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.
Wednesday, 20 June 2007
Lux et Noir
Friday, 15 June 2007
my first restraining order
In the Polaroid, the Polaroid develops as you take it. You see it, and you put it down and I make another and make another.
David Hockney
Wednesday, 13 June 2007
sanguine in temperament
i said i was going to do it and i did. Swap-bot now is my new obsession. My first swap was for Frida Kahlo ATC's. (Thats Artist Trading Cards). I had a lot of fun doing these , Kahlo is one of my favourite artists. When approaching the idea of the swap, i thought a lot about what her art work means to me. i rememberd the first time i saw a print of one of her paintings when i was 10, and it just blew my mind. At the time i was buying books on Dali, Magritte and Ernst 
with my pocket money. Although not a surrealist her work impressed on me, a passion and a strength that reviled any of my male artist loves.
Thinking of that, I wanted to concentrate more on Frida the woman and not her work. I took three of my favourite quotes that she said, and one about her art and took it from there. I am not displeased with the way they turned out.
Weekly Unconscious Mutterings:
XLV
Tuesday, 12 June 2007
“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
Thursday, 7 June 2007
Theres a guiding star
Lux Valentine: Lover of kitsch online activites.
Have signed up for Post Crossing. Basically it's like penpals without the letters or the need to respond! All you do is ask for an address and your job is to send a postcard that way! I never know what to write on postcards so I'm just going to do little collages I think.
You can send up to 5 at a time. My first five are going to the following places:
+ Pohjankuru, Finland
+ Maebashi Gumma, Japan
+ Michigan, USA
+ Viimsi Vald, Estonia
+ Izmir, Turkey
The best bit... finding cheesy retro looking postcards with kangaroos surfing!
Next activity to sign up for... Swap-Bot!
Wednesday, 6 June 2007
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
In Omnia Paratus
Weekend was my younger brother Lucas's 22nd birthday. I was in charge of the dessert so set my mind to make little cupcake versions of my mums chocolate cake recipe and a Honey and Ginger roll.
Of course whenever I am in the kitchen it ends up a disaster zone and this time was no different. The cupcakes were trouble as soon as it came time to cook. The first batch exploded and ended with a tray shaped chocolate cake (which tasted damn yummy). Got there in the end and they were good.
The honey and ginger roll proved a little less troublesome but still... rolling those things up is hard!
Sunday was a fun day, With the entire family and a few friends joining us in wishing Pook a happy birthday. My baby boy Seth was the star (after Lucas of course) with his new found knowledge of body parts. He also seems to have a french accent pronuncing Hello as "elo" and Achoo as "acheww". Bless his little socks.
Happy Birthday Pookie!
(yes i put makeup on him)
Weekly Unconscious Mutterings:
Thursday, 31 May 2007
and the harlot...
In the original story, the Medusa was a beautiful woman who held a very positive role.
Tragedy fell upon her when she was confronted with endless hardships brought upon by male actions. Medusa was a beautiful woman who was raped, killed and beheaded by various gods. 
However even in the face of tragedy and disgrace, the Medusa was portrayed as meaningful. Following the moment her head was removed, a Pegasus flew out of her body, representing the birth of beauty.
Tuesday, 29 May 2007
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
rocknroll suicide
Numeracy & Literacy Test - Check
First Aid certificate - Check
Been so very busy. Haven't had time to think let alone do anything creative in the slightest. I lie, I did knit Seth a little scarf on Sunday night. I hope to get some photos of it tomorrow. Have found my old digital camera so as soon as i get that working i'm back in business!
Weekly Unconscious Mutterings:
Monday, 21 May 2007
it makes it easy to bear..
i decided last week that i was going to start making little postcards to send to my Seth monster. Don't you remember being younger and getting excited to get mail? Well when he is older i hope that he can look back over all the silly little cards. i bought some gorgeous furry blue/brown wool to knit a miniature 2 year old size scarf to send to him in a few weeks.
Look at how shocking my writing is when i try to print! i'm so use to cursive that printing feels wrong.
Now a little story. In early high school i had to do some ridiculous group assignment for some ridiculous class. i had started sitting with a new group of girls (all girls catholic school - killer!) and one of the girls i was grouped with in the assignment sat with us too. Her name was Sarah. From then on Sarah and i were basically inseparable. We had the letter books, the endless gossips on the phone, the fights, the sleepovers, the boy talk, the secret language, shared each others clothes... The whole deal. At the end of year 10 Sarah moved back to WA... i cried till i was dizzy. We saw each other a couple of times a year until at the end of year 12 she moved back with me for a year and then in with her boyfriend Neel (who happened to be my other best friend.) Then... crying time again, Sarah AND Neel moved back to WA where they have been for the last few years.
Over these last few years our contact has gone from minimal to none. I miss her and think about her all the time and as this is the year of change (how cliche) I decided it was time to amend that.
So here is the little postcard made for Sarah. Attached is a rambling letter that i hope bridges the distance between us.
And finally, The first page of my visual diary. The quote is from "Voices of Violence" by Michael Bell. It basically sums it all up.
So many distractions to keep from thinking about my Literacy/Numeracy test on Wednesday. i know i should be fine. i know i WILL be fine. Just cant stop the little flutter inside.
In a weeks time i will start working at North Brighton Preschool, where my mum works. The special needs teacher there needs an aide to help her with one little boy in particular for a few mornings a week. It will be my job to shadow him, make sure he sits and eats his lunch, and help him with the little lessons and activities they do.
Here is this weeks Unconscious Mutterings:
Tuesday, 15 May 2007
The summer my father bought the bear
So after i finished posting, i went to the mailbox and what was waiting for me but my rose of Jericho!
Isn't it Beautiful? i first found out about these interesting plants from a tattoo flash that shares the same name as them. The rose of Jericho tattoo is a rose whose inner petals take on the appearance of a labia and a clitoris.
i forgot about this old school design until i picked up John Irvings book - "until i find you". In this book the narrators mother is a tattooist who specialises in her own rose of Jericho design.
Back to the plant... they are commonly called Resurrection plants. At the moment it is all dried and looks dead. When my mother saw it she wondered why i had bought a dead plant. Place it in a bowl of water and in a few days this little beauty will be alive again.
The water is then said to have mystical qualities and can be sprinkled about the house to erase negative influences, bring peace, harmony and abundance. Exactly what i need right now.
i would love to get one of these original tattoo designs tattooed just above my pubic mound.
Forgotten Faces
I'm still working on the scrap book of all the little bits and bobs I picked up whilst over there. Reciepts, Postcards, Pamphlets, Hotel Stationary, Ticket stubs. I am a collector of things, I'll have to take a photo of my wall to demonstrate.
Here is my first weeks Unconcious Mutterings:
- Film :: "Marie Antoinette"
- Dragon :: Darren's leg tattoo
- Hunger :: marbled cheesecake slice
- Plucked :: eyebrows
- Dissolving :: icebergs
- Executive :: suite
- Ridiculous:: post office line
- Mist :: bathroom mirror
- Minority :: report
- Map :: graph
Knitting Update: 279 Squares!
Monday, 7 May 2007
Cert IV in Nursing
Well its been a while. i feel really slack but i haven't done a single thing to put on this thing. i am still knitting (235 squares) and sketching but the major disturbance in my life at the moment is my decision to finally start my nursing course.
So i'm all about enrollment at the moment and with that comes stressing with getting everything done in time for June 8th when it has to be in by.
To enroll successfully i need to undertake my first aid course (mine unfortunately has expired recently) and also take a literacy/numeracy exam.
i'm nervous.
x
Friday, 20 April 2007
Thursday, 19 April 2007
A child is a little dimpled lunatic
My nephew Seth has me wrapped around his little finger. I'll eat mushy watermelon off his fork if he shoves it in my face. I'll let him throw water all over me if it makes him giggle. I'll suffer through 30 minutes of combing knots out of my hair after he plays with it. I'll sit through that damn wiggles DVD just to see him dance to big red car.
Yesterday my mum and I caught the train out to see my darling little monster and my sister-in-law, Nerida.
Teenage mutant ninja turtle... phone?
"sure Seth, you can eat my fries"
"Seth, Auntie Lizzy thinks its too cold to... Ok you can tip that water over me."
Just a sunny day running around the backyard with the most important little man in my life.
Boy, n.: a noise with dirt on it
X
Monday, 16 April 2007
Eight Miles High
The days are passing so quickly..
Saw Daddy before he took off to Borneo for work. I'm so jealous, or i was until he showed me the run downs of the labs he has to audit over there. He is going to be one busy man.
After my post on Friday i got to playing with the paper pulp.
Lux Valentine's Paper Pulp Recipe:
1. Day before get a bucket and shred as much newspaper as you think you'll need into it. The smaller the pieces the easy and finer the paper pulp will be. Fill bucket to just above the paper. I suggest using warm/hot water as it will speed up the process.
2. Next day get stuck into it and using your hands start to manipulate the lovely gunky paper porridge until it is clumpy and as fine as you would like it to be. If you require an even smoother pulp, use a hand beater to get it to the consistence you would like it.
3. Squeeze the excess water out of the paper you need and place in another container. I only get out as much as i need and leave some of the water in the paper so its easier to mix with...
4. Add white glue. I use children's craft glue, just as strong as normal glue but less harmful when you get it all over you (and easier to wash out of clothes... maybe you aren't like me but im one messy lass)
Mmmmm Paper Pulpy Goodness
So here are some photos of my Buddha face that turned out looking like a Greek death mask:
Started with just a square. This was (mostly) level
Once everything was built up and curved. Buddha Greek Death Mask-isque?
Can't really see the features in these photos.
The mouth was the harder part. I'm not happy with the way it turned out but hope once the whole thing is painted it isn't as noticeable that it looks like he is pouting.
It's now Monday and he is still drying, I don't want to paint him until he is completely dry. I need to find him/make him a frame as well.
Whilst waiting for both him and Thor's hammer to dry I've been knitting like a demon. I've done just over 150 squares now and have introduce the following colours:
x
Friday, 13 April 2007
Some pages from my sketch book:
Thor's Hammer from yesterday
Buddha sketch for the paper mache wall hanging/mask i'm making this afternoon. He looks maori.
Seth's Dragon: Basic Details- Horns, Teeth, Eye
Seth's Dragon: Close up of scales
Seth's Dragon: Scales and Shading
Seth's Dragon: Done
The dragon wasn't planned, I just had the idea of making scales after playing with the bucket of paper pulp I started to make last night. I'm not sure if i want to make him as a sculpture or as a 3d wall hanging like Buddha is going to be.
Paper Mache time!
x
Thursday, 12 April 2007
in the hall of the slain
i was going to use the clay i got for Easter for the necklace i've been designing for my aunt Susan... But Vikings are running rampant through my imagination and decided instead to make a clay wall hanging for one of my best mates Bjorn (Ben).
i sketched a few designs and threw caution to the wind... and this is the result.
(achtung : Camera is still on a bender so these photos are taken with the shitty phone camera)
Just adding details. Axe, Shield and Helmet.
Close up of Shield and Axe
Manly Beard
Odin's rune
More details
Drying
Once its dry, I'm going to paint it and add some more runes to the shield and a little hook to the back so it can be hung.
"They bid me to take my place amongst them in the halls of Valhalla, where the dead shall live on forever"
x
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