home + studio visit with Mel Young

^Colour and textures on the living room table
at Mel Young's family home in Rozelle^

Bang!
Not one but three posts in one day!
And on a Monday morning too!

Please forgive me but im excited after spending a magical week teaching, talking and meeting some amazing Australian artists' and art lovers. And I thought I would impart some of my creative energy onto you!  Its art shock therapy! So we can start the new year on a colourful and creative vibe.
I hope you dont mind?

Now, if you've been reading and following this tiny blog for the past few years, you may already know the lovely work of Mel. And if you've been really observant, you would have seen her colourful Petersham studio loft, when I featured it in a project I was calling 'In our Hands'.

I was on a personal quest with the the 'In Our Hands' project as I have a deep fascination with how artists' like to work in the studio. So I thought I would start snooping around a few art studios in Sydney, watch people at work, and ask questions about their inspirations, experiences of working as an artist, and their creative habits and routines in the studio.

(If you're curious to look at some of these posts, please click onto the label 'In our hands' at the bottom of this post.)

But getting back to Mel - in the last few months Mel, her partner Mark, and beautiful three year old son moved to the lovely Sydney suburb of Rozelle. And a couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to visit her new studio space and take a few photos.

I hope you enjoy this second studio visit for 2014!
Thank you Mel and family for letting us view your new space!
x

^Mel surrounded by the beautiful light of her new studio space^

^Earthy collection in Mel's home^

^The warm colours that cover one shelf in the living room^

^The top shelf where tiny fingers cant reach!^

A^ tiny weaving by Mel and a ceramic cup by Keiko Matsui^

^Beautiful charcoal ceramic pieces from Mel's home collection^

^Precious art pieces mix in with happy memories on the living room shelves^

^I love a colourful fridge!
Especially where is happens to spell out some 'fun' vocab^

^A small small snippet of Mel's succulent collection in the backyard
that migrated with her  to Rozelle^

^The colourful vignettes continue into the studio^

^Artworks, ideas, postcards, jewellery pieces and experiments.... in the studio^

^The desk ...
and an smorgasbord of colourful and creative things to play with^

help yourself why don't cha!

Two visitors to the gallery taking a close look at Bridget Kennedy's
jewellery installation at Depot Gallery in Sydney.

Duck and cover...

That is the best way to describe the weather in Sydney at the moment...

Summer seems to have gone AWOL, leaving us high - but definitely not dry!

Every dark cloud has the potential to thrown down the most tremendous amount of rain... 

And it has turned cold...freezing cold! In February! 

What to do.... What to do...

Well in cases like these I usually turn to the art galleries for shelter and inspiration. 

And lucky for me I was able to catch Bridget Kennedy's amazing jewellery installation on its last day at the Depot Gallery at Danks st. {in association with Studio 20/17}.

The exhibition was called 'Just help yourself why don't cha' and it existed of one art work. 

One art work containing 10 000 rings made of beeswax, zinc, lead, coal and gold.

It was truly beautiful. And the room was filled with the scent of beeswax.

The idea was that visitors could look at the work and then choose a ring for themselves for a small donation. 

It took me AGES to find a ring out of this amazing collection. But in the end I found one after circling and studying each piece in detail. 

Well - not EVERY piece... but many of them! 

Such an amazing show to start the year. 

Now for the Dobell Drawing Prize at the Art Gallery of NSW, before it closes on Sunday!

u n n a t u r a l. b e a u t i e s.

unnatural tendencies + unnatural acts, two jewellery exhibitions at Craft, Melbourne, 2012

How lucky was I?!

While on my whirlwind trip to Melbourne last weekend, I was able to catch the colourful last two days of Unnatural Tendencies + Unnatural Acts - two exhibitions which featured some of Australia's most innovative and celebrated contemporary jewellers. 

Yep - I was lucky indeed!

Mel Young and Lauren Simeoni - two of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet - are the creative brains behind the 'unnatural' series of exhibitions' that have been travelling around Australia, and the world, for the past 3 years. Way back in 2009 I reviewed their very first collaboration at Metalab in Sydney. And if you're curious at how much these two women have come since then, please have a look here! 

{But please excuse my writing and bad images....eep! The blog has come a long way since 2009!!)

I feel very fortunate to have seen the latest instalment of this series of jewellery exhibitions. And in a space that celebrates contemporary craft and design in Australia - which is rare these days!

Over the past month, the beautiful main space at this basement gallery on Flinders Lane had been transformed into a colourful + textural wonderland with every kind of material bent, beaded, reconfigured and re-imagined into wearable jewels that asked to be noticed and admired.

I know its always difficult to get a true sense of a show by photos on a blog... 

But  I hope you enjoy this tiny walk through these two amazing exhibitions.

In this image you can see the long wooden table showcasing the first exhibition entitled Unnatural Acts, curated by Mel Young and Lauren Simeoni, who asked 13 Australian contemporary jewellers to create wearable pieces of jewellery using a bag of odd materials that they sent each jeweller in the post. Each bag contained a variety of different and unusual materials including fake plants and fruit.

How amazing is this installation of 98 pieces of technicoloured jewellery?!
Entitled Unnatural Tendencies, this two-person exhibition by Mel Young and Lauren Simeoni brought together the collaborative thoughts and creations of these two contemporary artists... 

These next 3 images give you an idea of the detail and sheer beauty in each piece of jewellery.
Every piece is unique and made by hand, and focused on pure colour and pure fun!
Each piece also pushes boundaries and expectations of what we believe jewellery to be... and be made of. 

And in this last photo, you can see the latest addition to my humble collection of artworks.
Can you guess which one it is?
Thank you Lauren for suggesting an artist swap!!
A drawing will be heading your way soon!

Unfortunately these two exhibition closed on Sunday in Melbourne.
But look out for the next instalment in the new year!

makin a mark!

Make your Mark, the 6th Annual Object Gallery Staff exhibition

HELLLLOOOOO! 

Boy - it feels like a year since Ive spoken to you. I know - its only been just over a week, but I have so so many blog posts in my head - filled with lots of stories and photos from the past few weeks that Id love to share with you. 

Anyone else noticed how fast time is flying at the moment? July and August seem to have merged into one month for me and I cant get my head around the notion of September. At the moment Im being asked what Im up to for my birthday which happens on the second week of September, and Ive started to look at them blankly and think theyre joking, as Im trying to get over the fact that its AUGUST!!

That's why my first post back had to be about the brilliant group exhibition that is on now at Breathing Colours Gallery. The opening was last Saturday and it finishes this Saturday!!! So you have to get in quick if you would like to catch this one.... 

Make your Mark is a group exhibition that we try to organise every year for past and present Object Gallery staff. Before we started this concept 6 years ago, I had no idea how amazingly talented some of these people were!! I knew they were lovely people, but I had no idea they were amazing photographers, ceramicists, or jewellers! 

Sad but true... 

So its been great to come together like this every year and catch up with what's been happening in each others lives, and in each others artwork.

For this years show 20 artists' put up their hand to exhibit one work of art, with the materials of their choice. The only proviso was that it had to fit within the size of an A4 piece of paper... So a little tricky, but manageable for those with only a tiny bit of time in the studio.

Michele Morcos, Harbour Play, 2012, mixed media on paper

I loved the title of this year.... as... well...Im a mark marker! 

But what kind of mark did I want to make??? I knew I wanted to make a mark that was colourful.... textural... and not too serious.
And I wanted to reflect the new series of works that I had just completed for the solo show...
So I looked to a few of my recent pieces....

Michele Morcos, Chiaroscuro, 2012, mixed media diptych on wood

And then gave it a bit of a twist.

With...the addition of a massive colourful pom pom! 

Yes - a little bit mad. A little bit odd. 

Michele Morcos, O N E, 2012, mixed media on wood with detachable woollen pom pom

But fun... and a little new. 

And that's what this annual show is all about. Having fun! 

So I hope this little works reflects that spirit in some small... furry... fun way?!

just visiting...

One of many colourful and creative displays in the home of
the lovely Sydney jeweller Mel Young....

I love it when I am invited over to a friends house...
Especially when its filled with amazing little displays such as these!

Thank you Mel Young
For letting me visit your colourful and creative home.

It is such a beautiful space
with an amazing attention to detail.

You can see the loving respect
that you have for each piece that is welcomed into your home.

I can see that my little artworks are very happy to call this place....
Home.

all that jazz.

What to do... what to do...

Its the start of a new week and the start of the week which will see me installing my solo show on Sunday... 

But lets back track a little. 

I disappeared on you after my post early last week and i have no excuse. Other than the fact that my time, and thoughts, have been centred on finishing my artwork for the exhibition and all the jazz that comes along with that.... such as labels, framing, catalogue, images... and titles.

Trip the Light Fantastic Drawing Installation, June 2012

Other distractions included seeing a couple of amazing exhibitions, one being Claire McArdle's extremely colourful and textural jewellery sculpture show at Studio 20/17 at Danks st. {I wish I had been able to stay longer at that opening on Saturday.} 

That same afternoon I picked up an unsold painting from an exhibition AND bid a sad farewell to the Collect Store at Object Gallery as it had its last day of trading on Saturday. 

And in amongst all of that I carried my camera. Just in case. But it never came out of my bag and I wondered why as Im usually so excited to take photos wherever I am. Inspiration is truly everywhere and I love trying to find and capture a portion of it through my lens. 

This past week was different. And I wondered whether it was because there were so many things happening. So many beginnings and endings that had me thinking rather than acting... pondering rather than writing here on this tiny blog. 

Maybe...

It truly is Winter here in this part of the globe and that always plays a part in my energy levels. If you've been following me for a little while now you would know that I frequently call myself a lizard, as I LOVE the warmth of the Sun and the heat and light of Summer and Spring. 

Well.... those days have departed for now. And this little lizard is hibernating from the grey wet days of Winter... 

And so my new resolution for the season? To try, just try, to find some inspiration for the Winter. It'll be tough but Im up for the challenge. 

And I believe that the launch of the 18th Biennale of Sydney will be a good place to start. 

It opens on 27 June, and from what Ive seen so far in the press, it looks to be a cracker.

Art for humanity....

Like balancing the scales... or clearing the slate... I find that the month of June can be a big time of reflection for me. 

What have I been doing with my time this year? Am I on track with some of my dreams and wishes for the year? Do I feel like things are all ok - mentally, physically, creatively and energetically? If something feels like its off balance or off key, I find that Winter is the time to try and address it... 

For example? This upcoming exhibition. 

A few weeks ago I was asked by my good friend Mel Young if I would like to participate in this amazing fundraising exhibition for the Australian Red Cross - a charity that i like to donate to every year. Mel and a few other lovely people were trying to bring together a great collection of painters and jewellers for a two week exhibition, that would see monies donated to the Red Cross when works were sold. So of course I said yes. 

And next Thursday this great show will open at the Depot II Gallery at Danks St in Waterloo... which is a great gallery space in Sydney. 

As an extra honour my painting was also chosen for the online flyer - which you can see above {but not very clearly! Sorry bout that...} But what an honour it is too as there are some brilliant Australian artists in the show.

I cant wait to see it all unfold next week...

If you are in Sydney please come along and support, and hopefully we will all be able to give some balance and good energy to this truly worthy cause.

Have a great weekend and keep warm!

x

M A D E ... {to be given}

Earrings by Olenka Fombertaux- Jararweh

By now you may have realised something about me...

I love giving and im not very good at receiving! 

Im one of those people that loves to make, or find something for someone in my life... 

I find it a rewarding challenge, even if it is a hand made card with a few handwritten words...{and I stress hand written as I love it when someone takes the time to pen a personal message. Strange as that may be to say it, but these days no one really 'writes' any more!}

However when it comes to receiving.. I get embarrassed and immediately start to think of what I could give in return. Even if I have already given them something. Hopeless. 

As it happens every year you start to say Merry Christmas to people early on in the month, as holidays begin, travels commence and the opportunity for 'one more catch up' starts to fade. So I have already received some amazing cards and gifts this year. 

And one such present can be seen in these photos above and below. 

And boy was i touched.

A closer look...

A beautiful friend of mine who I meet through working at Object surprised me the other day with a pair of earrings that she had made. And as you can see, they are completely amazing...

Olenka Fombertaux - Jararweh is a Sydney based jeweller who has been making for a few years now, showing in exhibitions in galleries such as Breathing Colours. Recently she has been given representation with Breathing Colours and The Collect Store @ Object Gallery, as well as opening her own bigcartel store, where you can find some of her amazing beaded earrings and hand cut silver worked neck pieces... 

I haven't stopped wearing these since I fell in love with them upon opening my gift.
Maybe it is nice to receive once in a while?!

creative influence : Iris Apfel

Iris Apfel, Style Icon

When you talk about fashion style icons there are a myriad of people that would automatically spring to mind... Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Jacki Kennedy-Onassis, and possibly Kate Moss. 

For me it's always got to be someone who is not afraid of colour... likes to take pattern + texture and mix it all up.... and someone who looks at clothing as an extension of their true personality and creative self expression. Oh... and they have to have some fun with it all! 

In this context their are only a few people that I love...

Jenny Kee is definitely on my list. I talked about a few months ago as she was featured in The Sun-Herald's Sunday Life Magazine. It was so great to see her creative spirit on the cover a big newspaper with such a wide readership as it gave a nod of encouragement to all the other artistic characters out there who like to see some originality in the wider community.... 

Last Sunday it was the turn of another one of my favourite fashion icons to grace the cover of Sunday Life Magazine. And it may be a person of whom you have never heard of....

Her name: Iris Apfel.  Her profession : Interior Stylist and co founder of Old World Weavers textile house. Her age : 90 years old. And her life has never been busier. 

In 2005 an exhibition of her extravagant wardrobe called  Rara Avis opened to a huge audience at The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, and it has been touring ever since. She calls herself a 'geriatric starlet' but I believe her to be a true individual and creative free spirit who believes that life is to be enjoyed...

Here are a few great quotes from Iris:

Clothes are not frippery. Properly done, they can be an art form. 

Throughout history clothes represented who you were; they are a great vehicle for explaining who you are. During the Ching dynasty, for example, 

what you wore and how it was made reflected your status in society.

People could literally read your clothes like a book, just by its colour and how it was embroidered.

Fashion really is women’s liberation in a lot of ways. Look at how many women in this country are depressed about how they look and how they think they have to look! 

It’s really sad. And it’s not about money. 

People with a lot of money don’t dress as well as people who have to make do, who have to be inventive. Those are the people who are always more interestingly dressed, I think. Everything I do, I do with gut instinct. If I think too much, it won’t come out right.

I mix up everything. A museum curator once said to me that there is a great Jazz

component to the way I do things because good jazz is improvisation and draws

elements from all different cultures. 

Iris with her husband Carl Apfel

Talk about a true style icon! 

Credits: Article 'The Big Apfel' by Helena De Bertodano, The Sun-Herald Sunday Life Magazine, pg14. 
Photos Chester Higgins Jr, The New York Times. 

western plains weatherboard.... pt 1

A beautiful blue weatherboard house in Dubbo NSW

Howdy! Oh its good to be out of my travelling shoes and into the routines of home... 

I love to travel but I love travelling home too!

I hope you all are well after a great weekend? As you can see, and hear, I am home again home again... and already back into the saddle of work, studio and pre-Christmas stuff! Its amazing how fast things seem to go once December is mentioned. Can anyone believe that it starts THIS WEEK? NO? Me neither!

Before all that begins I have to rewind the tape back a couple of weeks and conduct a tiny show and tell for you, of my whirlwind ten day train journey to two place in country NSW.
And today Ill begin the tour with house.
A very colourful and arty house that belongs to Caroline + Josh in Dubbo NSW...

Stg Silver hook earrings by Caroline Edwards

A little while ago I posted an image of these lovely silver earrings (image above) that were made by my friend Caroline who left Sydney Town a few years ago to work in an amazing artistic community called Warmun in Outback Australia. Needless to say this outback community was far FAR away and we had to be happy with a friendship conducted through long emails and letters...

But just over a year ago Caroline received an amazing job opportunity at Dubbo Regional gallery, as assistant curator, which was an opportunity too good to refuse! So off she went with partner Josh, new baby Audrey and Jess the dog, to live in this big country town located in the Western Plains of NSW.

And here is where I find them... living in a lovely blue weatherboard house, in place that I had never travelled to before. And whilst there, catching up with the family and volunteering at the gallery I took a few photos for you...

So I hope you love this tiny tour of their beautiful artistic home... in a place called Dubbo.

Beautiful space next to the front door...

Love this space in the living room. This little dress found at a market is too big for their daughter Audrey so it waits to be worn...hung above the door... to the bathroom!

Juan Ford invitation from a recent exhibition at Dubbo regional Gallery. And if you look at the Favourite artwork of the week section (on the right) I have featured one of Juan's amazing paintings this week!

More amazing ochre artworks from Warmun, WA

Beautiful blue bike parked where you always park a bike...next to a lamp! Love it...

The dining room sideboard with a treasure trove of textures, colours and objects...

If you look closely you can see an old photo of Caroline from the Dubbo newspaper.... an honour that Caroline usually shys away from...

The spaces are huge, with amazing natural light pouring in through the old wooden windows and doors in the afternoon hours....

Painting next to the laundry liquid! Gosh... you have to love the quirkiness of it!

A tiny card made with love...from Audrey