The Purrrfect Life: An Interview with Adventure Guide and Cat Charity Founder William Skea
Will is a lovely guy, adventure guide and cat rescue charity founder
based at Nauti Studios in the Blue Mountains.
We asked Will some red hot Qs to get a behind the scenes look at the world,
and inspirations behind his amazing work.
Will is an epic adventure guide,
guiding people all overt the world on ice, snow, rock and mountains.
AND
all money he raises through guiding goes directly into
helping cats who are victims of animal cruelty, through his charity
William Skea’s Animal Rescues.
Will and his cat rescue room are at Nauti Studios in the Blue Mountains.
We asked Will some red hot Qs to get a behind the scenes look at the world,
and inspirations behind him and his amazing work.
Rescue kittens Papi and Meatball, enjoying an afternoon nap in Will’s cat rescue room at Nauti Studios in the Blue Mountains.
Tea or coffee?
I don't drink either. Despite being 28, my partner says I have the pallete of a child.
I'd much prefer something sweet like a strawberry milk.
Sunrise or sunset?
Sunrise. One of my favorite moments as a mountain guide is seeing the early sunrises from the summits of the mountains we climb. We usually climb from base camp to the mountain's summit from midnight to sunrise while the snow is hard and avalanche conditions are minimal, then descend down the mountain when the snow is soft enough to walk along but not yet warm enough to be unstable.
What scares you?
Mountain lions, grizzly bears, and moose. These three are more abundant in the Canadian Rockies and Alaska than anywhere else on earth, which is where I'm most often climbing. I've turned around more than a dozen times from seeing one of these guys stalking us on the trail. One of my ice climbing partners once climbed a frozen waterfall in the Canadian Rockies to finish in a grizzly bear's cave and be mauled by it before escaping.
Rescue kitten Felix, happy at home with his new owners after being adopted from William Skea’s Animal Rescues at Nauti Studios Blue Mountains.
Rescue cat Rusty, chillin’ and illin’ in the cat rescue room at Nauti Studios in the Blue Mountains.
When did you start being interested in animal welfare?
I've been running William Skea's Animal Rescues for 2 years now. I was travelling the world as a mountain guide for about 5 years prior and wanted to return to Australia to start doing some good for the world. I began a degree in nursing and joined a stray cat rescue group in Sydney. It was with that cat rescue charity that I discovered they weren't adopting their cats. They were hoarding them in their houses and not treating them, with 100-200 cats per home across several homes. These houses were in terrible conditions. The cats were covered in faeces and urine, sick from undernourishment, and many had chronic diseases being left untreated, such as asthma, cancer, flea anemia, and allergic reactions. I saw cats in dozens of 30x50cm cages ringing the walls and stacked 6-cages high, each with litters of kittens and sick cats inside them with nothing between their cages besides old newspaper. I paused my nursing and resolved to get them out of there, medically treated, and found foster homes to be eventually adopted. I must have rescued over 100 cats before I could get RSPCA to step-in and re-home the rest. Once I finished with them, I moved from one animal cruelty situation to the next, rescuing them, raising money for their medical treatment, finding a foster home for each cat, then eventually seeing them adopted. We've rescued about 300 cats in 2 years this way - from breeders, hoarders, abandoners, street cat poisoners, grey hound racers, and abusers.
What inspires you and your work?
I'm inspired by the cats we rescue. They often come from tragic circumstances and nothing beats seeing them find love again in their new home with their foster carers or adopters. They can be so loving, trusting, and affectionate to us despite years of abuse. They might be reserved and shy when we rescue them, but after some love and time with us, they begin to feel safe and we get to see them play for the first time and their personalities flourish.
What’s your fav thing about Nauti?
I love how friendly and helpful everyone has been to me and my cats since we moved my rescue center here 6-months ago. It is also awesome helping others out on their own cool projects and learning new things about it. For example, Natalie is often renovating the studios and teaching me about carpentry when I help her out.
The recent group of kittens in William Skea’s Animal Rescues’ rescue room at Nauti Studios in the Blue Mountains.
Sox, happy at home, after being adopted from William Skea’s Animal Rescues.
What are you most proud of?
My foster carers and volunteers! Many of our cats couldn't have survived without the. They've opened their hearts to their rescues and often end up falling in love with them and adopting them even if the cats don't want to be pet by humans because of their past traumas. I'm always looking for new fosters to replace them so each cat can get rehabilitated in their own home.
What are you working on at the moment?
I don't have any animal cruelty cases on at the moment, so I collected 4 new cats from people who were intending to surrender them to the pound for various reasons (such as their owners passing away). We are giving them much more love and attention they would receive while in the pound until we find good adopters for them.
If you weren't working in animal welfare and being an adventure guide, what would you do?
I have absolutely no idea. I feel like i'm living my two dream jobs and never imagined anything else. I take people on adventures to raise money for the cats I rescue - I wouldn't do anything else.
Adorable kitten Stuart Little relaxing in the William Skea’s Animal Rescue room, based at Nauti Studios in the Blue Mountains.
Ice Cream, a rescue kitten, hanging out with Nauti based artist Ashlee Bucholtz. Nothing like a break from work with the kittens.
Have any artists changed the way you see the world?
Ben Tibbits is an adventure photographer and mountain guide in Chamonix, France. He inspired me to carry my camera everywhere I go and capture the world for others who can't do those adventures themselves. I love to approach my adventure photography like him - not for myself - but for others.
If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would it be?
Probably the first cat I rescued, Limpy. He was the only cat I adopted and I loved him dearly. He ran away from home while my friend was looking after him and I was away guiding for a month in Victoria. I'd do anything for one more night with my sweet Limpy.
William Skea, at home amongst the snow and ice.
Kickin' Back: An Interview with Custom Sneaker Artist Jeff, of Grail Crew Customs
Jeff is a lovely guy, and talented custom sneaker maker
based at Nauti Studios in the Blue Mountains.
We asked Jeff some red hot Qs to get a behind the scenes look at the world,
and inspirations behind his amazing work.
Jeff is rad. And also a talented custom sneaker maker!
Based at Nauti Studios in the Blue Mountains.
We asked Jeff some red hot Qs to get a behind the scenes look at the world,
and inspirations behind his amazing work.
A selection of rad custom kicks from Jeff of Grail Crew Customs.
Tea or coffee?
Seeing as I spent more on my home set up than a lot people spend on their car it’d better be coffee.
Sunrise or sunset?
If I’m in Tokyo either, otherwise sunrise probably but only because I’ve been up since the night before.
What scares you?
Mould! Keep that stuff away from the sneaker collection. On a more serious note, not being able to protect those closest to me.
Rad custom sneakers from Jeff aka Grail Crew Customs.
Anime flavour from Jeff aka Grail Crew Customs.
When did you start painting sneakers?
As a hobby close to 5 years ago. I won a competition about 4 years ago and started taking it a little more serious. Over the last couple of years I’ve been trying to make moves to make art the full time gig.
What inspires you and your work?
A lot of different things but more often than not it’s manga/anime and street art/graffiti culture.
What’s your fav thing about Nauti?
How chill it is. Plenty of opportunities to mix with people on different wave lengths but there’s never any pressure to commit to anything so it’s just as easy to hide in my own studio, which is nice for a partially introverted person like myself.
The holy touch, from Jeff aka Grail Crew Customs.
So f rad. From Jeff aka Grail Crew Customs.
Which sneakers are you most proud of?
It would have to be either a Freddy Krueger pair of Air Force 1s, experimented with a lot of new ways of ageing, layering paint and distressing layers with this pair. If not that pair then I’d say a pair Air Jordan 1 mids I finished recently (haven’t had a chance to take proper photos of those yet). I never had any formal art training so portrait work is something I’ve accidentally become somewhat proficient at by way of commissions and this pair has what I consider my best portrait work to date.
What are you working on at the moment?
A whole bunch! Finishing off a Japanese koi piece on a baseball glove, a 30 sq inch commissioned canvas piece, starting a collaboration piece with a Sydney Tattoo shop and about 1001 personal projects with an Evangelion piece (pic attached) I’ve been meaning to finish for almost 2 years now sitting at the top of that list.
If you weren't doing what you’re doing, what would you be?
Musician or recording engineer, I’ve got a Bachelors in Audio Engineering/Production and spent a few years as one of the lead guitarists in a deathcore band. That or a full time coffee snob/barista lol.
Bold colours from Jeff aka Grail Crew Customs.
A work in progress shot of the kicks at the top of the page. All by Jeff of Grail Crew Customs.
Have any artists changed the way you see the world?
No artist in particular but the 1995 anime series, Neon Genesis: Evangelion, played a big role in the way I view and explore the human condition in my own life. The themes and undertones in the series were probably a little heavy for someone the age I was when I first saw it but I find myself regularly going back to it even today.
If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would it be?
Going to cheat and give two answers here;
Alive: Japanese artists Takashi Murakami, just seems like such an interesting and eclectic person.
Dead: Recently passed vocalist from The Black Dahlia Murder, Trevor Strnad. They were one of my favourite bands and the one time I met him he seemed like a really cool guy to just hang out with.
Jeff with some of his rad custom sneakers!
The Nature of Ceramics: An Interview with Lisa Davies of pot.pawrie Ceramics
Lisa Davies is a wonderful ceramicist, and her studio is
at Nauti Studios in Sydney.
We asked Lisa some red hot Qs to get a behind the scenes look at the world,
and inspirations behind her amazing work.
Lisa is wonderful. And also a talented ceramicist,
based at Nauti Studios in Sydney.
We asked Lisa some red hot Qs to get a behind the scenes look at the world,
and inspirations behind her amazing work.
Talented ceramicist and Nauti Sailor Lisa Davies, with some of her ceramic work.
Tea or coffee?
Coffee early. Tea late.
Sunrise or sunset?
Sunrise. I adore the tranquility to set my intention for the day.
What scares you?
The dark.
A beautiful vase by Lisa Davies.
More handmade ceramics by Lisa Davies.
When did you start making ceramics?
I did Art as an Elective at school, though took a different career path working in some pretty cool television and advertising jobs in both Sydney and London for over 25 years. After raising two amazing humans whom I am extremely proud of, I took the opportunity quite recently to re-connect with Ceramics through self-directed study.
What inspires you and your work?
The colours, patterns and textures of Nature have fired my imagination all my life. I know it’s clichéd, but these things truly touch my soul. It is my life’s work attempt to incorporate the wonders of Nature into my creative practice.
What’s your fav thing about Nauti?
The people!! They create the vibe. Our Cap’n Nat is totally awesome. It felt pretty much like coming home when I walked into Nauti. My practise has blossomed in the Nauti creative environment.
A range of Lisa’s work on display in her studio at Nauti Studios Sydney.
What ceramic piece you are most proud of?
My proudest moments come when people buy my work. It gives me a huge sense of achievement when others put value on my work and wish to have a piece or two in their own homes.
What are you working on at the moment?
I’ve got a few commissions on the go right now. I’m also pretty hooked on creating free-form platters and plates. Their big, flat surfaces are the perfect work surface for me to design and create beautiful glaze colours and designs on them.
If you weren't an artist, what would you be?
A television producer
Ceramics with a lil’ garnish, from Lisa Davies.
Beautiful ceramics from Lisa Davies.
Have any artists changed the way you see the world?
Minoan art & culture has fascinated me since my high school Art History lessons.
I love the colours and intricate marine and floral designs. The artwork seems to come alive and swirl around while you’re drawn into the depths of design.
The level of design and sophistication created during this pre-historic Bronze Age period (3000 -1100 BC) is incredible to me. I love the fact that both the Ancient Greek and Roman mythologies were born out of this pre-historic Aegean empire. Plus the mystery surrounding why this civilisation completely vanished into the Mediterranean Sea is awesome in itself!
If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would it be?
Boadicea /ˈbuːdɪkə, boʊˈdɪkə/ "BOH" + "uh" + "di" + "SEE" + "uh"
Because she didn’t take any sh*t from anyone, and is now not only a symbol of freedom, but she is also a symbol of women's power.
Ceramics for daaaaayyyyyyysssss, with Lisa Davies.
INKspiration: An Interview with Ally Jade
Ally Jade is a talented tattoo artist who has been working
at Nauti Studios in Sydney.
We asked Ally some red hot Qs to get a behind the scenes look at the world,
and inspirations behind her amazing work.
Ally Jade is an incredible human and talented tattoo artist,
who has been working at Nauti Studios in Sydney.
We asked Ally some red hot Qs to get a behind the scenes look at the world,
and inspirations behind her amazing work.
Ally and Carl, co-owners of their tattoo studio ‘Little Frankie’s Tattoo’. Aptly named after their adorable pupper and mascot Frankie!
Tea or coffee?
Coffee!
Sunrise or sunset?
Sunset.
What scares you?
Emotions and feelings.
A beautiful floral tattoo by Ally.
Winging it with Ally.
When did you start making art?
As soon as I was old enough to hold a pencil i began making art :)
What inspires you and your work?
i am inspired by the stories and experiences of women who have overcome adversity and challenges and have remained humble, kind and loving despite everything life has thrown at them
What’s your fav thing about Nauti?
The plants! and the vibes!
Ally working on a tattoo in her studio at Nauti Studios Sydney.
Speaking of women who overcome adversity… Medusa by Ally!
What is the painting and/or tattoo you are most proud of?
I am proudest of the artworks where i have been able to let new creativity flow and not get caught up in perfectionism and outside influences.
What are you working on at the moment?
Building an awesome new tattoo studio in leichhardt.
If you weren't an artist, what would you be?
A social worker.
Ally with two of her hand painted portraits.
Have any artists changed the way you see the world?
not really, but i am a huge fan of lots of artists and tattoo artists-I love Vladislav Bekinski, Gustavo Rimada, Hung Lui and Juliette Belmonte as artists- and Ivan Cubero Lopez and Sophie Lewis tattoo art!
If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would it be?
Can it be puppies instead of humans?
Big ole leg piece tattooed by Nauti Sailor Ally, on Nauti Captain Nat, based an illustration by Nauti Sailor Max Prentis. Gyarg! What a beautyyyyyy!
Transformations, Calm, and Flamboyance: An Interview with Cass Scully
Cass Scully is a talented florist and budding interior designer who has been working
at Nauti Studios in Hazelbrook in the Blue Mountains.
We asked Cass some red hot Qs to get a behind the scenes look at the world,
and inspirations behind her amazing work.
Cass Scully is a talented florist and budding interior designer who has been working
at Nauti Studios in Hazelbrook in the Blue Mountains.
We asked Cass some red hot Qs to get a behind the scenes look at the world,
and inspirations behind her amazing work.
Cass Scully; a designer who curates custom colour palettes, constructs sculptural botanic designs and cultivates spatial concepts for events, interiors and brands.
Tea or coffee?
I love both! You’ll often find me brewing a herbal tea in the evening to unwind but I live by my oat milk coffees. They get me through the early Flower Market morning runs!
Sunrise or sunset?
Sunrise and first light are positively dreamy. When I see them, it means I have a beautiful flower filled day ahead of me.
What scares you?
Big waves! Flimsy old staircases and heights.. AND ZOMBIES! I guess I’m a fraidy cat.😉
Colour and finishing designs in progress with Cass Scully.
Cass’ designed and styled dreamy dried, preserved and fresh seasonal blooms.
Tell us about ‘By Cass Scully’!
I have a passion for flowers, colour, texture and print. I also love how these elements can work together to transform a room, a church or a restaurant into a space with a distinct personality which reflects a family, couple or business. By Cass Scully was a way for me bring my preferred mediums of botanics and interior design under one Cass-shaped umbrella.
I began working with some talented friends at TalkInk Studio over lockdown and they really helped me to communicate my personality into my business and brand. I love it so much!
When did you start working with flowers?
Nature is the original artist and I’ve always appreciated the calming and centering qualities that nature can provide. I started my formal studies after moving up to the Blue Mountains back in 2016.
What inspires you and your work?
Everything! Music and art, films and sculpture. I’m also inspired by the unique growth and forms of the flowers themselves. They’ll often tell you what needs to go where.
Cass’ floral stylings with Australian native flora, in an Art Deco shoot at The Avalon, in the Blue Mountains.
Up-close you can see the detail and beauty of Cass’ floral design.
What’s your fav thing about Nauti?
The warmth! The gorgeous supportive community of people the Nautis are! It felt like I was welcomed instantly into this beautiful network of creative legends and as someone who hadn’t been in the mountains long, it was so appreciated. It’s getting me emotional just thinking about it!
Afternoon cups of tea and check ins are the loveliest way to destress and share. I find the Nauti kitchen chats are like a knitting circle of advice and funny stories and I couldn’t love them more.
What is the thing you are most proud of?
I’m proud of my passion to learn and continue learning. I love pushing myself as a designer and the things I’ve learned during my studies have been so valuable.
What are you working on at the moment?
I’ve just purchased an incredible dried botanicals business called ‘Oh Blossom’ and I couldn’t be more excited about it. It’s a beautiful, sustainable business that sources and dries local blooms, blossoms and foliages for long-lasting bouquets, designs posies on consignment and for branded opportunities. Go check them out!
Cass in her studio space in the Blue Mountains’ Nauti Studios.
If you were a flower, which one would you be?
I’d like to say a Sweet Pea but I’m not so delicate. I’d be a loud, bright one which is flamboyant like a Gloriosa Lily.
Have any artists changed the way you see the world?
The colour gods: Matisse and De Maistre are a couple I think of straight away!
If you could have dinner with any person dead or alive, who would it be?
Captain Beefheart aka Don van Vliet. He was the coolest, craziest multi-discipline artist, poet and musician and a genius and I would love to sit and listen to his stories.
Some incredible floral design from Cass, focusing on colour, dynamism and focal points. Here she is working with richly coloured terracotta hued Latte Disbuds, contrasted by smooth lines of local lemon Ranunculus, with a bright reprieve from the density of the Disbud, perfumed sherbet coloured Stock, Leucadedron and dried seed pods.
Pop Culture and Broken Worlds: An Interview with Max Prentis
Max Prentis is an illustrator, visual artist and animator based at Nauti Studios in Sydney.
We asked Max some red hot Qs to get a behind the scenes look at the world,
and inspirations behind their amazing work.
Max Prentis is an illustrator, visual artist and animator
based at Nauti Studios in Sydney.
We asked Max some red hot Qs to get a behind the scenes look at the world,
and inspirations behind their amazing work.
A recent work from Max Prentis, which feels pretty close to home in these almost-pretty-much-apocalypse times.
Tea or coffee?
Coffee 100%
Sunrise or sunset?
Sunset, specifically a late sunset with a few nimbus clouds and a good half moon.
I'm never up at sunrise to appreciate it so sunset really wins by default.
What scares you?
Death mainly, but I guess second to that would be the degrading structure of our society where corporations have moved into our everyday lives and we can't live a single moment without a advert being mentioned or shown to us.
One of Max’s works made in his studio at Nauti.
Max is a master of detail.
When did you start getting into animation?
! had a client who wanted me to animate there album covers for them, I lied and said I could do that (I was barely able to work Aftereffects).
Then after a few dozen google searches learnt how to animate.
What inspires you and your work?
A lot of pop culture, mainly from cartoons and comics I read as a kid. I've always liked the idea of characters which develop in a broken down world how they act and function.
What’s your fav thing about Nauti?
I'd say the people, it's being around creative people of all walks of life. I'm always keen hearing about different projects and ideas that people are a part of.
(Nat’s personal favourite.)
Up-close you can see how intricate each drawing is, and how fine each line is.
What is the artwork you are most proud of?
!t's which ever one took the least amount of time and effort for the best result, I can't remember which one that is though..
What are you working on at the moment?
I'm working on a mouse pad for Intel. the thing is huge so it's more of a desk pad than anything.
If you weren't an artist, what would you be?
I've always liked the idea of restoring things, so either a shoe cobbler or a antique restorer.
A recent work from Max Prentis.
Have any artists changed the way you see the world?
Ashley Woods and Sam McKenzie, both Australian illustrators which highly influenced me in my early 20s.
If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would it be?
There was a man I chatted to in a small restaurant in Kuala Lumpur several years ago. He lost his wife and never travelled so he was going through Asia to explore. we talked about art and how he used to be passionate about watercolour as a child, I hope he's doing alright.
Max (left) hanging at the studio when Nat and Simon accidentally all wore matching clothes. It was decided if a band was formed it would be called ‘Olive Garden’.