A Moment To Pause

Title: Seagulls At Sunset
Photographer: Nicole Tattersall
Website: www.nicoletattersall.com

Expression

Recently I shared with the lovely ladies at Expression how I started surfing, the stories behind my custom painted surfboards and about how I started to get into stenciling.

Check it out at www.expressionriders.com/wp/whats-your-story-nicole

Illustration Friday - Liquid

Illustration Friday, is where a topic is posted each and every Friday, then participants have a week to come up with their own interpretation for the topic or find something they've already created that fits. Even if I don't get the time to create or find something, I enjoy flicking through those that have.

The current topic is Liquid and this recent piece, 'Seeing what the sea turtle sees', I completed for the FanBoy vs ArtBoy: Ladies Night exhibition is a nice fit. The painting is inspired by Brooke Shields in Blue Lagoon.

Hints + Tips - The Fine Line Of Self Promotion

Recently on Twitter I tweeted, "I believe in self-promotion but there are some people who do it in a way which I think does more damage than good." To which I was asked if I had any tips for fellow bloggers in walking the fine line of good self promotion .

I've since had a look at what others are saying in regards to self-promotion and some of the things that are out there have my jaw dropping to the ground.

However I do like how Nathan Hangen over on Copy Blogger defines it "... self-promotion is the art of spreading ideas, concepts, and a greater vision. Self-adulation is just the promotion of accomplishments, deeds that have already been done."

I think you need to have a balance of both, whilst it's great to share your achievements you need to ensure you're not just creating a list of things you've done.

Some quick tips: 

• Think about the target audience, who is looking at or hearing what you're saying.
• Don't be afraid to share links to your website, social platforms, emails ect. 
• Have business cards on hand, whilst we are in a digital age people still love to be given a business card. It's a non-in-your-face way of sharing your blog. 
• Create a press section for your blog, it allows those that want to see where articles about you are written without throwing it in their face.  
• Maybe even follow Decor8 Holly Becker's lead and write one post a week that captures all the "good news things" going on in your life. 
• Depending on the medium it can be more about self-adulation, such as an online portfolio, where of course it's going to be about the work you've done. 
• Have a think about those who you think do self-promotion well and look at what they're doing, see if maybe you can do those things too. 

So what promoted my tweet? I wish I could say, but I'm a little too nice for that.

Do you have any tips when it comes to self-promotion? 

Billabong and Pukas Get Together

Billabong and Pukas have teamed up to create a limited edition collection of surfwear for guys and girls. This unique collection consists of a range of tees, bikinis, boardshorts and walkshorts, all designed and produced in Europe.

"The collection draws on the expertise, passion and core brand values of both Billabong and Pukas"

I love the feel of this collection, when looking through the look book I get the same feeling I get when flicking through the stash of old surfing magazines I have. The collection has a look about it which reflects the combination of creativity, nature, craftsmanship and surfing.

The collection will be available from May 2013 in all Billabong and Pukas stores around Europe. I wonder if it will be available in Australia anytime soon.

Introducing 3...

Nothing says being organised quite like Tax time. With the end of the financial year fast upon us here are three things to help you stay organised...

kikki.K - My Receipts Organiser - www.kikki-k.com/shop-by/my-receipts-organiser

Leuchtturm 1917 - Dura A4+ Archive Box - www.notemaker.com.au/products/leuchtturm1917-dura-a4-archive-box-graphite

Palomino - Blackwing 602 Pencil - Nation State - www.nationstate.com.au/products/palomino-blackwing-602-pencil

'Cheetah Flow' for Dangerfork

I'm really excited to of recently teamed up with the folks at Dangerfork in Melbourne, Australia to create a series of limited edition screen-prints featuring my drip animals. Especially when they've worked with the likes of DVATE, Makatron, PRIZM, Stabs and Unwell Bunny.

The first animal to be featured in the series is a cheetah. The original piece was titled ‘Cheetah Flow’, it was created using watercolour and spray-paint on a canvas. It was exhibited in a duo exhibition I did with Megan Dell titled 'Split Personalities' in 2010.

The drip animals represent that if we do not look after the environment and those that live in it, creatures such as the cheetah may just simply fade away. Which is why I'm also stoaked that the prints are printed on 100% recycled art paper.

The cheetah is the first of three animals that will make up the series and you best be quick and head over to Dangerfork to get your hands on one as there are only 25 in the edition .

To celebrate the fact that I'm the first female artist that Dangerfork has worked with, CURVY are giving away one of my artist proofs featuring the piece 'Cheetah Flow'.

The Dead Daisies

If you're into hard rock music you may have heard of a band called The Dead Daises, which includes David Lowy, Jon Stevens (Noiseworks frontman), Richard Fortus (Thin Lizzy and Guns N’Roses), drummer Charlie Drayton (Keith Richard’s X-pensive Winos, Divinyls, Cold Chisel), bass player Marco Mendoza (Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake) and keyboard player Clayton Doley (Harry Manx, Eugene Hideaway Bridges, Silverchair). 

To announce their arrival onto the International rock circuit The Dead Daisies have released a short film which gives fans a interactive experience. It accompanies their heavy hitting debut single 'Lock 'N' Load' which was co-written by Slash and features the man of rock himself.

Whilst the 'Lock 'N' Load' short film tells a wrenching post-apocalyptic story, what I find interesting about the film is the use of a concept that maximises the interactive capabilities of the YouTube platform. There is a split ending to the film which allows the viewer to dictate the fate of the story’s lead character in a style that might just remind you of a 'choose your own adventure' novel. The most popular ending selected by fans will then be used in the Official TV release of the video, making 'Lock 'N' Load' a truly interactive experience for fans.

Check out the official 'Lock 'N' Load' Trailer over on YouTube. Which ending will you choose?

A Moment To Pause

 

Title: spring booties
Photographer: Shandi-lee
Website: www.flickr.com/photos/shandilee

Red Bull Collective Art Melbourne Event

 

You may remember a little while ago I took part in the Red Bull Collective Art project.

For those those wondering "What was that?" well it was the chance for people of all levels to be apart of a single giant work of art, making the world’s largest single, continuous piece. It was a global project that brought the principle of ‘Cadavre exquís’ into the digital world. Artists were free to choose if they want to paint, draw or scribble their work or just to create it digitally with design software.

 

The piece I submitted for the project was a combination of my stencil work, watercolour and digital skills. Using Photoshop, I made a few alterations to one of my sea turtle stencil pieces, to make it flow on from the piece before it. You can check it out here.

There has been various Red Bull Collective Art events occurring all around the globe and now it's Australia's turn. With the only Red Bull Collective Art exhibition in Australia being held in Melbourne. The project is being moved from the digital world into the real world with all Australian entrants plus a selection of the best International entrants, being exhibited as part of this event.

I'm delighted to apart of such a great project.

If you can't make it to the Melbourne event make sure you check out www.redbullcollectiveart.com to see how this amazing project wrapped up. 

Red Bull Collective Art exhibition
Where: Just Another Agency Project Space, 153 Greville Street, Prahran 
Exhibition Opening: Thursday 23 May, 6pm - 9pm
Website

A Beautiful Case

With mobile phones being such a prominent accessory these days, I feel that a cover is a necessity. Not just to protect your phone but to also inject a little bit of personality and individuality into your everyday.

Recently I've fallen in love with the iPhone cases by Rifle Paper Co. Featuring original designs, the cases come in two types, Slim and Inlay. Not only do the cases look stylish but they also have a protective coating that prevents the design from wearing off and looking shabby.

The Rifle Paper Co. iPhone cases are sold exclusively through NoteMaker in Australia and New Zealand.

Hints + Tips - Blog For The Long Haul

With Google Reader coming to an end very shortly I synced all the feeds I follow to Feedly. At the same time I did a bit of a "spring clean" of what feeds I'm following. There were several things I couldn't help but notice whilst doing so... about three out of every five bloggers I was following hadn't posted in over a year and one out of every five hadn't posted in over two months. I removed myself from following these not so frequently updated blogs.

Some had just simply stopped posting with no rhyme or reason, others had changed sites (letting their readers know) and some announced they were calling it quits.

This got me wondering I know why some blogs/website change domain names, but the other two types got me thinking who just stops and who makes a big announcement but doesn't delete the site? And Why? Some are artists who were also just cracking the scene too.

I've the feeling that more than one blog post is going to answer these questions, though some reasons that do come to mind are...

• Other commitments, life just got in the way
• Expecting too much too soon
• Couldn't see what they were getting in return was worth the effort they were putting in
• No longer passionate about what they were writing about
• Stopped making what it was they were writing about, especially artists

I think about why almost 6 years latter I'm still blogging and creating art. I think in part it comes down to the fact that I never expected to be the next big thing over night, and I still don't. I'm in it for the long haul and though I may at times be inconsistent with my output, I'm still there hanging on.

What are your thoughts? Are you into what you're doing for the long haul? What keeps you motivated?

Lagerfeld’s ‘Once Upon A Time…'

Have you seen Karl Lagerfeld’s-directed short film ‘Once Upon A Time…’ for Chanel yet? It was released earlier this month, presented the night before the showing of Chanel’s cruise collection  in Singapore.

The film is about the opening of the first Chanel boutique, which opened in Deauville, Normandy 100 years ago. Shot in black-and-white the short film stars British Hollywood stars Keira Knightley as a young Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel. Along with models Stella Tennant and Brad Kroenig, Brad’s son Hudson, and actress Tallula Harlech.

The film gives a small insight into the life of Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, making you feel as if  you were a fly on the wall for such a momentous moment in fashion history. 

Introducing 3...

I love pinning all sorts of things on Pinterest and here are three of my most popular boards...

Arty Goodness

DIY Arts & Crafts

Warm Winter Fashion