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.

busy, busy, jacky winter and more

Sorry for the lack of posts, it's been deadline central around here. I've been working on some fun projects but will have to wait until I share.

So here's an update until then. I have just joined the awesome Jacky Winter illustration agency. They have an excellent stable (or flock) of super talented illustrators and I am excited to be apart of it.

I also received some copies of Luerzer's Archive in the mail last week.


And a little blurb about Australian illustrators including Christopher Nielson, We Buy Your Kids and moi in the June issue of Computer Arts mag.

nose warmers

I wonder why these never took off?

paper dolls

My sister and I spent many days drawing and creating paper doll clothes when we were kids. We would watch old 50's movies and copy outfits. I even remember some crazy sci fi creations too. I think we had one old 50's doll which we copied to make our own versions. Like these hilarious ones found on Swapatorium. I wish we still had them.

big issue cover

My cover illustration for the Big Issue, about to hit the streets this afternoon.

jan pehechaan-ho

Remember this from a scene in Ghost World? I've always wondered where this crazy masked wig out came from after seeing a snippet in the film. It's from a 1966 Indian film Gumnaam. Thanks to the Shimmy's for pointing it out. Oh and Jan Pechachaan-ho means 'We should get to know each other' in Hindi.

beautiful losers

I just saw this film last night, about the early 90's DIY art scene in New York, featuring the awesome Margaret Kilgallen, plus Barry Mc Gee and Shepard Fairey, etc. Well worth a look, the film is a little all over the place but inspiring and funny. On at acmi in Melbourne this weekend. See the trailer here.

bali

We just got back from a holiday in Bali. It was a great trip, perfect weather and great food. Now back to freakin' freezing Melbourne and work deadlines! Here are a couple of snaps before I get a chance to post properly.

retro renovation interview

Check it out here.

a wink and a kiss

Illustration for Bare Escentuals, a Wink & a Kiss Buxom lip and lash duo combining a mini lip polish and mascara. At Sephora.

mid century dream homes

From design to inspire, I just stumbled across this website, Mid Century Real Estate which has some seriously deluxo properties for sale (or to perv on) in Palm Springs. Every one is an absolute dream. Yes dream......look at the view!

our house

The Design Files have featured a sneak peek of our house. You can check it out here.

robert mcginnis

Doco preview about femme fatale illustrator extraordinaire, responsible for many ace pulp covers to Bond and Barbarella movie posters.

pattern collection

I'm a collector and hoarder. I found some more dress patterns last week, (this spectacular 40's slip no less), and went through my collection which has seriously taken over a whole cupboard (must to the annoyance of my partner). I'm instantly drawn to the illustrations. I love the 60's dresses and try to make these, but I also love the 50's stuff which is increasingly harder to find.

birthday cards

I've made a few over the years. I mainly forget to keep a record of them, especially pre computer days. It would be funny to look back at them. If you have some lurking around in your drawers, email them through and I'll post them. Here's some of the latest.She could take an eye out with one of those.

google map typography

Love it. By Rhett Dashwood. Click to enlarge.

exotic bird

This is the first illustration of a series of 'Exotic Birds' I am working on. More to come!

pretty green out takes

It seems that doing the artwork for your own band is bloody hard. This is one of the many out-takes. It's too cutesy for us but I Iike it. Basic, like our tunes.

in the hood

king trigger

A bit of trash for the morning. Anyone remember this? I've had this song in my head for years and have never seen or heard of it since Countdown days. I distinctly remember the 80's animation...ha. Gotta love Youtube. Oh and watch out for the nip slip.

tangerine dream

Channelling some 70's disco, roller bootin, boogie vibes. Boo-yah!

in the city

I am working on a project in the city (will post about it soon). In the meantime here are some snaps about town.

luerzer's archive 200 best illustrators

I received some great news last week by way of the worst phone line ever on my crappy mobile (thank you 3). Amongst the crackle I heard the words 'illustration' and 'won'. Then in an email I was told that two of my artworks, 'Josephine' and 'Peacock Envy' have been selected as part of Luerzer's Archive 200 Best Illustrators worldwide. How awesome!

something fishy...

...for a cute little newspaper ad for the Dockland's Flathead festival, part of Melbourne Food and Wine festival. Click image to view larger.

new prints on wall

I bought this print, 'The cat returns' from Ghostpatrol a couple of weeks ago. We have a giant cat so I thought it was appropriate (although our cat should be pulling strings inside a human form). It's now up on the lounge wall with these 4 Jim Flora prints I bought for my partner Tim a while ago. (That's one of Tim's work's 'One Fifty' on the right).