Ali's gorgeous home (and my art!) in Australian Home Beautiful

One of the best things about blogging is connecting with lovely readers like Ali. Earlier this year, I sent some original paintings her way; she was adding the finishing touches to her new home in the NSW Southern Highlands - one of the loveliest places on earth. And what a beautiful home it is. Featured on The House of Turquoise blog, and now in the latest issue of Australian Home Beautiful,  I was thrilled when she contacted me to commission some original watercolours. Ali chose my Sea Coral in Ruby, and Sea Fan in Ruby to complement the lovely grey/blue in her bathroom....

Sea Coral in Ruby - in a floating frame to highlight the wall colour 

and Sea Fan in Ruby - available in my Etsy shop

...and I think it works beautifully.

A home as gorgeous as this was bound to attract attention, so it came as little surprise when Ali told me it was to be featured in Home Beautiful magazine. It was quite an impatient wait - the photo shoot took place early this year - but when you see the results I think you'll agree it was totally worth it.

the lovely Ali outside her equally lovely home...divine

Ali and her family have since moved on, and are enjoying an extended trip around Australia. But I'm guessing there'll be another beautiful home on the horizon when she returns...and I can't wait! Oh, and btw - Ali's sister Mel is of Georgica Pond fame - style obviously runs in the family.

Thanks so much Ali for the mention, and thanks too, Home Beautiful magazine - so chuffed!





images courtesy Ali, Home Beautiful magazine, and realestate.com.au

Some serious soul-searching...

I was discussing art with a client once, and I was showing her the different things I'd done in the past. There were huge abstracts and floral works on canvas, delicate watercolours on paper, graphic black and white pieces, and a few figurative bits and bobs. She commented that she'd never guess they were all done by the same artist. Which, if I'm honest, threw me a little bit. Did that mean I was too scattered in my approach? Did it all look a bit hit and miss? Should I work on developing a particular 'style' and stick with it? I'd never really though about it too much before, and had always just painted what I liked, whatever that may be. Which seems completely natural to me, but maybe that's not the best way to approach this business. I mulled it over for a while, trying to decide what to do.

Then, a discussion with a friend put things in a whole new perspective. We both often joke that we really need a good half-dozen houses, just so we can decorate them in all the styles we like. Breezy and beachy, clean and modern, heritage, country....they all hold a certain appeal, and I could quite happily live in my version of any one of them. So why not art? Who's to say I need to stick to one style - surely there are no rules? I like to rotate my paintings with the seasons; darker, moodier pieces for winter, fresh and bright for summer. And why not combine lots of styles into one glorious mish-mash? I decided to go in search of the best examples of this approach, and think these pics prove without a doubt that 'eclectic', although done to death, really is rather fabulous when done right.

So, I'd love to hear what you think? And if anyone is a marketing-guru extraordinaire, then I'd also love your thoughts from a business perspective. But at the end of the day, I am who I am, and this is how I work.

Thanks guys, you're the best. Hit me with your best advice...I'm ready.




sorry, but lots of these images were saved ages ago...long before I was savvy enough to record the source. I know a few are courtesy of Lonny and Rue magazines, and some via realestate.com.au. If anyone knows more, please let me know and I'll credit accordingly. Thanks!

New in Blue

I know I've said it a million times before, but I just can't go past the classic blue and white combo. Beachy or traditional, dramatic or dreamy, there's a blue to suit every mood. I'm working on lots of new and exciting paintings, and first cab off the rank is a piece in a lovely new shade of blue - French blue to be exact. Here she is:

'Seaweed II in French Blue'

210mm x 297mm (8" x 11")

for sale here in my Etsy shop

ooh, and look how lovely she looks in Sig Bergamin's stunning beach house (allow me a little creative licence, ok?)

 original photo of Sig Bergamin's work courtesy Elle Decor magazine

I've just about finished a large version of this piece in denim blue (actually, I think the denim would look even better in Sig's place!) and also, I have a raspberry version on order too.

Over the next couple of weeks, I have some really exciting new pieces to share with you all - some are new additions to my existing range...think more of my blue and white series, new sea corals, butterflies and feathers... and others are brand-spankin' new paintings in new styles and designs. Can't wait to share them with you all - of course, I'll reveal all as soon as they're ready.

Catch you soon,

Designer digs

I first came across the work of building designer Dion Gadd when it was featured in Queensland Homes magazine a few years ago. Since then, it seems his work has gone from strength to strength, and with a recent win for the 2010 HIA-CSR Queensland Home of the Year, it looks like the sky's the limit. This latest home in Settler's Cove, Noosa, is a fabulous example of how to work with a sloping block, not against it - and the results speak for themselves.

  

 

  

I really like this take on the modern Queenslander. Many traditional elements are still featured; weatherboards, timber floors, and louvre windows, but it's all wrapped up in a contemporary, modern package. Very nice indeed. If you'd like to see more, head on over and visit the website here, or Settler's Cove.

images courtesy dgbuilding.com.au and settlerscove.com.au

The eagle has landed....

It's been a mammoth few weeks. As you can probably tell, my poor little blog has taken a back seat to everything else that's been going on. But even though there's been precious little blog action, I've been painting like a woman possessed! For those of you who follow me on Facebook, you'll have seen a sneak peek of the biggest painting I've done for quite a while. This bad boy is 1.5m x 3m long (around 5' x 10') - a real statement piece. The canvas was custom-stretched, specialist art transport was needed due to its sheer size....but it was totally worth it. I absolutely love it, but more importantly, my gorgeous client Helen loves it too. Here it is:

'Equinox'

mixed media on canvas

1.5m x 3m

private commission

We did plan to have it delivered and hung all on the same day, but there were a few hiccups which meant it was only hung today. I'll be heading over next week to get some lovely in-situ shots, and I'll post those as soon as I can. I'm so looking forward to seeing it in place in Helen's beautifully restored Queenslander - very exciting!

Thanks for bearing with me lately. Even though my usual blogging routine has been completely thrown out the window, I have lots of original commissions on order, as well as some new paintings of my own. For all the news, sneak peeks and previews of new work, you may want to head on over and 'like' my Facebook page. I'd love to see you there!

Have a great weekend everyone,

Before and after..

I'm sure it's no secret that I love a good before and after. Toni from Something Gorgeous has been working on her beach apartment, and has done a fabulous job so far. She's taken a tired and outdated space.....

...and turned it into this!

 You might recognise my turquoise prints above the bed 

She's a clever one, isn't she? You can see more over at Toni's blog, Something Gorgeous. And even better, this is just the beginning - can't wait to see more!

Soon to make an appearance...

...in a new painting. I think these beauties would make a gorgeous subject for a new piece - the colours are stunning.

Aren't they lovely? And from my very own garden too - not that they require any work on my part, they totally take care of themselves. Now, if only I could teach the crew to do the same.......!

photo via my iphone

Couldn't resist....

In spite of being absolutely swamped at the moment, I couldn't resist sharing my latest painting. I've just finished this commission - a new butterfly to add to my growing collection. I love the combination of green and aqua - fresh and pretty, it's the perfect way to bring a little colour into your home:

'Papillon Verte'

8" x 11" (210mm x 297mm)

prints now available here in my Etsy shop

This piece was commissioned, along with my first butterfly, 'Petit Papillon':

...and they're going into these gorgeous, brushed-silver frames...

forgive the terrible iphone pic - but you get the idea

I'll post all the pics once they're hung and in place. Oh, and btw - remember the huge original abstract I've been working on? Well, it's all done and about to head off to my client for hanging. Can't wait to see it in place - it's been a fantastic piece to work on and it's going to an absolutely gorgeous Queenslander home. Will show all the pics once it's done and dusted.

Hope you're having a great week, and I'll catch you all soon,

2011 Coastal Living Ultimate Beach House

I've loved Coastal Living magazine since I first stumbled upon a copy in my local newsagent a few years ago. It's right up my alley - gorgeous beach houses feature in every issue; from the quintessential shack, right through to homes where the word 'shack' definitely doesn't apply! The 2011 Ultimate Beach House is now open for inspection, and was designed by none other than Phoebe Howard - so you know it'll be beautiful. Come on in and I'll take you on a tour.....

Relaxed, casual, unpretentious - everything a good beach house should be

Phoebe chose to leave the base cabinets in natural timber, for durability

love the framed thongs (Aussie for flip-flops, not the underwear kind). I'd love to do this with some  fabulous Havaiana styles - I think they'd work a treat framed like this.

serene and soothing

and how about a carriage house above the garage - perfect for housing those extra holiday guests

and the side porch, for when you've had enough of gazing at your ocean view

You can check it all out here - there's a special digital issue, or you can let Phoebe herself walk you though, and give you all the deets. Love.

I'l be taking a little blog break - I'm seriously slammed with work at the moment, so I'll be back later next week with some new goodies to share. See you then,