I now have a MadeIt shop!

As well as my new Etsy store, I've also just opened a brand-new MadeIt shop.

MadeIt is an online buying and selling destination showcasing Australian artists, craftspeople and designers, and I love the idea of appealing to both international and Australian shoppers alike with a combination of storefronts and websites. Over the coming weeks, I'll be adding more items to both sites, and I'll also be featuring some works exclusively, so keep an eye on my Facebook page for all the updates. And if that's not enough, paintings won't be the only things on offer (yep, another teaser!), there will be insider sales and special offers as well, so stay tuned!

To kick off the new store, I've listed these prints:

 'Dynasty in Ming'

'Ming in Indigo'

'Chinoiserie in Green'

So pop on over, I'd love to see you there!

In the meantime, I'll leave you with a little reminder of a project I've been working on - remember this?

I'll reveal all next week - catch you then!

'Kellie's Vase'

As most of you are already aware, the lovely Kellie from Ada and Darcy has just opened her brand new shop, Ada and Darcy, which is full of the most beautiful homewares. When I was browsing through, I came across a gorgeous cloisonne vase, and thought it would be the perfect subject for a new painting. Take a look at 'Kellie's Vase':

...and the original inspiration:

courtesy Ada and Darcy

As you can see, I've used a little creative license and altered the design, but I think the original piece is just gorgeous. If you haven't already, head on over to Ada and Darcy to check out the beautiful pieces on offer. Just keep your credit card handy - you're going to need it!

My weekend project

I've been working on a little project for a while now, and as it involves quite a bit of mental concentration, I really need to be in the mood for it to work - at least, without much ranting, raving, and gnashing of teeth. In spite of really enjoying maths at school, I've come to realise that I have the kind of brain that trashes any sort of technical knowledge (quadratic equations and calculus anyone?) if not used frequently enough. Ask me for any sort of trivial fact, and it's no problem at all. Phone numbers of my primary school friends - easy. In fact, almost any phone number at all seems to be indelibly etched into my brain for some strange reason - but that's another story. Anyway, as my project involves much measuring and planning to look just perfect, I think I'll take my time, which, for me, is no mean feat. Patience is so not my strong point. So for now, you know what's coming - the dreaded teaser:

via style court

via desire to inspire

via martha stewart

via stylecourt

source unknown

via domino magazine courtesy houzz

So, that's my weekend. What do you have planned?

Can I do it? My biggest challenge yet!

So, my dilemma is this - can I take a tired, outdated relic, albeit with good bones and great location, and inject at least a few of my favourite style elements? Or is it just too hard? I think I can, but you know, those doubting Thomases' are sometimes hard to ignore. 

Ok, here's a bit of background info. I live in a dark brick, 70's/80's style home, but what I really want is this:

And I have to say, it doesn't help when I'm surrounded by super-stylish examples of my blog friends' gorgeous homes, that, of course, are in exactly the style I love:

Beach-chic perfection - handiwork of the gorgeous Judy of Verandah House

of course, many of you will already be familiar with the lovely A-M's home - need I say more?

...and oh my, Sharnel's home is as gorgeous as she is!

I've had so many people tell me to knock it down and start again, but in this financial climate it seems so wasteful and irresponsible to demolish a perfectly good home in the pursuit of the right 'look'. Now don't get me wrong, many of the above examples are far beyond what I have in mind for my home, but you get the idea. My brilliant solution (to my mind anyway) of covering our ugly brick with weatherboard is met with howls of protest and scorn from every male I've been foolish enough to mention it to. Is it really that silly an idea? I can't see the problem, and I don't believe that rendering is the only remedy. I think a combination of render and weatherboard could look great, but as it's a little out of the box, I'm finding it hard to garner much support.

So it's over to you, my stylin' friends - what do you think? Could it work? Do you have any other ideas for me - if so, I'm all ears. And I'm going to print out all your fabulous ideas and brandish them as proof, whenever I'm met with resistance. 

You know, I'm almost tempted to give it a go myself on my art studio........I'm sure my husband has another work trip organised in just a few weeks......!!

Have a great day everyone,

In the picture

I was having a little look through Wisteria's latest catalogue last night, and as always there were so many gorgeous things to see. Btw, if any of the good people of Wisteria are reading this post (which I'm sure they are!) I'd like to suggest that Australia would be the perfect place for your new store :) Anyhoo, amongst the many lovely things to see, I came across this:

Some lovely blue and white paintings that look rather similar to these, that just happen to be available in my Etsy shop:

'Dynasty in Ming' 

'Ming in Indigo'

Now you've indulged my little bit of shameless self-promotion ;) there is another reason for my post. I'm looking for some lovely, unique frames to pair with my new paintings. I quite like the idea of some sort of chinoiserie frame, but they seem to be few and far between. Any thoughts or suggestions? If you know of any that might suit, I'd love to hear from you. 

Ok, back to some more pretty pics courtesy of Wisteria:

Seriously Wisteria, we need you here. Stat.

In my studio this morning

As it's such a glorious day here in Brissie, I thought I might take you on a little tour of my studio. It's where I spend a good part of each day, and it's where I blog, paint, relax, and sometimes escape to. Come on in!

 
I've got a little sitting area in here, where I can arrange works in progress on the wall, play around with colour schemes and textures, and arrange vignettes to my heart's content. It's also a nice, sunny space to relax with a magazine or two, and my family often come for a chat while I paint. Btw, I've shared some rather tragic before pics here if you're interested in all the gory details!

See that little snippet of pretty white overmantle mirror? I blogged about it here, and as you can see, I couldn't part with it! It will be going on the wall eventually, I just need to decide where.

In the opposite corner, are my large canvases. I have lots of works in progress, completed paintings, fresh canvases, my experiments (of which there are many!) and lots of different bits and pieces. There's also a newly-commissioned painting similar to this one, in its inital stages.
 
 

Whe I first started Driftwood Interiors, my gorgeous friend Suzi gave me this. Isn't it stunning? I absolutely love it, and it takes pride of place in this room, as a reminder of great friends and the wonderful support they've given me.
 

These are a few of my tools of trade, and at the moment, I'm loving this Windsor and Newton travel set, which I've been using to paint some of my watercolours. And as you can see, my trusty water tub has been well-used over the years!

Under the pretty white cover in the previous photo, is this. When I'm painting, I like to cover my tabletop with heavy cotton duck, and use it as a drop sheet/doodle pad/colour sampler etc. A friend of mine suggested cutting it and framing it as well, as an abstract!

I've popped a couple of my Sea Fan paintings in simple white frames, and hung them on the wall. I'm also using some different frames and styles, and will post pics as soon as they're finished. It helps me to look at the big picture (pardon the pun!) and how they'll appear in situ.

My rattan settee, which I gave a fresh coat of white paint (you can see the before here) is still with me too! My client went with an old silky oak day bed instead, so I happily kept it here. It's still not finished, as I haven't recovered the seat cushion, but for now it's covered in some summery Ralph Lauren loveliness.

Well that's about it - I hope you enjoyed the tour of my studio. As it's getting a little bit of a makeover shortly, with new storage and a few little extras, I'll keep you up to date with the progress as it evolves.

I must apologise for being a little awol on the blog scene lately. It's been so crazy around here at the moment, with so many painting orders to fill (thanks so much everyone, your support has been amazing!) and the ongoing design projects I'm already working on, that I've been so slack with commenting on all of your wonderful blogs. I have been visiting you all, but haven't had the time to comment, but I'll make sure I do better, I promise. Don't want to be the recipient of the 'Bad Blogger Award' now, do I?

House love

I had an email from a lovely reader, Steph, giving me the heads-up on a home she thought I might like. Well, she wasn't wrong - 'Ammamead' is a gorgeous, renovated Queenslander (my fave) set amongst rolling hills in the Byron hinterland. It embodies all of my favourite features - lots of white, that relaxed, beachy vibe, and a good helping of original art.

Oh, and what's more, it's available to rent. How perfect would this place be for an extended family holiday? Plenty of room, stunning views, pool, and only minutes to the stunning beaches of Byron. Perfect!