Illustration Friday- Universe

I used to participate in coming up with artworks for Illustration Friday regularly a few years back. They give you a topic each week & you come up with an illustration for the topic... That's for those of you who haven't heard of it. This weeks illustration topic was Universe.
I thought about my own universe. I also thought about when I hear the word I immediately think of images that are complicated, busy, dreamy & mysterious. There's so much imagery that could be included in an illustration that portrays the word universe. I've chosen a few select themes to represent my idea. I've added in a cosmic turtle. In Hindu, Chinese & Native American mythology, the world is supported on a giant turtle's back. Then it goes from there...
What's in your universe?

The Red Fox Gallery Cafe

Popped into The Red Fox Gallery Cafe in my neighbouring town Drouin yesterday and met the lovely, talented artist and owner Wendy Olsen. She's certainly a creative soul who is enviously busy achieving all the things creative people would like to achieve! She's decorated the cafe with coloured paint, artworks, murals and unconstrained imagination. It's like this cafe has been lifted straight out of Fitzroy (Victoria, Australia) and planted in Drouin, and I for one, am very happy that a place like this exists close to me and am optimistic that it will inspire more creativity to blossom within our community! Good on you, Wendy.
If possible, the space has also inspired me to be more daring in decorating my own house. Wendy is definitely bold with her interior design choices, and that is admiring. I'm loving her ombre walls found in the restroom. She shared her technique for doing this and I would love to try it at home.
I discussed with Wendy hanging some of my art in the space too, so I'll be getting some pieces framed and ready to adorn the walls there. They'll fit right in, don't you think?

The Red Fox Cafe Gallery can be found at The Old Drouin Butter Factory, 1 Main South Rd, Drouin. Live music every Friday night from 7.30. 

Catch Up

Hello! Where does time go!?
Updates & happenings...
New print in the shop called The Autumnal Mythical Creature. Mythical creatures, with pure hearts and  innocent playfulness, have been creeping into my artworks of late. I had no conscious idea this was happening until I was perusing some of my recent work and discovered a theme going on. They must have snuck into my subconscious, taken over my arms, and translated themselves into drawing reality! It reminds me of when I was reading some text recently by Mark Ryden, who stated that late one night (the strange early hours of the morning?) a small Abraham Lincoln landed upon his shoulder and told him to "paint meat". My thoughts are that sometimes images or themes in our work choose us. So where do they come from? From an unseen dimension?.. from a realm of mystic & wonder?... a dreamlike place? The longer you paint and work and practise creativity, the closer to this world you become...
So here she is:

So, Autumn has really gotten into my blood this year. Totally loving the colours, the layers of clothes, the wonder of children being able to play outside happily while the weather is still mild. I dabbled in some crochet and knitting for my little Miss Isla's kinder (whilst totally out of action for four days with a bad back- ugh!)

And can you ever see too many beautiful Autumn leaves?

Another crochet project I completed. I am all crocheted out now. I don't have time for too many hobbies, as whilst I'm crocheting, I could be producing art :-/ This infinity scarf was made with Miss Isla in mind as she has been struggling with some separation anxiety at kinder. She is a very touchy-feely girl and her biggest comfort is me. I am her teddy bear! So I wanted to give her something tactile and nice to feel, that is also connected to me. Different textures for her to feel and feel comforted by. The crochet motif is a big chunky heart, that represents Mummy's love. Her teacher told me she wears this back-pack style with the heart facing her heart! Doesn't that just melt your heart!? Oh, my precious angels! 

I have so many ideas too. I'm very motivated and inspired lately, but seriously lacking time. It's ok though, I am not too stressed about it. My kiddies are growing fast and they'll both be at school before I know it, so I'm trying to be mindful of this. Anyway, will try to get all of these ideas in my head out with the limited time I have. I will just keep plodding away and let things flow naturally. x