The Scared Building

Buildings have a facade, sure, but this one seems to have a face! I've nicknamed it 'The Scared Building'.

I love its startled window eyes and the buck teeth in its arched window mouth.

The time lapse photograph has given Enmore Road a ghostly feel, what does The Scared Building know that we don't? Then again, maybe it's just a nervous type. Cute!

Inspiration - street art

Something I always find inspiring is the street art around my neighbourhood. I love the illustrative styles, 'raw' quality and quirky subjects. And I guess I love the idea of art being everywhere.

Here are some shots from May Lane back in April. Near St Peters railway station, it's an outdoor gallery space for legal street art.

Find out more: www.mays.org.au

Glebe Street Fair - 15 November 2009

Thanks to everyone who stopped by my stall at the recent Glebe Street Fair, the annual Glebe community festival held on the main street, Glebe Point Road. It was great to chat to you about my work and hear your feedback!

View of the street fair, looking towards Parramatta Road:

I shared a stall space with Kirsten (aka Lilypad Designs) who makes gorgeous pouches, cushion covers, tote bags, badges, buttons, magnets, and more! My sister Cathy (visiting from Queensland) gave me a hand too!

A photo of the stall:

Am very happy that the small red panel and large green panel have gone to live on a mantelpiece in a Sydney terrace house!

Recycling the city

An arts project in Newcastle is breathing new life into the CBD by transforming empty shop spaces into creative outlets.


Featured on abc.net.au:


"Urban decay is a problem affecting cities, regional centres, towns and villages around the country. Boarded-up businesses are lingering reminders of the passing parade of economic activity that has seen a lot of business activity migrate from the main street to shopping malls built further away from the centre of communities.
. . .
Marcus Westbury presented the ABC documentary series, Not Quite Art. The young and articulate writer's career has taken him around the world. On those occasions when he returned to his home town, he was dismayed to see the number of empty shops in the city.
. . .
For Marcus Westbury, the solution to Newcastle's problem seemed obvious: the city's empty space should simply be offered virtually rent-free to anyone with a bit of energy and an interesting idea. He also decided he was going to make that happen. In 2008, he established a concept now dubbed Renew Newcastle."

More information on the creative businesses involved - http://www.jetstarmagazine.com/story/mining-a-citys-treasures/735/

View previous Not Quite Art videos on ABC website

Cut and pasted

Wow! The Cut + Paste Festival and Makers Market was great - friendly fellow stall holders, fantastic music the whole day, yummy food and a really positive response to my work. Thanks for all the great comments, especially from young Lily (6 and 3/4s) who made my day!

Some photos of the market below, plus I've added a gallery on the right.

Collages and cards for the Cut+Paste Eco Craft Fest

Have been busy working on a range of collages and cards for the Cut+Paste Eco Craft Fest at the Red Rattler in Marrickville this weekend. 

Here are some samples...