How To Tame Lions

You have probably come across her already - Megan Washington was Triple J's album of the week a little bit back but I think she's fabulous so I'm sharing!!
If you haven't seen/ heard her and want to know more check out her myspace. 
Enjoy
*K*

Danielle Kathleen {Friday Finds}

Black on Black Acrylic Mini Wall Art Collection

I have always loved Cameo's, even before they became cool (again) - having always been into history I guess they always sung to me about a time gone by. Like art, cameos and silhouettes can evoke feelings and memories, a fact recognised by  Danielle Kathleen.

White Princess Wall Art - Acrylic

The student designer creates 'mini art pieces' that can also used as striking, over the top (in the best possible way) jewelry.  And the collection pictured today is titled "Handful of Memories". which is inspired by childhood, loves, obsessions and memories. "Often there are stories attached to each one, and together they map out all the quirky odds and ends that shape the imagination" she says... I say fabulous! I love them all!

Miss Muffet Portrait Acrylic

Little Black Sparrow Brooch - Acrylic

I hope you think they're fabulous too... and if you do check out her Etsy shop!

*K*

Joanna Louge

I am a huge fan of rich textured application of paint.  Thus I was instantly besotted with Joanna Louges work when she was showing the Atrium Gallery this time last year.

Forest Track II, 2010 oil on canvas

Winter Gums (Dispatch) 2010 oil on canvas

Conifer - Hartley 2008 oil on linen

I love the Turneresque  quality these works have.  Up close they are abstract pieces of colour and movement, but as you move further away they form beautiful wintry landscapes of mist and magic, enchanting and moody.

Essington Window VIII 2010, photograph

Essington Window IX 2010, photograph

Essington Window I 2010 photograph

Joanna's paintings, and her photos share the same sense of abstract and landscape, both have a romantic or sublime feel that is brought about by the sense of suspense - the stillness, quietness, but the feeling that at any moment their will be movement, that something amazing will happen.

Joanna is currently showing paintings, assemblages and video works at the Cowra Regional Art Gallery.  Then following a residency at the Haeflinger cottage, Hill End, she will be making a body of work inspired by the ruged landscape of this NSW mining town for the Bathurst Regional Art Gallery. 
I eagerly look forward to where the future takes this talented and inspirational artist!

I hope you are all inspired too...

Have a great week!!
*K*

I'm back!

It took over a week but Mr Computer is back and hopefully better than ever... Now lack of a computer has meant an inability to organise posts so I may be a bit infrequent in my posting over the next few weeks till I catch up! Oh dear!
In the mean time feel free to gaze adoringly at these prints by Samantha Battersby of Sydney on sale at her etsy shop Matou En Peluche.

 

 Queen Nefertiti

 The Girl Who Loved Birds

 

Cat Art - Simon

Sultry femme fatels and self-centred slinky cats - yes please.  The heavy line and elegantly restrained colour pallet takes the 1920's styling and gives it a strength and a darkness that quite modern and beautifully unique!

Ghost of a Green Turban Shell

Hope you enjoy

Have a terrific, technologically trouble free weekend!

*K*

Sorry...

Sorry my lap top has died a sad a lonely death - usual programming will be back as soon as possible!
*K*

Robert Bradford - Upcycled Art

Bee at Eden steal wood nylon and plastic

Robert Bradford  is a UK artist responsible for the Bee sculpture at Eden, who is recently creating waves in the bloggesphere with his amazing sculptures made from old toys.  This is fabulous bright coloured art in all its fluro, plasticy goodness,  or badness depending on how you want to look at it.

Sniff One toys on wood

Its serious art that doesn't take itself to seriously.  Its art that's also about play and fun, about children and simplicity. And I'm all for any art that captivate kids while still being thought provoking.

Terrieristes - toys and pegs on wood

And yes, straight away there is a feeling of eco-lecture going on - the ugliness of waste and consumer excess, but maybe that's just my guilty conscience rubbing against my high-horse ideals, as while Bradford acknowledges there's a recycling element to his work, he believes that the job of the artist is not to instruct but to reveal. He believes his work starts a conversation but that has no message of its own (more here) - in other words take from it what you will - delight in the colour and form - that its a doggy made of pegs, and if it makes you have second thoughts about buying yet another barbie doll from Kmart well that's no bad thing - perhaps that's more about you and your ideals than it is about the doggy!!!

Toy Boy at Colliford plastic toys and steal mesh

Have a thoughtful week!
*K*

(I stumbled across Bradford via Li'l Magoolie)

Felt! {Friday Finds}

Felt is New Zealands Art and Craft Online Market.
I've mentioned it in one of my first posts but I've never properly talked about it! So here we go...
Felt was created by the talented Lucy Arnold who co-owns a graphic design company called Board of Design.  I have nothing but admiration for those who take opportunities to help artists and crafts people shine -  and sites like Felt, Etsy and Australia's Made It do this while allowing others to do it too!! So we can all feel a little warmer and fuzzier about our shopping habits!

 Blue Swan Retro by Swanwear.  Birdie Tags - Red Tui by Songbird.    New York Neck-piece by the-funk. Two Cheeky Fantails, by Lastik

Take a look some time, and maybe, just maybe, you'll find something that you'll want to keep, and you too can support some of our very amazing local talent!

Have a great Weekend

*K*