art spaces

Whilst on holidays recently in stunning Tasmania, I mean seriously look at this place!

Honeymoon Bay Tasmania

I know simply gorgeous right? But one of my favourite things, besides the awesome scenery was how arty Tasmania was. There are so many talented artists that I honestly could have sent us broke if I had purchased everything I desired. 

I did buy a few more things than I should have, but I had a perfect reason for doing so! I turn 40 this year! There I’ve said it, I’ve put it out there, that’s not so scary right? I mean 40 is the new 30 or something, isn’t it? Gosh when I was 20 I thought 40 was, well . . . let’s just say pretty old! Now I am on the cusp of it, 2016 is the year, I’m  girl of the seventies. Until July I can keep saying “I’m in my 30’s!” But I am trying to approach 40 with positivity and celebration. It is the year that I can celebrate who I have become, and how much happier I am with myself compared to ten years ago.

I am a lot more self confident, and I don’t think it’s because I look better or I’m fitter, because quite honestly there are more wrinkles now, and those dam naughty few grey hairs rearing their heads, but I can with out a doubt say I am more comfortable in my own skin and more confident using my own voice.

Anyway the ’40’ thing sidetracked me, my point is when on holiday if I saw something I just had to have (as you do), I would say to myself

“It’s my 40th this year so I deserve it.”

I saw the most gorgeous necklace made from up-cycling in the quirky and very loveable town called St Mary’s on Tasmania’s East Coast, I knew I would regret it if I didn’t buy it, so I used my line “it’s my 40th this year so I deserve it,” and happily purchased my quirky necklace. (PS, if you go to Tassie, drive through St Mary’s it is so full of art and craft, the lady who made my necklace works with glass and makes divine windows, art pieces and jewellery. I wouldn’t stay there overnight as there is not  a lot to do, but it’s worth spending a few hours exploring).

After leaving Swansea and taking the road towards Hobart we became desperate for coffee (as you do), we took a little detour into a town called Triabunna (don’t ask me to pronounce it correctly) and I honestly fell in love with the coffee at this place called Gallery Art Spaces, and the food and OK I fell in love with a gorgeous local made glass pendant with an abstract Tasmanian Tiger (that happen to be extinct, last one died in 1936) on it. Again I used my line, but I decided I would behave. My gorgeous hubby snuck up and brought it for me when I was using the bathroom, (again as you do on road trips) and surprised me with it when we went out for dinner at Seven Mile Beach. He’s a sweetheart.

But if you want to go completely crazy buying local art then head to Hobart on a Saturday when you can enjoy the Salamanca Market. There are plenty of pubs to leave the hubby at if it’s not his thing! (Steve loved it as much as I did though and so did the kids, in fact Steve probably brought more than I did). Seriously save room in your luggage for purchases here, and go with an appetite. This market has to be the best in Australia and its setting by the harbour surrounded by huge trees and old buildings is reason to go even if you don’t want to spend. (But trust me you will spend). The food, the organic fruit and veg, the coffee, the jewellery, the creative art, paintings, toys, the plants, flowers, hand carved wood, creams, candles, soaps, homemade goodies, and the sounds of musicians strumming their guitars, the harp or singing beautiful songs is just captivating. It can get quite busy so get in early.

Next door to where we parked in Salamanca was the most gorgeous gallery called Wild Island Gallery featuring the work of some of Tasmania’s premium artists.  I brought the most gorgeous cushion here as I knew it was something I would treasure and remember my love of Salamanca every time I look at it. Hubby brought a gorgeous book. By this time we were seriously running out of room to fit all our things in the car!

The gallery had the most amazing photographic images too, but we have decided to use our own images on the walls in our new home, that way it will be reflective of our own memories. We have so many images to go through, so it will take a while to decide.

Here is a sneak peek of a few of Steven’s pics

Clearly I have fallen in love with Tassie, I was so taken by it, and yes by its beautiful stores, markets and art spaces too.

Thanks for joining me, love Mackenzie xx

See more pics on Instagram @macglanville  and @photoglanville  We do sell prints as well, see one you like on Instagram, let us know and we can give you a quote. If you want a quote email me mac@reflectionsfromme.com, or macglanville@icloud.com. We also sell quote images.

lightening image taken looking towards Freycinet National Park