stampede

ink and gold leaf on paper
(49.5 cm x 69.5 cm)

I updated my website

finally...

Roshni Sharma

(www.roshnisharma.com)

rubi zin

okay. so I've started working on the wine labels for Martini Vineyard (MV), and am struggling with which direction to take, not in terms of what I like graphically but marketability. Should a label emit class and prestige or, like Australian brands sold at Trader Joe's, can one design a contemporary, graphic image & still sell well? I arrived at this question only after completing a rough sketch for rubi zinfandel. (each 9 varieties will have different labels) I think it would be a good idea to do a series of tests, graphic design wise. As well as ask as many people I know the question: What compels you to purchase one bottle over another?

The image below still needs a lot of tweaking - both in terms of the fonts and graphic design, as well as with the cheery, pastel (accidental!) colors. I want the image to have the feel of parchment, of a well preserved photo-image from the 30's. Nevertheless, I thought I'd share my tinkering with you... that is, until I'm ready to enlist the help of my heavyweight designer friends.

1. MV (upper right) stamped in gold leaf

2. the rich gray is just a pseudo-matte for the image but somehow serves as a simulacrum of a bottle, and makes me realize that the muted palette doesn't quite work... unless used for a white wine...

detail of girl (just for the fun of it)

diver Deanne Shafsky illustrating the Swan Dive, 1952
(just a reference image I found online and thought neat)

Jerusalem Hunt (150 cm x 200 cm)

full piece

detail: top 3 panels

detail: middle and end panel

sketch of Jerusalem hunt sequence (unfinished)

This is what I've been working on these past few weeks. I think I've finished the full sketch and now need to purchase some paper to finish it off. It will be 150 cm x 180 cm (~ 5'x6'). We're returning to California within a week and I am frantic to get started on the final composition. Unfortunately, the art shops are closed on Saturday in Tel Aviv. sigh.

full pencil sketch (150 x 180cm)

approaching summer

chilled tomato consommé

The burgundy ball on the lower left corner is the byproduct of two kilos of tomatoes (as well as basil, horseradish, vodka, etc) blended, poured into muslin and left to drip overnight in the refrigerator. It looks a bit like felt to me.

In the holiday spirit N decided to test out the "Jamie at Home" tomato consommé (a take on the Bloody Mary). I thought it might interest Julie as the recipe includes beetroot.

2 kilos Tomatoes
Vodka
fresh horseradish (pinkie-sized chunk, peeled)
basil (handful)
2 cloves garlic
salt, pepper, dash of vinegar
Blend it all together. Place sheet of muslin in a bowl. Pour pulp into muslin and knot ends together. Hook and hang in refrigerator with bowl underneath to catch the clear liquid. The consommé will filter through the muslin into bowl. Slice a bit of peeled beetroot into the bowl. This will give a lovely color to the otherwise clear liquid.

a flat near the sea

I'm posting a few photographs of our flat. We intend to start the second wave of renovations after the holiday, mainly lifting the hallway's low ceiling. Perhaps we'll find hidden treasure!

the kitchen with the lovely table-mat from Suz

living-room

one of my "corners" (draft table)

The western side of the living-room balcony...
with a modest garden and where Alma sometimes naps.

N&N's office
(I also have a small desk in this room)

bedroom
(the entrance to the second balcony is to the right)