Burmese Dreaming

After reading Peter Olszewski's, Land of a Thousand Eyes I have had a strong desire to travel to Burma. Since then, certain circumstances have made it next to impossible to go there. So, it was one of those dreams that went into the Too Hard For Now basket. I hope to pull it out of there again soon.

Meanwhile, on Thursday night Meg invited me to her friend Tim's preview of his documentary called Burmese Dreaming. I had previously seen Tim's photography from Burma at a charity auction just a couple of years ago & was impressed with his work, so jumped at the chance to see his film.

The documentary was amazing. A lot of the footage he took when in Burma was confiscated by the military, so when he came back to Australia many of the 'chapters' of his story were missing. He has managed to piece together what he was left with brilliantly, as the narrator, a Burmese father's daughter, guides you through everyday life in the country.

Because of the success of his first preview, he will be holding another preview this Thursday at The Auction Rooms in North Melbourne [awesome venue BTW]. I highly recommend you get yourself down there. It's a fundraiser by the way! You can bid on his photography! Click on the above flyer to enlarge for more details of the event.

C x

Funny Pic

I haven't been very inspired this week & hence no interesting new posts. So for today I will leave you with one of the funniest things I have seen this week from I Can Has Cheezburger.

Something a bit more interesting tomorrow, I promise. :oD

C x

Flickr

Did I tell you I have created a Flickr account for Peppery Sparrow? Well if not, I am now. I'm really getting back into my photography, which I have missed more so than drawing [surprisingly]. And now that I have discovered the good people at Lab X, I have even more of a reason to get back into it!

There's not much on there at the moment, but I'll post updates here when new photos are added.

Clicky click click.

C x

Monday Musing

When I was little, I wanted to be a ninja and a ballerina when I grew up. Which actually makes a lot of sense when you think about it. Isn't it funny how things work out?

C x

Pics from here & here.

Diana +

This week I processed my first two rolls of film used in my Diana +. Above are a few of my favourites proofs from the bunch. I played it pretty safe [see: banal] with these, so now its time to start really experimenting with lomography. I feel a new addiction coming on strong...

C x

Violin

It was a violin. A bit of a Friday morning play. Nothing else to report today, except HOORAH it is the weekend! I'm spending mine with my family, a couple of close friends & my new lover, the sewing machine.

C x

To delete, or not delete

It is funny how my mind works. I often throw clothes out thinking I will never wear them again, then two months later fall in a tearful heap on my bedroom floor wondering where the hell all my clothes are. I blame the washing machine for eating them, I will blame friends for borrowing them. I will blame the removalists for losing a whole bag of clothes in my last move. And then it will hit me, you threw them out, fool.

I'm a bit the same with my photos & drawings. I will send them on their way to the tip or recycling plant, and then later when I decide I am going to use them in my folio, I ask 'and whereabouts did I put them again? Oh, the bin. Crap!'

Regardless of my level of satisfaction with a drawing, photo or painting, it is all part of my ongoing development as an 'artist'. So:

Must. Not. Delete/Throw Out. Anything.

This little pic nearly ended up in the electronic Recycle Bin, but I saved it in its 11th hour.

C x

Things I Want

1. Mini Accordion Books in Japanese Paper 2. Scarf with Eiffel Tower Print 3. Giant Mug [I like my coffee LARGE] 4. Hardcore Leash [for when I get a dog]

But, alas, I am on a self-imposed spending ban. Damn you ANZ for giving me a credit card. Damn you!

C x

Introducing Soko

Fan Website

MySpace

Not everyone's cup of tea, but personally, I like mine with a teaspoon of French Folk.

C x

Gwen = Cool

I was reminded on Saturday morning just how cool Gwen Stefani is.

C x

By, Me.

I am going to turn these quick Illustrator jobs into paintings soon.

C x

GARANCE DORÉ

I don't know what it says, but its French, so it must be chic.

GARANCE DORÉ

C x

Me Want

I want one of these.

C x

Springvale, Vic

I stumbled across this photo with several others saved onto a CD. From 2001. Yep! It's a photo from my uni days. I was in my 2nd year of B. Contemporary Art. These were days of fisherman pants, hand-rolled cigarettes, $1 pots, lots of coffee, talking about post-modernism & freaking out when you have a painting AND photography folio due on the same day.

Sadly, as this photo was scanned nearly 7 years ago, the quality is fairly poor & the originals are currently in storage so I can't re-scan.

It's funny looking at my old paintings, drawings & photography. I don't think my style has changed so much as my technique has improved. So on occasion I will share some of my older work on this blog [just don't laugh at it, as I'm sure some will be cringe-worthy], as a means of comparison with any new work I produce.

C x

Facehunting Australia

Joizus. Us Melbournians have a bit to live up to. The Face Hunter is coming to Australia. Specifically, Sydney, but it looks like he might hit the streets of old Melbourne town.

See some funny [and yet predictable] Melbourne vs. Sydney arguments here.

C x

Filters. Bloody Filters.

No, I'm not full of myself. And yes, I do know how to use more than just filters in Photoshop. [IMO a photographer doesn't really need Photoshop, but that's for another post]

I was bored. And this beat research.

C x

Girly Mags

I'm not opposed to girly magazines for men. I really don't see why some women kick up a fuss about them. There are, of course, some publications & movies that are questionable and exploit women, but I think that the women who pose for reputable magazines such as Playboy can be quite empowered. Why do I think that? Well low self-esteem about looks is not uncommon for many women [myself included], and to be able to pose for these magazines shows a great deal of courage and confidence. I think that is very sexy in both women and men. If I was more confident I would probably flaunt it too. Ironically, you know who would probably be horrified the most if I were to do that? My conservative male friends [who read Playboy].

Bah humbug to them I say! I am becoming more confident as I get older so who knows where you might see me one day. Ha ha!

---
*thud* - that's the sound of my Dad fainting when my Mum or sisters tell him about this post.
---

Anyway, I came across these vintage Playboy covers on the web. It is also interesting to look at what was deemed 'sexy' back in the 60s.

I really like them & I think they hit the sexy nail on the head.

C x

Help!

As the song goes, I'm looking for someone very special. Someone who can help me name my freelance/consulting business. I'm currently invoicing people under the name 'Clare Hartley'. Boring. I need a business name & I'm struggling. My sister came up with a fabulous one but it is already registered in Victoria.

Can you help me?

For reference, my corporate colours are as above: green & black.

The name can either have a meaning behind it or just sound awesome.

Email ideas to:
clare.e.hartley@gmail.com

Apart from full credit, what's in it for the best business name maker
up-er-rer?
I'll grant you ONE wish.
[Within reason. No asking for $1M or world peace.]

C x

Lula

If you're a girl, you might like this.

C x

New Friend

I made a new friend last night. He was a dinosaur. He was 4 years old. Then he decided he was 5 years old. He also likes spaghetti just as much as I do.

C x

First Date Guide

A male friend of mine seems to go on a lot of dates [you know who you are, ha ha!]. One night he asked me for some suggestions of where to take a new lady on a first date. This got me thinking about the last time I was on a first date [2005 if you must know! Terrible huh?].

At the time I was living in the heart of Melbourne in a beautiful apartment with bay views, but my cooking skills were [and still are] terrible. Seriously. So there would be no impressing this potential beau with home cooked culinary delights. Instead I thought it would be best to showcase my knowledge of 4 of Melbourne's hidden and not-so-hidden gems.

[N.B. I have updated this guide as one of my First Date stops has since burnt down.]

1. Meet for a drink at Von Haus. There's an interesting story behind this place, read it here and impress by sharing it on your big night.
2. Have dinner at Pellegrinis. Great food, great atmosphere, and the very loud waiters will help distract you from your first date jitters.
   
3. Check out an exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria. If it is a Wednesday night, they are open until 9pm and have live music. Ooh, romantic.
   
4. Finish off with a coffee at any cafe in Degraves Street. I recommend Hell's Kitchen.

It's a bit cliché, it's a bit contrived, but it'll make for a good first date IMO. I love a first date, as long as I'm not on it!

C x

Etsy Store

I have a ridiculous amount of vintage pieces that have been worn once and since lived in my storage unit. I'm going to curb my hoarding ways and pass on my treasures...for a price. I'll also be selling some of my handmade goods soon too: greeting cards, home wares & various art pieces.

There's nothing there yet [anti-climax much?], but bookmark my Etsy store!

C x

Split Enz

Sharing my favourite film clips is much more fun than dealing with a Monday [see first post/rant from today to get a feel for the mood I am in today]. Romance usually makes me feel a little uncomfortable, but I do like this song.

C x

Talking Heads

I like Talking Heads.

C x

I am not a genie

Just a little bit of advice when you are asking someone to create something [website, logo, product catalogue, a series of photographs, a commissioned painting, costumes etc..] for you:

1. Respond to their emails as soon as you can, this will speed up the time it takes them to complete your project. If you take 14 days to respond to their emails, don't scream at them when they take 48 hours to respond to yours. Your slow response to their email indicates that you are not in a hurry to complete the project and hence they will follow suit.
2. Following on from that, give them clear time frames in which you expect the project to be completed. But be realistic. Rome wasn't built in a day, nor will your website be.
   
3. Don't say 'this is a do-it-now project'. It's rude, arrogant, and shows your obvious lack of organisational skills as you must have known about this project some time ago.
   
4. Provide them with as much information as possible. An A4 piece of paper with stick men drawn on it, whilst cute, is not that helpful. Show examples of other works you like.
   
5. Don't be cheap, think practically. Unless you are a not-for-profit organisation, expect to put up some dollars. Freelancers have bills to pay too.
   

That's all for now, I could go on, but I won't.

End rant.

C x

Ladytron

My parents are from Birkenhead, which is on the River Mersey opposite Liverpool. Ever since I was little I have been a fan of music produced in that part of the world [is taste genetic?]. So it's only fitting that I am seeing Ladytron tonight. Yay!

C x

I'm Published!

So a few months ago my friend who is the developer for Orbit Footwear asked me to help her write some copy about their summer range for Attitude Magazine. And it was published! I'm quite chuffed.

[I was told there was a spelling mistake in there, I can't spot it, can you?]

Click on the image above to enlarge.

C x

Music Festivals

I went to my last music festival on Sunday, Parklife. Why my last? Because my body takes days to recover, I don't like lines & I'm so not cool enough for those things anymore.

I had fun though, and took this rad photo.

C x