c r e s c e n d o

A beautiful and colourful Black rhino doll, created by Afribeads and made by hand in Uganda.
I bought it at an Ethica Fair trade Market a few months ago, and last week it became the inspiration
for these new woven forms...

Are there any relaxed, chilled out weeks on the horizon?

Every time I reach a deadline and complete it, there seems to be three more in its wake!

I remember this time last year I was feeling all jolly and festive after making, baking and sending out Christmas cards, gifts and goodies. I called it the season of MAKING, and I loved the connection that it gave me to the the season. 

Well... this year couldn't be more different if it tried. 

Maybe its just me but Christmas this year is just another deadline tacked on the back of the queue! Im SORRY to say it... but its true. 

For years Ive made cards and enjoyed the process of writing out personal messages to all my friends and family. But that takes time. And right now my time and most importantly my energy  is not quite there yet. Im starting to feel that Christmas will something I will enjoy on the actual day this year. Trying to make 'n bake 'n shop for weeks in advance has gone out the window. 

So where am i?

Well... right now im talking to you and editing images that were taken over the last 4 days. Images of new woven artworks for the Breathing Colours Gallery Christmas Exhibition {which has its end of year party on Saturday if you're in the neighbourhood}, and images shot by the lovely Alex Standen at my final weaving workshop for the year, at Object Gallery last Saturday. 

Ill show you those photos later in the week.

But for now I thought Id do a tiny show and tell of my three new woven bowls that were completed in a marathon weaving session in the last week!! Crazy? Yes. But I was so happy to complete this deadline. And say hello to three new designs at the end of it....

Hope you like them

x

Cotton Candy, Woven Bowl, 2012

Detail from Cotton Candy

The other side of my tiny Rhino...

Green Fields, Woven Bowl 2012

The Big Top, Woven Bowl, 2012

Detail from The Big Top...

the weekend.

From the pop up space to my tiny home space... there were flowers everywhere!
And colour! Lots of colour....

thankyou to everyone for their beautiful birthday wishes...and flowers!
I wish you could smell them all too.... 

I finally finished a new installation in The Pop Up to celebrate Spring...
What do you think?

pop up weaving workshop

Weaving Workshop @ The Pop Up shop, Alexander st Crows Nest... with me in teacher mode, surrounded by an amazing group of people who were able to make the class last Saturday!

What do you get when you combine one pop up space, a sunny Saturday morning, a collection of truly lovely people, and a colourful table of recycled materials? A whole lot of fun!

Last Saturday I held my first workshop in The Pop Up space and i cant tell you how great it was. Twelve people were able to make it, and even though the shop was a little bit small for the big table and all the stools, it was so amazing think that in few short weeks, this vacant shop front had been transformed into a colourful creative hub for people to come, share, and be inspired!

Over the course of August most of the artists' involved in The Pop Up have given some inspiring workshops, demonstrations and talks, in order to re-invigorate a pocket of Sydney that was once lacking in anything to do with the arts.

So it makes me smile when I think of what has been achieved so far... with the help of the local council, 8 hard working local artists'.... and you ALL!

I decided to create a little box of examples, to demonstrate all the different ways in which you can weave...

It was great to see the table full of people, all excited to get started! I was just hoping I could explain the techniques in an easy way so everyone could get their hands moving and weaving!

For the class I was able to source some more materials, such as some recycled rope and raffia that I had collected off the beaches in Byron. And the big woven bowl that you can see on the left is the product of those walks up and down the beach...

I look like Im doing a 'Usain Bolt' manoeuvre!! haha..
It was great to be working in the pop up surrounded by art!

I table FULL of colour and texture!! And lovely people!

And we did get some weaved achieved, among all the chatting and fun... 

I had such a great day. And for all of you who were able to come along - I hope you had a great day too and that you left the class with a new technique in your hands?

Speaking of which - I have another announcement to make! 

I will be teaching another weaving workshop in September! So if you missed this class, or live across the bridge, this new workshop might be just right for you!

The lovely people at Koskela, have started to run weekend workshop for adults and children with a huge array of activities on offer. Many classes are just starting to be announced, but last weekend Ebony Bizys kicked things off, with a sold out card making class.

It will be my turn on the 8/9 September as I will teach two workshops in weaving - one for adults (Saturday 8th) and one for children (Sunday 9th). I will be using an array of colourful recycled materials for both classes and it should be an amazing venue to work in! 

If you would like a look inside Koskela's amazing Rosebery space, click here and have a look at a post I wrote a few months ago...

And if you would like to know more, or would like to book in for the class, please have a look here!

Take care and see you soon x

the list.

New Woven Bowl with tiny handles in Orange... 

What a week.

I know its Saturday, but I don't know where the week went. 

So, sometimes its good to do a double check of what you know.... for sure.

I know Ive been busy in the studio, and with a solo show on the horizon, I'm conscious of the fact that its already the second week of March... eep!

I know that my little studio was flooded this week with the torrential rain that fell on much of the State throughout the week... 

I know that everything smells beautiful and fresh and green from all the rain... so I know there are silver linings to all this rain! 

I know that Ive received some amazing news from close friends who are expecting, or delivering beautiful new baby photos into my inbox...

And I know that I have finished these two new woven bowl designs. I'm happy with them both and so they will be heading to the tiny trappings store any day now.

So yes. 

A few things did indeed happen this week.

But sometimes it's good to make a list!

This one im calling a dish as its not as deep as a bowl...
perfect for earrings and rings methinks!

show + tell...

Australian summer, woven bowl, 2012

Thought I would take a break from all the Outpost images and conduct a tiny show + tell session this morning... with a new woven form that I JUST completed. This coloured piece was commissioned by a dear friend who wanted to gift it to another friend. And as you know, I love it when an artwork has so many connections to it. And a lot of thought and feeling attached to it too. 

Ive been commissioned to make all manner of gifts over the years ... wedding presents, engagement gifts, thank you objects and birthday surprises. So its been lovely to start the year off with another piece that will be given between good old friends.

Love that.

And I'm loving how this one turned out too! 

I think its a product of all the brightly coloured drawings Ive been working on in the studio.

.......

memories of 2011... pt 5

The passing of Cy Twombly in 2011 made me look back to a treasured trip  to see his retrospective exhibition  at The 2001 Venice Biennale ...

Home may be where the heart is but for me, home is also where the art is!

Art is my everyday life. I don't seem to be able to remove one from the other...
And i wouldn't have it any other way... 

From visiting an exhibition, to photographing a colour, or creating a new artwork, my life is utterly wrapped within a focus for all things artistic, soulful, and creative.  And that is the true essence of this blog I call tinytrappings, a space that I have loved sharing with you for these past 3 years or so...

In this final retrospective look at 2011, i recall some of my favourite art moments for the year. What made me smile, what made my heart flip, and what i loved to create...

This image is from one of my favourite exhibitions/art festivals for the year...
Outpost at Cockatoo Island November 2011.

One of my favourite photographic moments also came from my trip to see Outpost at Cockatoo Island.
The light, the moment, the backdrop...the little boy... so beautiful!

This blog features alot of street art... as I find it all so inspiring. The colours, the graphic mark making, and the urban backdrops all grab me when Im in the city with a camera at hand. This is one of my favourite graffiti shots for the year... taken in Surry Hills, September 2011

Favourite shot of colour + texture in a quiet street in Surry Hills, August 2011

No contest - Favourite art space and art experience for 2011... MONA. Hobart. Tasmania. The museum made my heart beat faster, as I was challenged, inspired and blown away!... April 2011

Was treated to some amazing nights out to see some truly great art performances... And on this cold winters night at the Opera House I was lucky enough to catch the new dance piece by The Bangarra Dance Company. 

And then there was the studio! I painted, embroidered, weaved and sketched... and for some
great projects too... This wintery studio shot was from June when I completed a new
photo realism oil painting for an art prize...

Some of my favourite projects came from a very heart felt place. And in October
I was commissioned by my brother and new sister in law to create a drawing
for their wedding invitation... which I loved!

Another heart felt series took shape this year, a series of blue illustrations
of my dog Monte. These proved a hit with many of you out there... and it felt
like a fitting tribute to a much loved member of the family...

Another great commission that I was asked to complete way back in January was a
Harbour scene diptych for an old friend who missed out on buying a piece at the
Primrose Gallery exhibition in 2010...

And then there was an exhibition in May. Our 5th annual 'Make' exhibition, which features many artists' who have worked at one time or another for Object Gallery in Sydney. I love this exhibition every year, and in 2011 I loved creating a new series of works that I produced under this year's theme of 'white'.
Will hopefully expand on this series in 2012... so watch this space!

New contacts and collaborations were created in 2011, and one in particular that I enjoyed being involved with was for a new children's interior design showroom in Switzerland! These 4 embroidered owls flew over to Zug to be a part of the launch in October...

And finally there were all the weaving projects. I absolutely love making these colourful woven bowls, and in 2011 they were seen in Melbourne, at Sydney Gallery Breathing Colours, and on my tinytrappings store.
In 2012 I hope to expand the project, and also teach people of all ages the love of this meditative craft...

I hope you have enjoyed sharing some of these moments with me and that you'll come and visit me throughout 2012 as I start afresh in the studio, experience new travel adventures, and seek to create and discover new inspirations to live with... and dream on.

See you soon...

M A D E ... {kind of Christmas}

Amelia's pink bike 2011, printed textile on linen canvas with hand embroidery 

And so this is Christmas... and what have you done...?

I love that song by John Lennon, and it feels so appropriate to start the week off with a tiny tune, as Monday morning is well and truly on its way and my head is swimming with thoughts, lists and memories of what I did.. and didn't do over the last few days! 

It's always the same..... 

We all feel excited at the end of November as the Sun gets warmer, the days get longer, and plans for holidays and trips to the beach take shape. But then.... panic sets in, as December, the month of rush, slowly disappears, and it starts to dawn on you that it REALLY is the end of another year, and all good intentions of sending Chrissy cards, making gifts and seeing friends has suddenly + mysteriously  gone out the window.... along with all your time!

Well.... I'm still trying to stay strong and not succumb to the retail bug... OR text and email Christmas message of joy. I'm makin, bakin and designing this Christmas... and if you would like to join me, Ill be dedicating this week to all things MADE. 

Made by hand... by nature... and made with love. 

And today its all hand made as I go back to embroidery and textile printing with a little birthday/Christmas gift for a good mate called Amelia....

.... and the subject?

Her lovely pink bike that can be often seen around the inner city. It is her calling card and is a splice of sunshine cutting through the very cold, grey and boring city streets throughout the week. It often brings a smile to your dial and is regularly photographed by locals and tourists alike. Last weekend it was the turn of Russell Crowe which is truly hilarious! 

I thought it would make a brilliant textile design and so the project began... 

And this is where it finished. 

With an embroidered touch of pink!

Amelia's pink bike 2011 {detail}

I grant you this little MADE project did take a wee bit longer than an hour to complete, but it could be a great project for a wet summers day over the holidays...? And the way this summer in Sydney is heading, there may be a few more wet days up our sleeves in the coming weeks.

...........

Just as a tiny note: this textile print minus embroidery will soon be available in the tinytrappings store for purchase.... minus embroidery. BUT if you would like to make a special request you can always email me at tinytrappings@gmail.com

See you tomorrow with project for something made nice and....sweet!

x 

......

PS the song by John Lennon is called Happy Christmas (the war is over), apt for this week too, as it seems that the war is 'officially' over in Iraq with the final U.S. troops pulling out as we speak. 

signed...sealed... delivered

Im yours! I love that Stevie Wonder song! Stevie's songs are always on rotation on the ol' ipod... If you have been with me on tinytrappings for a while now you might know that I love love love music. If you are wondering what type of music... listen to one of Gilles Peterson's radio shows on BBC Radio One and you'll get the idea... Jazz...soul...breakbeat...funk... it's all there.

But what has that got to do with my new woven bowls? 

Well - nothing really. 

I just signed, sealed and delivered them to Breathing Colours Gallery today. And that song jumped into my head. 

All of these new works are destined for the gallery floor... all ready for the very organised people who are scouting for Christmas gifts! 

That's not me though...

I'm still catching up with whats been happening in the last week!

spring side effect...

'happy talk' woven bowl - October 2011

Being in the warm spring sunshine, surrounded by all the lovely people at the Happy Talk workshops was always going to have a happy side effect... And I cant think of a better way to express the mood of Spring and the month of October than by producing a colourful new woven bowl.... 

It's available now in the tinytrappings store if you would like to have a closer look. 

Have a colourful and happy weekend everyone and Ill see you on the other side of it x