My Pisces Heart

I Shot Henry Rollins

2010-05-15T15:19:00.004+09:30

Henry Rollins was gracious enough to spare sometime before his recent show at the Norwodd Concert Hall, Adelaide, South Australia on the 30/4/2010 to pose for my camera.

First time I have met a famous person let alone one of my personal favourites who I greatly admire.

The Art of an Exhibition Opening

2010-03-24T15:02:00.006+10:30

On Thursday, March 18th I went to the exhibition opening of Ian McFarlands 'Traffic' at Gallery 139. We were even snapped by the paparazzi ;)

The Art of Chocolate & Cigarettes

2010-02-17T22:02:00.005+10:30

Still too young to fail

Too scared to sail away

But one of these days I'll grow old

And I'll grow brave and I'll go

One of these days

The Art of Chloe on the Beach

2010-01-24T00:46:00.006+10:30

Introducing the gorgeous Chloë Thonder. She responded to casting call that I put out so that I could test some lighting techniques on the beach. She was fantastic to work with and I couldn't have been happier with the results.

The Art of Random Questions

2010-01-22T02:04:00.003+10:30

I like filling out forms and answering questions. Weird I know. Took the questionnaire from facebook and thought I would answer it here.

Is it easy for someone to make you smile?

Yes generally I am very easy to make smile and laugh

Tell me why you like the last song you listened to?

Because I relate to it, its about whats going on in my life right now

What color are your eyes?

Brown

Where was the last place you fell asleep other than your bed?

A friends couch

How many people of the opposite sex do you fully trust?

Last thing you touched not computer-related?

A glass

What colors are you wearing right now?

Black and White

You currently in a fight with someone?

Yes

Have you ever stood up for someone you hardly knew?

Yes

Do you have an older brother?

Yes I sure do and an older step brother

Have you ever laughed so hard you cried?

All the time

Do you look at the keyboard when you type?

Not the whole time I glance at it

What are you listening to right now?

The humm of my computer fan

Do you laugh a lot?

Yes

Are you ticklish?

Highly

What always makes you feel better when you’re upset?

Talking or hanging out with my buddy Zeke generally does the trick. And of course chocolate :)

Have you ever been on a boat?

Yes

Last person you gave a hug to?

My gorgeous girl Zoe

Tell me about the shirt/shirts you’re wearing?

Too hot for clothes I'm just wearing my knickers haha

When you are home alone do you still close the door when you shower?

Nope

Do you have plans for today?

Photoshoot

When is the last time you took a nap?

Not a good napper it always turns into a full length sleep haha

What was on your mind most today?

A person very close to me who I am having a disagreement with

Do you talk about your feelings or hide them?

I am normally pretty open with my feelings

What instant messaging service do you use?

MSN

How long does it take for you to fall asleep at night?

Not very long unless I have some exciting on the next day or something is troubling me

Do you have any siblings? Do you get along?

My brother and I are very close

What are you drinking?

Just had a glass of cold milo

Honestly, if you could go back 8 months and change something, would you?

Yes

Do you know what you’re wearing tomorrow?

No I haven't thought that far ahead

Thats it for now, I am sure I will do more. They are hard to resist :)

The Art of Zoe

2010-01-21T23:58:00.004+10:30

Zoe is on school holidays and today we spent the afternoon doing a photoshoot. She loves to dress up and I love to take photo's so its a winning combination. This was the end result:

The Art of Bathing

2010-01-13T21:30:00.004+10:30

The Art of 4 Models, A Chevy and a Vintage Clothing Store

2010-01-13T21:14:00.005+10:30

Its been along time since I've blogged. The Christmas period was very full on for me. Busy, busy, busy. Along with working full time as a Santa Photographer I did a massive rockabilly shoot with 4 models, a chevy and a vintage clothing store. Full set can be seen on my facebook fan page

Concept/Art direction - Julia Thomas and Kristy Bassett
Hair/MUA - Kristy Bassett
Assistant hairstylist - Sarah Zeuner
Photography and editing - Julia Thomas
Photographers Assistant - Andy G Williams
Location/props - Vintage Carousel
Chevy - Justine and Julian Irish
Models - Gemma Vendetta, Ashlee Adams, Joel Anderson and Jaih Davey

The Art of Ivory Flame

2009-10-30T20:14:00.003+10:30

I had the pleasure of shooting the UK model Ivory Flame while she was holidaying here in Australia. She was fabulous to work with :)

The Art of Missy Higgins

2009-10-08T17:02:00.004+10:30

Sometimes a song says it all.

2009-10-07T23:02:00.002+10:30

2009-10-06T05:31:00.006+10:30

"We never forget those who make us blush."

Jean-François De La Harpe

2009-09-10T20:04:00.001+09:30

My heart is broken

The Art of Rock (and an updated website)

2009-09-03T19:51:00.006+09:30

I did another shoot with my gorgeous 7 (nearly 8) daughter. I turned her into a rock chick, she loved it and I was so happy with the results that it is now the new front image on my updated website http://www.juliathomasphotography.com.au

2009-08-31T02:14:00.001+09:30

2009-08-31T01:52:00.002+09:30

The Art of My Mum in Her Studio

2009-08-27T08:53:00.009+09:30

The Art of My Uni Days

2009-08-22T23:36:00.003+09:30

Taken along time ago, back in my Uni days, when I still used film...

The Art of Singing

2009-08-21T04:18:00.002+09:30

The Art of Yip Yip Yip Yip Yip

2009-08-17T11:17:00.001+09:30

The Art of Social Networking

2009-08-11T02:16:00.001+09:30

Julia Thomas Photography on Facebook

The Art of Waterhouse

2009-07-28T04:34:00.003+09:30

Waterhouse is one of my favourite artists. Here is my own 'Ode to Waterhouse' photographic style :) Thanks to Vairi and Wendel who spent an afternoon with me finding the right location and doing everything I said in front of the camera so graciously ;)

The Art of Being Excited Like a Child Over an Upcoming Movie

2009-07-24T04:19:00.002+09:30

The Art of Some Gore

2009-07-21T22:25:00.003+09:30

The Art of Old Friends

2009-07-07T03:38:00.008+09:30

As you get older there is nothing like the friends who knew you when you where 16....

The Art of Some New Work

2009-07-03T15:08:00.002+09:30

Model: Harry

The Art of Urban

2009-06-17T23:23:00.013+09:30

Shot on location in Port Adelaide, South Australia. Models: Jaih and Adrian Brunato

The Art of the Next Phase

2009-06-08T23:38:00.004+09:30

The exhibition opening went past in blur but it was so much fun...the exhibition is still running until the 14th of June but I'm kinda over it and looking forward to the next one already :)

I have a few scheduled shoots coming up both art and 'work' ones. Urban Shoot this weekend - extremely excited about working with the wonderful Jaih again aka my Queen Of Hearts and Adrian.

Today my beautiful Zoe agreed to a photoshoot. Introducing Babydoll Series #1

The Art of Peeking Through Someone Else's Window

2009-05-16T23:58:00.006+09:30

My exhibition (entitled Peeking Through Someone Else's Window) opening is a little over a week away (May 24th) and we have found ourselves promoted in the Gallery M latest newsletter! Artwork is delivered Tuesday. I have all my photographs framed and ready to go (all 46 of them!!) but I'm frantically finishing my 3 half finished paintings! Nothing like abit of last minute stress to keep the blood pumping.

To view full size image of newsletter click here

P.S Another Dose of the Art of Zoe Thomas

2009-04-30T10:03:00.006+09:30

Zoe's latest paintings :-

I'm so proud of her for sticking with it and getting so many pieces finished for the exhibition. At last count she had over 20 pieces - not an easy feat for anyone especially a 7 year old!

The Art of Freaking Out - again!

2009-04-30T09:49:00.012+09:30

I'm sure I have used this heading already in my blog. I tend to freak out alot. The last load of work for my exhibition is at the framers. The reason I'm freaked is that there is so much more I want to put in - but I have to stop somewhere, I guess I'm having trouble letting go. I think I need to see everything together because in my head its not enough, doesn't go together, isn't good enough blah blah blah, the end is nigh and I'm freaking out. I will leave you with some of my latest work.

The Art of the 1940's

2009-04-21T19:22:00.006+09:30

Had a photoshoot with the wonderful Gemma. We did a 1940's vintage shoot and we had so much fun! It was done on a Sunday afternoon on a busy road - we had a lot of cars slowing down trying to see what was going on and tooting the horn! Here is the first finished piece - more to come :)

Hair and Make up by Gemma, costuming by me, Gemma and my Oma (who allowed us to use her dress, shoes and bike)

The Art of Zoe Thomas

2009-04-16T23:29:00.006+09:30

My beautiful 7 year old daughter Zoe has been painting up a storm for our exhibition. Here are her latest offerings. She was very creative with the sprinkles on her cupcake she used coarse pumice gel and when it was dry painted them.

The Art of Easter

2009-04-12T22:40:00.006+09:30

Today after our easter brekky and Zoe's egghunt

We did this

The next in my Alice in Wonderland series "The Cheshire Cat". I'm not completely happy with it and plan to re-do it but we did have a great afternoon doing it.

The (He)art of a Queen

2009-04-09T22:06:00.004+09:30

Had a photoshoot today with Jaih. I was a little nervous because I had decided to do the make-up myself and wasn't sure if I could pull it off. The day went so smoothly - hair, make-up and shoot was 2hrs in total and I got the shot that I wanted straight off! Jaih was great to work with we had alot of fun. Next shoot in my storybook theme is the Mad Hatter next Wednesday with another model fingers crossed it goes as well as todays one - then I will be a happy little photographer!!

Meeting up with a couple tomorrow who I'm photographing their wedding on Saturday - sunset shots on the Glenelg foreshore a little nervous but excited at the sametime. I have photographed alot of weddings but I still get nervous before hand - I think its because you have to get it that day, no room for error or reshoots!

The Art of a New Website, Nudity in Laundromats and Keeping Busy

2009-04-07T22:42:00.014+09:30

Wow what a great week it has been for me, exhausting but oh so much fun! I have had a few photoshoots with the wonderful Anne-Marie Morris. All the photoshoots with her have been fabulous but the most fun would have to have been the laundromat shoot - I wonder what the owners will think when they see the surveillance footage! I also have my own website up and running, so exciting! please check it out Julia Thomas Photography - http://www.juliathomasphotography.com.au and let me know what you think! met with a few more models and have a very full next couple of weeks. My next theme is storybook characters - Queen of Hearts shoot on Thursday and still another vintage shoot next week. My life is anything but boring at the moment!

The Art of a Test Shoot

2009-03-29T22:04:00.004+10:30

I found a new website that helps bring together models and photographers. I'm finally getting to my moviestar and pinup ideas - 2 shoots booked in for next week! I met up with the model Anne-Marie on Saturday to try and costumes and work out the hair and makeup. I took a few test shots to see how the makeup translated in photographs. Here is few of my test pieces

The Art of -esque

2009-03-24T00:54:00.004+10:30

Well I have the obsession - but for future reference lets call them thoughts - about a series of photos I want to do with a old moviestar-esque look to them - as yet I haven't had the opportunity to do it. So today I did this little number to placate myself until I can throw myself into it on a larger scale. So this is Mark Frank Sinatra-esque so I called it 'Come Fly With Me'...

The Art of My Life

2009-03-23T09:04:00.006+10:30

Dear blog..

Other than painting,I have been getting naked...

Playing with my food...

And watching Zoe being her beautiful, magical self...

Love Julia xx

The Art of Painting

2009-03-19T00:14:00.004+10:30

This is a painting I have been working on. It isn't quite finished I need to finish the background. its a portrait of my friend's kids, Gemma and Lee. They are adorable kids and couldn't resist painting them. I struggled alot with getting Gemma's cuteness onto canvas and I've unintentionally made her look older than she is so there will be a little more fiddling before its complete. I'm hoping to do a few paintings for my exhibition in May but my painting comes in waves so there is no guarantee that I will. I'll guess i have to be stricter on myself! The piece is called 'Gemma and Lee' and its gouache on canvas.

The Art of Peeking Through Someone Else's Window

2009-03-09T23:21:00.004+10:30

This is the invite for the exhibition of photographs, paintings and collage called 'Peeking Through Someone Else's Window' that I am having with my mum Uta Mooney and my daughter Zoe Thomas. Exhibition is held at Gallery M (287 Diagonal Rd, Oaklands Park South Australia). Exhibition opening is May 24th at 2pm.

The Art of a Deadline Fast Approaching #2

2009-03-06T18:09:00.006+10:30

Some more exhibition stuff that Zoe and I have been working on. We plan on having an art day tomorrow so I will be sure to post some more fruits of our labour :)

The Art of an Anniversary

2009-03-04T21:31:00.003+10:30

We got Married 3 years ago today.

The Art of a Deadline Fast Approaching

2009-03-04T04:02:00.008+10:30

My exhibition is fast approaching (May 24th) and Zoe (who is also exhibiting in it) and I have had a very creative week (very much needed after my non art/sick lapse) in our panic to make sure we have enough pieces. Zoe and I had alot of fun, we bought some fruit and vegetables from the supermarket and took photos of them together. Zoe used her photos as reference for some paintings. Here is some of our latest work.

Why There Is No Art...

2009-02-21T18:23:00.002+10:30

I haven't been creating much at all - I have Shingles - its painful and very itchy and normal everyday tasks tire me out to the point of exhaustion. Hopefully I have something new to post soon.

The Art of Wishes

2009-02-07T05:24:00.003+10:30

Sometimes I wish I was a Mermaid....

The Art of Ani Difranco #2

2009-02-06T05:45:00.002+10:30

Its been too hot here that I can’t be on the computer for extended periods of time and I can’t finish the painting I have been working on so I decided to do a drawing. Its been along time for me normally the only drawing I do lately is the sketching I do before I paint. Not sure if I’m completely happy with it (but I never am so thats no judge) but I have been pestered to put it up – so here it is, let me know what you think!

This drawing is completely digital free – no graphics tablet in sight!

The Art of a Long Adelaide Heatwave

2009-01-30T23:00:00.006+10:30

It is hot, very hot. So we go to the beach in the early evening because its too hot to go during the day. I make some summer art.

Then we sit in front of the air con play with make-up and take photos of ourselves.

Be careful - cabin fever/boredom can be dangerous - it isn't just limited to make up photos - other symptoms include but aren't limited to - letting your 7 year old paint your nails red, dancing stupidly around the living room naked, pulling silly faces, making silly faces out of our food,watching very bad tv, playing pranks on each other, laughing hysterically for no apparent reason and fighting over whose turn it is to get cold drinks from the fridge.

This outbreak is being monitored and should other symptoms arise you will be informed. As yet there is no available cure and could last as long as 2 weeks.

The Art of Ani Difranco

2009-01-29T08:28:00.002+10:30

Saw the ever inspiring Ani Difranco last night live at the Norwood Concert Hall. Her performance has sparked off something in my artwork but we will all have to wait and see what this is (even me!).

This image wasn't taken by me and I do not have copyright - I got it from a google search, hopefully I'm not infringing any copyright by placing it here - unsure who the photographer is to give crdit too.

The Art of Being Queen of The Castle

2009-01-27T00:34:00.002+10:30

Its hot. We hang out in the lounge room in our underwear with the air con on. We get bored. That is all.

The Art of a Modern Interpretation

2009-01-17T01:27:00.005+10:30

I love the old classic moviestar look from the 40/50's and have been yearning to do a series, as I'm not a hairdresser and would struggle doing up the models with the right look I thought I would give my new series the moviestar-esque look by using photoshop instead of hair/make up. Very happy with how this new series is coming along. I describe it as the classic moviestar look with a modern twist. There will definitely be more to come as I refine and play around with my new "look".

The Art of Sarah Rose

2009-01-15T02:42:00.001+10:30

The Art of an Adelaide Summer

2009-01-13T05:01:00.002+10:30

The view from Kingston Park lookout over looking Seacliff/Brighton beach, Adelaide, South Australia.

The Art of the New Kat

2009-01-12T17:44:00.002+10:30

The Art of Selling

2009-01-10T06:32:00.009+10:30

I sold a canvas print of my piece 'Semaphore Jetty' on Redbubble today.

The Art of Lulu and Her Family

2009-01-08T23:36:00.005+10:30

My best friend Jess (who I affectionately call Lulu) turned 30 on Jan 2nd. She has moved to Texas and is home in Adelaide for a few weeks. I struggled with what to get her because it has to be something that can be packed away and easily taken with her back to the States. So I came up with the idea to do a photoshoot of her with her family (her two sisters and her mum). This is the first completed piece from the shoot. This piece and more of my work can be viewed on my Redbubble page.

The Art of a Good Quote

2009-01-08T01:32:00.002+10:30

"Lying in bed would be an altogether perfect and supreme experience if only one had a colored pencil long enough to draw on the ceiling." G.K. Chesterton

when you can't find the right words, find someone elses :)

The (no) Art of Boredom

2009-01-07T22:31:00.004+10:30

There really is no art in boredom. When I'm this bored I can't even do my artwork. Its like artist block there is no creativity flowing at all. There aren't many words either so thats why my poor little blog is being neglected.

The Art of Being A Girl

2008-12-30T04:38:00.004+10:30

My daughter Zoe is generally a tomboy. She loves her bugs and spy gear and running around getting dirty. But every so often she pulls out her make up and her jewellery and gets all girly.

The Art of Smoking

2008-12-29T00:45:00.005+10:30

There is just something about the image of smoking that I find cool. I know how horribly, politically incorrect me. Maybe its because I'm a long time fan of James Dean - I love the iconic brooding, loner image and smoking just fits in with this. In reality it stinks and I hate it when people smoke around Zoe or close to shop entrances that I have to walk through but in my head the stereotypical smoker image is still cool - so shot me! I remember late one night when I was driving in my car and it was raining lightly and I was stopped at the traffic lights this man crossed the intersection hunched over with his jacket collar up around his ears, he drew on his cigerette and the smoke wafted up around him and all I could think was he looks so damn cool. He is proberly dead now from lung cancer or has a really bad smokers cough but for one moment he lived upto my stereotypical idealogies.

The Art of Summer Fun

2008-12-26T18:45:00.002+10:30

The Art of Wishing a Merry Christmas

2008-12-22T02:26:00.001+10:30

The Art of Christmas

2008-12-17T15:50:00.005+10:30

The Christmas tree is up, St Nikolaus has been and filled Zoe's shoes with lollies (he comes on the 5th of December - children leave their best shoes out and if they have been good they get filled with lollies and if they have been bad they get a blackstick), the Christmas shopping is nearly done. Zoe and I are in the process of planning her act for Christmas Eve. Because my family is German we celebrate on Christmas Eve and get our pressies that evening and have a few traditions that have stemmed from this. One of those being 'The Act'. All school age children after our evening meal must do some sort of act - sing, recite a poem, do a play etc after the act the pressies are given out by the youngest child. The youngest child now is my nephew Evan but as he is still quite young I'm sure Zoe will be happy to help out. We go to my mum's house for Christmas Eve and this year because of the water restrictions mum's real life potted xmas tree isn't doing so well so she asked if I could bring my tree - already decorated!! The plan is to wrap it in a sheet and put it in the back of the station wagon!! Hahaha what fun this shall be. Fingers crossed.

Elves get Bossed around by Santa by Zoe Thomas (age 7)

The Art of Feet

2008-12-17T01:14:00.003+10:30

Her feet are like her mothers...but she walks her own path.

The Art of Friendship

2008-12-13T17:23:00.005+10:30

Sometimes you just need to be silly with your best friends, no matter what age you are.

The Art of Edward Weston

2008-12-12T10:27:00.007+10:30

“Anything that excites me for any reason, I will photograph; not searching for unusual subject matter, but making the commonplace unusual.” Edward Weston

This is sure to be the first post of many on the topic of Edward Weston. If the name is unfamiliar to you - shame on you! Haha, seriously if you haven't heard of him you should check him out. Weston is considered to be the most influential photographer of the twentieth century. Now I cannot tell you how accurate this statement is but I can tell you my own personal experience, so sit back, make a cuppa and let me tell you a story....

I cannot tell you when I knew I wanted to be a photographer, it was just something built in me, that just seemed completely natural. But what I can tell you about is the time it become an actualisation. I cannot tell you my age, because when I look back all I can see is the ray of light - but I am ahead of myself. I was a young girl I believe myself to be around 10 but this could be completely inaccurate. I am at an art gallery that is holding a photographic exhibition, I think on a school excursion - I was wandering around making notes of the photographs...when for the first time...I saw...Pepper no 30 by Edward Weston. I stopped in my tracks, stared with my mouth open for a very long time and excuse the cliche (but get used to it I'm full of them!) it was like a ray of light was shining on it and I could hear angels, ok I may have a tendency to over exaggerate, I admit I am abit of a drama queen but this is no embellishment. My life changed from this moment onwards. I stared at the piece for so long, I stepped back and looked, I got close up with my nose almost touching and I looked. You may go and google this image now and you may see it reproduced in books but it is not the same by a long long stretch. The image I saw in the gallery that day was a print done by Edward Weston himself, even at that age I remember the sensuality of it, the smoothness of the pepper, the curves...how to me it was reminiscent of a human body. The image seemed to have a silvery glow. The specifics of that day are so hazy, maybe it was a dream, either way that day and Edward Weston cemented my love of photography and started my long obsession with who is considered to be the most influential photographer of the twentieth century.

P.S I'm currently reading "Through Another Lens - My Years with Edward Weston" by Charis Wilson. They where together for 11 years and she was the subject of alot of his most famous nudes. I'm enjoying seeing him from another perspective and I'm sure to post more on this at a later date :)

The Art of Zoe Thomas

2008-12-11T20:57:00.007+10:30

All done by my daughter Zoe who has just turned 7. More of her artwork can be seen on my redbubble site http://www.redbubble.com/people/jewelstorm

The Art of Procrastination

2008-12-11T16:56:00.008+10:30

pro·cras·ti·nate
v. pro·cras·ti·nat·ed, pro·cras·ti·nat·ing, pro·cras·ti·nates

To put off doing something, especially out of habitual carelessness or laziness.

To postpone or delay needlessly.

I'm the Queen of procrastination. I don't mean too but it always happens. I started a painting a few weeks ago and I was obsessed - any free moment I was sitting at my art table painting, I had it nearly finished in only a few days and then I stopped. Now it sits there staring at me and I want to finish it but another day keeps going by and then another....

The Art of Dying

2008-12-10T21:32:00.007+10:30

To purchase a print or view more of my artwork please click go here - http://www.redbubble.com/people/jewelstorm

The Art of Freaking Out

2008-12-10T19:07:00.002+10:30

I'm over analysing my artwork. Asking myself too many questions and not liking the answers I give. So instead of it twirling around my head and not getting anywhere I thought I would start this blog instead.

I have fear of dead things. An irrational fear I know but real nonetheless. I think it stems from finding a dead bird in the playground in primary school and I thought it was still alive because I could see it moving so I thought it was breathing. It turns out it was big juicy maggots eating and writhing. I have seen two dead people in my 30 years of life, both my grandfathers, but each time from a distance and I definitely didn't touch. The thing that amazed me when seeing them was that there was no mistaking that they were dead. In movies when someone dies, people think they are asleep and have to check their pulse to see if they are alive. But when you see a dead person, there is no doubt that they are dead. Now on with the point...as I do have one...

I found a dead bird in my backyard a few weeks ago. It was a baby bird that had been knocked out of its nest. I freaked out like a girly girl and screamed for my husband. Now bear in mind I'm abit of a tomboy, I'm fine with spiders, don't mind getting dirty but dead things turn me into a shrieking housewife. I begged him to put it in the bin and ran inside. I've been thinking about that dead bird since then, thinking about my fear of dead things and thinking how I wish I could photograph it because as much as there is that fear - there is also my curiosity. I noticed a week ago that it was still there. Normally I would nag him until he got rid of it but this time I didn't. I wanted to summon the courage to have a closer look. Early this evening when the sun had started to go down, one of my favourite times of the day to photograph, I ventured outside with a broom and my camera. It was covered with leaves so I had to move them but I stood at broom length. Deep breathing aided me a little as I put my camera up to my face and started taking pictures. They were to far away I needed to get in close and the background was the same colour as the dead thing so I had to move it to try and get a better shot, I put it on some newspaper squatted over it real close and finally got some photographs. I then picked it up in the newspaper and put it in the bin. I haven't looked at the pictures yet but I know what I'm going to do with them and the processes I will use. This is a turning point. I faced a major, major fear - but will it help me with my artwork? Time will tell....