Below are some photos from 2016. Thanks to those who visited and supported us during the year. We hope 2017 enables you to take time for the things that bring you joy.
Much love,
Jane and Greg
We're approaching our second anniversary since moving into Villa Rustica. It's been an exciting adventure - and we're still trying to find the balance between home and business. In the last 6 months the "business" side won out as the house become popular on social media due to fashion photoshoots. Sometimes I think of the house as having a huge, showy personality - and an entity at odds with us. Although we seek privacy, the house keeps calling attention to itself. In this reflective time between Christmas and New Year, we're making plans for Villa Rustica to become more of a "home". We thought a lot about the idea of home during the year when Greg was invited to participate in an exhibition called "All New Home". His artist statement talked of home being a place of contemplation and creativity. Both qualities require space and time so that ideas can flourish. So, in 2017, we're slowing down our public activity to focus on creativity. The creative weekend workshops are integral to our focus on creativity. Coming together with like-minded people has been a lot of fun and a great way to make friends. We have a number of workshops scheduled - including Jane's mosaic weekend in February and a repeat of the very successful monoprint workshop. These are listed under "Workshops" on our website. Below are some photos from 2016. Thanks to those who visited and supported us during the year. We hope 2017 enables you to take time for the things that bring you joy. Much love, Jane and Greg
2 Comments
We're off to France in a few weeks where hopefully we'll be swapping one rural idyl for another. Greg has always been fascinated with the south of France, and I'm investigating "mad uncle Jack" - an artistic figure who loomed large in childhood stories due to his friendship with Van Gogh and Rodin. My interest in great uncle Jack (better known in the Australian art world as John Peter Russell) is taking us off the coast of Brittany to an island called Belle Ile. I'm prepared for wild weather as stormy seas and the island's rugged landscape feature prominently in his paintings. After studying in Paris in the 1880s, Russell moved to Belle Ile with his Italian wife - ostensibly to form an artist colony. The idea of an artist colony must have been romantic - especially for young artists wishing to escape the massive changes taking place in the streets of Paris. We all know that Van Gogh opted to travel south to Arles in Provence, but Russell was attracted to the intensity of Belle Ile's landscape. In common with this distant relative, Greg and I are working towards creating a space where artists can gather. We are planning to host weekend workshops at the Villa. Entitled "The Makers' Workshops", these weekends will offer a variety of activities for people who love to make things to enhance their living space. We're planning activities like stencilling, chalk painting, mosaics and ceramics - and are open to suggestions. The schedule will be finalised when we return from France, but if you wish to be added to our mailing list please email [email protected] Below are some examples of our pursuits: Jane's mosaic floor and Greg's porcelain coffee set. We're ready for a holiday. When the builders feel like your best friends, it's time for a break! On the upside, I no longer cringe at the continual noise and dust. After months of repairs and renovations, the end is in sight .... and so is France!
Over the last 12 months, we've had many laughs about how the phrase - "A Vision Splendid" - was used to advertise the sale of Villa Rustica. With so many things needing repair and replacing, we soon grasped that this splendid vision was far removed from reality! Yet, my fascination with the property continues to grow and I'm especially intrigued by Ken Johnson's vision to transform an ordinary farmhouse into an extraordinary building. Given this interest in the history of the property, I was thrilled when local friends - Annette and David Abbott - showed us photos taken about 15 years ago of the new pool surrounds. David had been involved in installing the plumbing, and pictured below is Annette and her young daughter, Issy, in the courtyard: And here they are today! Here's the pool and original landscaping: and this is what it looks like today: The freshly built walkway up to the art studio: Unfortunately, none of the flowers and ceramic pots have survived - but here is the view of the walkway today: Below is a side view of the walkway - everything so neat and tidy!!! This part of the building has suffered the most damage over the years. The roof has collapsed - and it's the area we're working on next year. The Balinese hut was past its hey-day by the time we arrived.... but it looks very much the centrepiece of the courtyard! ... and here's the view today. (I can hardly take the pic as I stumble among the trees!) I love the way these photos reveal Ken's original vision. They also show that things take on their own character as they settle into the landscape. Were the dark markings on the walls of the house (so loved by photographers today) a part of Ken's original vision? I don't think so given the pristine condition of the original courtyard! These photos show that visions are just the starting point. As we all know, the way things turn out lies beyond the power of any individual.
Thanks to all our friends and family who have followed our story throughout the year. May you create many 'splendid visions' in 2016! best wishes, Jane and Greg We have been lucky to have a number of photoshoots take place at Villa Rustica recently. In addition to being a source of much-appreciated income, the shoots are a lot of fun and enable us to see the place through new eyes. The day before the shoot sees us busily preparing the house and grounds - while also praying for fine weather. And then the fleet of cars arrive. A typical shoot has at least one hair and make-up artist, a creative director, photographer and assistants, stylist, florist and - of course - the gorgeous models. Behind every photoshoot is a story. Opulence and femininity is the story behind Grace Loves Lace's shoot. The rendered walls of the villa were the backdrop for their range of glamorous evening dresses. As the sun ebbed, we watched the models catwalk on the pool edge and it really felt as though Paris had come to our little part of the world! The villa also appears in the latest edition of North Coast Weddings. Their story was about fantasy - encouraging brides to be adventurous in their wedding style. We watched in amazement as the team at Frank and Joy created a bohemian wedding banquet in our foyer and transformed the bathroom into an exotic wonderland! The story behind Le Salty Label's shoot is a relaxed boho feel for "the drifters, the dreamers, and the sun drenched souls." This team made use of the splashes of colour around Villa Rustica - setting their flowing cotton dresses against the brightly painted doors. Exotic Morocco is the theme of the upcoming Christmas catalogue for Tree of Life. As a fan of this eclectic fashion/homewares store, it was super inspiring to see the way they created rich romantic settings with cushions, rugs and throws. Here's a peak at Tree of Life's nomadic style: As you can imagine, these photoshoots have launched us into a world far removed from ceramic and mosaic art! Although we were in retail in the 1990s, marketing has changed considerably. Companies like Grace Loves Lace and Le Salty Label prove that physical outlets are no longer needed for businesses to thrive. Instead, creative teams use photoshoots to tell a story and showcase products. Thankfully, Villa Rustica can accommodate different looks and we have loved seeing the talent of local stylists and photographers. But, please, when you visit us - don't expect the house to look like any of these photos! Credits:
Grace Loves Lace... photography: David Hauserman North Coast Weddings magazine... photography: Kate Nutt; stylists: Frank and Joy Le Salty Label... photography: Shane Veenstra; model: dani bonnor Tree of Life.... photography: Ming Nomchong; styling: Abigail Whittaker It was no surprise that it was cold in the villa over winter. When we inspected the property last July, we noticed it was much colder inside the house than outside. Trying desperately to keep warm, we bought new parkas, beanies, scarves and even ugh boots. (Greg wore his ugh boots to a trendy Newrybar restaurant - assured that no-one would notice!) Most evenings we lit a fire but it didn't generate much warmth. Cold air drifted up through the floor boards, and we huddled under electric lap rugs vowing that the room would be insulated next year. The Moroccan bathroom also posed a challenge. Although it always looks a treat, it took courage to step into that cement room for a shower! These warm days in spring are a welcome relief and have inspired us to spruce up the pool area. A path now connects the cottage to the courtyard and we're ready to landscape under the lychee tree. A mosaic peacock by glass artist, Martin Cheek, is also in the process of being created. Luke, the peacock, will be a main feature in the pool area. Martin has a distinct mosaic style that involves multiple firings in a glass kiln. During the creative process, he "feels" the personality of the peacock develop. Martin assures us that Luke is shyer than other peacocks but he still feels the need to show himself off! I think he'll fit in nicely! Other areas in the courtyard are also getting a facelift. I've added a splash of colour to an old gate, and am working on a mosaic frieze to go above the new pool gate. Spring sees people wanting a holiday break, and we're delighted the cottage is fully booked this month. We hope our guests have a magical stay at Villa Rustica! Best wishes to all of our friends and family, Jane ps. more pics taken this winter below.... Last weekend marked six months since our move to Villa Rustica. On meeting our new neighbours, they off-handedly said: "If you don't change things in the first six months, it'll never happen. You'll adjust and get use to things the way they are." Spurred by their advice, we embarked on a massive renovation schedule. At the apex of this madness, I counted over 20 tradespeople on site one day! Of course, the manic pace couldn't continue and, after Easter, we found ourselves mentally and physically exhausted. Calling a halt to all projects, we needed space to settle into "our" house. Undoubtedly, the most visible impact we've had on the property is the new tennis court - something my Mum warned would "totally wreck the look of the place"! During its 3 month construction period, these words proved prophetic. However, the grass has grown back and the court now sits comfortably within the landscape. To celebrate the new court, we held our first tournament on Sunday. While coinciding with the finals at Wimbledon, it also coincided with the Arctic cold snap across much of Australia. The chilly winds swept away my dreams of sipping Pimms on a sunny terrace and having a win on our own court … leaving David Sweet as deserved winner of the inaugural Wimbledon@Villa Rustica tournament. Another visible change is the refurbished cottage, and we are now receiving bookings through Air BnB. The cottage is separate from the house and has its own gardens - so we're hardly aware of the guests' presence. Yet, it's lovely to catch a glimpse of the guests strolling around the grounds or having fun on the tennis court. We're also back in our studios. Greg is having success with a new series of coffee mugs, and I'm working on another mosaic portrait in my Coptic series. I'm also starting to think about "Art" and feel ready to write again. Six months may have passed, but I'm determined to prove the neighbours wrong. Our roof is scheduled to be repaired on Monday - which means no more buckets! Thanks to our friends and family who have visited us on the farm. We've had so much fun these last six months. Here's a slideshow of some of the adventures …. Sarah Kelly’s book sits a little worse for wear on my bookshelf. With crumpled corners and pages marked with grout stains, this book has been with me since I was introduced to mosaics. In those first heady months, I remember pouring over the sumptuous photos of Elaine Goodwin and Sonia King’s elegant mosaics and then carefully underlining instructions so that my mosaics would look equally refined. I soon learned that this was wishful thinking!
As the title suggests, this book is designed as an instruction/project book for beginners, yet it also holds value for more experienced artists. It’s my “go to” book whenever I’m stuck because it offers clear and concise instructions on all aspects of making mosaics. For instance, a chapter on cutting instructions includes nipping vitreous tiles, cutting ceramic tiles, scoring stained glass and using the hammer and hardie. As I often change materials, but with sometimes months (or years) in between, the accompanying photos act as a visual reminder of the correct way to use the tools. Another highlight is the section on art theory that is discussed in relation to mosaic art. Colour, design and line are given special consideration and diagrams visually reference each point being made. Kelly’s advice is remarkably practical – but these are the things easily forgotten in the excitement of starting a project. eg. When considering the location of a mosaic, Kelly states: “A dark mosaic or a mosaic with subtle shades or contrasts may be lost if displayed in a poorly lit area. Conversely, direct bright light on a glass mosaic produces a constant dazzling effect, which can also make the details of the design difficult to see.” Contemporary mosaic art has changed a lot since this book was published over ten years ago. Consequently, the instructions on the “right” and “wrong” way to lay tesserae may seem a little outdated, but all other instructions retain their currency and the photos continue to inspire. I hope you love it too! Meet Jed. Although small in stature, Jed has a huge personality. Jed is getting on in years and, although he doesn't like to admit it, he takes long naps during the day and is content strolling around the farm as opposed to the long beach walks of his youth. Jed proudly follows the tradition of other dachshunds who are the source of artistic inspiration. Take the relationship of Picasso and Lump and that wonderful sketch where the outline of Lump's body is drawn in one continuous line. It looks simple, and yet the fluidness of the line conveys the familiarity of someone who has spent hours touching that quirky elongated form! And then there was Andy and Archie the party dog! Archie loved attending art openings and even became Andy's alter-ego when questions proved too annoying for Andy at press gatherings. The list continues with Hockney and Stanley and Boodgie …. but we were talking about Jed! Not to be outdone by his peers, Jed has inspired a fine timber cabinet with dancing circus dogs. "The Jed" is an elaborate configuration that features miniature oil paintings of Jed's family, bass-relief sculpture, mosaic and inlaid silver renderings depicting Jed's favourite things. Made by his adoring uncle, Pete Denison, the work imagines Jed to be an 18th century aristocratic dog whose evening entertainment is going to the circus. Here it is on youtube - and let's hope Lump and Archie don't suffer from dog envy! There's a raft of restaurants in the Byron region and choosing where to dine can be a bit overwhelming. Most places have a paddock-to-plate philosophy, but we've been finding that dining out can be a hit and miss experience. So I've asked some friends to tell me about their favourite eating place. I'm also recommending the restaurant that served up the best vegetarian meal I've eaten - right in the heart of Bangalow! Who: Julio Where: The Roadhouse, Bangalow Road, Byron Bay Why: The atmosphere at The Roadhouse stands apart from all other restaurants in Byron. Candle lit tables and low lighting create a romantic and intimate atmosphere. The food is well presented (without being pretentious) and is well priced. In winter, I especially love the fireplace that reminds me of European restaurants. Book? Dinner reservations are recommended - especially in summer. Who: Tanya Where: Orient Express, Fletcher Street, Byron Bay Type: Modern Asian food Why: The food is incredible and good for sharing. I don't usually like sharing meals but I make an exception at Orient Express. Owner and chef Tipi has a great reputation established over many years. Book? Yes - to avoid disappointment. Who: Phil Where: Traditional Thai, Fletcher Street, Byron Bay Why: I've been coming to Marianne and Johny's restaurant for the past 10 to 15 years. The food is always beautiful and fresh with generous servings. I also appreciate the scale of the restaurant - one side is open and there's no feeling of being crammed. Book? Yes Who: Joan Where: Kinoko Sushi Bar Restaurant, Jonson Street, Byron Bay Why: The food is innovate and we especially love the sashimi and tofu salad. It's an indoor-outdoor restaurant that overlooks the street and opens up into an arcade. This gives the restaurant a lovely casual ambience and we can watch the people walk by in the street. We've never been disappointed with the food and the price is reasonable. Book? No Who: Jane Where: Uptown at Town Cafe & Restaurant, Byron Street, Bangalow Why: This is fine dining at its best! I'm vegan - and dining out usually means eating a token veg entree and main meal. How surprising it was to be served a 6 course degustation menu that presented inspiring new ingredients and flavours! We loved the intimate dining room that is situated above the cafe that operates during the day. Book? Yes, definitely. If you miss out, ask to be added to a reserve list in case of cancellations. Three months have passed since moving to Villa Rustica, and we've just returned from a much needed break in Brisbane. Although I'd love to report that the "consolidation" stage is completed (as in the wonderful Chateau de Gudane's film), we are yet to tackle the roof leaks and quirky drainage problems. Thankfully, the wet season is over and tarps keep most of the water out! The good news is that the cottage is nearly complete. As in the best of home decorating tv shows, we've come in "way over budget" but it looks amazing thanks to a new floor, paint job and retro fit-out. We're also excited that the tennis court is about 3 weeks from completion! Unfortunately, the heavy machinery necessary to make the court has had a heavy toll on the grounds. I'm trusting that the fun playing tennis will be worth this scar on the landscape. After three months, I no longer feel as though I'm staying at a once-glamourous guesthouse. Moreover, the property continues to amaze. Only yesterday we discovered another shed hidden amongst a rubble of lantana! My appreciation also grows for the small decorating touches instigated by the original owner. Below are some photos of doors on the property. In Australia, we don't usually give attention to doors - emphasis is given to the room beyond the door. Yet, as Gregory David Roberts writes in Shantaram, 'Every door is a portal leading through time as well as space. That same doorway that leads us into and out of a room also leads us into the past of the room and its ceaselessly unfolding future.' As I wander around the property, these doors remind me of the past and also the dreams we hope to manifest in the future. May all of our doors tell a story! |
About Villa Rustica:Nestled in the rolling hills behind Byron Bay, Villa Rustica offers short-term accommodation. The villa is situated on 5 private acres and features a Moroccan-style courtyard swimming pool and full-size tennis court. Archives
December 2016
Categories |