Melbourne Home - Rosetta Santucci and family

The Footscray home of Rosetta Santucci and family

Perhaps this gorgeous place might look a little familiar... The lovely home of the Santucci family in Footscray has received it's fair share of attention over the past few years - it's been featured in a few local mags, and you might also have spotted it earlier this year on Design*Sponge! Much deserved attention I must say!

Anyhoo, I hope you will agree that when a place is truly this gorgeous, it is ok to double up :) Because, seriously, how lovely is it??!

The Santucci's are just the most beautiful and insanely talented family. Both John and Rosetta are incredibly talented artists.... you may have seen their stunning paintings around Melbourne galleries and homes, or featured in print over the past few years. John and Rosetta also both have a background in the film industry - John in the art department, and Rosetta in costume. A few years ago Rosetta left it all behind to pursue her passion, with the encouragement of her wonderful husband! Brilliant move! (...and I can definitely vouch for the fact that working fulltime in the film industry is not exactly conducive to pursuing ones' passion...!)

Rosetta and John bought their little weatherboard cottage in Footscray 4.5 years ago. It was built around the 1920's, with a big back yard, 'I could see some potential' says Rosetta 'and believe me, you did have to have an imagination!'. Rosetta and John pulled up the carpets, polished the boards themselves and painted them with a Porter's wood wash - transforming the place into a light, bright space. When they got the keys after settlement, they realised that the "bright kitchen" and "functional bathroom" actually had to be raised to the ground and rebuilt - which John and a builder friend did in a tight squeeze of 3 weeks before christmas! 'Stress levels were a little high!' Rosetta remembers!

Next on the list was a studio out the back - the whole family had to squeeze into one bedroom for many months, to wait for the studio to be built, as the 2nd bedroom was used as as studio in the mean time. 'Finally we got our studio and the boys (Oliver and Marcello) could move into their own room.' says Rosetta 'It felt like a whole new space opened up!'

You can see many of Rosetta's exquisite paintings in these shots of her beautiful home... and before you ask WHERE CAN I BUY ONE OF THOSE AMAZING PAINTINGS you might also like to know that next month Rosetta is having a solo exhibition of brand new work at Green-Wood Gallery in South Melbourne!

Sneaky-peeks at Rosetta's brand new works for the upcoming show! - "Follow me there" Acrylic on canvas, 92 x 92 cm.

And another... "Forage through" acrylic on canvas, 61 x 76cm

Rosetta Santucci Exhibition

Opening night - Thursday July 22nd 6.00pm - 8.00pm (all welcome)
Exhibition runs 22nd July until 8th August 2010
Gallery hours - Wed - Sun, 11.00am - 500pm

Green-Wood Gallery
1 Hothan st, South Melbourne

Put it in your diary right now people! Rosetta's work gets snapped up quicker than the Prime Minister-ship in an election year. (Thanks to tweeters Cocollette and KT for that one!).

The Santucci's cute pooch is not camera shy...

...and he kind of matches the furniture?

Love the master bedroom... Another beautiful Rosetta Santucci painting above the bed. Swoon.

Painting studio

One more of Rosetta's new paintings for the upcoming show... "I know the way out" Acrylic on canvas. 183 x 137 cm.

Carla Fletcher - studio visit and mini-interview!

Melbourne artist Carla Fletcher

Carla's incredible portrait of CW Stoneking, shortlisted for this year's Archibald Prize

On the 10th of March this year, young Melbourne artist Carla Fletcher received a phone call from the Art Gallery of NSW, informing her that her portrait of Melbourne Blues musician, C.W. Stoneking was a finalist in this years Archibald Prize!!

*insert squeal here!*

How EXCITING!? This is the very first time Carla has entered this most prestigious Australian art prize... it is hugely competitive and and incredible honour to be included - so needless to say the phonecall was very unexpected!

The last couple of months have, not surprisingly, been a bit of whirlwind for Carla - the nervous wait before the official announcement, the excitement of the opening cocktail party in Sydney, endless inquiries, media attention and the odd interview appearance!

I was SO excited to visit Carla recently in her Brunswick studio and hear a little of this rollercoaster-ride first-hand! Aside from her incredible talent and drive, Carla is just the sweetest and most modest person... it is so lovely to see such a brilliant local artist rewarded in this way. As Carla recounted her Archibald stories to me, her eyes truly sparkled in a 'pinch-me-and-tell-me-this-is-all-not-just-a-dream' kinda way! Awww. Nope, you're not dreaming Carla!

(Also, seriously, whilst not entirely relevant, it cannot be overstated how cute Carla's haircut is. Agghh, the fringe, so cute.)

5 Questions with Carla Fletcher!

Tell us a little bit about your background - what path had led you to where you are now?

Well, I had no idea I wanted to be an Artist.
My parents are great advocates of following your own heart, so I totally blame them ; )

After school I got my folio together and somehow got into a B.A of Fashion Design at RMIT - I don't sew.

Not sure whether it was an 80's pop culture short attention span or fate but half way through first year I was bored of sketching garments on figures and more interested in sketching the figures themselves. I left Fashion Design, squeezed in a final year of an Illustration Diploma before doing my B.A in Fine Art at the Drawing department at RMIT.

A few years later, at a time when I was questioning everything, my Father took me to Central Australia and asked me to teach him how to paint. A very empowering thing for a parent to ask their child to teach them.

We sketched, painted and walked through the outback. I came home after that trip more connected to my path as an Artist than I had ever been. Since then I have constantly exhibited in both independent solo and group exhibitions.

Carla's Brunswick studio

Studio Details

It can be such a struggle for emerging artists to find their feet, get their work seen, and earn a living in between! What advice would you give to emerging artists looking to exhibit and sell their work in Melbourne? Are there any particular artist's resources or words of advice you have picked up along the way which you can share?

I think each Artist has an individual path that will determine how they get their work out into the world.

In Melbourne and Australia there is an artery of independent galleries, studio spaces, group exhibitions, grants and prizes that are waiting to be tapped into. Check out the National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) - a comprehensive place to start exploring the possibilities ...

Which other artists, designers or creative people are you inspired by at the moment?

A combination of music, art and design -

Philip Hunter , Del Kathryn Barton, Ilse Crawford, Egon Shiele, Grizzy Bear and Brett Langsford and The Magic Mountain Band ; )

Your portrait of C.W Stoneking was recently shortlisted as a finalist in the 2010 Archibald prize. Aggh so exciting!! Can you give us a little insight into the motivation behind entering this prestigious art prize, and your incredible experience with it all thus far?

The Archibald Prize is an anomaly in our art world that has captured the imagination of the Australian public, I am no exception.

Each year there is a media frenzy to digest the winner and spit out a controversy. The tradition of this prize reaches deep into the great people and artists of our country. The prize itself is somewhat of a celebrity.

I had been introduced to C.W. Stoneking a couple of years ago through a mutual friend and mid way through last year I set myself the challenge. It took a lot of hours over a few months and it was an arm wrestle. It was one of those works that taught me a lot but I released it totally happy with what I had achieved. Upon finishing it did not matter to me whether I got in or not - I expected not to. The fact that I am a finalist this year is extremely validating.

Carla on opening night! And CW Stoneking inspects the work with 2-week old Florence Stoneking in tow...!

What's next for Carla Fletcher? What are you looking forward to?

I'm currently creating art work for the recent E.P. release 'Over an Ocean Away' by Brett Langsford and the Magic Mountain Band. (*Carla's boyfriend and his band!)

I'm looking forward to exhibiting in a group show in July called 'The Brunswick Show'.
It aims to show case the works of 25 artists in Brunswick Melbourne, including 2010 Archibald and Wynne prize winner Sam Leach.

Then I'll be back in the studio, working on a solo exhibition of new works for mid next year ...

Sydney-siders - your last chance to see The Archibald exhibition is this weekend at the Art Gallery of NSW. The show closes Sunday May 30th, and is then set to tour the country for the rest of the year (yet somehow bypasses MELBOURNE!??) - details here.

Coming up for Carla next month is a group show of Brunswick artists called The Brunswick Show - a exhibition which will also feature work by fellow Brunswick artist Sam Leach - the winner of the 2010 Archibald Prize! (Go Brunswick!).

Finised! Carla, exhausted but content after many hours, days, weeks hard at work on her masterpiece!

'Get Lost, Find Something' - Darren Henderson's debut exhibition in Melbourne

A sneak peek at Darren Henderson's debut solo exhibition, 'Get Lost, Find Something', opening tonight at Fitzroy's Gorker Gallery.


Melbourne artist Darren Henderson has a fascination with owls.... he's been painting them for years - lots and lots of colourful, expressive, kooky little owls. You can see 300 of them at his debut solo exhibition, 'Get Lost, Find Something' at Fitzroy's Gorker Gallery - opening tonight from 6.30pm - 8.30pm!

The installation at Gorker will see all 300 tiny owl paintings hung to form a large-scale world map, alongside other paintings and gocco prints by the artist. If you're interested to learn a little more about Darren and the show, there is a great recent little interview with him over here.

...and if Darren's feathery little friends look familiar, perhaps that's because you've seen their Grandaddy on the exterior wall of The Wall cafe in Balaclava! (pics below). I love that guy!

In you're on the Northside of Melbourne tonight pop in to the show and have a little look!

'Get Lost, Find Something' - works by Darren Henderson
Gorker Gallery
395 Gore st (Cnr Gore and Kerr sts)
Fitzroy

Exhibition opens tonight and runs until Sunday May 16

Darren's sneaky-looking oversized owl commands attention at The Wall cafe in Balaclava.

Beci Orpin's 'The Infinite Shape of Rainbows' exhibition - opening tonight!

Illustrations from Beci Orpins new show, opening tonight at Lamington Drive :)

OK so sorry but it's not all about Milan over here just yet... Still getting my head around it all (and the time difference!), am hoping to have some more Milan pics for you later today! In the meantime, I couldn't help but plug brilliant Beci Orpin's new show... - after all, you've seen her house, now it's time to go see her art! :)

Oh MY how good are the sinister black and white ladies with the bat masks? brilliant.

'The Infinite Shape of Rainbows' opens tonight at Lamington Drive in Fitzroy. The good thing about an opening at Lamington Drive (aside from the Lamingtons, of course) is that you are pretty much guaranteed to half-know at least one person there. I seriously reckon even if you live in Darwin or something, you would find a familiar face at Lamington Drive. It's magical like that :)

Another great thing about an opening at Lamington Drive is secretly sneaking out without saying goodbye to anyone, in time for the 8.30 sitting at Anada. Mmmm... Anada.

The Infinite Shape of Rainbows - new stuff by Beci Orpin
From April 15th - May 8th

Opening tonight April 15th from 6.00pm

Lamington Drive
89 George st
Fitzroy

Donna Marcus

Artworks created from anodised alumnium by Donna Marcus - from top left - Lounge, Parlour, Spareroom and Observatory, all 2006.

Queensland-based artist Donna Marcus makes seriously AMAZING artworks from re-purposed kitchenware and aluminium... How completely brilliant is it to see such beautiful and inspired creations made from something as mundane as salvaged cookware...!? When re-arranged and re-contextualised by Marcus, these lolly-coloured pots and pans seem so precious - almost jewel-like... a truly magical transformation.

Re-Entry - photos by Matt Hurst

Donna currently has an incredible large-scale installation showing in the Atrium at Federation Square.. entitled 'Re-Entry', a collection of hanging sculptures are suspended like surreal multicoloured clouds or 'intergalactic space-junk'! The installation is constructed from over 1000 aluminium pots, pans, colanders and fry pan lids! Love it.

Fed Square are so great with things like this. Nice work Fed Square art curator dudes, whoever you are! :)

Re-Entry - photos by Matt Hurst

Re-Entry will run at the Atrium in Fed Square until May 29th.

Donna Marcus is represented in Melbourne by Dianne Tanzer Gallery.

Thanks to Matt Hurst for the tip off and the shots! x

Interview - Christina Gordon

All prints by Christina Gordon

Even if you don't know her name, I am pretty sure most Melbourne peeps would be familiar with Christina Gordon's brilliant little prints. Her characters are unmistakable - pretty, sullen little wide-eyed girls with a sweetly sinister edge! If you're a Northsider you might have seen them in the window of PG Printmaker Gallery in Brunswick st Fitzroy... and you might also remember seeing a few of her sassy little ladies gracing the walls of Shelley and Stephan's home back here?

Christina is one super-talented lady. In addition to her prolific printmaking output, Christina is also a whizz with a sewing machine - she makes and exhibits the most incredible dolls and softies which are almost like 3D versions of her printed characters. Christina also has a huuuuge Blythe doll collection - and of course she also makes the most beautiful hand-embellished clothes for her girls to wear! ...I get the feeling it's like one big Tim Burton-esque fairytale at the Gordon household!

I particularly loved seeing Christina's recent handmade 'Creepy Christmas' decorations... her black Christmas tree is so perfect - and how about all her fab creepy little stitched characters? The voodoo gingerbread man - inspired!

Christina's 'Creepy Christmas' tree and handmade decorations...

Creepy softies made by Christina

Thanks so much to Christina for her time with this interview! Christina's work is available at Print Guild Printmaker Gallery in Melbourne, and you can also purchase from her Etsy shop! Also Christina has a fabulous blog called JamFancy! If you like her work, you should totally pop over and say hello :)

Just a few of Christina's amazing Blythe Dolls, each wearing custom outfits handcrafted by Christina! For more of Christina's amazingly huge Blythe collection, see her Flickr set here.

Tell me a little about your background – what path led you to what you are doing now?

I think I always liked drawing and making things best, even as a child and it has continued the same, I even do the same kinds of things. I went to art school at RMIT and kind of fell into the printmaking side of things, I didn't actually know what it was when I started. I think that might be why I ended up working on hessian plates, I didn't realise you probably shouldn't, that and a love for textile arts combined to create my printing technique.


How would you describe your work?

I love fairy tales, the mix of the cute, beautiful and fully macabre and that is what I try to do in my work.


What is one of your favourite pieces and why?

That changes all the time, it seems each new set of work is the favourite, I suppose if I have a favourite it is this one as it makes me laugh, its nice when the expressions on the faces are just right, I hadn't really intended it either, the bunny just came out looking highly scandalised.


What does a typical day at work involve for you?

I tend to wake up a bit horribly early, around 5am and spend far too long over breakfast and mucking about on the internet. Some days I'm drawing up the prints for next day, other days I start printing after breakfast. I like the non-printing days as they are my days off where I can make toys and dolls and sew.

Tea or coffee whilst you work?

Definitely tea. I'm addicted to Karel Capek teas from Japan, they come in wonderful flavours like caramel and chocolate, strawberry and apple cinnamon. They genuinely smell and taste like what they say they are as well and the tins are very cute.


Music or silence whilst you work?

I usually have something on, music when I draw and This American Life when I'm printing. I like Joanna Newsom and Arcade Fire particularly for drawing.


Where do you turn for creative inspiration – nature, travel, books, the web etc?

It seems like I find it everywhere, I often have to stop myself from looking at things in an acquisitive way, I tend to be looking for what I can use in my own work instead of just enjoying things for what they are. I think the internet is a great source of inspiration and just lately I have found much to work from in Japanese fashion as well.

Which artists / designers / creative people do you admire?

There are a lot and it would be hard to name them all without leaving people out.....just at the moment though I particularly like the photography of Tim Walker, its so dream like.

What are you looking forward to?

Christmas and going to Japan again in the New Year sometime.

Melbourne Questions -

Your favourite galleries to see the work of local artists in Melbourne?

I tend not to leave my house all that much actually, I like when I drop in to PG Printmaker Gallery to check out the other printmakers they have, its such a good source for young up and coming work.


What/where was the last great meal you ate in Melbourne?

This is going to sound terrible, but it was suckling pig at Libertine. You have to have ten people and they roast a whole pig, it was a bit sad to see the little guy, but there is also something very French and sumptuous about it as well. We had ten or so wines and a great group of friends and I just remember it as a really splendid night.

Where would we find you on a typical Saturday morning?

Rather boringly doing the weekly shopping with my partner Paul. I don't notice many people doing the weekly shop together, its the only way to make it a bit fun.

Melbourne’s best kept secret?

I don't think its much of a secret but Madame Sousou's is a very nice place to be. I like that they do breakfast all day and that you can have French champagne and French Fries at the same place.

Ps) I am posting this interview today because I have decided to take a little break tomorrow for New Years Day! See you all next Monday - 2010!

Ricky Swallow at the NGV

Fig. 1 - Ricky Swallow. English Lime wood, 2008. photo: Robert Wedemeyer

Left - Come Together - Ricky Swallow. Jelutong, 2002 66 x 64 x 81 cm. Right - The Bricoleur - Ricky Swallow. Jelutong, 2006, 122 x 25 x 25 cm. Photos : Fredrik Nilsen.

One Nation Underground - Ricky Swallow, Watercolor on Paper, 10 parts, 2007, 28 x 35 cm each. photos : Fredrik Nilsen

Now that the hyped-up Christmas panic has passed, your living room is vaguely back in order, and your fridge stocked with enough leftovers for 2 weeks, it's time to do some stuff you don't normally have time to do.... like catch the tram into town and see an art show, perhaps!?

I have been meaning to get to the Ricky Swallow exhibition at the NGV in Fed Square for soooo long. He's such a superstar - at just 35, Swallow has won international acclaim for his stunning lifelike woodcarving sculptures and haunting watercolours.... and even though he's a US resident right now, we just won't let Mr Swallow forget where he came from! (ie Melbourne!)

The Bricoleur - Ricky Swallow
NGV Australia
Ian Potter Centre
Federation Square
Melbourne CBD

Tickets - $10.00 adult, $7.00 concession

Until Feb 28th

Together is the New Alone, - Ricky Swallow. Jelutong, Epoxy putty, Glass, 2002, 30 x 16.5 x 15
photo: Fredrik Nilsen

Top - Killing Time - Ricky Swallow, Jelutong, Maple bracing, 2003-2004, 108 x 184 x 118 cm. Photo: Karl Schwerdtfeger. Bottom - Killing time detail.

Good Wives and Warriors - new work, new website

Christmas illustrations by Good Wives and Warriors

The gorgeous Becky Bolton and Louise Chappell of Good Wives and Warriors have got a new website. It is GREAT of course, and showcases lots of new work - man these girls are so talented! (Remember their stellar paint-a-thon at Mr Wilkinson a few months back?)

Becky and Louise work their magic at Mr Wilkinson in September!

Good Wives have been super-busy, with shows in Melbourne, Berlin and Copenhagen this year! At the moment they are in London, where they've just set themselves up in a shared studio space. Look at the super cute little video interview they did for their client Swatch at Illustrative 09 exhibition in Berlin... My fave bit is when the girls show off their Swatch watches and Louise says 'we wear them everyday, to see what time it is'!! Awwww tooo cute!

Painting in Copenhagen

Swatch watches featuring Good Wives Illustrations

Swatch window graphics in Melbourne (top) and London (bottom)

Good Wives and Warriors are represented commercially by Jacky Winter.