Bonus: 10 Min Drawing + Weird Wonders

{My Poppet link}

Welcome to the Bonus blog update. Some things dropped into my 'get excited' box, and I really couldn't wait till next Friday to mention them. So let's get to it, shall we?

A while back I created and wrote about a Drawing Project, which you can at last read about, over at My Poppet.

Previously, my youngest made some weird wonders, which I took the liberty of photographing for posterity. I enjoy watching her sewing development.

Looking for Meaning in a Button Box

© Melissa Gaggiano

It has been a week of lost contemplation. I'm between projects. Figuratively speaking of kicking the tires and making sure I'm on the right track for 2019.

While I am double checking my course path, the week has not been without it's creative bursts.

I produced a short photographic essay on my tog blog.

I enabled the kids in their making. The eldest has been crafting paper decorations for her birthday. The youngest made a fluffy dog toy, and for the first time she had a go at using the sewing machine.

I had a little drawing spark, and came up with this doll concept. No matter how much paper I have I always run out of room for the legs. I end up drawing my doll figures with bent knees.

© Melissa Gaggiano

Twenty Eighteen

These days I'm not much of a fan of New Year's Resolutions. Back in the day when I used to write those lists my resolve was bound to backfire. Looking back, I now understand my resolutions did not come with action plans or came with too high an expectation.

2018 is nearing completion, and no, I am not going to write a NYR. Instead I intend on using the next few weeks to rest, and take mental stock.

Doing the mental stock thing, I am following the recommendations of Marie Forleo. Marie is pure rocket fuel for my brain. Watching her videos really makes me think. And I do not mind revisiting her old videos, because, you know what? It's easy to forget, and travel off course. You are The Captain of your journey, but every good Captain refers to their Navigator. Yes, Marie is a Navigator of sorts.

With those brain farts out of my system, I want to share with you, my 2018 in review.

Let it begin:

Leonard Street (Australian indie fashion label) invited me to showcase my sloth doll designs in their Fitzroy store. The sloths are handmade armature (meaning, the limbs can move) felt dolls. Their clothes were made from the offcuts of Leonard Street fabric. Such an amazing project.

I am a regular contributor for the craft arm of My Poppet. My content has ranged from felt to paper projects. An exciting highlight was attending PAX as a media representative for My Poppet. Reporting my experience of this colossal event for My Poppet Living.

I have been a regular craft design contributor for the Australian magazine, Handmade.

I produced a downloadable ebook – a tutorial for making a simpler version of my Leonard St sloth designs.

I received a commission to make classroom finger puppets. The puppets were intended as a classroom tool, for students to express their feelings, in their transition to high school. These finger puppets have armature in the arms.

Although not craft design orientated, it is a worthwhile point to mention, I was hired as a photographer for a Fortieth Birthday celebration. It was both a highlight of my year and a creative job, therefore worth mentioning.

Worthy mention:

I handcrafted a felt furniture set. The bed and couch were designed to suit the dimensions of an LOL doll...

... and it was well received.

Journey

© Melissa Gaggiano

Life Lines

© Melissa Gaggiano

    This shell caught my eye on a favourite beach. It reminded me of a vase. It reminded me of the lines on my palms. Intersecting lines, cutting, connecting. The markings of a life path that is not linear.

Snap It

© Melissa Gaggiano

    Find the source of your inspiration. When you know what it is snap it up and put it on your wall. Whether that wall is a physical space in your office, or a pin or something in your mental sphere.

    One of my sources of inspiration are flowers. Even the fallen petals call to me – like brightly coloured snow flakes decorating the world.

The Pinky Family

© Melissa Gaggiano

    What do you do for fun? Me, I occasionally wake up the cat and herd my family in front of a wrinkly bed sheet for a ten second photo shoot.

    Click here to see more of my photographic work.

Garden Photography

© Melissa Gaggiano

   Torres and Gillian stepped out for a garden photo shoot. You can tell they are close friends.

© Melissa Gaggiano

© Melissa Gaggiano

© Melissa Gaggiano

© Melissa Gaggiano

 www.etsy.com/au/shop/MelissaGaggiano

Carla's Comp

Bronte Pool Copyright Carla Coulson

    Carla Coulson, is my most favourite photographer in the whole wide world. Really she is - she's professional, friendly and a huge inspiration. What a marvellous combination!

    So anyway, right now Carla is hosting a competition, and by going into the draw you have a chance to win either one of two of her photo prints from the following series - "Water Jungle" and "La Vacanza Italiana". If you're a fan of Carla you won't want to miss this opportunity. To go into the draw for one of Carla's lovelies, follow her super simple steps… 

Step 1:
Share this post or your favourite photo from the series on your Blog, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with the hashtag #carlacoulsonprints or #waterjungle or #lavacanzaitaliana

Step 2:
Subscribe or be a subscriber to Carla's print shop carlacoulson.com/shop (don’t forget to verify your subscription when it arrives in your inbox)

Step 3:
Like Carla Loves Photography on Instagram or Facebook

All Depends on the Mood You're in

© Melissa Gaggiano
Merry Christmas

© Melissa Gaggiano
Bah Humbug

Fab Finds 14

    From Dr Who to vintage photography, I have a lot to be excited about. Of course, I have always been excited about Dr Who, so that simply goes without saying, right. So here are the latest fab finds, from me to you:

1. There is, can you believe it, a Dr Who… Lego set. Oh my weeping angels! Is this not the coolest news for us Whovians. Check out the review on this awesome Dr Who Lego edition.

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2. While we are on the topic of Whovians, I found this - The Ultimate Whovian Test. Consider yourself a connoisseur of all things Whovian? Looking for a bit of silly fun, then put that knowledge to the test, here. 

3. I don't have a mobile phone. But, oh my goddess, if I did I would also want a Fojo. A what, I hear you say. A Fojo - a darkroom for smartphones.

4. Victoria Will, a NY photographer went out to the Sundance Film Festival in Utah, not with her DSLR, but with a vintage tintype camera. The result was a series of mysterious, soulful photos of artists as we're not used to seeing them. Check out the article here.

© Victoria Will
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Fab Finds 12

And now for my 4 Fab "Fin" Finds. Check them out...


1. In this Marie Forleo episode she has a chat with writer, Liz Gilbert. Liz has come out with a new book titled Big Magic [big on my library check out list], and it is all about creativity, a topic close to my heart.

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2. Photography Concentrate is a friendly, encouraging resource centre for photographers of all levels. It is run by Lauren and Rob, photographers who super love their field and want to share that love with you. - http://photographyconcentrate.com/blog/ Lauren and Rob.

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3. So maybe I should have called this Fab Fin Finds. In a world of wonderful coincidences I have been making dress up mermaid tails for my girls this week. Then in online news I read a story about two Perth Mermaids. These ladies are awesome, and you can learn all about them here.

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4. And if you ever wanted to be a mermaid yourself, a twin sister team in Hawaii can make it happen. Abby and Bryn run Finfolk Productions, making… You guessed it - Mermaid fish tails! Now who wouldn't want to be a mermaid. I know I do.

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The Spark

© Melissa Gaggiano

The creative spark,

Small and explosive idea

Out of nothing we have something,

Developing, expansive and great.

Keep the hearth warm and 

The heart of your ideas will forever burn.

Leaves

    I found these three joined leaves in a park. It was the only one of it's kind about, which I thought was strange. All the other fallen leaves were small and still brightly coloured. I took the leaves home because I was struck by the skeletal, lace like beauty. I saw it as a paper cut silhouette. I saw fairy wings. I saw a map. I saw the cosmos.

© Melissa Gaggiano

© Melissa Gaggiano

© Melissa Gaggiano

Fab Finds 10

And now, for my latest batch of fab finds...

1. I was reading about a German tradition, and this is unbelievably cute and cool [and I don't know why we don't all do it], that involves kids going to their first day of school with a huuuuge paper cornets. These huuuuge paper cornets are filled with chocolates, sweets and school supplies. Tell me, what could wouldn't want to go to school when they've got this welcoming package to take along. Etsy Graphic Designer - Anda Corrie shares her DIY project on how to make one of these cornets.

Photo by Anda Corrie

2. Through a friend and fellow photography enthusiast, I have come across yet another photography enthusiast,  Kim Klassen [doesn't that just sound like that could be a high end fashion label]. Kim's own website is dedicated not only to her own photography but also sharing and being part of an online community of photographers. If you are into still life, food, country style photography this is a place for you.

Kim Klassen Photography

3. I am loving this new-old lens that has just hit the market - the new Petzval lens. Now here is the thing about the Petzval - it first came out in 1840. That is a very, very long time ago. That goes way beyond being retro. That's steam punk! And the lens looks steam punk to boot. So anyway, the Petzval was so highly regarded that it is back in production and is available for modern Nikon and Canon cameras. How cool is that! The Petzval is rather special as a portrait lens - it creates a sharp centre, has narrow depth of field, and pretty bokeh. Ooh! I'm cackling like a delighted witch just thinking about this lens.

Lomography.com.au
The new Petzval lens

Chicken Philosophy

Melissa Gaggiano Photography

Sitting with the chooks

The kind I'd never cook

Blanket of light

Stretches into shades of night

Feathers flutter and flick

Orange fluffy candles lit

Egyptian walk and kiss the ground

I feel warm and cool

I feel tame and calm

Not knowing about tomorrow

For now that doesn't matter

I give my time to the chickens

They give me back some time

I let them graze and wander

The chickens leave me to wonder

Scratch. Dig. Kiss the earth.

A chickens call to love. Eat. Pray.

Click

Melissa Gaggiano Photography
"Click"

This + That

    I have been doing a bit of this and that lately. I have a couple of projects in continual rotation. Of course it's a bit like those spinning plates on poles. I get one going, then another and another, then I'm back at the first plate as it loses momentum. I am feeling my way through the projects, going with what just feels right at the time.

    There are a couple of new pieces I have added to my Red Bubble shop. A bit of photography [this], a bit of illustration [that].

Melissa Gaggiano Photography
Buy Belgian Waffle

Melissa Gaggiano illustration
Buy Are We Having Fun Yet?

Melissa Gaggiano illustration
Buy Laptop Relax

Day 165

Melissa Gaggiano Photography

Day 164

Melissa Gaggiano Photography