Suki (the founder of Tamptation and my agent) and I got the courage to book a ticket to Melbourne to venture into the unknown world of “the artist’s market”. We summoned the courage to enrol for the Rose Street Artist’s Markets in Fitzroy, Melbourne and fortunately we were able to rent out a stall; stall number 6. We flew down and mentally prepared ourselves for what was to come. I’ve never had the chance to sell anything at a market before. My retail experience was limited to larger chain stores so this was a completely new thing. On top of that, I’ve never had to sell MY own products before (my travel photos). So we bit the bullet and did what we had to do. The response was quite positive. It seemed more like a gallery. I assumed my photos were just photos. Anyone can replicate the moment I captured on their own camera. But when people were impressed with them, I felt quite happy and confused. They were only photos right? But what was even more satisfying was when fellow artists admired your work, in particular the artist next to us selling her paintings and artwork. Her paintings involved a lot of man(woman) power behind those intricate brush strokes and she put so much of herself into those paintings. She was admiring in particular, the picture that involved the Brazilian father walking up the beach with his gorgeous baby while the baby looked onwards towards the ocean, intrigued by something. She wanted to pay for them but then we did an “Artist’s swapsies” and I ended up getting one of her paintings of Melbourne. I feel kind of bad because I don’t think my work was of the same value as hers. Hours of painting does not add up to the single second it took for me to capture that image of the father and child. Especially since her work was quite personal and moving. She explained her work thoroughly and her inspirations and muses and mine was “umm.. I had m y camera and I was in Brazil so yeah”. I didn’t know the value of my work so I just thought “you can just have it. I have plenty at home”. However, her admiration for my work merely encouraged me and it motivated the voice within. I was so grateful and humbled by the feedback that it encouraged me to push myself with photography, perhaps not just in the amateur level but to aim higher and to develop and nurture this passion of mine.
Since Suki had already live in Melbourne prior, she took me around to places such as Fitzroy and its quirky shops & cafes, South Yarra with its mainstream shopping, St. Kilda with its tranquil beach & Richmond (where I bought new jeans!) Melbourne seemed to have expanded & developed since the last time I visited with more cafes and shops. They also seem to invest in local designers which is great to see. And everyone seemed to have a digital SLR which was strange. It was like everyone was a photographer in Melbourne!
At Richmond on a corner. We decided to walk all the way down to South Yarra from Richmond. which was a bit longer than I thought
Their graffiti and street art in Melbourne is quite inspiring.
This sad weed accompanied us while we were at our stall all day.
Looking up at the city centre in one of the shopping malls.
Flinders Station at the CBD. Where all the action happens...
This is of Suki walking down to South Yarra. I wanted to see what this effect would look like.
The sun setting at St. Kilda beach.
The church near where Suki used to live
Luna Park roller coaster at St. Kilda.
I love all things vintage and retro. This vintage petrol pump at the markets caught my eye.
I like their sense of humour down there. This is of the banana hating Cactus.
