HBIA Australian Hairdressing Championships 2006

Fondest memories 

YouTube link is here

Hair design : Hiro

Model : Daphne

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HBIA Australian Hairdressing Championships 2004

Fondest memories.  

YouTube link is here.

Hair design : Hiro

Model : Bri

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Painted Life - Gregory R. Smith

I made a short video about Greg. Hope it will inspire many painters. 

Gregory R. Smith is a former president of Victorian Artists Society in East Melbourne, Australia, where he teaches tonal realism oil painting.

 

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2026 AACTA Awards

I'm delighted to hear that ABC TV Portraight Artist of the Year 2025 was awarded Best Entertainment Program.

That's me, by the way🤣, painting a portrait of Ken Done @kendonegallery 

 Fabulous judges. 

 @abdul_abdullah 

 @breepickering 

 @robertwellingtonofficial 

And, always entertaining presenters. 

 @misstap 

 @lukewmcgregor 

 Finally, thank you to the production crews on and off site for your hard work and giving me this glorious opportunity. 

@endemolshineau 

 And, of course 

 @abc_arts 

 @abciview 

 My sincere hope is, the show will motivate many viewers across the country and beyond to pick up brushes and start painting. Believe me, your life will become richer and more colourful 😄 #PortraitArtistOfTheYearAU #abciview #kendone #hiro #hirohairstylist melbourne

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Vincent and me

One of my favourite Van Gogh paintings. 

Hope to paint together someday, somewhere. 

My photo was taken at Werribee Mansion on Jan 6, 2026. 

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Portrait Artist of The Year 2025 Episode 1 on ABC TV Australia

Fondest memories. 

This is my finished painting of Ken Done and my submission self portrait.

It was a great privilege meeting these fabulous artists on the day (filmed on February 12 Wednesday at White Bay Power Station in Sydney ).  Lovely people. 

Wish you all a shining future as artists. 

Natalie @paintedfavours 

Jamie @jaimeepaul 

Jimi @jimimay 

Emmanuel @emmanuel.asante.art 

Dan @dan_butterworth_artist 

Vaughn @vaughn.roberts 

Jasmin @forcadillajasmine 

Lottie @lottierae_art 

My greatest gratitude to Ken @kendonegallery for sitting for us. 

Your words of artistic wisdom will stay in my mind forever. 

Also, it was a great honour to meet the esteemed judges. 

Abdul @abdul_abdullah 

Bree @breepickering 

Robert @robertwellingtonofficial 

And, always entertaining presenters. 

Miranda @misstap 

Luke @lukewmcgregor 

Finally, thank you to the production crews on and off site for your hard work and giving me this glorious opportunity. 

Endemol Shine Australia @endemolshineau 

And, of course 

@abc_arts 

@abciview 

My sincere hope is, the show will motivate many viewers across the country and beyond to pick up brushes and start painting. 

Believe me, your life will become richer and more colourful 😄

#PortraitArtistOfTheYearAU

#abciview #kendone

#hiro #hirohairstylist 

#melbourne

 

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ABC TV Portrait Artist of the Year 2025

I'm super excited to let you know that ABC finally announced the date! 

I had a great pleasure meeting with artists, many production crews, the judges, the presenters and of course, the sitter. 

Hope you'll enjoy the show as much as I did on the day😃

Stream Portrait Artist of the Year from Sunday 2 November 8pm weekly on ABC iview and 

Have a look at YouTube trailer here. 

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VAS 9x5 Exhibition 2025

This is the third entry to this annual event at Victorian Artists Society.  

It was a great opening this afternoon, lots of people. I like the way they displayed artwork, all in 9x5 inch.  

If you're around, please have a look. Until Aug 3 Sunday.  

This is my entry, "This one sucks".

The link is here.

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Love, Love, Love at Heidelberg Theatre Company

Interesting inter generational conflict written by Mike Bartlett. 

As expected from this reputable theatre company, rock solid performances by all the performers, particularly Genya Mik as Sandra. 

Thanks again for this wonderful opportunity to see it.  

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Leif Vollebekk at Croxton Bandroom in Melbourne, Australia

Unforgettable evening, watching this superb musician playing at this local venue in northern suburb of Melbourne. 

What an electrifying musicianship he possesses! Never seen such a talented songwriter and a performer in ages. It was a privilege to see him enjoying himself on stage and sharing enormous creativity with us. 

I first come across his song "Long Blue Light" on Spotify random playlist six months ago.  I was instantly taken by its atmospheric beauty, his voice and guitar playing, lyricism....

Then I listened to his latest album "Revelation". What an incredible collection of music! Particularly "Sunset Boulevard Expedition", which has become one of my all time favourites.  

The only thing is, he didn't play the song 😨

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Christmas Carol at Comedy Theatre

I went to see this classic with my client Aya. 

Oh, what a delightful experience watching marvellous performances and stage set!

One of the best I've seen recently.  

Thank you so much for bringing this to Melbourne. 

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An Ideal Husband by Heidelberg Theatre Company

Another great production at this lovely venue. Costumes are very impressive. 

Looking forward to next year. Thank you. 

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Cost of living by Melbourne Theatre Company

Because of Grand Final, which I've no interest in, tonight's performance was offered at $35 and I took it. 

The venue was almost 80% empty, that clearly shows how much Melburnians are intoxicated by football. 

I asked an usher if it's ok to change the seating so that I can sit farther at back. She said No and told me to go to the reception and "seek permission". What the heck? The place is almost empty. 

I went to the reception and said I was told to get a "permission" and she gave me a seat which turned out to be a few rows behind the original seat, which I took. 

Then I saw quite a few audience were changing their seat, some of them were actually asking the same usher and obviously she didn't tell them to go to the reception because they just moved to different seats.

Well, of course I moved farther back, this time without asking the usher, because the venue was almost empty!

Martyna Majok's play deals with very heavy social issues but I found it doesn't give us a cohesive narrative. Particularly the relationship between Ani and Eddi wasn't developed thoroughly enough to keep my attention. 

The play began with his long monologue and I was already bored. 

On the other hand, I thought John and Jess's characters were more interesting. 

In the end, Jess and Eddie's characters coverage in a very touching way, but even this I found it too contrived. 

All characters were performed superbly and I liked stage design. 

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And a nightingale sang by Heidelberg Theatre Company

It's so annoying to sit next to women talking to each other during a live performance. I had to move away from them, fortunately there was an empty seat at back. 

Another great performance and production design. 'Granda' was very funny. 

The problem I had with this play by C.P. Taylor was the character 'Norman'. I thought his dillydallying was very frustrating. 

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Chapter two at Essendon Theatre Company

The first time I came to this lovely venue, very friendly staff and a big space. 

This Neil Simon's play is less slapstick comedy than his other stuff, I often find his comedy is too over the top, this one is actually very touching in some scenes. 

Brilliantly acted by the cast, beautiful stage set, I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

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