This week we are reading The Last Act of Love by Cathy Rentzenbrink Here
🇪🇸 Flamingo Hills – Jávea, Spain…
Set in the north east coast of Spain, Jávea is a great place for a holiday or – check out Flamingo Hills a recommended self catering accommodation…
Drop in for a chat, have a go at the quiz and browse articles on books, collecting, food and travel. (Answers to quiz at the bottom of the page).
This week’s quiz:
1. Who was the first female artist to have a UK number one with a self penned song?
Clue – Teak Hubs (anag)
2. Which Beatle wrote – Here Comes The Sun?
3. Which Canadian singer had an album Cuts like a knife? (clue 1983)
4. Who joined Kenny Rogers on their ‘islands in the stream’?
5. What is the largest human sensory organ?
6. In which year did the Soviet Union collapse? 1991, 2001, 2011
7. What is the most common fuel in a nuclear reactor? Hydrogen, Uranium, Plutonium
8. In which year did the world population reach 1 billion? 1704, 1804, 1904
9. Which year was the first powered flight over Kitty Hawk Beach? 1703, 1803, 1903
10. In which state is Kitty Hawk Beach? Nevada, North Carolina, Florida
Collectables – lighting
Lighting is one of the most popular home accessories. Whilst there are plenty of attractive modern designs available at low prices, sometimes a vintage item is required.
Eileen Gray lamps:
Eileen Gray lamps are timeless and add art deco style to your home office. If you’re lucky enough to find a pair they are magnificent bedside lamps. They don’t come up often, but if you find them, buy them quickly if the price is right. A lamp like this one in good condition is worth over a $1000. Tarnished ones that aren’t damaged are easily restored and rewired.
Who was Eileen Gray? An Irish woman from County Wexford with a keen eye for design. Read her bio at http://www.eileengray.co.uk/ or go to our page HERE
Answers to this week’s quiz:
1. Who was the first female artist to have a UK number one with a self penned song?
Answer: Kate Bush – Wuthering Heights (1978)
2. Which Beatle wrote – Here Comes The Sun?
Answer: George Harrison
3. Which Canadian singer had an album Cuts like a knife?
Answer: Bryan Adams
4. Who joined Kenny Rogers on their ‘islands in the stream’?
Answer: Dolly Parton
5. What is the largest human sensory organ?
Answer: The skin, which occupies approximately 15% of our body mass
6. In which year did the Soviet Union collapse? 1991, 2001, 2011
Answer: 1991
7. What is the most common fuel in a nuclear reactor? Hydrogen, Uranium, Plutonium
Answer: Uranium (Plutonium is produced as a bi-product of nuclear reaction)
8. In which year did the world population reach 1 billion? 1704, 1804, 1904
Answer: 1804 (see the J curve chart below to see how dramatic the rise has been in the last 200 years)
9. Which year was the first powered flight? 1703, 1803, 1903
Answer: 1903 Wilbur and Orville Wright flew their 12 horsepower engine twin prop plane over Kitty Hawk Beach.
10. In which state is Kitty Hawk Beach? Nevada, North Carolina, Florida
Soul singer / songwriter J. J. Barnes passed away recently and there is a short bio HERE
What are you reading?
Casino Royale – Ian Fleming’s first James Bond novel
Did you know? Ian Fleming wrote his first Bond novel in 1952 at his home in Jamaica called Goldeneye. Fleming was born in London in 1908 and educated at Eton. He worked as a journalist in Moscow and banker / stockbroker in London before becoming personal assistant to the Director of Naval Intelligence during the second world war. No wonder he could write such good stories.
It’s worth looking out for the original issue which is printed with red text on black hard cover and wrapped in the dust jacket shown above. Only 4,500 copies (the smallest number of any Bond print runs) were produced. Valued at anywhere between $10,000 to $100,000 depending on condition. Note that ex library copies which have library stamps removed or concealed are worth much less.
If you buy it on Audible, the story is well told by Dan Stevens and there is an extra interview with the narrator.
It’s not quite clear who coined the phrase A picture is worth a thousand words. Fred Barnard wrote One Look Is Worth A Thousand Words in a journal called Printers Ink back in 1921. An advertisement for a newspaper The San Antonio Light published in 1918, the exact phrase was used and it is widely accepted as a journalistic and advertisement design principle.
Some images are so powerful, they make us stop to think. The art of good composition can be learned and it takes practice to take a good photo. Sometimes of course the shot is just right with subject, light and mood. This photo of a polar bear asleep on some drifting ice is this years winner in The Wildlife Photographer of the Year contest. Nima Sarikhani took the photo in the Far North, off Norway’s Svalbard archipelago.
Interesting prompt from Clare to think about five fun activities. Firstly, without sounding too virtuous, I consider myself lucky to be able to ponder this. If I had been born to different circumstances, things would certainly be different.
Time with family
Reading
Travel
Music
Cooking
We are blessed to have time with family in an increasingly complicated and uncertain world.
Research or escapism and I’m always keen to hear reading recommendations from people.
Camping and exploring regions, nature and cultures, travel certainly adds to life.
Never a day without music for me, classical, rock, pop or ideally sixties soul, bring it on.
Luckily, I am married to a good cook and she loves to cook for the whole family. Occasionally I try my hand at simple recipes, usually with dire consequences.
A reclusive photographer who built up a huge library of what we nowadays would call ‘street photography’. If you are interested in photographic composition, mid twentieth century fashion and architecture, you will find this a fascinating film.
The easiest way to view it is on Amazon Prime (rent or buy for less than $10), or you can find it on DVD on the internet.
HEAL 