…between stars afloat in the night sky…
Now, I’m no poet so I’ll stop right there, but this lovely friend of mine is. Not only is she a poet, but an artist of the truest kind who surrounds herself with beautiful handmade creations, works in progress, and lots of interesting curiosities.
Are you ready to come and visit her corner of the world with me? She lives quite far away so I hope you’re up for a little adventure. Take my hand. All set? Okay, let’s go…
Welcome to the home studio of Kylie Johnson, creator of paper boat press. Kylie lives in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, in one of the most picturesque quiet corners of a city I’ve ever seen. Surrounded by huge native eucalyptus, wattle, ferns and palm trees, Kylie works on her clay creations, illustrations, and poetry in her studio which is an outdoor room overlooking the trees and a gorgeous old church. I visited her a couple of months ago for the first time and already, I am missing being in her presence and her calm, inspiring space – which is why I wanted you to come with me today…
I could spend hours looking at Kylie’s creations – picking each piece up, turning it in my hands, and imagining a world that exists outside the one I know. Her book of poetry ‘count me the stars’ is filled with beautiful words, phrases, fragments of memories and dreams. I like to open it at a random page and digest the content while I continue with my thoughts.
Fancy a cup of tea and some homemade muffins out on the balcony? Kylie has just pulled a batch from the oven, they smell utterly delicious. Tea is on the table…
Kylie has lots of wonderful things happening this year – including the release of her second book of poetry published by murdoch books called ‘a once courageous heart’. I can’t wait to read it…
photograph courtesy of kylie johnson
It’s time to go. I know, I don’t want to leave either. But now that we have this post permanently in the (blog)house, we can come back again and again. Thank you for having us dear Kylie, I wish you all the best for the year ahead and I can’t wait to see you again, wherever that may be…
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The launch for Kylie’s book is next Friday, March 5th and if you live in or near brisbane, please go along and cheer her on for me. The rsvp date is this friday, february 26. Details are below…
I am going to linger in queensland for the rest of the week here in the (blog)house as I have lots I want to show you from my trip there last month. I hope you’ll join me…
xx
PS oh and I nearly forgot! Here is a little peek inside her living room, I love it. But I got so distracted with her studio and creations that I forgot to show you…
i’m speechless. by kylie’s work, by this post. everything in her studio is so dreamy, so inspiring. really…one of my favorite readings of all time on this interweb we all share. and to top it off with tea and homemade muffins?! you captured it all so eloquently and beautifully.
February 23rd, 2010 | #
Pia what a truly inspiring place. I can almost smell the breeze. Lovely pieces as well so she is a very well rounded artist like yourself. Thank you for taking us along.
February 23rd, 2010 | #
beautiful, there is something that inspires me when i see an artist studio, all the beautiful tools used and the lovely things made.
February 23rd, 2010 | #
beautiful images pia (we especially like all the rusty cutters hanging up) – kylie’s work & studio look lovely, hope her book launch goes well.
sammy & glenn
pachadesign
February 23rd, 2010 | #
I want cloud-shaped cookie cutters!
February 23rd, 2010 | #
Well, its official I’m moving to Australia…I’m going to eco dye to my hearts content, make baskets from the same plants I use for dyes and have a studio outside with a basket roof made of those same plants..I’ll be known as the plant lady. The plant lady with a very beautiful studio 🙂
Gorgeous post!
February 23rd, 2010 | #
Absolutely wonderful! I love her stuff so very, very much. 🙂 Thank you for sharing your day with us. 🙂
February 23rd, 2010 | #
these photos are fantastic. thank you so much for sharing your friend’s work. truly inspiring. (:
xo Alison
February 24th, 2010 | #
really enjoyed our visit with Kylie! thank you. xx
February 24th, 2010 | #
Mmm, looks like my kind of place.
I love that you know so many artistic people. You take us on such beautiful journeys, Pia.
Thank you, love 🙂
February 24th, 2010 | #
Me thinks, Miss Pia, a wandering heart and a courageous one, have much in common. : )
February 24th, 2010 | #
Thank you Pia
It was a magical journey!
kylies work and environment are truely scrummy!mmmm… I can almost smell afternoon tea.
Thank you both so much for sharing!
arohanui
Edwina x
February 24th, 2010 | #
what loveliness! thank you for sharing!
February 24th, 2010 | #
This is beautiful Pia, makes me miss the simple uncluttered creativity of Australians that I remembered during my time living in Perth. Thanks for lovely inspiration, so quietly breathtaking.
February 24th, 2010 | #
What gorgeous bowls and beautiful words. I adore the buttons stamps and their unique imprints. Thankyou Pia for sharing this with us – just love the way you capture the simplicity. Elizabeth
February 24th, 2010 | #
Pia, I have been a long time reader, but prhaps this is my first comment…. I just wanted you to know I linked to your blog
(http://so-much-more-than-nl.blogspot.com/2010/02/i-spy_23.html).
Hope you have time to stop by some day!
Natasha
Northern Light
February 24th, 2010 | #
I’m sorry, try without the last “)”…. here you go!
http://so-much-more-than-nl.blogspot.com/2010/02/i-spy_23.html
February 24th, 2010 | #
Pia, thanks for the little tour, just beautiful, love the photo of her house, simply divine.
February 24th, 2010 | #
I was secretly hoping you would share your visit to Kylie’s lovely studio. I simply adore her work and have been privileged to meet her – having tea and muffins with you both would be heaven. Two beautiful, inspiring women sharing moments of joy…what could be better?
I’m so looking forward taking home my own copy of ‘a once couragous heart’, savouring each page, each word, each captured dream…
Thank you.
Ingrid x
February 24th, 2010 | #
This is quite wonderful. Beautiful post.
February 24th, 2010 | #
What beautiful work…thanks for sharing it with us! Glad you enjoyed your time in Brisbane – looking forward to seeing more of your Queensland posts! It’s always great to see your hometown from someone elses perspective! Tracey xx
February 24th, 2010 | #
sigh.
those cloud cut outs…
thea.
xx
February 24th, 2010 | #
pia this is really beautiful. you are right, it is the little details that matter and make us long for places.
February 24th, 2010 | #
i love these bowls. so simple and yet so lovely,one of these would make me a very happy girl. i would like one to sit on my dresser to keep my watch, rings and earings safe while i sleep.
February 24th, 2010 | #
It’s not just the objects and the incredible eye for design that draw me back continually to this site: it’s the quality of light in the photos, like a kind of early morning clarity. I suppose I could ask you what camera you’re using, what the digital settings are, etc. But that would be somehow redundant. Better just to look and admire.
Are your books for sale in the USA?
Philip Hartigan
February 25th, 2010 | #
Oh Pia .. how wonderful and inspiring .. to journey with you to see such beautiful, creative and artistic people .. I have found so many great sites and precious things by following your adventures. I shall seek out more from Kylie .. alas while in Aust I cannot venture to Brisbane anytime soon. Popped in my dream journal for future. Thx again.
February 25th, 2010 | #
[…] Pia Jane Bijkerk shares a glimpse of behind the scenes of Australian studio paper boat press […]
February 27th, 2010 | #
Ahhh, I adore Kylie’s work – I bought the ‘cherish this day’ birds for a wedding gift last year, and although she was out of stock on the site, she was quick to make a set and get them to me in time for the wedding – she was such a star!
February 27th, 2010 | #
what a wonderful glimpse into this world. love the warm wood against the ceramics.
February 27th, 2010 | #
What fabulous photos!
March 2nd, 2010 | #
[…] enhance the everyday […]
November 7th, 2010 | #