Julie

Pottery

Spotlight on Spode

Today we learn about Josiah Spode, who, like his friend Josiah Wedgwood, also created a famous Staffordshire pottery brand, perfecting Willow ware and fine bone china. Image: Spode Museum Trust

Collector

The enduring legacy of Josiah Wedgwood

Today we look at the founder of the iconic Wedgwood brand, where a disability enabled a man of science and innovation to follow his a passion for excellence, leaving a legacy which endures today. Image: Wikipedia

Sculpture

Wondrous wind walkers.....!

Today we marvel at the huge, clever sculptures of Theo Jansen, which combine art and engineering to "walk" along the beaches of the Netherlands, and are now also exhibited around the world. Image: YouTube.

Pottery

The Staffordshire Potteries

It seems there is more to ceramics, pottery, earthenware, porcelain and fine bone china than meets the eye! Today we look at some of the variations made in the Staffordshire area of England in a proud history of over 300 years. Image: thepotteries.org

Flowers

The art of sustainable floristry

Today we hear from a florist in Melbourne who was recently featured in a segment on the Australian television programme, Gardening Australia. She is passionate about making her floristry business as sustainable as possible. Image: Courtesy of Feldmann flowers, Facebook.

Ceramics

Imp Hung: Tiles and Challenges

Continuing our exploration of the ceramic tiles being produced by Imp Hung from Taiwan who adapts famous paintings as a backdrop for Abe the Black Rabbit who challenges us to think about the original painting. Image credit: Imp Hung

Ceramics

Imp Hung's Enchanting and Challenging Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic tiles are often decorative but never have I seen work such as being produced by Imp Hung - a Taiwan artist enchanting and challenging us with artistic creativity. Image credit: Imp Hung

Impressionsists

A rare work of art from a chance meeting......

Today we have special permission from two sisters in California to showcase a very rare, very beautiful portrait of their French mother by Julie Manet - the little known daughter of French Impressionist Berthe Morisot. Image copyright: Chantal Sagouspe and Claudine Mariscotti.

France

The picturesque scenery of the Basses-Pyrenees of France

Today we take a look at the beautiful scenery of the Basses-Pyrenees, to set the scene for a very special post tomorrow.... Image: Lonely Planet

Celebration

Celebrating Easter in Africa

As the sun rises in Africa on Easter Sunday about 70 million Christians in Africa will start a big celebration including decorating the churches with butterflies and singing Christian hymns to the beating of African drums. Image credit: Andy Brunner/Unsplash

Reflection

Paixão sexta-feira

Christ the Redeemer, the statue which stands above Rio de Janeiro, Brazil offers a timely reminder to stop and reflect on the great losses the world has suffered over the past year. Time to reflect and thank all those who have sacrificed so much for so many. Image credit: Robert Nyman/Unsplash

China Ware

Is "Famille Jaune" familiar?

Today we examine the wide variety of "Famille Jaune" Chinese porcelain, produced in the Qing Dynasty and still widely sought after by collectors today. Image: Christie's

Sculpture

More UooUoos

A few weeks ago we introduced you to UooUoos - a mythical creature designed for an Art Trail In Melbourne and fund raiser for the Royal Children's Hospital 150th Anniversary.

Embroidery

Botanical artist..... "or barking mad?!"

Today we meet a botanical artist who started making flowers when she was studying embroidery and design at TAFE and now concentrates on making beautiful Australian flowers using digital sewing machines she has programmed herself. Image: bloomingthreads.info

Celebration

Happy St Patricks Day!

Today is St. Patrick's Day. This is well known day of celebration for Irish people around the world. Today we bring you a number of traditions associated with the day that you may not know the origins of! Image: The Guardian

China Ware

The ever popular Willow pattern

Most of us have probably seen it or may even own a piece or two, or at least our mothers, aunts, grandmothers did. The Willow Pattern was popularised in the late C18th - C19th. But do you know the story of the legend behind it? Image: housebeautiful.com

Animals

Denise Faulkner - wonderful Australian watercolours

Today we look at the unique and colourful work of Australian artist, Denise Faulkner. Her study of the "personalities" of the Australian native birds and animals around her home has led to a series of detailed, yet warm and playful watercolours. Image: denisefaulkner.com.au

String Art

The String Art Guy

Pushing the boundaries of nails and string is Ben Koracevic who is better known as "The String Art Guy". London, UK based this artist will amaze you with his creativity and skill. Image Credit: The String Art Guy Facebook page.

Celebration

It's that day again: Happy Valentine's Day

Take a little time today to think about all the good things in the world and the people and creatures you love. And anything else that makes you feel good: chocolate, a good book, a beautiful painting. Image credit: Photo by Sidney Pearce / Unsplash

Patterns

Stunning string art

Today we continue the series on art forms which create patterns. We look at the vast possibilities of string art, in both two and three dimensional forms. Image: Pin on craft ideas via Pinterest.

Impressionsists

Starry nights in art

Today we continue to look at stars in the night sky through two well known paintings of Vincent Van Gogh, both very different in their composition and styles: Image: mymodernmet.com

Celebration

The beauty of the night sky

How many stars can you see at night? Do you ever look up to see? Come with us on a journey of the beautiful night skies around the world. Image: Shlomo Shalev, Unsplash.

Sculpture

The amazing art of rock balancing

Come with us to explore the therapeutic and fascinating art of rock balancing, where these fascinating structures stand upright only with the help of gravity,...... and the infinite patience of Michael Grab. Image: gravityglue.com

Patterns

The Mandelbrot Set and Fractal Art

Today we look at the Mandelbrot Set, named after a pioneer of fractal geometry, Benoit Mandelbrot. Fractal mathematics has now lead to many forms of fractal art. Image: site.google.com

Patterns

Fractals appearing in nature

Showcasing patterns of nature where the small components are the same as the whole image. Introducing the mathematician Benoit Mandelbrot who saw the chaos and irregularity of the world as something to be celebrated. Image: Unsplash