DOUBLE TERMINATOR

A recent bit of fun :)

MASKED INTENTIONS

Next week Masked Intentions opens at HE MADE SHE MADE concept gallery.

70 Oxford St, Darlinghurst, NSW.

Opening 22 May, 6pm

and will be on show until 9 June.

Im involved so see mine and 20 other creative's masks on display!

RADIO VOICE

The chat I did with Kit Palaskas for her radio show MADE BY HAND last weekend on Sydney radio station 2SER 107.3fm is online in podcast form.  It's ready for your ears along with a nice little write up over on Kit's blog that's ready for your eyes :)

MADE BY HAND

Tomorrow morning I'm going to get my first bit of AIR time.

The ambitious and admirable Kitiya Palaskas will be hosting her very virst radio segment, MADE MY HAND on Sydney's 2SER 107.3 fm.  Every Saturday morning from 10 Kit will take over the airwaves and talk about all things handmade and will also be chatting to and showcasing the work of a guest creative.

For her first show I will be her guest!!!

I'm a bit nervous and super excited to be a part of this new exciting venture she has going on.  It's going to be great.

Tune in tomorrow morning or stream it online :)  Then afterwards we can all talk about my radio voice! YES. 

INTERVIEW: ONE HUNGRY MAMI

Unless you’ve been living under a rock in the Sahara Desert  recently (unlikely) you will have noticed a shift in the types of food we are consuming, a shift in our approach to health and wellbeing through food, and a shift in the types of eateries that are shooting up all over the place.  I can’t say exactly what or who has sparked this shift but we are genuinely thinking about how our food choices are affecting us and the planet we live on.  If it says ‘organic’ or ‘free range’ somewhere in the name of our food it generally means we’re doing the right thing. Being conscious about where food comes from, how it is prepared, and how it affects our body, mind and soul has become somewhat of a fashion trend.  There’s fancy organic cafe’s sprouting in grungy old buildings in unexciting industrial areas, there’s food trucks cruising around cities serving fresh and alluring meals in vacant car parks and then there’s the new breed who are doin’ it fo’ themselves and posting mouth-watering evidence of it on social media.  Miss Brenda De La Piedra falls into this DIY category. 

Brenda goes by the moniker One Hungry Mami or if you are the Instagram way inclined (likely) she’s known as @onehungrymami.  If you know her you’ll know that she is many things! A mum, a wife, a nurse, a Peruvian spunk rat, and an insane multi tasker.  Addicted to a good food related challenge, Brenda decided to send herself down the grassy path to veganism about 9 months ago. 

Now.... I love a nice juicy Hungry Jacks Whopper from time to time (my mouth is watering just thinking about it) but the earthen combinations Brenda produce’s seriously get my tastebuds dancing.  She makes zucchini spaghetti dishes, vege nori rolls, yummy fresh salad jars, quinoa stuffed tomatoes, the best looking desserts and smoothies, and her creations are filled with all the colours of the rainbow.  ROYGBIV, eat yo’ heart out. 

(clockwise) Avocado Ice Cream Pops with Strawberry Sauce,

 Quinoa and Sweet Potato Patties with Siracha Mayo and Salad,

Lime and Stawberry Mousse with Almond and Date Crumble,

Zucchini and Carrot Noodles with Spicy Coconut Curry Sauce.

I got the chance to ask the mamacita a few questions about her passion for food, the challenges of eating a plant based-diet and how her particular approach to food has impacted her mind, body and soul.  

First of all, what is One Hungry Mami all about? 

Initially OHM started as a way of documenting my experience of adopting a plant based diet.  It was only meant to be for 12 weeks but now, 9 months later, I’m still at it!   

Apart from giving me better health, both physically and mentally, it has also awakened a passion for healthy food that I guess has always been there.  My long term plan is to do some study in this area and I’m currently working on a web page that makes it easier to find the recipes.  This may take a while as I’m computer challenged! 

Where does your passion for food come from?  

Being Latin American, I guess that passion for food is intrinsic.  Peruvian food is delicious and is actually in the Guinness Book of World Records as being the most diverse.  So I draw on my culture and my family for ongoing inspiration.  As a child growing up in the jungle, I was lucky enough to always have different types of fresh produce available.  I didn’t know what McDonald’s was until I came to Australia at 9 years of age.  We always cooked everything we ate, and grew some of our own fruits and vegetables.  We also had chickens, ducks and so, as far back as I can remember, I’ve always known that food is important and should be treated with respect.  My fondest memory is sitting with my family around the brick oven, roasting plantains and eating them with freshly made peanut butter that we had ground up.   

You seem to have an understanding of which produce combines well together.  How do you gain your knowledge about fruit and vegetables?  

I think it’s like with any passion.  If you love it, it just comes naturally.  Not being afraid to try new things helps and I’ve always been game.  I think having been exposed to wonderful and weird cuisine has helped me not be afraid or hesitant.  I mean, guinea pigs are a delicacy in Peru, so is eating flying ants! Yes, I have done those things.  Of course, things are a bit different now since I’ve excluded all animal products, but I have the fundamentals and just about everything can be ‘veganised’. 

Do you find anything challenging about being vegan?  

Eating out can be a challenge.  The amount of times I’ve been out to a restaurant, even after asking if they do a vegan option, and they have sent me something sub standard is astonishing!  How can you stuff up vegetables?  Therefore I try to only frequent places that I know are good and are actually vegan friendly.  There are some wonderful places in Sydney that do this really well.  More often than not though, I prefer to prepare my meals so that I know exactly what goes into it.  I also don’t eat gluten and prefer my food raw so I’m sure I’m a chef’s nightmare when I walk through the door! 

How has having a plant-based diet impacted you? 

It’s the best crazy idea I’ve ever had!  Apart from providing me with a creative outlet, it has improved my health immensely.  I have so much energy, I sleep better, my mind is still super busy but I don’t feel overwhelmed.  Best of all, I’ve met some really cool like minded individuals through IG and FB who have been supportive and a constant source of inspiration.  I am amazed at how big the community is and it makes me so happy that there is such a massive interest in healthy living.  Regardless if you are strictly plant based or not, healthy, clean food is the way to go. 

Below is Brenda’s own recipe for her Ombre Ice cream so you can make it at home for yourself! 

Ombré Ice Cream 

Serves 1 (about 800mls) 

  

Ingredients 

  

Blueberry 

1/3 cup frozen blueberries 

2 frozen bananas 

  

Beetroot 

1/4 of a small beetroot, peeled 

2 frozen bananas 

  

Raspberry 

1/3 cup frozen raspberries 

2 frozen bananas 

  

Method 

  

Blend each layer separately in a high speed blender, to ice cream consistency.  Place each layer in a serving glass and serve. 

Top with your fruit of choice.  I used kiwi fruit. 

I have to say, the beetroot layer was my favourite! 

To know more about Brenda’s journey head to her blog, where you’ll also find a bunch of green and fruity recipes.  SCORE!! 

THIS IS DYLAN

THIS IS DYLAN - He's a bit too cool for everything!

HAPPY EASTER FROM KINDRED

To celebrate the Easter long weekend, KINDRED is having 20% off all jewellery in the store!!

 

The Living necklace (below) and plenty of other fancy pieces have come down to under 40 benjamins.  If you're looking for a gift for a friend or a special little something for yourself then check it out.  Every stone has a purpose and could be perfect for you.  

+ PLUS dont forget we do free postage in Australia.  

Wahooooooo! x 

SKULLZ

Working with some line and colour options this autumn (but still fluffin' hot) Monday afternoon....

NEW'NS

There's a bunch of new necklaces and bracelets in the KINDRED store.  Head over for a peek.

1. THIS LIFE necklace - with clear quartz, sodalite, coral and iolite.

2. SEVEN SEAS bracelet - with ocean jasper.

3. LUNAR necklace - with ocean jasper.

THE MASK

Finding some inspiration for an upcoming show I'm involved in at He Made She Made.

1. Amy Sarkisian  2. Damien Hirst - For the Love of God, 2007.

3. Philip Treacy at london Fashion Week - Spring Summer 2013.

4. Maison Martin Margiela Haute Couture Autumn Winter 2013

5. + 6. Same as above 

THE CAKE HOLE

The third Cake Wines pop up bar wrapped up about two weeks ago now.  This one coincided with Tropfest 2013.  True to form, theres a nice little vid to celebrate their time in that great little historic space in The Rocks.......

Cake Wines / Tropfest pop-up bar from Cake Wines on Vimeo.

K I N D R E D - OPEN FOR BUSINESS

BOOM. As of right now, KINDRED is open for business.  Yay!!!

TUUUUUNE

The best thing about Usher is this cover of his track Climax, by Dirty Projectors :)

KINDRED - A sneak peak.

1. Cairo Queen bracelet.  2. De La Stone bracelet  

3. Ice Magic necklace.  4. Sydney bracelet.

KINDRED will be open on Tuesday!

MINERAL OF THE DAY

SUGALITE WITH RICHTERITE.

Sugilite is a stone heavily associated with the crown chakra which is situated right at the top of the skull.  It is great for protection.  A great stone to use to block and dispel any negative energies, sugilite stimulates feelings and emotions of a positive nature.

Richterite is a stone perfect for draining any bad toxins out of the body, and clearing it of any bugs.

In conjunction these stones are perfect for cleansing the body and for detoxification of mental and emotional stresses as well as physical and inner stresses the body has endured, thus promoting new and positive strengths within the mind and body.

SHIP - SHAPE

This Friday the newest Cake Wines pop-up bar at 77 George St, The Rocks, will be playing host to an art show from myself and Manuela Strano. YAY! Manuela is one of the winners from last years Archi-bottle Prize and has her smashing work on the label of the rosé. Come down from 6pm!

HAPPY V DAY!!

KINDRED

In the next couple of weeks, my latest project and fiddly time consumer, KINDRED will be taking its first steps into the outside world.

This is a jewellery collection that I have been working on over the past few months, which like my artwork, is inspired by the unpredictability that can be found in nature.  I've been fine tuning it and sourcing the prettiest stones and beads while gaining lots of inspiration as well.

Stay tuned for sneak peaks of what KINDRED is all about.

!!

I just completed a commission I have been working on over the past couple of months.  It's finally ready for its new home with a wonderful couple!

The 7th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art

Last week I took on another holiday - because just one over Christmas and New Year wasn't enough ;) I went to QLD's Gold Coast and managed to fit in a day trip to Brisbane to check out The 7th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art at The Gallery of Modern Art and The Queensland Art Gallery.

I've been to the triennial a couple of times before and it never fails to excite me and motivate me as an artist.  It's a huge group of work from local and international artists from within the Asia Pacific region and boasts a colourful and playful collection.  It is always mesmerising in size, skill and variety.

If you are in the Brisbane region between now and April 14th, do yourself a favour and witness the fitness!

Below is just a taster of the massive collection on display, and not to mention two of my favourite pieces in the show, from the Australian based Louisa Burfadeci, and Indian born Raqib Shaw.

Louise Bufardeci takes a real mathematical approach to her work.  She has become fascinated by string theory, which is a formula being researched and studied by theoretical physicists in an attempt to define the workings of the universe.  These small cotton works are pieces of a larger work that was ultimately my favourite piece in the triennial this year.  I love the colours Bufardeci has used in combination, I love the organic aura of the line, I love the shadows that are cast from the beautiful little clusters and I love the simplicity of the work.  All I wanted to do was hold these little pieces of magic in the palm of my hand like a newborn kitten.

Raqib Shaw's pieces in the show were mesmerising in the true sense of the word.  Here is just a detail of his largest piece, Paradise Lost, where you can see the intricacies of his art making process and an introduction to the fantasy worlds he creates.  Quite feminine in a visual sense and with materials like glitter, enamel and rhinestones being utilised, Shaw's work is a product of make believe beauty.

YEN MAGAZINE FEMALE ART AWARDS 2013

It's that time of year again!  It's Yen Magazine Art Awards time!

This year I have entered the watercolour pictured below.  Roll on over to the website to read about my piece, see all of the other work thats been entered so far and have your two cents worth by voting for your fave pieces.

ALEXANDRA VALENTI

I am smitten! 

The soft, whimisical aura of Alexandra Valenti's photographs has got me wrapped around it's little finger.

repeater repeater

I have been playing around in photoshop for fun......