I used to love manipulating & editing my photos, just for kicks. Haven’t had the time to get back into it lately, so I decided to give it a jam tonight, and this is where I got!
I don’t really like to restrict myself to a certain ‘design style’, as I’ll have a crack at anything. I love this textured/rough/sketchy/layered style though, it’s heaps of fun to play around with. And test my skills in Illustrator/Photoshop!

So earlier this week I resigned from my job. Yep, you read correctly. I resigned. (I know the photo above has a plane in it, I’m not actually planning on leaving Sydney… Yet… I just liked the photo)

I’ve been picking up more and more freelance lately, and I’ve really been feeling the burn of the 9-5, as well as all my other work… So I decided enough was enough. And took the leap. So I’m now a FULL TIME FREELANCE DESIGNER!

Freelance is nothing new to me, as I have been doing it on the side for about 6 months or so (I’ve done things on and off since I was studying, but I’ll say I’ve been going harder at freelancing for the last 6 or 7 months), so this wasn’t a spare of the moment decision.
I’d been thinking about making the jump for a while, then one day, it hit me. There’s never going to be a ‘perfect’ time for anything, so why wait? Sure, I could have waited longer and saved up more money, but I’d waited long enough already. And since I’ve had the chance to freelance on the side for a little bit, I know what I’m getting myself into, so I don’t feel as though I’m going into it blind.

The thing that has kept me going, and will always keep me going, is trusting + having faith in yourself, 100%. For me personally, there is no room for negative thoughts. As soon as I made the decision to quit, I made the decision to put absolutely everything I’ve got into this.

Rach posted this awesome round up of quotes last week, and this one stuck out to me. It explains it perfectly.

I don’t think that could be any more spot on. You HAVE to trust that everything will be amazing. (I actually got lost in a YouTube spiral watching these videos of Oprah the other day too…)

I think it’s also important make sure you understand that it will not always be easy.
I might still have to work one or two days a week in an office/studio, or contracted to an agency, just to begin with, but knowing that the other 4 or 5 days are mine, to work wherever I want, and structure how I want, that’s what keeps me in the game.

I will defiantly be blogging about my new adventure, and sharing as much as I can, hopefully inspiring more people to do the same & start living their dream.
This is just a quick ‘I did it!!!!’ post, so I’ve got a few more in-depth ones lined up to post soon.

I’ve also got one or two ‘things’ to launch over the next couple of weeks, so keep your eyes peeled…

And I just want to say a HUGE HUGE Thank You to everyone for their congrats + good luck messages, you’re awesome.

Here’s to 2012!

*I’d love to know if anyone else has taken the leap this year, and what you’re doing to prepare/get jobs etc… Or if you’ve done it and have any stellar tips!

Big things are happening. More deets to come, but this is a teaser for a mini project I’m working on, and I’m hoping to have it out pretty soon. I’ll be selling a little something!

Quote by Joseph Campbell.

I don’t think I’ve done a post dedicated to music/tunes before, but music is another hugemungous part of my life, as it seems to be with a lot of creatives. I’m hoping to do some more music related posts & share the goodness.

I love discovering up and coming artists, of any genre. My main taste lies with electro/bass/house, and indy tunes.

These are a few mega talented kids I’ve discovered lately. Some of them you might have heard of, some of them, maybe not!

Here’s a few deets about each track, click here to suss it out on 8tracks… (The titles are linked to YouTube if you’d rather listen there. And the 8tracks have links to their iTunes if you wanna buy em)

Wishingbone – Winter People  | Australia | I first heard these guys last week, when I went to see Oliver Tank (he’s included below too), and they were amazing! This is the only track they have out so far, but the set they played was seriously good, so I’m waiting with anticipation for their debut album, which is due out soon. Think indy/post rock/folk.

Oliver Tank – Last Night I Heard Everything In Slow Motion | Australia | I first heard him on TripleJ last year, when he released this track, and was pretty blown away. He’s since released an album which is just as bliss-full as this track. If you ever get the chance to see him, do it. Similar to James Blake.

Satellite Disco – Bitrok | Australia | This one is on a totally different level to the first two, it’s pretty dancey, but it’s too good not to include. Cut some shapes kids.

Paris Collides – RUFUS | Australia | Another dance/electro tune. This one was released mid last year sometime I think, but it still goes hard. Keep dancing!

Awake Now – Parachute Youth | Australia | The second track from the guys that brought you Cant Get Better Than This. (which has an insane video you should check out if you haven’t seen it). Can’t wait to see what else these fellas have in their bags. Dance/electro.

Default – Django Django | London | These guys are news to me, as apparently they’ve just re come out of the woodwork, after they had this hit a few years ago. This tune is addictive. I challenge you to sit still while you listen to it. Experimental indie rock sound.

Blood Bank – Seekae | Australia | This is a semi old track from Seekae, but I still love it. Alternative electro.

Under Your Spell – Desire | Canada | After You-Tubing this track, its had a fair few hits, so some of you might have heard it, but I can’t stop listening to it. I discovered it when I brought the Drive soundtrack. If you dig this track, get the soundtrack! Synthpop/electro tune.

Get amongst it and let me know what you think!

*I haven’t made a download for these because I think you should buy their music, and support them. Be good!

May I present the newest issue of 16HOURS! It’s out March 16th, and it’s titled We Are Wild. Time to get your wilderness on.

We’re also accepting submissions for the Instagram feature of the magazine, so get outside, get exploring, and snap some Instagrams. You could get one in the mag!

(click the images to follow through to the website for more details)