Sketchy : Give good

I'm the happiest aunt ever. I spent Sunday to Tuesday at my bro's place in the Hunter Valley playing with my little niece and gardening with my sis-in-law. Sunshine and mulberries, she's so cute! My sis-in-law and niece stayed with us last night and I'm about to have morning tea with them. Perhaps later when they head back to the country I might get some work done. In the mean time, I wanted to share these divine pics with you.


I love Shelli's - aka Studio Mela - work. Her illustrations are fresh, spunky and a whole lotta beautiful. I wish I had the innate ability to work with colour, but alas, I don't know much. I just work with what I love and hope it all goes together. I also wish I had the ability to not procrastinate, but that's another kettle altogether.


Back to Shelli... you should head here if you want to see more of her illos, here to check out her blog and here to see some cute and colourful mini cards.


Pics from top down: Hello Sunshine, So Very Happy, Curiosity and Give Good

Multitalent : Overwhelming joy

I haven't discussed my issues with Being a Gemini in a while, but today is the perfect day to do so. Why? you ask. What's wrong? you enquire. Well, let me tell you. It makes me eternally fidgety. Some peeps feel a bit restless here and there, but mine sits with me most of the time. Which means a bunch of good stuff, like I'm flexible, spontaneous, laugh a minute, all that. But it also means that every day has to be different. You'll rarely see me in the same outfit, eat the same meal (certain exceptions exist, namely roast chicken with leek and potato) or watch the same movie twice (alas, Pretty Woman, American Beauty, Pulp Fiction, you can light up my screen any day).

However, I'm right on the Cusp of Taurus. Stubborn, unchanging, persistent, self-indulgent little bulls. So although fleeting, when I find something I like, nay, something I LOVE, I stick to it. Like house-building glue. Until I change my mind of course, but that's another therapy session right there.

Which brings me today's illustration by Kai at KootiesCloset. It's called Modern Love and I'm so in love with it I had to feature it in all three colours. (And look, twin birds, such Gemini appeal). Kai has a treasure trove of an etsy shop, containing bespoke stationery, gift tags and cards, stickers, pocket mirrors and jewellery. So enough of me, here's Kai... (such a sweet name)...


What do you love about art?
The overwhelming joy that manifests in my solar plexus as a result of appreciating or producing it.

What makes you laugh?
The Mighty Boosh!!! Nighty Night, Bill Hicks, Ricky Gervais, Larry David, Russel Brand's Ponderland, anything Douglas Adams, Metalocalypse, Home Movies, David Sedaris, This American Life, Conchords, Zack Galifinakis, silly animal bloopers and 80s pop videos.


Any hidden talents?
Let's see...I can wiggle my ears, write with my toes, sniff out a lie... do these count?
(Absolutement!)

Fave Etsy Shops?
Well, I love my friends, of course - GypsyDreamcrafters and sickboyvintage, and my mom - Enzedr (she's from New Zealand). I also LOVE lakeillustration, matteart, PressaRussa, 12fifteen, FourcrowsArt and too many others to mention, so browse my favourites already!

More: kootiescloset.etsy.com

Talentcomp : If you love something

The fam got together last night at a Malaysian restaurant to celebrate my sis-in-law's birthday. After we gorged ourselves on curries and delicious things I was playing with my niece on my lap, she was trying to put my hair up my nose. After a while she cackled and said "Aunty Kris is funny." Made my night. What a little gem.

I think laughing at yourself is so important. Last week I spilled tea on my laptop. All over it. Ruined it. I was devastated, really down on myself and terribly annoyed. After I took it into Apple and realised repair costs for this would be too expensive, so I'll have to buy a new one, I let myself feel sad for a minute and then realised - hey, I'm healthy, hubby's healthy, puppy's healthy, the fam is healthy, I have a magical life and this isn't going to bring me down! So I laughed at myself for being a dork and moved on.

Happily, Am, the self-taught graphic artist behind 3LambsGraphics chuckles at her own flaws too. Her prints here have really brightened my day... as have her answers. Here she is...


What makes you laugh?

Ironies and idiosyncrasies - the little things you notice about people and situations that make you laugh, but also endear them to you and make them memorable. And I laugh at myself - a lot! I'm not the most coordinated person...


What other creative outlets do you have?

Photography is my other love. I always have a camera on me! I collect old film cameras as well, most of which are sadly neglected at the moment. It's finally warmer here, though, so I'm hoping to use quite a few of them before the summer is over.

I'd really like to learn how to use metal clay, just for fun. It seems so versatile, but I'm a bit intimidated by the firing and polishing aspects!


What are you reading?

I always love Martha Stewart, especially for color palette ideas. HOW Magazine and Print are great as well. Flipping through their design annuals always helps me get over artist's block.


What are your fave blogs?

For blogs, I can't help checking out Just Something I Made on a daily basis. She's always coming up with original and creative projects, and she posts wonderful freebies (many of them vintage!). Design*Sponge, Modish, Housemartin, The Dieline, and Green Island Studios are other favorites. I also read quite a few cooking and baking blogs - messing around in the kitchen always de-stresses me! Smitten Kitchen, Orangette, Dorie Greenspan, Chocolate & Zucchini, and Creampuffs in Venice all have delicious recipes and great stories to go along with them.


Pics from top:
If You Love Something, Set it Free; The Feathered Family; Dandelion Wishes; Blossoming Dogwood and Yield to Love.
3lambsgraphics.etsy.com

Illohaven : Some kinda wonderful

I'm in awe of these illustrations by Mari Katogi. The illo above is the sweetest Little Red Riding Hood ever. It's so fresh and modern in a definite Japanese style.


And here we have the cheekiest Alice in Wonderland... I'd murder that pile of macaroons in a split second. Oops. Sometimes I confuse what's not real with cravings. Ahem. Next?


Hansel & Gretel on their way to nom their way through a candy house... Mmmm candy...


Alice through the looking glass...


This one is such a fave, I've saved it as my desktop background.What a talented artist, these are absolutely divine. Go here for more: mari.lomo.jp

Now I'm off to the beach!! I'm stopping only to pick up my friend C and her dog Ferris. Fish n chips here we come... xxx

Layerlove : A beautiful mix

Happy is a Monday afternoon full of dandelion tea, Hershey's Kisses and winning eBay bids. Cue satisfied sigh. Speaking of winning, how ace are these mixed media prints? Super lovely Mindy Wilson from Montana cleverly throws together her pics, textiles, illos and digital influences to create these goodies. Cute and sweet and rustic and fabulously original...


Who inspires you?
I'm inspired by my friends and family and all creative people, really. I love when others share what they make with me, point me to their blog or bring something to show me. When someone is making, making, making I'm inspired to do the same. I'm also inspired by nature though that's not really a 'who' unless I'd said Mother Nature.


Birds, beautiful and funny looking, sound pretty and simply crazy little creatures, I love that I can draw them in so many different styles and they still get the chance to be called birds. Corny little birds like this one are most normal for my illustration style. I really haven't shared many images with this style of these on Etsy.
Fave blogs?
I love finding blogs with step by step images of various project that artists are working on. I love to find a beautiful mix of family images and projects too. Here is one example: Anna Maria Horner

I love this artist's creations... Feltcafe... the felting is amazing. I don't felt but, I am totally engrossed in her projects. Like these.

The Small Object is another fave.

The Farm Chicks (I was a vendor at one of their shows this spring) I'd also found a K I L L E R chocolate cake recipe in February and I think it made me gain 20 pounds, which I am just beginning to shed. whew.



Pics from top down: Morphee, Largo Nice Rack Distressed Large Lion Print, Striking Large Morphans, Jelly Bean Soup Funky Print and Vintage Wallpaper Inspiration Print.

Funflicks : Coming alive during winter

Today was sunsational. Warmish and so clear, full of good things. It started with a trip to Officeworks (hello stationery) and Bunnings (I wore my jacket with house paint all over it so I looked semi-pro). We then partook of a most delicious sausage BBQ at home and a crack at a few jobbies around the house.


Unable to resist such beautiful afternoon sunshine, and in possession of a dog in need of a long walk, we headed down to Bicentennial Park for an easy stroll along Rozelle Bay.


Scout's insane energy had her racing along the water at full throttle, chasing balls and sticks and barking orders at other dogs to stay away from her bum.


It's funny how native flowers come alive during winter. When all the fancy flowers are taking a break for a few months, wattle and other overlooked blossoms flourish.


I should have something interesting to say here about the flowers above but I've no idea what they are. I just like the shot. How do such delicate flowers belong to such a robust native?



I've seen loads of feet shots on Flickr and I love the randomness of it. Peach havaianas, ripped jeans and nice paving. 'Tis moi. Have a fab/random weekend wherever you are xxx

Sketchalot : Bird, bike, boom and belonging

Today, my peeps, was delightful. It was so busy, but busy when you're freelancing has an underlying feeling of gratitude instead of stressiness. It was also warm. Real warm for mid-winter. I stopped by Bronte beach this morning - where I used to live... sigh - on the way to a shoot for a story I'm writing. I also ate burnt fig jam, honeycomb and caramel ice cream this afternoon in the sun. In between I was crazy busy dancing on this laptop, but tis all good.

Today's post, therefore, is all good and should make you feel like you've got a smile full of sunshine and a belly full of yum. Meet John W. Golden (you're already smiling at the name, aren't you?), a digital artist with a love of vintage and a handy knowledge of fun. Here's a couple fast facts about Mr John...
What's your earliest creative memory?
My earliest memory of drawing was a game a friend of mine and I used to play. We would draw tanks and airplanes and other military type stuff on pieces of paper. Then we would place a pencil point on one of our drawings. Using one finger on top of the pencil's eraser (to hold the pencil upright), you would flick the pencil point toward your opponent's drawings, resulting in a pencil mark "fired" from your drawing. If the pencil mark hit your opponent's drawing, they had to draw a scribble-y explosion on top of that drawing. The loser of the game was the first to run out of drawings.

Did you get in trouble for it?
I definitely got in trouble for it, as it was usually during school that we played the game.


What's your favourite magazine, book and blog?
I read Juxtapoz (mag), The Business of Holidays (book), and blog-wise, I follow AshleyG, The Black Apple and a dude named Matt Logelin.

Pics from top down: Belongs to You, Band Legged Blue Green Striped Bird Collage, Cycles per Second and Boom.
You know you want more: johnwgolden.etsy.com; jwgdesign.blogspot.com

Talentcomp : Slightly twisted does it for me

I've just had the most unexpected weekend. Hubby was away Friday night and working like crazy until Saturday night, so I made the whimsical (and somewhat mad) decision to paint his office. At 4pm I was in a cab picking up the perfect blue-grey (Porter's Explorer Blue), by 6:30 I had moved out as much as I could from his very full room and by 10:30pm I had finished the base coat. 7am on Sat I started on the blue and I was amazed at how serene the colour was. By 5pm I was done. And very, very sore. See I'm not good on ladders, especially not when they're sitting precariously against a wall (I didn't have much room to move around - his desks and one bookcase were too heavy to shift very far. Where the ladder wouldn't fit I was standing on my bedside table!)

Anyhoo he loves it. He put up his wooden blinds, we moved things back in and it looks twice as big (the original colour was dark orangey-red). I'm so thrilled! I only wanted to do it as a surprise because he's been working so hard, but what I didn't expect was to learn so much from the experience. I really pushed myself way past my limits to get it done (when I said precarious ladder angles I meant it! Plus horrible dizziness at the thought of falling off, a super tired body... you get the idea). So as my body recovers I feel mentally stronger... kinda hard to explain but I feel brilliant today! Bruised and tired and absolutely wonderful!

Speaking of some kind of wonderful, photographer Sherri Wilson Conley has shared some extremely pretty pics here on the blog. I'll let the rest of the post come from her...


Do you have any hidden talents?
Like tying a knot in a cherry stem with your tongue? Patting your head while rubbing your tummy? No, can't do any of that stuff. How about this... I think I could be a real good carpenter. I'm pretty mechanically inclined and I love working with wood and even own my own band saw! The smell of sawdust takes me back to the days when my Dad was working downstairs in his workshop when I was young. He was always making something with his hands. Of course, he taught me everything I know about woodworking.



Who are your favourite authors?
I really don't have any favourite authors. I read all kinds of books, fiction and non-fiction, on a variety of subjects. Sometimes I read two at a time. I just finished reading John by Cynthia Lennon, before that a book by Dr. Wayne Dyer and a few by Eckhart Tolle. The next in line to read is Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks, Your Erroneous Zones by Dr. Wayne Dyer, and Healing Words by Larry Dossey.



What makes you laugh?
Quick, dry wit and slightly-twisted humour does it for me. Dave Barry and Garrison Keillor are two of my favorite humorists and are great to read if you want a lift! I love to hear friends tell stories on themselves, you know, the embarrassing kind where they just wanted to crawl under a rock...but they share it with you and it's so darn funny you both laugh until you cry? They're the best! And my two daughters can quickly bring me to tears from laughing fits and it happens frequently...usually in public!



Pics from top down: Soft, Flying into the Night, A Hint of Pink, Laughter is the Best Medicine and X's and O's.

More: sherriconley.etsy.com

Plaything : Ordinary absurdities

I think I've learned to accept Stuff. Like how many greys I have at such a young(ish) age. Or that my dog favours my hubby. It's true. (Perhaps I need to move on from 'acceptance girl' to 'crazy lady with pockets full of liver treats'). And how I can cook just about anything in the world... except rice. That I can't carry off bright clothes. Like perhaps my singing voice isn't as magical as it was when I was 20. (Ok it seems there needs to be a bit more work on this Issue). But I really, honestly have come to embrace winter. See, there are two kinds of people I know. The cold-weather peeps who would rather camp in July and hibernate in January, and the sun-worshippers who complain at the first drop of rain, are fully stocked with fake-tan (in case it gets banned or other such disaster) and are generally better off ignoring from early May to mid Sep. I have always been a sun bunny and would watch in horror as my husband (yes, kiwi-born snow bunny) revelled in the thought of roasts and crisp mornings.


But this year was different. Cold was fun. Maybe it's the early greys turning my brain fudgy. And don't worry, I'll still be loving summers forever... but check out these pics. Aren't they mid-winter perfection? Glass of red anyone?

They're by Sydney-based photographer Linda Kruger. Must be why I feel so at home and snuggly when I look at them. I'm in awe of Linda's techniques - the extra painting and layering - that's still subtle enough to let the original snapshot shine through. Here's some interesting stuff about Linda...


What inspires you?
Inspiration usually takes me by surprise, and I often think it's as much to do with being in a mood to be receptive. When I'm in the right mind-set, almost everything is inspiring. I also go through stages where I don't feel inspired at all (and consequently get no work done). Artist friends of mine have said it's the same for them too, but we all agree that those times are usually followed by more energetic productive periods. It's almost like the down time is an important part of the process, where the ideas are percolating away in the background. Having said all that, I'm really enjoying the work of Arthur Dove at the moment.


What makes you laugh?
I think there's so much to laugh about. The funniest things are just to do with the ordinary absurdities of life. Dogs are always good for a laugh. But not clowns.

What music are you listening to?
I don't listen to music much while I work, because I get distracted by it. I prefer to just listen to the sounds of my neighbourhood. When I'm not working, my current winter playlist includes Mike Andrews, The High Llamas, Kurt Vile, Hank Williams, Modern Lovers, Meg Baird, Muslimgauze.

Pics from top down: fresco 1, Collector Bird, Autumn and Lindisfarne.
More pics, interesting info about the pics and curious things: elfine.etsy.com & olivedear.com

Woodworks : Distressfully nice

Simple, cute, fun. Welcome to Tuesday peeps! Apologies if I'm getting predictable, but here's another beautiful example of wood meets art meets birds meets trees. These are a few of my favourite things...

Erin, aka Knotty by Nature, has a nice original touch that I likey very much. Her painted wood blocks, above, have a soft, raw feeling and quirky creativeness that I'm drawn to instantly. Imagine a whole bunch of them in a long line along an outside fence or kids play room.

What do you love about birds? I don't know, really. Birds and trees have been objects I have drawn and doodled for a very long time, it's a comfort for me.

What do you love about wood? I love how durable it is, it has a nice weight to it compared to a canvas. And when I distress pieces I love how I can manipulate the paint to get the look I want.

What other creative outlets do you have? I also sew, knit and make resin jewellery using original artwork.

Check out knottybynature.etsy.com for Erin's one-of-a-kind resin pendants and other stuff.

Wood blocks clockwise from top left: Purple Hummingbird Block B24, Black Bird Block B38, Pink Squirrel Wood Block B31 and Turquoise Swallow Block B35. (Bingo!)

Birdsong : Sonic resonance

There are a few things we may never know. Like why there are 17,928 baristas in Sydney, and only 4 of them can make a good coffee. Or why the French got 99% of the world's cool genes. And while you're there, you can riddle me this: why are there so many illustrations about birds? Is it just because they're cute? Kittens are cute. Is there something universal about them? Ah, hello, dogs have that crown. Or is there a fluidity of movement (such a special phrase) that captures the eye of artists and art lovers alike? Who knows. All I know is I love birds. Not the ones that crap on the newspaper after at lunch, splashing black onto my new jumper (yes, black. I didn't ask). But the ones like the dudes above and below by Shuxin / Sound Revolution.


Here's a bit of interestingness about the lovely Shuxin...

I am a graphic designer and illustrator from southern of China, but now I am living in Melbourne as a freelance artist. Before I came to Australia, I finished my master course of graphic design in Edinburgh, UK. Those different experiences of study and life, that make my mind open to different world visions, and nourishes itself with the richness of different people and ways of life.

Materials and textures intrigue me and I have an almost obsessive need to create... I started my own project in 2005 while in the UK. It's called “Sound Revolution” which was inspired by the conflicting and harmonious relationships the urban environment has with the natural world.

I love nature, I like birds and their songs, so I want to use my art work to express to my audience not only a sonic experience but also my own self-identity as a channel by which to encode this sonic resonance.

I think visual communication is the most direct method to deliver a message and communicate with people. To express the meaning of sound through the designer’s perception is to let people use their eyes to feel how the sound influences their emotions directly. I really hope my clients are able to feel a natural and unique beauty and serenity from my artworks.

And who doesn't like a reindeer on a Friday? (Do you think it's lost?)
Check: madeit.com.au/sooooound

Stationhairy : Fish kissin' fun

I've been known to mooch about in a shop for half an hour trying to find the perfect card for someones birthday. It drives my companions into a twist (which is why I prefer to shop alone. I also drink alone, but let's save that for another time).

These cards are perfection. They're crazy beautiful, really a bit funny (sometimes I laugh alone too) and altogether unique. They're by Kata and Maz, the peeps behind Raven & Lamb. They're cool. They have fun doing what they love, print using vegetable-based inks and hail from sunny, wonderful Sydney.



Feeling lonely? Send someone a card for no reason whatsoever (don't leave it blank) and you'll feel all loved up before you can say "I hate walking to the post office in the rain, why can't posties collect mail when they deliver it..." ravenandlamb.com.au

Plaything : Sweet tweet

I've been feeling so inspired and energized lately and a lot of it has to do with this blog. So last night I made two illustrations from the huge folder I have of scans of scrap paper and fabric. The illo on the left is strips of stationery, ribbon, wool, wood and digitally painted; while the illo on the right is cork, fabric, a Tiffany jewellery box and digitally painted. Mixed media delights. They were more fun than a buffet in Vegas...

Have a beautiful day!

Kidsplay : A rush of colour

You've caught me in a good mood. I have a new laptop (my first mac, so excitement), the sun is out, Madeleine Peyroux is singing sweetly (through the speakers of said new laptop, of course), I've just devoured a pack of peanut butter m&m's and the art prints I've found for today's post are so brilliantly citrus-bright and fun... there really is nothing else to feel but delight.

The lovely Helen (aka zukzuk, originally from NZ, currently residing in Canada), has an etsy shop full of beautiful children's prints that would brighten up any home. I especially love the masked bear above, it reminds me of the look my dog gives me when trying to sneak off somewhere she shouldn't. Anyhoo, here's a bit about Helen...

What and who inspires your designs?
I keep my eyes open and when I see something I like I try to make a mental note. I have ideas coming to me when I'm lying in bed and I enjoy checking out blogs and being inspired by artists who are way more accomplished than I am. I love being surrounded by nature - this time of year (spring in Canada) is a wondrous and very inspirational season. The uncontrolled vitality of life rushing forth is mesmerizing.

What makes you laugh?
Lately, Flight of the Conchords.

What are you reading?
Heidegger's "Being and Time." I'm just kidding, I can't remember the title, it's "101 nature activities for your child" or something like that.

What are you listening to as you create?
I have been enjoying revisiting the Sesame Street classics! I have a 4 year old son... so that means... 5 grey hairs per year x 4 years = 20 grey hairs, at least!!

Check out zukzuk.etsy.com for the whole shop. Want to win stuff? Helen's giving away goodies right here: hellozukzuk.blogspot.com

Pics above: (clockwise from top left) Birdabies, Masked Bear, Sugardrop Baby and Love Train