Lux et Noir

IF Topic: "Rejection"

Watercolour and Ink

I found this topic harder then the past. In the end i knew i could never beat my brother Lucas's entry (see: Whybin... too good) so i just thought about what it feels like when i have felt rejection before.

Stripped bare, burning skin, dropped to the bottom of the ocean, tangled.

Lux Et Noir. Rejection.

“This is not an exit”

IF Topic: "Suit"

Paper Collage with patterns from magazine advertisments. And lots of glue. (if you cant tell)

Not done very neatly this week, but i have an excuse! i've got a shocking cold and have alot to do so quickly cut and pasted this in a total of.. yes 10mins!

This topic reminded me of American Psycho by Brett Easton Ellis. A wonderfully written if horrible and disturbing book. Written from the point of view of the killer, Ellis fills pages with anal-retentive attention to clothing to signify how obsessed and insane the killer really is. (At one stage he contemplates a horrific murder when a friend/associate has businesscards made out of better paper then his.) I read an interview with the author once who said that, if you looked up every single piece of clothing described and put together the outfits you would see how horrible these men are actually dressed. Clashing patterns and materials - even for the 80s! So when i was picking patterns for the suit, i kept that in mind.

He’s wearing a linen suit by Canali Milano, a cotton shirt by Ike Behar, a silk tie by Bill Blass and cap-toed leather lace-ups from Brook Brothers. I’m wearing a lightweight linen suit with pleated trousers, a cotton shirt, a dotted silk tie, all by Valentine Couturem and perforated cap-toe leather shoes by Allen-Edmonds. Van Patten is wearing a double-breasted wool and silk sport coat, button-fly wool and silk trousers with inverted pleats by Mario Velntino, a cotton shirt by Gitman Brothers, a polka-dot silk tie by Bill Blass and leather shoes from Brooks Brothers. McDermott is wearing a woven-linen suit with pleated trousers, a button-down cotton and linen shirt by Basile, a silk tie by Joseph Abboud and ostrich loafers from Susan Bennis Warren Edwards."
American Psycho - Brett Easton Ellis



x

Paradise Lost

IF Topic: "Your Paradise"

Collage with ink and water colour drawn images, manipulated photos and magazines.

The Meaning of the images in "Paradise Lost"

Bathtub: Anyone who knows me, Knows about my record breaking baths. I could stay in the bath all day if I could. The bath truly is my paradise and my sanctuary. Locked away surrounded by tiles I can hide and I can imagine.

Music Score: I have a soundtrack to my life. I have music playing constantly and songs remind me of places and people in time. The music I used in the collage is "In My Life" by The Beatles. My favourite Beatles song.

Longboat: Vikings and Norse Mythology is a passion of mine. I'm happy when I'm reading and learning about the viking age and the Gods.

Bird Of Paradise: We have had a massive plant of these out the front of our house for as long as I can remember. They always remind me of coming home. Plus, My father, who use to make stained glass windows, made our bathroom mirrors with a Bird of paradise design. The bathroom again!!

Woman: She reminds me of my grandmother. I don't see her as much as I use to, or would like to. She would always be in my paradise. She is such a classy lady.

Angkor Temple: It's not easy to see hidden behind there, but this is a black and white print out of a photo I took overseas. Seeing the Angkor Temples was a dream come true. First time I felt like I was in paradise. That and Luang Prabang, Laos.

Rainbow: Who doesn't smile when they see a rainbow?

Lotus Flower: Again, another reminder of Asia. My father and I were amazed by the sight of rice paddys surrounded by lotus flowers. So much that we both got a tattoo of a lotus.

Harrison the Kitty: That's my little shadow (or a very rough sketch of her anyway). She would come to work with me if she could. She too enjoys a good bath.

Marcel Proust and Quote: One of my favourite quotes from one of my favourite writers. I am an avid reader and in my paradise that would not change. I devour books... regardless of topic. Two of my favourites can also be seen. Lolita and Nineteen eighty-four

Hand: In paradise my nails would always be clean, long and painted a bright red.

Birds and Open Birdcage: Cause I'm as free as a bird now... My favourite song would be every second song played in my paradise. Lynyrd Skynyrd are amazing. The little bird porcelain figure reminds me of being younger and collecting cat figures.

So this is it. My Paradise.

XLV

i feel safest of all

IF Topic: "Cars"

15min collage using yellow pages street directory and white pencil.

City skyline based on photo of Shanghai City.

x Lux Valentine