Arte y Pico award...

Twelve degrees at 9am this morning. Overcast and damp, with a wind that's shaking the leaves off the trees in gusts, to little B's delight.

As you can't fail to have noticed this Monday morning, in the right-hand sidebar is an award! And just so that you can't possibly miss it, I've duplicated it on the left. Thank-you to Jacqueline Smith, author of the site Jack Mandora, A Book Lover's Nook, for nominating me. Jacqueline's site is very well-written, and often fascinating. It has opened my eyes to Jamaican literature, a branch of writing I now know is too rich, too interesting to miss. Jacqueline, your praise and input on many occasions are very much appreciated.

The award originated here and the term Arte Y Pico, according to its originator, "translates into a wonderful phrase in Mexico, 'lo maximo'... It will never find its counterpart in English, but if it HAD to, it would be something like, Wow. The Best Art. Over the top." The award singles out sites that demonstrate unusual creativity and skill (Louise buffs nails on sweater with a sickeningly self-satisfied smile).

I'm told that, in the tradition of all good chain letters, I must recommend five other sites for the award. On my list, I have two artists, one writer and one VERY FAMOUS PERSON. I'm still thinking about number five...

So here goes, in no particular order :

First : Jazmin Velasco's blog, 'Tlalocland News'. Jazmin is an accomplished artist, illustrator and printmaker, originally from Mexico, and now living and working in London. Her blog is accompanied by a website showcasing her work : www.jazminvelasco.com/.

Second : Daniel Eubank's blog, which relates her artistic adventures as expedition artist for the Phoenicia Expedition. A Californian artist fast hitting the spotlight with her trademark paintings of water, you can see her work at www.danielleeubank.com/.

Third : 'The Leaping Thought', written by the beautiful Milena, who is based in Texas, USA. It's thoughtful, well-written and worth a visit any day of the week.

And finally : To Paulo Coelho, whose blog is full of fascinating things to think about, particularly on the subject of intellectual property and the internet, and for making my day by visiting my site a couple of weeks ago.