Riddhi Desai's Notebooks

I know I've kind of dropped off the blogging map- lots of excuses- lots on my mind, lots of work, lots of things cooking behind the scenes. But we will leave all that for a moment. I have something I'm super excited to share with you'll- some really kickass books designed by my close friend Riddhi Desai. All these are personalised books custom made to the individuals preferences or at the least its Riddhi's take on these people and what they will like. And for once I won't save my most favourite image for the last but show it 1st. I was completely touched and dumbstruck when I saw my book. Guys, here's the 1st piece of art artnlight has earned.

The cover is wood and is hand painted by Riddhi. I *LOVE* the hinges!

Unconventional hand done binding by Riddhi
Inside of the back cover says 'Create'. I've been carrying a regular book where I jot down my ideas and scribbles. I can't wait to start using this one :) The best is I spoke to Riddhi and I can re-use the cover with a fresh lot of pages when this lot gets used :)

The back, again painted on wood by Riddhi.
I absolutely *heart* this cover. I love the way she has written 'sunshine'
The sunshine book with sunny bright pages in it. If you will notice she has used coloured paper for the inside ages to go with the theme of the cover.
This is another very special book cover designed for a friend who is a brilliant designer ( I will be sharing her work her on this blog- SOON!) Its based on her favourite Beatles song "Across the universe"
Isn't it neat how she has visualised "Thoughts meander like a
restless wind inside a letter box
they tumble blindly as
they make their way across the universe "
I love this eclectic mix of colours for the inside pages.
"Choose what you want...."
And "you get what you choose"
Bright red felt cover with sunny yellow pages within.

This is another book that I really loved. A beautiful handdrawn butterfly on pretty pink.

Interestingly spreads across the spine

This one is for a friend who is a complete style Diva and specialises in make-up :)

This one for a nature lover

For the story teller among us :)

This colourful cover has the letters 'Abundance' floating in between the happy dots of colour.

This makes such a colourful picture.
A raw silk cover with an elegant key as book mark.

And look at these darling minis. They are little books Riddhi has made from left over paper.Lovingly collected fabric goes on to make a brilliant book cover.

Little animals hand-drawn by Riddhi

And I love the back cover with one person atop an animal- cute!

This elegant cover simply says love, much like who the book belongs to.

And this book belongs to 10 month old Grace.

And isn't this the cutest thing you've ever seen? :)

Now for some great news! Riddhi is taking orders to make these brilliant books, so you can contact her at 'riddhi@theblueskys.com' for your very own customised book :)

Trust

I'm sorry about not posting regularly, but a lots going on behind the scenes and I've gone into a mode where I'm getting back to a lot of art and design (for my own sake) and am trying out some new things. I hope to share some of that with you'll soon. Meantime I'll leave you'll with a poster I designed recently. It has to do with Trust. And how much easier my life will be if I just trust. How much less I will worry then. How much more fun I will have.

So that's just what I've decided to do. Have fun. What's your idea of fun? What were the things you'd do if you just believed and did things you wanted just because you wanted to do it- no other reason. I'd travel a LOT more. I'd paint make collages and sketch and completely FORGET that anyone would ever set eyes on it. I'd be much more of a goofball than I am :) What fun ! :) :)

Joshua Gorchov

Every once in a while, in your meanderings on the net, you are rewarded. By work that touches someplace that is normally untouched, your pulse quickens and you become happy. That someone somewhere is doing this beautiful work. And it is enough. Joshua Gorchov does work like that. Work that is sensitive and beautiful, detailed and colourful.

"Lyrical Turbulence"

"The migrationist"

"Point A"

"The Big Black Cloud"

"Miraculous resurrection of one sort or another"

A formal evaluation exercise involving measurements

"The Merchandised Age"

Tangle Theory.

"Joshua Gorchov lives with his wife in Northern California, between the mountains and the ocean. They spend a lot of time digging in their garden, hiking forest trails and exploring the foggy coast. Joshua graduated from California College of the Arts with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design and his work has been recognized by Communication Arts, American Illustration and The Society of Illustrators." You can buy prints of his work at his Etsy Store.

Jaipur Amber Palace

I'm sorry to have gotten irregular again. But I've been busy with some DIY projects which I hope to share with you sooon!! :) Today I will make an Indiaah!!! series post.
This is the 1st fort I saw when I 1st set foot in Rajasthan 5 years ago. And now many years and many forts later, Amber Fort/Palace still remains a very special memory & when I went a second time round, it still seemed just as beautiful. " The sprawling Amber Fort is a typical example of what the lives of our gallant Rajputs were like – militant, adventurous, temperamental and also self-indulgent. It is among the best hilltop forts in India. Within the stern exteriors that seem to grow out of the rugged hills are mighty gates, temples, huge ornate halls, palaces, pavilions, gardens and even a ramp to take you to the hilltop palace! and guess who climbs the ramp? Elephants. Yes, beautifully- caparisoned elephants go up and down carrying visitors to and fro."

The main gate as we walk up the steep and winding walkway.

The Amber palace was built by the Kachhwajas when they rose in eminence and power under the Mughals. Man Singh I built it in a style to rival Mughal grandeur and opulence.

Diwan-I-Aam has a double row of columns with elephant-head brackets, which had to be covered with stucco to escape the jealous eye of Jehangir.

This beautiful hall of pillars was cordoned off for restoration, but its a dreamy to stand and watch the 'Kesar bagh'
Image courtesy Emma Grimwood

I love the elegant colour schemes they worked with.

No corner is spared. I looked up to see this bit of precision.

Do click on the image to see better details.

Ganesh Pol, entrance portal to inner palaces, is the most magnificent portal in Rajasthan, covered with elegant frescoes and crowned with pavilions carrying fascinating jali screens.

Everywhere I looked up there was much to see.Decorated with beautiful mirror work, Diwan -I - Khas has wonderful carvings on the walls and the ceilings. (image courtesy Robert Kitey, PBase)

The major attractions of these halls are miniature murals made of coloured glasses which depicts Radha and Krishna.

I love that the glass is on off white walls and not any other colour.

Intricate carvings on marble walls

The 1st level has these really beautiful balconies

The painting on the walls alost look like fabric or wall paper

do click on the pictures to see the details better

i loved the way the corners were catching the light

Old textured wooden door against white marble walls.

I loved the way the sun shone down on this beautiful fort.

I waited patiently till all the many people had passed, so I could capture this juxtaposition of textures in one frame.

The cool and shiny passages of the Palace.

The decorated marble halls of Amber palace (pic courtesy- allposters.com)

(pic courtesy- allposters.com)

On my way out I wanted to try some different angles of the Ganesh Pol

I was just having fun :)

Last sight of the majestic walls of the Amber Palace.