Portraits in August

Week 31: Refelction in the mirror of one of my Uncle Barry's 1920's motorbikes.  Week 32: I wore this blue jumpsuit when I was little. Ignatius is checking out the chicken feed with two lovely Sommer boys. Week 33: He looks unsure here, but I promise he loved camping at Agnes Waters with Uncle Scott and Aunty Alice.
Week 34: Freshly awake.
Week 35: A big morning. A home-made ice-block stained t-shirt.

(This month is a little lacking in smiles now I see them, but this is perhaps a realistic collection for that reason. We have been sick for too long. I am hoping he has a whole mouthful of teeth to show for the trouble any day now. He still laughs beautifully and smiles generously, sometimes, just a little more coaxing is needed). 

 *This post is part of the 52 project: a portrait of Ignatius, once a week, every week (posted monthly...), in 2013.*

Jasmine

We are on the edge of Winter becoming Spring. The sweet, heady smell of Jasmine fills the air and takes me back to moments of my childhood at Mt Nebo. I love the way that memories are tied up in smells. The Jasmine climbing over our wire makes this one of the most beautiful (and fragrant) garages in all of Brisbane. In fact, it is almost too lovely to park cars in here. Sadly the Jasmine is now coming to the end of flowering but other things in the garden are getting ready for spring and and before we know it, summer. I heard the first of the summer cicadas chirping in the park yesterday, and the local mango trees now have flowers.

Sunlit room

I came across this picture from a few months ago. The light reminds me of the chiaroscuro (the strong contrast of dark and light) which is so prominent in the work of Vermeer which I love so much. This is his piece Woman Holding a Balance and I have a feeling I am drawn to it in part because my mum had it framed on the wall when I was young. It also reminds me of Rembrandt's piece The Return of the Prodigal Son which I have been thinking about since I started reading Henri Nouwen's book (a freebie from the local op-shop!) by the same title, where he shares the incredible impact this artwork had on him and the many years of personal and spiritual growth which were encouraged by his reflection on the characters. Art at its best really can be so inspiring and life giving!

Vermeer image sourced here, Rembrandt image sourced here.