Beautiful Inspiration

Hair by Katelyn Simkims, Photographed by Babak

These images are from the North American Hair styling Awards. Love the styling, the simplicity the dynamic red, a hint of floral and rustic texture in the back ground. A great combination and wonderful inspiration!

that funky boutique

OMGosh! aren't these THE most beautiful eco decor you've ever seen. I certainly think so!! these divine cushions are made by the very talented Angie and can be found at that funky boutique etsy. 'Each one is a one of a kind sewn from recycled felted wool &/or cashmere sweater knits.' that's so clever, I can just imagine snuggling into this tactile rainbow.

Truly I'm in love with anything that's eco, recycled or reused AND beautiful. These most definitely are. Call me superficial if you may, but paper bag brown eco just doesn't do it for me...and why should it when there are beautiful choices like Angie's delightful cushions.

*ps. I've nearly finished up loading to my website, not long now until my shop shall be open and you can see what I've been creating!!

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?

Fashion Graffiti

hello by Miss Shellie

isn't this inspiring? I loved Shellie Argeanton's creations the minute I laid eyes on her creative fashion graffiti. Shellie uses gesso and and brilliant ink on magazine pages to create one off images.

What do I love about this?

that I haven't seen this done anywhere else before, thats its about transforming an already existing image, its about recycling and its just plain different and unique..

if you want to see more, Shellie has the most amazing images at her flickr page and etsy.

Autumn Hearts

Tex & Joe Autumn Heart

ok, so you know how much I love hearts..anything heart shaped and lovely. my hubby tells me I'm obsessed.but hey what a great thing to be obsessed with! I love its universal symbolism.

Look at this gorgeous felt heart from Tex & Joe, made from a wool blend and hand sewn. And filled with a fibre made from recycled plastic bottles. Take yourself for a wonder through this lovely site...truly some beautiful treasures!

Every Little Helps...

Have you met Maki yet? She's a Japanese ceramist living in the UK. Maki has family and friends living in Japan....and Maki is following her inspired heart to help.

Australian's and New Zealander's have recently endured Mother Natures distain, we know only too well the tugs at our hearts to do what we can to help.

Maki has made 1000 of these beautiful birds inspired by the 1000 cranes story to raise money for the earthquake appeal. If this calls to your heart, as it does mine, Maki has more info at her blogspot.

Remember 'Every Little Helps!"

Bloom True Workshops in Australia

Flora Bowley~ Bloom True Workshops

for anyone who hasn't heard Flora Bowley is coming to Australia in March. some fellow artists are hosting the workshops...there are opportunities to be part of these workshops in WA, hosted by Donna and one in Melbourne hosted by Julia.

By all acounts that I've read, her workshops are amazing. If you feel inspired to paint,this is one you don't want to miss!

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.

street art is sydney

some street art we noticed whilst walking the streets of Sydney. loved this painting in the doorway of the shop....

sculptures made of concrete around a sign post (my daughter spotted this one)

a little b+w man. having a closer look I discovered the top painting and this one was created by the same artist."Ears", as he's known, has a website ( yes it is valuable to write your website on your creations) he paints lots of street art as well as canvas.maybe you've seen his work before? worth a look and refreshing to see a mans point of view on portraits. you can find him here www.earstotheground.net. I love the freedom he expresses through his brush/spraycan....

and where would be be without Where's Wally? we loved spotting all these delightful creations as we walked. ah the culture of Sydney..

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!

Christmas in the Country

My table ( i changed the back board to all paintings

and it worked really well)

Christmas in the Country was great! Lots of great people organizing this function and wonderful numbers attending. Not to mention spending time with dear Jo. And I got to met some real gems of people, customers and creators.

Jo's table

Here we are at opening night. Flowers in our hair, ready to sell our creative goodies to the appreciative crowds.

Jo loving opened her home to me and whilst I was there I gravitated to her studio. Some show and tell conversations, browsing through Jo' books and magazines and pouring over her collection of dyed fabrics and laces....and lots of oooing over her buttons and treasured collections.

Conversation in Jo's Studio

some loving customers

I had the absolute pleasure of meeting some amazing women creating great products. Sally from Buttoney Boo (she entertained Jo and I the whole weekend with her humor!) She makes zippy bags and exhibits regularly at Eumundi Markets and Donna from Relax Me, with beautiful soy candles. LOVED Donna's range of Goddess candles.

It was a good time had by all...I'm feeling very grateful to have been part of this showing. Thanks to all who purchased my creative wares. May you enjoy....

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!!

Harvest Textiles

Harvest Textiles

Check out this inspiring Melbourne arty textile biz. Harvest Textiles. They have some neat stuff going with on with classes, screen printed fabrics and related products and guest speakers. That's what caught my eye... their guest speaker, Clara Vuletich spoke about Upcycling textiles (check out their blog). If I was in Melbourne I would have been there. With bells on!

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

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!

Laith McGregor

Laith McGregor

You won't often see pics of men in this space, but here is a beauty. I've been watching Art Nation on the ABC lately and Laith McGregor was recent featured. you can watch the interview here.

What caught my attention was Laiths chosen medium...a biro.

Pens and biros are a great readily available tool to draw with and you can capture so much detail with this medium. I use a fine black biro to draw my greyscale illustrations, like the one in my banner at the moment and I'm always amazed by the detail and shading in the end result. I'm sure you would have done some phone side doodles, why not try it in your journal?