I’ve written recently about my friend Lauren, who passed away in April. I’ve been looking through the prints and handmade books she made for me, and I wanted to share one here, for her fans and friends who would not have seen it before. It’s a book in a box based on the series of hers called ‘The Closet’. Her choice of the box for the book, the eye and the keyhole all had symbolic meaning for Lauren, in relation to the series of prints. The work speaks for itself, really, so here it is.
Author Archives: Melanie Dooley
Surprises and Treasures
Now that my bout of travelling for work is over I can get back down to the business of creating. I’ve not been idle in the creating department, it’s just that I’ve not had much opportunity to write about it. I have continued collecting up lovely treasures and of late have become enamoured of Empire-era jewelery from France. I suppose my love of the style from this era stems from my collection of antique fashion prints from the same period. The Neo-Classical style is one I love – not just in jewelery but in decorative arts as well. I am eagerly awaiting the Napoleon Exhibition which starts in Melbourne in a week or so. There should be some amazing examples of Empire era decor, art and jewelery on display. In fact I also have a collection of Napoleon-themed goodies ready to create some new designs, in honour of the exhibition.
In England the ‘Empire Period’ would have been called ‘late-Georgian’ – the period from 1800 to around 1825. I’ve gathered a few pieces of jewelery and artworks and hope to add to the collection.
A real treasure and recent find was this bracelet.
The photos I saw from the guy who sold it to me were a little fuzzy but I liked the mother of pearl centre piece so I agreed to buy it, if only to repurpose it into a new design. Little did I know that the entire bracelet is made from cut steel and quite probably dates to the first quarter of the 1800s.
It is a quality piece, as you can see from the tongue of the clasp – which is riveted and not simply bent metal (which can break and become unsecure over time).
Each cut steel ‘stone’ is riveted in place – another sign of quality and age. There is some slight surface rust, which I hope I can remove. The mother of pearl centrepiece shows a typically Neo-Classical symbol of an urn with flowers. The setting for this MOP centrepiece has the same claws as two other Empire era brooches I have. All of these clues lead me to believe the bracelet is from the same era. After replacing the old jump rings with blackened silver rings, I can wear this bracelet and it is a perfect fit!
Something else from the same era is this pair of framed prints. The print is as I found it – the original glass and framing, with the original prints inside. Very sweet in style and sentiment.
Another favourite of mine is this divine miniature frame – it dates to the very early 1800s, if not to the late 1700s. Don’t you love the little brass elements decorating the frame? I’ve put some reprints inside the frames for now…one day I’ll find something more original.
These two brooches are on their way to becoming a bracelet and necklace – I’ve not made any decisions on how to make them yet, so stay tuned for the final product!
Last but not least is this beautiful memorial image from France. It came to me in a much smaller, round frame. The frame had bug holes and some fresh sawdust, so fearing some nasty little destroyer, I threw out the original frame and had the image re-framed. The amazing thing with this somewhat naive picture is that it is made entirely from hair. Strands, strips, cuttings are all combined an a very artful manner into this lovely and touching memorial image. The hair is glued onto a wafer of vellum or ivory, and there is a separate panel that sits behind which has subtle colour in watercolour paint for the sky and ground.
Waiting for the Light
I’ve always thought that anyone can take a photo, but few of us could call ourselves a photographer. And few who call themselves a photographer really are. One person who could define the occupation in a profoundly original, intriguing and beautiful way was my friend, Lauren Simonutti.
I write this as a complete and utter non-photographer. I am one of the many who can ‘take a photo’ but I would never go so far as to call myself a photographer. So forgive any lack of eloquence when it comes to describing photographic processes, using the right terminology and understanding the technicalities. That’s not what this story is about anyway.
It’s about a person. She was a photographer. And she was my friend.
For me, Lauren’s death has left behind not a huge body of work for us to admire in the decades to come. It has left a hole where my friend once was. Maybe over time the hole will fill with other things and the work will remain. I will remember a friend who was gifted, kind, generous and upstanding. Maybe my greatest lament is that the world needs more people like Lauren – people with integrity and honesty – people who display these qualities in everything they do.
As much as I loved Lauren’s photos and her handmade books, to me she was simply my friend. I found her work fascinating – not from any technical point of view – but rather because of the contrast between the person and her pictures. It always amazed me that we could both walk into the same room or experience the same place, and she could portray it in such a way that I wondered if I had ever been there at all. Indeed, when I look at the portraits she took of me, I feel that I am looking at someone I don’t know, but I remember being there. I’ve seen so many accolades for Lauren’s work (rightly so) in the month or so since her death. What I hope to achieve with this piece of writing is to show a little bit of the person who was my ‘mate’.
Lauren was a loyal and caring friend. One time when she was staying with me she came into my bedroom for our usual ‘pre-going-to-sleep chat’. We’d talk about what she did that day in her travels around Melbourne, and I’d tell her what I did at work. On this occasion I’d had a hard day so she told me a joke to cheer me up. For the life of me I cannot recall the exact words of the joke so I won’t try to re-tell it here – (it had something to do with a hooker and a mattress). Whatever it was, it was hilarious at the time and we laughed so hard and for so long that I felt like I’d broken a rib. Lauren laughed herself to the other side of the room. Once we calmed down she said that she could go to bed and sleep peacefully, knowing I was happy and that she’d made me laugh.
Lauren said that she took photos so she could remember what she did and that she was there. Here is a story about the photo that never was…
In 2010 Lauren travelled from Baltimore to Melbourne stayed with me for a month. We flew from Melbourne to Sydney for a long weekend holiday. Our first adventure was to visit Waverley Cemetery. Lauren had wanted to go there ever since she saw a photo I’d taken which portrayed an angel against the backdrop of a blue ocean. She wanted to see the ‘cemetery by the sea’.
We had packed her 5×7 ‘accordion camera’ (as I called it) into her backpack, along with the tripod and various other bits and pieces she needed. It was quite heavy, and she lugged it along the coastal path for the hour-long walk from Bondi Beach to the cemetery.
We undertook this trek with the intention of taking some photos of the beautiful monuments at the cemetery. Lauren did not usually shoot outside, so this was a nice challenge for her, she said.
We scouted around the cemetery, looking at angles, textures, details and so forth. Up and down the rows of graves we went; me, feeling like the person who must have held Picasso’s paintbrushes when he painted. It took a while but finally Lauren found the perfect shot. (I could go back there tomorrow and tell you the exact place she chose.) She unpacked her gear, set it up and then reached for the film in the front flap of her day bag.
It was at this moment that she realized she had forgotten the film. We looked at each other, feigning serious disappointment, and then fell onto the grass and laughed our heads off. “Imagine that”, I said, “the illustrious photographer forgot her film.” (As it turned out, she had left it in Melbourne. We thought she’d left it in our hotel room in the city, but it was, in fact, 1,000 kilometers away.)
So now I think about the photos that were never taken, and the things that were never seen or the words that were never said.
And I am sad, but I am also remembering what my mother said to me when I told her that Lauren had died.
“You were incredibly fortunate to know someone like Lauren, in the way you did. She revealed a lot of herself to the world, but she did not share a lot of herself with many people.”
I still can’t conceive that I won’t get another email from Lauren, that I won’t get to go to NYC with her as we had planned, that she won’t get to see my new house, meet my partner Brendan and my little dog, Serge.
I see her photos every day when I look at the framed prints on my wall. I can handle the books she made for me and appreciate the time and effort she put into them and her reason for making them. But I can’t tell her about my day, or what I’ve got planned for the weekend or what’s happening with my family.
Waiting for the light
Lauren used to describe the process she followed when taking her photos. She would set up in her shooting room, then she would arrange her props and get everything just right.
And then she would wait for the light.
Lauren, I hope you are no longer waiting for the light. I hope you are somewhere in it: a part of it. And I hope that all the darkness has finally left.
So very sad
My dear friend and greatest inspiration, Lauren Simonutti, has passed away.
I have always credited Lauren as the inspiration who set me on the path to developing my creativity, and along the way we became the best of friends. We were quite close in age and hit it off from the first meeting. Twice Lauren visited Australia and stayed with me. We had such wonderful fun together and so many laughs. I was planning to stay with her later this year when I go to the USA.
A Treasure and a Passion
I want to share with you something that I love with a great passion and curiosity. I’ve always liked antique fashion prints – especially those dating to the first quarter of the 1800s – known as the Regency period in England or the Empire period in France. The French fashion plate series called Costume Parisien are one of my faves, as are the English prints by Ackermann and from the publication La Belle Assemblee.
I started buying these prints a few years ago, when they were quite cheap and easy to come by. Now they are rapidly becoming more expensive and collectible. Ackermann prints can now cost upwards of 50 pounds each when a few years ago I could buy one for 15 pounds.
A little while ago I came across the Holy Grail of fashion prints (for me at least) - those from French publication the Magasin des Modes Nouvelles and it’s earlier manifestation the Cabinet des Modes. These are quite hard to come by and when I see them, I try to grab them. My collection is humble – 11 prints so far – and I hope to keep adding to it whenever I can afford to do so. I will happily go without a new pair of shoes or a new top to buy one of these prints.
Don’t you just love the hats on those ladies? And the attention to detail in their ribbons and accessories is so sweet. And to think that Australia had hardly been colonised for a decade when people were prancing around Paris in these elaborate head embellishments.
Here is another from Magasin des Modes showing a full dress.
And what about this bed? The magazine also featured decorative arts from the era, such as furniture, chandeliers and porcelain.
And here is an example of a Costume Parisien print. They range in date from the late 1700s right through to the 20th century Jazz Age. Most of what I collect are from the period of late 1700s to around 1830. The earlier ones are quite collectible and this later one is equally delightful – each one has a number so the closer to ’1′, the older it is.
I will be using some of these prints in a new project I am working on, and I hope to annouce a whole new product line which should be availabel around June/July. Stay tuned!
Crazy Earring Lady
I made 20 pairs of earrings yesterday, and a few necklaces as well. I make these to sell at the local markets. It’s fun to use the old Czech glass and crystal beads – they come in amazing colours and shapes.
Earrings
I’ve had a four day break from work for the Easter weekend so I’ve spent most of that time lazing around at home and making jewelry, walking our doggie and visiting family.
Here is one necklace I made – I used a Swedish guilloche locket in the most divine baby blue colour, and teamed it with gold fill chain, blue Topaz, gold beads and little rubies. I love it! For sale at Etsy.
Guilloche Locket Necklace
I’m also very pleased with how this cherub necklace came together. I had the little cherubs cast in silver from original pieces I own – the round piece was once a button and the connector above was once a cufflink. I teamed these with Iolite chain and a vintage rhinestone link.
Cherub Necklace
Some new things
I actually made a few things for myself last night. Some time ago I picked up this intriguing little pendant you see in the photo below.
It looks like a little cocktail shaker, or maybe a tiny urn. It is neither but it does relate to a vice of sorts. For when you screw open the lid you find this inside…
Yep, it’s a little dice holder. The dice inside are made from carved bone. I believe the piece to be from the 19th century, but I don’t know more about it than that. It is from France, so maybe it was a doll’s accessory? Whatever it WAS, it is NOW part of what I call the Vice Necklace. I used a delightful little serpent pendant to hang it from, and accented the otherwise monotone design with juicy pink sapphires.
I did also make a few things to list in my shop as well.
Like these lovely Mary earrings with exclusively-cast silver Mary charms…
Or this statement necklace which features a perfect condition Art Deco chain maille purse.
I also loved making these charm necklaces from a variety of lovely bits and pieces including a fine silver seal I made myself using one of my antique Georgian-era seals for the impression.
Rose Street Market Rocks!
I had my first stall at Rose Street Artist’s Market last weekend. I had SUCH a good time. It started with the helpful and friendly folks who helped me set up my space, and then it continued throughout the day with a steady flow of interested and friendly customers. It is so nice to see people who are genuinely interested in what I make. I had customers from age 8 to age 80. A few lucky women who live interstate are going to be receiving some of my assemblage necklaces for their milestone birthdays later this year (thanks to their sisters who came to town for a shopping weekend).
Even as I was packing up a last minute shopper came by and bought three necklaces from me ‘to jazz up her work clothes’.
It’s an indoor/outdoor market, with most of the jewellers being outside under marquees. I had a loan marquee but will buy my own for the next market on 14th April. Here are some pics of my stall.
Seems like forever…
…since I last wrote in this blog.
Probably because it HAS been a while and I have been super busy in my day job. I am always plotting ways to make my day job redundant, so I can focus on making stuff for a living. Alas, that day is not here yet…but I am always optimistic.
I have been ‘doing stuff’ other than work.
Serge went to get neutered the other day.
Serge
He does not like his Elizabethan collar – but what dog does? He has been very good, not really bothering his wound, but we have to watch him a lot. Luckily it is a three day weekend so we can spend time keeping him occupied with things other than his stitches.
We went to a lovely old Victorian mansion today – Ripponlea.
Ripponlea
It’s situated smack bang in the middle of one of the most affluents parts of town and we reckon the land along is worth 10s of millions of dollars. I’m glad that nobody gave in to the lure of the dollar, and the house was donated to the National Trust when the last owner died. It is decorated inside in the Hollywood Regency style, when the last owner wanted to lose the darkness of Victorian decor and lighten the place up a bit. I love Hollywood Regency, though it does not work well in my place as our home is a bit small for the grandiosity of the style.
I had my first market of the year last weekend. It went ‘OK” – but because we had moved to a new location, and because the authorities who run the market do not seem to think the market needs too much promotion, the crowds were low and slow. It was worth my while to go, don’t get me wrong, but it was not as busy as it would usually be. I had the chance to set up my new displays after scouring town for suitably antique/shabby looking things. I think it came up well. My objective was to get some height into the display. I have another market this month, and one other next month. I’m off to Europe in May for two weeks so I miss the May market, but I’ll be back for June.
