NEOPHYTE

It was so great to shoot with Geena again after working together on this shoot a few years ago for Yesterday’s Virgins. We talked about rediscovering your creative streak, and what it’s like coming back to do artistic work after focusing on other, perhaps dryer areas of life. It’s intimidating - you don’t always feel like you know what you’re doing, and it can feel like you’ve reverted back to the start of your journey. I guess that’s why I called this set neophyte.

Check out Geena's IG

Check out Geena’s website

MORE THAN MAKEUP: @FXBEAN

Armed with bubblegum-pop colours and a wig for every occasion, makeup artist Bean is serving us bold, colourful characters with an always-smouldering gaze. Her uncanny ability to transform into a new animated persona in each new post keeps her art unpredictable, and her audience unwavering.

If makeup is your side hustle, what’s your main gig?

Working retail! Which is the worst and I hate it, but something's gotta pay the bills.

When and how did you start experimenting with more creative makeup looks?

I've been playing with face paint and FX makeup since I was 14! I can't remember exactly why I started, but I'm sure it had something to do with social media.

Top palette pick?

Sugarpill's Pro Palette (you get to customize and pick the shades yourself)! Sugarpill has such bright, pigmented and fun colours, plus they are cruelty free and most of the eyeshadows are vegan!

All-time fave shade or shade-range to experiment and play with?

Red, always! Red finds it's way into so many of my looks. 

All-time fave lip product?

Nyx Cosmetics Lip Oil. Hydrating, looks like gloss, but isn't sticky at all (and cheap). For lipstick, again, Nyx Soft Matte Lip Creams (Monte Carlo is my go-to red)!

If you had to survive on only one makeup brand, which one would it be and why?

Colourpop! They have everything, they're cheap, but the quality is amazing. They also have unconventional shades and products, and those are the brands I usually love the most.

Who’s your major makeup icon and why?

She's not so much a makeup icon but Nadia Lee Cohen gives me SO much inspiration. I also love Frances (@beautyspock on instagram) she is gorgeous and her looks are dreamy as hell.

What’s your signature, go-to look?

I'd say my style is still evolving, but for now my go-to is 50s, pin-up style versions of anything. The hair and aesthetics of that period are very timeless to me!

What’s the most annoying trend in makeup to you?

I'm really about artists doing whatever they like - makeup is meant to be fun! But I have noticed that the artists who get the most recognition are those who Facetune their pores, skin texture, eyeshadow, highlighter, and rip-off smaller artists without crediting. Brands also eat it up for some reason? In 2019, I want unconventional, creative, genuine, absurd, and colourful artists from ALL walks of life to be in the spotlight.

“In 2019, I want unconventional, creative, genuine, absurd, and colourful artists from ALL walks of life to be in the spotlight.”

What’s your most favourite look you’ve done to date?

Any of my twin looks - but probably the angel/devil, and the house look! My favourite looks are always the ones where I wasn't sure if it would actually turn out how I envisioned it, but when they do turn out, it's that much more satisfying! 

Is there a person or a time that inspires the way you do your makeup? An era, or a muse?

I already touched on this accidentally, but again, the 40s, 50s and 60s! I love the big curls, the scarves, the makeup, and I love that now in 2019 I can use the inspiration I get from these iconic aesthetics towards my own artistry.

How do you feel social platforms like Instagram and YouTube will continue to influence makeup artistry in the future?

I hope that in the future there's a shift from the neutral, natural glam makeup we're always shown to fun, colourful, unconventional makeup. I'm already watching the small unconventional makeup community grow, so hopefully I'm not too far off! There are so many talented, creative artists on these platforms who deserve 100 x more recognition! Makeup is not just makeup anymore, it is art - and we should all recognise that.

What’s your “why” - why do you do what you do with makeup?

I've always loved art and being creative, whether it be drawing, makeup, painting etc., but using my own face and body as a canvas is truly "my thing". It is something that makes me so happy, gives me purpose and keeps me motivated. Pushing boundaries with makeup is important to me, incorporating fabric, newspaper, and fun wigs into my looks is a way to show people that you can use anything to be creative. I hope I can inspire people to bring a little more weirdness and colour into their lives and the world by doing so!

“Makeup is not just makeup anymore, it is art - and we should all recognise that.”

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Check out Bean’s Instagram

ANDY WARHOL - FROM A TO B AND BACK AGAIN

Many will remember the NGV’s Andy Warhol — Ai Weiwei exhibition, which took a comparative look at the oft-parallel works of two colourful, controversial minds from different zeitgeists.

The Whitney Museum of American Art brings us a more thorough, A to Z - or should we say, A to B to back again - retrospective look at Warhol’s life and works, with everything from iconic recognisable works such as his Self-Portraits and Campbell's Soup Cans, to sketches and television interview clips cut together.

Is the exhibition made that much more poignant by being shown in Warhol’s famed stomping ground of New York City? Undeniably.

WHITNEY MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART
ADULTS $25, STUDENTS $18
ENDS MAR 31 2019
10.30AM - 6.00PM

INTRODUCING: MORE THAN MAKEUP

Like any art medium, makeup is one that can take a variety of forms…

Abstract or traditional, explorative of shape, texture, line and form within the framework of the human face and body. With Instagram and Youtube heralding a new age of beauty communities and gurus, there is an entire realm of makeup artists and their portfolios begging to be gazed upon with the kind of awe-stricken wonder usually reserved for Picassos or Remembrandts. Is it too much of a stretch to compare this new wave of creative youth to some of history’s greatest artists? Or is it remiss to look past what is undoubtedly the future of our artistic landscape, embroidered with references to great moments in history, of not only art but identity and culture?

From left to right, top to bottom;
@morgane.nicolas, @rachelkarinaart, @nadineartistry, @xohighglo, @yakubgodgave, @coolgirlswearmugler

NEW YORK CITY PHOTO DIARY

It was my second year in a row traversing the famed landscape of New York’s winter, my third time to the city in total; suffice to say, the magic of the world’s busiest destination was still very much intact.

This year, my trip was very much focused on the New York lifestyle - walks in Williamsburg, coffees in SoHo and boutiques in the East Village. Art, fashion and beautiful buildings took my breath away, and hey - that’s just the way I like it.

BRUCE NAUMAN - DISAPPEARING ACTS + MORE at MoMA PS1

New York’s Museum of Modern Art is known globally, and might be more so familiar to readers due to their recent collaborative exhibition hosted by Melbourne’s NGV. Less well known, however, is their smaller sister gallery MoMa PS1. Up in the north of Brooklyn, travellers and art enthusiasts can catch the 7 local train to the magnificent space - an old, repurposed elementary school from the 70s - to view MoMa’s latest offerings in contemporary art.

Featuring one of James Turrell’s moving Skyspace pieces and a retrospective on multimedia artist Bruce Nauman’s body of work, old, eerie classrooms come alive with neons and lucid video worlds that entrance the viewer.

MoMA PS1
ADULTS $25, STUDENTS $14
ENDS FEB 25 2019
12.00PM - 6.00PM THURS - MON

BEACHSIDE

DOWN AT THE BEACHSIDE, AN UNGODLY SIREN EMERGES FROM THE SHALLOWS.

SEA MONSTER OR BEACH VIXEN?

SHOT BY BRIANNAGH O’LOUGHLIN

CHECK OUT BRIANNAGH'S WORK HERE AND HERE

GLOOM

JAY SAYA

Hanging out on the streets and back alleys of Balaclava with Melbourne photographer Jay Saya.

ETTORE SOTTSASS - THERE IS A PLANET

A poet, philosopher, architect, photographer, entrepreneur and designer - Ettore Sottsass was a thought leader whose skills changed so much of the design landscape as we know it.

This posthumous exhibition of his life's work covers some of his most personal and recognisable accomplishments and creations, proving Sottsass as an undeniable gem of creativity.

This exhibition, There is a Planet, was shown at La Triennale di Milano between 15 Sep 2017 – 11 Mar 2018.

SEAPORT

Caitlin's workwear-inspired denim looks mix durability with decorative femininity,  drawing on hazard-safe attributes like reflective tape and d-rings as protective elements. Her work comes at a time where women's safety in Melbourne is a major topic of discussion, but retains playfulness with metallic, ravewear-inspired styling.

PHOTOGRAPHER: Nathan Guy
DESIGNER/STYLIST: Caitlin Mullaly
HMUA: Zoe Jane Crawford
MODELS: Myself and Caitlyn

CATHEDRALS OF SICILY

Palermo, Sicily was a gritty city full of architectural treasures and local gems hiding in plain sight. From Byzantine cathedrals to solid-gold rooms in old palazzos, the pouring rain throughout our weekend trip only seemed to complement the muted mood of the city. Food ranged from traditional pastas and cakes, to midnight arancini balls and even sheep’s spleen via street food vendors. A city with both street art-covered slums and an opulent opera experience, Palermo has far too much character to let slide under the radar.

DARKWAVER

Why is shooting with Bri always such a breeze? We always end up on the same page when working together and she shot these looks perfectly - dark, sharp, and playing with geometry via angles and poses. Thank you Bri for bringing some of my fav pieces to life!

Check out Briannagh's work here and here

PAPA EAST

Thank you so much to Papa East for sending me over these gorgeous trinkets!

I had so much fun taking photos in them and letting my inner etheral angel out to play - stars, silver and sparkle were clearly the theme in mind.

Make sure to use my code EllieNik10 for a 10% discount

(Full disclosure, I don't make any money off this code!)

BENETTON - I SEE COLOURS EVERYWHERE

Only open for a few days, this temporary exhibition at Milano's La Triennale courtesy of United Colors of Benetton showcased a rainbow of art pieces of all mediums, shapes, sizes and forms.

LA TRIENNALE DI MILANO
FREE ADMISSION
10.30AM - 8.30PM TUES - SUN

HIDDEN ATHENS

Dinner and drinks in Plaka, ambling down Ermou and exploring Monastiraki, a stormy visit to the Acropolis - and no Greek trip is complete without a characteristically delicious Freddo Cappuccino. You can remain in the heart of Athens and it's central touristy areas, and still uncover so much more hiding underneath.

THE POLITICALLY-CHARGED GRAFFITI OF ATHENS

Greece’s economic struggles have been widely publicised world-over for a number of years now, and the financial hardship has obviously affected society in the country’s capital of Athens.

 

With a surging underground scene of artists, writers and musicians, the oft-polarising, always-tenuous debates about what’s best for the country take centre stage in local art regardless of medium. Though one particular medium - street art and graffiti - stands out above the rest.

Using the very brick and mortar infrastructure of the city as it’s canvas, the movement wields power in it’s confronting presentation. No innocent tourist is safe from the hard truth; walking down Athens’ most popular streets does not occur without constant reminders that the ancient country is battling now more than ever to keep it’s head above the water.

ELIAN CHALI - MOLESTIA

Tucked away in a Friedrichshain side street is Berlin's BC Gallery, a cosy two-storey art space housing high-end urban and contemporary art. For the latter part of 2017 and the beginning of the new year, Argentinian artist Elian Chali’s minimalist experiments with space and shape took centre stage, using bright primary colours and organic geometric shapes to disrupt - or in Chali’s words, “annoy” - our comfortable ideas of form, medium and art.

Being his first solo show in five years, the established Chali’s Molestia makes for a strong resurgence, having exhibited in shows both group and solo a numerous amount throughout the past decade, but this time making his solo debut in Europe. With works that interacted in an almost conversational way with their environment, Molestia is an experience in and of itself for those fortunate enough to find themselves wandering Friedrichshain on a rainy Friday.

BC GALLERY
FREE ADMISSION
ENDS FEB 24 2018
1.00PM - 6.00PM WEDS - SAT

TOUMS - PRIMITIVE ACIDS

Throughout October and November of 2017, Berlin's Urban Spree Galerie played host to photographic and visual artist Toums and his exhibition Primitive Acids.

The haunting, surrealist images on exhibition were like snapshots taken from someone's darkest nightmare, with manual manipulation techniques used to destruct the physical form of the photographs.

URBAN SPREE GALERIE
FREE ADMISSION

CREATIVE BLOCK? READ THIS

No artist is ever completely happy with their work, and every artist has moments where they believe they're out of their depth. This is what makes us creatives; this is the definitive characteristic that drives us as artists to continue creating work. And that continual creation of our work - that is the process of improvement.

Don’t value your work in the wrong way - as soon as you attempt to parallel it with the work of your peers, as soon as you perceive the artwork in terms of what it can do for others rather than what it does for you, the meaning behind your creative work will usually begin to fade. Don't lose your way as an artist - I could sit and tell you about all the people out there who probably love your artwork, but I could very well be wrong. The point is, that’s not the point - your own resilience and commitment to your work is what will make you shine.

Image sources: spied, soierose, internetmotel