Chani's Creative Space

Last week, I closed my Fine Art America website. The time investment was too high for the small amount of response I received over the years. As I slowly but surely approach retirement age, I am trying to focus on more rewarding activities. For now, I will keep this blog (more or less) active. With this, I do not have to worry about prices or entering lots of keywords. It is a bit sad, but one must move on... Life does not have to be static. 't kofschip (a  fantasy creature helping students with Dutch grammar) #tKofschip #tFokschaap #Dutch #grammar #abstractart

By the end of August, the shadows are getting longer, and one can feel the summer coming to an end. Soon, we'll be able to hike during the day again. Finally.  This summer was especially hard. There were fires all over Europe, even in Northern and Central Europe, where you normally wouldn't expect them. I wish our leaders would take the situation seriously and act instead of reacting (and lining their own pockets). This post is dedicated to the memory of Carlos Arnefelt, my dear former sensei, 8th dan karate goyu-ryu kenshinkan, who passed away last month. I will always love you, Carlos! May you rest in peace! Benalmádena, trail Arroyo del Pántano (province of Málaga, Andalusia, Spain) #Benalmádena #Málaga #Spain #ArtMadeByNature #summer #karate #CarlosArnefelt #KenShinKan

I am not sure how much longer the summer will last, but right now it is extremely hot and humid. It is better not to open the news channels here or abroad; the news is all bad.  I wish I could be a duck, frog, or tortoise in this pond full of water lilies.  Ducks (or frogs or tortoises) do not deal with politics. They do not have to vote, only to have nothing happen or have the opposite of what you voted for happen. They are not usually racist, nor do they kill for pleasure. Water lilies in the Parque de la Paloma (Benalmádena, Andalusia, Spain) #waterlilies #Benalmádena #CostaDelSol #Andalusia #Spain #ArtMadeByNature

I love strolling through small villages at dusk or night. I am afraid of big cities (I always have been), both day and night: too many people, too much light, too much advertising, and too much noise. In small villages like Pampaneira (Alpujarra region, Spain) at night, you only hear birds of prey, howling dogs, and cats. Nothing reminds me of the world I want to forget. I cannot not see the lies or hear the arrogance. Calle Príncipe, Pampaneira (province of Granada, Andalusia, Spain) View of the village of Pampaneira at dusk #Pampaneira #Alpujarra #Granada #spanish #Spain #romantic #ArtMadeByNature

I was walking through a (kind of) tropical forest looking for shade when I found this! What is the story behind this stuffed animal? What happened to make it end up like this? I have never thrown away a stuffed animal, but I have saved many from the trash. ;-) In Torremolinos, Andalusia, Spain #Torremolinos #Málaga #spanish #Spain #ArtMadeByNature #Andalusia #Andalucía

When summer arrives, you have to get up early or wait until nighttime to enjoy the tranquility of the sea (when almost everybody is still in bed or already in front of the TV).  Beach of Fuengirola (province of Málaga, Andalusia, Spain) #Fuengirola #Andalusia #Andalucía #Málaga #Spain #holiday #summer