ranunculus

I've never heard the name of these flowers before, and it sounds almost like something made up!

Image from here. Found on Pinterest.

So pretty.
Happy Saturday everyone... I'm off to a wedding! (I love weddings.)

artist love

This week: Sharon Montrose of The Animal Print Shop.

Her photos are so incredible, they actually made me tear up. I know I generally have a bit of a ridiculous soft spot for animals, but there is just something in the way she is able to capture their eyes and their movement, it is really just breathtaking. I would love to create a mini-gallery wall with a grouping of her prints. These are just a few that I have fallen in love with.

Giraffe Close-up

Nubian Goat No. 2

Donkey Ears

Baby Fox

Baby Kangaroo No. 1

Baby Raccoon No. 1

White Goose No. 3

  {I first saw her work in this post from A Cup of Jo}

something in the way...

I really love this impromptu shot of the Beatles - taken just before they crossed Abbey Road in the iconic album cover photo. It feels like a glimpse into another time, in another world.

{Photo from here. Via A Cup of Jo}

wise words of the week

"Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air"

Raplh Waldo Emerson

Print from here.

tunesday!

This week on Tunesday... Willie Nelson!

Image from here.

We all know many of the classic Willie Nelson tunes, but today I'd like to talk about a completely different and *relatively* recently released album: Countryman. It was actually released back in 2005, but considering the length of his career, I'd say that qualifies as recent. Anyway, what makes it completely different? Willie went reggae! And I couldn't love it more. Every track is short and catchy and will have you humming the tune for days (or months if you're me). I love that he chose to totally switch it up with this album, and that he includes some older songs written by other artists, tracks like "I'm a Worried Man" by Johnny and June Cash, which features Toots Hibert vocals on the album.

I am well aware that I am mentioning only one among more than sixty studio albums, not to mention several live albums, compilations, and soundtracks, and that is only his solo career. He also spent a decade (from 1985-1995) as a member of the Highwaymen, which is another old favourite of mine - the group consisted of Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristofferson.


Image from here.

I really do recommend giving this album a listen, you won't be sorry. (Along with any other Willie Nelson or Highwaymen recordings that you come across.) If you get a chance, let me know what you think!

artist love - roz

For my second edition of artist love, I am pleased to present - Roz.

I first saw this talented artist's work (a.k.a. Rosilyn Young) at one of my favourite breakfast places ever, in Kingston, Ontario. {Pan Chancho, if you were wondering... I highly recommend stopping by, whether it be to indulge in my personal favourite, the Weekender - I can't ever seem to order anything else - or to pick up one of their delicious to-go foods from the front shop, it is well worth it.} She refers to her style as "whimsical fine art" and I don't think it could be more accurate. I have fallen in love with the personality she gives to everything she paints; the roosters, cows, bees... it is impossible not to love them.

Cow #191

Cow #293

Bee #124

It is just incredible, what she is able to convey through these creatures. I highly recommend that you check out her website where you can order prints as well as original paintings, or visit her etsy shop.

artist love

Every week on maison d'hibou, I will be featuring a different artist whose work I have somehow come across, and fallen in love with. It could be anyone at all, from Van Gogh, to a new Etsy discovery, and everyone in between. I have a passion for collecting art and finding new inspiration, and I am so excited to share this with you every week!

Although it's only the first edition of artist love... I have to ask a favour:

I am desperately seeking Susan a print of this George Grosz painting; Matrose Im Nachtlokal. It is one of my mother's favourites, and I would love to get her a framed print as a {most likely somewhat belated} mother's day gift. The thing is, I can't believe how difficult it is to find one. If there are any art experts out there who have any unusual suggestions for me, I would really love to hear from you.

tunesday!

Well this certainly is a momentus occasion - the first ever tunesday at maison d'hibou! A weekly showcase of the best music, new and old... I'll be sharing what is currently playing on loop at my house (because I tend to do that).

So I'll get right down to it. I cannot get enough of these two New Zealand bands. These albums have rarely left my cd player in almost two years. (For real.)

Katchafire 

{Slow-Burning & Revival Special Edition Double Pack}

The Black Seeds

{Solid Ground and The Black Seeds EP 12}

I wish I were fancy enough to know how to embed a link to a couple of their tracks so you could listen right here, but I must be honest and admit that, at this point, I don't have the first clue about how to do something like that. I'll get there... someday. I also wish I could list some of my favourite songs from the albums, but I honestly wouldn't even know where to start. These are albums that you can listen to from start to finish and then immediately want to hear all over again because you're hungry for more. (Hence the playing-on-loop habit of mine.)

Please do give these guys a listen, they're both really incredible bands, and I am (almost literally) holding my breath for them to come to Canada on tour. Katchafire, Black Seeds, if you're listening -- Please come! Montreal, preferably! Thank you.