Darling of the month - The beauty of photography: Oona Julia

Hi everyone! For the beginning of autumn I chose Oona Julia to show us a few of her wonderful photographs. I am really captured by her works, for me they look like if they are floating from reality into something beautiful that isn't from this world, something magical...

 ♥♥♥ 

Hello Darling! Tell us a few things about yourself!

Hi,

maybe I’m a poem who doesn’t know which way to choose. Maybe I’m a shy girl from Finland who loves to walk at nature collecting treasures. I love writing letters and poems. I take pictures and make art. I don’t talk much and I think that’s the reason why I write and take photographs. I have so much to say!

What do you love about photography?

Oh! Lights and shadows.

Photography is the only way to make things look like I want them to look. With photography I can see what I want and forget the rest of the world.

It’s my way to look. Photography is my world.

What camera/film do you use?

I use digital. My camera is basic. Nothing glorious. I am not so interested to talk about that.

I think it is more important to know what you want to create. It’s about passion and the way you see. And then I use my phone to take pictures for Instagram.

What things do you like to photograph the most?

Nature. Flowers. Forest. Still life. Letter art. Old houses. (selfportraits but not lately)

Do you have any favourite places to take photos?

Yes I have some places. Mostly they are forests with uncommon old trees and light. My room when the sun is shining. Wherever I see beautiful light or shadow I want to take a picture. That’s how my head works.

When did you start to take photos?

About six years ago I got my first camera. Mostly I took pictures of nature because it was easiest. Most fun. But then I had some terrible years and quit taking photos at all. Until last autumn. It was one of those moments, I was sitting in a pub with strangers whose words were slowly turning into nonsense. I said goodbyes for them and started to walk. It was three AM and I was in Copenhagen. And somehow I had decided to take my camera with me. That was the moment when I and my camera met once again. And the moment when I found my truly words. One more reason to love Copenhagen. 

Who are your favourite artists and why?

Tove Jansson is the one who always comes to my mind at first. I love her paintings and books that she wrote. I adore the way she writes because it is so unique and close to my heart. My favourites are her sea paintings. (I don’t like the Moomins so much because there is too much of them. So much commercialisms around them.)

Also Frida Kahlo and Helene Schjerfbeck inspire me.

Somehow I have more writers that I adore than painters or photographers. Here are some writers that I love: Riikka Pulkkinen, Eeva Kilpi, Kyllikki Villa, Joel Haahtela and Raija Siekkinen.

Who or what inspires you?

Books, nature and history. People that are not telling everything.

I am always looking for mysteries and hidden meanings. I love visiting abandoned houses and thinking about the stories that happened there and people that lived there. How they left? What happened? Sometimes it’s my decision to decide when and why they left.

Sometimes it is just that I take my bike, notebook and camera and go wherever I want to go. Reading my own diary is really inspiring and eye-opening. But not always. 

In a few words...what's your pretty blog about?

My blog is about words that I see. The world that I see. My poems and thoughts. Things that I notice and think, nature and some stories. I think that blog is like me. I am not telling about things that are into my photography. My words and photos are two different worlds. One that everyone can understand and another that only Finns can understand (just right now?). 

If there is someone from Finland reading this now, does that sound right caption for my blog? I think so…

What are your dreams?

I was thinking this a lot, whether say or not to say… My dream is to write a book full of my poems, notes, special photographs with dried flowers and little illustrations. It is the biggest and most serious dream that I have. That I want.

And also I have other dreams too. Walk from France to Santiago de Compostela, the Camino de Santiago. Travel through Russian via train stopping small towns and taking pictures at the same time. Seeing different places, different towns, learning new things… Move abroad, travel, someday learn to sail… and so many others.

What's your favourite music?

I listen to a lot of music from Finland. But also from elsewhere.  Beautiful words, meaningful songs. Songs that are inspirational and has a special meaning for me.

Here’s some artist and bands that sing in english:

Eva&Manu, Ane Brun, Ulrik Munther (in Swedish, I don’t like those songs that he used to sing in English), Mø, Passenger, First Aid Kit, The Flashbulb, Ben Howard, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Foy Vance, Soley…

And then music in finnish if someone is interested. Iisa, Chisu, Samae Koskinen, Pariisin Kevät, PistePiste, Laura Närhi and Scandinavian Music Group.

What's your favourite season and why?

Autumn. It’s like a hymn when you say it. hmmm. Syksy. Autumn is about changes, it is about leaving and staying. Cozy moments, drinking tea and  my favourite birds are leaving.

I was born in autumn.

Mä rakastan syksyä, sitä miltä se tuntuu mielessä, nostalgisena muistutuksena hyvästä lämmöstä. (I wanted to add this here without translation).

I wish warm autumn moments for everyone!

Wanna see more of Oona Julia's photos? Check out her dreamy blog kahvipoydista

Please note that all photos are property of Oona Julia! Do not use without permission!

Darling of the month - The art of Snail Mail - Pattie and her wonderful mail art

Hello darlings! This time I talked with the sweet pea Pattie about her pretty mail art and the wonderful thing Snail Mail. Pattie is a penfriend of mine, we know each other for nearly one year now. I always loved the way she creates envelopes and all the pretty things that come with it.
She has definately lost her heart to vintage flora and fauna illustrations and the old time. 

Read the interview with this fantastic young lady!

1. Hello darling, tell us a few things about yourself!

Hello there! My name's Pattie, I'm a polish biology student. Nature is my biggest love. I am living in a small city called Kraków and it's not that far from our mountains. I love to hike and to travel - it makes me happy. I'm currently working in a shop based in our center of the city and it's my "holiday" job, but I'll probably will stay and work for a little longer. :) It's basically me at the moment: What I love, what I have to do to live, what I keep searching for. 

2. When did you start writing letters/snail mail and why?

I started it by accident and it was 2 years ago. I signed up to a postcrossing site,  because I was curious what's all about and stayed a little bit longer. My friend was really into postcards and it made me to look after something more funnier and then I saw Instagram accounts with those pretty mails. And that's how it has begun.

3. What's the most beautiful thing about getting mail?

  The little thrill you have right before you open your mailbox and see if there's something more than just bills. I also love the effort everyone puts in their mails. It's beautiful. 


4. How many penpals do you have at the moment
     and from which countries are they from?

I have so many that I really can't tell the exact number. I have penpals from all over the world, but the ones I have the most far away are from Singapore and Canada. And Australia. I have many pals from the USA and all over Europe (including Germany ❤❤❤).


5. Did you ever met a penpal in real life?

I have not! Not yet, to be precise. But I would love to. Next year I'm planning a trip over to the USA, so I guess it's a perfect time to meet some of my lovely penpals. I'm also probably going to live the next year or some months in Germany, so I'm thinking the same about the lovely people from that place.

6. What inspires you?

I'm getting inspired mostly by Pinterest or Instagram or Blogspot, because there I can find all those amazing and talented artists. It's like the source of inspiration. 


7. When is the best time (of the day) for doing arts and crafts?

Midnight is good. Or late evening hours, I don't even know why, but it's easier for me to came up with a creative idea during night or late afternoon.


8. What things do you like sending the most?

I like sending stationary and stickers and all woodland relates things. I also like sending books. 


9. Where do you buy all the pretty things you put in the envelope?

I'm usualy seeking these things on targets of old things and in antique stores. Sometimes I buy them via Internet. 

10. How often do you write letters? Are you quick in replying?

I'm very slow at replying at the moment. I have a hectic time right now and it is hard to keep up with all my replies, so I'm always so delayed. But I hope that my letters are worth the wait eventually and that I'm making it up to my penfriends somehow.

11. How often do you get letters?

There was a time that I was getting letters almost every day. Now it's more like a couple, 3-4 during the month. 


12. What was the most beautiful letter/parcel you've ever received?

It was a parcel I got from my penpal Jenn from California. She has made me a box fillled with all the American treasures and suprised me with how she has made it! The parcel was all in moss inside and it all looked magical.


13. What are your future plans?

I'm going to be a doctor of medicine, at least that's my biggest dream.

14. You can't live without...

...I can't live without my mum :') She's my best friend.

See a flood of pictures of Pattie's stunning art down here:

Please note that all  photos are property of Pattie!!!
Do not use without permission!!!

Also want to become a "Darling of the Month"?

Send me an E-Mail at: talesofaflowerchild@gmx.de or just read here first!

Darling of the Month - A dream of nostalgia and pastel: Meet the fantastic Annya Karina!

A light summer breeze is buzzing around and it's time to show you the new Darling of the month.

This time I talked with the wonderful illustrator Annya Karina about her art and future dreams.
I met this charming lady via Instagram and immediately fell in love with her artworks. I love the pastel colours she uses and how she includes lovely little animal friends into her works. She creates dreams, I would say! Scroll down and have a look yourself!

Hello, Darling! Tell us a few things about yourself!

Hello! My name is Annya Karina Marttinen and I grew up in many places across Canada but currently reside in Southern Ontario. I am the bunny mama of three adorable little bunnies named Peaches, Oats and Olive. Illustration is my full time career but when I am not waking up before the sun to paint, I enjoy filling my closet with vintage clothing and reading in gardens. My partner is a photographer so I also spend a lot of time art directing and planning out shoots with him. Also, I am a vegetarian and obsessed with brunch. My passion comes from my introvert personality and the natural ability to be patient that comes with it. I was a very studious child so illustration and the alone time that comes with it is perfect for me!

Can you describe, what drawing means to you?

Drawing has become so natural to me and a huge part of my life from the beginning. It means I get to share my secret dreams and silly little stories I make up which are a reflection of my reality, my paintings become almost like a diary or a "daydream” diary.

Who or what inspires your artworks?

A lot of my artworks are inspired by things I read about or daydreams. I close my eyes and I can see my next painting in my mind so clearly. A lot of what I paint is taken from a feeling of nostalgia and reclusion. 

What do love drawing the most and why?

Rabbits and girls in bedrooms. It’s a reoccurring theme in my illustrations. I love drawing rabbits because they are my favourite creatures and I love everything about their company and mentality. Drawing girls is always something I have grown to love more and more because adding a human creates a story and personality to my paintings. It makes my paintings relatable. The outfits (most of the time drawn from another era) are my favourite elements to dream up, it’s almost like being able to dress up my own dolls and adding a quirky personality to go with it. Bedrooms are always the sweetest to paint, I think they are an intimate detail into daily routine which can be very endearing.

When do you find yourself drawing?

I love drawing in the early morning when my mind is clear and enthusiastic. I am a morning person and feel best when the day is taken on immediately. I do not understand the concept of “sleeping in”, or enjoy sleep at all. Whenever I wake up I have this huge burst of creative energy that needs to be used!

Who are your favourite artists?

In terms of children’s books, Gyo Fujikawa and Beatrix Potter always stood out to me. In terms of fine art I adore the works of Frederick Morgan.

Do you have any colours and stationery tools you favour?

Right now I am completely in love with peach as well as mustard. I pretty much use those colours in every painting recently. As for stationary tools, bakers twin and deco tape have always been necessities. I have also been carving my own rubber stamps. 

What are your future projects?

Right now I have been working on all over patterns for a SS16 children’s clothing line in Paris. These will be released next summer along with a little children’s story booklet that I will be illustrating as well.

What three things are the most important to you?

My partner, my rabbits and eating natural.

Whats your favourite music?

Some of my favourite artists include Sufjan Stevens, Ben Howard, Tennis and The Paper Kites.

The image of a perfect life is ... 

...living in quiet solitude in a little cottage far away from the city with a little family and my continued success as an illustrator. My house always has to be pristine as my partner and I are very particular when it comes to home decoration. A little garden to call my own would be included in my idea of a perfect life as well.

A person you want to meet someday and why!

I would want to meet or at least see a photo of my blood relatives. Both of my parents were adopted so they are as far back as I have seen in terms of lineage. It would be interesting to know where some of my traits came from. Other than that, I would want to meet Elle Fanning because I think she is absolutely delightful.

Wanna see more of Annya Karina's art? Check out her instagram, her blog,  

tumblr and shop!

Please note that all  photos are property of Annya Karina! 
Do not use without permission!!!

Also want to become a "Darling of the Month?

Send me an E-Mail at: talesofaflowerchild@gmx.de or just read here first!

Darling of the Month - Sina's natural way of life

Hello everybody! It's time for a new "Darling of the month". This time I talked with my friend Sina about cosmetics and her art. She's a real child of nature which you can find in everything she creates. I only know Sina by exchanging words, but she's such an inspiring soul and she makes me want to try out so many new things.
Read the interview with this pretty flower!


Sina, you have so many fantastic talents. This time we will focus on your selfmade cosmetics and artworks.

First of all, tell us a few things about yourself!

Well, I am a 25 years old vegan and grew up in the south of Germany. After finishing school I moved to Berlin and spent there 5 years.

I always wanted to study illlustration or restoration but in the end I ended up with studying "organic agriculture and marketing" in Eberswalde (a bit outside of Berlin).

Next to this I was working at a small organic farm and in the Prinzessinnengarten, an urban gardening project in the middle of Kreuzberg.

I really found another passion and inspiration in gardening and farming. The influences you always can find in my creative projects.

Two years ago I finished then my bachelor degree with a focus on urban farming in connection with environmental education. And a little bit over a year ago I moved to Sweden.

I am living now with my partner in Nyköping, a small town an hour from Stockholm. Since nine months I work as gardner on an organic, permaculture farm a little bit outside of Nyköping.

There I finally can try out what I learned during my study. My main responsibility is the planning and establishing of a vegetable garden.

When and why did you decide to produce your own cosmetics/skin care products?

The main influence was definatley my study. With learning more and more about organic farming and sustainability, I also got more and more aware about the products I'm using.

For me it was shocking how many horrable ingredients you even find in organic products (artificial scents, silicones etc.) . For me it is super important to actually know what I put on my skin and how it is affecting it.

We are always surrounded by toxics in our daily life so I at least want to treat my skin with products of high quality.

My mom is already making her own cosmetic products since I'm small and has a great knowledge about it. She was also a great inspiration and still always helps me out with tips.

For how long did you practise to make them?

I started already 3-4 years ago but then I did just from time to time an easy cream or body lotion.

With my move to Sweden it got more. In Nyköping you just have a small varity on organic products. So I partly was also forced to do my own products. Make up was one of these products. In a small town like Nyköping I just couldn't

find an organic make-up that suits my skin type and colour, so I started to making my own.

How often do you make creams/balms/salves etc.? 

I would say at least once a month. In the summer it will get more. I also like to make healing salves out of herbs like calendula or comfrey.

So I try to make a little stock of salves for the autumn and winter.

Have you ever thought of selling your products?

I did and I hope to do it in the future. At the moment I just have a very small kitchen so I just have not the capacity to do it in bigger amounts. It is also impossible to reach a high hygiene standard in this small kitchen.

But maybe later this year I will have the opportunity to do it.

What is important for you when it comes to cosmetics in general?

For me it is important that I know the ingredients. I want to know the effect on my skin, of each and every ingredient.

Besides of that it is important for me that the ingredients are mainly organic. I want to use oils and butters, that are free of chemicals. Just organic produced ingredients can assure this for me.

I'm vegan so I want to use just cruelty free produced products. No being should ever suffer for the product I'm using.

What's important for you while creating your own cosmetics?

I love the process of producing something with my own bare hands. We humans are so disrooted from nature and a self sufficiant life.

My goal is to learn more and more processes that bring me to a self suffiants life. Making my own cream gives me always a very independent feeling. I know I'm

not dependet on big concers that are producing cosmetic products.

Besides of this hygiene is very important for me. I just make small amounts so I don't have to preserve them. Therefor you have to be as clean as possible and deinfect all the tools and surfaces.

Which plants do you use preferably?

My favourite will always be the marigold. It's healing affects are great and they're so easy to grow in your own garden.

Besides of this I love to use comfrey, houseleek, yarrow, buckhorn and arnica.

I work on a farm so my hands are always dry and broken, these herbs are really my saviors.

Do you still buy some cosmetics in a store? If so, what are your favourite brands?

Yes I do. Products like shampoo or showering gel are really hard to produce by yourself and also not very affordable.

I personaly love the products from Dr. Bronner, I+M Berlin, Primavera, Weleda and Estelle&Thild Stockholm.

You also draw the labels for your cosmetics. When did you start drawing?

I always did. I was in a gymnasium with art in focus. So I had art as a main subject in school.

Then there are always times where I do not draw a lot. I have to feel stressless and inspired to do it.

What do you love drawing the most and why?

I love to draw plants. My whole life has it's focus on gardening and farming, so I love to also pick up these topics in my illustrations.

Guess you can find always something nature related in each and every illustration I did.

What tools do you use for that?

I use mainly fineliners and water colours. The last months I also experimented a bit with ink. But still I need more practice in that, I'm not very satisfied with the results.

Do you listen to music while you're drawing? If so, which one?

I do quiete a lot. It always depends on my mood I love dreampop, garage punk, black metal, punk, experimental and folk.

At the moment I am listening a lot to Makthaverskan, Hurula and The Sund Days. But it can change with every week.

I also made some mixtapes, you can check them out here: https://8tracks.com/alfarull

What's your next project? I bet we are all curious to hear about!

I'm currently working on a little fanzine about my favourite herbs. I hope to finish it in may and will then also offer it in my little webshop.

Besides of this I would also like to upload an easy liquid make up recipe. Hope to manage all this soon!

And here you can see some of Sina's wonderful artworks!

Artemisia Vulgaris

Hildegard von Bingen

Stinging Nettle

Charles Darwin

Hel, goddess of the dead

Wanna see more of Sina's talents? Check out her blog here!

Please note that all photos are property of Sina! Please do not use without permission!!!

Also want to become a "Darling of the Month?

Send me an E-Mail at: talesofaflowerchild@gmx.de or just read here first!