Rachel Elizabeth Duffin in her home studio. Photo – Bree Sanders.

I first chanced up Rachel Elizabeth Duffin (RED) when she provided a pop of colour at the corner of Scott & Watt Sts via a colourfully painted traffic signal box. Urban Smart Projects is the organisation behind this particular street art project (you can check out other examples in Newcastle here). After liking her Facebook page and subsequently discovering her colourful postcards and wooden brooches at Olive Tree Market I noticed RED’s signature hairstyle at in In Conversation event at Newcastle Art Gallery (Del Kathryn Barton – fabulous exhibit!) and made my IRL introduction.

 RACHEL ELIZABETH DUFFIN


Condensed CV:
Currently studying to become a high school art teacher.
2011: Bachelor of Fine Arts, University of Newcastle
2010: Advanced Diploma of Fine Arts, Newcastle Art School

What has been your most memorable project?
In early 2012 I had my first solo exhibition Through These Eyes at Watt Space Gallery. Although put together in incredibly short notice, it was such a validating experience to see my artworks together in the one space (and I had never realised just how colourful my work is until then). It also gave me the chance to do some larger-scale mural pieces which I would love to do more of.

Being involved in the Urban Smart Projects ‘Art Box’ project last year was a really fun experience too and so far I have received lots of positive feedback which is a really nice feeling. Leslie Duffin (my mum) and I are currently in the process of collaborating on another box at Mayfield. There are also some things in the pipeline that might be added to this list in the future.

L: Rachel hard at work. Photo – Bree Sanders. R: The traffic control box at cnr Watt & Scott Sts by RED. Photo – Rachel Elizabeth Duffin.

What would be your dream project?
In the long term, I keep coming back to the dream of opening up art-on-walls/art books/interesting things kind of little shop. I would love to have some work published in something like Frankie or similar too.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?
The last 5 years of study have been quite full on and I’m proud that I’ve made it to where I am. Life is finally starting to fall into place and I honestly don’t think I have been happier – that feels like an achievement!

 Studio details. Photos – Bree Sanders.

What is your most treasured possession?
If our house was burning down, I think our animals would be the first saved – my cat, Scout, and two ferrets, Alice & Bear – along with photos and my journals.

What does a typical day at work involve for you?
Right now study consumes a large proportion of my time along with part-time work. Unfortunately, my creative pursuits have taken a bit of a back seat but this year I am going to make sure there is plenty of designated creative time.

What is your most valuable pearl of wisdom gained since starting your business?
The phrase ‘work hard and be nice to people’ has always stuck in my mind and I try my best to live by it.

 A portion of product on offer at Rachel’s stall at Olive Tree Market. Photo – Rachel Elizabeth Duffin.

Where do you derive creative inspiration?
I’m drawn to everyday things, inner conflict, outward feelings and I guess I’m inspired by anyone that explores similar ideas in various forms. Making artwork for me is about trying to understand my immediate environment. Sometimes it takes a particular situation or event to spark inspiration and you never know when it is going to happen. I find that getting the ball rolling is often really difficult but once it starts it sort of snowballs.

Which other designers, artists or creative people are you most inspired by at the moment?
To be honest, I feel so lucky to have such creative people in my life whose determination to succeed at their individual endeavors forever reminds me to lift my game. Bree Sanders (photographer) & Brooke Stevens (painter) are a creative power couple
David Kurzydlo (an amazing painter), Ari Mayger (graphic designer), Boatfriends (making beautiful sounds) and so many others that I could be here all day. I’ve always been inspired by the words of ee cummings, Tracey Emin, Del Kathryn Barton, Catherine Campbell and Eva Hesse, too.

What are some of your favourite websites or blogs?
+ Etsy, so many creative people sharing their wares
+ This is Colossal, it really is.
+ Goodnight Little Spoon, always sharing interesting things

 Rachel Elizabeth Duffin, ‘Restless (1)’, 2009.

Apart from your work, what other interests, passions, hobbies do you have?
I guess my free time is used for, but not limited to, reading, lunch/op-shopping dates with my nan, catching up with friends, making it to galleries when I can, writing letters and lately I’m doing my best to live a healthier life.

How long have you been a Novocastrian?
My whole life, although technically I grew up in Lake Macquarie (about a 20 minute drive from town).

Newcastle in a word?
Potential.

What do you love and hate about living in Newcastle?
I definitely feel like the things that make Newcastle so great are the same things that can make me dislike it a little at times. There’s a great sense of community but at the same time everyone knows each other and it’s often hard to meet new people who don’t link to you somehow. There isn’t too much traffic but at times it would be nice to see more people around. I guess you could find pros and cons of anywhere you go. Newcastle will always be home, regardless of where I end up down the track.

Rachel Elizabeth Duffin, ‘Radial Blame (1)’ (Left) and ‘Radial Blame (2)’ (Right), 2010.

How is Newcastle different to anywhere else?
Nothing is ever very far away. It’s conveniently located at a handy distance from lots of things.

Where are your favourite places in Newcastle / Hunter to:

+ eat
I don’t know that I have a favourite but anywhere along Darby Street or Honeysuckle is usually delicious

+ drink
Bank Corner (2 Bellevue St, Newcastle West)
Rolador (1 Beaumont St, Hamilton)
One Penny Black (cnr Hunter & Morgan Sts, Newcastle)
Suspension Espresso (3 Beaumont St, Islington)

All of these places have great food too.

+ shop
Centenary Antiques Centre (29 Centenary Rd, Newcastle) . So many hidden treasures.
Etsy. Online shopping destroys my bank account.

+ play
The Lass O’Gowrie (14 Railway St, Wickham)
The Terrace Bar (529 Hunter St, Newcastle)

+ relax
Merewether Baths (Frederick St, Merewether) – nothing clears the mind better than the ocean

What is Newcastle / Hunter’s best-kept secret?
I think the Bogey Hole (Shortland Drive, Newcastle) is often forgotten about but it’s a beautiful place to hideaway.

Website: www.rachelelizabethduffin.com.au

Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/racheleduffin
Facebook: www.facebook.com/rachelelizabethduffin
Tumblr: www.tumblr.com/blog/rachelelizabethduffin

L: Rachel Elizabeth Duffin, ‘Those From Which I Came (Daughter)’, 2011. R: Rachel Elizabeth Duffin, ‘Those From Which I Came (Father)’, 2011

L: Michael Newton on the other side of the camera R: The bells and whistles camera he uses. Photos – Siobhan Curran

It’s most likely I discovered Showbag tumblr via the tumblr of all Newcastle tumblrs, The View From King Street. There was never an identity behind the tumblr so I enjoyed the daily postings of photos as anonymously as the author. I sometimes linked to particular photos on TNF posts – ones that document every day scenes in Newcastle with a clever angle or a witty photo title.

Fast forward a year or so later and I was introduced to Michael Newton at a Creative Talks session. ‘Michael’s the guy with the photo blog’, I was told as we were introduced. After prodding for a little more detail (there’s a lot of photo blogs out there!), I made the connection. ‘No way! I love your blog. What sort of camera do you use?’ I asked, thinking Michael carried around a 5D with him at all times but noticing it conspicuously absent at this point. Michael puts his hand in shirt pocket and pulls out battered point and shoot. ‘No way!’ I exclaimed again. Yes way.

 MICHAEL NEWTON

Condensed CV:

Graphic Design at The University of Newcastle

Brief stint in Melbourne

Back home and now Art Director at Enigma

What has been your most memorable project?

Production Designer on the award winning feature film Mikey’s Extreme Romance. It was a pretty intense shoot where I worked on everything from costumes, props and set design to titles, animation sequences and posters. Awesome fun, big learning, tiny budget. Australian release very soon, watch this space!

What would be your dream project?

Another feature film, but with a Hollywood budget. And assistants. Or maybe a Novocastrian distillery.

It’s Quite Noisy, 2012, Michael Newton

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Best Director at the 2006 Newcastle Film Festival was pretty cool. I entered a short film we had made for The Shoot Out that year. I didn’t even go to the presentation because there was no way I had a chance. Luckily some of the crew accepted it on my behalf. I miss The Shoot Out.

Also, every day since 1 January 2011, I have uploaded a photo taken that day to my Tumblr site. I initially intended it as a month long personal project, but it has become a valuable habit to actually take notice of where I am and what I am doing and to look at things differently. Subject matter and quality vary wildly, just like a real showbag. With no promotion the site has gained followers with likes, links, comments and reblogs that astound me.

Pop, 2012, Michael Newton

What is your most treasured possession?

The Georgetown Juggernaut.

It’s a ‘bakfiets’ style cargo bike custom built by my uncles and dad. I helped hold stuff and passed beer when required. I put my girls and all their paraphernalia in the front and we ride around to swimming lessons or yoga or the beach or wherever. It gets a lot of looks and comments, but I know of at least three others in town now.

What does a typical day at work involve for you?

Cycle along the water. Think, solve problems, design. Go for a walk at lunch down to the beach or up The Hill, depending on the weather or my mood. More thinking and solving problems and designing. Cycle home.

Broken Windows, 2012, Michael Newton

What is your most valuable pearl of wisdom gained since starting your business?

Never sacrifice style for practicality*

*subject to revision at any time

Where do you derive creative inspiration? 

All over the place – starting showbag has taught me to be more observant. Bookstores, magazines, newspapers, museums, forgotten cupboards are all good places to start. My daughters produce an endless stream of stories and pictures that are nearly always inspiring and/or hilarious (to me anyway). Riding around you also get to see backstreets and hidden places you don’t see in a car, and the slower pace lets you take it all in and gives you time to think and put it all together.

On The Corner, 2012, Michel Newton

Which other designers, artists or creative people are you most inspired by at the moment?

Deus Ex Machina

Pat Grant – Blue. I got this book for Christmas.

What are some of your favourite websites or blogs?

Tumblr. All of it.

Hamilton North

Cycle Space 

Quipsologies

Rook Takes Bishop, 2012, Michael Newton

Apart from your work, what other interests, passions, hobbies do you have?

Billycarts and cycling and I’ve just started playing bike polo.

How long have you been a Novocastrian?

Since 1973

Newcastle in a word?

Latent

Depends on How You Look at It, 2012, Michael Newton

What do you love and hate about living in Newcastle?

It can be little.

How is Newcastle different to anywhere else?

It has some awesome natural attractions, all quite close together. You can get awesome things done if you can find some like-minded people. It’s brighter here.

The Creek At Night, 2012, Michael Newton

Where are your favourite places in Newcastle / Hunter to:

 + eat

Caffestry (14 Pacific Street, Newcastle). And it also has the best coffee and friendliest staff, bar none.

+ drink

My dad’s shed

+ shop

Coles, Waratah Village. And Kmart is right next door  – open 24 hours!

+ play

Lambton Swimmin Centre (there is no ‘g’) and we nearly always stop at the newly refurbished Islington Park

+ relax

Cycling along Throsby Creek and Honeysuckle. I especially like it in winter when it’s dark and raining because then I get it all to myself.

What is Newcastle / Hunter’s best-kept secret?

ARTCART at Newcastle Art Gallery, weekends 10.30am–12.30pm.

The Dinosaur That Crosses The River, 2012, Michael Newton

Website: showbag.tumblr.com

L: Sophie Toupein & Jesse Neale at home in Islington, sitting underneath one of Sophie’s wire animal creations R: Living room detail. Photo – Siobhan Curran

I was introduced to Sophie Toupein and Jesse Neale in early 2012 when I was lucky enough to visit the wonderful Pigeon Coop Studios, sadly no longer in operation. I immediately fell in love with their paintings and asked them to take part in a Q&A. As is often the case, life gets in the way and before we all knew it, 2012 was drawing to a close. It was at that time I saw that Subo had acquired a few of Sophie’s incredible wire animal sculptures so I searched the interwebs and my sent items high and low for Sophie’s contact details once more. It turns out that Sophie and Jesse have a very low profile online, made up almost entirely of this gorgeous blog! I found the email address and they responded enthusiastically to my request to visit them at their new studio, which also happens to be the home they share with Brodie Linehan, swimwear designer Madeleine O’Leary, her sister, artist Kaitlyn O’Leary. Needless to say, I was completely blown away with the space as much as I was walking through Pigeon Coop Studios for the first time. And I got the Q&A :)

 SOPHIE TOUPEIN + JESSE NEALE 

Condensed CV:

Advanced Diplomas of Fine Art

What would be your dream project?

Jesse – At the moment I would love to open a gallery space/ hub for young, serious artists in Newcastle that works.

Sophie – I definitely dream about being totally in control of what and where I create, and furthermore having an exciting, serious outlet for showing it, maybe in Jesse’s dream space..? I think pretty much daily we have conversations about this.

What is your most treasured possession?

MAYO our greyhound. Having said this, he can also be our most time consuming possession. Oh and having a good camera.

L: Sitting room, artwork by Sophie Toupein, ‘Begin One Way. End Another’ R: Sophie working in her studio space. Photo – Siobhan Curran

What does a typical day at work involve for you?

Over the last two months we’ve been traveling. We did London, Berlin, Paris, Rome, Prague and Thailand- collecting information, sourcing ideas. This however is not a typical day at work for us. Usually, it involves an early wake up. Big dog walk, coffee, then into the studio

What is your most valuable pearl of wisdom gained since starting your business?

Sophie – It can be easy.

Jesse – No pearl of wisdom, just less talking and more doing.

Where do you derive creative inspiration?

Jesse – In old worn out or forgotten images and objects, in such a throw-away society, I feel an obligation to give them a new context.

Sophie – I always get inspiration from my memories/dreams, but when I try to recall them they are usually bleached out and foggy which usually comes through in my work.

Which other designers, artists or creative people are you most inspired by at the moment?

Sophie – Peter Doig, Hibino Katsuhiko, Peter Saul, Neo Rauch. They’re all painters, closer to home I get constant inspiration from the furry animals in our house and searching out beautiful landscapes.

Jesse – The recent Dr. Lakra exhibition at Kate McGarry in London was very reinvigorating, Martino Gamper and Francis Upritchard (an amazing couple that collaborate regularly), Misaki Kawai (her books are very charming), HC Westerman and Henry Darger (sincere pop imagery).

L: Jesse working on a new set of geometric sculptures R: Jesse’s works in progress. Photo – Siobhan Curran

What are some of your favourite websites or blogs?

Sophie – Junkaholique, Minulta, Sandra Juto

Jesse – This is paper, freunde von freunden, ready4thehouse, ffffound.

Apart from your work, what other interests, passions, hobbies do you have?

Jesse – Sophie definitely loves plants, almost more than anything, I am constantly making furniture that we don’t need, we both compulsively collect junk. And we love to eat.

How long have you been a Novocastrian?

Sophie – Since 2009

Jesse -  7 years

L: The dining room R: Madeleine O’Leary’s studio. Photo – Siobhan Curran

Newcastle in a word?

Fragile

What do you love and hate about living in Newcastle?

We love that op shops are still relatively cheap compared to other places. Hate that sometimes it feels like we’re on an island, very disconnected from other people.

How is Newcastle different to anywhere else?

If you go to Susan Gilmore Beach or King Edward Park on a good day, you can feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere.

L: Kaitlyn O’Leary and Jesse prepare lunch R: Kitchen detail. Photo – Siobhan Curran

Where are your favourite places in Newcastle / Hunter to:

+ eat

Sino Food (47 Beaumont St, Hamilton), Subo (551D Hunter St, Newcastle)

+ drink

One Penny Black (cnr Hunter & Morgan Sts, Newcastle) , Dark Horse (20-24 Greenway St, Wickham)

+ shop

Auld & Grey (92 Maitland Rd, Islington), Studio Melt (113 Hunter St, Newcastle), The Lair (115 Hunter St, Newcastle)

+ play

Susan Gilmore Beach

+ relax

Our house

What is Newcastle / Hunter’s best-kept secret?

The giant Mulberry tree on the edge of the Throsby Creek.

L: The entrance to Sophie, Jesse, Kaitlyn, Madeleine and Brodie’s home R: Sophie + Jesse at their ‘front gate’. Photo – Siobhan Curran

Marcus Dixon for Malade Apparel

Marcus Dixon is one of those 22-year olds who’s found their groove and seemingly never stops creating. My first introduction to Marcus’ work was a couple of years ago when I kept seeing Malade stickers on signposts all around town. I found out a bit later that this is the clothing label he operates with three equally talented friends; Michael Langenegger, Ryan Littlejohns and Cameron Locklee.

Next, I noticed the crew at One Penny Black had t-shirts specially commissioned by Malade – the Grim Reaper on a penny farthing with a coffee in hand (above). Then I saw the video of Marcus and Michael at the Secret Wars event at LOOK SEE in 2011 (also embedded at the end of this post), which is the exhibition portion of Newcastle’s annual art & design festival LOOK HEAR. Most recently I stumbled across an online version of a zine that Marcus had created as part of his studies, An Underground Guide To Newcastle, which is his personal recommendations of places and sites in Newcastle. This was in a style that I hadn’t previously associated with Marcus. Which lead me to his most recent extravaganza that is One More, which he hopes to short-run publish as a book. Add the collaborations with the likes of The Hungry Workshop and Zoo York and you’ve got a young designer on the cusp of a pretty great future in design.

 MARCUS DIXON

Condensed CV:
Art, design and illustration.
Co-owner of Malade Apparel.
Bachelor of Visual Communication completed in 2012.

What has been your most memorable project?
I would have to say that anything that has happened through starting the clothing company Malade has been quite memorable. We have been involved with a lot of cool things around Newcastle such as the Look See exhibition (in 2011 and 2012) and through that came our inclusion in last year’s Secret Wars event which was fun. We recently took part in a painting production in Wickham with Numskull, Roach, Ken Taylor and a bunch of other locals, which was a fun time. We have painted the interior of The Cambridge, run classes at Koskela in Sydney and also had a few awesome collaborations with The Hungry Workshop in Melbourne. Generally putting out lines of clothing and seeing the response generated from doing so is always interesting. Aside from that, a recent project I did for Zoo York went to print and is now in stores which is exciting to see. Collaboration is always a fun time too.

L: Marcus Dixon, wall art at Wickham. Photo – Marcus Dixon R: Marcus Dixon, Mike Carroll Quote

What would be your dream project?
There are a few dream projects that I have conjured up while thinking about this question and some that have already begun. There is definitely not just one dream project. The one I have begun is organising an event to take place in April (2013) in Newcastle. It will involve creatives who have not really exhibited in Newcastle but are very prolific in their fields. And the event itself is something that Newcastle hasn’t seen the likes of yet. So I am excited to watch this dream build into reality. A conjured dream would be something like working on a series of skateboard graphics for companies like Pass-Port, Girl, Stereo etc. Solo exhibitions, magazine projects, graphic novels, project collaborations all come into this field too.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Finishing uni the other week was pretty rad. That was the end of 16 years of straight schooling.

What is your most treasured possession?
I have a few things I am pretty stoked on. One is a Rob Roskopp Santa Cruz skateboard (reissue) which I have hanging in my office/bedroom/man cave. Another is a photo of my dad holding a 21kg Kingfish he caught off Old Bar beach 22 years ago, the same year I was born. Another is a signed Neckface book. More recently I acquired a whole series (4 in total) of a new range of Pass-Port boards which are hanging in my lounge room, designed by William Brown. They look too good to ride. Other than that, I have a lot of great books, zines and prints scattered around the place.

Marcus Dixon for Zoo York

What does a typical day at work involve for you?
I will describe a typical Monday. Usually if my girlfriend is not working we will go into the mall and stop in at One Penny for a beverage then cruise around the beaches. Then I will link up with some friends and we will go explore something or just go for a skate somewhere and hang out. Talk shop for a while, scheme some dreams. Walk the drains sometimes. That usually takes up a chunk of the day then I hit the office and work from about 5-2am.  Work usually involves responding to emails, brainstorming, then sketching and inking or sketching and illustrator. On other days it is just usually straight to the office and work from like 1pm -1am or later. Creatives work in a different time frame.

What is your most valuable pearl of wisdom gained since starting your business?
Passion over paychecks.

Where do you derive creative inspiration?
From so many places and things it’s ridiculous. I have a lot of creative and inspirational friends, as I’m sure we all do, that are constant motivation. They all have different interests and creative backgrounds themselves that I think I get the biggest kick out of. Skateboarding profoundly inspires me. It is something that encapsulates so many different aspects of creativity and originality, from actually being the skateboarder and using the board as the creative medium, to being involved with one of the companies that are producing elements of the skateboard itself. And of course then you have the filmmakers, photographers and magazines who are here to use their form of creativity to produce something entirely dedicated to skateboarding and the community of individuals who follow it. It is something that has a rich and inspiring history as well.

L: Marcus Dixon / Michael Langenegger + The Hungry Workshop. R: Marcus Dixon, Strangers with Candy poster

Which other designers, artists or creative people are you most inspired by at the moment?
Everfresh crew always come through with amazing work. AWOL crew and their recent exhibition was an eye opener. Jim Phillips, VCJ, Mark Mckee, Morning Breath, Giant, Gonz, Andy Jenkins, Spike Jonze, Brian Anderson, Hecox, McGee, Templeton, Stevie Gee, Charles Burns, Daniel Clowes, Robert Crumb, Rick Howard, Mike Carroll, I could go on and on. In other words there are a lot of amazingly talented and creative people out there. As I said before I have a lot of creative friends who always inspire me if I were to rattle off a few it would be Cameron Locklee (illustrator), Michael Langenegger (illustrator), James Turvey (writer), Cameron Johnson (designer), Mike Danischewski (photographer), Sam Octigan (illustrator), Andrew Nash (photographer), Ryan Littlejohns (photographer) and my girlfriend Hayley who, although she is not working in a creative field, she is non stop from when she gets up at 6am til she crashes at like 10. Nurse life. I have major respect for nurses after hearing her many stories. Again, I could go on for ages.

What are some of your favourite websites or blogs?
Blood of the young zine, Everfresh Studio, Booooooom, FucknFilthy, Fecal Face etc.

Apart from your work, what other interests, passions, hobbies do you have?
Any sort of outdoor exploration is always fun whether it is being out in the bush or exploring an abandoned quarry or building, it is all generally pretty interesting stuff and you’re sure to find or see something that will make your day. Whenever I’m not skating, I’m generally thinking about it in one way or another so I would say that aside from my work, skateboarding (I’m starting to sound like a broken record) is a big passion and hobby for me. Seeing anything new is always interesting.

Marcus Dixon, Line Skulls (drawn with a ruler!)

How long have you been a Novocastrian?
Four years now. However, my family on my Dad’s side have been long term Novocastrians. Dixon Park is actually named after us. Something to do with the mining of kerosene shale. Also, my great uncle was a salvager and owned the rights to a few shipwrecks off the Newcastle coast.

Newcastle in a word?
Fuscoferuginous.

What do you love and hate about living in Newcastle?
I rode past pit lane one night (or whatever you call the place where all the car chumps gather down near Nobbys) and some one yelled at me and said “Can’t you afford rego?!”. I was pretty stoked on that. I also love the new skateparks that are being built around the place. I hate that there are petitions for new small bars in alleys but not for new attractions that aren’t alcohol related like some sort of creative and interactive space for kids and teens.

How is Newcastle different to anywhere else?
It’s a big country town with a city population (the same amount of people who attended Woodstock festival) on the beach.

Marcus Dixon, Newcastle / Renew Newcastle zine, 2012

Where are your favourite places in Newcastle / Hunter to:

+ eat
Sinofood (47 Beaumont St, Hamilton), hands down.

+ drink
Northern Star (112 Beaumont St, Hamilton) for the James Squires on tap and the Croatian Club (Albert St, Wickham) for the chill times.
One Penny (cnr Hunter & Morgan Sts, Newcastle) for a tea or coffee.

+ shop
Rad Store (89 Darby St, Cooks Hill), The Lair (115 Hunter St, Newcastle), 50/50 (Shop 2004, Westfield, Kotara).

+ play
Netball courts to skate flatground.

+ relax
My house, friends places.

What is Newcastle / Hunter’s best-kept secret?
The Bike Library in Wickham and Catherine Hill Bay wharf.

Marcus Dixon in his home studio. Photo – Siobhan Curran

Website: www.marcusdixondesign.com, www.maladenc.com


Blog: www.marcusdixon.tumblr.com, www.maladeapparel.tumblr.com


Shop: www.marcusdixon.bigcartel.com


Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/maladenc/