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. 

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! 

My Photography Exhibition

I am happy to say my new photography exhibition is now up on public display and is one of my biggest ones yet! 

My exhibition is located in the main glass corridor at Birmingham Heartlands Hospital. 

I am a Nature Lover and love flowers, so 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, whilst also evoking memories of Summers gone by. 

One of my larger sized framed prints. 

Please look through my photos and if there is a print you like please get in touch on the details at the bottom of this post as all artwork is on sale and comes framed and ready to hang. 

I have a variety of colours and images for you to choose from - Sure to brighten up any room. 

My display plaque showing my Artist Statement. 

As well as smaller prints I also have some large sized framed prints too. 

Bold, colourful and vibrant. This Sunflower sure knows how to add some interest to this boring blank wall! 

If you're a nature lover or fan of colours like me, how about this bold red - orange flower to make a statement? 

All artwork comes framed and ready for you to hang. 

If you have found something you like the look of or if there's a bold, vibrant print that can make a statement to one of your walls, please get in touch: 

Email: Sharon_kerala@hotmail.com

Twitter: www.Twitter.com/MonsoonArts

Fan Page: www.Facebook.com/MonsoonArtsAndPhotography

Poem: I Stood By Your Bed Last Night

I really like and appreciate a well written poem and the skill and thought someone can put into one. So much so that it can be very personal and touch the heart. Take a little time today to write some words for a loved one straight from your heart. Often these unexpected written words will touch the heart and mean so much more to them than an everyday "I love you."  

I would like to share with you a beautiful poem that someone shared with me. And if like me you have lost someone that you truly love, whether it be through death, having to say goodbye or just  parted ways, you will know how this emotional pain can also become a deep physical one. This poem is well written, gets you thinking, but most importantly true to every word, making it touch your heart and think of that lost loved one, enjoy. 

I Stood By Your Bed Last Night

Rainbow Bridge

Copyright: http://www.rainbowbridge.com

I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep. 
I could see that you were crying, You found it hard to sleep.

I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear,

"It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."

I was clos...e to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea,

You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me.

I was with you at the shops today, Your arms were getting sore.

I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.

I was with you at my grave today, You tend it with such care.

I want to re-assure you, that I'm not lying there.

I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key.

I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said " it's me."

You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair.

I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.

It's possible for me, to be so near you everyday.

To say to you with certainty, "I never went away."

You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew...

In the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.

The day is over... I smile and watch you yawning

and say "good-night, God bless, I'll see you in the morning."

And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,

I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand, side by side.

I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see.

Be patient, live your journey out...then come home to be with me. 

Copyright: http://healingtheheartpetloss.com/

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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Exotic Cowrie Shell Necklace and Earring Set

This gorgeous exotic ocean inspired cowrie seashell necklace & earrings set designed with a full flower is stylish & is for sale in my display. It's lovely to wear in the summer, on holiday but also makes a nice gift for someone special or for those who love that natural beach feel & vintage look as much as me. This is handmade and strung on heavy duty nylon. 

Exotic ocean inspired cowrie seashell necklace & earrings set is stylish & is for sale in my display. 

Lovely to wear in the summer or on holiday. 

Makes a lovely gift for someone special. Ideal for Mother's Day. 

Perfect for those who love that natural beach feel & vintage look as much as me! 

Matching cowrie seashell earrings. 

This set is handmade and strung on heavy duty nylon. 

So why not treat yourself or that someone special!

As always get in touch if you love this set as much as me!

Email: Sharon_Kerala@Hotmail.com

Twitter: @MonsoonArts

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/MonsoonArtsAndPhotography

Click to like my arts fan page

Click to Follow me on Twitter

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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Inspirational World

I love to see beautiful photos of the world as they really inspire me. Here are some that show just how beautiful our world is. Copyright © images. 

A restaurant on a cliff on the east coast of Zanzibar. Depending on the tide the restaurant can be reached both on foot & by boat. 

Lost Paradise, Isle of Lamu, Indian Ocean. 

View of the sunset from inside a wave. 

Thor's Well - "The Gates of the Dungeon." Oregon. 

This is a unique geological phenomenon known as Danxia Landform, China. The colour is the result of an accumulation for millions of years of red sandstone & other rocks. 

Hot Air Balloons over ancient rock formations in Cappadocia, Turkey. 

Office of Selgas Cano. Madrid. 

Star Shower statue, Kaunas, Lithuania. Day & night. I really like the play of light at night. In the daytime this monument makes little sense but when night falls all is revealed, the man's shadow showers stars. 

Copyright photos taken from http://pics.livejournal.com/neferjournal

Inspiration - Dogs

Dogs - they sure do inspire me. Only those who have had their own dog can truly understand the love, loyalty, intelligence & amazement of dogs. I really believe that looking after or walking someone else's dog just isn't the same as having your own dog that lives with you. As your dog will only show most loyalty and love to you, not someone who comes and goes and doesn't really know / understand them. 

But with the sad events of 3 months ago Azza the Akita & Emerald the Labrador just seem to know and understand what's happened and so act differently towards me now in a way I cannot completely explain. And now I've also got to know a Pyrenean mountain dog & a German Shepherd. Dogs really amaze me. I've had one my whole life but they still know how to touch my heart. 

Inspiring People - John Lennon

John Lennon is one person I find inspiration from and so both my sister and I were excited to spend a few days away in Liverpool last month to enjoy the cities arts & culture. Liverpool offered us an atmospheric insight into the life, culture and music of the iconic 1960s English rock band The Beetles. The Beatles became one of the most successful bands of all time and gained fans around the world, Beatlemania still grips Liverpool to this day. The Beatles "revolutionized the sound, style, and attitude of popular music". 

"For young people in 1972, it was thrilling to see Lennon's courage in standing up to the US President. That willingness to take risks with his career and his life is one reason why people still admire him today". 

John Lennon tribute, Liverpool
Copyright © SHARONJEET GALSINH

The John Lennon Peace Monument ‘Peace & Harmony’. Inscribed with the words “Peace on Earth for the Conservation of Life – In Honour of John Lennon 1940–1980.” 

The John Lennon Peace Monument unveiled in 2010 entitled ‘Peace & Harmony’ shows peace symbols, doves and a white feather. It's inscribed with the words “Peace on Earth for the Conservation of Life – In Honour of John Lennon 1940–1980”. 

John Lennon devoted the later part of his life to a worldwide peace movement. His message of peace is timeless and is one that is more relevant now than ever.