So this is the new year

Illustration: Sandra Suy

I've never really done new year's resolutions before, or if I have I probably didn't stick to them long enough to complete/remember/succeed at them. But I figure, why not start now! A new year is always a good excuse to kick into gear all those extra-curriculars you've been dreaming of starting. Here's our little list so far...

1. The usual - Exercise more! Workloads and busy lifestyles often get in the way of this regular yearly commitment, but we kicked off this morning with a brisk walk that left us huffing and puffing in the current Brisbane heat wave. And this week is definitely a good week for starting new things, with dance classes at Queensland Ballet recommencing this evening. I'm popping my pink slippers on again for the first time in 7 years in hope of better posture, a stronger core and some twirling fun.

2. The artistic - Fashion illustration is something I've always wanted to learn, but there never seems to be a class for it. Luckily some arty fashion-y ladies over at The Stitchery Collective have started up clothed life drawing classes to practice and improve your sketchabilities. The classes are running every Tuesday night this month.

3. The crafty - more crafternoons! Last year I had planned to make LOTS of stuff. This never eventuated. This year, however, will be full of sewing, knitting, crocheting and cross-stitching. I'll hopefully even get so confident with my regular crafting that I'll take my projects out in public to Piece Together's Stitch n' Bitch evenings. The first one is on January 19th at 7.30pm.

4. The literary - read more! I have an ever-growing enormous amount of beautifully written, interesting books in my house (the piles practically spilling out the windows), but I never seem to be able to read them as a fast as new amazing books come out. So this year I plan to always have one (maybe two) books on the go. The soon-to-be-read pile on my nightstand currently contains Tender is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Vagabond by Colette, Colette's biography, and The Paris Wife by Paula McLain.

Hope you're all having a swell new year!

Arty, Crafty, Artifice

Photo Credit: Artifice

There's a crafty little event happening on the north island of New Zealand from tomorrow, just in time for some christmas shopping! Artifice is a celebration of Hamilton fashion and craft culture running from Saturday evening at 6pm until December 3rd. It's one of those wonderful combo events, mixing part exhibition with part market. Instead of merely displaying art for local indie folk to buy, the artworks have functions of the cute, creative variety, perfect for gifts or a keepsake of your own.

Similarly in Sydney is the On The Wall exhibition, curated by the lovely ladies over at Leeloo. The artists have just been announced, and the exhibition will feature opposite the Leeloo stall at next weekend's Finders Keepers Markets at Carriageworks - so if you see something you like you can scoot across the masses of people and to pick up a print. Easy peasy take-home packs of art and craft, how swish!

Save it for a rainy day...

Photo Credit: Very Nearly Almost Magazine.

Move over yarn bombing, make way for umbrella art! With the season warming up and the storm spell looming, it’s only appropriate that umbrella art is fast taking over our public spaces and establishing itself as the new street art.

This stunning piece is a vision in yellow and looks as though a bunch of umbrellas have gone astray from their loving owners and lodged themselves in this oak tree. Entitled ‘Bloom’ this installation was created by Goldsmith Art College student Sam Spenser and was featured at The Wapping Project in London... Amazing!

Paper. Scissors. Wall.

Photo credit: Linsey Rendell

I'm sure for those of you who have visited Melbourne, have seen the beautiful artworks splashed over infamous Melbourne laneway walls. These creative designs made up of the most fetching colours, always provide that extra ray of sunshine to a sometimes dreary city landscape.

So we've all seen the art, but have you seen the artists? Chances are no.

Seam was lucky enough to hang out with one of Melbourne's street artists... here's a taste of what you will find within The Start-Ups Issue.

Suki is a self confessed printmaker, who turned to the streets with her art for reasons other than just making the city look better.

"I feel like working in the street gives my art a deeper meaning because it interacts with the environment around it," Suki says.

Sneaking around for the sake of art-kind, Suki admits she's always had a flair for all things creative.

"My family is quite eccentric, so I was lucky enough to grow up in an environment that saw the world in a different way and embraced creativity. I’ve always done a bit of this and that, but it wasn’t until I discovered printmaking that I really found my calling."

But despite what some may think, street art is so much more than just tagging with a spray can. Street artists put as much thought and effort into their pieces as any other artist would. Suki carefully constructs an idea, "something that will look beautiful" she insists, before taking photos, imprinting, carving, inking and finally pasting them up to be admired by onlookers.

It's hard to believe such cool work is frowned upon in the renowned city of art... I wonder if Suki has ever been caught? I guess you will just have to read the full story in Seam Magazine! 

Down to a Tea!

Photo Credit: Linsey Rendell

“It’s nice to think that someone liked it and wore it for some time and you can pick it up and keep it going... I don’t know if that’s being a hoarder or recycling, whether that’s good or bad – I feel good about it.”

Well, here at Seam Magazine, we feel pretty good about it!

Mural painter, designer and all-round fashionista, Lisa Tea is quickly establishing herself as a seriously sort after artist. Recently graduated from Visual Arts at ANU, Lisa has been an avid mural painter and seamstress from the get-go.

Her colourful and beautifully chaotic work can be found around our lovely nation's capital at public spaces in the CBD, bars and various residential venues. Lisa’s detailed and eclectic style is one to admire, and she says her inspiration and materials can be found almost anywhere.

“I’m a giant hoarder and I have a compulsion to use up all this stuff which I somehow constantly acquire,” Lisa says.

“[I think] I need to simplify, I need to really try to understand the less is more concept.”

Read more about Lisa on page 28 of Seam’s The Start-Ups Issue!

This is not art

Photo credit: This is Not Art

The This is Not Art Festival will be chilling out in Newcastle from September 29th to October 3rd. TINA is a smashingly good party of creative minds, gathering together to share projects, learn new things and make awesome art.

Partner programs include The National Young Writers’ Festival, Electrofringe, Critical Animals, The Crack Theatre Festival. You can check out TINA’s website for the full program of events.

But the part we’re super excited about is the Sunday Fair, the festival’s zine and artists market. We’re told the fair attracts a whopping 5,000 people, so if you’re keen to browse the zines or find some cool work from independent and emerging artists make sure you get in early! It starts at 11am on Sunday at the NCC King St Carpark, yay!

Get your culture fix.

Photo Credit: The Will 

If you’re heading south this month to the lovely city of Sydney, why not take in some local culture?

The Sydney Fringe is an independent festival showcasing a wide variety of performing and visual arts. Whether you’re interested in gazing upon some modern art, treating your ears to some unusual melodies or if you’re looking for a laugh, this festival is sure to satisfy your entertainment hunger.

The exhibitions and performances will be showing at a selection of venues around Sydney over the next month, so make sure you dedicate some time to see some of Australia’s best and brightest in action!

The festival runs from September 9th to October 2nd, for more details on visit The Sydney Fringe.

Monday Morning Coffee

Photo Credit: Tenzin Arrty

If your first coffee this morning was justnot enough, you can definitely get your fix by checking out Art in My Coffee.The site features some amazing coffee art from some very cool baristas, but thebest part is yet to come… they give you an excuse to go out and get anothercoffee!

If you know a barista who creates foamyawesomeness on a daily basis, take a snap of your next espresso, send it in tothe site and contribute to their coffee art collection. Cool, huh?!

Delightful Doodles

Photo Credit: Little Doodles.

At Seam, we love pretty much everything creative, so you can imagine our surprise and excitement when we discovered this cute little blog.

Little Doodles is the creation of Kate Wilson, a London based illustrator. Kate features street style, fashion collections, adorable little animals and kitsch homewares in her unique little prints.

If you’re in the same crafty boat as us, this blog will be a welcome addition to your bookmarks folder... and probably a slight addiction.