Prado-Marin

The 'eyes' have it

2011-10-02T06:39:00.000-07:00

I have just finished a new set of 40 one-of-a-kind brooches, now stocked by the wonderful Tamworth Regional Gallery shop

A house in the country series

Cameo series

Cameo (crocodile tears) series

Each piece in the Cameo series is a unique talisman, when worn they will protect and literally 'keep watch' over you

MCA Zine Fair 2011

2011-05-24T02:59:00.000-07:00

From Uruguay with love

2010-12-30T11:12:00.000-08:00

So, its been a while since I've written. Im in Montevideo, Uruguay enjoying my grandmother Elsa's cooking. I am working away as always on new art projects and have lots of ideas already. Its been a great trip so far, catching up with family and enjoying some quiet time to write and make.

Now I have an internet connection, regular posts shall resume. I have lots of art, craft and design lovelies to show you from Uruguay. The markets here are amazing for finding non-traditional materials, antiques as well as books and magazines. Above is a pic from our breakfast table at grandma's.

Hope you're having a relaxing festive break like me!

i like friday: Yellow Owl Workshop

2010-09-10T18:21:00.000-07:00

Correspondence set by Yellow Owl Workshop

I've developed a love of rubber stamps and stamping just about everything, old paper bags, card, tags, boxes....everything!

I saw the city scape stamp set in a magazine a few months ago and was desperate to get my hands on one. I finally found one yesterday at Paper 2, 477 Crown Street, Surry Hills.

I just love all the stamp sets and cards Yellow Owl make. My mum has the Tea Cup party stamp set and I've got the birdie one which we bought from Ariel bookshop on Oxford street.

Hours of fun!

Awfully Rainy...but still nice

2010-09-09T02:10:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all the lovely people that stopped by : )

Awfully Nice Market - this Saturday!!

2010-08-29T16:31:00.001-07:00

Come along this Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm for the Awfully Nice Market.

This is the annual COFA Spring Fair in its new format, this year due to COFA campus redevelopment the market will be held at the UNSW Kensington Campus.

Here are some images of the types of goodies I'll have at my stall. Look forward to seeing you!

P.S. check out the official ad for the markets (above)...that's me at my stall from last year!

Original artworks on canvas
priced from $20 - $80

My popular invention of a felt book sleeve, perfect for keeping
your paperbacks and journal/diary like new whilst travelling
priced from $12 - $20

Quirky, colourful and fun brooches
priced from $8 - $15

"Critters" range of mixed media on canvas works,
popular with little and big people

Range of original artwork on paper: art tags, greeting cards
and ready to frame art
priced from $2 - $40

Bags, zipper pouches and ready to frame original textile artworks
all made from found and reclaimed materials
priced from $15 - $50

i like friday: weird signs

2010-08-13T02:25:00.000-07:00

Sign for a co-op hairdressing salon in Montevideo, Uruguay. The text on the bottom reads " The house takes no responsibility for loss of personal property including jackets and coats or stains on clothing"

Curiosity kept the cat happy

2010-08-07T23:34:00.000-07:00

Felix, 2009 (or 2008 I cant remember), acrylic and toy eyes on canvas.

My little cousin Samara who has just turned one loves seeing Felix. She points and laughs at him "uhhhhhooooohhhhhh"...must be all those eyes.

i like friday: Mina-perhonen

2010-07-22T21:46:00.000-07:00

Clothing and textile designs from mina-perhonen.

From top to bottom:

Textile design
Necco, 2007

Textile design
People, 2005

tarte dress
Photo by Norio Kidera

twins
Photo by Norio Kidera

Website: http://www.mina-perhonen.jp

Zine these?

2010-06-26T20:18:00.000-07:00

Mixed Msgs (You Spin Me) zine, 2010
A collection of images, original drawings and cut-outs loosely based on the idea of false or misleading statements whether in advertising , government or retail.
24 colour pages, each with unique cover
Edition of 5 (sold out)
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

A Modern Woman Zine, 2010.
Collected and hand manipulated ephemera including images from 60's women's magazines, books, fashion catalogues and fashion magazines.
20 colour pages
Edition of 5 (sold out)
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Gratitude zine, 2010.
Collected ephemera grouped under the theme of giving thanks.

20 colour pages, each with unique cover
Edition of 5 (one remaining in stock)

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

"Hijacked" Zine, 2010. Hand manipulated Calvin Klein catalogue.
16 colour pages, each with hand drawn original cover on acetate
Edition of 5 (2 remaining in stock)

* * *

All zines are signed and editioned. Remaining stock will be available on our Etsy shop shortly.

A Material Girl

2010-06-25T03:19:00.000-07:00

I confess. I am a collector (or hoarder as some may suggest). Everything is potential art making material. Although the majority of the materials I use to make products and other arty creations are recycled, found or sourced from places like Reverse Garbage I do admit to being seduced by new materials too.

An idea for me often begins with a material I'm excited about using or something new that I think I can use in a different way. When working predominantly with recycled materials it can be limiting or difficult to source enough of the same material to make the desired product. This is part of the challenge of 'making do' and its within the limits of working with what's available that some of the most creative and original ideas are born. I'm always on the lookout for new materials and things to try. In particular I have recently come across a few online shops that sell the most wonderful eco yarns and other goodies.

It's not always easy to source specific natural materials. You often find out about these suppliers through word of mouth or just sheer luck. So I thought I'd share a list of some of my recent finds:

All Eco (Australia)fabrics, yarns and more. I've been enjoying using their hemp yarn and banana silk yarn

Timor Treasures (Australia) apart from the wonderful crafts from Timor, you'll find a range of natural supplies and organic materials including Kapok (traditionally used to stuff pillows)

Virginia Farm Woolworks (Australia) great for unspun materials such as hemp, bamboo, wool tops

Glenora Weaving (Australia) great supplier of weaving yarns including linen, silks and wools

Beautiful silks (Australia) my head spins looking at the range of silk fibres and yarns!

Habu textiles (New York) has the most amazing range of natural yarns from around the world.

Selvedge dry goods (UK) I regularly drool over the range of items in Selvedge Magazine's online store. They also sell a range of Habu yarns.

Why I love Zines

2010-04-06T19:16:00.000-07:00

Pages from my ongoing zine journal with two themes - collage and the circle in various interpretations.

I've been making zines since 2007 and my love affair with zines just keeps growing. I've always loved books and magazines, but the idea of doing my own magazine just seemed too far fetched (expense, time, distribution etc.). The humble zine has fitted in perfectly with both my craft and fine art practice. I love zines because they allow me to capture ideas and images in a compact way. Made in short or limited runs, by hand means a zine is a lot more intimate and special than something that has been mass-produced. Being able to put your own creative signature on a mini publication is incredibly satisfying. There are so many ways to approach making a zine, my favourites are the idea of a collection, focusing on a set of ideas or objects and the idea of a visual narrative or making a story from a range of disparate visual and textual sources.

In the lead up to the Museum of Contemporary Art's annual Zine Fair I am already busy on creating a new range of zines and eager to see what other zinesters have been up to since last year.

The MCA zine fair will be held in May 2010. Dates still to be confirmed.

Oh yeah, I'm back!

2009-07-09T01:27:00.000-07:00

It's been a few drinks between posts I know. But I finally got my act together this week and Prado-Marin is now back up and open on Etsy and Made It. It's not that I haven't been making...I think I have made enough to keep me listing a few items a day for a good 3 or 4 weeks!

It's always so hard juggling everything. I'm doing an Honours year at COFA in Fine Arts, I just had an exhibition in Melbourne AND its bloody tax time. All good but exhausting stuff.

To tip it all off there are so many wonderful opportunties to temp me like:

The stiches and craft show
http://www.stitchesandcraft.com.au/

Young Blood designers markets
http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/youngblood/

FindersKeepers markets
http://www.thefinderskeepers.com/markets.php

For now I'll be focussing on Etsy and Made It with the next big market being the wonderful annual COFA spring Fair. Keep the 19th of September free - I'm telling you now! Its gonna be super duper.

Prado-Marin @ Finders Keepers May 2009

2009-06-01T04:54:00.000-07:00

More pics, designer profiles and recap of the markets here

MCA Zine Fair 2009

2009-05-18T23:12:00.000-07:00

Hi there!

Prado-Marin will be at the MCA zine Fair this Sunday from 11am to 5pm. In conjunction with the Sydney's Writers Festival there will be interesting talks and events throughout the day. As well as zines you'll be able to find lots of fabulous art and craft goodies. The MCA shop is also having a special sale on the day so yay! You gotta come and see!!

To find out more and how to get there check out the MCA website here

Pictured above are selected pages from our some of recent zines.

After the zine fair we will make our zines available for sale on our Etsy shop.

One-of-a-kind

2009-04-15T18:17:00.000-07:00

You know, come to think of it about 99% of the products I make are one-of-a-kind pieces. Even the greeting cards are original little stitch collages and the brooches are all one-off pieces. People often comment that I should turn some artwork into prints and that it'd be easier to sell things this way, but I'm not convinced. It would feel like I was selling out so to speak. I like being able to offer the original artwork as you don't get a feel for the texture and workmanship if its just a print. I was in Pepe's Paperie the other day and noticed their new display of work by Skye's the limit who does lovely a whole range of gorgeous gifts, cards and wraps including textile collage print art cards. Seeing this made me reconsider the idea of printing designs. To start doing prints though feels like a big step - it feels like a move towards a more serious business proposition. I am used to working on my own (and I like it), I'm not sure that if the business grew I'd be comfortable with other people being involved. Perhaps its a question of whether I'm really doing this as a business or a hobby. I guess I want it to be a business but I don't want to get so overwhelmed by the business aspect that the joy of creating is dulled. Might have to sit on the fence on this one for a while longer. For the time being I'm happy making one-of-a-kind creations and seeing how people respond.

Looking back, looking forward

2009-04-11T19:43:00.000-07:00

I have several artworks including paintings and smaller works on fresco board that have now been sitting in a storage cellar for several years. Every so often I'll look at them, re-assess...worth keeping or re-using? I know there are definitely a handful of works on canvas that I wouldn't part with and these I'd like to hang up in the new apartment/studio once we move. Most of these artworks were made during a very prolific couple of years of painting and experimenting with mixed media. Looking back a lot of these are interesting to look at in relation to the artwork I make now. I had started off sticking found bots and pieces on the canvas and then slowly the I took the found objects off the canvas and allowed them to stand on their own. Its this evidence of transition and progression that makes me hesitant to just simply rip into and discard these older works. They are now part of my history as an artist/maker and its thanks to these awkward and first tentative and naive steps that I've been able to develop so many strands within my art practice.

But the reality is that having these works stored away is weighing me down. I want to be less attached to things, more able to let go and able to move onto the next thing. It happens all the time. I'll make something that doesn't sell very well, I'll give it a few goes - at a few different markets and Etsy or Made It but eventually you have to make a decision. If it doesn't work how long do you keep trying to push something out there? And afterward, if you can't remake it into something else...do you throw it away?

Pictured above are "Troubled Dreams" and "Other Salvation" two large mixed media works from 2005. I've used leather offcuts, nylon dolls hair, wooden beads and oil paint.

SmARTarts Festival & Wollongong Zine Fair THIS weekend!

2009-04-01T23:48:00.000-07:00

SmARTSarts Festival is back in 2009! Organised by the City of Sydney and Pine Street Creative centre in Chippendale the Festival is a great feature as part of youth week. Its always a great vibe and fantastic to see young people being active and creative in all things art, design and street culture. This Saturday 4th of April will see a great day of music, workshops and a fantastic art and design market at Pine Street. I'll be sharing a stall with some other funky creative kids so come visit! Its free to come along and the action kicks off at 12pm midday on Saturday and ends about 6pm.

If you are in the Wollongong area on Sunday 5th of April, you could check out the Wollongong City Gallery Zine Fair and independent artists market. There will be live music, about 30 stalls showcasing fab zines, artist books and crafty goodies as well as panel discussions and printing/comic workshops. It all starts from 12pm midday and goes till 7pm. Free entry + All welcome!

Prado-Marin will have a stall at both events and we'll be selling some artworks, handmade goodies and limited edition artists books + zines. Drop by and say hi!

Between sex & fashion

2009-03-19T17:54:00.001-07:00

Prado-Marin has been featured in Cleo magazine! The April issue (above) has a whole page dedicated to affordable art and Peek-A-Bunny has been included. This particular artwork is exclusively available through our Etsy shop and due to the currency fluctuations its offerred at a reduced price, approx AUD$70 AND free shipping to Australian buyers. Nice!

Also, timing is perfect as I just delivered two artworks for inclusion in the SmARTarts Youth Art Exhibition. Opening night is Wednesday 25th of March, 6-9pm @ Pine Street Creative Arts Centre, 64 Pine Street Chippendale NSW. It will be a great opportunity to see some fresh artwork made by young hip and happening artists.

Planet Commonwealth

2009-03-08T19:22:00.000-07:00

I have just delivered 5 new textile artworks to Planet Commonwealth! All of Planet's wonderful furniture, homewares and artwork is located at the Commonwealth St showroom in Surry Hills. I have ventured into making larger scale textile artwork to adorn the large white walls and sit alongside other great artworks. All the homewares along with textile and ceramic artworks complement the gorgeous furniture designed by owner Ross Longmuir. The 5 new pieces include 4 long and narrow artworks (30 x 100cm/12"x40") represent the four seasons; summer, autumn, winter and spring and 1 square piece (76.2x76.2cm/30x30") titled "A Time for Planting".

I have always been inspired by nature, clycles of growth and change and the concept of transformation. Working in abstract I have handcut, embroidered and hand + machine stitched various different materials onto linen, including silk, cotton and chambray. The visible stitching and elements of "drawing" in thread are really exciting visual surprises as you dont immediately see all the details. At first glance the pieces may appear quite simple and sparse in their design but as you look closer and allow your eye to read the work from various angles, the more you start to see. I have kept the colour palette relatively neutral with highlights of red, moss green and a pale turqouise. Reflecting on the finished pieces, I think they turned out to be peaceful and serene works...meditations almost. The long & narrow works can actually be hung in portrait or landscape orientation so they are quite versatile pieces that would look stunning hung above a bed or in a living room. Ah...the satisfaction of finishing an artwork and sending it out into the world.

Fuzzy Wuzzy identity

2009-03-06T18:11:00.001-08:00

As I get ready to start a new body of work to exhibit in March 2010, I find myself asking the question that most immigrants ask. Where do I belong? I originally came to Australia in September 1986 as a 7 year old. I am just about to turn 30 in the next month and I am wondering, am I more Australian now than Uruguyan? Who have I become in all this time? How did that move from one country to another dramatically shift the person I was destined to become? These are I guess worthwhile questions from a personal and cultural identity perspective but in terms of making art about it, am I just covering old ground? The "Australian Identity" debate is so 90's and these days I hear that even the world multi-cultural is no longer PC. Maybe everyone's over it, I mean being of a mixed cultural or racial background is no longer unique. I remember in primary school I was exotic, I was the tall bronzed girl from South America with fuzzy wuzzy hair (ah, those were the days!) Maybe that's what's nagging me. Not the question of which culture is stronger than the other but reclaiming a sense of being unique and different. But I know what's happened over time...relative safety, peace, food a plenty...I've been going soft living in the leafy suburbs and drinking skim flat whites. I've become like everybody else - I've assimilated and adapted. My mission as I approach my 30th is to peel back the layers and research all the evidence of the 7 year old that was me just arriving in Australia. Perhaps through her, I can find the words and images to articulate what that change in 1986 meant to me.

Recycling ice-cream tubs and other pearls of wisdom

2009-03-05T03:29:00.000-08:00

So all this talk of doom and gloom is really killing my creative horny. I find myself addicted to the news and business programs for more information, more specifics on just how bad things are, how long this downturn is going to last and what I should be doing to prepare for the worst. I've even started reading the business self-help sections of the online newspaper. I'm loving all their articles like "7 ways to fast track to success" and "Stress: beware of the vicious cycle". I had an epiphany the other night at 2am reading one of these such articles in the "Career Couch" section. What if I apply these practical business tips designed for the corporate world to my art making and promoting? Surely there's something in that idea. In particular the article "Network in times of need" stood out and to quote the writer Ann-Maree Moodie:

"Concentrate on strategies that will make you indispensable. Increase the quality of your work, meet deadlines early, take on extra responsibilities and find ways to cut costs. Be agreeable, versatile and flexible about restructuring, delays in projects or changes to meeting times. Be cheerful, confident and offer to help out when you can"

Sounds good right? It was totally worth being up at 2am on the computer "researching". I'm also feeling the love from the artist career website which has some good links to helpful articles and tips...if only I could remember my login and password to access the full benefits of the site. I usually just head straight to the news section. I also have a "thing" for reading artist Tracey Emin's blog on the Indepedent's website. Even though she is a full time artist, successful and wealthy, she seems to be so pained by existence and the pressures of life that I actually take pleasure in her pain. Who needs success like that anyway? I usually scroll down to the comments on her blog first as they are quite entertaining as they totally rubbish anything she says. If she can keep making art with all the "issues" she has then certainly someone like me can make a go of it. Ah....hope comes in many guises.

Anyway, the point of this post today was to say that I hadn't written a post in a while because I've been procrastinating...eh ahem...researching. Also I've been very busy peeling stickers off icecream tubs that I have decided to recycle. I'm not sure what I'll use them for but I'm sure that with further research online I will find how to turn them into something spectacular.

P.S. I haven't forgotten about my Stallholders Group idea. I have legitimately been looking into the best platform to do this. I'm an analog girl in a digital world so it'll take a little while to figure out. At the mo its looking like it'll be a forum type thingy - the husband is looking into options for me (see those business tips on successful managers knowing how to delegate DO help).

P.P.S. The pic for the post is one of the 7 designs I did for my dad's business cards. He has an office cleaning business and wanted something different. I think buildings talking to eachother is pretty different, wouldnt you say?

Working harder never felt better...

2009-02-14T05:52:00.000-08:00

...or so the King Gee work wear ad slogan goes. Apart from being a little concerned that I am now finding meaningful messages embedded in TV ads, the slogan did kinda stick with me. I've been feeling a little down listening to BBC radio late at night whilst trying to go to sleep. The financial crisis, the bushfires in Victoria, a plane going down on a house in New York - it all started to get to me. I even woke up today feeling sad that Rihanna had her face smashed in (allegedly) by her boyfriend. Perhaps listening to the BBC late at night is not such a good idea? Anyway, back to my new favourite slogan. Working hard...that I have been doing in the studio...new ideas have come, some work some don't but I'm making and feeling excited about upcoming opportunities. And yes, its when I'm working hard and making progress that I feel good - really good.

Nesting

2009-02-06T18:15:00.000-08:00

I've been preoccupied with birds for a long time. They are free, they sing and they live in trees - all the things I aspire to but can't quite grasp. My cousin who is into all things new age analyzed my birthdate and to get my "numbers" which are 1 + 3 = 4. she told me that 1 means independence, 3 means fun, and add them together to get 4 which signifies building. So I like to do things alone but I have fun whislt doing it and I like building and getting things started. Even though I don't usually buy into these things, I liked the numbers analysis - as I think it happens to fit quite well with me. Thinking about being a builder led me to thoughts of nesting. I am by nature a solitary person (read: hermit, wont answer the phone, cancels dinner dates with friends often), quite a homebody and love to fill my space with things I love, collect and make. Even bits of what others may call rubbish to me are special and cherished objects - much like the twigs and everyday material used to build a nest.

Stallholders Unite!

2009-02-05T18:26:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking for a while now that there should be some kind of central place where art & crafty types can go to see what markets are on where. Although there are some websites which have market listings I don't find they give you enough information in terms of how to apply, what the setup is like , how the market is promoted etc. I have found myself relying on my small network of friends who also participate in markets to pass on and share info about upcoming events, what's good and what isn't so good. I'm not sure what the best platform for this would be (without investing in a separate website). Perhaps a Stallholder blog + a stallholder page on facebook?? I'll be sending out an email to all the contacts I have so far and try and gauge what the interest is. If you are interested, please leave a comment so I can get your contact details.

In the meantime, here are some details on how to apply for markets coming up in Sydney. A special thanks to to Kirsten from Lilypad Designs for providing some of the details.

UPCOMING MARKETS

1. FindersKeepers
When: 15th & 16th May 2009
Where: Carriageworks
Application deadline: 1 April 2009
Cost: $200 for 2 days
More info + apply
Feedback: really well promoted and organised, great crowds so take lots of stock!

2. Eveleigh Artisans market
When: First Sunday of the month starting on the 1st March 2009
Where: Carriageworks
Application deadline: Unknown (suggest you contact asap for the 1st March)
Cost: $100
How to apply: email Denny Hall d.hall@atp.com.au

3. Newtown Designers Market
When: 3rd Sunday of every month
Where: Newtown Community Centre
Cost: $60 including insurance
More info + how to apply
Feedback: I've done a couple of these and not enough people came through. These markets are just starting out though so the more people that sign up and invite their friends+ contacts the better these will get. Great value at $60 including insurance and the organisers are two lovely crafty sisters.

4. Marrickville markets
When: Every Sunday, 9.00am-2.00pm
Where: Addison Road Community Centre
More Info + apply:
Phone about the Special Deal for Feb/Mar - two markets for the price of one.
Phone: (02) 9999 2226 Web: www.organicfoodmarkets.com.au

5. Paddington markets
When: Every Saturday
Where: Oxford Street Paddington
Application deadline: next round of stallholder applications due 4 March 2009
Cost: varies from about $85 for a small table to over $100 for a large table
More Info + apply
Feedback: you have to call each week to book your spot once your application is accepted but its totally worthwhile. It took me a while to get the right product mix there but great consistent crowds + its a great place to network as gallery, shop owners + other influential ppl visit the markets. Its great exposure.

6. Parramatta Farmers market
When: Saturdays from 8am
More Info + apply
The stall cost for stalls until the end of February is $0.00 (free), so if you are interested in trying Parramatta contact Adam Elliot aelliott@parracity.nsw.gov.au

STALLHOLDER INSURANCE

To do most markets you need to get public liability + product insurance. I've previously used Freeman-McMurrick for insurance which costs about $200 for a year

If any of you out there have any feedback on these or other markets/stall insurance would love to hear your thoughts.

Tom will make a great pet

2009-01-27T01:36:00.000-08:00

My relationship with pets has been a weird one from the start. When I was a newborn I was very close to my Aunt's cat Alfie (we all lived together in Uruguay where I was born). Alfie was a large fluffy grey cat with green eyes who would sleep with me (and protect me) as a baby. We grew up together and I credit him with teaching me not to be afraid of the dark. As a toddler he'd see in the dark better than me and by holding on to his tail and following his bright eyes I could walk around in the dark no problem. Once we moved out from my aunts, mum & dad had their own apartment for a while and I got Dingo (I named him) a gorgeous, excitable German Shepherd pup. I would give him mashed up bananas for lunch and he loved it. He ate polenta like we did too. Then we moved to Australia and I had to say goodbye to Alfie and Dingo. Since then we had a Canary named Sami, a white rabbit called Rodger and a few cats (Rocky and Angelina) who both weren't really ours. Our neighbours were Greek and for some reason grew baby chickens in their garage and there was always a cat in their backyard. I dont know if they were strays but Rocky and Angelina would spend time with me. Today, I have no pets. I'd love a couple dogs to take out on walks and to keep me company whilst I spend long hours in the studio. But I'm hesitant. I dont know if I could cope with the loss of a pet again. I think this could explain why I'll often paint cats, birds or imaginary pet like animals. Maybe I'm trying to replace or somehow preserve the good memories I have from growing up with pets as a kid. My other theory is I should stop psychoanalysing everything. In any case, Tom and Ginger are now keeping me company and making me smile.

You can find my latest range of "imaginary" pets here

Patience, Courage & Love

2009-01-22T05:01:00.001-08:00

Today I was feeling down. I've been working hard making new products, new paintings, new bags and then promoting which I loathe! I've just signed up for a twitter account (What the F?) Who is gonna care what I did 2 seconds ago? But nonetheless I forge on. I try to be witty (its hard work you know?). I've chained myself to the computer for hours on end in the hope that across the globe people will discover my etsy shop and suddenly I'll be like those other sellers with multiple sales per day and my financial woes will be no more. Maybe I haven't given things enough time? Maybe I just need to keep going, keep blogging, keep adding items, just keep doing. Yes, I think that's it - I'm impatient - I want instant results. I can feel myself pouting this very moment. This whole enterprise will either work or it wont. Perhaps "it is not written" that I should succeed in this way. I must learn to harness uncertainty. I used to see an "energy healer" and she suggested I should spend quiet time each morning being thankful for everything that I had. Perhaps she is right and I don't do enough thanking. I have only to read the newspaper to realise my troubles are far minor to those of others around the world.

I have, upon reflection come up with my own mantra, to approach all things with "Patience, Courage & Love" and all will be well - oh and do the thanking thing too.

Making new friends

2009-01-21T21:37:00.000-08:00

Last Sunday (Jan 18th) we held our second stall at the Newtown Designer Art markets in Sydney. The "NDM" are held on the third Sunday of every month. There's always a new mix of stall holders which means we've been making new friends each month (yay!). The NDM are relatively new and only started late last year. The markets are held uptairs in the Newtown Community Centre which is a lovely old building. The markets are quite intimate with around 15-20 stallholders displaying beautifully handmade wares from clothing to jewellery and original and affordable artwork. As the markets are still quite new we need more people to come visit so spread the word! Below are the dates for upcoming markets so put it in your diary!!

February - 15th
March - 15th
April - 19th
May - 17th

I have posted a pic above of our latest range of one-off handmade bags. The bags are reversible so you get two looks in one. Available for sale now on Etsy

Special finds

2009-01-05T04:37:00.000-08:00

I love going into Antique shops and finding new and inspiring sewing or fabric supplies. I don't know why but there is something incredibly special about finding materials that already come with their own very special history. On the weekend me, the significant other and my parents drove to Kiama. After stopping for some delicious lunch and coffee we walked around the quaint little shops. Just when I was feeling bored of looking at the same old touristy items, old lady wear and soaps and candles we came across a little collectibles and antique shop. Wow! I could have spent hours in there. After getting over the initial horror of seeing the fact that Golliwog dolls are still very much available for sale I got to looking at their collection of buttons and other sewing bits n pieces. I couldnt resist and picked up a few lovely linen pieces, buttons and an old cigar box filled with different coloured threads. I can't wait to use everything!

Best of 2008: Markets & Online Shops

2009-01-01T18:23:00.000-08:00

Over the holiday break I've been thinking about what the new year will bring in terms of opportunities to continue to market and sell my work. Here are some of the markets and online stores I discovered in 2008 that make my top ten - what's your top ten?

1. Reverse Garbage/make a difference

2. Danks Street Festival

3. FindersKeepers

4. Etsy

5. Made It

6. Leeloo

7. Red Bubble

8. Newtown Designers Markets

9. Modamuse

10. GeorgieLove

Spring clean in summer

2008-12-12T18:01:00.000-08:00

I've spent the last few days spring cleaning the studio (i.e. spare room in our small apartment). I always feel such relief and 'lightness of being' after a big clean up that I wonder why I left it so long between clean-ups. This time I even bought new plastic tubs to house materials and all boxes have been labeled - everything has a place.

Truth is I hadn't even quite finished organising when inspiration took over (encouraged by the fact I could now reach the sewing machine) and I started making new cards and tags. I justify this temporary interruption by telling myself I NEED to make new stock...its an obsession all this making. I'm on a rush of adrelanin...its like eating chocolate - I want more! Right before I go to sleep I'm working on something and then I wake up and love that I can get back to making what I started the night before. Today I tell myself I must get out of the house.

Venturing into the unknown

2008-12-10T06:31:00.000-08:00

I am a little ashamed. I've always made fun of my dad because he's very cautious online and with computers and all things technological in general. Like he will actually read an instruction manual and he thinks a Dell is a lot more user friendly than my Apple Powerbook - I mean are you for real???!!. Well, the tables have now turned somewhat as I am the one near paralysed by fear of computer melting viruses and online bank fraud.

I'm only just beginning to discover the avenues through which I can promote and sell Prado-Marin artwork and craft goods online. I've just recently joined Etsy and then there's Red Bubble and now there is also Made It. Although I've purchased things myself online before I had never bothered to set up a PayPal account. Let me just say at this point I'm feeling a little overwhelmed and freaked out... there are bank details to be verified, shipping costs to work out, sellers sheets to maintain and update, stock to keep track of and I don't even want to think about what it will be like calculating tax for our next BAS. Maybe its just the 'shock of the new' or that all these things have taken on a deeper meaning since going full time with the art thing.

I think what I may be feeling right now is not so much technophobia but a fear of the unknown and unchartered territory. I hope the old cliche of 'it gets easier with time' applies in this case.

Happiness is creating

2008-12-05T14:34:00.000-08:00

I've struggled for a long time to come to terms with the fact that I was meant to make art. I always wished I could have been one of those people who was good at maths or some other important subject. I often saw my creativity as a curse - I was miserable when I wasn't making and when I was making I felt constant doubt and guilt. After many years of this it is only just recently that I freed myself from an office day job and I am now starting to focus on practicing art full time. How long it'll last before I'm back at a 9 to 5 to make ends meet, who knows? But right now it feels right to be self indulging...even if there is a global economic crisis.

I still have doubts....Am I talented enough? What if people don't like what I make? Will I ever be able to make a living from this? Is it irresponsible to be following this path? And so on. But then something will happen to restore my hope. Just yesterday I was at the Finders Keepers market (Carriageworks) which is also on today from 12pm to 10pm, there were so many other brilliant designers, craftmakers and artists that I couldn't but help feel inspired. I was also asked to be a featured artist at the markets and have so far sold two artworks (one pictured above titled "Its Me Bunny!"). Interestingly the thing I cherish most about selling artwork is not the money but to see people's reaction when they see something they really love and want - so much so they just have to have it. Whether its my more serious gallery destined work or the fun quirky stuff for the markets , it dont matter - that's gold.

Time flies when you're making stuff...

2008-10-31T02:09:00.000-07:00

I should have been more diligent in my posting but I wasn't. So here's a recap of what Prado-Marin has been up to for the last few weeks. There was the Pine Street market on 19th October where we unveiled our new range of button brooches.

And there was the Danks Street Festival market on 26th October, where we nearly sold out of all the button brooches!

New artwork - Planet Furniture

2008-10-02T05:44:00.000-07:00

A new series of 7 framed textile artworks are now available at Planet Furniture 419 Crown Street, Surry Hills. I have attached images of a couple of these "Glory Box" (top) and "This Gift I Give You" , they are approx 42 x 46cm including white box frame.

How does Street Art come into it??

2008-09-26T07:05:00.000-07:00

Okay...so I dabble in more than just paper and textiles....I'm also into Street Art and photography and t-shirts and "serious" fine art. I have 4 works on canvas which will be on show at the Pine Street Arts centre in Chippendale, Sydney. Opening night for the show titled "Here comes Trouble" is Wednesday October 1, 2008. I've included a picture of one of the works called "Crawlies!". This is the kind of art I make when I'm feeling a little of artist's block in response to the more "serious" art. I find that in order to keep making, to keep working I need to warm-up with something I don't have to worry about too much, with something I can be totally free with. I hate starting on a white canvas or a plain piece of cloth. I have to allow myself mistakes first, to mess it up in order to clean it up or fix it. It's in that process of fixing or reworking or problem solving that I really start to get working and things start to happen.

Tonight I've also made the leap into clothing and conquered my Photoshop technology demon (and have subsequently celebrated with some bubbly!). I've had a profile on Red Bubble for about 12 months now featuring some of my works on paper and surrealist collages but had never previously dared to try the option of making designs for t-shirts. As of today we have uploaded our first Prado-Marin t-shirt design. I'm sure I'll wake up in the morning with a sore head and feeling much less elated about the design I've uploaded...but for now I'm on a high.

Everything has a beginning

2008-09-24T07:42:00.000-07:00

Well, I have to start somewhere. I have written and re-written the start of this post many times. I have burnt my tongue on steaming hot green tea. This is my first blog. I wonder what people will make of it. What is Prado-Marin? Why does this blog exist? I've started this blog to communicate I guess with whomever is 'out there'. I sip some more tea. Just as I enjoy keeping up with artists whom I'm interested in (I used to read Tracey Emin's blog style column on The Independent religiously but my interest has waned) I think I'd like to share a little of what I do as an artist. I dont want this to be so much about me personally but I want it to be about the inspiration, ideas and thoughts behind my work. I've often wished other artists talked less about themselves and more about the possible meaning(s) or ways to interpret their work. I dont think this means giving away the answer or making it too easy for the viewer...I think its about sharing experience and making the artwork a whole lot more accessible. Artwork afterall is a form of communication - a way to express or attempt to deliver a message. As a result I think there are many conversations to be had.