contemporary illustration

Midnight Morning - a limited and handcrafted publication combining the distinct work of Haline Ly, Matt Huynh and Will Loeng.

TONIGHT is the launch of exciting new book + exhibition "Midnight Morning". We first discovered the talented Matt Huynh & his alter ego STiKMAN Comics through the Hope Street Markets back in June 2007. I love his experimental graphic novels - he has produced sooo many great artworks (which have appeared on all sorts of things - from clothing & magazines to tattoos & vinyl toys), and is also represented by the Jacky Winter Group. Matt has collaborated with fellow members of the Popperbox collective of Sydney-based artists, Haline Ly and Will Loeng, to produce a new & never-before-seen illustration series celebrating shared experiences of love and devastation.

"Good Things Only" by Haline Ly, from handcrafted publication Midnight Morning

"Midnight Morning represents the fruition of a long standing personal ambition to work alongside two of my favourite artists on a fiercely independent, self-initiated project. My admiration for both Haline Ly and Will Loeng's insightful work has only intensified since my exposure to their profound artistic ethos has guided this exploration of affirming themes, new techniques and illustrative styles beyond my individual reach." - Matt Huynh.

"Rorschach" by Will Loeng, from handcrafted publication Midnight Morning

I'm really looking forward to seeing more work by Haline Ly and Will Loeng... Haline was born in Suresnes in France and migrated to Australia in 1986. Her work is full of colour, characters & critters and she also sells selected artworks, toys & badges through her online store www.claretduskymoonpie.com.

Will has taken part in collaborative exhibitions including From Here, Sincerely (2007), Extra Cheeese (2007), Copy Cats 2 (2007) and Fields of Conversation (2007). He is inspired by the delicacy of Art Nouveau and his works have also appeared in shop windows and interiors, magazines, websites, clothing, posters and an upcoming album cover. (For which band, I wonder?...)

"Wardrobe" by Matt Huynh, from handcrafted publication Midnight Morning

The Midnight Morning book is also available from www.popperbox.com/midnightmorning for AUD $40. It features a hand-pressed dust jacket cover, 15 mini-posters, measures 280x280mm and is beautifully printed onto 325gsm paper stock.

To commemorate the release of the book, Midnight Morning will be launched with a concurrent show at Rococo Productions' warehouse exhibition space. For one night only, original artwork from the book wil be displayed and will be available for sale alongside a selection of the artists' other artwork, books & prints. All three artists will be there to meet us fans, discuss their work & sign editions of the book.

"Confetti" by Haline Ly, from handcrafted publication Midnight Morning

If you are in Sydney, you'll be wanting to make tracks to the Midnight Morning Book Launch and Exhibition - tonight! Details are as follows:

6pm - 9pm
Thursday 17th July 2008
12 O'Connell St, Newtown
Admission is free & refreshments & music provided!

"Spin" by Matt Huynh, from handcrafted publication Midnight Morning

[weAREtheIMAGEmakers] is a not for profit online publication which promotes australian artists, illustrators, designers and photographers. The site was launched in 2005 & since then, a new issue has been published online every couple of months, each featuring interviews with some of Australia's most talented artists and photographers. The first official WATIM event was last year's 12x12 exhibition at Sydney's aMBUSH gallery and the time has come for a sequel! (WATIM also held the Grrrls group show which we posted about back in February and have supported many others.)

Artwork by James Hancock, exhibitor in the 12x12 exhibition presented by [weAREtheIMAGEmakers]

12x12 is back with a fresh new line-up of artists from all over the country, and WATIM is taking this visual treat to audiences in both Sydney & Melbourne. As you'll probably have gathered by now, 12 Australian artists were invited to participate, exhibiting 12 artworks created on 12"x12" canvasses. I'm looking forward to seeing the result - it promises to be impressive!

Artwork by ghostpatrol, exhibitor in the 12x12 exhibition presented by [weAREtheIMAGEmakers]

The 12 participating artists are from all around Australia...

apeseven - www.apeseven.com (Sydney)
ghostpatrol - www.ghostpatrol.net (Melbourne)
jae copp - www.soopkichn.com (Gold Coast)
james hancock - www.jamesgulliverhancock.com (Sydney)
jeremyville - www.jeremyville.com (Sydney)
junior - www.flickr.com/photos/juniorland (Melbourne)
luke feldman - www.skaffs.com {Melbourne)
miso - www.cityofreubens.com (Melbourne)
paul meates - www.wasnotme.com (Perth)
plump oyster- www.plumpoyster.com (Brisbane)
sam smith - www.blackbookno1.com (Gold Coast)
smc[3] - www.myspace.com/smc333 (Sydney)

Artwork by apeseven, exhibitor in the 12x12 exhibition presented by [weAREtheIMAGEmakers]

Both Liss of Daydream Lily & Julia of Studio Home Creative posted about miso's amazing work last week. I can't wait to see what she'll be exhibiting at 12x12... and I don't have to wait long at all! 12x12 opens tonight at aMBUSH gallery just one suburb away in Waterloo.

Artwork by jae copp, exhibitor in the 12x12 exhibition presented by [weAREtheIMAGEmakers]

Opening night in Sydney is Friday 20.6.2008, from 6pm - 9pm at aMBUSH gallery with the exhibition continuing until Saturday 5.7.2008. 12x12 then travels to Melbourne to open at no vacancy gallery on Friday 18.7.2008 (6pm - 9pm) and continues until Friday 25.7.2008.

Opening in Melbourne on Thursday night is a new group exhibition... and a new gallery! To celebrate the opening of brand new artist space, Gorker Gallery, the 40 Thieves exhibition will fill the walls with a collection of 15x15inch artworks by some of the best leading international street and fine artists.

40 Thieves has been curated by Timba of Wooden Toy Quarterly and Nate Holmes Trapnell of The Southpaw. The artist lineup is impressive - the 40 thieves include some indie art & design favourites which you're sure to recognise...

"Gisele" limited edition print by MyCharlieGirl (Melbourne artist Bec Winnel)

Featured Thief 1: Bec Winnel
We've recently seen the work of MyCharlieGirl popping up in publications all over the place! Melbourne artist Bec Winnel creates delicate & incredibly beautiful artworks by combining her natural talent for sketching with digital work in Photoshop. She has created a distinctive style which I love, & one of her new works is pictured above. "Gisele" is a limited edition Giclee print & is availble for US $35 from the MyCharlieGirl Etsy store.

"Red Riding Hood" by Akina (Sydney artist Lang Leav)

Featured Thief 2: Akina
I really admire Lang Leav & her label Akina, and "Red Riding Hood" (pictured above) is one of my favourites from her "Villains". Each of her artworks is accompanied by a familiar tale with a twist...

The 40 Thieves exhibition opens Thursday evening 6-9pm (19.6.2008).
The show continues until Wednesday 3.7.2008. Gorker Gallery opening hours are: 11am - 7pm Tuesday - Sunday, and the gallery is located at 395 Gore St (corner of Gore St & Kerr St), Fitzroy, 3065. Phone 03 9416 5111.
If you're in Melbourne, make sure to get along!

3D gift cards with 3D glasses by innocentgirl (Andrea Innocent), available from Yradier

This month, we're thrilled to be offering up some fabulous finds from the new Yradier online store! Paloma Cole, who launched Yradier earlier this year, has chosen three very different products from Australian designers for one lucky indie to win. These are:

3D gift cards with 3D glasses by innocentgirl (Andrea Innocent), available from Yradier

Paloma Cole is a photography student at the Queensland College of Art and is surrounded by amazing artists on a daily basis! She launched the Yradier online store with the aim of featuring original artworks by emerging Brisbane artists. She also stocks jewellery, homewares and stationery by small Australian designers, and a small selection of quirky, hard to find goods from overseas... and GUESS WHAT? From now until the end of June, indie art & design readers can save 10% on purchases at Yradier! Simply enter the top secret discount code: indieness on the checkout page. Thank you Paloma!

Red Cup Studs by Trove Designs, available from Yradier

The store itself is slick & sleek! The photos are a treat & you can go straight to Australian products, or to the Brooch section (a Yradier specialty) to find some truly unique items. You'll also find original artworks including some intense acrylic paintings by Luke Kidd, as well as photographic prints by Paloma herself.

Small Rectangular Tokyo Handmade Wooden Photography Brooches by Jen Hall, available from Yradier

I was rather intrigued by the name "Yradier", and Paloma explained that it is actually the name of the composer who wrote the song 'La Paloma' - AND she also likes the way it looks when written! (By the way, it is pronounced 'irre-dear'.)

Large Rectangular Tokyo Handmade Wooden Photography Brooches by Jen Hall, available from Yradier

To enter the draw, all you need to do is suggest an Australian label/artist/designer you'd like to see stocked on Yradier's virtual shelves! Just comment on this post with your suggestion. (A one-word answer is enough, though if you know of a web site for your suggested label, please include it so we can all take a peek!) Entries close on June 30, 2008 and we'll draw a name at random & annouce the winner in the following week. (Oh, and make sure to visit http://yradier.bigcartel.com to check that your suggestion isn't already in the lineup!) I'm looking forward to hearing your ideas...

Leave a comment - we'd love to hear from you!

"Hello Owl" by Kareena Zerefos.

Kareena Zerefos is an incredibly talented artist & illustrator from Sydney. She has exhibited in a number of group shows this year, and her work has been appearing all over the place! She is responsible for the stunning artwork on the Sparkadia album covers, and many of you would have seen her work featured throughout Yen Magazine's Issue 31. (We also mentioned Kareena's work when we posted about the Grrrls exhibition at aMBUSH Gallery in February.) Kareena's first solo show opens next week, and she has taken a little time out from drawing to answer some of our questions, so read on!

MTV Gallery flyer - an exhibition of illustrative works by Kareena Zerefos.

I 1. Firstly, congratulations on your first solo exhibition! How are you feeling about the show?

KZ Thank you! Very excited and extremely nervous, I’m just not sure what to expect. I kind of feel like a teenager putting on a party, I’m like 'will anyone show up?' and 'how do I get enough drinks?'. More seriously, I'm pretty happy with my new pieces and its going to be great seeing peoples responses to them.

Sparkadia Animals album cover by Kareena Zerefos.

I 2. I'm sure many of our readers would absolutely love to earn a living as an artist/illustrator. What path did you follow to get to this point your career?

KZ I always wanted to be an artist, but never thought I'd be able to make a living from it, so I took design at the College of Fine Arts – I thought being a designer seemed more viable. Then I worked as a graphic designer, and dabbled in web design, while I continued to draw and develop my style on the side. It's only been the last few months that I've been lucky enough to be able to drop the job, with enough freelance and commission work to keep me fed and the bills paid.

"His Name Was Sebastien" by Kareena Zerefos.

I 3. Do you think it's a difficult industry in which to carve your own niche, or do you find that agents/galleries/publications are receptive to new talent & ideas?

KZ It is a difficult industry, but I think if you just go with your own ideas and style and really put it out there, you then find that people are always looking for someone fresh.

"Hot Air Balloon" by Kareena Zerefos.

I 4. You have a drawing style that I personally adore, and it is quite recognisable. Have you always used this approach, or did you develop this style through experimentation over time?

KZ My style has very much evolved, and it still is evolving. I originally worked in a way that was based on graphic design techniques and was often finishing my pieces off digitally... but I then found that I wanted my pieces to stay away from the computer, so I started working with different media – particularly letraset, ink and even tea, as well as my favourite pencils, gouache and felt tips.

"Bumblebee Girl" by Kareena Zerefos for the Jeremyville Sketchel project.

I 5. How did you find exhibiting earlier this year in the Grrrls group exhibition (aMBUSH Gallery, Waterloo)?

KZ It was great to exhibit along side so many fabulous female artists. Our styles, materials and techniques were all so varied, but it came together really well.

"Girl with Mouse" by Kareena Zerefos.

I 6. Have you been to any recent exhibitions that you've just loved?

KZ To be honest, I feel like I haven't left my studio for a long time now. So the last show I went to that I loved was Kids Today at MTV.

"Portrait" and "Little Boy Daydreaming" by Kareena Zerefos.

I 7. From what I've seen, your artworks seem to be based on very personal themes. Your approach seems subtle & emotional. What inspires you to create these works?

KZ I work with themes of isolation and escapism – I guess essentially this is inspired by living in my own little dream world, and that feeling of loneliness and the desire to be somewhere else, that a lot of people relate to. I mostly use images of children and their imaginations to depict this, and look at old photographs, film and children’s books to draw inspiration.

"Across the Board" and "Element Bluebird" by Kareena Zerefos.

I 8. Do you have any favourites, or new works you’re particularly excited about?

KZ I'm excited about quite a few of my new pieces, I've been drawing quite a few pictures of children with their animal friends and have also done a series of bumblebee children, which have a really nice bittersweet feeling about them.

Sparkadia Postcards album cover by Kareena Zerefos.

I 9. Do you like to collaborate with visual artists & other creatives? (I love the new Sparkadia album cover – how did this come about?)

KZ I do! I've recently collaborated with fashion designers, eve and sera from sewn, creating a delicate repeat pattern for their next spring/summer range; as well as sparkadia, with their album, singles and ep artwork; and I just finished up some pieces yesterday working with the mambo goddess designers.

... and thank you! I met Alex years ago at a BBQ and have worked with the band ever since; the Lion illustration came about after Alex and I discussed 'Sparkadia' as being a place or another fantasy world and the lion is the king of the jungle. It is also a reference to the last track on the album, Sleeping Lion, which is one of my favourites.

Kareena Zerefos web site screenshot.

I 10. Do people discover your artworks through your web site (www.kareenazerefos.com) & online "Corner Store", or do you see the site as a resource for people who already know & love your work?

KZ I'd like to think that its for both, I try to keep my site updated with new work and a bit of a news blog so people can come back and see what has been happening.

"They Defeat The Mean Giants" by Kareena Zerefos.

I 11. What are some of your career highlights so far?

KZ This year has been quite exciting in terms of 'highlights' - I quit my job to be an artist full time; I've exhibited work amongst amazing local and international artists at Curvy, Kids Today and Grrrls; and I have just over a week left until my first solo show!

Exhibition of artwork by Kareena Zerefos.

I 12. Where are you headed artistically in the future?

KZ Doing more of what I'm doing now, continuing to develop my style and hopefully have solo shows in other cities later in the year.

Kareena Zerefos.

I Thank you so much Kareena, and all the best for the exhibition next week - I'm really looking forward to the opening night! For those of you in Sydney, get along to MTV Gallery in East Sydney (4-16 Yurong St) on Tuesday night, 3.6.2008! The opening is from 6pm - 9pm, and there will be an acoustic performance by Alex Burnett from Sparkadia. If you can't make it to the opening, the exhibition continues until 10.6.2008.