Happy birthday brother

in

It's my brothers birthday today. We do not share blood, but we do share a brotherly bond that can never be broken. He has followed me to the pits of hell through to some of the happiest moments of my life. We've always been spiritually connected and he will indefinitely hold the top spot in my extended family. I made him something, I might share it with you guys in the next day or so.

Happy birthday BIG POPPALOOPA! (aka Motley)!

The best

in

These two are my family. Corey (left) is an accomplished tattooist and one of the best to do it in my humble opinion. Luxy (right) is my favourite photographer and was the one that inspired me to pick up a camera. I love these kids to the moon and back.

My place

in

I regularly visit this place, with the hope of easing the often erratic headspace I seem to find myself in. It might not seem like the prettiest place to visit (even though I think it is), but it's reminiscent of the places I'd refuge to as a kid/teenager. It's a place where I find a deep sense of reflection and clarity.

Stay on the road

in

Everyday I fight for a better life. Armed with lifelong relationships with depression and anxiety, I have pushed through everyday and stood to fight another one. Each feud has been fierce and testing, but there is something about turmoil that builds inner strength and understanding, even if it doesn’t seem that way at the time.

Some roads are long and dubious, but stay driving. The road blocks are only there so the fruits taste better on the other side.

Uncle Norm Hunter

in

Today we commemorated the memory and life of Uncle Norm Hunter. Uncle Norm Hunter is a well respected elder of the Gunung-Willam-Balluk. He was instrumental in the development of the Indigenous Education Centre in Broadmeadows. I never had the pleasure to meet him, but I feel so honoured to build the skills and creativity of Broadmeadows youth in his name. Rest in Peace.

I'm observant

in

These bitter cold nights remind me of walking hours on end through Melbourne's unpredictable suburban streets. We had no car, no money and no means of transport. We had to find our own fun, which usually led to trouble. In-between the craziness, I always had an obsession with looking at the detail in my environment. Whether watching the intricacies of drug trade at the train station or a burning discarded cigarette, withering at my feet... I was always observant and I still am to this day.

Tommy

in

This is my friend Tommy, he has a smile that would make most ladies melt. He is an avid snow/skateboarder and he builds really dope skate parks for a living. He’s also been a supporter of my work from the get go. Tommy is one of those all round nice guys. I mean really… just look at his smile, it’s ridiculous.

A better way to fight

in

When I was younger, I felt that my fists were my only weapon. Like many other youths that got sucked into suburban street life, I had the ‘area mentality’, steadily looking over my shoulder as many rivals laid lurking in the shadows. As teenagers we were constantly at boiling point, down for whatever and always on guard when trouble came. I copped a few hidings and handed out a few of my own. Although, after every altication, I felt the same dead feeling inside, no matter which way it went. In hindsight, it was a pretty sh#t existence, but we were proud to hold down our own. Later in life, I realised that there are better ways of dealing with anger and other built up emotions. I learned that I could be more calculated/logical, it wasn’t about backing down, it was more about finding other ways to stand up for myself. It took a while to wash away the anger, but time and a lot of self education cured everything in the end. I didn't have to be a victim of myself anymore.

Violence is for the reactive rather than proactive thinker. It’s always better to walk away knowing that you can lead a more promising path.

Cowards back down in fear, while the strategist walks away with a smile.

I took this photo at a friends house a few months back.

Ritchi

in

I’ve been teaching music at the Indigenous Education Centre in Broadmeadows for around three years now and I'm lucky enough to meet some really rad/inspiring people. I met Michael Ritchi just over two years ago. He came in with his Dad and shredded out some Metallica and a few of his favourite metal songs and within an instant we accepted him into the music course. Since I began teaching him, he has evolved into an all round genius musician. I’m not trying to give myself credit here, I strongly believe that he did it all on his own. It was such a pleasure to watch it all unfold in from of my eyes. ‘Ritchi’ (or Ritchaaaayy) as we fondly call him, has seen some hard times, but he always retains a positive outlook on life. He has such a infectious energy about him and I’m proud to call him a friend. I’m so confident that he will mould a career as one of Australias finest musicians. I took this photo while we were kickin it last Friday.

Fallon

in

This is one of my closest homies 'Fallon'. He is an award winning chef and one of the funniest dudes I've every met. I took this shot a few weeks ago when we were celebrating his move to a dope ass crib in the city.

Lucky

in

I took this shot while playing ball with some homies a few weeks back. We spent the afternoon kickin in the park and helping a friend get through some hard times. After a meaningful conversation, we decided to go to the local court and shoot a few. It's funny, as soon as we stepped on the basketball court, it just felt like we naturally forgot about the emotionally hard work that life puts in front of us. It felt like we were kids again, we talked old times and reminisced about how it used to be. I felt an appreciation of where I am now and I how proud I am of anyone who goes through hard times. We're still standing, it's not over until the clock stops.

Thank you

in

Something really humbling happened to me today and it really made me see my life from a different perspective. Infact it’s something that’s been brewing for a while. I’ve decided to back away from the mess and start to appreciate the smaller things in life, I find that they sit best with me.

Thank you to everyone that has taken the time to explore my writings, photography, films and most of all my perspective. It means so much to me to see people connect with the little things that I care about so much. It always feels good to know that I have a little community that appreciates this erratic tortured artist.

You are here to do ‘you’, don’t believe the rest of the hype.

Always was, always will be aboriginal land!

in

Australia has one of the most disgraceful histories on this planet. The indigenous people of this country have had both their land and culture stripped from them in the worst way possible and it is still happening today. The traditional custodians of the land we consistently destroy, have been bullied and eradicated from within since the first fleet. Time and time again our governments have torn apart what little culture is left and it is shameful. The aboriginal people of Australia are some of the most poorly treated cultures on earth, yet most people sit back and watch the injustice happen. 

The government feel it is OK to break apart communities that have been there for ten of thousands of years, to appease the mining companies that disfigure sacred land for profit and power. How is this ok?

I felt so proud to march yesterday and I will continue the fight for humanity, equality and respect.

And to the people that felt the protest was selfish and an inconvenience to commuters trying to get home after a ‘hard days’ work… you are lucky to have a f*#%ing home!

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Peace to Nepal

in

No photo's today. I'd like to send peace and blessings to the people of Nepal. The quake was so strong, it was felt in four countries and has left over 3000 people dead. If you can find it in your hearts drop a donation (http://www.redcross.org.au/nepal-earthquake-2015.aspx).