the balaclava blues

I heard some very annoying news about my neighbourhood since illustrating Balaclava for the Design Files calendar. As it turns out I need to add more coffee cups and ditch those records. Yep, Wall is taking over the music store Second Spin. I'm totally bummed. Wall (apparently) offered more bucks to the landlord and they succumbed. The high rent on the strip has already seen the Asian grocery and other small businesses disappear. That's what the strip needs, more cafes! While we're at it let's add some more chemists, bakeries and $2 stores.

the design files calendar

Design Files have joined forces with Jacky Winter to produce the Neighbourhood Calendar launching next week! Twelve Australian illustrators were asked to draw their neighbourhood. I was lucky enough to scribble for East St Kilda/Balaclava. More info here on the project and the artists involved.

Come to the launch next Thurs 18th at Lamington Drive 6pm. Calendars selling for $33 and A2 prints also available for sale. Preorders here.

ode to breasts

Latest fun editorial illustration for Readers Digest story, 'Ode to Breasts'. As posted on the Jacky Winter Peter-Peter. I seemed to have carved a niche as 'boob girl'. That's fine by me. Some pre job scribbles below too.

spring clean and show

You know it's time for a studio clean up when a friend drops by and says 'What the hell has been happening in here!!' But the other good reason is that I needed a clean(ish) space to get painting. That's right folks, for those who have been asking (and waiting patiently), an exhibition has been organised for June next year at the new Lamington Drive gallery. Hoorah!

find o the week

It's been crazy town in the neryl household of late. I've been super busy with work and projects, none of which I can post just yet. So when I need some time out, I pop into my local op shop and find this, a Japanese music pull down doggie toy! It's not in great working order but couldn't resist the cuteness.

ebay treats

Picked up this 'Girls from Man' calendar from 1965. It will hang next to my 1966 version. Nice! And yes that girl is wearing a cling wrap bikini, wrapped in plastic ala Laura Palmer. Girls get your Glad rags on.

chicks dig records..yes we do

Don't you just love it when you find something awesome whilst browsing the internet for something else? Well this LP cover lover blog is the ticket. With subheads like "Chicks with Guitars', "Legs', and 'Chicks dig records', I could be here all day but I'm busy so it's very distracting.

ace finds

My latest vintage kiddy finds. Two Chinese squeaky toys (love the manga fluoro deer), a cute doll and this ace weird, home made (60's?) humpty dumpty toy with houndstooth jacket and vinyl Flinstones hair. Hilarious! I love it, lets hope Ivy does too. Although she better not play with it too much and ruin it.

buxom travel to athens

Part of a new Buxom travel range, Monica in Athens.

latest op shop find

I normally pass on these vintage annuals in op shops as they want ridiculous amounts for them, but this one was only $2! Love the dog show pic. There is some dubious dirty dog dancing and some freaky St Bernard action going on there.

favourite new blog

Modernist Australia via the Design Files. Plus some desert house and garden eye candy in Palm Springs, Racquet Club Estates.

I say tomato

New book cover, 'I say Tomato', out by Scribe Publications.

birthday treats

How about this ace Diana mini I received as a birthday pressie this month. It's based on a old classic, tiny and totally toy like, and takes square format photos. Nice! I've been going snap happy. Can't wait to see the shots (remember when you had to wait until processing to see the photos?)


And the cutest gift to start Ivy's art collection (any excuse) from Beci Orpin's exhibition, 'The Infinite Shape of Rainbows' at Lamington Drive. I think it's open for another week.

latest creations

I've been working on some new Bloom and a lot of new Buxom stuff which I can't post until it's released but in the meantime here's some Buxom product that's out on the shelves now. Aye aye captain!

And on the subject of latest creations, we've been very busy with our new arrival, Ivy Lee. Welcome to the world!

prints for sale

If you missed the Risographica exhibition, you can check out all the artworks including my 2 prints here at the Lamington Drive gallery. Many are still available for sale, all at $50 ea. They have been printed as limited editions of 10 so be quick!

nourish

Here is another project Tim and I worked on together last year. I designed and illustrated this identidy logo for 'Nourish', a boutique advertising and marketing agency that works with food and beverage brands. Tim worked on the design side including stationary, etc and added some nice embossed touches. More photos of Nourish Brands to come.


And look what nice things our client Maria had to say about the job.

pretty green ep

It's officially finished! Well it was recorded some time ago and printed pre Xmas but I am just getting a chance to upload new work now. Tim finessed the design on this one and created that hilarious photo spread.

risographica!

I have a couple of Risograph Prints in this group exhibition by Jacky Winter artists.

The Risograph combines various printing technologies such as mimeograph, photocopying, screen printing and offset lithography to produce a signature-style, similar to that of a silkscreen, but with more 'character'. This Japanese technology uses environmentally friendly soy based inks and for these prints we are also using a carbon neutral, 100% recycled, archival paper.

All two colour limited edition works for sale at $50 each!

If you're in Melbourne drop by this Thurs night, 4th Feb 6-9 pm
Lamington Drive
89 George St (off Gertrude)
Fitzroy

Lamington Drive

And for those of you who wanted a sneak peek. I haven't seen the final printed product yet so will see it on the night.
La Cage Aux Filles- rose
La Cage Aux Filles- bleu

santa's knee

Ok, so it been a long time between drinks (or no drinks in my case). Things have been kinda busy here. I have some new work to post when I get round to it, but more deadlines this week and Xmas is just around the corner! So in keeping with the Xmas spirit and after seeing Pip's post, here's lil ole me looking kinda freaked on Santas knee. Clearly the words of 'never taking lollies from strangers' (especially hairy ones) are ringing true.

balaclava

Lovely Lucy from the Design Files is a guest blogger at Design Sponge this week. She has asked a few fellow Melburnians (including myself), to post about their fave spots in their own hood. I should point out that Batch on Carlisle St also does great coffee (but I ran out of room!).
I would have loved a bar on my map but it seems that no one can get a bar right this side of town. There is the Carlisle Wine bar but no real pubs that play decent music that you can call a local. Everyone seems to think that renovated and lifeless is best. The Greyhound renovation is the most current example. I'm too scared to go in to see the abomination (you can see a bright fluoro lit bar from outside and I'm sure there is no one in there). Can someone please open a cool pub?

bands in march

Why are so many bands coming out in March? It's particularly bad timing for me. First the Pixies, now Pavement. I did, however, manage to get tix for King Khan and the Shrines in Jan. Hoorah! And if you want and come and see Pretty Green's first and probably last gig for a while, head on down to Yah Yahs this Sat night. We're on at 9pm.

sneak peek

Design Sponge have run a sneak peek on our pad. It's such a weird thing to let everyone into your home, but welcome! Have a squizz.
Photo by Mike Baker.

the neryl sweater

I don't know too many Neryls. My mum knew two at the time I was born and liked the name. Now you can knit the 'Neryl' sweater! My friend Blin stumbled across this old Patons knitting book. You can also knit the Shelda cape and Anthea cardi. I can't find a date but I'd say it's early 50's. Stylish huh!

do the tantrum!

Next time your angry. Try this. Guaranteed to turn you into a beat frenzy.

pretty green take two

Well it's getting closer to some finished artwork for Pretty Green. Here's a sneak peek.

pixies vs ike and tina

Everyone who hasn't been living under a rock knows that the Pixies are out in March. For those who miss out on tix, check out this version of River Euphrates. I like. Funny. It's actually the film clip to Proud Mary if you're wondering. How cool was Tina back then?

The Shimmys album cover

Here's one my recent projects, the Shimmys CD cover. Their launch is tonight at the Northcote Social Club. If you pre purchase tix you get a copy of the album. Woo! Headlining is Milwaukee band The Goodnight Loving, whose music has been described as folk-punk. I caught them with the most excellent Eddy Current a couple of weeks ago and they were a lotta fun, 60's twang, a little country, catchy tunes. See you there!

buxom liberty

And a special New york kinda gal, Liberty.

new buxom full coverage lasses

Ruby, Tempest, Raquel, Betsy and Lolita in full colour. Out now at Bare Escentuals and Sephora.

buxom floral girls

Iris, Rose, Poppy and Lily, out now at Sephora.

find o the week

I have a thing for old type and stamps and on a road trip to SA I found these beauties. Yep, goldmine.

These are oldies currently lurking in my studio under piles of paper at the minute. Mental note, must clean studio. Found by my (also type obsessed) partner Tim.