TOP 5: Classics re-imagined.

Take something iconic, and put a spin on it:

1. The Scream versus ice-cream

2. The Kiss versus  Benjamin Jundanian

3. Here’s Johnny Versus Here’s Kitteh

4. Star Wars versus Star kids

5. Ophelia versus Guim-phelia

TOP 5: Shadows.

Oh man, what I’d give to have just one sunny day! I can’t see my shadow these days; I can only see my breath.

1. I took this photo on a long-shadowed afternoon. (My Flickr is here.)

2. Double-shadowed lady. (I drew this for Amelia’s Magazine. )

3. London in the Summertime.

4. It took me a few seconds to realise that wasn’t a real shadow. (Source unknown! Do you know the original source?)

5. These are my ruby slippers on a crisp and sunny day. (My Flickr)

TOP 5: Pink/Yellow/Orange.

Photo #1 (below) was taken in the kitchen of my old flat. I keep going back to that shot, marvelling at the magical combo of light and colour. Here are five photos based on those punchy tropical hues.

1. Breakfast time at ‘the castle’ (aka ex-council block). I took this one.

2. This is another of my own photos, taken at the Fashion & Textile Museum. I want to turn this photo into a dress. Somehow.

3. House of Doll Spray painted Metallic shoes. Check out that sunset spectrum! These would preferably be worn all at once, by an eight-legged beast.

4. Sparkles and stripes. (From here. Original source unknown.)

5. This is a photo I took of my mango + banana muffins. They were just as blinding on the taste buds.

What are your favourite colour combinations?

TOP 5: Good Vibes.

Welcome to TOP 5 PHOTOS, 2.0*! I figured it would be a good omen to start off with some  fist-pumping optimism. It’s January, it’s 5pm, and it’s dark outside. We all need it (joy, that is, not darkness).

1. If only I had a flowerbed to roll around in. (By Andy J. Miller)

2. Martha Rich understands that tiaras are sometimes necessary.

3. I’ve got this hanging in my house. Opposite the bed.

4. That’s right! Alexandre Bettler is telling you to stop whining.

5. Thanks for the reminder, Lisa Rupp.

*This is my first TOP 5 since September 2011. I’ll be posting every day from now on, so expect posts containing photography, artwork and super-articulate captions (ahem). You’re welcome.

TOP FIVE! IT’S ALIVE (again)!

Hello everyone! Happy new year!

I’ve finally got TOP 5 back up and running, after a long dry spell. Thanks so much for coming back (and hello to everyone who’s new here). Regular posting will commence tomorrow!

You may have noticed that TOP 5 looks…very different. I love the fresh look, and I hope you guys approve!

However, that’s not the only change. I’ve opened up TOP 5 to include images from all over the internet, rather than just my own photography. It was a much needed change for me, and you can read all the details here.

For those of you that loved COLLECTIVE 5, never fear! It will be relaunching shortly, so please watch this space!

In the meantime, have a great Monday and let me know what you think of the changes!

Happy-snaps and high-fives,

Helena

TOP 4: My Christmas Cards!

Hello! I thought I’d re-emerge for a moment, to tell you about the Christmas cards I’ve made! There are four designs, and they are currently available in my shop. I hope you like them!

I’m selling the cards in packs of six (with two designs per pack).They can also be bought individually (the individual cards are hand-decorated with acrylic rhinestones, which I think looks extra cool).

I realise that frogs, kiwi fruit and dinosaurs are not exactly traditional Christmas imagery. However, I think the cards look festive and joyful, which is what the Christmas season is about for many people. I hope they make you smile!

Click here to buy cards from my art shop! (Oh, and keep in mind that art prints make great Christmas presents, wink wink.)

p.s. I baked the cupcakes and gingerbread robots featured on the cards – I can confirm that they were very tasty.

PAUSE

Hello!

This blog has been…very quiet. I’m sorry about that. It seems that I have too much on my plate right now, what with opening a shop and starting a new job as a full-time illustrator-slash-artist. I am definitely not abandoning TOP 5. In fact, I am cooking up exciting plans for its future…but you’ll need to hang tight for a month or two.

Until then, you can still follow me on my other blog, Facebook or Twitter. (Or my shop, where I am selling prints of my photos amongst other things.)

TOP 5: Contortionists.

Hello! I’ve just launched my brand new print store and I’m so excited I could do a backflip! On that note, here are some bendy, flexy people (and animals) for your enjoyment:

1. This is, in fact, my bed.

2. The Albert & Pearl is a gem of a bar, in case that’s not clear enough.

3. Sleeping? Nibbling? Hiding? Yoga?

4. I wish I remembered what was happening here.

5. Now THIS is a good one. Click here for the large version.

Right, that’s enough stretching for one day. See you soon, and don’t forget to check my shop!

Hang tight!

Hello friends! I know I’ve gone silent – I promise I’ll be back as soon myshop is fully launched. I should be posting regularly by this time next week.  (Wish me luck!)

In the meantime, keep an eye on me over on Twitter.

UPDATE: The shop is live! Woo hoo! Click over here to browse!

TOP X: Help me choose!

Hello, dear followers of TOP 5!

I have some exciting news: I am about to launch an online print store, featuring my artwork and photography. Can you help me decide which photos to include? I can’t choose! All you need to do is ‘like’ your favourite photos in my Facebook album (click here)!

So, head over to my Facebook page and tell me what you think! Do you love them? Hate them? Is there a photo you’ve seen here that you’d love to see as a print? Let me know! Your feedback is truly appreciated.

TOP 5: Framed

To frame something is to draw attention to it. That’s why glasses are sexy.

1. Baroque self.

2. Droopy eared cutie.

3. Seen on an Athenian backstreet.

4. At the Diana Cafe in Notting Hill.

5. At Madame Tussaud’s.

p.s. I’m cooking up something exciting on Facebook. Click here!

TOP 5: Pizza.

Pizza! Pizza! Pizza! I don’t really have anything else to say!

1. Pizza! With an egg in the middle!

2. My boyfriend’s creation, including tinned sausages. *shakes head*

3. Made from scratch:  red peppers, tomatoes, and speck

4. Candy pizza!

5. MORE PIZZA

What are your favourite toppings?

TOP 5: La Sagrada Familia.

La Sagrada Familia is Barcelona’s spectacular cathedral, designed by Antoni Gaudi. Although Gaudi died in 1926, the cathedral is still unfinished. The interior blew my mind, so hopefully I’ll go back there in 20 years and see it in its finished state!

1. The ceiling.

2. Looking towards the alter.

3. The skylight above the alter.

4. A stone canopy of trees.

5. Jewel-toned windows.

Beautiful.

TOP 5: La Seu.

Yes, I know I’ve posted a lot of photos of Barcelona lately. That’s what happens when you visit a highly photogenic city! Below are five shots of The Cathedral of Santa Eulalia, in the heart of Barcelona’s gothic quarter. I wasn’t expecting much when I walked in but – woah – the ceiling alone is like an Escher painting. Have a look:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

If you ever visit Barcelona, I highly recommend you go inside. (There are fat, white geese in the cloisters, too.)

TOP 5: Lost and Found.

I think the best thing I’ve ever found is #2 (see below). A close second would have to be the short black wig that was lying in the same cupboard. Maybe one day I’ll model it for you.

1. ‘Olivia be good!’

2. A love note I found when cleaning out a cupboard in my (then) new flat.

3. Somewhere, a child was crying out for its toy mouse.

4. I clearly have a knack for finding kids’ drawings.

5. Click to enlarge! Found on the London Underground.

If you like this sort of thing, you should check out Found Magazine.

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