There Are So Many Ladies Creating Art These Days!

Craft and Nanna's knitting has been left way behind - well apparently knitting is still in as long as you put the wool in...

Apparently women are just realising they have vagina's and they are a little confused. I thought it was a given that vaginas exist and I thought I knew why...

On to the Art aspect of the V.

Australians are a pretty resourceful lot - imaginative too especially Casey Jenkins. I am not sure where she got the idea that something might jump out of a 'vulva' and eat you up, that 'vulvas' are scary and threatening but apparently this is her way of dealing with those notions.


All whilst menstruating.

Now that might seem hard to top but no lets whack an egg of two up the Vja ja!

Egg Plop this article explains what I can not!

Then there is Millie Brown - The Vomit Artist who was paid to vomit on Lady Ga Ga. 

Strange I have been calling her Lady Gag Gag for ages.

Then you can always paint using your breasts 

At least this is attractive to look at...

I am creating an exhibition myself it is a work in progess and does not utilise any orrifice, wool, milk or eggs.

I am Your Sex Thing

(IYST)

Afraid of Beauty

Why on earth should I of all people be afraid of beauty?

I have always been drawn to, enchanted and impressed by images of idealised women, attracted to elegance and the aesthetic and have found myself at times intimidated by other women's beauty.

My more than 25 years as a fashion designer required the constant ingestion of glorified beauty in the form of fashion models, icons and art. Seeing women portrayed as objects of arresting beauty and at times sensuality has filled me with inspiration and sheer enjoyment from when I can remember.

The discovery of my very real fear of beauty has been and was a very confronting experience that I am still struggling to reconcile.

During a shoot a few years ago for my own range two of my models left due to other commitments and time constraints leaving me with only half of my range photographed. I still had my location, half a range, my hair and make up artists and the photographer for the rest of the day. With much prompting and with the lead of a confident friend stepping in I found myself stepping in to model my own work. This is something I have never envisioned or have been inclined to do and found it a very uncomfortable experience.

You can see my Deer in the headlights here.

I was asked to model often when I was young but so painfully uncomfortable on the one occasion I was convinced to try that it did not work, my akwardness was evident in the images. I was embaressed this left me even more determined never to entertain the idea again.

It was while collaborating with a number of creatives that I began to move into styling for various events and came to see photography as a form of self expression. This is where my inroversion began to fall away.

These images were taken by the talented Paul Louis Villani we have worked together on a number of occasions producing collaborate work. Paul's approach enabled me to explore the experience of being a conduit for the sake of expression and art.

This sparked an ongoing interest and love of morphing in front of the camera almost always being in character while being shot. What I found most interesting was however was the dislike, insincerity and discomfort I felt when I saw what might be perceived as beautiful images of myself. I would find myself writhing with psychological and emotional discomfort.

At first I thought it was about humility and a lack of vanity that led me to feel on edge about being portrayed as beautiful. 

It made me feel fear and over time it made me realise I was afraid of beauty.

The sexuality, power, beauty of others, the many models I know and have friendships with, the icons I love and admire, the likes of Sophia Loren and Monica Bellucci I lauded. I admired their force and confidence, but I lacked their power. Beautiful images of myself left me feeling objectified and compromised. I would dismiss any kind comments discouraged discussion and currently have a large cache of unreleased material taken by many photographers including the very talented Paul Vanzella .

Why was I afraid of beauty when for others I am happy to embrace and encourage it?

Well there were a number of obviously apparent reasons.

• I felt the representations unrealistic.
• There was a fear of perceived vanity and self indulgence.
• I felt people might be disappointed by the real me.
• The concern that the images do not relate to my character and could lead to assumptions about who and what I was about.

The list goes on...

I thought somehow it might work against me.

Why was I so reluctant to reveal these images of myself?

Initially I thought it was due to my lack of vanity or need to be validated. I didn't need it it was unnecessary. 

A few weeks ago I began to explore for the first time the 'self portait'. Involving a series of images (yet to be released) parodying female stereotypes called 'I AM YOUR SEX THING' my intention is to make a strong statement about how women deliberately wear guises designed to entice, enhance or impress and bring to light some of the absurdity of what we as women continue to promote. I am in the process of creating more characters and will be launching the already approved Pozible campaign to facilitate the project within the the next eight weeks with a view to stimulating discussion and awareness. 

The Facebook page can be found here

I AM YOUR SEX THING 

The characters are given numbers not names and this helps me to create distance and quantify the sex thing with objectivity.

#1

#2

While I am excited about the project and keen to fully realise it has made other issues rise to the surface. I consider women who embrace their beauty as incredibly brave I saw it as risk, as dangerous.

Then it hit me...

In my experience being an attractive girl or woman can lead to an attack. It has served to diminish not empowered me, this has been due to the beliefs and experiences of my past. I very recently experienced a regrettable encounter that made me aware of a pattern that had through out my life from with large spaces between, from my first kiss to my first sexual experience punctuated by what might be considered mild or exteme transgressions. I was unprepared for all of them, I was targeted, fixated upon and pursued. I have had my boundaries crosses by people that have left me blindsided by the events resulting in the internalisation of the experience. While I have never been subject to violence I have been sexualized and had physical experiences forced upon me against my will in varying degees. Most times it was embellished with praise for my looks. Inappropriate and unpleasant experiences leaving me feeling shame. A very destructive emotion - thus my Fear of Beauty.

In this modern landscape sex is a commodity, modesty is rare, self censorship is exercised less and less, in our more liberated society the world is always hungry for more. Understanding why I wasn't hungry for more has lead me along a long complex path of recovery.

So now I hope that with the right lighting and best angle I will no longer be afraid of being beautiful.

Why I am Deciding to be THE NEW NIGELLA

Nigella might be feeling sheepish for a while and yes she is incredible, but after reading about her recent events and with all due respects I think I should step in for her while she recuperates.

Why? I am a a whizz in the kitchen, love body conscious clothing,we are both brunette, neither of us are beanstalk thin nor shy. I can waffle on endlessly about flavours and use double entredre like toppings and sprinkles too. I can marvel at the texture of Mango or an Avocado endlessy.

My love of food and colour is quite perfect, but it does have to compete with my love of fashion - often vintage and my on going affair with gaudy jewellery, I only wear real plastic - I like it big and obvious!

Her affectation might be refined and British while mine is a more little textured, omnivore and somewhat eclectic. The new digs will look like this...I can just imagine the kitchen, the aromas, carpets, there has to be mauve faux fur somewhere and some kinky tap/faucet fittings - I can wear flimsy fabrics and drip everything on my chest, drink and play my sterio, dance and if I am having a really great time I might forget and burn the food - it will be great!

Life in Lemon Yellow” | Artist: Jen Zahigian | Palm Springs, CA

I sure hope it has a pool - Bon appetite!

Why bad food is so interesting

Exposing Yourself is it a Good Idea?

Exposing what?

I have intimacy issues...

and no confidence.

I think I am transparent, to the world it might appear I am transparent - I try to project that. Cleverness and a true sense of 'togetherness' like I have my shite together, but sometimes I don't.

Sometimes I am sure I cause confusion to others. All warm and embracing, heart on my sleeve, bold brave self effacing - sometimes a little nude to express that. Painfully shy me. Loud extrovert boisterous me - I am bold brash and open. Attracted to people with open loving hearts and minds, I admire them because I am a bit of a coward.

I apologise for everything.

Sometimes I hate myself for everything.

I hide.

Either I yell jump up and down and scream LOOK AT ME...or I hide. I retract I brood I pick at my feathers like a dysfunctional bird in a cage, till I am repulsive and repugnant. It never lasts long thank god or my brain, my disposition, I don't like the misery or the failure it is unattractive to me, it is not who I am.

There is a need to make amends but then where do I land?

On unfamiliar ground on a strange land. Will I like it?

Why am I terrified to appear as beautiful? I am not remarkable - so I want to dumb it down, I don't want to let anyone down, what if I meet you and I am only me? My age, my stage, in this skin, with these contents in my head, within in my heart, what I can offer you? What if its not enough?

I have a slew of incredible photo's my partner has taken - he has exulted and perfected me. Is exposing myself a good idea I am only just me?



Life is short...

The Whore, the Slut, the Moll and a Feminist Meet.

Words are interesting and often compelling. I have a genuine fascination with language.

I love the cross over and links in language and the true definitions of words. Many these days have become bastardised versions of their former meaning.

bastardisedpast participle, past tense of bas·tard·ize (Verb)

Corrupt or debase (something such as a language or art form). Declare (someone) illegitimate: "to annul the marriage and bastardize the child".

We have lost the fluency in a lot of our languages and the cross pollination of peoples and their languages often requires the ad libbed short cut or relaxation of formal verbal/written structure. All is forgiven in the name of the cause - swift not exacting communication.

Often I want to use the term retardation in its truest literal form. My definition of the word would be an early cessation of growth or stiffing of development.

retard [rɪˈtɑːd]vb

(tr) to delay or slow down (the progress, speed, or development) of (something)

[from Old French retarder, from Latin retardāre, from re- + tardāre to make slow, from tardus sluggish; see tardy]

re·tard ¹ 

To cause to move or proceed slowly; delay or impede.

v.intr.

To be delayed.

n.

1. A slowing down or hindering of progress; a delay.

2. Music A slackening of tempo.

re·tard ²  

n. Offensive Slang

1. Used as a disparaging term for a mentally retarded person.

2. A person considered to be foolish or socially inept.

Which brings me to my title.

What is a whore, a slut, a moll or a feminist for that matter? Is each slur different and why are there so many derogatory monikers like that that are specifically female? Unless specifically tweaked each of the words are assumed to be in relation to a female.

I will refrain from any academic definitions and will instead give my own perceptions of the following... nouns? Verbs? Ahem I shall continue.

Whore 

What is a whore, who is a whore and what does she do? I think...

She is paid she is the worker or the hooker, the paid sex worker, she is not naive nor is she a loser. People resent the whore. Men love and hate the whore. Women often resent and don't get the whore and sometimes hate the whore. Whores are in a dangerous and threatening world, whores know and get the world, sex and carnal desire, they believe in a fair trade, they offer a service. Men and women sometime resent the trade. The fear is the whore is not actually stupid, the fear is the whore plays the game and often wins.

 

Slut

The slut is the good time girl. The slut can be used, abused and spat out - everyone knows what she is. Woman hate the slut, men secretly applaud her. The slut loves the quick mindless visceral satisfaction despite the emotional bruises and bumps, she'll take the ride aware of the potential scrapes and grazes. She is the 'take it now' realise later what she's gotten into. Often the slut wants to find the good guy. Shes just not afraid to try.

Moll

Moll is more a specifically Australian slang. If you are a Moll its not good. The mole is not clever, she is an almost bumbling partaker of casual sex, if she says no it could be misconstrued as rude. The moll is not smart nor is she clean. Men are almost ashamed to admit they have had sex with the moll. Sometimes the moll isn't a bad person but she can really stuff things up for everyone. The moll will get pregnant again and again, hurt every time, she wears her heart and her sex on her sleeve for everyone to see.

 

The Feminist

Now I can only speak personally about this topic and will only do so briefly, I am sure I have stood on enough toes as it is.  For me being a feminist is feeling unbound by a stereotypical limiting notion of being a woman. It is about freedom and not being afraid to voice my opinion.

We define our own words, craft own own language, acquire a vocabulary unique to ourselves. Distinct and defining the words we use are a beacon to the world.

I do occasionally use the above words only in reference to myself in a self disparaging humorous way diffusing the negative connotations. I mean no ones afraid of an 'old moll' the words are no more offensive or hurtful than we allow them to be.

Profanity is often used lightly in Australian language  but be warned, the initiated my fall flat of the mark and cross some very invisible cultural line, its a totally grey area and can cause great offense.

I want to understand what people mean when they say what they say. Am I a retard, a bit of a cheeky tart, should I be upset if someone shouts 'stupid slut' at me in traffic? Provided I am driving correctly not really. But may I say name calling is the lowest form of communication and largely means NOTHING at all,  it is not an effective use of language and becomes a vacuous noise that prevents us from saying what we actually feel.

Why don't we try and say what we really mean and speak from the heart, why don't we think about what we say just a little bit more? I am sure we have all had words burn into our cerebellum that cant be removed and not often are they praise. One harsh word can stick for decades.

It is always better to think about what we say, I know I am stating the obvious. I have thought about all of this before, I have discussed this, these specific words before, their definitions and perceived meaning with friends and colleagues, examined what it is we each mean by saying them. One word can pack quite a punch - be careful what you swing at someone. Personally I try to speak well, be positive and say what I mean and mean what I say...

that's my language of choice.

 

Memphis Design 1980's Style ::: National Gallery Of Victoria

Recently I went to the NGV and laughed at myself when I came across these perfect examples of Memphis Design. The movement was at its height during the 1980's it was seen everywhere and I loved it. I would have thought I had died and gone to heaven if owned this chair and book shelf. To me they epitomise the look. Colourful, restrained yet gaudy, childish yet intelligent, functional art.

'First Chair' by Michele De Lucchi 1983. Bookshelf 'The King' by Ettore Sottsass 1981.

Memphis design exploded onto and into every facet of design - it was like a showbag 

vomited on everything; fashion, restaurants, nightclubs, music clips and every available 

page and design element imaginable. I still have some very lurid giant earrings that I
covet that are true to the design aesthetic.

As I continued through the gallery musing on the direct evidence and influence of
Bauhaus and Mid century design that led to Memphis I came across the following
pieces that are way off the mark in the timeline and were clearly anomalies at their
time - that scream 80's Memphis Design to me. I found it quite interesting and thought
I would share. 

                        

The details of this mirror simply read : England manufacturer 1810

                                                               

This mirror looks every bit an 1980's spectacular.

Christopher DRESSER designer Tea service 1879

Christoper DRESSER designer Letter rack 1881

The ball elements and sense of scale on the silverware above are 100% Memphis

to me.

Joseph CSAKY Abstract sculpture 1919 cast 1960 3/6

Although this sculpture does have some deco feel it could just have easily sat in an

80's Memphis theme.

Barbara HEPWORTH Eidos 1947

This gorgeous piece almost crosses over to pop art and sits on the fence, mid century/Memphis?

Jacob EPSTEIN Sunflower 1912-13

Classic sunburst element here. 

I also came across this stunning portrait simply entitled Girl in Black I found her image 

completely compelling and very intriguing, interestingly I thought she would be 

amazing during any decade. Her hair and clothing could be reflective of so many eras.

Gerald leslie BROCKHURST Girl in Black 1930's

Style and design can definitely transcend time and peal throughout the global consciousness in a seemingly erratic way filtering through again and again during different times and trends, like a beautiful key aesthetic that wont go away.

Mental Hiatus & Work

I am having an unofficial hiatus of sorts...

I am still here, I am just possessing a different kind of head space and taking the opportunity to hone some of my skills.

The Janome is gathering dust - but I have just recently purchased some wildly exciting fabric so perhaps I will be designing and creating on the physical plane shortly. Think Gidget.

For now however I am working on 2D. In love with shiny cars designed within an inch of their own believe-ability scalloped in sensuous chrome I decided to have a crack and illustrating a car. A 1969 Chevrolet Impala to be precise.

Original Image

'Super Grande' Illustration

My boobs and a Coffee...

Boobs...ahh the lost art of language.

Corffee as said by Carmela Sporano

"Tony you wanna corffee?

"Corffee " by Lisa Defazio | Redbubble: 

I have plans for more and more...

have a happy week folks!

What Does Your Brand Smell Like?

A BRAND?

A brand should be a clear statement.

Laser focused intent.

Not vague, unfocused or unclear.

Your brand must be consistent.

Your brand no matter what it might be must be CLEAR FOCUSED CONSISTENT. The focus on a brand or label is often the target audience or demo graphic - this is the tried and tested formulaic standard.

This is not clear enough. Your brand, label or 'signature' must personify what your business, product or service is.

Lets explore that notion in more detail : Personify

per·son·i·fy/pərˈsänəˌfī/

Verb:

Represent (a quality or concept) by a figure in human form. Attribute a personal nature or human characteristics to (something nonhuman). Your label must practically breathe. It must be 3 dimentional today. Its more than a notion of a type of person, of a particular age leading a specific lifestyle. That is very rudimentary and might have stood its ground in the less sophisticated past - as delightful and uncomplicated as they may have been. Although there are some very clear leads and exacting if not perfect examples that were set which I will address later in this piece, lets first explore the idea of your 'brand' personified. Is your brand a woman or a man, is it short or tall, muscular, fair, manicured? Does it sink or swim, is it rugged or refined, whats their garden like? Think about it. What would your brands rituals be? Up at 6am to work a farm or ski? Is it dutiful and kind? Is it sexy and svelte, chubby and cute. Where and how does it walk - or indeed strut? Perhaps it rides?  To have a totally Clear, Focused, Consistent vision you would want to entertain your labels diet. This may sound at first ludicrous but the more exacting you are with this the more precise your message will be and the more successful your marketing message will be. Ever met someone who is inconsistent, someone who cant hang their hat on one idea or thing...confusing isn't it? No matter how patient, kind and clever you might be it does your head in. Its hard work. What about the consistent person - what do they offer you? I am not talking about bland or boring - but you know who they are, what they are about, what motivates them what makes them shake! What makes them shake quake and want to copulate? You must know these things. Lets flick back to iconic 1970's advertising. What did this guy eat drink and do? I can tell you know he didn't use men's grooming products, would never even consider sushi, live in a modernist home or care what his postcode or zip code was. But we can imagine what is important to him and what his rituals might be... and... we can even imagine his smell! Earthy, sexy.  Get it?

MONA, LISA and the SEXUALLY STIMULATING BUILDINGS OF TASMANIA!

I have been away. A long over due short respite.

Never had the inking to go there before but the news of the 'new' and incredible gallery had me convinced I should see this back water that feels like a a backyard (over some water) to Melbourne. I would have previously typified it as a quaint and humble country style get away.

Reluctantly I booked flights to Tasmania and back - Hobart to be precise. Destination MONA Museum of Old and New Art. While I was going to be in the Apple Isle I had heard Cradle Mountain was quite good to, so I booked two nights at the Cradle Mountain Lodge. I had no expectation and am usually up for a bit of the unknown.

Well %$#@ me!

I was totally surprised by the Architecture in Hobart - they have keep everything that most cities have torn down. Such a conglomeration beautifully kept, the streets are clean and the air so crisp it snap froze my checks - all four of them to a beautiful pink glow!

There were a few stand outs for me, one of which was this amazing orange monolith. 

Exquisite Tangerine Excellence!

I  am guessing this glass beauty is anywhere from '63 to '68. 

I was pleased to see great examples of Brutalist Architecture around the harbor, this is the Hobart Hospital. 

Brilliant glass and textured cement towers.

This too caught my eye, had I had more time I would have delved more into the history and use of these buildings, my snap shots for now must suffice. Love the sweeping curvaceousness of this and the dynamism of the lines as your eyes cast across those very sensuous lines.

Now this is just chunky waffle goodness, magnificent in its hollow exterior and the step effect interplay of the planes this seriously impresses me.

As I headed to see the reason for my Tassie Visit I was able to spy this inter-fold facade of cleverness with tight bold exacting boxes jutting out - as someone who thoroughly enjoys form these buildings delighted me. Some women love shoes, some are stimulated by precious stones and meaningless jewelry not me this stuff does it for me tenfold it sets of all kinds off buttons and triggers...

So then I headed on to...
MONA

I understand why people don't say much about their visits there it really must be experienced. Here are some images to incite you to simply go. These images are pretty much just the walls...its as sexy as hell in there!

 Oh the textures most of this place is subterranean literally...

 Aquatic Instillation Art!

Ok so I do like these shoes and they were surprisingly comfortable...give yourself at least 4 hours at Mona. I am itching to return, there are some sexual pieces but it is not grotesque nor is it overly confronting. The amazing this is the diversity of the museum and it is simply one mans collection of art, it is not thematic nor is it curatorially edited, it is diverse impressive and compelling. Hats of to Mr David Walsh the owner and founder. It houses a crypt and you can be entombed after cremation and be there in spirit for eternity. It certainly brings a new meaning to the expression 'Art to Die For'.

Stay tuned for Tassie part 2...I had an outdoor adventure! 

Meanwhile get your toush to tassie. 

Air kisses and love babies!

Who and What are You Entertaining?

Aligning yourself with a mentality is a badge you wear.

A drinker.
A smoker.
A gambler - usually denied and expressed as a 'like'.
Obesity.
Control.
Self denial.
Self punishment.
Bullying.
Victim mentallity.
Superiority.
Toughness.
Weakness.
Self help zealot.
Religious self righteousness.
Overly critical of self or others.

We are all human. Sometimes our flaws are least obvious to ourselves. I do not expect perfection to be embodied by any human being and I do accept foibles and self expression - I find idiosyncratic character traits endearing and fascinating.

I am not niave and have seen enough to understand human nature good and bad. I know that good and bad may co exist in society, there are carers, nurturers, destroyers and killers.

What I fail to understand at present is societys glorification and on going romance with the murderers and brutal thugs of this town. Why exult hitmen and known crimminals? Why produce series after series generational timelines and heiracy and feed it to the hungry public?

Is there not something more intelligible to tell about Melbournes history? Intimidation and injustice, murder, voilence and greed, hitmen and victims to me are not glorious tales to tell. These characters are not to be revered or acknowledged.

Why not instead look to the admirable and honorable tales. Truth is indeed more interesting than fiction. What about inner battles faced by the people that wanted and tried to do good in their lives? What about the benevolent altruistic acts? They are barely and rarely agnowledged.

http://www.benquilty.com/

Do not glorify and kneel at the feet of thugs via the media. It purpetuates the mentality. They were and are bad people with pernicious and malevolent natures that seek out the opportunity to rob, murder and steal. It is not fiction - it is not far from you. Glorification of idiocy is dangerous. From redicious footage of culpable driving and hold ups to re inacting real life slayings is giving validation and media time to the detrimental elements of life...the bad seeds. Water them and they will proliferate and grow.

Bob and John - not thugs!

Where is the regocnition of the pillars and exemplary elements of our society?

I can accept that we may all be weak, strong, human and flawed - no one is perfect but please remove these morons from my sight.

Its something I have experienced...

and abhor.