Our friend and collaborator, Jessica Hemmings, is a still life stylist and photographer based in New Zealand, she has a background in sculpture and an appreciation for the simple minutiae of her environment. Read on for a selection of her work with Milou Milou and a look into her rituals, routines and appreciations.

MM: How do you begin and end your days? 

JH: Our days begin with hearing babbles from our one year old talking away and then calling out to us. He cuddles with us for five minutes, rifles through his books that we keep by the bed and then the day starts very quickly with his little hungry tummy taking us into the kitchen. My partner Rowan gets the coffee going and I start on breakfast. At the moment there are drums in the lounge and Rowan's guitar isn't far away — food and music always begin our day.

What advice do you have for living a more considered, simple, sustainable life? 

JH: Some of the biggest changes I have made for myself have been letting go of a way I think I should be and rather, listening to what I actually want. When I had a baby I had to redefine what success was to me and right now it means living in a small beach town, having time to spend with my family, being outdoors and making good food. All of this makes for a more sustainable life as a consequence.

How is colour important to you and how does it influence your life? Tell us about some treasured objects, about the colours you find yourself returning to again, the meanings they hold, the systems you have around colour in your life, wardrobe and home.

JH: The most meaningful gift I have in my home is a framed pencil sharpener full of the bright, beautiful and broken tops of coloured pencils. It was made by Rowan after a childhood story I shared with him. All in all, the use of colour makes me think of celebration.

What have you been consuming of late, can you share the artists, books, podcasts, albums, films and brands you've been drawn to?

JH: I've always been someone with two or more books and different podcasts on the go but since becoming a parent I've craved silence in my mind. I've only really just started reading again, beginning with 'A Way of Being' by Carl Rogers. My favourite artist after seeing a show at the Tim Melville gallery is Star Gossage.

Tell us a little about your creative work and practise. 

JH: I'm all about elevating pieces from my environment. This is my meditation. My practise in whatever I do is about drawing attention to the beauty that's already there. That's why I elevate dried leaves and put things on plinths. It's about stopping and noticing.

You can see more of Jessica’s beautiful, meditative work here.

Follow her on Instagram here.