I am fascinated by low season.

It began when I lived in Europe for two years and got to experience its in-between seasons. Life seemed to begin again when cities and seashores were returned to the locals instead of being under siege by tour groups and cruise ships. Beaches in the fall and winter call to me. They make me breathe deeply, differently. I feel like I can stretch my legs and contemplate without hurry. The waters begin to look more silver than blue, and the light looks a little more ethereal. 

I love Italy every single day of the year, but I do love it (especially northern Italy) in the fall and winter. I love wrapping myself in a cozy (Italian) scarf and enjoying damp, foggy mornings in Milan and Venice. I love the crisp fall air heightened by the lingering scent of roasted chestnuts and cozy evenings in front of a plate of fresh seafood or risotto. Mostly, I like having Italy "all to myself" (well, not quite, but more than in July or August).

This collection is an ode to the northern Italian seaside during low season. First, Liguria and its coveted Italian Riviera, a narrow curve of land bordering France sprawled at the foot of the Mediterranean Sea. Then, my precious Lagoon - Venice and its glorious fog season. Coast to coast, in November, when the sea swells and the light envelopes you. 

These photographs are also meaningful to me because they represent hard physical work. Chasing the Venetian fog meant leaving my apartment at sunrise day after day, the cumulating fatigue only offset by passion and awe. In Cinque Terre, my body (and my heavy camera) had to climb thousands of steep steps in astonishingly hot weather to capture the villages and the sea from above. When I look at these images, I see so much of my personal history with Italy, but also my history with myself -- a decades-long journey of a flourishing mind and an aging body with one timeless constant: my profound love for Italy.

I hope you enjoy the collection as much as I enjoyed capturing these scenes.

Let's connect on Instagram!

On Italy's toe, the rest of the country feels far, far away. Here, the coastline is nicknamed "The Coast of the Gods", and rightfully so. The waters reach blue and turquoise hues that don't even seem possible, every sunset is a symphony, and the old villages seem to be carved out of the very rock they are perched upon. But perhaps what is most dizzying of all is facing the Tyrrhenian Sea and watching the Calabrian coastline taper off in the horizon while Sicily suddenly comes into view. Calabria's Tyrrhenian coastline offers a front-row view of Sicily's three active volcanoes: Etna, Stromboli and Vulcano. They make their presence known throughout the day, spewing and smoking like clockwork, reminding us of the fragility of everything. 

My stay in Calabria bombarded my senses, including my taste buds. The humble yet fiery cuisine is a grateful tribute to the gifts of the land and the sea. While throngs of youth leave the south every year in pursuit of opportunity in the north or abroad, the future of the region is left in the hands of passionate families who find ways to honor ancient traditions while embracing innovation. In the agricultural heart of the region, the plateau of the Monte Poro, I am in awe of the lush vegetation and abundance of olives, figs, bergamot, liquorice, lemon, almond and figs. And cheese. I should have led with that! The Poro is renowned for its pecorino cheese, a strong (even pungent) variety that, like all ingredients here, doesn't go unnoticed on the palette. 

When I think of Calabria, I am instantly pulled back to its colors, flavors and rhythms. The collection is simple, balanced, and dreamy. The photographs are vibrant yet serene. I hope that the pieces in this collection evoke what Calabria stirred in me - a longing to become more mindful and to deeply cherish the resilient yet fragile lands that surround us.

Below are the images from Calabria and Sicily's Aeolian islands that make up the collection. 

There's a poetry in hanging laundry.

The colors and movement draw the eye while the mind wonders how the laundry reflects the lifestyle of a place and its people.

I've been drawn to clothes lines and fresh linen for as long as I've been exploring cities with my lens in hand. It was so natural to me to observe and record these mundane details, that I didn't realize I had ended up with quite a collection until a gallery contacted me recently to create a themed exhibition! 

Below are the prints in the Laundry Collection, full of color and details.

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

Havana is a color-lover’s dream
La Havane est un rêve pour les amoureux des couleurs

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

Sometimes the simplest sights are worth pausing to record
Ce sont parfois les scènes les plus simples qui méritent d’être photographiées

The raw beauty of local life in Old Havana
La beauté de la vie locale dans la Vieille Havane

Uplifting colors in Habana Vieja
Couleurs inspirantes à Habana Vieja

An idyllic summer day in Polignano al Mare, Italy
Un jour d'été idyllique à Polignano al Mare, Italie

Gorgeous palaces aged by time and sun
Des palais magnifiques vieillis par le temps et le soleil

Wonderful gems await you when you look up
Lève toujours les yeux pour dénicher despetits trésors inattendus

I’d love to live in a turquoise palace
J'aimerais vivre dans un palais turquoise

There is magic in the stillness and light
of a fresh new day in Nice, France
Il y a de la magie dans le silence et la lumière
d'une toute nouvelle journée à Nice, France

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

An afternoon scene in sunny Corfu Town, Greece
Une scène de l'après-midi sous le soleil dans la ville de Corfou, Grèce

An opus of everyday beauty
Un opus de la beauté quotidienne

Picturesque everyday scenes of Burano
Les scènes quotidiennes pittoresques à Burano

Laundry hanging to dry in the stifling Cuban heat
La lessive suspendue dans l'étouffante chaleur cubaine

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

Tell me: Does hanging laundry inspire you too?

From my heart to yours,
Kristina

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Having a wall art shop where printing, packaging and shipping internationally is part of my everyday routine, it is important to me to reduce my impact on the environment and limit waste. 

In this post, I share some of the ways in which my shop strives to be eco-friendly. 

Choosing my paper thoughtfully ensures that my photographs are high-quality products with crisp details, accurate colors and fade-resistant inks. But I am also proud to offer you paper prints that are officially identified as adhering to the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standards. When paper is FSC-certified, it has its roots in responsibly-managed forests.

I offer two kinds of paper prints in my shop, and both options are made with FSC-certified, acid-free, eco-friendly paper and non-toxic inks: a fine-art textured paper (308 gsm giclee print) and a smooth satin paper (250 gsm giclee print). 

When packaging and shipping your orders, I strive to find a balance between making you happy (like you're opening a gift) and making the Earth happy.

Recently, I designed and ordered eco-friendly packaging so that I don't have to hurt the environment while sharing my shop's personality with you. ​The issue paper is FSC-certified, recycled and recyclable. The stickers are also FSC-certified and compostable. 

Even better, the company that printed my tissue and stickers plants a tree in an endangered forest for every order they receive!

I use bubble wrap only when necessary (when shipping fragile glass frames or delicate wall art that can scratch or shatter).

Since the beginning of my shop in 2015, I have recycled and reused every kind of packaging (tubes, mailers, cardboard, cellophane, foam, frame corners and bubble) to minimize waste and to reduce my impact on the environment. 

I have a recycling program where clients can return clean and undamaged cardboard, bags, bubble wrapping, boxes, mailers and tubes (by appointment or at a show). After 6 returns of any kind of reusable material, they get a free 8x8 print of their choice!

My shop will continue to evolve towards more eco-responsible practices as new options become available in the coming months and years. I am excited to be able to share my passion with you and help you create an inspiring sanctuary, all the while protecting our environment as best as I can.

Tell me: How much do you consider how ecofriendly a shop or product is? Leave me a comment - I would love to know. 

From my heart to yours,
Kristina

See you on Instagram!

Une version en français est disponible

When something inspires me to reach for my lens, I always hope that this observation or emotion will, in turn, inspire you. Sometimes, I sneak messages in the titles or captions of my photographs (which I include on a customized insert with every small or medium-sized print you order). Those descriptions serve as an extra reminder for me of what I thought at the time I snapped the photo, but, often, I enjoy putting them there in case they might inspire you.

At one of my shows last year, a visitor asked me whether these captions appear in my online shop, because they would help him find something representative to offer as a gift. At the time, only the titles were online, but I'm happy to announce that, since then, I've worked hard to add each of the unique descriptions to the listings in my shop!

During this emotional time in our lives, at the brink of this strange and surreal spring, I wanted to share some of the photographs that have a hopeful title or caption.

Some of them are from 2015, but they still resonate with our current state of mind. ​

If you're looking for a gift to cheer up a loved-one, or want to treat yourself to something uplifting, I hope you'll find inspiration in these words and images. 

The titles and captions are all bilingual (English and French). To learn more about each one, simply click on the image, or write to me to ask a question. 

A reminder that it doesn’t take much for a flower to bloom,
even in the roughest circumstances
Un rappel qu’une fleur peut s’épanouir facilement,
​même dans des circonstances irrégulières

A reminder that unfavorable weather eventually changes, and even the slowest springs eventually come
Un rappel que le temps défavorable finit par changer et que même les printemps les plus lents finissent par arriver

Every step is a prerequisite for what comes next, even if it doesn’t seem so at the time
Chaque pas est necessaire pour ce qui va suivre, même si cela ne parait pas tout de suite

You're special
Tu es une personne spéciale

What matters is what is light, not what is dark
Ce qui compte, c’est la lumière, pas les ténèbres

When one window closes, another one opens
Quand une fenêtre se ferme, une autre s’ouvre

Open your heart and your eyes, and windows will open too
Ouvre ton coeur et tes yeux, et les fenêtres s'ouvriront aussi

The sky and the waves, in fervent conversation
Le ciel et la mer dans une conversation fervente

Let your dreams take flight
Laissez vos rêves prendre leur envol

Something truly delightful awaits you.
Une merveilleuse surprise vous attend.

An ode to a gentle and selfless soul without whom life just wouldn’t be the same.
Dédié à une âme douce et généreuse sans qui la vie ne serait pas pareille.

When thoughts of you arise at random street corners.
Des pensées de toi qui m’envahissent au coin d’une rue.

Sometimes life becomes even more beautiful when it has been graced with raindrops
Parfois la vie devient encore plus belle après avoir connu la pluie

Don't rush, stay awhile and be sure to return
Prends ton temps, reste et reviens

The more we focus on life’s riches, the more riches arise
Plus nous nous concentrons sur les richesses de la vie, plus les richesses se multiplient

Follow your dreams, wherever they may lead
Suivez vos rêves, où qu'ils vous mènent

Have faith: She is watching over you
Gardez votre foi: Elle veille sur vous

It will be a season of peace and balance
Ce sera une saison de paix et d’équilibre

Like a shadow, like a light
Comme une ombre, comme une lumière

Every thought of you begins and ends with the ocean
Chaque pensée de toi commence et se termine avec l'océan

Optimism lies in the surprise of a single open window 
L'optimisme réside dans la surprised'une seule fenêtre ouverte 

Sometimes, it takes patience and faith to fly
Parfois, il faut de la patience et de la foi pour voler

It's not about how fast you climb - it's just about climbing.
Ce n’est pas la vitesse de la montée qui compte. Il faut juste continuer de monter.

When the most evocative moments are the simplest ones
Quand les moments les plus évocateurs sont les plus simples

I hope this selection inspired you. Prints that ship flat (8x8, 12x12, 8x10, 8x12 inches) are packaged with their title and caption. If you order a larger print and wish for the insert to be included, just leave a note at checkout. Lastly, you always have the option of adding a personalized note if your order is a gift. 

Stay safe and stay inspired!

From my heart to yours,
Kristina

Follow me on Instagram!

Hello loves,

In these uncertain and anxious times, I wholeheartedly wish you all comfort at home. I hope your haven feels safe and cozy, and that you feel grateful for it more than ever these days.

As a restless soul who always had her next travels in mind, I only began to truly appreciate "home" when I moved into my place that is affectionately referred to as "The Pink Palazzo", and even more so when I became self-employed and during those times in recent years where I had to stay home to recover from surgeries and immunocompromising treatments.

Staying home for health brought me a lot more joy and clarity than I ever anticipated. I discovered a new side of me, a side that was more observant of my surroundings and of my inner voice. I took more pictures, even of mundane daily details. I journalled, I gardened, I cooked, I created, I worked, I listened to music, I listened to myself, I grew, and I thrived.

I also decorated and nurtured my space during that time. There's something so special about creating a space that reflects you, because when you least expect it to, it actually takes care of you.

All this to say that time at home doesn't have to feel negative or claustrophobic. It can feel liberating in many other ways. I truly hope you can find joy in this new rhythm, that you can practice gratitude, and that you can feel nurtured by your space.

If you're staring at your walls these days and wish they were more inspiring, I've put together this series of uplifting and cheerful artwork for you, all 15% off for the next while, to lift your spirits!

​May these colors, places and details remind you that life's ordinary moments have the power to be extraordinary, if we are open and attentive. May they remind you that spring will come, and that sunshine and togetherness are just around the corner.

From my heart to yours,
Kristina

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".

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

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

From November 29th to December 9th 2018, I will be participating in a well-known Christmas market at the Palais des Congrès in Montreal for the second year in a row: the Marché Casse-Noisette / Nutcracker market. It is my biggest show of the year, in the sense that I will have a large booth to present my world to you - all those colors, feelings and inspiring scenes that make you connect with Veni Etiam!

This year, I thought I'd offer a sneak peek at some of the large pieces that will be showcased in my booth, to give you a special chance at reserving them in advance at a special VIP rate (10% off).

Why? These large specialty pieces take over 2 weeks to produce, so by reserving them early, you make sure you have them before the holidays. It's also a way of thanking you (and rewarding you!) for being bold with your decor decisions, and for being part of my community. 

Here are the large pieces you could reserve right now (until November 26th):

Li Prisuddi (Italy)
Satin print 16x24 inches
White wood frame included
Framed: $125 CAD
Reserve before November 26th and receive 10% discount

New Life in Hiroshima(Canada)
Satin print 12x18 inches
Black wood frame included
Framed $100 CAD
Reserve before November 26th and receive 10% discount

Mirror Waters of Levico (Italy)
Brushed aluminum (metal) art 12x18 inches
Floater frame and wire attached to the back (ready to hang)
$189 CAD
Reserve before November 26th and receive 10% discount

If any of these large ready-to-hang or framed pieces have your name on it, contact me right away to reserve it at 10% off. (Please note that the item must be paid in full in advance). 

To get an early start on your shopping, visit my shop or my Etsy shop and use the coupon code INMTL to pick up your purchase to save on shipping fees and delays.

I can't wait to help you find inspiring decor items this holiday season. See you soon!

From my heart to yours.

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​Some places teach us about contrasts and ironies, fleeting time and persisting time. They marvel us with how they can be aging yet timeless, how they can be captivating without being boastful, how they can emanate a distinct character and mood almost immediately, when we've barely even begun combing its streets. 

​Some places leave us quite speechless, instilling a sense of nostalgia in us while we are still there, standing on its soil. We follow its lead, go where the place pulls us, linger on the simplest details that hold us hostage for a moment or two. Details that highlight imperfection and time – an uneven street, a peeling façade, a decaying staircase. ​Every few steps, a sight draws us in, makes us pause, begs to be recorded.

Humble and complex, Havana holds the eye, the lens, and the heart. 

This detail of a crumbling wall stopped me in my tracks. 

Layers of Beauty looks beautiful on textured or satin paper, in vertical or square orientations. Its rustic details and rich colors also come to life on canvas, acrylic, metal or wood. Frames are available upon request!

Prefer functional objects to wall art? Layers of Beauty has also been produced on a notebook, and on a wood tray or placemart as part of a new collaboration with designers at LAMOU. 

Bring the world home!

From my heart to yours.

Follow me on Instagram for more about the cafe and a full reveal of our gallery wall!
​
From my heart to yours.

In case you missed it, I fell in love with beautiful Nova Scotia and Cape Breton this summer while traveling there for the first time. 

Now, after combing through thousands of photographs for weeks, tweaking my favorites and getting a sense of your reactions by sharing them on Instagram, I am excited to reveal the scenes that will be added to my art shop this fall.

​Why don't I add them right away? Because the Quebec City collection is still very new, and this way my VIP community members get first-pick of the new pieces at a special rate before the general public does! (Want to be a VIP? No problem, sign up here.)

Without further ado, meet the Nova Scotia Collection - a collection full of feeling, color and hope. The heartfelt captions beneath each photograph accompany the printed product, for an extra bit of inspiration.

​It doesn't matter where you go, as long as you are happy to be there.

When the most evocative moments are the simplest ones.​

The Nova Scotia collection is available as framed or unframed prints on fine-art paper, satin paper, as well as on canvas, wood, acrylic or metal. Become a VIP to shop the collection before its autumn release or stay tuned by following Veni Etiam! 

From my heart to yours.

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?

Mothers' Day is just around the corner and, although most Moms will tell you they don't need any gifts, they surely appreciate being spoiled with pretty things that will inspire them year-round. 

Mothers' Day is especially touching to me for all those women who are not (yet) moms, but wish it wholeheartedly. Let's take a moment to think of them and send them love.

Having heard from MANY of you in person or through your written requests, I know which items often get chosen as gifts for Mom. I also know which items my own Mom adores!

​So, without further ado, here is a visual list of gift ideas for Mom, either on Mothers' day or "just because". Clicking on each image will take you to my Etsy shop, because Etsy is sponsoring a Canada-wide free shipping promotion until May 14th! 

If you're in Montreal, come see me on Mothers' Day Weekend (Saturday + Sunday) at the Etsy Montreal show at the Locoshop Angus. Details here. It's free! I'll have ONE of each of these with me. Reserve it if it's perfect for Mom! 

From my heart to yours.