Beauty from the Dark Side: Diana Dihaze

Good and Evil. Light and Darkness. Angels and Daemons. Topics have been explored and combined by artists from all disciplines over the centuries. In this case, one merges into the other into one interesting composition thanks to the seamless manipulation of this talented Ukrainian Photographer. Death and beauty seem to converge in this vampiresque imagery that is bountiful in visuals and generous with delicate details, where the erotic embraces the morbid and vice versa. Reminiscent of gothic novels and victorian imagery, these images awake the voyeur we all carry within. For your tonight's nightmares (or wet dreams?): The photography of Diana Dihaze.

Diana Dihaze

Ottawa Diva: Mélissa Laveaux

I confess. I have a soft spot for female voices. Especially when their voice seems to come from some deep core or nucleus of energy. I'm sure your ears have perceived this from Billie Holiday, Nina Simone or Big Mamma Thornton, but I get them all together when I listen to Mélissa Laveaux. Born in Montréal from Haitian background, and raised in Ottawa in an anglophone environment, her music is a collage of soulful rhythms, mixed with folk, blues, pop, and root melodies. From covering pop star Beyoncé to singing Haitian lullabies, her soothing and raspy voice crowns beautifully a very impassioned songwriting that just makes my ears happy. For your beautiful senses: La voix de Mélissa Laveaux.

Mélissa Laveaux