Well hello there ...

And Happy Easter. I hope you didn't eat too much chocolate. Come along on my latest journeys...
Our beloved museum Te Papa is a main attraction and where I recently got to a backstage pass to visit our Maori artifacts. If you are coming to Wellington, this place is a must see. It is a great source of amusement and inspiration for my family and I. It also happens to be situated beside a great skatepark - bonus for my boys.

On my trip to Rotorua, I did a bit of thrift-shopping. Here are some old frilly hangers I picked up for 50c each. I figure being a textile artist, I will eventually have to hang some things up. So we don't call this 'shopping for fun', no way, this is sourcing supplies!
An adorable old sewing box I found at Trash Palace. It probably cost me 50c if that. Once again, this is not shopping, it is sourcing supplies.
The ugly plastic beads are great for shibori and the wee strainer will come in handy for my dyeing I am sure. A piece of ribbon and a gold fork. Total cost: $2. More supplies.
I lifted the compartments up in the sewing box and found: a Listers vintage wool label, a little photo of a baby, and about a dozen of these wee notes that say ...

"If you get your dishes dirty,

Wash them on this little skirty

Hang it on the tap

By the shoulder strap

Where it will dry quite dandy

And when needed will be handy."

... I love text, especially typewriter text. I have downloaded typewriter fonts just to get this old fashioned effect. Love it. Can anybody use this stuff? If you want it, you can have it. Let me know. It won't cost me much to stick it in an envelope and for those of you who love to collage, you may be able to do something great with it. Leave a comment and I will make contact via email for a postal address. Cheers.

Here are my lovely swan feathers from Lake Taupo. I am still cleaning my car out of stuff a week, including bolts, pumice, feathers, onion skins, etc. It doesn't help that I am filling up my car quicker than I can empty it.
I went to Lower Hutt's Dowse Art Gallery today. There is an exhibition on at the moment where this Japanese guy makes elaborate cut out dresses from paper. These life size models are made by students at Massey University.
Here are some small paper dolls made by some of the patrons of the gallery including a few little girls sitting around making paper dolls.
My real reason for being there today was this ... Craft 2.0. I saw my new crafty friend Carmen there today without her cronies from the Paekakariki Gems. She was selling her handmade crafty altered journals and books.
Another view of the fair.
This lady sold some cool stuff. All her own designs. I bought one of her wee screenprint toys which I will unstuff and turn into a cell phone holder. I loved all the stuff today that was authentic - there was a lot of repeated themes, but most of it was well made, quirky and each vendor was quite passionate about their work. Her website is www.minu.co.nz . Go check her out
Plastic skulls, odd folk and pit bulls were some of the theme of this vendors stock. All made up as jewellery, cuff links etc. My husband liked this store the most. They had some cool little illustrations printed out for kids to colour in, I snapped up a few in my attempt to get my kids drawing more. I have really come to appreciate how important drawing is as a tool in making art despite the fact that my skills are still quite mediocre. Their site is www.chromatophobic.com.
World Sweet World is a new publication set to bring the craft/art world in New Zealand up a new level. I enjoyed meeting these guys and love the whole concept. Somehow all the blogging, new publications, the new website "Felt" (also strongly represented today - found at www.felt.co.nz which is our Kiwi version of Etsy), and the renewed interest in 'handmade' bodes well for those of us who love to create with a personal touch.
What a bargain for eight bucks ($8). After coveting overseas magazines, perhaps finally we can have a top class one right here in Aotearoa. Furthermore they are calling for contributors, so I might just have to dust off those journalism skills and select a few photos, and try my luck.
This is Sophie of Oceanic Design. She is an amazing jeweller and we had a neat chat. Her work included tiny round stones, cats eyes, pounamu (jade) and beach glass with stirling silver. (I love silver, I know I suit gold, but the magpie in me loves lovely shiny silver). Her finish on her work, set her apart somewhat and I thought each piece was impeccable. We shared stories and experiences. I spoke to my husband on the way home, I'd love a commissioned piece from her and her prices were reasonable, considering how much a simple generic gold and diamond ring would cost at a mass produced jewellers. Her work was earthy but I loved that it still had breathing space. Very very nice.

I encourage everyone to support their fellow artists, stay away from those mass-produced impersonal places, and get something made with a little more thought and integrity. It can sometimes even cost you less and you will be the owner of a wonderful heirloom. I wear four rings all the time, one big silver and amethyst sculptural piece my mother purchased in Sydney and gave me on my wedding day (which I wear on my wedding finger). Two silver and cubic zirconia rings, side by side, each cut slightly different, but large and quite dynamic. And a gold and diamond flat ring again another gift from my mum. The way I wear jewellery breaks all the rules, but I wear pieces I love and for the feelings they give me. Sometimes I wear my favourite Native American feather earring and I have a few iconic pieces gifted over the years, including a fantastic pair of hands made from a cut up Barbie doll and set in stirling silver. This was a thank you from one of the jewellery students at school. She made them especially, knowing I would be the only who would wear them, and she was right. They are sooooo cool!
WILLIAMS GALLERY...

I stumbled across the Williams Gallery in Petone by accident. We were driving past on our way for coffee when I spotted Michael Tuffery's work in the window. We pulled over, found a park and I was blown away by what I discovered. Ok, so I then discovered this is quite a famous art gallery on the New Zealand scene, but I walked in innocent and unaware only to be surrounded on all sides by paintings and prints by some of New Zealand's leading artists. I saw work by Don Binney, Richard Killeen, Ralph Hotere, Dick Frizzell and of course, Michael amongst others. I peeked out the back, in the framing room, and lo and behold, there were more canvases all over the wall. The man working back there invited us in to view them properly, and I just stood gobsmacked at all the wonderful wonderful paintings everywhere. I work in an art gallery but I was still really moved by all the amazing artists represented in these two rooms. I talked a bit with the owner (well, it was more gushing, but i couldn't help it, I was sooo impressed), who let me take her photo for my art book but wanted her privacy (hence no photo here). She is a real advocate for emerging artists in New Zealand, and judging by who is hanging in her gallery, is very successful too. I have a feeling the man busy behind the scenes was her husband. I purchased a catalogue for $10 but I swear, one day, I will own art like this in my own home. I don't care if I rent forever, I would rather spend money on art works. Sooo much more satisfying. And as I type that, I can hear all the business folk I know shout 'shame, that is so irresponsible' but I find some art works so profoundly moving. And one day soon, these works will be priceless. It's guaranteed.

TRADE AID

I also popped into Trade Aid today and purchased some hemp string, a wee green basket for my supplies and a bar of Fair Trade chocolate for my boys. No Easter Eggs for us this year. It was cool to buy things from here and know that somehow I am able to give back with my money. What I really wanted was these funky pink slippers woven out of scraps. I will have to figure out how to make mine own.

SKATEBOARDING

Finally, the biggest news this week in our family is that both my sons can 'drop the bowl'. You know that big concrete bowl at the skatepark, well both my boys found a whole heap of courage and can drop straight into in on their skateboards. Not bad considering they have only been skateboarding since Xmas and that one of them is only FIVE years old. My husband deserves some praise, he is the patient one, sitting at the skatepark in the early hours, or late at night when it is deserted so that the boys can practice. Here is a photo of my youngest dropping off a big ramp. He is tiny compared to all the adults.

And here is their patient dad, hanging around in the cold while his boys practice. For safety reasons, we have to accompany the boys to the bowl as our area is known for its colourful and staunch residents. Mostly adults skate at this park, so my boys are quickly learning to get out of the way and watch their backs. Tonight the police put in an appearance. Apparently someone had been beaten. Yes, my city has a reputation for being 'rough and poor' but I love this place nonetheless. We are also very cool and very flavourful. It is never boring here, in spite of the gangs and social economic situation. I love Porirua and the geography has to make it one of the most beautiful harbour cities.
Here are a few snaps of class this week. Debs and I started working on some of my dyed textile pieces, altering and stitching them, transforming them into works of art. I think we all appreciate one-on-one time with our tutor, she is skilled and supportive. We all have different leanings and she is right there, supporting our preferences. In the background, my colleague and senior student, Billee works away. She is a prolific artist, ready to share her ideas and show her results. It makes a big difference for a newbie like me.
Here is some of my stitching, silk on linen. I like the way the stitches run off the piece so to speak. It is very organic and the overall affect is quite textural which I love. I love these muted colours, I am an earthy girl after all. No pink for me, well, unless its those Trade Aid cloth shoes.
Deb's layers some transparent dyed chiffon over my screenprints, stitches and then snips away the layers to reveal the print beneath. One piece looked too white, so I grabbed a teabag and smooshed it all over, there, perfect. If you dye anything, don't forget to heatset it with an iron. It has more chance of being colourfast then.
So there it is, my first post in a few days. Now I have to knuckle down and get my paperwork done. I have formative assessments coming up, and a pile of research and samples to compile into something resembling order and clarity. Ha, you should see the piles of stuff I am looking at, I am seriously doubting my chances, but I just need to get stuck in. I hesitated to start, trying to figure out a proper way to do my work, but I should have just got on with it, followed my instincts and done it my way. I won't hesitate like this again. So forgive me if I don't blog, but I have a week's holiday and need to focus on my work. I will post some photos when I finish. It's funny, I love blogging but sometimes feel guilty if I don't. Weird. Oh, and that photo I posted in the last post "10 more things I am grateful for", well I look miserable but I wasn't. I was actually quite happy with a handful of windfallen moss and some lovely twigs from the Redwood Forests. I don't smile in photos sometimes because my cheeks look real fat and I think I look like a geek, like a chubby buddha. Still, this photo didn't work like I wanted either. Go figure. Hahahahaha. I swear I was happy as that day! I hope you are well.

Ko Nina Bagley koe

I have just hopped all over cyberspace visiting some of my friends wonderful blog sites. The sun is streaming in through my completely disorganised study, the coffee is hot, the children are fed and gone, my husband is away and I have a class scheduled this afternoon. I thought I would let you all know what I am doing at art school this year but first, I need to bring you up to speed with how I got here in the first place. I want to introduce you to someone very special in my life, someone I have admired from afar, someone I have yet to meet and someone who's life and work blows my mind on all levels ...



dear dear Miss Nina Bagley. About two years ago, I became interested in 'altered' art after scrapbooking quickly got boring. I did a few local classes but there was nothing edge-y, nothing outside the standard beading and floral arrangement classes. (Bbbbbooooorrrrrriiiiiiinnnngggg. Sorry scrappers and beaders but my nature is too crazy and these crafts were toooo limited for me.) Browsing through my favourite part of the library I came upon an altered art book which featured none other than Nina's work.(pronounced Nine-Ah, not Neeenaaa, but like the number 9, which is important even if we are only reading silently, it still is pronounced in our minds properly). I have always loved books, read at least five a week and browse so many more. I love paper, textiles, thrifting, making by hand, writing and photography. Her work encapsulates all the elements I love and then some. I still love the visual stimulation that mixed media gives and where I can, I try and use 'not art product' products to produce my work. She makes the most beautiful necklaces and incorporates poignant narratives that lift each piece to another level. I must own one of these one day.

Here is a piece of Nina's recent work and below is what is stamped onto the back. You can view more of her work and life on her blog at http://ornamental.typepad.com/ or visit her online store at www.ninabagley.etsy.com. I do such a poor job of presenting her work, she is far more poetic so please do drop by her blog and check her out. She would love to come to New Zealand and teach here, so register your interest if you'd love to do that. She has a workshop coming up in Melbourne, Australia including an intensive. I would LOVE to do that.
Below are more examples of her jewellery. I love the dolls. I have one remember. I love people and words in my artwork too.

NB: For those of you who might think "you could make that yourself Rachelle", well let me tell you, that sometimes it is not just the object you purchase when you buy a piece of art but you also purchase the artists 'hand and eye and concept' that went into the creating and making of the individual piece, this is what you pay for when you buy art. We pay for the hours spent gathering materials, the originality of an item, the hours and money spent taking classes and getting training, the hours spent refining our methods and let me tell you, most artists I know probably couldn't charge their true worth because few could afford them. (I hear you loud and clear India!)

My heart is always expectant as I visit these ladies via their websites. Every day I travel to the West Island and a wee farm somewhere on that continent with a botanical alchemist, then across to the USA and the small quiet place where Nina lives and works, to peek in on her studio and see what creative object she is fashioning. Sometimes they travel, and then so do I, vicariously through their lives. Funny isn't it, I would slap you for looking into the windows of my house, but via the internet we are all voyeuristic and encourage others to do so. Well, I hope it's inspirational voyeurism anyway.

I intro'd India Flint (website: http://www.indiaflint.com/ ; blog http://prophet-of-bloom.blogspot.com/) last month. India is a fabulous source of support and inspiration as well, with her wealth of knowledge in the textile department.

I hear regularly from Sandy Webster (website: http://www.sandywebster.com/), another American artist I met last year who works with mixed media creating boxes, books and baskets (some of her wonderful work is in the book "500 baskets").

I am also surrounded by artists at school in the form of my tutors which is one of the benefits of art school. One is immediately dropped into the centre of the art world. I find out what's happening, who's who, and get to be involved in some exciting things. But visiting Nina's and India's pages this morning is almost like being invited to tea and catching up on the latest and greatest. Be it creations, thoughts, events... Well, you get the picture.

Viewing Nina's work was very much a part of the reason why I am where I am today. I wanted to create in a serious manner, to take my crafting off the back element and move it into a more central location in my life alongside my other roles. It's in my blood to create and think and live and reflect. Having had an overdeveloped sense of responsibility (which I have totally cured based on the haphazard nature of my home and life these days) for all those years meant I did not value the role of being an artist, certainly not for myself anyway. It took me a few months before I could even call myself an artist (there is still a slight cringe too sometimes). After a brief chat with the main man in my life, earning a living is not my biggest priority anymore. Well at least not yet. Suffice to say, we live a simple life, do not have a mortgage, and earn a reasonable living. And nothing worse than pressure to kill creativity.

Today I discovered http://www.felt.co.nz/ -oooo, exciting. Like www.etsy.com but based here in Aotearoa. So my goal is to sell some of my handcrafted goods, to help appease the "second income guilt" that appears from time to time; and just a plain excuse to get making smaller pieces for marketing while diminishing my stash and the 'guilt' evoked from all my art stuff lying around.

I am studying Visual Arts & Design at Whitireia Polytech in Porirua. I am in the first year of the degree course which is a total of three years full time. Being a mother is my other full time role. My big creative energy this year is reserved for three major body of work pieces for exhibition.

Last year was my first year, dipping my toes into the water (actually I threw myself into the deep end and scrambled about madly). It was crazy but helped build a foundation of skills including design, drawing, and research.

Some of the areas I want to explore this year include:

* Finish. Getting those products looking a lot more professional. Also being able to articulate my work, process and identity preferably in my own native tongue with song and protocol also moving into the centre of it all.

* Marketing - making a living as an artist. Ideas I want to explore are workshops, marketable small goods, and travel. Maybe group exhibitions from time to time, but I don't like the way galleries dictate - I don't know enough in this area though I do work in a gallery, so I guess that's what I need to find out as well.

* Te Reo Maori, tikanga and waiata. Finally my language. With Wednesday mornings and all day Friday for self-directed learning and studio-based work, I am wanting to develop my ability to communicate in my own language.

*Writing and storytelling, bookmaking.

* soft sculpture, cloth folk, and mixed media weaving. Loving the work of Danny Mansmith here. http://scrap-dannymansmith.squarespace.com/

* a series on prominant Maori figures "Villain or Hero?" including Brian Tamaki, Tame Iti, Te Whiti, Whina Cooper, and other Maori leaders who have fought for their ideals and people, and been demonised for it. Much like Steve Biko and Nelson Mandela and Ghandi - it all depends where you're standing and what you're standing for.

* the Swamp Queen (based on my great grandfathers Yugoslav heritage and his life here in New Zealand as a gumdigger in 1905) - a costume using felting and dye techniques learned from India Flint plus costume construction and deconstruction which is part of my major this year.

* Intensives with Nina and at the Aotearoa Textile Forum.

* Technology: yup, no avoiding it. Using digital media as part of the art making process. I love sound installations. At Pataka, Porirua's city art gallery, there is an exhibition currently showing that has giant photographs of people's face. They were captured using slow exposure so are slightly blurred. They represent the many faiths of the world. The artist photographed them praying and recorded them, so a slide show shifts the face and the voice of each person praying is also heard. It's evocative to say the least. Even if you are not spiritually-minded, it would be near impossible for this art work not to impact. Something intimate about faces and voices. I love taking photos and so am looking forward to learning how to manipulate images even more and the various applications of applying images to various surfaces.

My degree is a Bachelor of Visual Arts and this year I am majoring in Textiles both 2D and 3D. My tutor Deb Donnelly is great. She has a passion for textiles, a background in fashion and continues to enter shows with her wearable art designs.

My school is the local community polytechnic, not the flashest of campus (that would be Massey and Victoria University's) but it's certainly not lacking in flavour. Porirua is polynesian central in the Capital with a high percentage of Maori, Pacific Island folk - it's a melting pot for all cultures. So my school has lots of mum's, young folk who don't meet the criteria yet for university, people who do not want to be dictated to and want freedom to follow their own directions. We also have a writing school, drama and performance school including dance, a music school, architects school, and multi-media school as well as the visual arts department. We also have a strong jewellery department that is part of the art school and is led by reknowned artist Peter Dekker/ I believe Whitireia has the potential to be one of the best art schools in the country due to the diversity of its peoples and it's location in Porirua.

It's make up can be colourful. Sometimes the administration doesn't flow like it could, the staff are vague and the student body frustrated. I seriously came home with head aches and feeling depressed some days last year because frankly, it was a shambles at times. But the upside of that, is FREEDOM to develop in any direction I choose to go. That is what I try to focus on. I am so absorbent sometimes though, and part of my learning is negotiating myself through this process in the most peaceable manner I can. I am not patient but trust me, I am learning. Deb is helpful here. She has a calming nature, as do most of my colleagues.

So I look forward to posting work as it develops. I know some come here to view art works so I should be able to appease that more as time goes on this year. Just right now, life is so much more important. Balancing the kids, home, sanity and responsibilities. Who has time for art?

Waitangi Day

Dear Queen
There seems to have been a misunderstanding
Perhaps I can explain.
You see
When I say 'family', I do not mean my mum and dad, my brothers and sisters;
I mean everyone I know who I value and am connected with, tied by love and not necessarily just blood;
When I say 'land', I do not mean this asset I possess,
I mean our land, the place where we belong, our connection to the earth, most vital to our spiritual well being;
And when we said 'yes'
We did not give you permission to strip us of our rights and property; to steal the land; jail our men; and displace us from our homelands.
We meant "We have plenty and you can share it with us. There's enough for everyone."
So please could you put everything back where it belongs
And leave things bloody well alone!

Today was Waitangi Day. The day we in New Zealand celebrate the establishment of the Treaty, an agreement between the Crown (English) and the Maori over 100 years ago. Unfortunately the Treaty was never honoured and still remains a thorn in many peoples sides. It is our own country's internal struggle. My own views are varied on this hot topic - so much hurt and injustice occurred and there's much restitution and healing yet to be done. Our city had a celebration of sorts and here are some pics I took today as I roamed the grounds at the local high school.
Close up of a sculpture in the sculpture competition. Sorry No. 14, I didn't get ur name, but I liked your concept best. Maybe not the tidiest execution of materials but definitely the most evocative given the purpose of the day. A few of my staunch sisters came up alongside, and the European artist nervously apologised "I don't mean to offend anyone" says she. Well, us Maori folk all unanimously agreed this was the best sculpture due to: her use of te reo (our language) and the symbolism of a crown over the words (for us anyway it symbolised oppression). We all rushed over to the table and voted for her piece. I hope she won. (PS. All materials supplied by Trash Palace).
A wall of flower brooches.
Some little taonga (treasures). I bought my son one of the Mother Of Pearly koru (spiral) pieces at the bottom. He needed his own Taonga. It cost me $8.
Some metal renditions of classic Maori designs. I'm not sure that I like these, preferring traditional materials in this instant but I can understand their appeal. My son probably would've liked these too but I like the pearl ones, they have a different glow.
I asked this lovely lady if I could photograph her Pacific Island jewellery stand but I like this photo of her better. You can see why Captain Cook and his fellow sailors were captured with the Pacific.

Some of her lovely wares including a fabric flower and turtle earrings made with coconut shell and a fibre braided through them. Flowers are a big deal for Pacific Island women. They are a symbol of beauty and are worn behind the ear for all occasions, much like jewellery. But make sure you know which ear to put it behind, for one side is for married women, and the other signals a woman is single(which makes it handy for guys to know that a woman is available). These fabric flowers are great because we are not a tropical country and exotic blooms are not in abundance here. Samoan hair clips.

What is it about these evocative sounds and dusky men with long black hair. It's quite sexy actually. I took a photo of their cd, hoping to post their name, but alas the photo was blurry, so sorry lads but you were nice to look at and listen too. I swear, I will one day be able to afford lovely handmade shoes. I will even get them fitted to my feet by the maker. After being alongside a 'handmade shoe' workshop last year, I came to appreciate the value of good shoes, and they needn't be boring either. I must admit, none of these really appealed to me, except maybe those lime green and turquoise ones at the end.
Being a textile artist, I was drawn to this table and this new take on an old idea. Miriona was lovely as she talked about her work. There were at least six people behind the table with her and when I asked if these were her whanau (family), she laughed because she reckons that was only a quarter of them. She did this nifty thing with driftwood and wove some string up it. I think her flowers are cheerful and unique. I must admit, I was looking for Maori artists and crafts - where the heck are they? This is Porirua, Polynesian Central in the Capital for goodness sake! Then my husband pointed to the front of the stage and all the Maori's sitting there watching the shows. "There they are," he said, "they're all eating." So ok. But I do get a bit pissy seeing all the same old trades folk out selling caps, commercial jewellery, balloons etc and I understand you all have to make a living, but given that it is WAITANGI Day, I figure there should be more representation from our side as well.

See, weaving flowers from flax is something I do with my mother-in-law when she comes to visit. We experiment. She's half Tahitian and half Cook Island, and merge this with Maori weaving styles, I have learned some amazing skills from her ...

I found a tiger.
A cool hat.
Some fish.
An Indian!

A flock of Indians. No bull, I really want some of these wing things myself. I can just see myself in these. Aren't they beautiful. They were flogging their cd's from a metal briefcase. The irony. But they really are beautiful.
A fale (Polynesian hut) ...
Where they sold half a pineapple stuffed with ice cream for $5. yum.
And finally, I was determind today to get at least one picture of myself, so theMan faithfully grabbed the camera and caught these shots. My favourite feather earring. I felt so connected to my Native American brothers. Me and theBoy2. Give me some of that slushy! (What is a slushy? Shaved ice and flavoured syrup of course). Notice he wears his taonga.
TheMan sits smiling. I took off to do my art thing while he took the boys on the fair rides, fed them and then followed me around as I finished off my rounds. Unflappable he is. Now finally we are where he likes to be. Being a musician, the stage and music is always his drawcard at these shows, that is, if he isn't standing on it singing himself.
The Wellington Ukelele Orchestra. So kitsch. I loved the girl in the frock on the end with the flower in her hair. She wore bright red lipstick and shoes, and played and sung with gusto. The energy this group gave off was fun, clever and very entertaining.
And finally a bit of Polynesian styles. Admittedly we came late, so we missed all the other acts but here is a church choir doing some form of a siva (dance). ...That was my day at park. There are more photos, but I just wanted to share a glimpse. A bit late posting because my mum read my blog and was so passionate about it, she rang and we talked for nearly FIVE hours tonight. Um, she's in Brisbane, Australia and I'm in New Zealand. I could've flown there and back. My son's are back at school tomorrow after their summer vacation. I need some sleep. Going for coffee tomorrow with all my friend's at Aunty Daisy's, a cafe down by the beach. Looking forward to it. We're celebrating the kids being back at school. Cafe's and long chats are not conducive with children. And the food's so expensive, I can't afford to take my two, do you know how much they eat?? Apopo ra (until tomorrow)...