Jeanne Selep's Selep Imaging Blog: 2025

I returned from a trip to Japan with this view from Kyoto etched in my mind.

Kiyomizu Dera Temple in Kyoto Japan by Jeanne Selep

Image 1: Kiyomizu Dera Temple in Kyoto, Japan

I took this photo of the Kiyomizu Dera Temple around sunset. It was the last day that the temple was illuminated for the cherry blossom season in April 2025.

My daughter and I had checked out of our Tokyo hotel and took a fast Shinkansen bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto. We raced to check our bulky luggage into our hotel, and then we ran up the roads, paths, and steps leading to the Temple, not knowing what to expect. I had made the note "last night of the Kiyomizu Temple illumination" on my calendar, but had no idea what the Temple illumination actually meant. Much of our time in Tokyo had been rainy, so we hadn't see many "illuminations" in Tokyo.

As I stood there, shivering in the cold, I had been wishing that the clouds hiding the setting sun would somehow magically disappear. (Shivering because the side of a mountain is much colder than valley below, and Kyoto was colder than Tokyo was, and the temperature rockets down once the sun disappears, and the extra layers of clothing and gloves were safely packed miles away in our hotel room...) As the sky turned darker we caught our breath. I began to appreciate the temple's orange glow against the blue and purple skies and hills framing the city lights of Kyoto. In the cold air (I couldn't see my breath, but I felt like I should have been able to!), the crowds thinned and I felt incredibly lucky to be able to share this day with my daughter.

Back at home, I have thousands of images to backup, sort, and process, which will allow me to relive and savor the trip. Reviewing the photos from Japan might become my major project for the summer. I plan to share more photos over time.

Until then, I am posting a collection of other travel memory posts below - click and enjoy!

Canadian Rockies Hike

Italian Garden

Yellowstone Memories

Yosemite's El Capitan

Grand Canyon

Canada's Bow Lake

Appalachian Evening

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Upcycled Ceramic Flower Mirror by Jeanne Selep

Image 1: Upcycled Porcelain Flower Mirror

Mosaic art can often include "found objects". In my recent mirror project the found objects basically took over! I made this floral mirror using repurposed vintage 3D porcelain flowers, a new beveled mirror, and mosaic tools, techniques, and products.

Image 2: Upcycled Porcelain Flower Mirror

The edging reminds me of frosting flowers on a cake. As a child I wanted decorated cakes with frosting roses, so I think perhaps that unconsciously influenced my mirror. (Because I wasn't thinking frosting flowers as I made this mirror, but now that's what I see.)

Image 3: Porcelain Flowers in Mirror border

I decided to use mostly pastel flowers in spring pinks and yellows, but then I added the deep pink flowers as an accent. The roses vary quite a bit - some of the roses are more modern than others.

Image 4: Porcelain Flowers in Mirror border

The photo above has a daffodil - its the second flower from the top on the left. There are also a handful of carnations and other flowers, (see below), but mostly the mirror is created with roses.

Image 5: Mirror Corner Detail with Carnations

The flowers come from vintage porcelain floral arrangements which were often arranged in small white containers and baskets. I've seen these arrangements mostly at estate and rummage sales. Many 3D floral arrangements get thrown out because of chipped or broken flowers. What a loss, and yet understandable - the arrangements aren't necessarily "in" style, and a broken flower detracts from the effect. Reusing several of the flowers in a mosaic project like a frame is great re-purposing. Using this many in my mirror frame is probably excessive but definitely brings me spring joy.

Image 6: Flower Mirror Border Detail

The mirror is (not surprisingly) fragile. Dusting, cleaning, and moving it requires care. This mirror is not exactly practical! But I know, while I own it, I would be able to repair any petals that break by replacing the flower, exact color and style not being important.

Image 7: Porcelain Flower Mirror

Enjoy Spring and Summer,

and

Stop and Smell the Roses!

Notes:

The mirror dimensions are 21.5 inches wide by 25.5 inches high (about 55 cm x 65 cm). Most of the roses I used are about 1.5 inches to 2 inches (3cm-5cm) across. (Many flowers of this type are up to 3 and 4 inches across).

My art teacher, who has worked at estate sales over decades, and is a "professional" thrifter, collected many of these flower arrangements over the years for the flowers. She has made at least two gorgeous larger mirror frames with the flowers. I was fortunate enough to use her collection of flowers for this mirror - it might take me a lifetime to collect this many flowers. I used a new frame with a beveled mirror from an "At Home" store for the base. You can't really see the bevel in the photos above.

These types of flowers are sometimes called Capodimonte porcelain after an Italian manufacturer from 1743-1759. That manufacturer influenced the Majello company in 1867 to revive the porcelain tradition. Majello spurred interest in flower arrangements, resulting in companies making reproductions and new arrangements over the years. The bouquets were sometimes wedding and shower favors, as well as gifts and Italian souvenirs. Real Capodimonte arrangements (from 1743-1759) are collected and expensive antiques, but the term has morphed into a label for the porcelain flowers and bouquets. While Italy was an original source for Capodimonte, England and China manufacturers also create porcelain flower bouquets.

As always,
Click on the images to see them enlarged!
There is so much more detail in the larger photos!

Please leave comments, I love them!

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