Gosh I have some awesomely creative friends! The lovely Kate from dash robin custom-made me these delicious little fingerless gloves in my favourite colour. She even specially dyed the yarn just for me! God bless her. I collected them this morning and they are sooo comfy, I want to wear them everywhere.
Thanks so much Kate! xx
Whenever I package up an order for my customers, I’m always sure to include a little hand-written note of some description along with their purchased arty goodies.
In the past I’d fold up some pretty paper from my ridiculously huge (and lovely) printed papers stash to make a card, but as time has gone on, I wanted to make them a little more personal – something a bit special from me.
So I came up with these little Thank You cards …
Aren’t they cute? I’m a bit of a sucker for cute/small things, so I admit I’m a little bit in love with these tiny tykes! In fact they’ve turned out so nicely I’m considering popping a few sets in my shop. I figure if there’s anyone else out there like me, these might come in handy for those last minute ‘Eek, I need a card!’ moments.
In other news, my little mini original art sticker sets are temporarily out of stock, so I’ll be ordering some more in soon.
♥ Chrissy
Welcome to my ‘New Beginnings – Works on Paper’ Virtual Art Exhibition! It’s awesome to have you over here.
I’ll be taking you on a tour of my mixed media drawings, which are now on display at The Urban Grind, Paddington (next door to We Live Like This) until July 9th. These artworks are the culmination of the last 7 months of creating and are all heavily influenced by feelings, nature, love and motherhood.
I hope you enjoy your time here at my show! So without further ado, here we go …
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‘Let’s Make Dreams Together’
 | 'Let's Make Dreams Together' is a beautiful, heart-felt artwork about going after your dreams with a loved one; co-creating meaningful and vibrant lives together. It’s full of love, hope and possibilities. Watercolour, pen, crayon, watercolour pencil and Japanese printed paper on textured art paper. December 2010. 32 cms x 32.5 cms x 3 cms deep {Framed}. $235 – |
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‘Allow’ (left) & ‘Fern’s Unfolding Fronds’ (right) … {I’m not for sale. Tee hee!}
 | 'Allow' is an artwork inspired by animals, plants and nature, who seamlessly cooperate with life and allow it to provide for them, one moment at a time. This reminds me to be willing to entertain and allow my desires to be realised as well, trusting, adjusting and making small changes as I go, allowing life to provide for me. I just need allow it. Pen, watercolour, watercolour pencil, crayon, printed papers and oil marker on textured art paper. December 2010. 32 cms x 32.5 cms x 3 cms deep {Framed}. $265 - |
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'Fern's Unfolding Fronds': The symbolic meaning of an unfolding fern frond signifies new beginnings, growing, and balance, which is exactly what I was living at the time of creating this piece. This artwork has a beautiful, vibrant energy to it, reminding me to stay open and flow freely. Watercolour, pen, ink, crayon and printed specialty papers on textured art paper. December 2010. 32 cms x 32.5 cms x 3 cms deep {Framed}. $235 |
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‘You Make Me Happy’ (left), ‘Caretta Caretta’s Landing’ (middle), ‘The Meaning of Freedom’ (right)
 | 'You Make Me Happy' is a fun and light-hearted artwork, guaranteed to brighten your day! It was inspired by my regular afternoon walks; when I take time to breathe in the fresh air and admire the little native flowers and plants growing along a winding creek behind my house in Brisbane, Australia. Pen, watercolour + watercolour pencil on textured art paper. December 2010. 32 cms x 32.5 cms x 3 cms deep {Framed}. $220 - |
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‘Caretta Caretta’s Landing’ is an artwork inspired by Loggerhead Turtles and the health of our natural waterways. I sat creating this artwork while watching a documentary on these beautiful beings, laying eggs, hatching babies and unfortunately, often getting caught in fishing nets in the open ocean. Loggerhead Turtles, or 'Caretta Caretta' as they are known in scientific terms, are officially an endangered species. ** Watercolour, pen and metallic pen on textured art paper. November 2010. 32 cms x 32.5 cms x 3 cms deep {Framed}. $205 - ** 50% of the proceeds of this artwork will go to wildlifepledge.org.au to assist Loggerhead Turtle conservation. |
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‘The Meaning of Freedom’ is an artwork about inspiration, fresh ideas and expressing ourselves freely. I love the flow in this print – It reminds me to flow graciously and vibrantly with life;letting go of fears of the unknown. Pen, ink, crayon and watercolour on textured art paper. November 2010. 32 cms x 32.5 cms x 3 cms deep {Framed}. $220 - |
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‘Winds of Change’ (left), ‘Baby Treeses in the Breezes’ (middle), ‘Where Unicorns Live’ (right)
 | 'Winds of Change' is an artwork about change, flexibility and the inner knowledge that as we take each step, we have everything we need. It reminds me how change rarely happens all at once; it happens slowly, one decision at a time, while we’re feeling our way through and making small adjustments as we go along in life. Ink, watercolour and acrylic pen on textured art paper. April 2011. 32 cms x 32.5 cms x 3 cms deep {Framed}. $215 |
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'Baby Treeses in the Breezes' is a fun, free-flowing artwork reminding me to enjoy life and embrace living in the vibrancy of this moment. It makes me feel happy, breezy, light and free! Pen, watercolour, watercolour pencil, crayon and pencil on textured art paper. December 2010. 32 cms x 32.5 cms x 3 cms deep {Framed}. $250 - |
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'Where Unicorns Live': Pssst! I've got a secret. Unicorns are real and I know where they live. It's a place you can only get to through your imagination, in a faraway land where all dreams and fairytales are made; in an ethereal, beautiful bounty-land way up in the sky. If you close your eyes and relax and imagine, you just might find it too. Pen, watercolour, shimmer watercolours + crayon on textured art paper. May 2011. 32 cms x 32.5 cms x 3 cms deep {Framed}. $235 |
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‘New Year’ (left), ‘Time’ (middle), 'Flourish From The Inside’ (right)
 | 'New Year' is an artwork heralding abundance, prosperity and new possibilities. I created this artwork in late December 2010, when I felt overcome with a sense of amazing hope, vitality and possibility for the future. Days later I received news that I had fallen pregnant with our first child, something my husband and I had been praying for, for two years. May this artwork help bring you your greatest hopes, dreams and ultimate blessings. Watercolour, pen, texta, watercolour pencil and crayon on textured art paper. December 2010. 32 cms x 32.5 cms x 3 cms deep {Framed}. $250 – |
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'Time' is an artwork about what makes up the moments of Life; a fusion of our dreams, feelings, aspirations, responsibilities, thoughts and ideas. Sometimes times are breezy, sometimes times seem tough – but no matter what's happening, there’s always an element of pure peace underneath it all, when we only take a moment to tap into it. Paint pen, watercolour, shimmer watercolours, marker and metallic pen on textured art paper. May 2011. 32 cms x 32.5 cms x 3 cms deep {Framed}. $215 - |
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'Flourish from the Inside' an artwork about abundance, inspiration and the commitment to live as my very best self. Whenever I look at this artwork, I’m reminded how wonderful it feels when I truly love and accept myself, warts and all. Feeling this way opens my heart like a bird in flight – I’m able to flourish from the inside out. Markers, metallic pen and pastel on textured art paper. November 2010 32 cms x 32.5 cms x 3 cms deep {Framed}. $200 - |
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Well, that’s it?! What did you think? Of course in a virtual tour I can’t easily show you all the little textures and intricacies of each piece, but I hope I’ve made it enjoyable for you and you’ve come away feeling lovelier!
You’ll find all these artworks available at Urban Grind for the duration of my exhibition until July 9th … And by the way, they’re all currently available as fine art prints from $25 via my etsy or madeit shops, so pop on over there for a looksy if you so please!
I hope you can make it in person sometime during the show (details below).
131 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington QLD (map)
6:30am – 4pm Monday to Friday
6:30am – 3pm Saturday
8:00am – 1pm Sunday
Thanks so much for visiting my online exhibition!
Love Chrissy x
Seven months of art making preparation for my ‘New Beginnings – Works on Paper’ exhibition, and this is what it all comes down to.
A bunch of frames and fluffy towels.
Hopefully the shots I take of the actual exhibition installation this afternoon will be a little more visually arresting!
So do keep your eyes peeled this evening – I’ll be uploading a full Blog Edition ‘Virtual Tour’ of my Exhibition right here for those of you who either can’t make it along in person or just want to have a looksy before you do!
I’m as excited as a pig in mud! Or a kid in a candy shop. Or payday in a stationery store. Now this is just getting silly …
C xx
Call it nesting, call it super-early-spring-cleaning …
I’ve been going through my original artworks and there’s a couple of play-arounds I’ve created that I’d love to go to good homes.
‘Flourishes’ – mixed media on canvas board (10 x 10 cms)
And ‘Life’s Possibilities are Infinite’ – mixed media on paper (21 x 29.5 cms)
So to ensure these little orphans will be well loved, I’ll be giving each of them away to the next two customers who purchase any items from my etsy store to the value of $25 or more. So if there’s a print or a bunch of art cards or anything else you’ve had your eye on, then, Yup, you’ll receive one of these original artworks for free!
Valid for my first two customers only, so get in quick if you’re interested!
Visit my shop HERE
Love C xx
**WOWZERS – that was quick! Both artworks are now spoken for. Thanks Misty and Jasmin, I hope you love your new artworks!**
Jeepers, talk about baby brain! Lucky I checked my own exhibition details, I’m installing it THIS SATURDAY at The Urban Grind!
This means as of this Sunday morning 26th June (bright ‘n’ early!), you can sit on some of these …
while you sip on some of these …
and look at some of these!
I’ve just finished fixing all the frame hangers to the backs of the artworks (well, hubby did all the drilling, I just added the wire backings), so all there is left to do is to print out the little blurby things to go under each artwork, and actually turn up to install it all on the correct day! If you can make it down from Sunday onwards, do keep me posted and let me know what you think.
For those of you who can’t make it, I’m going to do a little online exhibition showcase once it’s all up and running, so come back for another visit now, won’t you!
Happy days :)
♥ C x
Talk about making dreams happen. A very good friend of mine, Bec, has embarked on an epic journey with her creative bud Kyla to open their very own artisan shop in the main street of Ipswich, Queensland.
Their new store, ‘Cultiver’ opens in the next couple of weeks, and will feature unique works by indie artists and designers dedicated to eco-ethical, handmade products. I’m pretty excited to be having my art there, they’re such an amazingly creative and down-to-earth pair of gals to work with, so I couldn't be happier!
Bec and I have done some pretty awesome op-shopping together in the past, so I know her eye for vintage furniture, upcycling and beautiful design will make their store look just grand. Here’s some pics of the shop before the fit-out … it looks like such a great space! Just look at those old-school rounded corners on the front window. Mmmmm mmmmm!
Bec and Kyla are still taking applications from indie designers/crafters before they open in a couple of weeks, so if you’re interested in applying or finding out more about stocking your wares, pop over to their Cultiver facebook page or brand new blog for contact details.
Congrats ladies!!
Well, she’s finally finished! Wahooo! You’ll remember from the last post that I wasn’t quite sure if she felt complete, and I’m so glad I stuck with my instincts because I think these final changes have really made her feel ‘just right’ to me.
‘She Trusts’. Acrylic paint, copic marker, metallic pen, printed tape, paint pen, vintage lace, iridescent medium, gel medium & flow medium on heavyweight mixed media paper. 29.5 x 42 cms. June 2011
I knew that I wasn’t happy with the toning on her body and the wavy feature coming from her shoulder from my last painting session, so I pulled out my paints and fabric stash and found the perfect solutions! A bit of cream and pink on the body brought out the design/tattooey looking features on her skin and some vintage tatted lace was just PERFECT to dull down the line work, yet create some visual interest along the wavy section. It’s just an added bonus that the vintage tatting looks a bit like peacock feathers!
I must admit, it’s been really interesting working on ‘She Trusts’ over a longer period of time than usual. Quite often I’ll create my artworks in a single sitting, so to paint this one over four or five sessions was a really great way to slow down my own process and get a bit of a better understanding of how I ‘tick’ creatively.
I can see how the initial idea came together in the first artwork, and then it was really just a matter of fine tuning and adding/subtracting elements in the detail to make the feeling of the artwork ‘match’ what I was intending on the inside.
I’m really happy with how she’s turned out. In case you haven’t guessed, she’s me.
You can find ‘She Trusts’ prints and art cards in my My Nostalgic Feeling shop.
Love C xx
You know how every now and again you have one of those really lovely weekends? It’s been one of those for me – I feel like I’ve accomplished so much stuff, yet I’m still feeling refreshed. YAY!
Last night I finished framing all of my artworks for my upcoming ‘New Beginnings Works on Paper’ exhibition. With only a week to go, I thought I’d better get my butt into gear and start finishing everything off, and I’m really pleased with how they’ve all turned out. A yummo frame can really make all the difference to an artwork! I’ve obviously gone for the ‘white look’ – it breaks up the busy-ness of my artworks.
I’d actually created 16 artworks for the exhibition then only recently discovered there’s only space for twelve. The culling was difficult, but I managed okay. I’m only *twitch-twitching* a little bit .. bit .. bit.
It feels good to be done though!
Anyhoo, my official weekend morning began with an early acupuncture & massage treatment with the lovely Jodi over at Moxa Natural Therapies in West End. I have such a HUGE soft spot for Moxa – in particular Jodi, who is greatly responsible for my much-cherished pregnancy (she’s a fertility acupuncture specialist with a heart of gold!), and also because they’ve supported my art and stocked my work there for ages now without charging me a dime. Bless them. I always walk outta that place floating on clouds and feeling very loved.
Anyhow, rambling now & much more to share …
Later, after an AWESOME organic felafel wrap at Wrapture in West End (*go and eat there!!*), I headed around the corner to the Nook Shop garage sale and picked up a bunch of lovely little indie items including wrapping papers, a hand-stitched notebook, colour-in growth charts and a pastel polka dot aqua vintage dress (that actually fits my 28 week pregnant tummy) – all for the grand total of $7.50! Gosh I love a bargain!
I couldn’t resist throwing the dress on when I got home (my friend sold it to me, so I know it’s clean and un-festy) - isn’t it the cutest? There’s little buttons at the side,meaning after I pop Bubby out in September, I can just tighten it up and wear it as a regular dress again! YAY! Aqua + turquoise just make me feel fantastic whenever I wear them. And so do babies.
So this afternoon after uploading some original artworks in my madeit shop, I’ve attempted a bit more work on my ‘She Trusts’ artwork.
Sometimes it takes me a while to get used to an artwork I’ve just created, other times I love it instantly. Perhaps this one will grow on me more; because although I love elements of it, I’m still not 100% convinced it’s finished yet.
This often happens when I’ve worked and reworked an artwork – I lose the ability to see it as a whole, and I just look at all the elements and patch-ups.
Hubby reckons it’s finished and lovely … what do you think? I thought the bluey-purply wavey lines in the centre might be a bit busy, or there needs to be more cream on the girl’s body so she ‘pops’. Oh I don’t know. Step away from the artwork for a while Chrissy!
Anyhow, I’ll finish this lovely Saturday afternoon by extending an invite to you for my exhibition, as I suddenly just realised I haven’t actually shared the official invite with y’all yet. It’s so easy to get caught up doing all the little bits and pieces towards an exhibition then you suddenly remember – Errr – you might need to actually INVITE some people along, Yes?
People are good. Yes. And they are kind. Yes. And sometimes they even buy stuff. Yes. And they give you feedback. Yes. So share the damn invite! Yes.
Hope you’re having a great ol’ weekend as well, wherever you are!
Love C xx
Here’s the latest artwork I’m working on, called ‘She Trusts’.
I already had the title and vision in mind for this piece before I started it, which is unusual for me as I usually work organically.
I’m sitting on this one at the moment, still trying to get the ‘feeling’ of the artwork to match the feelings I have growing inside, so I’m taking my time with it (another new approach!) … cultivating and trusting it’ll unfold as it needs to. I mean hey, it’d kinda be hypocritical of me not to with a title and intention like this!
C xx
I don’t know what it is, but every Saturday morning lately I’ve ended up in tears. Not sad tears. Happy tears.
Hubby has been doing the night shift recently, which has meant that I’ve been starting every weekend all to myself in the peace and quiet, just pottering around, catching up on a little ‘Me’ time and having moments to reflect on the week just passed, and my life in general. I think when I actually give myself time – away from my work, appointments, art, business stuff and my ‘to-do’ list – I am in more of a lovely, calm and open space; where I can connect to my feelings and begin to be present with myself on my journey.
And that’s when the tears start.
My Saturday tear-filled mornings always inevitably end up circling around to all the things I’m so incredibly grateful for. Yes, there’s a lot of things I could be concerned about instead, but it all just gets washed away when I think about how much love there is in my life. It may be all just hormonal, I don’t know, but the fact that I have a loving husband, family, friends and this beautiful little baby growing inside me just overwhelms me entirely, and the tears start spilling out all over the place. Even as I write this.
They chose Me. Whoa!
It seems that deep down, it’s not just that I feel grateful, it’s that I feel surprised that I have managed to somehow draw so much love in my life, that it makes me want to bust. What did I do to deserve all this? How could it be that I’m so loved? I almost can’t comprehend it.
Whenever I look back over the trying times I’ve experienced in the past, sure that it was ‘proof’ somehow that I didn’t deserve good and dreams-come-true; it makes these precious current moments stand out in such bold relief, and I have to start reconsidering my old strongly held beliefs that there was ever a stage that I didn’t deserve this much love. It’s probably just that I never let it in at those times.
So Thank You to whoever, wherever and for whatever reason that I am able to experience these deep loving, raw, yet beautifully touching moments in my life. I don’t know if it’s all me or if I’m being helped by some benevolent life energy, but Life, whatever you’re about, I’m pretty grateful about it all right about now.
Love C xx
Freaken YAYSIES! Last week I was contacted by a Channel 10 children’s morning TV show called Wurrawhy, asking if I would like to be their feature artist for an upcoming episode on murals. Umm … “HECK YES!!!”
The film shoot was today and I gotta say, I think I’ve found my calling - it was SO much fun!
The shoot started by setting up a selection of my artworks and they had me follow a really fun script about how as an artist, I create little things like stickers, cards and canvasses, right up to really biiiig paintings on walls … Called murals!
We filmed the shoot at a community mural project I ran this time last year at the Bulimba Creek Sustainability Centre, which involved coordinating over 100 volunteers (mostly school kids) and lots and lots of colour! You can read more about it and see before and after shots here.
Today they had me do up a little sketch on camera like I normally would plan out a design before a mural, so that the kids watching the program could see how a mural concept comes together. Fiona, the script writer did an amazing job of breaking down the process and making it really accessible for preschool aged children to understand, and I had an absolute ball playing the part of the enthusiastic teacher-come-artist including all the fluffy arm movements and exaggerated storybook-reading-kind-of-language I could muster.
My God, I was in my element! For years {ever since I used to watch ‘Fat Cat’ as a 4 year old}, I’d wanted to work on a kids TV show, so today I made the most of a dream coming true!
It was also really nice as well to revisit the project one year on and see some lovely new additions at the mural space – including this beautiful sculpture and water feature and to see some old cupboard doors I’d painted up, which are now being used as information signage for around the centre.
Anyhow, in all the excitement I forgot to ask when the show would be airing, but I’ll see if I can get my mittens on a copy to share on my blog down the track when it comes out.
Squeeee!! I feel like a kid in a candy store! Thank You Universe for this awesome opportunity!!
Love C xx
I’ve really been itching lately to get out my acrylics again. Since about November last year I’ve transitioned from working on boards and canvasses to works on paper, purely because it’s so much easier in terms of size and preparation.
As a result, I’d been working predominantly with watercolour, pencil and pen, meaning my little old acrylics have been neglected for over 6 months … Until last night!
The feeling of inspiration got too strong last night, (especially after viewing the amazing artworks of Brooke Wandell) and I just had to succumb and whip the acrylics out. I didn’t have any boards primed or canvasses handy, so I used what I did have – some nice thick textured art paper to work on. Normally I wouldn’t use acrylic on paper in fear of warping, but I was pleasantly surprised at how easy and nice it was to work on.
So, without further ado, allow my to introduce my latest painting, ‘My Little Pretty’. I mean seriously, what else could I call it?! It’s such a delicate, free and light hearted piece. And it’s definitely a ‘She’.
‘My Little Pretty’. Acrylic, gesso and iridescent medium on paper. 21 x 29 cms. June 2011.
I’m constantly amazed at how strongly the materials I use are informing the direction of my works. Using pen and watercolour makes me work in a more intricate, designy kind of way, whereas acrylics tend to allow me to be more fluid, experimental and work a lot quicker.
I think I want to go and do another one! So much fun.
If you feel so inclined, feel free to check out the original artwork listing and prints in my etsy / madeit shops.
Love C x
Check out this beauuuutiful photo of my Hubby when he was a little baby.
If our little Max comes along in September with these cheeky, adorable eyes and dimples, I dare say I will melt into a puddle of gorgeous, gooey love!
Awwww! Just SO adorable! I just giggle with love whenever I look at it.
I won’t post pics of myself when I was a baby. There are some very incriminating ones of me getting stuck in the pantry scouting for food. Seriously. Not much has changed.
C x
