friends of Maiden: Gin Francis.

Been fascinated with art pretty much all my life. Grew up with aspirations of becoming an animator and had a big passion for drawing. After high school, was very indecisive about going to uni so decided to just teach myself different things as long as it involved art: from dancing, visual arts, multimedia and now photography. Passion for photography stemmed from trying out an alternative way of portraying people as I felt that I was quite limited in doing so with drawing. Photography gave me much more freedom when it came to help convey my creative side and ideas.Took a chance and invested in my first camera end of 07. I love working with people, which is why my main focus is portraiture. I rarely use flash. I enjoy working with available light and always see it as a challenge in doing so.

My aim is to have my photos differ, yet at the same time still retain a certain style. I post process my work, with the goal of complimenting them rather than abusing them. 

 I always go by this saying from photographer Rodney Smith:
"choose photography for love rather than for fame, fortune and glory."

i met Gin through a shoot i styled for last year, which was used for Create Cosmetics online portfolio.
i chose him to join the circle of artists because his dark comic book style of photography intrigued me.
no professional training, just raw talent.

stalking is serious business.

oh to be young, dumb and in love. herschel knapsack + floral tights, match made in heaven.
happy friday!

streetstalked: #002.

George the florist. quirkiest creature i know, with the most sliced up hands.
yellow Polo + yellow Marc by Marc Jacobs.

streetstalked: #001.

random shopper eyeing out wristwear.
overall great outfit paired with the cutest green socks.

be my fan.

recent findings in today's technological era has lead me to questioning creativity, originality and substance. it has always amused me how people can 'charm' their way into getting a job, (often referred to b.s'ing). it's a talent i wish i possessed. but how much of me would i be willing to compromise?
the quality of a "clothing label" came up in conversation over the weekend and sparked a talk on internet savviness. this is where art becomes in conflict with business. a link to a new fashion/clubbing event was introduced to me recently, which i kindly declined. only because i have been in this situation once before. it is not a new concept, but one that could probably generate alot of cashflow for the first few weeks until they realise fashion and clubbing do not go hand in hand. someone wise (don't quite remember who) explained it to me once, and for this reason i have never taken part in these events.
1. unless your aesthetic is targeted at those who are big on the clubbing scene, you are probably not getting the right audience to view your work.
2. yes people go to clubs to be seen, but once you've had a few too many drinks and have gotten into each others pants your work is the last thing people are going to remember in the morning.
3. clubs are messy, especially if you are promoting exclusive one off pieces, you do not want to be anywhere near an accident waiting to happen.
4. and lastly, a club is a place for singles to mingle. clubbing has no place in fashion. 
the opening line, was that it was a place for creative minds alike to network and get their party on. the thing is, i don't actually think i am anything like them. and i don't do this to be 'different' from everyone else, i treat my designing as an art expression rather than a way to make means or get famous. if you want to socialise and network with actual artists, go visit a gallery, sit in on a short film, support independent labels by buying their stock and attend small gigs whenever you can. everywhere i look is a strategy for marketing. which is fine, if that's your motive. you can now buy yourselves 1000+ fans to 'like' your page on FB for goodness sake. now how about that! i commend those making money on their ideas, but sometimes the way people do it seems unnatural to me.   
   
so i leave you with this. where does your morals lie, in your art or in your pockets?

circa 2008.

from the corner of my eye, i thought the sleeve design looked familiar. that's because i sketched it four years ago.
if only i could make things as clear as i envision them, that would be one of my pieces walking the red carpet. *sigh*. crazy though! 

call me maybe?

i have been meaning to get around to getting business cards done, it's been on my to do list for the past couple of years. just in the last week i have experienced several occasions where i really needed them. i've been looking at plenty of printing sites lately, but none of them really drew inspiration for me. so i made them from scratch. took out the good ole' typewriter to achieve that genuine 'courier new' font, scanned it through, played around with it on Ps, printed it on watercolour art paper, sliced it up, stitched on a few bits and pieces, and backed it on another layer of watercolour paper. a 270gsm paper weight was not enough for me, so i ended up with a 485gsm calling card in the end. i have only completed three, i have ninety seven to go. this may not have been my best idea.

save us.

killing time is a dangerous game. i always seem to spend, more than i save nowadays. i was walking around aimlessly last Thursday in Westfield when a halogen light framed fixture stopped me in my tracks. the first piece that caught my eye was a red felt skater skirt. i proceeded to go through the racks not really looking for anything in particular, when i found the perfect black mesh top i wanted to pair with my black velvet knicker shorts i ordered online! 

i went back to the skirt and asked the kind stall keeper if it came in black, i then asked her where the designer was based. lo and behold, the lady in the cute collared shift dress was the designer of the label sa/eus. i was so impressed by the workmanship from each piece, they were so beautifully sewn and well tailored. make sure to drop in and check out the "Everything, Nothing" AW12 collection when your next in town!

friends of maiden: Rhys Votano.

Rhys Votano is a video artist born in Sydney Australia. At the age of 18 he moved to London where he developed a strong passion for video and digital image. He returned to sydney to complete his bachelors in Screen Production and work on networking within the vibrant city. In 2008, he established his own small production house crafting videos for local artists and businesses. His documentaries have collected a few awards and music videos have aired on video hits top ten charts. This year, Rhys has returned to study his Masters of Film and Digital Image at Sydney College of the Arts and create more focused conceptual pieces.

i have been honoured to have styled for, worked with and learned from a handful of very talented photographers in the past six years. Matt Lowden, Victoria Rika-Heke and Haitham Almaan to name drop a few. there's a general conception of photographers being egotistical and conceited, this is a fair assumption to a degree. but i have been so lucky to work alongside really humble and down to earth trigger happy artists.Rhys doesn't advertise himself as a photographer, because he is technically a videographer. but his captures are just a piece of art to me, he works with his subjects and lighting very cleverly. i enjoy Rhys because he respects my choice of models haha. and no, his camera is not broken. it's called 'ghosting' with a slow shutter speed :)

u p s t a i r .s t u d i o s

half man half amazing.

LtoR|cosplay party hosted by Rhys|raw studio shoot with Serene Grace|Create Cosmetics event|first ever photo Rhys took of me (obviously without my knowledge)

[enter]: rhysVOTANO. of Upstair Studios. [dexterity]: video and photography

[history]: me and Rhys go way back... back to the summer days of January 2011 (oh so long ago). no seriously, i feel like i've known Rhys for years! after the biggest let down of 2010, my best friend decided to 'open my eyes to the real world', so to speak. one of these occasions include a house party to celebrate the birthday of the man himself. i clearly remember my friend giving me a kind warning: "stay away from Rhys, he likes you arty type" haha. and we have not been able to part from each other since, artistically that is.

[curriculum vitae]: last year we brought you Tree Spirits, an idea that came about from branches turned antlers made by Rhys. we recently shared good times at last weeks Create Cosmetics launch night, and took some awesome shots of Alia Jane in an airforce blue Maiden maxi. click here to have a look see.

aishite imasu.

that means "i love you" in Japanese. my google sources tell me that it is very rare
that Japanese people use this expression. why that is, i will have to find out.

i got overly excited when i saw this pair during my walk through Ikea today. the guy rocking the black hoodie and elasticated balloon hem shorts had the most beautiful waved beach hair i had ever seen on a dude. you're used to seeing the well dressed couples out in coordinated outfits, but instead these two had matching blonde patches in their long weaves. Japanese people have an effortless cool style about them. i cannot wait to touch down in Tokyo later in the year! in the meantime, i've got to grow some balls so i can walk up to these kind of people and ask if i can take their photo. hopefully when this does happen, i will be able to provide you with better visuals...

tie your own knot.

so here's the thing about weddings, i really don't enjoy them. it makes me wonder what the bride-to-be's thought process is when choosing her bridal party. not quite sure if you feel the same, but i would certainly think the people you do decide to choose are one's you can depend on and close enough to share the biggest day of your life with. in saying that, the love and support needs to be reciprocated both ways.

you couldn't even imagine how much time and money i have put into all these wedding preparations. so it's meant to be an honour to be given the 'bridesmaid' title, i am always thankful and humbled by the gesture. but where are those friends now? not even a simple text. go figure. even my friend's who live seas away from me have the time to message me from time to time (even draw me a portrait, by REN). 

now just because i am not tied down with a ring or kids, or don't study and work at the same time it doesn't mean i am not strapped for time. everyday after work, i go home to work on other people's projects and never do i ask for anything in return. i work weekends and any spare time i have, on these favours while trying to juggle my own design work. i put my all in each project i do for people, it's never a half-assed job, so when the clever designing is not appreciated and thrown back in my face don't expect me to be happy about it. i am not a free-for-all.

i hate weddings. do me a favour by not inviting me! 

end of rant.

dip dyed.

 a tribute to the balyage, before it became a hipster trend.

"i'm flying Jack.

 one of my oldest friends messaged me today, with silliness in her head. my goal in life has never been to be big and famous. to be appreciated for my art is all i aim to achieve. the "fancy" events i attend, photos i am tagged in, and appearance i portray has always been a part of my world. it's only now you're starting to see more of it. we've been friends for 20 odd years, i think that's classified as antique :)

the epitome of a visual merchandiser.

 curse the person who left my friend on the shelf. she's too awesome to be a crazy cat lady.

Create Cosmetics Launch.

 fashion is ugly. beauty is a conception. a few snapshots from tonight's launch.

c r e a t e . c o s m e t i c s

sunny side up.

yesterday i styled and shot my first pre-wed shoot. today i finished a blue velvet jumpsuit for the exhibition.
and tomorrow, we're just going to have to wait and see...

Maison Martin Margiela.

 the book arrived from England last Friday. seventy dollheads well spent. enough to make you want to cry.