Serpent Mandalas

2012-01-26T17:19:00.004+11:00

Hello everybody, and to the Aussies out there -
Happy Australia Day!! :)
Currently listening to JJJ's Hottest 100 on a very muggy - what's usually a very sunny - Australia Day.

I have included a new painting in progress..... "Ring a Ring O Rosie".

2012-01-22T19:07:00.005+11:00

Hello!! :)
A picture above of some of the types of earrings I have been selling through my markets and which will be available shortly in my Etsy shop.
Also - a mention that I won't be at the Australia Day market in Glenbrook this year as I have had to cancel at the last minute.
Paula, who has been doing the market each month in the local school, will no longer be available but I would like to thank her for all the effort she has done over the last couple of years in keeping the stall running. (Thanks Paula!!! :)XXX)

2012-01-20T12:59:00.007+11:00

"Discovery"
45 x 60 cm
Acrylic and Mixed Media on Canvas

Original Sold

2012-01-13T02:16:00.006+11:00

"Calling"
45 x 60 cm ( 17.6 x 23.5 inches)
Acrylic and Collage on Canvas

Original Available

2012-01-10T17:54:00.004+11:00

"Memory"
51 x 76 cm
Acrylic on canvas

Original Available

2012-01-03T19:32:00.002+11:00

Happy New Year!! :) ...
To start - a couple of paintings in progress "Lullaby" and "Memory".

2011-12-27T11:24:00.011+11:00

Hello, hello!! -
I hope that wherever you are you have had a very lovely Christmas ! :0)
... and looking forward to a positive, happy wish fulfilling new year.

I didn't get to post much in the lead up to Christmas as I was a teensy bit busy - I have included 7 of the finished commissions I did and just finishing off the remaining 3 now. (including you Melanie (!:)) if you are watching). I finished 6 mandalas for Gail and her family as well as a trio of paintings for Melinda and her family.

I'm back into the swing of work after a few days off with family - working on a few new paintings ( see below "Memory","Lullaby" and 'Intuition") plus projects that hardly got started this year ( including the second book project). I will be having a small sale of some originals that I have as I want to make way for the new ones. I will let you know once I have posted these. Plus I am finally going to organize my facebook page - where I will be updating on a regular basis.

Anyway, hope you enjoy what is left of your holiday break - or what might be the beginning of your holidays - and will talk to you all again soon.
xxxxx

2011-12-05T18:47:00.003+11:00

Ann's Personal Mandala
28cm diameter (35 x 35cm Paper)
Wax based Pencil, oil pastels and acrylic on paper.

Original Sold.

2011-11-30T01:08:00.003+11:00

A little update about Christmas markets....
I will be at Eumundi Market this Saturday and then on Sunday in Brisbane at the Young Designer Market. The following Sunday ( the 11th Dec) I'm taking a flight down to Canberra for the Bus Depot Markets. Haven't been there in two years so I am really looking forward to it and to catching up with some good friends as well.

I'm currently flat out...I've got that usual pile of emails piling higher. Over the next two weeks I will be finishing off 6 commissions and then when I get back from Canberra another 4 before Christmas. They are all mandalas except one. The mandala above is one nearly finished for Ann.

2011-11-27T05:21:00.010+11:00

"Hold On Let Go "
60 x 60 cm (23.5 x 23.5 inches)
Acrylic on Canvas

Original Sold

2011-11-16T21:51:00.006+11:00

"Flower Child"
Acrylic and Mixed Media on Canvas
30 x 20 Inches (76 x 51 cm)

Original Sold

New painting...
..plus look what arrived in my mail box this week!
They are available to buy in my Etsy shop now and will be posted out from Friday the 25th Nov.

2011-11-10T09:42:00.008+11:00

Along with my commissions other things in progress......

"Flower Child"

"Hold On Let Go"

"Something In Common"

"Intuition"

2011-11-08T23:55:00.006+11:00

New bookmarks in my Etsy shop...plus a new woodblock print "Friendship". Also the book is almost here!! :) I will have my copies hopefully by next week.

2011-11-04T10:05:00.006+11:00

"To Be Able"
75cm x 100cm ( 29.5 x 39 inches)
Acrylic on Canvas

Original Sold.

This painting has been done in memory of my late uncle and below is one of his many beautiful poems that he left behind...xx

To be honest
in a way
you are able

To be able
not to say
the things you want

To be softer
on yourself
than on others

To forgive them
for things said
all unaware

To be trusting
to admit
you really care

To be bigger
than the smallest
broken hearts

To be greater
than the sum
of all the parts

To be worthwhile
as a human
at the last.

2011-10-27T20:05:00.001+11:00

And another new beginning...
this one for Kristina and her family.

2011-10-25T23:22:00.009+11:00

'Patty'
Acrylic on Canvas
50 x 60cm

Original Sold

Hello hello.... been very busy getting through some of my commissions. Above is a completed one for Patty and below is one for Melinda's family which, when finished, will have two smaller paintings to go with it.

2011-10-16T19:10:00.006+11:00

2012 wall Calendar .....
available over here :)

2011-09-28T22:43:00.006+10:00

"Peacemaker"
Acrylic on canvas
60 x 75 cm (23.5 x 29.5 inches)

Original Available

2011-09-26T22:41:00.003+10:00

Commission for Marysia and her family.
60 x 75cm
Acrylic on canvas.

Original Sold.

2011-09-23T00:07:00.004+10:00

"Welcome Party"
Mixed Media on Canvas
40 x 50 cm ( 15.5 x 19.5 inches)

Original Sold.

2011-09-13T22:02:00.005+10:00

"Time Travellers"
55 x 70 cm (21.5 x 27.5 inches)
Acrylic, paper and pencil on Canvas.

Original Sold.

2011-09-06T18:38:00.004+10:00

Things in progress.....above - a new one without a name.
Below, some of the many commissions I am currently working on in sketch form.

2011-09-02T01:03:00.004+10:00

"The Dream Skin" ...new book painting progress.

...and remember those bananas hanging from the tree in my backyard?.....well here they are - they just need to be hung upside down now to ripen.

2011-08-27T00:02:00.005+10:00

"Starman"
Acrylic and pencil on canvas.
60 x 50 cm ( 23.5 x 19. 5 inches)

Original available

2011-08-18T18:12:00.010+10:00

I love "Starman" by David Bowie.
See here...nice outfit hey!
It's one of my older favourites and this painting (which is still in progress) has been inspired by the title of the song at least...it's probably not looking 'way out' enough to kind of embody the song....the man is looking a little conservative perhaps but I've put a few of the lyrics in in any case...plus a tiger.

I've got a stash of paintings to do for boys...and this one was a sketch from a few years ago .
I am about to start on another book - this time it stars a little boy.....so I needed to practice my boy faces.

In other news -
- I have 12 - 16 commissions lined up between now and the end of the year and they will start to emerge one by one from now until then.

- I will be doing two different markets this weekend - my normal on Saturday at Eumundi, on the Sunshine Coast and the Young Designers Market in Brisbane at Southbank. This will be held from 9 - 5 on Sunday.

- and finally this week I celebrated my 40th birthday (!) - hooray.
(milestone indeed and it still has me thinking pretty hard...).

2011-08-09T14:36:00.006+10:00

"Friendship"
50 x 50cm (19 .5 x 19.5 inches)
Acrylic and pencil on Canvas

Original Sold.

2011-08-04T17:05:00.003+10:00

Hello, hello
After a little break and big case of being 'slightly' saturated- out come the paints again. I've got a bank up of commissions and here is the first for Marysia and her family.

.

2011-07-19T22:36:00.006+10:00

The sequence of images for the book...

I also wanted to introduce the author Mimi King. The lovely lady who got in touch with me to illustrate the story above "A Little Bird Told Me". She has also published another couple of picture books in a completely different style called the Poppy Books which can be viewed over at her website.
It has been very easy and a pleasure to work with Mimi. Her story is so sweet and the images have grown well with it in bringing it alive - we are really both excited to see the finished book in our hands. It will be a hardcover in a nice compact size of 21 x 25 cm (8 x 10 inches). Once I have it it will be available for sale over at my Etsy shop and it will also be available as an ebook.

2011-07-11T23:08:00.004+10:00

Last three images for the book.

2011-07-07T10:14:00.006+10:00

New wooden brooches! :)

2011-06-27T18:46:00.004+10:00

"White Wolf"
40 x 50 cm
Acrylic on Canvas

Original Sold

2011-06-24T19:22:00.009+10:00

Hello lovely people :)!
I have some new things to show you.
Firstly some very pretty reversible glass lockets. I was looking for these for ages and finally stumbled upon some. They will be available shortly in my etsy shop. They look a bit like old fashioned diver's helmets. They have a little clasp that opens on the side and two different pictures on the inside that magnify on the outside with a glass dome.

Also a new painting (even though I have millions more to finish before this one) titled 'Friendship'.

Finally another page in the book - page 2 - only 3 to go now and then we are done.

PS..just a reminder that I am having a 15% off sale over in my Etsy Shop. You just need to enter the coupon code "MidYearSale" when checking out. The sale lasts until the 30th June.

2011-06-22T23:03:00.007+10:00

Pages 2 and 3 plus the back cover of the book ( shown with the front). The last image is the latest picture I'm working on - after that I have only 3 to go until I am finished....phew.

2011-06-21T16:50:00.008+10:00

I will be having a SALE in my Etsy Shop from today until the 30th June. Everything in the shop will be discounted by 15% - this includes the original paintings that are available there also. The sale doesn't include discounted shipping.
At the end of the sale prices in my shop will be going up slightly including postage prices.
In order to get your discount in my shop you need to use the coupon code 'MidYearSale' when checking out.
Thank you!! :)

PS...The picture above is my Franky boy at six months old ...today, 8 years later, he is slightly greyer, fatter, and scruffier :).

2011-06-20T11:09:00.006+10:00

Some pictures from my regular coastal walk with my boys. I can't believe that they call this winter up here. It is truly a beautiful and inspiring place to live in...although I still do miss my mountain home.

2011-06-15T23:14:00.007+10:00

More pictures of the book....pages 7 and 1 plus the beginnings of the back cover. The last image shows the working out of the basics for font and colour on the front cover.

2011-06-10T23:38:00.007+10:00

Hello! :)
Just posting an update for the book. Above is the finished front cover. The title goes in the pink space at the top and the names in the water next to the hearts. Below are two more finished pages, below that are the next two to be painted and at the bottom is everything so far.

2011-06-06T22:50:00.002+10:00

"Longing"
45 x 45 cm ( 17.5 x 17.5 inches)
Acrylic on Canvas

Original Sold

2011-06-02T21:27:00.004+10:00

"Collector"
Acrylic On Canvas
50 x 75 cm ( 19.5 x 29.5 inches)

Original Sold

2011-05-31T17:56:00.005+10:00

Hello :)!!
Some more pictures from today's activities. Busy busy busy...and that's going to go on for a little while longer yet. The picture above is a new painting -not completely finished yet - it needs some fine tuning here and there. It is titled "Longing' and the sketch and progress is below.

The other two pictures are pages from the book.

Finally the last lot of pictures are of some sketches I've done recently - 2 second sketches that come alive. No matter how hard I try it is difficult to carry the same 'life' into the painting that you get in the original sketch. I believe its because it is a spontaneous event, very quick - capturing the feeling of the image right then in the moment. I get re inspired over and over by just viewing the basic sketch.

2011-05-25T02:21:00.002+10:00

Page 17...

2011-05-24T20:33:00.009+10:00

Hello :)!!
Some new things this week on my market stall and on the drawing board.....at the moment I am not getting much finished just started.

Six weeks to go for the illustrations in the book and 11 images to finish!! Several commissions to complete...many running behind schedule. I don't think I ever talk about anything else on this blog besides running late and whats happening with the weather (still beautiful by day and a little cold at night :)).

Hopefully it's the images that are keeping regulars visiting and not the conversation (!)

2011-05-16T22:09:00.006+10:00

A painting for Vajra...
30 x 30 cm
Acrylic on Canvas

Original Sold

2011-05-08T22:36:00.005+10:00

I wonder when it will start to get cold here? Geez - not wishing for it, but really, the weather has been beautiful. Look at the latest lot of bananas out in my backyard!

Many things in progress. Below some sketches for new commissions and above more of the book's paintings in progress.

2011-04-26T22:52:00.009+10:00

Some more images for the book..
Hope your Easter has been good :).

2011-04-20T01:31:00.003+10:00

Current stages of the paintings for the book.
Some finished, some in between, some ready to go, and many more to do.

2011-04-14T23:54:00.008+10:00

Hello ! :)
Things that are new and things that are in progress... At the moment I still have a mountain of unanswered emails, commissions lined up till July and the books I'm working on for illustrations. Its a busy time of year for markets with school holidays and Easter just around the corner. . plus every now and then...just to procrastinate, I like to do something of my own.

I've started making larger prints on blocks and there are some new pendants added over in my etsy shop. I have new earrings available as well that I am currently selling at the markets. Hope to get a lot of new paintings done this year (...in my spare time..). Started on "The White Wolf" which you can see the beginnings of below.

2011-04-07T10:11:00.007+10:00

"Neroli"
30 x 40 cm
Mixed media on canvas

Original Sold

At a market a few months ago a lady came up to me and started browsing through my artwork. She was mainly interested in mermaid stuff and she looked a bit mermaid like herself - long flowy hair with long limbs and long fingers and striking pale blue eyes. She chatted with me for a bit and casually mentioned that 'the mermaids' were telling her that my real name was Neroli and that I should change it back! Ive heard a lot of unusual things at the markets and this was another one :)!. Anyway, being far too attached to my identity as a "Lindy' that will not change, but in honour of all the "Neroli's" out there - mermaid or not, here is a painting for you. (PS...This is not a self portrait)

2011-04-05T23:19:00.007+10:00

Tom's mandala
35 x 35 cm (28cm diameter)
Mixed media on paper

Original Sold

2011-03-31T16:57:00.006+11:00

"Ruby and Hamish"
Acrylic on Canvas
60 x 90 cm

Original Sold

Had a lot of fun doing this one. Love the dragon and Pegasus totems for the two little fairy like stars of the painting - Ruby and Hamish. The textures are nice throughout and there is a LOT of paint on it. In some places I start by putting a few layers down then before it's quite dry I use thick paint over it again, without water, which kind of drags the brush and leaves great texture. I paint straight from the tub and blend on the canvas more or less.

Paint is fun when you lose the subject and the image and for a moment you're just in the paint, you could literally stay there for a long time - in no time, if you know what I mean. It took me a while to get to this point. For a long time it was just about filling in the image before I really discovered the meditative quality of painting. Time slowed down in the paint, then no thoughts and just there with the paint, seeking out the colours and texture and moving with it.

2011-03-28T18:30:00.000+11:00

2011-03-25T11:03:00.005+11:00

In progress this week....

2011-03-22T11:09:00.005+11:00

Christiane's mandala.
25 x 25 cm ( 20 cm diameter)
Mixed media on paper (Pencil, acrylic, gouache and oil pastels)

Original Sold

2011-03-21T13:59:00.013+11:00

"Princess"
60 x 75 cm (23.5 x 29.5 inches)
Mixed Media on Canvas

Original Sold

I have two versions of this available for print as I changed the original background and then couldn't decide which one to keep. The one with the darker background gives a really nice contrast to the creams and oranges but I am not used to that colour so I brightened it up a bit with the blue above.
Which do you prefer?

2011-03-20T10:55:00.009+11:00

Although they aren't quite finished - these are some of the images for the book we are putting together (hopefully) mid year-ish.

2011-03-16T11:26:00.003+11:00

And another new beginning....
There will be a lot of these over the coming weeks.

2011-03-16T11:12:00.003+11:00

Cynthia's Mandala
35 x 35 cm, 28cm diameter
Pencil, gouache and oil pastel on paper

Original Sold

2011-03-14T20:46:00.003+11:00

The evolution of Cynthia's mandala....

2011-03-10T19:27:00.005+11:00

In progress..... a Princess
and some very contented animals.

2011-03-07T16:57:00.006+11:00

Hello!! :)
Here's the finished version for Catherine's family.

2011-03-03T00:09:00.008+11:00

Progress on a commissioned work for Catherine, Brent and Jessica...
PS...summer seems to have arrived after it has finished. It's not so easy painting in that sort of heat with your paints drying up before you can put them on the canvas..

2011-03-01T19:56:00.012+11:00

I think it's about finished. Although the pink is a little over emphasized by my camera, it should contrast nicely with the outdoor scenes in the series.

2011-02-25T12:24:00.004+11:00

Hello! :)
Here is what I have been up to for the past couple of weeks. Below are 5 sketches for 5 commissions I have started and will be doing over the next few weeks.

I have also begun the sketches for two different picture books that I will be working on this year. One, we hope to print by July. I have made the entire storyboard and I must say its very exciting to see the flow of a story through pictures. I will talk more about that once the images start to be finished. I've included a sketch of one of the images above - but can't say much more about the story yet.

2011-02-07T15:33:00.007+11:00

"The Queen"
40 x 50cm (15.5 x 19.5 inches)
Acrylic on Canvas

Original Available

2011-02-05T00:41:00.009+11:00

I need to write one big almighty list.....things have piled up already, a mountain of emails to answer, sketches to do for 7 commissions, plus a children's book to start making sketches for. At least orders are under control and I am almost ready for the markets this weekend.

I have also started a few new paintings. One white wolf, one red dog and one Queen. The red dog is actually of a dream I had a few years ago when I was visited by an Australian Kelpie who I immediately knew as "Red Dog". He helped me through a very difficult situation and I believe he was some sort of guide at the time. I will write more about that once I finish and post the painting. Since making up the sketch I have found out that there will be a movie released this year called "Red Dog' - a supposedly true story about a well know Australian Kelpie who travelled around Western Australia. Will be interesting to see it! :)

2011-02-02T10:30:00.005+11:00

Hello! I have just put these sweet little hair clips in my etsy shop. I will have them available at the markets also. The Young Designers Market is definately on this weekend in Brisbane at Southbank - on the 6th February.

2011-01-24T14:05:00.006+11:00

"Kindred"
50 x 70 cm (19.5 x 27.5 inches)
Acrylic and Mixed media on Canvas

Original Sold

This is a lovely lovely painting! I wish the scan could capture the life, movement and vibrancy of the original. It is now available as an A4 print over in my etsy shop and it is to become my first A3 print as well - once I get the paper organised.

2011-01-24T02:02:00.003+11:00

New Painting..... I started this - finally - from a sketch that I made ages ago. I've actually finished the original but have yet to scan it. The title is "Kindred". It's turned out so nicely - I will post the finished version sometime over the next couple of days.

2011-01-23T13:17:00.000+11:00

Hello...long time again between posts...just wanted to say that due to the recent flooding in Brisbane the Australia Day Young Designer Market at Southbank has been cancelled while they clean up the area. The next one ( fingers crossed ) will be on the 6th February.
My deepest condolences to the people affected by the floods - for the loss of life - both family and animals, and for the loss of houses and possessions.
For those that have asked, we were ok. There were no major problems where we live. Lots of heavy heavy rain - and roads cut off but no major drama compared to other people's situations.

2011-01-10T00:58:00.011+11:00

First one for the new year.. :)
"Ready"
40 x 50cm (15.5 x 19.5 inches)
Mixed Media on Canvas

Original Sold.

(and for those that are curious, or a little unsure, the creature in her pocket is a wombat, an Australian marsupial that is very cute and a bit bear like).

2011-01-05T14:28:00.010+11:00

Another year gone and another belated Happy Christmas and New Year to you all!! :0).
I hope that yours has been good, cheery and relatively stress free.....(as it should be :)).

My A4 printer finally packed it in...it's been running so well for a few years now and I had to give in, upgrade and order an A3 printer. Large prints will start to emerge now....I know some people will be happy about that.

Also - I have finally finished the Selkies painting which I started a few years ago (!). It's absence has created a teensy bit more room in my teensy tiny studio - hopefully this year will see a lot of those paintings that were started in previous years - finished - as well as many new ones begun that sit patiently waiting in my sketch book.

"Selkies"
Acrylic on Canvas
90 x 120cm

Original Sold.

2010-12-21T15:32:00.006+11:00

For Sonia
30 x 30cm
Acrylic on canvas

Original Sold.

Phew...I cant believe the busy week I have just had..counting down the days to Christmas now.

2010-12-16T23:53:00.010+11:00

And here is the final one...
I love the way the tree's branches go up and out into the mandala and the roots go down below - and what about the woman in the tree :). It's a very holistic mandala with a good combination of all the elements woven in together.

"Peter"
50 x 50cm ( 40cm diameter)
Mixed media ( Pencil, gouache and oil pastel) on paper.

Original Sold
(and the welcome comment from Peter..."Have received the mandala and I am totally thrilled with it. We all are!
It is so vibrant and alive, just makes me smile every time I look at it! Thankyou so much for your wonderful work, it is truly appreciated."
....thanks Pete !! :))

2010-12-14T23:43:00.001+11:00

Not long to go now.....

2010-12-09T01:00:00.005+11:00

I've finished this one - but not sure on her name yet - perhaps "Clarity'.
'Clear' and 'Claire' are the words that keep popping into my head.

2010-12-08T22:46:00.004+11:00

Mandala time again! :)
I was so looking forward to it this time. I have been running around busy busy, getting things done - that the thought of just sitting still with a mandala was very enticing - a relaxing alternative to everything else at the moment. This one's for Pete and is soon finished.

2010-12-01T10:32:00.009+11:00

Here's a sweety ! :) The colours are so vibrant and I cant quite capture it with the scan or photo - there is so much more variation of the greens in the ocean. The original colours are more bright turqouise and teal.The texture is wonderful too.

"Night Garden"
Mixed Media on canvas
40 x 50 cm (15.5 x 19.5 inches)

Original Sold.

2010-11-27T05:58:00.002+11:00

"Walk Thru Midnight"
Mixed media on canvas
60 x 90 cm ( 23.5 x 35 inches)

Original Sold.

2010-11-25T18:31:00.010+11:00

Long list of things to do...probably like most people this time of year. Above is a new work I started as I don't have any other originals for my market stall!

I'm still finishing off three commissions that are all due now and before Christmas - a mandala for Pete, a painting for Sonia and the Selkies for Laura.

I've also made some new jewellery in antique bronze settings both in circular and oval shapes and they will be available at my market stall from this week. Ive got quite a few markets on before Christmas and the dates can be found on the right hand column of my blog.

2010-11-19T09:23:00.005+11:00

New glass tile pendants in my etsy shop.
I only have 12 different designs listed so if you are after something else - just let me know ! :)

2010-11-17T19:53:00.010+11:00

"Flying Dream"
Original Mixed media on Canvas
50 x 60 cm (19.5 x 23.5 inches)

Original Sold

2010-11-16T23:38:00.009+11:00

Good Evening..
Things that are new -
Necklaces, just putting them in my shop now and a new painting "Flying Dream". This painting is finished I just need to find the time to scan and post it :)!

2010-11-14T09:39:00.005+11:00

Almost there.....
This painting, as with a lot of the others, has been in progress for what seems like eons. Just a little more detail and it's done. Other then that, I am working on sketches for two commissions for Pete and Sonia, as well as another commission before Christmas. So rather flat out until then. The painting above is called "Walk through Midnight" and will be available as prints shortly.

2010-11-03T22:02:00.005+11:00

Hello! :) Even though I am busy , busy with commissions, wholesale orders, markets and Etsy I spent some time today making some letter writing sets. They are so sweet and I will eventually do a few different themes - like elephants, cats, owls, and mermaids.

I have a stack of things to do but I hope to get out some more originals before Christmas like the one above "Kindred". There are a few others as well...so I will see how I go. This weekend I will be at both the Eumundi Market on Saturday,and the Young Designers Market in Brisbane (Southbank) on Sunday.

2010-10-26T08:38:00.011+11:00

I've made a new calendar for 2011and it's now available over in my Etsy shop. Based on paintings from this year - they really are sweet ( I think anyway). I have made them loose leafed so that the images can be better preserved once each month is done. They also come with little metal clips to hold them together as well as your choice of magnet from the images represented in the calendar.

2010-09-30T14:09:00.005+10:00

"Honesty"
50 x 60cm (19.5 x 23.5 inches)
Mixed media on canvas.

Original Sold.

2010-09-23T11:04:00.003+10:00

A commission for Trinna.
40 x 50cm (16 x 20 inches)
Acrylic on Canvas

Original Sold

2010-09-15T14:46:00.011+10:00

Inspired by an idea and product from my sister I have started making these cute little paperweights. They really are so sweet. I will start to sell them at the local markets in QLD and they will be followed by square and rectangular shapes over the next couple of weeks.

My sister, Michelle, has recently started selling her cute and quirky collaged artworks (see below) at the Glenbrook markets in the Blue Mountains with the next market this coming Saturday.
She has many lovely items available including papergoods, jewellery and originals. My work will also be there in a separate stall (manned by a friend) so if you are around and would like to visit - please do :)!! The market has a good number of quality stalls and is situated in a friendly local setting. I, of course, will be at the Eumundi Markets on the Sunshine Coast like every Saturday. I'm now in a permanent spot in the orange row. It's a huge market - so if you are looking you might need to know that ! :)

2010-09-06T04:36:00.015+10:00

"The Pack"
45 x 45 cm (17.5 x 17.5 inches)
Mixed media on Canvas

Original sold.

2010-09-01T15:11:00.010+10:00

Inspired by the cute little fairy penguins from Phillip Island in Victoria I've done this new painting. It's the smallest penguin around at about 40cm high - and that's why they are referred to as fairies. Hope you like it! :).

"Fairy Walk"
50 x 60cm ( 19.5 x 23.5 inches)
Mixed media and acrylic on canvas.

Original Sold.

2010-08-22T11:43:00.011+10:00

"The Guardians"
60 x 60cm (23.5 x 23.5 inches)
Acrylic on canvas.

Original Sold

2010-08-16T22:09:00.004+10:00

Even though I have so much to do (:)) - I have started a new work - 'The Guardians'.

2010-08-11T15:27:00.005+10:00

New glass tile necklaces and bookmarks in my shop :)!!

2010-08-05T00:29:00.008+10:00

"Suzanne and Zariya"
50 x 50 cm with 40cm diameter
Wax based pencil, gouache and oil pastel on paper.

Original sold.

2010-08-04T20:40:00.013+10:00

Continuing on from the last post about my mandala making process... After painting the base of the mandala I outline the images in black pencil to give a little bit of definition. It is done quite quickly and I tend to go over it later on as I move around the mandala. I then use Faber Castell Polychromo pencils to colour the whole mandala in. The pencils are very soft and smooth to use. The colour is rich and the texture waxy. I press heavily to get a solid block of colour in all of the areas. This is a lengthy process (!! :)) At this stage I am still quite sloppy as I will be going over all the areas in detail with other mediums later on .

Once I have coloured the mandala in I start to add highlights with gouache. I mainly use white and gold. Sometimes when I paint the white in I then go over it again with pencil to soften it or push it in the background - only to redefine it again later on if I need to. What this does is give the mandala lots of textures. The gouache, which I don't dilute with too much water, comes out with a slightly raised surface adding subtle dimension to the whole mandala.

When the mandala is nearing completion I start going over all the edges with a dark pencil and touching up the colouring in from earlier so that everything is looking full and tidy. The final thing I do is to go over larger ares of the mandala with oil pastels. This emphasizes the colours that little bit more and adds extra texture to the mandala. They are pretty messy to work with so I only use them sparingly to add highlights. Once that is done I spray the mandala with a fixative to keep all the different mediums in tact and non smudging.

2010-07-26T16:54:00.007+10:00

Hello people!! :) Another new week and I am flat out busy. I just wanted to mention that I will be at the Young Designers Market this coming Sunday in Brisbane at Southbank. I will also be at Eumundi Markets on the Saturday.

2010-07-25T00:10:00.000+10:00

The first stages of a personal mandala I am working on for Suzanne. Initially I start with a mandala form asking for information on colours, shapes, animals, mythological creatures, symbols, landscape elements, aims, beliefs...etc etc and then I make a rough sketch out of those details. Often the first flash or idea from this information is the most inspired and I tend to go with that as the central image.

I divide the mandala up into the sections that are asked for and fill it in with shapes and landscape elements so that the whole image will flow. In this case Suzanne has asked for birds as a focus in her mandala and Australian landscapes. She has also chosen dragons, fairies and angels for symbol and myth.

Once I start sketching the original I use a compass to get all the circles of the mandala inside and out and use a small circle template to get the little circles. I like to think that my mandalas are a little organic and flow in their content but neat and tidy in their structure and 'borders' - I find it easier to work this way. I also rule lines across the center of the mandala, from the top to the bottom and diagonally from each corner. This makes it easier to use the circle templates and to get the balance of the image right.

I get people to choose at least four colours for their mandala and I always decide on where to place the colours after I have drawn up the mandala in pencil. Working with colour is really intuitive and for me finding the right balance comes by spreading the colour around instead of just using it in one place. If you use it a lot in the lower section, its good to repeat it in dibs and dabs in the top to carry it through.

Initially I use watercolour pencils to mark out the colour areas. I find the pencils faster and easier to use then normal watercolours - you colour them in quickly and then paint them in with water. I do this to create a good base to work on for the next stage in the layering of the mandala which involves 'colouring it in' with wax based pencils. Once I'm up to this stage I will make another post to show you how I go about it.

2010-07-19T10:37:00.013+10:00

"Stargazers"
50 x 60cm (19.5 x 23.5 inches)
Acrylic on Canvas

Original Sold.

2010-07-14T12:06:00.003+10:00

Some new pendants in my Etsy shop : "The Tea Lady", "A New Beginning","Family Tree" and "Peter Pan Man".

2010-07-13T13:17:00.007+10:00

A little look at the commissions I am currently working on - and where I am at with each of them. Very behind as usual but coming along. The 'Selkies' are the next off the rank...a long time in the making. The large mandala follows and will be sketched up over the next day or two , then finally a painting for Trinna.

Other projects include working on illustrations for a children's book. It seems that each week I do the markets someone asks me if I have done one - or if I will do one. I just haven't had the time to do the running around to make it work. Recently someone has approached me with his story and ideas in tact and I have decided to work with him. I find it a very exciting project and am looking forward to starting.