Bright like

I'm currently obsessed with neon against neutral. The bright lights against the big city - slicing things up in a unique and unexpected way. I find myself bower-birding towards threads in weaves, the book on the shelf, the glimpse of a handful of bright nails. And it was by pure coincidence that I found the site of current artist numero uno Leif Podhajsky. The man behind the psychedelic rapture of Tame Impala and Gypsy and the Cat record covers, also created an insanely gorgeous little paper of color theory - Spectral Paper. I'm in love.

Promener...*

Summer is blowing in so, so gently, that it feels time to forget about the year and slip quietly backwards into an ultimate state of quiet. The simplicity of closed eyes, arms open, welcoming the freshness of a new year.

Nothing spells reflection like the environment you're in, and Paul Babera sums that up in a nut shell via his personal work "LOVE LOST" - an ongoing narrative of women in their space. A Melbourne-ite but spreading his love and works between Australia, and Amsterdam (and all that is inbetween), Barbera is an establish interiors and fashion photographer shooing for titles such as Elle Decor, Grazia and Vogue Living

A friend and an idol, PB is just so right. And makes me long for the sojourn skipping close by on the future. *for Guui

All hugged up

I am so so in love with Melbournite, Leila Sanderson house.

These beautiful shots from Ms The Design Files, are so incredibly stunning and make me want to snuggle up in a beautiful, warm, inviting, but classically laid out little space.

Filled with gorgeous little things, to accent the (mainly) neutral tones, I love that there are flowers scattered throughout, combined with voile curtains that drape longer than they should.I also love the dark timbers, and Leila's gorgeous self made soft furnishings too. Way way too dreamy.

ohhh JAIMIE

Oh. Jamie.
Cool kid I follow on twitter (still crazing on twitter - its pretty much phenom - lets follow! and be friends: leeleehops)
Jamie is a super onto it fashion blogger, photographic producer, marketer and full time fun kid from Melbourne, Australia.
Check his blog for all things #RAFW because I leave the fashion reporting to the masters - though from what I've seen Bassike/Zimmerman/Karla Spetic will feature here.
I do, however, feel educated enough to pretty much LOVE these shots and strongly suggesting you get on board. http://ohjamiee.blogspot.com/

Zing

I love a house filled with art, and this one sure doesn't disappoint. Melbourne artist and Outre Gallery manager Gemma Jones has the most beautiful and eclectic combinations happening in her personal space and I couldn't help but lift these so that I could share her clash-and-smash view of how it all works together. I have a mental fascination with anything that has touches of fluro-luxe combined with pastel so this is like a dream home!

"Shoot" by Richard Lindner


"Bird Filled Sky" by Tim Biskup


"Abstract Paining" by Linda Carol


"Shaggs and Goose" by Rona Green

event: Art Melbourne 2010

For many, the idea of buying art is daunting to say the least. What if what you like other people don’t? What if, because it’s inexpensive, it’s not good? What if it looks like something your 3 year old cousin drew, or you’d see it on the wall of your Nan’s house… is it still worth buying?

The thing is, with art, that it’s based on personal opinion. It’s like music (just because I think Lee Kernaghan or Bob Marley are lower than average, doesn’t mean that millions of other don’t). There are so many people in the world that have built their reputation as art critics, or collectors without a wick of formal training or education on what is great and what isn’t. None more than Charles Saatchi (ye of Saatchi&Saatchi and M&C fame... and married to one Nigella Lawson...) who – if you believe his (rarely) given interview for the Phaidon book “My Name Is Charles Saatchi And I Am An Artoholic” he literally just buys what he likes and don’t care what the real “artoholics” have to say.

So take the gamble. If you live in Melbourne (or, later in the year, Sydney) check out Art Melbourne 2010. The aim of the exhibition is to feature a variety of art that is interesting, eclectic and accessible to just about anyone, and also price it to suit a range of budgets. The exciting thing about Art Melbourne this year, is that they are featuring work by crazy amazing street artist, Banksy – with limited edition prints exclusively on sale – which I’m sure will be welcomed like crazy for those living in Melbs after their own little slice of Banksy (Little Diver) was destroyed by vandals. Also featuring is work by Amsterdam tattoo artist Angelique Houtkamp.

To boost your confidence a little more, maybe even partake in the PT Equities Art Walks that are a part of the event – there to demystify some of the scary parts of the art world, the tours will offer hints on how to spot rising stars, investing, grabbing art bargains, starting a collection and (my personal favorite and much needed) how to understand Aboriginal art.

Grab tickets now. After attending Art Sydney 2009 I can high recommend this to the new and the serious.

Limited edition Banksy Banksy's Melbourne Little Diver (sadly no more due to a**hole graffiti artists...)

Beautiful Angelique Houtkamp works

Nirrimi

Teens. In my teens, I thought I'd be famous. I thought that mum and dad were always wrong, and I was always right. I thought that fashion was only what they published in Harper's and Vogue. I thought that music was Wild. I thought that smoking was cool and sexy. I thought that drinking was right when doing it out of a Solo bottle. I thought that coconut oil was a good idea at the beach and that boys would like you more if you kissed them at the end of the night.

Still in her teens, Nirrimi Hakanson has done these. Living in Melbourne, the daughter of an Aboriginal artist and Swedish-Australian hippie, and shooting from the age of 14 (she's now 17....) the images below don't even scratch the surface for the way this girl looks at the world. Recently agency signed, Nirrimi is focussing on NYC and producing a book. Note to self... looking at Nirrimi's website is the fastest way to make yourself feel like the ultimate non achiever. She is incredible.