fresh works and new directions...

Darting here and there at the moment... thought I'd show some work that I'll be putting up for the Studio Launch this weekend.

it was so enchanting last week to spend a couple of nights puddling around with colours on paper ... unconcerned about what direction I was heading.

Paul Klee's writing and imagery on seeds and plants has been a fascinating exploration.

I enjoyed working representationally when combined with elements of abstraction.

Loved how these seeds pods had a uniform number of branches on each stalk... 4 pods in every case.

Pomgamia is a tree growing around Brisbane streets with pods falling on pathways... something that always stop me short to pick up and pocket for later.

Pongamia up close... botanical details here at Wiki.

Wiki Excerpt: Oil made from the seeds, known as pongamia oil, is an important asset of this tree and has been used as lamp oil, in soap making, and as a lubricant for thousands of years. It can be grown in rain water harvesting pits /ponds / lands up to 6 meters water depth without losing the greenery and to produce bio diesel.^[7]

Another tangent is the Biodiversity Conversation Plate series... written about in other posts recently.

Hand-painted porcelain plates

using seed and pod motifs

come in several sizes and have been displayed on new shelves ready for the weekend showing at the launch. Its a small area of wall between two front windows... so light is good even if it didn't help when taking these shots!

I'll quickly close with several images from a brief project I did locally with 12 yr old students at a Brisbane secondary school last month. These individual works were set up for show in a huge black theatre space... hence the black walls!

Together we explored seeds and Biodiversity.

We had 4 brief sessions in all.. and covered a lot of ground through dialogue on various themes around seeds and biodiversity. It was interesting to hear their thinking on this and then take it to a public audience for response!

Buzzing off now. 

Best to all,

Sophie

7 days till the Studio: Seed.Art.Lab Launch

This lovely new glass cabinet has pride of place in the new studio...

Things are very busy getting ready for next weekend's launch so sadly there's been no visiting the blogosphere at all of late! I've even saved time by posting this here straight from my Studio blog so I can keep a little fresh info going out.

At the moment most of my posting is at the Homage to the Seed Facebook Page and on Twitter... short and sweet! Updates are quick and frequent over there!


7 days till the Studio: Seed.Art.Lab Launch

Recently I was part of a Artist-in-residence program that brought  5 artists together to work with the Jump-start Program at Kelvin Grove Secondary College in Brisbane.

I wrote about it at the Homage to the Seed blog and thought I'd post here something I wrote for the exhibition which started with the quoted above from Tom Waits from an interview with him in 2006.

This project really prompted me to think very deeply about the children inheriting this planet now and the silence of too many adults around the state of the planet. It must leave them asking a lot of questions quietly to themselves late at night if not elsewhere in their lives.

This is then what I wrote.

ITS GETTING HOT AROUND HERE : The Seeds and Bio-diversity story. 

Artist Statement from Sophie Munns 

In the 21st Century no longer can we take for granted continuation of life for thousands of plant species... including some of the 30,000 known edible species and countless other highly useful species we rely on. In fact we don't even know what remarkable seeds might be lost to us given that scientists are still discovering species, particularly in fragile Rainforest eco-systems. Certain plants have long been commodified for use as fuels, glues, plastics, fibres, textiles, papers, rubber, building materials, medications (traditional to bio-molecular), beverages... and the list goes on. 
Chocolate and coffee lovers around the planet are waking up to the rude fact that their favourite of tropical crops does not like it getting hotter. This has demanded swift response from plant science, farmers and a growing sector of coffee and chocolate companies to shift focus from quick-growth profit margins to the crucial step of increasing sustainability in the way coffee and cacao crops are grown, delivered to market, and understood by the public... all in the effort to ensure these potentially endangered species are maintained for the long term. This story is repeated over and over with many other species we like to put on our tables. 
Seed viability, the capacity of seeds to produce new life, is indeed a concern not always understood. Artist Residencies undertaken by Sophie Munns in Seed Bank Labs and Botanic Gardens since 2010 have led to ongoing exchanges with plant scientists, with access to an expanding field of scientific knowledge revealing precisely how changes in climate go on to impact the capacity of plants to survive in particular locations that for hundreds, even thousands of years, saw plants prosper in those very same regions. 
All around the globe the up-scaling of research on complex impacts on plants and eco-systems is bringing out a plethora of profoundly significant material that rarely reaches a general public audience. Dispersing information to the broader public has become an increasingly important task for the Science community and all who recognise the difference quality education makes. This is without doubt a potent and invaluable role the Arts can play in aiding the communication of critical material to a wider audience. 

Bringing ‘Seeds and Biodiversity’ to the Jump Start project the artist spent 4 sessions with a group of students examining key issues around Seeds and Biodiversity informed by current global research across Plant Science, Agriculture and related social, political and cultural issues. Students were given an overview of the role seeds have played across time, going back to the earliest known civilisations. We explored the cultural heritages of each individual in our group ... noting, wherever possible, links to family and ancestors from all over the globe and the unique relationship to plants and food growing they may have had or perhaps still have. We thought about how this shaped the cuisines and traditions we may have inherited or perhaps have some inkling of. 
Also discussed was the extraordinary number of ways that humans work with seeds and plant material, use them for hobbies and leisure, or pursuits with artistic or cultural purpose. Crucially, we considered why seeds need our protection right now in order to ensure our own well-being into the future. 
For inspiration the artist brought examples of her artwork, seed collections and items made from seed and plant material. Additionally we explored with work of two key artists ... Brisbane painter Robert McPherson’s series of bold graphic painted signage in large wall installations provided an ideal visual strategy and NY artist Keith Haring who rose to prominence in the 80’s for his strong grafitti style and extraordinary 'symbol + text' images. 
The graphic work exhibited here may at first glance appear simple, even unsophisticated. Look further at the ideas and thoughts being expressed and a potent truth may be revealed. These year 7 students are emerging into a very different world than the one familiar to those currently in the driving seats of our communities, organisations and institutions. Thoughtful students can often see a different world to the one their elders see. They possess enthusiasm for wide-ranging questions given the opportunity, and its evident they may not think it’s smart leaving nature and the environment out of planning strategies and decision-making. A desire to discover more on the complex, often contradictory aspects of how our world is evolving is heightened wherever interest in ideas, research and sharing of thoughts is encouraged. 
Given the young are inheriting a world slow to learn or act on changes already proven necessary its crucial they be able to explore and evaluate ideas and information. The case of Tobacco companies maintaining the fight to exist in the market-place despite conclusive medical science research and Govt public health campaigns demonstrate s clearly that where economics is concerned its up to each of us to question what the ads and headlines are telling us! Education has never been more vital if we want young people to be informed in taking on the challenge of climate change and the increasing call for sustainable practices that are effective, pragmatic and life-preserving. 
The capacity to think creatively, to bring both passion and critical thinking to the finding of new solutions is championed in this program which recognises our future is here... that the thinkers and creators of the future are here in this room tonight! 
Bravo to all the students taking part in JumpstART! 
Sophie Munns wishes to thank the excellent JumpstART team for this unique and highly stimulating opportunity to engage with these young thinkers and creators before us. Their insights and efforts to navigate the changing conditions of this planet demand our encouragement, sustained interest and respect as we all learn what it means to tread more carefully around this home we all share. 

I've returned over the years many times to working with children of all ages for one reason or another. Teaching posts and substitute teaching for one, then there have been classes given due to requests from parents for quality lessons not so easy to come by these days.

Recently I had two very alert students come for a 4.5 hr intensive in the holidays .... drawing and thinking about plant science. This is the direction I intend to keep on with... small groups sessions with people of all ages, focused on seeds and biodiversity and ways to think and interpret this material visually.

More on that soon. For  now I am delighted to share a small image of my new glass cabinet for seed collections taking pride of place in the new studio.

Its a beauty! Even the colour I love.

And a reminder that if in this part of the world you are welcome to come along to the launch next weekend... contact me if you need to find out more.

Busy times... back soon. Go well everyone!

words, ideas and all that!

I had some good weeks painting...

looking out on the garden from the studio window

then other jobs were beckoning to me and getting noisier till I took notice. I'd not quite finished painting the walls of the studio so that was also waiting ... and then there was promo to do for the up-coming Studio Launch. I tried designing a new Mail-chimp E-News bulletin which worked well with a simplified Mobile compatible template.

Only problem was words kept leaping out at me and wanting to be written. That led to another problem ... I wasn't sure about where this newsletter was going but, a few drafts later and its out!

This will take you to that newsletter... if time permits you a read. 

And don't forget the invitation to the Studio Launch to be held in two weeks time. All inquiries welcome!

\\

I hope to get back to a little more frequent posting before too long ... wishing a good week to all!

Sophie

Responding to words and ideas that resonate...

Since finding his writing in the mid 90's Ive often picked up a book, poem or quote by Ben Okri and more often than not would discover an idea that resonated or spoke to work I was doing at the time. I've borrowed his words for titles of artwork frequently and painted works where I've included his text.

From Wiki: Ben Okri OBE FRSL (born 15 March 1959) is a Nigerian poet and novelist.^[1] Okri is considered one of the foremost African authors in the post-modern and post-colonial traditions^[2][3] and has been compared favorably with authors such as Salman Rushdie and Gabriel García Márquez.^[4]

This small booklet is an example of employing the text in a visual mode. I loved the way the colour worked against the mat brown paper and the white ink text speaks out of the dark ground. I produced several booklets like this around Xmas and one friend who received this gift found the same deeply effecting quality in his words that I do... so was touched by the potency of word and image!

The pile of artworks on the left are what I worked on earlier this week... 50 watercolour
works on 300gm cotton paper completed as a series in 2 very long sittings!

'Mental Fight', in part inspired by William Blake, was published in London in 1999 excerpts were  featured in the London Times as the new Millennium approached.

I found these excerpts this morning which give you a taste of the work which I have mined on many occasions for the dense material it contains. 

Mental Fight: An anti-spell for the 21st Century

By Ben Okri

A few selected extracts

Already, the future is converging with the past.
Already the world is converging.
The diverse ways of the world
Will create wonderful new forms,
Lovely cultural explosions
In the centuries to come.
Already I sense future forms of art,
Of painting, sculpture, humour,
Already I sense future novels,
Plays, poems, dances.
Already I sense the great orchestras
Of humanity, a world symphony,
A world jam, in which the diverse
Genius of the human race -
It's rich tapestry of differences -
Will combine, weave, heighten,
Harmonise all its varied ways
And bring about a universal flowering
In all the vast numbers of disciplines
And among the unnumbered people.
Already I can hear this distant music
Of the future,
The magic poetry of time,
The distillation of all our different gifts.

Will you be at the harvest,
Among the gatherers of new fruits?
Then you must begin today to remake
Your mental and spiritual world,
And join the warriors and celebrants
Of freedom, realisers of great dreams.

You can't remake the world
Without remaking yourself
Each new era begins within.
It is an inward event,
With unsuspected possibilities
For inner liberation.
We could use it to turn on
Our inward lights.
We could use it to use even the dark
And negative things positively.
We could use the new era
To clean our eyes,
To see the world differently,
To see ourselves more clearly.
Only free people can make a free world.
Infect the world with your light.
Help fulfill the golden prophecies
Press forward the human genius.
Our future is greater than our past.

We are better than that.
We are greater than our despair.
The negative aspects of humanity
Are not the most real and authentic;
The most authentic thing about us
Is our capacity to create, to overcome,
To endure, to transform, to love,
And to be greater than our suffering.
We are best defined by the mystery
That we are still here, and can still rise
Upwards, still create better civilisations,
That we can face our raw realities,
And that we will survive
The greater despair
That the greater future might bring.

From "Mental Fight - an anti-spell for the 21st century", Phoenix House 1999

(Reprinted by the Community Development Resource Association - www.cdra.org.za)

'This epic poem by Booker Prize winner Ben Okri is an intimate song of rage and restoration. It speaks to each new moment and each person, like sunlight or like pain. It is an anthem to our ascending dreams, and a hymn of inspiration.' Google Books

This is not the complete work...  just a few pages!

His words prompt much contemplation...

driving home some big themes we often don't care to think about

Today I was reminded of the still immensely relevant call to us he made around the new Millennium to remake the world with vision and courage for the unknown future coming at us. 

A friend who works tirelessly as an advocate for the future of a fairer, healthier Food System in this country has been chewing over some big questions... some of which aligns with the work I do through Homage to the Seed ... and some simply because of our common human experience and concerns over the future colliding with the planetary civilisation we've cultivated being so out of step with the limit's of nature. 

I find it critical to have these conversations whether or not others care to.  Just as we don't want a bad news diagnosis from our doctors we don't really want to hear the Science community telling us of the quickening of this ailing planet. I understand the resistance... but will always argue that not responding makes it far worse than the effort to be in the conversation and acting on overwhelming evidence that we must do something. Being in contact with Plant scientists, reading news coming in from all quarters leaves me in no doubt as to the scale of concerns.

"Within my generation, whatever climate we were used to will be a thing of the past." - Nature study lead author Camilo Mora

More here... if you dare!

Quality discussion allows a greater sense of resiliance and connectedness to result than does digging in and turning away from what's ahead. Instead of a dull dread gnawing away somewhat unconsciously it means I get to participate in solutions, in the development of cultural and educational responses that can grow and support change on all levels. 

I feel very much drawn to this as one might be drawn to nurture one's precious child. Its one thing to paint, to be an artist... the much bigger picture that calls me however is a desire to put what I do, as an artist, as a human being, in the service of something far greater than a personal career. 

If all one did was listened to news from Science quarters it could be overwhelming. Mind you there are  scientists who are hugely engaging,  variously involved in tremendously exciting ventures, working in a multitude of ways that can inspire and certainly offer a fresh sense of perspective.

Turning to the poets, the deep explorers of other frontiers of thought is a counterbalance for the science... both are necessary, both matter!

The '50 paintings on cotton paper' series

210 x 100 mm sized 300 gm paper 

they came in a package of 50

Interesting to observe where some work succeeds 

in having a life-force about it... and others do not.

this one seemed to go somewhere else

these paired works offer contradictions

I particularly liked this pairing

and broke out a little below

 introducing the purple here

I spent two long days working on this after most of the previous week's distraction of fighting a virus that really zapped my energy. This painting series was an unleashing of sorts. Listening to Radio National at length, hardly breaking away from the work to push the most out of this simple motif, the limited colour palate and a heightened desire to make really animated small works that could speak for something intangible and strong that was pre-occupying me on some level.

The best result in the making of 50 small works was a growing fluency ... not unlike what it used to feel like after hours practicing at the piano working towards the accomplishment of something more difficult. I liked the brain-work of the exercise... wandering off on tangents of thought or staying very present to the making of compositions, trying out numerous approaches to bring rhythmic variation, spacial depth into the works... or alternatively paring back, reducing down to essences, going linear, delicate, minimal. 

Finally last night I managed to commit to the design for my new business card ...spending hours designing then ordering a series of postcards, business cards and so on in preparation for the upcoming Studio launch which will be held on Saturday November 23rd. If you are in Brisbane that weekend and would like to come along ...watch this space for further info or email for details here.

The card introduces a new departure... I've mused for months on what to call the studio. 

With a plan to build momentum for setting up engagements with others I wish to promote my base as a multi-dimensional work and interactive space. Focusing on Plant Science, dialogue on Biodiversity in eco-systems and cultural terms plus Art concerns and seed + plant collecting I toyed with the idea of the laboratory.

Clearly it communicates an intention to give the exploration of Science space and that is a good place to start for the next phase of my work.. 

Seed.Art.Lab took some getting used to ... and I have had months to consider it... but now as I seetle my mind on where I'm heading it feels like the next stage of a venture whose time has well and truly come. The dialogue between disciplines, knowledge bases, between people of different backgrounds, ages, persuasions and interests is important as never before. 

Rejecting the unfamiliar may be a strong tendency for we humans.... but building the kind of complex 'response-ability' that is critically called for at this time takes courage and willingness to look into the unfamiliar. One approach to the new is quiet considered enthusiasm or I guess run and hide ... I for one will be very excited to attempt to keep the dialogue open and the cross-pollinations richly rewarding in my very new 'laboratory'!

Here goes!

Best to you all who come by and take time to read...  its much appreciated!

paint, brushes, water and somewhere to work....

Each passing week increases the feeling of pleasure of being settled and working again.

Distractions have been many and ... well... rather frustrating! Getting internet on took months and that's for starters. Finding one's printer has died, watching an expensive repair list growing.... for my car, computer, digital projector ... you name it ... is no fun.

However... Ive decided that every time my brain starts to seize up due to unhelpful agitation whilst tackling another hold-up I will unplug and turn focus to the garden,  or what I'm painting or even to inviting someone for a home-cooked meal and good conversation. 

This week I was pleased as punch to get my new fold-up push-bike going. It fits in the back of my car so I can easily access Brisbane bike-path networks running beside creek catchment areas bringing the opportunity for getting to know the lay of the land from a different perspective. Over the last few years visiting the coast north of here I've noticed really great bike-paths beside ocean, rivers and cool shady nature reserves. The fresh air and safe path-ways make riding so much more appealing than city streets ... plus I can look out for seedpods whilst riding along and keep the camera handy.

Back to the studio I've so enjoyed getting into painting again after having successfully suppressed the need to paint for 6 months or more. It was hard to start back... but at some point in the last few weeks I went from feeling incredibly rusty and awkward to reconnecting with an undying passion for paint and intense hunger for working at it.

The timing was right ... it was exactly what I need to do to be ready for what's coming!

Preparing for a NOVEMBER STUDIO LAUNCH, for which I am currently checking dates before announcing officially, I've devised some new developments in the studio which will be ready for the launch in mid-late November.

Here is a glimpse of what I'm up to... a brand-new series of Biodiversity Conversation Plates that will be a fascinating part of the bigger Homage to the seed project. WATCH THIS SPACE!

These hand-painted porcelain plates are one-off, unique works based on seed species, some very abstracted, other not so much.

The restricted palette allows for a unity that might not otherwise be evident.

I'm using new and second hand porcelain plates

The paints are water-based, don't need excessive layering and are fixed by heat and very durable. I know this from having used this product 20 years ago and with the pieces I kept its proved to be a  permanent and reliable product which I'm delighted to have more or less mastered(figure of speech!) the use of long ago.

I have used them on my table ... however one precaution I take is using them only as a vessel for dry items like bread, nuts and so on. I would never paint a bowl and fill it with hot, moist food even though the chance of contamination is excessively minor. 

They have such a wonderful decorative and symbolic application in the work I do that I am excited to have returned to making this concept series.

As for painting on larger surfaces I'm re-working a theme from an earlier period, 2010, which has a natural parallel to the round plates.... staying with a very similar restricted palette that feels apt for the moment.

"Seed Calendar", 80 x 80 cm, acrylic and pigmented ink on linen

So thats things for this week. Think it going to be paintbrushes-kind-of-weekend here ... monday is a public holiday so its a chance to give up on worrying about tech glitches and machinery going south and celebrate the world if ideas and paint.

Have a great weekend wont you?

Connecting the dots once more!

Its so good to report that life is starting to settle into a more work-a-day kind of existence that's bringing simple contentment to this home. Even the potted plants brought from our former residence look happier now they are once more nurtured and adapting to changed conditions!

We're enjoying the birds around this new neighbourhood... there seems to be suitable habitat around here to ensure a variety of birdsong which is a surprise and most appreciated.

Internet connected and working again brings far more consistency and  productivity to following unfolding stories from the different areas of interest in my work.

My Instagram page

I was chuffed with this photo put up on Instagram today by Jo Cook whom I sent postcards to in Tasmania to say how much I liked her contribution to the FAIR FOOD WEEK Photo competition I recently helped judge. Jo is a freelance chef and Food Curator in Tasie who tweets her news here.

Photo by Jo Cook on Instagram

The Photo competition was conducted by the talented Sharon Lee for The Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance's Fair Food Week held in August. She is a driving force at her website/blog Flavour Crusader in the dialogue fighting for a healthy, fair and delicious Food Supply and is based in Sydney.

Not only that... she brings an air of excitement with her wherever she goes and is more than likely to make one laugh at her infectious jokey turn of phrase!

Read here about the venture!

FlavourCrusader is a community of farmers, gardeners, cooks and eaters fighting for a healthy, fair and delicious food supply. Join us here or on Twitter,Facebook or Instagram. Soon, we’ll have our own app; signup (to the right) to know when it’s ripe and ready.

Sharon Lee devours magnificent peaches, strawberries and tomatoes. She cooks with exotic flavours, traditional recipes and real slow. She plants seeds in pots and occasionally, they do grow! She’s attaining a Masters in Public Health because there’s no Masters in Deliciousness.

James McParlane is the CTO of Massive Interactive and has architected, coded and managed the development of an array of award winning sites and applications over 20 years. When we meet and eat, he insists that I order. Smart move, programmer dude!

Volunteers are our lifeblood. We’re grateful to Sophie Munns, Zoe Bowman, Lucinda Dodds, Pauline Mak, Camilla Baker, Grant Young, Lucia Torres, Rohini Goyal, Mei Sun, Adriaan Stellingwerff, Angela Jann, Miream Rabba, Tony Hollingsworth, Pete Locke, Samantha Lipovic, Ivan Zugec and Michael Wardop.

We’d like to thank the catalysts and mentors at Asix, Social Innovation Sydney and XMediaLab. We love our research participants, talented blog contributors and anyone who’s made a suggestion, comment or joined in the conversation.  That's you!                                                                     Images by Zonie Zambonie and ~Essence of a Dream~

I'm sharing below her colourful post about the Photo Competition: 

My Food Story

Oh my gosh how freaking delighted I was during the two weeks of this competition! It was so exciting to receive the entries, pigs and chooks and tales of abundance into my email. Ping! Ping! Oink! Bok!

Here are the winners:

BEST PRODUCE

“It’s not always about what you can grow to eat. Green manure is both tasty and essential for soil vitality!”
ppmak

BEST DISH

“Apple scrap vinegar. Who knew that you could take the scraps from your fruit, and turn them into something useful. These scraps are from our first real harvest of apples from our various apple trees. I was making some of them into a pie, and remembered that I had read somewhere about turning the scraps into alcohol, then letting it become vinegar. Some of my bottles didn’t seem to turn, but the ones that did have made a beautiful subtle vinegar, with an appley flavour that goes great in salad dressings!”
Bec

PEOPLES’ CHOICE

“My apple pie :) ”
Tim

Thanks to the judges, Sophie Munns, Lucy Dodds and Zoe Bowman, who—amongst moving, weddings and work—were able to devote time to evaluate the entries. Thanks to the sponsors for your generosity. Thanks everyone for sharing, your comments, likes and for participating. It wasn’t just good fun, we were able to spread the ethos of Fair Food to over 25,000 people. Woohoo!

GO visit Flavour Crusader and see whats she's up to now!


So... after weeks and weeks and weeks since March of everything except studio time I'm settling in and finding that ideas are turning into planning meetings and conversations are growing new shoots and my brain is starting to process things in a whole more productive way again.

I had a meeting yesterday with Jutta... one of those clever, hard-working people who is not just a brilliant catalyst for ideas BUT also seeing things come to fruition, steadily and potently. Humble to boot she plays down her achievements but they include working with the Cubberla-Witton Catchments Networks Inc in 2005 to hold a fungi conference in Brisbane. Seminars were presented by mycologists from around Australia launching an organisation the Queensland Mycological Society.

Events run by the Queensland Mycological Society (QMS) provide an excellent opportunity to discover the amazing Kingdom of Fungi. Get to know your local macrofungi by attending QMS forays (field trips). Meetings are informative and entertaining. Going to workshops is another great way to learn more about fungi and develop identification skills.

Always quick to honour the work of others it's not long before one discovers Jutta Goodwin is a woman of vision and substance and has much to do the success of many ventures she tirelessly gives both long hours and significant organisational skills to.

Regenration project via here

The Cubberla-Witton Catchments Network is part of Brisbane's Catchment network and plays a major role in community education and participation in land-care in the area close to Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens where I spent 2010 on a residency at the Seedlab. The CWCN website is down at present but with a brand new Community Centre for events, ongoing committee work and hire to interested  community groups and individuals I imagine things will be very busy.


As for life here at the studio ... attending meetings, seminars and soon a conference is keeping me on the go at the moment as I pick up on where I left off months ago.
Its hard to keep up with all the wonderful conversations of the last month when I think back. 

On Saturday I drove about 2.5 hours south to NSW to visit at this wonderful farm below where a meeting and overnight stay was planned. It was just the thing this change of scenery... and after much conversation we'd generated more than a few ideas for a possible collaboration down the track.

The view from the front verandah at the farm over-looking Mt Warning! My kind hosts were delightful company and by the time I departed late Sunday afternoon I felt quite restored after spending time in such a restful environment. 

              Images from the farm and nearby town!


Sunday night I stayed up the coast a night with relatives and enjoyed catching up on news, next day visiting their Carpet store at Southport where I took photos of the stunning wool colour spectrums and highly textured pure wool carpet samples from New Zealand. I was seduced by the incredible range of sustainable products they were selling with only a tiny percentage of synthetic options in the whole store.

Rich colours and wools with some wonderfully designed samples that reminded me of sea anenomes!

Well ... I am sitting at the desk on casters tapping away on my lap-top and there's a pile of tasks staring at me so I will say good-bye for today even though there are more stories that could be shared here... Enough for now!

Enjoy your week wont you!

Sophie