Modern Times Pop Up 3

A few of my painted wooden pieces are available from the brand new Modern Times Pop-Up #3 at 311 Smith Street, Fitzroy. I realised just before that my volcano and Mr Sloane clock above are microscopically visible in Lucy Feagins' lovely photos on The Design Files, so I have stolen them, with some shame.  

A small selection of my framed prints is there too.

Knitting class at Craft Victoria

I am very excited -- and almost as nervous -- to be part of Jasmine Targett's Skills Swap Meet free workshop, an adjunct to her Crumbling Ecologies exhibition at Craft Victoria.  This Saturday afternoon I will be showing participants how to change colours within a row of knitting and how to read a graph.  I will be bringing copies of my Rags to Riches scarf design for the knitters to practice on and take home to hopefully make their own variation!  See you there.

Born Devotional Sandy

Francoise Seignobosc

The Big Rain by Francoise Seignobosc, 1961; this edition published in Leicester in 1966.  Seignobosc is one of my favourite illustrators, and I absolutely love every little detail in this book.  Thanks for lending, W.

Svijet oko Nas: a favourite book

Images from Svijet Oko Nas (The World Around Us) a children's encyclopedia first published by Skolska Knjiga, Zagreb, in 1960.  These images are from volume I.  My brother and I adored these books, and we still argue over who they belong to today.  I will state here officially that he had the rights to volume I, and mine were to volume II, but I kindly allow him to look after both.
Some more spectacular images in my flickr set.

Etsy fame!!!

It was with a stomach full of butterflies that I turned on my computer this morning and saw my own face staring back at me on the front page of Etsy.  The interview and photos were actually done well over a month ago but I was asked to not to announce my impending feature via the internet (though of course I had to tell all of my friends straight away!).  

Thank you to Warren Kirk for the beautiful photos of my studio, and for the portrait, which was akin to pulling teeth (for both photographer and very unenthusiastic subject).  Here are some of the shots that did not make it into the article:

Last but by no means least: HUGE huge thanks to the lovely Kirsteene Phelan, Etsy manager for Australia, for suggesting my shop in the first place!  I owe you my life Kirsteene!!!

A bat, then

A couple of weeks ago I was honoured to receive an email from Penelope Durston asking me if I would like to accept a small collection of old table tennis bats on which I might paint.  Who am I to say no to a thoughtful offer like that?!
I spent a couple of hours today sanding and then priming the little bats, after collecting a series of images which might both suit their format and be a little at odds with it.  I only had time enough to actually complete one today, above, inspired by a photo of a man in slavic costume from a 1960s National Geographic magazine.  I like the curtain behind him: it makes me think of aunts and soup.
Have a look here too at Sandra Winkworth's beautiful bird painted bat, which lives with me!

Inspired patchwork cushions

I have been making some patchwork cushions for my other Etsy shop.  They are all one-of-a-kind, made largely from vintage fabrics, with some Liberty of London, French provincial and kimono fabrics added for good measure.  I am a big fan of patchwork, and I love arranging odd combinations and seeing how they work as a whole.  The first one, above, is folk inspired and very 'me', whatever that is.

The second one, above, is Jenni Harley inspired!  I love Jenni's soft and multi textured vintage colour palettes.

The third one above was an attempt to channel a bit of Pilgrim Lee, but my collection of fabrics might not have been quite bold and bright enough!  But I think that the result is still interesting.
More is more, hooray!!!