News from Spring

I thought I would swing by to update you on few things I have been up to lately. We went camping at Wombayan caves with family, followed by a relaxing few days at the beach, and returned refreshed and ready for the lead up to Christmas...

I painted a 9x5 inch piece of timber for the "9x5 show" for the Illustrators Australia “CARNIVALE” exhibition. I was inspired by a past trip to Venice and Padua. If you happen to be in Melbourne you can visit the 9X5 Exhibition at SPACE 39, Lvl 2, 39 Little Collins St, Melbourne. Opening night is this Friday the 9th November 6pm-9pm.

Last Saturday I went to "Pinerolo" Margaret Hamilton's children's book cottage in Blackheath. She runs courses on children's book publishing among other things. It was so lovely to be swept up in her enthusiasm for the books she has created over the years and all the amazing writers and illustrators she has worked with. She was also joined by illustrator Wayne Harris who showed us many of his books and and the original illustrations he created for them.

I enjoyed Margaret's original collections of artwork from many amazing artists including one of my former tutors Tony Oliver.

Paper for Art swap with Dawbis

Photo by Dawbis.

I have been following the artwork of Dawn for years now and asked her if she’d do a paper for art swap. Once she agreed I started saving some papers I thought she might like. One design I had bought in Florence, Italy. Another at a gift store in the Hunter Valley. Some are from my favourite art supply stores, others are origami papers from a Japanese gift store in the city.

Photo by Dawbis.

International Art Exchange

A while back I was invited to participate in the International Art Exchange. I thought it would be fun, so I sent off my package to my dedicated person and some invites to some other people. I only got one person interested due to the busy time of year and some of the people I invited had done it before. So of the 36 possible works of art I could have received, I got one from the amazing Emma Kidd of Ben Conservato. Even the envelope is a work of art. Thanks Emma!! Now I need to find a frame for a friendly little monster! And I still want to send off something to the person who invited me to participate.

Art Gallery visit

Today I went to the

Art Gallery

to check out the Archibald Prize, Art Express and other exhibitions on there at the moment. I was especially impressed with the Korean Dreams exhibit. It was all in the dark to protect the artwork, so I could hardly see the detail. I also managed to pick up three of

Flossy P's

beautiful greeting cards, which I will frame.

Picture by

Flossy P

Studio Inspiration

I haven't been able to post any artwork since last August, because I haven't had my scanner hooked up since we moved to our little apartment in Sydney. I don't have a studio space at present. This is very frustrating for me, but I find it is actually a good time to focus on sketches and ideas. I'm having a lot of fun!!

In the meantime I'm dreaming of what my future studio might look like. Here are some pictures of other artist studios that I am inspired by.

Photo by Kelly Rae Roberts.

I love how artist Kelly Rae has used this toolbox to store her paints. I'm going to try and find something similar.

Photo by Mati Rose McDonough.

I love how Mati Rose uses jewel like colours both in her artwork and her studio. I like the combination of green and pink.

Photo by Camilla Engman.

I would love some wide flat drawers like these for paper and art storage!

Photo by Lovely Design.

It's great how she is utilising such a small space. I should find a cotton holder like that one.

And some favourite sneak peaks from Design Sponge... Jill Bliss's Home and Beci Orpin's house.

IF Interview - Jenny Kostecki Shaw

Artwork by Jenny Kostecki Shaw

I don't post about my favourite artists very often, but I just had to mention this interview by Illustration Friday creator Penelope Dullaghan. She spoke to the amazing Jenny Kostecki Shaw and I think she has a lot of wise things to say about being an illustrator.

My favourite quote is...
In my illustration, sometimes I paint more dreamy and narrative; other times it’s more graphic and kid-spirited. It just depends on the project. I think if you are true to yourself, your work is going to feel like ‘you’ no matter what you create, and no matter what medium you use.

I have recently felt like I need to find my signature medium. However I love using so many different mediums such as pencils, ink, watercolour, collage, acrylic and digital or a combination. I feel very limited by picking just one. Jenny is right, developing a personal style or viewpoint is more important.