An artist friend suggested me that I should give another dimension to my craft so it could become art. She’s a talented and gifted artist and sees me like a crafter. It left me unbalanced… as I am an admirer of her work then I replied that what really excites and fulfill me is creating my life albums. She was suggesting that i should add them into huge canvas and kept saying it would give them a dimension….Why does one give any advice that is not asked? What is the hidden purpose? Why humans tend to compare over and over? I am that lucky that in my world of crafters i don’t sense “bad vibes” only encoragements and positive attitudes.I sense that she lives in a world of fierce competition which is definitely not mine and thanks God i know myself well enough not to be blocked in the future trying to give …a dimension of my work but one has to be aware as Julia Cameron point out in her extraordinary book “the vein of gold, a journey to …
My little Big Brother…1975
Bonne Anniversaire Schounard! 36 years time flies indeed…3 years ago i offer him this album with all my heart. My little Big Brother as accomplish a lot already in his Life. He knows what he wants and go for it! He’s not only talented but disciplined, self centered, determined, courageous sensitive intuitive…Maybe a little overprotective towards me! Definitely is a winner and it feels good to have his energy around ! I wish i could be like him when i grow up…. I deeply admired him. When we were little, the first thing Stephane used to do when arriving home was call after me, Tenda where are you? He followed me everywhere imitating me and…i was not very kind to him! I’m 6 years older! Even nowadays sometimes i still argue with him but i know that we deeply loved each other and that we are there for one another always and forever. Je suis fière de t’avoir comme frère Je t’aime Parabens schounard
Where is my love?
I miss my husband! He’s away for a week doing a raisin cure. Eating only raisin is a wonderful way to detoxinate your body every year but it take’s nonetheless courage which Luis has plenty of. He’s one of those special man with an enormous heart. His friends know how reliable and generous he is. I know that my love is always present available caring tender protective towards me. I miss him… I want it back home… It feels strange to be at home without him as usually i’m the one packing! His smell is everywhere, his strong presence, his love for me in the notes that i keep by my bedtable… Tell your love how much you love him the way he combs his hair the way he smiles his way of dancing his favorite food what make him laugh Have a good week Xo
Sleepless night in Seoul
It’s 2am here in Seoul 17h in Lisbon needless to say that i cannot sleep so what is there to do in the middle of the night in an unknown city? Reading Surfing in the net Listening to my favorite french radio FIP Eat chineses noodlles Trying to sleep… Waiting for 6am sharp for the breakfast Check also the site www.strengthsfinder.com buy the book it’s worth it! Reading a little more… Trying to sleep nan….. Meditating! Definitely not seeing the news on CNN as is the fast way to get depressed I should have bring some chocolates… Have a good week-end HAVE FUN XO
Treasure heart album
Just finished my Secret album that i am very found of. Don’t know for you but my last work is always my favorite…till the next one. I am preparing my Etsy Shop trying to understand how it works and am receiving everyday their newsletter which is quite interesting. They are very structured and helpful. Questions they suggested us to answer: Why are you doing what you do? Why do you pursue it? Why do you think you can succeed? What do you want to be known for, talked about?…Now is your turn to do the homeworks! I am “dating” Etsy shop for over a year now but haven’t sense is the right time yet to plunge, maybe because i’m afraid of the extra work and how will i manage it all? But as time passes by i’m getting more and more excited with the whole idea… they are very challenging which i love I realized that i value family above all things, within our family we are deeply loved, encouraged and stimulated and my treasure hearts albums are just that …
Are you open?
Just finished two extraordinaries books “The Help” Kathryn Stockett and “Shanghai girls” Lisa See. Both about discrimination and injustice and how women fight back, never giving up their dreams and their ability to give no matter what. We are transported back in the sixties, Mississipi, how black women cooked, cleaned and raised little white children and have their own private toilets because of the diseases they might carry for example or others discriminations each one worse than the others. “Shanghai girls” is the beautiful story of two sisters back in the sixties too, who after their father lost his fortune were sold and went living in chinatown Los Angeles and couldn’t get out of it no matter what. I am fortunate to have been raised by a french mother and a portuguese father both open to the world. I remember the parties in our house where my father was at the time responsible for black and arab countries. I remember mom wearing the traditional boubou offered to her by the Senegal’s ambassador. I knew from childhood that we are equals …
Live and let die
Last year I had installed my studio in this amazing shop Fabrico Infinito and create throughout the day…most of the time having endless conservations with the owner Marcela Brunken i must admit! We had fun…She is a big fan of my work, was and still is among the ones to continuously promote my art. Yesterday at a fancy dinner a friend was surprised that i present myself as Alex Castro Ferreira my single name and not with my married name and as an artist. Labels are hard to remove! But it make me wonder of the importance on male tradition which is still very implanted on our portuguese society( not to say around the world) and on how people see us. I am a flight attendant …….and also an artist. I am a woman of passion who is eager to learn evolve grow accepting the ups and downs of Life Live and let die…famous quote of my husband. Enjoy your day
CRAFT AND DESIGN Christmas 2010
Perfect day no clouds spring temperature lovely time spent in jardim da Estrela along with my husband, mother and special friend Alex. Last week was another story with cold and rainy weather but still the public showed up, christmas is at the door! I must say that i am running out of spoons which is cool because i loved them and am happy that people find the idea amusing and fashionable. I was blessed last saturday with the meeting of an old (we have known each other since kindergarden) and dear friend that i haven’t seen for quite a while, can’t remember why life as set us apart, probably just that… Life! Last time she was single and now she is married with two beautiful sons, i met only the youngest who looks so much like her. That’s the kind of gift I receive with profound gratitude, can’t wait to be with her again. We are born on the 4th of august in Lisbon in 1969 same hospital! How cool is that? We used to have the same bad temper…i …
Life is not a destination but a journey…
How appropriate it seems…it’s 8pm in Miami and 1 am in Lisbon…I don t know for how long I don’t sleep lost track of it feeling a bit lost… Last week a lady from an health center told me rather indignate “how come you ve got 2 passport one french and another portuguese? that’s not normal you should have one! Well that’s not an option for me as my mother is french and my father is portuguese. I was born in Lisbon and went to a french school all my life and am used for a long time now to read in english and I do enjoy it (big fan of Barnes and Nobles) My first draft will always be in french and I do work in a french company but on the other hand as I live in Lisbon I was told to write my blog in portuguese which maked sense at the time but why not choosing english so everyone will understand? and most of it I’ll be happy…I am feeling a little confused at the moment, trying …
