I took a break from updating this site this year, not because of laziness, but mostly because my consulting job took off and I found myself pretty busy working on design and development projects. It was bittersweet, because the one thing that I always  want to do with this blog is turn it into something with a primary focus on the USA/NYC experience.

A few months ago, realized there was no really good news source online specifically targeted towards Australians in the USA. The more people I spoke to, the more encouragement I found to do something like this. So, I partnered up with a small communications agency to work on design and development.

With that in mind, I bring you:

A website containing News, information, lifestyle and culture for Australians living, working or travelling in the USA. We’ll be launching in January 2012, but until then, feel free to sign up to receive updates via the website or on twitter, facebook, tumblr or google+

Check out UStralian.com →

This one came to me via a friend on facebook. James Gulliver Hancock is an Australian illustrator, currently based in New York, attempting to draw every building in New York City. They’re all drawn in his own whimsical style and are just adorable. Plus, yay, Greenpoint! The Pencil Factory is included.

He has prints available, and I quite possibly may need to purchase some for my new workspace. Check it out here

I just came across this whilst browsing the archives of the very fabulous Ministry of Type.

“Up There” is a documentary based on the work of the very few painters who still create hand-painted signage on buildings, often mostly in New York and LA (I imagine this is because of visibility and budget for such things don’t exist in other cities). It’s beautifully filmed – a great stage to tell the story of an artform that is quickly becoming obsolete as digitally printed vinyl takes over.

When I was living in midtown Manhattan, I used to marvel at a sign for Patron tequila  a few blocks from my apartment (this one, courtesy of flickr user “n8dawg412″). The fact that it was obviously hand-painted just seemed so impossible to me. I mean, it was huge. I couldn’t even begin to fathom the work that went into it – even though I saw it slowly taking shape  over the course of a number of weeks.

UP THERE from Jon on Vimeo.

I think my two favourites are “If you say “retro” too much you will get hives and maybe die.” and “Scissors are good, music is better, and mixed drinks with friends are best.”

Check it out here

via swiss miss

I’m proud to announce that boubouki, a healthy fresh greek takeaway store in the Essex market is on the eve of opening. I was really happy to help my friend Rona with  branding, website, design and some signage for the store (still in production!) . Take a look at what’s for offer and please go down and visit.

I need this these tables. They can be arranged to form several interlocking hues however you like, and I suppose you could also use a whiteboard marker to create real-life Venn diagrams using them. Too bad my living room just isn’t big enough.

via apartment therapy.

I’m a bit late with this, but I  really, rally like this. And i saw it on behance before you blogs did.  Neener.

Alex Varanese on the behance network

This series of posters are simply inspiring.

Pretty sure this was not the intended effect, but if you stare at this for too long it starts moving. Kind of awesome.  (via gbh.tv)

(not that I’m affiliated with this thing whatsoever, but in the interest of being a kind person, you can click on the poster to RSVP)

One of the first things to change in my life after my move to NYC was the amount of shows I go to. Not to say that there weren’t a lot of bands touring in Melbourne or Sydney, but suddenly in here it seemed as if there was a band I liked playing at one of the awesome NY venues every week or more.

The other night, I was offered a spare ticket to an X show. I hadn’t really heard much of their music (a massive oversight on my part – one which I’ve since sought to rectify) but one thing that struck my eye as soon as we entered was the unbelievable poster for that night’s performance:

It had unfortunately – but not surprisingly – sold out.

Some snooping online, leading to a visit to gigposters.com, listed the artist as Bootsy Rizzak, and his other stuff is just as exciting. Check it out here. Silkscreened expertly by Luther Davis in Brooklyn, with a run of only 50. It was by far the best poster I’ve seen in a while.

(far be it from me to post about the poster rather than the show. The show was phenomenal, and I have no words. There may be a review forthcoming from my gig companion soon)