Featured Artist: Ashley Fiona

Ashley Fiona creates small and tactile pieces. Her work is very utilitarian, however this does not override the real sense of character and quirky charm a lot of Ashley's work inherits, a real favourite here at Breathing Colours!   

What started you working as a ceramicist?

The affair started in my first year at uni in 2006, where beginners (including myself) were asking me for advice on clay making skills and techniques... I couldn't answer them at first (I had to ask myself why they were asking me!). There was something more to this seductive material that I had to know more about myself... The discovery continues - Which is part of the beauty of the medium, the potential for discovery is limitless.

Where does your inspiration come from?

My memories and my environment.

How would you describe your aesthetic?

Precious keep-safes with a quirky twist.

Tell us a bit about your studio. Do you work alone? Share your space?

My current studio is my lounge room coffee table! My house mates share the space... Does that count?

 As a ceramicist do you have a favourite mug you have you sip your morning tea/coffee out of?

Yes, most definately! I eat and drink almost always from my hand-made collection, it makes whatever you are eating/drinking so much more enjoyable. Hand-made food out of a hand-made bowl, life's simplicities make me smile. For tea I love to drink out of my Sandy Lockwood salt-fired mug and for coffee nothing beats my large porcelain mug by Rosa Chan.

I know that ceramics isn’t your only creative outlet, can you fill us in on your 52 weeks project?

52weeks2011 is a photographic project Vicki Grima and myself are currently working on. We (or you, if you have a suggestion, we welcome suggestions!) set a theme for each week and take seven photos based on that theme. It keeps us busy workers creative on a manageable level... And very much on our toes work-wise. It's an enjoyable creative tangent in contrast to my clay making, it also inspires my ceramics, they compliment one another.

 What’s next for Ashley Fiona? Travel? New work? Inspirations?

 Ideally travel... But that will have to wait for now as new work is being made (yes, in my lounge room on my coffee table) for an exhibition at the end of the yearn titled The Narrative Knot at Manly Art Gallery (December 2011 to January2012). Currently, I have an exhibition of my entire Honours work from 2010 at Hawkesbury Regional Art Gallery titled Human Condition which continues to 21 August. This year is shaping up to be busy and busier... Which is always a good thing for an artist!

Be sure to come in and check out her new pieces (a few pictured above) here at Breathing Colours as well as her blog 52weeks2011 and be sure to have a look our suggestion, 'texture'.

Featured Artist: Roxanne Lillis

Roxanne Lillis is a much loved artist here at Breathing Colours. She creates subtle paintings, using a 'soft' pallette of colours and when viewed, her work produces a very strong presence. Roxanne's paintings range from landscapes to figutrative and may vary in 'genre', but they all inherit one thing - Roxanne's very distinct style.  

What attracted you/got you started painting?

Picture books, sketching books, colouring pencils, art in galleries and books, and the smell of oil paints….. 

What is your first painting memory? Was it something you painted; a painting that inspired you?

My first painting memory, other than pictures in books and in galleries was being given permission to have free rein with my bedroom walls. I painted huge murals from ceiling to floor.

What inspires you?

The world around me: Colours, shapes, composition. Art books, journals, galleries, Reading art theory and history, Travel, Art mediums, Music, Teaching senior students, family. Everything revolves around or has some connection to my painting.

What is your favourite colour pallet at the moment?

At the moment and usually, it is high key, I use a limited pallet to mix a wide range of hues. They are usual subtle. I enjoy working into wet paint for a tactile finish or working over dry using different glazes.

      

How would you describe your aesthetic?

I work in oils, using the formal conventions of painting within the still life, landscape and figurative genre. However,  I endeavour to maintain a conceptual undercurrent/dimension. At the moment this focuses on the poetics of place and belonging and the tension between belonging and isolation. My works are usually semi abstract in style.

Tell us a bit about your studio space...

My studio place is an open loft in my home. It is full of art books, journals and different materials and medium. It is warm and convenient as I enjoy the connection and noises of family while I work. Alternatively, when family are not around I listen to music. My house is on 6 acres of virgin bushland and the scenes from the windows can create a quiet and contemplative atmosphere that is also conducive to painting.

Any chance we can get a sneak peak of your work for the upcoming

exhibition with Loren Keir?

 

Be sure to check out Roxanne Lillis' and Loren Keir's exhibition 'Tied and Bound' 16th - 27th August. The offical opening to be held on Saturday the 20th of August, 4 - 6pm!

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.  

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 21^st 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/

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!

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. 

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