Publishing

In a world where success is too often dictated by the outside world, Jonathan helps people and organisations re-imagine possibilities and redefine success. Working at the cross-section of executive, entrepreneurial and social impact roles, Jonathan is often immersed in a variety of strategic and creative projects. The Passion and Perspective channels the best of the human spirit by sharing real and powerful stories from the Blue Mountains, with guests sharing their journey's from the world of arts, sports and entertainment.

20+ years building software and finance companies, primarily in the strategy & design aspects and a few years ago I decided I wanted to build a more tangible, physical product. A needed a new belt but couldn't find what I wanted so decided to design it instead. After 50+ prototypes over 4 years, a patent, design protections and now a Good Design Award, YOKU is finally available. The belt combines my love of good design, usability, sustainability and durability. It is as beautiful as it is practical and should outlast it's owner. The parts to make the belt are sourced from all over the world and then the belts are made, finished, packaged and sold from right here in the Blue Mountains.

Veronica is one of the very few flamenco dancers in this country who has an extensive history as a professional flamenco dancer working in Spain alongside many of the most famous dancers, singers and musicians at the time. In Australia Veronica was the flamenco dancer in Graeme Murphy’s Nutcracker in 2000. She created “exotic choreography” for the stage version of Strictly Ballroom for Baz Luhrmann. Veronica also choreographed the dance sequences for Carmen and La Traviata for Opera Australia on several occasions. She conducts weekly flamenco classes in Katoomba from beginners to advanced and also organises classes via Zoom from well-known teachers.

Making beautiful things for puppas

I live and create in the Blue Mountains, NSW, working primarily with acrylics — from thick-bodied paints to fluid inks. I love the speed at which they dry, allowing me to build my work in many layered stages. Whether I’m painting landscapes, figurative pieces, florals or abstracts, I work directly into the surface, using texture, transparency, and colour to shape the image as it evolves. Colour is my greatest passion. I splash it, push it, and watch the interactions unfold, letting the work tell me what it wants to be. My process is exploratory and intuitive: sometimes I start with an idea, but more often the work takes over, becoming something unexpected. My current body of work is spontaneous and unplanned — expressions of remembered and imagined ideas that develop freely on the substrate. I invite my audience to bring their own experiences to my paintings, finding connections that resonate personally. This shared space between artist and viewer, where memory and imagination meet, is one of the most exciting aspects of my practice. I hold a BA in Fine Art and Visual Culture from Curtin University (2016) and a Diploma of Teaching from Goulburn College of Advanced Education (1979), and also a Certificate 11 in Design - Ceramics (2020). My work has been exhibited widely, including as a finalist in the Bluethumb Art Prize and the Blacktown City Art Prize, and as winner of the Penrith Regional Show. I have been trading as Iggiruss Designs since 2014. Under this label I create a variety of ceramic works and textile jewellery. This includes my very popular ceramic flowers, vases, pots and knick knacks available in my Etsy Store and in local shops and galleries. My textile jewellery utilises recycled silk and vintage Kimono fabric and is available through Hare St Gallery in Glenbrook. You can also find it on my website.

I am a photographer and digital services creative.

My name is Beth Champion, a local Blue Mountains actor with over 30 years of experience in film, TV, and voice work. I'm also a producer at Dweezl Productions and a fan and creator of audio drama and comedy. I am currently the producer and innovator of Gone Bush- Blue Mountains. Gone Bush is a comedy podcast and marketing platform. Iconic brands and business headline our comedy along with our creative team of actors, writers, director, composer and sound designer. Unlike other styles of podcast marketing which interrupt your listening experience, our brands are integral and blend seamlessly into our episodes.

The Blue Mountains Cultural Centre showcases innovative, diverse, distinctive and creative cultural programs for enjoyment by residents of, and visitors to, the Blue Mountains. Located in the heart of Katoomba the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre encompasses the Blue Mountains City Art Gallery, Katoomba Library and Into the Blue, an interactive exhibition that explores the history and natural landscape of the Blue Mountains. Visitors can also enjoy the viewing platform that takes in stunning panoramic vistas of Katoomba and the Jamison Valley. Opened in 2012, the Blue Mountains City Art Gallery features major touring, curated, regional and local exhibitions. Its Altitude Exhibition Program is dedicated to showcasing artists who reside in the Blue Mountains Region. The Gallery also hosts many quality exhibition programs such as curator and artist talks, educational workshops, gallery tours and outreach programs. The Cultural Centre also hosts school holiday programs for kids, pop-up art activities, artisan markets, performances, and a wide range of community related events. The Blue Mountains Cultural Centre also features a Gallery Shop and Café, both of which aim to highlight local makers and produce. The Shop stocks a wide variety of quality Australian made gifts, books and homewares, with a focus on artisan products designed and made here in the Blue Mountains. The licensed Gallery Café has a particular focus on quality, locally produced ingredients. You can enjoy freshly roasted coffee, delicious cakes, and a seasonal menu while overlooking the magnificent Jamison Valley. Please email culturalcentre@bmcc.nsw.gov.au to get in touch!

Karen is an Artist, Storyteller and Transpersonal Art Therapist.

Kirrily has been living and working on Dharug and Gundungurra land in the mid Blue Mountains for around 16 years. With past lives as a graphic designer and then a bag/accessories/homewares designer and maker, the need for some dining chairs led to a new chapter in furniture upholstery and restoration. Blending pattern drafting, sewing, design, a million small details and working with her hands, upholstery provides new challenges and education every day and satisfies her relentless curiosity about how things are made and if they can be made better. Kirrily mostly undertakes custom reupholstery and restoration work for clients, bringing their much loved pieces of furniture back to life. The pieces with personal history are her favourites because they always have interesting stories attached to them and mean so much to people. She also considers it an absolute privilege to work on iconic designs when they come into the studio. Custom upholstery is an antidote to the trend driven and profit focused world of fast furniture and mass production. It's personal, it's considered, it's better for the environment, it's higher quality and there is an inexplicable delight in the process. For more information and to obtain an estimate please visit the website www.needlevsthread.com

Aprili Designs creates hand crafted jewellery in silver or brass complemented with gemstones and minerals. Aprili hand forges, beats, adds details with traditional impressions dies and sets stones. Meditating and breath work bring the unseen elements that are infused into Aprili Designs. She creates talismans, amulets and jewellery that lifts the wearer’s energy to bring joy, abundance and protection. Aprili completed a Bachelor of Fine Art (Hons) degree at the University of Newcastle in 2005. Her Major was in sculpture, metal work and bronze casting. Completing her degree she moved to the blue mountains to join modern fusion belly dance troupe ‘Caravan Dance Company’. Traveling, teaching and performing world wide has exposed Aprili to cross cultural use of jewellery for adornment as well as identifying status, religious beliefs, cultural heritage, and the use of talismans and amulets for protection . These principles inspire her work today. Aprili Designs began with adornment for dancers and has been sold world wide at festivals and workshops in N.Z, Germany, U.S.A, France, Sydney, Newcastle, Adelaide and Perth. When studying Classical Odissi dance in Rajasthan, 2009/10, Aprili found her silversmithing Guru who came from a long lineage of goldsmiths. Undergoing private tutoring, Aprili learnt traditional techniques using impression dies. Metal is annealed or softened and beaten into a impression die which creates detailed designs in low relief. These designs are then cut out and soldered onto backplates as stand alone pieces or used as accents in her work. You can find her work currently at Fire and Flood, Wentworth Falls, Atelier, Lawson and www.aprilidesigns.com.au

Leura based designer, Dannielle Parisi-Preston, has a wealth of knowledge and expertise, having worked in residential and commercial design sectors for over 25 years. Dannielle is qualified in interior design and building design. The services she provides include colour consultation, renovation of existing homes, sustainable custom house design, bathroom & kitchen design, and more. We offer flexibility to work with your preferred builder and tradesmen, or we are happy to suggest trusted tradesmen that we have established a working relationship. The practice has completed works throughout Sydney, Blue Mountains, Central Coast and more. Click on the website to see more…