Merry Xmas!

Hope your Xmas isn't a circus.
Happy holidays y'all.
Roll up, roll up 2009!

halleleura olive oil

I love receiving packages! In the mail yesterday, some Halleleura olive oil bottles with labels I illustrated. Halleleura is the love child of Leura Park Estate vineyard in the Bellarine Peninsula, Victoria. You can test and try at their cellar door or buy online here.

kindness of strangers

I'm blown away by the generosity in blog land. Natalie from Arthur's Circus has kindly given me some old girlie mags after seeing a photo of some old Parade mags I have on Flickr. The mags are fantastic, (thank you Natalie!), and for those who haven't checked out Arthur's Circus, you should! (see pic above) It's an ace store full of vintage toys, art prints, photography, and lots of homemade gifts and goodies. They are at 631 Queensberry St, North Melbourne and best of all, it's run by super nice people. See their Xmas hours here.

cushy cushions

Looky here! Want to cuddle up with some sexy ladies? Part of a new collection of Limited Edition Art Cushions & Pillows from Click for art. Constructed of super soft faux suede, all feather filled– Printed one side – with a plain back, 40cm x 40cm, £35. Only 150 printed of each design and each cushion is delivered boxed with a Certificate of Authenticity.

abstract

And this little abstract card made for another sister's birthday. Happy birthday Kathryn!

op shop dress

A card I made for my sister's birthday, for her op shop glamour party. The fabric found at an op shop. Happy birthday Gillian!

tag, ok now I'm it!

I've just been tagged from Carrie Can. I'm a first timer at this, apart from schoolyard days, so here goes.

If you care to know, here are six quirky yet boring details about moi:

1. When I have a flying dream I do breaststroke in the sky.
2. I can't put eye drops in my eye.
3. I don't really believe in astrology, but I think Aries is the best sign. (Apparently that is a very Aries thing to say)
4. When I eat a banana, I peel it, then break off a piece and eat that. I never bite straight down into it. (I'm sure something Freudian could be read into that!)
5. My nickname is crazy legs because I'm always bumping into things. I have a bit of a crazy arm thing too.

I'll be tagging these fellow friendlies:

* Kaotic Kraft Kuties
* Meet me at Mikes
* Arthur's Circus
* Vivienne Strauss
* Lino Forest
* Ninainvorm

Here are the rules:
* Mention the rules on your blog.
* Tell six quirky yet boring, unspectacular details about yourself.
* Tag six other
* Go to each person’s blog and leave a comment that lets them know they are tagged.

If I bored you senseless, I leave you with the awesome Andy Warhol cover for Velvet Underground, simplicity unsurpassed.

hallway mirrors

I've been collecting these mirrors for a while and finally got them up on the wall. Poppytalk and Apartment Therapy has just posted this in their art of display section. It's kinda freaky having people look into your house, but I thought it's only fair as I love peeking into other people's.

you're welcome

I painted this directly onto the floorboards in our entrance hallway, then oiled the boards. Strangely I painted this after we were broken into so I wasn't really feelin' the love.

..but wait there's more

at Lost and Found.

A lady for all occasions

A work in progress. I started painting this wall mural in my studio a while ago and thought I'd post it up in it's current state. Who knows when I'll get round to finishing it. I'll show the final piece when I do!

click for art

Click for art have just launched their new and improved website! The artwork is clearly showcased with accurate colours and nice close ups. There is a range of limited edition prints, original art and more goodies for sale, plus prices have been restructured, starting from £40. You can see my work for sale here.

yay iggy!

Classic Iggy (clearly off his chops) on Countdown with Molly. Then lip synching while the mike is in your pants...yeah.

mid century dream homes

I have recently been checking out garden designs. Our poor backyard is in desperate need of a makeover. Somehow I used it as an excuse to drool over beautiful mid century homes. The first pic is Neutra's Kauffman House (1946) and the second is from Jacques Tati film, 'Mon Oncle', 1958. You should check out the super modern garden in this film. Not a tree in sight.

find o the week

So at first glance these looked like matchbooks, right? ....but then I opened to reveal...
...a stocking ladder repair kit! You moisten the tabs and dab it on the runs of your stockings, maybe whilst sipping a Gilbey's Gin. (Love the way they are cross promoting alcohol with pantihose, god knows I'm always drunk when I get a stocking run!)

paintings for sale

I have the last of my paintings from the 'In the Neighbourhood' show for sale at the old Lost and Found store, 132 Smith St Collingwood. It's open every Sat and Sun selling vintage furniture and art until Xmas.

beauty editor interview

The lovely Kat from BeautyEditor.com.au has interviewed me about my illustration work for the beauty and cosmetic industry. Her online beauty magazine is full of tips and tricks for all things beauty related. My sister and I spent all our childhood years drawing girls with full make-up. Who knew it would lead to all this beauty related work? I'm not sure if I should be giving make-up tips though, I think I'll stick to drawing on paper.

lost and found

I've just finished a wall mural at the fab new Lost and Found store. Lost and Found is a monster store full of vintage furniture, clothes, lighting, books, bric a brac, etc. It's just moved to 12 Smith St Collingwood (between Gertrude and Victoria) to a much better location.

Design files interview

Lovely Lucy at the Design Files has recently interviewed me. Check out her blog for all things creative and inspirational in Melbourne and beyond, including interviews of designers, artists and creative folk. Thanks Lucy!

Oh darling, do behave!

This book cover I recently illustrated and designed for Alto Books is out in September. Call me old fashioned but I like people with nice manners, but there is always room for a little misbehavin'.

more op delights

These circa 1950 Courier covers are fantastic. I especially like the swallows, and the Dali-esque acorn is kinda crazy. All signed by H C Paine.

And Chinese wooden picture cubes. 6 sides of the cutest little illustations you have ever seen. Love that walkin' panda.

latest op shop find

I've been without a camera for a while so I haven't been able to share my latest ace op shop finds. First up, a great addition to the crap art wall, a crimson lipped lady to go with queenie (right).

Breadmakers album

Came up a treat, fingers crossed they'll do vinyl too. Out now!

spot the difference

While we are on the subject of copies, check out My Graphic Garden's blatant rip off of my Bloom girl (plus there were more!) I approached them via email to point this out only to receive the rudest email in reply. I thought about posting their response but basically they said "whilst I do acknowledge similarities, there are significant differences". There you go peeps just copy someone's work, change it slightly and make some cash. Not so funny.

fake on fake

My friend Janet spotted these in an Asian grocery (yeah weird right). I know that fraudulent copying should not be laughed at, but we thought it was curiously funny that they are combining Paul Frank plus a Bloom rip off together...on undies. I'm not really sure what Bloom has to do with undies or monkeys but funny.

more buxom gals

I've just finished 14 new Buxom Lips gals, in all of their burlesque glory. I'll post these when they are launched but here are some that are currently available - beach babes and mod girls. (sorry-it's a little chilly in Melbourne to be looking at those swimsuits.) A full coverage range (put your clothes on young lady!) is out now at Sephora.

exhibitions I'd like to see

...that is of course if I could get to London, Cy Twombly would be on my list at the Tate Modern. 19th June- 14 Sept.



...in Canberra, Utopia:The Genius of Emily Kame Kngwarreye at the National Museum of Australia, Fri 22 Aug – Sun 12 Oct. I'm not usually that into Aboriginal Art but I love her abstracts and use of colour, plus she started painting in her late seventies!

nice things

Awww aint the internet grand. Look what nice things Paisley St Claire and Frockwriter have to say about me.

marvin the art critic

My cat marvin has a new career as art critic. Apparently he didn't like one of my paintings and showed his disapproval by pooing on it. It was in fact a canvas I had just painted black so maybe he was telling me to get a hurry on. Either way it is now in the bin. Thanks Marvin for the constructive criticism.

Coca Cola and the Olympics

I just received some t shirt samples in the mail for the Japanese Coca Cola Olympic giveaway campaign I worked on. You can see my original post here. These funny photos (people clearly lovin' life with Coke and a freebie) are on the Japanese Coca Cola site. I'm wondering if there are some performing enhancing drugs in those bottles.

Polaroids

I love polaroids, and it shits me that as from next year Polaroid film will no longer be available. There might be alternatives from Fuji (hopefully) but it's annoying, like when your favourite eyeliner is discontinued and you gotta find a new one. Save Polaroid have petitions and surveys to fill if you're a fan. Here are my fave shots taken of signs in my hood. Ironically I took these photos before the signs disappeared.

Breadmakers album cover

Here's a sneak peak of the new Breadmakers album artwork due to be launched in Aug. The Breadies are an ace band and top blokes too. Pretty Green will be sharing the stage with them on Aug 9th at the Great Britain if you are in Melbourne.

collections

I just found the most amazing collection of vintage typewriter ribbon tins at Uppercase. It got me thinking about my own collecting over the years which I have never really set out to do but it has somehow just evolved. You might have seen my wooden dolls in a previous post but there is more! - vintage stockings and female related garb, vintage travel paraphenalia, vintage aprons, vintage books, girlie pin up cards and the list goes on. For some reason I have to find a mate for each item. Sorry these photos are pretty poor but will hopefully update soon. More ace collections at Poppytalk.

new work

I've been wanting to work on some new paintings but have been snowed under with commercial work. Here's a sneak peak of some studies that I will hopefully get crackin' on soon!

fave things

I got burgled on the weekend so this is a post of Mexican goodness (bought at Mexico City markets) to try and cure my bitterness and angst against all lowlife junkie scums....



...but this is what I'd really like to do to them.

Craft City Melbourne

The good folk at Craft City Melbourne have just posted a profile on me. The site is a local directory of faves and finds in this great city of ours. A modern day lil' community of all the good stuff - craft, art, food, bars, etc. CCM rocks, and we salute you!

cuban doorways

I took these photos in Havana a while ago, but thought I'd share. It was photo heaven of colour, deterioration, and cars.