Check out our new stock & X'mas Collection!

Check out the masses of beautifully bright Cath O'Gorman pieces in our X'mas collection!

Reanne Brewin's ladybug-like kitchenware allows you to mix n match the perfect combo...



Olenka's new necklaces are in and straight up on the wall! Gorgeous as always!



The ever popular Not Tuesday have made some great new necklaces for this summer!  

Luke's necklaces play with contrasting bold colours and raw natural materials, great for summer outfits...

These beautiful baskets by Nicole Robins are a must have for any wall or table needing a lil' accessorising!

Be sure to drop by and check out all the above and more! Remember we are open on Sunday's up until Christmas Eve and we will be celebrating the festive season Saturday the 22nd of December from 2 - 4pm with bubbly and finger foods, so please come and help celebrate with us!

A Christmas Collection at Breathing Colours

New instore: Lyn & Tony

I just cannot get enough of Lyn & Tony and their series of jewellery '2'!

Not only have we got a re-stock of the large neckpieces (with new colour combos), we have also got a couple of new designs...

Such as the 'mini-me' of the larger pieces, same design just smaller and to top them off, they have a lil'bitta bling with chunky gold-plated clasps.

If you're more a pendant person, check out this gorgeous leather and sliced agate neckpiece! When the stone catches the light, it comes to life! A semi-transperent array of purples... 

A bangle did make it into the store... A gorgeous lil' aqua leather 'n coral number... But alas, I snapped it up!

 

 

Be sure to come by and check them all out!

HECHO EN MEXICO by Verity Roberts



La Sirena, encaustic on paper



VERITY ROBERTS has just returned from San Miguel de Allende in Gto. Mexico.


It is here she created her current body of work and it is because it travels with her that it is small in scale.

This time the works are all encaustic either on paper, tin panels or museum board and in a tin frame handmade by Sr. Carlos Siqueira, a local tin craftsman.

Que Rico (How Delicious!),
 encaustic on panel

The inspiration was the daily life and streetscapes surrounding her on this year's journey. It will always continue to fascinate and be evocative of another world where magic happens for her on a daily basis.

The delicacy of her work is still there but this time so is the colour of Mexico. The bright colours and the subtle ochres which surround.

Road to Queretaro,
encaustic on board

Prior to the residency she attended the I.E.A.A. (International Encaustic Artist Association) 2012 Conference in San Antonio, Texas. There she met with the inspiring encaustic community and sold some work to Alaska, New York and Vancouver. She attended workshops – with Daniella Woolf and Laura Moriarty – both reknown contemporary encaustic artists.

Hecho en Mexico closes on the 17th of November, be sure to visit the exhibition and experience a little Mexican magic...

(Photos taken by Sarah Callister, www.sarahcallister.com.au)

New instore: Workshop 8_5

Check out the new Workshop 8_5 bangles that have just arrived in store. Stack on some colour! 

New instore: Katrina Freene

Be sure to drop in and check out Katrina Freenes kitsch and colourful jewellery collection - perfect pieces for the upcoming summer!  

Featured Artist: Lyn & Tony

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

We are both been obsessed with the beauty of nature, having grown up in the idyllic landscapes around Byron Bay, on the far north coast of NSW. Our art practice is a process through which we explore this amazing world that surrounds us.

What inspires you?

The natural world is a constant source of inspiration for us - we are constantly collecting rocks, plants, feathers etc that never cease to amaze with their incredible colours & textures.

How would you describe your aesthetic?

We would describe our aesthetic as rich, colourful & textural - we love to combine contrasting materials that highlight the beauty of the natural products we are working with.

Besides jewellery making, what medium do you enjoy working with?

Our jewellery developed as an extension of our art photography, which we have been exhibiting internationally for 10 years or more. Our photography explores the contrast of the fragility of the body against the harsh extremes of the Australian landscape.



Tell us a bit about your studio space...

Our studio space is a wonderful old lolly factory in East Sydney, one of the few industrial buildings in the area yet to be converted to apartments. The area has an interesting history as the centre of the Razor Gang action in the 1920s & was still surrounded by brothels etc up till the early 90s when we first moved in. It is a great luxury to have the space to use our studio for both photography and our jewellery making. The building has a wonderful, calm ambience despite being in the centre of the city and we surround ourselves with inspirational objects ...... boulders from our favourite beach, unusual and rare plants and pieces from our art nouveau ceramic collection.

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

We are very interested in the aesthetics of the french Art Nouveau movement and the influence of the natural world on the development of their art, so the studios of the sculptor Rodin, the jeweller Rene Lalique & the glass/ceramic artist Emile Galle would be amazing to see.

What’s next for you and your practice?

We are excited to have discovered some beautiful Australian opals to work with for upcoming jewellery pieces & we are looking forward to our first photographic show in Tokyo, later this year. We are also completing a photographic book project that we have been working on for a few years now, so its going busy!

Featured Artist: Hayden Youlley

Hayden Youlley's ceramics has a strong utillitarian undertone, whlst still exhibiting a fragile and pure aesthetic. Read on to get some insight behind Hayden's work and his inspirations.

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

It was just a feeling that I would enjoy playing with clay. With no more experience than that, I chose to major in ceramics and applied object design at the College of Fine Arts, UNSW. After I completed a Bachelor of Design, I started working part time and spent the rest of my time developing my first range of ceramics, which took about 10 months. The whole time I was focusing on the goal of being able to quit my day job and spend the rest of my days having fun throwing mud around the studio. So far it’s all going to plan.

 

What inspires you?

I look for inspiration in everyday textures and forms that often go unnoticed. The Paper series makes use of a simple creased paper form. This form is cast in porcelain, making what was once fragile and temporary robust and permanent.

How would you describe your aesthetic?

My work is clean, refined, delicate and minimal. I believe that design has the power to make everyday life enjoyable, easier and beautiful. I aim to facilitate pure enjoyment in use. I believe that form follows function and I consider form to be a subsequent but equally important consideration.

 

Do you have a favourite piece of ceramics (other than your own) that you use on regular basis?

To be honest, I don’t really own any ceramics that I didn’t make! One of the greatest things about making ceramics for a living is taking joy in getting to use them everyday as well. Everything I have at home I made, I use and I love.

Tell us a bit about your studio space...

My studio space is one of the greatest things about what I do. It’s called the Blockhouse Studio, a communal studio at UNSW Kensington campus that’s open to the public. You get to interact with so many people on a daily basis that are all there to have a great time and enjoy what they love doing. The studio is always filled with great people to go to for advice, bounce ideas off or just to chill out and have a nice chat with. Absolutely beautiful work comes out of this environment.

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

Alfred E. Haigh of Haighs Chocolates. Though I definitely wouldn’t be able to just have a peek. I’d be all over that studio hoovering up all the leftovers, experiments, finished and unfinished goodness.

trip the light fantastic by Michele Morcos

Michele Morcos’ exhibition ‘trip the light fantastic’ opened with a bang here at Breathing Colours gallery - there was excitement in the air and an almost curious chaos, with viewers eager to explore every inch of every intricate landscape Morcos presented.

Rich with colour, bold lines and detailed geographical forms, each piece resonates a sense of movement, of life, a ‘humming’. Morcos describes the methodology behind her mixed media paintings and drawings:

“I do not use any photos or sketches to create my artworks. I use my intuition. It is about creating a visual language or relationship that pertains directly with me (the conduit) and the environment (the subject). An immediate and spontaneous reaction to the country that I find myself in, and the story it is telling me…. showing me. It is about a truth and an honesty that comes from an experience that is open and unfiltered through time or space.”

Be sure to stop by and explore ‘trip the light fantastic’ before its closing day, Saturday 7th July at 4pm.

Winter Creative Workshop for Kids - Call for submissions

I'd like to invite your proposal to facilitate a workshop as part of Breathing Colour's inaugural

"Winter Creative Workshop Festival for Kids". The workshops will take place 10th-15th July 2012
which is the second week of the winter public school holidays. I'm hoping to provide as diverse
a range of activities as possible, delivered by people willing to promote their artistic practice in
a fun and accessible way to youngster's and their parents.
 
When considering submitting a proposal for a workshop please consider the following 9 points:



1. Please keep projects non gender specific.


2. Children's parents will be in attendance. You are not expected to be responsible for other peoples' kids!


3. The cost of the workshop should be around $20 per child. It is up to you to work out a specific price
according to the materials required, but please keep in mind that this festival aims to operate sustainably
and the materials used in workshops should reflect this.

4. From each workshop you facilitate you will receive 70% of the overall sum paid and Breathing Colours

will take the remaining 30% as an administration fee. This administration fee contributes to the rental cost

of the gallery space. In this sense the festival is "not-for-profit" on the gallery's end, but workshop
facilitators will be remunerated according to the amount of attendees their workshop attracts.

5. Initially, the maximum number of people per workshop is 10-12 kids. When sending us your proposal

please specify if the maximum number of kids should be less than this.

6. Please note that children have short attention spans and the workshops should not last for longer

than 2 hours.

7. You can propose to facilitate more than one workshop.

8. Workshops are not purely limited to art and craft activities think outside the square!

9. What is the minimum age at which kids might be able to participate? You will need to let us know.

Proposals must include:

1. A brief outline/description of the workshop.

2. An indication of age range (as broad as

possible is good, but the work must be

achievable).

3. Image/s of piece/pieces that will be created.

4. A brief account of any experience you

have working with kids.

The deadline for proposals is close of day,

Friday 11th May.

I hope to receive a proposal from you soon to:

jess@breathingcolours.com

In Phase - Jennifer Pombart

Jennifer Pombart's exhibition of highly decorative, colourful, engaging paintings met great success in the enjoyment and response of those who attended.  By the end of the afternoon, five paintings and several prints had been sold; exemplifying the intrinsic draw and beauty of the works exhibited.


The series exemplifies what the artist calls her love of colour and facination with pattern. While taking photos of the occasion we found ourselves many times drawn to the beautiful hues and tonal quality of the paint and methods.

A detail of one of the larger paintings. Acrylic on Paper.

The above is an example of Pombart's highly effective technique. No colour is muddied, each is independant and vibrant yet works within the whole. Of course like all artists, expecially with those working with the abstract forms of colour and texture, Pombart's art has seen a multitude of changes in techniques and materials. One patron who attended the opening, imparted her own experience with the evolution of Pombart's work. This lady said owns a work which the artist produced in the '90s which was large scale canvas work, strictly in oils. The artist worked with large brushes, pushing and pulling the thick paint into wild and expressive positions. As always, it is facinating to hear stories first hand, especially from someone who collects the work of a particular artist, about the transitions and leaps in artistic methodology. And wonderful to meet those who have consistantly support an artist during their career.

The artist with one of her works, at the opening for In Phase.

  

We at Breathing Colours would like to kindly thank Jennifer and family for their vibrant and involved presence, which made the event a true pleasure to be a part of for all of us.

Please visit our Facebook page to view more photos of the the event.

In Phase runs from the 6th - 18th of March, be sure to pop by and visit before it ends this sunday!

Relics

by Catherine Traicos 

Exhibition:  21^st February – 3^rd March

Opening: Saturday 25^th February, 4-6pm

Relics is an exhibition of paintings or found objects which embody the tactile, fragmentary nature of memory; its culture of inheritance in the fluid realm of time.

All of the works included have been cut from a single painting and thus inherit their own individual fables; employing the mediums of oil, ballpoint, pencil and chalk on canvas, they rise from the chaos of reformation into independent works of art.

Traicos describes the collection as, “an allegory for the act of remembering, where the original painting represents the past and each new piece becomes a memory or glimpse of the past, experienced in the present.”

To find out more about the artist visit her website here: http://www.catherinetraicos.com/

We look forward to seeing you all at the opening, tomorrow afternoon.

The Breathing Colours Team

We Explore

'We Explore' is a mixed media exhibition by Luke Arnold and Jessica Page.

Both artists are predominately known for their jewellery designs, however on this occasion they have delved into a new medium.  Through the exploration of paint, colour, texture and the circular form, they have created a dialogue that shouldn’t be missed.

We Explore is showing at Breathing Colours until Saturday the 4^th of February.

Christmas at Breathing Colours

For those still rushing about looking for last minute gifts, here are a few ideas:

Cath O'Gorman's new bowls, dishes and pourers have just arrived in an array of fabulous colours!

For the jewellery lover, Kristin Vournelis' stunning earrings are a real statement piece.

Karen Cunnginham's Lamina Vase collection is bright and elegant, a great piece to brighten up the home.

If the Christmas rush is keeping you from coming instore, remember that Breathing Colours has just launched their on-line store at: http://www.breathingcolours.bigcartel.com/  !! Please note that the full range of works from these artists are availbe in-store and we will be opened up until Christmas Eve!

As Christmas closes in, Breathing Colours would like to wish everybody a very Merry Christmas and a happy new year!

New in Store- not tuesday

Not Tuesday’s polymer clay handmade bead necklaces are bold in colour and full of fun! A hit already at Breathing Colours, these are a summer must have!

Come in store to see the full range.

Feaured Artist: Melinda Young

Contemporary jeweller Melinda Young's production work is an erray of graphic pieces. Using bold colours, crisp, distinct shapes and acrylic as a primary material - her pieces inherit a real tactile quality. Read on to discover her inspirations, influences and what's to come for Melinda...

What got your started on your artistic path?

I grew up in a creative, craft focussed family – both my parents are gifted craftspeople. It is not surprising that I have followed a creative path after a childhood spent drawing, painting and experimenting with all manner of crafts including macrame and leatherwork.

After several years at university focussing on art theory and painting, I was ultimately attracted to jewellery as a vehicle for expression as I felt that it had a great potential for conveying my conceptual ideas. So I dropped out of an almost completed degree and started again, switching my studies to jewellery and the rest is history...

What inspires you?

Architecture, plants, the landscape – wild and urban, people, materials, the act of making and increasingly traditional and tribal jewellery forms.

What is you favourite colour palette at the moment?

I love colour, but I tend to always work with only one colour on a piece – so my work is usually always monochromatic, even though there may be several colour stories within a body of work. Although I tend to be drawn more towards warm colours, a recent collection of exhibition work has used lots of green.

Tell us a bit about your studio space...

My studio is in the lovely big light filled attic of our house – my creative bubble.

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

I LOVE visiting other artists studios, I think as makers, we are always so curious about seeing how other people surround themselves when they work. This is such a hard question because there are so many I would love to visit... I often wonder what the studio of the late Dutch jeweller Onno Boekhoudt was like.

What piece of jewellery do you cherish the most?

I have many, many very special pieces of jewellery. Probably the piece I cherish the most is my letter 'M' Alphabet ring by New Zealand jeweller Warwick Freeman. It is special for a long list of personal reasons and was purchased on a golden day spent in Melbourne with great friends. Also the maker, Warwick Freeman, is one of my jewellery heroes and the marvellous story he told me about the inspiration for this work reminds me not to take things too seriously and that anything can be possible to a maker if you give yourself permission.

What is next for Mel Young?

Lots of exciting things!!! An exhibition at Fingers Gallery in Auckland with Lauren Simeoni called Unnatural Tendencies in October see: www.fingers.co.nz. I have work in a group show curated by Tricia Tang that opens in Hong Kong in November before touring to Sydney, Taipei & Bangkok. Over the coming months I will be visiting Canberra to conduct research and work on a large-scale piece for a national touring exhibition called Life in Your Hands which opens at Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery next March. Then starting to develop on a new body of work for a solo exhibition... and a new range of production work is on the boil! 

Featured Artist: Kanimbla Clay

Kanimbla Clay is created by ceramicist Helen Hay. Set amongst the valleys and bushland of Kanimbla, Helen produces precious, visually organic vessels that resonate with her natural surroundings.

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

As far back as I can remember I've always had a paintbrush in my hand, and have always loved being creative. Going to Art college after high school was the real turning point in my artistic direction though.

What inspires you?

The natural environment around me.

Where do you find the inspiration for the designs on your pieces?

Out here in the Kanimbla Valley. I am very fortunate to live and work in such a beautiful place. My workshop looks out across the valley to the escarpment, so I get to observe flora, fauna and the amazing changes of light. Since being here I have been so absorbed in my surroundings, and its great to see that coming through in my work.

Tell us a bit about how you source some of your clay…

I actually buy it from Potters Needs in Oberon. I used to dig for my clay when I was at Uni, but I unfortunately don't have the time at present. Next year I will be doing alot more experimental work, I'll be doing some pit firings out here on my property and I will be hopefully sourcing some local clay. I've heard that there are some great clay deposits around this area.

How would you describe your aesthetic?

Kanimbla Clays pieces have a very delicate, natural, handmade feel whilst maintaining a high standard in quality.

Tell us a bit about your studio space (if you have images as well, that’d be great!)

My workshop is located out here on my property in Kanimbla. We were lucky enough to inherit a huge colourbond shed when we moved here. I was originally using just a small corner of the shed but as Kanimbla Clay is growing I have now taken over 2/3's of it. Im looking to renovate the old stable into a workshop and office, but thats next year.

Its been a real experience having my studio out here, I get so much wildlife through everyday. I grew up in a small vllage in the UK and the most exciting things I used to see were badgers and deer,I will never get tired of seeing a mob of female roo's with their joeys bounding past the workshop 

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

Andy Goldsworthy, I love the way he works with natural materials. He'll use thorns,twigs, weaving and abit of clever balancing instead of glue & nails to hold things together. I'd like to see how much of the forest is in his work space.

What hand held object do you cherish the most?

A hand painted and carved wooden horse from Sweden. It was my Nana's, and its a part of my memories of her.

What is next for Kanimbla Clay?

More homewares. More electric lights, and hopefully another kiln!