January

Visual Female of the Month – January

– Carolyn Guthrie

I actually went to High School with Carolyn, and in our final year we took the same 5 subjects – Painting, Photography, Design, Media Studies and English. She’s also a Virgo like me, so I figure she’s the perfect person to begin this feature with as we are a little bit connected. Carolyn and her older sister Sarah (which is also my older sister’s name – getting a little crazy here) run a small magazine called Re-Publication. Carolyn mainly does the words and Sarah does the imagery. It’s an exquisite little gem that shares all the creative thoughts of both authors and also friends who are welcomed to contribute. I give great kudos to Carolyn for having the motivation and drive to do what she does. It is so easy to have little dreams and goals that never get off the ground, so I am very proud that she has developed this publication into a tangible entity.

Now for the interview…

When did you start Re-Publication and what inspired you to do so?

We started the publication in 2011, mid year ish! A very powerful storm was happening above us in the sky and we sat under it, vulnerable and small. To remember these moments we need a capsule to tuck everything into, something that will hold the present and transport it toward our future retaining the memories, water tight and safe. Re- needed to be made that night.

What are your goals, both within Re- and in your own personal endeavors?

I have never set goals and am terribly jealous of those that are capable of doing that and then focusing themselves on this goal, separating it in their mind as a priority and placing it on its own chair, away from the other thoughts that are just lazing together on a couch.

But I like Re- and how she helps me realize how much I enjoy writing and how doing that is just like sleeping and eating and they are all my favorite things. Things that do not require an exhaustible effort, things that come naturally, things that need to happen not just want to. Those are my personal endeavors.

If you somehow hurt your vision, would you choose to wear glasses or contacts?

I’d have a couple of frames, and contacts, for different activities. I’d have lovely heavy frames to air me with intellect. Light, plastic frames for a more sophisticated silly grandma-esq look. And maybe some clear contacts for when and if I try to go jogging, or something like that.

Excluding sight, what two other senses are your favourites?

Isn’t that just impossible to imagine! I can not say for I can not imagine. The other evening we watched a film my friend Julia recommended. It is called The Perfect Sense. One by one the people of the world lose their senses. Each time one is taken they learn to adapt to a strange, but livable new life.  I think I am more naturally quite big on touch. I like to choose what to wear by it’s feel and how that syncs with how I feel. The other would have to be taste. It is not constantly stimulated but when it is! Boy o boy, such a treat.

5 most pleasant things to look at:

I like to see,

– Ladders propped against buildings, or under lemon trees.

– Exterior or interior pipe networks, like small veins.

– Bank balance growing.

– A sky at night.

– Creased sheets in the morning.

5 least pleasant things to look at:

Hmmmmm… this one has stumped me. There are all the obvious but I think I’ll come back to this one. Okay so back to this and still …

– Okay I hate to see an infected cut.

– And i dislike seeing struggle when there is nothing you can do.

– I don’t like seeing a girl walk into the bar from across the road with her skirt tucked into her undies on accident and there is nothing you can do to help.

– I dislike seeing my bank account most days, low and empty.

– The woman running for the tram and not making it.

Who is the most inspiring woman you know and why?

Right now, women that inspire me, are women that do. And change and adapt. And evolve. Right now, the women on top of my inspire list is my sister Sarah. She left Melbourne two days ago to go see how life is going over in Berlin. Making decisions, acting on them and following them through is harder than we ever give ourself credit for and it makes me happy to see this motion occurring. Plus she is an amazing designer and my partner in Re-.

What is your favorite thing about yourself?

Right now, blue hair.

What is on your bedroom walls?

– A peach print of a proud cat.

– A japanese girl holding a small white flower.

– A map of the Great Lake region in US and Canada.

– A map of Iran/Iraq borders.

– Three old dusty Australian landscapes.

– A macrame plant holder with a string of pearls plant in it.

Favourite clothing / accessory / product / treat at the moment?

Favourite treat is to get a massage.

And finally, any words of advice for people stepping into the creative sector?

I feel silly to advise when I still need advice, however I will share my opinion, which is that so many people quickly turn art ( and all its offspring) into a chore that they feel obliged and tied down to. I think we make art because we enjoy it, and it is so much fun and has such a positive effect on our lives. Therefore I strongly believe people need to remember that the process should be just as fun as the outcome. That the idea of this suffering artist is kinda bullshit and what is the point of creating if it isn’t with intent to enjoy. We so quickly turn things into a negative but really, just don’t. Have a bit of fun already.