Dabbling into our creative 'talents'

Talent is something you're born with, skill is something you build. I don't know which of these my gorgeous Mum and I are exercising in our painting class every Wednesday, but either way we're getting right into it and feel we're producing some fairly decent pieces for the wall!

Margaret River TAFE hosts the class; around twenty students attend each week. Our peers are mostly women aged 40 and over, but there is one girl around my age, and two guys. Some people look like they've done it all before. Others, quite like Mum and I, are amateurs.
The teacher introduces us to a particular task, demonstrates this task, then leaves us to use the relevant supplies and have a go at it ourselves.

Here's what we've brought home so far...

My shell - was a little tricky to pick out the shades at first because it was all so white

Mum's banksia - I really love the shape of this and the obvious changes in tone

My banksia - view from the side

Task 1: We selected a natural object from a box of things like wood, rocks, etc. and were asked to sketch and shade them in tones of grey. We actually mixed the grey ourselves - making black out of red + green + blue paint, and then adding various amounts of white! I didn't even know this could be done before. I chose a shell, then swapped with Mum who had painted a banksia.

Task 2: We were asked to bring in our own objects from home and create a composition we liked, before painting it, again, in greyscale tones. I chose some apples and the lantern we found in remains of a house that had been burnt down in the Margaret River fires last year, and Mum chose some lemons in a colander. 

My Mummy looking like a true artist

Mum's final masterpiece (her first painting ever !). Interestingly, her best lemon (back, right) was never really there to start with, she created it. 

Task 3: We were asked to apply colour! This actually took me a little longer than the timeframe we were given, so I completed it at home. The teacher told me I had set a challenge for myself with the folds of the sheet, and the glass.... she wasn't wrong haha. 

But I'm really happy with how it turned out, especially the apples! I could see this orangey kind of tone in them, but didn't want a bright orange to clash with the red, so I mixed up this milky salmon colour.... It seemed really gross on it's own, and when painting with it I was like, "Arghhhh what have I done!?", but when you take a step back it works amazingly well.

In contrast to art class in Year 12 where it was all about pleasing the teacher and getting a good grade, this class experience is a lot more relaxed, I find, and therefore a lot more enjoyable. You know how people write on their life to-do lists things like: Attend a cooking class, Learn to knit, Take up Yoga.... This painting class can take place right under them - it's fun and exciting, and you're not pressured to be Van Gogh or to pay your bills with your skills by the end. It's just another thing to try.

Hope I can show you some progress in weeks to come!

xZ 

Livin' the gypsy life

When I want to feel free and gypsy-like, I walk barefoot everywhere and step on many a prickle.
I think the best way would be to piece together an amazing modern day hippie get up alá Spell and the Gypsy Collective... check out some photos from their blog:

I especially dig the chick with purple hair in the last three snaps. Her name is Fa' Empel, and she features in a wicked sick video HERE that you should probably definitely check out. 

Lusting for some badass hippie threads. Andddd maybe some tatts. But my Mum will talk me out of that, damn.

Do you enjoy this style? 

xZ

I'm so happy I could cry!

After EIGHT years of waiting, and making sure that I've had enough in my bank to cover ticket/flight costs in the case that such a magnificent event might happen,
RADIOHEAD ARE FINALLY COMING TO AUSTRALIA in November this year!!

I've been a fan of the band ever since my best friend introduced me to them in Year 10. I've always suspected they might come and skip Adelaide (as many big names do), opting instead for the larger Sydney or Melbourne venues. Hence, my idea of keeping enough to travel to wherever they might play, which came with the fear of missing out.

So I'm going to Melbourne!! ^_^ On my own at this point, but I'm sure there will be someone to team up with, if not, mehhhh!

It's funny when you don't have anyone to share your excitement with... When my boyfriend asked me why I was excited, I said, "Only because MY FAVOURITE BAND is playing!", and he never even asked me who I meant. Then he yawned.

Anyway! Here is some magic for you:




xZ

Would you like [a few unlimited glasses of] wine with that, Sir?

Leeuwin Estate Concert 2012

So, I've got good news: I've moved up from toilet cleaning! 

On the 11th & 12th of February, back at Leeuwin Estate winery for another concert job, I was in fact serving wine to people who had paid around $700 a head to be there. 

It was a huge contrast to the Pete Murray concert I worked at and blogged about here - the main difference being the drastic increase in crowds and the air of formality that surrounded the grounds. 

There were literally thousands of people attending, more than 5000, all dressed up to the nines. Not many high heels were spared for the grass that they had to trudge along. I guess many people were what I might call "rich", but I like to think there were a lot of families and friends that just wanted to partake in such an exciting and renowned event, as a special treat to themselves. Leeuwin has been holding this huge concert night for around 28 years, and has hosted guests such as Chris Isaak and Sting! No joke, I witnessed their wall of fame! 

Image courtesy of the Margaret River Mail

This year, featuring acts included Marina Prior, David Hobson, and the Perth Symphony Orchestra, with following act James Morrison and his Mo-Town spectacular! (If you haven't heard of these artists.... don't sweat it, I hadn't heard of the first ones either).

There were a few types of tickets with different privileges, which I'll outline in dot-points:

- Regular concert ticket: bought individuals a patch of lush green grass facing the giant sound-shell stage. These people bring their own food and seating.

- "Concert Club" pass: allows entry into a special tent area, and prime seating up front, with a pre-packed hamper of food and wine.

- Restaurant package deal: bought on top of either of the first two tickets; grants the holder a five course meal accompanied by five different Leeuwin wines!

It would all get a little confusing if not for the coloured neck tags that all guests wore to the event, depending on their privileges! 

My main role in the early evening was to look pretty and serve wine to over 100 guests at a time in the Concert Club tent. The photo above was taken by my proud Mumma, who attended as a regular guest and couldn't stop calling me over to the fence while I was trying to work! <3

Ahhhh it was such a rush, and sometimes required a little boost of courage, to approach people and interrupt their conversations to offer a top up or a transition from white to red or vice versa. Many people loved me, to be humble about it, because I'd be there just at the right moment or insisting that they deserved "just another splash". There was no limit on alcohol intake, but everyone was drinking in classy measures, so there was just enough intoxication for an all-round merry experience. 

Later on, I continued serving wines at the five course dinner, which took place on the outdoor decks of the main restaurant. Sorry I chucked the sample menu away so I can't tell you exactly what each course consisted of, but I know there was freshwater crayfish in one, and a shot glass filled with gazpacho (tomato soup) for another... interesting! Everything was beautifully presented. 

In terms of the performance, I was a bit busy to watch, but this is a picture of my darling grandmother and she was just thrilled. Apparently she knew quite a few of the opera songs in the first act, and every time a song came on, she would just throw her hands up and shut her eyes, looking to the sky like, "Oh!", "Oh!" A marvellous song! And so many memories. Hehe, the cutie.

A view of the many people leading up to the powerful and intriguing performance. 

When the concert ended around 12am or so, I basically helped the large team of workers pack down the whole setting... taking covers and ribbons off chairs, carrying many chairs and tables back into the restaurant after packing away the concert ones... polishing trays and trays of glasses! Etc. 

Although it was intense work, no task was particularly hard, and being with the other workers made it fun. I think the fact that we all got along so well in the definition of a 'team' was key to the success of it all.

Yep. I've said enough and probably still couldn't convey exactly how much I loved this experience. Oh well :).

If any travelers or WA locals want to consider volunteering at the next concert, I strongly recommend! Or bring your family/pals and get dressed up for a fancy platter and wine under the stars!


xZ

It's been seven hours and fifteen days...

Image from Very Interesting Blog through Google Images

Sorry to leave the blog running on old threads for so long.
Get ready for a flood of catch up posts, yay!

Picture this: The Margaret River Farmer's Market

 

If I were a true local, I would regularly make a beeline for the Farmer's Market straight after the Lion's Shed sale on Saturday mornings. In actual fact, this is the first time I've visited, and it was only briefly - but still, I've come away with some sweet shots.
Note: This is how much I love my camera!! I really didn't put in maximum effort to set up or focus any shots, just a 'point and shoot' exercise really, but they came out well anyway.


The one thing I bought, was a paper bag of doggy biscuits. The girls who made them were so cute, and their little stall was put together with a lot of thought & care. Loved the "Keep calm and pat a dog" sign. :)


Do you have a local marketplace near you? Why not check it out this weekend? Buy some organic fruit? Some handmade soaps? A delicious dip?

xZ

Here, have some outfits

Hi blog friends, how are you doing?
Hope you're enjoying a relaxing morning/afternoon/evening like I am! This morning I went to the dentists and got two fillings. They're sore now, so I'm just laying on my bed and having a browse online.
I think my bank account is hurting just as much - I had no idea something like that would cost $400!

Anyway, I thought I might as well upload some outfits from last week, so here they are.



#1: When unexpected rain kidnaps the sun.

#2: How to steal your boyfriend's shirt and get away with it.... 

...And a photo I took of a poor moth with broken wings. 

It kept trying and trying to fly. I even looked up "how to fix butterfly wings" so that I might save it, but the instructions made it seem complicated :( Still thought it made a nice photo, in a tragic way.

xZ

Style Icon: Kimbra

Just one look at Kimbra's eclectic dress sense & her creative music videos and we know she is just as interesting without that guy she used to know... 

Extreme girly ruffles, mixed with dark little vixen hair and make up.... she's definitely got her own 'look' going on. 

Here's a little collection of pics, to leave you in awe.

 All images sourced from Kimbra's facebook page. 

And if you're loving the darker vibe, check out the video clip for 'Good Intent'. I came across it only moments ago and was enthralled by the men's crisp suits and shadowed hats just as much as Kimbra's attire... Showcasing a 1920s theme, it has a dangerously sexy vibe with which Kimbra just fits in perfectly. Awesome dancing too!