I confess I drink way more tea than what is good for the colour of my teeth!

My day begins with a cup of tea, followed shortly by another cup of tea.  Next is breakfast, and a cup of tea.  Tea for morning tea and so my day continues . . . 

Each year I pay a visit to Diana of Sparklewhite Teeth New Plymouth.  I get to relax in her red chair, put on the rose coloured glasses, browse a magazine, nap and voila!

I have a brighter smile.

Never have I been very happy with the appearance of my teeth, but I can smile with more confidence now knowing that that first thing that people notice about me wont be the tea stains on my teeth!

Yes this is an advertisement for Sparklewhite Teeth New Plymouth, yes this is my sister and I am a happy customer.

For those of you who haven’t met Diana yet, be assured she is pleasant, professional and jolly good company too!



For more information about Sparklewhite Teeth NZ click the following link
http://www.sparklewhite.co.nz/index.html

Or telephone Diana directly with any questions you may have on 06 753 3333

Anyone who knows me knows that I love FOOD.  I truly believe it is one of life's great pleasures!

Towards the end of 2014 I found myself surrounded by the most delicious local fresh produce as I undertook to photograph a huge array of products for the SAGE Farmers Market who are in the process of developing an online purchasing option to go hand in hand with their Tuesday market day.  

I was part of the test group of shoppers for their trial period and I have to say I was surprised at how much I liked shopping that way.  Ordering online and paying in advance then collecting on the market day and not having to worry about having cash on hand, also knowing that what ever time I rocked up to the stalls, that what I had ordered would be ready for me to take home.  Easy peasy!

For more details of how it works check out   http://www.sagefarmersmarket.org.au

I also had the opportunity to visit a number of the producers at their properties and to see first hand behind the scenes of the production of their food. 

Passionate people, lovingly tended gardens, well cared for animals and just plain old fashion wholesomeness were some of the things I noted.  Not to mention the picturesque countryside which is a fabulous feature of the South Coast of NSW.

While I think that all the food available at the SAGE Tuesday Market is wonderful, I confess to having a few personal favourites.  

Thankfully I have well and truly got over my childhood dislike for anything to do with seafood (stemming from not having access to good, fresh fish) and now I find the local oysters delicious.  While photographing the different products I had the opportunity to taste samples, as you do, (yes a definite perk of the job) and the salted olives are now my new favourite snack, plus I find it difficult to take a trip to the Tuesday market and not buy a french pastry from Isabelle.  Vive la France!

While the SAGE Farmers Market at Moruya may be miles from you, in a different state or even different country - I encourage you if you haven't already to find out about and check out your own local Farmers Market.  The food is definitely fresher (often picked that day), lasts longer, plus it is also fun to chat with the farmers themselves and find out just a little bit more as to where your food comes from. 

Go do it!

I'm now getting back to the business of shooting portraits - but I never mind the odd detour, especially one that involves Food Glorious Food!

As it was the week before Christmas and I was away from my usual studio space, we loaded up the car with outfits and hit the road in search of locations and lovely light.
We went from A to B to C to D and had a lot of fun and laughs along the way.
Part way through the shoot, after noticing her excellent posture and carriage, I discover this English Rose is actually no Shrinking Violet and at her tender age, is a veteran of the stage as an accomplished dancer and performer.

Here's a wee sneak peek from last Sunday's fashion shoot.  While I don't want to give too much away before the up coming Outrageous Fashion Show, I am dying to share more images.

This is just a snippet of a fantastic felted headpiece by the very talented Keedah Throssell.

I'm so pleased to have met so many very talented designers/creators over the years and I love having the opportunity to shoot their work.

Mothers Day was spent with two mums and daughters working on documenting just some of the many fabulous wearable art creations by members of the Eurobodalla Fibre Textiles Artists Group for this years Fashion Show.
 
If you have tickets already for OUTRAGEOUS, then you are in for a treat . . .  if you don't have tickets yet, bookings are essential and selling fast so be in!

If you are interested but not able to come to the show, watch this space . . . I will be posting some more photographs from yesterday fantastic fashion shoot later this month.


This years theme is  OUTRAGEOUS - so anything goes!  Included are outfits entitled "Fireworks"  "Gilded Bird"  and   "Bra-ssy" to name just a few.  Put together using mediums of wool, wire, feathers, films, upcycled "treasure" etc etc - the creativity of EFTAG knows no boundaries!

Many thanks to the designers who provided their garments yesterday, to Sue Barford for the use of her studio   also to Monika for her fabulous contribution in the hair and make up department.

Young Molly and Alice were truly great to work with and they amazed me with their change in character with each change of outfit - a great team effort all round!  Thanks everyone, Helen.

Currently I have a solo exhibition of portraits displayed at the Narooma Library on the beautiful south coast of NSW.

The Eurobodalla Shire Council have kindly given me this opportunity to show case my work through  "SPUR" - a free monthly program of exhibitions and floor talks from the regions artists in Batemans Bay, Moruya and Narooma libraries.

- Springboard - Promote - Unveil - Reveal -


A week today it will be my turn to take the floor and I will be talking about the stories behind the portraits on show.

My models are not professional models but everyday woman who are mothers, daughters, students and one portrait, "the Sea Princess" is quite literally the girl next door.  She kindly allowed me to drape her in somewhat slimely seaweed for her Princess Portrait.  She was a very good sport about it I must say, very stoic despite it not being the most comfortable of experiences!  Bravo to you young Jess. 

If you are in the area do pop by the library 5pm Wednesday the 14th of May - if not, I will post some photographs of the exhibition at it's conclusion on May the 23rd.

The last Sunday of every month a bunch of Blues musicians gather at Malua Bay to share their musical talents and I had the good fortune to be invited last sunday.  Well I really should get out more - some great entertainment was on offer including singer/songwriter 


Sarah Cowan of Sacred Cow 

I find words difficult to describe the array of talent on display at the recent EFTAG exhibition "Hidden".  
Here are just a few of the many wonderful works of art by the Eurobodalla Fibre & Textile Artist Group.
I'll let the photographs do the talking - enjoy! Helen