wandering off the island

Goodbye

2011-09-26T15:08:00.001+10:00

Obviously, I haven't given this blog much love for a while, and now I'm leaving. Time to start again!

Find me at http://wanderingofftheisland.tumblr.com/

gorgeous boys

2011-01-24T09:39:00.000+11:00

swap shop and mountains

2010-11-05T16:46:00.007+11:00

I'm spending my evenings skulking around The Village Festival, in Edinburgh Gardens, North Fitzroy. Luckily for me artist Trevor Flinn has asked me to document his installation/performance 'Brokebike Mountain'.

Trevor (dressed as a lonesome cowboy) sits by his campfire, offering chilli beans, strong black cowboy coffee (with biscuits) and conversation.

I can't wait to explore the rest of the village, especially the Swap Shop. THE SWAP SHOP! (Childhood fantasy coming true. Finally.)

2010-09-05T13:01:00.000+10:00

Nicholas.

lusting after hand made jewellery

2010-08-05T19:46:00.005+10:00

I've spent this week shut up in my studio (lounge room), shooting for the annual RMIT Gold and Silversmithing Auction . I have to admit that I've had a few moments of thinking "Could I mysteriously vanish from the state, with only a suitcase full of amazing jewellery?" I guess I wouldn't get paid for the gig, but I think I could be happy forever as a broke but well-accessorised girl-on-the-run.

slowly walking

2010-07-27T18:16:00.000+10:00

After one too many near-misses on my bicycle lately, I've taken up walking everywhere.

Secretly, I love walking because it allows me to spend as much time as possible outside, in the glorious sunshine. I dawdle along, noticing things, saying "hello" and getting mostly no reply, listening to the radio (current fave stations: PBS and some sort of golden old rock station), and checking out cute people.

My legs are a bit surprised at the sudden exercise.

Today, after ticking two boring things off my permanent "to do" list (book tax-return appointment, practice yoga), I decided to reward myself with a morning off, for walking and wandering.

My favourite teacup sneaked in.

thank god for hot friends *

2010-07-19T20:17:00.003+10:00

Eugenie has deleted her facebook account and started a cute blog! See it here

*I think I'm quoting my (hot) friend Tam.

rainy adventures

2010-07-15T12:20:00.000+10:00

each peach pear plum

2010-07-13T11:54:00.013+10:00

Last week I bought a box of amazing organic fruit and vegetables. Joy!

Within my tiny household of boyfriend, me and swag-in-our-lounge-room boyfriend's brother, began the debate "is organic worth the extra money?" I say "Yes!", but I am a terrible debater, being slow-witted (yes, one can be both smart and slow witted, unfortunately for me.)

Instead of continuing the verbal debate, I've taken some photos of my new favourite cafe - Each Peach on Lygon St. This place is full of organic delicious food, and it is cute too! Another reason to love Brunswick.

david and hamish

2010-07-13T10:14:00.003+10:00

keeping warm

2010-07-08T10:47:00.005+10:00

winter sunshine

2010-06-15T17:26:00.007+10:00

I've finally accepted that the only plants that will stay alive in my balcony garden are succulents.

my man makes pretty things

2010-06-10T20:08:00.017+10:00

Charles has finished art school! He has worked as a jeweller in his family business since the age of 12, but wanted to get all arty and explore less traditional jewellery making techniques and concepts. We moved to Melbourne to study at RMIT, and looking at this work, I think it was a great decision. Although I always zone out when he starts explaining how he makes the pieces - (I AM interested, but I just can't listen to technical speak, from anyone) - I'm so proud of him!

I'm photographing his collection as he creates it. See his website over the coming months as it grows Charles Wyatt Jewellery.

P.S If you want to talk to him and find out how he made a holloware teapot from a single sheet of metal, just by skillfully banging it repeatedly for a really long time, I'm sure he'd love to hear from you.

the festival is over

2010-06-04T15:42:00.007+10:00

Next Wave Festival started to feel like real life for a while. I'd like to live in a world where I'm meeting and photographing interesting artists, art workers and volunteers from all around the world every single day. Attending performances on the street, openings in little alleyways, screenings in spaces underground and drinking gin from jam jars at the festival club did get a little tiring but never stopped being a fun adventure. Oh well, time to back-up the hundreds of photographs taken, and think about new projects. The Next People for more images of Next Wave Festival 2010.

Fun Run

2010-05-23T10:45:00.009+10:00

Three hours flew by yesterday as I stood in city square amidst gymnast, dancers, Next Wave audiences and completely stunned public, while we watched "HUMPS" complete a 42km marathon on a treadmill. Fun Run, a "durational performance" as part of Next Wave Festival.

2010-05-23T10:42:00.004+10:00

The shock of finding yourself in the audience of a Black Lung Theatre performance. The threat of audience participation. I couldn't even hide behind my huge camera, because they took it from me and used it as part of the performance! Argh!

gertrude st

2010-05-19T12:14:00.004+10:00

Nearly leaving my camera on the tram (eek!), I got to Gertrude St, a part of town that still makes me feel like a tasmanian dork who just got off the Spirit of Tasmania. I ate an expensive delicious biscuit while people-watching out the window of Arcadia, before exploring an exhibition across the road. Mercy Street, part of Next Wave Festival and current exhibition at Gertrude Contemporary Art Space. I met curator Anusha Kenny and took her portrait just a few months ago. Her portrait - here.

Next Wave Festival

2010-05-16T11:16:00.014+10:00

Next Wave Festival opened on May 13, and I've been running around all over town trying to see as much as possible. My favourites so far are the transfixing and disturbing Black Lung Whaling Firm Open Studio, and the new media art of House of Natural Fiber (Indonesia) as part of Structural Integrity. View the Next Wave Festival Photo Blog to see images by our great team of official photographers.

Save Lives, Protect Refugees Rally St Kilda Beach

2010-05-09T20:25:00.007+10:00

Saturday was a beautfiful sunny day, perfect for taking the number 96 tram to St Kilda Beach to photograph an inspiring rally. Amnesty International supporters donned red and yellow clothing, and formed a giant human life ring on the beach to symbolise the compassion of the iconic Australian Lifesaver. I felt moved to be among this crowd, as we sat together to send the message that many Australians believe in helping asylum seekers. See the aerial photograph here.

2010-05-09T20:17:00.002+10:00

Human Rights Arts & Film Festival

2010-05-02T12:18:00.026+10:00

Last night I cycled down to Cinema Nova to the the Human Rights Arts & Film Festival to see Crude. I also met some amazing Amnesty International volunteers. I love going to places where I'm going to meet Amnesty volunteers, because they are always such interesting people. I'm also impressed by their petitioning skills!

pretty things

2010-04-25T15:42:00.001+10:00

Recent shoot for Charles Wyatt Jewellery.

2010-04-25T15:38:00.005+10:00

I've made a new friend, and a talented one at that! Naoko Inuzuka is a melbourne-based jeweller. Her work is available at Craft Hatch market.

Not Just Looking

2010-04-20T19:18:00.026+10:00

Performance Art. It scares me (a bit.) Yet I love it. Being exposed during audience participation is not enough to put me off (hopefully) from checking out some amazing performances during Next Wave Festival 2010.

These images were taken during 100 Proofs the Earth is Not a Globe, performance work by Tape Projects, part of the festival this year.

More images: The Next People.

love and backing up

2010-03-18T14:04:00.012+11:00

I'm just back from a trip to my home island. Hmmm, all that amazing op-shopping, daily ocean swims and camping nearly made me want to move back. But no, not yet!

Within a week, I had the joyous experience of photographing the weddings of my dad as well as two good friends. I don't feel quite so joyous about the computer time back at home. In the midst of editing hundreds of wedding photos, two external hard drives died in one day. So I threw a tantrum, took a deep breath and started again...

one bedroom

2010-02-09T17:37:00.014+11:00

I live in a small flat. The view from the bedroom is of a block of flats, and the view from the balcony is of another block of flats. (An apartment block sandwich.)

Most nights, while I'm searching for food, I see a couple in the block opposite as they cook dinner. I wave to them sometimes, from my little kitchen into their little kitchen, but they don't see me (or maybe they pretend not to see.)

every two weeks

2010-02-07T21:41:00.011+11:00

Every two weeks or so, I visit a friend to drink tea, chat about everything, and take photos of her growing baby bump.

our park

2010-02-07T21:18:00.006+11:00

I go there each day, Sometimes for a tiny bit of yoga in the morning, often for a cup of tea and a walk. I've tried jogging around it (yuk) and I've drunk beer in the middle of the golf course with good friends on hot nights.