The rickshaw carts in Nepal were such fun. Every rickshaw driver puts something original into decorating his cart. I love all of them, except the riding one: too bumpy, too close to another vehicles, too dusty on the streets of Katmandu.
flowers
Here I would love to present my painting series I’ve done awhile ago. I started to make a collection of different type of masks after visiting the Natural History Museum in NYC, after my trip to Arizona and Nevada, as well as collecting the images of folk art from Peru and Mexico. I studied some African masks as well, and here are a few mixed media and acrylics of my studies. I got influence of colors , shapes and proportions practically at any place I went and observed.
Here is another album on Santiago Street Art. We couldn’t have enough.Santiago is a great place to explore and enjoy this wonderful and vibrant trend.
Oh, Patagonia, this is the end of land and the beginning of beauty. I would like to post a few series of absolutely magical landscapes. I visited two National Parks: Torres Del Paine and Bernard O’Higgins.
Australian Beauty.
I am taking some risk by setting up this presentation. These pictures and the actual meat/beef section at the Cuzco food market are very graphic. I will start by mentioning that I am a vegetarian. Somehow I didn’t feel disgusted by the scenery, I was amazed how clean the place is, there weren’t the mass clouds of flies as I anticipated to see. I saw an abundance of tasty goodies there. The market place was loud, colorful and vibrant. People were setting their goodies, negotiating, smiling. The small kids were running in the aisles from one vendor to another, probably seeing the relatives or the other children to play with. The whole atmosphere was bright and healthy. In the meat aisle I noticed a dog pilfered a juicy piece of meat off the counter while the girl was chatting with her friends.
Lake Titicaca is one of the highest lake in the world. It locates in Andes Mountains on the border of Peru and Bolivia. Visiting town Puno and floating island Uros in Peruvian water of the lake was one of the greatest highlight of my trip to Peru. I was amazed by the fact that Uru people can live on the islands made out of reeds. Actually, the whole existence of Uro residents depends on reeds and water in the lake. Life is very tough there, but I found locals full of life, smiles, and just mind-blowing colors. The high altitude( 3800 m) made me a little sick in Puno, but visiting the place worths a little struggle.
Peru in April is gorgeous. The landscapes can be compared with Alps mountains in Switzerland, but I think , they are even better, sort of pristine. The scenery in Switzerland are sort of obstructed with all those civilization inventions: wires, cables, towers of all kind. I know we all need them, and I can Photoshop them away of my picture, but being in Peru let me appreciate that unspoiled, absolutely clean and fresh landscapes. My original album is huge, and I really had a difficult time to keep myself restrained of placing here 200 landscapes: they all worth to be selected.
Versailles is a gorgeous palace that has gardens that used to be a summer residence for the French royalty. Le Petit Trianon, Marie Antoinette’s cottage, the gardens, and the fountains… everything is beautiful… if you can really see it. The place is extremely overcrowded. I was able to photograph only corners and ceilings in the palace. In the hall of mirrors I felt as I would be in the NYC subway in rush hour. The French themselves were suggesting to visit their main historical and architectural sites during the winter time. Here are some of my shots from the palace, I have to add I had a marvelous time outside in the gardens for about 5 hours though.
Traditionally, September 1 is a first school day almost everywhere. This is for my friends, children, students, and teachers who are starting a new journey today.
I am a passionate observer who likes to collect the moments and the looks.
Natalia Maks 