Artist Spotlight: HANNAH ADAMASZEK

There is nothing short of amazing when it comes to UK based artist, Hannah Adamaszek!  If you are not familiar with her, then I am more than happy to introduce you to Hannah and her stunning artwork! I fell in love with her unique style, as Hannah is best known for painting bohemian style female portraits. I am blessed and very proud to have had my own portrait painted by Hannah! Her work instantly grabbed me and drew me in.

Each of her paintings have left me feeling emotionally charged and incredibly excited about art.  Needless to say, I love art and I love Hannah's art because her work inspires me and sparks my own creative fire.  In my humble opinion, I think every single one of her pieces are breathtaking.  Her style is intense, colorful, feminine and delicately fierce.

I recently had the pleasure to interview the ever so talented, Hannah Adamaszek.  Not only is she incredibly skilled at her craft, she is also a nature lover with a passion for people and exploring new places.  

How would you describe yourself?

I'm an urban artist currently based in London, UK, but I have lived in Austria, Switzerland, and Australia in the past.  I love painting and people, so I combine both together.  I manage to put a serene feeling into the work which I guess reflects my personality, and I think brings out the things I love, that feeling of being outside and in the mountains.  I also love the Native Indian dress and jewellery, which I've started trying to combine.  If I don't have a painting on the go, I get a bit restless, so that keeps me going.

 How would you describe your perfect day?

I think it would have to be either sunny or snowing, and I'd be in the mountains going for a nice long run exploring new places.  I love to be outside.  If I could, I'd have an art studio out in the elements.  I think that would bring a lot of inspiration to me. 

What is the one thing you absolutely could not live without?

Probably the sense of sight.  I'm a real visual person and use images and colour to remember people and places.  I love colour and shapes, and can't imagine being without them.

How would you describe your artistic style?

My style is stripped down to the basics, layering each process so that each one can be identified in one harmonious composition.  I think I've always painted in the style I have now, it's what came most naturally to me.  I only fairly recently in the last 2 years started to use stencils as I felt it made the eyes softer and stronger, rather than when I was hand painting them.  I was influenced a lot by punk when I was growing up, this teamed with my love of nature, have really pulled my style together.  It's more the subject in the painting that has changed over the years.

Who has had the greatest influence on your life as an artist, and why?

I think my family has been a huge influence.  From when I was young they have always pushed me to be creative and pursue what I love.  Being from a creative family too has been inspiring.  My Dad was always painting as I was growing up, doing pencil drawings of Native American Indians and landscapes from their travels.

Do you listen to music while you paint?

I love to listen to music when I paint.  I like a mixture of everything depending on my mood.  I find music helps me to zone out and allows me to focus fully on my painting.

Who are your favorite musical artists?

There are so many.  I love Kyson, who I did the album cover for, and also Kid Koala, Jimi Hendrix, Mazzy Star and The Black Keys are just a few.  I love finding new music and when I get recommendations from friends.

How would you describe your personal style?

I'm a huge jewellery fan!  When I get any spare cash, I splash out on it and try to incorporate any jewellery that I love into my work.  I collaborated with jewellery designer, NF Jewellery, and have painted St. Eve Jewellery in the past.  I just purchased a ManiaMania Immortals Ring that has been on my wish list for a while, and now it never comes off. 

Who are your style icons?

Coryn Madley is a huge inspiration.  I love how she styles everything.

What advice would you offer to your 18-year-old self?

Probably that everything happens for a reason, even if you don't see it at the time.

What do you still want to accomplish?

So so much more!  I feel like I've only just begun.  I would love to travel more and paint bigger.  I'm planning on developing my style and content further this year, and work on a body of work that I will show next year.  Exciting times ahead!  I'm also working with some designers that have been really inspirational, and would love to continue doing that too. 

If your life were a motion picture, what would the title be?

"Wild Heart" would be pretty cool!

 "DESERT HAZE"

 "ELECTRIC LOVE"

 "FIRST LIGHT"

 "GOLDEN ARROW"

 "HEYOKA"

"THUNDER ON THE WILDFLOWERS"

"MAIA"

"MIDSUMMER STORM"

 "PILGRIM"

Collaborative Artwork by Kristin Gaudio Endsley & Hannah Adamaszek

Photography By Liam Keown

Follow Hannah Adamaszek on Instagram, here
Visit her Website, here
Check out her collaborative Blog with Kristin Gaudio Endsley, here

Hope you enjoyed getting to know Hannah Adamaszek and some of her beautiful artwork here!  I absolutely LOVE introducing people to new sources of inspiration, especially art and artists!  Hannah is an artist I truly admire, and continue to draw inspiration from daily! Exciting times are certainly ahead for both One Vintage Soul and Hannah Adamaszek, so stay tuned!

Thanks for reading...keep shining!

P.S.  For a chance to win your very own custom Aztec Mini Print by Hannah Adamaszek, enter her Giveaway on Instagram now!

To Enter:

1)   Follow @hannahadamaszek on Instagram  

2)   Regram the photo below 

3)   Hashtag #hannahadamaszek

{Contest Entry Closes on May 25, 2014}

Good luck! xo

   

Dreamy Jewelry by HerDream

I recently added some beautiful pieces to my jewelry collection!  The pieces are extra special and unique, as each one is handcrafted by Marylou, the owner and designer of HerDream.  I discovered this lovely lady's bohemian bracelets and handmade dreamcatchers on etsy.com.  Etsy is an e-commerce website where you can purchase and sell handmade or vintage items.  I originally started my small business selling my own designs for handcrafted iPhone covers on etsy, and have found the site to be an amazing resource and marketplace for small business owners like me.

HerDream is based in Central California, south of the San Francisco Bay Area.  Marylou clearly designs and creates each item with lots of love.  I think her shop name perfectly describes the jewelry she creates!  Each piece is simple and bohemian inspired, many of which feature turquoise accents with dreamy, earthy, natural tones. 

What I especially love about HerDream's handcrafted jewelry, is that it is not mass produced. The pieces are truly unique because each one will have individual differences in size, shape and the color of the beads.  If you are looking for something special for Mother's Day or your best friend, consider shopping at HerDream for a one-of-a-kind handmade gift!

I am completely smitten with my dainty dreamcatcher bracelet!  I have worn it everyday since I received it!  The dime-sized dreamer features a tiny turquoise bead in the center, with a small feather accent.  The dreamcatcher bracelet is my new signature piece, and I just LOVE it!

Thanks for reading...keep shining!

Photos by Berlynn Photography

Follow HerDream on Instagram, here
Shop for Handmade Bohemian Jewelry and Dreamcatchers at HerDream.etsy.com

Kim's Look:

Graphic Tank with vintage 60's heart logo, Zodiac Belt by lovestrength

Strappy Front Bra, Similar from Free People

Red Floral Ethnic Janis Bells by Novella Royale, Available here

Handmade Agate Necklace by HerDream

Michelle's Look:
Lola Tassel Coat by Spell & The Gypsy Collective, Similar here
The Daisy Chain Romper by Spell & The Gypsy Collective, Available here
Handmade Bracelets by HerDream

My Monday Muse - Lifestyle Photographer, Berlynn

I am so happy to introduce all of you to my beautiful friend & soul sister, Kimberly - a.k.a., Berlynn!  Some of you may already be familiar with Berlynn, especially if you are following me on Instagram.  She is the talented photographer who is responsible for all the images featured here on my blog!  Since shooting the "Whimsical Hearts" lookbook for lovestrength, we have become good friends! I credit Berlynn for being the catalyst who encouraged and inspired me to start my personal blog.  

I actually discovered  Berlynn's work on the website of a fashion blogger!  It was on Amanda's lovely fashion blog, www.casualfriday.co, where I fell in love with Berlynn's beautiful photos. Berlynn's photography is dreamy and playful, and each image reflects her artistic way of capturing light and beauty. She is based in San Diego, so if you are in Southern California, and looking for a photographer for your next event or photo shoot, she is perfect!  The reason why I love Berlynn's unique photography style is because her images have a magical quality that pulls at my heartstrings.

Taken from Berlynn's ABOUT page, she writes:

Me:  Hi!  My name is Kimberly a.k.a. "Berlynn".

I am:  a free spirited lifestyle photographer with a passion for creation and a lust for travel.

Who lives:  in San Diego with my wild Yorkie/Maltese mix, Shiloh (she thinks she's a lion).

My height:  is 5'2" a.k.a. "mini".

My mission:  is to tell a story through the use of emotion and light; capturing beauty in the day to day moments.

My vision:  is organic & raw in-the-moment photography.  I photograph not just people and places, but the way they make me feel.

"It is the photographing of ordinary things, in extraordinary light, which results in extraordinary photographs." ~David Young

Over the weekend, the two of us were able to connect and spend some time catching up. Needless to say, we had so much fun just laughing the day away, while snapping some photos! I was able to get BEHIND the camera this time, and I couldn't be more thrilled to switch it up and photograph her instead!  

All Photography by Michelle Cardona, that's me! ;)

Follow Berlynn on Instagram, here

Visit Berlynn's Photography Website, here 

 Berlynn's Fashion Blog, here

Berlynn's Look:

Graphic Tank with vintage 60's heart logo, Zodiac Belt by lovestrength

Strappy Front Bra, Similar from Free People

Red Floral Ethnic Janis Bells by Novella Royale

Handmade Agate Necklace by HerDream

Stay tuned for more dreamy pics from our impromptu photo shoot together!  

Thanks for reading...keep shining!

Perfectly Flawed

After recently discovering an article addressing the topic of "Self-Esteem," I found myself identifying with the stories and personal lives of 5 very different women.  The article's subtitle reads...

"Five women tell about the fresh, strange, liberating moment when they saw themselves in a new light."

After reading the article, it got me thinking about how I perceive myself and how that self-view, being a positive or negative one, can reflect how others may perceive me.  I have struggled with my own self-esteem as a teenager, and admittedly, I still struggle with it now as an adult.  

I was teased for the way I look and would constantly hear mean comments about how I look so young, or for being so short and little. I didn't pay too much attention to it growing up, especially since we all hate looking younger when we're young. I stand a little over 5 feet tall and my height and size were usually the punchline for constant jokes and teasing.  

It has been a real journey for me to be on this authentic path of self-love.  Instead of self-loathing and feeling depressed, I simply choose to be kind to myself.  Think about the way we speak to small children. We speak to them with love and encouraging words. Why isn't our own self-talk filled with the same love and encouragement?  I know I am my own worst critic. I find myself being so harsh on myself, and sometimes hating my own body.

I now embrace my stature and am certainly more comfortable and confident in my own skin!  I am not "model" tall,  with super long legs and a rail-thin figure.  I don't have Pantene-perfect hair.  I am short, and I am proud to say I have a shapely body.  I do have wide hips, big legs, messy hair, and blemishes.  Needless to say, I am a beautiful mess who is perfectly flawed.  

Whenever I feel any feelings of self-doubt, I think of the following quote from Shakespeare's play, A Midsummer's Night Dream...

All Photos by: Berlynn Photography

Desert Wanderer Tassel Kimono (Sunset) by Spell & the Gypsy Collective

White Crop Tee, Similar available from Free People

Dark Denim Shorts by AEO

Dreamer Belt by lovestrength (Coming Soon)

Platform Sandals by Steve Madden, Similar here

Click below if you are interested in reading the original article,

"5 Instant Shots of Self-Esteem"

Thanks for reading...keep shining!

~Michelle xo

My Monday Muse - Vanessa Hudgens

All hail the Queen of Coachella, Vanessa Hudgens!  I am a big fan of this 25-year-old actress and I am kicking off my daily blog post series, and making her my Monday Muse!  Vanessa Hudgens is best known for her lead role playing, Gabriella Montez in the High School Musical Series on the Disney Channel.  She was born here in California, with her father being of Irish and Native American descent, and her mother, a native of the Philippines.  Vanessa is a regular attendee of the Coachella Music Festival in Indio, California, and once again, this flower child did not disappoint with her signature boho chic style.  

This bohemian beauty is known for her dark, sultry, brunette locks.  However, at this year's festival, Vanessa was spotted with beautiful blonde, as she calls it,  mermaid hair!  She wore a playsuit by one of my favorite Australian labels, Spell & the Gypsy Collective!  I featured Spell in my first blog post and I just love seeing Vanessa Hudgens in the Desert Wanderer Playsuit! Just like the Playdress, the Playsuit is easy to wear and Vanessa makes it look so effortless.

Here she is photographed on Sunday afternoon (April 13), with her beau, Austin Butler. They look like two happy campers as they are seen enjoying the festivities and checking out the musical acts during weekend one of Coachella. 

Original Photo Source: Daily Mail and Just Jared 

Follow Vanessa Hudgens on Tumblr, here

Amu Darya Collar from Child of Wild

Desert Wanderer Playsuit by Spell & the Gypsy Collective, Available here