Masks & Crowns

I recently worked on a really cool project. I was asked to make some wearable masks similar to the masks I usually embroider onto people in my artwork. I was super excited because I've been wanting to do it for ages! So I ended up doing a woodlands masks, a butterfly mask and a bird mask. I embroidered small areas of each mask. They are going to be used as props for a photobooth at a wedding reception. I'm hanging to see some photos! 

I also made some paper crowns for the same lovely ladies to be used in the photobooth. They were so much fun to make that I am going to whip up a few more and put them on my online store. 

downtown, la

It took me 4 months in LA to make it downtown during the day. At night, it was a dead city. My impressions and judgements of the place were over crowded by the amount of homeless people I'd seen. I had spent a few nights there, eating at Bottega Louie (which has an impressive sweets display and always order the mushroom fries), rooftop bars and the basketball games. 

When my friend came home from a day spent downtown I realised I had to see it during the day. We wandered past the most beautiful, empty old theatres and marvelled at the Walt Disney Concert Hall (designed by Frank Gehry). And further on to a shopping district that reminded me of markets full of hasslers in Morocco and Turkey. My favourite area was the flower district, streets and markets with every type, colour, shape and size flower you can think of. The smell of fresh flowers was so unbelievable, I could have stayed there all day. 

I ended up catching the bus downtown a few times more and finally discovered Little Tokyo. With one giant mall which had a huge Japanese grocery store, many cafes and restaurants. I can happily admit that I ate the best Japanese I have ever had in that mall! I've been to Japan and this food was out of this world amazing. The restaurant is Shojin, a Japanese vegan and macrobiotic restaurant. It is in my top 5 places to eat in LA and a must for any visitors! Check it out here. There was also some cool little bars, design stores and traditional food places in Little Tokyo.

If you ever get a chance to check out downtown LA I totally think it is worth the time. Wander around, eat some amazing food and remember there are some particular areas that you don't want to accidently find yourself in so do your research and keep a map on you. 

so call me in the morning 'cos i never liked myself without you

i miss you

las vegas

During August I spent some very hot days driving through the states.
I've never wanted to go to Las Vegas. I can honestly admit anytime somebody mentioned going to there for a holiday, my stomach churned. Actually visiting the place... I still would never choose to go there on holiday! Don't get me wrong, I was open to finding the appeal of the place. If so many people like it, there must be more to it than money & alcohol..

I actually ended up having a great time, staying at Hooters - so American! Saw Beatles Love cirque du soleil show - amazing. But my highlight of our stop over was finding the old Vegas side of town, beautiful old signs with amazing lettering, and cute little wedding chapels. We also found a really great raw food cafe, definately worth the drive out of town.  (Go Raw Café (Eastside Location) http://www.gorawcafe.com/locations.html)

I am dedicating this post to the old Las Vegas. Most of these photos are snapped from the car, it was unbearably hot out.

kitchen collection

some illustration work I did for the extremely talented and lovely wicreate guys.
The illustrations were used for the Robert Gordon Kitchen Collection, launched in November 2012.
All photographs copyright Wicreate and Robert Gordon Australia 2012

http://www.wicreate.com.au/
http://www.robertgordonaustralia.com.au/

christmas sale at love market

*FREE POSTAGE WITHIN AUSTRALIA ONLY

www.lovemarket.bigcartel.com

Some of the new work in the shop...

Sludge zine - by Alice McKellar - $8

Cat! Gift Tags - Set of 5 - $6

Cockie Gift Tag - $2

Fatty Ginger Cat Library Tote Bag - $6.50

morocco

I just got some film developed from my europe trip. I have about 30 rolls to go so expect to see a few more on here. I had the most amazing trip with Dan and my sister Grace. We visited the most beautiful places I have ever been and met some really inspiring and interesting people.

Lots of people have asked me about Morocco. It was quite confronting when we first arrived in Marrakech, lots of hassling, begging, noises and smells. I admit I was nervous trying to find our hostel, we had no idea how to get there and with packs we were prime targets for any body trying to take advantage of tourists. Walking through the main square of the old town was our first introduction to the city and I could tell it would not be a quiet holiday in Morocco! 

The markets were unbelievable and the sellers were many of the friendliest and interesting people we met there. There are laneways for different shops, it's a gamble deciding which shop to go inside. In retrospect I should have been more brave and gone into more of them, but the bargaining was tiring and although I learnt to be really good at it I always felt slightly out of place constantly asking for something one third of the 'marked' price. My favourite shops were the herb shops, where they sold pigments, perfumes and spices in jars (you'll see in the photo below).

We did what seemed like a very long and extremely hot hot hot 5 day trip to the Sahara Desert. And afterwards headed to the fishing town Essaouira. I can describe it as a smaller, less chaotic version of Marrakech. My favourite experience there was a trip to the hamam where the local women (large and small, old and young) bathed and scrubbed. 

The absolute highlights of my trip to Morocco was every Mohammed and nomad asking my sister for her hand in marriage, and Dan being called Lucky Man with two girls on his arm every single day. It just never got old!

The colours of Morocco are so vivid and beautiful. I have some colour photos coming soon to prove my point! Anyway I very much recommend a trip to Morocco if you have the chance. Have no expectations and go with an open mind. I loved Morocco.

(camera is Canon EOS 300 / film Ilford B&W)