Sunday, April 22, 2012
Radical thoughts and leafy beginnings
I'm working on a necklace at the moment, inspired by my local area and feelings about introduced species and plants. It's very sad that there have been things brought here by humans that have upset the balance of the eco system. It breaks my heart in fact. BUT they are living things that have as much right to life as anything else, it wasn't their choice. We're introduced species too remember. I am perfectly happy to share my living space with any little animals that seek shelter here. Also just appreciating the simple beauty of so called "weeds and vermin".
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Magical Houses
I'm guessing this first video of Bjork's house in Iceland is from the 90's but not really sure, anyone know?
Anywho I love seeing interesting peoples houses, I find it fascinating.
I also recently attended the premiere of the new Earthship doco which is part of the Melbourne Sustainable Living Festival http://festival.slf.org.au/. It was fantastic, the festival has ended now but if you find a way to see the new film I highly recommend it. Earthships, for those that don't know are radical and wonderfully designed buildings that are made from post consumer recycled garbage like tyres, bottles and cans. They're completely self sustained and off the grid, meaning they're 100% solar and wind powered, they capture rainwater for use and then filters and recycles it 4 times through taps, tiolet, greenhouse before it goes into your outside garden, contained sewage system, it has a fully functioning greenhouse inside part of your living area which grows enough food to live off. Basically it has everything you need to live for the rest of your life for free and they're beautiful.
http://earthship.com/ Check out the website for loads of videos and info about the project...
I also attended a lecture on Sunday by the creator Micheal Reynolds an incredible innovator and genius who has spent years fighting nonsense laws, codes and regulations preventing new eco building to grow. He has made it possible to do things that used to be too complex, expensive or simply too radical for people to handle.
It's something so simple, shelter, food, comfort etc that all people have the right to make for themselves without having to struggle to pay for it their whole lives.
Good News! A man and his family in King Lake Victoria are going to be the first ones to get permission to build an Earthship, the first in Australia Hooray! It took him 2 years of struggle to get it passed. So I've contacted Earthship to offer to volunteer to help build, they take on volunteers to do building labour, they call them Interns, in return they learn how to make earthships themselves and become more knowledgeable in Biotecture.
I am also created a profile on the Earthship Global Network so can I become involved in any other buildings in Victoria.. here's my 'About Me' which explains my interest in Earthships in a nutshell:
"I'm a sculptor and contemporary jeweller/metal smith who lives in lovely green Upwey in the Dandenong Ranges with my partner Ben (a builder) and our rescued ferret and Pug. We're planning to build an earthship hopefully in around 5 years (that's our goal!) We're saving now for a deposit for land and building materials.
I've always had a keen interest in alternative architecture and have been researching the subject for years. As an artist, building my own sculpture to live in is the ultimate dream and to be off the grid and living in harmony with nature is massively important to me.
I'm hoping to volunteer on all upcoming building projects in Victoria Australia so I can gain knowledge and skills to one day achieve my dream and help others with theirs. "
I actually attended an Earthship Australia meeting a year or so ago and nobody had gotten permission to build yet at that point so nothing could really start yet, so I'm excited it to hear that the ball is now rolling. If you're keen I urge you to head to the site and creative a profile too.
And lastly another architecture passion of mine as I've mentioned here previously is Art Deco deisgn, I've recently created a blog dedicated to art, fashion, architecture, film, design etc of the 1930's so pop on over and follow if you're so inclined. There some there that caught my eye...
http://www.decodollies.blogspot.com.au/
I also found many gorgeous Art Deco buildings in India, which wasn't somewhere I was expecting to see that, I was pleasantly surprised. So I'll put the photos of those there too soon ;) Two of my favourites I saw in Mumbai were titled 'Sunshine' and 'Moonlight' above their front doors in stylish deco font signage.
Anywho I love seeing interesting peoples houses, I find it fascinating.
I also recently attended the premiere of the new Earthship doco which is part of the Melbourne Sustainable Living Festival http://festival.slf.org.au/. It was fantastic, the festival has ended now but if you find a way to see the new film I highly recommend it. Earthships, for those that don't know are radical and wonderfully designed buildings that are made from post consumer recycled garbage like tyres, bottles and cans. They're completely self sustained and off the grid, meaning they're 100% solar and wind powered, they capture rainwater for use and then filters and recycles it 4 times through taps, tiolet, greenhouse before it goes into your outside garden, contained sewage system, it has a fully functioning greenhouse inside part of your living area which grows enough food to live off. Basically it has everything you need to live for the rest of your life for free and they're beautiful.
http://earthship.com/ Check out the website for loads of videos and info about the project...
I also attended a lecture on Sunday by the creator Micheal Reynolds an incredible innovator and genius who has spent years fighting nonsense laws, codes and regulations preventing new eco building to grow. He has made it possible to do things that used to be too complex, expensive or simply too radical for people to handle.
It's something so simple, shelter, food, comfort etc that all people have the right to make for themselves without having to struggle to pay for it their whole lives.
Good News! A man and his family in King Lake Victoria are going to be the first ones to get permission to build an Earthship, the first in Australia Hooray! It took him 2 years of struggle to get it passed. So I've contacted Earthship to offer to volunteer to help build, they take on volunteers to do building labour, they call them Interns, in return they learn how to make earthships themselves and become more knowledgeable in Biotecture.
I am also created a profile on the Earthship Global Network so can I become involved in any other buildings in Victoria.. here's my 'About Me' which explains my interest in Earthships in a nutshell:
"I'm a sculptor and contemporary jeweller/metal smith who lives in lovely green Upwey in the Dandenong Ranges with my partner Ben (a builder) and our rescued ferret and Pug. We're planning to build an earthship hopefully in around 5 years (that's our goal!) We're saving now for a deposit for land and building materials.
I've always had a keen interest in alternative architecture and have been researching the subject for years. As an artist, building my own sculpture to live in is the ultimate dream and to be off the grid and living in harmony with nature is massively important to me.
I'm hoping to volunteer on all upcoming building projects in Victoria Australia so I can gain knowledge and skills to one day achieve my dream and help others with theirs. "
I actually attended an Earthship Australia meeting a year or so ago and nobody had gotten permission to build yet at that point so nothing could really start yet, so I'm excited it to hear that the ball is now rolling. If you're keen I urge you to head to the site and creative a profile too.
And lastly another architecture passion of mine as I've mentioned here previously is Art Deco deisgn, I've recently created a blog dedicated to art, fashion, architecture, film, design etc of the 1930's so pop on over and follow if you're so inclined. There some there that caught my eye...
http://www.decodollies.blogspot.com.au/
I also found many gorgeous Art Deco buildings in India, which wasn't somewhere I was expecting to see that, I was pleasantly surprised. So I'll put the photos of those there too soon ;) Two of my favourites I saw in Mumbai were titled 'Sunshine' and 'Moonlight' above their front doors in stylish deco font signage.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Bush Fairy Tale necklace
Back in the Land of Aus now. My travels through Sri Lanka and India were inspiring and life changing. Oh and great to see such an embrace of colour there! From the glowing bright sarees to the candy coloured painted old houses and temples, definately my cuppa tea!
Now that I've returned I'm excited to check out the Bears, Boomeranges, Bathers and Booze, Kitsch Australiana Exhibition my Bush Fairy Tale necklace in currently in.
Have a look at the Lord Coconut website to see the story behind and details about my piece:
http://www.lordcoconut.com/exhibition/kitsch-australiana/
And don't forget to check out the show possums!
xox
Now that I've returned I'm excited to check out the Bears, Boomeranges, Bathers and Booze, Kitsch Australiana Exhibition my Bush Fairy Tale necklace in currently in.
Have a look at the Lord Coconut website to see the story behind and details about my piece:
http://www.lordcoconut.com/exhibition/kitsch-australiana/
And don't forget to check out the show possums!
xox
Monday, January 16, 2012
Bears, Boomerangs, Bathers & Booze - Kitsch Australiana exhibition
Hello from Goa, India!
I've been invited to take part in a group jewellery and object exhibition at Lord Coconut's Gallery. Bears, Boomerangs, Bathers & Booze- Kitsch Australiana exhibition opening - Friday 20th January - 5.30-7.30pm till 11 February.
Unfortunately I'll still be in India on the night of the opening (returning the following day) so I won't be able to attend but I highly recommend checking it out either on the opening or come along another time to have a look, should be great!
For further info and to also see a quote from me and some preview images of the work go have a squiz:
http://www.lordcoconut.blogspot.com/2012/01/bears-boomerangs-bathers-booze-kitsch.html
http://www.lordcoconut.com/
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Art Deco, smithing, embroidery and gradients
Some current inspirations...
I would love to learn blacksmithing so I could make spectacular gates, fences and chandeliers. Saw this magnificent gate attached to a grand Art Deco building the other day. Epic.
There is a blacksmith living in the Dandeong Ranges (where I live) he has a beautiful works in Belgrave, called Braumuller's Decorative Wrought Iron it's located at the Belgrave Art Stockade, nestled on the edge of Sherbrooke Forest near the Belgrave Puffing Billy train station. A while ago I went there numerous times to visit but it was always closed and the only person there was a man selling chestnuts out the front who told me he was sick so hopefully he is better by now and the Art Stockage is up and running again. Even when it's shut you can see through all the giant windows all the gorgeous pieces.
http://braumuller.com/index.html
It's in a really magical mountainous spot too, across the road is a gnome sized wooden house right out of a fairy tale with a trickling creek, a little hydro power water wheel all surrounded by lush green mosses,vines ,ferns, wild plants and giant trees YUM. So Definitely worth a sticky beak.
Other current inspirations...
1930's embroidery on satin.
I've always had a fixation with colour gradients and various visual effects involving colours blending, mixing and over lapping. So now that I've learnt this neat trick using a cosmetic sponge to gently stipple colours fading one into the other this obsession can now spread to other areas of bodily decoration.
I would love to learn blacksmithing so I could make spectacular gates, fences and chandeliers. Saw this magnificent gate attached to a grand Art Deco building the other day. Epic.
There is a blacksmith living in the Dandeong Ranges (where I live) he has a beautiful works in Belgrave, called Braumuller's Decorative Wrought Iron it's located at the Belgrave Art Stockade, nestled on the edge of Sherbrooke Forest near the Belgrave Puffing Billy train station. A while ago I went there numerous times to visit but it was always closed and the only person there was a man selling chestnuts out the front who told me he was sick so hopefully he is better by now and the Art Stockage is up and running again. Even when it's shut you can see through all the giant windows all the gorgeous pieces.
http://braumuller.com/index.html
It's in a really magical mountainous spot too, across the road is a gnome sized wooden house right out of a fairy tale with a trickling creek, a little hydro power water wheel all surrounded by lush green mosses,vines ,ferns, wild plants and giant trees YUM. So Definitely worth a sticky beak.
Other current inspirations...
1930's embroidery on satin.
I've always had a fixation with colour gradients and various visual effects involving colours blending, mixing and over lapping. So now that I've learnt this neat trick using a cosmetic sponge to gently stipple colours fading one into the other this obsession can now spread to other areas of bodily decoration.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Exhibition, travels and studio plans
Our grad show is now over, but here is a few pics of my work for those that missed it....
So now my Box Hill jewellery Advanced Diploma is completed and it's time to start working on building my home studio. I've already compiled lists of items to get and tasks to do... currently I'm planning, so soon will be time to start doing. I'll be jetting off to Sri Lanka and India for a 2 and a half week summer holiday very soon but when I return all my studio plans will become actions. I've had an art studio at home for sometime but now it needs to be converted into a jewellery workshop. It's a huge task which will take years to fully complete and will be an ongoing work in progress but it's all very exciting~! Wish me luck!
So now my Box Hill jewellery Advanced Diploma is completed and it's time to start working on building my home studio. I've already compiled lists of items to get and tasks to do... currently I'm planning, so soon will be time to start doing. I'll be jetting off to Sri Lanka and India for a 2 and a half week summer holiday very soon but when I return all my studio plans will become actions. I've had an art studio at home for sometime but now it needs to be converted into a jewellery workshop. It's a huge task which will take years to fully complete and will be an ongoing work in progress but it's all very exciting~! Wish me luck!
Friday, November 25, 2011
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