My Dream Home

I often think about the ideal way I would like to live, how my house would look, smell, sound, taste and feel. I would like the sound of music to be more common than the sound of television, the loverly music will fill the house with joy.  We will play everything from 60's rock to french music, to folk and sweet indie pop.  The rooms in my house will smell amazing, with lots of scented candles in lemongrass, vanilla and fruity flavours.  The house will taste like cups of chai tea, yummy beer cake and raspberry scones for visitors, fresh leafy greens like roquette and baby spinach on tap! and heartwarming winter meals.  The house will not only be a treat for the ears, mouth and nose but for the eyes! My ideal house will be full of colour, from 70's red and orange kitchenware, red leather couches, a 60's mod egg chair, flowers on the windowsill, artworks on the walls, blown glass vases, shag rugs, vintage curtains, photo memories on the walls, cute collected ornaments on shelves, rows of shoes, costume jewellery, Florence Broadhurst wallpaper once I can afford it and a beautiful view.  Finally and most importantly, this house will feel like eros (love), it will be welcoming to friends and warming to family, it will feel like home xx. 

Roller-coaster

Hey feelings! I'm talking to you! Is it necessary for you to go up and down like a roller-coaster? I mean I do love roller-coasters, but this one your taking me on just isn't good for my stress levels.  Can we please negotiate? Can I spend the whole day feeling either up or down? I have no problem with feelings, but I would like to feel them whatever that feeling may be for a longer time.  Preferably a heightened state of bliss for say.... the rest of my life xx. 

-Artwork by Abbey Mcculloch

Life Film

What would we do without the invention of the camera? As I was reading in the biography of an indigenous woman, she doesn't remember many of the things that happened when she was young because she didn't have photographic evidence to look at throughout the years.  I just found a disposable camera full of 27 exposures from when I was in year 10 that has never been developed.  Now I don't know whether I should develop it to unlock the mystery of the moments the 35 mm film captured or save the surprise for later down the track.   The only issue is that film doesn't make the best time capsule as it deteriorates over time.  But that could also make the photos that much more interesting, as there will be flaws in the prints, as lomographer nostalgically appreciate.  I also like the idea of saying to the salesperson that I give the photos to develop, how long I have patiently waited and the priceless smile on their face.  Okay so I usually hate suprises, but I will be a good girl and wait xx.

P.S. The Multi-Lens Lomography Rumble Competition has now closed, cross your fingers and toes for me kids.  

Come Together

Over the last few weeks, day by day new pieces of the puzzle that is the plan for my life have been coming together.  For starters I was interested in having my own label that I stock around Australia and hopefully the world, then I thought it would be good to have my own shop that stocks my art and craft, 60's mod furniture and well selected vintage clothing.  After talking to Kristin Tennyson I regained my aspirations to be a fine artist and she inspired me to not only find my own unique style of art but also give my work some sort of narrative.  A combination of things today has aided in me finding many more pieces to the puzzle, which has given me a sense of empowerment and duty.

As recently posted I have a real moral objection to the censorship of the photographs of Bill Henson, which has given me the drive to create some sort of narrative in my artworks, to not simply paint pretty pin up girls from the 60's but cleverly weave in comment on social justice issues, as many great artists have done before me.  Another contributing factor is my Sociology lectures and tutorials today and the communal interest in social justice issues.  So my plan at this point in time is to work on my art and work towards a local exhibition, while studying sociology subjects and gaining knowledge and interest in global issues with currency.  

I would like to capture such issues, in a 60s/70s style to link with the revolutionary efforts of creative people in those years, but feature contemporary issues.  I apologize for my self-interest but it is important that I get these thoughts out there, judge them how you will.  This is my story, and if you cannot cope with it move on to the next blog xx. 

Censorship

I am completely outraged, sickened even at the censorship of the work of Bill Henson.  He is nothing short of a genius.  Yes his artwork does feature adolescents but so has artwork for hundreds of years, including work done by Leonardo da Vinci  and the record cover by Blind Faith.  Art simply captures the current state of the world whether it be through a lens or onto canvas.  Rather than censoring the artworks we should be viewing them and gaining a deeper understanding of the current state of society.  So I am compelled to believe that there is a deeper meaning to his works, and that it is to the detriment of society to attempt to coverup the reality that is pedophilia.  He is merely the messenger of reality, not the creator of such social justice issues.  

Henson has been creating the same type photographs since the early 90's and it hasn't been until this current exhibition by Roslyn Oxley9 that moral outrage has ever occurred.  The outrage is coming from those who haven't even looked at the works in context (if at all), such as our current Prime Minister Kevin Rudd who proclaims the works "revolting".  As with previous art movements, and even magazines such as playboy there was moral outrage, and in many ways art has helped shape the paradigms of society as a whole. 

Rather than resisting this process, I want to be a part of it, as the feminist movement did in the 60s and 70s.  Too much is being censored, rationalized and regulated, and we are not reeking the benefits in any way.  It is time for a new artistic movement to change the world for the better, and I'll be damned if I'm not a part of it.  

An Australian Girl

Her frank, clear eyes bespeak a mind

Old-World traditions fail to bind,

She is not shy

Or bold, but simply self-possessed.

Her independence adds a zest

Unto her speech, her piquant jest,

Her quaint reply.

- Ethel Castilla

Artist in the Making

Today I had an inspiring chat with local artist Kristin Tennyson (work featured above), who also happens to be my teacher in a drawing subject I am doing at JCU Cairns. She suggested that I challenge myself more with my designs and she is right. I can already do accurate portraits and it is now time to come up with a signature style that I can carry on with and push into many directions. She empowered me in that she saw that I have potential and can carry my passion into a professional art career, provided I create provocative enough works and indeed work hard enough to have a high turnover.

For me the word 'artist' has always carried a stigma. I cringe when people called me an 'artist', not because I wouldn't like to possess that title, rather I hold back in order to respect professional artists, who have challenged themselves enough to become leaders in their field and make a living off their work, even if it is small. I believe when I am comfortable calling myself an artist, that will be when I have truly made it xx.

Retro Furniture

Speaking of things that I am obsessed with, I love (!!!) these retro remake chairs.  I want my life to be filled with them, I am not the slightest bit concerned with how comfortable they are.  In my dreams I own a shop that sells these, plus well sourced vintage clothing, home wares and modern crafty things and artwork inspired by the good ol days.  Investors please don't be shy, you wont regret it xx. 

Cupcake Family

I couldn't help myself but provide a sneak peak into thyme 4 art's cupcake family.  Clockwise from top left we have Baby-cake, Monster-cake, Frenchy-cake and Party-cake.  There are many more cooking in the oven, but due to the loving care and creativity that goes into each recipe they take a little longer than cupcakes cooked in a conventional oven, and unlike my past cupcake designs, they will all come with sentimental tags for every occasion to give to loved ones. Sweet as xx. 

Inspiration

It seems on a daily basis I am being inspired by all things vintage, from The Beatles back-catalogue, to stories from The Silver Factory, to my new dress and finding out that all the fabrics it is made out of are genuine vintage and has been put together in humane working conditions, to the crafty things that were made in the 60's and 70's with genuine tender loving care. This is why I am embarking to recreate these era's that inspire us all so much, in my art and product range.  My contact details are below if you find a working time machine xx.  

Thyme4Art Online Store

My next step in furthering the brand is opening my new online store, which stocks original artworks, jewelry and soft toys (including these pictured above).  You can check out the items I have in the store, which will be available to buy very soon. Please feel free to indulge in some retail therapy xx.