As with all creative people your surroundings make a huge impact with the creative flow of new ideas. As I am always working at new and different places I feel there is always many things around me that inspire me. But now and then the views from my studio make a huge difference! . . . . 

Fab views from the studio of Birmingham city where lots of lovely creative people work. 

With fab views like this I am sure they inspire everyone! Time for some art!

As always do not forget to visit my Facebook page: 

Click to visit my fan page

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! 

Celebrate Life - Charlie Chaplin's Iconic Speech

We have all heard of Charlie Chaplin, an endearing actor, entertaining and inspiring millions in his silent movies without needing to speak a word. 

But when he did speak, he inspired generations, as shown in his iconic speech in his 1940 movie "The Great Dictator" which I had to share for those who have not watched it before: 

With this speech in mind I wanted to share a piece of art that captures the beauty of his wisdom, as relevant today as it was back then in 1940. What will you take from it?

Charlie Chaplin inspired artwork. 

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

Text Select Disable

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.

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!

-->

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." 

Text Select Disable

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

-->

My Featured Interview

I am excited to say I have been featured in an article in A Little bit Individual, a website where "finding that unique gift idea became a little easier." Click the link below but visit again soon as I will be adding to this when I can: 

Featured article MONSOON ARTS & PHOTOGRAPHY | a little bit individual

I was also interviewed about my art so please click this link to read my interview with Adrian: 

My Featured Q & A Interview MONSOON ARTS & PHOTOGRAPHY

Here is a small peek at when Adrian interviewed me: 

I can enhance your photos, add borders or various filters & effects. 

So, what can you expect from my art? 

Colourful & quirky paintings. All sold at affordable prices for everyone to enjoy, whether it be through a painting, print or by giving a loved one one of my greeting cards. 

My Indian inspired watercolour painting makes a nice gift to give to someone special or to just treat yourself! 

What’s the best thing about being an artist? 

As well as being creative which is my passion, I get to express the things I love and then share this with thousands of people from a busy corridor, other cities & even on a double decker bus. But I also love it when people tell me they’ll be using a greeting card to write a note to tell someone they love them. I think that’s sweet. 

Professionally, what’s my goal? 

It’s great to see my art in public spaces and it was a nice feeling to see one of my posters on the outside of a double decker bus and another around Liverpool. But eventually I’d love to see more of my art go overseas. As well as doing more professional henna, I’d love for my greeting cards to be part of a professional publisher and sold in high street shops. 

Caption This - Photo of my Cute Puppy

var message = "function disabled"; function rtclickcheck(keyp){ if (navigator.appName == "Netscape" && keyp.which == 3){ alert(message); return false; } if (navigator.appVersion.indexOf("MSIE") != -1 && event.button == 2) { alert(message); return false; } } document.onmousedown = rtclickcheck; --> CAPTION THIS . . . 

My cute little puppy

My photo of my young puppy on her first day she ever stepped out onto grass. Although she was very excited & running around, I wanted to capture her inquisitive side. Come & write your captions here or on my "Inspires Me" album in my fan page: 

Click here to caption my photo in my "Inspires Me" fan page album

---

Happy Vaisakhi!

All images are copyright protected. ©  SHARONJEET GALSINH 2011

Vaisakhi, also known as Baisakhi is an ancient harvest festival celebrated in Punjab, northern Indian. The people of Punjab celebrate over the joy of the harvest season, so it is a day of feasting. 

Vaisakhi day commemorates the first Sikh baptism ceremony and the creation of the Khalsa by 10th Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. 

All images are copyright protected. ©  SHARONJEET GALSINH  2011

On this day Sikhs remember the foundation of the Khalsa and celebrate by visiting the Gurudwara, with colourful street processions through towns, melas and music. 

All images are copyright protected. © SHARONJEET GALSINH

Text Select Disable