Making Space for the Handmade

Hidden in a quiet North Carlton street is a charming ceramics studio. A long-time local artist and former pottery teacher, Valerie now creates her own beautiful, handmade pieces in a space filled with character and history.

The studio itself tells its own story. The worn benches are scattered with pastel sticks, ceramic vessels in progress, and well-used tools. The walls walls scribbled with glaze recipes and playful sketches left by past students. Valerie lives above the shop and has been part of the local arts community for years.

It was inspiring to see her working away quietly. After a good chat I asked if I could take a few shots of her workspace that she can share on Instagram. If you’re ever in North Carlton, I highly recommend stopping by and experiencing her work for yourself. It’s a hidden gem you’ll be glad you discovered.

Photographing the Soul of Melbourne’s Inner North

Hidden Gems of Melbourne’s Inner North

There’s something magnetic about Fitzroy, Collingwood, and Northcote — places where the past lingers in cracked tiles, faded signage, and brick walls layered with time. These overlooked details are what I’m drawn to. I’ve been quietly documenting them over the past year, and now I’m sharing that work in my upcoming exhibition:

📍 Blackcat Fitzroy | Opening Night: April 11 - May 1st

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Why I Photograph the Inner North

This series started with quiet walks and a camera. I’d stop for ghost signs, tiled entries, unusual angles — anything with story and texture. Inspired by urban photographers like Fred Herzog, I’m interested in everyday spaces that feel timeless and a little forgotten.

Noticing the Small Stuff

I’m always looking for subtle contrasts: shadow on brick, ivy reclaiming a wall, an old sign half-lost to weather. These fragments of Melbourne speak to how cities evolve — and what we leave behind.

Prints & Exhibition

The works are printed as limited edition photographs, framed simply to let the details speak. Select pieces from the show will also be available as prints online at LesleyBourne.com/shop from April 11.

Come See It

If you’re in Melbourne, come to the show and see these portraits up close. If not, follow the journey on Instagram at @hidden__north — I’ll be sharing behind-the-scenes and print drops there.

Hope to see you there!
– Lesley

Test Shots at the Cemetery: Building the Narrative

As a documentary photographer, my approach is always rooted in observation—allowing a space or subject to reveal itself before imposing a narrative. Recently, I’ve started test shooting for a new series set within the Carlton cemetery, a location that immediately struck me with its quiet layers of history and mood.

These first test shots are part of my exploratory process, where I focus on studying light, composition, and atmosphere.

In one frame, I noticed how a lone monument leans gently into the surrounding foliage, creating an unspoken tension between permanence and decay. Another image frames a weathered cross and gravestone. At this early stage is about discovering the textures and tones that might shape the emotional core of the series.

I’m not just seeking aesthetic beauty but rather the subtle, layered stories that emerge through careful observation. I’m working with muted color palettes, minimalist compositions, and negative space to give voice to silence, memory and impermanence.

Over the coming weeks, I’ll return to this space at different times of day, seeking the long shadows of morning or the soft glow before dusk. The aim is to let this series unfold naturally, led by the visual cues and emotional undercurrents I encounter on site.

Portraits of the Inner North: A Glimpse into Melbourne's Urban Elegance

Melbourne's inner north is a treasure trove of architectural history, blending the faded grandeur of bygone eras with the vibrant chaos of modern urban life. These photographs capture the essence of this unique area, showcasing its layers of beauty, decay, and resilience.

1. Heritage Facades and Grit

The first image captures the intricate details of an old building facade, marked by the delicate artistry of bay windows, ornamental moldings, and the weathered texture of peeling paint. The graffiti layered over its surface tells a story of urban evolution, where art and history intersect. The lion motif on the corner reflects the grandeur of the original design, contrasting with the surrounding neglect.

2. A Beacon of Time

In the second image, a golden spire rises into the blue Melbourne sky, crowned by a globe-like ornament. This structure, part of a red-brick and sandstone building, is a reminder of the city’s heritage, with its steep gables and ornamental crests. It stands as a quiet guardian, witnessing the constant hum of life in the streets below.

3. Ghost Signs and Forgotten Elegance

The final image brings us to the iconic Paterson’s ghost sign, a hallmark of Melbourne's streetscape. The faded lettering and chipped paint serve as a canvas for nostalgia, inviting passersby to imagine the store's past glory. The crumbling facade, complete with overhanging balconies and intricate windows, reflects the ebb and flow of a city in transition.

Why the Inner North Stands Out

The inner north isn’t just a location; it’s a mood—a space where old-world charm meets a distinctly urban edge. Walking these streets feels like moving through an open-air museum, with each building whispering its own story. These portraits capture that feeling, offering glimpses into a city that wears its history boldly while embracing the vibrant energy of today.

Exploring ‘Urban Abstracts’: A Journey Through Street Wall Art

Art is everywhere, often in the most unexpected places. My ongoing photographic series, ‘Urban Abstracts,’ delves into the beauty hidden in the detritus of street walls. This project transforms overlooked urban textures into compelling visual stories, focusing on the abstraction of graphic elements like typography, layered textures, and the organic decay of posters over time.

What fascinates me most about these walls is their accidental artistry. Layers of torn posters, weathered paint, and scrawled messages create a tapestry of colors, forms, and fragments that speak to the passage of time. Each composition is unique, shaped by both human hands and natural elements, telling stories of their own while inviting interpretation.

‘Urban Abstracts’ aims to reframe these gritty, ephemeral elements as works of art—graphic designs created by chance. By focusing on the interplay of textures and typography, I’m seeking to capture the moments where chaos becomes harmony, where decay becomes beauty.

This series is ongoing, and I’m continuously discovering new scenes that inspire me. Stay tuned as I share more of these urban vignettes.

New studio space

I'm thrilled to announce that I've secured a studio space in Brunswick East! This has been a long-time dream of mine, and I can't put into words how incredible it feels to see it come to life. Earlier this year, I dove back into collage and printmaking, reigniting my creative passion. It quickly became clear that having a dedicated space to work was essential. I'm excited for this new chapter and can't wait to share updates with you all—stay tuned!

Abstract collage series

As an artist, finding new ideas and inspiration is essential to keeping your creative process fresh and exciting. I find that using a sketchbook is a great way to experiment with new ideas without feeling the need to create a finished piece. I also enjoy working in a series, exploring a specific visual language across several works. Here is a little series I created inspired by abstract shapes and a primary colour palette.

Urban type

Melbourne is rich with interesting street art and hidden laneways. The urban detritus always catches my eye with the textures and typography from torn posters. This is a great one I snapped with my phone in Carlton.

The 100 Day Project 2024 - Abstract Collage

I finally decided! I’m in…for this year’s @dothe100dayproject. I’ll be creating mini abstract collages using gelli plate prints. The effort of showing up and creating something for 100 days will allow for experimentation in my work and a focus on output. This provides an opportunity to explore ideas for larger works. So here we go!!! I can’t wait to see what everyone is up to.

Follow along on my instagram @lesley__bourne.

A New Year

The start of a new year brings new creative opportunities. I’ve been getting back into some collage, experimenting with the Gelli Plate to make my own collage material. Exploring colour, texture and mark making has been so fulfilling and given me a deeper connection to my work. I’m intimately involved in the creative process and fostering a sense of personal connection and authenticity in my work. I’m excited about this new direction.

Here are a couple of my favourites so far….

Urban photomontage series

I have embarked on a new project recently and this piece is my starting point for exploration. I have been capturing the ghost signs and architecture around Melbourne for the past few years. I am constantly inspired by the old buildings and the faded lettering, they are so unique and visually beautiful.

I decided to take these images a step a further. Using photo collage I can reassemble the image, making an everyday urban landscape into striking, surreal image that dwells in the space between real and imagined.

Lockdown, Melbourne

We’re still in stage 4 lockdown here in Melbourne, with 5km restrictions still in place. I decided to capture some of the stark scenes in the CBD.

Finders Street Station

Bourke Street Mall

Swanston Street

Flinders Street Station

Nightcapes, Melbourne

I've always been drawn to night photography, particularly the urban landscape. There’s something cinematic about the mood a scene creates with colour and available light. With Melbourne in lockdown, I thought this would be a great opportunity to capture the quiet and lonely streets of my neighbourhood. These are some shots I’ve taken within 5km of my house on my evening walks. Night time has always been this time of mystery and uncertainty. That makes for an exciting an environment to work.

Photo collage, Melbourne

I’ve been looking back through the archives and it’s interesting to see ideas that don’t go on to be developed.

This is a photomontage I created in 2018. It’s inspired me to explore this technique further in combination with my urban photography.

COVID-19 Melbourne

It’s been a little while between posts. I haven’t had the opportunity to do much shooting since Covid-19 began. However, I did get manage to capture a few images in the city before we went back into lockdown here in Melbourne.

I’ve been eager to document the city in these unprecedented times but have been limited my neighbourhood. Here are a few of my favourites captured with my Fuji X-T100.

Glue book - abstract collage studies

I find it really valuable to experiment with different ideas in my gluebook. I can explore different colour palettes and composition while working fairly quickly.

Glue book studies - abstract collage

Due to current circumstances with self-isolation, I thought I’d take the opportunity to get back into some collage. Recently, my focus has been on photographic work but I’ve been feeling the itch to get back to some abstract studies. Here’s the latest one from my glue book.

Minimal Melbourne - Urban Photography

So a little while between posts, but I’ve been very busy working on a new series these past few months. Many of you know my main interest lies in street photography and urban landscapes. Stylistically, I’ve taken a slightly more simplistic and graphic approach with these images.

Essentially, the goal of minimal photography is to be eye pleasing, with a very careful consideration of what should be part of the photo and what should be left out. Living in Melbourne has led me to become an urban photographer and some of the architecture is perfectly suited for this genre of photography. I’m also interested in exploring photomontage techniques as seen with the image below.

RMIT Building

When I go out hunting for minimal urban photos I tend to favour a simple sky, ideally blue and free from clouds. That guarantees a smooth background which is less distracting. Then I look for a single something I can isolate against that plain background, usually a section of a building, a sign or simple concrete shapes.

When my focus leans towards architecture, I search for buildings with repetitive elements, simple lines and interesting patterns. Through careful composition I aim to reduce the elements of the photograph to basic form and design.

Royal Melbourne Hospital

The minimalist images bring attention to symmetry, lines and patterns prevalent in the urban landscape. The images selected illustrate how exploring lines, structures and space rejects the banality of city scenes, reforming them into inspiring collages of geometric shapes. This an ongoing series I intend to continue exploring throughout the year. Stay tuned!

Climate Strike, Melbourne

Last Friday I attended the Climate Strike in Melbourne. Organisers say roughly 100,000 people filled Treasury Gardens and Spring Street - dwarfing the crowd that attended a strike in March.

Almost 300,000 people marched in cities across Australia for the coordinated rallies - as part of the global movement - but Melbourne hosted the largest turn out.

The energy was incredible as droves of office workers, public servants, tradies, mothers and babies, and politicians joined the protest.

Here are a few of my favourite images from the day. Enjoy!

Urban Reflections

I’m always inspired by Melbourne’s architecture, the juxtapositions of old and new are endless and make for dynamic compositions. Lately, I’m intrigued by the reflections and the abstraction created by warped perspectives. Here’s a recent one shot on Collins Street in Melbourne’s CBD.

Collins Street, Melbourne