flora

3D gift cards with 3D glasses by innocentgirl (Andrea Innocent), available from Yradier

This month, we're thrilled to be offering up some fabulous finds from the new Yradier online store! Paloma Cole, who launched Yradier earlier this year, has chosen three very different products from Australian designers for one lucky indie to win. These are:

3D gift cards with 3D glasses by innocentgirl (Andrea Innocent), available from Yradier

Paloma Cole is a photography student at the Queensland College of Art and is surrounded by amazing artists on a daily basis! She launched the Yradier online store with the aim of featuring original artworks by emerging Brisbane artists. She also stocks jewellery, homewares and stationery by small Australian designers, and a small selection of quirky, hard to find goods from overseas... and GUESS WHAT? From now until the end of June, indie art & design readers can save 10% on purchases at Yradier! Simply enter the top secret discount code: indieness on the checkout page. Thank you Paloma!

Red Cup Studs by Trove Designs, available from Yradier

The store itself is slick & sleek! The photos are a treat & you can go straight to Australian products, or to the Brooch section (a Yradier specialty) to find some truly unique items. You'll also find original artworks including some intense acrylic paintings by Luke Kidd, as well as photographic prints by Paloma herself.

Small Rectangular Tokyo Handmade Wooden Photography Brooches by Jen Hall, available from Yradier

I was rather intrigued by the name "Yradier", and Paloma explained that it is actually the name of the composer who wrote the song 'La Paloma' - AND she also likes the way it looks when written! (By the way, it is pronounced 'irre-dear'.)

Large Rectangular Tokyo Handmade Wooden Photography Brooches by Jen Hall, available from Yradier

To enter the draw, all you need to do is suggest an Australian label/artist/designer you'd like to see stocked on Yradier's virtual shelves! Just comment on this post with your suggestion. (A one-word answer is enough, though if you know of a web site for your suggested label, please include it so we can all take a peek!) Entries close on June 30, 2008 and we'll draw a name at random & annouce the winner in the following week. (Oh, and make sure to visit http://yradier.bigcartel.com to check that your suggestion isn't already in the lineup!) I'm looking forward to hearing your ideas...

Leave a comment - we'd love to hear from you!

Bird Song 14.5cm Ceramic Disk by by Linogirl (sold).

These ceramic pieces by Linogirl are just so lovely! I'm really taken by the ceramic disk pictured above, titled "Bird Song", even though I know that it has just been purchased by another lucky Linogirl admirer... "Down the Garden Path" is an exhibition currently showing at Mad Gallery featuring the work of Kerry Scheen. On display are Kerry's small (8cm) and large (14.5 cm) hand painted ceramic disks which are designed to hang and are double sided. She describes them as "what one might find in a true garden one that hasn't been affected by toxic herbasides and pesticides".

First Bird in Spring Ceramic Pendant by Linogirl, AUD $60.

"Down the Garden Path" is showing until February 24th, and the gallery is located in Lancefield - part of the Macedon Ranges shire and 1 hour from Melbourne heading towards Bendigo. Kerry is lucky enough to work from her home studio in the Macedon Ranges. I have no doubt that her own garden provides plenty of inspiration for her whimsical, cheerful imagery.

Sebastian 8cm Ceramic Disk by Linogirl, AUD $115.

The ceramic disks on display are an extension of Linogirl's range of wearable ceramic objects. The disks, pendants, brooches & rings are all handmade and one-off pieces, each with it's own character and beauty. I'm sure some of you have visited Kerry at the Linogirl stall at the Rose Street Artists Market in Fitzroy, or perhaps spied her pieces in Brunswick Bound (Brunswick, VIC), Louey & Lane Gallery (Glenhuntly, VIC) or Two Birds in the Bush (Woodend, VIC).

Small Bud Ceramic Brooch by Linogirl, AUD $40.

A selection of Kerry's ceramic jewellery is also available to purchase through her web site at www.linogirl.com.au. A Linogirl ceramic object would certainly make a special, unique gift (or gift to self)!

Search 14.5cm Ceramic Disk by Linogirl, AUD $220.

I really love the dual textures of the hand shaped ceramic and the hand painted images used throughout the Linogirl collection. The contrast between the two is shown beautifully in the ceramic disk above, titled "Search". I love the colours too... and the gorgeous surprised expression on the girl's face.

Ping 8cm Ceramic Disk by Linogirl, AUD $115.

If you live near Melbourne, make sure to visit "Down the Garden Path" sometime in the coming week! Mad Gallery is located at 19 High St, Lancefield, VIC. (Ph. 03 5429 1432) Apparently, they serve fantastic coffee, so all the better!

Collecting 14.5cm Ceramic Disk by Linogirl, AUD $220.

"birds are both beautiful and fascinating" by Madeleine Stamer of Little Circus Design

indie art & design first featured the work of Madeleine Stamer back in February 2007 - almost a year ago now! Since that time, Madeleine has created many gorgeous new works and has also joined The Jacky Winter Group. With the Group exhibition on in Melbourne tonight, we wanted to revisit the work of this inspiring artist & delve a little deeper into her motivations and creative process.

Madeleine's work is strikingly beautiful. Her line work is bold & fluid. The shape of her subjects has been simplified, yet within the lines, the characters are richly adorned with symbolic designs. To learn more about her unique style, we asked a few questions...

I For many of your works, you use either black & white, or a limited colour palette consisting of reds, pinks & yellows. These colours create a beautiful aesthetic... How do you choose your colours & what do they signify in the artworks?

MS Over the years, I have modified and refined the use of colour. This has been a challenge for me, as I love going berserk with it! I would use colour indiscriminately, kind of like when a child draws an outline and picks the 'right' colour to fill the space, it was always a random choice and my reasoning would be 'what ever felt right at the time' sort of mentality. Now I put more thought and effort into my colour choice, which I guess, isn't as spontaneous.

I love using a monochromatic palette and creating basic black & white images. The two techniques are quite separate. When I use colour I tend to be more unplanned and unscripted. The result is often more painterly, decorative and busy. The colour choice is often symbolic to the subject matter; the two go hand in hand. My black and white images allow me to have more control over my work. I like the primitive and simplistic nature of bold organic line. When I limit myself to a black and white palette, the process appears simple and less decorative yet it is very time consuming because I aim to be neat and thorough. I am dead keen to start a series of drawings limiting myself to blues and a yellow series too. Finding the time is the biggest challenge!

"i*heart*you" by Madeleine Stamer of Little Circus Design

I What have been your biggest influences over the years & how have you developed your unique style of painting?

MS There are so many influences which fall into many categories. Nature, natural history, mythology, graffiti, Aboriginal art, European folk art, vintage toys and the decorative arts all play a big role. I love a bit of kitsch too, I guess the most significant artistic influences for my colour and line choice would be Picasso and Chagall. Culturally I am a sucker for folk art, particularly Mexican ceramics and traditional Mexican decoration and religious iconography. The Mexican culture has an instinctive way of including vibrant colour and mixing surreal elements in everyday life, it is a sensory delight!

It's not all sweet and saccharine, my influences are wide and varied and I love badass, lowbrow art too. Artists such as Mark Ryden depict the mysterious darker side of life, his work is amazing.

Painting/drawing has always been second nature to me and has developed instinctively. I have never considered myself a particularly strong drawer, however, I love every aspect of the painting/drawing process. Compared to ceramics, you are guaranteed a relatively risk free outcome. Working with clay you are up against so many odds. A lecturer once insultingly compared my style to that of 'cake decoration' which I thought was a laugh and probably an accurate description! My background is in ceramics, so when I would design a piece I'd always draw a detailed image representing the 3D form. My ceramic pieces were at times more of a sculptural palette for my drawings, heavily decorative and patterned hence the cake decoration comment...

I draw the way I do because I'm inspired to create from the heart with a little injection of humor (as trite as it sounds) but that's how it happens for me. This attitude gets me in trouble sometimes as I wear my heart on my sleeve!

"the second month" by Madeleine Stamer of Little Circus Design

I Are the skeleton shapes within your living forms about the physicality of being alive (& how it feels to interact with nature), or the inevitability of death & how the body will continue in the cycle of the natural world..., or something else again?

MS All of the above and more! The skeleton characters are inspired by my fascination with mythology, natural history and interest in Dia de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead). The Mexican culture has an irreverent way of dealing with life, death and grieving. The attitude towards such inevitable events are dealt with in a deeply spiritual, joyful and playful manner, something Western culture should adopt more often. Calaveras (skulls) and skeletons represent passed loved ones and commemorate the souls of the dead.
I have always had an affiliation with Mexican art and craft. As a child, my Mother decorated the home with hand made Mexican ornaments which I loved. When my Father passed away, I began using skeleton imagery increasingly in my work to celebrate his posthumous journey and to represent his spiritual presence. My skeleton characters always signify someone special, be it person, bird or beast.

"29200" by Madeleine Stamer of Little Circus Design

I You obviously have an affinity with the nature - the people you depict are very much a part of it too. Is this a reflection of the way in which you view the world, or are your images more from a dream world?

MA A combination of both. I had an idealistic childhood; my parents worked hard yet prioritized family life. I am the youngest of five and I am very close to my siblings and adore my parents. We were never spoilt but we were privileged in the sense that my parents invested so much time and love with all of us. My Father instilled a love and respect for nature in me and both parents always encouraged my love of art. I have always had a vivid imagination and a yearning to daydream which is something my parents also encouraged. Such imagination and naivety led me to believe that Father Christmas, the Easter Bunny, Gnomes and other phantasmagoric creatures were real even as a (early) teenager! My images contain anecdotes from life, often spiced up with a dream snippet or two. In a perfect world I’d be surrounded by animals and family living harmoniously in a magical realm. This is easier to make happen with art.

"worth the wait" by Madeleine Stamer of Little Circus Design

I One recurrent theme in your artworks seems to be family relationships - has becoming a mother influenced your choice of subject matter or the way in which you depict relationships?

MS Becoming a mother and being married to a very supportive husband has certainly cemented and validated the use of such imagery. Being brought up Catholic I have always had a fascination with the symbolism of Madonna and child, angels and devils and a healthy balance of good versus bad. When I create a mother and child scenario, it represents various relationships such as me with my daughter, or my mother or an ode to motherhood/parenthood in general.

Many of my drawings make strong reference to an experience or contain sentimental significance. 'The Second Month' and '29200' are dedicated to my Father. He passed away on February 29 2000, a very unusual and tricky date to commemorate being a leap year. Although my art is very personal, I welcome people to interpret their own special meaning. It is not exclusively intended for my eyes only. The physical making of the work is a cathartic process which is very rewarding. I am not sentimental to the extent that I don't want to share the true meaning and symbolic gesture of the work with outsiders. So many people share similar experiences in life. My work is intended to be joyful and enjoyed by many.

"the happy warbler" by Madeleine Stamer of Little Circus Design

'The Happy Warbler' is another work that depicts fond childhood memories infused with anecdotal reference. The image is of a canary in skeleton form. We always had canaries growing up and one of my favorite movies was 'Birdy'. Such beautiful looking creatures with the song of an angel. The title is also inspired by something an old gentleman said who lives around the corner from us. He explained that the local wild rabbit that has survived on its own for several years, was left behind by a family when they sold their home. He refers to the rabbit as 'the happy wanderer'. This is a true story! It has befriended neighborhood cats and they sit side by side in alliance on the driveways (I've seen this with my own eyes!) It lives under houses and is fed by the locals who throw carrots to it. I haven't seen the rabbit for a couple of months but apparently it is doing fine…

"fierce protectors" by Madeleine Stamer of Little Circus Design

I I love the new works you've added to your web site! Is there a particular focus you're working on at the moment?

MS 'fierce protectors' and 'wake up sleepy' are the first in an ongoing series of work dedicated to my imaginative little characters affectionately called bird buddy worms. Birds are an important aspect of my work and they are a reoccurring theme, birds symbolise and represent many facets of my personal life. I have introduced the fierce looking worm buddys who guard and protect the birds against oncoming harm. Unlikely guardian angels perhaps...

In a nutshell: These chubby, slow floating and loyal creatures with sharp teeth blow vaporous bubbles in the direction of nasty beasts which threaten the idealistic existence of birds. The attackers are met with a cocktail of gaseous wafts which inflict short term paralysis. They are often caught in their own back fire thus falling prey to their assault. Fortunately the experience is short, sweet and strangely pleasant with no documented side effects if it entails a soft landing.

"wake up sleepy" by Madeleine Stamer of Little Circus Design

There is an unwritten law within the bird world that no worm shall ever be pecked, scratched or harassed and nest sharing is encouraged. Empty and used egg shells may be given as treats. Sounds strange but I enjoy working on these kooky little chums!

I How did you come to be a part of the Jacky Winter Group, and which of your works will be on show at the Group exhibition?

MS In 2007, I was privileged to become part of The Jacky Winter Group. The agency was established by Jeremy Wortsman, a truly lovely person dedicated and passionate about contemporary Australian illustration. He currently represents 24 amazing Australian artists all with unique and varied styles. I feel very humbled to graze in such pastures and pinch myself every so often to remind myself of my good fortune. I think all my planets were aligned the day I emailed Jeremy my portfolio. He had come across some of my images along the way and he was keen to meet up and view my work in the flesh. The moment I met Jeremy I sensed his genuine interest and enthusiasm. He refers to the other artists in the agency with such respect, passion and pride.

The Jacky Winter Group is named after a native Australian Robin that shares the same initials with Jeremy. This instantly hit a soft spot with me due to my fondness of all things feathered. The agency is having its launch December 20-21 at The Carlton Hotel Gallery in Melbourne. Each artist from the agency will display a small selection of work spread across nine rooms. I have 2 pieces available as 100 x 120cm limited edition photographic C type prints. One is 'Birds are both beautiful and fascinating' (pictured at top) and a new image titled '3'. It will be a grand celebration to end a momentous year.

"3" by Madeleine Stamer of Little Circus Design

I Thank you Madeleine, for this wonderful insight into your artworks & creative process! To see more of Madeleine's work, visit the Little Circus Design web site - Limited edition giclee prints and selected original paintings are also available to purchase. Best wishes to all the artists exhibiting with The Jacky Winter Group tonight :)

The festive season is upon us and with the "big day" just around the corner, we'd like to help out with some gorgeous gift ideas! We've selected a wide range of different goodies to suit Christmas stockings of all shapes & sizes.

love jewellery by geneine honey

love is a Melbourne based fashion label begun by Geneine Honey in 2002. Geneine uses her whimsical and intricate drawings as a source of inspiration for her designs, which include jewellery pieces and accessories in shapes that hark back to the innocence and romance of childhood's imaginary worlds. Pictured above is the "Girl and Bunny Brooch Set", a gorgeous duo available in a mirror finish or black acrylic. (AUD $45).

I fell in love with these wooden birdhouses when I first saw them at Made590. One lucky friend may just receive the wooden finish Birdhouse Necklace (above left) for Christmas. That's if I don't give into temptation & keep it for myself! The Birdhouse Brooch on the right has an ivory acrylic bottom layer. The contrast between the cream-coloured background and the darker delicate wooden pattern is very pretty. Both are available as necklaces or brooches for AUD $35 each.

Aren't these clever? They have hinged joints just like a real wooden doll! Titled "I wish I was a real boy/girl", they are just adorable and you can choose between a wooden (below) or handpainted finish (above). Once again, they are available as necklaces or brooches, for AUD $55 each.

Can we tempt you with a shiny red apple or a forest mushroom? I have no doubt that these red mushrooms (toadstools!) are laced with trickery, but I reckon those apples look trustworthy! You can try these fruits of the forest as necklaces or brooches, all are AUD $35 each. (They are available in a number of different finishes.)

Pictured below is the "Printed Tote Bag" featuring the beautiful illustration upon which the "Girl and Bunny Brooch Set" is based. The silhouettes of the Girl & Bunny are surrounded by their forest friends, drawn with such delicacy! The tote bag is fully lined with pocket and magnetic clasp. It has been digitally printed and is machine washable. For more love & hate, you can view their comprehensive catalogue at www.lovehate.com.au, or visit one of their retail stockists:

NSW: Bulb (Double Bay), Bang Art and Gift Shop (Potts Point), Made590 (Newtown)
VIC: Little Salon (Fitzroy & Melbourne City)
WA: Remedy (Fremantle), More (Subiaco, T. 08 9381 8085)
QLD: Queensland Art Gallery (Brisbane), Maiocchi (Fortitude Valley)
SA: Flourish (Hyde Park), Storison (Hahndorf, T. 08 8388 7331)
TAS: Cocoon (Launceston), Small Rhino (Hobart)
ACT: The Hive (Braddon)

mens tees by pocket

Pocket Designs is one of my favourite new discoveries. Based in Perth, this graphic designer has created a number of t-shirt ranges which make perfect gifts for our better halves! In fact, the above picture features my partner showing off his brand new birthday present... He's wearing the "Seventh Armoury" design in black with a yellow print - a special glow-in-the-dark edition! The t-shirts fit well & are a lovely quality. Also in his personal wardrobe are the "Tokyo Puppeteers" and "Soldiers V2" designs pictured below. The prints are inspired by Japanese anime and come in a variety of colour options. I particularly like "Soldiers V2" printed in aqua on a navy tee. The styling of the designs themselves is great - sleek & cool. The expression on the puppet's face in "Tokyo Puppeteers" is so twisted!

Pictured below are details of the "Metalight" and "Wasp" designs. The "Wasp" print comes in yellow on a coal coloured tee which I just love. The larger part of the design (featuring the wasp) is printed on the back with a selection of honeycomb shapes & vector lines on the front. Fantastic! The Pocket tees range from AUD $60-$70. Visit www.pocketdesigns.com.au to see more of the range, or stop by one of their retail stockists:

ONLINE: Teknoscape
NSW: Crazy Horse (Newtown, T. 02 9519 2199, Darlinghurst, T. 02 9326 0800), Haku (Potts Point, T. 02 9380 8768), Oxi Clothing (Newtown)
VIC: Kids in Berlin (North Melbourne), Tomorrow Never Knows (Fitzroy, T. 03 9495 6645), Robio (Fitzroy), Moji (South Yarra, T. 03 9824 1104), Villain Store (Brunswick)
WA: The Pulse (Perth, T. 08 9322 7210), Atlas Divine (Leederville, T. 08 9444 4663), Ginza (Subiaco, T. 08 9381 6067), Lucky Stripe (Fremantle, T. 08 9336 6299), Locale Clothing (Floreat), Method Clothing (Mt Lawley), Tade' (Applecross, T. 08 9364 7891)
QLD: Ginza Swim (Paddington, T. 07 3369 1131)

christmas sponsor:

christmas cards by dudley redhead

Hunting for unique Christmas cards & gift tags? These adorable designs are made by Dudley Redhead, otherwise known as Sydney-based designer Tara Axford.

Each Note & Tag set (pictured above, AUD $15.00) includes:
3 x Christmas Bunny & Wren Postcards measuring 110mm x 135mm. They have been professionally printed on 215gsm gloss card, have rounded corners and are blank on the reverse. Post to a friend or attach to a gift!
3 x Christmas Wren Button Badge Gift Tags measuring 70mm x 110mm. The button badges have a pin back & are a lovely little bonus to your gift!

The Christmas Wren Gift Tags are also available individually for AUD $3.00 each.

May all your parcels be prettied by Dudley Redhead's illustrations! Christmas Cards & Tags are available from Georgie Love's treasure of hand made pleasures at www.georgielove.com, and you can find the Dudley Redhead blog at http://dudleyredhead.blogspot.com.

prints by eveline tarunadjaja

Eveline Tarunadjaja is an exciting young artist who was born and raised in Indonesia. At age 15, she moved to Melbourne where she has lived for almost 10 years. Her work has been exhibited over the last couple of weeks as part of the "Cups and Cuddles" group show at Per Square Metre Gallery in Collingwood, along with fellow artists Andrea Innocent, Catherine Campbell, Crystal Hartley, Lilly Piri, maricormaricar & Nobuko Washiyama.

Many of her artworks are available as stunning & very reasonably priced prints through her web site at www.lovexevol.com. Pictured above are the prints "Wait" (AUD $40, 15 x 20cm, pen, coloured pencils & markers) and "The Blue Dress" (AUD $40, 15 x 20cm, pen & markers). I love the effect of limited areas of bright colour, especially where the background colour of the paper is peeking through. Both are simple, graphic works where the detail lies within the careful linework. "The Blue Dress" was actually featured as the free poster in Frankie Magazine issue #15. Both of these works were created in a little drawing journal Eveline filled with imagined characters and words that got stuck in her head.

Eveline finds inspiration in the feelings evoked by little random experiences... doings, sayings, conversations, people, stories, artist, movies, films & music. The next four images are good examples of the artistic results! I love the colour & humour embraced by "Tomato Head" (above left, AUD $45, 18 x 26cm, pen, acrylic & digital artwork). Eveline says she often produces "something that's really dumb" - "Tomato Head" was drawn when she was thinking just too much & her head started to feel like a big heavy vegetable!
In contrast, "Airfish" (above right, AUD $40, 18 x 26cm, pens & markers) is something really personal. It is about a dreamer... "unreal thoughts float like fishes fly..." The original artwork is also available framed for AUD $250.

In prints such as "Animal Hoodie (Octopus)" (above left, AUD $40, 16 x 26cm, pen, markers & coloured pencil), Eveline has depicted imaginative items of clothing that whe would love to have or make. She also plays with the idea of "semi-porn, because it's fun and funny!" "Familia Octopie" (above right, AUD $30, 16 x 26cm, pen) is about "a royal family of octopus that capture two humans and force them to have sex with each other". Enough said! The prints are printed on to 240gsm fine art paper, and are unframed. To view these works, and many more, visit http://www.lovexevol.com. You can order online through the site, making them ideal Christmas presents.

The two works pictured below were exhibited in "Cups and Cuddles" and the originals will be availble for purchase very soon. They are so beautifully drawn & the fine lines curl & twist in rhythm with the natural grain of the wood.

linen by out to lunch

Out To Lunch's Lucy Bromell has created an elegant range of hand-printed and uniquely Australian tableware. The collection is inspired by native flora, and features four different designs - Banksia, Stem, Casuarina and Eucalypt, each of which come in a range of natural colours all organically printed on linen, cotton and silk. Pictured above are the "Casuarina" and "Banksia" linen napkins. Both are available as a set of four napkins for AUD $64.

Two of the "Stem" designs are pictured above. The table mats have a matching coloured trim which frames the delicate print beautifully. They retail for AUD $88 for a set of four. Once again, the set of four napkins is AUD $64. The earthy colours of the prints & natural texture of the fabric would surely look gorgeous atop a wooden dining table!

The contrast is striking in these black on natural linen "Eucalypt" designs. The table runner is AUD $70, and the matching table mats are AUD $64 for a set of four. Depending on who is cooking on Christmas Day, the full size cotton aprons below (AUD $55 each) could also make lovely gifts. (Perhaps not the best idea though for someone who has been slaving over a baking turkey with all the trimmings!) Either way, there are plenty of gorgeous Out To Lunch products to choose from & you'll find them online at Moose: Art for Living.

t-shirts for all by wildgarden

Wildgarden is a gorgeous Australian label born out of a desire to create products featuring simple, yet sophisticated designs produced by hand. The talented designers are Sydney-based sisters Nancy & Jessica Lim. They are inspired by the environment which surrounds them - both natural and urban. You may also know of these two from the Modamuse online store & blog - another wonderful site featuring the work of independent designers from Australian & New Zealand.

Wildgarden is currently offering 25% off everything in the lead up to Christmas! They have a colourful range of screen printed t-shirts for all of the family. Here we've included our favourite summer styles for women & a few for the little ones too! Pictured above are "Radiate" which features a striking metallic silver print (above left, AUD $34.50) and "Floss" with a white branch motif across the front (above right, AUD $33).

These singlet designs show off Wildgarden's love of colour & form. The graphic layering of black & grey in "Twiggy" (above left, AUD $31.50) look fantastic & I also really like the placement of the stylised, floral-patterned bird in "Fly Away" (above right, AUD $31.50)

The "Winter Blossom" tee (above left, AUD $34.50) would be really versatile. With an assymetrical lavender blossom branch motif placed high on the shoulder front and back, it would look equally striking worn casually with jeans, or dressed up with a pretty skirt for day or night. The fitted styles of these tees lend themselves to such situations! The Spiro print (right, AUD $34.50) looks great in yellow & white on an ashphalt-coloured tee. This retro design is also available in pale blue & green on olive.

Aren't these children's designs gorgeous? Pictured above are "Birdy Jazz Trio" (left) and "Elephant Walk" (right), while "Ducky" appears below right. All are AUD $25.50 each. I think I'd quite like "Birdy Jazz Trio" in a grown-up version! We couldn't resist including the "Bossanova Shopper" black cotton tote - at AUD $9.75, it's a steal! To see more Wildgarden designs & place your order online, visit www.wildgardendesign.com.

christmas sponsor:

A week or so ago I retrieved from my post office box an intriguing parcel from Object Gallery. I was delighted to find inside brochures & an invitation to hear the artist Marian Hosking In Conversation with Kevin Murray. This artist's talk and exhibition is part of a series Craft Australia is presenting on "Living Treasures: Masters of Australian Craft".

So on Saturday 10.11.2007, I arrived at 11am (well, a little late if truth be told) equipped with my moleskine notebook, and hoping to discover some of the inspirations, motivations & processes involved in creating the incredibly beautiful jewellery pieces included in this exhibition.

Portrait of Marian Hosking
Image from Craft Australia

"With a career spanning almost 40 years, Hosking is one of Australia's foremost contemporary jewellers and silversmiths... Her work is concerned with rich surface patterns and textures. This reflects her particular concerns for the natural environment, allowing her to echo the forms and motifs found in nature." -Object Gallery

Throughout her career, Marian has always worked with silver. She loves the whiteness & lustre as well as the colours & blacks that occur during the making. Rather than the shiny surface most of us associate with silver, her works have a soft, tactile surface - a quality which seems to give the delicate layers & shapes their own voice. She feels that through working with the one material over period of time, she has developed her own language around silver - a metal which she feels is her own.

Marian Hosking, Round Leaf Gum Brooch, 2006. 925 silver
Dimensions: 10.5 x 8cm
Photographer: Julian Hutchens
Image from Craft Australia

Early in her career, Marian worked in both Scandinavia and Germany. The Scandinavian aesthetic was primarily concerned with form & function. However, in Germany, jewellery was considered a more conceptual practice (more fine art than design). Her time spent in Germany was an enormous influence on her career.

Marian's return to Australia in the early 1970s reconfirmed her love of nature. She appreciates the structure & architecture in nature and likens the layering & description of motif to drawing. I was interested to learn that Marian relates her approach to the two-dimensional fields of photography & drawing. She doesn't construct forms, but "uses existing forms and works in a much more graphic & two-dimensional way". -Marian Hosking   Once created of course, jewellery has the additional aspect of movement on the body itself.

Marian Hosking, Two India vessels, 2007. 925 silver
Dimensions: Left: Round vessel, 2007 - 15 x 9cm;
Right: Oval vessel - 130 x 10.5 x 6.5cm
Photographer: Julian Hutchens
Image from Craft Australia

"As a practitioner and educator, Hosking's influence has been far-reaching." -Object Gallery   She co-founded Workshop 3000 in 1981 with the intention of creating a shared studio space to maintain the comraderie of the university outside of the university walls. At this time, she was making jewellery that challenged the idea of precious and many audience members were surpised to learn that she had made protest badges from silver. Since then, Marian has exhibited her work in many group and solo exhibitions, both in Australia and internationally. She has taught at both RMIT and Monash Univeristy, where she is currently the Head of Metal & Jewellery. Marian considers teaching a very important part of what she does & finds education a little addictive. She is currently undertaking a PhD.

Marian Hosking, Gum Twig Chain, 2007. 925 silver
Dimensions: 68 x 3.5 x 2.5cm (d) approximate
Photographer: Julian Hutchens
Image from Craft Australia

Marian is represented in Australia by Gallery Funaki, which was established by internationally recognised maker, Mari Funaki in 1995. Marian considers that "Gallery Funaki has transformed contemporary jewellery in Australia". It is a venue with an international audience, exhibiting works by international artists. It has shifted the way in which jewellery is seen in this country and people are now much more discerning.

The focus piece of this particular exhibition is the "Tall Tree Project", an epic & sculptural work designed with the unique Object Gallery space in mind. The work commemorates a giant tree recently discovered in the Gippsland area.
In an interesting inversion of the jewellery making process, the tree is not being used as a motif. Instead, the jewellery has been made to fit the tree, in a scale we don't normally associate with this art form. While this work draws our attention to what we've already lost in our natural environment, it demonstrates a sensibility to nature rather than a grand statement - an approach displayed throughout the work on exhibition.

Marian has recently been working with Trinh Vu at Monash University. Trinh's current multimedia projects focus on the use of 3D computer graphic technology to experiment with different methods of generating synthetic images. Marian has begun to experiment with using computer based techniques to create her designs. However, one significant obstacle at this point is that silver can't be laser cut. When asked why she doesn't use aluminium, Marion expresses her environmental concerns regarding the extraction of bauxite. She has been tempted by pure tin & would pursue this idea if she could source it in sheet form. However, tin is such a soft metal that it tends to disappear into the rollers if rolled too thin. It will certainly be interesting to see the work Marian produces next, and if the influence of new media is evident in the final jewellery & object pieces.

If you live in Sydney, make sure you visit this wonderful exhibition! The work is intricate and beautiful & admission is free. I thoroughly enjoyed the artist's talk and was so inspired by the work on display. "Marian Hosking: Jewellery" is on at Object Gallery from 10.11.2007 to 13.1.2008. (St Margarets 417 Bourke Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010. T. 02 9361 4511) The accompanying 120 page monograph is available from the gallery for AUD $49.95. If you won't be able to make it, but would like one of the flyers for your sketchbook/journal, email me your address & I'll send you one by mail. If you do see the exhibition, leave me a comment with your thoughts! I'd love to hear your responses. You can find Marian Hosking's web site at www.marianhosking.com.au

Welcome to another Indie Art & Design feature interview! This time round, we are graced by the virtual presence of Alana & Sara from stationery label Poppies For Grace.

Poppies For Grace web site

I Hi there girls! The new web site looks fantastic – what sort of response have you received to the new design?

PFG The site is doing really well, we're getting a great amount of internet orders without specifically setting up online purchasing. By the end of the year we’d like to have something more official set up. Our web designers skill to capture our style and put it onto a manageable, user-friendly site has delighted us. Finally we have a site to be proud of!

Bookplates by Poppies For Grace (AUD $9.50 each) Each set contains 8 bookplate stickers.

I You have such a large selection in the new Poppies collection – did these come together all at once or have you been gradually building up the new range over many months?

PFG The new poppies collection happened rather quickly. Its always an effort to get the image in my mind onto paper..however this time round it happened in a matter of weeks.

Alfred Berry & Alfred Flower Gift Cards hand assembled & sewn by Poppies For Grace (AUD $6.95 each)

I Do you have any particular favorites – either favorite cards styles or design characters e.g.. the birdie Alfred?

PFG Sara's favorite is our Alfred berry card... it was the middle of summer and we escaped to the cool of my kitchen to work. I drew a little bird, cut him out and put him in my hand... alfi was born. I adore the entire alfred range, the colours came out better than I'd hoped. And who doesn't love a scolloped image!

Pink Berry & Red Flower Gift Cards by Poppies For Grace (AUD $22.95 each).

I Quite a few of your products are hand assembled & stitched which must take a lot of work! I imagine that your stockists & customers really appreciate the handmade aspect of these details… Is this something you do yourselves & how do you manage the workload?

PFG Yep, we do all the assembling ourselves. When it's a busy week all I can say is thank goodness for Mothers, our mums are such great workers! We also have another friend we employ two days a week to help us pack orders.
Sara does most of the sewing, and we have a friend who sews for us for a few hours a week. The workload is getting bigger, so we will have to start thinking of employing some more helpful hands.

Thank You and For You Gift Cards by Poppies For Grace (AUD $5.50 each)

I The subtle textures & colours of paper goods are so lovely – what sort of papers and printing methods to you use to make the most of the medium?
(I love the effect of the white botanical images on the natural coloured background – have these been screen printed to achieve this effect?)

PFG Our printing is all offset and digital. We would love to add things like screen printing and letterpress to our range, however there are other brands like 'me and amber' and 'chapelpress' doing a really great job of these areas already. So we're happy to keep it simple.

Happy Birthday and Thank You Tags by Poppies For Grace (AUD $3.50 each)

I Not only do you provide us with contrasting textures on individual cards – you have also assembled boxed sets and three exquisite writing sets, Sycamore's Handwriting, Three Little Birds and Lovely Day. Tell us the story behind these offerings!

PFG The imagery for these sets came about really quickly, the rest came a little slower. Sourcing suppliers is a tricky business, and being young women, who look 16, its hard to be taken seriously. We got there in the end though, and we are really happy with the finished product. Adding writing sets and boxed cards to our collection meant that poppies became a stationery brand, enabling us to target the gift market more successfully.

Sycamore's Handwriting Stationery Set by Poppies For Grace (AUD $37.95).
This set features 24 printed pages on 100% recycled paper with 6 different designs, 12 printed recycled brown paper envelopes and four plain, 4 little sewn cards, 4 little recycled plain brown paper envelopes, and a tag.

I Where do you find your inspiration? From your own garden perhaps?

PFG My garden is a jumbly mess of wonderful things like lilac, roses and wisteria, and just outside its gate is 50 acres of orchard. Living and working in this environment is definitely my inspiration.

Items from the Three Little Birds Stationery Set by Poppies For Grace (AUD $22.95).
This set features 10 printed pages on 100% recycled paper with 2 different designs, 10 printed recycled brown paper envelopes, and 4 little sewn cards.

I How do you find working together? Do you each take on separate roles, e.g.. drawing, assembling, marketing etc, or do you both take part in every step? Have you been able to make the business a full-time pursuit, and if so, do you have to be super-organised to keep it all under control?

PFG Organisation is not my strong point, but I'm learning. As poppies is full time now for Sara and I we split up roles. This way more gets done. Sara is the business brain (thank goodness) and I am the illustrator, anything outside these areas we share. Working together is easy, we've been friends for 13 years, so we know each-other idiosyncrasies fairly well!

Birdie Mobile & Garland handmade by Poppies For Grace (Mobile $tba, 4 Bird Garland AUD $75)

I The mobiles & garlands are a beautiful three-dimensional addition to the Poppies For Grace avian lineup. Do you see these as an extension of your paper goods range, or are you planning to grow this section of the business into a large part of what you do?

PFG The mobiles and garlands began as gifts for friends, Abigail (one of our favorite little girls) has kissed every bird we've made, which has meant these birdies have become rather precious. We're going to continue selling the birdies online, but to keep them as personal as possible we won't be offering these to stores.

Farewell and Walk The Plank Invites by Poppies For Grace (AUD $22.95 each). Each set contains 15 invitations & envelopes.

I On the new Poppies web site there are 'coming soon' pages for both prints and wedding products. I'm sure many Poppies fans are looking forward to seeing what goes up! Can you tell us about these awaited additions or is it all under wraps until launch?

PFG We're keeping it a secret. Just for fun!

Indie Christmas Cards! Merry Card, Bright Card & Turtle Doves Tag Set by Poppies For Grace (Cards AUD $6.95 each, Tag Set - 24 tags - 4 of each design AUD $29.95.)

I How would you like to see Poppies For Grace develop in the future?

PFG We've enjoyed watching poppies develop naturally, we're just trying to keep up with it now. We are so happy to be in so many wonderful stores, and it's fantastic receiving emails and letters from people who are loving our things. What more could we ask for really. We are doing what we love.

Navy Thank You Card Set of 8 by Poppies For Grace (AUD $27.95)

I Thank you so much Alana & Sara! I'm sure all of our Indies will love reading about your gorgeous paper goods.

Jewellery designer Renee from Cocoapod lives in a cute little town in Western Australia, where she draws inspiration the different people & cultures that surround her. She loves things organic and retro - a passion clearly evident in her unique beaded earrings and accessories. Renee sources vintage glass beads and combines them with natural materials such as wood, fiber and freshwater pearls. Rounded, irregular shapes and slightly muted colours characterise the range which is feminine and quietly sophisticated.

Pictured above left are the Dew on a Petal earrings (US $15.00), for which Renee has placed a serpentine dewdrop atop a fuchia Czech glass petal, accented with a silver lacey cap. Such pretty colours & such a peaceful concept! The Retro Blooms earrings (above right, US $17.00) are probably my favourites, with the clusters of mustard yellow Czech glass blooms and burgundy freshwater pearl stamens. (I must confess to being a bit of a nature nut myself.)

Rich desert colours distinguish the Desert De Chocolat earrings pictured below right (US $15.00). The pink glass cubes feature horizontal colour variations in which you can imagine sandy sunset horizons... Finally, I just had to include the Vintage Strawberry hair slides (US $4.50 each). What can I say - they are too cute! All of these pieces and more are available from Renee's Etsy store at www.cocoapod.etsy.com.

Metremade - made purely for patterns. Graphic designers Liz & Tess, both from Melbourne, began the blog as an ongoing project to experiment with pattern design and regularly present new ideas without the restrictions of client briefs, deadlines & budgets.

As their ideas gathered momentum, the girls chose designs for the first range of Metremade yardages. The patterns are bold & contemporary and are printed onto white 100% cotton drill fabric. The two fabric designs on offer (pictured above and below) are Mr Mop and Take the Tube. The weight of the fabric is ideal for many uses - thick enough for homewares, quilts and handbags, but thin enough for a skirt or dress! The colours are great too - classic B&W and a lovely dark lime green.

Liz & Tess found the transition from paper & web-based projects to printing on fabric using a very hands-on technology a challenge, but one they are certainly enjoying. At the moment they're having fun exploring their new medium, and they would happily take custom orders or collaborate with people working in textiles or other mediums. They're also looking forward to future Metremade developments. As the business grows, they'd like to produce different multi-colour prints on a variety of fabrics for fashion & homewares. I'm looking forward to seeing what's next... In the meantime I may find some spare time to make a new Take the Tube tote in green.

You might also be surprised to find that the Metremade yardages are very reasonably priced. They are available for US $11 per half metre from www.metremade.etsy.com. (Fabric width is 65cm.) Not bad for small run original designs which have been professionally hand-screenprinted locally in Melbourne! Don't forget to check out the Metremade blog - full of colorful patterns including those scattered through this post.

I discovered Studio Antic's unique range of hand screen printed greeting cards at Yoshi Jones in Newtown. The designs are gorgeous and the screen printing process has given them a wonderful tactile finish. Each card measures 120mm x 120mm and has been individually hand screen printed in Melbourne. The cards are created using 80% recycled, 320gsm card stock and the inks are all richly pigmented artists' inks. Pictured above are three designs from the "Black and White" range, the "Pheasant", "Magnolia" & "Swans", while below are "Mates", "Tweety Bird" & "Green Desert 1". They retail for AUD $5.50 and are also available from Pepe's Paperie in Bondi Junction. (For stockists in other states, contact Studio Antic.) Also available is a selection of acid-free notebooks with screen printed covers.

Surface Art creates handprinted contemporary fabrics here in Australia & fashions them into simple styles & homeware basics which are really striking. My favourite print is "dispersal" - shown above on my Surface Art A-line skirt. While many of the patterns are bright & bold, the "dispersal" and "feather" prints are incredibly delicate & so pretty. (I also have a small blue purse featuring the "swan feathers" print in white.) Made590 stocks Surface Art products & you can view more at the Surface Art web site.