edgy, feminine and a little burlesque.

I had some girly time recently and watched Burlesque and throughly enjoyed it.I loved the costumes and generally felt entertained. I'm a Cher fan and I loved Moulin Rogue so I figured I'd enjoy this one.And lets face it there is nothing like escaping into some sequins and stilettos for a while...

After this visual feast of textures and glamor I felt totally inspired and surfed the web until I found Bibian Blue, fashion designer from Barcelona...edgy, feminine and a little burlesque.

Bibian Blue

big, unusual hair

Aren't these inspiring pics? Love the big hair and grey scale. They're from an old Culture magazine that my hair dresser gave me. I so love going to my hairdressers just to read the hair mags..hair seems to be such an important element of my portraits. but its got to be big or unusual. you know what I mean?

Sacred Journey

original painting, mixed media collage on canvas 60 cm x 60cm

inspiration avenue challenge

prints available here

Creativity is your own sacred journey. One that requires you to go within. It’s about getting to know your true self, allowing yourself time to grow, believing in your own creative abilities, having the courage to put something out there that others aren’t doing and most importantly accepting yourself unconditionally.

the power of words

this lovingly arrived in my inbox this morning....its worth watching.

feeling good about being different...

The Beauty of Different -Observations of a Confident Misfit....sounds like a great mix to me!

She's doing what she loves!

this is Beth Nicholls, have you meet her yet? I wanted to give a big whole hearted shout about what she's doing. Do What You Love, retreat in the UK with a great line up of tutors at an amazing place. love this artist's work who's part of the 3 who are teaching there. theres an insightful interview with her here.

Beth is also running an e-course for those of us who can't wing our way to England....truly worth checking out.

lovin' these fireworks!

Really love the messages and imagery in this song. Well done Katy!! Lately I've been feeling like I'm igniting, like my heart is bursting, not sure where its come from but I'm living + loving every minute of it and certainly know the difference between feeling like this and not. I'm doing what I can to stay in this state...its a happy place for sure!

one of my favorite spots in Sydney

Yep, it was right next door to we here we stayed in Sydney. We went for drinks to The Winery, after trekking many many km's around Sydney. But I knew I was in for a real treat when I saw this seat at the bottom of the stairs with cowhide and a floral cushion. The stuffed peacock was also like a neon light saying this place has got spunk!

I don't usually connect with dead animals on walls, but this was done with unusual flare, in a way that I could consider as a possibility...was it the rosary beads?

The ceiling around the bar was shrouded with chandeliers and baskets of imitation flowers. It sounds so tacky, but honestly it was over the top beautiful.

Zebra print stools, cowhide chairs and pink leather....I felt like I was in heaven.

even though I may not look it!

Happy Halloween

Rocco Pink Powdered Marie Antoinette Wig

by Kathleen Marie

Happy Halloween!

its not so precious. true, true....

Just saw this on Rage this morning and enjoyed its playfulness. Jessica Chapnik.

And here is another link for you to watch on the making of this clip....just goes to show that the creative process doesn't always work the first time, but it sure can be loads of fun!!

Valentino Retrospective

Yes it was amazing...truly. It was well worth the early morning and the 4hr journey there. We had a guided tour, which I would highly recommend to anyone wanting to know more about Valentino and his divine craft of haute couture , which I learnt means high sewing. All of V's garments are ALL hand sewn. Every piece. And none of them have price tags under 6 figures, not that those figures are ever revealed.

No picture taking allowed but you can see the collection on this site at the Brisbane Times, I was kind of hoping...these pics I took were in the middle of the exhibition were there was a timeline and a number of dvd's to watch that included runway shows and V's movie

and a number of V's book to look through while sitting. Exquisite.

There were 95 garments to take in, all amazing artworks in their own rights. I would highly recommend this exhibition to anyone interested in fabric or fashion and feel fortunate that I was able to see some of V's collection up close and personal.

Valentino here I come!

Valentino Evening gown (detail) Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2008, Collection: Valentino Archives Photograph: Jean Tholance View full image

Tomorrow I am taking myself to Brissie to see Valentino, Retrospective: Past/Present/Future. Can't wait to see all those textures, fabrics and sweeping designs. Divine. I'm jumping on a bus and travelling with a local gallery group. I'm also looking forward to some quite bus time, maybe even catch up on some sleep?

Valentino Evening gown (detail) Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2003, Model 130 Collection: Valentino Archives Photograph: Jean Tholanc

Fabric textures and patterns have always been a source of inspiration, so even the thought of seeing this designers couture is making my heart beat. Truly feels like it might be soul filling.

ps. I hear that Wini is coming up from Melbourne to see this exhibition this weekend, maybe I'll bump into her, wouldn't that be cool?

Big hair

Orange Blossom by Crude Things

model Kalia, photographer Barrie Blau

Spring is upon all of us in the Southern Hemisphere and it is warming up. The kids and I have had our first swim of the season, whilst the other half of world is heading into Autumn and the celebration of Halloween. Its not a big tradition in Australia, although I'm sure there are Halloween parties held. Aussies do love a good party!

I've been enjoying the etsy finds with Halloween costumes. You know I LOVE big hair so when I spied these wig artists I had to share them with you.

Braided Chignon wig by Puppycatmeow

Inspired Vintage Make Over

Cate Blanchette in a Jean Paul Gaultier Couture

silk and velvet gown. Image courtsey of Vogue

This pic of Cate Blanchette (awesome Aussie actress) has been stirring my inspiration for some time. I just love, love love the textures and soft pastel colours against the black pompoms!

Jean Paul Gaultier gown, no less.......

My favourite colour at the moment is soft pinks, beige and whites, so when I found a soft pink cardi at the Op Shop for $2.50 it was definitely coming home with me. You know when an image from your collection of pics just pops into your head, well that image of Cate on the couch in her JPG gown came to me.....with some tulle and floral braid my Op Top now has a new look.

And heres my spin on it.

I'm sure I'll find a perfect time and place to wear it....maybe I could recline on the couch tonight in my new couture!

Welcome Oprah

What can I say other than OMG! Oprah is coming to Australia! How exciting that the rest of the world gets to see Australia Oprah style.... can't wait to see how this journey unfolds. Truly my heart is pumping with pride that Down Under was her choice destination.

A little bit of fun learning along the way, head to Oprahs site to do a quiz on Australia....yes even I learnt some interesting facts about Australia...now I know how many kangaroos inhabit our country, the amount of opals we produce and just how inventive we Aussies are!

Ok, be still my beating heart and get back to my studio!

Dancing on a Journal page...

Was up early this morning, watching Rage and crocheting a comission for 2 Chowder Beanies when I saw this clip from Australian singer Vanessa Amorosi. She is an amazing talent, has been since a young age.....but CHECK THIS CLIP OUT! Truely its like she is dancing on a journal page and I am so inlove with the greyscale imagery...love love love it!

all dressed up...

This pic caught my eye in the weekends paper. I mean why wouldn't it? Big hair, flower on top with gorgeous patterns in the background and a to die for dress.... its Fashion Festival Brisbane at South Bank. Any Bris-Vegas people going this weekend? What a great line up of events they've got going.

And loved watching the prep work that went into this hero shot. I've always been curious about how things have been put together to create the end result, so I enjoyed this little clip immensely. Sadly I shall not be on of the 'frocked gals' attending these events, instead I shall be 'frocked up' in Toowoomba enjoying the Downlands Art show opening, where I shall see many dear friends and view some fabo art!

Keith Lo Bue in Hervey Bay!

Yes! thats right Keith Lo Bue! in Hervey Bay. What a BLAST Keith's exhibition is. Our regional art gallery director persuaded Keith, over a number of years she told the gathering, to finally exhibit a collection of his work.Keith's art hasn't been in a gallery setting for 12 yrs. I went along to his artist talk last night...Why the Wind Blows and other Popular Delusions. What a curious, interesting cool guy he is.

Some of his diehard fans were there. Red streamers to cheer him on. And I'm so proud to say that Keith and Neil Healey's collaborative show was well supported by our local community.

Keith spoke about his creative life and his passion for 'stuff'. we were all delighted to this piece in motion....just finished the night before the exhibition was put together.



Adele Outteridge opened Keith's exhibition. Keith described her as one of Australia's national treasures. I feel so privileged to have been at this event and oh so thankful to be able to hear Keith speak about his art.

Thank you Keith for accepting Hervey Bays invitation to share your work....it was not only a poetic moment, but a memorable one!

inspiration + action = making a difference

I'm back to my bouncy self today, nothing like a bit of Self Love to feel fulfilled again. And to add to the Love fest mix, I got to see this last night on ABC 2! 1000 Journals. Last week I put in a request at my local library and was told it was unlikely that they would get it as they don't usually purchase DVDs from the States. Sigh....

Thanks to the broad thinking ABC and my intuition to check the tv guide I had the immense delight of watching this! Masterchef, I do still love you and looking forward to tonight's episode!

For those of you who haven't seen it, it is quite a feast of inspiration... one man having an idea to send out 1000 journals into the world, to see if they would be returned, filled with visual and written journaling. Some have been returned finished, others still missing in action...

Many things I loved about this doco. There were Aussies featured in it. Always a bonus. But also the responsibility some of the passer-oners felt, mixed in with the wanting to hang on to the journals, made this a real human experience.

It all began with 'someguy' having an inspired, somewhat crazy idea that he acted on, that in itself is an inspiration.

sharing inspiration..from the hairdressers!

pics from Perfect Hair mag.

I do love going to my hairdressers, not just to feel pampered but I often come away with loads of inspiration from the hair mags.The pics often have head and shoulder shots, with great lighting, dramatic looks and 'out there' hair. Sounds like a perfect recipe to me for great drawings and paintings. I've found I'm particulary drawn to the images that have great fabric texture in them.... adore the lace on the forehead, even though she has quite a dark look.