Some wisdom to get you off on the right foot this week…this guy is so smart. He never references meditation but a lot of these ideas seem to share common ground with what I’ve learned from meditating. Infinite Jest has been squatting (unread) on my nightstand for a few weeks now…it’s enormous, but perhaps it’s time to give it another stab.
xx
Holy ballz, I had no idea Kimbra could sing like this. She’s got to be one of the most talented singers we have in Australia right now (yes, she’s technically from NZ, shhhh). Can’t believe she’s just 23 and has so much soul. Her voice reminds me off Jeff Buckley.
xx
More men like this please! This guy is pretty much the perfect template for what masculinity should look like if you ask me. Strong, intelligent and not afraid to speak up and challenge the way things are done.
xx
P.S.
How good are TED talks?!
Got this done a few weeks ago. Design by Jeremyville (more here), tattoo by Amanda Grace Leadman.
I also interviewed Amanda for Tattoos Down Under, hopefully we make it into their June issue.
xx
Every Tuesday morning, my Mum and I go for a walk along my favourite beach in the world, Manly. Being chatterboxes, we usually end up discussing all kids of things, and last week we were talking about relationships and what makes them work. She’s been married to my Dad for 28 years, and I thought she had some interesting opinions on why they’re still together. Here are two pearls of wisdom that stuck with me:
Obviously every relationship is different, and what works for some may not work for others. But I figured since she’s been making it work for almost three decades now, Mum might be onto something worth sharing.
xx
*excluding art house European films and porn.
On Friday night I hit Foley street with some gal pals for the opening of ‘We Are Here’, a huge mural covering the entire lane (commissioned for Art Month in Sydney) featuring local street artists . Our mate The Dirt had his talents on display, and as the laneway filled to bursting and we gazed up at the walls, tipsy and full of Mexican, I marvelled at all the many forms art can take.
But my favourite piece was this tattooed guy I found sitting in a gutter.
Softly spoken and covered in glittering jewels, he sat alone in the shadows puffing on a cigarette. He was perfection.
xx
When my Dad asked where my brother and I were off to last weekend, I said “an art show”, because he doesn’t like tattoos and I don’t like lying. But once we arrived at the Sydney Tattoo and Body Art Expo I realised I’d been completely accurate. We were immersed in a pavilion full of talented artists and their beautiful creations, with a huge diversity of styles represented.
There were a bunch of people I was excited to see and none of them disappointed. A year ago I got some work from Liser Burlton of Germany. She’s been travelling and tattooing almost non stop since I last saw her (with her husband Steve Burlton, also a talented tattoo artist) and it’s amazing how much her style has progressed in that time. She’s known for her bugs and moths, but lately has started painting and tattooing gorgeous birds of prey, too.
Crab by Liser Burlton
The crew at Mimsy’s Trailer Trash Tattoo from Queensland were lots of fun. They set up a vintage pink trailer surrounded by colourful flowers and inflatable palm trees and pink flamingos. It was the perfect setting for the vibrant, raucous tattoos the team were turning out. Tilly Dee was a standout, her style is just so unique.
Poison by Tilly Dee
Also not afraid to use a little colour is Lauren Winzer, who was over with the crew from Hunter and Fox. They seem like one of the most progressive and exciting studios here in Sydney, and I’m looking forward to paying them a visit.
Bird by Lauren Winzer
I managed to save the best for last, however it wasn’t planned that way - I simply have no sense of direction. After looping the pavilion several times I found the guys from WA Ink tucked away near Corey Miller (of LA Ink - he had a huge booth but didn’t seem to be working..!).
Pari Corbitt at work.
I’ve been avidly keeping up with these Perth kids and just can’t believe the level they’re at. Pari Corbitt excels at moody, romantic black and grey work, and was kind enough to let me take a photo.
Aaron Ashworth, James McKenna and Capilli Tupou have similar styles that seem to draw influence from a broad palette (geometry, religion, traditional Scandinavian art, botany), with the end result being a style that’s cohesive, bizarre, fascinating and sophisticated.
Aaron Ashworth at work
Also from WA is Sandra Ovenden, her work is solid and in my opinion she’s another one to watch.
Rabbit by Sandra Ovenden
I felt very lucky to meet so many talented artists at once, many of whom I’ve admired from afar for a while now. It’s a privilege to see the tradition evolve as more and more talented tattooists keep pushing it forward.
xx
