happy holidays y'all

Xmas came and went so fast and I didn't quite get around to a Xmas tree, so this antique carved wooden deer head became it. It's one of a pair bought back from Bali. We always regret not buying travel momentoes, so went for it and spent the last day walking around trying to find suitcases to fit them into....ha. The carvings are Javanese and they would have sat either side of a house to keep the bad spirits away.

garden

It's been a long process but we are finally in the midst of landscaping our garden (just to make things more hectic before Xmas). Think mid century Palm Springs with organic shapes, crazy paving, rock features and some nice lawn for Ivy to crawl about on. Here are some inspiration pics. I'll let you know if we came anywhere close...minus the spectacular views!

rockstars and smoke

This was a fun Buxom job illustrated a while ago for the inner rock chick. Think 'the Runaways' meets 80's glam. I just noticed it's now being sold in the US here.




Plus more products released, Samantha's Smoky Eye kit available also in the US here.

gift swap

If you're wondering why I'm a bit slack on the blog front these days, it's because work has been busy, we've had family stay and my 9 month old is taking up more time especially now she's crawling (which is cute but tiresome).

So I'll try and post a few things to make up for it! A few weeks ago Beci and I did a gift swap. I sent a little folksy embroidery her way and in return this cute yellow fellow turned up. Aint blogland swell?

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