the earth ink

There is no doubt that Hawaii is a beautiful place to be. There are beaches, waterfalls, mountains, beautiful sunsets, and swaying palm trees in nearly every direction. One short hike showcases the tremendous landscape that the Island of Oahu has to offer. The Pali Puka Trail is a path hidden behind a broken down rock wall at the Pali Lookout. It is steep and, at times, a little difficult. However, to see the spectacular view, you must climb the ridge and follow the trail along several exposed areas - where tripping on a rock or tree root will send you down a sheer rock face on the windward side of the Koolau mountains. The view from the ridgeline stretches far up the saturated green windward side of Oahu to the cerulean Pacific Ocean beyond (in photo). In the other direction, you can see down the Nuuanu Valley to Honolulu. The Puka (meaning "hole" in Hawaiian), is a little peek-a-boo from the leeward side over to the windward side where sustained winds can nearly blow yo...

To take an attractive idea and turn it into my own design is o ne of my favorite design challenges . It encourages me to try something that might be outside of my style and to understand what makes effective images attractive and eye-catching. The idea of using an all black background with one focal image came from a magazine ad. While dramatically manipulating a photo of the plaque at the Sydney Opera House dedicated to the architec t,  Jørn Utzon , I realized that image would pop on that black backdrop. And, by turning another image of the Opera House to black and white and over-contrasting the photo, I created a recognizable icon to put on the bottom of my design. Without reading the subdued text (the quote on the plaque by Mr. Utzon about his design), anyone who looks at this image will know exactly what place the design represents.

While Petra may be the most popular place to visit in Jordan, Wadi Rum is an equally beautiful region in the country. Meeting a friend, Kelsey, in Amman for the first time in nearly 10 years, we had no plans other than to meet at our airport hotel in Amman and visit Petra. During our stay, we travelled up to Jarash and to the west along the Dead Sea. We found ourselves lost in a small village among hospitable old men who went out of our way (and down the street) to find us a cup of coffee, and we found Petra. In between that whirlwind, we drove down to Wadi Rum and found one of numerous tour guides. Outfitters can offer overnight bedouin camping experiences that can range from a simple tent and campfire to an extravagant resort-like stay fit for royalty. Driving in after dark, we did not have any indication of the natural grandeur that surrounded us until we woke up in the morning and took in the monoliths that towered out of the desert floor. Our camp was up against a sheer orange...

White washed buildings backdropped with the cerulean blue of the Adriatic Sea are indicative of being in the Greek Islands. My visit coincided with the tourist's low season, so I had much of the volcanic island of Santorini to explore on my own. While the photos I took home are people-free, I also had a difficult time finding shops and restaurants that were open for lunch! This photo was taken in the town of Oia where a labyrinth of stone pathways leads down the cliffs of the volcano's crater. Losing oneself among the streets is an easy way to spend an entire day admiring the architecture of this town that hangs from the island's volcanic rim.

Sometimes, it is the little, seemingly unnoticeable things that catch the camera's eye. At dusk, on a short hike in Colorado, this little dandelion struggled to keep all of its fluffy seeds intact before they fluttered away in the wind - or on a hiker's legs as they brushed by on the trail. The shadowed sunset threw a purple hue on everything in the evening and the temperatures cooled off enough to enjoy a slow hike that finished off the day.

One day, The Earth Ink may open a cafe and coffee shop where customers can write their postcards, catch up with old friends, and share their life experiences. Along with a beautiful espresso bar, the shop will most certainly carry fruit tarts. These tarts from The French Bakery in Bellevue, Washington would certainly be the inspiration behind any such menu item. Beyond being quite tasty, these treats with fresh fruit and perfectly prepared "tart" are colorful and photogenic. Until The Earth Ink's shop opens, if you ever find yourself in the neighborhood, indulge yourself and enjoy the French Bakery's velvety smooth espresso as well.

The Earth Ink has recently moved from Honolulu, Hawaii to Denver, Colorado. In the course of the moving I uncovered one of the first postcards that I designed. In the midst of saying so many goodbyes and leaving those people who became an influential and special part of my life in Hawaii, I read the quote I referenced on the card: Though miles may be between us, we're never far apart, for friendship doesn't count the miles, it's measured by the heart.   -Rozina Hosham-  Letter writing is one of the most beautiful ways to communicate with someone (hence the postcard design), but it has become much more easy to keep in touch with friends with social media and text messages as well.  So, here is looking forward to all the new friends (and The Earth Ink clients) and remembering the heartwarming generosity and hospitality from those who I said "aloha" to in Hawaii!