Kids love art, particularly on themselves. So how about a temporary henna tattoo like this one that I created on a really young child recently. 

I do henna events for children. 

Get in touch if you would like a henna event:
E: Sharon_Kerala@hotmail.com
Facebook Page
Twitter

World Cup Brazil - For the Love of Colour

I love anything positive that brings people of the world together like the Olympics and now the World Cup. Some of you may hate the football but I enjoy it as although teams play against each other, it unites people. Barriers like language, race or background are broken despite war, poverty and crime. We all sing, cheer and celebrate for our love of football, it is infectious. 

United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan said of the World Cup: 

"As the only game in the world that is played in every country by people of every race and religion." 

Art also brings people together, every 4 years Brazilians paint their streets for the love of football. This year they are sharing it with the world. 

With the World Cup starting today watch a country brought to life by its people and explore the colourful streets of Brazil in this short video to infect the non football fans amongst you! 

Henna, Arts and Craft Day

If you love henna, arts and crafts you may be interested to come along while I do henna. Choose from my designs and take a seat to enjoy the live music (TBC) while I do a beautiful henna design on you. Then enjoy the other crafts on offer. Full details/music to be confirmed. 

Click here for event details

Me doing Henna a Diwali event. 

Fab Page:  Facebook.com/MonsoonArtsAndPhotography
Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/74998172@N08/
Twitter: Twitter.com/MonsoonArts

I look forward to seeing you soon!

Make-Up - Another form of Creativity

Like Henna, make up is another form of creativity whose medium is the human body. It is used for theatre, TV, film, fashion, photography, magazines & the modeling industry. To show you some creative striking eye make up, here is 1 of my photos.

They say 

"eyes are the windows to the soul"

but if you're a good person and beautiful inside, it's reflected on the outside too. 

Photo Enhancement and Restoration

I have restored an old photo of my parents taken a week after they got married over 40 years ago. I wanted to enhance this photo and bring it back to life. I did this by restoring colour due to sun damage, removing blemishes and taking out the ugly patches in the bricks. 

While old photos have a nostalgia to them, they can also become like the original that someone remembers them as. 

I really like this photo and always really enjoy enhancing them! 

Please get in touch if you would like me to bring an old photo back to life. 

Email: Sharon_kerala@hotmail.com
Tweet: @MonsoonArts
Fan Page: www.Facebook.com/MonsoonArtsAndPhotography

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My Henna Diwali Event

I really enjoyed my henna artist training, it's another form of creativity which I love. It's ideal for parties, celebrations, when attending weddings, occasions like Diwali or if you just love having henna as much as me! 

I have done events and henna for Eid. These photos are from my henna event last week in celebration of the Indian festival of lights - Diwali. I hope you like them, please contact me if you would like your own henna event for a birthday party or if you just want henna for yourself: 

Email: Sharon_Kerala@hotmail.com
Twitter: https://Twitter.com/MonsoonArts

My Diwali Henna event. Thanks to Sukhi for helping on the day & NHS photographer Hannah for taking photos - I want your Nikon!

Henna heart and stars design. 

Get in touch if you would like your own henna party for a Birthday - Kids love it!

Get in touch if you would like your own henna. 

I quite like Henna flowers. 

Me with my Indian and Diwali inspired table decorations. 

 

My decorated table with divas, candles and my cute Indian inspired greeting cards that I sell - All handmade. 

Me with some of my hand drawn henna designs on paper. 

Photographer Hannah. Thanks for taking lovely pics for the NHS. 

Get in touch if you would like your own henna. 

Email: Sharon_Kerala@hotmail.com

Tweet: https://Twitter.com/MonsoonArts

Happy Diwali - The Festival of Lights

Diwali or Deepavali translates as "a row of lamps." The festival celebrates victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance, and so many divas, lights and candles are lit. 

Divas, lights and candles are lit around homes, temples and streets. 

I like celebrating Diwali, it's colourful, bright, spiritual yet fun, especially in India. It marks new beginnings and represents joy, love, reflection, forgiveness, light and knowledge. 

Woman create Rangoli folk art on the floors and courtyards. 

Rangoli, a traditional Indian decoration made of ground rice, dry coloured flour, sand or flower petals is created on living room and courtyard floors. 

Rangoli in the courtyards. 

Apart from decoration Rangoli is thought to bring good luck and is also created on marriage celebrations. Traditional designs include geometric shapes, deity impressions and flowers but Indian symbols of lotus flowers, leaves, peacocks and birds are also created. 

Rangoli in living rooms. 

I must celebrate Diwali in India some day, it's much more festive. Streets and homes come alive with candles, divas and lights, people are everywhere celebrating together creating a fun atmosphere. 

Diwali at the Golden Temple, Amritsar, North India. 

I also like the spiritual feeling where so many worshippers can be in the temple yet it still feels peaceful with all the candles set against the dark night. 

Many worshippers but still peaceful. 

Diwali at Trafalgar Square with lanterns, musicians and traditional food. 

Diwali in Times Square

Here are some Diwali colouring pictures your children will love. 

Rangoli peacock design. 

Indian paisley design.

Diyas design.

Cute Handmade Baby Boots

I have just added a pair of lovely handmade knitted baby boots for sale in my public Arts display. They make a sweet little gift for a newborn baby boy or girl. So cute!! I also have a range of cute mini greeting cards to compliment this gift. 

Knitted baby boots for sale in my arts and crafts display. 

Get in touch if you'd like to buy these. 

Henna and Diwali Day Celebration

With Diwali round the corner I invite you to join in with the celebrations while I do your henna, a beautiful and culturally rich art form. Choose from 1 of my designs and take a seat to enjoy the music while I do your chosen henna design on you. Suitable on both adults and children. 

My henna design I did on Tusleem for her Eid celebrations

If henna's not for you, you can always try your hand at creating your own design on the day. With music from Alston Primary School. Full details / music to be confirmed for the rest of the week. 

Date: 05/11/2013
Location: Birmingham Heartlands Hospital

In the mean time visit me at: 

Fan Page: Facebook.com/MonsoonArtsAndPhotography

Flickr: Flickr.com/people/74998172@N08/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MonsoonArts

I look forward to seeing you soon! 

Sharon

My Photography Services

I am happy to say I am now starting to do more photography work. My main areas include kids' birthday parties, pets, events and wedding photography. Though if you would like some other photos taken of perhaps you and your family please do get in touch on the details below. 

Alternatively I can also enhance and restore your old torn, stained and faded photos. 

Get in touch: 

Email: Sharon_Kerala@hotmail.com
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/MonsoonArts
Fan page: www.facebook.com/MonsoonArtsAndPhotography

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Happy Birthday - My Gorgeous German Shepherd

Today's my gorgeous German Shepherd's Birthday - My trusted best friend to the end. Loyal, intelligent, caring, protective and funny are just some of the words I use to describe her. With an unbreakable bond so very deep and strong it goes far beyond any words I can use to describe it. So on this day it only seems right to share with you just some of my photos, though they really don't do enough to show all her amazing qualities. Enjoy. 

My gorgeous German Shepherd - "The King of Dogs" as I say. My favourite breed. 
© Copyright 2013 By Sharonjeet Galsinh

My Ultimate Favourite Dog Bread: 

The German Shepherd Dog. In my eyes it cannot be matched. It's why I call them the "THE KING OF DOGS" & why 10 out of my 12 dogs I've had since I was born have been the GSD. "Love them!" 

Being a true dog owner: 
It's not just about feeding, walking, playing with, grooming and even Googling dog facts that you proudly tell other dog owners about - No way! We don't need Google. It's more about the many true things you know about dogs simply through growing up with and spending time with your own dog, not your neighbour's dog. It's having actual experiences with them that touch your heart forever, not through someone else's words read on the internet. As quite simply, you cannot compare it as you haven't truly experienced it. 

My trusted best friend. Loyal, intelligent, caring, protective and funny. 

© Copyright 2013 By Sharonjeet Galsinh

Being a true dog owner is knowing what your dog is thinking and feeling (I don't mean "I'm hungry" or "I'd like a walk" talk.) But it's even about being able to pick up when your dog is letting you know that within the next month or 2 they will no longer be here and it's time for you to start preparing your goodbyes as it's soon time for your unbreakable lifelong paths to part, even though there are no signs or symptoms of illness . . . yet. I truly don't think everyone can pick this up. 

Arh so cute! 

© Copyright 2011 By Sharonjeet Galsinh

I thought my over imaginative mind was on over drive, but my dog was quite simply letting me know and giving me time to prepare myself for us to say our last "goodbye". It was plain to see for me but was too blind to see for everyone else. All started to make sense soon after and it was only a matter of time (well 4 weeks). 3 weeks later all were still blind. 

Funny, comical & always knowing how to make me smile everyday. 
© Copyright 2013 By Sharonjeet Galsinh

Then the dreaded day arrived. She plucked all her strength to walk tall & welcome us all, despite all her obvious overwhelming pain. Moments later, after the last goodbyes, as she took her final breathes, she looked so very deeply into my eyes, so happy, letting me know all was good & well. Happy & ready to be on her way . . . her face fell down into my hands. I looked into her big brown almond eyes - she was gone. 

After all, "It's far more compelling to leap rather than to just hang onto the edge."

I can now look back with a stronger sense of feeling proud rather than sadness, for an intelligent loyal dog that I know I raised pretty well to the end. I'm left with fond memories that I truly believe not everyone can actually comprehend.

"A hug a day keeps the vets away." Me with my protective dog.
And she said "Hurt her and I will bring harm to you." 
© Copyright 2013 By Sharonjeet Galsinh

"She took my heart and ran with it, I hope she's still running, fast and strong, a piece of my heart bound up with hers forever." 

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Earth Hour 2013: To unite people to protect the planet.

What will you all be doing on Saturday 23 rd March 2013 at 8:30 pm? I'd like to invite you all to join me to switch off your lights for the future of our planet. 

WWF's Earth Hour is a unique annual phenomenon that focuses the world's attention on our amazing planet and how we need to protect it. At 8:30 pm on 23/03/2013 hundreds of millions of people will turn off their lights for 1 hour, at the same local time, on the same night, all across the world in a huge symbolic show of support. 

Taken from www.NationalGeographic.com

Earth hour has grown from 1 city, Sydney in 2007 to the world's largest campaign for the planet, uniting hundreds of millions of people across 7001 cities and town in 152 countries, all 7 continents. 

Sydney's famous Harbour Bridge, before and after lights switch off. 
www.AlternativeChannel.tv

Watch the official 2013 video above to see the celebration of this year's event across the world and see its mission to unite people to protect the planet. 

Visit Earth Hour 2012 - On The Night Favourite Photos

Visit the Earth Hour site

Major world monuments and world heritage sites are turning off the lights too, including: 

The world's tallest building, Burj Khalifa, Dubai

Times Square, New York

Christ the Redeemer statue, Brazil

London Eye

Table Mountain, South Africa

Davis Station, in Antarctica

Opera HoOuse, Sydney

Niagara Falls, Canada

Boudhanath Stupa, Nepal

Brandenburg Gate, Berlin

The Obelisk, Argentina

Government House, Hong Kong

Royal Palace, Thailand

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Mini Christmas Cards

Looking for some cute mini Christmas cards this year? I create cute mini Xmas cards. Here are my new designs which I've just added to my display at Birmingham Heartlands Hospital

Christmas tree made up of shining stars. 

Designs featuring Christmas baubles, santa and snowy trees. 

Designs featuring snowmen and snowflakes. 

More shining Christmas trees and snowflakes. 

Cards can be purchased in a varity pack of any size you wish, at a reduced price. 

I also create mini greeting cards with matching coloured envelopes, great for any occasion. Send one to tell someone special how much you LOVE them or to tell that beautiful stranger how you feel!

I can create customised designs for your own special occasion in whichever style you wish, whether this be sophisticated, romantic, quirky & so on. These will be with a minimum order of 20 cards. As well as birthdays, my customised blank cards are ideal for Thank You's & invitations including children's parties.

If you'd like your own customised mini cards, get in touch:
Email: Sharon_Kerala@Hotmail.com
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/MonsoonArts
Fan page: www.Facebook.com/MonsoonArtsAndPhotography -->

London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Inspiration

I get really inspired by events like the London Paralympic and Olympics, they really do "Inspire a generation." 

Colourful performers with umbrellas are suspended from mid air. Image from: 

www.olympics.time.com/

Nearly 27m people watched the Olympic opening ceremony making it one of the most watched programmes in history! It's fair to describe The Games as "the greatest show on earth." 

The hundreds of performers create a sea of umbrellas. Image from: 
www.olympics.time.com/

The ceremonies are a great way to celebrate everything The Games are about. From British history and texts from Shakespeare, to flying performers, fireworks and also Stephen Hawking who said the Paralympic Games is about transforming our perception of the world. 

The Union Jack flag carried by members of the Armed Forces. Image from: 

www.olympics.time.com/

The London Paralympic opening ceremony was set to the theme of enlightenment and offers a more deeper kind of inspiration. What inspires me is the story behind each athlete, they serve as an inspiration to us all. Some are disabled from birth, others have suffered terrible accidents, some the victims of terrorist attacks and others ex-service military men and woman, yet they stay determined to achieve what they want. 

The Cauldron, all lit up marking the start of The Games. Image from:
www.Dailymail.co.uk

I've enjoyed watching The Games, getting inspired and also being able to share the wonderful journeys of the athletes. I'm sure the closing ceremony "The Festival of Flame" will be just as inspiring for me and many others around the world!!

Fireworks display marking the start of The Games. Image from: www.guardian.co.uk/

I'd like to share the words spoken by professor Stephen Hawking at the opening ceremony: 

"What is important is that we have the ability to create. This creativity can take many forms from physical achievement to theoretical physics. However difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at." 

"The Games provide an opportunity for athletes to excel, to stretch themselves and become outstanding in their field. So let us together celebrate excellence, friendship and respect. Good luck to all."