choosing an interior colour scheme - some basic tips...

I am a lover of coffee table books - particularly those that are on the subject of art, design, decorating, travel or food...  or if I'm lucky, a combination of these subjects... a cover catches the eye - an image, a word, or a colour, that sucks you in; and you know, you have to move a little closer - to gently slide out one's hand to stroke said cover; and then surreptiously open it, while being undetected... One of the major joys for me of course, is that a coffee table book cannot be reproduced in a digital format - it's an aesthetic pleasure. Just sometimes a wonderful friend drops by with a book that they INSIST you borrow, because it is so beautiful, that it needs to be shared. And, such is, "The Artist's Lunch" - "At home with Australia's most celebrated artists" by Alice McCormick and Sarah Rhodes - with foreword by the beloved Margaret Olley. It was passion at first sight. Artists very often have a close relationship to food; to sourcing, preparing, cooking, and then sharing around a table with spirited conversation... and we are often presented with an artist's favourite recipe - as we are in this book - but these recipes are right at the back - and although integral to the book, they are certainly not a priority. ...

In this instance, the Jones's are not necessarily your neighbours - perhaps yourself, or your career competitors.......

Running a business, trying to stay on top of the new social media "must-knows" - can make one feel like a "have-not" - unless you hire a teenager to google, facebook, tweet, blog, on your behalf, someone else to update your site; someone else to do the admin and sales...... while still looking after your clients with a special level of detail and personal service......

This is a deviation from my past blogs.... it's a little self-help for me, and perhaps you in another creative business - you can google, facebook, tweet, blog, all you like.... but the main thing, and the reason why we're in this business, is because we're passionate about what we "conceive of, and do" - we have to remember to keep the priority on remaining creative, innovative, and inspired to inspire others...

A mood board - style board - is a tool that is vital to all professional decorators... but so handy and creative for hobbyists too... if you're interested in giving your home a facelift - or collecting snippets, ideas for any future projects - keep all your magazine tears....

it could be an item you've found on a walk; an old postcard from an overseas trip that gives you a calm feeling; a brochure from a hotel that visually thrilled you; a photograph you took of your cousin's garden whereby you loved the paving layout and choice of plantings... all these can be added to your board.

the beauty of light....... the secret weapon of decorating.. live in a place before you embark on renovations........ walls and paint can reflect light or absorb........

I headed down the coast for a few days break - to feel the sand between my feet and to reflect - I'm an abstract landscape painter so faced with a beautiful landscape, I was certainly inspired - I opened my pad of paper, brought out my charcoal and oil - and painted this???

As an artist and working with artists, there is often the dilemma and internal dialogue of desiring change, and development; but not wanting to lose one's style. I grapple with this dilemma myself...

Just recently I was given a postcard of a watercolour and ink drawing by Piet Mondrian of a Blue Chrysanthemum. Mondrian in my brain is simple geometry and primary colours - this drawing is arresting in its delicate line work and hues and tones. I couldn't believe it was a Mondrian - AND it's in the Guggenheim. Was this style only looked on favourably by the art world after Mondrian had become famous for his geometric compositions - or was it acclaimed at the time?

 

How often do we see people standing infront of a painting, saying "BUT, what does it MEAN?"... The answer: it doesn't have to mean anything. Art is not the answer to a question; it is not a mathematical solution; and it doesn't have to perform a function - but it does in my opinion, and in the words of the master Picasso:

“Art washes away from the soul, the dust of everyday life...”

... thus, it doesn't need analysing - allow it to talk to your soul, to affect you without meaning - it could affect you immediately, it could cause you to ponder, self-reflect - it could transport you to childhood memories; or to a place you haven't been.

Art is a wonder..... allow it to be wondrous - you can laugh, you can cry, or quietly applaud.

This was a trip I should have done years ago - a trip that all Australians should do. 

 

I travelled up north with Margot Turner; and Karen Swaffer (glass jewellery designer). The first four days of our trip were spent at Yuendemu - a community north west of Alice - accessible by the unsealed Tanami Track. The bush bus was an experience all in itself - the art centre "Warlukurlangu" is run by a small and dedicated group of women - who support and develop the artists; as well as giving them a calm place to paint. Famous Yuendemu artist, Shorty, paints everyday from the art centre... a character of a man.

From 9am to 6pm we spent our time mixing paints, priming canvasses; and generally getting a better understanding of the Warlpiri people and their stories.

From there we headed back down to Alice to meet up with artist Jane Canfield; and our guide and Indigenous artist, Vincent Forrester.

 

 

I'm sure many of us remember that little saying, "Wattle, wattle.. stick it in a bottle......" it's not all that silly. I just adore fresh flowers in my home - they make me feel spoilt, special and indulgent; but sometimes for us busy bees, it's difficult to buy fresh every week....... just walking along the lake near my home (50 metres) are the most beautiful assortment of vase/jar, or indeed bottle appropriate specimens to perk up any home; or any one...

A branch with lichen was my found treat... perfectly formed, weathered, with the fungus lichen growing on it in a soft olive green - and in a vase or bottle in the middle of the diningroom table; lamp table; or entrance hall - it adds height, an organic elegance; and I don't have to stress about changing old water or dead petals..... long live lichen.