Clickfest : Isn't she lovely

Morning peeps. The heater is cranking, Stevie Wonder is soothing my soul and it's my staffie's 7th birthday. My lovely, crazy (and currently snoring) Scout is 47 in human years. Hence the grey hairs creeping onto her chin (join the club dawg). Although I must hand it to her, she still runs like the clappers and tries to sniff cat's butts at every given opportunity.

In unrelated, but equally exciting, news, I'm in love with these pics by Bree, aka Citrus Hearts. Typewriters and flowers.... LOVE. Here's a few things you need to know about Bree...


What makes you laugh?
My husband teaching my kids dance moves.


What are you reading?
I started reading the Harry Potter series and I'm in love with them I'm almost done with the first one.


What is your favourite subject to shoot?
I really love shooting anything and everything but what I would love to shoot, (but never do because I'm shy), is people candid on the streets.


Favourite time of day to shoot?
When the sun is setting.

Pics from top down: It's the little things, Lonely, Long way from home, Love Letters and Dreaming of fall.
More: citrushearts.etsy.com & flickr.com/photos/breewalk

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

Designtreat : Following threads

I've inherited quite a lot from my mum, including a way of never really knowing where I'm going with a conversation. I'll get half way through a story and think "whoa four people are listening... what the hell was my point?" It gets even worse with jokes. I used to pay mum out all the time about forgetting the punch line, but guess what? Jokes on me.

When I saw the elegant, typewriter-chic Flocked Ampersand Cushion above, by Shannon Lamden, aka Aunty Cookie, I laughed. Not at it, mind you. At moi. It made me think of the way my friends say the same thing when I've finished waffling... "AND?" Ha. Perhaps I should scatter some around to remind myself to stick to the point. Not sure I'm capable (after all, it's genetic), but anyhoo, I could get cool and get shopping at the Cookie shop...


Shannon is a freelance designer based in Melbourne, specialising in fabric design and illustration. All fabrics are professionally heatset and are a superlush linen/cotton blend. The gorgeous wintery fabric above is Home Sweet Home linen in Raspberry on Birch. Sweet.


Look... they're holding hands: In the Garden in Pink, Lime and White.

auntycookie.com

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

Snapshot : Stories in mono

Simple can be perfect. Sad can be beautiful. I love how black and white tells a story. It tells a whole lot more than colour sometimes, because magical details come to life that would otherwise be shadowed by a sea of distracting brights. Isn't that what life is about? Some days the colour fades a little, or a lot, and our perspective shifts with it, bringing in a whole new outlook we'd never tried before.


Meet Ken, a Boston-based photographer I discovered in the interwebs last week (an amateur believe it or not)...

I like photography because I can obtain visual and spiritual satisfaction through pictures. The black and white, as well as the coloured photos can provide dissimilar images and memories unable to be seen with the naked eye. Also, I and many other photographic amateurs are the same, we enjoy using the camera and the process of turning films into hard copies of images.

I mostly photograph at home and around my neighbourhood. I frequently browse through outstanding photos in bookstores and on the internet, whatever that captures my eyes will give me inspiration and imagination.


flickr.com/kentoku

Pics clockwise from top left: *, Running in Raining, * and Bicycle.
(That may have been more confusing than informative, however that's how it is peeps. You'll just have to check out Kentoku's pics at flickr to see the other cute titles he gives pics.)

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.

Snapshot : Moody frames

My outlook has taken on a slight shade of grey this morning. It's raining, cold, I have the flu and I just found out a friend's dog had to be put down last night. As the mum of a divine staffie X myself, this brings me too close to tears. So I've put Alicia Keys on, wrapped up a big scarf and decided to go the moody route with my choice of pics.

Christie Lyon is an artist who works with all sorts of materials to create the perfect piece. But it's her photos I'm drawn to. The shots above somehow look mysterious, cheeky and thought provoking at the same time. Love 'em. Here's a bit more about Christie...

What gets you in a creative mood? It's inexplicable! I'll see something, maybe just a combination of two colours, and it inspires me. I never know when it's going to occur, but I know that I am happiest when it is happening!

What's been your biggest highlight so far? The highlights are any time a customer tells me that my art touched them in some way. Customers have told me stories of childhood memories, love, children, friendships and more. I think I remember every single one of those stories. I like knowing that my art has meaning for them.

Who is your favourite artist? Giuseppe Arcimboldo. His portraits are beyond amazing!

What are you reading? I enjoy reading about various sciences and philosophy. I'm currently reading a wonderful book written by a friend of mine: "Peace: A World History" by Antony Adolf.

Clockwise from top left: Sunset Palm, The Guardian, Powerful and Pining Away.

studiolyon.etsy.com
flickr.com/photos/studiolyon/

Snapshot : Road to nowhere

I have this insatiable urge to jump in the car and drive for hours. I just want to be in the country where there's plenty of sky and no mobile reception. It's the best time of year to fall asleep in front of a log fire, to roast lamb for nine hours, play chess, read a book without checking the time and stare at an owl as though seeing one for the first time.

So when I saw Peter Polter's pics I started looking for the car keys. They're so divine, I can almost feel the morning chill and hear the horses. Hot cocoa anyone?

Clockwise from top left: Birds, Old Railway, The Creek and Forest Walk.

Canvasworks : Well spotted

We have a Jacaranda tree in our backyard. It's right at the back, standing protectively as the guardian of our 'estate'. During the summer when it's in full bloom, there's nothing nicer than sipping a cup of tea under its gentle giantness.

TR Mack Studio has painted these poppy bright acrylics on canvas, above, which are inspired by the colours of Italy. Perhaps that's why I crave olives when I look at them too much. I love the deconstructed colours of the leaves and scenery against the gentle giantness of the delicate trunks. Bravo Tom.

Clockwise from top left: Topiary Olivo di Fonituna, Jardin Des Sinfonias, Sinfonia nel Prato Pieno di Sole and La Primavera nel Frutteto

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.

Shopfind : Rockin' robin

Last year I stumbled across these divine collages by Bird Nerd on Etsy. I was so in love with Chelsea's designs that I bought a set of her Sakura Collection to use as thank-you cards. Six months has passed and no-one has received a Bird Nerd card from me because they're just so beautiful. I can't bear to give them away. Sorry peeps. (Get your own).

"My collages aren't traditional, I call them painting with paper," says Chelsea. "I paint the majority of my background with acrylic paint, then cut out paper leaves individually to create foliage. I then compose a bird from carefully trimmed layers of paper and accent it with ink and paint details. I like using paper in my work for many reasons: it adds texture and depth, I like vibrant pattern and crisp edges, and often papers have small flaws which add character to a piece." Nice!

If flaws add character, I must be one heck of a bird.

Chelsea also makes and sells glass pendants, pins, stickers, ornaments, tea towels and prints (above). Clockwise from top left: Swallow Nouveau, Fat Chat, Escape III and Mod Nuthatch

Snapshot : Spectacle merveilleux

The sun is setting here in Sydney a lot earlier since daylight savings kicked in, so when I walk along Hyde Park on my way to the train station after work, the sky casts a magical glow behind the dominating, leafless trees. I look like a child some days, walking slowly, gazing through the branches, listening to the birds, taking in the eerily romantic scene.

At about the same time, talented photographer Marc is up at the crack of dawn to catch trees, new blossoms and the fresh light the sky brings first thing in the morning in Rennes, France. I love his photos, digitally enhanced as they may be. I love their melancholic energy, simplicity and their universal understanding.

Clockwise from top left: Les Arbres Bleus (The Blue Trees), Floraison Blanche #1 (White Blossom #1), Fleurs Blanches (White Flowers) and Un Peu du Printemps #3 (a Bit of Spring #3).

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

Plaything : Calendar girl

Considering it's almost time to wax on about chocolate-coated easter bunnies, I shouldn't be harking back to the new year. But there's something about my small tradition each January when I buy myself a Cavallini & Co. calendar (cavallini.com) to put up over my desk. This year it's a collection of vintage posters from Italy. Last year it was engravings of butterflies from the 19th century.
Some of the butterflies were so beautiful I'm going to put them in frames (which makes me feel better than trapping real b-flies in an Ikea moment). Last night I scanned my favourites to keep on file, then all I wanted to do was play with each delicate image. And play I did! I'm thinking of printing this particular illo and making gift tags with them. Setting them free, so to speak.

Plaything : Ducks on rocks

I love the unexpected, but what I really love is the completely random. Like a collection of rubber ducks outside a general store on a recent visit to the Central Coast, NSW. The ducklings and friends looked dull and depressed because of the asphalt stretch they called home, so I spent some time on it in photoshop, throwing colour here and there, and voila here is my latest plaything. Don't they kinda rock?