no more facebook status updates

I've been contemplating the big existential issues such as "what happens when we die"... More specifically, I was just thinking, who will erase my Facebook account when I die? OK ok bear with me, I'm not being morbid, just realistic... Say, for example my status update was "Nicola Hardy is going out to play in the traffic LOL : )" then no more status updates for a few days, then people are like, "OMG she updates her status constantly... where is she?" Turns out I've been hit by a car and I'm dead! Meanwhile people are tagging me in pictures, writing stuff on my wall, inviting me to join groups and go to events... all expecting replies and getting angry, possibly even unfriending me because of my lack of response.

So, I am going to apologise in advance: Friends, if I don't respond to stuff it is because I have died. And if I fail to update my status for a few days... come over and check my pulse.

Now I just need to nominate someone to erase my account when I die. Maybe you should think about this too.

Ryan McGinley and Dash Snow

Just got handed the new Vice and the striking cover made me want to read the article about Dash Snow; recently deceased graff 'golden boy', visual artist and all 'round hot dude. The cover photo and story came from Ryan McGinley, who, upon further investigation is a rad photographer - so check out his work, maybe you will like it as much as I do... but hey, I like anything with a hazy seventies look and parties and summer and nudity. Others don't like his work but whatever. And by "whatever" I mean, "get fucked".

Tweet cloud

Word cloud made from tweetz created here. (Click image to enlarge then make fun sentences and LOL).

I know!!!

Yeah I know I said I was back then I kind of disappeared again. Anyway I am moving to a permanent-ish address for the next chapter. I'm really stoked because I get to replace all the furniture and belongings that (not so) mysteriously disappeared from my life. Things that I collected for years, things that I worked my ass off to buy, things I kind really need (like my bed and my fridge and goddammit my apple clock) all gone gone gone.

Anyway... equanimity! I'm looking forward to creating some beautiful art in my new place - I have had the urge to make some oil painting happen and have some new ideas for books. And I am surrounded by many caring and beautiful people who have helped me so much. I feel very protected in my new home. YAY!

Easter was spent in a shameless downward youtube spiral of Andy Sambergy goodness. Oh yeah and painting my new room lovely colours of China White, Nepal and Aniseed (yeah ok it's black white and turquoise ~ chut up!). ummm and just working with Anna on our next Evil Twins show... more deets asap!
xxx

I'm back

Well things have been moving very fast since I returned to Melbourne in January. There were bushfires, earthquakes, heatwaves, breakdowns, accidental meetings, purgings, comings, goings, deadlines... everything. After a huge creative output there is always a time of reflection and preparation for the next thing; a time of quiet solitude. This didn't happen for me. It's been stress and drama the whole way, mostly due to situations beyond my control. All I know is the only thing one can control in a time like this is one's reaction to it. Equanimity... bah - it's very hard to remain equanimous, but I try.

So I just designed a book of photographs by Michael Prior, which was a really exciting project. It will be launched at the London Burlesque Festival in April. It's really exciting! My next project will feature more illustration work along with text layout so that is nice too.

Oh and I accidentally became a mud wrestler for 1 night only. Me and Anna are the Giantesses, as well as being Evil Twins. We have another intimidating performance in May!

RIP Bettie P

Word Cloud

I was just checking out Tom Cho's blog and he had used this cool thing called Wordle to generate a word cloud. So I used it too and I can recommend it to everyone!

The Let's Come Together and Feel Alright Show

Chill Phil Schöde and Nicola Hardy have transformed a pile of cardboard into a beautiful world - an island home for all the cool and amazing people and animals. This mythical fantastical place comes to life at firstdraft Gallery from December 10th until December 27, 2008. Come and visit, we would love to see you there.

"We have created an ideal environment where everyone has their own place and where friendship, unity and having a great time are of utmost importance". This place is not like the real world as it is mostly made of cardboard. "We invite you to come along to the exhibition to meet the residents of Friendship Island and enjoy a beer at The Büdchen, which has been taken from the island and transported to Surry Hills for a few weeks for your viewing pleasure".

A Büdchen is a small booth or kiosk usually found on the streets of Köln (Germany) where snacks, newspapers, candy and beer are sold. These little shops are individually owned and each has its own unique flavour and are decorated according to the taste of the owner: so you will see football memorabilia, photos, stickers and cool toys. You can buy zines, comics and other products will be available for you to purchase.

Utopia may be chaotic but it is vibrant and everyone tries to get along because “friendship is bjutifull”.

OPENING NIGHT PARTY DECEMBER 10TH 6-8PM

MEET THE ARTISTS EVERYDAY IN THE BüDCHEN (Wednesday to Saturday midday until 6pm)

ARTIST TALKS DEC 27


firstdraft
116 – 118 Chalmers Street
Surry Hills NSW 2011
t: +61 (0)2 9698 3665

mail@firstdraftgallery.com

open hours:
Wednesday to Saturday
12-6pm

website : http://www.firstdraftgallery.com/

blog : http://firstdraftgallerystudio.tumblr.com/

American Psycho: Business Card Scene

Me and every other graphic designer on earth loves this scene. So funny.

Blitz-New Age

Wow. This is awesome. Why haven't I heard this until now???

broken

I broke my wrist doing sick skate tricks in the mall 'cos I am so RAD. (Actually I was skating down hill a bit too fast and slipped on water, lost control and landed backwards on my hands). Yes it hurts, yes I will be in a cast for 6 weeks. yes it totally sucks...

Jeff Soto

I just love him. I love him lots because he's awesome.

Vipassana

see you in 2 weeks. SHHHHH!

Noah takes a photo of himself every day for 6 years.

...the inspiration...

Tim Danko is awesome!

Tim Danko has always been awesome and he just keeps getting better. This is not only a fantastic piece of art, but shows how the innernets SHOULD look when stuff gets made by professionals who know how to do stuff proper n' that. Here comes a new benchmark, peeps!

New town new stuff

Over the past 2 days I have been teaching workshops for schoolgirls in digital photography, zine making, comics and photoshop. I have introduced them to Ansel Adams, Annie Liebovitz, Cindy Sherman, Peter Dombrovskis, Tim Danko, clip art, multiply, option drag, rehab, Acme Novelty Library, William Burroughs, exquisite corpse and Sharpies. But I dunno if they get it.

Anyway... Comic Book Rehab is now finished for me - I uploaded my last panel today. Check the comic (scroll down and start at the bottom). It's been a great experience and I am motivated to make more comics, especially my Big Book of Beards. I even started a new blog for the project. I'm pretty excited. I am even going to have a cross over thing where I have a section on the beards of Jezuz Men. I am really becoming beard aware and am almost at the stage where I stop men on the street and ask if I can draw them/take their photo.

Holland vs Belgium

Today in my (oops late) Comic Book Rehab upload, the Belgian milk maids fight the milk maids from Holland. Check out the action here.

In other news, I am still looking for beard reference so if you have one and want to see yourself in a comic then get in touch with me via email.

Nicola's Crazy Art Projects

I have this group on Facebook and here are the latest updates, so you know what I am up to...

My friend...
do you have a beard?
or a seventies dad?
Do you know a beardy?
or are you a bearded lady?
or have you worn a fake beard at some point?

If you answered yes to one or more of these questions that makes me happy 'cos I need reference material for a new comic I am drawing called "The Big Book of Beards".

You can either email me a pic or direct me to the place where the picture is (a url or something, not a treasure hunt, sadly I don't have time for that right now). Make a beard-related comment if you wish and I will give you a speech bubble!

I'll send you a copy of the finished product as a special reward for your help AND I will remember you as a special friend (special 'nice', not special 'retarded').
xxxxx + thanks!

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Oh yeah! Me and Chill Phil were lucky enough to receive a studio residency and exhibition at First Draft Gallery in Sydney. It's happening later this year. Phil is selling cigarette lighters to raise money for the trip so if you are in Hamburg, stop by the Büdchen and buy one (or 10). Only 2 euro and 50 european cents each.

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Comic Book Rehab continues with 2 more uploads to go. Rehab has inspired me to make 2 new comics - "Tofu Girl and Soy Boy" and "The Big Book of Beards".
Check out "Cheese for Breakfast"

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A story from the zine has been submitted to an anthology mag to be published. I dunno what is happening yet but maybe I will find out soon and then I can tell you.

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I'm entering a film in the Sexy International Film Festival cos I made a heap of films and don't know what to do with them, other than show them to strangers on the train on my iPod.

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Cardboard is fun. I made a laptop. Then I made some friends. I feel like a mad scientist.

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Thanks to everyone who made such helpful and lovely comments about my new zine. They ranged from "really bold and brave" to "it was like a yum cha meal" to "you are the coolest person I know". Sweet!

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I bought a whole heap of crazy 60's/70's photographic books from the op shop which are going to become collages. When I am in a creative down stage, I churn out collages because they are quick and easy and then ideas emerge from there. So expect astronauts playing with Bambi and weird American foods with some Afghani dudes -together at last!

I'm SICK

so be nice to me... ~snif, cough, sniiiifff~


~cough~