Roll up, roll up...

The circus came to the party for these two nine-year-olds! 

Life in Margs...

I'm just back from a week's break with the family - batteries all re-charged & full, ready for the next three months of crazy wedding fever, starting today at Maitraya.

While away, I had the chance to catch the Otto Family at home in Margaret River.  We'd originally planned a shoot at the beach but it was good to see that Margaret River also had a taste of the winds that have been hammering Albany over the last month or so.  With the beach a no-go-zone, instead, I captured a-day-in-the-life at their gorgeous home.

It was a bit of a special treat to photograph this family as Master H is my Godson... isn't he handsome, just like his spunky dad!

Thankgiving...

OK, so we don't have a "Thanksgiving" holiday here in Australia but I've set the table anyway (albeit a day late) for an Thanksgiving Lunch.

I'm giving thanks to some wonderful women in my life who have helped me though my first year in business.  I'm so lucky.

See you in an hour, girls! 

xxx

Chook...

This is Kate Minter, otherwise know as "Chook".  She's hot-on-the-tail of Adrian Nicoll who ran fast because of it!  And that is what Kate does - she makes people run faster and further, and do more push-ups and climb more stairs! And as a result, there are far less kilos in Albany these days!

Kate won the women's 10k yesterday's Port to Point & her friend/client/training buddy, Marnie came in second.  I think the look on their faces says it all!

But the great thing about Kate is her selflessness, encouragement and enthusiasm - how she involves everyone! She's pretty special!   That's why "Chook's Chix" won the group part of the event too - there were so many little ones in the race wearing their blue t-shirts.  Here are a few...

 

Creative People.... Meet Annette

Let me introduce Annette Davis. Aside from her very important role as "mentor" to me, Annette has worked in a range of other visual arts roles over many years including as a well respected art curator, and as the coordinator of the annual national painting prize, the City of Albany Art Prize, and the fabulous Paperatzi events.  More recently, Annette has been stepping out of her comfort zone focusing  more on the role of "exhibiting artist" herself.

Annette has also earned the label of "marriage saviour" after rescuing my husband and I from each other during the hanging of my Southern Art Trail exhibit. Thank you Annette. I'm willing to return the favour should you ever need it. Here's Annette's answers...

What materials do you work with?

Currently I work with paint, paper, charcoal, cloth, thread - sometimes separately and sometimes altogether!

What's the first artwork you can remember making?

I can remember making a giraffe out of cardboard boxes when I was about 5 years old. I can remember thinking it was absolutely amazing, such a good likeness to a giraffe - definitely a case of 'in the eye of the beholder'!

What inspires you?

Landscape and nature - I love responding directly to a location by capturing the textures through frottage (rubbings), drawing and photography. I'm also fascinated by the layers of stories all around us - finding ways to convey these layers keeps inspiring me.

What has been your proudest artistic achievement so far?

I'd have to say that making the decision to describe myself as an artist is my proudest artistic achievement! That signified a major turning point in my life, and led to me renting a studio space in the old Masonic Lodge in Albany. Eleven other artists have studios there and it is a very encouraging, supportive environment. I feel very lucky to be there. The book "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron has been very influential.

How would you describe your creative philosophy?

Just do it, each small step is a step in the right direction.

Where can we see more of your work?

At the IN HOUSE exhibition, November 19-27, 2010, at the Vancouver Arts Centre, Albany.

Double trouble...

The question is, who leads who astray?

Entertainment...

These two gym buddies were willing to provide impromtu shows whenever there was an opporunity ... even at the top of the sand-dunes.

Camping kids...

   

     

A moment to herself...

We are so spoilt for amazing locations for shoots here in Albany.

Golden rocks...

The sunsets at Nanarup are something special.