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Sunday, September 10, 2017

Handpainted silk scarves at Craft Ontario Shop

Still writing away but it feels so good to paint on silk again. I just love mixing colours with fluid brushstrokes, and let the creative instincts take over. 

I've recently delivered some hand-painted silk scarves to the Craft Ontario Shop at 1106 Queen St. West, near Ossington Ave. If you're interested in checking them out or would like to buy original hand crafted gifts made by Canadian artists, it's the best place in town. 

A few close up samples of my work




Friday, September 08, 2017

Island Lovers and The Coral Heart at The Word on The Street Toronto




Inviting you, book lovers to join me at Harbourfront for The Word on The Street Toronto  
on Sunday September 24th from 11 am to 6 pm. 
I will be there with my books, The Coral Heart and Island Lovers, 

The festival is an amazing celebration of books and writers, and so much more, 
including the beautiful view at Harbourfront.
Looking forward to seeing you there.



Monday, August 21, 2017

Authors' Afternoon at Stella's with Gregory Monteith and Maty Grosman

Our second monthly Authors' Afternoon at Stella's is this coming Sunday, August 27th from 2 to 4 pm at Stella's Lunchbox café. After the authors' talk, Wendy Weiler and Aiesha Bristol, two talented singers and musicians will perform for you. Hope to see you there ...


Sunday, July 23, 2017

Authors' Afternoon at Stella's Café


Inviting you to meet up with writers and book lovers in a relaxed atmosphere every last Sunday of the month from 2-4 pm at Stella's Café, a cozy place with great coffee and delicious food.

This Sunday July 30th, we feature 2 authors who will read from their books, and are open to discussing them with you whether your interest is in the plot, the writing process, or their creative journeys, etc.


Sunday, July 02, 2017

Canada Day fireworks from Harbourfront, Toronto



CN Tower in its fiery, jewelled glory ...



Fiery flowers bursting in the night sky











Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Island Lovers and The Coral Heart at the Toronto Hakka Festival July 8th, 2017

I will be at the Toronto Hakka Festival this year with my books Island Lovers and The Coral Heart. Hope you can come by on Saturday July 8th, and discover Hakka culture, its roots, and its delicious food. 



Sunday, May 21, 2017

Tulip Fever

Tulip fever is overtaking the city. I just love these bursts of colours, their exuberance. Everywhere I turn, my eyes are feasting over an ever growing palette of colours and exploding shapes ... whoever are creating these blending of colours and shapes are amazing nature artists ...







Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Sharing my Instagram photos

I've given in to social media pressure and I'm now on Instagram. I prefer taking photos on my camera rather than my cell phone as it's difficult to control the quality on a phone, but I'll give it a try as it's an interesting challenge. The technical aspect may not matter as much as the content, the stories they tell, and the mood ... I've always preferred the story telling part of photography anyway ... Below is an Instagram photo I posted that I took a while ago at the ROM. I was fascinated by the Chihuly glass sculptures, the clarity of colours, the fragility of it all in such a profusion of voluptuous shapes. You can check more photos and follow me on Instagram by clicking here.

Looking forward to sharing photos with you there ... :) 


Sunday, April 16, 2017

Empowering women

As I'm writing my short stories on relationships, it pains me to think of loving women who are living in denial when they find out their men have lied and cheated on them. Living in a "dishonest reality" can cause stress and anxiety that erodes self-esteem. Women who fall in love and give everything to their men deserve truth and respect. Here is an article with sound advice for women to gain back their self-worth, and move towards a more honest and hopeful future. 

The same could apply for men who have been lied to, but somehow I hear more stories about women being hurt. If you have any stories to share, I'd love to hear from you ...







As I continue with my writing, and try to understand the complicated emotions, dependencies, and manipulations in relationships, I thought I'd share some articles that identify deceptive behaviours. When people care deeply for partners who betray them, they need to protect their own emotional health first and seek professional help if necessary. 



Friday, March 31, 2017

Hope




A poem from my book Island Lovers, Poems and Images of Mauritius, 
with the accompanying photo I took on the island. 


Hope

I was lost and grey
an ocean filled with tears

from the dark clouds
a shaft of light broke free

silver slivers of hope
twinkled on the surface

and my forlorn heart
glided with equanimity

bearing no fear
towards uncertainty


Thursday, February 23, 2017

Toronto Light Fest at the Distillery District

Fun at the Toronto Light Fest at the Distillery District.
So inspiring to see such creativity in our city ... just love it.
Check it out. It goes on till March 12th.












Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Spreading my wings ...


Spreading my wings like these geese along Humber Bay Park, or at least trying to.
Always a lot of work behind those flapping wings, at times frustrating, at other times exhilarating.
Writing a collection of short stories that delves into the complications of romantic relationships ... 

Friday, January 27, 2017

Island Lovers, Poems and Images of Mauritius at Indigo Yonge & Eglinton

Hope to see you at Indigo Yonge & Eglinton. It'll be nice to meet new readers and catch up with friends.
If you happen to be looking for a Valentine's gift, come by and check Island Lovers.


Thursday, January 05, 2017

Great start to New Year 2017

Wishing you all a wonderful New Year 2017 

Glad to let you know that my book, The Coral Heart was sold out in Mauritius, 
and a third edition, with addition of edited excerpts, is now available on the island at 
All Bookcourt stores 
and
Petrusmok bookstore, Hennessy Park Hotel. 

The second edition, the ebook is still available on amazon, 
and the first edition is still available in Canada. 

The French edition is still in progress and will be coming out by end of 2017. 

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Best Wishes from Toronto


Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Wintry Toronto


It was a magical day with snow flakes swirling around, spreading a thick fog over the city, covering everything in white. Yes, I know it's not fun when you're driving blindly into a sheet of snow, or struggling against an icy wind blasting across your face. But when you're walking, and dressed warmly, it's truly awesome to be out there against the elements, and watch the snow transform the city ...

In the park, children were tobogganing, their thrilled laughter echoing in the fresh snowfall. On the sidewalk, an older woman was trying to cover her face from the wind, and slipping on the snow. I gave her a hand and led her to the store, and she was all smiles. A passer-by with a bouncy step grinned, telling me in her caribbean accent how much she loved snow. We winked at each other with an unspoken understanding.

She probably gets asked as often as I do how I could bear the cold north when I was born on a sunny island. With the creative opportunities and freedom that Canada offers, winter is easy to bear. I don't miss the continuous tropical heat as I love the change of seasons, spring's blossoms, summer's lush greens, fall's colourful leaves, winter's snow flurries ... they inspire me to no end.

Thursday, December 08, 2016

I love you, Toronto



There's something about the cold weather that makes me want to get cosy and warm at home, but there's so much to do in Toronto that I'm often willing to brave the cold. So many artists, musicians, writers, dancers, actors, filmmakers are spreading their creative and innovative vibes throughout the city that it's often hard to choose which event to go to. From neighbourhood restaurants and bars that feature musicians, and artists' work to contemporary operas and documentary screenings, the choice is endless. 

While walking by Queen Street the other night, and watching skaters gliding gracefully on the ice rink with our City Hall standing behind them against the sky, like some sci-fi building about to lift up, I thought of  how much this city means to me. So grateful to live in this cultural hub and its multicultural diversity. Toronto has offered me the freedom, and opportunity to be an artist, photographer and writer who can make a living from her art. And the people who live in this city, the kindness of friends I've made over the years have inspired me immensely.  I love you, Toronto.

Sunday, November 20, 2016

Photography Exhibition and Book Signing of Island Lovers - Poems and Images of Mauritius


Photography Exhibition and Book Signing of Island Lovers
Stella’s Lunch Box
145 Lauder Avenue (just south of St. Clair) Toronto
Sunday December 4th
1 to 4 pm 

Come by, and meet friends in this charming café, and enjoy the photographs, 
poetry reading, and live music in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. 
If you can't join the event and would like to buy this book as a holiday gift, it's also available at Book City Yonge & St. Clair (1430 Yonge St), Book City Beaches (1950 Queen St. E), Indigo onlineamazon.caamazon.com

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Supermoon over Toronto Skyline


On Monday evening, I went with a friend to Humber Bay Park to chase the moon. A surreal experience watching the glow creeping behind clouds, rising behind the CN tower before finally making its way up in full glory.

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Launch of Island Lovers at Toronto's The Word on The Street Book Festival


Inviting you all to the Toronto launch of Island Lovers - Poems and Images of Mauritius at The Word on The Street Book Festival on Sunday, September 25th from 11 am to 6 pm at Harbourfront, 235 Queen's Quay West.

I will be with four other authors at the Toronto Hakka Heritage Alliance booth, booth 151, along the lake, near the Toronto Star  tent. You can't miss it ...

Looking forward to seeing you there.

Monday, September 12, 2016

Island Lovers in Mauritius


Thank you to all the avid readers who purchased Island Lovers in Mauritius where it was launched on August 6th at Bookcourt, Bagatelle Mall in Moka, followed by book signings on August 19th at L'Artelier (L'Atelier Litteraire) Port Louis, August 26th at Bookcourt, Caudan, Port Louis, and August 31st at Petrusmok Bookstore, Hennessy Park Hotel, Ebene.

Thank you Mauritius for your interest in my work and for the radio, newspapers, and tv interviews. I'm very touched by the tremendously positive response to Island Lovers. It's been an exhilarating visit on the tropical island where I was born. So wonderful reconnecting with family and friends, and enjoying the lush beauty of the seaside and countryside. 

For  those who couldn't make it to the launch and book signings, and are interested in getting a copy of Island Lovers in Mauritius, it is available at:

(Caudan, Trianon, Flacq, Bagatelle, Cascavelle, Airport, Grand Baie)

For wholesale orders in Mauritius, please contact the distributor, Harold Venpin at 230-5256-1165


Info on the Toronto launch coming soon ...


Tuesday, August 02, 2016

Book launch of Island Lovers in Mauritius

I will be at Bookcourt book store in Bagatelle Mall, Moka, Mauritius on Saturday, August 6th, from 1-4 pm for the launch of my new book, Island Lovers - Poems and Images of Mauritius, and hope many of you who live there will join me.

I took the photos in the book during several visits to Mauritius, and the images inspired me to write poems on the island I left so long ago, an island that still brings back fond memories.

Looking forward to seeing you ...


Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Island Lovers - Poems and Images of Mauritius


Slowly emerging from my writing cave ... So excited to share my book cover. It will be out soon in Mauritius, and in Canada, later in the fall. Will keep you posted ...

Thursday, June 16, 2016

Luminato Festival at The Hearn

What a thrilling experience to be at The Hearn yesterday. The Luminato Festival brought back to life this fascinating decommissioned generating station in a celebration of art, music, and dance. I hope this building becomes a new landmark for creative expression in Toronto. The festival runs from June 10th to 26th. Check the activities on Luminato's website



This giant, rotating mirror ball, continuously casting its refracted light over exposed steel beams, wires and peeling walls had a surreal effect,. I felt as if I was in a sci-fi movie, surrounded by ethereal creatures floating around.




Even the windows seem to be works of art ...




Le Pavillon, a makeshift restaurant on the upper floor of The Hearn. 
What a resourceful use of the generating station's control room.




Dining at Le Pavillon. 
A treat for those who made reservations, but since we did not, 
we were lucky to get last minute seats at the bar, and enjoyed the delicious French cuisine.




Majestic hallway, softly illuminated to bring out neat architectural details




One of my favourite sculptures, made of meshed acrylic



Industrial elements throughout the building


For more impressions on the Luminato Festival at The Hearn, check Schuster Gindin's article in Living Toronto






Saturday, June 04, 2016

The Moon


Trying to post once a month, but obviously, I'm not fast enough. I took this photo of the moon on Sunday, May 22nd, the night Mars was visible as a bright red star in the sky. It was fascinating to see the red planet so much closer, and imagine that we could be there one day. However it appeared as a tiny insignificant dot in my camera. I have yet to experiment with astrophotography. But the moon, on the other hand, held the spotlight, the darkness, an essential part of its presence.

Working away on my photo and poetry book... putting all I've got into it and aiming for the moon, but I'd be happy to reach a star or even a meteorite ...



Monday, May 02, 2016

About writing





“Fiction is art and art is the triumph over chaos… to celebrate a world that lies spread out around us like a bewildering and stupendous dream.” 

John Cheever

I was walking through Cedarvale ravine a few weeks ago, and I came upon those bulrushes that have bursted into downy seeds since last fall. Still hanging in there, glowing in the soft light of dusk like an abstract painting. This quote from Cheever reflects my state of mind as I edit my poems and try to turn chaos into harmonious celebration ...

Saturday, April 02, 2016

Writing and Photography



Sunset in Mauritius

Editing my poems feels like I'm purging, cleaning out the excesses so the verses stand out, trim, and muscled with imagery and emotions. It's been long months digging for words, or rather, thought-provoking little gems that have gestated from intense experiences, and can dance in rhythm on the page. Photographs in contrast are within a click of the camera. Even though there's a learning curve about technique, and sensitizing one's eyes to capture the mood and the story, the instant gratification is unmatched. Combining both is something I've wanted to do for a long time and I'm so excited that this baby is on its way ...


Friday, March 04, 2016

Photo and Poetry Book

Montagne du Rempart, Mauritius


I'm currently combining two of my passions and working on a photo and poetry book on Mauritius, the island where I was born. Sorry to disappoint those who are waiting for the novel on relationships ... it is still churning in the background and will be next, but the opportunity to have the photo and poetry book published this year came along ... 

I wish I could just keep writing and have a fairy godmother to do all the marketing for me, but the reality is that we writers, need to reach out to the public and promote our work. So, today, I added my blog on my Amazon Author Profile to reach out to you, readers. Feel free to comment as we start to know each other better through this blog that I hope to update weekly.