Favourite People Portraits 2013

Highly skilled Furniture Designer/Maker Andrew Bartlett greets me in Studio 6 at JamFactory. Original post.

Meeting and getting to know uniquely talented people made my 2013 a special year. Here are a few of my favourite people portraits captured during 2013! Thank you to all of the creatives whose philosophies, generous spirit and beautiful work inspired me throughout the year!

Designer/Maker Duncan Meerding in Adelaide Streets during Fringe Festival.

Åsa Jonasson with one of the beautiful Phoebe Lamps. Running into Phoebe post.

Jeweller Jessamy Pollock making paper studies in JamFactory’s Studio 5.

Sunday arvo with designer John Quan in Studio 6 at Jamfactory Contemporary Craft and Design.

Designer/Curator Elliat Rich at Wood: Art Design Architecture exhibition opening, Adelaide 2013.

An afternoon drive in the Victorian Countryside with dear friend Cameron Bruhn.

Professor Raymond Quek, Dr. Paul Emmons and Christopher Hill (Linedota) at Parallel Nippon exhibition opening.

Watching the talented Anna Varendorff share her beautiful jewellery at Six Jewellers Six Ways opening, Ari Athans Jewellery, Fortitude Valley.

Australian Designers’ Lunch at Space Furniture (Melbourne) with Designer Patricia Urquiola and Alberto Zontone. Lunch with Patricia Urquiola post here!

A Month of Glorious Sunsets

Through the clouds. Moments at sunset on 11 November 2013…

During the time I’ve had the pleasure of living with an expansive view of the western sky, I can say that never have I witnessed such glorious sunsets as those experienced in November 2013. Every afternoon I was drawn to my balcony like a joyful child in wonder of the play of light. Each sunset was so different and within a night’s dusk period the sky was transformed into many glorious moments that unfolded and continuously evolved. Some days there were wild storms followed by electric fluorescent colours or silver linings. Other days were more modest with hazy clouds and delicate highlights.

Here I have selected my favourite sunset moments from the month – many of which occurred all in the same afternoon – the sky transforming before ones eyes in the space of minutes. The 18th of November was a particularly amazing sunset day! Please enjoy the sheer beauty and immensity of nature captured here!

…colour intensifies…

…until the sun appears like an orb zooming past on the horizon. 11 November 2013.

Electric colours! Moments at sunset on 14 November 2014…

…close up a tutti-frutti love dream…

…and a little later on 14 November 2013.

A deadline and a super cell. Moments at sunset on 15 November 2013.

Storm front threatens. Moments at sunset on 18 November 2013…

…needed rain on the horizon…

…and then a silver lining…

… 20 minutes later…WOW…

…5 minutes later…

…an explosion of colour in the clouds…

…and on the horizon…

…to eventually fade to black. 18 November 2013.

Colours have not been altered. All photography Christina Waterson.

Lunch with Patricia Urquiola!

An intimate lunch at Space Furniture, Melbourne.

I was blessed to attend an intimate lunch hosted by one of my all time design heroes – Patricia Urquiola, at Space showroom, Melbourne. Patricia and partner in life and business Alberto Zontone were in Australia at the end of November for Space Furniture’s 20th birthday celebrations!

Spanish-born architect and designer Patricia Urquiola is one of the world’s most renowned designers. Her designs, such as Smock or Tropicalia Chairs and the tactile Dechirer tile range for Mutina, are inspirational. Each of her projects show an understanding and respect for materials, exquisite and sensitive detail, and a beautiful playfulness.

Yes, I am in awe of her work. To meet Patricia and find she is also a generous, intelligent and down to earth woman just really blew me away! I was speechless after spending lunch with her and I still am now!

Designer Dhiren Bhagwandas and Jon Holland (Space Furniture, State Manager). Photography Courtesy of Space Furniture.

Good company, great conversation and a special meal shared. Helen Kontouris with Nick Rennie. Photography Courtesy of Space Furniture.

The other special Australian designers that shared the experience were Lisa Vincitorio, Helen Kontouris, Nick Rennie, Dhiren Bhagwandas and Emma Aiston and Daniel To (Daniel-Emma). Wow… such esteemed company and a great experience!

Patricia Urquiola so kindly wearing my gift!

When I gave a set of my Tracelets to Patricia she exclaimed, “I have nothing to give you!” Patricia has given so much already through her inspirational work!

Thank you Patricia and Alberto; all of the Australian designers that attended; and especially Jon Holland, State Manager of Space Furniture, Melbourne for a great experience and initiative!

Decade of Design: Brisbane News 959 Article

Feature: Design in Focus. Brisbane News Issue 959 Cover. Courtesy of Brisbane News.

This week a great article about Hightide: Queensland Design Now Exhibition was published in Brisbane News. A sample of designers, whose work is featured in the exhibition, were interviewed by Jane Scott and photographed by Richard Waugh and Megan Slade for Brisbane News. They included Jason Bird (author of Hightide, Luxxbox), Surya Graf (Sugarfry, Snack-on, Street and Garden) and Christina Waterson (yours truly).

Decade of Design: Jason Bird (Luxxbox) author of the Hightide: Queensland Design Now Book pictured within the exhibition at artisan, Fortitude Valley. Brisbane News Issue 959.

Surya Graf relaxing on his Wave Bench, Sunshine Coast. Christina Waterson pictured with X-Screen. Brisbane News Issue 959.

Jane Scott from Brisbane News was great to speak with. The interview felt more like an enjoyable conversation than a formal interview. Photographer Richard Waugh visited my studio to take the photograph for the Brisbane News article. We had a lot of fun and Richard captured some great photos with the natural light pouring in from the south. Thank you Jane and Richard!

Have a read of the article and let me know what you think! And definitely visit the Hightide: Queensland Design Now Exhibition to see the great work of all of the designers up close. The exhibition runs until 8 February 2014, at artisan: idea skill product in Fortitude Valley.