PAGES FROM A BOTANICAL BOOK ON ROSES

I'm a collector of things. One of those things is botanical book about roses. They're my favourite flower of mine if you haven't already guessed (although peonies are a very close second).

I find these books in second hand stores so I don't have to be too precious about cutting them up. They are just perfect a resource for beautifully captured images that I can use as reference for drawing. I also use them in my collages by cutting them out individually either with the pen tool on Photoshop, or with a good old pair of scissors.

I love that roses are so intricate and complicated in design, yet so simple in beauty. They are a challenge to illustrate, and I love a challenge! There are so many varieties, colours and styles and they all look so pretty. Plus I just love the titles that they are given.

To see more of my favourite blooms, you can follow my pinterest board on where I collect images that inspire me.

CANDELA SPRING/SUMMER LOOKBOOK // TOM HINES

Candela NYC S/S 2013 Lookbook

Photography : Tom Hines

Don't you just love a lookbook filled with beautiful images? This Candela SS13 campaign "draws inspiration from the nostalgic romanticism of the French colonial empire of the 1930s."

I just want to wear everything in this campaign, I can't help but melt a little when I come across such feminine fashions of delicate fabrics. I'm feeling very ready for Summer, if only the weather in NZ did too...

PINTEREST PRETTIES :: FLORAL INK

How beautiful are these floral tattoos? Although I would never personally get one, (it's just too permanent for my liking) I can't help but love them. If I were to get one, it would have to be a floral piece. Something like a vintage floral illustration or watercolour painting. I know it sounds ironic that I would never get one, but I guess as an illustrator I'm used to being able to draw on my arm with an ink pen whenever I like. This happens a lot when I'm bored or if I'm listening to something. Actually I find drawing when listening helps me remember more of what they are saying.

But luckily for me I can design tattoo's for friends or my husband Louis who has quite a few ( I love it). Also my darling sister-in-law Eloise of Jazz Lips & Tulips has the most lovely & feminine tattoo's so I tend to live a little vicariously through her.

All of these images came from pinterest and are pinned to my Floral board.

DREAMY COUNTRY WEDDING // STYLE SHEET

I had the pleasure to help a friend out with some styling ideas for her amazing wedding this past Saturday. She married her beau at the Horse Ranch where they first met and now where they both work. It was such a romantic, sentimental and unique location for a wedding.

The Wedding Ceremony was meant to be held outdoors on a paddock, but due to rainy weather it was forced indoors. However it was still a beautiful setting with the most amazing alter made by the Groom out of tree branches and covered with sheer fabric. Tree stumps lined the aisle with jars filled with posies of pale pink gerbera's, freesia's and babies breath.

The Reception looked quite spectacular set up in the barn where the horses are usually kept. A long table was set up down the centre aisle with a white cloth and a hessian table runner. Lace & pearl details decorated the tables, along with the candle-lit romance of tealights in glass jars and vintage tea cups. Posies in jars made such lovely centrepieces, and home-baked guest favours added a personal touch. The attention to detail was so carefully considered. Many helpful hands went into making it an event not to be forgotten. It honestly looked amazing!

 I'll be sharing photo's on the blog soon enough, so be sure to keep an eye out! :)

MY WORK FEATURED // ART & FASHION ILLUSTRATIONS

Today my work is featured on the Art & Fashion Illustrations Tumblr page. I follow this site with bloglovin, and I am always inspired by the creative works of fellow illustrators. Mine is the Bow & Braids work on the right. I'm loving the earrings on the lady next to her!

PIA BOUTIQUE

If you haven't already heard of PIA Boutique then you're in for a treat. Just last week they were was part of the Miromoda Showcase at New Zealand Fashion week. You can view the highlights here. They delivered a vibrant show full of beautiful garments, and a live performance by singer Esther Stephens. I'm very excited for the new S/S 2014 collection to be released!

Designer and founder Pia Naera has come a long way in just a couple of years. Initially the brand started after her final project of her Graphic Design degree. Her work explored the relationship between graphic design & fashion, and so began her trademark printed frocks. She had so many requests for the uniquely designed dresses that she got straight to work to fulfil the growing demand. There was totally a niche in the NZ market for fresh and vibrant designs that were bold in colour & print yet soft in fabric & form with a feminine edge.

Pia is also a wedding photographer along with her beau Jonny who together form J&P Photography. They take such beautiful pictures, all light and dreamy. As if this girl couldn't get any more talented!

Be sure to keep an eye on this fashion label which crafts all it's garments to a high quality right here in NZ. You can keep updated by following the PIA Boutique Facebook page. They also have a darling little store in Parnell right next to the Chocolate Boutique on the main street. Well worth a visit if you're ever in the area!

LAURA ILLUSTRATION // WITH REBECCA HALLIWELL PHOTOGRAPHY

Illustrated by : Maree of Rose Tinted Illustration

Photograph by : Rebecca Halliwell of Flowers & Dirt

Model : Laura Nicole

Dress : Zara

For this Illustration I collaborated with British Photographer Rebecca Halliwell who also shares a love of flowers, fashion and femininity. She also runs a lovely blog called Flowers and Dirt which you should certainly stop by for some inspiration.

I really enjoyed working on this one! The best thing about drawing on coloured paper is that both light and dark tones show up. This was perfect for capturing Laura's dark eyes and platinum blonde hair (I'm so jealous, I wish I could rock near-white hair!) There is something quite wonderful about drawing with white coloured pencil, it's like drawing with rays of light. Plus how gorgeous is her Zara dress?

TRAVEL DIARIES :: ARROWTOWN, NEW ZEALAND

These images were taken on a day trip to Arrowtown whilst Louis and I were on our honeymoon in Queenstown a couple of years ago. Arrowtown is a quaint little town towards the bottom of the South Island of New Zealand. It was once a goldmining town which attracted many new settlers to the area in the early days.

It is beyond picturesque in the Autumn months (March-May for NZ) and we were completely in awe of the colours from changing leaves. I had never loved Autumn as much as I did in April of 2011. If you've visited the South Island in this season (or any) you'd see why. I'm so proud to call New Zealand home, it really is such a beautiful country.

We had a wonderful day! We stopped for a delicious lunch at the Postmaster's House Restaurant where we had excellent service, and a gorgeous table for two on the patio.

Our adventure continued with a stroll around the village, an exploration of a river (that you would certainly recognise if you are a Lord of the Rings fan), and a look around the small huts where the early gold-miner's resided. Arrowtown also has a range of lovely boutiques, a museum, many sweet café's and my personal favourite, a candy store.

Most of these photo's were taken by my handsome husband who has a great eye for photography. Don't you think? I would definitely recommend a visit to this darling town!

MEAGAN BACH // CHIWI EXHIBITION

All Designs and Photographs Courtesy of Meagan Bach

Some moments you realize just how small the world is. A couple of weeks ago a kind lady came into Tiny Space (the boutique where I work part-time as a sales and design assistant), and we got talking about graphic design. She told me her daughter Meagan Bach was a graphic designer and wondered if we knew each other through our studies. She finished a couple of years before me and was studying at a different facility, so it couldn't be possible. However my Sister was in that same Graphic Design degree in the same year and it turns out they know each other! Crazy huh?

After typing in a google search I found a record of her winning an AUT Design Award which her mother had mentioned. Her name and the name of her project "Chiwi Exhibition" was sounding very familiar and I was wondering if I'd seen it at my sister's end of year exhibtion. After looking through one of my inspirational image files, I came across a couple of Meagan's Chiwi postcard designs. These were a giveaway as part of her exhibition and contained her email so I contacted her and asked if I could feature her here on my blog. Her design work is not only amazing aesthetically but it also has some really insightful ideas on the New Zealand and Chinese cultural history.

Here's some more on her exhibition in her own words:

"My interest and research into the retro culture revival and nostalgia in design created an awareness of the common positive responses that these design techniques and aesthetics evoke. 

My question was whether these could be applied to a more complex, unexplored and even controversial issue; one that perhaps does not already project a positive nostalgic reaction.

The general design brief I gave myself after this research was, "A visual exploration and representation of Chinese New Zealand history". The objective being to challenge the perceived stereotypes apparent in society; to provide a visual history that celebrates the Chinese in NZ history that is relatable to all New Zealanders.

Visual pastiche of generalized Chinese culture combined with classic kiwiana allowed a visual exploration of the similarities and celebration of differences between the two cultures. 

Chiwi reveals the irony of New Zealand's limited view of its multicultural history, using recognized cultural icons to familiarize 'the other'. The use of collage techniques emphasize the complexity of the cultural identity of the Chinese New Zealander and its patchwork creation. 

The retro aesthetic not only represents the historical value of the content, but was used to create a positive response towards this unique history that is relatable to all New Zealanders"

HITCHED MAGAZINE

I first discovered Hitched Magazine whilst doing my supermarket shopping. I made a direct beeline for it and nearly got run over by someone with a trolley. I have been waiting so long to see an illustrated magazine cover and I recognised the artist, Emma Leonard from a mile off. 

You can't believe my joy as I was flicking through the pages. This magazine combines everything that I love; Illustration, clean uncluttered design, stunning photography, delish food, beautiful weddings, styling details, interesting articles and too much beauty to handle.

A magazine such as this has been in demand for a very long time, particularly in the Bridal department. Most Bridal magazines feel like advertisement catalogues with a few fashion spreads and some articles thrown in. Hitched is a breath of fresh air where the advertisements blend in seamlessly with the content. It's no wonder this publication has gained such a following in such a short amount of time!

With two issues already under their belt, I can't wait to see what they are going to do next.

ROSE CROWN ILLUSTRATION // WITH ESTHER-FAITH PHOTOGRAPHY

Photograph by : Esther-Faith Photography

Illustrated by : Maree of Rose Tinted Illustration

Make- up : Celeste Strewe

Model : Emma Walsh

I just love working with amazing talent, and photographer Esther-Faith and her team are just that. I met Esther-Faith at the Change Art Show after being completely captivated by her piece. She is such a sweetheart! When I asked if she would let me illustrate her work, she even offered to send me a hi-resolution image to use as reference. This made a massive difference to my drawing as I was able to get much sharper and refined detail.

The model Emma Walsh is undeniably gorgeous with her beautiful dark wavy hair, and chocolate eyes. In her expression she manages to convey a look of softness and sweetness. This is exactly the kind of look I search for in a reference image. There needs to be an untold story behind the eyes, a depth of character, and an alluring sense of confidence with a note of vulnerability.

The make-up was my highlight in the drawing process and I loved Celeste's creative application of colour. Everything from the eye shadow on her lids, to the fuchsia pout and rosy cheeks was perfection. The palette was in complete harmony with the rose flower crown which Esther-Faith crafted specifically for this portrait.

I can't wait to see what the future has in stall for this talented lady! xo