The Novocastrian Files

James Drinkwater

2012-01-24T11:43:00.001+11:00

So I've been stalking James for a long time now. I was first introduced to his work via Heath Killen. I can see about 10 of his works resting quite nicely in my house. Someone commission this man to do a mural, pronto!

I sent off a Q&A to James who was (up until recently) living in Berlin. Like a lot of people I send Q&As to, I don't hear back; they get buried in the inbox, life gets busy, it's a hard task to write about yourself etc etc - I completely understand.

It wasn't till over a year later I was researching for TEDxNewy that I came across a Karl Brandstater video that featured James (which I am trying to find to link to as it's gorgeous). "Ah, yes!", I remembered and decided to annoy James once more. Luckily he had some time on his hands to send this over.

James in the Studio

James Drinkwater

What has been your most memorable project?
This year is Berlin I worked on a number of street trash assemblage pieces which turned into quite a big project.

What would be your dream project?
A large mural commission in an incredible space.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?
At a very young age I made a very clear decision to be an artist, standing by that is my greatest achievement.

Poor Boy 2009

What is your most treasured possession?
I don’t have one, things come in and out of ones life and its important to treasure them while they are there but equally important to let them go. Things can be so transient, money does not exist. However, If pushed, I would say my little stove top esspresso machine.

What does a typical day at work involve for you?
Coffee, breakfast then those long important hours painting, bashing and reveling.

What is your most valuable pearl of wisdom gained since starting your business?
You have to get rock n roll out of your system.

Postage Paid Berlin 2010

Where do you derive creative inspiration?
Nature, the figure and other more poetic, ambiguous and abstract elements that can be dangerous to explain in a Q n A scenario. See artist statement.

Which other designers, artists or creative people are you most inspired by at the moment?
Anselm Kiefer, Lottie Consalvo.

What are some of your favourite websites or blogs?
Lottieconsalvo.com
planetlovesound.com
karlbrandstater.com

Mind Map 3, 2010 (mixed media)

Apart from your work, what other interests, passions, hobbies do you have?
Cooking, drinking and collecting objects of the street with my trolley. I also don’t mind reading all Sunday and swimming whenever I am in Newcastle.

How long have you been a Novocastrian?
Since birth and despite living in Sydney, Melbourne and Germany (current) I still really do consider myself a Newcastle boy, Its where I discovered myself, I grew up with Anne Von Beortough, Ron Hartree as influential people, How incredibly lucky I was. And always with salt on my skin, falling in love on every corner.

The Central Drama, 2011 (oil on canvas)

Newcastle in a word?
Beast

What do you love and hate about living in Newcastle?
Whatever you are into there is a strong scene and network attached to it. As a young boy consumed by art there was always something going on, incredible things everywhere.

How is Newcastle different to anywhere else?
A tough little pumping city with that seductive coastline defining its grandier!!!

Long and Weary Week, 2011 (street trash collage)

Where are your favourite places in Newcastle / Hunter to:

+ eat
Nonnas house in Tighes Hill

+ drink
Lass

+ shop
St Vincent de Paul,
       143 Beaumont St, Hamilton
       123 Maitland Rd, Islington
       4 Church St, Mayfield
Abicus, 124 Darby St, Cooks Hill, 4929 7278
Emma Soup, 523 Hunter St, Newcastle

+ play
Merewether Baths

+ relax
Family home

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

Website: jamesfrancisdrinkwater.com

Shop: Damien Minton Gallery, Sydney

Todd Fuller at Back To Back Gallery

2012-01-06T21:07:00.000+11:00

if these walls could talk from john cliff on Vimeo.

Over the week between Christmas and New Year Todd Fuller spent from 11am-5pm drawing on the walls of the main gallery at Back to Back Galleries. He photographed the drawing as he went and this will then be made into an animation to be exhibited later this year ... and the walls will have talked.

Stuart McBratney

2012-01-03T14:35:00.000+11:00

++
UPDATE
Stuart has re-launched his Kickstarter campaign, click here to lend your support.
++

So it's 2012. How did that happen?

Last year I was a little light on posts, mostly because I got busy with TEDxNewy which took place in November. (If you would like to view the talks go here).

One of the big themes that emerged from the day was SERENDIPITY. Truly, so many elements of organising TEDxNewy occurred purely by chance. One example was one Saturday in July when I was at the Ukrainian Church in Adamstown covering a series of cooking demos for Cooking From The Heart. I was talking with a person afterwards and mentioned how I was working on TEDxNewy and that I was looking for a way to have the talks filmed....without paying. This person just happened to work at TAFE and told me they'd set up a meeting with the right people to discuss their film students taking it on as a project. Sure enough TAFE came on board and did an incredible job of it.

It's true when they say that Newcastle is just like a big country town. Coming from outside I can't tell you how much easier it's made everything I want to do. From visiting the beach to organising events. Everything seems within reach here. If you need something to happen it's often the case of just putting the idea out there and somehow it will fall into place. SERENDIPITY.

I mentioned this story to the audience at TEDxNewy and at the next break a couple came to ask me about the Ukrainian cooking classes (they love varenyky as much as I do). Turns out Stuart McBratney and Julia Nalivaiko had just returned from the Ukraine and Russia filming Julia's return to the country she was born, but left to emigrate to Australia with her family when she was four years old. Sounded interesting, given my grandparents-in-law emigrated from the Ukraine to a migrant camp in Greta as a newly wedded couple after WWII. They've made a new life for themselves in Newcastle but miss their homeland no less than they did when they first arrived in Greta all those years ago.

It brought a tear to my eye to watch the teaser that Stuart has put together to promote this project which he hopes to turn into a TV series. Could you imagine what it might feel like to return to a place you were born, that you have very little memory of? To have a sense of a place, but not know where you fit in?

Just like me looking for a film crew, Stuart is looking for support to enable him to cut the series together. There's a Kickstarter campaign to raise the funds needed, and with only a couple of days left, there's a way to go to make sure this series has a chance to be.

Let's see how far serendipity can take this.

Stuart McBratney

Condensed CV:
Filmmaker. Musician. Not necessarily in that order.
Film: Has written and directed hundreds of tv commercials, many short films, several music videos, one tv show pilot, one feature film, and one tv series (currently in post-production).
Music: has written, produced and composed 2 albums, 1 EP, several short film soundtracks, a feature film soundtrack, and a few musical pieces for tv commercials.

What has been your most memorable project?
Shooting my first feature film Spudmonkey was memorable, but not enjoyable. All of my previous films had been made with a tiny crew, just myself and one or two other people. Suddenly I was surrounded by 20 technicians and assistants, and everything felt completely cumbersome. So while it was eventually completed and released theatrically, I really didn't enjoy the shoot one bit. On the other hand, the shoot I just finished in Russia and Ukraine was a dream. It's a tv series called Back in the Soviet Bloc, and was shot on location in Russia and Ukraine. We're trying to raise finishing funds through Kickstarter here.

What would be your dream project?
I've in various stages of a few projects right now, all of which are pretty dreamy. I'm now in post-production of Back in the Soviet Bloc , and it'd be a dream for it to be successful enough to warrant production another series or two, or three. The former USSR is so massive, you could spend a lifetime traversing it without seeing it all. I'd also love to play my concept album Soul Delay live. The guys in The Mischief Engine are all in different parts of the world, so a few have never even met, let alone played together. So I plan to launch another Kickstarter campaign to fund a live show. We'll probably make a film about it too, a la Buena Vista Social Club. The third dreamy project I have on the go right now is in pre-production. It's my second feature film, and is called Pop-Up. Again, I plan to raise funds through Kickstarter, and hope to go into production in the 2nd half of 2012. What do you consider your greatest achievement? Filming an entire tv series in Russia and Ukraine with a crew of two (including host Julia Nalivaiko), and shooting on a Canon 5Dm2 without a focus puller was pretty cool. It was always going to be a huge challenge, as there's nothing automatic about these cameras, but if you can pull it off, the results are stunning. I'm now pumped to shoot my next feature using this method, as I know I can do it.
Russian Kitchen - teaser trailer from Stuart McBratney on Vimeo.

What is your most treasured possession?
The guitar I bought myself to celebrate 21 years of playing is pretty nice. It's an Almansa, hand-made in Spain, with gold-plated tuning knobs. Pretty useless I know, but that's as close to bling as I get. Generally speaking I'm not big on "stuff". I do love my book collection though, but could happily trade them in for a fully-loaded Kindle.

What does a typical day at work involve for you?
The reality of running your own business is that it's mostly writing. Lots of writing, such as emails, press releases, and applications for funding programs. A more ideal situation would be to have someone employed to take care of the day-to-day business stuff, so I could concentrate on doing things I can't delegate, such as actual filmmaking and making music. Hopefully such a situation is within reach.

What is your most valuable pearl of wisdom gained since starting your business?
I'm still in the early days, having spent the last 7 years working full-time for tv networks as a commercial director. So ask me again once I've been successfully running my own business for 10 years. But should an aspiring filmmaker ask me for advice, I'd suggest they just use whatever camera they have at their disposal, and go make as many films as they can, without worrying about financial returns, pixel ratio or Youtube hits. Get ready to make heaps of mistakes, because that's how you learn. And most importantly, do it because you love it. If it isn't fun, stop doing it now, because it's an extremely arduous profession, which requires every ounce of tenacity you can muster.

Where do you derive creative inspiration?
I love reading, I love listening to music, and I love movies. When I read, hear or watch a good one, I get really fired up to create something great of my own. The challenge is not to be disheartened by someone else's success, but to be inspired by it. When I watch an amazing film, there's usually a moment where I think, "Maybe I should make a film more like that one." But then I remind myself to be inspired to make something original, not to imitate something already in existence.

Which other designers, artists or creative people are you most inspired by at the moment?
Books: I'm going through a bit of a Murakami binge at the moment. Currently I'm reading A Wild Sheep Chase, one of his earlier works.Music: I'm listening to Mozart's Requiem as I type this. Also been listening to The Shins heaps. Chutes Too Narrow is genius, and reminds me of my year living in Berlin. Design: fellow Novocastrian Heath Killen is a brilliant designer. His "rebooted" classic movie posters are extremely cool. Film: Can't wait for the new PT Anderson film The Master. Til then, I'm keen to watch Hitchcock's The Birds again, as I recently stayed in Bodega Bay, the Californian town in which it was set.

What are some of your favourite websites or blogs?
For info about the latest filmmaking gear I visit www.philipbloom.net .For pop culture goodies I love www.lostateminor.com , also the work of fellow Novocastrians. For good reviews and interviews with filmmakers etc I love www.avclub.com For chuckles I love www.theonion.com and www.cracked.com

Apart from your work, what other interests, passions, hobbies do you have?
Fortunately my favourite things are filmmaking and music making, so that keeps me pretty busy. But I also love playing football (aka soccer), and doing martial arts (I'm a 1st Dan in Yun Jung Do). And since I live in Newcastle, it's great to pop down to the beach or the ocean baths for a swim.
Honda commercial from Stuart McBratney on Vimeo.
Honda ad filmed by Stuart in King Edward park :)

How long have you been a Novocastrian?
Almost 3 years now.

Newcastle in a word?
Inconceivable! (NOTE: requires the exclamation point for maximum effect)

What do you love and hate about living in Newcastle?
I love living near the beach, being part of a creative community on the cusp of worldwide recognition, and the fact you can drive pretty much anywhere within 10 minutes. I try not hate. Life's too short to harbour ill will. But I do miss my friends and family in Brisbane, and I do miss living in Europe.

How is Newcastle different to anywhere else?
There's an amazing amour of creative energy in this town, considering its population. I know so many people here involved in amazing projects, it reminds me a little bit of Iceland. Iceland has a similar population to Newy, and yet there is an incredible number of highly respected musicians emerging from its frosty shores. So, Newcastle's like Iceland, but with beautiful beaches instead of snow-covered volcanic mountains.

Where are your favourite places in Newcastle / Hunter to:
+ eat Ritual Restaurant 2 Austral St Nelson Bay (4981 5514)
+ drink Ice cold bear on the beach
+ shop N/A. I don't enjoy shopping. It's purely a necessity like visiting the dentist.
+ play In my studio.
+ relax The ocean.

What is Newcastle / Hunter’s best-kept secret? I was recently in Napa Valley, and they charge a least $15/person for wine tasting, sometimes twice that. Most wine tasting in The Hunter Valley is free, or $5 max. Bargain!

Website: www.mcbrat.tv
Facebook: facebook.com/sovietbloc

Roost

2011-12-05T18:57:00.001+11:00

Reframe Newcastle / Rohan Anderson

2011-11-30T21:09:00.000+11:00

OK, so my life has returned to something resembling my life pre TEDxNewy and with it some long overdue posts on The Novocastrian Files.

In case you didn't hear about the insanely great idea that was Reframe Newcastle you can read more about it here. Rohan Anderson is one of the talented young folk who took part in the masterclass with Stephen Dupont and it's really little wonder why he was selected. I mean have you ever seen Bar Beach carpark look this good? (below). *Sigh*

So many talented peeps in this town.

ROHAN ANDERSON

Lazy Afternoon 2 by Rohan Anderson

Condensed CV
I work full time as a Audiovisual Integration Engineer but do photography as a hobby and have become very passionate about it over the past 2 years or so.

What has been your most memorable project?
The masterclass with Stephen Dupont.

Dark Stop by Rohan Anderson

What would be your dream project?
Working on behalf of National Geographic taking landscape images around the world.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?
It would have to be being selected for the Stephen Dupont Masterclass.

Flowing by Rohan Anderson

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

Apart from your photography, what other interests, passions, hobbies do you have?
I enjoy live music and audio.

Sydney - A World Away by Rohan Anderson

How long have you been a Novocastrian?
I was born in Newcastle.

Newcastle in a word?
Home.

Jump for Australia Day by Rohan Anderson

What do you love and hate about living in Newcastle?
I love that it's big enough to be a city but small enough to get anywhere in 15 minutes. I hate how the city has become so run down.

Three Lives by Rohan Anderson

How is Newcastle different to anywhere else?
It's just so relaxed and slow-paced but it's still a sizeable city with many opportunities, all of that mixed with the fact it's by the beach just makes it amazing.

Where are your favourite places in Newcastle / Hunter to:
+ eat
Paul's Asian Affair (22 Alma Rd, New Lambton, 4952 5989)
Hobarts (88 Hobart Rd, New Lambton, 4935 1200)
Raj's Corner (116 Hobart Rd, Hamilton, 4962 1827)
Paymasters (18 Bond St, Newcastle, 4925 2600)
3 Monkeys (131 Darby St, Cooks Hill, 4926 3779)

+ drink
Cambridge Hotel (789 Hunter St, Newcastle West, 4962 2459)

+ shop
Darby Street, Cooks HIll
Westfield, Kotara (Park Avenue, Kotara)

+ play
Mount Sugarloaf 4WD Tracks
Glenrock Reserve

+ relax
The harbour

Everything Will Be OK by Rohan Anderson

What is Newcastle / Hunter’s best-kept secret?
If I told you it wouldn't be a secret!

Website: raphotography.com.au
Blog: rohanandersonphotography.tumblr.com
Flickr: rohan3au

Reframe Newcastle / Ben Dickson

2011-10-20T10:55:00.000+11:00

Last Monday I had the chance to get along to the Reframe Newcastle exhibit at The Roost Creative Space. It's a project which has me a little less than super excited.

The project came about when Newcastle City Council put out a tender for updated stock photos that they would use for promoting Newcastle. Rollingball Productions, a local creative agency pitched a concept a little left field that won the tender.

Rollingball's unconventional and ambitious idea was to commission Stephen Dupont to lead a 7-day masterclass with eight local emerging photographers chosen from a pool of around 50 applicants. This would provide a petri dish of style and experience to reframe Newcastle.

The group got about ticking the 80 post images in the brief but were also give free range to then include images of the City that, in each photographers own style, highlight hidden aspects and the scenes that define its character. Maybe NCC would end up using some of them.

How great is that?

With the benefit of fresh eyes and old stereotypes of a steel city linging in his mind Stephen Dopont admits his surprise at the cafe and restaurant culture as well as the inner city art culture. "I knew about the surf and beaches but the cafe and art was a real surprise for me. There are things happening in this city."

Now that the blueprint for a project of the nature is set there is the potential to configure Masterclasses that not only offer emerging talent new and invaluable experience but also benefit local organisations and businesses achieve their promotional goals. Imagine Masterclasses on travel writing, app building, website production, street art, poetry....

Stephen talks about the Project with some of the emerging photogs to the left.

Stephen takes answers from the floor.

The photos will be exhibited in an upcoming Nobby's Headland Open Day. I'll keep you posted on when.

In the meantime I have a small series of Q&As from some of the photographers that were a part of producing the images that will forever reframe Newcastle. I hope you enjoy.

BEN DICKSON
Clean Slate Media

Ben Dickson on idyllic assignment at Newcastle Harbour

Condensed CV:
Born in Belmont, now live in Hamilton. Former graphic designer now Photographer. Big dreams.

What has been your most memorable project?
Spending time in Indonesia to photograph cockfighting events to highlight and hopefully stop such blood sports. 

What would be your dream project?
Photographing the diminishing oranagatan population in Borneo

What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Having a chance to do this masterclass and work with such great local photographers

Which other photographers, designers, artists or creative people are you most inspired by at the moment?
Classic photographers are always my inspiration, Sebastio Salgado, Don Mccullin and Anne Leibovitz

Apart from your photography, what other interests, passions, hobbies do you have?
Animal rights is a great passion of mine, Also Football (soccer) on a lighter note.

How long have you been a Novocastrian?
Born and Raised

Newcastle in a word?
Different

What do you love and hate about living in Newcastle?
Old men sitting over a table will not save the city. Things need to change. I don't hate anything apart from some peoples uneducated views on the city.

How is Newcastle different to anywhere else?
How is it the same.

Where are your favourite places in Newcastle / Hunter to:
+ eat
Sushi Bay/ Baccus+ drink Croatian Club/ Galipoli legions
+ shop
Rad / 50-50+ play Darby Street
+ relax
My House

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

TEDxNewy is Coming

2011-10-10T00:07:00.000+11:00

TEDxNewy

2011-09-09T20:57:00.001+10:00

It's been a little quiet over here lately, mainly because I am working on a new project, TEDxNewy.

If you are not familiar with TED, TEDx or the hugely popular TEDTalks (maybe start with the most viewed) you may want to brush up before applying to attend the Newcastle event which will be held at the Playhouse Theatre on November 12.

It's going to be a pretty rad day.

Look Hear

2011-08-15T10:27:00.000+10:00

LOOK HEAR 2011 from Chris Stonestreet on Vimeo.

Come hear creative and clever people speaking at the Look Hear events in Newcastle Region Gallery. More details here.

LOVE this video.

Still Life with Trevor

2011-07-14T17:02:00.000+10:00

Today was the official opening of Trevor Dicksinson's mural in the Newcastle Beach Tunnel.

Pomp and ceremony included cutting of the ribbon and free icecreams.

Well done Trevor & NCC

This Is Not Cool

2011-07-08T21:19:00.002+10:00

The incredibly diverse and interesting This Is Not Art festival is one of the more positive and influential events for our local economy and identity. The bad news is, TINA has not had their funding of $18,000 pa renewed via Newcastle City Council's Community Grant scheme.

If you believe that Newcastle is a place which nurtures creativity, innovation and collaboration please pledge your support to help keep TINA remain the draw card it is and head over to Pozible now

The Pigeon Coop, Wickham

2011-06-09T13:24:00.000+10:00

A delightful story by Matt Bevan from ABC1233 of an artspace growing at one of the old wool sheds in Wickham called The Pigeon Coop. It's a rather large pigeon coop.

Potential Town.

Heath Killen on The Design Files

2011-06-03T07:55:00.000+10:00

Tra-la! The first ever Novocastrian Files Q&A, Heath Killen is today featured on The Design Files. He is a clever designer who deserves all the best kind of recognition. I am chuffed. Good day!

Gillian Bencke

2011-05-30T22:27:00.000+10:00

Hello! It's been a while, I know. I've had a niggling voice in my head the last month that's been telling me to post the Gillin Bencke Q&A. But I've had a bit on my plate but now I can, with some enthusiastic relief, share with you the amazing Gillian.

She lives in one of my top 5 apartment buildings in Newcastle, is an expert in all the crafty arts I wish I was and knows all the good coffee shops in town. Her blog is also very interesting.

GILLIAN BENCKE

Condensed CV:
A degree in Communication Studies here at the University of Newcastle, with a small stint in Photomedia at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK.
After that I did digital media at the Hunter St TAFE and then in mid 2005 I completed the NEIS to start my own business label BENCKE.

What has been your most memorable project?
The project that is perhaps most memorable for many reasons, would have to be “A Crowd”. An exhibition I did at Rocketart, a small gallery run by enterprising young artists.
This exhibition was an installation of 113 dolls made over about 5 to 6 months... the visual impact of the 'wall of dolls' was effective and the handmade 'beasts' started a design concept that eventually lead into my label later that year.
It was all about saving fabrics and rescuing unwanted haberdashery odds and ends.. the idea of creating new out of the old appealed greatly.

What would be your dream project?
It always changes... right now it would be to take down one of the walls in our small apartment. It would help with natural light and the flow of the spaces. We might take it down brick by brick. To unbuild a double brick wall from the 1920s would be the perfect project for winter.
If someone has experience in this and can give tips, please get in touch.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Escaping Paris in one piece. Twice.

What is your most treasured possession?
Russian rings given to me by a great friend. Around the house my favourite object is my bright yellow Tivoli Songbook Radio.

What does a typical day at work involve for you?
It used to be sitting at my sewing machine, listening to Radio National while creating my work. Plenty of mess from cut up fabric, unpicked threads...the “to do list” that is the same length at the end of the day as at the beginning.
Now its playing with my 2 year old son.

What is your most valuable pearl of wisdom gained since starting your business?
Don't undersell your work.

Where do you derive creative inspiration?
Everywhere. From conversations, from bush walking, from swimming, from another artist's work, from rummaging in old vintage stores or seeing clever street art...from the textures and quality of fabric.
The book shelves are always teaming with inspiration too.

Which other designers, artists or creative people are you most inspired by at the moment?
I love the slightly more absurd artists I come across; Miranda July, writer, film maker, actress...and you could say social experimenter, Antony, singer songwriter, Patrick Hall, artist and cabinet maker, Mark Ryden , artist illustrator, Simryn Gill, artist.

What are some of your favourite websites or blogs?
I have a list of blogs I look at almost daily, these are some of them:
jody wong
debi van zyl
design* sponge

websites:
nfctd totally amazing website that sells nothing, is nothing but an experience.

Apart from your work, what other interests, passions, hobbies do you have?
Right now it's just one: I'm learning to crochet.

How long have you been a Novocastrian?
I grew up here. It's the place I always come back to.

Newcastle in a word?
Understated

What do you love and hate about living in Newcastle?
I hate the drinking culture that leaves puke and glass on the streets.
I love that I hardly ever need to travel west of Stewart Avenue for everything I need.
I hate the 322 bus to Dudley
I love the free buses up Hunter Street
I hate that they demolished the old Newcastle hospital.
I love that the old building across from me now has people living in it.
I love the increasing number of cycling paths and the growing number of bikes out there.
I love the artistic and design passionate community.
I love that this city has the potential to renew itself.

How is Newcastle different to anywhere else?
That's a hard one to answer objectively. I wouldn't know where to start. I could say the beaches, I could say the culture, in fact it's too many things.

Where are your favourite places in Newcastle / Hunter to:

+ eat
Govinda's (110 King St, cnr Wolfe St, Newcastle)

+ drink
I only really drink at home with family and friends.

+ shop
Centenary Antiques (29 Centenary Rd, Newcastle)

+ play
Newcastle Beach and Ocean Baths

+ relax
Coffee shops with friends.
Estabar (61 Shortland Esp, cnr Ocean St, Newcastle
Sprocket (68 Hunter St, cnr Watt St, Newcastle)
One Penny Black (Hunter St, cnr Morgan St, Newcastle)

What is Newcastle / Hunter’s best-kept secret?
TINA (This Is Not Art Festival) if that's still a secret. Otherwise it's the empty 6th floor of our building with views over the ocean and harbour and its only used for hanging washing !

Website: bencke.com.au
Blog: benckecorner
Shop: bigcartel (bencke)

Lucas Grogan Addendum

2011-04-27T20:32:00.000+10:00

Newcastle 1945

2011-04-20T12:40:00.002+10:00

Lucas Grogan

2011-04-10T22:45:00.000+10:00

LUCAS GROGAN

Condensed CV:
Born - 1984 Cooma
School- Maitland
Uni- Newcastle
Exhibited - Newcastle, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne

What has been your most memorable project?
TRUE BLUE BABE- Needlepoint quilt I made for Belinda Howden’s curated show No Artist is an Island in 2010 at The Lock-Up. Took me 3 months and nearly killed me. Now in the Newcastle Region Art Gallery Collection.

True Blue Babe

Close-up of one section of True Blue Babe

What would be your dream project?
Massive public work. Like a skyscraper-sized drawing.

What is your most treasured possession?
My box of diaries. They’re full of drawings and stories and “this happened that day” stuff. They date back to 1996.

What does a typical day at work involve for you?
Get up, miss tram/train, go to work, hang song paintings, design some ads, fix the website, talk to some clients, talk to some artists, miss train/tram home, eat, start making my own work- repeat.

What is your most valuable pearl of wisdom gained since starting your business?
Don’t listen to anyone else.

Where do you derive creative inspiration?
Everywhere. Indigenous art, innapropriate politically incorrect conversation, Islamic designs, folk quilts, anywhere text and images sit side by side. I love making work about what people say or think privately, but would never say publically.

Which other designers, artists or creative people are you most inspired by at the moment?
Juan Davila, Terence Koh, Felix Gonzalez-Torres, Liam Benson, Joan Baez, David Shrigley.

What are some of your favourite websites or blogs?
I like Basic Sounds
And 27b/6

How long have you been a Novocastrian?
I was a Novocastrian from 2003 – 2009, though there was a brief stint in 2001 when I went to Merewether High but it only lasted 4 days.

Newcastle in a word?
Underrated.

What do you love and hate about living in Newcastle?
Love how easy it was - everyone talks about the beaches, but I lived there for ages and probably went four times. I liked it because it was rough around the edges, but ultimately a terrific place. The reason I left is because I had to. Opportunities, especially in the art scene happen more through who you know- and the pool was small. So I jumped to Melbourne, not knowing anyone really. Worked out OK though.

How is Newcastle different to anywhere else?
Space. Its shabby and disorganized and backward, but its also beautiful, quiet and so easy to find someone with a nice verandah, with a nice view and have a few drinks.

Where are your favourite places in Newcastle / Hunter to:
+ eat
Not big on eating out, but De Luca’s (159b Darby St, Cooks Hill) if that’s still open. That’s some good pizza.

+ drink
The G (The Gateway) (139 Maitland Rd, Islington) . It's shit, I know, but because it's shit it's terrific. It's like a house party every weekend, the same people there over and over- at the time you can't wait to get out of there- however moving somewhere 10x bigger, you miss out on the whole “yeah I know everyone”. Plus its almost always busy.

+ shop
Abicus (124 Darby St, Cooks Hill) was the only placed I really shopped in Newcastle.

+ play
Stockton sand dunes in a mate's 4WD.

+ relax
King Edward Park with the paper, a few drinks, someone’s dog and a few friends.

What is Newcastle / Hunter’s best-kept secret?
Newcastle Region Art Gallery.

A little video from Iain Dawson Gallery

Website The Golden Pony

Renew Newcastle + Newcastle Morning Photos Exhibition

2011-02-28T23:08:00.005+11:00

Wow. What a whirlwind last week was. Not only did I have my regular blogging to attend to, but I was also on the event committee for the Fig Tree Community Garden's inaugural Trivia Night on Friday night. Plus there was the case of a co-ordinating #newcastlemorningphotos into a fully-fledged photography exhibition within one of the Signalman's cottages atop Nobby's Headland (having been closed to the public for over 100 years) by the same Friday.

The ever -inspiring duo of Marcus Westbury and Marni Jackson from Renew Newcastle hatched a plan to exhibit submissions from the newcastlemorningphoto Flickr group as a way of reactivating a property they had been given the responsibility of managing over two weekends, once in February and in March. Hopefully that responsibility will continue with more openings while a permanent solution is found.

It was an absolute hoot and a terrific opportunity that I feel very privileged to have been a part of. Additionally working with Marni Jackson was incredible. The lady is pure professionalism / smarts / style.

The LPMA did A LOT of work ensuring the historic Nobby's Headland was safe and presentable for the opening to the public. The three Signalman's cottages have not been inhabited for over 15 years and had become a refuge for pigeons. No doubt the former winged inhabitants have bonded with their neighbours just down the coast from the former Merewether Surf Club, all casing a new joint to call home.

Basically, in a matter of four weeks the lounge room of one of the cottages went from this.....

To this...

Between some brief publicity about the opening of Nobby's and the intended exhibition in late January until the closing date for submissions in mid-February (two weeks), the number of members in the newcastlemorningphoto Flickr group grew from 45 to 120. The number of photo submissions to the group went from a couple of hundred to over 600. The day after closing submissions, Marni, Carol Duncan (who is the clever clogs who invented the whole #newcastlemorningphoto hashtag on Twitter) and myself met to make the final selection for the exhibition. I'd worked out while preparing my favourites for the selection process that many of them fitted loose themes: sunrise, baths, beach, valley, river, harbour and urban. Plus many of the original submissions to the group back in August consisted of mostly people's breakfasts and their morning coffee. In the end these groups became room themes within one of the cottages.

All in all we ended up with 52 images by 37 contributors.

Then it was a matter of contacting all the photographers via Flickr to see if they'd be interested in taking part and having them returning pic files and paperwork. The turnaround on this was three days - everyone was stunning in their response rate and the excitement was palpable.

In the meantime I had sourced sponsorship of printing with ProAm (Adamstown Plaza, 289 Brunker Rd, Adamstown) and mounting with Lion Studio (167 King St, Newcastle). These local businesses should be applauded for their enthusiastic, unwaivering support. Super-tight deadline handled with aplomb. Did I mention the three day turnaround? Legends.

Marni was busy organising volunteer schedules, promotion, paperwork and lots of other important behind the scenes stuff she'd never let on to, all the while maintaining her unflappable nature.

Lara at Zookraft (a Renew project) did an AMAZING job designing the exhibition pamphlet, banner and name plaques, Oh and they mounted all the names plaques too (phew!). Did I mention the three day turn-around on this?

With the exhibition due to open at 10am on Friday 25 February, Marni and I set about hanging the photos the day before.

The next day, Nobby's was open for business. Looking very spiffy with a fresh coat of paint, the extraordinary SES volunteers helping out and lots of eager beaver locals looking for a new vantage point from which to admire their city.

It only occurred to me that morning, while I eavesdropped on visitors viewing the exhibition, just how vibrant, busy and vital the Harbour of Newcastle really is. Coal ships were escorted in and out by bossy tugs, fighter jets from Williamstown RAAF base screamed past the Headland for practice runs, seals played in the water next to kayakers riding waves in along the breakwall. The Westpac Rescue helicopter performed precarious practice pick-ups in the surf at Nobby's Beach while kitesurfers and sunbathers looked on. All the while people making the trek up the hill to see the sights from up on high.

Old fella taking some newcastlemorningphotos of his own.

The photographers, volunteers, VIPs and their guests at the official opening.

Looking up to this.

And back to the City of Newcastle.

Nobby's will be open again on Fri 11, Sat 12 & Sun 13 March from 10am to 4pm. You do need to book a time to view the site. Tickets are free. For more information go here

Sarah Mould

2011-02-28T12:05:00.000+11:00

SARAH MOULD

Condensed CV:
I was born in Newcastle in 1986. I grew up in a small town in the Hunter Valley called Mulbring. I moved to Newcastle nearly two years ago. I’m currently in my final year of a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree at The University of Newcastle, one half of design duo, Grey Gardens and helping to run ARThive Gallery.

What has been your most memorable project?
Probably the very first stationery set I created with Rose under the name Grey Gardens. We spent ages doing preen release prints, stitching them onto paper and envelopes, tying them up with matching ribbons and hand typed tags telling everyone who we were. We sold them at the This Is Not Art Zine Fair and have never really looked back. Since then we’ve had heaps of market stalls culminating in creating our own market- Young & Baroque (details below) and selling our wares in both Blackbird Corner and a lovely shop in Wollongong called Milk Thieves.

What would be your dream project?
I guess it would be to run my own shop space that would be large enough to paint, draw, sew and print alongside my friends as well as being able to sell and display Grey Gardens projects and the creations of the many talented people I know.

Considering it’s a dream project the shop could also have an abundance of tea and pets and music and movies and burgers and dr pepper and love and could magically float between Australia, Iceland and Japan as I see fit.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?
I don’t really feel as though I’ve achieved a great deal.. yet! However, the success of Young & Baroque has made me believe that the dream of opening my own shop one day is a little more attainable which I suppose is a small step towards a great achievement.

What is your most treasured possession?
That’s a difficult question, probably old photographs of my family, my dogs Taj and Stella and my new cat, Amy Wong.

What does a typical day at work involve for you?
I don’t really have any typical days making art but I work as a dental assistant so I can afford to create art and live. This typically involves looking in the mouths of strangers, helping dentists either fix or pull out teeth, devising fictional stories about patients to help me get through the day and staring at things. Volunteering at ARThive Gallery, going to uni and making art isn’t work at all!

What is your most valuable pearl of wisdom gained since starting your business?
Start a blog! Mine isn’t very special at all but it’s a super way to show your work to the world and if nothing else it’s a great online space to store and document your images and history.

Where do you derive creative inspiration?
Coffee

Which other designers, artists or creative people are you most inspired by at the moment?
Barry McGee, Maira Kalman, Daniel Clowes, Ed Templeton, Herakut, Anthony Lister, Zak Smith, Ears, Arlene Textaqueen, Sam Kieth, Tom Hovey.

What are some of your favourite websites or blogs?
There are so many so I’ll try to limit it to just a few!
Hello Sandwich is a really great blog. She is a fantastic Australian designer living in Shimokitazawa- my favourite place in Japan so I really love looking at her photos!
Julia Pott has a great blog featuring her drawings and animations. I’m also really fond of Mike Foxalls X-ray Studios, Doodlers Anonymous, Pikaland, the website of Matthew Gray Gubler, Square America, Fecal Face a and my buddy Nick has a great blog called ipatyourdog.

I’m constantly inspired by my friends at ARThive Gallery and some of them just happen to have some great blogs too, so check them out if you can- Jessica Louttit, Rose Turner, Logan Knight, Grant Hunter, Lance Johnson, Adam Clough and Jenna Gill- we have some super exhibitions coming up this year!

Apart from your work, what other interests, passions, hobbies do you have?
Books, comics, cartoons, movies and nerdy things I guess. I also have a predisposition to collecting things; mostly kitsch 1970’s home wares but I also collect bread tags, spoons, books, brooches and DVDs. I have the beginnings of so many collections but luckily I’m able to stop myself..sometimes. I’m about to start studying Japanese this year which should be fun!

How long have you been a Novocastrian?
Twenty Four years.

Newcastle in a word?
Shock

What do you love and hate about living in Newcastle?
Hate- The fact that there are two kfcs on one street and one of them is the biggest one on earth or some junk
The violent idiots that come out at night
Parking meters
Love-
The fact that almost anyone can try almost anything with considerable ease.
Most creative pursuits can be catered for in Newcastle, this can’t be said for most cities.
Carrington Bridge.

How is Newcastle different to anywhere else?
There’s a variety of reasons really but I think one of the most distinct features is the Renew Newcastle project. Most artists and creative types in other cities fight to gain a small shop or space to call their own and Newcastle has ample empty buildings that are ideal for artists and actually attainable.

Where are your favourite places in Newcastle / Hunter to:
+ eat
Oasis Pide (55 Beaumont St, Hamilton). That place is open nearly 24/7 and they put up with so much crap from drunkards and still manage to make the best pide ever! If you actually want to sit down indoors whilst eating I’d say Govindas (110 King St, Newcastle). Fayes Cakes (177 Nelson St, Wallsend) for treats!

+ drink
There are so many great coffee shops- Suspension (3 Beaumont St, Hamilton), Sprocket (68 Hunter St, Newcastle), Estabar (61 Shortland Esp, Newcastle), Rolador (1 Beaumont St, Hamilton) and especially One Penny Black (cnr Hunter & Morgan Sts, Newcastle).

+ shop
Blackbird Corner (70 Darby St, Cooks Hill) and Islington Markets (Wickham Park, Albert St, Wickham, last Sunday of the month) and Adamstown Lions Markets (cnr Gelebe & Brunker Rds, Adamstown, every Sunday 7am-12pm) for clothes, home wares and miscellaneous items, Vox Cyclops (515 Hunter St, Newcastle) for music and Rice's Bookshop (699 Hunter St, Newcastle West) and Cooks Hill Books (72 Darby St, Cooks Hill, enter via Queen St) for books.

+ play
Croatian Wickham Sports Club

+ relax
Bike rides through the secret mangrove maze at Carrington and picnics in the park. If I want to relax for real I go visit my mum and dad in Mulbring, there’s animals and trees and its super pretty!

What is Newcastle / Hunter’s best-kept secret?
ARThive Gallery! (L1, 111 Hunter St, Newcastle) Its hiding in one of the little lanes off Hunter Street and lots of people still don’t know we exist so that makes us a secret to some! A secret you can quite easily get in on! Do it!

 Blog: Sarah Mould Grey Gardens
Shop: You can see some of my stuff in the office at ARThive Gallery (L1, 111 Hunter Street, Newcastle).
 Society6: All The Umbrellas in London

David Hampton

2011-02-08T12:30:00.000+11:00

I first saw David Hampton's work at the last Red Lantern Market and was too shy to ask who behind the table was responsible for the beautiful boat print. It wasn't until a bit later that I discovered his blog and asked him to take part in a a Q&A. What has really made me smile most after reading his answers is a young person who appreciates history. So rare.

DAVID HAMPTON

Condensed CV:
Born in 1988, I’m just about to emerge from 5 years studying Fine Art at University of Newcastle. I work part time in a hobby shop to support my art supply and confectionary consumption and have just finished a year of working on the committee of Watt Space, the student gallery of the University of Newcastle.

What has been your most memorable project?
My first solo exhibition back in early 2009. Since that show I have been involved in over 20 exhibitions, learnt a great deal about my own practice, curatorship, gallery operations, and been given the opportunity to work with some of the best people I’m ever likely to know. Without that first show I’d have none of those experiences or people in my life, which would be rubbish!

What would be your dream project?
I’d love to start turning my drawings and prints into published books. Particularly an illustrated history of the steam locomotive, a bit like ‘The Dangerous Book for Boys’ but with more pictures of railways and rolling stock.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?
For me the answer to that question will hopefully always be: ‘The project I’m working on now’

What is your most treasured possession?
The wool coat my mum made for me when I was in second year at University. It’s a little battered, having been drenched by Pasha Bulker storms, covered in soot by steam locomotives and introduced to etching and silkscreen ink, yet its still the most presentable and stylish piece of clothing I own.

What does a typical day at work involve for you?
My work is divided across three separate locations, the Studio I rent through Renew Newcastle, where I do my drawing, the University printmaking labs, where I prepare and print my screens and my backyard-where I print, draw and cut wood to print on. Rarely is a day at work typical, however the three spaces are united by a constant consumption of sweets and often a lot of coarse language.

What is your most valuable pearl of wisdom gained since starting your business?
Don’t be afraid to exhibit your work. It builds your confidence and the feedback really helps. With all the different artist run initiatives and public galleries in Newcastle it’s the perfect city to make a start.

Where do you derive creative inspiration?
Mostly steam locomotives, I have had a passion for trains since I was very young, and I used to spend my spare time at school drawing locomotives from old photographs. I also love submarines, time machines, shipwrecks, ghost stories, lighthouses, clockwork toys, whales, cephalopods, the colour orange, bow ties, the Victorians, Doctor Who, dirigibles, frock coats, gaslight and anything powered by steam.

Which other designers, artists or creative people are you most inspired by at the moment?
I’m hugely inspired by the work of comic book artists such as Kevin O’Neil and Adrian Salmon, as well as artist/illustrator types like Shaun Tan and Catherine Campbell.

What are some of your favourite websites or blogs?
I love the history comics of Kate Beaton at Hark! A Vagrant and the alternate history japery of Lovelace and Babbage by Sydney Padua. The U.K’s National Railway Museum blog is also pretty nifty.

Apart from your work, what other interests, passions, hobbies do you have?
It probably wont come as much of a surprise that I collect toy trains, particularly those manufactured between the first and second world wars. I love good comedy, especially anything that has anything to do with Shaun Micallef. I am a massive Doctor Who fan, this year a couple of friends and I are attempting to watch every story ever made, in broadcast order.
I recently started volunteering at the Newcastle Regional Museum. Museology is something I have always wanted to learn more about, and the people who work and volunteer there have been so welcoming and encouraging and marvellous. At the moment we are getting the collection packed, cleaned and ready to move into the new museum site this year. It’s going to be tremendous.

How long have you been a Novocastrian?
I was born here, and haven’t found a reason to leave yet.

Newcastle in a word?
Emerging.

What do you love and hate about living in Newcastle?
I love Renew Newcastle, and the tireless work they have done to revitalise the inner city without ripping out an important piece of public infrastructure or building another shopping centre. I love the history on every corner and particularly the city’s dramatic maritime past (ever read a book called Bar Dangerous by Terry Callen? Ask your local librarian). I love the huge and diverse group of very talented and creative people that call this city home

I hate that like almost every other Australian city we got rid of our trams! I also hate the rail debate. If I want to get into town from University I can choose between a bus, which takes upwards of 50 minutes, or a train, which takes just under 10. Which would you choose? Having read a great deal about the closure of Newcastle and Sydney’s tramway systems it’s amazing how similar the arguments against that infrastructure were to those against the Newcastle railway line. We are a creative community, can’t we think of better ways to revitalise our city?

How is Newcastle different to anywhere else?
An art scene populated by marvellous people rather than pretentious bores?

Where are your favourite places in Newcastle / Hunter to:

+ eat
Anywhere with family and friends.

+ drink
The Lass (O'Gowerie Hotel, 14 Railway Street, Wickham). I’m usually the one drinking a Fire Engine and looking after somebody else’s handbag.

+ shop
The Red Lantern and Olive Tree Markets

+ play
Museums and galleries, particularly Watt Space, The Newcastle Maritime Centre, the Richmond Vale Railway Museum, Fort Scratchley and Newcastle and Maitland Region Art Galleries. Maitland Steamfest is always fantastic, and I like watching the hipsters during the annual This Is Not Art festival.

+ relax
Swimming in the ocean or exploring rock pools at the beaches.

What is Newcastle / Hunter’s best-kept secret?
The giant squid named Gareth that lives at the mouth of the Harbour. People think it’s the tugs that guide the bulk carriers into port. They are just there for show. It’s really Gareth. Prove me wrong.

Blog: Bright Atlantic

Just as I imagine he'd look

WalkArtAbout 2010

2011-02-07T20:28:00.000+11:00

A nice little video about the artists responsible for the lovely street art in Morgan Street and behind The View Factory.

Renew Newcastle + newcastlmorningphoto

2011-02-06T21:02:00.002+11:00

Nobbys Head Lighthouse

Hello Novocastrians!

I am so excited to announce a partnership with Renew Newcastle to exhibit a collection of newcastlemorningphotos.

The exhibition will be held in one of the refurbished signalman's cottages atop Nobbys Head Lighthouse when it is open to the public for the first time ever for three days on 25, 26 & 27 February. It is going to be a terrific opportunity for those people who are selected to take part.

Simply submit photos to the newcastlemorningphoto Flickr group by 5pm on 14 February for your shot at consideration in this very special Renew Newcastle exhibition.

newcastlemorningphotos are images taken by everyday Novocastrians of everyday Newcastle. Individually they represent one person’s unique Newcastle moment. Together they encapsulate the diversity and idiosyncratic nature of living in this one-of-a-kind city. The photos are always taken before 12pm. For more info on how to upload you pics go here.

The daily submit quota for the newcastlemorningphoto group has been upped to 2 pictures to allow people the chance to capture as much variety in subject as they can over the next week. It also give an opportunity to those people who take part in #newcastlemorningphoto on Twitter to add back dated images.

A huge thank you to those members who have included photos to the group up to this point, without you this opportunity may have never been made possible.

The incredible view from atop Nobbys headland.

Alex Thrift

2011-02-03T23:03:00.002+11:00

You may have already seen the video I posted up of Newcastle's very own parkour team, Red Phoenix Parkour. A very impressive outfit. Yay Newy! Alex Thrift is one of the team members and resident photographer responsible for these wonderfully jaw-dropping pics.

If you think jumping between / off / around buildings, fountains, statues, walls fences etc is something you'd like to get nto check out the Newcastle Parkour Class info thread . The next class is this Saturday 5 February.

ALEX THRIFT

Condensed CV:
2010 Bachelor of Economics

What has been your most memorable project?

I don’t really consider myself to have completed any projects. I just hang out with my friends who do Parkour and Free Running as the photographer and work on it in my free time.  

What would be your dream project?

Just working on parkour/free running photography and getting paid to do it.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Finishing my degree in Economics.

What is your most treasured possession?

Probably my flash gun for my camera. I’ve lost how many times it has saved me.

What does a typical day at work involve for you?

I’m currently just enjoying life. I start my career job in February in Canberra.

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

I wish I was running my own business. Maybe sometime in the not-too-distant future.

Where do you derive creative inspiration?

Music and other people. Pub talk often leads me to interesting opportunities.

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

Definitely Anton Corbijn – photographer, worked with the likes of Joy Division, U2, Bob Geldof and Nirvana.

Jeremy Cowart – photographer, really experiments with his portraits.

Sylvia Plath – just love her poetry

What are some of your favourite websites or blogs?

Elizabeth Wurtzel on twitter – she always cracks me up

Strobist - good lighting tip.

How long have you been a Novocastrian?

Born up the valley, lived here since 2005.

Newcastle in a word?

Relaxed

What do you love and hate about living in Newcastle?

Love:

Beaches

The people

Hate:

Inability to redevelop the inner city, there are some great opportunities but no one seems to want to take them.

Public transport – always late

How is Newcastle different to anywhere else?

The vibe. People are so relaxed and nothing is really a worry.

Where are your favourite places in Newcastle / Hunter to:

+ eat

Dimitri’s on Beaumont Street

+ drink

Any pub. It’s Newcastle, you will always run into someone you know.

+ shop

Online – I hate shopping. Going to Westfield or Charlestown makes me feel depressed.

+ play

Newcastle Beach

+ relax

Foreshore, beach, Honeysuckle

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

Patterson. Absolutely gorgeous for photography.

Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Red-phoenix/162394210472723

Youtube

http://www.youtube.com/user/redphoenixparkour

Greg & Audrey's Garage

2011-02-03T16:28:00.001+11:00

Ohh la la! Or, rather, bellissima!

A lovely little store has opened in what is emerging to be a little pocket of surprise in the east end of town. Located at the corner of King & Bolton Streets, Greg & Audrey's Garage is a Roman Holiday diorama.

Not only can you purchase your very own Vespa (or test ride one if you have your motorcycle Ls), all the accoutretments that go with living free and easy on the back of a moped are here in one place - scarves, totes, old-school trainers, French knickers (hello Valentine's Day), flowing dresses, trench coats and retro helmets.

Owner Kristen believes Newcastle has all the elements to support a growing scooter culture. And it's a fair call. While cycling can get you round much of town, distances between some areas and the hills that come between them (King St, Shortland Esplanade, The Hill & Merewether) make some places no-go zones. Public transport is infrequent and time-consuming. A moped does make sense - after all it is a cost-effective means for running about town. Hello Farmers Market! Hello Newcastle Baths!

Now you can not only buy a scooter, you can channel Audrey Hepburn riding about town.

Greg & Audrey's Garage
1/38 Bolton St
Newcastle NSW
02 4929 2910
e kristin@gregandaudreysgarage.com.au

Guessing Competition #11

2011-01-28T12:20:00.000+11:00

Sorry for the delay in getting up a new Guessing Comp pic, but here it is!

Name the location of this pic in the comments section and be rewarded with the knowledge that you are one of the few that truly can call oneself a Novocastrian.

Red Phoenix Parkour

2011-01-06T09:09:00.000+11:00

Newcastle's own parkour team.

Guessing Competition #10

2011-01-03T22:12:00.000+11:00

So #9 was answered correctly by fellow blogger Linda. Yes, we all love our Binnorie cheese, especially the ashed goat and labna :)

For a little twist, the next guessing competition pic is reader submitted, by Novocastrian Robert Watson. Thanks Robert! You can check out his fabulous Newcastle / Hunter Flickr here under the giggle-worthy pseudonym 'Baldy McSpecs'.

If there's any other readers out there that would like to submit a pic, just email me a lo-res version with your details and the location to thenovocastrianfiles (at) gmail (dot) com. Your mission is to not make obvious, but totally 'ahhh!' worthy when revealed.

Name the location of this pic in the comments section and be rewarded with the knowledge that you are one of the few that truly can call oneself a Novocastrian.

Melonie Bayl-Smith

2011-01-02T15:23:00.000+11:00

My interest in Melonie Bayl-Smith came about because of her rad choice in music recommendations via Twitter. Little did I realise the depth of talent lying behind her avatar. As it turns out I live around the corner from one of Melonie's architectural firm's designs, having admired it street-side on my afternoon walks. Her buildings are as bold and beautiful as her song lists.

Condensed CV

Schooled at Rathmines Public and Morisset High. Studied Architecture at the University of Newcastle 92-97, started doing some private projects whilst working in small architectural practices in Newcastle and Sydney, established Liquid Architecture in 2002 with business partner Stephen Gray. Projects completed by Liquid Architecture have been published in Australian and International print and digital media over the past 6 years, most recently being included in the high-profile book Century Houses Down Under. Have tutored design and taught in the Schools of Architecture at UTS, Sydney Uni and Newcastle Uni over the past 10 years. Examiner for the Board of Architects, active member of the Australian Institute of Architects, and served on the Awards Jury for the NSW Architecture awards in 2008. Also masquerade as an architectural critic and reviewer with an increasing profile as a published writer. Was awarded the 2009 Byera Hadley Travelling Scholarship and the 2010 NAWIC International Women’s Day scholarship for the research project “BuildAbility: the future of construction education”. During 2010 presented conference papers and talks on this research topic and am currently writing up the research reports.

Coal Point House

What has been your most memorable project?

Hmm, there are a lot of projects we’ve built that are memorable in their own ways, whether it be the site, the design, the time spent on the project, or the level of client involvement and commitment. Certainly our Coal Point House will always be memorable for all of these reasons. We’ve just finished a large renovation project to a heritage house on Parkway Avenue which has taken quite some time to complete, but seeing the end result, it certainly has been worth it.

What would be your dream project?

To have the opportunity to actively lead, initiate, create and oversee truly innovative and long-term urban design and architecture solutions for Newcastle’s CBD – with decent budgets, real projects, a great creative collective, harmonious stakeholders, and no politics! Well, you did say “dream project”! Apart from that, the dream of all architects – to design and build one’s own house….

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

For me personally it would be having brought into this mad world two beautiful children during the past 4 years and keeping the whole practice/creative intent/career rolling at the same time! Of course this couldn’t have happened without the full support and involvement of my fabulous husband Piers (a Novocastrian via NZ and Sydney!). And as a business, well surviving the recent GFC with style and grace…

East Lindfield House

What is your most treasured possession?

My brain, with all of its quirks, explosions and crazy creative drives!

What does a typical day at work involve for you?

The only typical thing about my work day is that it’s controlled chaos from one end to the other. Having said that, my work day can involve everything from a 3 hour site visit to a project under construction, crunching out concept design sketches for a new project, meeting with Council about a DA, discussing a colour scheme with our Interior Designer, thinking about the project for the design studio I’m running at UTS, or detailing a design in preparation for tendering…along with fielding the emails and phone calls that come with having an active and busy practice!

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

You cannot be everything to everyone – this is something I have to remind myself of especially in times of disappointment and difficulty. I strongly believe that good design and good architecture should be accessible to everyone but that these both require time, commitment and vision. Not every person we meet or deal with has the same understanding of our ideals, no matter how attractively or clearly we communicate these to them. On a pragmatic level, this saying helps to remind us what we should focus on as a business – with regards to time, money and future planning.

Chatswood House

Where do you derive creative inspiration?

Lots of places – travelling (overseas, locally and on the bus to work), great and well known architecture as much as anonymous buildings that one might drive by every day, materials and textures in both the built and natural environments, the composition or colours or textures in painting, photographs, graphics, computer images – and music.

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

Having recently visited The High Line in New York, I find the work of Diller + Scofidio still very impressive. Some other names – here (photographer), Adam FussBranko Kolarevic (architect), Louise Nevelson (artist), Gordon Matta-Clark (artist). I also really like the Tree of Knowledge pavilion amongst other projects by Brisbane based m3architecture.

North Sydney House

What are some of your favourite websites or blogs?

I enjoy curated design website Notcotit’s not as well known as Dezeen, but it is visually more accessible and it doesn’t contain or encourage the venomous comments that plague the Dezeen pages… You can often find me at Cyclic Defrost (Australia’s premier electronic music journal and website), Made By HK from local Heath Killen – his work is fantastic, Darlinghurst Nights written by Matt Levinson and the digital version of ‘mook’ Dumbo Feather. A couple of archi-nerd pages I tend to frequent are Eat a Bug and Into The Loop. Of course I hang out on Twitter a lot, whether this counts as a website or a blog is another question…

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

Music - I’m actually a professional musician, although I don’t work as one very often, now that architecture has taken over my life. So whilst in the past I worked extensively as a pianist, accompanist, repetiteur and piano teacher….these days I tend to just listen to other people’s music! I’m also very passionate about design, films, art and photography, and if I ever decided to leave architecture I’d happily bake cakes and create desserts for the rest of my life… Plus I love cycling, kickboxing and swimming.

Neutral Bay House

How long have you been a Novocastrian?

Depends on how inclusive you want to be… seeing how I was born in Singleton, lived in Lake Macquarie for 15 years, then lived “in town” for 6 years - and now I reside in Sydney but have my business in Newcastle. Complicated! I guess I’ve always spent a lot of time in Newcastle and remain passionate about it as a place. Let’s say 25 years, that’s a nice round number which will keep me clear of controversy

Newcastle in a word?

Opportunity

What do you love and hate about living in Newcastle?

I always have loved the fantastic convenience and close proximity of everything - if you’re driving for more than 15-20 minutes to get somewhere, you must be driving a fair distance! It is also a great place for cyclists, it’s a pity there isn’t a larger number of commuter cyclists in Newy, but that’s probably also got to do with the cheap and large quantity of car parking… The thing I have always hated the most is the parochial nature of the place. Whilst a strong community is important and is a highly valued and valuable aspect of Newcastle, there is a persistent keeping of the “status quo” that I believe holds Newcastle back from achieving what it could truly achieve as a city. I think that more and more people are aware of this and try to fight against it by aiming to expand the general thinking about a whole range of issues and topics. Unfortunately I’m pessimistic about this and perhaps it will never change.

How is Newcastle different to anywhere else?

I can’t think of another city or even region, certainly in Australia, that is blessed with the opportunities that come from industry, education, culture, sports, coastline, bushland, and country all being in such close proximity to each other.

Adamstown House

Where are your favourite places in Newcastle / Hunter to:
+ eat
Bacchus (141 Kig St Newcastle) wins hands down – notable mentions Al-oi Thai (2/50 Beaumont St, Hamilton, 02 4969 1434), East End Enoteca 14 Pacific St, Newcastle, 02 4925 2244), Al Gators (12 Pacific St, Newcastle, 02 4929 1366) best sangers and wraps in town, and various cafes in Cooks Hill, Beaumont St and The Junction – you know who you all are.

+ drink
Still enjoy the verandah at Customs House (1 Bond St, Newcastle, 02 4925 2585), but also coffee from Sprocket (68 Hunter St, Newcastle, 02 4009 1237)- love the Big Bertha!

+ shop
A tough one! Probably the all time favourite would be Darby St, although I do enjoy The Junction and Beaumont St. And where would we be without the second hand shops on Maitland Road?!

+ play
King Edward Park (truly, I have children), Merewether Ocean Baths, Newcastle Beach, Blackbutt Reserve, or just cycling around the city.

+ relax
The beach (take your pick), at my mum’s place (non-stop views southwards towards the Lake and beyond), or just hanging out with friends.

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

Most of the best lifestyle places/opportunities/activities that Sydney offers can be found within a 5km radius in Newcastle.

Website

www.liquidarchitecture.com.au

Blog

www.liquidarchitecture.com.au/blog/

Shop

43 Hunter St, Newcastle

Guessing Competition #9

2010-12-30T15:00:00.000+11:00

It's back.

Name the location of this pic in the comments section and be rewarded with the knowledge that you are one of the few that truly can call oneself a Novocastrian.

Story of a City - Newcastle 1945

2010-11-08T20:09:00.000+11:00

Story of a City - Newcastle 1945 from bob cook on Vimeo.

The Newcastle Australia Annual

2010-11-02T07:45:00.000+11:00

The best of Newcastle in this 48-page A4 black and white book with a full colour cover that gathers together some of the first two years of Newcastle Productions sketchs, photographs, unseen pictures and comments by the infamous Trevor Dickinson.

Send one to Oprah! Show Kochie what it's all about! Becks has already bagged one for Posh this Christmas.

Available only at your nearest independent online retailer HERE for one small payment of only $16.

But only for a limited time, so get in quick.

Hendrika Stekhoven-Smith

2010-11-01T21:05:00.001+11:00

If you've been by Darby St recently you may have noticed a distinctive poster in shopfronts promoting a gorgeous little free handbook all about Cooks Hill. It's called One Degree (because Cooks Hill is 1° higher than Sydney). Hendrika Stekhoven-Smith is responsible for the design and it's right up my alley - a collage of photos, illustration, maps and factoids that is as quirky and original as the suburb itself.

Another tourist guide of arguably more influence, Lonely Planet has today endorsed Darby Street, sighting its 'off-beat boutiques' as one of the reasons Newcastle, 'the most underrated city', has been included in their list of the top 10 cities in the world to visit in 2011.

Another reason Newcastle is included alongside cities such as New York and Tel Aviv is because of its growing role as a creative hub with more residing artists per capital than anywhere else in Australia. Creativity abounds in Newcastle. It's something I've been championing via this website, and others such as Renew Newcastle, This Is Not Art Festival and the many galleries of this fine city (listed in the right margin under 'places') have been cultivating for many years.

Pat on the back Novocastrians. I think this endorsement makes Cooks Hill (and Newcastle) higher than Sydney by more than 1° - in so many ways. Hendrika Stekhoven-Smith's efforts is just one example.

HENDRIKA STEKHOVEN-SMITH

Condensed CV

2004-2006 In-house, nationwide designer for Gasweld Pty Limited

2007-2008 Designer for London graphics and high end packaging studio, Burgopak

2008-2010 Freelance Graphic Designer

What has been your most memorable project?

The recent design of One Degree, a Cooks Hill handbook, has been a really fulfilling project, It’s the first time I have designed something of that size from front to back with so much control. I also worked with a group of people who are just as passionate about good design as I am and they gave me such freedom and encouragement to produce something special. I think the end result speaks for itself.

What would be your dream project?

Anything illustration based, if I could draw everyday and get paid I’d be a happy woman.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Having my work included in the 2009 publication of Curvy (published by YEN) was a great buzz. The fact that I was selected in the top 100, out of thousands from around the world to represent women in illustration and design was pretty awesome.

What is your most treasured possession?

Oh gosh, I’m pretty fond of my Vivienne Westwood pirate boots that I bought whilst in London, but I am such a collector I don’t know if I could choose just one thing.

What does a typical day at work involve for you?

I work from home so pretty much just coffee, design, draw, scan, email, tea and maybe a meeting or two.

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

You can’t be afraid to put yourself out there. You need to be confident that you can deliver something completely different and exciting.

Where do you derive creative inspiration?

Well I have a big love for old things, so I turn to the past quite a bit and the internet is obviously a priceless resource for this.

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

I have so many creative friends, some in graphic design, others in fashion, theatre and art. I’m always inspired by what they are doing and the success they have had along the way.

What are some of your favourite websites or blogs?

I’m a sucker for a fashion blog, I love whatkatiewore, stylelikeyou and stylebubble, I also go nuts for the interior blogs such as theselby and for DIY and general design inspiration designsponge is fantastic.

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

Fashion and interior design. I love scouring the op shops, car boot markets and garage sales for vintage furniture, knick-knacks, tea towels, jewellery, clothes, you name it. There is something so triumphant about finding a hidden gem amongst badly made Supre’ tops from the 90’s.

How long have you been a Novocastrian?

Since 2000, I moved here from the North Coast for the Visual Communications degree at The University of Newcastle with the intention of eventually transferring to Sydney Tech but I fell in love with the place and apart from 2 years in London I have been here ever since.

Newcastle in a word?

Diverse.

What do you love and hate about living in Newcastle?

Love the beach, the architecture, the fig tree-lined streets and the laid back attitude of most Novacastrians. I find it frustrating that even though Newcastle has so much physical beauty, history and potential, the city centre is still struggling, to see beautiful buildings such as the old Post Office boarded up and covered in graffiti is pretty upsetting. I also get annoyed with all of the refurbishment of old pubs, they just seem to get filled up with stainless steel, glass and crappy carpet, I find it so soulless, one of my dreams would be to open a bar, something that offers another alternative to what we currently have.

How is Newcastle different to anywhere else?

We have so much history and physical beauty and yet it is a city without an inflated ego.

Where are your favourite places in Newcastle / Hunter to:

+ eat

Rolador (1 Beaumont St, Hamilton) has a great vibe and Govinda's (110 King St, Newcastle) is a cheap and yummy option.

+ drink

The Lass O'Gowrie 14 Railway St, Wickham) and the Wickham Park Hotel (61 Maitland Rd, Wickham) are cute old pubs. Lowlands Bowling Club (Dawson St, Cooks Hill) for bowl and a beer.

+ shop

The Centenary Centre (29 Centenary Rd, Newcastle) is great for buying presents, The Old Lolly Factory (144 Parry St, Newcastle West) for well priced vintage fashion and jewellery, Cooks Hill Books (72 Darby St, Cooks Hill) for something good to read, the Sunday Newcastle City Farmers Market (Broadmeadow Showground, Broadmeadow) for your groceries and the many op shops for a rummage and a great bargain.

+ play

One of any of the beaches, the Newcastle Regional Art Gallery (1 Laman St, Newcastle) and Islington’s monthly markets (last Sunday of the month, Wickham Park, Albert St, Wickham).

+ relax

A good book on the beach always works for me.

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

Newcastle itself, anyone who has come to visit me here who hasn’t been before has been so surprised by the city, I think people outside of Newcastle have the impression that it’s this dirty steel city, which is so not the case.

Blog: Rikarama

Edible Newcastle: Food Tree Map

2010-10-31T21:53:00.000+11:00

Sparked by the question 'Why doesn't Newcastle have more edible street trees and what can we do about getting more planted?" by @jodyplume on Twitter, I thought why not have a map on the internet showing all the different trees already in existence.

Seems Brisbane had the idea many years ago and had a well-populated map filled with locations to help find everything from passionfruit to mango, bunya pinenut to loquat.

I say, let's get rolling and start sharing the love of Newcastle's free fruit for the taking.

A mulberry tree in Maryville.

To add to the Edible Newcastle Food Tree Map:

You'll need a Google account which is quick and easy to set up.
Save the map Edible Newcastle Food Tree Map to ‘my maps’.
Click ‘edit’ near the top left hand corner.
Click the marker symbol box, select a coloured marker pin.
Zoom in on map to place marker in exact location.
Enter title (the type of food) and description (specifics on the location, esp if it's in a tricky spot, season of fruiting, tips on what to do with the fruit / food etc).
Click ’save’ and ‘done’ once you have finished adding.

View Edible Newcastle in a larger map

Herbert Theatre, Islington

2010-10-14T16:01:00.002+11:00

Every time I've driven past the corner of Maitland Rd & Beaumont St, Islington I've wondered just what this old building used to be. What remains suggests a grand building in its day, but nearly all the features that made it so have been removed long ago. A kitchen cabinetry business currently resides there, promoted in a half-hearted fashion. I've always thought it was an odd use of the space and, like I do with a lot of buildings in Newcastle, imagine how else the space could be used to attract people and encourage creativity.

Today I decided have a nose around. And I am so glad I did.

As it turns out the building was designed by Mr E.F. Hewitt in 1928 as a theatre for Mr W. Herbert. It was built around the same time as the Civic Theatre and held as many people. The plans for Herbert Theatre survive today in the University of Newcastle archives. I've included pics of the elevations below, so you can see how it would have looked 80 years ago.

Beaumont St elevation

Maitland Rd elevation

Internal elevation illustrating the view to the theatre screen.

At some point Hoyts acquired the Theatre and about forty years ago decided to sell up. For the princely sum of $20,000, with the old cinema stripped of its rows of chairs and projection equipment, was now in new hands. Over this time the Herbert Theatre has been an auction house and remnants of this time still remain. Old furniture, light fittings, mirrors, ladders, plumbing supplies and mannequins continue to take refuge.

For now the kitchen cabinetry business will remain. Being heritage listed at least the building is being put to use and not boarded up with the constant threat of vandalism.

I wonder how many other places there are like this in Newcastle? How many buildings with layers of history unseen and being slowly erased from memory? So much of me wants to get in there and give it a good spruce up, but there's a part of me in equal measure that loves precisely the sense of discovering long-forgotten stories, secret treasures lost under layers of dust and Novocastrians more than happy to keep it this way.

The Newcastle 10.10.10 Project Success

2010-10-10T22:17:00.003+11:00

As at 10:10pm on 10.10.10 we have 39 Novocastrian participants with 72 beautiful contributions for the Newcastle 10.10.10 Project.

We can be certain that there is no end to the diversity of this great region. From the Bogey Hole to Fernleigh Track, from backyard sheds to double studders, we've got it all.

A big think you to everyone that helped spread the word and especially to those who took part and shared their photos. It's pretty great to be a Novocastrian.

Newcastle 10.10.10 Project

2010-10-06T15:17:00.016+11:00

pic by Alice Lees

Sunday 10 October 2010

The day Novocastrians will be clicking camera buttons to capture just what it means to be one of the lucky few that calls this fine city home.

Be as sentimental, creative and thought-provoking as possible. Show a picture that illustrates how Newcastle is unique and special to you.

Then simply add your photo to www.flickr.com/groups/newcastle101010project where we can all submerge in the goodness that is Newcastle - from everyone's perspective.

The group pool will open from noon 10 October and close noon 20 October 20. From 11 October photos will be displayed here. Instructions on joining Flickr can be found here.

Join the Newcastle 10.10.10 Project Facebook Group and let your Newy friends in on the fun.

This project is inspired by Heather Champ.

Quote

2010-10-05T23:04:00.001+11:00

"Perhaps the great tragedy is that it's a great nursery but a lot of these talented people tend to leave (Newcastle).

If you're a visual artist or a writer it's probably easier to live there, but if you're in theatre or TV, you really need to go to the city to make a living.

But I don't think Newcastle resents that, and there's always room for the next people to come up as the others move out. That movement is constantly feeding new talent and giving young people opportunities."

Jonathon Biggins, for The Sydney Morning Herald
;

Oliver Bryce Yates

2010-09-17T13:49:00.001+10:00

Radiation

Isolation

Home

Dog Tree, Newcastle

Tribulations

Hide & Seek

Running Up That Hill

I was hoping to include Oliver Bryce Yates as part of hte Novocasriaqn Q&A, but today I discovered that he has been shortlisted for the Qantas Spirit of Youth Awards. I think that's kind of a big deal and worth mentioning.

If you'd like to know more about Oliver, there's a lovely interview here.

Nobbys Beach c1948

2010-09-14T13:06:00.000+10:00

via Phil.

Newcastle East 2300

2010-09-09T15:26:00.004+10:00

NEWCASTLE EAST

+ eat

Scotties (36 Scott St, Newcastle East, 4926 3780)'
Order your (pricey but worth it) takeaway fish & chips via hole in the wall on the Zaara St side, or sit at a Mark Aylward table inside to take advantage of the more sophisticated blackboard specials. Decent Toby's Estate coffee and hangover-cure-all breakfast also.

+ drink

The View Factory (64 Scott St, Newcastle East, 4929 4580)
A Novocastrian File Q&A favourite, The View Factory enjoys loyal following of locals fond of art, live music (Jazz on Thursday nights), cold beer and $10 lunch specials ie all the cool kids in town.

+ shop

Foodworks (60 Scott St, Newcastle East, 4929 2100)
Seriously. The only place to buy anything in Newcastle East is from the local grocery store.

+ play

Horseshoe Beach (Horseshoe Beach Rd, Newcastle East)
"Hello dog-owners. Look at your city, now back to me, now back to your city, now back to me. Happily, you have the best view of the city and the beach at the best off-leash dog area IN THE WORLD". While Fido fetches till he is delirious, you watch the coal ships creep into the Harbour so close you could almost touch them.

Nobby's Beach & The Breakwall (Nobby's Rd, Newcastle East)
Take an obligatory snap from the Surf Club Pavilion, admittedly the view is pretty awesome, and try to imagine the Pasha Bulker there now. Head towards the Lighthouse and join parents happily risking their children's lives to walk the Breakwall (see pic #3). The view at the other end is worth it. No, there's no public access to the Lighthouse, yet.

Fort Scratchley (Nobby's Rd, Newcastle East)
Take advantage of a tour with one of the charming 'grandpa in military uniform' volunteers. There's so much history on this hill, but it's all kinds of interesting. Kids will love the tunnel tour. There's rumour, I think worth perpetuating, that there's a tunnel all the way to Merewether. The view up here is even better than from the Breakwall.

+ relax
Newcastle Ocean Baths (Shortland Esp, Newcastle East)
The Council got something right when they decided to spend some funds on restoring the Baths a couple of years ago. Now this Art Deco beauty shines once more. Count the coal ships along the horizon or consider a surf at Cowrie Hole (to the left of the baths). While the kids splash in the Map / Canoe / Young Mariners Pool (to the right of the baths), wonder if the map of the world still exists at the bottom.

Sandhills Community Garden (behind the Carriage Shed, Foreshore Park, Stevenson Pl, Newcastle East)
A secret garden sanctuary in Foreshore Park. Regular working bees first Sunday of each month, 2-4pm. Chip in, meet some locals and take home some fresh veggies. Everyone's a winner.

Quote

2010-09-09T14:59:00.001+10:00

"....ambivalence towards Newcastle has only been compounded by a theatrical demonstration of everything that can go wrong in a city.

Enter Australia's most destructive earthquake; exit city shoppers. Enter urban sprawl; exit infrastructure. Enter drunk and disorderly revellers, a beached coal ship and flooding rains; exit the city's biggest employer.

Few Australian cities have faced a similar number of challenges in such a short time, let alone boast that they met it with the stiff upper lip of a Londoner in the Blitz."

Matthew Endacott, for Fairfax Newspapers

Guessing Competition #8

2010-09-07T08:31:00.000+10:00

I've been spending too much time in the inner suburbs. So I am stretching my wings, not at all a difficult thing to do, and bringing you the goodness from a spot in the middle ring.

Name the location of this pic in the comments section and be rewarded with the knowledge that you are one of the few that truly can call oneself a Novocastrian.

Newcastle Morning Photo

2010-09-05T19:31:00.000+10:00

Every day a handful of Novocastrians decide to capture a moment of every day beauty in their morning through a picture. It might be during breakfast, a morning walk or the commute to work.

Some immortilise their pics on Twitter with a #newcastlemorningphoto tweet. Others add it to the growing pool of photos in the newcastlemorningphoto group on the photo-sharing site, Flickr. Some do both.

If you are up for it, feel free to join us in recording some every day beauty from our region. These simple instructions will show you how to get set-up on Flickr.

Stage 1: Create a Yahoo! ID

Flickr is a popular photo-sharing site but you need to have a Yahoo! ID to join. If you already have a Yahoo! ID (i.e. if you have a Yahoo! email address) you can skip to Stage 2.

1. Go to www.flickr.com

2. Click ‘Create Your Account’ button on the top right-hand corner of the page.

3. Click ‘Sign Up’ link on the bottom right-hand corner of the page.

4. Enter the required information and click ‘Create My Account’.

Stage 2: Sign up to Your Flickr Account

1. Go to www.flickr.com.

2. Click ‘Create Your Account’ button on the top right-hand corner.

(If you already have a Flickr account, click on ‘Sign In’, if you are not already automatically signed in).

3. Enter your Yahoo! ID and password.

4. Click ‘Sign In’.

Stage 3: Upload Your Photos

1. Click on ‘Upload your first photos’ link

2. Select your photo file from your computer and click ‘Upload Photos and Videos’.

3. Wait a few moments while the photo uploads. Click ‘add a description’.

3. You can add ‘tags’ which are words that represent your photo, such as ‘newcastlemorningphoto’, ‘Hamilton’ or ‘beach’, which will help you identify them later. You can also add a title and description if you wish.

Stage 4: Join the newcastlemorningphoto Group

1. Click on the blue ‘Groups’ from the menu along the top of the page.

2. In the ‘Find a group’ search box type ‘newcastlemorningphoto’ (all one word, no spaces).

3. Click on the name ‘newcastlemorningphoto’. You’ll see all the photos that have already been added to the group.

4. Click on the blue ‘Join This Group’ link under the name of the group.

Stage 5: Add your photos to the newcastlemorningphoto Group

1. Next to the pink ‘Group Pool’ title, click on the blue ‘Add Photos’

2. Click on the thumbnails of the photos you’d like to add to the group. You can add up to six photos at a time. Click ‘Add To Group’.

Yay! You are now able to add a photo a day to the group.

Guessing Competition #7

2010-09-05T17:13:00.000+10:00

Another mysterious reader guessed correctly for #6.
Name the location of this pic in the comments section and be rewarded with the knowledge that you are one of the few that truly can call oneself a Novocastrian. This one is actually VERY easy.

Quote

2010-09-05T17:00:00.000+10:00

"(Newcastle is) this paradise outside the discipline and the fashions of Sydney, where you could experiment, and fail, because all eyes were elsewhere".

Peter Stutchbury, Architect

Ruth Feeney

2010-09-02T13:00:00.004+10:00

Ruth Feeney popped up on my radar when I learnt of her winning design for Newcastle City Council's Clean Art Project. The obvious choice, given Ruth's use of ephemeral stencils in her work up to this point. It's a delight to see a beautiful transient piece (about one of my favourite subjects!) in an otherwise dark and disused space of Newcastle. Be sure to look right when you travel up King Street from Darby Street.

Throw in ukulele-playing, gingerbread-spoon inventing, independent cinema-loving and beautiful blog-selecting, I may just have a new best friend.

RUTH FEENEY

Condensed CV:

I was born in Perth in 1985, and was raised mainly in the lovely town of Scone in rural NSW. I moved to Newcastle in 2006 to begin my Bachelor of Fine Arts after living in Burlington, Canada for year. Currently I am studying honours in Fine Arts at the University of Newcastle.

What has been your most memorable project?

‘Unfilled’, a collaboration with local artist Taryn Raffan. We enlisted the help of housemates, friends, family and even a local cafe to save their used tea leaves. For months my windowsills were lined with the drying tea leaves which were ground to a fine powder I sifted onto the floor. It was a very labour intensive process but most satisfying and very aromatic!

Unfilled at John Paynter Gallery 2010

During the first week the exhibition opened it was vandalised by a few teens passing by and so was forced to evolve somewhat and I incorporated the original cardboard stencils. This photo is taken during deinstallation.

Unfilled (deinstall) at John Paynter Gallery 2010

What would be your dream project?

To open a hybrid business specialising in conceptual floral design, green installations, art and coffee.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

I find this a difficult question… on a small scale I was pretty chuffed when I invented gingerbread spoons last year.

What is your most treasured possession?

A black and white photograph of my mother from 1972.

Eat Dust at Watt Space 2008

What does a typical day at work involve for you?

At least two cups of green tea, more procrastination than you would think humanly possible, gazing into the front window of High Tea with Mrs Woo (74 Darby St, Cooks Hill) and dinner cooked by Rhys.

Where do you derive creative inspiration?

I am particularly attracted to the Japanese aesthetic of Wabi-Sabi, where beauty is found in objects which are imperfect, impermanent and incomplete.

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

Truthfully right now, I am most inspired by creative bloggers.

What are some of your favourite websites or blogs?

Gingerbread Mandala, Watt Space 2008

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

Ukulele, glockenspiel and collecting antique spoons.

How long have you been a Novocastrian?

This is my 5th year. I’m not sure if I am quite a Novocastrian yet…

Newcastle in a word?

Decentralised.

What do you love and hate about living in Newcastle?

I love the CBD fare-free zone and that I live within it.

I hate that all the independent cinemas have closed down.

How is Newcastle different to anywhere else?

Pasha Bulka mythology.

Won't You Stay A Little Longer?

Where are your favourite places in Newcastle / Hunter to:

+ eat

Breakfast at Rolador (1 Darby St, Hamilton, 4969 1786)

+ drink

Iced tea from The Kitchen (133 Darby St, Cooks Hill, 4925 3470)

+ shop

Auld & Grey (100 Maitland Rd, Islington, 0402 087 571)

+ play

Newcastle Ocean Baths (Shortland Esp, Newcastle) and Merewether Baths (JOhn Pde, Merewether)

The Fernleigh Track

Art Galleries, especially The Lock-Up (90 Hunter St, Newcastle, 4925 2265) and Maitland Regional Art Gallery (230 High St, Maitland, 4934 9859)

+ relax

The View Factory (cnr Telford & Scott Sts, Newcastle, 4929 4580‎)

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

Ukestra, Tuesday nights at the Croatian Wickham Sports Club (Albert St, Wickham, 4961 3177‎)

Ruth can be contacted via email ruth.likes.art[at]gmail[dot]com

Guessing Compeition #6

2010-09-01T14:28:00.000+10:00

The next lovely Novocastrian to be featured on the Files is the same to have guessed correctly for #5. Stay tuned for who this mysterious 'Ruth' is!

In the meantime, name the location of this pic in the comments section and be rewarded with the knowledge that you are one of the few that truly can call oneself a Novocastrian.

In The Media

2010-09-01T13:57:00.002+10:00

Wow, The Novocastrian Files has been getting some media attention! Novocastrians have a way of giving the love when it comes to their own and it is very much appreciated.

A big thank you to Jayne Kearney at Newcastle's very own parenting magazine, Sunny Days. For a new parent in the area, Sunny Days has been a great resource. A review was a delight.

Someone who has their finger firmly on the pulse of all that is good and great in Newcastle and beyond is Carol Duncan at 1233 ABC Newcastle. She has been a supporter of The Novocastrian Files since the start and it was great fun to head in to the studio to chat about the blog. You can listen in here.

And a great big thank you to all the lovely people who come from far and wide to read about the goodness that is Newcastle, especially those who say 'hello' by way of leaving a comment. You're a top bunch.

Guessing Competition #5

2010-08-10T09:04:00.001+10:00

It took several hints ('rats love tunnels' and 'Itchy the mouse') but Robert Watson guessed near enough to Mr Ratty's home for #4 guessing competition - the bottom of Fort Scratchley.

Name the location of this pic in the comments section and be rewarded with the knowledge that you are one of the few that truly can call oneself a Novocastrian.

Wayne Thompson

2010-08-09T22:40:00.003+10:00

I've heard people say that what they want to do for a living 'wouldn't work in Newcastle', as if working in a specialised area or to a niche audience requires you to be based in any one of the top six most populous cities in Australia (Newcastle is seventh). I believe the inverse is true. Being removed from the biggest is so often why work from regional areas is the best. There's space to breathe, places to revitalise and your mates at the pub to bring you back down to Earth. So there's the cake, and with technology, the means to eat it.

Trevor Dickinson introduced me to Newcastle's own type designer Wayne Thompson and he's another example of someone making a living (boasting clients from BigW to Triple J) doing what they love. And it's not only designing fonts.

I'm just wondering when he'll design a font called Novocastrian...

Wayne Thompson's Arum Sans

WAYNE THOMPSON

Condensed CV:

Bachelor Arts Communications, University of Newcastle 1987. Jobs as photographer, signwriter and journalist, before settling in to career as graphic designer and art director for Newcastle advertising agencies Peach and Enigma between 1994 and 2006. Left Enigma 2006 to pursue self-employment as a full-time type designer, now owner/operator of Australian Type Foundry.

What has been your most memorable project?

In April this year I was invited to speak about typography at AGIdeas, an international design conference in Melbourne. I’m a font nerd, and I was worried 20 minutes of me talking would be enough to put the audience to sleep. So I had a plan to shake the audience up: I wrote a comic song about fonts, and planned to perform it during my presentation. When I got on stage, there were 2,500 eager designers and I was very nervous, to say the least. But I got through the song, was warmly applauded, and afterwards was approached for signatures! Very scared, but very glad I did it. It’s up on YouTube.

Top: An early rendering of Chowdahead

Bottom: The final version

What would be your dream project?

Since I am a soccer nut, it would be to design the identity and signature typeface for the World Cup.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

The fact that I can earn an income doing what I enjoy.

What is your most treasured possession?

Probably my Martin acoustic guitar. Ever since I first played one in the 1980s I always wanted one, and in 2006 I managed to bring one home with me from New York City. It’s sound quality is second-to-none, and I’m told they only get better with age.

Wayne's work for NRMA.

What does a typical day at work involve for you?
Too many distractions! Working from home, I’m at the mercy of newspapers, coffee and pre-recorded soccer games. I’ve even been known to do the dishes rather than get to work. Generally, however, a typical work day involves some graphic design with stressful deadlines, some type design with longer deadlines and a whole day in front of a large Mac screen.

I get a bit housebound sometimes, so my wife Alison and I try to get down to Swells at Merewether Beach (Merewether Surf Life Saving Club, John Pde, Merewether) when the weather is good, or swim some laps.

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

Married couples shouldn’t work together, and don’t waste time phoning Telstra.

Wayne's Book of Font project.

Where do you derive creative inspiration?

I see it around me every day. At the moment, for instance, every time I open the newspaper I’m enamoured with the corporate fonts of Audi and NAB corporate fonts. And inspiration can be cross-genre; sometimes I like a song so much I resolve to try and reach similar creative heights in my type designs. I also read typography blogs and forums.

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

New York’s Tobias Frere-Jones and England’s Jonathan Barnbrook (who designed the identity for this year’s Sydney Bienniale) are both type designers whose work stands the test of time.

Musically, I keep coming back to The Waifs, and I admire the vocal work of Melbourne’s Mal Webb.

I continue to be impressed by the wordsmithery of my Nerds & Music bandmate Clark Gormley.

And I am enjoying looking at my wife Alison’s printmaking work, although she will complain about being left to the end of this list.

What are some of your favourite websites or blogs?

Font Feed (issues in type and typography),

The World Game (SBS TV’s football website)

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

I am passionate about writing songs with my band Nerds & Music (SHAMELESS PLUG: Album launch at the Lass O’Gowrie (14 Railway St, Wickham), Sunday September 26 @ 2pm, PLEEEAASSEE COME ALONG), and enjoy performing and interacting with audiences.

I am utterly obsessed with playing soccer—I play in the Friday night over 35s competition.

Mystifyingly to family members I often take textural photos of bits of wall or pavement or graffiti. I have always been interested in drawing and regularly attend life classes. I wish I could see more movies, and I am a big fan of Woody Allen and the Coens.

But most of all I just like looking at the ocean (see Swells Café comment above).

Wayne Thompson & Clark Gormley are folk parody duo, Nerds & Music.

Listen to their smile-inducing song Geez I like Your Grass on ABC1233 Newcastle here.

How long have you been a Novocastrian?

Since moving to Lake Macquarie in 1977, aged 10. Even before that however, my granny lived in Merewether near the beach so we always spent summers there. Since 1993 I have lived in the inner city, so I have always been a Newie local and I know the city like the back of my had.

Newcastle in a word?

Ignored

What do you love and hate about living in Newcastle?

I love that the peak hour still only lasts 15 minutes. I hate that I can’t walk the streets on a weekend morning without encountering vomit in the street. I love that it’s small enough to get around the city on my bike. I hate the lack of public transport. I love the unpretentious nature of Swells Café. I hate the Crowne Plaza development on the foreshore. I love the older houses in Hamilton South. I hate developers who erode the character of city suburbs streets with medium-density and mcmansions for their own personal gain. I love that, whenever Itell someone I’m from Newcastle, they always say “I drove through there once”. Nobody stops here.

How is Newcastle different to anywhere else?

Where else can you see surfers, dripping wet, carrying surfboards barefoot in the CBD streets?

One of Wayne's 'textural' photographs.

Where are your favourite places in Newcastle / Hunter to:
+ eat
Goldbergs Coffee House (137 Darby St, Cooks Hill, 4929 3122)

+ drink
The Bennett Hotel (146 Denison St, Hamilton, 4961 3176)

+ shop
Ramjet (78 Darby St, Cooks Hill, 4926 2839)

+ play
Sunday arvo soccer in Gregson Park (Tudor St, Hamilton).

+ relax
Swells at Merewether (Merewether Surf Lifesaving Club, John Pde, Merewether)

What is Newcastle / Hunter’s best-kept secret?
The Lass O’Gowrie Hotel (14 Railway St, Wickham, 4962 1248).

Website:

www.atf.com.au

Facebook:

austypefoundry

nerdsandmusic

Ben Armstrong

2010-07-28T23:00:00.002+10:00

Just like Houston St in NYC (locals 'How--ston', tourists 'Hew-ston'), how you pronounce IIIBean defines your status as fully-fledged local or fly-through tourist. I learnt the hard way telling everyone about this great place for coffee and croque monsieur (with cornichons!) I had found called 'ill bean'. Just so everyone is clear it's 'three bean' not 'ill bean'. Ahem.

Truly, Ben Armstrong has created a little oasis on Beaumont St (not that Oasis!). Serving the best Peaberry's coffee in town, usually by a barista who looks a lot like Morrissey, with a charming menu focused on simple, local, and wherever possible organic ingredients with smiley service to boot.

A tip - book early for the Wednesday night set menus: Meatballs, Duck & Pinot, Cassoulet.....

Shop: IIIBean espresso, Beaumont St (cnr Tudor St), Hamilton, 4961 2020)
Blog: three bean in season & ari 2030
Twitter: @3beanespresso
Facebook: three bean espresso

BEN ARMSTRONG

Condensed CV:

Left Applecross High School, Perth in in the beginning of Year 11, 1990 to try to become a mechanic. Ended up pushing trolleys for a supermarket before working in their fruit 'n' veg deptartment for three years.

Completed high school in Canberra in 1994 before moving to Newcastle to go to university although did not complete one year. Began working in hospitality at Clams Restaurant, then a little at the old Palais, before settling for the better part of a year at The Exchange in Hamilton.

1995 & 1996 travelled between Surfers Paradise, Jindabyne, Noosa, then back to Jindabyne working as a waiter in summer and bouncer in winter.

1997 returned to Perth and worked briefly as a bouncer before working for the Meads Fish Group as bar manager until 2000.

2001 fell in love and returned to the east coast, beginning in Gunnedah, then returning once again to Newcastle in 2002. Worked for George, of 'George's' as a Barista for one year, before leaving to make sandwiches at R&R in Warner's Bay, whilst setting up IIIbean espresso.

What has been your most memorable project?

Definitely creating IIIbean espresso with Kate, we turned the whole house into a factory. We built all the tables at night, using each room for a different stage of the production. Building everything ourselves really helped me become attached to the cafe, I could never sell it.

What would be your dream project?

I have a really nice idea revolving around a butcher shop and restaurant, possibly a little confronting, but I think it would be great.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Gradually learning to become a father, with a lot of instruction from Kate.

What is your most treasured possession?

My memories.

What does a typical day at work involve for you?

7am coffee & start: work the floor until 3pm. Quick chat with the Chef and Supervisor, begin the afternoon coffee shift, getting a few jobs done in the lulls. Home at 6:30pm. Heaps of great food in between, in some ways I never really start, or stop work, it never feels like work. All evening, every chance I get I read, chat, or plan the future of the cafe. It is my whole perfect life.

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

I don't compare myself to anyone these days, I work hard to set my own standards, then there is no limit.

Where do you derive creative inspiration?

Everywhere, often I look at totally different industries to get ideas. I like to place temporary restrictions on my actions, for instance, this year I refuse to use my data base, which will result in rendering it useless anyway. This forces me to think deeply about the customers I see on a day to day basis.

With food I try to take a step back and give the chef his own space these days, I will describe an emotion I want the customers to feel, he will respond with a dish, usually we agree.

With service, not usually associated with creativity, I see a lot of room for creative expression. Take for instance Apple, I was recently redirected by Telstra (without permission) to Apple, I felt like I had arrived in heaven, they were fantastic. The person who designed their service had a pretty big vision. How to make my customers feel like they arrived in heaven?

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

I recently heard an interview with the lead singer of Coldplay, Chris Martin, talking about how he wanted the audience to feel throughout the stages of the concert, he had it broken down to parts of every song, interlinked with music, choreography, & lighting. I like that attention to detail and connection with the customer/audience.

I am very inspired by Alain Ducasse, Heston Blumenthal & Seth Godin at present, there is always room for more. I really like High Tea with Mrs Woo, although I don't wear women's clothes yet.

What are some of your favourite websites or blogs?

Seth Godin

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

Surfing, Cycling

How long have you been a Novocastrian?

8 years

Newcastle in a word?

Home

What do you love and hate about living in Newcastle?

I love the beach all year round, I hate nothing.

How is Newcastle different to anywhere else?

You can have a real good crack at anything here, the people here celebrate the underdog.

Where are your favourite places in Newcastle / Hunter to:

+ eat

Bistro Tartine (52 Cleary St, Hamilton, 4965 3648)

East End Enoteca (14 Pacific St, East Newcastle, 4925 2244)

+ drink

The Bennet Hotel (146 Denison St, Hamilton, 4961 3176)

+ shop

Betty Mim (167 Darby St, Cooks HIll, 4926 1420) or High Tea with Mrs Woo (74 Darby St, Cooks Hill, 4926 4883), not for me, for Kate.

+ play

Burwood Beach for a surf

+ relax

The hanglider launching pad that looks over Burwood Beach

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

Baked Uprising

Guessing Competition #4

2010-07-26T22:58:00.001+10:00

It took a hint to get there, but someone cracked #3.

And so begins #4. Name the location of this pic in the comments section and be rewarded with the knowledge that you are one of the few that truly can call oneself a Novocastrian.

AA Co Mine Manager's House, 1849.

2010-07-26T22:31:00.000+10:00

Hallway. The green is flocked wallpaper.

Sitting room with pressed metal ceiling, partially restored floorboards and indoor garden

Beautifully detailed window furnishings under a century of soot.

First bedroom with blue floral wallpaper and original fireplace.

Makers mark

Flooring in bedroom.

Ceiling in bedroom

Bedroom 2 with timber fireplace and stairs to attic (too fragile to climb)

Newspaper used to line floors

Two examples of flooring in the one room

The dining room was added later

The tiled hearth & flooring

View to kitchen (inaccessable) from dining room with pantry to left

Layers of flooring in pantry

The back door

The last addition - the outhouse. Map of NSW & penguin artwork with Chinese artist's mark

A calendar from 1976. Note the 30th is missing.

Some of the many scraps of newspaper strewn throughout.

Part of The Lock Up's Brought To Light Exhibition

Barbara Sargeant

2010-07-21T14:25:00.001+10:00

Oh my, how freezing is it in Newcastle at the moment? Cue aptly-timed Q&A from Newcastle's very own tea-cosy maker, Barbara Sargeant.

Without tea I fear to think where my sanity would wander. And if you are a serious tea-drinker you simply can not cope without a teapot rugged up in one of Barbara's smiley creations. Have you seen her amazing range at The Olive Tree Markets? So gorgeously old-school in idea yet so very new-school in execution.

Speaking of old-school, in order to procure a Q&A from Barbara, I needed to cold-call Barbara (using a telephone), hand-write the questions (my computer had died that week) and meet face-to-face in order to receive answers in kind. This was after Barbara's children had assured her that it was safe to share her responses on the internet. Love!

Read on and you will see just how wonderfully no-nonsense and incredibly unassuming a tea-cosy maker can be.

BARBARA SARGEANT

How long have you been a Novocastrian?

All my life.

Newcastle in a word?

Home

Condensed CV:

I was born and educated in Newcastle, After training as a teacher, I taught mostly in Newcastle until I retired in 1998. After I retired I decided to use my leisure time to work on craft projects that I had always wanted to do. I quilted till I ran out of beds to cover then I accidentally began making tea-cosies. I say accidentally because three things happened at the same time. A relative asked me to make a tea-cosy that she saw in a magazine; my daughter told me of the popularity of tea houses opening in Sydney; and The Olive Tree Markets opened at The Junction Primary School (my old school).

What has been your most memorable project?

This has no relation to tea-cosies. I wrote a children’s book for my grandchildren, illustrated it (with some difficulty) and had it printed and bound. I always wanted to be a writer.

What would be your dream project?

To have my book, ‘Georgie’ published. I would love to meet a literary agent who could manage this for me.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

This is hard. I didn’t mention it in my CV, but I competed at the Melbourne Olympics when I was still in school*. The experience has had a major impact on the rest of my life.

What is your most treasured possession?

I’m not really into material possessions. What do I value most? The glass etchings I commissioned of my children.

What does a typical day at work involve for you?

Apart from normal housework and shopping, I read, contact family, and while I am doing all those I think about new ideas for tea-cosies.

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

Find something that you like to do and then do it to the best of your ability. I like the way people smile when they see my tea-cosies. It gives me the encouragement to keep going.

Where do you derive creative inspiration?

From nature, from pictures I see in magazines, from suggestions of friends and family and customers. When I see something I like, I find myself working out if it will adapt to being a tea-cosy. It has changed the way I look at the world.

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

I’m mot really trained in art. I like simplicity in design.

What do you love and hate about living in Newcastle?

Newcastle has everything. It is a great place to raise a family. The only negative is that many Novocastrians feel living here is inferior to living in Sydney.

How is Newcastle different to anywhere else?

It is still small enough to be a friendly country town, but big enough to have everything you could want.

Where are your favourite places in Newcastle / Hunter to eat, drink, shop, play, relax:

I don’t drink and I rarely eat out except with family. But I do like to shop at Charlestown and go to Newcastle or Merewether Baths to swim and relax.

*A quick Google search reveals that Barbara broke many swimming records in Australia and represented her country at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, later captaining the Australian swimming team at the Commonwealth Games. A champion tea-cosy maker in every sense of the word.

Beach Deck

2010-07-19T22:36:00.000+10:00

Why does this place not yet exist in Newcastle? Bowlo At The Top Of The Hill, anyone?

OK, if truth be told there are lots of top places to hang in Newy in the summer. I just want it to be summer already.

pic from here

Guessing Competition #3

2010-07-18T19:31:00.001+10:00

It took a hint to get there, but someone cracked #2.

And so begins #3. Name the location of this pic in the comments section and be rewarded with the knowledge that you are one of the few that truly can call oneself a Novocastrian.

Guessing Competition #2

2010-07-16T20:38:00.006+10:00

I was pleasantly surprised to see someone guess the exact location of the first picture in The Novocastrain Files guessing competition. To be honest, I could only remember that I took it in Cooks Hill, somewhere around Laman St and thought I would have to retrace my steps to find exactly where it was. But the winner nailed it with the house number and I can verify they are spot on.

It just goes to show, you can't underestimate a Novocastrian's familiarity with their environment.

And so, rather than having a monthly guessing comp, I'll update the header pic as soon as the location is correctly noted in the comments section. There is no big prize, other than the admiration of all Novocastrians far & wide. Well, at least those that read this blog any way....

I hope this one takes a little longer than a few hours to get right, or I am going to have to get busy taking more snaps.

Guessing Competition #1

2010-07-15T13:57:00.005+10:00

Correctly guess the location of this picture to win my respect and the admiration of all Novocastrians.

Leave your guess in the comments below.