denisescicluna | blog

white echoes

noreply@blogger.com (Denise Scicluna) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 13:24:00 +0000

Breaks, blocks and reconstructions

noreply@blogger.com (Denise Scicluna) — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 18:46:00 +0000

This is my 6th year blogging believe it or not. Blogging has been important for me as it kept my creative energy going. I finally got to update the layout of my blog and whilst doing so, I took the opportunity to have a peek at my old posts. I've noticed I had a regular pattern of blogging which unfortunately was broken in the past months. I haven't been posting regularly and the truth is, I haven't been working on many creative projects. I was indeed passing through a creative block, which I had never experienced before. I was worried, I was deeply concerned - as 'creating' is part of who I am and that part was deeply missing. I forced myself to create something, I thought it would do the trick, it showed some signs of improvement but went back to my block shortly. So I decided not to think of it, hoping one day it will happen naturally. Though this was not easy. I gave priority to other things - I focused on some new cooking skills, I met wonderful inspiring people and spent as many time as I could outdoors, trying to absorb as many things as I could.

One lesson learnt - it's OK to have a creative block and it is actually healthy - it is refreshing although at times pretty scary if creativity is so ingrained in who you are. It helps you appreciate other things if you are strong enough not to think about it.

And the moment arrived after a reflective moment when everything I've experienced and been through in these past months finally merged together just like the perfect puzzle. Without knowing I grabbed one of my canvases and a pencil, closed my eyes and so I drew. I had no idea what I was drawing - I just let go. When I felt I was ready I put my pencil down, got my paint out and spent 3 intensive nights working on a new painting. And damn it felt good.

I made use of 'free association' technique, which I feel helped in melting my block, and getting in touch with my creative self. Free association is a technique originally devised by Sigmund Freud. In free association the client is invited to let their mind roam without censorship or structure and to naturally make random connections between thoughts; creating a narrative or stream of consciousness. This is the reason why I called the painting 'Dive Under the Iceberg'. Conscious and unconscious mind can be explained using an iceberg metaphor. Conscious awareness is the tip of the iceberg, while the unconscious is represented by the ice hidden below the surface of the water. It felt like I was diving right into my unconscious.

This is probably the longest and deepest blog post I've ever written in these 6 years. I am more of a visual person but I plan on making this blog more personal. I also plan on getting back to my regular pattern of posting, so I do apologize for my absence - whatever I was doing in that period has helped get back on the blog. If it wasn't for that time I would not be writing this and I'm quite happy to be writing it!

of wheels and patterns

noreply@blogger.com (Denise Scicluna) — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 19:11:00 +0000

New creations - after a very long time. Patterns and wheels seem to feature right now. Hope you enjoy them! Two of these necklaces is available on my Etsy Shop.
Stay tuned for more! x

'Thingybob' promo photography

noreply@blogger.com (Denise Scicluna) — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 12:51:00 +0000

This is Robert Carbonaro, the person behind 'Thingybob' - he composes folky music and plays the ukulele too. Here is a picture taken for his promo specifically for his new single called 'The Man I used to be'. The two halves of the picture features the past and present, represented by colour, mood and illustrations incorporated with the photo.

*All background props (clouds, branches and apples) were created on set, with no photo manipulation*

water and land

noreply@blogger.com (Denise Scicluna) — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 16:30:00 +0000

album sleeve photography

noreply@blogger.com (Denise Scicluna) — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 12:02:00 +0000

Maltese band Bletchley Park have launched their new album called MY BODY FIGHTING. The front cover features one of my photos, which was taken in an industrial estate.

The band members had a selection of photos from where to choose from. Here are some of them:

Magdalena

noreply@blogger.com (Denise Scicluna) — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 12:03:00 +0000

Here is a new photoshoot which involved a contribution between Moira Borg, hairstylist and (lately!) make up artist and Polish model based in London - Magdalena. Photography by yours truly!
Photos were shot at Hampton Court.

unselected artworks for HARRIET COHEN

noreply@blogger.com (Denise Scicluna) — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 17:50:00 +0000

Here is a selection of artworks which were not selected for the final logo of Harriet Cohen, a Maltese singer/musician originally named Deborah Borg Brincat. The chosen artwork can be seen in my previous post.

shades of gray

noreply@blogger.com (Denise Scicluna) — Sun, 03 Jun 2012 15:36:00 +0000

HARRIET COHEN artwork

noreply@blogger.com (Denise Scicluna) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 12:24:00 +0000

Harriet Cohen is new adventure which Maltese singer and musician, Deborah Borg Brincat has just started to explore. She has launched her new single which you can listen to here. I was asked to do her artwork, and although it is not usually something that I do, I must say that I've really enjoyed working on the artwork. I've enjoyed sketching bows, birds and playing around with fonts, colouring and positioning. I have plenty of other versions which I will share with you next time.

At the end we were both happy with the result! Will post other birds and bows artworks soonies! In the meantime, here is the selected artwork:

blues

noreply@blogger.com (Denise Scicluna) — Wed, 30 May 2012 12:00:00 +0000

vibrancy

noreply@blogger.com (Denise Scicluna) — Mon, 28 May 2012 22:15:00 +0000

The sun has been out for some days now here in London. Beautiful parks, colours, shadows and vibes :)

white shadows

noreply@blogger.com (Denise Scicluna) — Thu, 24 May 2012 22:29:00 +0000

under the bridge..

noreply@blogger.com (Denise Scicluna) — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:52:00 +0000

Photography: Carrie Haber EP Sleeve

noreply@blogger.com (Denise Scicluna) — Tue, 08 May 2012 22:13:00 +0000

I can finally publish some photos from Carrie Haber's recent photoshoot. These photos were used for her launch promo and one of them was selected for her EP sleeve. Her EP 'TAURUS' was launched 2 weeks ago at The Bedford, together with a brilliant performance by Carrie. Here is a selection from the photoshoot, based on the concept 'taurus' hence the red plaited 'horns' styled by the magical hands of Moira Borg. Make up by Graziella Vella.

And here is the final result!

{Album sleeve designed by Steven Busuttil.}

Clouds and Music

noreply@blogger.com (Denise Scicluna) — Wed, 02 May 2012 13:00:00 +0000

For the past weeks, I have been working a small project where plenty of cardboard clouds, gray and white ones, were produced. I've collected several cardboards and my room looked like a warehouse! Or a cloud factory? :) Here are some photos of 'the making of' followed by pictures of what the clouds were used for.

Finally - here are the clouds used for the stage set up for Carrie Haber's EP Launch (TAURUS) at The Bedford, London. Carrie Haber is talented musician and song writer based in London. I have taken photos of her EP too, which I will post shortly!

Back to the launch - The flying birds were there already before the set up and we decided to leave them there, I think they created a great effect. The lampshade added to the cosy and quirky feel, of Carrie's brilliant performance and presence. Here are some photos of the successful launch, with my clouds feeling comfortable, in the background!

A music video coming soon.. featuring some cloud people!

Mushroom Balloon

noreply@blogger.com (Denise Scicluna) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 10:38:00 +0000

Here is a new and small painting on canvas with 2 blue mushrooms riding a mushroom balloon.

new drawings

noreply@blogger.com (Denise Scicluna) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 14:45:00 +0000

Sometimes I like to experiment with PS colouring and played around with two new illustrations from my sketchbook. The first one is funky creative zebra with a mind full ideas - he so many ideas that they seems to be flowing out of his head. I've used pens and pencil in the original drawing then filled up the background and put some light chalky colours around. It somehow looks quirkier with this colouring!

This is a creature *cannot identity species -sorry!-* He is learning how to fly with his strange looking wings. Once again it was drawn in pens and coloured it in with PS and gave some textures for the background too!

As you can clearly see from my previous post, I am currently drawing a lot of mushrooms and below is a sketch of many types of mushrooms, drawn during my latest travelling over the weekend. The small blue canvas will be ready in the coming days I hope and I can't wait see how it turns out :D

mushrooms, birds, and wheels

noreply@blogger.com (Denise Scicluna) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 18:12:00 +0000

Here is what I've created in the past days and weeks, juggling between job opportunities, photo shoots, travelling and working on Patches Market. I've rediscovered mushrooms and I am in fact working on a small painting with a mushroom hot air balloon. I hope you like these new creations!

Mushroom Brooch

New creatures for the fingers!

Mystical bird on round canvas

Bird 2 on round canvas

Set: Wheel brooch and necklace

And this is how they look when worn together

Ideal day to create this raindrop necklace, while surrounded by raindrops!

My art space is slowly getting some shape and this where all the above have been created!

And here is a photo from last Sunday - Patches Market at City Theatre, in Old Bakery Street, Valletta.

The 10th (Spring) edition of Patches Market

Lastly, here is teaser of a project I am working on - it is related to a music video, and EP launch and much much more but I cannot say more, so hush hush and stay tuned :)

White and gray clouds...

'guns of brixton'

noreply@blogger.com (Denise Scicluna) — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 16:09:00 +0000

I have recently worked with a lovely talented lady, Chloe Barr is professionally a make up artist but does occasional modelling. So after meeting up for the shoot, we walked through the streets of Brixton and snapped a couple of shots. Here is a selection of photographs from the shoots:

And here is a song suitable for this post!

unicorns

noreply@blogger.com (Denise Scicluna) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 17:32:00 +0000

This post is dedicated to unicorns. I sketched some unicorn creatures, and chose this one - I painted it on clay today and it's around 3inches wide. It is happily hanging in my room!

My unicorn!

And some unicorn inspiration:

urban art and photography

noreply@blogger.com (Denise Scicluna) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 17:37:00 +0000

I had the opportunity to take photos of a super talented UK-based urban artist JO PEEL. Photos were taken while she worked on a huge mural painting at the back of Village Underground in London. It was exciting to see the artist at work, and I have to tell you that it takes a lot of time and patience! I will take some photos of the final painting so watch this space again. Here are some photos taken in the early days of the painting.

You can see Jo Peel's work on her website right here

new creations - shop update!

noreply@blogger.com (Denise Scicluna) — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 11:47:00 +0000

My shop has been updated with four new creations which I'd like to share with you here! They are the first creations that have been done in London - they're 2 necklaces and 2 brooches. Click on the image to view my Esty Shop.

A serene bohemian pendant with a chain

A mystical blue creature brooch

A purple shy bird brooch

And lastly, 2 bird pendant with chain and two hanging seashells

new business cards & flyers

noreply@blogger.com (Denise Scicluna) — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 10:47:00 +0000

Here are my new business cards and flyers, which came through the post recently.

And 3 of my latest sketches.. spot the animal jellyfishmonsters!

saturday primary colour

noreply@blogger.com (Denise Scicluna) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 23:52:00 +0000

During a photography walk on Saturday I happened to encounter some interesting spots, which had some yellow in them. After spotting some yellow buildings and surfaces, I even spotted a yellow plant! We experimented with some shadow play, creating a...TV-headed-man?!
So..here's a yellowish post for you, with some of my favourite shots from the walk.