denisescicluna | blog

Living north

denisescicluna@gmail.com (Denise Scicluna) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:27:00 +0000

A new painting...

A little chicken living north.

Done with acrylics, gouache paints, pens, markers and paper. [A4]

halloween!

denisescicluna@gmail.com (Denise Scicluna) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:20:00 +0000

A ghost brooch I did for Halloweeeen!

Happy Halloween ♥

Jellyfishmonster Mobile Charms

denisescicluna@gmail.com (Denise Scicluna) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:33:00 +0000

I've created some mobile charms today! They have names too. The red is Randy Redz, the yellow is called Dilbert Duke and Edna May is the purple one.

They can be purchased from here.

Project against stereotyping

denisescicluna@gmail.com (Denise Scicluna) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:03:00 +0000

Finally I can show you a project which I was working on during these past weeks. A couple of months ago the local organization Atelier culture.projects initiated a project dedicated to stereotyping, entitled: Memento: Little Moments of Awareness against Stereotypes.

A seminar about this issue was carried out and a few quotes were generated from the seminar. These quotes were based on the strong stereotypes which are present in fairy tales. During the seminar fairytales were analysed and stereotypes were detected and discussed in depth. Next step was to create little mementos which featured these quotes related to stereotyping. We finally produced keychains, mirrors, badges and magnets with little illustrations accompanied by a matching quote. Nicely packaged, they were hang in three different locations around Malta and people could pick one, and hopefully carry on the message against stereotyping and labeling.

Here are some of the designs I did for this project (each quote was translated in Maltese):

Mirror on the tree/ who is fair that I can see? (please turn over)
Mera mera mal-fergha mxejra / fejn hu l-gmiel biex jaraw ghajnejja? (aqleb ghan-naha l-ohra)

Society defines the witch
Is-socjeta taghti definizzjoni ghas-sahhara

In bed? Can't be granny!
Fis-sodda? zgur m'hijiex in-Nanna mela!

The clock struck 12 / Cinderella ran to her princess
Mad-daqq ta' nofs il-lejl / Cinderella griet lejn il-principessa taghha

The mementos at 1. Lower Barakka in Valletta, 2. Sliema and 3. University of Malta:

Close up the hanging mementos:

I really do hope that this project induced some change in the way we think!
You can read more about the project here!

IF: Flying

denisescicluna@gmail.com (Denise Scicluna) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:56:00 +0000

I decided to contribute to this week's IF topic flying. Here is it.

little green chirps

denisescicluna@gmail.com (Denise Scicluna) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:22:00 +0000

A new painting done with gouache paint, pens and paper.

Inspired by autumn and Joni Mitchell - especially this song.

brooches and multi purpose hangers

denisescicluna@gmail.com (Denise Scicluna) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 22:07:00 +0000

I have created two brooches :) One features a wooden yellow duck, which was originally a hairclip. The one below is a red button brooch - originally an earring.. yepp believe it or not!

Available here

Been thrifting again and got myself some useful items. See this clothes hanger?

Why use it for clothes when you can hang other stuff like notes, images, post cards or photographs? Here is my version.

There's a Radiohead ticket there, a Miffy postcard, a little original drawing by the talented Asja, a Gaudi postcard from Spain, a little note by my brother and other papers and items which have value for me.

I was struck by this box. The patterns simply blew me away. I liked the fact that the flowers are not positioned in the center, but slightly to the side.

And this cat too :)

Photography

denisescicluna@gmail.com (Denise Scicluna) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:04:00 +0000

Recently, Friends of the Earth Malta launched an international photographic exhibition and competition on the effects of climate change. The theme was: Climate Change: the change is already here.

A maximum of 20 photos were featured in the exhibition, amongst which one can find the following photograph taken by me - the photo was awarded second prize!

The exhibition is moving around 3 different locations around the Maltese Islands. Currently it can be viewed at The University of Malta. It will be moved to Birgu in two weeks time.

The exhibition is part of an awareness raising campaign which FoE Malta is participating in together with sixteen FoE groups across Europe.

Something different from usual, is this photo I've taken a couple of weeks ago. It features the legendary long haired woman, portrayed in an early 20th century style.

The photo was exhibited at a Burlesque show which took place in Valletta last week.

And lastly.. some recent snapshots :) My favorite is this first one - the lady put on a sulky face as soon as she realized i was taking a photo of her (I was mostly struck by the colour scheme and the grungy white door anyway!)

Bubblegum Houses

denisescicluna@gmail.com (Denise Scicluna) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 21:21:00 +0000

Ok so i kept my promise and painted last week's sketch, aaaand here it is. it's been ages since i've painted something for myself and i'm happy with my productive day today - thanks to tea and autumn-y weather =}

And here are two sketches i drew 2 nights ago

I've been working on new pendants and magnets and a new stock is now available at Mandali. Next - will start working on a Christmas stock!

Here's a photo of me being silly :P

Lastly, some photos taken in my garden today, right after it rained...

Next post will feature some of my recent photography activity.

black and white

denisescicluna@gmail.com (Denise Scicluna) — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 09:55:00 +0000

I will paint this last one on canvas.. soon!

cat village

denisescicluna@gmail.com (Denise Scicluna) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:55:00 +0000

This particular cat village always caught my attention. Everytime I pass by, I notice more tattered toys and the area just keeps getting bigger and even more eye catching. To me it looks like the toys form part of some child animation! I just love how ragged and vintage they look. I wanted to share some pictures here (taken with my new camera ^^).

three swamp swimmers

denisescicluna@gmail.com (Denise Scicluna) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 18:10:00 +0000

New painting!

A couple of weeks ago, I was using gouache painting for the first time and I did this quick illustration of 3 gray creatures having their first swim in a swamp. The third creature on the right is scared to death! poor thing :}

necklace hangers and pink bunnies

denisescicluna@gmail.com (Denise Scicluna) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:51:00 +0000

My necklace collection is getting bigger and bigger. Today, I decided to sort them out and hang them on two separate wooden hangers. I finished painting an elephant and star hanger an hour ago.

And this is a funny scene I saw last Friday :D I've been noticing ragged soft toys and dolls hanging around in places (even on trucks!).. hmm maybe i could get to shoot them and create a new series :}

thursday encounters

denisescicluna@gmail.com (Denise Scicluna) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 14:45:00 +0000

Some forms, shapes and creatures which struck my eye today.

And this was taken a couple of weeks ago. I like the mysterious feeling it provokes.

Skimmed Photoshoot

denisescicluna@gmail.com (Denise Scicluna) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 17:18:00 +0000

A second photoshoot of the local band Skimmed. They've recently recorded their first album and are launching it in a month's time :)

See the previous shoot here

And click on the image below to listen to their songs.

sketch, color, box

denisescicluna@gmail.com (Denise Scicluna) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:35:00 +0000

I'm love the combination of blue/mint with peach colour. Below are two are of my latest purchased clothing which have similar colours. I'll explore this combination further for sure :)

Today I bought this antique-looking red box for a good price.. For now I'm placing my little acrylic tubes in it :)

Next post: Shoot of the band "SKIMMED"

Mandali and jellyfishmonsters meet

denisescicluna@gmail.com (Denise Scicluna) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:18:00 +0000

I'm happppyyyyyy to announce that jellyfishmonster magnets and pendants are now being sold at Mandali - a shop located in Merchants Street, Valletta. The shop sells exclusive and unique items such as jewelry, bags and t-shirts. It is open from 930-1830 every day. More info about the shop here!

I went to the shop to hand over the pendants and magnets today. All jellyfishmonster magnets have unique names and they are available to buy as from tomorrow!

Other than this, I've been generally low in productivity - the heat is really getting to me. However, I have a couple of photoshoots coming up one of which is burlesque themed!! Also, I will be purchasing an new SLR this week - can't wait to get my hands on it :D

Here are some photos from the shop:

I came across this guy's work and loved it. His name is Jay Cover - more of his work here

an hour at the museum

denisescicluna@gmail.com (Denise Scicluna) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 11:42:00 +0000

I wandered around The Museum of Natural History yesterday, as part of a photography assignment. It was a pleasurable hour indeed.

The Team go Steampunk

denisescicluna@gmail.com (Denise Scicluna) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 22:14:00 +0000

These guys are the contributors of Schlock Magazine - an anthology featuring short and serialised fiction, illustration and photography. These writers and artists publish original works of speculative fiction, exploring various subgenres through experimental fusions in style and format. For this photoshoot, the team went through a drastic make over - going back to decades of years.

Here are some photos from the shoot:

{styling by: Sarah Micallef, Carla Said, and Maria Muscat}

empty football grounds

denisescicluna@gmail.com (Denise Scicluna) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 21:30:00 +0000

Apologies for my absence. I will be back soon!

Heads and steps

denisescicluna@gmail.com (Denise Scicluna) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 17:08:00 +0000

People walking up and down the stairs.
Everyone has a unique way of doing that.

Green turtle boy!

denisescicluna@gmail.com (Denise Scicluna) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:06:00 +0000

So here he is!! He's finally ready and varnished :)

His body was originally a wooden box which I was close to throwing away, but something told me not to! His legs and hands are made out of old wooden rulers, purchased from a second hand bazaar (together with some other stuff :P).

Monday..

denisescicluna@gmail.com (Denise Scicluna) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:59:00 +0000

Unlike the "Monday complaints" I usually make, today I cannot complain :} The day started off with a meeting involving a wedding photoshoot... after an hour of exchanging ideas with the client, the meeting ended up with the great news of having custom souvenirs for the wedding. And I will be working on them!!! I was so happy =D News like that make feel like I'm going to explode with ideas and I was highly motivated for the rest of the day! Most probably the souvenirs will consist of tiny canvases, all hand painted with different colours. We still need to narrow down our ideas until we have the perfect one! Plenty of time left anyway!

And speaking of little canvases. I painted this little one today. I'm really liking these canvases.. I need to purchase more of them and work on a whole set of plenty of canvases.

Here's another thing I started working on today. It's not ready yet! This little googley eyed dude will shortly have a pair of hands and legs soon :}

And here are some pics from my short stay in France. The bands in the below pictures are:
I'm from Barcelona, Bloc Party, Emily Loizeau, and E-bony Bones (seen at EuropaVox!)

New painting and sketches

denisescicluna@gmail.com (Denise Scicluna) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:50:00 +0000

I've finished a painting this evening. I am quite surprised that I actually managed to paint in this unbearable heat! The painting's title is "Cohesion".

Also, I finally found the time to scan a few sketches from my sketch book.

Raindrop Head

denisescicluna@gmail.com (Denise Scicluna) — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 20:02:00 +0000

New painting on canvas :}