. Posted by Sherrie Thai by Shaireproductions.com .
. Posted by Sherrie Thai by Shaireproductions.com .
The “Cuban Dreams, Havana” art print was inspired by my trip to Cuba, where beautifully-restored cars rolled down the streets amidst stunning Spanish architecture, mainly in the “Old Havana” district. The car featured here is a vintage blue 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air.
The print is available on Etsy HERE
. Posted by Sherrie Thai by Shaireproductions.com .
Here is my full photo album on SMUGMUG HERE
Beautiful Cuban Smiles, Street Portraits
Havana, Vintage Ride in Revolution Square
Havana, Las Terrazas, Santiago
Blue Vintage Car in Cojimar
Cuba!!! Rich in passion, culture, vibrancy and art.
I’m very happy to have had the opportunity to see the lovely architecture of Old Havana with the amazing vintage cars driving by. In the evening, I caught a Cuban jazz show with the Buena Vista Social Club 🙂
Local Afro-Cuban music and dance performance
Stunning sculpture at the Columbus Cemetary
On a tropically rainy day, I visited the Colon (Columbus) Cemetary and learned more of Santeria (Way of the Saints). Local legend at the cemetary: “La Milagrosa”, or Amelia, a local woman who died in childbirth along with her child, was visited everyday by her heart-broken husband, knocked on the tomb to console himself, believing she was only asleep. Years later, her body was exhumed (for reburial) and witnesses claimed that her body remained intact and her body position moved, holding her child in her arms rather than sleeping solo on her back–Amelia then became a symbol of hope and love. Every day, locals visit her grave and ask for blessings/ wishes, while decorating her site with flowers and gifts, continuing on this unique tradition.
Quiet town of Las Terrazas
Las Terrazas had a quiet beauty, with lush green surroundings and a taste of the small town life. Along the way, I met a few Cuban artists and visited their studios.
Cojimar: Grungy Coolness
Cojimar was where Hemingway wrote his famous literary masterpieces. The town has a distinct seafarer personality, with the architecture and decor reflecting the romantic carefree attitude.
Mantanzas, Varadero
Veradero was an exquisite beach paradise, though seemed very exclusive.
Santiago: Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption
Santiago: Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, Interior
Santiago: San Pedro de la Roca Castle Fortress
Several months later, I came back to Cuba on my way to help out in the Dominican Republic, and passed through Santiago, saw the San Pedro de la Roca Castle, a mighty UNESCO fortress, and the lovely Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption in the downtown area. Pride and passion of the Cuban people seeps into all facets of life.
. Posted by Sherrie Thai by Shaireproductions.com .
When I travel internationally and venture out on my own, I like to be prepared with research and some handy tools. With the use of Google Translator, I compiled these key phrases to use when WIFI isn’t available (especially in remote areas) or when I like to be a more discreet traveler, devoid of tech. The phrases are translated in Hindi, Malay, Vietnamese, Thai and Mandarin Chinese (for travel to India, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Hong Kong, China or Macau). Thought I’d share this with my fellow globetrotters. Here is a FREE PDF DOWNLOAD you can use–hopefully this can help you along your journey.
If you find this useful, you can also check out the TRAVEL ICONS resource 🙂 Safe travels friends!
——————————-
You could find more freebies at https://shaireproductions.com/tag/freebies/.
LEGAL STUFF: This document is a Creative Commons resource and is strictly for educational, entertainment and non-profit purposes only. Compiled by Sherrie Thai of Shaireproductions.com and sourced by Google Translator.
. Posted by Sherrie Thai by Shaireproductions.com .
French Quarter
Honey Island Swamp
Bloodlust Vampire Ball
I have always been fascinated by New Orleans and had to travel there for Halloween, to experience the wonderful revelry and explore the dark crevices of the French Quarter and beyond. The people, food, art and stories were inspiring as there is so much soul and energy out there–definitely going back!
Here is my photo album on SMUGMUG
. Posted by Sherrie Thai by Shaireproductions.com .
Before visiting the Red Sea, I knew it would be beautiful, but wow, photos alone did not do this place justice. I departed from the shores of Hurghada aboard a boat to a scuba diving location. The varying tones of the blue waters were intensely vibrant.
View more photos at SMUGMUG or FLICKR
. Posted by Sherrie Thai by Shaireproductions.com .
I took a little Aswan trip along the Nile River aboard a traditional felluca boat, sailing past fancy hotels and quiet fertile lands.
View more photos at SMUGMUG or FLICKR
. Posted by Sherrie Thai by Shaireproductions.com .
I really enjoyed creating this Egyptian Series, exploring the mighty Pharaoh Queen Hatshepsut and the gods of Egypt, Anubis and Horus. These pieces were created via pen/ink and digital coloring, while incorporating my photography into the background. It’s now AVAILABLE AS A PRINT HERE at my Etsy Shop.
EGYPTIAN QUEEN TSHIRT
Queen Hatshepsut is regarded as one of the most successful pharaohs of Ancient Egypt. Aside from being one of the first solo female rulers of the Old World, she established trade while keeping peace between regions. I wanted to create an elegant and powerful queen, with a nod to the mysticism of magic and mythology of her time period. Atop her head is the rising sun and cow’s horns, which were elements of beauty and fertility, associated with the goddesses Hathor and Isis. Cobras were protectors to the ancient Egyptians, so I added a couple of extra ones 🙂 Towards the bottom of the piece is a subtly placed photograph of Hatshepsut’s Temple, taken while I was in the Valley of the Kings.
Anubis and Horus are presented with an architectural facade with a scarab beetle at the top, a symbol of renewal in the Ancient World. The coloring of the background is kept monochromatic, while the inner circle resembles the tones of a rising sun, a continuous theme throughout traditional Egyptian art. My goal with these pieces were to keep with the traditional aspect of Ancient Egyptian papyrus paintings, but with a variant in composition and a bit more realistic shading.
