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My favourite Leonard Cohen song ‘The Gypsy’s Wife’ written about actress Natalie Wood who tragically drowned in 1981.

Hani Women, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province

There are approximately 25 different minority ethnic groups in Yunnan. Whilst I was staying in Lijiang I hired a tour guide/driver for the day and emailed before I arrived outlining what I would like to see. The main one was to see different ethnic groups.

Unfortunately when he picked me up he informed me that all the villages near Lijiang he had contacted were away for festivals. He did take me to a Naxi village but I had already seen Naxi Women in Lijiang Square.

He did take me to a Tibetan Monastery which I loved, it was the highlight of my trip. I also watched minority groups at a show in Xizhou Village, you can read about it here. I also saw a Bai lady in Dali whilst I was sitting in a cafe. These photos are from Flickr and I have asked for permission to use them on my blog.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/lonqueta/4089383529/

Flower Hani Woman, Xishguangbanna, Yunnan Province

Source: lonqueta

Source: lonqueta

https://www.flickr.com/photos/lonqueta/4086655787/

Hani Girls, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province

Source: lonqueta

Young Dai girl on bridge carrying baby (which was falling out); NE of Mengla, Xishuangbanna Region, Yunnan, China

Source: lonqueta

Yi Woman, Lijiang, Yunnan Province

Source: Linda De Volder

I recently did on a online class called ‘Portrait Play’. This is the third class I’ve done with Alisha Burke, she has a variety of art and craft classes at a reasonable price. Here is the link to her website – Alisha Burke.

As soon as I finished the class I couldn’t wait to draw a portrait. I painted the background, used coloured pencils for the portrait and used some tropical leaves graphics to enhance the picture.

October’s Art Swap: A Collaged Postcard is to make a postcard using at least one piece of collage. I decided to make most of this postcard with collage, also using some coloured pencils to colour in some starfish. Below is the back of the postcard.

A Art Supply Giveaway

I have been following Roben Marie’s blog for a while, she is a mixed media artist and makes art journals incorporating sewing. Her blog has a variety of free tutorials, paid classes and art work for sale.

This month she has a giveaway:

Paper to Painting Workshop Bundle valued @$335

Here is what she is giving away…

2 Spots in my new Paper to Painting Workshop (when it launches): one for you and one for a friend! ($114)
1 each flat artist panels: 6×6, 8×8, 10×10 ($12.75)
1 each artist panels – 3/8” profile: 5×5, 6×6, 8×8 ($20.98)
1 each cradled panels – 1 1/2” profile: 5×5, 6×6, 10×10 ($39.64)
1 each Golden High Flows: Teal & Quin Nick Azo Gold ($17.18)
1 each Mixed Media Artist Paper Book #2 and #3 ($31.98)
1 each DecoArts Acrylic: Green Gold, Teal & Dark Gray ($13.34)
1 each Golden Fluid: Titanium White & Raw Umber ($12.98)
1 each Simply Simon Round Brushes: #2, #4 and #6 ($12.60)
1 Simply Simon Oval Wash Brush 1/2” ($4.85)
1 Golden Gel Medium 8oz. ($17.79)
1 Liquitex Matte Medium 4oz. ($10.39)
3 Faber-Castel Grip Pencils ($7.25)
1 Stabilo Marks ALL Pencil ($2.99)
1 General Drawing Pencil ($9.46)
2 UHU Glue Sticks ($6)

Here is a link to the giveaway:

http://giveaways.robenmarie.com/giveaways/paper-to-painting-workshop-bundle-giveaway/?lucky=365

Beachhaven, Waitemata Harbour, Auckland

Beachhaven situated on a peninsula at the end of the Waitemata Harbour, Auckland. I have lived in this suburb for eleven years. Our local harbour beach has some lovely sunsets, I have spent many summer evenings here with friends for a barbeque and drinks.

In the summer there is yacht races every Wednesday evening and Sunday mornings.

This play boat named ‘Children of Beachhaven’ was restored in 1970 by a man named Frank Larkin. He transported metres of sand from across the harbour in his boat. Moored with a rope and tied to a tree on the beach, children can pull on the rope to maneuver the boat.