t i n y t r a p p i n g s

high highs...

2012-01-30T16:51:00.000+11:00

january 2012

high highs and low lows....

that's the only way to describe this month!

And where all the days have disappeared to,

im at a loss to know...

All I know is that a little time went into travel, a little went into the studio, a little went into seeing friends and family, a little went into spending some quiet time at home, and the rest went into wandering around with a camera in my hand.

Im sure the year will find some sort of balance and rhythm... But for now Im just taking a little bit of time to rewind and reflect on a few moments from the last few weeks...

Hope you all are well and have a few scratchy memories from a month that departed all too soon...

green + gold... true colours of home.

building blocks...

2012-01-27T10:30:00.002+11:00

the studio... january 2012

Its in January that you start to feel out the coming year...

What would I like to achieve? Where would I like to travel? What big things would I like to tick off my imaginary life list? Some things we cant plan for - and in a year that for many started off with a BIG BANG - it can be tricky to foresee whats going to happen next.

In the last few weeks Ive had a lot of big events take place... saying goodbye to a beloved family member, going on a spontaneous trip, find out that my work will change in many different ways in the coming year, and excitingly plan for an upcoming solo exhibition in a few months time!

So yes. Many things to give me a clear picture that this is definitely a year of change.

Two big things that Ive just alluded to are very exciting and ill share more about them when in the coming weeks...

reworking a drawing from a while ago...

But to get things started Ive been back in the studio.

Always a great place to get me excited, get me grounded and get me in the mood to play!

These are just a few images from today... as I start to warm up my hand and my pencil for the new artworks that will soon take shape...

the building blocks....

inspiration at the rex

2012-01-25T12:00:00.000+11:00

Mel outside The Rex Hotel, standing next to Margo Lewers Mural

The Rex Hotel.

Canberra.

Mention this place and there will be many a knowing nod in your direction.

The Rex Hotel is an institution in Canberra, known for its Presidential stays in the 1960s, its mirrored ceilings in the hallways, and its hotel bar where many a tale has been created....

On this particular trip The Rex turned into a lifesaver.

For some unknown reason Canberra was the hottest spot in Australia last week, and there were no rooms available... anywhere! So The Rex saved the day... and in fact, proved to be more than a place with a comfy bed. It became an art inspiration.

Expansion, Mosaic Mural, 1960, The Rex Hotel

In 1960 an Australian artist named Margo Lewers was commissioned to complete a massive exterior mural for The Rex, at a time when Canberra was just starting to rebuild itself, and its image for the 20th century. Margo was a prominent abstract artist at the time and was asked to create a mosaic mural that was contemporary, strong and in keeping with the modernist 60s style aesthetic that The Rex was trying to establish in the sleepy Capital City of the time.

Detail of the mosaic mural

When I saw the mural last week I was amazed at how it has stood the test of time.

It still looks fresh and strong.

And to see it now, when commissions for major mural pieces has halted, its great to see what amazing public art can do for a building. Ask any local and they can tell you about the beautiful mural that sits outside this iconic hotel.

Margo went on to have a long and prominent life in the arts, and her mural, named Expansion, still lives on so we can all admire and appreciate it some 50 years later.

Detail of mosaic mural

Actually as a funny co-incidence, Gemma Smith has an exhibition now showing at Penrith Regional Gallery that looks at the work of Margo Lewers and the influence it has had on her work. The show is called Case Study : Gemma Smith considers the work of Margo Lewers, and has been curated by Anne Loxley who sees many similarities between the two artists':

I was struck by compelling cross-overs in the two practices: in their painting, both artists explored lyrical and hard edge abstraction, and both practices are distinguished by ambitious sculptures in plexiglass/acrylic. I very much wanted to see the works of Margo Lewers in conversation with the works of Gemma Smith.

Anne Loxley, curator

So great to see such a strong exhibition on two great Australian artists' now showing in January when most of the galleries are still on their summer break.

Worth a look if you're out and about in the West of Sydney and needing an art fix!

Case Study : Gemma Smith considers the work of Margo Lewers
Penrith Regional Gallery
86 River Road Emu Plains
penrithregionalgallery@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au

m a n i c u r e d

2012-01-23T11:21:00.000+11:00

Sturt: Australian Contemporary Craft + Design, Mittagong, Southern Highlands NSW 2011

Hi everyone and happy new week to you!

On a Monday morning like today I love to look at images that are calm, light-filled and... well.... beautiful! And lucky for me I have some up my sleeve, taken just days ago on my whirl wind trip to Canberra.

In amongst all the busyness i did find a few moments to relax and recharge the ol' batteries. And two of these moments involved me sitting in lush green manicured spaces like you can see here...

With all the summer rain that we've been having its no surprise to see everything so so fresh and green...

Lucky Im feelin inspired by the colour green at the moment.

Gardens outside National Gallery of Australia, 2011

Sturt College Gardens... so quiet, so beautiful and so so green.

Sturt Gallery is tucked up on the right hand side of the image... nestled behind the big beautiful trees.

These spaces are also perfect for catching a few deep breaths...
before the year starts to fly away
in earnest!
I hope you enjoyed them too...

the sham.

2012-01-21T11:27:00.000+11:00

petersham, sydney, 2011

I swear I had only been in the area for - oh - about 5 minutes and I had taken 20 shots.

It was 9am on Monday morning and i was on the train to Petersham to meet up with my mate Mel for the start of our journey to The Nations capital - aka Canberra - when I suddenly noticed a quirky space across the road that begged to be photographed.

Petersham, or The Sham as the locals affectionately call it, is a brilliant suburb for anyone with a camera and a love of eclectic stores, quirky architecture and graffitied walls, rendered by a multitude of nationalities.

All the inner west suburbs are like that, and if you ever feel like a stroll of your own, I highly recommend Marrickville or Petersham as a starting point.... with a quick pit-stop at Salon Bim cafe for coffee, and a sit and stare session in their lovely big corner window ...

It's all about the paste up at the moment. Ive seen some fantastic nostalgic ones recently,
like this nifty little number {above}

...........................

Ode to the record! Now this feels nostalgic...

nature : two ways

2012-01-20T14:12:00.000+11:00

Petersham, Sydney 2011

Im baaack!

And I have to say that it feels as though I have been away for a month rather than four days! It's amazing when that happens... and I think it was because it was a busy trip, full of sight seeing, meetings, exhibitions and driving!

Can you tell that im tired today?!

Another reason it feels like Ive been away a month rather than a mere moment is the fact that I moved from what you see above.... to what you see below... in one day! On Monday I loaded my bag and myself into a friends car and headed down the highway to Canberra... and more specifically, Mount Stromlo for a field trip!

Mel had some research to do... and I was along for the ride!

Mount Stromlo, ACT 2011

While away, and looking at my photos, I realised the massive contrast I had seen. From the grit and grim of the urban streets, to the dust and muddy waters of the bush, and how plantlife grew and adapted in this type of comparative way, through the pixelated images on my camera.

So in this post I though I would look at nature two ways...

In a city v country mash up!

Who won?
I think it was a tie.

r e / n e w

2012-01-15T19:00:00.000+11:00

After saying goodbye

to a beloved friend

its time to hit the road

for a few days -

to refresh

renew

re discover....

take care and Ill see you in a few days...

enjoy a great start to the new week

sun... sea...ceramics...

2012-01-13T17:32:00.000+11:00

Narrative Knot Catalogue and invitation

Cant beat a beautiful sunny Sydney day in Summer!

{Geez there were alot of 's' words in that tiny sentence!}

It's true that Australia is known around the world for its hot summer days and city beaches. Bondi, Bronte, Palm Beach are all known for their soft sand, great surf and easy access to the Harbour Bridge. But there is one other place to add to that list - a beach called Manly.

Manly is a destination for travellers and locals alike. An iconic beach suburb made famous for its beautiful harbour ferry ride that links the city to the surf. On a day like today its the perfect place to people watch, to catch a wave, and in the case of art nuts like me, see a brilliant ceramic art exhibition that is on now at Manly Art Gallery.

The Narrative Knot: stories in Ceramics is a beautiful exhibition, curated by South Australian artist Gerry Wedd. Gerry asked 26 artists' to produce a piece for the show that would 'tell a story', a narrative, through the material of clay.

'Author Peter Goldsworthy writes that stories are a part of our common human nature: all cultures tell the same stories. We have some kind of innate narrative mechanism that is hard-wired into our brains always trying to link things into stories, to connect things, make sense of them by stringing them into narratives. Perhaps the thing that drives us to make objects from clay is a result of this impulse to tell stories...' Gerry Wedd, curator.

I loved this show by the sea.... It was quiet, detailed and technically brilliant, with each artist representing a different theme, a different story, and a different way of working with clay...

Here are a few images to give you a taste of how amazing it truly is...

Dr Julie Bartholomew, Endangered Flowers (detail), 2011, porcelain

Lynda Draper, Home Altar, 2010, hand built porcelain, wooden table, framed photo

Ashley Fiona, Four Thousand two hundred and ten, (detail), 2011, hand built porcelain

Fiona Fell + Lyndall Adams, One Night Stack, 2010, porcelain paperclay,
glaze, digital print on acrylic, timber

Deborah Burdett, Short Life, 2011, stained porcelain, black/saggar-fired

Christopher Headley, Solo Tango, 2011, moulded, slip cast, joined white earthenware, customised
ceramic decals, gold lustre

Pru Morrison, Ode to Five Stanzas, (detail), 2011, porcelain, terra sigillata, slip cast, hand built

Steve Davies, Alone Garden Psychopath - pink rabbit with nine cocks, (detail),
hand built porcelain clay, glaze, under glaze stains, oxides, decals, multiple firings

Great catalogue was produced by Manly Art Gallery that includes some great images and artwork
biographies...

A couple of years ago Manly Art Gallery exhibited a brilliant ceramic exhibition in a similar vein entitled White Heat. It was curated by Dr Julie Bartholomew and also focused on this new breed of contemporary Australian ceramic artist, an artist who is working to change the way we see and think about the ceramic form.

Two years on and Manly has done it again, creating a summer show that begs to be seen by as many people as possible! It will change your perspective on this ancient art form...forever.

Loved it....

Narrative Knot : Stories in Ceramics
Manly Art Gallery
2 December 2011 - 22 January 2012
West Esplanade Reserve Manly
Tues- Sun 10 - 5 pm
Free Entry

The Evolving Home

2012-01-11T11:35:00.000+11:00

Does anyone recall what they did BC... Before Christmas?

I don't.

That time has already become a slurry of partial memories, catch ups and to do lists that resulted in me getting through that time relatively..... intact! It's amazing how a month can suddenly become a 'distant memory' when it was, in actual fact, a couple of weeks ago. Maybe its because I'm now in holiday mode and the summer weather has well and truly arrived?!

Maybe its because Ive kicked into another gear, a calmer gear, that has a restorative feel?! Maybe its a little from column a and a little of column b!!

All I know is that I have suddenly rediscovered all my holiday activities which include: catching up with friends that I see all too rarely, taking trips to parts of the city I rarely explore... and sittings down to devour a pile of magazines that never got the chance to be look at many months ago...

One such magazine was the Nov/Dec 2011 issue of Vogue Living. I know I had a brief flick weeks ago, but only now am I discovering the feature articles on people such Nicki Townsend... with images that are truly inspiring {for all the colour-philes out there!}

Nicki Townsend, an Australian Art specialist working at Michael Reid Gallery, lives with her husband Andy Martyr and two children in this colourfully layered home in Sydney, a home that is dotted with so many patterns that it makes me want to sit and study these glossy photos for hours.

Each room is unique and has its own sense of style that you can only call ... eclectic! There are contemporary paintings by artists such as Ben Quilty, animal sculptures by Tjampi Desert Weavers, and an amazing Tibetan wooden cabinet {that you can see in the image above}....

Nicki has no fear of colourful furniture... Instead she has added to it by layering
colourful textile cushions into the mix from places such as India...

Love that Nicki has painted the inside of the kitchen cabinets a strong green to compliment and contrast with the 'flo' kitchen stools by Patricia Urquiola for Driade ....

Love the yellow textile on the light shade! In this room there is a sense of natural warmth
with the nude and brown colours on the sofa, wicker chair and curtains... and yet there are some beautiful
textiles in the cushions and lamp shade that make the whole effect work.

The family dog... Otis flanked by an amazing sculpture by Linde Ivimey and painting by Patrick
Thungurrayi...

Textured details from the master bedroom....

This is my favourite space... and photo!
Its from daughter Phoebe's bedroom... I love THAT hat collection and how it has been displayed on the mirror.
Coupled with the chair and Afghan basket, this room is so so complex... in the way it has been brought together, and in the huge shifts of colour ways.

And then we come to the cool cool tones of the master bedroom and en suite.
The wall paper in the bathroom is by Florence Broadhurst - giving a nod to the past and adding a very nostalgic effect to the space.

And then we come to the view and the room with a view.
Beautiful and serene... and a perfect way to see how all the colour inside
references all the colour outside... on the beautiful harbour.

'It's all still evolving for me.

I don't know - how do you know when you finish a house?' - Nicki Townsend

Good question to finish on methinks!

Credits: Vogue Living, Nov/ Dec 2011, pg 174 - 183.

Written/Produced : Alexandra Gordon, Photographer : Chris Court

an unexpected view...

2012-01-09T17:43:00.000+11:00

A view to an alternate universe... January 2012

Happy new year and happy new week to you!

I hope you are well and rested after the weekend, and have started to feel rejuvenated for the start of 2012...

My thoughts and feelings on what I would like to achieve this year have slowly started to take shape and ive been clearing and cleaning many parts and pieces of my life in anticipation of what may come. My wardrobe... my computer... this blog... have all been given a bit of spit and polish, and Im feeling excited for what will come in the next few months...

The first week of this year started in typical tiny fashion though, as I went back to work, made it down to the beach for a swim...or three... and caught my first art gallery opening of the year with an exhibition called Luminous: The landscapes of Elizabeth Cummings.

And bam! Im inspired! {That didnt take long!} Elizabeth's landscape oil paintings are amazing, as they are big, colourful, energetic and unique. It is a truly brilliant show, and worth catching if you are in Sydney and near The Rocks.

On the way there I also took a tiny stroll and stumbled upon this magical installation of windows and doors to another world...

You never know what you'll find in the big city!

memories of 2011... pt 5

2012-01-05T13:01:00.000+11:00

The passing of Cy Twombly in 2011 made me look back to a treasured trip to see his retrospective exhibition at The 2001 Venice Biennale ...

Home may be where the heart is but for me, home is also where the art is!

Art is my everyday life. I don't seem to be able to remove one from the other...
And i wouldn't have it any other way...

From visiting an exhibition, to photographing a colour, or creating a new artwork, my life is utterly wrapped within a focus for all things artistic, soulful, and creative. And that is the true essence of this blog I call tinytrappings, a space that I have loved sharing with you for these past 3 years or so...

In this final retrospective look at 2011, i recall some of my favourite art moments for the year. What made me smile, what made my heart flip, and what i loved to create...

This image is from one of my favourite exhibitions/art festivals for the year...
Outpost at Cockatoo Island November 2011.

One of my favourite photographic moments also came from my trip to see Outpost at Cockatoo Island.
The light, the moment, the backdrop...the little boy... so beautiful!

This blog features alot of street art... as I find it all so inspiring. The colours, the graphic mark making, and the urban backdrops all grab me when Im in the city with a camera at hand. This is one of my favourite graffiti shots for the year... taken in Surry Hills, September 2011

Favourite shot of colour + texture in a quiet street in Surry Hills, August 2011

No contest - Favourite art space and art experience for 2011... MONA. Hobart. Tasmania. The museum made my heart beat faster, as I was challenged, inspired and blown away!... April 2011

Was treated to some amazing nights out to see some truly great art performances... And on this cold winters night at the Opera House I was lucky enough to catch the new dance piece by The Bangarra Dance Company.

And then there was the studio! I painted, embroidered, weaved and sketched... and for some
great projects too... This wintery studio shot was from June when I completed a new
photo realism oil painting for an art prize...

Some of my favourite projects came from a very heart felt place. And in October
I was commissioned by my brother and new sister in law to create a drawing
for their wedding invitation... which I loved!

Another heart felt series took shape this year, a series of blue illustrations
of my dog Monte. These proved a hit with many of you out there... and it felt
like a fitting tribute to a much loved member of the family...

Another great commission that I was asked to complete way back in January was a
Harbour scene diptych for an old friend who missed out on buying a piece at the
Primrose Gallery exhibition in 2010...

And then there was an exhibition in May. Our 5th annual 'Make' exhibition, which features many artists' who have worked at one time or another for Object Gallery in Sydney. I love this exhibition every year, and in 2011 I loved creating a new series of works that I produced under this year's theme of 'white'.
Will hopefully expand on this series in 2012... so watch this space!

New contacts and collaborations were created in 2011, and one in particular that I enjoyed being involved with was for a new children's interior design showroom in Switzerland! These 4 embroidered owls flew over to Zug to be a part of the launch in October...

And finally there were all the weaving projects. I absolutely love making these colourful woven bowls, and in 2011 they were seen in Melbourne, at Sydney Gallery Breathing Colours, and on my tinytrappings store.
In 2012 I hope to expand the project, and also teach people of all ages the love of this meditative craft...

I hope you have enjoyed sharing some of these moments with me and that you'll come and visit me throughout 2012 as I start afresh in the studio, experience new travel adventures, and seek to create and discover new inspirations to live with... and dream on.

See you soon...

memories of 2011... pt 4

2012-01-03T17:11:00.000+11:00

Alenka + Justi's Sydney flat, March 2011

Home is where the heart is...

I truly believe that saying.

This past year it was a pleasure to be invited into some beautiful homes... to visit, to play and in some cases, to stay. I find inspiration in many places and spaces, but there is something to be said for finding that inspiration in someone's home, a space they call their own and feel comfortable in.

A home can reflect someone's true inner personality; a personality that may be protected or hidden from the world. It may never be seen in their wardrobe, in their choice of car, or in their speech. But when you go into someone's home you maybe surprised to learn that they love colour, quirky objects and furniture, or, in the case of Alenka and Justi, harbour a secret passion for fluorescent pineapples!

I love being invited to photograph these private worlds.

It is a privilege, an honour... and worth collecting into one dedicated retrospective post!

I hope you enjoy...

Another view of their amazingly colourful living room... March 2011

A wall of colour... with an amazing Calder-esque black mobile hanging from the ceiling...

My living space after a colour clean up!... January 2011

a tiny pocket of space...reserved for a collection of odds and ends... January 2011

Caroline + Joshs' Dubbo weatherboard house, November 2011

Art and laundry... hand in hand... November 2011

A living space reserved for objects that hold a past, or potential future memory for the family... November 2011

A hallway view... November 2011

light switch art... November 2011

And finally we come to the beautiful, sustainable house created by Helen + John for their family...
Megalong Valley, November 2011

a beautiful, quiet stairwell space... November 2011

Kitchen colour and texture in the form of withered flowers... November 2011

three words....

2012-01-02T12:43:00.000+11:00

h a p p y

n e w

y e a r...

I hope you had a brilliant start to 2012...

a sign of a great year to come

memories of 2011... pt 3

2012-01-02T12:29:00.000+11:00

Mavis Ganambarr weaving workshop as part of Sydney Design, Powerhouse Museum 2011

Something amazing happened in the creative community in 2011, that had nothing to do with art sales... or artists' egos or exhibitions!

No - the one idea that people truly embraced this year was 'the workshop'. I know this is not a new idea, born out of obscurity. Workshops have existed since men... and women... started to draw and mark on cave walls and weave baskets for gathering food!

What I'm talking about is the AMOUNT of workshops that sprung up this year... They were EVERYWHERE! Like pop ups... they appeared in festivals, in galleries, in community centres, and everywhere else in between. And it was so so good to see ideas and skills being shared and invested in. From big time artists', to children who were just learning how to colour in, workshops were open to all age groups, and all cultures, and sub-cultures!

And I loved every single one that I participated in!

I taught!

I'm hoping that its a sign of big things to come!

Bring on 2012... the year of creative sharing!

Master Weaver Mavis giving a demonstration

My first attempt at working with pandanus

Such a beautiful site... Naturally dyed pandanus... all ready to be woven!

From the big institution of the Powerhouse Museum... to Manly Regional Gallery and a weaving workshop by the amazing Tjampi Women Weavers... that gave a free class as part of their exhibition Kuru Alala: Eyes Open...

From Manly... to Hyde Park and the amazing Happy Talk event as part of Art + About Sydney, October 2011.
Such a fantastic month long event that gave each and every person that walked through the door a chance
to play and get creative with Pacific Island Art....

Sione.... a beautiful person and a beautiful image of him.

It was all about colour, creativity and play!!

And finally to my childrens weaving workshops in the Blue Mountains...
so so amazing on so many levels!

How can you go wrong with all this colour and all this space!

And then receive a gift such as this!

And all begins... here.
From humble beginnings...big things come!

memories of 2011... pt 2

2011-12-31T11:12:00.000+11:00

Cradle Mountain, Tasmania, April 2011

This year was all about the journey within..

And I'm not just talking about the quiet time meditating with me, myself and i...

After my trip to Japan was so sadly cancelled way back in April my thoughts on travel took a sharp turn in another direction. A trip to Tasmania was suddenly on the menu and within the blink of an eye I was off on a 6 day adventure with my friend Kylie. As it turned out, Tasmania became a revelation, as I was blown away with its beauty, its colour and its contemporary edge {and its MONA in Hobart that I'm talking about here!} Every time I look back at these images I am reminded of all of these things... and how I have to get back there.... soon!

After this trip in April, 2011 became the year of keeping it local, as I took buses, trains and domestic planes to places like Belongil/Byron, Canberra, Dubbo and The Blue Mountains. And, as you can see from some of these photos, it is very, very easy to stay in Australia and have the most inspiring trip.

Finally in this post I look back at some of my favourite shots from my 'Sydney Strolls' Series...

From Balls Head Reserve in Waverton {which was my favourite discovery of the year} to Wendy's Garden in Lavender Bay there were many highlights to my journey within!

Cradle Mountain... where its impossible to take a bad photo!

The Enchanted Walk... seriously that is what it is called!

Scaling the peaks... to Marion's Peak... one of the most amazing walks to do at Cradle Mountain

Lake St Clair, Cradle Mountain

From the big picture to the details... its all about natural colour!

From Tasmania to Belongil... October 2011

Belongil Beach..... where the creek meets the sea.

Talking the track to Byron...

From Belongil to The Megalong Valley, The Blue Mountains November 2011

Nothing better than capturing the dewy light filtering through the bushland...

Katoomba, November 2011

Wendy's Garden, Lavender Point, Sydney.... March 2011

A stunning public garden created by Wendy Whitelely... by hand!
One of the most amazing urban renewal spaces in Sydney....

I had to include this shot... so Australian!

And finally... to my favourite stroll of the year... and it goes to Balls Head Reserve, Waverton. Its a new discovery for me and a new public space for Sydney.

Vestiges of a history in coal. Balls Head Reserve, Waverton... August 2011

From the bush view...

To the big picture!

memories of 2011... pt 1

2011-12-30T19:01:00.001+11:00

Summer 2011... on a stroll down Balmoral way...

Summer glow... February 2011

Hi everyone! Happy New Year to you! ...

Well.... nearly...

I cant quite believe it's the end of 2011... Can you?

I hope you've had a brilliant Christmas, whatever the season, whatever the celebration...

In Sydney, summer is JUST starting to show its sunny side, bathing us with rays of golden light and warm beachy water, acting as the balm to all the pre-holidays chaos!

In the last few days Ive been trying to squeeze every ounce of beach time in as I can... hence my disappearing act. Ive also been trying to work out how to sign off for 2011, as in previous years I have written a wee post, revisiting some of my favourite moments and discoveries for the year. It's a brilliant way to look back at the great, and not so great moments that have shaped the 12 short months of the year... and I am always amazed at what Ive done, where Ive been and who Ive met. And what I have created!

So this year I'm going to start with some of my favourite images that I have taken, and talked about, throughout the year....

And to start... I'm going back to basics with one of my favourite things in the world, namely COLOUR!

Colour, creativity and playtime all take centre stage on this tiny blog, and in my tiny life...

That is where you can truly discover yourself, your passions, and your inspirations...

So... I hope you enjoy!

Feather in the summer light

Feather in the winter glow...

Hothouse Hydrangeas... Launceston Tasmania April 2011

Winter silver greens... June 2011

Yellow...always yellow... June 2011

Birthday Flowers... September 2011

A little dog that made a big impression on you all this year... my dog Monte... July 2011

M A D E ... {with love}

2011-12-23T21:12:00.000+11:00

And so we come to Friday... and its time to say

a massive Merry Christmas to you all.

I hope you have a lovely day with family + friends

surrounded by all the wonderful tastes, smells, colour, laughter and fun

that the season has to bring...

Ive loved making and sharing this Christmas

and I hope Ive given you a few ideas

for the weekend ahead!

Most of all I hope you relax, recharge, celebrate

and play

on this Sunday's Christmas day!

See you soon

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

2011-12-22T10:39:00.000+11:00

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?!

M A D E ... {by nature}

2011-12-21T18:09:00.000+11:00

Hydrandeas in a ceramic vessel by Pippin Drysdale

I love receiving flowers, especially at Christmas as it is a gift that keeps on giving... filling any room with colour, texture, and if you're lucky a beautiful scent that truly spells summer.

A little while ago I was reading Sandra Juto's blog and she asked what flower spell Christmas for you... Immediately I thought of Gardenias as they are everywhere at the moment. Lovely white flowers with a smell so amazing it permeates every inch of the house!

But then I saw these beauties and I changed my mind... The flower of Christmas, for me, has to be Hydrangeas. In every colour possible! I received these a few days ago and they still look beautiful in their Pippin Drysdale 'home' ...

I LOVE this ceramic artwork by Pippin and wrote about it when back when... on this blog.
But it has been hard to use... especially as it is so big.
But with these big blooms of colour it truly is the perfect home for these flowers... don't you think?

And the best thing?
This was a gift from their garden.
Sometimes it is the simple thought of giving that is so special.
Not the cost... but the thought.

M A D E ... {to be eaten!}

2011-12-20T15:04:00.000+11:00

Gettin ready to make...

Ah Christmas.... the time of indulgence!

I very rarely talk about food on this blog. I always think it's best left to the experts... and there are ALOT of brilliant food blogs and websites out there. A glut of them. And this tiny site has always been about colour, texture, art and design. Oh and play! Come to think of it... Isn't that what cooking is!

A little while ago i went back into discussing my health and how my 18 years of living with Crohns Disease have changed my life and the way I look at things... If you have ever been seriously ill and suffered, or still suffering with a chronic illness, you may know what I'm talking about. Things we normally take for granted, basic things like being able to move around freely, enjoy a lovely meal and go out and see people become alittle more tricky. So much so that you may have to hang up your cooking utensils for a bit and settle for a more basic approach to food.

This is what happened to me.

But this Christmas I had an urge. An urge to get back into the kitchen... and play! And then give to others. And what can be better than giving a little bit of baking goodness in the form of Gingerbread Christmas cookies to someone you love?

Gingerbread Star Cookies

I do love to smell these little babies in the oven and decorate with simple things like cachous and a dusting of icing sugar. They are so SO simple that I dare you to have a go at making them! It only takes a quick shop for a few ingredients, and then 10 -15 minutes in a 180 degree oven to make them all golden and snappy in your fingers....
If you have a spare glass jar they make such a lovely gift with a tiny bit of ribbon and a tag...

All done and ready to go.... and be eaten!

Could be a lovely thing to do on a wet and cold Christmas Eve with the family?
It will only take about an hour and its an hour VERY well spent...
Your stomach will agree with me!
If you would like the recipe you can find a lovely one here....

M A D E ... {kind of Christmas}

2011-12-19T11:35:00.000+11:00

Amelia's pink bike 2011, printed textile on linen canvas with hand embroidery

And so this is Christmas... and what have you done...?

I love that song by John Lennon, and it feels so appropriate to start the week off with a tiny tune, as Monday morning is well and truly on its way and my head is swimming with thoughts, lists and memories of what I did.. and didn't do over the last few days!

It's always the same.....

We all feel excited at the end of November as the Sun gets warmer, the days get longer, and plans for holidays and trips to the beach take shape. But then.... panic sets in, as December, the month of rush, slowly disappears, and it starts to dawn on you that it REALLY is the end of another year, and all good intentions of sending Chrissy cards, making gifts and seeing friends has suddenly + mysteriously gone out the window.... along with all your time!

Well.... I'm still trying to stay strong and not succumb to the retail bug... OR text and email Christmas message of joy. I'm makin, bakin and designing this Christmas... and if you would like to join me, Ill be dedicating this week to all things MADE.

Made by hand... by nature... and made with love.

And today its all hand made as I go back to embroidery and textile printing with a little birthday/Christmas gift for a good mate called Amelia....

.... and the subject?

Her lovely pink bike that can be often seen around the inner city. It is her calling card and is a splice of sunshine cutting through the very cold, grey and boring city streets throughout the week. It often brings a smile to your dial and is regularly photographed by locals and tourists alike. Last weekend it was the turn of Russell Crowe which is truly hilarious!

I thought it would make a brilliant textile design and so the project began...

And this is where it finished.

With an embroidered touch of pink!

Amelia's pink bike 2011 {detail}

I grant you this little MADE project did take a wee bit longer than an hour to complete, but it could be a great project for a wet summers day over the holidays...? And the way this summer in Sydney is heading, there may be a few more wet days up our sleeves in the coming weeks.

...........

Just as a tiny note: this textile print minus embroidery will soon be available in the tinytrappings store for purchase.... minus embroidery. BUT if you would like to make a special request you can always email me at tinytrappings@gmail.com

See you tomorrow with project for something made nice and....sweet!

......

PS the song by John Lennon is called Happy Christmas (the war is over), apt for this week too, as it seems that the war is 'officially' over in Iraq with the final U.S. troops pulling out as we speak.

creative influence : Iris Apfel

2011-12-15T17:07:00.000+11:00

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.

.... the beautiful surprise ....

2011-12-13T15:37:00.000+11:00

The surprise hand made gifts presented to me at the end of my workshops...

The amazing woven fabric bowl with handles made by erica....with tiny notes from each student tucked inside!

Hand made book with drawings from each student... most of them drew their woven bowls that they made with me!

Hi everyone...

How is your week looking on the count down to Christmas... ho ho ho? or ho ho hum?!

Hopefully your finding a silver lining amongst all the craziness, and entertaining happy thoughts of all the holidays, time off and sweet treats that are soon to come!

Speaking of sweet treats... what do you think of the colourful creative gift that was presented to me by Erica and the students at the end of my workshop classes in The Blue Mountains?! Beautiful was the word that sprung to my mind, and it's not for the fact that all of these lovely treats were made by hand and given to me in thanks. No - what I found beautiful was the way it was presented it to me...

At the beginning of my final workshop the students filed into the room with the first two children carrying the presents all wrapped up and smiling.... as I sat stunned. I never expected a gift... so I was shocked and humbled.

It was so so sweet...

And at the end of the class many of them came up to me with a hug and a thank you for coming to play for the week...

Now that is a Christmas present!

through rain + fog....

2011-12-12T21:07:00.000+11:00

Katoomba 2011

An institution... The Paragon Cafe Katoomba 2011

weaving the rainbow

2011-12-10T16:46:00.000+11:00

Calm before the storm... Children's weaving workshops, The Blue Mountains, 2011

I cannot believe it has been two weeks since I said good bye to the lovely students at the weaving workshops and jumped on a train for home. I guess you can notch it up to the fact that it's December, and Christmas is a callin'! My life resembles a run away freight train...

But in the quiet moments I think back to my week in The Blue Mountains and how much fun I had teaching fabric weaving techniques to a group of nine year olds. The whole experience is fast becoming one of my highlights for the year.

But before I go any further...maybe I should rewind the tape a little...

Back in October I was catching up with my good friend Amy as she was in Sydney for the day. I was saying that I would love to start teaching some workshops in the things that I love - namely weaving, playing with colour, and art. Amy - who has been living with her family in the mountains for 10 years or so and is an amazing artist herself, specialising in jewellery - has three of her children in a lovely school with a focus on creativity and creative learning...

And she had an idea...

Now - life sometimes provides you with a 'perfect' moment or 'meeting of the minds'. And that day, over coffee, it happened to Amy + me as she went on to suggest that I give a series of artist-in-residence workshops at the children's school! You have to love the universe in these moments!

I was so thrilled to be asked and so excited to get up there and get started with teacher Erica, Amy, and 17 nine year olds who were already working with wool dying techniques and colour! I was all set!

So today I can reveal the images from the final workshop of the week as the kids were finishing off their woven bowls. And boy - were they great! All of them created unique little bowls that were colourful, textural and beautiful...

And just perfect for a Christmas gift!

Hope you enjoy...

A rainbow of recycled fabrics, dyed and prepared by Amy...

Amy sitting up the space in the beautiful school auditorium...

The wool which had been hand dyed by the children before I arrived! So we had the most amazing
materials and natural fibres to work with....

Getting busy... on the third day which was my last day with them...

It was so great to see all their hands getting busy... and wrapped in so much colourful fabric!

Many of the students were clothed in the most amazing colours, so the room became a sea of colour when they were weaving. They knew how to mix it all up and not be afraid of experimenting with the rainbow
of fabrics and colours on hand....and that was so great to see.

Keepin it flat! Some of the students wanted to make a 'big' woven bowl, so I kept saying to them.. 'keep it flat'
so they could make it bigger and not let the piece creep upwards... creating the sides of their bowls.

This one didnt quite make it... so it became a 'tiny' bowl...just perfect for a few marbles!

And in the end...what did we make? Tiny little coloured hand made woven bowls...with cooper name tags.
The perfect Christmas gifts for someone they love....

I had such a fantastic time with everyone at the school. From Erica, their amazing teacher, to all the parents who shared their time and helped, to all the children who {hopefully} had fun... and finally.... to Amy and her family who invited me up to The Blue Mountains to share in their world...

An experience I will never forget.

Photo Credits: Most of these images taken by Amy Jenkin as I didn't have a spare set of hands! Thank you...xx

The Sustainable Dream pt 2

2011-12-08T12:55:00.000+11:00

The Boys Bedroom... There are so many things to love in this space. From the stack of old suitcases
on the floor, to the beautiful wooden furniture, the globe on the wardrobe, and the
grass green floor rug to play on...

OK - Enough with the waiting for part 2 of our tour of Helen and Jon's amazing new home in the Megalong Valley. I'm back and I'm all ready to go... are you? Get your pen and paper ready to take style notes, as today we start in the boys bedroom, before heading upstairs to the second floor, which is just as light filled and warm as the downstairs...

Hope you enjoy...!

Let the tour resume...

Love this old map on the wall in the boys playroom...reminds me of all my primary school classrooms in the 1980s! And of course it is surrounded by toys galore!

The downstairs bathroom is at the end of the house so it sits on a corner...just
perfect for a corner bath to soak and stare in. I mean...look at the view! I would never get out!

Will at the computer playing games, while a massive pile of toys patiently waits to be played with!

The kitchen flowers....

The master bedroom on the loft-like second floor... Beautiful wooden furniture makes the space
warm and inviting and lived in! It definitely doesn't look like a new space does it? And again...
there are windows everywhere... and light!

The opposite wall... with a view of the hill... and a drawing by one of the kids just waiting to be
looked at!

The mantle... you can always get a good idea of someones personal taste by the objects they
display in their bedroom. Love the painting on the wall and all the natural materials...

The staircase and another great salon-hang of small paintings and drawings...

Love this space on the staircase. It is so quiet and unassuming, and yet there are some
amazing sculptures and objects... It looks like something you would find in Frida Kahlo's house...
don't you think?

And finally a photo of Oddy and Minna on the red chair in the kitchen. Minna was reading the note
to us which was stuck on the wall. It said something like... 'when you are in the house, we must use our inside
voices...i.e. no shouting!' Love it...

Thank you Helen and all the family for letting me take these images of your lovely home.

It was so generous of you...

and I hope you all enjoyed the tour!

The Sustainable dream pt 1

2011-12-06T15:56:00.000+11:00

The home of Helen and Jon in the Megalong Valley NSW

What a lucky lady I am I am....
Last week I was able to share some images of a colourful and creative blue weatherboard house in the regional town of Dubbo. And today I have another amazing home to present to you - a colourful + sustainable home that was recently completed in the beautiful Megalong Valley near Blackheath in the magical Blue Mountains.

The journey began with my lovely friend Amy and her tiny tiger Odin driving me down a windy road, through a pocket of dense and ferny rainforest to a pastoral paradise in a place called the Megalong Valley. We were heading for the home of Helen, Jon and their three children Angus, Will and Minna, a beautiful family who relocated from Sydney in the late 1990s.

The dream was to set up a winery, and rebuild their home... and just recently they have done it. Oh and set up a cottage to rent! Not too shabby...
They enlisted the help of local environmental architect Jamie Brennan { Six b Design in Katoomba}, and along with a builder they set about creating the home of their dreams that would run on sustainable means of energy, and be built with environmentally friendly materials...

Amy and Odin walking up to the front entrance...

And the results?
Have a look at the images below...
But with Helen's creative eye the place is warm, friendly, colourful, nostalgic and beautiful...
Well - in my eyes anyway.
......

The central spine of the home built by hand using with hay

and natural fibres...

I love the curvature of it and the way Helen has made a feature of it

with a lovely red seat and wall clock.

Windows and light fill the main living space, and yet there is a feeling of warmth, as Helen has used
natural wood tones and red to decorate the space.

The reading nook under the stairs...
Helen says it is used by everyone in the house as it is so cosy...

Looking back into the kitchen/living areas. This area is raised and has a big fire,
a beautiful wooden floor and a piano that Minna loves to play with...

Helen loves to sew and make gifts, which is what she was doing when we arrived.
So good to see someone making their Christmas gifts!!

The beautiful new kitchen. I love the stove and oven...
Feels so vintage and yet its all brand new...

And finally for today, a side view of the beautiful central spine which Helen uses as a gallery
and work area for the kids...
Isn't that light from the kitchen magical?
With no other neighbours in sight I guess you can have all the light in the world!

That's the end of the tour for today
but stay tuned for part two...

The visit.

2011-12-05T15:06:00.000+11:00

The Megalong Valley 2011

A beautiful green shed that we passed on the way to Helen and Johns...

We travelled in the big blue family bus...
Down the mountain from Blackheath
to the beautiful valley
where cows graze, wine grapes grow
and Kangaroos sit
and watch
the visitors
with their pear and ginger cake
as they come
to see the beautiful house
that Jamie designed.

Oddy looking at the Kangaroos as we arrive at the house...

The dinner table out in the front yard!

The beautiful view...through the fog and the rain...

.... it's all happening ...

2011-12-03T14:08:00.000+11:00

Katoomba, November 2011

Happy weekend everyone...

Hope you have some sun on your back and a little rest and relaxation on the menu.

I just had to give you a sneak peek of next week on this tiny blog

As we go from the sweltering western plains of New South Wales

to the frosty but beautiful scape's of The Blue Mountains...

I have a feature on an amazing sustainable property in the Megalong Valley, a post or two on my fantastic weaving workshops with an amazing group of nine year olds,

and last but not least

I have a few images on the town of Katoomba

which was my home for the week...

So LOTS to share!

But in the meantime if you have a spare few hours this afternoon The Christmas Finders Keepers markets are on at Carriageworks in Eveleigh...PLUS The Farmers organic market! And if you are in Surry Hills the December markets are on today too! So it's all happening...

See you next week..

invading the space

2011-12-01T15:55:00.001+11:00

Space Invaders, National Gallery of Australia Touring Exhibition in Dubbo NSW till March 2012

It's funny how some things collide.

'Collide' you say? What do mean...

Well... let me start with my time in Dubbo.

Already you have seen the lovely home I stayed in while I was away....and which I have now dubbed 'The Western plains weatherboard!' It was blue, it was big and it belonged to Caroline and Josh, a couple who generously invited me to come and visit. Their move to Dubbo was instigated by a fantastic job opportuntiy for Caroline at Dubbo Regional Gallery, a gallery which has just experienced the most beautiful face lift that I have seen in a very long time! A reno so beautiful that I had to keep reminding myself of where I was. I felt like I was in a major city centre.

It is now a brilliant big space that can now play host a huge array of shows, by local and national artists'. And in the few days that I was there the staff were installing 'Space Invaders', a touring exhibition of Contemporary Australian Street art that was acquired and curated by The National Gallery of Australia.

Phibs creating an amazing mural in two days! And let me tell you it was a scorchingly hot weekend...
Hard labour indeed!

Space Invaders, drawn entirely from The NGA permanent collection, surveys the last 10 years in Australian street art. Featuring 150 works by over 40 artists', the show is a massive assemblage of different materials, textures, ideas and politics.

Starting its journey at the end of 2010 in Canberra, Space Invaders finishes its tour in Dubbo, serving as a shock therapy for the bush in all things city... and in all things street.

I had heard alot about this show from my good friend who works at The NGA as she had been bunny hopping around the country with the crates for the past two years. So I was lucky to be able to see it here... and meet a few of the artists involved such as Phibs + Jumbo who flew into town to complete two murals for the show... (images above+below)

Jumbo creating his mural on the other side of the wall to Phibs.

It was really interesting to be there for the opening too and gauge the local reaction to an exhibition that was something 'different' for the Dubbo community. And I think they really loved it.

Caroline as photographer, at the opening of Space Invaders on the Friday night...

The amazing curator Kent, giving great 'Jazz Hands' while delivering his speech at the opening...

Stickers, paste up and a view of Ghostpatrol and Miso in the back ground...

Now... back to explaining the way things collide at the same time.

In this exhibition of Contemporary Australian Street art I was able to see some beautiful artworks by some Australian artists that I have spoken to you about many moons ago... artists' such as Ghostpatrol + Miso who have taken off in the last few years.

Ghostpatrol Paste ups...

It is amazing how far they have grown in the last five years or so.... I remember being introduced to Ghostpatrol a few years back, when I saw his work in a group exhibition in Canberra. And now he is showing a collection of beautiful paste up drawings in a major touring exhibition, while simultaneously being seen on a Melbourne inner city laneway.

All of the artists' in this show have started to take their stickers, paste ups,graffiti works, stencils and aerosol murals off the laneway brick walls in Melbourne + Sydney, and place them in a new world .... the white walls of major galleries. And audiences are starting to see their art in a whole new light.

Educating new audiences in regional places such as Dubbo is just the next step.

Kent standing next to the painting 'X-ray man-machine pointing a ray gun at the amphibians 2010'
by Jumbo + and Zap

But while this show was a bit of a new sensation for Dubbo, back home in Sydney there was an even bigger event taking place that featured all these exhibiting artists...and more...

It was called Outpost, and it was a huge new Street art festival at Cockatoo Island. A couple of days ago I took myself on a ferry to see this amazing show... and boy... was it HUGE!!

And in a funny way it brought me straight back here... to Dubbo...to The Space Invaders exhibition....as it all started to collide...!

Everything right here... right now... is pointing to this urban scene. From the street, to the regional gallery, and now to Cockatoo Island.... it is all turning to graffiti for its colour, its vitality and its humour!

And you know what?

Im kinda liking it!

backyard blues... and greens

2011-11-30T17:41:00.000+11:00

western plains weatherboard... pt 2

2011-11-29T17:46:00.000+11:00

Trinkets, treasures + family photos. And at the bottom is a copy of the Space Invaders exhibition
Catalogue that is on at Dubbo Regional Gallery until March 2012

more amazing Ochre paintings from Warmun WA

Love this old light shade that was in my bedroom... Cant find them anymore!

colour, toys and artworks... all make for a happy living space!

Tjampi woven bowls...

Love this aqua blue leather arm chair! Not to every one's taste.... but I love it!

Soap.

My new friend...

This was my favourite spot to sit... at the back-door where the cool breeze would come in...

Two lovely ladies in their beautiful big green sunny backyard!

Thank you Caroline, Josh, Audrey, Jessie, Sue....
for making me feel welcome...
And for all your loving hospitality!
x

western plains weatherboard.... pt 1

2011-11-28T17:05:00.000+11:00

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

hiding from the cold

2011-11-23T17:55:00.000+11:00

Jacaranda Tree, Dubbo 2011

The shed, Dubbo 2011

Dubbo 2011

Froma Lane Katoomba 2011

The day disappeared into a white fog, and all anyone could do was run and hide from the wind...the rain...and the freezing cold air. It felt like Winter all over again...and after melting in Dubbo only a few short days ago, I am a little shell shocked!

Don't get me wrong though...visiting in The Blue Mountains is beautiful whatever the weather. And today in lovely Leura all the tiny shops created beautiful places to hibernate, as they lit fires and welcomed you inside with a mix of sympathy and understanding. However we did all look like drowned rats slinking in from the inclement weather!

So I thought id reminisce with a few photos from sunny Dubbo, as well as one shot from Katoomba.

Hope you enjoy some colours and textures from the trip so far...

on the hunt...

2011-11-22T16:08:00.000+11:00

Antiques Centre, Blackheath NSW

Since arriving in the mountains Ive been on the hunt.

And for what you may ask?

Well - whenever I am in the company of my good friend Ames we love going second hand shopping... Everyday we tick another one off our list. And today, as the rain and fog started to close in, we ventured into Blackheath for a fossick and a coffee. These were taken at The Antiques Centre, and my eyes were, as always, drawn to the cluttered cabinets filled with curios... and COLOUR!

Yellow madness, The Antiques Centre Blackheath, NSW

Green Tupperware, Antiques Centre, Blackheath, NSW

light switch

2011-11-21T20:08:00.000+11:00

the light switch, Caroline, Josh + Audrey's place, Dubbo 2011

A tiny Christmas Card, Taken at Caroline, Josh + Audrey's place, Dubbo 2011

a quiet moment

2011-11-21T19:42:00.001+11:00

the window sill 2011

Love this photo. It was taken on a very hot day... in a quiet moment... when no one was looking. And it reminds me of traditional Country towns.... where Cricket is a Saturday ritual, and young kids spend hours on a green Oval field playing in the hot summer sun...

Taken at Caroline, Josh and Audrey's Place, Dubbo, NSW 2011

a p o l o g y

2011-11-20T20:52:00.000+11:00

Hi everyone...

I hope this little note finds you well and warm.

I am on the next leg of my trip and looking forward to the commencement of my week of workshops.

But I had to quickly find a computer and tender an apology to you for a disturbing incident that occurred on this tiny blog in the last week. I was deeply sorry to see that my IP address had been lost to an external source, which lead many of you to an external website... and not my site.

I am sorry if you found this as distressing as myself, and I would like to let you know that the matter has been cleared up with Goggle.... with my site restored and back to its colourful self.

Apologies again and I thank you for your support...

as always

see you soon....

2011-11-15T18:06:00.000+11:00

I just wanted to say a tiny goodbye.

Im off on a big train ride tomorrow morning to see old friends, visit new places, and excitingly, ill be teaching three children's weaving workshops in the Blue Mountains! I am very excited...

Ill try to talk to you while I am away but if I don't get a chance to borrow a computer, Ill be back in a couple of weeks with plenty of images... stories...and artworks to share!

Until then...

Take care

signed...sealed... delivered

2011-11-15T17:51:00.000+11:00

Im yours! I love that Stevie Wonder song! Stevie's songs are always on rotation on the ol' ipod... If you have been with me on tinytrappings for a while now you might know that I love love love music. If you are wondering what type of music... listen to one of Gilles Peterson's radio shows on BBC Radio One and you'll get the idea... Jazz...soul...breakbeat...funk... it's all there.

But what has that got to do with my new woven bowls?

Well - nothing really.

I just signed, sealed and delivered them to Breathing Colours Gallery today. And that song jumped into my head.

All of these new works are destined for the gallery floor... all ready for the very organised people who are scouting for Christmas gifts!

That's not me though...

I'm still catching up with whats been happening in the last week!

on the bookshelf : Billy Benn

2011-11-14T17:36:00.000+11:00

It's Monday.... and im still recovering from the week that was.

Family wedding, catch ups with relatives, car accidents, and the purchase of my first car, have all left me feeling a little shell shocked. Summer has also decided to come early, so as I write this, I am hiding in a cool room with a fan in front of my face!

So what do you do when you want to find some peace in the day? You pull out a recent book purchase that you haven't truly absorbed yet.... and devour!

On my recent trip to Canberra I was fortunate to see the beautiful exhibition Good Strong Powerful at the National Gallery of Australia. Focusing on new directions in indigenous art, this exhibition showcases some beautiful pieces by Billy Benn Perrurle, who is a favourite artist of mine. Billy Benn is a self taught painter, based at the Bindi Inc Centre in Alice Springs. In 2000, Billy decided to pick up a paint brush and render images of his homeland, his 'country', on scavenged bits of timber and plastic foam. And immediately people started to take notice of his intuitive style of mark making which is loose and full of colour.

And that is what I love about his work.

After i saw the exhibition I knew I needed I try and find any publications that would give me big, colourful images of Billy's work.... and low and behold.... I found a copy of this book at The National Portrait Gallery on the same trip to Canberra.

The book is so beautiful as it takes you on a journey through Billy's work and his homeland. With the aide of co author Catherine Peattie, Billy's life journey comes to life and you really get the sense that you are walking through his amazing 'country'....

I always love a good image of an artists' hands at work....

Its all about the colours. The red earth and the blue blue sky....

Through the book places are named.... maps are drawn...

.... and words are written in Billy's hand.

Billy Benn Perrurle (left) and Catherine Peattie (right)

Exhibition catalogue for Good strong Powerful (left) and Billy Benn cover art - Painting called Artetyerre 2006 (right)

Billy Benn really is a book worth discovering.
I have loved absorbing each colourful page, and I hope you have enjoyed this tiny tour through these few pages...

Billy Benn
by Billy Benn Pewrrurle + Catherine Peattie
2011
IAD Press
Alice Springs
ISBN 978 1 86465 116 4

m o m e n t s

2011-11-12T20:56:00.000+11:00

the beautiful kym with her proud father keith...

The day was warm, clear, beautiful
and we all knew it was going to be special.
My little brother and his lovely kymmo, as my papa likes to call her
gathered with close family and friends
in the late afternoon light
to celebrate and share their wedding day...
And it was special.
These images just jumped into my inbox a few moments ago
and I would like to share a few of them with you...

the happy couple

the brother... looking a little nervous.

the colours all appeared as we started to celebrate

And that's me on the left trying to hold back the tears
which flowed as I reached the end of the aisle

flower girls lily and lucy who stole everyone's hearts...

sunset, full moon and a balmy spring evening...

Photos courtesy of Matt Grainger... Thanks Matt.

the personal touch

2011-11-09T18:10:00.000+11:00

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

Like Starbucks in the noughties, Christmas decorations seem to be springing up in the blink of an eye! What is it about glitter and fairy lights that makes people get excited?

Dont get me wrong... Im no Scrooge.

I do love the sentiment of 'good will to all men', and I love spending time with my lovely family and friends. It's just the over kill of tacky plastic trees and green and red baubles in every 7-11 and service station that gets me! Would you miss all those decorations if they weren't in front of your eyes at every turn?

I think that is why I like these two images. They are about Christmas, but done in a very personal and quiet way... They are courtesy of Lynsey Fryers, an English stylist who lived in Sydney and worked for magazines like Inside Out a few years ago before moving back overseas...

And you gotta love that beautiful leather seat in the image below! Love it...

Photos courtesy of Inside Out Christmas Edition 2008, taken by Petrina Tinslay.

r e t r e a t

2011-11-08T20:35:00.000+11:00

So Im sorry Ive been a little M.I.A in the last week.

I feel like i am in a crazy busy world at the moment.

I have been consumed by home/family life as my little brothers wedding kicks off on Friday. With relatives arriving tomorrow and trying to find time to finish off new Christmas goodies for Breathing Colours Gallery... I am one tired tiny!

One lovely thing that I have been doing to keep me sane is taking quick trips down to my local beach to throw my body in the beautiful salty water. And today, while I was down there, a HUGE afternoon storm rolled in to break the humid sticky air of the day...... IT was AMAZING!

mello

2011-11-06T21:58:00.000+11:00

...................

after a very very very busy week

it's so lovely to remember a time when it was nice and.... shhhhhh... quiet. {said in a whisper}

These few images of yellow remind me of silent streets with a camera in my hand, and a eye on the light and colour of the day

hope you enjoy x

laneway hide + seek

2011-11-02T11:13:00.000+11:00

Bridge Lane Sydney CBD

Talk about needing a GPS to locate art in Sydney! A couple of weeks ago I could have used one, as I took myself around Sydney's CBD to participate in the Laneway Art Project which featured in October's Art+About Festival. This year the organisers had doubled the billing in order for more art and more laneways to be included. Translation: The organisers were asked to spread the art and colour love into more white collar business districts by the Council!!

So there I was with a listing, a take way coffee and a free hour to play a game of hide + seek with the organisers of this open air exhibition. And let me tell you... it was tricky.

I'm glad I have some patience and a love of a creative challenge!

Hope you enjoy my take on The Laneway Art Project 2011...

Magda Sayeg, Knitted Coloured Squares, Sussex Lane

Brook Andrew, Inflated PVC form, Bridge Lane

Brook Andrew and in the background Barry McGee's graffiti tag, Tank Stream Lane

Barry McGee, Graffiti street Mural, Tank Stream Lane, Pitt St entrance

Sussex St

Eclectic mix... don't you think?

supporting a creative voice

2011-10-31T10:44:00.000+11:00

Jodie Noble, The Tiger in the Sea, 2011

Start of a new week and the end of another month. Where is October hiding? Maybe this Tiger ate it? It could have happened... seriously! Baffling questions like 'Where did this year go?' deserve surreal and baffling responses I reckon. Can you believe that November starts tomorrow? I cant believe that I am already seeing Christmas decorations in the shopping centres and stores. That, my friends, is Surrealism at its finest.

Looking back at what Ive talked about this year on this tiny blog Ive realised that there are certain things I naturally gravitate to, like photos of planned and unplanned incidents of colour, pattern + texture... art, craft and design workshops Ive been involved in... exhibitions Ive seen and loved... festivals, holidays, Sydney strolls... and developing projects and playtimes in my studio.

But one area I have consciously or unconsciously lost focus on is the state of the arts in Sydney, and across the globe in general. Maybe because it is a difficult subject. Things are changing at a rapid rate as galleries close their doors, artists' take their art to the world wide web instead of hanging it on a wall, and the public scratch their heads and try to work out where the arts community has disappeared to. These days you need pateince, time and a brilliant GPS to find galleries, artists' and art classes, as the creative pulse seems to have skipped a few beats in past year. Sad but true. The cultural climate is changing and you have to adapt, evolve, interact and be POSITIVE in order to keep going....

One thing I seem to be intuitively doing more of these days is talk to people about art and how to get involved at whatever level that suits you. The key is to just have fun and let go. For your sanity and mental well being! Enjoy the yang to your ying and indulge the big kid in you...

You will never be disappointed.

And one thing I love to discover is the way in which the arts community is trying to help people be happier and healthier. Arts Project Australia is one such organisation. In existence since 1974 APA tries help people with mental disabilities get in touch with their creative heart and mind, and in the process, produce amazing artworks and happier people. Now that is something to talk about and share....! And isn't this work (above) by Jodie Noble called 'The Tiger in the Sea' amazing?? Look at that teal colour! Beautiful...

If you would like to help support a worthwhile organisation you can find out how to donate/sponsor/volunteer some Christmas goodwill to Arts Project Australia here...

Now that is one way to celebrate the wonderful + colourful world of art! x

in blue light

2011-10-28T12:48:00.000+11:00

Sione Falemaka teaching his final workshop for Happy Talk 2011

Organiser extraordinaire Hahna beading away

Two of the most dedicated workshop people you will ever meet.
These lovely two people participated in nearly every Happy Talk event. Where are the medals?

Co founder Heidi having a go at making a woven head band

Sione in teaching mode... Dont you love his Lei and headpiece?

And so Happy Talk bids a final farewell to Hyde Park and the city of Sydney, and to finish I thought it would be lovely to feature a few portrait shots that I took on the final workshop day, as it is people that really made the whole project so special. The heart and soul ....

None of these amazing community projects could ever happen without the dedication and hard work of a few amazing people who believe so passionately about giving the wider public the opportunity to learn, play and participate in art and cultural activities that are so worth while and important to the art world... and city itself.

I can only imagine how dull, colourless and boring the world would be without people like Sione who share their creative knowledge and fantastic laugh with all the curious types who come to play!

I only wish I knew how to record the voices and laughter from these workshops....

Oh well.... at least I can give you the colour!

The wrap up.

unique inspiration

2011-10-26T14:51:00.000+11:00

Jenny Kee, Sunday Life Magazine October 2011

'It's amazing to come full circle; here I am bringing back the 30s scarf we wore in the 60s
with my designs from the 1980s into 2011'.... Jenny Kee

Oh Jenny Kee you are amazing.

Last Sunday I nearly choked on my cup of tea when I saw the front cover of The Sun Herald's Sunday Life Magazine completely covered with colour, pattern and life... all emanating from the radiant Jenny Kee. For those who don't know, or remember Jenny Kee, she was the face of the 1980s in Australia. She arrived back onto the local scene in 1972 after living for more than a decade in good ol' London Town, and shocked the boring and staid Sydney fashion world by opening a store called Flamingo Park in The Strand Arcade.

I just thought, 'Whatever I do with this shop it's got to be absolutely unique'. And that is what London gave me - being original'.

Like Florence Broadhurst's wallpaper designs of the 1970s, Jenny revolutionised the 80s textile world by creating a new + fresh aesthetic that spoke to Australian colour palette, visualising native flowers and plants in patterns that were bold, big and full of 80s excess...

And look at her today. Jenny is still the same amazingly unique woman that burst onto the scene in the 80s. Colourful, creative, and patterned to an inch of her life, she is still making it all work, without a shoulder pad in sight. She is a true inspiration for me, and as such I went all fluro yesterday.... well.... on my hands anyway.

Happy Hands, October 2011

Credits: The Trip that changed me, Article from The Sun Herald's Sunday Life Magazine, October 23 2011, pg. 12-13, Images from 'A Big Life' by Jenny Kee (Lantern)

all but a dream

2011-10-24T14:53:00.000+11:00

The week that was.
That already feels like a dream.
Its hard to imagine that such natural beauty exists
And not too far from my hometown of Sydney.

You know that saying... 'if you lived here you would be home by now'...?

I always wish that to be true whenever I visit this heavenly place called Belongil. So before I tear up on ya, I have definitely decided to make this my last post on the subject. I hope you love these images as much as I do, and Ill be back to our regular scheduled programming soon...

Happy Monday to you, and you and you and you!

{Sorry - for some reason I have that song Good Mornin' from the movie Singing in the Rain in my head! Why? I have no idea...}

spring side effect...

2011-10-22T10:35:00.000+11:00

'happy talk' woven bowl - October 2011

Being in the warm spring sunshine, surrounded by all the lovely people at the Happy Talk workshops was always going to have a happy side effect... And I cant think of a better way to express the mood of Spring and the month of October than by producing a colourful new woven bowl....

It's available now in the tinytrappings store if you would like to have a closer look.

Have a colourful and happy weekend everyone and Ill see you on the other side of it x

finding my focus

2011-10-21T10:34:00.000+11:00

..........
I always seem to rediscover the hip to my hop when I go to the beach.
The light, the quiet, the whale and dolphin watching...
All make me so happy, appreciative,
and focused...
on the little and big picture.
I mean.... can you see the pool of white light in the centre of this image?
Magic I tells ya.

t o w n

2011-10-19T18:07:00.000+11:00

From town to beach 2011

When I go up to Belongil I know that I am escaping to the beach, as there is literally a beach, a river, a cafe and a few places to lay your head. To do anything else you have to walk into town. And that town is Byron bay, a place that many people across the globe have heard of, or visited. I have seen it change a lot in the 16 or so years that I have known it. And in that time I have become less attached to the town-y allures, and more entranced by the beauty + nature of Belongil.

That is where you will find my beach towel.

But when I take my camera for a walk into Byron I always find images that tell a story of the place that contrasts nicely with all sand and sea.

Hope you like the contrast too...

y e l l o w

2011-10-17T12:00:00.000+11:00

belongil 2011

ello!

How are you all? Well I hope and enjoying the start of another new Monday and another new week. I'm back after my little trips to Canberra and Belongil, and even though I wish I was still on a beach somewhere, I had a great holiday and found much to inspire... and share with you.

Maybe it was all the time I spent sitting on soft sand, and seeing the amazing yellow paintings of Marine Maas at Flinders Lane Gallery (see on right, in Favourite Artwork of the week section)... but I'm feeling the yellow summer vibe today...

Hope you enjoy these few yellow images from the beach at Belongil..

from land to sea

2011-10-09T20:35:00.000+11:00

Lake George ACT

Belongil NSW

I like splitting my holidays into two parts...
Maybe Im just greedy.
I want to experience as much as I can
in as little time as possible.
In the last few days I went to visit a friend in Canberra
Saying hello to the beautiful Lake George & The National + Portrait galleries while there.
And tomorrow Im off to one of my favourite places in the world...
Belongil Beach near Byron Bay for (hopefully) some hot weather and time at the beach.
..............
So Ill see you soon...
and until then...
Be colourful, be playful and be inspired
x

the farewell garage sale

2011-10-08T16:11:00.000+11:00

the Saturday morning garage sale....

Oh.... is there anything better than strolling to a Saturday morning garage sale?

It's a tradition that goes back many moons...

People throwing out all their odds + sods onto the front yard, or patch of grass, for friends and strangers alike to find a bargain, or something they never knew they needed!!

Garage sales are also synonymous with departures.

When someone is leaving you know there will be a farewell garage sale in order to make the packing lighter! And this is where you find me in this post.... at a farewell clean out for miss Debbie, who is saying bye bye to Sydney...and hello to a new life!

It is sad to see her leave, but on this particular grey day I found a few treasures that will forever remind me of her...

these two little people are now part of my collection... I couldn't resist

sorting and sifting...

too much to look at!

ready to fly the coop

2011-10-07T17:13:00.000+11:00

Coming in to Land 2011 + Standing Tall 2011

Two little birds are about to fly...

They are a little shy and a little nervous

about their impending adventure

But I know they will enjoy the flight

and their cosy new home.

These two new works along with two more are about to leave Australia and be displayed in a new store in Switzerland. It's a really exciting new space and I'm so happy to have been asked to participate... Ill talk more about it soon, but for all those folk who live in Europe these two owl works will be available to purchase sooooooon.... so stay tuned!

As for me - I am also about to fly the coop, for a much much needed holiday! Ill speak to you before I go... but I am excited about recharging the batteries and discovering new inspirations!

Have a great Friday evening...

And if you are in the mood for a blogging adventure and are feeling a little hungry, I just discovered this + this recently... Enjoy!

lei day....

2011-10-03T21:39:00.000+11:00

Inside the Long House where a beautifully decorated table provided the materials and the space to have fun!

Instead of talkin more about The Happy Talk workshops that are happening in Hyde Park at the moment as part of Art + About 2011, I thought i would just show you a few of my impressions from the first workshop called Lei Day....

The lovely Maryann Talia Pau, a Melbourne based artist, was our guide through the world of Lei making. As we worked she told us stories about what giving a Lei means in her family, and in Samoan culture.

Outside the Long House there is a place to sit and make in the sun. Plus.... there is a hammock!

When you enter the space there is a wall with hessian sacks filled with plants that can provide weaving materials for those who feel like picking leaves from live plants...

Bea Chew having fun....

A shelf provides a place for people to leave their crafty projects to finish on another day...or leave for others to look at and enjoy!

a special invitation.

2011-10-02T13:38:00.000+11:00

wedding invitation designed by Matt Grainger...with illustration by me!

I cant quite believe that its finally here.

My little (well not that little) brother is gettin hitched.

It's funny when life suddenly sees you doing all things big adulty things...

Big things like get married, have kids, buy a property...

Geez - I'm amazed when I do my tax return and drive myself to the other side of the city!

I find that big events can become even bigger when they happen to your brother or sister as you're happy, but amazed that time has already marched on to that point where you are marking such special moments! Where DID the time go???

But THAT day is here... and a few months ago I was lovingly asked to help with the wedding invitation. I had never been given a brief such as this so I wasn't sure how it was all going to turn out. My soon-to-be-sister in law Kym asked if I would do a drawing for the invite that was not too prissy, cute, overtly feminine or too soft. Well that's no problem... my work is usually colourful, playful, non gender specific.

But what to draw? A landscape? A portrait? No - it has to be something more symbolic.

It had to be birds....

Two birds that mirrored each other and stood tall as a couple... but on closer inspection were individual characters.

And so this little illustration was born.

Once I had the approval from the clients it was then worked into the invite by my brother's good friend Matt who is a graphic designer. Matt was great at finding the balance of what needed to be included, but also how to make the whole thing very personalised, as you see many wedding invites out there that are very generic. So it was great to see the the drawing start to become part of a project that spoke about Andrew and Kym, and not just about the wedding itself.

I really enjoyed this tiny project.

But more importantly I'm looking forward to the day itself, when we can all celebrate and enjoy another big moment in my little brother life... awwww

jump start

2011-09-30T09:42:00.000+10:00

For the past few weeks Ive been dipping into a multitude of materials...
From drawing, embroidery, weaving, and photography.....
Ive been working with the lot, and finding it hard to complete anything.

Its nice when you forget about deadlines and just enjoy the process.
But sooner rather than later, the real world comes a-knocking, to awaken you from your playtime in order to move things along. Which can actually be a good thing!

In the next few days Ill reveal a few completed works - one being an illustration for a very special wedding invitation that I was excited to be a part of!
But today its drawings...
in blue
that talk of summer
and my excitement
of being reacquainted with
the ocean...