28.8.13

SHOW OF THE WEEK - RONA GREEN

It is easy being Green


We are really quite crazy fangirls of local printmaking heroine Rona Green. Her world is inhabited with pop culturally familiar cats, dogs, bunnies, birds. But far from the woodland cutesieness that has overun the post-hipster art craft and design world Rona's animals play tough, their bodies emblazoned with skin art that tell us about their sense of identity and autonomy.


Her new show No Cure for Life opened last night at Australian Galleries in Collingwood and runs until September 15. This Saturday there is a free artist talk at 2pm where you can see Rona in person and ask her some pertinent questions about her amazing work (unlike us who will just stand there gawking saying we luvs your stuff Rona Green!) RAMONA

27.8.13

OPEN STUDIO OF THE WEEK - EMILY GREEN, VICTORIA MASON

bejewelled and bedazzled

Such as shy star Ms Emily!
The ladies of HML were so excited to attend the opening of the studio show of Fitzroy locals Victoria Mason and Emily Green. We've been keenly following Victoria's adventures in enamelling on Instagram and got quite delirious over the new collages by polymer queen Green.

Victoria looked as lovely as her jewellery

As much as we love Instagram let us assure you that the new pieces look even better in real life and so it is well worth the trip this week to peruse their delicious new works and meet these to amazing makers who have so generously swung open their doors

This Wed-Fri 10-6 and Sat 10-4
5/19 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy.

22.8.13

WORKSHOP OF LAST WEEK - KOKEDAMA

Kokedamarama


As announced last December this really is the year of the workshop - if for no-one other than ourselves!  Team HML are pretty besotted with the ladies that run the Top Knot workshop series, we loved their macrame masters class earlier this year which has us knotting up pretty much any spare cords into plant hangers, neckpieces, wall hangings ever since... So when we saw they were doing a kokedama workshop at the lovely Artifice of Williamstown we signed up immediately.


So hot right now Pinterest favourite and plant craft of the moment, (Google Kokedama we dare you) these botanical balls of goodness are actually hanging bonsai - colloquially known as poor mans bonsai and we love a bandwagon so as if we're not completely on board. Surprisingly easy in concept, but perhaps not so easy in execution we ripped through our first herbie versions (Ramona went mint while I went Rosemary) and found ourselves making grand statements to the effect that we'd soon be whipping up room-fulls in while waiting for the kettle to boil in HML HQ. 


The second attempt involving my indoor nemesis the dastardly cyclamen (see above) and little pieces of moss rather than big sheets - and we quickly realised that the more delicate the materials the more difficult the process. Enter two decidedly quieter and more focused ladies realising they had a LOT more practicing to do.


Still we're pretty much sold on this as a craft project - its cheap, fun and what's more useful! Here's Ramona's duo fancying up her hutch...pretty awesome for a first attempt I say - and hey, i've even managed to keep my cyclamen alive for nearly a week - a record so far!!! BECK

20.8.13

SHOW OF THE WEEK - GRACIA HABY and LOUISE JENNISON

take flight


Two of our favourite artists/collaborators have been so so very busy this past few months. Gracia Haby and Louise Jennison have achieved what would be impossible for us - have work ready for a new show and go to over 40 films at the recent Melbourne Film Festival. Do they ever sleep?


Geelong Gallery plays host to their latest show 'All Breathing in Heaven' which continues their exploration of both animal and human worlds and where they intersect Through the time honoured traditions of collage and drawing these two magical makers have created a world of their own that is totally beguiling.


The ladies of hml are big fans, having bought journals, zines, prints and collages in the past so we cant wait for the road trip. How amazing to see so much of their work on display. We often joke that in some parallel universe we would be as talented, intelligent and beautiful as these two and produce work as seductive. We will have content ourselves with being fans and collectors. RAMONA

16.8.13

ANOTHER GREAT SHOW OF THE WEEK - VALERIE RESTARICK

meow!


I couldn't let this week past without urging you all to go and see a fantastic show at North Carlton Ceramics. The ladies of HML are long time fans of Valerie Restarick and I swear one of these stunning mummified cat pieces from her latest show 'Ushabti Figures' is coming home with me.


These funerary figurines are sad, sweet, and funny. The surface rich with texture and their faces imbued with character and poetry.


I can't help thinking that, in the age of grumpy cat memes and internet feline stars like Maru, the cat has reclaimed its place as a symbol of something. I'm not sure what and I'm not sure the ancient Egyptians would approve but an important cultural icon nonetheless. This show is a highlight for us of this year's Craft Cubed Festival. RAMONA

North Carlton Pottery
87 Fenwick street
North Carlton
Open Mon -Sat 10-5
show runs until Aug 31