artist dion horstmans

Dion Horstmans is a Bondi artist whose star continues to rise, which is fitting as many of his works have celestial names, such as Super Nova and Nebula. He has just been invited to participate in an art program as part of Sydney's Casula Powerhouse. And one of his works has also recently been acquired for the Artbank Collection. He is now represented at Flinders Lane Gallery. His works have been exhibited at Orson & Blake, and real living readers may remember that his Bondi home was featured in the July 2008 issue. Dion can be spotted most mornings down at the beach.

Which five words best describe you? Father, artist, lover, maker, doer.

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I was working for a mate of mine, Jim Elmslie, we were traveling between PNG and Sydney collecting artefacts; the opportunity came up to work on a film in PNG as a local liaison, I jumped at it. I think because I had traveled up there a few times they thought I could speak pigeon, lic lic, a small amount; I winged it. It was an awesome experience. From there I went back to Sydney and worked on every big film production that came into town for the next 12 years, after Superman I'd had enough, since then I've done shorter stints on film, concentrating mostly on my own art and sculpture.What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Work hard, stay focused never give up the dream.What’s your proudest career achievement? Being taken on by Flinders Lane Gallery in Melbourne; I love Melbourne, and Claire Harris, the director of Flinders.What’s been your best decision? To leave film and pursue my own career.Who inspires you? That's varied: my two daughters, the people around me, the guys I run and train with.What are you passionate about? Life, art, food, sex.Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Dr Seuss and Kurt Vonnegut.What dream do you still want to fulfil? I wanna own a 1965 Pontiac GTO, or a 1971 Sox and Martin Stock Hemi 'Cuba.What are you reading? When a billion Chinese jump by Jonathan Watts.

images courtesy of dion horstmans, flinders lane gallery and via yellow trace

workshop preview: claire morris

This week I'm previewing people who have managed to turn a business idea into a successful product in the design world. They have all created online shopping spaces, and used different means to get their brand message out to the market. All the people featured this week will be sharing their experiences and knowledge at the Daily Imprint "Live a creative life" workshops. The third FREE session will be How to create a successful online business on Thursday 4 August, 6.30pm at Apple, Bondi. If you can please rsvp to natalie[at]nataliewalton.com Otherwise, just turn up on the night. Now, meet Claire Morris, who is part owner and creative director of Apple&Bee, a beautiful range of cosmetic, travel, beauty and fashion bags made from sustainable materials. In a short period of time, Claire and her business partner Brett Pattinson have managed to expand their business into the USA market too. The images above are from Claire's home in Bondi. Now, meet Claire...

Which five words best describe you? Honest, caring, creative, hard-woring, gutsy.

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? It was really my third job that kickstarted my career. I was 22 and I had been working as a junior designer for a few years in both television and print. I met Nick Morgan who was the creative director of Moon Design. As soon as I went in to show him my folio I knew I wanted to work there. I called him every week for 6 months until he agreed to give me a foot in the door. It was only a week's freelance work so even though it had no certain future I declined another job offer and I have never looked back since. At Moon I learnt through osmosis the level that was needed to be a great designer. From there I became the art director at Marie Claire and I still continue to be an art director and designer, as well as being part owner and creative director in Apple&Bee.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Don't listen to what everyone says - just take it with a grain of salt and walk your own walk.

What’s your proudest career achievement? I'm not sure, I feel lucky to have had many.

What’s been your best decision? To co-found Apple&Bee.

Who inspires you? People who know what they're talking about.

What are you passionate about? My family, the environment and the truth.

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Mahatma Gandhi and Jamie Oliver.

What dream do you still want to fulfil? I used to want to open a cafe but I now know that's not for me... I have adopted a newer dream (still not an easy one)... to be the best person I can be.

What are you reading? Guantanamo by David Hicks.

images courtesy of apple&bee

garden designer will dangar

Will Dangar has designed the Sydney garden of one of Australia's current day film icons. But he hasn't publicised the fact. He is too busy creating sophisticated gardens for other leading figures across a diverse range of industries, and has been since 1991. Will is also the design force behind Robert Plumb, a range of outdoor furniture and garden accessories that are synonymous with style. For five years he was also the garden and exterior design editor at Belle magazine. Yet when I met him at his beautiful home in Bondi last year - see some pics here - Will was quite humble about his achievements, saying he was just a country boy. He might be modest, but he's also a man with incredible drive and talent. Will is a qualified horticulturist and has had his work featured in a multitude of books and magazines.

Which five words best describe you? Obsessive, generous, energetic, honest, tired and a bit selfish as well!

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? My wife Julia found me a job as a landscape labourer in 1991. Since that time I have steadily built my business from a contracting service into a multifaceted design practice dealing with predominantly outdoor projects.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Return people's phone calls and don’t overvalue your skills.

What’s your proudest career achievement? Becoming the garden editor for Belle Magazine for [editor] Eric Matthews in 2000.

What’s been your best decision? To be patient with the growth and development of my business.

Who inspires you? Roberto Burle Marx

What are you passionate about? Anything that has two wheels and my family.

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Casey Stoner (Australian MOTOGP rider). Valentino Rossi would also do if Casey was busy!

What dream do you still want to fulfill? A career in MOTOGP.

What are you reading? Just finished Robin Williams: A Biography and Australian Motorcycle News.

images courtesy of will dangar; portrait: real living (photography: mikkel vang)

fashion designer rebecca powell

When I recently met Bondi fashion designer Rebecca Powell I got a glimpse of what she had in mind for her label Tluxe. One son was home from school, the other from daycare. She was still in her clothes from work, and cooking dinner. She looked stylish yet comfortable, which is pretty much the heart of what Tluxe is about. Becs got the inspiration for her label after designing for Topshop and Selfridges in the UK, and Bonds and Mambo in Australia - and having two sons.

Which five words best describe you? Optimistic, determined, loyal, fun & hard working.

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I studied art and then fashion for five years then moved to London and spent the next 10 years designing for a number of UK retailers including Top Shop, Selfridges and Stirling Cooper. While on holiday in Australia I was introduced to Dare Jennings (one of the founders of Mambo), who offered me a job. I worked for Mambo and left to have a child and then worked for Bonds and left to have another child and then my third child Tluxe was conceived.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Keep it simple.

What’s your proudest career achievement? Finally taking the plunge and starting my own label.

What’s been your best decision? Migrating to Australia.

Who inspires you? Dame Vivienne Westwood, Gaultier, my grandmother, Tim Burton, David Bowie.

What are you passionate about? My two boys, fashion, food and friends.

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Andy Warhol; I reckon I could have persuaded him to do my portrait.

What dream do you still want to fulfil? The expansion of the business and a Tluxe shop.

What are you reading? The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.

images courtesy of tluxe

jewellery designer eleanor ford

The latest collection from Sollis marries two of designer Eleanor Ford's passions - jewellery and textiles. The pieces incorporate both elements, which is not so surprising when you learn that Eleanor completed a MA in Textiles at the respected Goldsmiths College in London after completing a BA in Jewellery Design at Middlesex University. She is now based in Sydney and has launched Sollis after working with Swarovski in Paris.

Which five words best describe you? Creative, practical, down to earth, motivated and a little bossy at times!
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I started with a degree in jewellery design at Middlesex university in London, during this time I did work experience with a fashion jewellery company Erickson Beamon and continued working for them and other designers after university. After a few years I launched my own collection Eleanor jewellery and sold to many boutiques around the world. In 2009 I relocated to Sydney and began my new brand Sollis Jewellery in January 2011.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Having had a arts/design education when I first started out I had no idea about how to actually run a business so that is the main thing I have learnt along the way.
What’s your proudest career achievement? I think my proudest achievement has been to do design work for Swarovski for the last 3 years and see my designs sold all over the world.
What’s been your best decision? To move to Sydney, Australia.
Who inspires you? I draw a lot of inspiration from traditional crafts and decorative arts from around the world, I particularly love Masai tribal jewellery.
What are you passionate about? I love making things and being creative, and when I’m not making jewellery I’m cooking. I love food too.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Frida Kahlo
What dream do you still want to fulfil? Buying and renovating a beautiful house by the sea with my husband.
What are you reading? Shalimar the clown by Salman Rushdie.

images courtesy of sollis

my home in inside out magazine

It's always a slightly surreal experience to see your home in a magazine. It looks so complete, somewhat final, and, well, tidy. I have to add quiet to that equation, too. Anyone who knows my tribe, knows that it's never that. But it is a home, and a humble one at that.

It is an apartment in Bondi Beach, Australia. It is a place that I moved into some years ago and saw its potential, even though it was a rental. As the story that Clare Patience wrote explains, I didn't let a lease stop me from transforming the place into something more personal. It's a topic I feel passionate about: you shouldn't wait for the "perfect" place to create somewhere that's home for you. If you live in a rental then you can still make it your own. I certainly did. I painted it, added plants, hung curtains and replaced the light fittings to more interesting pendants. And I added rugs everywhere to hide the honey-hued pine floorboards. I wanted to make it a place that I wanted to return to every evening.

I also believe that style has nothing to do with money. The place has been furnished with secondhand finds that have been revamped. Almost everything has been painted - from walls to floors to furniture. There are also handmade projects, too. I created a height chart for my son out of kraft paper. And I transformed lamps using paint and fabric and/or wallpaper for the shades.

As I said, the apartment is a humble home. It was all about making the most of what was to hand. But, it's even more humbling to see it in the pages of one of my favourite magazines - Inside Out - in its 2012 Annual Renovating & Decorating Guide (currently on sale). So a huge thank you to Richard and Sharon for the opportunity, and to Kata Bayer for her beautiful photography.

For those of you who are interested, here is where I sourced some of the pieces for the place - as you'll see it's mostly a mix of secondhand finds and Australian design pieces.

LIVING ROOM

Blue sofa: Vinnies

Fabric: Warwick

Danish-style sofa: Street find restored by Old School Industries

Streetscape artwork: Richard Briggs from the James Dorahy Project Space

Embroidered cushion on blue sofa (and on the bed): Tara Badcock

Text cushion on blue sofa: Pony Rider

Hanging tassel on bookcase: Table Tonic

Artwork on bookcase: Anna-Wili Highfield

Artwork on wall: Sebastian Nash - email me if you're interested in his work

KITCHEN

Table: Garage sale

Chairs: Vintage store in Tasmania

Tablecloth: Ici Et La

Ceramics on table: Kif Kaf (I also got a heap of baskets for my plant pots from there - inspired after seeing the home of Daniel Baffsky a while back.)

Rug: I&B Perryman

BEDROOM

Linen heart artwork: Rachel Castle

Rug: Armadillo & Co

Throw: Bholu

If there's anything you're interested to know about, feel free to contact me. And I am always open to decorating projects too: natalie[at]nataliewalton.com

images courtesy of inside out magazine, photography kata bayer, styling natalie walton

CHEF + RESTAURATEUR BILL GRANGER

There is a common thread that runs through Bill Granger’s career. The chef and restaurateur is a risk-taker. The first notable instance of it was over 20 years ago when he decided to move to Sydney after a week’s holiday. He had been studying interior design at RMIT in Melbourne, where he was born and raised, but changed courses and enrolled in art school at COFA instead. While Bill went on to make Sydney his permanent home, he wasn’t as committed to his course. “I’m too commercial,” he told Daily Imprint last week during the opening of his latest venture, Bills Bondi. “I love the idea of art school, but commerce got in the way. I’m a shopkeeper’s son.” The entrepreneurial spirit was alive in him, and thanks to a loan from his grandfather, he had funds to open his first cafe. (Each grandchild was given access to a loan when they had reached age 21 provided it was used to start an entrepreneurial venture.) Since opening his eponymous Darlinghurst cafe in 1993, Bill has gone on to open eateries in Japan and England. “The best decisions are always terrifying. The bad ones are often comfortable,” Bill says. “Risk is really important.” 

The interiors of Bill’s latest restaurant are by Sydney-based interior design team Meacham Nockles McQualter, and photographed by Anson Smart (interview here).

Which five words best describe you? Sunny, optimistic, energetic, loyal and risk-taker. Adventurous would be another one - and hungry - I love to eat.

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? My first job in a restaurant was while I was at university, a cafe called La Passion du Fruit - that was when I was at uni for art school. After working there - I loved it - I decided to open my own restaurant. My grandfather had set up a thing where I could have access to money when I was 21 - it was a loan - it was enough to get something started. A great entrepreneurial spirit.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Good times never last and neither do the bad ones. To be consistent. To be focussed all of the time. Mistakes aren’t a problem. They are something you learn by. It’s okay to fail and make mistakes. Restaurants are really public successes or failures - when you are mixing up business with creative ideas it’s hard to get it right all of the time; it’s a struggle. But you’ve always got to know that without those good ideas there’s nothing. Without that creative there’s nothing. Creative is very undervalued.

What’s your proudest career achievement? Getting into an article in the The New York Times. At the time I didn’t realise it, but when I look back - to be noted as a little business - it was really lovely. When you are doing things yourself, you tend to give yourself a hard time. It was lovely to be recognised. Only in retrospect, though - it was in about 1999, before the Olympics came to Sydney. The article was by an amazing writer called Johnny Apple, a political journalist who liked writing about food. That and cooking at Buckingham Palace was fun - it was so mad.

What’s been your best decision? To open in Japan. Everyone was telling me I was mad but I felt so creatively inspired to do something in Japan. It was fun. Doing what you are passionate about is really important. If you do it just to make money it never works. It has to come from passion and love and excitement.

Who inspires you? My wife Natalie, who is amazingly energetic and disciplined - she is a film producer. She is extraordinary as a person and work colleague. And I’m inspired constantly by art - such as Jeff Koons at the Whitney - design and fashion. I find other creative really inspiring. Christopher Bailey at Burberry - he’s creative and does the business side too. Any business that has creative too is exciting for me.

What are you passionate about? About people eating well. I love feeding people. It still excites me. I love giving kids who don’t like much and getting them to like food. Food is a great communicator. Recipes become part of people’s life and it’s a lovely way to touch people’s life. 

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Alice Waters, who is an American chef of fresh, healthy, seasonal food. I would love to meet Alice. She’s opening some things in London, which I’m very excited about. And, Sylvia Plath, strangely. As an angst-ridden teenager I had a moment when I thought, “You can get beaten by things or move on.”

What dream do you still want to fulfil? I would like to get back to art. I have started drawing again. I would like to have time to focus on creating artwork in a serious way. Not to show, but to have that time to create. When the kids are older.

What are you reading? Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter, a really beautiful book. It’s about all of my favourite things - Italy, set in the Cinque Terre - a great, fun book.

images courtesy of bill granger and anson smart; interiors meacham nockles mcqualter

letterboxco's bianca spiegel

For quite a while I've known Bianca Spiegel as a helpful and cheery assistant to one of Sydney's top interior stylists. Then I bumped into her a few weekends ago at Bondi markets selling stationery and other homewares that she had created and sourced from around the world with her sister Carla Green. They set up LetterboxCo together and are selling the products online at an affordable price. Bianca is also a sculptor.

Which five words best describe you? I am a unique, creative, spiritual, carefree bowerbird.
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I have a BA in fine arts majoring in sculpture and painting, I am currently working as an interior styling assistant for various interior magazines, as well as doing freelance graphic design. Although they are both creative roles, they require very different skills and I am learning so much from the challenges they both present. From a young age I have always loved stationery and hoped that one day I would own my own business. Recently I established an online stationery and gift store/brand called LetterboxCo with my sister, Carla. Our product range is both handmade and carefully sourced from around the world to fit with our unique style.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Keep motivated and stay true to yourself and what you believe in, work hard and if you keep your creative juices flowing, they will never run out.
What’s your proudest career achievement? Launching our website and receiving a very positive response to it - it's great to see that people also love the things that we love.
What’s been your best decision? Deciding to pair up with my sister and work on this project together, and putting my energy into things that I love to do.
Who inspires you? I would have to say my grandfather is my biggest inspiration, he is a true craftsman, a jack of all trades with the warmest heart on earth, what could be more inspiring.
What are you passionate about? Travelling to beautiful lands, experiencing new cultures and listening to inspiring music, appreciating well-designed objects, art and design, languages, learning and, of course, stationery!
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Marcel Duchamp, I have always admired his use of the found object to create the “ready-mades” - a work of art, and how he challenged the art world and was avant-garde; he has inspired me from an early age and I would love to sit with him, perhaps over a game of chess to discuss his theories and logic.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? Creating a product line to sell in stores, working for a magazine and eventually living, working and painting in Paris.
What are you reading? The God of small things by Arundhati Roy, a must read!

images courtesy of letterboxco

artist monique lovering

After living in Europe - flitting between Italy and the UK - artist and art director Monique Lovering is now based in Sydney's Bondi. She's almost back to her roots - as she was educated in Australia after being born in England. When she returned to the country of her birth, she spent many years working in magazines and for design companies. While Monique continues to work as an art director she also dedicates much of her time to her art, such as these collage works. Interestingly, she showcases her work on Saatchi Online, a place to "Discover Art. Get Discovered".

Which five words best describe you? Passionate, creative, curious, dreamer and traveller.

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I began my career as a graphic designer working for a small film company in Brisbane. After working for the company for 2 years I booked a ticket and went to London to work. In London I worked for a small design studio, I learnt so much about typography and being ordered in my work practise. I was so untidy when I arrived, when I left every pencil was sharpened, no scraps of paper were left under my desk. My dream was to work on magazines, I loved photography and type. In time an opportunity came up to work on a fashion magazine and from there I went on to work for Australian Vogue, British Vogue, Elle Decoration UK and World of Interiors. I worked in London freelancing for lots of magazines and also small design studios. I enjoyed directing photo shoots and designing concepts for brochures, catalogues and magazines. Travelled to Italy as much as I could as it was so inspiring to be there. I took photos, sketched and painted. Often bringing material back to London to work on larger canvases. When possible I would be in my studio in Clapham working away, in this environment the pencils became blunt and paper filled the floors...

In time I moved to Palermo, Sicily and set myself up there, spending months painting and then flying back to London to do a contract for a few months. I moved to Australia almost 15 months ago and have been freelancing here as an art director. My art making has changed a little as I now use collage in my paintings and I have created some illustration work for more commercial projects. This practise of cutting up magazine images or book pages has been something I have actually done all of my career. So it seems natural that it has come back to me. Only now with more focus and I feel it has a voice in my paintings. Currently I am building a body of work and will have a pop up show asap.

What is the best lesson you have learnt along the way? To follow your heart. I feel it is important to do what you love. Even if you are only able to dip into your passion from time to time it is worth the experience. For many years I resisted painting/fine art, I had always been curious about making marks on canvas. It wasn't until I had a chance meeting with a New Zealand artist Louise Henderson almost 15 years ago now, that something within me wanted to start painting. I recall her saying to us all - painting gets into you blood and it eats you. My time in Italy taught me to appreciate the simple things in everyday life. To take time out to share food and celebrate being together. Sicily taught me patience, just when you think something will happen... oh, domani signora.... allora! Somehow it always worked out.

What is your proudest career achievement? Letting go of expectations! Being able to see the bigger picture when dealing with very challenging individuals.

What has been your best decision? To travel - I am so grateful for the opportunities I have had to travel personally and with work. I treasure those special meetings when you meet strangers and you share stories. I was in Rome in via Margutta having a coffee in a small bar, in walked Fellini's costume designer who dressed Anita Ekberg in La Dolce Vita, he told me all these stories about Fellini and of course that famous scene at the fountain. Minutes later I met an artist with his dog and I was invited for super at his house... I still wish to continue travelling although it is time for me to have a home here, and maybe another elsewhere for pleasure.

Who inspires you? My friends and family; their support has been amazing. I am so lucky to have such beautiful people in my life.

What are you passionate about? 1. Art - I adore making it and also visiting galleries to see exhibitions. 2. Food - I love fresh food and cooking for friends. My neighbours in Palermo always had an open door and a place at their table for me. Eating was a ritual and so pleasurable... I know that there is a place at the table for me and it is wonderful to know we will share food and many stories on my return. 3. Music/concerts/opera - I love the ceremony and the joy to the senses. 4. Laughter.

Which person living or dead, would you most like to meet? Gandhi

What dream do you still want to fill? Two homes, one in Sydney and the other in Italy. To exhibit nationally and internationally and set up a charity.

What are you reading? Street fight in Naples by Peter Robb.

images courtesy of monique lovering