Going Home For Inspiration 2: Bernard Hoyes' Revival Tours Europe

So after travelling and making discoveries overseas for nearly a calendar year, I was a bit apprehensive about going home, even for a month. I was loving the fact of being a roaming hippie, preaching peace and love, not judgement and simply was not eager to come back to earth. But when I touched down in Kingston, something happened. I'm still not sure what. It was the harbour, it was the heat, it was the people, it was home, it is where I'm from.

Yes, the most striking thing about Jamaica, I think, is the richness of its colour. The dirt isn't just brown - it's distinctly red. The faces of my friends aren't grey, they are brown with a golden tint. It is no wonder then that our art has a distinct vibrance - colour, energy and movement that give it a unique look. I think painter Bernard Hoyes' new collection Revival captures the colour, energy and spirituality that is Jamaica. And for Jamaicans, no matter where you've been, coming back home is like a revival, giving inspiration - both artistic and spiritual. Here are a few pieces from Hoyes' collection now on exhibition at the Mutual Gallery until October 9.


Spiral Rhthym

Abundance of Ribbons

Day Into Night

Yael Naïm

(Via Amazon.com)

I fell in love with French-Isreali singer Yael Naïm when I first heard her single New Soul. However, when I finally got the album, it wasn't New Soul that got me excited. It was the jazz spin she gave to Britney Spear's Toxic. Listen to the album version here or watch her perform it live here.

The Two Audreys

When I think of Audrey Hepburn I immediately picture the feisty flower girl Eliza Doolittle from My Fair Lady and that bouncing Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany's. Who could rival such an iconic, classic and feisty fashionista? Only Audrey - Audrey Tautou - the young French beauty noted for her priceless roles as Irène in Hors de Prix, Amélie in Le Fabuleux Destin D'Amélie Poulain and Sophie in The Da Vinci Code. Get a hold of these movies and do your own comparison.

OMG

(Photo: Robert NZengou-Tayo)

My friend Robert recently moved to a new city, Bristol and has been making quite a few discoveries of his own. This is a picture of the Suspension Bridge he dared to walk in Clifton. All I can say is OMG!! The bridge sits over the Avon Gorge in Bristol, 245 feet above high water!! Isn't that insane? To get a sense of how high up the bridge is, just look at the road below snaking along the river. Just seeing this picture gave me a thrill, started my blood boiling and has my spirit craving yet another adventure. Ideas, fantasies, wishing and dreaming again, oh how I would love to conquer my fear of heights here.

Those Vintage Telephones

Oh where oh where have those old phones gone? Those heavy chunk sets from childhood glory days? Surely, they can't all be in the landfills. I have the feeling they're hidden under dust, locked away all forgotten in a messy basement somewhere! Some smartypant must have known that one day I would look back with a nostalgic craving for a vintage telephone handset. Well, that day is today and I've been stalking online sites in hopes of finding my perfect one. Looks like I've biten off more than I might be able to chew because I found all these and can't decide!

Falling into Fall

Last fall, my dear friend Bernadette came upon a great discovery. Driving through the countryside, she stumbled upon the ruins of a chateau, Chateu du Goust. The chateau itself dates back to the 1400s. It is currently under investigative study not to be rebuilt of course, but to ascertain the actualities of the former building and to deduce a picture of its grandeur.


Now that fall is officially here, don't let the chill keep you locked down indoors. Promise yourself to make an adventure of those odd sunny days. Who knows you may just 'fall' upon a discovery or some treasure of your very own.


Ruins of Chateau du Goust


Presence of a moat


Site under investigative study


Bulk of the remains

Presumed design

Strike a Pose : Vogue!

Don't be fooled by that cute face! This is, my friend, a maniac on the dance floor. Colin is the one guy I could depend on last winter for a good night out dancing. No offence to my girls, you know we loved the security of having at least one guy in the bunch, and for us that was Colin.

It's the last friday in the month and assuming that you've been paid, tonight is the night to strike that pose and just vogue!