History & Flowers

History & Flowers Fine Art

Commissioned art work 'Belcrum' 3 pieces of 585x205 cm.
Mauritsstaete, van Rijckevorselstraat - Breda, the Netherlands.

Get your own digital design from € 750,- ex. VAT and printing.

AFWL Africa Fashion Week London

2015 Press Launch

Africa Fashion Week London has hosted four catwalk events since inception in 2011 and contributed expertise to at least 10 more events produced by 3rd parties such as The Mayor of London’s Black History Month celebrations and the annual Africa Centre Summer Festival.

AFWL showcased over 300 designers to almost 45,000 visitors including buyers, retailers and other industry professionals; and our open-to-the-public events are becoming a highlight on the annual fashion calendar.

Brand Ambassador 2015: 

International model and founder of the Georges Malaika Foundation Noella Coursaris Musunka.

"We are so happy Noella is Brand Ambassador for AFWL 2015. She has been a great friend and supporter of our event and ethos over the years and a compassionate, hardworking, beautiful individual who understands our drive to showcase the best of Africa."
Ronke Ademuliyi - Founder AFWL

"I am delighted to be serving as this year’s Brand Ambassador to Africa Fashion Week London and to help showcase the brilliant work of African designers. It has always been my belief that fashion can be a tool for breaking down barriers and transcending cultures. This industry has the ability to put Africa on the world stage and can provide for countless job opportunities on the ground and abroad, from local factories to international shops. It is time for the world to see the amazing talent that lies within Africa."
Noella Coursaris Musunka

Africa Fashion Week London is celebrating it's 5th season! A cacophony of African design, talent and diverse ethnic influences that contribute to fashion in the UK. Since debuting in 2011, this inspirational event has gone from strength to strength; championing new and emerging designers who are inspired by the rich culture of Africa and incorporate this heritage into their contemporary design.

Only a few tickets are left so make sure you have reserved yours before they all sell out!

For VIP, Gold or Platinum tickets please visit this link to purchase your tickets.


This year's Africa Fashion Week London will be at Olympia West Hall on Friday 7th August and Saturday 8th August 2015.

Maggie Smith - Winner of The Face of AFWL 2015

Creative Cloud by Adobe

Adobe's Creative Cloud, euro versus dollar ...

Read something about the new way to use Adobe software from now on: from the Creative Cloud. The only thing you need is internet and you can access the software anywhere in the world.

But what if you don't have a working internet connection? Then you can't work with the software?

And what about the price. In Europe/the Netherlands it's more expensive to access/use apps from the Creative Cloud then from the US. Why? The product is the same, world wide. Then why isn't the price???

In dollars the Photoshop app if you already have Photoshop CS3 or up, $ 9,99 - in euro it's € 12,29. If you don't have CS3 or up it's $ 19,99 or in euro € 24,59 per month.

But to buy $ 9,99 in euro we pay 7,69..!

meaning when paying in euro we pay 5 to 10 euro more per product, as $ 19,99 is € 15,39 (not 24,59)... it might be cheaper for us to pay in dollars?? But...I don't think yo can use the e.g. Dutch version then, think you're stuck with the English version when doing so.
Which to us Dutchies isn't so bad, as we all speak English pretty well. But dunno about the French or Germans...

Also: if you are a first time use of e.g. Photoshop and you're going to use it for let's say 4 years, and want to quit. Then you've paid 12x 24,59 = 295,08 (+ TAX) x 4 = 1180,32 but... you didn't get anything.
A retail disk with Adobe Photoshop CS6 is also about 1000 euro... but then you have a product.

...welcoem to the Dutch Creative Cloud by Adobe

A felow photographer wrote:

"Yeah, big companies want codependency - do you know why? The software development is nearly finished, and with no better version to sell... they want to sell you a subscription, otherwise they run out of business in 5 years...

It's like a hammer. If you have one, you have one, simple as that. You  aren't going to lease or pay for something that's already working..."

The big question is, how long will the software work fine? CS 5 and CS6 are more than ok, so I don't need a subscription. But... when Nikon or Canon developes a new DSLR, with new, bigger, better, improved RAW files...when do I need an Adobe update?
I've always hated that.
E.g. not being able to open Nikon D3 Raw files with Photoshop CS2. Adobe just never did an update, so you were forced to get CS3 or higher.

Hate the secret collaboration to keep the price up...annoying! 

So if anyone of you, dear readers, knows about a good alternative to Photoshop, please let me know. info@artstudio23.com or write a comment below. Am willing to test all suggestions and share the outcome!

New Fyra Train...

The new Fyra train.

Pity this train only runs between Amsterdam-Rotterdam. As I live in Breda (one stop further from Rotterdam) I can never take this new, wonderful train. When I travel to Schiphol airport (and I did that a lot the last two years) I like to take the Fyra train, as it reduces my time to the airport with alsmost an hour! Only 53 minutes Breda-Schiphol, what a bless. 

You can't compete by car, as the roads in the 'Randstad' (4 biggest citites of the Netherlands, Rotterdam, The Hague, Anmsterdanm and Utrecht) always are crowded and jammed. Too much cars in our small country :( the traffic is horrible on our narrow roads.

Anyway, the new Fyra train. Welcomed by almost everyone, especially as it was meant to go to Antwerp (Belgium) too. Well...it doesn't. Not this year.

So people living in the South (Noord-Brabant) will have to commute an hour longer as the regular intercity trains are also gone per 1 November. Why??? What's this nonsense!? The new train is a wonderful experience, it feels like flying, comfy chairs and fast, fast, fast. Well, if it would take you to Breda that is. 

Last night I had to transfer at Rotterdam station to the regular train...so it took me no 53 minutes, but 1,5 hours single way...

Boohoo.

San Francisco Writers Conference 2012

All photos of the #SFWC2012 online via my Flickr page as via my Facebook page.
Have A Look! Feel free to tag yourself, download or share my pics.

What's the San Francisco Writers Conference? Check out the SFWC website!
Event overview: The conference is on Presidents' Day weekend, Feb. 16th-19th, 2012 at the Mark Hopkins Hotel. The main conference begins with a Thursday evening orientation and continues through Sunday. (There will also be SFWC Master Classes on Monday, Feb. 20th taught by some of the SFWC presenters.) The SFWC features 100+ agents, authors, editors and book industry professionals. What that means is non-stop opportunities for learning and networking at this 'Celebration of Craft, Commerce and Community' for all writers.

Attendees have access to more than fifty "how to" sessions, panels, and workshops taught by authors you know and love. Speed Dating for Agents and Ask a Pro are unique one-on-one opportunities to pitch your work directly to well-known publishing professionals. SFWC features major traditional publishing houses, but also gives attendees the latest e-publishing and self-publishing information.

Elegant keynote luncheons and networking breakfasts are included. A commemorative bag filled with writing goodies for all attendees? Of course!

Celebrity book signings and social gatherings with other writers add to the excitement of the event. No other writing conference offers so much social and one-on-one networking time with other writers and industry professionals for no extra cost. After-hours hosted open mics and pitch contests? You bet. Our attendees tell us this friendly, yet professional, atmosphere is what makes SFWC the conference they choose to attend.

From start to finish, the San Francisco Writers Conference is designed to help you become a better, more professional writer.


Bestselling authors Lisa See (Dreams of Joy, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan) & Lolly Winston (Good Grief) will join legendary editor Alan Rinzler as keynote speakers at the 2012 San Francisco Writers Conference. The SFWC will start on Thursday evening and run through the entire President's Day weekend. Both new and returning attendees will appreciate the welcome session on Thursday evening (Feb. 16th) at no additional cost. As always, the main event is Friday through Sunday...but now there will be optional PreEvent and PostEvent Master Class writing intensive sessions.


Will you be there in 2013? It's the 10th anniversary of SFWC in 2013! Perhaps we'll meet (again) in sunny San Francisco, California next February :)

The Scholarship winners