… Painting at the Prahran Market as part of their Literature Live celebrations. We’ll be in the main courtyard with stories, artwork and I’ll be selling books and prints too.
11 – 2 pm
(No sparkly frock this time.)
I have discovered the secret to being a neat oil painter… Are you ready? Wear something you want to keep clean. Nothing worse than wearing painting clothes to allow for idle messiness. And as I was painting at a most beautiful wedding at the Grand Hyatt last night… nothing like painting in a long black sparkly dress to keep me clean and hopefully inspire confidence (within the Hoteliers) at the same time.
Wedding painter is a rather fun job. Taking bookings now 
Hello all – a quick reminder that the ever-delightful Sister’s Market moves to the Northcote Town Hall tomorrow from 10 – 4 pm, where the climate is sunny, life is easy and manna rains from the skies (which I assume is a good thing).
Come and visit us in Northcote!
Well a number of things…
I’m hard at work finishing off my preparation for a couple of workshops at the ALEA conference in Hobart this weekend. I’ll be talking about the idea of picture books that are designed to have multiple meanings – that is, the text and illustrations leave spaces for the reader to bring their own interpretation to the experience. It’s something that has fascinated me for quite a while… just how far you can take it and how successful it can be. I have some great examples to show and some ideas we’ll work on together.
Then the next weekend we have a market in Northcote, the new digs of the Sister’s Market (while the old digs gets a facelift). I’m looking forward to that. The town hall there is lovely and I feel Northcote will be just the right neighbourhood for us.
And other than that I’m working on roughs for my next picture book. Hooray! It’s in the Moleskines style and will have a healthy dose of surrealism and whimsy and all the things that I love. Happy me!
If I can I’ll post a Mondoodle that is inspired by Hobart. Things have been too hectic to do one every week, but we’re getting there
I hope you’re all well and not floating away in all this rain.
Two markets this weekend. Two!
Brunswick town hall on Saturday for the inimitable Sisters’ Market, 10-4pm…
&
Abbotsford convent on Sunday for the Maker’s Market, 10-4pm inside the refectory.
I’ll be well stocked with books and prints and, when I open the box that was delivered today, a NEW series of cards. Mmmmmmmmm
I’ll take a picture to show you. They’re choice
Ps. Everything is better with the ending -palooza. Don’t you think?
We’re getting closer to a monday! Here’s a doodle… I don’t do many cartoon kinda characters so I play every now and then. Love shadows
Drawn in the studio at 3pm on Tuesday 3rd April, 2012. It’s a beautiful day, pale blue sky outside through the leaves of the crabapple tree.
Last Thursday night was the announcement of the drawing prize winners at a party held in the Royal Arcade. We had a great turn out of finalists, many from interstate, who came with family and friends to meet the other artists and find out the results. I had the great pleasure to announce the Junior prize winner and award a special commendation to another gifted drawer. And, like last year, it was so inspiring to talk to the artists about their great passion and the trials of following it. While the prize money is brilliant (and the year’s supply of chocolate much mused upon) it does seem to me that the greatest gift of the competition is the recognition that many amateur drawers receive, who have at times wondered or doubted if they should be going down this path. Some artists are simply driven to create and seem to be able to do so without reference to others too much – criticism may sting but it doesn’t stop them. Others harbour more of a secret desire which, if not encouraged by the people or environment around them, may never fully be explored or tested in a broader sphere. This prize is open to anyone to enter, professionals and passionate drawers, but it seems that those that really seem to benefit the most are the quiet pen-masters who decide to give the competition a go, then to see their work selected and exhibited and admired by all and sundry. I imagine for many, it is the first time that some of their family and friends will see them in the guise of an artist. I thank Koko Black for giving this opportunity to them, and I am so happy for everyone who takes this magical journey of drawing and can derive joy from it.
Please go to the website to look at all of the finalists’ work. It is well worth it! I’m sorry you will have missed the expressions of absolute delight at the awards. I love being involved in this prize and I love talking to others who have such a passion for drawing. Congratulations everyone.
JUDGES’ PRIZE: Kerry Johns for “Jabberkokochocky”
PEOPLE’S PRIZE: Jennifer Von Klitzing for “The extraordinary concoctions of Rube Golberg”
SPECIAL COMMENDATION: David Piper for “Monkeybuttosaurus”
SPECIAL COMMENDATION: Sorina Williams for “The Proofreader”
JUNIOR JUDGES’ PRIZE: Bella Warne Smith for “Roller Rhino”
SPECIAL COMMENDATION: Claudya Chaufik for “A Surprise Visit”
I don’t think Kerry Johns will mind me including her winning drawing here. It’s a beauty!
I can’t pretend it’s a Monday. Nope. It’s not even close. But here’s a picture anyway that I just finished in one of my moleskines books.
It’s a little steam punk inspired I guess… A little bit fantasy… The cat came from a book idea I’ve had for a while but then things took an odd turn as I kept drawing.
I love it when a picture offers us quite a different world.
On a sunny Sunday morrrning.
It’s not a song, but surely it should be.
And what do you know? There is a market this Sunday at the Convent from 10-4pm in the Community and Linen rooms. They’re more exciting than they sound No piles of ironing for visitors, just a gorgeous view down to the Yarra and the animals of the Children’s Farm next door.
See you there!
…that people do this around here. Does anyone else have subversive guerilla knitters in their area? These snazzy little numbers are around tree protectors in Princes Park, but there are some fine bollard jerseys and bike rail warmers nearby too. Do they sew them on by torchlight, do you think? Are you a knitter?
