Big Hoot Art Trail in Birmingham is a major success

The Big Hoot's been such a unique & worthwhile project to work on. But there's still time for you to see the owls in Birmingham before they all fly off to their new homes. 

For more photos visit my fan page: 

Facebook.com/MonsoonArtsAndphotography

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

My Art Workshops

I run art workshops in primary schools. Pupils use a variety of mediums including watercolour paints and watercolour pencils, acrylic paint, printing and things like gemstones, tissue paper, sequins and gold / silver paint pens. 

Projects range from creating mosaics, bunting, henna inspired art, foam printing and more. This enables pupils to learn different techniques whilst also developing their creativity. 

A mosaic created by a Key stage 2 pupil in my first primary school art workshop. These designs were inspired by landscapes. 

My Art workshops provide children with a chance to explore and have fun creatively in a friendly, supportive, motivating & inspiring way. It's rewarding to see young minds get enthusiastic and inspired through art, 

Get in touch if you'd like a workshop or after school club in a school, day centre, community centre, playgroup, hospital, church or just for fun at home for children's parties. 

Email: Sharon_kerala@hotmail.com
Fan Page: www.facebook.com/MonsoonArtsAndPhotography
Twitter: @MonsoonArts

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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! 

My Flower Print Photography Exhibition

My year long Flower Print Photography Exhibition is currently at location 3 of 4 across the West Midlands. I love flowers and many of my photos from this collection were shot in my garden. They capture the beautiful colours of Summer in full bloom, bringing sunshine, colour and warmth to your home. 

Flower Print Exhibition - Location 3 of 4: Solihull Hospital, England. 
Bold and colourful, sure to brighten up a blank wall. 

If there is a print that you would like to buy please get in touch using the details below. All artwork comes framed and ready to hang. 

My Flower Print Exhibition at Solihull Hospital. 
Makes a nice gift ideal for Mother's Day or nature lovers. 

My Flower Print Exhibition at Solihull Hospital. 

My Flower Print Exhibition at Solihull Hospital. 

My Flower Print Exhibition at Solihull Hospital. 

My Flower Print Exhibition at Solihull Hospital. 

My Artist Statement.  

I also cover kids' birthdays, pet photography, church weddings and special occasions. Please get in touch: 

Email: Sharon_kerala@hotmail.com 
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/MonsoonArts 
Fan page: www.Facebook.com/MonsoonArtsAndPhotography

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.

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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World Body Painting Festival

The 16th annual World Body Painting Festival took place last weekend in Austria, attracting tens of thousands of visitors. Body painting artists and models from over 40 countries came together to create and show off their fantastic selection of creative body art. I have to say it looks really fun, I'd love to go! So I've shared some of my favorite shots, but I love them all! 

Copyright Heinz Peter Bader

Copyright Heinz Peter Bader

Copyright Heinz Peter Bader

Copyright Heinz Peter Bader

Copyright Heinz Peter Bader

Copyright Heinz Peter Bader

Copyright Heinz Peter Bader

Copyright Heinz Peter Bader

Copyright Heinz Peter Bader

Copyright Heinz Peter Bader

Copyright Heinz Peter Bader

Love these! 

BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend

I love live music & festivals like Glastonbury, T in the Park, Leeds and Reading and Radio 1's Big Weekend. Good sounding music, good weather and great atmosphere. So I wanted to share with you some of my favourite highlights from Radio 1's Big Weekend. 

Subscribers viewing this from your email wont be able to view these videos, so please visit my blog Monsoon Arts and Photography Blog

One of my favourite bands 30 Seconds to Mars. Love their music and what they're all about. I'm liking Jared Leto the lead singer (pictured) too! 

Biffy Clryo - Their performance was pretty"Epic."

Bruno Mars couldn't have done a better job in closing the festival. Soulful, energetic, the guy's got the moves. 

New band Haim - Go girls!

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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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