renovation inspiration.

Although I absolutely love my own home, I must admit in my line of work it is hard not to become enamored by all the beautiful homes I am fortunate enough to style and write about - and from time to time suffer a little bout of home envy. One recent home which particularly captured my fancy is the beautifully renovated Brisbane home of Tony and Arthur. 

Quite an ugly little duckling to begin with, over several years Tony and Arthur not only reinstated some of the tradition Queenslander's stunning original features, but also extended the home to accommodate a new kitchen and the all important big back deck!

Unlike in some renovated homes where it is easy to spot where the new additions have been added, the beauty of this renovation is the incredible seamlessness. It is impossible to pinpoint where the old section ends and new section begins. A considered mix of contemporary timeless finishes, paired with a restrained selection of pieces, the house feels fresh and modern, yet still imbued with a wonderful sense of history. Check out the entire house in the current November issue of Home Beautiful.

profile marine coutroutsios - artist.

 

paper artist marine coutroutsios

For the final installment in my three part series featuring Art Pharmacy artists, I'm incredibly excited to share the work of French paper sculptor extraordinaire Marine Coutroutsios. I absolutely love Marine's creations, particularly her pieces pictured above inspired by Australian birds, such as the black cockatoo, sulfur crested cockatoo and rosellas, so very clever!
Since graduating from Nîmes University in France Marine has worked as an interior designer,yet in more recent years since moving to Sydney has focused solely on her first love - paper. Beginning with a sketch Marine intricately turns the paper to life making numerous incisions to create depth and shape. A delicate balance between representation and abstraction you can't help but want to reach out and touch them. You can checkout Marine's incredible work here and here.

How would you describe yourself?

Creative, curious, calm, crafty, open-minded.

What was your childhood dream?

An architect.

What led you down your current path?

Before becoming a full time artist I studied visual arts, worked as a sculptor, then studied interior design and worked in Paris.

What do you love most about what you do?

I really love the process of creation and the time required to achieve it. It's a kind of meditation which ends with the appreciation of the viewer.

Where do feel most inspired?

Anywhere with a sketchbook.

Can you explain your approach/process in creating a piece?

Every piece start with several sketches to mature an idea. I love this first phase because I need a pen in my hand to think. Then the cutting phase takes a lot of hours to finish the piece.

What do you hope people get out of your work?

I'd like my work to bring a sense of peace and a glimpse of beauty, and to make people think about their own relationship with their surroundings.

Who do you admire?

People who are true to themselves and people following their dreams.

What challenges have you had to overcome?

Moving to a new country, with a new language and a new culture. Which was a very exciting challenge!

What's been a 'pinch yourself' moment?

I'm still amazed to live on the other side of the world and to be able to live my dream.

What are your top inspiring resources?

Travels, podcasts, exhibitions and the internet.

Do you have a dream creative project?

I'd love to create something big and open to be experienced by everyone.

What are you currently coveting in the world of design?

I don't really feel the need to possess things, but I love well designed and simple objects

What's next?

A collective show, some Christmas windows, a featuring in a magazine, and keep creating everyday.

When the weekend rolls around what do you love to:

Read - flipping through my books, curled up in the sofa with a cup of tea.

Watch - The clouds' run in the wind.

Cook  - I’d love to cook more but usually don't take time to do it

Create - Anything that makes me happy.

Listen to - The waves.

Dream about - The next travel.

Look forward to - The next creative challenge.

profile claire nakazawa - artist.

 

 

artist claire nakazawa

Today I have the pleasure of profiling another talented artist in my series of Australian artists whose work is showcased through online gallery Art Pharmacy. Claire Nakazawa is an artist, painter, muralist, and a performer. Producing vibrant, bold works on a range of mediums. Her latest geometric collection titled ‘Triangle between us’ is a collaborative project with her sister
Mie, which utilises hemp canvas as the backdrop upon which to layer colour and texture. You can checkout more of Claire's striking abstracts here.

How would you describe yourself?

Likely to paint and dance.

What was your childhood dream?

There would be not pollution or sexism when I grew up.

When I was a really young child I told my Japanese grandmother I was going to be an artist. I wanted to be a farmer then a vet, a comedian, an artist, soccer player or to work with horses.

What led you down your current path?

A sense of freedom to do whatever I choose. I guess it suited my nature, like ‘what else am I going to do?’ an interest, passion, enjoyment and the desire to paint.

What do you love most about what you do?

The freedom, playing with colour, shapes and paint and that the process of painting sometimes feels like another world to explore.

Where do feel most inspired?

Often when I’m in nature and traveling, when there is physical and mental space and I have lots of time.

Can you explain your approach/process in creating a piece?

Often I approach the canvas without a pre-conceived idea of what I’ll be doing, choosing the colours, imagery, strokes and style that I’m attracted to at that time. Lately I’ve been thinking about approaching my work in a more considered and planned way so we’ll see what happens next.

What do you hope people get out of your work?

I’m always very interested in people’s different responses to a work. Some works, for some people, evoke an emotion, can be visually attracting or remind them of an experience. Sometimes it depends on how the viewer chooses to engage with a piece. I don’t really mind what people get out of my work but I love it when they get something.

Who do you admire?
Ben Quilty, Roa, David Suzuki, Bjork…

What challenges have you had to overcome?
Deaths, breakups, hormones…

What's been a 'pinch yourself' moment?
When I’ve performed on stage with Hermitude in front of thousands of people.

What are your top inspiring resource?

Music, free time, lately I’ve been a bit of an Instagram viewer - looking at other artist’s work, paint and blank canvas.

Do you have a dream creative project?

I’d love to do an awesome, huge mural with a bunch of other great artists.

What are you currently coveting in the world of design?

I have my eye on romance was born outfits, some of local designers Bogan Vogue’s stuff and a Berlin label Cneeon. 

What's next?

Applying for grants and art residencies, going to San Francisco and New York in October and starting a new body of work.

When the weekend rolls around what do you love to:

Read - Currently, ‘Zen Flesh, Zen Bones’.

Watch - At the moment, Breaking Bad & True Blood.

Cook – Yummy healthy food.

Create – Write, dance, draw and paint.

Listen to - Good music.

Dream about - Where I will go on my next art residency.

Look forward to - Spring.