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It's early morning as an hideous, nightmarish figure carrying a letter in its beak, skates its way into the lovely "Maison de Marguerite."

Where does this monstrosity posing as a postal worker come from, if not from the very depths of Hell, and which sinister message is it delivering? One is instantly reminded of something out of a Hieronymus Bosch painting, and in fact, it is!

Just take a look at the lower right corner of the left panel of the "The Temptation of St. Anthony" triptych depicted below and... there it is!

Five centuries have past, and the creature has still not been able to deliver its letter. And maybe it's better this way. Maybe... even for the sake of Humanity!

 

 

 

 

© 2024  José Pereira Torrejón. All rights reserved. No part of the content of this blog may be distributed, published or reproduced without prior authorization from the author. Above and inset: The Temptation of St. Anthony by Hieronymus Bosch, ca. 1500.

The Old, Dutch Warehouse (part 3)

In this third installment of the "Old Dutch Warehouse" series we get to see an overal image of the warehouse, plus some more detailed ones of the same.

Mind you that the warehouse is still in storage, so at this point it's just one of those "to do" projects that we're all so familiar with.

 

Zooming in on the highest opening in the middle section of the building, we can see a very interesting resident! This feathered tenant doesn't seem to mind at all that the warehouse is deserted. Sitting on her vantage point, she oversees her surroundings with an almost royal stance.

 

And for those among you who are curious to know what, if anything, is on the right side of the warehouse, here are two pics of its sole occupant: an empty wine bottle! It was hand made by a very talented, Spanish miniaturist. The basket was woven using a plant native to the region where she's from. Unfortunately I don't recall the lady's name, but I will update this posting as soon as I find out! See you next time!

 

 

© 2024  José Pereira Torrejón. All rights reserved. No part of the content of this blog may be distributed, published or reproduced without prior authorization from the author.

The Old, Dutch Warehouse (part 2)

The old warehouse is divided in two 'halves.' The left side contained a shop for ship supplies (Dutch: Scheepsbenodigdheden), while the right side was a pub and liquor store (Tapperij & Slijterij). One might guess that this choice of businesses was a bit of tongue-in-cheek by the builder.

We can almost picture a rugged ship's captain buying supplies for his next expedition, and after that also stock some 'drinks' in the shop next to it, to keep himself and his crew 'moisturized.' during the long journeys at sea.

 

 

These images show some items that I added to the ship supplies half of the otherwise empty warehouse.  Again, this is just done for fun and the sake of these pics, cos the warehouse is still stored, hence off limits for a comprehensive decoration.

Note the spiderwebs on the image below. Those are real, not added by me. I guess this spider provides the threads of which dreams of discovery are made!

 

© 2024  José Pereira Torrejón. All rights reserved. No part of the content of this blog may be distributed, published or reproduced without prior authorization from the author.

The Old, Dutch Warehouse

I have, as part of my collection, an extremely old, Dutch warehouse. It's really a unique piece, made by a very skilled and knowledgeable individual, and above all, made with lots of love.

Although the maker will probably forever be unknown, his work has remained as a tribute to the above. Not a day goes by without me enjoying looking at this beauty!

The metal 'half wheel' at the center of this picture is a new, and very recent addition. I added it just for fun, and I think it blends well with the overall 'look' of the warehouse. It's not glued or anything, so it can be removed at all times. That goes for everything I add to these museum pieces; I don't alter, paint, or change anything, just decorate.

 

© 2024  José Pereira Torrejón. All rights reserved. No part of the content of this blog may be distributed, published or reproduced without prior authorization from the author.

Conservatory 2.0

I've been working for a while on a new project which I dubbed "The Conservatory 2.0."

An old, weathered greenhouse made of wood and glass served as the starting point for this new venture.

There's a lot of work to be done, both on the greenhouse itself, as well as on its interior. But before that, a thorough study of the structure and its possibilities is absolutely necessary. In a way, it's like a game of chess, whereby the trick is to think many steps ahead, and work towards that envisioned end result.

Hence, don't be deceived by the images on this page. This is no end product, but simply a temporary layout to explore the available space inside the greenhouse. But, while at it, I got a bit carried away, and had lots of fun taking some atmospheric pictures.

 

 

© 2024  José Pereira Torrejón. All rights reserved. No part of the content of this blog may be distributed, published or reproduced without prior authorization from the author.

Pastoral

 

© 2024  José Pereira Torrejón. All rights reserved. No part of the content of this blog may be distributed, published or reproduced without prior authorization from the author.

Wish

"Are you sure you'll be able to fly in that plane?" asked Claire, "It doesn't even have wings!"

"Of course we will," replied the Big Bear, "most of the flying is in the wishing!"

 

© 2024  José Pereira Torrejón. All rights reserved. No part of the content of this blog may be distributed, published or reproduced without prior authorization from the author.

To Sleep

To die, to sleep—
No more—and by a sleep to say we end
The heartache, and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to. ’tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wish’d. To die, to sleep—
To sleep—perchance to dream.

Hamlet (1602) William Shakespeare,

 

Photo: the attic bedroom of a dolls house made by a ten-years-old girl and his dad, circa 1914. From my own collection.

© 2024  José Pereira Torrejón. All rights reserved. No part of the content of this blog may be distributed, published or reproduced without prior authorization from the author.

A rainy night

Montevideo, Uruguay, 1950.

A cab travels through a cold and rainy night in the capital city. It's July, which means winter  in the southern hemisphere.

The lady in the backseat sits silently as the trusty Ford Pilot pierces the darkness which envelops it like a giant cloak. Soon it will reach its destination, and after that, it will be back to "patrolling" the streets in search of new customers. 

It's winter in Montevideo, and the nights are cold. But the cabby has a glimmer of hope: his country is doing well in the world championship football taking place in neighboring Brazil. If only... Could it be? Is a miracle in the making? Suddenly he spots somebody signaling him to stop. The poor man is soaked! Another passenger, another trip. Another reverie.

 

© 2024  José Pereira Torrejón. All rights reserved. No part of the content of this blog may be distributed, published or reproduced without prior authorization from the author.