Saturday, July 30, 2011

New In Store - Sarah O'Sullivan!



We now have in-store our new selection of gorgeous porcelain bowls from Sarah O'Sullivan. 


In a selection of earth-toned greens, beiges and egg-shell, Sarah's pieces each inherit their own individual handmade forms, so no two are ever the same.

Be sure to come in and check out these decorative, practical and beautiful pieces.  

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Featured Artist: Michele Morcos



We are excited to present this weeks featured artist, Michele Morcos! A good friend of Breathing Colours, Michele continues to surprise us with her paintings, drawings and objects. We struggle to give a specific 'style' to her work, as she sweeps across so many different mediums, from pencils, to felt, to recycled plastic bags!



What attracted you/got you started on your artistic path?

Funny, as I was just talking about this with someone the other day, and marveling at where I am with my artistic practice! It is a gift to be able to play, create, dream, and listen to my artistic intuition everyday.
However, I didn’t always believe that it was possible to live this… I was always a kid who LOVED colouring in, making dolls dresses, and having fun in craft classes in and after school with projects like macramé, knitting, pasta drawings and clay modeling. But that is all I thought it was, just having fun as a kid. Soon I would have to ‘grow up’! It was only when I missed out on entering a fashion design course at University and got a place in COFA’s BFA course at 18 that I began to realize and believe that, yes, maybe I can be an artist!

And 16 years later Im still here, learning something new every single day!
What inspires you?

How much time do you have!!! I find inspiration in everything… the colours in our environments, the light and how it changes throughout the day, people, music, art, children’s creativity and enthusiasm for life and learning, patterns, textures, movement! It goes on and on…. I love taking photos, mainly for my blog, and when I look back at them, I realize that what captures my eye is so diverse. It constantly changes every day!

 
What is your favourite colour pallet at the moment?

Instead of telling you, I think I need to show you…



How would you describe your aesthetic?

Intuitive, textural, colourful, and emotive…. I hope!




Tell us a bit about your studio space…

Well I have had a few in the last couple of years. I was lucky enough to receive a studio residency at a place called Primrose Studios in Sydney for six months, which was life changing for me, and for my artwork. After that experience I moved back to what I call my ‘cobwebs + laundry’ studio which is located underneath my house! But seriously, it is a lovely little nook that is quiet and secluded. However, in winter it is freezing…! Therefore, I usually find myself retreating to a little desk inside my place then, and work on small detailed artworks … mainly because of the space! It’s tiny!!
So yes… I work in seasonal spaces and places!!



       

 If you could peak inside the studio of any artist, designer or craftsmen (alive or dead) who would it be?

Ohhhh tough! I have sooo many favourite artists’ that it would tricky to narrow it down! Cy Twombly’s studio in Italy would be amazing to see and breathe in… Also in Europe, I would have loved to have met Sonia Delaunay and seen her space covered textures, colours, and patterns! Oh and then there is Elizabeth Cummings in the bush, Robert Rauschenberg in New York… Geez when would you like me to stop?!


What handmade possession do you most cherish?

Oh again – it’s tricky as I have been so so lucky to have been given some beautiful pieces by some very amazing artists’… especially all the ladies who I have worked with and become close with through Object Gallery. Then there are the beautiful earrings my lovely friend Amy Jenkin made for me a decade ago that I still love wearing today… and the lovely paintings I received for my 21st birthday.
My room does look like an Aladdin’s cave, or a hoarder house from that reality t.v show…but I cannot deny that each piece inspires me and asks to be displayed! When the objects talk to you, you HAVE to pay attention to their whispers…  and obey!






Thanks a lot Michele for your time and letting us peek into your world! If you would like to keep up to date with Michele's work check out her fantastic blog: http://www.tinytrappings.com/

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Featured Artist: Katherine Lys


We farewell the lovely Katherine Lys, who is heading overseas to new adventures and unfortunately her beautiful, bright glass pieces are going along for the ride! So after getting a little insight into her work processes and inspiration below, make sure you pop in this month to check-out her work before they board for Canada!!



What got you started in making glass?

I come from quite an athletic background, so one of the things that drew me into hot glass making was how physical it is - between gathering, blowing, shaping, torching, marvering - it's very active and fast paces. I love the culture in most hot studios - of team work and energy.


What inspires you and your collection?

I've been able to do a lot of travelling during my 4 years in Australia, some of it very exciting and adventurous - but usually long bushwalks that let me see Australia up close at a slower pace. I see this reflect in my work when I turn to methodical processes such as wood carving and work back and forth between the glass and wood until they sit together just right.


How would you describe you aesthetic?

I generally use very bright, funky colour combinations and have a playful way of arranging objects.

Tell us a bit about your studio space...

The hot glass studio is always dirty, loud, sweaty and smelly, that's the nature of working in front of a 1100C furnace. All the equipment and tools are made of steel, so they are protected from the effects of the heat. It sounds like a recipe for burns, but they don't happen very often.


What's in store for you in Canada? Will you still be making?

When I get to Canada I'll be finding a new hot glass studio to rent out in Calgary and training a new assistant. I plan to make lots of my product ranges in the next few months and get the work into the galleries. After this, I will resume my exhibition work and participate in group exhibitions. Calgary is hosting the National Glass Conference in 2013, so I look forward to helping make that happen. I'd like to get into coldworking and kiln casting a bit more, so that I can be less reliant on hot glass facilities and run a studio independently, from our dream home out in the bushes!

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

blue + red

We're always looking for inspiration to help with a new display at Breathing Colours and one of our favourite blogs tinytrappings provided that for us today.

What do you think?

from right to left Clare Wilson 'Lolly Bowl', Szilvia Gyorgy small tea light holder 'smoke' and Michele Morcos 'Rattle and Hum Series' (in blue)

Zara Collins 'Washi Cuffs'


 



Thanks for the inspiration michele aka the tiny. 



Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Calling all artists

We are thrilled to announce that we are accepting proposals for the first half of our 2012 calendar.



Check out our website for more information

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Featured Artist: Shimara Carlow

Scottish maker, Shimara Carlow, creates intricate silver and gold jewellery pieces, with a natural style.  It’s no wonder her inspiration stems from seed pods, flowers and bird’s nests – allowing her work to inherit a raw and organic aesthetic. Shimara kindly took the time to answer a few questions, giving us a small peek into her background in jewellery, her studiospace and of course what’s next for Shimara and her jewellery! 


What attracted you/got you started making jewellery?

When I was living in Scotland a child my farther was a jeweller, making etched Celtic brass jewellery for the tourist trade. I used to go help in the workshop and go to craft fairs with him for pocket money, although now I think about it I am not sure how much help I was!


What inspires you?

My work is predominantly inspired by nature, as luck would have it Gum Nuts are a big source of inspiration, along with other seed pods, flowers, birds nests and found objects.

How would you describe your aesthetic?

I guess natural, tactile and earthy, yet still practical, wearable and beautiful.

Tell us a bit about your studio space…

I have an amazing studio in the grounds of Abbotsford Convent by The River Yarra in Melbourne. It is an old converted laundry building, with lots of space and natural light, not always the neatest studio, but organised chaos has always been my work ethos!







What was the first piece of jewellery you ever made?

Although I had made a few pieces in my dad’s workshop, this was the first thing I ever made at University. A pair of silver earrings set with lapis, probably for my mum, I don’t think she wore them!


What’s next for Shimara?
We have an open studio here in Melbourne on the 20th of August, always a lovely opportunity to meet clients face to face, and for them to see where and how the work is made.
I have a trip to London for an international Trade show at the start of September, which will be great for contacts, and hopefully business.
And then I imagine the Christmas rush will be in full swing, and it will be total chaos until the 24th of December! Every year I try to be more organised, and every year I fail miserably!


Thanks Shimara
*All images courtesy of Shimara Carlow