The exhilaration of creative endeavour is at the heart of isiiad.
It chronicles the creativity of others and is in itself, an expression of the blogger Jeannette Davison’s own creative predilections.
She dreamt a dream. Isiiad is the realisation of that dream.
Isiiad is dedicated to
Kerry Cross
without whom the isiiad dream would never have become a reality.
Recent blogs
Beyond the Trees- A celebration of Thomas Lloyd Guitars.
A guitar is shaped like the body of a beautiful woman. All sensuous curves and smooth 'skin'. Any wonder that they're capable of making such seductive sounds. I'm a lapsed classical guitarist. For my teaching diploma I learnt classical guitar for a year. The joy of...
The Caladenia Rosella Orchid
One of the really lovely things to happen since beginning Isiiad has been the making of connections at Dunmoochin. It's meant, life drawing sessions, exhibition openings and opportunies to meet many of the fine artists who take up residence there. Last...
Mariella McKinley
Photograph courtesy of the artist. Just when I thought Montsalvat couldn't possibly do anything more to delight me, I met Mariella McKinley. She's been working away there over the last few months, preparing her new studio space. It's been a big task....
dynamic galleries
Sunday Arts Hub
I've featured the Roundabout Cafe, AmUsing Clay and Tin Shed Gallery before. But now there's another addition to that little arts hub that I simply had to tell you about. While you will have already gathered that I'm just a bit keen on the visual arts, I have to...
Healesville Contemporary Artspace
Healesville was buzzing yesterday. The Archibald, Not the Archies, the Artist's Lounge and the brand new Healesville Contemporary Artspace had drawn a film crew, from the ABC's 7.30 Report, into the Yarra Valley. I was there to check out the Healesville Contemporary...
The Artist’s Lounge
Detail of painting by Ember Fairbairn-Ramsay © The Artist's Lounge is a great combination of gallery, art supplies and place for artists to hang out and discuss art and life. It's the initiative of a couple who are committed to promoting art and artists in...
visit exhibitions
Mariella McKinley
Photograph courtesy of the artist. Just when I thought Montsalvat couldn't possibly do anything more to delight me, I met Mariella McKinley. She's been working away there over the last few months, preparing her new studio space. It's been a big task....
Farewell the Archibald
Juan Ford Ultrapilgrim, oil on linen, 168cm x 214cm © Juan Ford Archibald Finalist 2012 The 2012 Archibald closed at TarraWarra Museum of Art on the 8th of July. Over three thousand people attended on the last day. I feel a bit wistful as I write that...the...
Ekphrasis Awards
Simon Icarus BAIGENT Caviar Spoon 1995 gold, ebony, mother of pearl, diamond, ruby 0.5cm x 5.5cm x 2.0cm ©Simon Icarus Baigent (Photo by Silvi Glattauer) Collection: Nillumbik Shire Council If Ekphrastic poetry is the conversation...
inspirational artists
Montsalvat and Amanda Ruck
Amanda Ruck© Jason Smith, acrylic on canvas (2011 entry for the Archibald Prize.) The Yarra Valley and the Nillumbik regions come together in this post. Yarra Valley artist Amanda Ruck is a couple of weeks into her month long residency at Montsalvat. She has taken...
Strathewen Letterboxes
Look what I spied on the way to The Chook Project in Strathewen. I just had to share them with you. These letterboxes certainly brightened up my day. Mosaics are like that. After the 2009 Black Saturday Fires, a local mosaic artist, Marion Oakley,...
Jeremy Shub wields a mean chainsaw.
Photograph by Jeremy Shub© Courtesy of the artist. Jeremy Shub is my latest find in the Yarra Valley. He is a resident of the co-operative community known as Moora Moora, where artists and environmentalists live amongst the gumtrees just...
exceptional Design
HUT 13
I love the way things happen whereby I go out to see someone for one thing and find out a whole lot more than I bargained for. HUT13 was like that. I went there to check out the Marianne van Ooij wares available. These fun bentwood cushions are...
More from Marianne Van Ooij
One of my favourite New York finds, Marianne Van Ooij, has sent some great news. I met her last December at the Museum of Arts and Design as a participant in their Open Studio Program. She will be exhibiting work in several places as part of New York Design Week...
Lascelles
I've been wanting to feature homes and interiors since I started Isiiad. I'm so happy that Helen and Wayne Lascelles' house at Panton Hill is the first. It's a knockout. The house was designed by the owner, Wayne Lascelles. An architect, with Nauru House to his...
Artwork Credits
Banner 1: (Left to right)
Katie Breckon Worrorra stone tool 76x105cm Artwork created by Katie Breckon with permission from Worrorra elders Nyorna Woolagoodja and Janet Oobagooma.
Belinda Rogers Dragon at the temple of Peace oil on Caravaggio linen 300x180cm
Banner 2:
Michael Schlitz Desert Girl woodcut on Kozo 76x56cm
Banner 3:
Mirka Mora Untitled 2010 Edition 98/250