Sketchbook Project

Hi There .... ooh oh I have been neglecting this part of the world! I have been busy as! Lots and heaps of things have been keeping me off blogging about them. Traveling, celebrating, and dealing with new beginnings! Most are very exciting, but with a hint of frustrating moments all of which has given me little time to scratch my bum.
But this I can share: As part of the Art House Co-op sketchbook project, I submitted a piece I put together that was inspired by my trip through LA and Vegas in December and January. My theme is "I'm Sorry I forgot You". The exhibition will be touring through many cities in the U.S like

Brooklyn, NY Austin, TX San Francisco, CA Portland, ME Atlanta, GA Chicago, IL Washington, DC Winter Park, FL If you're in the neck of these woods please check them out! More information on the website - www.arthousecoop.com/projects/sketchbookproject.

It's still bloody cold miserable winter here, and I am OVER IT!! But one thing that's given me hope are the tiny little buds that's trying to grow on the ends of tree branches - oh so tiny but they're there!

I'm going to do another small trip to NYC in a couple of weeks, I was there in January for my birthday, but I need to go again. I love that city, I feel so "belonged" - did I just make that word up. hahaha, I'm off to bed I am getting delirious! xxx

Tag - you're it!

Because it's the time for giving - here's my gift to you beautiful people watercolour / lace inspired gift tags, you can download and print them yourself (do them at work before you go on holidays *wink wink*).
Best to:
a) print them on hard stock or
b) on normal then glue on hard stock
... then write on the back, if you have a hole puncher then punch on the top or just stick em down with tape.

Spread the word around and you might get one with your name on it. 

I used similar style to my Calendar I have on Etsy!
I myself am trying to avoid all malls! I'm kind of allergic to them this time of the year, I'd rather make things for people in a relaxed environment, listening to music or  watching classics on the telly, while the world outside buzzes about.
Have fun with these, if you end up using them let me know! Peace out xx

Heart Warmer

A couple of weeks ago I was all flustered in preparing and anticipating the Parkdale fair, when mr postman dropped me a surprise - An awesome parcel from a sweet dear friend Tamzine. I was yelping in glee like a chihuahua - well almost but my cat definitely looked at me funny.
How I love snail-mail!! And Even more just the thought of Tamzine taking the time to knit this beautiful scarf! It feels so good and will keep me even warmer knowing it's handcrafted by her. The photos were totally adorable! Jeez I can't remember the last time someone sent me a tangible photo, I love it all!

This is by Tamzine's gorgeous kids Amelia and Ethan, Amelia did a baby cino and Ethan I guess a "whatchamacallit" ... how cuuuuute!!! Watch out - artists in the making!!

Being away from home really put some things in different perspective, it's not a good or a bad thing it's just something you would not have felt otherwise. It's been almost 2 yrs since leaving Brisbane, and alot has happened, even this year alone! The traveling, the job/career changes, meeting new people and surviving without being dependent on anyone else, and the feelings that come up that you have to deal with and decipher - it all makes me grow up faster and quicker really. I thought it's all going to be same same but different as when I moved to the UK in my early 20's, but it is definitely not the same at all. I have different needs and standards that has to be met since then, and that's a huge player!

So while I'm living the usual life-jenga, I feel it's so much more fun of a game if I have wonderful understanding people around! I know "der" I didn't just wake up to this, but it becomes more evident and more specific when they are out of physical reach. Sometimes I wonder if I've been forgotten and fear that certain close connections will be lost, but then something like a small email, a package or anything out of the blue just snaps me out of that miserable thought! Then I give myself a reality check and credit that I would never choose friends that aren't like family to me.

All I gotta do is remember to live in the now, appreciate my loved ones and stay true to myself! ba-da-bing ba-da-boom!

Thank you Tamzine I love you so much!! xx

Ok that's my sentimental rant!
I added a shop to my website check it out here.
Hope you had an awesome week! Increase the peace xx

Mommy Lola

This is a small drawing I did of me and my Lola (Granma) I just sent off to her.

Used watercolour and graphite. I've only met her a handful of times but we've always kept in touch with snail mails since I was very little. She makes the best jams and I adore her.

Happy to report my Holiday Greeting cards have been sold out and will be reprinting more - grab them from my Etsy!
Hope you're having a fab week! It's been snowing here most of the week, and I feel like I am living in a snow globe, now it has stopped and the street snow looks like coffee frappes! Yuk!
Ciao Lovelies! Increase the Peace xx

Originals up for grabs

Just want to let you know I've added some more things to sell on my etsy page.
My calendars and a couple of 2 originals are up for grabs! I'll be adding more so get used to this :) Hollaaaar! xx

I have a thing for tiny worlds...

I love gardening and now that I am bound to indoor culture most of the year thought this would be a great idea to use my green thumb - experimenting on these Light Bulb Terrariums, well I'll add it to my to do list. Wanted to share because they make it look so easy anyone can have a go.

Enjoy! xx

first fair is fair!

Hi! Lots have been going on lately! I did my first ever market fair last Saturday at the Parkdale Bazaar Vintage and Craft Market, and it was absolutely fun and a hit! Let me paint a tiny picture, the fair is a community based project in the Parkdale area which is just on the edge of downtown, so I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was all such a positive experience. Simply put I made and created stuff, set the stall, sold them and made profit - hurrah!!
The best thing however was meeting people that truly appreciated my work, I had so many kind lovely comments that will energize me to power on and create more! I got asked a lot of questions about my painting techniques and digital design techniques which am always happy to share, as well as swapping cat and squirrel stories. I even got to meet a couple of nice art directors that complimented me on my work, am super chuffed about that. My boyfriend decided to come with me after seeing I had so much stuff to carry and stayed all day and chatted to lots of people, he was such a champ that day! Don't think it would have been as fun and successful without his help, he took this photo...

This was before it got busy, 5min would have been the longest of time without talking to a visitor/customer - time flew! My neighbour Elizabeth got me wearing her beautiful handmade fascinator for the day, I took my scarf off after realizing it's a bit much with the headwear. I had another illustrator sitting behind me Ken Turner, he was pretty busy too with his printed tees, cards and comic books. It was a better experience to have lovely neighbours.  It's nice of Jack Dylan to lend me his table cloth as I would have forgotten - he is a pro at these fairs!
I sold my Greeting cards in 2 different sizes and the small 4 pack, calendars, prints and I made canvas book covers with illustrated iron-ons > every group had buyers even my yummy date slices! yippee! I also brought with me an original - "Mademoiselle Chameleon" something to prop up and attract people over, the painting helped sell the 11x17 prints.

I must say the Greeting cards were a hit! I had to bundle more of the packs as they did run out. This stuff is seasonal, so I am in the middle of brainstorming some ideas for the next fair I do. Yes there will be a next time!! I could have applied for more fairs, but I just wanted to test the waters, it takes 3-4 weeks at least to apply for markets but I'm going to keep my eyes peeled for future ones.

In the meantime I've opened up an etsy shop to sell the cards and calendars, So come have a squizz! Hope the holiday buzz have hit you, it is such a fun season and colourful too!
loves and doves xx