molly's commission

A little while ago Molly contacted me with the request of an illustration, a gift to her friend, a friend so dear they know each other as sisters. The illustration was to mark the event of Kelly's first pregnancy, and was to be given as a gift from Molly at the baby shower.

I'm learning that when you're asked to do a commission it's always significant. It's never just "paint how we spend Sundays", it always seems to entail capturing the entire character of a person and the relationships surrounding them. When I'm first asked to do a commission it's fair to say I feel daunted by the task, but then incredibly honoured that someone I barely know has entrusted me with such faith. Upon reflection, I love it.

This, again, was one of those times.

I became privy to wedding photographs, blog posts, favourite flowers and colours, family trees and histories, pets, and tales of the strongest friendship I've ever encountered... plus the emotions of expecting your first child. I guess my part is to re-tell that story, in a form that can be hung on a wall, immediately identified and read by others. In a way that can both capture time and evolve to mean news things as time passes.

Of course I love getting feedback, especially when I can't be there to judge the response in person. Molly wrote me an email, but also the most beautiful post about what she can see in the painting (she has a magical way with words), plus photo's of how she had it framed. Then Kelly herself wrote a comment for Molly:

"...I cannot thank you enough for this beautiful gift. And I'll probably cry everytime I look at it. I can't wait to show Baby the painting and explain every intricate detail to him. Show him what family is and how much he is loved and wanted."

...a perfect example of how a mother keeps nothing for herself, she shares and gives everything, as her whole being becomes all about what she can give to her child. And unexpectedly the painting took on another meaning again.

Now my part of the relationship has ended, the painting is no longer mine... it has found it's fate, and becomes another ribbon of bonding between those within it.


Thank-you Molly. I'm so glad both you and Kelly liked it. Wishing you the very best for the arrival of baby boy.
It's been an honour.

restocked

Susan from Artstream Studios has just restocked my little section of their online store. There you can buy original illustrations for very affordable prices ;)

Communication is still one of my most loved illos (as you can probably tell by the birds from it being the main element of my blog design). Plus there's still one paper-cut illo available, along with "Looking for love", "Sometime Soon" among others.
Click on the banner image above to be transported there thusly.

Thank-you Susan :)

))face

With little under a month until our twelfth anniversary together, there’s been a concerning development…

Mr You : You've got to know that after this much time together, when I call you bumface it's meant as a term of endearment... Are you making us a cup of tea?
Me : No
Mr You : Do you want one, Bum?


hmm.

mothers day reminders

This is: what reminds me of my mum"

This may come out sounding wrong, but the plump-spongy veins in the backs of my hands remind me of my mum. Not in a bad way... My sister was the lucky one who inherited our mum's beautiful shiny soft olive skin, I got my dad's fair dry skin, but I did get those plump veins from my mum. They may not be incredibly beautiful, but I like them, they remind me of my mum. Something I share with her.

Nurses with needles love us.

Happy Mothers Day Mum .xxxxxx.

Curvy

This is my exciting news... I'm published! In Curvy no less! I'm trying to play it cool and be humble, but right now I'm dancing about waving various innocent objects above my head :)

Each year YEN brings you an exhibition and book featuring 100 of the most exciting female graphic designers and illustrators from over 20 countries around the world!

I was informed I got in a few months back but I didn't quite believe it, and it wasn't till I got my hot little hands on it a few days ago (in Sydney) that it sunk in. I didn't make it into the exhibition but I'm really really thrilled to be in the book. I've been getting the Curvy Annual for the past few years, I adore it, and I must say it's release is something I really look forward to each year.

The illo of mine that was included was this one.

The only problem is that they printed my "real name" instead of flossy-p, which would have made much more sense seeing as that's the name I sign all my work with (and was what I requested). I don't know what it is, I just seem to have bad luck with my name being printed (it was mixed up in Mix Tape too). I'm a bit bummed about this because I feel like I've spent years building up my "brand" (as it were) and this publicity, a big deal for me, has de-railed that. Anyway, I have to just think quick and make the best of it. I'm starting to reveal my real self over at my portfolio site so that people don't get completely confused and thrown off the trail.

Anyway, enough about that. Back to merrily waving things in the air.
eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

If you want a Curvy 5 book, you can buy copies in most art gallery shops and arty bookshops in Australia, or online here.

I'll be making prints of this illo shortly. I'll announce when they are going to be in my store.

away and back again

I forgot to mention I was going away for an extended-either-end weekend, but I'm back again now. We've been in Adelaide visiting dear friends and meeting their new baby, then we had a stop over in Sydney last night to see more friends and my sister. Needless to say it was great.

I've returned to some really nice comments and an inbox of nice emails too, and I'm looking forward to catching up and replying.

I've got some exciting news to share too, all in good time. Right now I'm going to go curl up on the couch with some toast and tea and settle back in.

Cheery oh.

wrinkles

My Illustration Friday attempt for wrinkles.

Sparked by the primitive theme last week, I'm still making my way through the painted faces of the Mount Hagen festival in Papua New Guinea.