The North African Collages

The incredible work of Nick Bantock has always been inspirational to me. Apart from the gorgeous Griffin and Sabine series, my most favorite book of his would have to be "The Venetian's Wife" - described as "a strangely sensual tale of a renaissance explorer, a computer, and a metamorphosis" These beautiful collages are part of his North African series, more of which can be viewed here.
Aren't they just stunning? Turn of the century North Africa would have been an incredible place to see that's for sure. Ah well, the imagination will have to do!

Yay for Alice

Like everyone else I'm soooo looking forward to Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland! It's sure to be absolutely crazy wonderful. (images and interesting interview with Burton here)

I also just found these classic images (over here) by Sir John Tenniel from "Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There", 1871, by Lewis Carroll.
I have been seeing these images everywhere recently, in jewellery, brooches, art, all sorts of things. It's a beautiful thing when art that is over a hundred years old is still so popular and evocative today.


And from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland", 1865

And the king of illustration: Arthur Rackham's vision of Alice and the white rabbit

Artists that inspire

John Galliano Fall 2009: a Russian-Balkan folklore fantasy. Found through Style.com
This is the sort of imagery I adore. Beautiful costumes, beautiful photography, it just inspires me to create. Galliano's fashion designs are somewhat kooky but I love his creativity.

Beneath the Jackdaws Gate

“From beneath the Jackdaws Gate, she rises to meet me” (2009), 22x30cm, Acrylic on canvas

When night Falls

“When night falls” (2009), 30x30cm, Acrylic on canvas

"He was conscious of any number of bodachs and spirits, shadowmen and border folk, faerie and ghosts, all going about their business. They were under the trees behind him and up in the boughs of those same oaks. They wandered along the streets, keeping to the shadows. They slept in gardens, poked through dumpsters. They scurried about in the sewers and alleyways, crept along rooftops or along windowsills, peering into people's apartments".
- Charles de Lint, excerpt from "Spirits in the Wires"

(A quote that seemed to fit)

Children of Heaven and Earth

"Wind King”(2009), 19x24cm, Acrylic on wood


"Fire King”(2009), 19x24cm, Acrylic on wood
(the fox," the amber-eyed, red-gold 'dog of the wood' 'Beano abri', born out of doors like the gypsy and sharing the same wild, untameable heart"""")

Loosely based on a gypsy myth, they are two of the five sons of heaven and earth. The others were Mist King, Moon King and Sun King.

Artists that inspire

Utterly blown away by the breathtaking work of Heather Jansch. Wow.

Walking for the Animals - gypsy wagons in the outback

Just found out about this amazing event from the lovely Leeo at redbubble

She told me about a Romani gypsy named Red Catherine Johns, who is journeying from the Angus Valley in South Australia to Alice Springs in the Northern Territory in her horse-drawn Vardo (Gypsy Caravan) to raise awareness about the mistreatment of animals. Catherine, with two of her companion dogs Lilly and Django will be travelling in her Vardo pulled by her beautiful Clydesdale Tigger.



"A unique journey is being undertaken to promote awareness for all the creatures who share this planet with us. In cooperation-not exploitation""
She is to be joined by a number of other people who will be riding horses, biking or driving along side her in this thoroughly unique adventure.

I really hope it goes well, so please check out the website and spread the word :-)

Handmade in Melbourne

The second "Handmade in Melbourne" book was launched last night, in a gallery packed full of local crafters and creators.
I'm really excited to be a part of this edition (I have a page with a little blurb about myself and my work)
To be part of a community of such awesome, talented folk is really brilliant!
Some other lovely creators who are in the book whose work I very much admire, include Madeleine Stamer of Little circus designs and Betty Jo designs

Lots of in.cube8r crafters were included in this edition, apparently we made up about 40% of the book!
Very cool stuff!