Sweet tooth Tuesday

By Canberra's Amanda Thorson on Etsy

Zseike: haunting beauty

Discovered on Etsy, talented Canberran photographer Zseike. I thought these images possess a haunting beauty and simplicity. Movement and stillness. I could not wait to share my favourites with you.

And the first image captures a beauty in fog which has me in raptures about winter in the capital...

So beautiful. Visit Zseike's etsy shop for more.

Vanity Fair Portraits: a red lipsick event

Opening this Thursday night to a VIP crowd, The National Portrait Gallery will host Vanity Fair Portraits: Photographs 1913 – 2008. It's the hottest ticket in town and the first exhibition to bring together rare vintage prints with contemporary classics from Vanity Fair and the legendary Condé Nast Archive.

Hollywood's brightest young things, an Annie Leibovitz spread


Gloria Swanson; Keira Knightly with Scarlett Johansson

The glamour exhibition is a photographic history of celebrity portraiture, including the works of master photographers such as Edward Steichen and Cecil Beaton, Annie Leibovitz and Mario Testino. Lucky us, The National Portrait Gallery is the sole venue in Australia to host this travelling exhibition.

Hillary Swank

Demi Moore; Jean Harlow

National Portrait Gallery Director, Andrew Sayers says “We are very pleased to be able to present this exhibition to Australian audiences. It fits perfectly with our interest in celebrity,style, of-the-moment people and, of course, the work of great portrait photographers. A particular feature of the exhibition seasonat the National Portrait Gallery is the inclusion of a number of Australians who have made it on the world’s stage. Like all of the subjects in the exhibition these Australians have been captured with that mixture of flair, originality and incisiveness that is aunique quality of Vanity Fair”

Dior

On at the National Portrait Gallery Of Australia until August 30. Gorgeousssssssssssssssss!

D.O.N.T. M.I.S.S. I.T. darling,

Love Nina x

Photography: Dumb-Founded

Dumb-Founded : Kathleen Fisher explores the fate of clothing mannequins after that have expired their fashion use-by dates. These 'silent sales people' communicate ideals of beauty.

Above: Call Me

What happens when they fall from grace?

Above: The Nurse's Mug Shots

HUW DAVIES GALLERY 23 April–10 May, Artist talk Sunday 10 May at 2pm.
Corner Manuka Circle and New South Wales Crescent, Griffith.

The Art of Display: Behind the Curtains

The discovery that my milliner friend has the art of display well perfected in her Griffith cottage came as a revelation. Her training in Interior Design is certainly evident in the clever and humorous way she puts her collected artworks, photography and ephemera together so well. I had to share with you what I love behind the curtains with Deanna Mann...

Above Left: A most effective and unusual way to display photographs, the suspended tubes are from Ikea (circa ten years ago), it's small shelf above houses a few loved trinkets.
Above Right: A loving photograph is underlined by a row of coloured yarn, a sweet tribute to the smallest person in the house.

Above: Collected toys are artfully arranged on the mantle in the lounge room

Above Left: A tribute to the "Eternity" graffiti famously attributed to Sydney's Arthur Stace takes centre stage in the kitchen. Above Right: A reproduction WWII poster sits beside vintage print cushions in the lounge room.

Above: An entire wall of frames hang from the original picture rails, an amazing first impression in the entry to this home. Each frame is different and their content can be changed easily.

Above Left: Some of the frames in the entry hold 3 dimensional items and one is a chalk board, today it has on it a recipe for banana bread... yum!
Above Right: Strings of origami cranes are suspended against the hot pink wall, the "freedom" script is a wall decal, a beautiful child's bedroom.

Deanna's collection of inspirational images are even in the hall, breaking up a long expanse of wall.

Above Left: Collected postcards and photography are displayed near the back door. Above Right: Even the loo has a fun arrangement, including an image of a "No Loitering" sign! Love it! (click on the image for a closer view)

So inspiring, thankyou Deanna! xxx

New camera: corners of my home

Here are my first test shots using my replacement camera after my year old snapper died in a suspicious fall from the dining table. I am loving the results from this one, it just can't take a bad picture!!!

The detail it captures has always been beyond the capabilities of my skill/equipment... thank you Canon Powershot, will you marry me?
Love Nina x

Hot couture cools off in the bath

Just in from Canberra's goddess of couture and designer of Rockstars and Royalty's covetable gowns, these amazing shots featuring a Rockstars gown, model Mishella and a whole lot of water...presenting Aqueous Flora...

Wow, amazing. Congratulations to all involved!

Artist profile: Jenny Coyne (Allyeska)

I spoke with talented young Canberran photographer Jenny Coyne (aka Allyeska) about her work behind the lens and on the stage performing the risque art of Burlesque...

"I'm very much a people person, so I guess my approach to life and photography is ensuring everyone enjoys the process. Life and photography isn't just about the end product... its about enjoying the process - the here and now."

Tell us how your interest (and participation) in Burlesque performance began. I had no interest or knowledge of Burlesque when I received an email through the ANU Psychology Society advertising burlesque lessons. I love dancing and have done many different styles so I talked a friend into going and signed up. Quickly fell in love with it and became hooked! Performing was the scariest thing I've done, and now its one of the things I most enjoy. Its given me a confidence in life that is wonderful - how can you be unhappy when you feel so confident?

What did your mum think!? hahaha. Well they didn't find out until they saw me on Stateline on ABC in a segment they did on Miss Kitka's House of Burlesque. Mum rang me "you didn't tell me you were going to be on TV" and I was thinking "yeah - for a very good reason!". Not so sure what Dad thinks of the whole thing but Mum came and watched one of the shows and loved it! She's my biggest supporter!

And your photography is awesome... what is your favourite subject to shoot? So difficult to narrow it down! I have a thing for sunsets, as my photography friends well know. But I think I like doing pinup (think 50s 60's style pinups) the best. The technical aspect of managing the lighting, as well as the creative side of theme, wardrobe, poses etc makes it challenging and very rewarding. And who doesn't love a good pinup?!

What influences or inspires your work? In terms of pinup photography, my knowledge of burlesque and performing really helps.

"I love the burlesque idea that its what you DON'T show that is most important. A little mystery goes a long way, and it is something that is often missing in today's representation of women and their sexuality."

I enjoy finding cute ways to do implied nude pinups that are tasteful, fun, cheeky with a touch of sexy. Gil Evgren (illustrator) is my favourite pinup artist so I am heavily inspired by his work, and the work of similar artists.

Did you study Photography? I studied black and white film photography 2 hours a fortnight in year 11 just for fun. I guess that kick started my passion for photography. I didn't take many photos though until I got a digital SLR just over a year ago. Then my passion became and obsession!

Do you have any other creative pursuits? I used to love to draw and sketch, and I love making beaded jewellery. Aside photography, I'd have to say dancing is my biggest passion. I also design and make pasties (for performing burlesque... or if you're into that kind of thing, at home ;-)

Check out Allyeska's amazing photographic portfolio here, which also includes some way-too-cool landscapes and abstract patterns... and if you are after a portrait session with a difference, you know who to call.

Strike A Pose: with Lee Lin Chin

As part of the huge Vivid Photography Festival, starting today, I wanted to show you one show I will be sure not to miss... It is Strike A Pose: With Lee Lin Chin.

"Strike a Pose …with Lee Lin Chin is a vibrant photographic exhibition of 75 images that showcase the Australian fashion scene of the 1960s and 1970s – the celebrities, the trends and influences.

Co-curatored by Lee Lin Chin, SBS World News Presenter, host of Fashionista and fashion guru, the exhibition explores the key defining influences that shaped our Australian style, and the colourful events that are fixtures on the fashion follower’s social calendar. Posed fashion shoots are juxtaposed with images of exuberant street culture."

Starts today at the National Archives, Queen Victoria Terrace, Parkes, Canberra.