Paradiso Issue No. 01

am free

And so with the sunshsine ...

Our Paradiso is goodness bowls, roadside stalls, poets of pottery, the art of smudge, yoga in tune, stars so bright

Look Touch and Feel

Issue No. 01 November/December 2017 humid days, cool nights, great expectations

So many muses Leaf & Grain, Jordana Henry, BrĂŚr, Worn Store, The Broad Place, Ken Done, Liberation Larder

Postcard from Paradiso La Muralla Roja – Spanish for ‘The Red Wall’ – is the new home of the travelling Instagram Elite and a ‘must do’ destination for anyone wishing to capture ‘that’ photo of the now famous building located in Spain’s Calpe. Designed by

internationally respected architect Ricardo Bofill, the complex includes roof terraces, solaria, a swimming pool and a sauna, all reserved for the residents’ use.

Colour is an incredible design feature incorporated into the overall

planned experience of the project, from tones of red to sky-blues, indigos and violets. Read more about La Muralla Roja’s architect, Ricardo Bofill on page 50. And pour over the instagram-captured amazingness of #lamurallaroja

–50

WELCOME

ISSUE NO. 01 ~ NOV–DEC 2017

THIS IS PARADISO

Spain Take me to:

La Muralla Roja 3

Photos courtesy Ricardo Bofill

+ WELCOME

IN THE WORDS OF THE BUNDJALUNG OF BYRON B AY A R A K W A L PEOPLE ...

Our Aboriginal culture gives us a sense of belonging to the land, the sea and to each other. It links the past, present and future and is expressed through our stories, art and songs, our dance and ceremony, and the way we understand and respect Country. Much has been handed down from our ancestors over a long time and we work to keep this valuable knowledge and connection to Country alive. Maintaining our cultural traditions and looking after Country is important for our identity and well-being, and shows respect to our ancestors.

A LOVE LETTER TO AN ARAKWAL ELDER – We would very much love to collaborate with you on our ‘Welcome to Country’ for Issue No. 02.

Please email beck@thisisparadiso.com.au

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Paradiso ~ Nov—Dec 2017 ~ And so with the sunshine ...

WE ARE HERE

Hello– Issue No. 01: And so with the sunshine ... / Nov–Dec 2017

HELLO

Sunscreen in your eyes a skip in your step. Here comes the sun and our Paradiso. We welcome you to issue one – our happy nod to the Shire. We are team Paradiso and we are excited to meet you.

Team Paradiso ;) xx

Paradiso is so very proudly brought to you by: Beck Marshall, Managing Editor Lila Theodoros, Production Manager/ Design Aarna Hudson, Advertising Manager/ Copy Editor Natalie Wagner, Advertising Manager Matt and Marty, Team Distribution Chris Theodoros, Accountant (Business Matters) Our Mums, Proof Readers Thank you to our wonderful contributors– Rachel Surgeoner, Azzmin Francis, Georgia Ann, Meredith Cusack, Sarah Gray, Aarna Hudson, Natasha Welsh, Lizzie Bodenham, Lisa Sorgini, Mia Taninaka, Sabine Pick, Clare Salisbury, Ming Nomchong, Alex Hudson, Juna Horstmans.

From the bottom of our hearts– thank you to our incredibly supportive families, we love you! xx

Printed by Fast Proof Press, Nerang Qld. Published by This Paradiso Trust. © Paradiso Trust 2017, all rights reserved.

Disclaimer No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or part without the permission of the publisher. The views expressed in Paradiso are those of the retrospective contributors and are not necessarily shared by the publisher.

Contributions and submissions are welcome but no responsibility is taken. Information and credits are correct when going to print but may change afterwards. Paradiso is published six times a year and we are sorry for any mistakes :) thisisparadiso.com.au @paradiso_magazine_

THIS IS PARADISO

Enjoy reading–

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–08

All about that bowl –08 Jordana Henry –16 The Poets of Pottery –20 Me, my shop and I: Worn Store –22 Ken Done sees all the colours –42 Take me to: La Muralla Roja, Spain –50 Good people: Liberation Larder –58

–50

–42

Food + Drink

08 Feature:

All about that bowl 10 Me, my shop and I:

Leaf & Grain, Byron Bay 12 I have a Roadside Food Stall: Rockwall Farm, Goonengerry 14 Seasonal Eats:

When the jacarandas

were in bloom

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Home + Design 16

20 22

24

Where I live: Jordana Henry The Poets of Pottery Me, my shop and I: Worn Store, Bangalow Florals of the season: with Brær

Wellbeing

26 Feature: The art of

the smudge 28 Listen: Meditation 29 Practice and all is coming: Kundalini Yoga 30 Your horoscope

Fashion

32 Feature: And the sun pours

down like honey

Arts + Events

40 Arts Guide 42 Current Muse:

Ken Done 46 Making music:

Galaxy Girls 48 Bi-monthly book club:

Dharma Bums

– Jack Kerouac

Travel

50 Feature: La Muralla Roja, Spain 52 Weekend intinerary

Community

54 Do you remember?

Abracadabra right on

the highway ...

56 Ten things I love about:

Mullumbimby 58 Good people:

Liberation Larder 60 Rainbow Region Pioneer:

Jim Nutter 62 Encounter

Cover Photo courtesy Ricardo Bofill

WE LOVE

OUR TEAM

Beck Marshall

~~~ Role– Managing Editor Home– Mullumbimby What is your Paradiso– Daily silence in any form.

Daily offerings from our shire that make me thankful for my collaboration with paradise.

Side Hustle– Publisher of The New Story @_the_new_story

HIG H FIVES

Lila Theodoros

~~~ Role– Designer/Production Manager Home– Mullumbimby What is your Paradiso– Driving in summer through the rainforest with the window down, hearing the cicadas.

Side Hustle– Founder/ Designer @ohbabushka

We love Team Paradiso

Lisa Sorgini

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~~~ Role– Photographer Home– South Golden Side Hustle– Photographer, Mumma and artist @lisa.sorgini

Sarah Gray

~~~ Role– Photographer Home– Byron Bay Describe your Paradiso– When the ocean sparkles on a full moon night or that feeling of excitement you get when your overseas flight is just about to take off!

Side Hustle– Visual storyteller @sarahgray__

Alex Hudson

~~~ Role– Artist Home– In the Valley What is your Paradiso– My slice of Paradiso is time spent relaxing in nature, creative flow in the studio, great food and wine shared with the laughter of family and friends then dancing the night away to some deep funky beats.

Side Hustle– Being Mum to my little Oscar @alexhudsonartist

Paradiso ~ Nov—Dec 2017 ~ And so with the sunshine ...

Aarna Hudson

~~~ Role– Partnership Manager Home– Byron Bay What is your Paradiso– My Paradiso is quiet, with sand and salt water cures, and a great read. A dance floor with plenty of funk. Watching comedy, dance, theatre, any live performance really.

Side Hustle– Making vegan chocolate and enrobing the Artisan food products made with love at the Byron Bay Group. @aarnakristina

Rachel Surgeoner

~~~ Role– Writer Home– Brisbane What is your Paradiso– My paradiso is a making a rich lasagna at home with my love, with a glass of wine in hand and smooth tunes in the background.

Main hustle– Founder/Cook/ Caterer @Yes_Joy Side Hustle– Aesopian

Natasha Welsh

~~~ Role– Yogini Home– the hills of Byron What is your Paradiso– is that every day becomes Sunday – slow, chilled and unexpected, with family, good food, the ocean and a big bath.

Side Hustle– Yoga Teacher @natasha_kundalini_yoga and Fashion Designer @natashathelabel

Natalie Wagner

~~~ Role– Partnership Manager Home– Currently navigating the Byron Shire rental market What is your Paradiso– When I am in love with the moment and feel absolutely exhilarated by the beauty of life.

Side Hustle– Intuitive and Psychosomatic Therapist @bodymindandsoulawakening

Jasmin Daly

~~~ Role– Writer Home– Byron What is your Paradiso– I think paradise is where you make it. Being surrounded by nature, good people and creating time for what’s important is all I need.

Side Hustle– I’m still figuring that one out, though I listened to an awesome podcast by Rich Roll on it the other day! @jasmindaly

Lizzie Bodenham

~~~ Role– Astrologer Home– Main Arm What is your Paradiso– A combination of colourful, inspiring nature (bird and flowers particularly) abundant fresh seasonal produce, clean drinking water, spacious beaches and people who respect their surroundings and freedom to be your eclectic self.

Side Hustle– Working at Food Culture, Ocean Shores and Home Improvement, Feng Shui, Astrology & Colour consultatant @livingbalancedesigns

HELLO

+ WELCOME

THE WARMEST OF WARM UPS

The Good News is—

November/December Top 5 to look out for: 01– Falls Festival ‘Way up in the sky, little darlin’ – YES you read it, the one and only Daryl Braithwaite coming at you baby! Check out the Falls Festival line up for team Daz and much, much more. fallsfestival.com

Let’s get visual Meet Kat Bak – an interpretive ‘dancer’ in all realms of creative art and design. We asked her: You honour the female with a genuine gaze – would you consider yourself a feminist? My work explores the great landscape that is the human form and in particular that of a woman. Women have such strength and beauty, yet can be oppressed by not only society but within our own consciousness. My work is a visual diary of the journey of embracing oneself and finding empowerment within.

I am honoured if others find inspiration in my work to honour themselves, their body, their landscape, their story. katbakcreativeboogie.com

02– Djurra at Norpa A powerful new dance theatre work directed by Kirk Page and inspired by a Bundjalung creation story.

Showing at Norpa from Wednesday, 29 November to Saturday, 2 December. norpa.org.au

Stone & Wood

In this part of the world, where the sun shines long and hot, the best way to relax after catching a wave is to hook up with friends and hit your local. Stone & Wood is our local independent brewery, and have got you covered! Drop into Stone & Wood in the Arts & Industry Estate – easiest place you’ll find yourself on a Friday arvo for a tasting paddle of their finest (we are partial to the Jasper Ale). Throughout the year Stone & Wood release batch brews that are special, limited and once gone, may never return.

To book a tour in advance to learn more about Stone & Wood’s approach to brewing, conscious business and beer! The brewery is open seven days. stoneandwood.com.au/byronbrewery

Win! Win!! Win!!!

Share your Paradiso to win To celebrate our first issue, we have collaborated with local label, Fallen Broken Street for an incredibly exciting – and seasonally perfect – giveaway! To win a Triptych Straw Square woven hat (pictured), follow us on Instagram and simply share a photo of your ‘Paradiso’ using the hashtag #thisisparadiso. The best photo – as voted by Team Paradiso – will win! Thank you for supporting independent media, and thank you Fallen Broken Street! For more hat inspo see fallenbrokenstreet.com

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03– The Brunswick Picture House The perfect fusion of circus + cabaret + comedy + cinema + kiosk. Don’t miss their signature show ‘Cheeky Cabaret’ returning early December. brunswickpicturehouse.com 04– Get out of (Byron) town Round off your cultural journey to Lismore’s burgeoning creative hub with a tipple and tapas at Augustine’s. augustinesbar.com.au 05– The Clean Coast Collective Get involved and support Nat + Dan, the absolute legends behind Clean Coast Collective and Trash Tribe. cleancoastcollective.org

Overheard: a ‘Boomer’ woman chatting with a friend about mid-life changes and new directions while enjoying coffee at Punch and Daisy, Mullumbimby on a Thursday morning.

“At this time in our life we are supposed to become painters, artists. Women have to paint. But I can’t paint! People ask me what I do and I say Coffee. And sometimes brunch.”

FOOD

+ DRINK

LET’S EAT WITH THE SEASONS

SUPERFOOD ICE BREAKERS: Zingy, lemony Sorrel has a crazy-good amount of Vitamin C. Dill is a potent antioxidant. Kale is high in Vitamin A, C, K AND contains iron, fibre and calcium!

All about that bowl Think you’ve had enough Kale to last you a lifetime?

Think again. Get inspired by this jazzed-up grain bowl with Kale and Sorrel.

EXTRA NICE: We served our bowl with a refreshing and award wining ‘Rancho Mandarina’ Mandarin Juice Cordial from Jane at Rancho Relaxo (New Brighton).

BYRON SHIRE FARMERS MARKETS: New Brighton Tuesdays 8am–11am Byron Bay Thursdays 8am–11am Mullumbimby Fridays 7am–11am Bangalow Saturdays 8am–11am Rain, hail or shine.

With such excellent produce on our doorstep, we took a visit to the [Mullumbimby and] New Brighton Farmers Market to see what seasonal goodness we could turn into vibrant, nourishing bowl-food.

Inspired by foodies from afar, we adapted this recipe from Los Angeles eatery, Sqirl, and their ‘Sorrel Pesto Rice Bowl’. Here’s how we did it, Northern NSW style –> The bowl is flexible as to what’s in season and your personal preferences.

Here’s our guide to the local Farmers Market producers with the goods.

Chat to Andrew and Amanda from Church Farm and pick out your favourite hot sauce – we used the Billinudgel Green Mojo Sauce for this recipe and it was 10/10. You can also pick out a bunch of dill and perhaps a handful of salad greens to help dress your bowl! Talk to Deb from Cheeses Loves You for her recommendation for a good sheeps-milk or similar fetta. On our trip to the market we picked up a divine ‘Lillian Feta’ from Nimbin Valley Dairy; Kale & Sorrel from Summit Farms or Wiccawood Organics; Ripe avocados from Tony at Avocado Valley; If you’re in luck, Spice Palace will have a jar of Preserved Lemons (if not, try your local deli or gourmet grocer); The most delicious open-range Eggs from Possum Creek Eggs (New Brighton) or The Witches Broom Stick (Mullumbimby); Quality bacon from Byron Bay Pork; We recommend also picking up a jar of French Beetroot Sauerkraut from Alive Foods – it’ll really make your bowl ‘pop’.

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Photography– Lila Theodoros

Words– Rachel Surgeoner @Yes_Joy

Paradiso ~ Nov—Dec 2017 ~ And so with the sunshine ...

Recipe: The Perfect Grain Bowl

a large bowl toss the cooked rice with

Serves 6

the sorrel pesto, chopped dill (saving

Ingredients

some for dressing your bowl), finely

3 cups Medium-grain brown rice

chopped preserved lemon peel, plus

1 bunch of Kale (stems removed)

another squeeze of lemon juice.

1 bunch of Sorrel (stems removed) 2-3 Lemons

OPTIONAL

1 bunch of Dill

[hard boil or poach your eggs]

3 Avocados

[fry up your bacon]

1 jar Preserved Lemon A handful of Radishes

Finely slice the radishes with a

Jalapeño Hot Sauce

mandolin or a sharp knife. Create

100gms Sheep’s-milk Fetta

a ‘quick pickle’ by marinating the

Sea Salt

radishes in some lemon juice, a small

Pepper

glug of oil, and a small dash of Apple

130mls Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Cider Vinegar if you have it handy. Set

Apple Cider Vinegar

aside for 5-10 minutes until tender.

(+ optional 1 Egg per person)

Use the pickling liquid from your

(+ optional Bacon)

radishes to ‘massage’ your remaining

(+ Pickled Vege such as Beetroot Kraut)

kale leaves for 60 seconds, and then use the leaves to dress your bowl.

Method

To serve, line your bowl with some

Boil the rice in salted water until

hot sauce - get fancy by swirling it

tender, approx. 30mins. Drain and

around the sides. Spoon over the rice

cool. While the rice simmers away,

and arrange your fetta, radishes (you

prepare the Sorrel Pesto by combining

can make them into a pretty rosette),

1/2 cup (120ml) of oil with most

sauerkraut, sliced avocado, kale and

of the Kale (leaving some aside to

a few sprigs of dill atop. Here’s where

serve atop your bowl), all of the sorrel

you can make the decision to add your

leaves and 1-2 tablespoons of lemon

egg or bacon, or both! Season with sea

juice (depending how much of a

salt & freshly ground black pepper and

citrus fiend you are). Blend in a food

wah-lah = your very own California

processor. Season to taste with salt. In

inspired Grain Bowl!

ALL ABOUT THAT BOWL

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FOOD

+ DRINK

ME, MY SHOP AND I

The perfect combination of organic food, great coffee and an inspired takeaway concept.

Leaf & Grain Owner Trenton Jamieson 6/87 Jonson Street Byron Bay leafandgrain.com.au

Tell us a little about the concept behind Leaf & Grain?

When we first moved to Byron we really struggled to find a healthy, affordable take away meal. There were a lot of great restaurants and cafes, but if we didn’t have the time to sit down to eat, it was hard to find something healthy and quick. So when the space and opportunity presented itself – we knew exactly what Byron needed. We wanted to appeal to the locals, not just the tourists – so we knew we had to get the price point right without compromising on the quality or flavour. The menu is designed so that people can eat there everyday, rather than once a week as a treat.

You hero the salad – do you work on a seasonal menu and ingredient combinations?

Yes definitely! We have a number of local farmers we work with. They come in each week to deliver their fruit or veg and keep us up to date with what’s coming into season, what’s in abundance, what’s tasting great and what might be harder to source. We create salads with what we have

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Paradiso ~ Nov—Dec 2017 ~ And so with the sunshine ...

access to, they change daily depending on what the chefs have in the fridge and what combinations they think will work. It keeps things interesting for our regular salad lovers.

You source local, 100% organic ingredients where possible from our incredible region of growers including your coffee and cheeses – can you tell us about your commitment to supporting local?

Byron is a small town, but it’s overflowing with local support and has a very strong community. Without that support, it would be very difficult to have a business here. It’s an extremely transient place and while tourism is high, it’s the daily customers that keep us afloat. And the same goes the other way – we support local businesses too.

The more we stick together and help each other out, the better. Having local suppliers also means we know their commitment to quality, care and the environment.

What do you love about working in your community?

I’ve met so many great people just by them coming in and grabbing a coffee every morning. Meeting such lovely and positive

locals makes a huge difference to our day and work weeks. We get to know people, hear about what’s happening in their lives and we start to look out for each other. I love living and working in a community where people are happy to help, care for one another and the town in which we live.

Current inspirations?

Byron is a hub of inspiration! It’s full of creative entrepreneurs who are always pushing new ideas, coming up with interesting businesses and moving away from the conventional 9–5 job. My parter Bec and my brother Aaron inspire me daily – they’ve both made successful careers out of doing exactly what they love, despite all the hurdles that may have been thrown their way.

Finally on being known as Bayleaf’s little brother ...

We are literally family, so this term works on so many levels – we share staff, chefs, suppliers, ideas and menu items.

Bayleaf has been at the forefront of the Byron Bay food scene for many years – so we couldn’t be more proud to be their little brother!

Tue to Fri 7:30am–2pm & Sat 7:30am–12:30pm T. 02 6684 2914 Shop 6/108 Stuart St Mullumbimby

@scratchpatisserie scratchpatisserie.com.au

an intimate bar serving wine, cocktails, spirits, beer & sake @augustines_bar

— offering a seasonal food menu featuring oysters, cheese boards, charcuterie, bagels and sweets.

Shop 7–9, 98 Woodlark St, Lismore ... Tel 02 6622 8491

Everything baked in the Scratch Patisserie kitchen is made from scratch, using traditional recipes and a range of local and organic products.

Hours of loving work are put into each item, and seasonal produce is used to inspire new ideas on a regular basis.

augustinesbar.com.au

FOOD

+ DRINK

THE PRODUCERS

I have a roadside food stall—

Words– Beck Marshall Photographer– Sarah Gray @sarahgray__

We are ...

Nic & Monty and our three kids Our farm is called ...

Rockwall Farm Find us ...

349 Goonengerry Rd, Goonengerry, NSW @rockwallfarmgoonengerry

We delve into the hidden gems of roadside stalls and get to know the growers.

Our little farm is ... a 75 acre property in the Byron hinterland, where we run a mixed enterprise of cattle, pastured laying hens and quails, and a market garden.

We aim to develop the farm’s ecosystem in a sustainable manner using permaculture principles. We use paddock rotation with the cattle and hens to help keep both the animals and pasture healthy and limit outside inputs into the market garden by cutting our own mulch, and composting garden waste and animal manure onsite from our own animals. That way we know exactly what we are putting into the soil.

We are also very fortunate to be involved with the Goonengerry Landcare Group who are running a control and eradication program with an area of Camphors on the farm.

This will ensure a large area will regenerate with native species and create a habitat for native birds and animals.

What we grow ... We love growing chemical free, nutrient dense seasonal produce. We aim to grow a wide variety of vegetables and herbs, and bee and bug attracting flowers.

We have established citrus

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We find that the majority of people are honest and appreciate what we are trying to achieve which really motivates us.

Paradiso ~ Nov—Dec 2017 ~ And so with the sunshine ...

and banana trees, and are working on increasing our fruit orchard.

A day in the life of running a road side veggie stall ... The day starts very early before the sun is up, as the produce is best picked fresh and crisp before the heat of the day, especially the leafy greens. We put veggies like broccoli and cauliflower, or cucumber and squash on ice in the stall to help keep it fresh, especially as the days heat up. This is the same for the eggs. Leafy greens like kale, silverbeet and beet tops are sat in water, again to keep fresh. We pop down to the stall on a regular basis to re-stock.

Things we love about running our stall ... We love producing clean fresh produce for people and making this type of food available at a good price.

Growing food is so satisfying and it makes us feel great to be able to share it with others. Meeting the customers and connecting with the local community is something that we are aiming for as well, and we love a chat if we happen to run

into someone there.

The struggles ... It’s disheartening when produce is stolen, but that goes with the roadside stall and honesty model.

However we find that the majority of people are honest and appreciate what we are trying to achieve which really motivates us.

Our thoughts on supporting local farmers ... Farming animals and growing food is tough at times. It takes a lot of time and patience and things don’t always work out, especially when you are at the whim of mother nature! By supporting local farmers, communities contribute to ensuring the food they eat is fresh, and has not travelled far before reaching their plates. Locally grown food will always taste better due to this factor, and by supporting buying local, farmers are able to keep producing high quality produce.

Fully immersersing oneself in the rhythms of the seasons is a truely magical thing, so keep supporting the “little guy”, as you are also likely supporting a dream.

L o c a l ly R o a s t e d , L o c a l ly O w n e d Small Batch, Cold Brewed Organic Coffee We source only fair trade, organically grown sustainable coffee that is masterfully roasted here in The Byron Shire. Our Long Black in a bottle will give you everlasting energy to burn. Black Nitro is cold brewed, put in a keg and then infused with nitrogen. It's served ice cold straight from the tap and now you can get Australia's first clean energy Nitro coffee in a can.

We are found at all awesome places in Byron and beyond. For stockists, visit our website.

@byronbeverageco

byronbeverageco.com.au

FOOD

+ DRINK

SEASONAL EATS

When the jacarandas were in bloom

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Paradiso ~ Nov—Dec 2017 ~ And so with the sunshine ...

PHOTOG RAPHY–

Lila Theodoros

WHEN THE JACARANDAS WERE IN BLOOM

Late spring into early summer brings the welcome and eagerly anticipated season of rich and juicy stone fruits, decadent tropical pleasures and refreshingly invigorating flavours. Eating seasonally is not only a joy, it's good for you, good for the environment and good for your community.

Following the natural cycle of whole foods is a

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simple principle that naturally supports our health. Our bodies feel the season, and our digestion reacts accordingly. By slowing down and following the natural flow of nature, we can increase vitality and balance.

The best way to eat with the season is to get educated. Know your region, know your farmers and know

what they grow. The easiest way to do this is to become a regular at your local farmers market. Strike up a conversation with the banana guy, chat to the blueberry lady and ask the farmer bringing the gorgeous greens what you should cook tonight.

Follow the seasons, listen to your body and eat whole foods ... enjoy.

Red Papaya delicately balances on Northern Rivers Flood Brick, while Calypso Mango, Lime and JalapeĂąo Pepper bask in the warm morning sunlight. On the opposite page Jacaranda flowers float to earth on the late spring breeze, landing over glistening Pomegranate jewels, White Nectarine and sweet and sour, slimy and crunchy Passion Fruit.

HOME

+ DESIG N

WHERE THE HEART IS — IS WHERE I LIVE

There’s a place where all the pretty flowers grow

On sunshine filled mornings there is no better remedy than being greeted at the front door of artist Jordana Henry. As perfectly humble and pastel as her artwork, we spent the morning chatting babies, past lives in the city and why we love waking up each morning in the promised land.

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Paradiso ~ Nov—Dec 2017 ~ And so with the sunshine ...

Words– Beck Marshall Photography– Lila Theodoros Muse– Jordana Henry @jordi_pordi

WHERE ALL THE PRETTY FLOWERS G ROW

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HOME

+ DESIG N

WHERE THE HEART IS — IS WHERE I LIVE

Tribal architecture and how it sits in an environment is something that has been on my mind as of late ...

Who lives here?

Myself, my partner Troy and my baby girl Minty.

How long have you lived in your home?

About one year.

How would you describe your design aesthetic?

I hate clutter – I’m actually scared of it – so maybe minimal and half finished.

Lets talk colour palette, shapes, or ideas that inspire you ...

I’m currently obsessed with burnt yellows, browns and charcoals. Tribal architecture and how it sits in an environment is something that has been on my mind as of late, but I’m always fascinated with human interactions and how they interact within a landscape.

If your home was a song or an album?

Devendra Banhart’s Ape in Pink Marble.

Favourite spot in your home?

My front porch Perks to living and working from home?

All the tea and toast I could possibly wish for and also being able to work while my baby girl is close.

What does a typical day for you involve?

Always coffee first, followed by the usual ‘get the baby sorted’ duties and then the rest of the day is usually a stop and start game in my studio.

Which local designers, artists and creatives are inspiring you at the moment?

There are far too many to list all of them but just to name a few ...

All my amazingly talented, successful female friends; artists Michael Cusack, Anna Karina, Sally Anderson, Christine Wilcocks; the girls from Worn Store; furniture makers Martin Johnston, Jeremy Lee, Che Bagshaw. And the list goes on and on and on.

The Byron Shires best kept secrets?

It’s a secret!! But the spinach and cheese rolls at the Scratch Patisserie in Mullumbimby are definitely something to know about.

Where would we find you on a Saturday morning?

Wherever the coffee is brewing and the pastries are fresh.

WO R DS TO I N S P I R E– 01 . B U R N T Y E L LOWS 02 . H U M A N I N T E R ACT I O N 03 . M I N I M A L 04 . T R I BA L A RT 05. FAU N A 0 6. AU ST R A L I A N A

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Paradiso ~ Nov—Dec 2017 ~ And so with the sunshine ...

VEGAN . ORGANIC . REFINED SUGAR FREE

HOME

+ DESIG N

THROWING, PINCHING, MAKING

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2

4

1

3

The Poets of Pottery 20

Paradiso ~ Nov—Dec 2017 ~ And so with the sunshine ...

THE POETS OF POTTERY

The emergence of pottery Anyone else feeling it?

Anyone else's kitchen and living fantasies overwhelmed with the choices we currently have on offer in our community.

With the abundance of talent from poets like artist Emma Gale's abstract vessels to the earth-bending alchemy of Anna Karina we hit the Byron School of Clay in search of making our own magic.

The pottery and ceramic art school is dedicated to instructing and fostering an enthusiasm for pottery within our Shire .

Pop in and say hi to Todd and Sabrina or check out bsoc.com.au for enrolments and classes.

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10 6

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2, 3, 10 Nikau Store 2/30 Fletcher St, Byron Bay NSW 2481 nikaustore.com @nikau.store 1, 4, 6, 7 Jenn Johnston jennjohnstonceramics.com @jennjohnstonceramics 5, 9 Emma Gale emmagale.com.au @emmagale_artist 8, 11 Byron School Of Clay 6/10 Brigantine St, Byron Bay NSW 2481 bsoc.com.au @byronschoolofclay

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HOME

+ DESIG N

ME, MY SHOP AND I

Key pieces for the home, antique vessels and natural fabrics in neutral shades makes for the perfect outing to the perfect lifestyle store.

Worn Store Co Founders Lotte James Barnes and Lia-Belle King 3/8–10 Station Street Bangalow wornstore.com.au

Photography courtesy Amelia Fullarton

Can you describe the concept behind Worn?

The Worn boutique is located in a quiet little art hub in Bangalow. The idea behind Worn is a lifestyle concept encouraging a slower, more thoughtful way of living. Of purposeful consumption and investing long-term in beautiful items with integrity. Worn is also an advocate for travel and self exploration, which is how the business came to be.

What beauty will we discover in your store?

We love to work with other businesses with women as the founders, and so in store all the brands you interact with are owned and run by women. Most also have ethical aspects, as working alongside the environment and causing minimal impact is important to us as a business. We work alongside Maison Balzac and their divine range of French candles and homewares, hand knitted knitwear by NZ brand The Knitter, ritual and meditation products by Bodha Modern Wellness, organic linen by House of Six, and the sweetest curation of products for children as part of our ‘Enfant’ concept for children.

Why did you choose Bangalow for your store location?

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Paradiso ~ Nov—Dec 2017 ~ And so with the sunshine ...

In all honesty we weren’t even looking for a store when ours presented itself to us through a close friend. We had just moved to Clunes – 10 minutes out of Bangalow – from Indonesia where we lived for two years, but the opportunity was too good to pass up. It’s quiet but can also be very busy, and where the store is located, it’s detached from the main street hustle and is more ‘destination’ focused. You’re either going to find the Worn boutique because you know exactly where it is, or stumble upon it completely by chance.

What do you love about working in your community?

The constant encouragement and support from everyone is so wonderful. We’re both originally from Sydney and the sense of community there is so different. Here everyone really holds each other up and promotes and works together to grow. Also, the community of women here who are business owners and mothers is incredible.

How would you describe each of your individual styles and how do you combine that within your store’s aesthetic?

Lia-Belle: It’s no secret Worn is

definitely driven more from my aesthetic than Lotte’s. I’m way too into neutrals and creating an airy and calm space for a product or thought to grow. I err towards high quality items with a completely understated elegance and no visual branding or ego.

Do you have any daily rituals or practices?

Lotte: I’m a meditator so my meditation practice is a ritual. I study Vedic, so twice a day I take myself for a twenty minute practice.

I find it helps with stress reduction, brain focus, emotional balance, creativity and keeps everything in perspective.

Where do you find your inspiration?

Lia-Belle: Everywear. A gumleaf brought inside by Lotte. The colour of the spines on a stack of books in the loungeroom. The dress a woman is wearing on instagram. The light in the afternoon and how it makes everything look so beautiful. The space that comes to play in the shadows. My friends. Literature. My dreams.

What made you smile today?

Lia-Belle: Lotte just came back from a walk with Opi and stood at the door of the office looking at me, they were both all hot and sweaty, smiling cheekily. That made my day.

Organic. Ethical.

Natural.

Botanically dyed, organic bedlinen and muslin wraps for babies & children.

10 Station St, Bangalow

|

www.taninakasan.com

HOME

+ DESIG N

FLORALS OF THE SEASON

PHOTOG RAPHY–

Lila Theodoros

The earth laughs in flowers Formed from a mutual passion for nature’s unsurpassable beauty – the joy of noticing each delicate petal of a flower and the calm presence of every leaf, perfectly placed in space – Brær is the collaborative gem of friends Azzmin Francis and Georgia Ann.

Co Founders– Azzmin Francis and Georgia Ann 10 Station Street Bangalow @b.r.a.e.r braerstudio.com

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Paradiso ~ Nov—Dec 2017 ~ And so with the sunshine ...

THE EARTH LAUG HS IN FLOWERS

Having recently opened their new florist shopfront in a creative nook found at the end of Station Street in Bangalow, Azzmin and Georgia see beauty in the unexpected.

“Floristry is our art practice and with it, we aim to highlight this wild ephemeral idea of beauty in the simplest way possible.

We are deeply influenced by Ikebana – traditional Japanese floristry – and the Wabi-Sabi philosophy,” says Georgia of their design aesthetic.

Brær – an Old English word used to describe a thicket or bramble of prickly wild roses and blackberries – proudly aligns with the Slow Flowers movement.

‘Slow’ flowers are grown on Australian farms rather than being imported from overseas and preferably sold as local as possible in the same growing region.

“Working with Australian-grown flowers means working with the seasons, which is one of the high points of our job. The year moves like a parade, meeting each month’s new varieties and waving off old favourites until next year,” Georgia says.

“This way of working is inspiring – it keeps our aesthetic changing, it connects us to the farmers and to the rhythm of Australia’s flower industry, and it means we’re always working with fresh, good value and ethical flowers,” she says with a glowing pride, then adding, “We encourage you to ask where your flowers have come from and to buy Australian-grown.”

Being part of the Slow Flowers movement means understanding and working with Australian seasons.

“Springtime is, obviously, a great season 25

Azzmin and Georgia in their Bangalow store surrounded

by Slow Flowers.

The year moves like a parade, meeting each month’s new varieties and waving off old favourites until next year.

for flowers. All the southern softies come out – poppies, bulb flowers, ranunculus, lily of the valley and early season roses and peonies,” Georgia says, listing off flower names with an inspired ease.

“Our Australian native flora are also in full swing with rice flower, paper daisies, flannel flowers and the fragrant Spring wax varieties, all showing off their delicate details. Locally, there are anemones and Queen Anne’s lace about, as well as snapdragons and the season’s first lisianthus. With milder days and nights still lingering around, it genuinely is

the perfect time of year to treat yourself abundantly to fresh flowers.”

For the most beautiful and lovingly designed florals, visit Azzmin and Georgia in their gorgeous shop in Bangalow. You will walk away inspired, energised and, of course, holding a beautiful bunch of the most wonderful Slow Flowers.

WELLBEING

+ HOW TO

RITUAL

To smudge is to purify by burning medicinal smoke from selected sacred herbs. Mystics say the Native American practice of smudging can help clear negative energy from a space. We delve into the mystical world of smudging.

The art of smudge

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Paradiso ~ Nov—Dec 2017 ~ And so with the sunshine ...

Words– Aarna Hudson Photography– Lila Theodoros

THE ART OF SMUDG E

Smudging is ritual alchemy – changing and shifting the air element, and transforming our current experience into a mystical one.

So, what is the art of smudging and how do we practice it? And what is it about the use of rising medicinal smoke as a therapeutic tool, that has people so infatuated today? Well firstly, history. But now scientists are discovering what has been traditionally known forever – that smudging is both good for us and the space in which we live.

The burning of medicinal smoke releases negative ions.

Negative ions are in bountiful supply in nature, especially at the beach, in forests and most profoundly near waterfalls. Being in an area rich in negative ions, is a natural way of elevating your mood.

You know that delicious feeling and deep sense of calm that comes from spending a day immersed in natural surrounds? The relaxing sleep you have after a day on the beach? That my friends, is what we are talking about. An abundance of nature’s goodness. Those negative ions. A natural high.

When sage is burnt, the wafting smoke changes the ionic composition of the immediate environment, by attaching to positively charged ions. Instead of floating, they fall to the floor, or nearest surface. Our modern homes have become a constant source of positively charged ions via electrical equipment and computers to name a few. An excess of positively charged ions in your environment is believed to contribute to tiredness and a lack of energy, tension, irritability and anxiety. Scientists have detected that burning sage can eliminate up to 94% of airborne particles like dust, mould, viruses and bacteria, and is a powerful antiseptic. Science has now proven what empirical knowledge has always known.

Throughout history, smoke, smudge and incense have been used therapeutically in healing and purification ceremonies, by traditional cultures around the globe. The Ancient Egyptians and

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Greeks burned medicinal herbs and resins to pay homage to the Gods, and for protection against demons. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders use native plants and bark in smoking ceremonies, such as Emu Bush to produce a wet, steamy smoke. This was used to remove bad spirits, for respiratory illness, and as stimulus to help with milk let down following childbirth.

Smudging is ritual alchemy – changing and shifting the air element, and transforming our current experience into a mystical one. A practice used to support inner peace, to gain spiritual wisdom and clear our emotional, mental, spiritual and physical environment. Always start your cleansing ritual with a clear and simple intention and an open heart.

Smudging invites you to connect, and focus with awareness, to yourself, your space and the land on which we stand.

Before you purchase your smudge stick though, do your research, and use your intuition.

There is a vast array of smudging herbs, each with a different energy, therapeutic use and cultural history.

Smudge sticks are bundled bunches of resinous, woody herbs woven together with string and dried, ready for burning. For most, smudging means one thing only – White Sage (c. salvia apiana). Salvia means to soothe or heal. Apiana refers to its main pollinator, the honeybee. White sage is the bread and butter of any smudging kit.

Versatile and effective, it’s suitable for any smudging ritual – cleansing, healing, protection and meditation.

When mixed with other herbs, it makes a wonderful base for a custom smudging blend.

Just smudge it— Make sure there is a window or door open for ventilation and to allow any stagnant energy a pathway to move out.

Hold your intention clearly

in your mind and what you want to achieve. It is best to light your smudge stick over a candle, keeping your hand as far back from the tip as you can. Keep the stick alight for 20 seconds, before using your hands or a feather, to blow out the flame, so you are left with a smoking, smouldering smudge stick.

Holding a ceramic bowl or shell underneath will catch any ash, and be a safe vessel to extinguish your smudge stick whenever needed.

Smudge yourself first. Work from head to toe, front to back.

Invite the sacred smoke to clear any stagnation or disturbances in your energetic field. You can repeat a prayer out loud whilst smudging or silently enjoy the process, listening to, and connecting with your inner voice. Hold this reverence until you diffuse the smoke. Slowly move through the space paying particular attention around doors, corners and cupboards, fanning the smoke throughout the area.

When finished, make sure to press your smudge stick firmly against a fireproof bowl, or into sand or soil, until the smudge stick is completely extinguished.

How often you smudge is up to you but a general guide is: yourself once a week, and your space once a month. We like to celebrate by smudging when we enter a New Solstice, or at the change of season. And definitely before holding a party, or a gathering of people.

Remember that all ritual and ceremony help us to examine our beliefs, to explore the possibilities of our journey on earth, and the fears that stop us from becoming all we can be. They help us visualise the lives we want to live, and to understand our connection to the universe. The very process of carrying out a ritual or participating in a ceremony is your response to an invitation to visit the place of spirit, of vision, of the creative force within.

Happy smudging.

NAT I V E A M E R I CA N P R AY E R May your hands be cleansed, that they create beautiful things May your feet be cleansed, that they might take you where you most need to be May your heart be cleansed, That you might hear its message clearly May your throat be cleansed, That you may speak rightly when words are needed May your eyes be cleansed, That you might see the signs and wonders of this world May this person and space be washed clean by the smoke of these fragrant plants And may that smoke carry our prayers, Spiralling to the heavens

WELLBEING

+ KNOWLEDG E

LISTEN

ARTIST–

Alex Hudson @alexhudsonartist

Meditation: Mindfulness / Vedic Mindfulness– Emma Jean Emma Jean @iamemmajean Vedic Meditation– Jacqui Lewis The Broad Place @thebroadplace

Lets talk mantras.

In this issue we chat to Emma Jean and Jacqui Lewis about their meditation practices and how to expand our daily consciousness and clarity.

Emma runs classes regularly in the Byron Shire and nationally – emmjean.com.au and Jacqui teaches Vedic meditation in her Sydney studio and offers workshops in Byron Bay and internationally – thebroadplace.com.au 28

What meditation do you practice?

E: It absolutely depends on what I need in the moment.

Mindfulness, Qi Gong, Yoga, taking a walk, moment to moment self awareness. I also love to meditate with Holosync Technology daily, my brain loves it!

J: It’s a mantra based practice from an ancient body of knowledge called the Veda in India and it’s done 15-20 minutes twice a day.

What drew you to mediation?

E: From a young age I had troubles in life, which led to depression, anxiety, worry, suicidal thoughts etc. I found that when I practiced meditation regularly it gave me great relief. It became my medicine in my late 20’s.

J: When I was in my late teens, it was originally stress and anxiety. I was seeking a technique to help me relax. Now it’s for expanded creativity, consciousness and clarity.

How long do you practice for daily?

E: Between 15 minutes and an hour or so it depends on what I’m up to and how I’m feeling.

J: I practice 20 minutes, twice a day.

Describe your meditation techniques.

E: I explore different breathe work techniques, guided meditations, Qi Gong, inner dialogue and expansive language techniques, ways to rebuild self confidence, or even ways to begin to become a self-soother.

J: With Vedic Meditation we practice sitting easily in a chair, back supported, it doesn’t have to be silent and still, just anywhere you can sit. We use particular mantras which are sounds, that allow the mind to dive into a deep profound state of consciousness and the body to rest at deep states which eliminates stress and fatigue.

How do you balance daily life and the time required for meditation practice?

E: I make time to meditate every single day, always first thing in the morning, because I love what it does for me, the way I feel and how I’m able to operate within my life.

J: This is a challenge for absolutely everyone who has a dynamic, modern life including myself. I don’t live in an ashram, I’m a mum, wife, principal of a school and travel constantly teaching. The key to the practice I teach is to fit it into daily life and I spend a lot of time teaching this on the courses.

The benefits of meditation?

E: Meditation gives you every opportunity to become the master of your mind. With practice, it allows you to walk through life responding to it, no matter what you’re going through in the moment, rather than being in reaction to it.

Paradiso ~ Nov—Dec 2017 ~ And so with the sunshine ...

J: Enchanted creativity, increased clarity, better sleep, boosted immunity, more compassion and gratitude and better physical health are what our students experience through regular daily practice.

Who is your teacher?

E: I have had many teachers and I’ve explored many modalities, all of them have given me tools along the way and the clarity to trust my intuition. The energies I feel most aligned with are Source Energy, Nature and Abraham Hicks.

J: I have had so many teachers over my time! I have studied Buddhism, Zen, Taoism, Karate, Vedic Knowledge and more. I am so grateful for all the input and I hope to never stop the learning and putting into action process, as well as sharing that which I have learnt!

Is your meditation connected to a religion such as Buddhism or Hinduism?

E: When I was 19, my Mum took me up to a Buddhist Monastery with her and I am forever grateful for this. I was an angry young thing, carrying a lot of trauma and Buddhism helped me begin to understand a lot about my life. For me at the core, all faiths feel the same – if they help people by giving them hope, peace and faith, then that’s wonderful.

J: Vedic Meditation is not connected to religion or philosophy. It’s a stand alone practice that can be leaned into with more education, or just utilised as a daily technique.

How does your daily practice benefit your life outside of meditation?

E: My main focus in life is operating from a place of peace and understanding. Meditation helps me keep life simple and be present with what’s in front of me.

J: It’s the only reason we meditate – that outside life is enhanced! It’s a practice that was designed for busy lives, and is less about the part where we close our eyes as we see the benefits with our eyes open in the world. As an integrated practice, we meditate with our eyes closed, in order to create a better life when we are up and about, moving around, being in the world.

Wisdom you’d like to share?

E: Meditation will give you Super Powers! Full stop!

J: Creative, high grade living is something we work on daily. A beautiful life is not in the future, when boxes have been ticked and an imagined reality is created, it’s here and now, every day, and we must be all here for it, refining and elevating daily.

YOGA IN PICTURES

Practice and all is coming On our journey for spiritual practices, this issue we journey into Kundalini, the ancient Indian practice that identifies the arising of an energy and consciousness which has been coiled at the base of the spine since birth and is the source of our life force. So, sit, breathe and open your heart.

5.

Kundalini Yoga

1.

Yogini– Natasha Welsh @natasha_kundalini_yoga Photography– Lila Theodoros

2.

3.

4.

Heart of Gold 1. In Lotus or an easy seat, bend over placing your forehead on the ground. Hands in Venus lock behind your back, together take long deep breathes for 3 mins.

2. Lean forward to 60 degrees, grasp your opposite shoulder blades and hug your arms together. Keep deep breathing.

3. Arms stretched out spread your fingers apart feeling the heat at the base of your palms. Long, deep breathing for 3 mins.

Bring the energy to the heart in two pulses.

4. Rub your hands together in a circular motion for 3 mins.

5. Lift your arms from the sides palms facing each other, meditate on the energy for 7–15 mins.

6. Arms up to the sides at 60 degrees, thumbs extended up breathe for 1 or 2 mins then follow with the breathe of fire.

7. Repeat pose 4.

8. Place palms at the heart centre. See a golden ball of light.

Expand the light with each breathe, sit with it for 10-15 minutes.

End with a 10 minute savasana.

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6.

7.

8.

WELLBEING

+ DIRECTION

HOROSCOPES – THE STARS HAVE A PLAN

WISDOM–

Lizzie Bodenham @livingbalancedesigns For an extended insight into your horoscope, visit thisisparadiso.com.au/stars

This is the dawning In the last two months of 2017, the Astrological picture is punctuated by the two solar system giants changing signs: Jupiter, planet of expansion, benefits and leaps of faith moving into Scorpio and the ringed planet Saturn, teacher of timing, tangible reality and tough love, moving into Capricorn. With the Sun in Scorpio and Jupiter’s once in twelve years entry into this sign featuring prominently at the New Moon on the 18th November, highlighting Scorpio’s potent themes which carry keys for expansion and growth over the coming year. Themes include life, death, healing and regeneration, the power to create and transform through endurance and adversity, heightened perceptions, the mysterious and x-rated, intimacy, shared assets, secrets and legacies.

Aries. Mar 20/21–Apr 19/20 During the forecast period, Mars your planetary ruler spends time in the signs of Libra and Scorpio, boosting opportunities to be proactive in close family bonds. Jupiter’s year-long entry into the zone of benefits gained through others as well as psychological and emotional depths could also bring you financial gains or new discoveries.

Taurus. Apr 19/20–May 20/21 Taurus is known as the sign of sensuality, and at the beginning of November, Venus, your planetary ruler, urges you to devote some of that sensual understanding to routine self-care. Undertaking steps to rejuvenate, recharge or nurture improves not only physical and mental outlook but helps you transmit happier and more abundant vibes.

Gemini. May 20/21–Jun 21 Gemini’s drive to figure out how people and things work, can mean a perpetually restless mind and body. At the beginning of November, Mercury, your planetary ruler, gets into a deep and meaningful conversation with the Sun and Jupiter concerning fitness, work projects, health and habits.

Cancer. Jun 21/22–Jul 22/23 In November, Jupiter’s arrival in fellow Water sign Scorpio may improve your capacity to strengthen emotional bonds and to enjoy expressing your imaginative self. This expansive influence encourages you to treat your inner child to more of whatever makes you feel vibrant and happy. In contact with Neptune at the close of 2017, your creative inspiration and potential for meaningful experiences has the potential to blossom in inspirational ways.

Leo. Jul 22/23–Aug 22/23 Jupiter’s entry into the private zone of domestic situations, home, family roots and your innermost psychological being is triggering expansion that can trigger a greater sense of

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Paradiso ~ Nov—Dec 2017 ~ And so with the sunshine ...

belonging or security through your home base.

Relocation, renovation, expanding family or creating a sanctuary may be part of this year long picture. A new creative phase may also have opened up this past year with big Eclipses impacting your sign throughout 2017.

Virgo. Aug 22/23–Sep 22/23 This could be a year for increased confidence through sustained focus and efficiency, learning new skills, satisfying contacts with siblings or people in your immediate community and a greater sense of ease in communication. Jupiter lining up with the Sun and joining Virgo’s ruler Mercury at the beginning of November can also increase potential for exploring new ideas or new avenues of study.

Libra. Sep 22/23–Oct 23/24 Jupiter’s once in twelve year journey through your sign may have brought greater self-assurance and increased faith or optimism over the last year. It might also have shuffled relationship priorities or helped you attract unexpected support. At the Scorpio New Moon in November, Venus your ruler aligns with Jupiter highlighting the potential to expand earning power and most importantly increase feelings which easily generate and magnetise abundance.

Scorpio. Oct 23–Nov 21/22 Scorpio gets a once in twelve year opportunity to capitalise on Jupiter’s expansive influence this year, favouring personal progress through self-discovery, creative endeavours and inspirational possibilities. With Scorpio’s personal magnetism and keen perception getting a boost, persons and resources that improve the quality and experience of your life can be drawn to you more readily this year and previously stifling conditions can finally ease.

Sagittarius. Nov 22/23–Dec 21/22 Like your planetary ruler Jupiter, your sign is eager to explore opportunities to

broaden or expand. Jupiter in Scorpio however, now encourages you to seek meaning that’s not found through material gains or far flung experiences. Finding fulfilment can also be sought in more unassuming and subtle ways.

Through the inner expansion of meditation for example, or in those serendipitous moments when all seems bleak and then a miraculous turn around occurs.

Capricorn. Dec 21/22–Jan 19/20 Jupiter now offers a broader perspective to your long term objectives and innermost aspirations as well as your friendships. Even though the mountain goat can at times be a solitary being, no man is an island and personal growth can flourish when getting together with those with similar interests. In November you will be inspired by meaningful encounters or conversations, and use creative energy to generate abundance.

Aquarius. Jan 19/20–Feb 18/19 Jupiter in Scorpio’s expansive influence spotlights your public standing in the world, what you’re recognised for and professional or vocational aims. Opportunities open up now to align with or attract the support you need.

The New Moon in Scorpio on the 18th could be a potent time for intending new strategies or focusing your determination and will towards what you wish to achieve in the public arena.

Pisces. Feb 18/19–Mar 20/21 The arrival of Jupiter in Scorpio and November’s planetary emphasis in fellow Water sign has the potential to benefit your daily existence with a deeper sense of meaning and purpose, heightened perceptions or creativity if you are open, receptive and willing. The November New Moon can offer tremendous support for increased intuition, trust and faith with your traditional ruler Jupiter and modern ruler Neptune in a harmonious, flowing dynamic together.

LUXE TALISMANS HAND CRAFTED IN SUSTAINABLY SOURCED STERLING SILVER AND 18K GOLD VERMEIL BY TEMPLE OF THE SUN, BYRON BAY.

+61 414 554 928 BYRON BAY, AUSTRALIA

INFO@ TEMPLEOFTHESUN.COM.AU

FOLLOW THE SUN Facebook /templeofthesun Instagram @templeofthesunjewellery

FASHION

+ BEAUTY

THE GOOD LIFE

Stylist– Beck Marshall Photographer– Lisa Sorgini @lisa.sorgini Muse– Mia Taninaka @miaeatswolves

And the sun pours down like honey ...

On soft naked skin. On childhoods spent basking and exploring sandy and sea swept. On motherhood in all her glory. On wishing for these days would last an eternity.

On feeling grateful.

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Paradiso ~ Nov—Dec 2017 ~ And so with the sunshine ...

AND THE SUN POURS DOWN LIKE HONEY

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Mia wears swimsuit from HER LINE, Ziggy wears pants from MILLK, and hat stylist’s own.

FASHION

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+ BEAUTY

Paradiso ~ Nov—Dec 2017 ~ And so with the sunshine ...

THE GOOD LIFE

AND THE SUN POURS DOWN LIKE HONEY

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Mia wears swimwear by ZULU & ZEPHYR and Taro and Ziggy wear pants from MILLK. On the opposite page swimwear from ASSEMBLY LABEL.

FASHION

+ BEAUTY

Mia wears swimsuit from HER LINE and Taro wears MOTHER NATURE.

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Paradiso ~ Nov—Dec 2017 ~ And so with the sunshine ...

THE GOOD LIFE

AND THE SUN POURS DOWN LIKE HONEY

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FASHION

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+ BEAUTY

Paradiso ~ Nov—Dec 2017 ~ And so with the sunshine ...

THE GOOD LIFE

AND THE SUN POURS DOWN LIKE HONEY

STO C K I STS her-line.com millk.co zuluandzephyr.com assemblylabel.com T H A N K YO U lisasorgini.com taninakasan.com

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Mia wears swimwear by ZULU & ZEPHYR and Ziggy wears pants from MILLK. On the opposite page Mia wears swimsuit from HER LINE.

ARTS

+ CULTURE

ARTS GUIDE

Helen O’Leary— Award winning Irish-born Artist and American resident Helen O’Leary talks inspiration and the importance of defeat with BSA student Sabine Pick.

Words– Sabine Pick @sabinepick Photographer– Michelle Eabry @a.projectpublications

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Was there an artist that inspired you to change the materials you use, or did you discover that from your own experimenting?

As a young artist, Eva Hesse was an influence, as was Pollock and oddly, Falkner. I liked stories, novels that were knit together explained my life to me, maybe more than art did. James Luna, the performance artist was maybe the biggest influence on me. He showed me how to look at my life and make it art, or vice versa.

What’s your studio set-up like?

I need tools, band saws, tables, sanders – I need time, I can’t have any commitments, nada. I need solitude and experiments.

What’s important for you to create your work?

A quiet place, space, ventilation. Long hours. I like to live in my studio, so it can be the centre of my life. People, muse, poets, writers. Other people’s lives.

Are you a slow, deliberate maker or do you create in energetic bursts?

No, work makes work. Slow deliberate worker, each piece makes the next piece – it’s really a lot of repetition for me. Raw is good, but clear-headed is ok too. I have a mantra, actually, I have a few of them, but one is, if it looks like art, it probably isn’t – and wonder and urgency must always coexist in the studio.

What opportunities have you had that have taken your practice to the next level?

The Guggenheim (fellowship awarded in 2010), was such a lucky break, it validated the splintering and fracturing of my practice.

Seeing your beautiful work in the flesh at BSA, it made me want to ask if you create your materials for specific works or do you have enough remnants

Paradiso ~ Nov—Dec 2017 ~ And so with the sunshine ...

that you can just play with until it works for you?

I continually edit, it’s like the unwritable novel, I take things apart, continually. My dissatisfaction is my work or my doubt.

You seem to have found the language of your art practice. Do you think you have an intellectual approach to making art?

I think I’m an intuitive artist but the idea is the prevailing thing behind the work. It works in tandem, the idea, and the materiality. I like the work to be tough, to be out there, to almost be non art – like for this show, (Dirty Filthy Painting at BSA Project Space) I just cleaned my desk and sent my non-things that fit into a mailable box. The idea of small things that become something and then can be dismantled is appealing to me.

Do you have a preference for smaller works as these are more intimate or do you prefer the large-scale works that take over a whole wall?

I’m working on a room right now that will be a ‘holding’ space for new work. I like epic scale, as big as a house, but made up of minutia.

Do you have a plan or do you find the works have their own plan?

I have an outline, or armature, the work has its own plan, but life can always take you elsewhere.

Restrictions, I love them. When things break I love them. Defeat, I love it, especially that moment you break out of it. Not having money, not having time, makes your imagination go into overdrive. That’s the point of interest. Susanna Coffey, my teacher, said once that she didn’t do the work she wanted to do, she did the work she could manage – I always think painting can save me more than anything else. I always look to other things and ‘fold’ it into painting.

ARTS

+ CULTURE

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY THE BYRON SCHOOL OF ART

Get inspired— November and December is a great time to …

Text and Collage Artist– Sabine Pick

Visit your local regional gallery From the Tweed River Art Gallery and Margaret Olley Centre, Lismore Regional Gallery, Northern Rivers Regional Gallery and Loan Goat Gallery Byron, you can access great exhibitions, artist talks and workshops. They also offer exhibition and studio opportunities. Let them know that art matters in our region by simply walking in the doors.

A RT I ST A N D BSA ST U D E N T Describe your form of artistic expression ...

I am a collage artist, using paper and my handwriting. Since seeing Helen O’Leary’s work I can see that my next body of work will be using different materials.

Where do you find inspiration?

When I was looking through Helen O’Leary’s website before interviewing her I loved the fact that she included images of her much earlier work, which seemed to be all on paper. I found these images fascinating as they gave me a real visual sense of how an artist grows.

Name three people that inspire you ...

Artists Sharon Etgar, Robert Motherwell and Vincent Hawkins. @sabinepick

Book in for art courses with the BSA for adults and kids Jump online to join the BSA mailing list and find out more about short and long courses for adults and kids.

Tattoo Artist– Josh Roelink Japanese tattooing – Lennox Head and Sydney Describe your form of artistic expression ...

I’m primarily a tattoo artist, but regularly create on paper and canvas also. Most of my personal art is me trying to find a medium that is as flexible and beautiful to work with as skin is, and it’s nearly always my re-interpretation of Japanese Edo-period art.

Where do you find inspiration?

Nature mostly, but also old Japanese Ukiyo-e prints. Inspiration also comes from surfing, daily deep breathing meditation and my family’s love.

Name three people that inspire you ...

Hokusai – one of the most prolific artists in human history and a compositional genius.

Larry Bertleman – one of my favourite surfers to watch with a great outlook on life.

My lady, Bec – she inspires me daily with her honesty, humour, courage and willingness to grow and love. @tatudharma

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Set yourself up for 2018 Not sure where to channel your creative drive in the New Year? BSA Summer Tasters can help you reach your New Year’s resolution to follow your passions! Book in for a three hour taster to try your hand at a range of courses including drawing, painting and more.

BSA Project Space Exhibition Openings Join us every second Friday night from 6–8pm: 3–15 Nov Unvarnished by Maraya Rodostianos and Still by Casey Arnaud 17–29 Nov Front Up BSA Third Year Group Show 1–13 Dec BSA Second Year Group Show 13–22 Dec Free Range by Raylee Delaney BSA Project Space Exhibition Program 2018 2018 promises to be another fantastic year of exhibitions from local, national and international artists. With a new exhibition every two weeks from 15 February until 19 December, join us every second Friday night from 6–8pm.

For further details on all workshops, events and openings visit byronschoolofart.com

ARTS

+ CULTURE

CURRENT MUSE

Known for his vibrant and pulsing-with-energy paintings depicting iconic Australian moments from Sydney Harbour-scapes, to lazy beach scenes, to tropical coral reefs, to gardens bursting with flowers and life, Ken Done is an internationally acclaimed artist who aims to bring the experience of beauty and joy to a diverse audience. Our joint founder and Art Director, Lila Theodoros gets to talk art, design and colour with the man himself.

Words– Lila Theodoros Images– The Ken Done Gallery @kendonegallery

Ken Done sees all the colours As a child of the 1980s, I experienced the national excitement of Expo ’88, the explosions of new colour ideas emerging in fashion and homewares, and the optimism of what it meant to be an Australian. I grew up in the Age of Ken Done.

My first memory of a ‘Ken Done’ was on my mum. She emerged one morning from her room wearing Done top to bottom – a matching two piece ‘suit’ – a high waisted flowing skirt and a smart, tailored for the 80s and featuring amazing shoulder pads, light weight jacket. She wore it with the kind of joy that a special outfit brings – it makes you sway and dance and smile; it lifts you and makes the day a little brighter.

I would see the suit in her cupboard, hanging proudly in amongst a dull mix of early 80s standard greys and pastel pinks. Staring at this outfit, I could see vibrant shapes, moving and jumping and swirling. The movement of this outfit was hypnotic, the colours radiating from inside her tiny wardrobe, in our tiny house on our rural property outside of Murwillumbah, in northern New South Wales.

Art was in our home. Beauty was hanging in the wardrobe. Ken Done was a part of our lives.

Ken did the unheard of – he made 42

Paradiso ~ Nov—Dec 2017 ~ And so with the sunshine ...

beauty in art accessible, lucrative and – maybe unknowingly – inspired the next generation to reach for colour, joy and success in whatever creative field they would go on to choose.

Growing up we had an accidental hero – a hero for all the kids who struggled with the idea of being anything but creative. Our hero changed the face of creative Australia and showed us that we could be an artist, we could be creative and we could make an actual living.

Before he became the unofficial ambassador and promoter of Australia, Ken spent his early years growing up on the Clarence River, in the NSW town of Maclean.

His language of colour began developing at a very early age and his memories of these formative years are speckled with a vibrancy and positivity. “When the Clarence was in flood, it was this amazing khaki floating river with bits of purple hyacinth floating down on it – it was beautiful,” he tells me as we chat on his landline phone in his studio overlooking Sydney Harbour.

The Australia of Ken’s youth was projected in dull or sepia tones – television, magazines, fashion – and colour was a rarity, only bursting through in lovingly tended garden beds or vibrantly painted-with-love homes.

“When I was growing up, the kind of gardens and houses you would see in Maclean or Grafton, had the most wonderful coloured flowers that people would feel thrilled about, and yet that wasn’t reflected in the colour of clothes they would wear.”

It was this ability to actually see, appreciate and appropriate colour that would later set Ken’s work apart and establish him as an internationally acclaimed artist.

When Ken was around ten years old, his family moved back to Sydney, where he spent his school days travelling by steam train from his home in Springwood to school in Katoomba. “It gave me my love of trains and travel, but didn’t add anything to my love of school – which I really didn’t like very much.

Mostly my school days were spent gazing out the window, thinking about things,” he not so fondly remembers.

The not-very-interested-in-school student managed to create an express route that led him to enrol in East Sydney Tech at the age of fourteen-and-a-half, one of the main colleges that taught art. And he loved it from the start. This was the beginning of his path towards an incredibly successful career as an art director and designer in New York, London and Sydney. Ken’s creative achievements

KEN DONE

5 THINGS I LEARNT F RO M K E N – 1. On Australia’s colours: He would “... get the bloody green and gold right, which always looks like a pineapple salad because they never get the bloody green dark enough and never get the yellow right.”

2. On art: “There are no rules in art so do whatever you like.”

3. To be an artist: “Simply begin by opening your eyes.”

4. A well designed t-shirt: “... has got to work with a pair of jeans.”

5. The role of art: “... should be more like poetry.”

Beach with bike, 2006 oil & acrylic on paper, 56 x 76cm

during this time revealed his ability to see in creative composition and to problem solve with engaging visual stories for big brands that admired and respected his vision, optimism and his Australian-ness for giving everything a go.

“The thing that seemed to impress the most was that I could do lots of different things,” he says of his advertising days, “which was in a sense the Australian experience. You know, ‘Can you do a poster?’ Sure. ‘Can you do an annual report?’ Sure. ‘Can you do a line of lettering?’ Sure. You had to be multitasked in Australia, and the Australian experience would be that you’d give everything a go.”

“I didn’t particularly want to work for a big advertising agency, but they gave me a big office and a big desk and all of those kind of things, so you do it. Advertising and design can be a fascinating business if you have nice clients and in all those years I had wonderful clients. I convinced Baccardi we should shoot underwater in the Caribbean, we shot swimwear in Portugal and Greece and I won a Cannes Gold Lion for the best cinema commercials in the world. I worked with Bill Oddie and Tim Brooke-Taylor – who went on the become The Goodies – on a series for Campari. I enjoyed the advertising business, 43

and I was good at it.”

But Ken’s true creative path came to him when he was 40 years old.

“I came back to Australia and worked here for another five years, eventually taking over from Bryce Courtney to be the Creative Director of J Walter Thompson, but I didn’t want to do it anymore, you know? I wasn’t passionate about it. I was in New Caledonia on a late Sunday afternoon and I was talking to Peter Brock, and he was talking about motor racing and just how passionate he was about it, and I realised I was much more passionate about art than I was about advertising and so we flew back to Sydney and I resigned the next morning. I gave up everything. You know, if you want to do it, there are no shortcuts, you just have to do it,” he matter of factly tells me.

Most of us can’t really comprehend a future where we get to dramatically change what we have been doing for so long, to simply pursue a long-held-in-our-heart passion. But Ken did. And he was great at it.

“You’ve got nothing to lose, it can only not work you know, and so then you’ll do something else. But it’s the experience of doing it – it’s like a painting, they’re not all great, I mean some of them I hope are, but the ones that don’t work, you know they don’t work,

but you’ve learnt something from it and you can move onto the next one,” he says with incredible wisdom, hidden in a warm straight up Australian tone.

Ken talks in pictures. Ken talks in colours. His words take you on a visual journey, where images and scenes flash past your eyes as you listen to him explain the most complex creative ideas in his flowing and visually descriptive language.

I am fascinated by Ken’s work history.

Art director turned artist is an amazing leap and I need to know more. I ask Ken what is the biggest difference between being an art director and an artist. And, of course, “It’s quite simple …”

“As an art director, essentially you are solving a problem, and the problem is reasonably well-defined. You want to do ads that work and the definition of them working, you can plot that. You are surrounded by lots of people, so you’re getting the constant feedback and interaction with what you’re doing, as to whether it is good or bad. But with painting, you’re setting the problem yourself.”

And then I ask I him the question that rolls around in my own mind anytime I want to try and break out of my commercial problem solving world and make something that I have

ARTS

+ CULTURE

CURRENT MUSE

Art teaches you more about failure than success and the failure is the drive to get better at it.

independently directed. How do you set that problem as an artist? And Ken answers without missing a beat. He knows the question. He knows the answer.

“It depends what kind of painter you are. I don’t sit in front of a vase of flowers and paint a vase of flowers. I’m much more interested in thinking about what I might feel about a vase of flowers if that’s what I’m doing.

In other words, I’m setting the problem myself.

I might start off with having an idea about the vase of flowers, seeing the softness and the pinkness and the sensuality of the flowers, and that could very well turn into a nude.

Who knows where it’s going to take you. It’s an adventure and the end result, only you can decide whether it is good or bad.”

I listen and a familiar knot of anxiety starts to churn in my stomach as I imagine pouring myself into personal work, where I alone have set the problem, and I alone have decided that it is good. I ask Ken about the transition from solving a problem set as an art director and then leaping into the much more personal and emotional experience of an artist.

“Art teaches you more about failure than success and the failure is the drive to get better at it.”

I digest this Ken Zen, which is what I start calling his short and sharp drops of wisdom – BAM! – as he continues to talk about feeling for the lonely painter and their isolated creative existence.

“It is different for me, you know, I have staff, I’ve got a big gallery and I have some kind of structure around me. I feel for the lonely painter, because it is a lonely job. There will be somebody sitting in a small studio in Bangalow at the moment, thinking ‘Well, what the fuck am I doing? It might be the most beautiful environment but I’m so immersed in this painting and it’s not going right, how can I fix it up?’. My only advice can be bigger brushes and work faster, but then even that sounds like a rule.”

Ken is forever the Australian – all anti-rules, anti-establishment, pro-beauty, prooptimism.

“I never start to do anything to upset anybody, and even though those words like ‘beautiful’ or ‘pretty’ or ‘decorative’ are not spoken of in certain artistic circles, well I think they’re wrong. I think beautiful is a lovely word, as is decorative. It is okay to do those things or to try and elicit that response, especially in the troubled world that we live in.”

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Paradiso ~ Nov—Dec 2017 ~ And so with the sunshine ...

“I think, in the time that we live where you can see, while you’re having dinner at night, suicide bombers or Donald Trump – there is so many horrific things happening in the world – that I think the role of art should be more like poetry.”

Ken’s incredible talent comes from a seemingly unending ability to draw inspiration from the world around him. And, what may seem like a mundane snapshot of life, in Ken’s mind, becomes a sweeping, lyrical canvas of colour, pattern, emotion and experience. In one small conversation, Ken explains where to find inspiration and then paints an incredibly visual experience while talking to me on his landline phone, leaning back in a comfortable chair, and looking out of the window of his studio overlooking Sydney Harbour.

“If you’re an artist you simply begin by opening your eyes,” he explains as he glances out the window and starts painting me a picture.

“From where I’m talking to you now, the back of the studio faces the overseas terminal.

There is a big P&O boat in at the moment, so in the top of the image if you will, is a long white boat with endless windows and suites on the boat. Just below that is the overseas terminal itself, which is a rather kind of 1950’s design, which is also broken up into a whole series of squares, and bits of coloured glass. Then if I take my view down a little lower, I see another kind of series of squares. Then if I go even lower, there are a couple of people walking along the pavement which is also patterned.

So in other words it would be easy enough I reckon, to make a painting that consisted of all of those squared patterns. Now, I wouldn’t want to paint it photographically, but it could be quite an interesting pattern. A man is about to walk past and he has one of those absolutely amazing fluoro tops that workmen have, so in amongst all of those squares and all of those things, certainly you would put a little bit of absolutely fluorescent yellowy green, and you know you could get a picture out of that.”

We talk about the importance of ‘slowing down to see’ and Ken says that we should “see with the eyes of a child”. I tell him about my nearly-four-year-old son and how amazed I am at how he sees the world. And so matter of factly Ken says, “There is nothing that you will ever own that is more important than the drawings that little boy will do over the next four or five years. It will tell you everything he feels about you, and his life, and the world in general.”

Ken’s own grandchildren have grown up visiting and painting in their grandfather’s art studio, and being surrounded by the world of Ken Done Colour.

“I have got three grandchildren, two girls and a little boy, and the little boy is four and his whole class is coming in next Monday to the studio, and I’m doing a drawing that they are going to colour in. I often go to schools and I am always stunned by how beautiful the things that the kids do are.”

“They live in a world which is saturated in colour. If you go back to my world, you went to the movies and they were in black and white, you opened a magazine and it was brown and white. Now days, your son is seeing so many images on television and so many different things using colour. People used to say to me that ‘Ken Done is taking the beige out of Australia’, and that was kind of flattering. And when they would describe my work they would say ‘We love your colours’.

Well, they aren’t my colours, they are everybody’s colours.”

Colour.

I confess to Ken my almost daily anxiety as a designer in having to create colour palettes that work and ask the Godfather of Colour, how does he work so successfully with colour?

“It’s just something that you feel, it’s something that you feel. It is just like notes on the piano, one colour …”, he breaks, his eye catching a scene outside his studio window.

“There’s a girl that’s walking past and she has a kind of khaki-green top on and a pair of jeans but she’s got an amazing orangevermilion purse hanging over her shoulder.

Now, that vermilion purse makes the khaki look even more khaki. So it is always one colour against another colour just like notes in music.”

Then, he is quick to reinforce, “But there are no rules, so it’s whatever you like.

There are no rules in art so do whatever you like. Do whatever you like.”

Admiring the art director that he was – and always will be – I ask him about “The T-Shirt”. The first, small run, promotional only t-shirt that he created to launch his first ever exhibition in 1980 as he transitioned from the advertising world, to his passion of art.

“I did a drawing of the Sydney Harbour for the first exhibition in blue and white, which was a drawing on a canvas in the Holdsworth Gallery, and I made 12 t-shirts. I put numbers on them. I thought that they would just be given to the press. Well, one of them I gave

KEN DONE

to a woman called Marion Von Adlerstein who used to be a major writer in Vogue, and she absolutely loved it. She said ‘you can hang a Done on the wall or a Done on yourself; there’s an integrity to everything he touches’, which is a lovely thing to say and I tried to keep true to that. Everything we’ve done over those years, whether it’s a scarf or swimwear, you’ve just got to design it as well as you can. But that first Sydney Harbour t-shirt, did certainly set the wheels rolling because there was nothing like it that you could buy that said ‘Sydney is a really nice sophisticated city’.”

Creating a t-shirt that “has got to work with a pair of jeans” seemed to be the catalyst to the Ken Done I grew up with – art that was accessible, beautiful and in my home.

“As soon as I had done them, people wanted some more, so we printed some more. Then I had the staggering idea to print them in a different colour. And people loved those. And then ‘wait a minute, let’s do a sweatshirt’ and ‘wait a minute …’.”

I finally ask the man whose art could be found in most homes in Australia – and all over the world – at one time in one form or another, who played a crucial role in the visual representation of Australia to the world at the Sydney Olympics, who was a UNICEF Ambassador, what he now considers success to be.

“In a tiny way success to me means I go up to the art shop up here and I can go in and get whatever I want. Whereas when I first started, I had to save up to get a decent sheet of paper. Now I can walk into an art shop and have whatever I want. That’s a kind of level of success.

“Waking up each day and realising that you’re still here and live in Australia, that’s pretty good too.”

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Turquoise coral head I, 2011 oil, oil crayon and acrylic on linen, 152.2 x 122cm

Ken’s new book, Paintings you probably haven’t seen is out now.

ARTS

+ CULTURE

MAKING MUSIC

MEET THE GALAXY GIRLS Claudia Rose – Bass & Vocals @claudymore Elodie Gervaise – Guitar and Vocals @elodiegervaise

The Galaxy Girls

Kelly Hewitt – Drums @husky.honey Juna Horstmans – Synth @junahorstmans

– an all girl electro grungy dream pop band.

I love everything about these four neon angels. They take me straight back to the 90’s – me in velvet hot pants and a Pixies tee, blasting ‘Bull in the Heather’ and dreaming that I too played in a band this bloody rad. With the release of their singles ‘Sunflower Stealer’ and ‘New Coloured Eyes’, we chat to Juna about mesmerising moments, dynamic harmonies and jamming with your best friends.

Your current influences?

Our main influences from the very beginning would most definitely have to be Warpaint and La Femme. We love music from all over – anything from afro beat to psychedelic. Of course we’ve been influenced by the Runaways as well.

Being an all girl band, how would you define ‘feminism’?

Through our pursuits as musicians, we have discovered that self expression is a catalyst for self empowerment – particularly as females.

Best thing about all girl bands?

Having an excuse to hang out with your best friends all the time.

The energy we share is infectious ... particularly when we’re all jamming together and playing gigs.

Do you write your music with instruments or in your head?

Mainly with our heads. Elodie and Claudia have written a majority of our

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music so far, but we all work together to construct new songs.

Do you have a muse or musical theme that you use throughout your songs?

Our theme is quite varied. The best way to describe it would be a mixture of subdued and mesmerising moments with dynamic harmonies – through which we have developed our own genre of grungy, dream pop.

What would you say has been your best live show to date?

Pretty much every show we’ve done to date has been the best. Every one has given us the opportunity to show others what we love doing, as well as share the crazy, enthralling energy created when we all play together.

Where will we find you this summer?

We’ll be keeping it pretty local for a majority of this summer. Check out our feed to stay updated on our upcoming

Paradiso ~ Nov—Dec 2017 ~ And so with the sunshine ...

shows in the Northern Rivers of New South Wales.

What keeps you optimistic?

Mainly receiving an incredible amount of ongoing support from everyone. It has been a very special thing having the opportunity to show the world how we have evolved as a band, especially when we have been encouraged to keep pushing at this exciting new adventure.

What are you listening to at the moment that is worth recommending?

We have been listening to a lot of the American all girl band, L.A. Witch. They’re set to play Byron in early December. We’re all very excited about it. @galaxygirlstheband

THE GALAXY G IRLS

P L AY L I S T

A homage to my Paradiso— As interpreted quite vaguely by our Aquarian Editor and her scattered memories of the Shire she grew up in.

The 1970’s Anything from The Hangmans Daughter – The Incredible Stringband The Folk Era Only and forever Neil Young The 1980’s The Divinyls The Reggae Era at the Piggery The Wailers The Indie Era at the Piggery The Violent Femmes The Indie Era at the RSL Byron Bay Tumbleweed The Rails Era Bourbon Street and ANYTHING Blues The British DJ invasion Portishead (electronic music deep in Corndale) The local kids Parkway Drive Tora Tunes for surfing Andrew Kidman and The Windy Hills The New Wave Mylee and the Milkshakes Hare Krishnas dancing through the streets Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna, Krishna, Hare, Hare

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ARTS

+ CULTURE

BI-MONTHLY BOOK CLUB

NEXT BOOK CLUB–

The Painted Veil

by W. Somerset Maugham

The Book—

Dharma Bums – Jack Kerouac

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EXPERIENCE–

EXPERIENCE–

EXPERIENCE–

Brand New

Borrowed

Audio Book

Beck from Mullumbimby

Lila from Mullumbimby

Claire from Burringbar

Tell us the plot in one sentence ... A search for the transcendental, narrator Ray Smith tells us his adventures and his aspiration for Nirvana and all things Buddha.

Who was your hero? For me – Ray Smith. He is a misunderstood human, on a journey of self-discovery.

Favourite part of the story? The reference to the Six Gallery reading that took place on Friday, October 7, 1955 in San Francisco. Five talented young Beat Poets – Allen Ginsberg, Philip Lamantia, Michael McClure, Gary Snyder, and Philip Whalen began the West Coast literary revolution.

What did you love/not love about your experience? I read it long haul from Brisbane to London with a teenage child sprawled over me.

It did nothing to help create the environment needed to hang in there with this book.

What did you learn? That I was much more turned on by The Dharma Bums in my 20’s than I am in my 40’s.

Who should read this story? A Beat Generation lover. Someone with the ability to enjoy Haiku Literature because Kerouac throws it at you in big doses.

Did you finish? Not this time. We landed and I lost my mind up their in the ethos But I did 20 years ago ...

Tell us the plot in one sentence ... A sweet poet idolises a not so sweet, patronising eastern philosophy scholar and they try and climb a mountain.

Who was your hero? Ray Smith – he seems to be on a true and ego-less path to enlightenment. He has no ideas of grandeur.

He writes poetry and he humbly learns from those he is inspired by.

Favourite part of the story? The moments when Ray was alone in nature appreciating the simple beauty and experience of it. This was a beautiful shared wisdom, not the condescending lectures from Japhy. I couldn’t stand Japhy.

What did you love/not love about your experience? I struggled borrowing this book!

The library didn’t have it, and a plea to my local community Facebook group came up with nothing.

What did you learn? That I am very glad to be living in the age of post-1970s feminism! The women of this story are used, discounted and pretty much referred to as concubines.

Who should read this story? Anyone interested in poetry as story telling – I loved the rhythm of the book. And anyone who appreciates peace found in nature.

Did you finish? No. They got off the mountain and home again.

Tell us the plot in one sentence ... Some good old fashioned travels, drinking, life experiences and a bit of yapping about poets.

Who was your hero? Ray. Favourite part of the story? Following the travels of Ray (having never read any of Jack’s work before, assuming it must be based on himself), as he explores Buddhism and his own spirituality.

What did you love/not love about your experience? So I listened to the audio book read by Allen Ginsberg (the character Alvah is based on), I downloaded it from the free trial at Amazon. It took a few tries before I got the hang of not only listening to a book (it was hard to not be able to re-read parts if my mind wandered) and Allen’s voice. He does sound like a true, aging hippie (not in a bad way!) and maybe a little drunk!

What did you learn? It did make me look into the characters a little and whom they are based on. It felt a bit like being let in on his private journey and maybe if I had read it instead of listened to it I may have finished.

Who should read this story? Me! I wish I read the book! Not listen to the audio version.

Did you finish? No.

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a co–working and workshop space in Mullumbimby

loveworkwork.com.au

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@loveworkwork

TRAVEL

+ ADVENTURE

I WANT TO GO TO THERE

Ricardo Bofill is one of Europe’s most famous and prolific architects of the last century. Renegade, anarchist and godfather of design, we chat visions and the immediacy of social media.

Words– Beck Marshall Muse– Ricardo Bofill @bofillarquitectura ricardobofill.com

La Muralla Roja –Calpe, Spain

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Paradiso ~ Nov—Dec 2017 ~ And so with the sunshine ...

All photos courtesy Ricardo Bofill.

Our town is on the most easterly point of Australia and, in indigenous traditions, is known as a healing ground for women.

The 20,000 year old belief of arriving, healing and then leaving is woven in its energy, making our residents somewhat nomadic. I read recently you consider yourself a nomad. Can you tell us about your nomadic life?

When you’ve grown up in Catalonia Spain during the Franco regime, you have few choices before you. You dream of freedom and great journeys. I was expelled from the Spanish University and Franco’s regime prohibited me to practice in Spain. This situation forced me to move first to France, and later to Algeria, South America, the United States, Canada, Japan, China and India. I have accepted this way of life and I like it.

Have you ever ventured to Australia?

Actually, we were recently approached by an Australian developer who wanted to re-purpose a former brewery in Sydney … but no, I have never visited or worked in Australia.

I know that the country has amazing industrial sites that would make great adaptive reuse projects.

I’m curious to know more about Taller de Arquitectura. You founded the multidisciplinary firm back in 1963.

Can you explain the philosophy of its beginnings?

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I founded Taller de Arquitectura to confront the complexity of architectural practice. I gathered a multidisciplinary, multi-talented group of integrated architects, engineers, planners, sociologist, writers, movie makers and philosophers, to provide alternative responses to urban planning problems. Urban Design has been a forgotten discipline since the days that the city burst forth from its original form. An urban culture no longer exists and yet it is the basic element which makes exchange and communication possible. It is this culture with which we must deal: by restructuring the architecture of existing cities, by adapting historic centres to the new urban demand, by transforming degraded suburban form, by limiting urban growth, by restructuring the countryside.

You’re quoted, ‘If you want to be an architect, you have to learn the social, political, economical and cultural problems.’ Personally I feel like if we want to be good humans and citizens in our world in its current state that this understanding is essential for us all, do you?

Absolutely, but the reading of the future is different since the globalisation. Cultural diversity, immersion in local cultures, and climatic, ethnic and regional contrasts should be the source of inspiration for the Architect if he or she is to be consistent with the current

diverse world. My Catalan – peripheral – origins have made me more receptive, more attentive towards civilisations far removed from the centre, and for this reason they are essential to my work as an architect.

Your thoughts on the idea of your vision La Muralla Roja (pictured) cast and completed in 1973 and in 2017 an instagram and social media sensation?

I designed the building in 1973, practically without plans and working with my father’s company of construction workers. What I had in mind was the creation of sophisticated vernacular architecture, as opposed to the surrounding natural landscape. Yet, social-media users do not bother to understand the reasons for that choice. They have the advantages of immediacy, but also the disadvantages, their opinion is usually frivolous, the analysis is superficial.

Finally let’s discuss being a visionary and Godfather to the world of Architecture and leaving a nonconformist legacy for the new wave to be inspired ...

The architect must have a global vision of Architecture once again. The transformation of urban spaces depends on a genuine knowledge of classic art, its laws, its structures, its transformations. The city offers us a panorama of anonymous forms, one following the other.

TRAVEL

+ EXPLORE

YOUR WEEKEND ITINERARY

GUIDE–

Jasmin Daly @jasmindaly PHOTOG RAPHY–

Ming Nomchong @ming_nomchong_photo

The blustering north easterly’s up before you’ve grabbed your cold drip coffee. It blasts your shins as you check the onshore slop, each gust threatening to slap your sunburnt cheeks with a sandy backhand. Town is pumping and you know every tourist with a car has Google Maps locked into the coordinates for the closest waterfall,

courtesy of the inflight magazine they thumbed through on the flight up. So what’s there to do?

Get out! Get out of the beautiful Bay – there’s an entire backyard on Byron’s back step that’s waiting to be explored. Here’s some ideas to make the most of the long summer days while offering some respite too!

t u o t Ge Byron Bay’s backyard Paddling the Bruns:

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a caffeine fix at the local roastery Moonshine Coffee, which is just a few doors down. TIP: The road is lined with food stalls, so carry cash and grab some of the region’s best organic offerings to take home with you.

Soak in paradise: No secret to the locals, Kiva Spa in Mullumbimby is worth a visit if you’ve been on the go, hiking in the hinterland or just looking to relax. Enter the sanctuary and relax in a subtropical oasis, transitioning from a soak in the spa, a detox in the steam room and sauna, to an invigorating plunge in their cold pool. Indulge with a massage and grab a bite to eat after at one of Mullumbimby’s eclectic cafes. TIP: The Byron School of Art, based in Mullumbimby, regularly hold awesome exhibitions that are worth checking out.

Heading North: You could be on your way up or coming south from the Gold Coast depending on your journey but a place worth checking out is the Tweed Regional Gallery and Margaret Olley Art Centre in Murwillumbah. The architecturally designed building has an uninterrupted view of Wollumbin and hosts incredible local and nationally touring art exhibitions. TIP: Take the old highway ‘Tweed Valley Way’ for a beautiful drive over the Burringbar range, driving past quirky and quaint villages. Stop in at Fallen Leaf for a tea/coffee break!

Paradiso ~ Nov—Dec 2017 ~ And so with the sunshine ...

Murwillumbah: Tweed Regional Gallery and Margaret Olley Art Centre.

Mullumbimby: Finish the day at Kiva Spa. Brunswick: Grab lunch in town or make a picnic to enjoy along the river.

Afternoon Lunch

Wind through the undulating farm land, that’s spotted with virgin rainforest and head into the hills to the town of Federal. Put on the map by the Japanese owned and run Doma Café and grab

Federal: Coffee at Moonshine Coffee Roasters and eat breakfast at Doma.

Brunswick: Paddle up the Bruns River on a paddle board.

Getting a local fix:

Your itinerary sorted—

Morning

Think back to that aquamarine crystal you picked up in the hippy shop in town and that is what the water on the Brunswick River turns to most days on the incoming tide. Grab a stand-up paddle board, kayak or anything that floats (there’s a place to hire watercraft across from the Bruns Pub) and take a float up the river. If you time it right, you’ll hit the top of the tide and get a helping hand back to base, getting glimpses along the way of mangrove wildlife, native birds, fish, stingrays and even dolphins.

TIP: There are so many great cafes to eat or grab a coffee at and the Bruns Pub has a rad live music line up. If you feel like lazing away the afternoon, there are lots of shady spots to set up a picnic and hang out along the river.

PHOTOGRAPHER

@lisa.sorgini

lisasorgini.com

THIS COMMUNITY

OF OURS

THE WAY WE WERE

Back when The Ramones played at the Arts Factory, when there were still houses in the main street of Byron Bay, when our community centre was as colourful and as eccentric as the town itself, there was a little store in the tiny farming town of Bangalow, best known for its endless baskets and catchy tune. Our Managing Editor Beck Marshall reminisces about time spent fossicking for scrunchies and singing that song.

Words– Beck Marshall

Abracadabra —the soundtrack of my generation Anyone with a TV set in the 1980’s could hum it's melody and at least recite you a snippet: The biggest bunch of baskets under the sun are here in Banaglow. So drive on up any day of the week, we're waiting to say hello.

I spent many a post-Saturday netball game in there fossicking. If my memories are correct my favourite purchase at the time were the embarrassingly essential 80’s hair accessory, the multi-coloured scrunchie. I never really took any notice of the vast array of baskets. Baskets were not something I could have paired with my eight holes docs on a Friday night. So as I type this I am bloody regretful I didn’t foresee my basket infatuation 25 years on. Oh the beauties I’d own.

I have also come to realise that perhaps my tendency toward 80’s graphic tee’s and denim flares is all based on my early fashion crush on ‘The Abracadabra Ladies’.

Please tell me I wasn’t alone.

Abracadabra was the brain child of Hamilton Du Lieu – a marketing genius who left Sydney in the seventies with his family for the sleepy rural hills of Bangalow.

Hamiliton started small, opening Abracadabra in the tiny ex-butcher shop at the bottom of the main street, selling used furniture, bric-a-brac, baskets and new and used books. The store expanded and evolved through various incarnations. The happy vibrant shop is still owned and operated by the Du Lieu family.

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Paradiso ~ Nov—Dec 2017 ~ And so with the sunshine ...

The history of Abracadabra is linked to the fortunes of Bangalow itself. In the seventies, alternative adventurers began to trickle into Byron Bay and a new wave of counter-culture was sweeping the shire.

This new-wave brought with them new literature, music, religions, political ideals, therapies and healing medicines and foods, festivals, surfing and life.

Once barely a truck stop on the highway running straight through the main street, Bangalow was a quiet country town, rural in its nature – not the gentrified beauty we know today.

There were a couple of cafes and restaurants, no galleries, boutiques or antique shops, there was a fish and chip shop and the bakery. There was a motel, a caravan park and four garages all in the main street.

It was not long before picturesque Bangalow became a destination for day-trippers and folk looking to discover the countryside.

Enter Hamilton Du Lieu and his subtle genius in putting Abracadabra and Bangalow on the map.

The plan was simple but brilliant. Pop your female staff in a tight yellow tee, each wearing a letter from the word ABRACADABRA. Pop on some flares.

Stand in a line looking honeslty happy and create a jingle no-one will ever forget. Then air it, every day of every week of every month for 30 years! Voila.

Abracadabra, right on the highway west of Byron Bay, the biggest bunch of baskets under the sun, come in and say g’day.

Abracadabra began to weave its way into the

Words– Beck Marshall @the_new_story_ Photographer– Name Name @instynamename

LOVE THE LOVE AND PASS IT ON

Perhaps my tendency toward 80’s graphic tee’s and denim flares is all based on my early fashion crush on ‘The Abracadabra Ladies’.

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Shire’s history. Soon everyone knew about the little town of Bangalow, just “west of Byron Bay”, as each new generation grew up learning the iconic tune. Thirty years on, the staff at Abracadabra are still regularly serenaded by visitors from all over the country, who remember the catchy jingle that became part of the soundtrack of their childhood.

Even at work on a miserable day in London back in the 90’s when a customer in my store found out I grew up in Byron he happily sung me (word perfect) the tune!

Sadly Hamilton was unavailable at the time of me writing this story. I had so many questions for him! Like his experience of Bangalow in the 70’s and the changes he has seen over the last 45 years. If he ever imagined the Abracadabra jingle would become so iconic and what it feels like to have played a massive role in our shires history.

My last question for Hamilton was to talk about community, its integral role, its place and his place within it.

I guess I just need to look to his catch phrase, ‘keeping you happy again’.

Cheers Hamilton!

THIS COMMUNITY

OF OURS

TEN THINGS I LOVE ABOUT

Mullum (bimby) 2482 01 Golden milks on every corner best enjoyed at SANTOS whilst people watching and people meeting. 02 The unique and life saving MULLUM HERBALS, a herbal dispensary where you are greeted with over the counter advice – with so many loyal customers the queue is endlessly spilling out the door. 03 The COMMUNITY GARDENS a hidden gem where people come together to grow fresh food, to learn, relax and make new friends. 04 Friday afternoon tennis in the sunshine, washed down with a sneaky Stoli at HERITAGE PARK with friends. 05 Barefoot bowls and beer at the BOWLING CLUB. 06 Aura readings at the CRYSTAL CASTLE. 07 For your little piece of Paris, hit SCRATCH PATISSERIE and treat yourself to incredible pastries and sweets. 08 Eat at PUNCH AND DAISY, the best avocado on toast and the best salads anywhere! 09 Pour through a treasure trove of pottery, ayurvedic essentials, rare finds and perfect clothing at the COVEN SHOPPE. 10 Finally the best act of community kindness – the MULLUMBIMBY MUSIC FESTIVAL – roll around town on Timmy’s Magic Bus, discover local, national and international acts playing at venues around Mullumbimby. This year MMF celebrates 10 years of making Mullumbimby sing, dance and smile for four days straight, running from 16–19 November.

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Paradiso ~ Nov—Dec 2017 ~ And so with the sunshine ...

Supporting the Byron Bay Culture of Creativity STO CK I NG 5 0 LO CAL DE S IG N E R S I NCLU DI NG:

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Natalie is available for in-person healing experiences in Byron Bay, or worldwide via Skype. @bodymindandsoulawakening bodymindandsoulawakening.com.au

THIS COMMUNITY

OF OURS

CELEBRATING

Good People Liberation Larder We are ...

A volunteer based food rescue and food lifeline service for the Byron Shire.

Paradiso talks to ...

Helen Hamilton, Founder and President Find us ... liberationlarder.org

The Northern Rivers is a unique part of the world.

Good people gravitate to this region, inspired by its beauty and conscious lifestyle. In ‘Good People’, Paradiso celebrates the individuals from our community doing good things.

Many make the pilgrimage to soak in the sunlight, the salt on their back and the healing energy of the Northern Rivers.

This area gives them reprieve and respite. They come to immerse themselves in the conscious way of living that is embraced by the locals.

It is considered paradise for so many of us who call this area home and also by those passing through. But what about those who aren’t so privileged? As this region becomes more popular and wealth infiltrates, there is a silent struggle that lays hidden just under the shimmering surface for those doing it tough. Second to Sydney, through sheer numbers, Byron Bay recorded the most people ‘sleeping rough’ according to national statistics released in March 2016 and supplied by Tricia Shantz, Social Geographer. Many teeter on the unstable line, that is wobblier than what we choose to realise, looking to escape domestic violence, 58

We each contribute to the social fabric of our community when we lend a hand to family, friends and people in need.

Paradiso ~ Nov—Dec 2017 ~ And so with the sunshine ...

make the next step after rehabilitation and/or just falling short of being able to find a bed or afford a meal. Since 2009, Liberation Larder (LL) has worked with local businesses and good people who volunteer their time to ease the suffering of those in need. They rescue food that would otherwise end up in landfill, making sure it is redistributed to those who need it.

Helen Hamilton is one such volunteer doing good in our community. Having supported LL for ten years, she is a key driver behind this not for profit. In this interview Paradiso discusses why she got involved, how the support of the community has kept LL going, why it’s important to lend a hand and how it isn’t a particular ‘type’ that walks through their doors … LL doesn’t discriminate and nor should we.

What is it that initially drew you to volunteering with LL and what has kept you committed to giving up your time?

I was shocked when I moved to Byron Bay 10 years ago and found there were a lot of people doing it tough while some of the richest people in Australia own property here. I was also shocked to find how few services there were for people in need in this area. I chose to volunteer with LL for a number of reasons. Firstly, LL recognised that life was not easy for a lot of people, they were doing it tough and many went hungry on a daily basis. Secondly, LL joined the dots. It recognised that a huge amount of good food was ending up in landfill and could be used to make healthy,

nutritious meals. It also realised there were a lot of people in our community who wanted to lend a hand.

Thirdly LL didn’t discriminate, it was open to all comers. I have remained committed because I believe LL makes a difference and I know at times it has been life changing for some people.

LL contributes to solving two social issues – waste and people being hungry.

How does LL manage balancing the two?

Over the years there has been a lot of juggling.

Initially LL did not have enough donated food or financial support to provide well for everyone who needed the service. So we did the best we could and looked for more opportunities to source excess food. In casting our net wider we have become the charity of choice for the major festival: Falls, Splendour and Blues. Volunteers are collecting food donations every day from the Farmers

LOVE THE LOVE AND PASS IT ON

Words– Jasmin Daly @jasmindaly Photographer– Sarah Gray @sarahgray__

Volunteers preparing for both breakfast and lunch at the Liberation Kitchen, Byron Bay. On opposite page the Liberation Larder Vege Plot at The Farm.

Markets, wholesale and retail businesses, cafes and restaurants in our area. Volunteers are also growing staple food on our acre Vege Plot at The Farm. As we developed our social media skills more people found out about our work and donations of food and money began to flow. We try to acknowledge our sponsors and their donations on our Facebook and Instagram pages and return their support where we can.

The social issue of homelessness is more prevalent than it is recognised in our region. What is your take on it and what, in your opinion, are the contributing factors?

Homelessness is a serious problem across Australia. It just hasn’t happened. In my opinion, we have lacked leadership on this issue at all levels of government. Decades of poor policy decisions have brought us to the point we are today. The Byron Shire has no shelters, emergency accommodation is extremely difficult to get and there is not a place for homeless people to go where they feel safe. The limited services available are being provided by overstretched local organisations that rely increasingly on volunteers to provide these services.

How does including those who are maybe on the fringe and ensuring they feel connected help our community as a whole?

We have experienced in recent times the extreme result of people being disconnected, through terror attacks in many cities overseas. In Byron Bay however, we experience it in antisocial behaviour.

It could be any of us on the fringe. It only takes life to throw you an unexpected curve ball. When this 59

happens, I believe we can achieve more by working together and sharing the load. For example, people can be homeless for a period and then go on to do amazing things. I know this from people’s personal stories and an increasing number of supporters who have said LL was there for them when they needed it. Now that life has changed, they want to give back.

On any given day, who would walk through the doors to grab some food or a meal?

People just come and no two days are the same.

There are some regulars and new faces every day. At breakfast, there are people who are sleeping rough, sleeping in their cars, on their way to work, early risers or people who have nowhere to go to be safe. LL volunteers see people who have mental health issues, drug dependency issues, lost a job, struggle to survive on a fixed income, choose to live without financial support, have a business in trouble, struggle to put food on the table for their family or are the working poor.

People are often keen to help but don’t feel they have a skill to offer or know how. What would you say to them?

If you are thinking about it, give it a go. Come to a LL orientation to find out more. Or spend a few hours in the kitchen or the garden and see if you like it. It is surprising what you can do when you have the willingness to try.

As the Northern Rivers continues to grow, what is your vision for the community?

LL is currently mandated to service the Byron Shire – the Northern Rivers is a much bigger canvas.

As the Northern Rivers grows we need to be mindful

that some people are doing it tough and need a hand. For whatever reason, they cannot do it on their own. Working together for the benefit of all is what community is about.

How can each of us contribute to your vision?

We each contribute to the social fabric of our community when we lend a hand to family, friends and people in need. We do this effectively by being aware and taking action.

To find out more about the work of Liberation Larder or to volunteer, check out their website liberationlarder.org

THIS COMMUNITY

OF OURS

RAINBOW REG ION PIONEERS

INTERVIEW–

Aarna Hudson

The Cosmic Song and Dance –a conversation with Jim Nutter

Initially our Managing Editor Beck had arranged to visit Jim at lunchtime on Thursday. As a fellow Aquarian, Jim understood how Beck had to be in two places at once and agreed to chat Main Arm in the 70’s, original MO’s and politics to Aarna our multi-talented Partnership Manager. Beck, when discovering Jim shared her Valentine’s Day birthday was sad she didn’t make it.

It did however revive her belief in Serendipity, in which Jim describes as his goddess.

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Aarna: Okay, interview with Jim Nutter, up at Narada.

Jim: Well, the first thing I told Beck, was I have a very poor memory.

I never socialised much, until I bumped into electronic dance music. And I am no story teller, but I have some interesting things to talk about.

A: Did you grow up in Melbourne?

J: No, no, I grew up in Ipswich. Got married. I was a school teacher for a few years, maybe three. I got out of that and ended up driving a roller on the roads, putting in new estates, like the first one up around Noosa and things like that. Then there was a, kind of mini-depression, around 1960. But it was easier to go to New Zealand and get a job there, than it was to get one in Brisbane.

A: And when was that around? The late 60’s or early 70’s?

J: I’m not sure what year we went there, ‘61 I think, about ‘61. So, for the first half of the 60’s I was driving cranes on the waterfront in Auckland, and decided I wanted to study photography and couldn’t do it there. So, came to Melbourne with the family, hoping to get into RMIT, but it didn’t happen. I was driving cranes and I also picked

Paradiso ~ Nov—Dec 2017 ~ And so with the sunshine ...

up some overtime at night. I ended up loading my beloved red Kombi and my old beetle, and all of the family stuff and driving home along Beaconsfield Parade in the morning, thinking well, this is significant.

But, wow! I came up here with four friends from Melbourne, Kenny Moat, Carol Moore, Janine and Damien and ended up at my mother’s place at Banora Point.

We started looking for land in the Tweed. Not with any great plan or anything, just a bunch of friends who thought it was time to get some land.

A: So, Narada was the first Multiple Occupancy in Australia?

J: Yes, but it was organised very much by Damien. We bought it from some of the Swedish speaking Fins, who were banana farmers here. We got the whole place for $5,000. Plus conveyancing. Which was $500. There’s a recorded dreaming path from the Bora rings down at Booyung, they go right along the top ridge here, across to the mountain, but also across to Kyogle, Uluru, Kata Tjuta, James Price Point – all the way. And you can see about five sacred sites from here, so it’s pretty important.

A: So Jim, buying a piece of land with a group of friends. How is it decided that you would make that into a legal thing?

J: Damien did most of that. He was a kind of, alpha male type. But also, proved to be territorial. As was the guy who built the first dome outside here. And so, territorial people trying to live with a group of people is yeah. I don’t know if it’s been studied, but it’s ...

A: Interesting psychology that would come out I would imagine.

And, so, raising kids on a community?

J: Well, I don’t know what everyone else did. My son’s mother and I fell apart fairly early, and she moved half way down the property. So, I didn’t connect with my son very much in that period. I missed so much, because of the dynamics of various relationships & one thing or another.

A: So then, there were a number of children who grew up here?

J: Yes, one of whom was Adam Searle. Who is now, I think he is a Minister in the New South Wales Parliament. His father and I had a phone connection between the two houses, and one-day Adam slipped

LOVE THE LOVE AND PASS IT ON

I react to what I see as stupid statements, and so on.

into the dam down there. His dad Bill dived and dived and dived and I ended up getting a phone call from his house, in extreme distress.

So, I jumped on my motorbike, didn’t even start it. With Lotus on the front and we got down there. In the meantime, our friend Carol had found Adam in the dam and I practised mouth to mouth on him, the first and only time I have ever done that. And through a combination of events, there was a doctor who turned up fairly soon and the guys who were chain sawing the trees along the electricity things, all somehow managed to connect and get him to town. I guess that he was underwater for maybe 20 minutes. So, he should have been brain dead.

But now he is a lawyer.

A: Now he’s in parliament? That’s interesting!

So did people just start to choose what part of the land they wanted to be on and begin to build their own dwellings? How did you set up the MO agreement?

J: There was very little in the way of formalities or agreements then. We had to, at a certain point, interact with the council. So, we needed some kind of structure. And through a lawyer up the coast, we went for the kind of company model. Which had its good bits, but it also has its own attitudes to what goes on and you have to maintain the share value and increase it, and stuff like that.

A: Yeah, so it’s actually a company?

J: Yes, it’s called the Cosmic Song and Dance Company.

A: Cosmic Song and Dance Company, I love it. Well then, where does the name of the MO Narada come from?

J: Narada was a Hindu Saint who reincarnated every so often. He played the Vena. And he used to incarnate and turn people on.

A: And so Narada, this is like your official business name, but the property is also known as Narada?

J: Yes, well, I thought at the time, the whole trying to interact with the powers that be was a song and dance. Yeah, you know it wasn’t planned. You sink roots. I have problems with politicians and the political system. The political system we have isn’t working for us.

And the economic system isn’t working for us.

A: And so, this is a version of Nirvana really.

You have done things in a different way.

J: When we went to New Zealand we had a Housing Commission house which would have taken 45 years to pay it off. That was a hard thing for me to think about. I am kind of locked in the present. I don’t project and I can’t 61

remember. So, I knew I didn’t want to be in debt again, so it was a matter of building with what you had.

A: I often read your letters to the editor in the Byron Echo, which I love seeing. Have you always had a strong opinion about politics?

J: I react to what I see as stupid statements, and so on. So, it’s kind of Aquarian coming from the edge. Yes, I was born on Valentines day, it was my second name.

A: So, you’ve got that Aquarian visionary quality?

J: Or reaction to some statements.

A: And what about Kohinur Hall? Was that built at the time?

J: The one that is built there came about after the old one burnt down. The old one was a church from Main Arm Village that got moved up here. And we did a couple of courses in the early days down there. A mind dynamics course and a Theravada Buddhist thing.

A: Different teachings? So, was that moved there by the whole of the Main Arm community? Was Narada an influence?

J: No, no. Colin Scattergood, who owned

Kohinur. He bought Kohinur and brought a group with him. He had a kind of Indian shop in Sydney, and before that he was in Auckland and had a night club. And a friend, Tara, who has just moved down to the Bay (Byron Bay), but who lived next door, I knew her from Auckland. We used to go to a jazz ballet class together.

A: Yeah, any interesting tales that come to mind Jim? J: Not that I can think of. As I said, I am not a story teller. Carol remembers all the stories.

A NOTE TO JIM: We hope you enjoyed your Q&A Jim, but look forward to reading any correspondence from you regarding mistakes, misleading information or “stupid statements” that we may have included in this article. We are also very keen to find out more about your rock formation discoveries!

THIS COMMUNITY

OF OURS

AN ENCOUNTER

You say goodbye while I say hello 62

Paradiso ~ Nov—Dec 2017 ~ And so with the sunshine ...

Paradiso is free.

You just have to find it.

3 ways to find Paradiso No. 01– Have spiritual epiphany and realise that “Paradis(o) is not a place. It is a state of consciousness.” BOOM! Mind. Blown. Thank you Sri Chinmoy.

No. 02– Visit thisisparadiso.com.au/locations to view the list of amazing places that stock us. The list grows daily so keep checking. Better yet, let your favourite place (Australia wide) know about us and that your enjoyment levels at their place of business would increase ten fold if they stocked us. Done!

No. 03– Subscribe! Don’t miss out on the next issue because someone got greedy and took all of our mags five minutes before you arrived at your local cafe on your special Paradiso-PLUS-coffee pick up trip. Buy a subscription – thisisparadiso.com.au/subscribe – and we will send you a fresh bi-monthly mag, hot off the press. No more having to deal with that oh so passive aggressive magazine hog who reckons she is just picking up copies for her housemates.

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