Forty Licks

If I were a male and came across this I'm not sure whether I would do what I'd come to do or not....

As a girl, however, I think it's brilliant.
(photo by manuel Witzinowski)

Elated

Now that I am over the post-crit blues (Which always leaves me with a feeling of helplessness and a tinge of confusion), this is how I am currently feeling:

Reminiscing

This time last year I was in a tiny Czech town called Cesky Krumlov.

Reading my diary entry covering those few days, I took note of one thing I wrote.
"Right here, right now is right where I want to be."

Outlook from the castle over Cesky

I'd been away from home for only a couple of weeks, but I'd seen and done a lot. I had just met some friends who I would travel with on and off over the next month, and who I will always count as friends.

Art at Cesky castle

The Czech Republic I think signalled, for me, my transformation into an independant and confident minded individual. I fell in love with, and possibly in, Prague.

Sewing machines in pubs in Prague. Genius.

Bit it was just the beginning of my journey. The woman that stepped off the plane into Australia 8 and a half months after a girl who resembled her had left, was one who is carrying me through the roller coaster I am currently on.

The adventures I had in Europe were amazing and unforgetable; without a doubt a huge part of who I am now.

But hell, who says I'm not creating my own adventures at the moment?

Tick Tock

Don't try to classify me. Or my work. Because the second you do, I'll shift my focus and ignore the expected.

I'm not a subscriber to a religion, sub culture or genre. Each has their merits, and each influences me in its own way.

Time is my biggest influence.

Time past. Time coming. Time wasted. Time made up.

Time defined by its productions.

Time forgotten.

Image designed by Tess Wait

Hair we go

I'm going to have to learn to do 50s hairstyles.

And possibly invest in a ghd.

Sky Dyed

So here's the dip-dyed digital print, with the original images I used to print.
You can't really tell in the photo at the bottom, but I think it turned out alright.

Sunrise light fires

I love a good sky. You know the kind- a million different shades of red and yellow, mixed in a marble-type effect that makes you stop, even if only for a second, and admire the natural beauty we get to experience.

Sunrise in the Sahara Desert... Jealous?

About a month ago, whilst at work, I witnessed a sunset so spectacular I made all the kids I was teaching turn around and look out the window to take it in before making them keep on swimming.

Out my bedroom window.

As a result, I've been mucking around with merging sky photos I've taken to turn into atmospheric digital prints. I have always been deterred by the predictability of a digital print, but inspired by the unpredictability of the sky. (Is it just me, or do you often want to capture the colours and make them into a dye?) SO, as a compromise, I have decided to merge the two qualities together and over dye digitally printed skies.

Sunset overlooking Cinque Terre, Italy. Taken whilst eating the most amazing pizza.

It's still a mental image at the moment, but as of tomorrow I'll have living proof!

Oh yeah, just the Eiffel Tower.

To start with though, I thought I'd share with you some of the fantastic skies I've managed to capture with my lense.

Morocco.

Rouge and spice

I did something drastic today. I dyed my hair. And we're not just talking about going a lighter shade of blonde (I have only ever really been variations of blonde). We're talking Vivienne Westwood eat your heart out fluoro orange. Powerade orange. Super keen Netherlands supporter orange. Apple Red henna orange...

Look, I probably should've paid more attention when I googled henna dyeing and it told me to be wary if I had already dyed hair. My roots are a lovely dark ochre colour... But where the blonde highlights used to be? Well that's why I have my students telling me they can't take me seriously anymore.

I like to think of it as an eco experiment. Henna natural hair dyes. I know the young hair dresser apprentice who got so excited to peroxide my hair last time I saw him would be devastated at what I've done to my locks, but a change is as good as a holiday they say.

I'm going to keep it for a month or so this colour, then perhaps try the burghundy henna... Maybe that'll be more the 'apple red' I was expecting?

In the meantime, before I have photos of my own orang utan awesomeness, I've been searching for other flaxen haired goddesses to make me feel better. And there are some absolute beauties who I admire and hope I can live up to.

Karen Elson:

(http://img.listal.com/image/502057/500full-karen-elson.jpg)

Florence Welch:

(http://img.listal.com/image/502057/500full-karen-elson.jpg)

Vivienne Westwood:

(http://img.listal.com/image/502057/500full-karen-elson.jpg)

Lisa Weißgerber:

(Awesome German who let me steal her bed for a week while I was homeless. Ironically, she is currently doing an internship with the "wrinkly old orange" listed above her... [Her words, not mine])

Hustle in your Bustle

Whilst sourcing costumes for the video clip, I found myself in a store next door to Enmore Theatre called Gallery Serpentine. A menagerie of brilliant costume-type pieces, I was introduced to the term Steampunk. Since then, I have come across it a bit, and have realised that I've actually had a mini fascination in it for maybe 6 months now without actually knowing it was a subculture.

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-u7AFpR6NKHMNn9k9RDAMa1sQX2lOyL8BiwxI497CalVTuYxIrjlhIxrXTWeqnUAVHnEOaGj4sRCST_4MsLEYtjofQk4_XZfb04qaTUJOSNaP1kSt5yUn0bGK20rDNIUcLpnwwCdWig/s400/Kat+Bret.bmp)

Steampunk focuses mostly on fantasy, branching out from the genres of science fiction and speculative fiction. It reflects on the era of steam power- around the 19th century. Steampunk designs usually incorporate pieces of technology and machines; clocks are a major feature.

(http://myoctoberheart.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/steampunk1.jpg)

I enjoy the theatrical elements of steampunk, as well as its creative use of found objects and discarded technologies. The contrast of the 19th century fashion with the metallic objects brings a romantic and stuck-in-time feel to it.

(http://ullam.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c683453ef010535940fe7970c-800wi)

Last year, when designing my vintage inspired outfit for the portrait, I was desperate to use some old watch faces I'd seen at the local flea market as buttons. I was unable to find them again, but the design idea has stuck with me. If I had done so, I would've referenced steampunk unconsciously.

(http://etheremporium.pbworks.com/f/1200599976/05gog.jpg)

This year, I have formed a fascination with bustles as well as jewellery that is pieced together from found pieces. Again, the Steampunk theme has infiltrated.

(http://ullam.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c683453ef0105358cbf67970b-800wi)

While you won't see me walking down the street wearing a floor-length bustled skirt with corset any time soon, elements of the genre may creep into my designs and personal style. It's fascinating and romantic... two things the world needs lots of.

(http://www.vintageconnection.net/bustleblackwhite.JPG)

Digging Souls

I have spent two very long days on the set of the Alba Varden video clip.

The story behind the clip follows a man on a journey. He starts off finding his doppleganger brother dead underneath a tree. After burying him, he goes on a journey through fields and mountains, before coming to a door suspended in the middle of nowhere. Going through the door, he finds himself in a room- tied to a chair in front of a stage, where a drunk buresque madam forces a performance on him, and whiskey down his throat. Things start to get crazy, as the madam tries to please her pet bunny-man, before the man finds himself out of the room, but now in a coffin. Digging himself out of the coffin, he is back at the tree. His doppleganger brother is dead, and the story starts again. It was my first experience working as a costume designer. And I think I have found what I'm meant to do... The 2 weeks leading up to the shoot were speant sourcing a bunny suit and rolling around in mud puddles whilst wearing it, borrowing clothes and props from many different generous friends and making trips to bondage stores. (Bunny suit is currently being dry cleaned- let's hope by the time easter is back around, he's white again to please the kiddies).
On set, my job was different. It was all about making sure everyone looked as they should- very very dirty. For future reference, cinnamon makes a great 'dust'

Day 1 was all about the outdoors, and after weeks and weeks of rain, we somehow scored brilliant weather with spectacular sunrise and sunset. From forests, to fields, floating in dams, kangaroos being chased by german shepherds, doors in the middle of nowhere and graves- the day was long, tiring, but a whole lot of fun.
Day 2 was the interiors- coffins, burlesque and bunnies. Friend Baby Blue Bergman did an amazing job as the crazy madam, while I couldn't stop smiling watching her perform- I felt like a proud mum with how professional and gorgeous she was. (Meanwhile the boys in the room were stoked at the private burlesque performance they got to watch performed all afternoon).

By the end, we all decided that what we'd just done was far better than reality. And so I now endeavor to make it my reality.

Alba Varden are back in town for a performance at the Gaelic club in Sydney on July 10th. Make sure you get along. Despite hearing their song at least 50 times in the space of 2 days, I have no issue with the fact it's permanently stuck in my head. And hey- you'll get a bonus performance from Baby Blue Bergman. (bunny man not included)

Photographs by yours truly.

HAPPY WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY!

For the past 10 years, on June 5th, World Environment day has been celebrated as an initiative of the United Nations to focus attention on the environment as well as to honour businesses and programmes that consider their sustainability.
The main issues addressed of World Environment Day include:

• Give a human face to environmental issues;

• Empower people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development;

• Promote an understanding that communities are pivotal to changing attitudes towards environmental issues;

• Advocate partnership which will ensure all nations and peoples enjoy a safer and more prosperous future.

(http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/europe/10243856.stm)

Open over the World Envirnoment Day period in Rome, to raise awareness about the pollution on Europe's beaches, is a hotel made from trash. All the 12 tonnes of rubbish covering the 5 rooms and reception has been taken from beaches around the world.
(http://www.smh.com.au/environment/romes-garbagecoated-hotel-dumps-on-beach-litterers-20100605-xlez.html)

Got Wood?

I haven't decided yet whether these shoes are environmental or not. But either way, they're pretty damn cool!
(http://www.meshandlace.typepad.com/mesh_and_lace/page/6/)

Hands Off

(http://meshandlace.typepad.com/.a/6a010536a424f7970c011168984a0b970c-800wi)

Life as a sewer

American comic, Natalie Dee, had me procrastinating up a storm as I searched through her website reading all her spot-on comics.

Some of them hit very close to home. So, as a little insight to how I'm currently feeling, take it away Natalie:

I have no life outside of uni. As can be exhibited by how funny I found these.

(http://www.nataliedee.com/)