April Book Inspiration - Just Kids by Patti Smith

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I have just finished reading Just Kids by Patti Smith and it was the most amazing book I have read in ages. I couldn't stop crying in the end one because it was so sad and two because the book was over and now I don't have it around to escape into every day!

It's look at artistic and musical life in New York City in the 60's and 70's was fascinating as well as the story of Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe's friendship. I can't recommend it enough - so inspiring!

What Inspired Me - 16th March 2012

(More city shadowscapes around the house)

I've decided to start a post about what inspired me during week as I often see amazing works and idea's through reading blogs and in other places but tend to forget about them. So here is a record for me to remember and also maybe you might find something inspiring to!

What inspired me this week:

1. The incidental shadow cityscapes I keep finding around the house. The one above was made by a pile of LP's
2.  Emily Green's wedding here
3. Catherine Campbell's embroidery sampler here
4. Dawn Tan's ArtPlay work shop here
5. Discovering Misako Mimoko's blog here
6. "Dead and Gone" by the black keys here - Audrey's favourite song at the moment!

Annemieke Mein Exhibition

Made the trip down to Brighton with my folks, Andy and Audrey to check out the Annemieke Mein retrospective at the  Bayside Arts & Cultural Centre and it was so inspiring! Not that nature images are totally my thing but the level of skill, experimentation and boundaries she pushed with her textile work was amazing and the sculptural work is so realistic - definitely worth checking out.

I think the exhibition is running from the 3rd March to 22nd April. We weren't allowed to take photo's but here is one I found to give you an idea.

(Image Source: Ararat Regional Art Gallery / Photo: Terence Bogue) 

and here are a few more off my mum's iPhone - am finding the iPhone particularly addictive and it's probably a good thing I don't have one. 

Inspiration - Chameleon's Colours

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This weeks inspiration is illustrator Chisato Tashiro whom I discovered while choosing library books for Audrey last week. This image is from the book Chameleon's Colours and I just love the bright colours and patterns all together! 

Inspiration: Flamingo's

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Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a great night - mine involved eating alot of icecream and trying to stitch as fast as I can for this exhibition. I am  in the middle of researching at the moment and wanted to share some inspiration for the works in the exhibition. 

There is going to be a major theme of animals and I am fascinated by flamingo's at the moment - they are so vibrant and interesting to look at. Will share some sketches soon.

Can't wait to see what everyone else has planned for art making this year! 

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Inspiration - Soundgarden

In celebration of getting tickets to Soundgarden's Melbourne sideshow I am posting one of my favourite songs - I have been waiting for this moment for YEARS!! (Unfortunately all the video's I could find were from hand held mobiles - sorry for the wobbliness).

Inspiration: Fifi Lapin

This is such a bad photo and doesn't do the bag justice! I have been meaning to post about Fifi Lapin for ages and I got this bag for last Christmas and loved the print but had no idea who had designed it as it wasn't on the bag.

Then one day I picked up an old vogue magazine in a waiting room and ta da! the mystery was revealed to me.

I have been following Fifi Lapin's blog ever since and love her drawings. Here are a few of my recent favourites but you can check out more of her stuff on the blog.

Inspiration: PJ Harvey

I am so excited to be seeing PJ Harvey next year when she comes out. I think she is an amazing artist, so inspiring - and as much as I am a bigger fan of her earlier work her new album Let England Shake is awesome. Above is my favourite track The Glorious Land.

Exhibition: Vienna Art & Design

Egon SCHIELE
Austria 1890–1918
Self-portrait with hands on chest 1910

I am no good and keeping up with blogging but have been meaning to post about the Vienna Art and Design Exhibition at the NGV. So inspiring. Attached are some of my favourites all via the NGV Website.

Gustav KLIMT
Austria 1862–1918
Baby (Cradle) 1917–18

Gustav KLIMT
Austria 1862–1918
Beethoven Frieze: Central wall 1901-02 (detail) 

Gustav KLIMT
Study for The three ages of woman (c. 1905)

Gustav KLIMT
Austria 1862–1918
Johanna Staude 1917–18

Inspiration: Mastodon and AJ Fosik

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One of my favourite bands Mastodon has teamed up with an artist I love AJ Fosik for their new album artwork. I discovered AJ Fosik in a publication I bought called Juxtapose Handmade which I posted about here on my old blog. He makes the most amazing sculptures from wood and found materials. 

Here are some images of his other work from the Juxtapose Handmade book (sorry about the dodgy photo's) but you can see better one's here at this great blog also.

Inspiration: More Shadows

 

More shadows around the house.

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I am now offically saving every last penny for this clock - I've spent years looking for an awesome arty clock and here it is. Made by A Skulk of Foxes

Inspiration: Shadows

I love finding inspiration like this in your own home - and I love cityscapes.  Look below at what created it!