The Eye Creative | November 2015

HICK | A WKWRD MEDIA

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COAST

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|A ADS E H MY H DOU

A MAG DESIGNED BY CREATIVES; FOR CREATIVES.

O T I U MO S Q H T I SM

KIMBE

RLY

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STELLA

R BLOO

BON

NIE

MS

HISL

OP

ISSUE #4 . NOVEMBER 2015 THE EYE CREATIVE

CELEBRATING AUSTRALIAN CREATIVES

The Eye Creative ... P age 3

EDITOR & FOUNDER Samii L und samii@theeyecreative.com

WRITER & CREATIVE MANAGER Amy Farnw orth info@theeyecreative.com

ADVERTISE WITH THE EYE CREATIVE info@theeyecreative.com GENERAL ENQUIRIES info@theeyecreative.com SUBMISSIONS The Eye Creative accepts freelance art, photo and story submissions from creatives around A ustralia.

We may not be able to reply personally to each individual that is unsuccessful, how ever w e w ill keep your w ork and story on file for upcoming issues or opportunities.

To submit, please include your full name, business name and a sample of your w ork in your email to info@theeyecreative.com.

The Eye Creative ... P age 4

The Eye Creative ... P age 5

20 ARTIST CALEN

AVAILAB

$29 THEEYECREATIVE

FEATURING 12 AUSTRALIAN ARTISTS! A LIMITED NUMBE The Eye Creative ... P age 6

016 COLLAB NDAR

BLE NOW!

9.95 E.BIGCARTEL.COM The Eye Creative ... P age 7

A3 SPIRAL BOUND WALL CALENDAR ER AVAILABLE!

"SPEACHHHHHHH!" ‘ I HATE WHEN I’M ON A FLIGHT AND I WAKE UP WITH A WATER BOTTLE NEXT TO ME. LIKE OH GREAT, NOW I GOTTA BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS WATER BOTTLE’ - KANYE I honestly don’t think there is anyone alive who gets more enjoyment out of Kanye’s quotes than me. OK... probably Kanye himself, but I’m a close runner up.

I mean, seriously.. I’ve had thoughts about waterbottles and responsibility too many times in my life and who knew my epic bat-shit-crazy brain resonates with another? Even if it is Kanye...

Being creative is the most incredible way to live. The right side of the brain gives more entertainment than good-old boring leftie. Numbers & maths? Pfft. I have dragons.

There’s nothing I love more than people looking at me sideways for the insane (*cough* genius) thoughts that I say out loud or put into action...like The Eye Creative for example...

Quitting full-time employment after 9 years to become extremely broke and follow some pipe-dream idea that popped into your brain whilst having a coffee on the side of the road one day? *insert sideways looks here* In the words of Kanyes bff, Haters gonna hate, but as creatives we will go on and chop our ears off, ride our dragons, shave our heads, run for president in 2020 for shits and giggles, crash the grammys, quit ‘reality’ to start a creative network and eventually, rule the effing world.

The Eye Creative ... P age 8

It’s just the way we’re built, water bottle responsibilites and all, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. CREATE, IMAGINE, INSPIRE and most of all...enjoy Issue #4 ;).

Samii xox

COVER ART WORK Kimberly Smith Design kimberlysmith.com.au @ kimberlysmithdesign

The Eye Creative ... P age 9

Are you ready to achieve your deepest, darkest, natural tan quicker...

SHOP NOW www.thefoxtan.com

THE THING ABOUT BEING CREATIVE IS THAT THERE IS NO RIGHT OR WRONG. A s W illy Wonka says..."it’s pure imagination."

-JYE PARKER A WKWRD MEDIA

The Eye Creative ... P age 10

BRAND NEW RECORD COMING SOON Featuring the single ‘ Cages’

The Eye Creative ... P age 11

‘there stands a house in my street where the lowly go to meet and the lost are never far away from company’

INTRODUCING...

The Eye Creative ... P age 12

The Eye Creative ... P age 13

They say that ‘sex sells’, and maybe the elusive they are correct in a general sense, however, I believe that they are on the wrong path there…

Kim is a relatively young pro on the scene, having only graduated from Griffith University last year with a Bachelor of Digital Media Majoring in Graphic Design.

I am all for FOOD sells. I mean seriously, when haven’t I walked into Woollies just to get some milk and returned to the car now the proud owner of aisle four, eight and with approximately four Cherry Ripes in hand (because they’re ALWAYS on sale and oh so delicious)? Every. Damn. Time. My stomach rules all, and that’s why when I stumbled across the remarkable talent that is Kimberly Smith, her website bio got my attention more than anything else.

Studying didn’t stop her from spreading her delicious talent however, as she has been freelancing for about 4 years now along with full-time work, and whilst she was studying, created a hand-drawn book on Typography titled ‘Juicy Typography Tips’ that the team at The Eye Creative so desperately want her to publish and distribute so the world can worship her as we do.

Having described herself as a large dollop of cream on the small local scone, Kimberly Smith goes on to tell us that to be brutally honest, she’s “still in the whipping process, just trying to get those soft supple peaks”.

We, however, disagree. It’s not often that you stumble across unique illustrative styles on social media these days, and Kimberly Smith is certainly of the unique brand.

The Eye Creative ... P age 14

The Gold Coast local draws inspiration from the laid back, surf-culture vibe of her location and tries to stick to her aesthetic as much as possible, which can always prove difficult when working for clients as a graphic designer (Graphic Designers of the world, can I get an AMEN!?) Her style is refined and simple and definitely feeds my love for negative space and freedom for my imagination to explore the endless possibilities throughout the naked space.

When asked what advice she would give for budding graphic designers such as herself, struggling through the mud that is ‘reality’ to lead a creative life she said; “Build a captivating portfolio that promotes the exact type of work you want to do. Don’t show off the wedding invitation you did for your best friend’s cousin if you really hate doing invitations because you will attract every bride in the state. If you want a job with a magazine, show them your editorial layout skills and your love for print culture with a one-of-a-kind, tangible portfolio.” (Sound advice that could have saved me $30,000 in University debt...)

With such a unique, sassy style and a can-do, self-motivated attitude, there’s no wonder that Miss Kimberly Smith is already making those soft supple peaks on the small local scone; hell I can even see some hand-made strawberry jam forming on there. Mmm, jam…

The Eye Creative ... P age 15

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"A LARGE DOLLOP OF CREAM ON THE SMALL LOCAL SCONE"

MOSQUITO COA

PROBABLY NOT THE BEST SOUNDING PLACE TO VISIT... MOZZIE BIT BUT IT’S DEFINITELY A DUO YOU SHOULD BE LISTENING TO.

The Eye Creative ... P age 20

The Eye Creative ... P age 21

AST

TES AND ALL...

5 MINS WITH MOSQUITO COAST So young, so talented, so darn cute and the winners of Triple J’s Unearthed High 2015....

MOSQUITO COAST! We interviewed the incredible Perth duo on life after Triple J fame.

What’s the most gob-smacking moment you’ve had since winning Triple J Unearthed High so far?

Conor: Getting nominated for a WAM award was pretty surprising! To be put up against bands that we could only wish to be as cool as like Koi Child, who absolutely slay, is incredible. And people who are so famous, like Troye Sivan.

Like, he’s friends with Taylor Swift?!?!

The Eye Creative ... P age 22

Naomi: Yeah I agree with Conor getting nominated for a WAM was pretty cool! Especially because we have the chance to talk to some of the bands we’ve looked up to on the scene and actually ask them stuff and hopefully have some nice chats without being too ‘fan girly’.

Describe your perfect creative day in one sentence.

Conor: Waking up late and having brunch near the beach.

Then start making tropical-house music at a pool party on a floating blow-up flamingo. Then jam in the basement with friends and set up a light show. Then attempt an early-morning DJ set at a club for those people that are still going at 4am, they’re troopers.

Naomi: Waking up, eating toast, walking in to band room with my guitar, playing till afternoon, eating lunch, playing some more and then realizing it’s dark outside.

Do you have any other creative talents besides music?

What are they?

Conor: I like photography, especially portraits of people. I’ve done some pretty cool ones of Naomi whilst she plays.

Naomi: I really like movies and I watch a lot of them in spare time. I used to make a lot of films when I was younger but I’m just working on music at the moment. My sister bought me a

What was it like going into the Triple J Studio and recording Commotion?

Conor: The Sydney ABC Studio was so cool, and all the people were so welcoming and friendly. It felt like a little family.

Maybe we are Triple J’s baby? Greg Wales was such a great guy to work with and had stories about working with anybody you could ever think of. Recording almost became secondary to shooting different bands names at him and seeing what dirt he could dish on them. Recording the song was amazing too; the gear we got to use was vintage and sounded so smooth.

Naomi: Really cool! Our sound producer Greg was so funny and very nice, plus every one at Triple J was really warm gave us a tour of the office! Lachie Macara invited us to a party up in Richmond aha. I really liked the recording process… like you walk in and you’re in there for 6 or 8 hours and you just develop and see it all coming together. Time goes really fast, and you get in this really nice zone of working. I remember when we finished the song we got a copy of it so we went up onto the roof at the hotel and sat with our feet in the chakuzi and smoked a cigar to celebrate.

Name one thing about being creative that drives you mental.

Conor: Not being able to stop tapping when I have an idea in my head. Oh and humming. I think I do it unconsciously; maybe that’s why I get weird looks at work...

Naomi: When you have a great melody but you can’t find out how to take it to the next level, or the days when it feels like you can’t create anything are the worst. I believe it’s called “Creative Constipation”.

If you could collaborate with any musical act/ producer in Aus, who would they be and why?

Conor: Kevin Parker. There’s a myth going around Perth at the moment that if you say his name three times into a mirror that he comes and produces your music. Naomi and I are still trying. He just knows how to make such lush, warm sounds, and has such a skill with melodies, chord progressions and funky beats. Oh and then we could go scarf shopping together!

Naomi: Yeah I agree with Conor! But I also think Jay Watson’s band Gum is really freakin’ good. It would be a blessing to work with him; he really knows how to work a synthesizer.

He’s got a new album coming out and it’s great with lots of heavy distorted synths - very Stevie Wonder. If I ever got the chance to collaborate with him I would do an entire album of old school funk like Heat Wave and Earth, Wind & Fire style; that would be the dream.

Do people often mistake you for boyfriend/ girlfriend because you’re a musical duo?

Conor: Surprisingly no. I think people look at how The White Stripes ended and just realise that it’s not a good idea to get with band mates.

Naomi: Only one person… my maths tutor! But we’re not really into band dating. I think we made that a rule in our first band. Never mix work with pleasure.

Where, or in what mind-set, do you find it easier to write or create your music?

Conor: When writing lyrics, I get random surges of ideas.

Sometimes while on the train, or at work, or in maths. But when making music, the best environment has to be Naomi’s basement. It has infinite good vibes. We play in the dark sometimes too. That works well if you want to dance and sing like a maniac and not care what anyone else is thinking.

Naomi: I think when you’re a bit relaxed and you’re not too angry or too stressed. I like my music room because it’s totally separate from the rest of the house, and if something is pissing me off, I can just go in there and shut the door and play.

If you had one piece of advice for a creative (in general) starting up, what would it be?

Conor: Do what you want and don’t let anyone tell you it’s stupid. Don’t let anyone put your ideas or dreams down because if we are anything to go by, what looks impossible, is achievable. If you have a plan, commit. Oh and get advice, from everyone. We’ve had so many amazing people give us invaluable advice about the music industry and life in general.

Naomi: Sometimes teachers can be dicks and they don’t always know what is right for you. People don’t know what drives you and motivates you, sometimes parents can be a bit controlling when you’re a kid and steer you in certain directions. Two points of advice: 1. Surround yourself with people who support you 2. Woody Allen once said: “90% of life is showing up”. It’s always scary doing something you love because there’s more to lose, but I think that’s when you learn the most.

The Eye Creative ... P age 23

typewriter a few years ago so I sometimes try to write scripts on it or lyrics. I just finished watching Inherent Vice by Paul Thomas Anderson - his new one. He makes really great films; I recommend Boogie Nights. I always thought if I didn’t do music I would try and make a film, I think the two complement each other.

Being fresh out of school, the whole world is at your feet.

Are you excited or down-right terrified of what’s happening next?

Conor: EXCITED! I just want to get out of school as soon as possible. I’m counting down the days. When we finish, we will be able to jam way more, start practicing for shows. At the moment we haven’t got any gigs coming up as we are still waiting for exams to end, but when they do, I just want to get out there and have people come dance with us!

Naomi: I’m excited because there are no rules, but after being institutionalized my whole life, it will feel a bit weird.

What is your biggest motivation to keep your creativity flowing?

Conor: A lot of artists say that making music is kind of like escapism. Like when Naomi and I are playing, you forget about anything else. We just share good energy together I think. We don’t have to force the creativity, it just comes I guess. Who knows what will happen when there’s no school to complain about though? We are still teenagers, so we can still be angsty I guess.

Naomi: What drives me is when I hear a song and I’m like, ‘wow that is an amazing song - how did they do that?’ I want to do that. It’s trying to challenge your self and it’s the pleasure that comes from making something that’s only been heard by you.

And lastly...the most important question of all.

Coffee or tea?

Conor: Coffee all the way. A hot cup of coffee cures practically everything.

Naomi: Depends… I had a long black yesterday and I felt like my heart was going to burst out of my chest, but when you get the good kind of coffee that’s where it’s at!

The Eye Creative ... P age 24

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The Eye Creative ... P age 26

After dedicating so many years into the fashion industry as a designer, what was is that made you change direction into floristry?

I grew up in an artistic family so I was naturally drawn to a career where I was able to design and be creative. I studied Fashion Design in Sydney and then went to work in an eclectic fashion label where I was able to really get my designs out to the public. I loved walking down the street and seeing someone wearing a dress I created, even seeing my clothes in stores was a thrill every time. I travelled all over the world through America, Europe and Asia for fashion inspiration and buying. Whilst I still have a lot of love for fashion and styling I have always had a passion for fresh flowers and floral designs! During my time studying fashion I was always drawn to floral art, I remember walking to my classes each day past a window that was always filled to the brim with flowers and it just made me smile, it’s been something I’ve always wanted to have a go at. I took the leap and decided to move across into floristry where I apply all my creative experience and knowledge from the fashion industry into flower designs. I still draw inspiration from fashion trends and colour palettes for my floristry work as well as using my garment construction knowledge and eye for detail to create the flower arrangements. The two industries definitely complement each other!

Was it a life-long dream to become your own boss?

It wasn’t something I seriously considered until recently, but I love every minute of it! Its great being able to decide how to grow my business and what new way I want to challenge myself.

What is it that YOU really love about flowers?

My style is quite wild and rustic so I love that foliage is just as beautiful as the flowers themselves. What I love so much about flowers is that every arrangement can be so unique! I like to play around with different textures, shapes & contrasting colours. I go out of my way to use unusual types of wildflowers to create something fresh and exciting! Spring always brings gorgeous flowers that are not typically used in traditional arrangements like cornflowers, blue bells and berries.

Does your location in Orange inspire your arrangements?

Yes absolutely. I feel very lucky to be living in such a great place surrounded by so much natural beauty. The countryside influences my relaxed garden-style posies with its rustic styling… which would also explain my love for gum leaves! If I need inspiration for my work, I like to spend time at my family’s farm or go for a bush walk.

Describe your perfect creative day in one sentence.

A beautiful sunny day with the studio filled with fresh flowers and my 12 week old puppy behaving herself!

If you had one piece of advice for a creative starting up, what would it be?

Patience, give yourself a chance and always believe in yourself and in others.

The Eye Creative ... P age 27

Talk about being new on the creative scene (or just coming into bloom *wink*).

Stellar Blooms created by the incredible talent of Orange local Rebecca Fogarty, only opened for business mid this year and is already a budding (sorry, not sorry) creative business in the florist scene.

However new Stellar Blooms is to our little creative world, Rebecca herself is a seasoned professional (this is where my puns end). After many years as a professional and international Fashion Designer, Rebecca returned to her hometown of Orange in NSW and started to focus her creativity on something a little (or a lot) different…

Your business is run a little differently than a normal florist. Describe why your business stands out more than others and why you think your business is important to your customers.

I currently offer one style of posy each week through my website (www.stellarblooms.com.au) and deliver locally in Orange. By offering one type of bunch it makes it more convenient for the customer to quickly order and also minimises the waste. The posies are made up of the freshest seasonal flowers that are available, wrapped in crisp brown paper and tied with a colourful cotton twine string. The smaller bunches and low cost also means flowers do not have to be saved for special occasions! It’s so beautiful seeing customers send their friends and family posies as a thoughtful kind gesture! It also allows people to treat themselves with a bunch to enjoy in their homes without breaking the bank. Social media plays a very important role in my business as I can instantly communicate my posy availability and connect with my customers. Being an online based business works well with customer’s busy lifestyles as they can easily order from home or whilst at work.

The Eye Creative ... P age 28

The Eye Creative ... P age 29

YOU SAY ‘CRAZY CAT LADY

The Eye Creative ... P age 30

....BUT WE’RE NOT SO QUIETLY PUTTING EVE

ERY CAT ITEM ON OUR CHRISTMAS LIST....

(thanks in advance santa)

The Eye Creative ... P age 31

Y’ LIKE IT’S A BAD THING...

WRITTEN BY AMY FARNWORTH When I asked Bonnie Hislop what she liked most about being an artist she hit back with an answer I wasn’t quite expecting: the Brisbane-based babe thinks that ‘artist’ is such a strong word and wouldn’t use it to describe herself with at all.

She told me she associates the word with academia and grandeur and she’s aware of how big and deep the artistic world is, and how delightfully simple her contribution to it is, preferring instead to call herself a ‘maker’. As a ‘maker’, she makes her quirky ceramic pieces for enjoyment and decoration and loves creating something out of virtually nothing (well, if that’s not an artist then I don’t know what is, but ok Bon, we can work with ‘maker’).

Like many Creatives (myself included), Bonnie gets that excited and impatient feeling so very often – wanting to push things further, bring her ideas to life, learn more, do more. This trait probably stems from her childhood when she says the boundaries of things frustrated her – once she’d become a pro at swinging across the monkey bars, she started climbing and walking along the top of them; before long she was dangling from them, upside down – the daredevil streak and boundary-smashing attitude has certainly continued into adulthood, and it’s from here we can see where her character translates into her ceramics.

Taking inspiration from the cosmos and rainbows and colours, and loving getting clay all over herself in the making process, she designs planter vessels that look like cats, and ceramic plates in the shape of doughnuts; all of which exude a kind of femininity without being sickeningly girly. And they are always, always one of a kind!

Ceramics is obviously a long process and Bonnie says she can spend about two weeks on one piece. But, being the rebel she is, she’ll often make several pieces at a time, rolling and cutting the clay and joining the pieces together, ensuring every item has a unique characteristic.

Cats feature heavily in a lot of Bonnie’s work and when I asked her whether or not she was a little obsessed with cats, whether that ‘crazy cat lady’ idea had taken on a whole new meaning, she confessed: “Wanna know a secret? Well, it’s not actually a secret…but I’m not really a cat person.” Really?!?!?!

“As a kid my family took in a stray at one point but that’s it. I think maybe I’m too much like a cat myself and wouldn’t be able to compete with the sass of another kitty in the house and we’d end up being more ‘housemates’ rather than owner and pet. Cats are beautiful though.

Their eyes intrigue me particularly. I think each piece decides itself how it turns out and for some reason the cat characters just keep on coming.

“I joke with other artists and makers who make ‘cat things’ that we’re going to take over the world with our pussies! Haha!”

The Eye Creative ... P age 32

“I’ve been wanting to do something like that for a while.

Sometimes I think it takes a shift in my personal experience to be able to conjure something different in my work. That’s why I like the vase. I know for whatever reason, I wouldn’t have been able to make it six months ago.

As well as her ceramic work, Bonnie can also add the string of ‘talented illustrator’ to her creative bow.

She draws emotional and symbolic illustrations that have a sense of stylised realism to them, but having confessed she can only work with one medium at a time, her illustrated characters are taking a back seat while she concentrates on her ceramics and aims to teach more workshops and collaborate with more artists in the future.

Go check out her stuff at bonniehislop.com and follow her on Instagram @bonnie_hislop.

You’re sure to be left purrrrrring with delight!

The Eye Creative ... P age 33

Haha indeed, and chuckle we might but it’s actually the cats that have helped turn Bonnie’s work into what she calls ‘a thing’ and it’s these feline friends that have kept her interested in ceramics: “They’re my go –to and I think for that reason they’ll always be a fave.”

She does though have a soft spot for one of her latest pieces, a vase in the shape of a woman’s torso which she lovingly calls ‘the booby lady vase’.

The Eye Creative ... P age 34

"WE’RE G TAKE OV WORLD W PUSSI

The Eye Creative ... P age 35

GOING TO VER THE WITH OUR IES!"

The Eye Creative ... P age 36

The Eye Creative ... P age 37

Look, we’re not here to promote a unhealthy lifestyle, but honestly... MAPLE BACON DOUGHNUTS!!!

Doughheads in Newcastle is fast becoming our favourite doughnut supplier in Aus. Anyone that combines the love of sugary goodness with creativity gets our vote and with flavours such as Cookies&Cream, Maple Bacon, Lemon Crumble, Turtle, Nut Bomb, Nutella, Boston and Raspberry Dream just to name a few, Doughheads are definitely at the top of our doughnut pyramid of LOVE! I mean...i’m gluten & lactose intolerant and would most likely fall into a gluten coma after consuming anything on the menu, yet i’m just about packed and ready to leave on a road trip from Melbourne to Sydney to get myself some Maple Bacon doughnuts... #worthit.

Where did this genius idea of a douhgnut store come from?

We wanted to bring something new and vibrant to the food scene in Newcastle. Something that would blow people’s minds and create a sense of delight and wonder!

These days doughnuts are all the rage! Where does the inspiration come from to make your doughnuts unique with your individual flavours?

Inspiration comes in so many ways – we try to let the seasons dictate the majority of our constantly changing menu, using produce in season and creating flavours around what is available. We follow a considerable amount of chefs/pastry gods who are pioneering the way in the international food scene, this always keeps us inspired and working to achieve incredible flavours.

Customer feedback also forms an important part of our inspiration process, we’re constantly listening to our customers in our retail space and via social media to understand what they want to see and how to delight them.

MAPLE BACON DOUGHNUTS!? This would have to be the most amazing combination EVER. Explain where this came from!

The Eye Creative ... P age 38

One of my favourite breakfasts is pancakes with maple syrup, crispy bacon and caramelised bananas. The combination of sweet and savoury is just classic and should be able to be enjoyed at any time throughout the day, not just breakfast! We just take our inspiration and put it on a doughnut so people can enjoy portable, bite sized deliciousness at any time.

Newcastle is incredibly lucky to have you in their midst. Any chance of opening more stores in the future?

It is definitely on the cards. We’re looking into some exciting opportunities for the future of Doughheads! Stay tuned…

What’s the most popular flavour that you make?

Nutella doughnuts are going crazy at the moment!

However, our Salted Caramel bullseye (rolled in cinnamon sugar and filled with salted caramel sauce), Cookies & Cream topped (Heilala vanilla bean icing with an intense chocolate cookie crumble) and Lemon Meringue filled (filled with a tangy lemon curd and topped with torched Italian meringue) are all popular favourites when on the menu.

Drooling now...Do you have a creative background which inspires your creations?

Not really. My passion comes from a personal obsession with flavour; we base all of our creations around how to achieve the best flavour possible. I now have a fantastic team around me who assists with the creative process and making our extraordinary ideas for doughnuts become a reality.

Share with us your favourite motivational quote.

I’m sure this has probably now been mis-quoted, but Steve Jobs said something along the ideas of, “…don’t give people what they want, give them what they WOULD want if they knew what was possible!” I love this. The idea that you should be leading the way in your industry, not just sitting back on your haunches waiting for people around you to come up with the ideas. This just makes you a follower, which can only get you so far in business.

It has also given me the courage to be brave with our flavour creations and our business model; to be willing to be different and not scared to face the unknown.

Coffee…tea or monster-shake?

Describe your perfect creative day in one sentence.

First coffee, then breakfast somewhere new along with more coffee, quiet time to gather my thoughts and reflect on where I have been and where we are going followed by an afternoon to set goals and tick some tasks off my job list (always feel better after this – makes me feel like a real employee’ ), then a nanna nap and coffee to keep me going through dinner and wine – I always find so much personal inspiration from experiencing something new with food.

If you had one piece of advice for a creative starting up, what would it be?

Don’t be scared to try! Get in and give it a go. People told me I was crazy for making doughnuts, then I was crazy for choosing the current location of our retail store and for being willing to be in ‘small business’ (that it would never last, the trends would see us out within a year).

Ask questions of everyone you can, don’t be afraid to look silly or ignorant. Read a lot; gain as much knowledge as possible and never, EVER think you know everything. Look at every experience as a learning curve, rather than a ‘good’ or ‘bad’ decision. Be agile, make decisions fast and be ready to pivot and try something else if it doesn’t work out.

Don’t be narrow sighted, look outside your industry to see what is happening and how you can apply it to your situation. …..I think that was more than one, #mybad To make your stomachs scream with happiness, visit Doughheads in Newcastle at; @doughheadsnewy facebook.com/doughheadsnewy Shop 17, 200-212 Hunter St Newcastle AU

Our kind’ve girl ;)

The Eye Creative ... P age 39

Definitely coffee, I just can’t do life without it.

"I’VE GOT 99 DOUGHNUTS BECAUSE A BITCH ATE ONE" "DOUGHNUT WORRY, BE HAPPY" "DO NOT MISS THE DOUGHNUT BY LOOKING THROUGH THE HOLE"

"DOUGHNUTS ARE LIFE" (THAT LAST POINT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT)

The Eye Creative ... P age 40

The Eye Creative ... P age 41

The Eye Creative ... P age 42

AMY HICK

In a small town called Orange, Central NSW, resides a local, up and coming talent who could be about to make a BIG impact on the world of ceramics. A creative artist with accolades including The Trudie Alfred Bequest Ceramics Scholarship to her name (a mouthful, I know), Amy Hick is definitely someone to keep an eye on in the world of Ceramic Art and Sculpture.

Deciding to go to Art School in 2009, with the intention of becoming a Glass Artist, it was what Amy calls a “happy accident” that she was introduced to clay. She told me: “During the interview process we were encouraged to meet with as many workshops and departments as possible to keep our options open. At the end of a very long and tiresome day I met with the ceramics department and was immediately captivated by the work they showed me. And so began my love affair with clay! A stroke of luck really, as I almost didn’t go to that interview!”

The Eye Creative ... P age 43

WRITTEN BY AMY FARNWORTH

Using mainly hand-building techniques to create a variety of different clay pieces, Amy’s work centres on the repetition involved in the ceramic making process. And it’s through this kind of experimentation that she’s managed to find her own style and rhythm and adores working with porcelain.

So enthusiastic is she about her love of these materials that she passionately exclaims: “The potential of clay is unlimited; I could live ten lifetimes and not fully understand or master all it has to offer. I love that I’ll always be surprised by new discoveries and there’s always something new to be challenged by.” Literally getting her hands dirty and being able to leave traces of her fingerprints in her designs is something she adores, and she mentions that this kind of hallmark is a brilliant reminder of just who shaped a particular piece of work.

Why does this girl’s art stand out from that of others, I hear you say? Well, being somewhat of a daydreamer as a kid, and confessing that not much has really changed, Amy draws inspiration for her art from the beauty of nature and the whimsical world of the imaginary mimicking and capturing the feelings she got from those glorious childhood daydreams. And it’s easy to see this reflection as her designs are extremely delicate, beautifully feminine, and unique in style.

The intricate notions of her installation work are quite unusual as clay is usually such a solid and intrusive medium. The inclusion of lace in her designs through a technique which involves soaking the lace in liquid clay and burning out firings (yep…lost me at liquid clay…) makes her designs truly special.

So far, the majority Amy’s ceramic art has consisted of multiple pieces put together to make one single object; and while she creates a lot of her work for exhibitions and commissions, currently busying herself with a piece for the foyer of a respected hotel company, the creative little minx has also developed her own range of porcelain jewellery called Jolly Keepsakes.

Going on to say that she, “absolutely sells her products”, some of her work can often be tricky to distribute due to its composition and size. However, she does have an online Etsy store (etsy.com/au/shop/jollykeepsakes) where fans can purchase her jewellery, and the gift shop, Tomolly in Milthorpe, NSW, currently stocks her porcelain earrings.

Setting the bar high is definitely a phrase that belongs in Amy Hick’s repertoire as she has plans to develop her own production line of home and functional ware that can eventually be sold in stores. She’d also love to be able to have a sustainable arts practice in the future and aims for a minimum of one exhibition per year, achieving that already in 2015 by having her work displayed at The Corner Store Gallery in Orange, under the exhibition name: While You Were Dreaming.

If the sheer determination and ambition of this extremely talented young creative isn’t enough to make you tune-in to her work, then honestly, I don’t know what is.

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The Eye Creative ... P age 48

The Eye Creative ... P age 49

A WKWRD MEDIA To be creative, one must open up to the possibilities and opportunities that lie beyond your comfort zone. The ability to drive you forward and independently explore this boundary usually comes with maturity in one’s field, or from life experiences. It’s not very often that you stumble across a young creative that has already leapt beyond their boundary and is well beyond the lines of the norm.

Jye Parker, the visionary behind the lens of AWKWRD Media literally changed the way I look at my own creativity. With his soft approach and reality-smashing aesthetic, Jye’s photography took me on a journey through my own creative exploration and made me start questioning…is there more to life than what I’m seeing?

At 18 years old, Jye’s work impacts on the soul like that of an age-old professional. His laid-back persona oozes through his images alongside a sense of tranquillity and belonging, urging his audience ever so subtly to enter his world with their own imagination.

“My love of family, friends, water and lifestyle all play a part on inspiring me to live in the moment as well as capturing it. [My inspiration comes from] the adventure of not knowing…”

There’s nothing more inspirational to me than somebody who just …is. With no sense of having to conform, the spirit of true creativity can shine, and that is exactly what happens when Jye gets behind a camera.

The first time Jye picked up a camera was back in primary school taking happy snaps on a school camp, but his passion for photography really started when he picked up his dads Sony AX-330 SLR whilst recovering from a wakeboarding injury. “The thing about photography and film-making for me is that it has taken me to so many new places and given me the chance to meet so many people along the way.”

Whether it is portraiture, landscapes, social or musical events that Jye is shooting, it is evident that we are seeing the world through the vision of a creative genius in every sense of the word. I may be bias in my descriptions, but that is only because it’s not very often, in fact it’s quite rare, that I come across a creative that makes me stop in my tracks, lean back in my chair in awe of their work and have to remind myself that breathing is a necessity.

If this is the work of an eighteen year old, then I can only imagine the world domination that lies within the path of this young Central Coast lad.

To leave you with my favourite quote from our interview; “the thing for me about being creative is that there is no right or wrong. As Willy Wonka says… “it’s pure imagination.”

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- JYE PARKER AWKWRD MEDIA

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"...IT WAS TAKEN IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, LEADING TO NOWHERE...AND EVERYONE’S IDEA OF WHAT’S ON THE OTHER SIDE IS LEFT TO THEIR IMAGINATION."

The Eye Creative ... P age 60

CHASING

The Eye Creative ... P age 61

AMY LOU

WHEN CREATIVITY WANES, HEAD FOR THE OCEAN...

The Eye Creative ... P age 62

WRITTEN BY AMY FARNWORTH

In my area of expertise, we call this ‘Writer’s Block’, and I experience it frequently; way too frequently. Self-diagnosing myself with mild ADHD (yes, I’m dramatic as well as wordy) means I tend to fidget and flit from one task to the next, like a moth flitting towards the flame; the flame being in this case, inspirational ideas and creative notions. But when there’s no flame to navigate towards, how do we creatives combat a block in our talents?

I came across this problem while living just outside of Brisbane last year. I’d taken a job as an Au Pair in a little town called Ormiston. Now, anyone who has been to Ormiston will know that there’s not much going on there. And so, as any ‘adult-child’ with a (self-diagnosed) mild hyperactivity disorder knows; boredom comes very easily, as does the lack of stimulation. Once all the Au-pairing tasks had been completed I found myself exhausted and void of all new and fresh inspiration – I required change.

In order to drag myself out of this creative rut, I made the best move I could’ve possibly made – I headed for the ocean; Byron Bay to be precise. Turns out that being on the coast, soaking in the sea air, basking in the glorious sunshine, relaxing on the beach, learning to surf (badly) and finding my own little paradisal mecca did wonders for the creative soul.

In Byron, you can immerse yourself in whatever you want, feel or desire. If you require solitude, you can have it (the beaches are plenty big enough); if you want to make new friends, you can do it (the hostels are accommodating, social and friendly; I personally recommend Backpackers by The Beach); if you want to party you can partaaaay into the wee small hours (Great Northern, Cocomangas, Cheeky Monkeys); and if you want to eat, boy can you eat – from BBQs to fish, kebabs to salads, local cuisine to sweet things – Byron has it all. It also offers a smorgasbord of vintage, retro, arty, kitsch and interestingly boho boutiques and shops, making it an artistic idyll for any wandering creative.

Byron is the kind of place you could get lost in. The kind of place you could plan to visit for a few days and end up staying for the rest of your life. The vibe is chilled, the attitude towards work is laidback and the work-life balance seems to have been perfected right here on the border where Queensland meets NSW. From Main Beach in the north of the town right round to Wategos and Little Wategos, from the lighthouse at the most easterly point of mainland Australia round to the picturesque Tallows Beach which stretches for 6km and where the surf turns aggressive, Byron feels like a holiday resort, a surfing hotspot and a tourist hub; but there is a strange serenity in a lot of these busy places, a serenity that could easily be likened to the peacefulness of a home.

By getting away and spending a few days in Byron, I felt my creativity bounce back to life. The solitude of solo afternoon walks, the new experiences (surfing and skydiving) and the encounters with some absolutely cracking people helped to ignite that fire that I feared was burning dangerously low.

Not every creative loses their mojo. And out of those who do, not every one of those creatives will rediscover it in a backpacker resort in one of the world’s most famous beach towns. Some may find the inspiration to draw again by walking through the graffiti lined streets of an urban city; some may find inspiration for their next song by sitting in a coffee shop people watching; some may find ideas for new sculptures and designs while taking the commute to work on a packed subway or smelly bus; others may discover that the photographs they took while feeding the ducks in the local park were the kick in arse they needed to get back behind the lens.

There’s so many ways that our surroundings can inspire us and there’s inspiration for creativity everywhere you look, you just have to believe it. If you do see your creativity dwindling, stop for a moment, take a look around, take yourself off somewhere but ultimately, find what works for you and continue to express yourself!

CHASING AMY LOU READ THE BLOG HERE! chasingamylou.com

The Eye Creative ... P age 63

There may come a time in every creative’s life when that spark of artistic talent slows down; when the creative flow wanes; when there’s nothing being produced except, well, nothingness. Becoming consumed and bogged-down with life, and monotony, and routine (yawn) sometimes voids a creative of all inspiration – there’s no stimulus to give you inspiration – there’s just…nothing.

‘There’s so man surroundings can there’s inspiratio creativity everyw you just have to The Eye Creative ... P age 64

The Eye Creative ... P age 65

ny ways that our n inspire us and on for where you look, believe it.’

PHOEBE PARSON TEENAGE PRODIGY

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The Eye Creative ... P age 68

WRITTEN BY AMY FARNWORTH If like me, listening to music is a passionate pastime of yours; and if like me, you feel shivers down your spine anytime you hear a voice so unique, so fresh, and so raw, then you need Sydney’s Phoebe Parsons in your life. Trust me!

I first met Phoebe when I was working in Orange, NSW, back in February 2015; a shy, quiet, 19 year-old with masses of beautiful brown curly hair. Little did I know that behind that seemingly reserved exterior was one of the most powerful, soulful and mesmerising voices I’d heard in recent times – her version of Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean is breathtaking!

Growing up with a various array of music and spending time listening to her mother, who’s a professional singer, Phoebe says her main influences are singer-songwriters such as Sia or Nai Palm, and she even quotes Ngaire as someone she looks up to as well.

‘I JUST LOVE THE EMOTIONAL ATTACHMENT YOU CREATE WHEN YOU BECOME PART OF THE MUSIC’ Her own style however, is extremely soulful, deep, resonating and very, very emotive; and if we can throw a teeny tiny bit of an indie vibe into the mix too, then Phoebe has it all. After interviewing her a few weeks back, and chatting to her about her goals and ambitions, I felt she’d let The Eye into her musical world, and in turn, we’ve made her part of ours.

in Orange) to really make a name for herself; and boy has it paid off!

“Gigging has given me the confidence I need in the industry now. It’s so competitive in Sydney’s music community that having experience gives you the tool to making a living out of what you love. I’ve just started playing with my own band too, called ‘State Of Art’ which is a five-piece fusion of soul, jazz and funk. We’ve created our own sound through developing my original material and we play regularly in the Sydney region.”

While she’s always wanted to be a ‘performer’, it’s very much all about the song-writing and the showcasing of her own material for Phoebe; she’s been covering other artists and writing her own music for about five years but it’s only recently that she’s realised how important song-writing is to her. The curly-haired bombshell says singing and performing is wonderful but creating her own art is an act of taking a deeper step towards the music industry, something she’s heavily committed to.

Phoebe is currently studying for a Bachelor of Music (Contemporary Performance) Majoring in Song-writing, at the Australian Institute of Music in Sydney (talented AND clever!) which she hopes will expand her knowledge in the language of music and will push her to achieve her dreams.

Speaking of which, Phoebe doesn’t aim low, oh no, she’s aiming to be successful. Very successful. And whether that be performing, song-writing, or producing, her passion for the music industry as a whole is sure to lead her somewhere extremely exciting! “Music is my future, for sure,” she says.

And girl, we are right behind you!

Gigging at various community events since the tender age of 13 (yes, 13! I was still skulling cider on street corners at the age of 13!), she patiently waited until she was old enough to play at weddings and licenced venues (Gingers and The Brass Monkey in Sydney and various Four on the Floor nights

The Eye Creative ... P age 69

“I play guitar and piano, both self-taught,” she says. “Mum and I never really had the money for me to go for lessons. I remember the first keyboard my mum bought, just a cheap one from Kmart; I fell in love straight away. I would sneak into my music centre at lunch in High School and practice on the upright pianos they had. I just love the emotional attachment you create when you become part of the music.”

KIMBERLY SMITH DESIGN

CHASING AMY LOU

MOSQUITO COAST

A WKWRD MEDIA

STELLAR BLOOMS

AMY HICK

@kimberlysmithdesign kimberlysmith.com.au

@mosquito._.coast triplejunearthed.com/artist/mosquito-coast

@stellarblooms stellarblooms.com.au

@amyfarnworth chasingamylou.com

@_awkwrdmedia_ awkwrdmedia.weebly.com

facebook.com/amyhickceramics

BONNIE HISLOP

@bonnie_hislop bonniehislop.com

DOUGHHEADS

@doughheadsnewy facebook.com/doughheadsnewy Shop 17, 200-212 Hunter St Newcastle AU

PHOEBE PARSONS

@phebbeh facebook.com/phoebepmusicart

The Eye Creative ... P age 70

FIND THAT CREATIVE!

The Eye Creative ... P age 71

The Eye Creative issuu.com/theeyecreative info@theeyecreative.com

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