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The Cloth Nappy Hunt

Artistic Dreaming with Sweet William

Hello folks! It’s been a little while since I inspired you with some indie art, and since I love a good opportunity to sing the praises of talented local designers, today I thought I’d share a few pieces from creative duo Paula and Shelly from Sweet William.

Sweet William Art Prints

Sweet William {named after a beloved childhood pet} is a collaborative project between artist Paula Mills who is based in Victoria and her sister Shelly who is based in New Zealand. Despite the great geographical divide between them, Paula and Shelly collaborate on all kinds of stitchy, crafty and arty projects. In their store you’ll find art prints, dolls and paper goods.

Sweet William Art Prints

Shopping for art is such a personal experience. Find the right piece and you can stare deep into it and just lose yourself in the story {especially if you’re a daydreamer, like me}. It can calm you when you’re having a bad day, and amuse you when you need a bit of a laugh. I often buy art for gifts as it’s so much fun to hunt for just the right piece to fit the occasion.

Sweet William Art Prints

Sweet William Art Prints

The whimsical and dreamy designs in the Sweet William collection are inspired by nostalgia and childhood memories, paper ephemera, old children’s books and all things vintage. Paula and also draws inspiration from nature, motherhood, film, music, colour and her trusty fine line black pen. In fact, all of Paula’s illustrations start their journey with a fine line pen or pencil, giving her creations that fabulous “sketchy” feel.

Sweet William Market Stall

Sweet William Handmade Market Stall

The images you see here are just a few of my favourites from Paula and Shelly’s repertoire. You can view more of the Sweet William collection online at Etsy or Madeit. You can also find Paula at local Melbourne markets… but you better take a BIG shopping bag, and stuff your coin purse full of goldies! How gorgeous is this market stall setup!? Swoon!

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Hey Kids... It's time for milk and cookies!

I love milk and cookies, especially the chocolate chip kind delicately dipped in frosty white milk just long enough to soak up the calciumy goodness, but not so long that your cookie breaks in half and you have to scoop it out with a spoon. I also love illustration. Today, we get to enjoy both!

Little Bunny Art Print by Milk and Cookies

Milk and Cookies is a new range of artwork for kids {and grownups too of course!} designed by Melbourne based illustrator Tali Gal-on. Tali launched her Etsy store in June this year after spending several years working in kids web design and illustration for cool clients such as ABC Kids and Sesame Street.

I simply adore “Dip“, the print below featuring Monsieur Biscuit who loves having a relaxing dip in his Earl Grey tea tub {although, make mine coffee please… I dream of starting work that way everyday!} Read on for “the quick three”… Tali, in her own words.

Little Bunny Art Print by Milk and Cookies

Art and Illustration by Milk and Cookies

Stories, real or imagined, have always inspired me. Whether they’re stories I hear from my friends, or stories I invent from the things I see around me. People are interesting creatures. I also love contemporary illustration, comic art, and animation.

Art and Illustration by Milk and Cookies

Art and Illustration by Milk and Cookies

It all starts with pencil and paper, I always sketch first, whether in my sketchbook, or on a million little post it notes which end up bulging out of my diary, or stuck all over my desk.

From there, I usually create the final piece digitally using a wacom tablet. Drawing digitally gives me an incredible amount of freedom, and I can’t live without my little friend the undo button.

Nowadays, when I draw in traditional media – pencils or paints – if I make a mistake or decide to try a different colour, I find myself instinctively reaching for the undo button! Too bad it doesn’t exist in real life! I do love the line quality and happy accidents that drawing in traditional media offers. Let’s face it, everyone started drawing with a pencil first, and holding a pencil will always feel the most natural.

Art and Illustration by Milk and Cookies

Art and Illustration by Milk and Cookies

I draw, read books, watch films (I have a special spot in my heart for soviet era Russian animation- especially “hedgehog in the fog”), fill my head with new stories, I play guitar, watch bands, burn cakes, kill cactuses, try and think of stories for animated films… I also animate, and have been lucky to travel around to a few film festivals with my animated films.

You can purchase Tali’s artwork online at the Milk and Cookies Etsy Store, or visit her website to view some more of her glorious illustrations.

Thanks for reading folks, I hope you enjoy the rest of your Sunny Sunday afternoon! See you tomorrow for Oddball Alphabet!

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Spectacles are Sexy!

Happy Sunday Folks! Today I present a celebration of spectacles as interpreted by independent artists across the globe. It’s hard to pick a favourite, but the one on the top left kind of reminds me of me… except for the fact that I don’t actually wear glasses, I just have a healthy appreciation of them… read on!

Spectacles, Glasses, Eyewear Art Prints

Spectacles, Glasses, Eyewear Art Prints

Spectacles, Glasses, Eyewear Art Prints

The first crush I ever had was on a boy who wore glasses. I’ve always found them to be somewhat high on the swoon factor. Maybe it has something to do with my love affair with Morrissey {of The Smiths} fame and a poster I had of him on my bedroom wall sporting a pair of thick rimmed glasses.

I also went on to have a bit of a music crush on Jarvis Cocker, geek chic front man of Pulp and all-around lyrical genius. Let me take up a position on the couch {Freudian Style} while I investigate this further…

Spectacles, Glasses, Eyewear Art Prints

Spectacles, Glasses, Eyewear Art Prints

Spectacles, Glasses, Eyewear Art Prints

Meet the artists

Row 1 – Judy by Wishcandy … Me and You, Number 9 by Amy Blackwell

Row 2 – Wolf Girl Aceo by Tabitha Emma … Charles Anastase by Plasterdoll

Row 3 – Home Sweet Home by Rosie Music … Nature Girl by Kirbee Lawler

Row 4 – Risky Business by Dollface Lala … Winking Nerd by Saturated Canary Art

Row 5 – Quin by Kassondra Amada … I really like squids by kil.sook

Row 6 - Stephanie’s Glasses by Little Branches … Born in the 70s by Benila

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Freya Art - Miles of Smiles!

I’m in a great mood today… the sun is shining, I’ve got a day full of fun and frivolity planned, the family are behaving themselves, the dog just came back from the hydrobath… it’s all sunshine and lollipops! *beam*

Freya Art - Inspirational Prints

In honour of my upbeat mood, I bring you a collection of cheerful and heartwarming prints by Freya Art and Design. Freya divides her time between London {where she is based} and her little beachside studio in Phillip Island, Australia. I was drawn to her collection recently when I fell in love with the “You fill me with sunshine” print.

Freya Art - Inspirational Prints

Freya describes her work as ‘one of purity of vision with a forever optimistic view of the world’. I find it impossible not to smile when I take in the beauty of her imagery and words. These prints would make the perfect gift for a loved one… The sentiment of the “all that we ever need’ print below makes me all warm and gooey inside… hey, I’m allowed to be mushy sometimes!

Freya Art - Inspirational Prints

You can visit Freya online to view her gallery, or shop for art prints, cards and gifts in her Etsy store.

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I'm not a hipster, I just dress like one...

I’m currently undertaking a project to turn my bleak office walls into something bright and whimsical. The key piece will be a “print wall” and I’ve spent the past few weeks sourcing prints from indie artists from around the globe. My latest acquisition is the hipster illustration from Nan Lawson which seriously tickled my fancy when I came across it recently {and makes me smirk every time I look at it}.

Illustration and Art Prints by Nan Lawson

Nan Lawson is an illustrator and photographer based in LA, where she lives with her boyfriend Michael and her two chubby cats, Dodger and Milhouse. She finds inspiration from everyday items and experiences such as her typewriter, camera or shoes.

Illustration and Art Prints by Nan Lawson

I love the cool indie style of Nan’s prints. She manages to capture a hint of geekery and ton of personality in each character she creates. Such is the universal appeal of the images that they would make a fabulous addition to your office, living space or kids room {particularly older kids who are starting to express their own personal style}.

Illustration and Art Prints by Nan Lawson

As well as the prints available in her Etsy store, Nan also creates custom portraits on request. I’ve got my eye set on one for my next wedding anniversary. I’d love to see what I look like as a line drawing, and which characteristics would stand out… my chubby cheeks and messy hair no doubt! Teehee…
Illustration and Art Prints by Nan Lawson

You can view Nan Lawson’s full portfolio on her website, or shop for prints in her Etsy store.

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A Whimsical Moment... Roadside Projects

Today it’s my absolute pleasure to introduce you to the artwork of Jayme McGowan from design studio Roadside Projects. Armed with a stack of paper, a pot of glue and a trusty pair of scissors Jayme creates a range of whimsical 3D artwork that is simply to be adored.

Roadside Projects Whimsical 3D Paper Artwork

I’m always very fond of art that ‘takes you places’… whether it be through a brief escape from reality, the precursor to a fabulous story with your kids, or even sparking a memory from your own childhood. Jayme’s art ticks all of the boxes… which is simply perfect for a daydreamer like me!

Roadside Projects Whimsical 3D Paper Artwork

Each piece of 3D artwork is created from intricate paper images cut from a selection of new and re-purposed papers. Pieces are then glued into place with ninja precision {often with the aid of tweezers… uh, that would be super sharp ninja tweezers…!} to create magical landscapes, and inspiring characters.

Roadside Projects Whimsical 3D Paper Artwork

You can expect to a range of recognisable images such as little red riding hood, or a tightrope walking circus performer, but my favourite without a doubt is “Aerial Adventurers” featuring one very brave parachuting kitty. “The Sandwich Generation” below also tickled my fancy. This was an editorial illustration that was created for Canadian Family Magazine, Winter 2010.

Roadside Projects Whimsical 3D Paper Artwork

You can visit Roadside Projects online to find out more about Jayme’s work. A range of prints are also available through her Etsy store so you can take a little piece of magic home with you.

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