In the begining

This is one of my first full-scale paintings, which is partially why I named it “In the beginning”. The image was from studies of the Turkish Bath by Jean-Auguste-Dominique INGRES (Montauban, Paris) where dozens of nude Turkish women are sitting or lying on sofas in various poses, in an Oriental interior which is arranged around a pool. Ingres was inspired by the letters of Lady Montague (1690-1760), who recounts a visit to women’s baths in Instanbul in the early eighteenth century.

I arranged my figure similar to the figure on the right of the Turkish bath, what I tried to depict is a figure that looks as if she is emerging and just awakening like a mermaid just lost her tail or the birth of venues.

The painting is peeling a bit because charcoal doesn’t sit well on canvas long term but it all adds to the effect.

In the beginning – Charcoal and acrylic on canvas

Street

When I first finish the plate I decided I didn’t like it anymore, because I thought it would look too cartoonish once printed, so I tucked it away in one of my art books. It was not until the end of the semester when I realized that I didn’t have enough prints then I decide to give thi one ago. I only had time to try the black ink and the result was surprisingly good.

It looks moody, the smooth nude figure against the dark scratchy back ground creates contrast and it tells a story. I named “Street” because even though the focus is on the façade and the figure but as a viewer you can’t help but wonder what was happening on the street that has caught her attention. I am pretty happy with the end result. Architecture and landscapes are areas that I would like to explore more of especially in prints.

Etching Print on Paper- Plastic Dry Point

Squeezing for Great Design

After “exploring the landscape of sour taste” the designers at Tonfisk came up with this cute lemon squeezer that you can bring to the table. This palm sized white ceramic bowl is one of my favorite designs. The tiny little spout looks pinched on the smooth white face as if its experiencing the same sourness the user is about to taste. I love the simplicity of its design; it removed all that’s not necessary to leave us with a blank mysterious looking instrument that draws the on looker to pick it up and investigate its purpose.

The Oma Lemon squeezer is sold at Funkis, go to http://www.funkis.com.au/ for more information and for more fabulous tableware go to http://www.tonfisk-design.fi/

Busy Bee

I have been a busy bee updating my REDBUBBLE site. “What’s Redbubble?” I hear you ask, well they make fabulous prints from original artworks by artists much like myself, and it’s where I have been getting lots of inspirations for my own work. To compensate for my neglect, I’ll give a sneak preview of my current project.

Currently I’m working on few designs for T-shirt, which will also be available on Redbubble when I’m done, and my latest obsession is bird cages. I saw an empty bird cage used as decoration in a magazine, the clean lines of the cage hanging against a white background looks fragile and beautiful. With the absence of the bird, the cage itself is looked at as the centre of attention and till now I never thought how beautiful it can be. I’m not sure if it’s a reflection what I’m going though right now, but an empty bird cage is a metaphor for freedom, it makes me think the soul it once contained is now free, free go where ever it wants to.

Image thanks to www.tonystone.com

Eye of the beholder

Life Drawing

I have been taking some Life Drawing classes. It's kinda relaxing after a days work. Here are some finished works. It's always difficult to know when to stop working so I tend to over work them. I alway want to do supper realistic but I have been told by many that my best are the sketchy ones so I'll try that next time.

Global Beauty

These images are from Isabella Rossellini’s now discontinued Manifesto cosmetics catalogue. I kept it because I loved it. I love how it features women from different ages and races whom all look completely different from each other yet all beautiful. Rossellini promoted beauty of many kinds, and admired people who doesn’t hide their flaws but underlines their uniqueness.

Excuse My French

Solar Plate Print on Paper 14cm x 19cm

New Leaf

New month, new season. I'm dedicating this month's blog to this new beginning that is upon us - Spring.

Spring is my favourite season, spring conjurers romantic images of blossoms with dew, white kites in blue sky and puppy dogs wagging their tails. Anything following spring sounds nice like Spring clean, Spring lamb, Spring Chill and of course Spring means Summer is just around the corner. So its out with the old and in with the new and give in to the slight madness that is Spring.

SHINE

Metallic is every where this season, Silver or gold adds a finishing touch to any outfit, the key is to avoid the "disco ball" look, hence no metalic head to toe. The silver dress might be a little hard to master so I opt to try some silver accessories like the Starlet Clutch from Witchery ($69.95) and one of my favourite purchase this week, these Silver Glamourpuss shoes.

The White Shirt

Addicted to the Basic White, I'm always in search of the next best thing in the humble White Shirt. From T-shirts, to work shirts, to blouses. If you open your eyes you can see array of vast different styles and designs putting a twist into the basic white. There are also companies dedicated to creating the next best thing in the white shirts, such as the White Shirt Shop for unique designs and exquisite tailoring, and for comfy T-shirts try UK's White T-Shirt Co.

I probably own over 50 white shirts and here are few of my favourites.

Farage - Tuxedo- Ruffle - Love the superb tailoring and french cuff

Witchery - Silk Cotton Blouse - Femine tayloring

FCUK - FanTasia Shirt - Great for summer, dress up or down

The Trench Coat

I have been in search for that perfect trench. In my opinion the Classic Trench is a Fashion must, because looks good with almost everything; casual with jeans, for work outside suites or shirts or as a cover up for the glamorous night out.

There are lots of trench coats on the market ranging from about $70 to some serious $$$. Most trenches I tried on looked bulky on my small frame, untill I tried Witchery's Cotton Belted Trench Coat, it's light weight with a skinny belt and no tabs and big buttons to make it look bulky. Priced at $299, its cheapish compare with some others, so I had to have it.

"100% cotton knee length trench coat with matching coloured detachable skinny belt and detachable belt features at cuffs. Includes front pockets and single concealed pocket inside. Hook and eye closure at neck.Fully lined." Witchery

CHANTECAILLE Les Passementeries Trio Palette

I have always been a fan of Chantcaille, I love the romantic French name, the sleek silver packaging, and serious lust worthy ingredience. Needless to say it was a very sad day when David Jones stopped stocking them. I can only now lust after them on Neiman Marcus. Their latest is the Les Passementeries Trio Palette. It definitely tops my lust after list at the moment. Comes in a palm sized palette with three ornate pans for eyes and cheeks. With each pan devided into three user friendly colours, it would be perfect for travel or handbag.

"This versatile palette of luminous shades for eyes and cheeks has the richly colored, ornamented and layered effect of the finest runway couture.Each of the two eye and one cheek options contains three complementary colors, a shimmering overlay and an intricately embossed Chantecaille Rose." Neiman Marcus

In a nut shell

Have you ever thought about what happens to nutshells after you fling them onto the floor? Well Brisbane based designer Mark Harrison did and turned your everyday macadamia shells into a range of attractive table ware. In 2003 Husque was born, taking the discarded macadamia shells, milled them into fine particles and combine them with a polymer, the result is a durable material that can be moulded into array of curvaceous shapes.

There are five pieces in the collection all inspired by the organic shape of the macadamia shell. My favourite is the original Husque bowl (shown on the left), measuring 80x17x21; it’s practical in size with a beautiful glossy brown exterior and a highly polished interior makes it a design master piece. Want more… well it also come in array of colours. The only down side is one of this baby will set you back $170 hence it’s still on my lust after list, for more information and stockist go to www.husque.com

Solar Plate Etching

Solar plates are special UV sensitive plates. Under the sun or UV lighting it transfers the image from the transparent paper to it's surface and it uses tap water to etch the image into the plate.

My first Solar plate was "eye of the beholder". Which consists of images torn from magazines and post cards. The figure was added later using waxy crayons.

My favourite print of it is this sepia toned print. Its moody and paper looks aged as if its from an old book.

Sunday Afternoon

"As Winter slides into Spring, take advantage of every fine evening by rugging up and getting out. The suspended time between afternoon and evening is one of the Day's Natural pauses. Grant yourself the space to breathe and little time to think."

I love this abstract from the Notebook Magazine, it reminds me to appreciate the simple things in life. So I took some time out for myself and used to rummage through my endless collection of bits and pieces. I came across this page from my art diary. It looks simple and pretty. I can't remember why I didn't include any of these in my prints, but now I have a found a place for it.