With the AWESOME news about where my 2012 is taking me I feel it is only right for me to share my wee online visual diary of ideas and things that have caught my attention as of lately. Some things are my own – ideas that I had forgotten about, things I used to love AND the others will be of things that inspire me at this exact point in time.

Before we kick things off…
I just have to put it out there that I have been so surprised, happy and humbled to receive everyone’s well wishes and support about me heading to Elam for postgrad. I am so stoked. You have no idea.
If you want to be the best you have to surround yourself with the best and be taught by the best and Elam is the best that this country has to offer. I am so stoked. SO STOKED. STOKE IT UP! (Lame-o Nelson insert right there!).
It was definitely a hard decision to stray away from the comforts of what I already knew and to leave people that supported me right through my degree. But hey, I want to do something with what I love, and do it right and do it really, really well.
Being pushed and taken out of that comfort zone will no doubt take some adjusting but I think it will end up giving me the right direction, skills and success that I know can be achieved in this industry.

Things I had forgotten about and things I used to love..
Manipulation. Darkroom. FILM.
When I was home in Nelson I went through a whole pile of boxes and found these from my first year work.
Although it’s first year, we were turning out pretty decent projects ever week. So I tried to mix it up as much as possible each week.
Janet block your eyes – BUT I did most of mine in 24 hours. Opps! #studentlife
Taken for a portrait assignment.
Used masking, painting with developer, scratching, multiple exposure, OHT layers, negative flip.

For a documentary assignment.
Used OHT layers.
SIDE NOTE: This is now a slice of history.
Taken of the lovely ”Book-Selling Grannie” Sarah Power from the iconic Smiths Book Shop on Manchester Street in Christchurch.

Self directed brief from second year.
Self portrait, medium layer – print, coat, peel – left with thin transparent layer with ink.
My favorite thing I have made. Period. This took me two days straight with four hours sleep.. Worth it!

I have an obsession with layering. It is always in my work.
It may be added at the end in editing or the image my just be built up on so many layers. It’s just one of the aesthetic things that I clearly enjoy.

Artists that currently inspire me..
Boyd Webb b.1947 Still tickling my fancy.
Large constructed realities with basic, inexpensive props.

Robert Frank b. 1924
Text. Darkroom. Film. Multiple images.

Christine Webster b. 1958
All about the costumes and masks and things that shouldn’t really go together.

As I write up and put together this post more and more things come to mind. I am loving this process and getting my mind all arty again. Just thinking art is inspiring. Life is good.
Next time I think I will look into composition and aesthetics. I think I now have a research topic sussed, but think a little more investigating needs to be done before I even let out that kind of guff…

I am really excited about my old class mates wanting to help me out so guys feel free to give me your input! Art class will not be the same without you but having your words, support, ideas and critique means HEAPS to me.

Still gotta post about the weekend but that can wait!.. Other than this!

 Today is Waitangi Day.
Pretty much NZ day.
On the 6th of February 1840 The Treaty of Waitangi was signed between the two cultures that make up our beautiful country.
I am proud to say that I (a girl of european descent) am very lucky to be in a relationship with PJK (a boy of Maori descent).
Although our country never really seems to do things right on this day, it is nice to think that in a round about and super simple way (without all the political/customary rights stuff) we are a product of that moment. Pakeha and Maori uniting… Topic of conversation anyone??

1 of 3 of a little something I made back in 2008

If you’re NZ proud, I hope you got to enjoy the day, she’s always a stunner this weekend.
And if you were a lucky sod and went to the 7′s, I hope you had a massive time!

Aroha.

Whitinga o te rā.

Harikoa.

xx