Frida in Full Bloom

Look what I managed to get my hands on...an edition of the 'Womankind' magazine featuring Frida Kahlo! Isn't the cover just glorious? It was created by the remarkable illustrator and visual designer Charles Tsevis. I only recently discovered this new magazine; Frida is issue #4. To quote Nicola Medrano on the Womankind magazine Facebook page "It is filled with interesting, thought provoking, inspirational articles and presented beautifully". I couldn't agree more! It is a beautifully-designed, ad-free magazine for women.

My sister introduced me to the wonderful art of Frida Kahlo many years ago. I fell in love with Frida's surreal self-portraits, her intense stare and striking look, and was captivated with her extraordinary story. Really, I actually bought this magazine as a gift for my sister - but not before I took a five minute break to have a flick through its pages. Shhh! Don't tell her! After all, its share and share alike I say!

Issue #5 is available now at the newsstands and I couldn't pass it by, I just had to buy it. The cover art, another exquisite Charles Tsevis mosaic, is filled with Celtic and Irish symbols and objects. How could I resist?

I am looking forward to putting my feet up and reading the magazine at leisure over the weekend. I hope you also manage to get some time to relax and take pleasure in doing something just for you!

Is Womankind magazine available where you live? If you have had the opportunity to read any of the issues I would really love to read your feedback.

Until Next time, Happy Creating!

Watching Clouds

Well...It has been an exhausting and exhilarating two months. I am back in Australia; the trip home to Ireland was not for leisure but to spend quality time with a loved one who is still recovering in hospital. There were very sad times along with some heart warming moments, having the love and support of family and friends really helped.

I have always enjoyed walking by the banks of the river, parklands and woods near where I grew up. It is one of those places I liked to go and spend quiet reflective time. Listening to the sweet sound of the birds, the rush of the water over the rocks, the fragrance of wild flowers while embracing all the sights of the countryside. It's a pure delight for the senses.

I thought I would share photos where the inspiration came from on this trip to Ireland, for my illustration "Watching Clouds". It was hand drawn and painted digitally a couple of years ago and holds some lovely childhood memories for me.

 

Do you have a favourite place? Somewhere that holds a special place in your heart? I would really like to hear about it!

Enjoy the rest of your week.
Until next time, Happy Creating!

 

Artist Interview

I have had the great pleasure of being interviewed for Irreversibly Moi by the lovely Sue Wojtkowski. Check it out and you can also be in with a chance to win one of my art prints! Just click on the picture to bring you to the interview.

Until next time, Happy Creating!

Coffee Anyone?

I am not a big coffee drinker but I do enjoy a really good coffee once or twice a week. My sister makes up for me!

It makes me happy to see how art has made its way onto the take-away cups and containers in Australia; until recently this was limited to Christmas designs in the lead-up to the end of the year. Being  a sucker for packaging design, it always sways me in my purchases. I love how a creative graphic design on packaging can elevate the ordinary into something quite special.

I am currently visiting family in Ireland. I ordered a large coffee and was left wide-eyed by the cup size. I don't remember coffee being available in super-size!! I haven't spotted any artistic designs on the take-away cups here as yet but I am keeping an eye out! However, my coffee came with a really cute flower design incorporated into the froth on top. 

Have you come across a clever or eye-catching illustration used on any of your everyday product purchases? I would love to hear about it.

Until next time, Happy Creating!

White Easter Rabbit

You never know who will visit over the Easter! I had forgotten about this cute hand painted white rabbit until he hopped right in front of me while working on this digital background. I really like the marriage of the two techniques, what do you think?

Enjoy the Easter break.

Until next time, Happy Creating!

Jean Paul Gaultier Art Journal Spread

What is the perfect girl's weekend away? In my book a plane trip down to the city of Melbourne, not only to take in all that Melbourne has to offer but to experience the incredible talents of a world visionary - designer Jean Paul Gaultier! The trip was an early birthday present from my gorgeous sister, who lives in Sydney. Thanks Sis!!

Melbourne is Australia's second largest city. It has a vibrant arts community and it renowned for its fine restaurants, great coffee, laneway cafes and bars, and gives a warm and friendly reception to visitors. It has an excellent cable tram network which is a great way to move around the city, making it easy to get to theatres, restaurants, shopping, places of interest and major venues.

The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) was 'home' for a few months to 'The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk' exhibition, on its world tour. Wow! Just Wow!! Is the only way I can describe the exhibition. My sister and I had an amazing time; we were transfixed by the cool but freaky talking mannequins whose eyes and mouths moved to show off Jean Paul's creations, dozens of highly-detailed garments spanning his 40 year career. We were captivated not only by his vision and creativity, but also his ability to push boundaries through his fashion and entrepreneurial ventures.

Fired up from the exhibition, I have created a double page spread in my art journal. I loved the imagery on the Jean Paul Gaultier Exhibition promotional material of Kylie Minogue and wanted to incorporate this into the spread. I found a piece of plastic table runner that resembled lace which I used like a stencil. An old favourite iridescent medium gave the right amount of interest and pearlescence to the top to the page. Mixing it with blue along with a handmade stencil give those signature 'Jean Paul Gaultier' stripes!

For the opposite page, I used tongue-in-cheek hand cut images that hopefully compliment the designer's flare. Paint splatters and glitter finish off the page.

Until next time, Happy Creating!

Aztec Journal Page

In the last few weeks, I have managed to pack in quite a few exhibitions. I have decided to fill up my art journal with these memorable experiences. I love learning about different cultures, ancient cultures hold particular fascination for me. However, the Aztec page proved quite a challenge in how to depict my feelings about the exhibition.

The Aztecs worshipped many gods, I have printed out and pasted in the Aztec calendar stone on the journal page. In the centre is the sun god Tonatuih, holding a human heart in each of his hands, his tongue a ritual blade for sacrifice. As the sun god, human sacrifices were often offered in order for him to remain strong.

I thoroughly enjoyed the exhibition and there were many amazing things but I struggled with the amount of human and animal sacrifices. We saw alters especially for holding down the sacrifices, stone carved containers for holding the hearts. Even the poor pet dog did not escape! The Aztecs believed dogs acted as guardians to escort their master's soul on their voyage. I tried to include these elements in the journal page without getting too macabre but still being true to the culture.

I thought you might like to see a few of the artefacts from that day at the Sydney Australian Museum.

For the crafter's out there, what do you think of these Aztec clay stamps and mould? Pretty impressive I would say!

Distress inks, acrylic paints, colour mists, watersoluble crayons, metallic gilding flakes and a paint pen were used. Also a background stencil and crackle stamp added to the many layers.

Most times, I have an idea of how I am going to approach a painting or journal page, this time it developed organically without me knowing how it was going to turn out but I love how it embraces beauty with chaos. What do you think?

Until next time, Happy Creating!

Chinese Garden Journal Page

Happy New Year Everyone! I hope it has been kind to you so far! It was nice to be able to sit back and enjoy the holidays; relaxing, reading, listening to various pod casts, going to the movies and then picked up the pace with a jam-packed weekend in Sydney.

If you are visiting Sydney, I can highly recommend the State Library. It has a couple of great exhibitions on at the moment, including the illustrator Lynley Dodds works of 59 original drawings from her popular children's books the Hairy Maclary series, the Schnitzel Von Krumm series, Slinky Malinki and Scarface Claw. I love the humour she incorporates into her delightful characters and stories.

One of my favourite places to visit when I am in Sydney is the Kinokuniya Bookstore, a place you could get lost in for hours! And directly opposite you can hop on the sushi train at Sushi Hotaru Restaurant.

The Chinese Garden of Friendship is a beautiful oasis in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Sydney's Darling Harbour. We took the light rail there. It is well worth a visit, this amazing walled garden has everything from waterfalls, lakes, pavilions, exotic plants, koi fish, birds and the odd lizard or two! The charming Teahouse is the perfect place to have your tea or lunch while taking in the tranquil scenery. As a memento of our time there, I thought I would do a inspired journal page and show you some of our photos from that day.

  Chinese Friendship Garden

  The Teahouse

I hadn't worked in this particular art journal for a long time, I quickly realised the reason why - the paper! A bit disappointing when it clearly states the journal is meant for mixed media. Next time a couple of coats of gesso on the back to make it more durable might do the trick.

Even with the limitations of the paper I love the way this page turned out. I wanted to include the rich vibrant oriental colours, which I feel add some drama and mystery. Lots of layers of collage papers, acrylic paint, watersoluble crayons, ink, copic markers and coloured pencil were used on this journal artwork.

There are a couple of exhibitions showing that I would like to attend before they finish, but more about that in another post.

Have a great weekend!

Until next time, Happy Creating!

A Koala Christmas

They don't call it the silly season for nothing! I have been feverishly catching up with everyone and everything and trying not to have a meltdown, as the festive season gets into full swing! Making list after list and then forgetting where I put them!

I have had so many things to be grateful for this year, among them teaching on Life Book 2014 thanks to the terrific and talented Tamara Laporte. It has been so amazing seeing everyone's artistic growth throughout the year. Equally amazing seeing all their wonderful art bound into their own Life Books. If you have not heard of Life Book, check it out Here! Registration is open for Life Book 2015.

Australia's festive season is certainly different to the cold Irish winters I grew up with. It still confuses my mind seeing all the imagery of winter snow scenes in the shops, then you step outside and you could literally fry an egg on the rocks! Especially when it get into the high temperatures. Spare a thought for the farmers who do it tough in drought-affected areas.

Since time was so pressing, I thought my colouring pencils would be a nice quick way of bringing this adorable koala character and scene to life. Firstly, I sketched my idea onto 140lb hot pressed watercolour paper using a mechanical pencil and clean up any areas with a fine eraser.

 I wanted to include this little Charlie Brown inspired Christmas Tree as a reminder to embrace the true spirit of Christmas and not to get too caught up in all the commercialism.

So...with that in mind, I want to take a moment to thank you for all your love and support and to wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season and a happy 2015! Be well, enjoy life and keep moving forward!

Until next time, Happy Creating!