Christmas wrap-up

I'm on the home stretch now....as of tomorrow, I'm officially on holidays. And I can't wait! It's been a huge year, albeit an exciting and enjoyable one, but now that it's drawing to a close I realise just how much I'm looking forward to kicking back and relaxing with my family. The pool is sparkling, the house is about to be cleaned top to bottom, and I'm sending the very last of my orders for the year. Just one last little bit of housekeeping: my Etsy store will remain open over the holidays, and orders are more than welcome, but any orders placed after today will not be sent until January 4th.

Right, now that's out of the way, I wish each and every one of you a wonderful Christmas, and I hope 2012 brings all you hope for. Thank you to everyone for making this year so memorable, and I'll be back in the new year with lots of new and exciting things to share. Until then, stay safe, enjoy your holidays, and I'll see you on the other side!

FREE shipping! My last hurrah for the year

As 2011 draws to a close, I'm busily packaging and posting my last orders for the year. So I thought I'd offer one last freebie before I take a break and close up shop for the holidays - FREE shipping on all orders - worldwide!

Now, while I can't guarantee international orders will arrive in time for Christmas, I can guarantee all orders - both local and international - will be sent by the next business day. So if, like me, you still have waayy too much shopping to finish (at last count I'd managed to buy four presents - oops), then head on over to my Etsy store. And if you're buying a gift, just leave me a message at checkout or convo me and I'll be more than happy to send your parcel direct to the recipient...complete with pretty packaging and a greeting from you!

Take it easy, and I'll see you soon,

Tangerine Tango...and friends

I'm sure you all know by now that Pantone has declared Tangerine Tango the colour of the year for 2012. Bold and bright, it's no shrinking violet (pardon the pun), and a little can go a long way. It works beautifully with pink and aqua, and it's found its way into quite a few of my paintings lately. I'm working on this piece at the moment, with more to come.

'Calypso I'

mixed media on canvas

12" x 12" (30cm x 30cm)

tangerine and hot pink - always a killer combo

SOLD

I'll be adding some smaller originals on canvas to my Etsy store in the new year, but if anyone is looking for pieces in time for Christmas, this and its friend (it's part of a small diptych, but is also designed to stand alone) are available now. Feel free to email me if you'd like more information.

I've also just used this fabric for a client in the pink colourway, and paired it with shades of green and aqua - very fresh and summery. But it looks equally lovely in tangy tangerine...

Orange works wonderfully with turquoise too. You may remember how Lauren from Porter Design Company framed my turquoise sea plant paintings with vivid tangerine orange mats for her room in the Stately Homes by the Sea Showhouse:

...and maybe I was ahead of my time - earlier this year, I released a number of my prints in...wait, that's right....Tangerine!

Prints are all available here in my Etsy store.

I think it would make a great addition to any holiday table - even this snippet really makes an impact:

The Lennoxx

..and packs quite a punch in these vibrant bedrooms:

 Architectural Digest

Via

So, are you loving Tangerine Tango, or, like my mum, do you absolutely hate it? Did Pantone get it right? Love to know what you think.

Inside Out

The latest issue of Inside Out magazine has just hit the stands, and one of the homes featured is a lovely white weatherboard in beautiful Palm Beach. It was for sale just recently, and I couldn't wait to get a better look at it in all its glossy glory. If I have a pet peeve, it's a lack of photos in a real estate listing - don't they know how much I love a good stickybeak at pretty houses? Anyway, this house ticks all the boxes as far as I'm concerned - lashings of white inside and out, an artist studio (perfect!), and a self-contained guest wing/teenage retreat - my ideal house. Add to that a killer spot on the Northern Beaches, and it's a hands-down winner.

Loft studio space - to die for

 Open, airy living area, complete with window seat

I really like the breezeway between the main house and the guest wing 

 Luxe bathroom

 Bunkroom

 Probably my fave part (after the studio, of course) - lovely deck with views to the pool 

Love.

Straight to the inspiration file with these. Over the holidays we're getting our ideas together for our rebuild/reno, and these will definitely help with the plan.....along with the other million or so I've gathered over the years. It will be quite hard to distil it down into a design that's just right for us, as there are so many gorgeous options to choose from. I have drawings and plans, sketches and ideas, all of which need to come together. Watch this space for more as it all (hopefully) comes together.



all images courtesy realestate.com.au 
and Prue Ruscoe for Inside Out magazine

All about Pinterest

When I first came across Pinterest, to say I was underwhelmed was a bit of an understatement. It seemed like yet another thing to add to the must-have-if-you're-serious-about-your-online-presence....and all too much like hard work. But then, I spent a bit of time navigating through and found that, regardless of what it was originally designed for, it's an absolutely brilliant way of collating and storing all of those inspiration pics - and even better, it links to where they were found. In other words, it's amazing. So now I'm hooked, and there's so much fabulousness on there, I can't begin to tell you. So I'll just show you. Much better that way.

via

Just a few from my boards

But don't take my word for it. Check it out for yourself. Head on over and check out my pins, and from there, who know's what you'll find. But be warned....it's a little addictive. Ok, a lot addictive. But do it anyway....you know you want to.

Pretty pink posy

Heads up people - I've just added a new painting to my Etsy store! And if you're speedy, you can still snap up a 20% discount, just by entering the code NOVEMBER2011 at checkout. Here's the new kid on the block:

'Hydrangeas in Blue Vase'

fine art print

prints available in two sizes - 8x10 here, and 11x14 here

I'm off to see my besties at the post office now - for the second time today. But after that I have a date with my pool - can't stand watching the crew taunt me for a second longer. Hope you're all whoopin' it up too, wherever you are :)

Catch you soon,

A snippet of my day....

Just a little something I've been working on....

Can't sleep? Paint!

It's funny how a break in routine can spark a frenzy of activity. You see, one of my babies is off at schoolies this week. For those who aren't familiar with schoolies, it marks the celebration of the end of high school for thousands of Aussie teenagers - I'm guessing it's probably similar to Spring Break in the US? Anyway, it means hoards of kids head off, often to the Gold Coast in Queensland, for a week of non-stop partying. What that also means is a week of no sleep and endless worry for the parents.  And if I can't sleep anyway, I need to stay busy and painting for me is the ultimate stress-buster. Hence the flurry of new work - at least there's one upside to this whole situation. I'm still counting the days until my chicks are all back in the nest (four to go. And my chicks will cringe when they read this!), but until then, here's the latest - a long-overdue addition to my Martha Stewart series...oops, I mean blue and white series:

'Ming Vase in Indigo Blue'

watercolour on paper

210mm x 297mm

original on hold, prints available here in my Etsy shop

So you can probably expect a few more pieces to emerge over the next few days, as well as quite a few commissions I have on the go. Nothing like keeping busy to take your mind off other things....well, almost :) Oh, and don't forget - you can get 20% off any print in my Etsy store - even these new ones!

It's SALE time - 20% off storewide in my Etsy shop!!!!

Yes, it's that time of year again! Time to thank you all for the absolutely amazing support you've shown over the past twelve months. It's been a fabulous year, more so than I could ever have imagined, and now it's my turn to give a little something back. For the next week only, my whole Etsy store is on sale! 20% off every print, every design and every colour. All you need to do is enter the code NOVEMBER2011 at checkout and your discount will be automatically applied - it's that easy. What's more, all prints will soon be available in two standard sizes - the usual 8x10, as well as 11x14 or approx A4 and A3). So if you've been thinking of buying some new artwork, now's the time!

Oh, and did I mention there are a few brand-spankin' new prints to choose from? I've just finished a new watercolour - say hello to 'Equinox Rising':

'Equinox Rising'

watercolor on paper

11" x 14"

now for sale here on Etsy

 You can choose from my Sea Plant Series:

 This is the new Seaweed II in French Blue - just one of many sea plant paintings

click here for prints

here's how my Turquoise series looks en masse. I love how Lauren used the orange mats to make them pop - gorgeous! Image courtesy Porter Design Company of her room in the Stately Homes by the Sea Show House. Photo courtesy Peter Rymwid 

Maybe you'd like a butterfly or two?

'Petit Papillon' or 'Papillon Verte'

available here and here

and of course, my blue and white series featured in Martha Stewart Living, bouquets in vintage china, interior portraits, abstracts.....the list goes on. I also have some new and exciting paintings still to come. For the latest in what's happening, you can 'like' my Facebook page, or follow me on Twitter - that way, you'll be the first to know!

Thanks again everyone, you're the best. Seriously. See you soon with some more holiday goodies...!

Artist Marcella Kaspar's Sydney home...an update

Regular readers of my blog may remember my previous posts (here and here) on the beautiful homes of Australian artist Marcella Kaspar and her builder husband, Mark Cooper. The first home has since been sold to design maven Maggie Tabberer, with the couple then going on to build an almost identical replica, albeit with a darker and moodier vibe. It's just been featured in Marie Claire Australia magazine, and I couldn't miss the chance to revisit it - it's one of my all-time faves.

Marcella's stunning peony painting has inspired me to paint my own version to hang above my bed - of course, pics will be shared soon.

One of my favourite elements of both homes is the frangipani outside the main bedroom. Another idea I've stolen for my place :)

Now, just in case you're like me and too much of a good thing is never enough, here's a little bit more...

inlay vanity and mirrors...straight to the 'dream house' file

Talented + stylish = a killer combination. Couldn't love this place any harder if I tried.




all images courtesy Simon Kenny, Content Agency via Marie Claire Australia magazine