LILAC LOVE

My latest colour crush. I'm partial to pastel tones and this is no exception. All different hues of lilac, wisteria & hydrangea have me longing to wear this frosted candy palette all S/S long. Now for the days to start getting warmer...

PASTEL OMBRE WALLS

How amazing are these pastel coloured ombre walls? I seriously think this would make a brilliant display for a gallery space. If I were to show my illustrations in a gallery setting, I would dream of it looking like this with my work in white ornate frames.

I fond these images from Domaine Home and they are of a 2Day Language educational facility in Valencia, Spain. I certainly wouldn't mind studying in a place like this!

CAT LADY // ILLUSTRATION

Cat Lady 2013 

An illustration for all my fellow cat lover's out there!

DARLING LITTLE FLORAL ILLUSTRATION

A little drawing done with with a fine tip ink pen on a brown paper bag.

WINE & CHEESE MOODBOARD

A couple of weeks ago I helped one of the sweetest ladies I know with a wine and cheese night she was hosting. It was part of a women's event run by her church where they could get together for a night of good company, food and wine. Apparently the night was a great success, with many staying late into the night enjoying fellowship and conversation.

For the styling we went with a rustic Italian vibe with rich colour and natural textures. (Yes, I know now "En Provence" is French - my apologies). The floral consisted mostly of lavender and rosemary which produced an incredible aroma. Other accents of various purple toned flora & leafy fauna were added, all within the set colour palette. These were arranged in vintage jars and wrapped with twine. The aim was to for the floral to look quite organic and eclectic, as if arranged in an authentic Italian villa in Tuscany.

We collected wooden crates for a heightened table display and used Hessian (burlap) sacking fabric as a table cloth. We added decor such as an antique Italian microscope dating back to 1673 which we displayed under a glass bell jar for a bit of quirk & interest. I also added a wrought iron candle lantern and unique Italian looking glass bottles for decoration. The room was lit with the warm light of candles and lamps for great atmosphere.

I did some typography on black boards with some hilarious wine quotes of which we took great delight in choosing. We settled with "I'm not old, I'm vintage" (it was an over 30's event), "You can't buy happiness but you can buy wine" and "Un-cork and Un-Wine"

 Platters of food were served on wooden chopping boards with a decadent range of cheese, crackers, ciabatta loaves, fruit & nuts with cheese & also chocolate fondue.

I'm very sorry I was unable to take photographs to share as I did not attend - apparently I was too young haha! I helped set up the night prior so I never managed to see the look complete with food and guests, but I've tried my best to describe the styling. Too see more images that inspired this set up just visit this board on my pinterest page.

ABBEY LEE KERSHAW ILLUSTRATION

The gorgeous Melbourne native wearing a very detailed Balmain number that has all the bells and whistles. I normally stay away from drawing detail like this after a painstaking experience drawing a cityscape at school.(all those windows - eek!) But this jacket really intrigued me... I do like a little bling, but only if it's not overdone. This garment is so well structured it couldn't possibly look too much, even with all that intricate detail.

This work was done with graphite pencil on metallic blue paper. Not that you can see the glittery flecks, I'll have to take a photograph someday so you can.

All you need is Love

I've been trying my hand at a little typography design. I just love script typefaces, I can't get enough of them! I'm really digging the blackboard backgrounds which are ridiculously popular at the moment.

FASHION PHOTOGRAPHY // DEJA VU

Norman Parkinson - Tim Walker

P. Horst - Karl Lagerfield

Erwin Blumenfled - Camilla A. Krans

Rene Magritte - Tim Walker

John Singer Sergent - Cecil Beaton

 You know when you have that moment where you see something that you've feel you've seen before? It's not always deja vu, sometimes what you are seeing is actually a homage to something else. I came across these brilliant photographic comparisons via Part Nouveau, where fashion student Lilah Ramzi started documenting these uncanny links.

WHIMSICAL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMBER GRAY

Everything in these gorgeous images by Amber Gray makes my heart flutter. She is one of favourite photographers of fashion with her highly stylised subjects. Her work always has a touch of whimsy as if it were straight from a fairytale.

ROSE TINTED COLLAGE

I find collage to be an effective way to make pretty little works that combine imagery of some of my favourite things together in one piece. This little collage was done by laying out pre-cut images onto textured pink paper and photographing the arrangement. This way I could re use the pieces without having to painstakingly cut and glue each piece.

Another fast way to do collage is by using digital methods via Photoshop. However I quite like the crafty approach. I feel more involved and I find it more therapeutic.

WINTER TREES

Photography and Design by Maree Worrall-Bader 

Rose Tinted 2013

I woke up this morning to the pouring rain. Needless to say, it put me in the mood to share these hauntingly beautiful photographs of skeletal trees. I took these on a cold wintry morning as I was waiting for the bus.

There are things I love about winter like hot chocolate, creamy cable knit cardigans (I'm still on the hunt for the perfect one), winter fashion; coats and boots in particular, sitting by a fireplace, cuddles on the couch with Louis and our kitten, and cosy meals that warm you right up.

But in all honesty, I am at the point of the year where I long for Spring and Summer.

Antonella Arismendi for Kling SS Campaign 2010

Photography & Art Direction: Antonella Arismendi 

Campaign Kling Spain SS 2010

This campaign for Kling by Antonella Arismendi  is a little bit dated as it was for SS 2010, but oh my isn't it beautiful? The glorious soft light, the pastel tones and the stunning dresses worn by two lovely ladies, make for a lookbook that makes my heart flutter. Boy do I wish I had some of those dresses! I really like how it had a slight 70's vibe and I am reminded of photographs of my mother when she was young.

My Change Art Show Illustration

This is my Illustration which recently featured in The Change Winter Art Show (Print Edition), a young adult's event at my local Church. The night was full of art by great creative minds, incredible music and fancy cheese and nibbles. It was a pleasure to be a part of such a fun event and to chat with such amazing artists!

CHANGE WINTER ART SHOW

It was such a privilege to be a part of The Change Winter Art Show. The thing I love most when your get a group of artists together, is the incredible variety! There was a whole room of around 40 artists and each produced such a unique piece. The live music by Judah & Rach, and Maddi Duthie (who did the gorgeous little face illustrations) was amazing. I'm so sorry I didn't manage to get any pictures of them singing, I was much too busy talking!

My personal  fave was the photograph of the gorgeous gal with the flower crown by Esther-Faith Jacobs. She was such a lovely girl too, we had a bonding moment over making flower crowns! She also gave me permission to illustrate her photograph! I'm very excited to be collaborating with such talent.

Another special mention to fellow illustrator/graphic designer and friend Ashleigh Meyer who did "The Modernist" piece using prisms of line and colour.

I hope you can pick out my piece!

Crystal Paintings by Carly Waito

Yes that's right, these are paintings! Beautiful intricate oil paintings by the immensely talented Carly Waito, a Canadian artist with a fascination for "geology, geometry and ideas of wonder and curiosity". I came across her work whilst searching for crystals to add to my Crystal Pinterest Board and was immediately in awe of her talent.

I have long been in love with gorgeous crystals and their many facets and colour patterns. I had a childhood friend who's mother owned a small collection and I was absolutely smitten with them. When I was really little (maybe 3-4 years old), I decided that my name would be Crystal-Rose and I wouldn't answer to Maree. (I know I sound like I was a little brat). I would even sign all my finger paintings at Playcentre with my alter ego name. The funny thing is I still am in love with crystals and roses, I still do art, and I still love that name. I like how the words look written out, how they are said, and what they represent as objects.

Perhaps it's the magpie in me that loves sparkle and colour, but I can help but adore these little treasures. Speaking of magpies, you should check out this beautiful NZ made and designed jewellery by Morepork and Magpie. Sarah Morrah works wonders with crystals in her unique pieces, plus she runs a great blog!

New Zealand also has it's own precious stone Museum called Crystal Mountain which is well worth a visit.

Illustrated Canvas Bag

One of my go-to gift ideas is a canvas bag with an illustrated image of something I know the receiver will like. This teapot design was for my darling Sister-in Law, and close friend Eloise. She is a tea enthusiast with a really great style so I knew this would be a gift she would appreciate. She's one of those people who is so easy to shop for as her style is so distinct. She also runs a gorgeous blog called Jazz Lips and Tulips which you should definitely stop by and have a look at!