Because I am a GIRL

The Because I am a Girl campaign is not just about the unique inequalities and obstacles faced by girls in developing countries. It's about highlighting that the best way to break the intergenerational poverty cycle is through proper investment in girls' development.

The campaign isn't just focused on girls themselves. It also means working with fathers, brothrs, uncles, grandfathers and community leaders to make sure they are helping girls in their communities to realise their rights.

Research shows that educated girls grow into educated women who marry later, have healthier (and less) babies and are more likely to educate their own children.

Investing in girls has a large development impact on their families and future children, with long term benefits for poverty reduction and economic grouwth. Go to www.becauseiamagirl.com.au

Welcome to 2010

A very quiet time over Christmas / New Year for Canberra Handmade but shows are commencing again so check out the Calendar at www.canberrahandmade.com for some great exhibitions. If you hear of anything else happening - exhibitions, competitions, workshops etc please let us know.

Onwards and upwards into a great year and check out the 'Lifes Reflections' competition below

Life's Reflections - Photographic Competition

Life’s Reflections is a community-focussed amateur photographic competition
and exhibition managed and supported by the ACT Office for Ageing on
behalf of the ACT Government.

The competition is open to all ACT residents and ACT school children across
four entrant categories.

Photographic entries must depict at least one person over the age of 55 years
and reflect the benefits of positive ageing, the importance of healthy, active
lifestyles and the value of intergenerational relationships for older persons.

Entry Forms and Conditions of Entry are available at www.ageing.act.gov.au
For further assistance and information please contact 6205 3113 during business hours

Entries close 5.00pm, Friday, 19 February 2010

FEATURED ARTIST - Paul Summerfield

How long have you been creating art and how did you get started?I have been drawing for as long as i can remember, But my Passion for digital art started when we got our first computer, a Mac Plus. It had a greyscale screen and a very small screen but the possibilities seemed endless when using digital paint programs. This interest continued until i had the chance to Study at AIE in Canberra.
While Studying at AIE i was influenced by many different digital art forms and this where the basis for my style of Painting came about.

What is the main inspiration and influences for your work?The Juxtaposition of Urban and Nature in Cities really inspires me.
Music is something that allows new ideas to form.
Rooftop Gardens, Plants growing everywhere possible,
botanical Gardens and Rain forests and dreams.
A recent trip to Tokyo gave me the opportunity to experience and explore a metropolis first hand, i `m looking forward to seeing cities in China, korea and other parts of asia.

When and how did you realise, this what you wanted to do with your life?The sharing of my work and stories is what keeps me going, i realized that i wanted to make art full time a longtime ago, but being able to support your self with your art is a long journey, but very interesting and enjoyable and its something i look forward to pursuing.


What other areas of life have shaped your work as an artist?A group of friends helped to make my first Solo exhibition happen, i feel indebted to them and it drives me to create work so that i can have another solo exhibition soon.
My Partner Lara and i Lived in Japan for a year, The ideas and inspiration from this adventure have had a huge influence on the direction of my work.
i am looking forward to going back to Japan too see friends and places that felt like home.

How would you describe the art & design scene in Canberra?The Canberra Scene is very friendly and supportive.

What have you learnt most about establishing yourself as an artist?Keep Producing work everyday.
Share and Collaborate with other artists and explore new media`s and art forms.


Where would you like to take your art in the future?I want my Art to become more interactive, i`m just waiting for technology to catch up with my dreams. i would like to be able to create work on a large scale digitally.
i`m looking forward to Touch screens that are meters in size and flexible so that work can be created with as much expressive actions as painters with a large canvases.

What advice do you have for other artists hoping to follow in your footsteps?There is so many types of digital art, so find a style that resonates with you and build on that.

What tools do you use in your Art Practice?I use a Mac laptop, desktop Pc, graphics tablet, Photoshop, Illustrator, sketch books, Pens and Paper and i really enjoy going to cafes and exploring places to get new ideas, also i love to listen to music while working.

URL http://www.ageofwonder.org

FEATURED ARTIST - Katie Dawson from MissChief Maker

How long have you been creating art and how did you get started?14 months. Since Beginning Oct 2009. I got started because my mum decided to reconstruct a few baby girl dresses with vintage bits and they looked so lovely……we started from there.

What is the main inspiration and influences for your work?Being back in Canberra, having a baby daughter, needing to be more sustainable from an environmental perspective and I needed to divert from my previous professional life inspired me to create MissChief Maker.

When and how did you realise, this what you wanted to do with your life?When I felt a sense of balance and satisfaction with my life and family.


What other areas of life have shaped your work as an artist?A creative mother, she always has the attitude ‘I can do that’, my love of food and being creative with that, an appreciation of the finer things in life, I love shape, colour and form.

How would you describe the art & design scene in Canberra?Growing, clever, exciting.

What have you learnt most about establishing yourself as an artist?How challenging it is to get customers in the door! As a retailer, I’m in a very unique location, nestled in the trees in a plant nursery in Pialligo. It’s relaxing and serene but sometimes people don’t know there’s a real treasure of handmade goodies lying amongst the trees

Where would you like to take your business in the future?I would love to expand to stock more and more beautiful handmade goods and have Canberrans appreciate handmade. I would also like to be known in Canberra as stocking the best quality pre-loved children’s clothing.

http://www.misschiefmaker.com.au/

New Market Coming to Canberra

About us:

VI Ambition Support Incorporated (VIASInc) is a not for profit organisation which seeks to make the lives easier for people undergoing difficulty. In addtion we are commited to opening the 'door of opportunity' for those in the community who otherwise would find it difficult to reach their goals. One example is the promotion of local creative artists and artisans. Our goal in the promotion of local creative artists and artisans is providing commercial avenues for local creative producers such as the upcoming City Walk Expo.

VIASInc established and is launching the forthcoming 'City Walk Expo' which is due to begin early in 2010, to be held every Saturday of the year in Civic and will showcase creative talent of the Canberra region specifically local artists, artisans and fashion. By delivering a platform to our clients (the Stallholders) we are allowing them to achieve recognition and derive income through what they make. Our aim is also to give a regular splash of entertainment, excitement, colour and vibrant atmosphere in the centre of Canberra. This event will be enjoyed by the young and mature alike, and provide the opportunities for individuals to be creative and showcase their talents.

Proceeds of the event will flow through to VI Ambtion Support Incorporated.

Some of the projects currently undertaken by VIASInc include:
 Assisting in the direct relief of poverty and homelessness;
 Assisting with the integration into society of persons who have been released from correctional facilities by providing jobs training, opportunities and other services such as welfare assistance;
 Creating a refuge for men and women in domestic crisis in the ACT and NSW;
 Establishing an advocate's office in the ACT to provide financial and counselling support (eg. payment of utilities for those who cannot pay their bills & counselling for people in need); and
 A clinic with specialist treatment for people living with Multiple Sclerosis (M.S.).

CITY WALK EXPO – staying with the times, creating for the future

Dates and contact details will be published once confirmed. Watch this space!

FEATURED ARTIST - Tamara Russell

How long have you been creating art and how did you get started?
I’ve been creating art since childhood with handmade mother’s day presents and then learning how to make my own clothes in high school. I learnt how to spin on a summer holiday and from then on have had a passion for all things textile.

What is the main inspiration and influences for your work?The most inspiring thing to me has always been nature. It’s something I will never grow tired of exploring as there’s always something new and incredible to discover. I love taking masses of photographs of landscapes and then using all or part of the images to create my work.

My belief in ensuring that my lifestyle is sustainable has led me to look at ways of ensuring that my practice is environmentally responsible. The majority of my products are made incorporating upcycled or reclaimed materials. Wherever possible additional materials are 100 percent natural and sourced locally.Working with recycled and upcycled items is always an enjoyable challenge and due to the nature of my ‘finds’ this ensures that no two items will ever be the same!

When and how did you realise, this what you wanted to do with your life?I knew there was something else I should be doing with my life when I returned to full time work and now I dream of being able to be a full time textile artist. I currently work part time and find that my textile art is like therapy for me. I love my time spent in the studio - so watch this space!



What other areas of life have shaped your work as an artist?It’s always the simple things in life that are the most inspiring. Things like going for long walks, exploring rainforests, the beach, cloud watching, listening to music, stargazing, visiting antique shops and art galleries, sitting in silence and listening to the noises around me…It all influences my work in some way.
How would you describe the art & design scene in Canberra?

Canberra has some really amazingly talented people. It has really come out of its shell in the last few years and with the CanberraHandmade.com, Canberra’s Got Style, Bus Depot market, Canberra Handmade market and now CraftACT shop I find that it’s high quality craft is much more accessible now.

What have you learnt most about establishing yourself as an artist?You have to keep working at it every single day and constantly push yourself to get your work out there. You also realise very quickly that it’s not like a regular 9-5 job. You don’t leave the office in the afternoon and switch from work mode to play mode. You never really get a break from it. Ideas come at three in the morning, or walking the dog or when you’re cooking dinner, whenever and wherever. You have to really love it because it becomes your life.

Where would you like to take your art in the future?
To the National Gallery! Ah just kidding – but I would love more contemporary textile work to be displayed. I would love to be able to walk into stores and see my work on sale all over Australia. But for now it is the markets and working on Canberra outlets.

What advice do you have for other artists hoping to follow in your footsteps?
Believe in yourself, be patient, be honest, be brave and be determined. Also, don’t be deterred by criticism

http://www.puddleduckdesigns.com