To combat Melbourne’s lockdown, there’s been a lot of art making going on around here. Like every day. Painting, drawing, whatever. It usually happens first thing, sometimes it happens last thing, but it always happens. It’s not always fun, it’s not always pretty but it always is. And it’s highly recommended as a bit of therapy against all the negative places your mind can take you in this crazy time. The work has mainly been colour or patten based, and I’ll show more soon, so watch this space!
Vote for me and you could win $2000!
Gorman's having their first ever art competition and this is my entry, a gouache painting called Intersections. If you like it, you could wear it! And if you vote in the People’s Choice Award (it takes just a sec) you go in draw to win $2000. Entries close 11:59pm 14/06/20. Thanks!
More Colouring In Fun
I’m so humbled to be one of 16 illustrators contributing to Edition 1 of Happy Colouring, a free downloadable colouring book from local not-for-profit LiftMeUp. The work is all SO GREAT (other illustrators include Brook Gossen, Melanie Johnsson and Sebastian Curi) and I cannot wait to get colouring. And let’s face it, who doesn’t need a bit of a distraction and some chill-out time in the midst of a global pandemic?! And don’t forget to share your creations @liftmeup.aus on Instagram
LiftMeUp is a Melbourne-based charitable organisation that provides free support group sessions and social events to connect people experiencing loneliness, social isolation, depression and other mental health issues. They rely 100% on donations, so see the website if you want to learn more or support the important work they do.
Quilts & fabric
This is what I’ve been up to lately. Thanks COVID. My style of quilting and patchworking is simple - work with what you’ve got and Tetris it all together. Start out on a big table or clear the floor and put all the pieces together in a pleasing way. Mix them around until all the patterns and shapes and colours just work. Then work in rows, stitching together. Simple! I’ve long thought about creating a quilt pattern, but how do you plan for order when you start with chaos? :)
Anyway, I’ve listed a bunch of quilts in the Spin Spin Etsy shop, and if you’d like to make one yourself keep an eye out for mega fabric packs, coming soon. And take care out there.
Downloadable Colouring in Sheet of a Fitzroy house for Together Gallery
I hope everyone’s doing OK out there, in these times of COVID-19. To try and bring some fun and distraction into our lives, Claire Ritchie and Luke John Matthew Arnold have created Together Gallery, where they’ll be sharing creative projects that will inspire and uplift you, as well as introducing you to an array of incredible artists from around the world. The first project is called Colour Full, consisting of a series of downloadable colouring in pages, and I’m thrilled to have a little Fitzroy house drawing included. Get colouring and share what you create - share on Instagram @togethergallery and tag with #togethergallery
West Elm Local
Last week I was honoured to be the featured maker at West Elm Chadstone, for West Elm Local. This is a monthly pop-up event where West Elm stores feature a local maker, who's in store selling their wares for a few days. I'd heard about the concept a while back, as some of my favourite designers/makers in the US had been featured makers, and was pretty chuffed when West Elm contacted me about being involved. And as I've previously taken part in an Etsy Pop-up at West Elm Chapel St, I knew I was in for a fun few days.
It was lovely to chat with all the customers and get lots of great feedback (apparently my work is 'cute'!) I had lots of new things to sell, including shiny ceramic crockery sets and art prints, some of which are slowly being listed in the shop. And thanks so much to Sophia and Julia and the rest of the staff for making me feel sooo welcome - by the end of the four days I felt like I worked at the shop and was sad to be leaving. My feet, however, were happy for the rest - it's been a long time since I've worked in retail, (which I did all through school and uni) and I'd forgotten how hard it is standing up all day long.
Here are some photos I took (with my phone, hence not such great quality!)
