Green Sunday

Trinity or Green Sunday is celebrated on the 50th day after Easter in summer in Ukraine. Starting from Friday people were in search of green branches and herbs to decorate their homes with.  And me too:

This tradition comes from ancient Judaism, in which the Pentecost, the Feast of Harvest, was celebrated outside amongst flourishing Nature.

The last Saturday before the Trinity Day is called “Green”. In the morning, Ukrainians went to the woods and meadows to collect herbs: thyme, tarragon,  basil, oregano, tumbles and in evening they were decorating houses with the branches of maple, basswood, and ash.

On Sunday morning Ukrainians  in festive clothes are going to the church, which is  also decorated with flowers and branches of trees. After the church, boys and girls are heading to the woods, where they were playing games, dancing, singing songs, and joking.

There is one captivating tradition regarding wreaths,  girls usually go to the forest or to the field to make wreaths. Then they come back to the village to tie the wreaths to the birch tree. On Sunday, girls are checking their wreaths and taking them off the tree. If the wreath remains fresh, it means the girl’s family would be happy, but if the wreath withers, it is not a good sign and meant the family will be unhappy.

In ancient times Ukrainians spent this holiday at forests and fields, arranging fireplaces and dancing around, even jumping through it. Nowadays, Ukrainians also prefer going to forests, but mainly for bbq and again dancing, although this time as an after effect of horilka, ha-ha! Happy Trinity!

Oh no, do not click yet, here is the cherry on today’s pie, my trailer devoted to new project, let’s check what I’ve got for you:

And you, do you celebrate Holy Trinity? Share! Subscribe! Like!

Love you all,

Have a great weekend!

Yours Ann

P.S. In case you would like to know more about Ukrainian traditions, I am happy to announce that currently I am working on a book about Ukraine…aren’t you interested?

Spring Stroll with Camera

There’s nothing more exciting and challenging than a new video about spring!😊 This time it was particularly captivating since I was literary under the weather and grey clouds that were frowning at me. They were pretty against of me, did several attempts to stop me, but failed. No power can stop Ann when she holds her beloved camera and hunts for spectacular views to share. There’s always something unique to be seen through my camera lenses. Believe me It’s worse fighting against weather and any other obstacles. For some of you this video will be special one, cannot tell why – you have to watch it till the end, surprise is waiting for you…😉 I guess spring is the most generous season, isn’t it, dear artists? So much beauty in every detail that you need extra time and battery to capture them. I continue my spring journey to discover the unseen and to admire the known, are you in? Then click the magic link:

My dear Friends, remember that my reward is your sweet comment, I need them so much! Thank you!

Love you all,
Yours Film Director 😘

Sunday Photo Quiz

My cute Friends, the best way to relax at Sunday evening is to look at these photos and answer me “what does you see?”:

“Anyone whose goal is ‘something higher’ must expect someday to suffer vertigo. What is vertigo? Fear of falling? No, Vertigo is something other than fear of falling. It is the voice of the emptiness below us which tempts and lures us, it is the desire to fall, against which, terrified, we defend ourselves.” (Milan Kundera)

“You cannot score a goal when you are sitting on the bench. To do so, you have to dress up and enter the game.” (Israelmore Ayivor)

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Love you all,

Yours Ann

A Must-Have Piece of Decor Art at Your Home

 

A crystal-clear plexiglass block featuring awesome art on a back-mounted print. It truly stands by itself. Literally. It can stand. And only today 25 % OFF Use code TIMEBLOCK25

   

 

Pine Trees Acrylic Block

Acrylic Blocks are vibrant back mounted photographic prints

• 1″ (2.5 cm) thick solid free-standing acrylic block for desk, table top or shelves
• Diamond cut sides provide a sharp image from any angle
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• Available in 4×4″ (10×10 cm) and 6×6″ (15×15 cm) at Acrylic Blocks Department

Do not miss your chance! Click and order today! Tick-tuck!

Quality and service are guaranteed.  Delivered in time!

Have a lovely weekend!

Yours Ann

 

2017 A Life Started Anew

Every new year starts with a new calendar, this forthcoming 2017 is not an exception to the rule. There was an option to make up a calendar of my photos at redbubble and I could not resist the temptation  to take this opportunity.  I made a careful selection of all the uploaded images and choose one particular for every month. By clicking the following link you will be able to page through every month and image selected: https://www.redbubble.com/people/anrostudio/calendars/24305501-2017-a-life-started-anew?p=calendar&ref=artist_shop_grid

The front page only is available here. All other pages are visible via link above (there will be Previous  Next buttons to press). Calendar Size is  11.7″ x 16.5″(Printed to fit A3). Tough wire binding and hanger, stunningly sharp digital printing, start the year with the month of your choice, 200gsm satin art paper with a tougher cover.

It does mean a lot to me. It looks like my final photo report on my photography venture. I opened my page at redbubble this year. It was not a simple decision, I knew that market is competitive (i still feel it) and I might not be successful. I am not able to boast about my success, however, I think I can be proud of giving it a try and involving myself into adventurous world of photohunting. I’ve grabbed a lot and so much unknown await for me yet. I plunged into the magical world of still image and dared to experiment. I did many mistakes and will do, but “I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re Doing Something. So that’s my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody’s ever made before. Don’t freeze, don’t stop, don’t worry that it isn’t good enough, or it isn’t perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life. Whatever it is you’re scared of doing, Do it.Make your mistakes, next year and forever.”
― Neil Gaiman together with Ann

My calendar is among unique Christmas gifts that can be purchased for 24.59$ and still can be delivered before Christmas with expedited shipping. Choice is yours!

Love you all,

Yours Ann

Kyiv in Christmas Postcards

My city, Kyiv, is especially beautiful in pre-Christmas white season. Though every city (or village) takes its best sparkling outfit on during winter holidays. Don’t know which color in trend this season, but white seems to be still popular. I am looking out of my window and admire fluffy snowflakes dancing in the frosty air. Lady Winter has landed in Kyiv and covered everything with snow carpets. 

“It is the life of the crystal, the architect of the flake, the fire of the frost, the soul of the sunbeam. This crisp winter air is full of it. “
John Burroughs

“Welcome, winter. Your late dawns and chilled breath make me lazy, but I love you nonetheless. “
Terri Guillemets

All postcards can be purchased at my internet store https://www.redbubble.com/people/anrostudio/shop/postcards?cat_context=u-stationery&ref=shop_product_refinement

Let us catch this joyful Christmas spirit!

Love you all,

Yours Ann

P.S. Christmas Special episode of Fun Time with Ann is already in sleigh. Ho-ho-ho!

Spread the Holiday Joy

Hello, hello, my dear Friends! Don’t you feel that Christmas spirit is chasing you. I do. Today I got a new promotion code to have a BIG 20% DISCOUNT FOR EVERYTHING in my shop, let’s have a look what I can offer to you today:

To find the products below, click the link:

http://www.redbubble.com/people/anrostudio/works/24166020-winter-in-the-lake?asc=u&c=537937-nature

   

25%off Men’s Classic,Longsleeve,Tri. Women’s Relaxed,Scoop,V. Use GIFTSROCK.

https://www.redbubble.com/people/anrostudio/works/24166397-black-on-white?asc=u&p=womens-fitted-v-neck&rel=carousel

And new designs WITH PERSONAL DISCOUNT JUST FOR DESPERATE SHOPPERS AND MY FRIENDS (Share the savings 20% OFF with your special code joy-Anrostudio): 

“Christmas gift suggestions: to your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect.” Oren Arnold

“Christmas is not just a time for festivity and merry making. It is more than that. It is a time for the contemplation of eternal things. The Christmas spirit is a spirit of giving and forgiving.” ~ J. C. Penney

Christmas to me is the reason to spread joy to this world. Just for a second I would like to turn this very often cruel world into a little island of kindness, happiness, warmth and forgiveness. The ideal world where I can see no war, no deaths, no illness, no betrayal, no cheating, no lies…you may call it Utopia, however, I believe that it exists down deep in every your heart, you still dream about it and sometimes even witness it. Let us make this Christmas special and present each other a little piece of joy. It is not necessary to be something materialistic, it can be just a smile, a word or a deed. Anything you want, anything you can. Christmas Spread Joy Challenge, what do you think? As to myself I am going to present you something which is very dear to me, my own piece of joy, my new video that is born in this moment and will be presented to you in my next post. I invite you to join this Challenge and SPREAD YOUR JOY! Let us make SOMETHING UNIQUE THIS 2016 PASSING BY, are you in???

“I love the Christmas-tide, and yet,
I notice this, each year I live;
I always like the gifts I get,
But how I love the gifts I give!”

 Carolyn Wells

Love you all,

Yours Ann

Black Saturday

Knock, knock! It is BLACK SATURDAY, well, the idea is the same, but at my shop you’ve got not FRIDAY, but SATURDAY. Isn’t is even better! Huge 30% DISCOUNTS ARE LANDED ON ALL PILLOWS Use FINDGIFTS30 at my store (home decor department can be found via the link:

https://www.redbubble.com/people/anrostudio/shop/home-decor?accordion=department&ref=shop_category_refinement&asc=u), so examples to tease you a bit:

30 % OFF IS FOR ALL MUGS: (in case you buy 2 + 15% discount)

https://www.redbubble.com/people/anrostudio/shop/mugs?accordion=department&ref=shop_category_refinement&asc=u

Different sizes, styles, shapes, purposes! Just for you!

Christmas is looming, so do not spend too much time on standing in big queues in search of a perfect gift, here you can find 30 % OFF LOVELY TOTE BAGS FOR ANY LADY EVEN THE MOST CAPRICIOUS ONE (a special offer for you, dear husbands, buy any two bag + 15%, kill two ladies with one shot), ORDER TODAY ONLY:

https://www.redbubble.com/people/anrostudio/shop/bags?accordion=department&ref=shop_category_refinement&asc=u

 

Finally, new type of designs freshly dicovered for this season for demanding art lovers, volla: 

Happy Weekend! Please make me happy and leave a comment!

Love you all,

Yours Ann

Love is the Dawn of Marriage, and Marriage is the Sunset of Love

“When I admire the wonders of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in the worship of the creator.” ~Mohandas Gandhi

Though my photo equipment is pretty modest I managed to capture several breathtaking sunsets presented by this Fall. We all are busy nowadays and any opportunity to look up is being treasured. At one of the evening strolls I caught several pictures of splashy pallette that made me wonder whether there is yet anything more beautiful. I am sure that nature will never stop surprising me.

“The setting sun, and the music at the close, As the last taste of sweets, is sweetest last, Writ in rememberance more than long things past.” ~William Shakespeare

Aw, Will, your fantastic ability to give your observations a poetic touch is overwhelming. Both the picture (made by a very modest photographer) and the quote (written by the talented poet) make me enjoy the life. Such divine moments exactly help me understand why life is so wonderful. I almost hear “It’s a Beautiful Life” in my ears. Don’t you? I will ask to add music button below.

When do you think the Sun has completely set? Think a bit….Who said that?

The Earth’s air bends the image of the Sun upward, so we can still see the Sun even though it is physically below the horizon. The light is bent upward by just about the same size as the Sun, so when the lower limb of the Sun just kisses the horizon it’s actually already set. I confess I am not that smart, the answer I found in one of the magazines! But maybe you know that without a hint!

Do not forget to look at the sky today, tomorrow, always, and you might be impressed with what you see. Probably time will stop and your eyes can admire the view…just like now!

In case you are interested my Sunset Collection is available at my shop: http://www.redbubble.com/people/anrostudio?ref=artist_title_name

Wish you many beautiful sunsets! Let me know if you watch sunset this night!

Take care,

Yours Ann

Outfits

 

It is getting colder here and there? November has already prepared several surprises to me, including first snow. And how is the weather there, my Friends? I am so happy to see you strolling through my post. How are you doing? Hope you are all well and have news to share. You are most welcome.

I decided to extend my horizons and go beyond (as I call it). In my childhood I liked dealing with clothes (as many of you, ladies) and even designed several outfits for my dolls. Preparing decorations, scenes and other interesting things was so much fun. I even did them from usual stuff like leaves, flowers, and needles. Won’t you be amazed to know that I created hair for dolls from threads, yeah! Therefore, recalling happy and innocent child’s years I made several designs that are presented at my shop today, here we go: http://www.redbubble.com/people/anrostudio/works/23751923-hungry-for-abstract?asc=u&p=leggings&rel=carousel

Perhaps you will find them a bit abstractive, well, that was my purpose to be able to change my  style and make you wonder! Is my mission accomplished? Give me a hint!

Do not forget to visit my online shop for new designs, you certainly can find there something:

http://www.redbubble.com/people/anrostudio?ref=account-nav-dropdown&asc=u

Make you sure you do not miss discounts that are every Monday, Tuesday and sometimes Thursdays!

Enjoy weekend!

Love you all,

Yours Ann