Leila Jeffreys Is No Flaming Galah…

Tags

Australia, Bird, Birds, Budgie, Christmas, Cockatoo, Galah, Gift, Jonathan Adler, Leila Jeffreys, Photographer, Photography, Shopping, Sydney, Tim Olsen Gallery

‘Queenie’, the Galah Cockatoo by Leila Jeffreys
(Image © Leila Jeffreys)

galah

n
1. an Australian cockatoo, Kakatoe roseicapilla, having grey wings, back, and crest and a pink body
2. Austral slang a fool or simpleton

When you first arrive in Sydney (and possibly all of Australia, for that matter) one of the first things you notice are the birds. Both colourful and noisy, Australian birds are hard to ignore. Their cries start as the sun rises and seem to go all day…

Perhaps one of the most noticeable types of bird are the cockatoos. Until I came to Australia, I had only ever seen a cockatoo in the zoo. Here in Sydney, they are everywhere and they have bold and loud personalities.

Sulphur Crested Cockatoo by Leila Jeffreys
(Image © Leila Jeffreys)

Leila Jeffreys is developing quite the following for her bird photography, and when you see her work, it is easy to see why.

Leila’s love of birds has led her all around Australia and the world. She has photographed and helped scientists study endangered birds on Christmas Island; she has been welcomed into the world of pedigree budgerigar ‘best in show’ bird competitions; and she has photographed migrating birds across Europe.

She recently exhibited her Biloela – Wild Cockatoos body of work at the Tim Olsen Gallery which threw a bright spotlight on Australia’s incredibly beautiful cockatoo.

She says, “Now that I’m an adult, I can’t think of anything else I’d rather be doing than spending a day with some birds, getting to know them, them getting to know me and finding a way to cut through our differences until we’re left with one animal photographing another”

If I had a talent for photography and a passion for birds like yours, Leila, I think I’d feel exactly the same way…

‘Seisa’, Palm Cockatoo by Leila Jeffreys
(Image © Leila Jeffreys) 

‘Neville’, Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo by Leila Jeffreys
(Image © Leila Jeffreys)

If you’d like to learn more about Leila Jeffreys and her cockatoo series, or perhaps check out her budgie series (which was good enough for Jonathan Adler), you’ll get access her site here.

Tim Olsen Gallery still has available works of Leila’s for sale, too. What a Christmas present…

Jonathan Adler Does White Well…

Tags

Christmas Gifts, Gifts, Holiday Gifts, Homewares, Jonathan Adler, Kim Kardashian, Mae West, P.Diddy, Puff Daddy, Shopping

I feel safe in white because deep down inside, I’m an angel. (Puff Daddy)

Sure you are, P.Diddy…

You may recall that way back in April I posted about the fabulously-fun-yet-not-quite-quirky Jonathan Adler (here, if you feel like a refresher). Well, recently I saw a great video at 99U where the highly commercial-yet-irreverent Mr Adler talks about keeping other people’s opinions out of your creative process. I have to say, I do like him and his approach.

Anyhoo, that put Jonathan Adler in my mind, AND I’m in that ‘what do I buy <insert name here> for Christmas?’ space, so I revisited his site and found all sorts of goodies, which just happen to be (mostly) white.

Perhaps some ideas for the silly season?

White is actually one of my favorite colours. I have a white car. I love white. (Kim Kardashian)

Carter Kustera’s Adler Portrait
A winner of numerous awards for art and illustration, New York based Carter Kustera brings his talent for creating custom portraits to Jonathan Adler customers.
All custom portraits are single image, hand painted in opaque watercolour and have a self-written tagline.
All this for inly US$750 (I would still love one of LM!)
(Image from Jonathan Adler)

Giraffe Lamp by Jonathan Adler
I kinda’ like how Mr Giraffe’s head pokes out the top of the lamp…
US$395.00
(Image from Jonathan Adler)

Orange Piped Towel from a range by Jonathan Adler
You all know how much I love orange!
Prices range from US$8.00 for a wash/face cloth to US$44.00 for a bath towel
(Image from Jonathan Adler)

The Edie Vase by Jonathan Adler
According to the ad’ blurb, ‘Surprising, surreal, sublime’
US$198.00
(Image from Jonathan Adler)

Dachshund Bookends by Jonathan Adler
It’s a dog. WHat can I say…?
US$150.00
(Image from Jonathan Adler)

Muse Pitcher by Jonathan Adler
The muse pitcher, inspired by Jonathan’s love affair with Salvador and Misia, is hand-sculpted white porcelain with a sheer glossy glaze.
US$98.00
(Image from Jonathan Adler)

Utopia Sailor/Captain Mug
For the boaties in your life…
US$26.00
(Image from Jonathan Adler)

I used to be Snow White, but I drifted. (Mae West)

And, finally – I know it’s not white but can’t you imagine filling one of these with favoured chocolates and giving it as a gift…?

Uppers Canister (Mustard and White) by Jonathan Adler
US$98.00
(Image from Jonathan Adler)

To see more of Jonathan Adler’s most fabulous wares, and maybe even do a spot of online shopping, head here.

Jonathan Adler – fabulously fun but perhaps not quite quirky!

Tags

Arts, culture, Cushions, Design, Dogs, Furniture, Homewares, Interior design, Jonathan Adler, Lifestyle, Peru, Rugs, Shopping, VAses

I know – his work is perhaps a tad too mainstream to be considered quirky, particularly for you Northern Hemisphere dwellers, but hear me out… I spotted these Jonathan Adler Williamsburg vases the other day and added them to my wee list of ‘things I like’.

As with so many things, when you change the context, you introduce a new perspective.  Forget they are a fabulously-fun-yet-not-quite-quirky Jonathan Adler design… NOW, might they look the teeniest bit quirky?

Jonathan Adler Utopia Williamsburg Vase
A little bit of whimsy for US$38 for the pair
(You can buy them here)
His and hers, no less!

Following on from that find, I thought it only reasonable to take a decent squizz at the flamboyant Mr Adler’s site.  You know what? – he’s got some funky stuff. If its been a while since you popped your head in, let me share a few things that tickled my wee fancy….

Jonathan Adler Zebra Rug - in orange
Hand loomed llama's wool rug from Peru at US$995
(You can buy them here)
Who knows where I would put it but its ORANGE!!! (or black, pink, red, turquoise, green...)

Jonathan Adler leather Terrier
Handcrafted from full grain leather at US$695
(You can buy them here)
Or, maybe you'd prefer a hippo' or pig or elephant or rhino'?

Jonathan Adler embroidered 'Specs Case' - in green
Handmade wool needlepoint for US$42
(You can buy them here)
I suspect it makes me officially old that I even need to consider a specs case...

Jonathan Adler Walnut Claude Special Edition Gossip Bench Set
You can stack or reconfigure to your hearts desire. This one for US$1,890
(You can order one here)
These are limited edition collectors editions and - forget the exorbitant shipping costs - I have no-where in my home to put one. DAMN IT!!!

Jonathan Adler Mod Love Cushion
Spread the love with needlepoint at US$175
(You can buy them here)
This design is also available as a footstool. Perhaps not together, though... too matchy, matchy, matchy!

I even quite like the Jonathan Adler manifesto.  Who doesn’t appreciate a brand that has the audacity to state, “We believe that when it comes to decorating, the wife is always right. Unless the husband is gay.“? Or, what about, “We believe tassels are the earrings of the home“? What do you reckon’?