Artist Showcase 001

Mickalene Thomas - USA

Wow.
Click Me!
C x

Songs & Lyrics

Romance = *gag* for me [shocking I know], but if Mr Right were to insist on writing me a song, then I'd hope it would go a little something like this.

I can see a lot of life in you. / I can see a lot of bright in you. / And I think the dress looks nice on you. / I can see a lot of life in you.

I can see a bed and make it too. / I can see a fireside turn blue. / And I can see the lot of life in you. / Yes, I can see a lot of life in you.

When the world looks back, / when the face looks after that,/ I can see a lot of life in you. / Yes, I can see a lot of life in you.

I can see a lot of life in you. / I can see your bed and make it too./ And I think the dress looks nice on you. / Yes, I can see a lot of life in you. / I can see a lot of life in you. / Yes, I can see a lot of life in you

- Surfjan Stevens

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Portrait of Clare

My niece drew a picture of me yesterday. I think she's captured my proportions perfectly! Especially the big head.

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Step aside Karen Walker

I'm very excited about the arrival of my new sewing machine. My gorgeous sister Julie has kindly lent me hers, and it's a hand-me-down I won't refuse!

I've started a list of things I want to make:

- A hoodie for Wilbur [he's a puppy]
- A flapper dress
- A stuffed toy for my niece
- A birdie mobile for my newest Goddaughter
- Lots and lots of dresses

Eek! I could be the next Chloe... not. But still, it will be fun nonetheless. & results to be posted on this blog.

C x

Friday Quote

"Only the unimaginative can fail to find a reason for drinking champagne" - Oscar Wilde

I agree. Happy Friday!
C x

Six Words

I had heard about this project some time ago when I was working on Home Is... or not long after. Legend has it that Hemmingway was asked to write a story in six words. His response was: "For sale: baby shoes, never worn." Those six words tell quite a story. So, some clever little bug decided to continue the project and have writers from all over the world, professional or not so professional, contribute. The following link is the result:

http://www.smithmag.net/sixwords/

The Age reminded me of this site today and I have spent hours reading people's six word stories. I recommend you make a coffee, sit back, and take a look. Or twenty.

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Rainy days and Bill Henson

It's very rainy in Melbourne today. I love this weather. It's a good day to be snuggled up in bed listening to music. An old friend of mine always used to suggest it's a great day to be curled up in front of a fire with a good bottle of red [shiraz, of course].

It's also a good day to look at the photography of Bill Henson. Dark, moody, cold but somehow warm at the same time. Despite recent controversy [you could say Henson has had a few rainy days of late, of which he would no doubt be used to by now], he remains a huge mentor to me.

C x

Fairy Tales, Schmairy Tales

I read a great line yesterday:
"If there is one thing to be learned from Cinderella, it's that the right pair of shoes can change your life".

For me, it would be a pair of these bad boys.

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R.I.P. YSL

"The most beautiful clothes that a woman can wear are the arms of the man she loves. But for those who do not have the luck to find such happiness, I am there” - YSL

R.I.P.,
C x

Home Is...

In 2002, the last year of my Bachelor of Contemporary Arts, I undertook a subject called Art & Community. The idea behind the subject was to have students from all the majors (Visual Arts - me, Media Arts, Dance & Drama) put their heads together and come up with a collaborative project which involved the community (you'd never guess from the name of the subject hey?).

I came up with an idea for a book, a book called 'Home Is...'. As you turned each page you would find an image and some words about what 'home' was to someone we had interviewed. The image would be a drawing or a photograph provided by the interviewee, and the words were their perspective of what 'home' is.

We interviewed a politician, a middle class family, two homeless men, some prisoners, members of an Aboriginal community, one of Australia's wealthiest men, two girls who had overcome drug addiction and a variety of other Victorians.

The result was fascinating. The images provided were beautiful. And the people who made this book were not polished 'artists'.

I often think of 'Home Is...' and remember the reaction from those that read it. Some pages made people laugh, others made people cry.

I think it's the type of project I need to finish, even if it is 6 years later. Perhaps its time to make 'Home Is...' electronic and allow people from all over the globe to contribute. It would make for a fascinating read and an interesting time waster. If it were to become big enough, any profits could be donated to charity.

C x