Blog by Kristina Kasparian Veni Etiam Photography

The Venezia Collection: A timeless balance between decay and wonder

28/4/2020

It's no secret to those who know me well, not even to those who know me a little:
Venice is my soul city.

A place that pulls on my heartstrings and just doesn't let go. A place where I prefer to roam alone, so I can focus on Her. A place that feeds me with melancholy and quietude in equal parts.

It's no secret that Venice is my deepest inspiration; even my shop's name is partly dedicated to Her.

And so are several (many) photographs in the collection.

Below are the prints in the Venezia Collection, full of nostalgia and wonder.

Each print has its own unique title and caption (in English and French) and is available in the size and finish of your choice.

Eerie Lagoon

The unique beauty of the city that emerges from the sea, outlasting time and high tides
La beauté unique de la ville qui émerge de la mer, qui survit le temps et les marées

The Winged Lion

Guarding the square, the lagoon, its wishes and secrets
Gardien dela place, le lagon, ses souhaits et ses secrets

Dopo la pioggia

A quiet Venice awakens after a gentle morning rain
Une Venise tranquille se réveilleaprès la douce pluie du matin

Campiello dei Trevisani

A morning in the neighborhood of Cannaregio, Venice
Un beau matin dans le quartier de Cannaregio, Venise

Belonging

Sometimes, I like to imagine that Venice belongs not to people,
but to the elements, to its creatures, statues and relics.
Parfois, j'aime imaginer que Venise n'appartient pas aux gens,
mais aux éléments, à ses créatures, statues et reliques.

Canarégio

In the heart of the oldest sestiere of Venice
Au coeur du plus ancien "sestiere" de Venise

Sunday in Burano

Local life in a quiet 'Campiello'
La vie locale dans un quartier charmant

My Color Palette

Colors that make your heart sing
Des couleurs qui font chanter le coeur

San Marco

The winged lion and the winged pigeon – both rule over St Mark’s square
Le lion et le pigeon -les deux règnentsur la place Saint-Marc

Rio della Misericordia

On the atmospheric fringes of the
Cannaregio quarter in Venice, Italy
La périphérie atmosphérique du quartier
de Cannaregio à Venise, Italie

Soaring Heart

My freest days and happiest days but also my most melancholy days.
This city liberates emotions
Mes jours les plus libres et heureux mais aussi les plus mélancoliques.
Cette ville libère des émotions

Never Tire of You

My lens (and my heart) will never tire of you
Mon objectif (et mon coeur) ne se lassera jamais de toi

Soul City

You are more than a place, and I can never have enough, from any angle
Tu est plus qu'une ville et je n'en ai jamais assez, de n'importe quel angle

Burano Bliss

A splash of color, a dash of life
Une touche de couleur, une dose d’énergie

Painted Blue

The idyllic pastel palette of Burano, Venice
La palette idyllique de couleurs pastel à Burano, Venise

Fondamenta dei Mendicanti

You walk and walk, until you reach the edge of the Lagoon
Marcher sans cesse, jusqu’à ce qu’on atteignele bord de la Lagune

La Bella Rustica

To be alone with you
Pour être seule avec toi

Golden Afternoons

My favorite time of the day, in my favorite place in the world
Mon moment préféré de la journée, à mon endroit préféré au monde

Watching You Find Your Way

"There are no wrong turnings. Only paths we had not known we were meant to walk."
Il n'y a pas de mauvais tournants, seuls des chemins que nous étions destinés à marcher."

Cupole

The breathtaking view of the Lagoon and the five domes of San Marco
Une vue imprenable sur la lagune et les cinq dômes de San Marco

Laguna Mia

A moody reflection of gondolas under a bridge
Reflet mélancolique de gondoles sous un pont

Palazzo Ducale

The Gothic palace where East meets West, where Land meets Lagoon and open Sea
Le palais gothique où l'Est rencontre l'Ouest, où la Terre rencontre la Lagune et la Mer

Il Moro

Traces of the Republic's mercantile past
Traces du passé mercantile de la République

Riflessioni

Her colors always seem more vibrant after the rain
Ses couleurs semblent toujours plus vives après la pluie

Calle della Chiesa

There is so much beauty in Venice, one must remember to look up and in every direction
Il y a tellement de beauté à Venise, il faut se rappeler de regarder dans toutes les directions

Corte della Comare

A blissful afternoon in colorful Burano, Italy
Un après-midi merveilleux dans la ville colorée de Burano, Italie

Clearing Skies

The beauty in the simple sight of a clearing sky reflected in rain puddles
La simple beauté d’un ciel dégagé, reflété dans les flaques de pluie

Burano Boot

Sometimes, it's the simplest and most unexpected sights that capture your attention
Parfois, ce sont les choses les plus simples et les plus inattendues qui attirent votre attention

Egidio

Burano’s deeply rich colors and one happy little bird
Les couleurs riches de Burano et unpetit oiseau heureux

Verso la Fondamenta

Ochre yellow and deep lilac
Ocre et lilas profond

Burano Colors

For a lover of colors, there is no more perfect place
Pour un amateur de couleurs, il n'y a aucun meilleur endroit

Laundry Day

Picturesque everyday scenes of Burano
Les scènes quotidiennes pittoresques à Burano

Pretty Thoughts

A Sunday stroll through Burano’s streets, without worry of rain
Notre promenade du dimanche dans les rues de Burano, sans souci de pluie

Return Again

My favorite view of Venice, different upon each return
Ma vue préférée de Venise, différente à chaque retour

So there you have it, Venice through my lens.
Got a favorite? Let me know in a comment!

From my heart to yours,
Kristina

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The Greece Collection: Mediterranean home decor

28/4/2020

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Ever felt so inspired and peaceful on a trip that you just wanted to bring that beautiful feeling home with you?

That's what the Greece Collection represents for me (and, based on your feedback, for many of YOU!)

Staring at images of blue seas, whitewashed architecture and flowers in effortless bloom has the power to transport us.

Below are the prints in the dreamy Greece Collection, ready to warm up your walls and to make your home office a happier place.

Each print has its own unique title and caption (in English and French) and is available in the size and finish of your choice.

All My Wishes

After a steep climb to the monastery, I cast all my wishes into the deep eternal sea
Après une montée raide vers le monastère, je lance mes souhaits dans la mer profonde et éternelle

Agios Stefanos

A taste of heaven on the northwestern edge of Corfu
Un air de paradis sur le côte nord-ouest de Corfou

Cape Drastis

The dramatic cape, inaccessible and undisturbed
Le cap spectaculaire, inaccessible et tranquille

Afionas

A colorful village on the clifftops of Corfu
Un village coloré sur les falaises de Corfou

Beauty on the Horizon

It is a blessing when there is so much beauty to appreciate
before the distant, serene horizon
Quelle bénédiction de pouvoir apprécier tant de beauté
devant un horizon paisible

No One Knows

What lies beyond? No one knows
Qu'est-ce qui se trouve de l’autre côté? Personne ne le sait

Morning Air

All was quiet as the old town slept
Tout était calme pendant que la vieille ville dormait

Blue and White

The traditional Greek colors and its stunning sea
Les couleurs traditionnelles grecques et sa mer magnifique

Understated Beauty

The luring charm of old palaces
Le charme attirant de vieux palais

The Perfect Sea

The sea, the sea, the perfect sea!
La mer, la mer, la mer parfaite!

Seafront

Faded from sunshine and salty air
Délavée par le soleil et l’air salé

Garden Village on the Clifftops

Idyllic Afionas perched above the sea
Joli Afionas perché au-dessus de la mer

Kerkyra

Old Corfu Town, with all its rustic charm
La vielle ville de Corfou, avec tout son charme rustique

Palazzina

Could I buy a summer house here and watch the sunset over the sea?
Puis-je passer mes étés ici à regarder le coucher du soleil sur la mer?

So there you have it. On grey days, we can all daydream of breathtaking Greek landscapes!

Got a favorite in the Greece Collection? Leave a comment and let me know!

From my heart to yours,
Kristina

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The Côte d'Azur collection is here!

19/11/2019

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The time has come to reveal the new Côte d'Azur collection, and I am SO excited!

Creating a new collection is one of the most fun yet time-consuming aspects of my shop! There are SO many steps involved, and each one is done with careful thought and feeling.

It all starts with choosing a destination based on what the heart craves. Then, exploring that place mindfully, slowly, keeping in tune with how my senses react, how the light makes me feel, and whether I am pulled to stay. Capturing feeling through photography requires precision, experimentation, creativity, inner peace and hours of physical work while I chase interesting angles, reflections, perspectives, lights, patterns and balance.

Then comes the most painstaking part of all - sorting among the thousands of photos to narrow it down to the few hundreds that will be adjusted and edited over the next days and weeks. I get to know them as I work on them, already get attached to a few favorites, and share them with you little by little on Instagram or Facebook. Once I have my favorite hundred or so (!), I write blogs about the place and share my impressions or tips with you. (Psssst! If you haven't read my two Côte d'Azur blog posts yet, you can open them in a separate window by clicking here and here!)

But not all of my favorite photographs make the cut for the collection. They have to be scrutinized for imperfections and distractions first. I fine-tune them, test-print them, hold them in my hands and up to the light, frame them and get to know them even better. You'd be surprised what the eye catches on paper that it missed on a screen! This leads me to fine-tune them even further and print again.

Once I'm happy with the collection, I give each one a title and caption in English and French so you will know where it is and why I reached for my lens. Often, I sneak a message for you in the caption, so the photograph might speak to you even more once you read the back of it.

I photograph the photographs - which is not an easy task! I try to show you how they look framed, unframed, in various sizes and ratios. I edit the photos of the photos, and create a bunch of different graphics I'll be able to use in my online shop or social media.

After a few weeks of this process, I then share them with my dear VIPs who are subscribed to my newsletter. These are individuals who support me and follow me wherever my travels and heart may lead! I am so grateful to them that I give them 20% off the collection and first dibs on it before I add it to my shop. This often allows them to get limited edition or one-of-a-kind pieces! Once my VIPs get first pick, the collection is launched globally.

Lastly, I add the images to the web shop and Etsy shop, fine-tune the keywords so they can be found in searches. I print, package and ship them, so they can be a part of your day, your home, your inspired thoughts, memories and dreams of future travels.

By the end of this sequence, I need another vacation! And yet your words, orders and reviews make it all so fulfilling and worth it!

Now you have a better idea of why I always say, "from my heart to yours".

So without further ado, I present to you my Côte d'Azur collection, which is quite possibly the collection I am most proud of so far!

Canopy of Color

An unexpected little haven found in a narrow lane (Nice)

Balance

When there’s balance in my photographs, I know there is balance in me (Nice)

The Poetry of Windows

I’ll always have a soft spot for windows and their subtle poetry (Nice)

Patience

Open your heart and your eyes, and windows will open too (St-Paul de Vence)

Mediterranea

The colors and feelings of the Mediterranean are with me, always (Nice)

A Light to Remember

And all the day's delays culminated in witnessing this glorious light (St-Paul de Vence)

Nissa la Bella

“La tiéu mar d’azur, Lou tiéu cièl pur” (Nice)

Ethereal Beauty

Contemplating how a moment can be both vast and tiny (Eze)

Pressing Pause on Summer

No longer summer, not yet fall (Nice)

What we see is who we are

What we look for is who we will become (Nice)

Chasing the Muse

Finding inspiration in the simplest sights, in the footsteps of many great artists
(St-Paul de Vence)

You Have Time

Don't rush, stay awhile and be sure to return (Antibes)

All Dressed in White

Aged by weather and life's tides (Antibes)

Chaises bleues

Contemplative, hopeful, peaceful and melancholy - there are chairs for all moods
(Nice)

Sunbathing in October

Colors make the best memories (Menton)

Low Season

Where Land meets Sea is where I wish to be (Nice)

I'll Stay

The Promenade that I long to return to again and again (Nice)

Après-midi

Because your color changes with each hour of the day (Nice)

Mixed Feelings

The constant push and pull between peace and longing (Nice)

Storybook Pages

Sometimes the biggest dreams are evoked by the tiniest villages perched above the Sea
(Eze)

The Bells at Sea

When the bells toll, the Sea will listen (Eze)

Perched

Often, we need to take a step back to take it all in (Eze).

Pretty in Pink

How a simple hue can make the heart sing (Nice)

Mindful Meandering

An opus of everyday beauty (Nice)

St-Paul de Vence

If you lose your way, look around, feel grateful and begin again (St-Paul de Vence)

Growth in Light and Shadows

There cannot be growth without light, and there cannot be light without shadows
(St-Paul de Vence)

Antipolis

That feeling of easing into a place, as though you've always known it (Antibes)

Port de Nice

May you always find a safe harbour in which to call it a day (Nice)

Climb Up, Look Down

No matter how steep the climb, always look back to see how far you've come (Menton)

Place of Dreams

Do you know, dear Nice, how many people love you and dream of you? (Nice)

Palette niçoise

Sometimes it feels as though a color should be named after a place (Nice)

À l'aise à Eze

Found, without feeling lost (Eze)

Morning Memories

The beauty of places is how they change throughout a single day, and how
we change too (Nice)

Vieux Nice

About to open or about to close. It's all a matter of perspective. (Nice)

Order any of these prints and frames using your special VIP coupon by following this link!

Postcards

I've also printed a whole bunch of mini square prints (4x4 inches) which can be displayed casually, framed in a mosaic frame, or sent as cards! They are printed on eggshell cardstock with a white border and a blank back, so you can write a personalized note.

I only produce postcards once a year during the holiday season, so grab your favorites before they disappear by contacting me or visiting me at the Nutcracker market in Montreal between November 28th and December 8th.

The Côte d'Azur collection is full of color, texture, perspective and feeling. I hope it will resonate with you as much as I loved creating it for you!

Let me know in a comment which one is your favorite!

From my heart to yours,
Kristina

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New in shop this holiday: Postcard prints and a Montreal calendar

18/11/2018

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Where did the year go? I mean, wasn't it summer two weeks ago?!

The holiday preparations have hit and I have been SO busy creating amazing things for you! Don't miss my Holiday Gift Guide which gives you great ideas of how to treat others (and yourself) this season. You'll also see my list of upcoming holiday events if you want to shop in person or pick up your orders.

So, what's new for you? Two products that you've been asking me about FOR YEARS.

Postcards and a Montreal calendar.

The postcards measure 4x4 inches, because there's something special about square prints! Typically, the smallest size prints I offer you is 8x8 inches, but now you can get several of your favorite images on a smaller size, still on great quality textured paper.

There are over 50 different images of Montreal or travel destinations, so you'll have ample opportunity to choose cards that will inspire you or someone you know.

You can write a message on the back and send them, or you can keep them as art prints by creatively displaying them or framing them. I'll have a few framing options available on hand if you like that idea.

I'll be unveiling this postcard collection at the Nutcracker Market (Marché Casse Noisette) in Montreal at the Palais des Congrès between November 29th and December 9th, so stop by to see them and choose your favorites. If you want VIP access, sign up to my newsletter and I'll tell you how to get VIP tickets and a special discount before the event opens to the public!

The Montreal calendar is another very simple gift idea. The calendar consists of 12 sheets of eggshell cardstock measuring 5x7 inches, with 5x5 high-quality photographic prints that you could easily cut out and keep for yourself or gift to others as high-quality prints or cards once the month is done.

The images are my color + black and white photographs of Montreal - many of which have become your favorite bestselling images from my collection!

Displaying the calendar is easy. It does not take up much room and hangs on your wall or your gridwall wire grid with the rose gold clip that is included. The clip has a hole in it for easy hanging. You could also display it on an inexpensive easel or stand that you could find at Ikea, De Serres, Michael's, Amazon or other stores. As the pages are individual (not bound) you could even put up one month at a time with magnets on your fridge!

As I'll only be printing a small batch of these calendars, you could reserve yours by placing an order through my Etsy shop. You can pick it up in person at one of my next events by using the coupon code INMTL.

Aside from these two main lines of products, I've also added tons of new prints fresh off the printer. Check out the Holiday Gift Guide to see more!

Are you planning on coming to any of my holiday markets this year?

From my heart to yours.

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The QCity Collection

18/5/2018

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It was high time I added a Quebec City collection to my Montreal & Toronto series. You had asked me time and again, but I was waiting for some down time in my schedule to go take my camera on a road trip. It was a wonderful weekend, and I ended up with many more photographs than I expected! (Although, let's be honest: isn't that always the case with me?!)

It is with excitement that I introduce the QCity collection to you! You'll find that the "usual suspects" have inspired me: architecture, urban details, textures, colors, geometric patterns and moody hues.

The collection is currently available in exclusivity to my VIP members who can order their favorite(s) via e-mail with a special pre-launch coupon they got. (Not a VIP? Remedy that here and now). Prints and coasters will be launched at the Etsy Ville de Québec spring show on May 26-27 in Québec City.

Tell me: Which one's your favorite?

Fortress

Place Royale

La belle Québec

Chimneys

Because you inspired me

Triangles

Unlocked

Allure d'allée

Depth of contrasts

The perfect door

From this angle

River temples

Frontenac

The beauty of imperfection

Géométrie

Gables

Corniche

Facing the sun

Urban symphony

Silently watching

Vue de ramparts

Waiting for you

The promise of spring

Can you guess what my favorites are? Leave a comment, I'd love to hear from you!

From my heart to yours.

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Smitten with Italy

15/2/2018

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“Open my heart and you will see, graved inside of it, 'Italy!'” – Robert Browning

Whether you have been following me for some time or you have just stumbled upon my world, you may have noticed that Italy plays a huge part in my collection, my writings and my days.

Why?

What's the deal with Italy? What gave rise to this "obsession"? How is Italy part of my life story? What's my favorite spot in Italy? All these questions and MORE are answered in an interview I did for the lovely Heather Carlson from "Smitten Italy" as part of our new collaboration.

Heather Carlson is a fellow italophile. We "met" in a magical place called Instagram, connected by our shared passion for Italian travel, food and culture. I stumbled upon Heather's shop of whimsical Italy-inspired goods, and later discovered that she is also behind "Merry Feast Travels", organizing culinary tours and offering travel planning services to any beginner or seasoned Italy-bound traveler.

As two individuals with Italy in their hearts, we have teamed up to offer a Veni Etiam x Smitten Italy collection of art prints in her lovely shop, and we have interviewed one another about our journey, our love for Italy and our work.

Head to the Merry Feast Travels blog to read my full interview about why I'm #smittenwithitaly

To find out more about why Italy is infused into my creative work, and to learn some Italy-related quirks about me that you probably did not know before, head to the Merry Feast Travels blog to read the full interview!

My mission with Veni Etiam has always been to inspire you, and help you find a piece of art that represents your own journey.

If Italy resonates with you as it does with me, I think you'll be excited to discover the collection that is now live in the Smitten Italy shop!

Which one is your favorite? Heather and I would love to know!

Stay tuned for Part 2 of this series where I will interview Heather about her story and her tips for travellers to Italy. Don't miss out on goodies: follow us!

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Your places, my lens: Why I love custom requests

19/9/2017

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From Day One, my shop's motto has been "from my heart to yours", because of all the places, colors and moods I share with you in my words and photographs. But it especially comes from my heart when clients ask me whether I could take a particular photo of a place that means a lot to them.

When I first created my business, I knew that customization was an important feature of my art shop - I wanted you to find yourself, your travels, your dreams and decor tastes in my images and in all the options you could select to create a piece for your space. But I somehow didn't imagine that through connections and dialogues with you online and in person, I could also be asked to create photographs of places I had not captured yet before. A place you ask about obviously means something to you - and if it means something to you, it means something to me.

This summer, a client asked me whether I had photographs of two Montreal spots that were special to her family - the Farine Five Roses factory building and the clock tower at the Old Port.

These were two spots her late father adored, and she wanted prints of them in her home, to remind her of him daily.

These were two landmarks I had not yet photographed in a way that made me feel like adding them to my shop. It could partly be because I did not feel attached to them in a profound way, or also because I knew many other talented artists in our Montreal community had done such an amazing job at capturing them. But this client asked me to photograph these landmarks in my own style, because she loved the feeling of my work, and she wanted it to be meaningful in memory of her father. So, I set out to find my voice with these landmarks and to prepare a whole bunch of prints that she could then choose from.

When I showed her the scenes I had collected for her, she was touched. She loved the mood of one of the Farine Five Roses shots, and the composition of the photograph of the Clock Tower. "It's like it's pointing up at the sky, to my Dad," she wrote. That touched me so much, that I dedicated the print's caption (on the insert that accompanies each print) to her and her dad.

That is the beauty of creating something one-of-a-kind, something that touches someone's heart and represents a piece of their story. Moments like these make me feel really blessed to have this artistic outlet to inspire you. In turn, I am always astonished and grateful of how you inspire me in return, with your own vision, your own story and your words. Thank you for this gift.

Together, we put together a gallery wall of seven prints for this lovely client, the two commissions being unique to her wall, as they have not been added to my online shop.

Some of the other variations have been added to my art shop and my Etsy shop, and I will have them with me for the first time this weekend at the Etsy Fait au Quebec Montreal show.

An Unmistakable Sight | Vue incontournable

F5R

Tour d'horloge

Urban crossroads | Intersection urbaine

You may also opt for larger wall art on paper, canvas, metal, acrylic or wood.

If you'd like to connect, just leave a comment on this post! I'd love to hear from you.

From my heart to yours.

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New in shop: The Havana collection

18/8/2017

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In case you missed it: I got to cross off a destination from my bucket-list!

I just returned from Havana, and shared my impressions in words and photographs of the city in my previous blog post.

And now, I'm extremely excited to launch my new Havana collection, which aims to convey the mood and raw beauty that La Habana radiates.

Here are the images that are new in shop, and which could be ordered on paper, canvas, metal, acrylic or wood.

Aging gracefully

Colores cubanos

Fidel

Dreaming in green

El Malecón

Maravillosa

La Cubana

The lady on Villegas

Hasta la victoria siempre

Perfect balance

A colorful life

Obispo

Lions of El Prado

Habana vieja

Deteriorating details

Canvas Doorway

Entreabierta

Out for a stroll

The way

Layers of beauty

Decay and delight

Colores de la Habana

Cuba libre

Look around, look within

Havana style

Like a dream

Melanconia

It's all in the details

Rústico

Hidden beauty

Paseo de Marti

Perfectly imperfect

Prado pleasures

Doorway details

Drawn to you

Which would you choose

Lines

Lavado de ropa

Che is Cuba

Shut the door, please

Ochre palette

Gentle shade

This collection really excites me, not only because I've always wanted to discover Havana, but also because of all the senses and feelings I aimed to capture forever.

The collection is not yet in my art shop or on Etsy. I’m offering FIRST PICK and 20% off to my VIPs until August 25th.

Not on my VIP list? You’re missing out. Join here.

From my heart to yours.

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Musings in La Habana

17/8/2017

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Certain places end up on our ‘bucket list’ without much warning. They’ve somehow always been there, like a thought whose source you can’t trace. They pull us – gently or hurriedly – until our plans materialize, until we speak the words out loud.

“We’re going to Havana.”

It was a somewhat spontaneous trip, but that doesn’t matter. It’s not really spontaneous if you’ve always wanted to go.

It was also a somewhat short trip, but that doesn’t matter either. If your eyes and heart are wide open, even a short trip can inspire you plenty, and give you that precious feeling of longing to return.

From my first moments in town, Havana asserted itself. It became clear to me that Havana is a mood.

Although some squares like the Plaza de la Catedral and the Plaza Vieja have a slight European feel, and some narrow lanes and charming balconies cause your mind to wander to thoughts of other cities you’ve been to, much of Havana is in a league of its own, with an undeniably distinct character.

I spent the morning hours strolling the streets of Habana Vieja. Having refrained from looking at too many photographs of Havana before it was my turn to stand there, I genuinely had no well-formed expectations. What was striking from the start, aside from the stifling summer heat, was how much there was to take in.

I can’t think of that many other cities where I have felt the urge to comb the streets – each street – unwilling to miss anything. Venice, of course. Amsterdam, for sure. And now, Havana pulled me up and down its grid of streets, defiantly pushing my limits of time, temperature and tiredness. I followed, in awe of the architecture, the vintage cars, the colors and the contrasts between efforts of restoration and piles of decay.

“Hola!” a female voice broke my awe-stricken gaze. I looked into an open doorway. In response to my eyes landing on hers, she pointed up. “Take a photo of that building,” she told me in Spanish. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it? Everyone likes to take a photo of that.”

Many locals seemed to have grown accustomed to seeing their city through tourists’ eyes. Right from early morning, the stage was set and they were in position, keen to earn something from your mere presence. They yearned to engage in conversation, offered cab rides and tips, eager to know where you were from, where you were headed, if you liked salsa music, if you cared anything about Hemingway and where he hung out. How the conversation proceeded depended on your answers to their prompts. But they were always kind, never invaded our space, and let us go our way when we were ready to move on.

In Old Havana, I noticed how the line between private and public was blurred. Open doorways revealed staircases that were as eerie as they were inviting. Other open doors offered glimpses into living spaces, dark and cool shelters from the beating sun. Some families happily called out to us from their windows, while other locals sat on their doorstep and offered a silent nod as we passed by.

We walked and walked as the hours silently slipped by, and I took notes of my feelings and observations with my lens. My senses were overloaded. The color palette was enough to make skeptics dream – with its turquoises and pastels and ochres and crimsons and blues. The mixed textures of faded paint attracted my eye even more than any intentional street art. As the sun rose higher, sounds of music livened the air, intoxicating us with a rhythm impossible to ignore. Meanwhile, the nose was busy assigning meaning to various wafts of appetizing street food, enticing scents from fresh produce markets, the sweet perfume of churros, the heavy exhaust from vintage cars, and the stench of sewage and garbage – all of which fiercely competed with the other at every street corner. I watched life unfold amidst this flurry of senses, as locals went about their daily business, while dogs explored the streets, and cats hid from the sun in whatever shade they could find.

I finally found myself on the Malecón – the sea-wall promenade that is so beloved to locals and foreigners alike that everyone seems to love saying its name. The buildings facing the sea were surprisingly run-down, but authentic in their raw account of time. The sea was still when we were there – it had no interest in challenging the boundary that had been delineated to constrain it. Suddenly, we found ourselves standing in the middle of an informal baseball game, in the precarious position behind the batter. As the youths played below, an elderly man watched from above, standing in the only open doorway of a series of charmingly decaying houses.

Havana is aging gracefully, I thought, as I pondered its complex relationship with time. Parts of it are encapsulated in their own microuniverse, while others are unimmune to deterioration. The past is tightly interwoven with the present and future, through countless traces of Che and Fidel – two pillars of Cuban society that continue to watch over their people from both fading murals and kitschy souvenirs.

I grew fascinated by the contrasts and ironies that stood at every turn. A beautiful façade flanked another in shambles, its near-perfection antagonizing the skeleton that guarded a lifeless pile of fallen stones. The governmental buildings and hotels stood polished, intruders in the fabric of the city. The double currency of the place legalized a sort of double-standard that is hard to fully grasp the ins and outs of – on the one hand, poverty, and on the other, a currency that is at par with the American dollar. Cars that are the unthinkable dreams for aficionados back home and a delight for tourists are merely a consequence of the regime that Cubans had no choice but to abide by, even if it meant having to improvise innovative solutions to maintain them.

Locals shared snippets of their lives in conversation, explaining how there were some towns where they were allowed to work and others where they were not, describing their work hours and what they did in their time off. As I listened and watched, I wondered what it really means to live in Cuba, and how a change in leadership might affect Havana’s fate in years to come.

These impressions are what I hope to have captured in my Havana collection. The colors and textures, contrasts and ironies, rawness and authenticity, candor and simplicity, past and present, and that feeling of overwhelmed senses.

All that makes up the special mood that is Habana.

To see which of these photographs made it into the all new Havana collection, check out this post.

You may have noticed that the collection is not yet in my art shop or on Etsy. I’m offering FIRST PICK, full customization of size and medium (paper, acrylic, canvas, wood or metal) and 20% off to my VIPs until August 25th.

Not on my VIP list? You’re missing out. Join here.

From my heart to yours.

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New in Shop: The birch-wood table collection

7/6/2017

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The toughest part about artistic collaborations is that you have to keep them a secret until the launch! As this new international project unfolded behind the scenes, it was difficult for me to contain my excitement, as this is the first home furniture design project that Veni Etiam has been part of in its short history.

The concept was born out of the vision of an American duo of architects and designers, passionate about creating original home furniture that innovatively flips perspectives yet allows customers to enrich their space with furniture that reflects their own style. Together, Ann Clark and Lena Georas founded LAMOU design, creating designer tables that are as artistic as they are functional.

"Tables are at the center of our living and working spaces. We gather around the table, bring things to the table, turn the tables: shouldn't tables reflect our spirit and personality? I think so." -- Ann F. Clark, LAMOU co-founder.

Photo source: lamoudesign.com

Since the start of Veni Etiam Photography in 2015, my mission has been to combine art with innovation, offering my photographs in a range of mediums (paper, canvas, metal, acrylic and wood), so that you are able to customize the art to suit your own decor, dreams and moods. Your home is your sanctuary, after all, and it should reflect you.

Having connected on Instagram and "met" face-to-face on Skype (long live technology in our modern world!), the LAMOU team and I instantly knew that we were a great fit and that together we could create an exclusive collection that would excite and inspire our followers.

Our tables come in 2 square sizes (15 or 20 inches) and one large rectangular size (23.4 x 47.5 inches). The height of all table models is 23 inches. The tabletop is made of solid (1-inch thick) Baltic wood. My digital photograph is directly printed (and UV-cured) onto the primed birch surface with a satin finish. The elegant hairpin legs are made of solid steel with a factory finish.

The wood is primed before the photographs are printed onto it, so the finished product is almost perfectly loyal to the colors of the original image. Edge colors options include black, natural oak and folkstone grey. Hairpin legs are black by default but you may request custom order if you would like to change the leg color to suit your decor. There are 8 images in the permanent collection, but in the spirit of customization, you may request another Veni Etiam photograph on your table as a custom order for no extra charge!

The tabletop is coated with a protective covering that basically makes it a giant coaster, already protected against spills. To clean, wipe with a soft damp cloth only. Although robust, your table should be treated with care and is intended for indoor use. Recommended maximum weight is 50 lbs. Your table will ship in two parts (tabletop + legs) delivered together. Easy assembly with handheld Philips head screwdriver (screws included).

As this is the fruit of a collaboration with LAMOU, these tables ship from the USA. Production time is approximately 2 weeks, and shipping times are estimated at 3-7 business days.

Head here for more information and to shop the collection!

Ici vous trouverez toutes les informations en français.

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Last weekend: Port City Wanderings

9/5/2017

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As a maritime soul, it's no wonder that one of my favorite aspects of living in Montreal is my proximity to its Old Port. I love to go there to wander around, seamlessly blending in with the tourists as I point my camera in all directions.

I have recently noticed that I am especially drawn to the port when seasons change - I seem to go there most when autumn fades into winter, and winter fades into spring.

Last weekend, after making a fresh delivery of fine-art prints to ImpresArts near the Basilica, I decided to clear my agenda for the hours that followed, and simply walk, look, capture and enjoy.

It was raining when I first arrived, and the silhouette of the Notre-Dame Basilica masked with raindrops made me smile. The bells struck noon, and soon thereafter the skies cleared. A street musician started his soulful rendition of "Wicked Game", forcing me to sit down on a wet bench in the square to listen, as did dozens of others who were similarly entranced by his voice. It was fortuitous timing in every sense.

The air was thick and damp, almost visible. My curls flattened, as they do when I'm on my lagoon. Puddles and budding trees were welcome reminders that spring was in gear. There was a pleasant breeze, finally mild after a long winter, and although the skies were overcast, colors were saturated enough to contrast with one another.

If you are familiar with some of my Old Port photographs from my Montreal collection, you know that my eye is usually drawn to moody urban scenes, architectural treasures, decay, textures, lines and symmetry. It's always a feast for the eyes when I stroll through Old Montreal, and last weekend was no exception.

After a couple of hours of walking, I stopped into the beautiful Tommy Café to enjoy a tea. I sat at a table on a step, halfway between the main floor and the second floor, facing the big open doors that let in fresh air.

I came back from the port relaxed and happy. I hadn't had such a relaxing Saturday in a while, as my last weekends had been devoted to shows and launch preparations. Once in a while, you do need to be a tourist in your own city to feel as though you are on vacation and to take in sights with a fresh perspective.

From my heart to yours.

Shop this post:

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Portugal dreaming

9/4/2017

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One of my favorite aspects about Veni Etiam Photography is that there is SO much to choose from in the collection. My mission is to offer something for everyone - every style, mood, memory or dream. Whether you've been to a place and miss it, or whether it's a dream you're holding onto, I love it when these snapshots of places speak to you in a certain way.

Recently, a customer asked me whether I had more Portugal images than the ones already in my collection. I promised to send her some more options upon my return. This led to a fun exercise of sifting through photographs of Portugal that I had initially overlooked.

I love rediscoveries as much as I love custom requests! They always surprise me and make me nostalgic of places and moments I have loved.

These Portugal scenes have now been added to my international fine-art collection, and are available both in my shop and on Etsy.

From my heart to yours!

New in shop: The Toronto Collection

26/3/2017

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I can finally say that I have expanded my Canadian collection to include the vibrant city of Toronto!

After my weekend trip to prep for my upcoming show, I had a lot of fun sifting through my photos, picking my favorites, naming them and adding them to my shop. I just received the fine-art prints yesterday and loved seeing my desk full of fresh images. You can shop prints individually or in sets.

I will soon be adding all these images as metal, acrylic, canvas and wood wall-art. The "Full Circle" round aluminum disks are already available to order!

Another exciting new addition are birch wood coasters, not only in the square format like the Montreal and International coaster sets, but also in circle form (I do love circles, after all). These will make their debut at the One of a Kind Show and Sale next week. There are limited quantities of each set (otherwise they wouldn't be so one-of-a-kind!).

There are also a couple of new Toronto pencil cases / pouches that will accompany me to the show and have been added to my Etsy shop: "Memories of Toronto" and "Love and Snowflakes".

I hope you love these new additions as much as I do. For custom orders, I'm an e-mail away!

From my heart to yours.

Stay in touch on Instagram!

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Rediscoveries: A second look

10/2/2017

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Every now and then, I end up going through my unpublished photo collections, in search of a memory or feeling that may be more buried than other more salient ones. I absolutely love rediscovering photographs that somehow didn't "make the cut" the first time around. It feels good to go back in time, to give a little bit of extra attention to what caught my eye long ago but was since forgotten.

As I had written in a post last year, this exercise is a direct testament to how our perception changes, and how returning to a place (even if virtually) leads you to see something new.

I always feel grateful for this surge of inspiration that comes even without my travelling or experiencing something new. When a cycle of rediscoveries emerges, I round up the photographs and add my favorite newcomers to my collection.

Here are this season's rediscoveries, which have been freshly added to the shop and to Etsy.

Lines and textures filled the scene as far as the eye could see (Chicago, USA)
Fine-art print, canvas, metal, acrylic or wood

The Gothic palace where East meets West, where Land meets Lagoon and open Sea (Venice, Italy)
Fine-art print, canvas, metal, acrylic or wood

As long as we are side by side and anchored to the same port, we can weather any storm (Bari)
Fine-art print, canvas, metal, acrylic or wood

Have faith: She is watching over you (Rovereto, Italy)
Fine-art print, canvas, metal, acrylic or wood

A gorgeous spring morning on the island of Burano (Venice, Italy)
Fine-art print, canvas, metal, acrylic or wood.

A red bicycle and red flowers in Amsterdam (Netherlands)
Fine-art print, canvas, metal, acrylic or wood

A day of slow thoughts, fresh air and crisp colors.
Fine-art print, canvas, metal, acrylic or wood

Wherever you go, may your soul and life be bursting with color (Venice, Italy)
Fine-art print, canvas, metal, acrylic or wood

A Sunday stroll through Burano’s streets, without worry of rain (Venice, Italy)
Fine-art print, canvas, metal, acrylic or wood

The soft texture and classic pattern of a cow (Llandudno, Wales)
Fine-art print, canvas, metal, acrylic or wood

Venetian window arches, decaying yet everlasting
Fine-art print, canvas, metal, acrylic or wood

I often miss those mellow days of walking for hours in Amsterdam (Netherlands)
Fine-art print, canvas, metal, acrylic or wood

Under your bougainvilleas, I can happily lose track of time (Ostuni, Italy)
Fine-art print

Peace on the interior (Corfu, Greece)
Fine-art print, canvas, metal, acrylic or wood

The narrow streets in Martina Franca are inviting and intriguing
Fine-art print

Her rustic charm is part of her rare beauty (Venice, Italy)
Fine-art print, canvas, metal, acrylic or wood

The birds dominate the skies over Corfu town (Greece)
Fine-art print, canvas, metal, acrylic or wood

Stopped at the church in the afternoon sun (Riva del Garda, Italy)
Fine-art print

Mornings in the old town and its rustic light (Rovereto, Italy)
Fine-art print

A fairytale fantasy and a ferris wheel (Cardiff, Wales)
Fine-art print

Burano’s deeply rich colors and one happy little bird (Venice, Italy)
Fine-art print, canvas, metal, acrylic or wood

From my heart to yours!

Makeology Online Market

9/1/2017

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Celebrating all things handmade in Canada, Makeology is a community of Canadian artisans who come together online and offline to sell their beautiful local creations. Makeology was founded in 2013 by Melissa Lowry and has since developed a great reputation and a growing following.

Every month, a Makeology online market features the work of several artists according to a theme. To kick off 2017 in style, this month's theme is "white" and I am thrilled that Veni Etiam Photography is one of the artists being showcased!

Elegance metal disk (brushed aluminum) in 10 x 10 inches by Veni Etiam Photography

"Elegance" my black and white photograph of blossoming magnolias is featured in the January market as a round metal print. The metal disk measures 10x10 inches ( cm) and is made of brushed aluminum. The photograph is printed directly on the aluminum sheet with special UV-protected inks. All the white in the image remains raw aluminum, so it takes on a silver hue. The texture of the brushed metal adds a stunning dimension to the image; it shimmers when the light catches it and tricks the eye into thinking that is might be a hologram!

Close-up view of Elegance brushed aluminum (metal) print by Veni Etiam Photography

Like all the metal prints in my new "Full Circle" collection, "Elegance" on a round disk comes mounted on a wooden floater frame backing with a wire. This means it could be hung with a single nail with no fuss. The result is that the disk pops off the wall in a sleek, modern way.

To celebrate the launch of the "Full Circle" collection, Elegance and all other round cut metal art in my shop starts at $99. If you join the VIP list, you immediately receive a 20% coupon that could be combined with this limited-time offer. Don't procrastinate! Shop here or find a limited number of prints on Etsy.

To see all the beautiful creations that are being featured this month, check out the Makeology online market or follow them on Instagram. I love to discover all the talent and all the beautiful things being produced by loving hands in Canada! Thank you Makeology for the feature and for encouraging art that's made in Canada.

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