Ceramics Magnificent Minton - Part 2 Today we return to look at some of the Minton innovations and the different styles of pottery, initiated under the guidance of "Herbert Minton" and his heirs, working with many other talented designers and artists. Image: My photo at NGV Victoria.
Ceramics Magnificent Minton - Part 1 Today we look at the beginnings of Minton, a Staffordshire pottery founded by Thomas Minton in 1793. It is a brand well known for its many innovations, from perfecting willow ware through to unique floor tiles in prestigious buildings. Image: aoc.gov/Wikimedia
Ceramics 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
Ceramics 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.
Ceramics 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
Floristry 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
Portraits 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
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
Ceramics 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.
Thread and Needle 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
Ceramics 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
Watercolour 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
Thread and Needle 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
Thread and Needle 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.
Impressionism 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
Photography 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
Fractal Art 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
Fractal Art 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