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

Sketchalot : Fun-loving bohemians

I've been watching seeds sprout and I can't even explain how exciting it is to have a vegie garden in its early stages... in our backyard! We've got parsley, capsicum, chilli, tomatoes, snow peas, butter beans, green beans, rocket, cucumber, baby carrots and spring onion so far. Thrilling! One day I'll make a salad from it all and that'll be super delicious.

Speaking of fresh, how ace are these illos by Vanessa, aka Inkblot? I like Vanessa from sunny Brighton. It appears we have a few things in common: jogging, red nail polish, pistachio ice cream, polar bears, math... but enough about the sisterhood, here's Vanessa in her own words...

What's to love about Brighton?
Brighton is the kind of place where 'anything goes', it is truly bohemian and has a thriving creative culture. The combination of the multicultural, fun-loving, friendly inhabitants, the huge community of artists and the sea and fresh air is extremely inspiring indeed. I have grown up here and love it. Also all the museums and shops in London are only a short train journey away.


Who inspires you?
My family inspires me. My siblings are all ambitious and hard-working and very encouraging and supportive of my achievements, talents and goals. I particularly admire people who have become successful from having nothing and coming from poor backgrounds and working their way up by sheer hard work and determination.

There are also many Etsy artist/designers that inspire me. I think the work of Betsy Walton is incredible, it makes me feel like I am dreaming, it is so weird and beautiful. I came across Art and Ghosts recently, which is also amazing, dark and beautiful. I love the work of Brandi Strickland for her unusual and vibrant collages.
(PS Brandi was featured on Cloudburst Beauty back in April... for the interview go here).


Any hidden talents?
I do not have many 'exciting' hidden talents... I think I must put all my energy into my art and design! If I had to find some things, I would say that I think I can run quite fast, have an A-Level in Maths, am an experienced skier and am extremely good (read competitive:-)) at Pictionary and usually on the winning team!


Favourite blogs?
I absolutely love printpattern.blogspot.com and also designspongeonline.com (especially the 'Sneak Peeks'), I have only recently got into reading blogs and have spent more time reading through the archives of these than finding new ones but I know there are loads of cool blogs just waiting to be found! I love yours for a start, so I will have to add it to my list! (Thanks so much V!).

Illos from top down: Teacup, Bloom, Lovebird and Leaf.
More: inkblot.etsy.com

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

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

Plaything : Crush me happy

I've decided there are two types of celebrities I'm fascinated by. First, there are the phenomenally talented, über charismatic, compellingly good looking people who you can't help but want to get to know. I'm nowhere near obsessed, just curiously curious. I have a few celebrity crushes in this arena, like Clive Owen and Simon Baker. Mmmm they're special. Twiggy Lawson (above) had her own quiet way of captivating the world... so ethereal.


The other type is the person who makes a difference in the world and you come to get to know them through celebrity channels. Like Harvey Milk (above) or Princess Diana. The world is enriched by their lives... yes that's totally different from making blockbusters but you see my point. It's in there somewhere.


Now let me introduce you to Christian & Hallie, aka, Autumn&Eve, the Pittsburgh-based, super fabulous creators of the designs on this page. Here's a line from their Etsy profile page: "We're in the business of good looks and illustration." Do you love it? It made me smile. As did the pic of the deliriously lovely Isabella Rossellini (above) and Audrey Tautou (below). Sigh.


Here's a bit about Christian & Hallie:

What makes you laugh?
So many things. We have the weirdest sense of humor. Most people think we're crazy.

Who inspires you?
Pretty much everyone that we do a portrait of inspires us one way or another.

What's the best feedback you've had on your work? We love all of the positive feedback that we get, but our favorite was when someone said this about us, "This is the best seller I have ever had a transaction with on Etsy... All [their] responses were very quick and helpful... the prints were not damaged during transport. Thanks so much!"

Need more good looks and smiles? Want a custom-made order of your grandma? Go here: autumnandeve.etsy.com

Screenprincess : Take it with you

Cute. Seriously cute. I love me some cuteness. I love these colours! The randomness really appeals to me - the gun, key and bike seem, like many designs I've found, to come from nowhere. While the tree, tour eiffel and birdie branch are just clever and lovely and homey. I'm not a gun fan, could never have them in my home in any shape or form, but something about this one makes me smile. Like a bad Western on a Sunday afternoon.

Meet Sissy, creator of Two Poodle Press. She's created these marvellous prints from sunny San Diego, California... a place I'd love to visit again. Soon. Here she is...

I first started in design in high school, laying out the school paper and designing zines and stuff.
Travel is the number-one source of inspiration for me, I get so many ideas when I see new places!



How incredible is this quote (from the movie It's A Wonderful Life). Too true.

Prints in top pic, clockwise from top left: Vintage Bicycle, Vintage Key Welcome Sign, Bang Bang Vintage Pistol, Vintage Inspired Mod-Bird and Flowers, Vintage Paris Eiffel Tower and Peachy.
Pic above: Inspirational Vintage Film Quote in Greige.

twopoodlepress.etsy.com

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!

Illohaven : Jump like you mean it

I've never felt such satisfaction as I do when I see my features published in a magazine. It's an affirmation that's hard to describe. Writing is so personal and strange and public but I love it so so much. I don't think I'll ever stop. The other day I was going through my old high school books one last time before finally throwing them out (hoarding days are so over) and I noticed a few short stories and english essays. Sitting back I re-read my words, trying to remember if I had the pull way back at 14. I think due in part to my sheer craziness, the fact that my Pop wanted me to be a pianist and my slightly confused careers adviser, I had no idea what I was supposed to do. None. Thank goodness the pen found me again five years ago.

Last year I discovered the unbelievable joy of illustrating. I asked the art director of Real Living mag (where I worked for three years until a few weeks ago) if I could have a crack at an illo for the mag. I had never done one before, only painted and sketched, but I did two for them (completely in photoshop) that were both published. Happy days I tell you! I haven't done much since, but now that I'm freelancing I have more time to paint and draw and illo, as well as write features and everything else I love. It's paddle pop perfection.

I big-time heart Melanie's illos. I was so excited after I read her answers, I love reading about other people making their passions their jobs. Here she is in her own words...


The highlight of my career was the end of one and the beginning of another... I had a job that looked so good on paper but was so bad for the soul. After returning from my honeymoon while on a lunch break it was all so clear – I needed to quit immediately. Luckily, my husband was so excited to live vicariously through my quitting that he said, "just do it!' and since we planned to start a family asap we figured it would show us what it would be like with only one of us working... so I jumped ship! Later that night we both realized how crazy and scary of a move that was and how I needed to figure out something to add to the income pretty quickly. I wanted to support myself by being creative and even try breaking into the world of illustration and textile design but I needed to figure out how to make money in the interim. Having worked as a jewelry designer for a national brand (previous soul killer) combined with my degree in graphic design I decided to blend the best parts of them together – and voila – super extravagant wedding invitations! And thus, by the seat of my pants – Love Your Invite was born: loveyourinvite.com. Plus – extra bonus – along with running the invite business I now had time for crafting and illustration like what you can find in my Etsy shop: spreadthelove.etsy.com


My favourite subjects are whimsical ideas with lots of fine and delicate details...
I love to relax with great documentaries, snuggling with my husband and dog, gardening and oddly enough – trapshooting! (I've been doing it since I was 12 – it's a family thing.)


Top, left to right: You fly me like a kite and Forgotten
Above: Modern Cameo Print, Red Rose

Posterjoy : Sharing the love

Things I learned from my Mum: I can do anything and be anyone I want to without exception, to laugh often and loudly, a love of writing, a instinct for cooking... and a glass of wine solves just about anything.

Things I learned from my Pop: do your best in whatever you do, a love of maths, an instinct for gardening, to stand up for myself, to appreciate the details... and to know when to hit the beach after a day of hard work.

Some things just run in the family. Like curly hair (thanks Pop) and long fingers (cheers Mum), some things are just in us. I think once we accept and embrace these (talents, freckles and all), life becomes easier and more fulfilling. (Which means any day now I'll stop straightening my hair. Soon. Really. However, if I may point out I have taken a trip to brunette-ville for the first time in a while. Yes, yes, no more bleach. I'm proud of me too.) Where were we?

I was thinking about heirlooms after I read all about the gorgeous JJ, a Melbourne-based designer. I was drawn to her work instantly, it was like a bright beacon lit up the room. Then I found out her father was the illustrator of many portraits on Aussie currency and her 10 year-old daughter has just finished her first novel. Crikey. Here's a few words from the designer herself...

What makes you laugh? Hands down, my 10 year-old daughter Angel. She is the funniest, wittiest person I've ever known. She always making me laugh with her quick comments and insightful mind.

What music do you listen to as you create? When I'm drawing I nearly always listen to music, anything from Debussy, French music, Sigur Ros, Coldplay, Radiohead, Motown, Bob Dylan or the Beatles. When I'm designing, I rarely play music. I usually am so engrossed in what I'm doing that I don't even think about putting music on, and I also like the creativity to be pure if you know what I mean. I am so profoundly moved by music that I find it a distraction.

What are you reading? Currently I'm reading 'The Passion Test' by Janet Bray Attwood and Chris Attwood, and 'City of Bones' by Michael Connelly :)


theloveshop.etsy.com

Top set, left to right: Je Taime, Never Give Up and Do What You Love.
Set above, left to right: Laugh Love Dream, Love in Manhattan and Carpe Diem.

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

Dreamweaver : Novel ideas

From a small town in Norway comes these stunning and fragile mini works of art. They're original mixed media illustrations using acrylic paint, ink and marker drawing on a vintage book pages from 1892, by the lovely Annette. Here's a bit about her:

How did you become an artist?
I've been drawing and painting all my life. I loved my colouring books when I was a little girl and I started my Art education when I was 16, I went to Art school for 7 years.
Art is my life really, it's like therapy . A way to get my feelings out . People that know me can tell from my work what kind of mood I am in.

When I was 18 I went to Tasmania, Australia for 6 months and took art classes and life drawing classes at Adult education, Hobart. At the age of 19 I was accepted into a private Art school for Fine Art, Sculpture and Photography in Stavanger, Norway. I graduated 2 years later and have been a freelance designer and illustrator since then. I've also worked in an Art gallery.
In 2007 I started to sell my art online at carambatack.etsy.com.

Whats been the highlight of your career?
All the positive and wonderful feedback from customers, bloggers, friends and others when I started to sell my art online. That gives me such joy and makes me want to create more art.

What are your favourite creative website?
Flickr.com - so much creativity and inspiration in one place....WOW. I love flickr and have been posting photos of my work and life since 2006. My flickr site: www.flickr.com/photos/carambatack

Pictured top (clockwise from top left): Fantasy tree, Girl on Swing, Red Bird, My red umbrella, Under my wing and Red dress. Below: Peacock in blue and red, inspired by Norwegian retro paper cut from the 70`s.

Cardtherapy : Chillin' up north

Anyone who hails from Canada, lives in Canada or has been there and raves about it is an instant friend. I was born in Toronto a few years back and although I've been in Sydney most of my life, (with a bit of Melbourne and Detroit thrown in for fun), I still know how to throw an 'eh' into any conversation. The only thing is I can't ski and I'm no good in the cold. And by no good I mean completely useless. I know, I know, it's really letting the team down, but I love snow and watching people skate on outdoor rinks and the flamboyant way they cover anything stationary with lights at Christmas. So I obsess from a distance. This is my fate.

Happy was the day I discovered the cards above by Katie Muth, a Toronto-based artist, illustrator and print maker. Ain't they too cute? She also makes pencil cups, journals and greeting cards inspired by the Victorian wrought iron fences of Sydney - in the most stunning colours. I love her originality. Here's a bit more about her...

What gets you in a creative mood? Unfortunately: deadlines! But I've learned to accept this fact, and enjoy being creative in these frantic spurts.

What's your favourite subject to draw? Lots of subjects catch my attention: Nature is a huge inspiration; patterns, human connection, fun things to do... but what I am most satisfied by is when I'm able to really capture a moment, and take the viewer to that place in time.

What's your biggest craving? Well, I've been on a crazy diet recently that doesn't allow booze or sweets, so that's the first thing that comes to mind! But long term I'd say to be surrounded by beauty ~ flowers, colour, nice art.

Cards above clockwise from top left: mix tape, baby foot, girl with skates and wedding birds.
katiemuth.com

Plaything : Note to self

Edward Monkton makes the most brilliant and funny cards. Some are completely random, while others are so perfectly and simply insightful, like the one above (I added the stripes, couldn't help myself). It reminds me to have faith in myself and others and to believe that I'm being looked after every minute of the day. And sometimes, that's all that really matters.

Talentcomp : Life's like that

I think happiness can only ever exist when you're in this moment. You can be surrounded by all your friends on a Mauritian beach, but still not be happy because you're wondering when it will end or why your hair's so curly. But on the other hand, you can catch yourself laughing in the middle of a storm, stopped in traffic on a Monday. Life's funny like that.

I guess that's why I love art so much, in all its guises. It stops me in my tracks and brings me back to the present. It makes me think, makes me appreciate and makes me happy.

Fields of Green, above, is by Charlene, a US-based artist who's been painting for over 30 years. It's such a sweet digital collage that reminds me of what bliss looks like.

Talentcomp : An ideal world

I'm no bunny whisperer, nor am I gifted with any kind of special understanding of the animal kingdom, but I'm pretty sure foxes and bunnies shouldn't be together in the same box. It's like inviting an Italian friend to a French restaurant, or wearing white velour trackies around your emo friends. It's dangerous. You just don't do it.

Estonian-born, Brooklyn-based artist Kristiana Pärn may come close to artistic carnage - innocently painting floppy ears and red pointy tails with the same brush - but thankfully she never puts them in the same frame. The understated and gorgeous prints above (clockwise from top left: Skinny-Dipping, Solitude, Where Are You Fox and Follow Your Heart) are all made from original acrylic illustrations. Kristiana made the originals to "study different techniques for making an impression of light and air," she says. "The background was created by applying colored pigment on damp board, then objects were drawn with sharp outlines and bright colors to create depth of field." Just beautiful.

Talentcomp : Four seasons

As any creative type will tell you, inspiration can come from anywhere. But the biggest source for most - including me - is nature. There you'll find all the colours, textures and serendipity imaginable.

Check out Erin McNulty's lovely seasonal pieces above. Autumn Tree, Winter Night, Spring Fever and Sunrays, illustrations narrating the beauty of a tree's annual ebb and flow. Stunning! Youll find more leafy greens here: etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6889181