An Illustrated Fashion Blog by Angie Réhe

In true Melbourne style we’ve gone from 13 to 25 degrees – not that I’m complaining!  Nor am I complaining that the beautiful scents in the air are making it harder for me to breathe.  Spring in the air, warm air on my skin, and suddenly I want to wrap myself in colour – as much as possible.  This flows through to my illustration classes – this one: Hyper colour on colour.  Amen.

In a weekend where I’d officially put myself into lock-down to get 2 years of tax prepared for the accountant – keeping in mind that at the best of times I might be able to remember what that 2-week old receipt was for – I did pretty well to escape to Dr Sketchy’s Anti Art School today.  Then again I wasn’t exactly taking the lock-down seriously – I “forgot” to strip the liquor shelves.

Well just as well I did, because this little lady above won!  I won a Darth Vader and Son book from Outre Gallery, AND a Mars Bar.  There’s not a damn word in that sentence I don’t like.

The gods have conspired for some time to keep me away from Dr Sketchy’s, but last weekend against all odds and a generous dose of claustrophobia, I made it.  Lucky me to be rewarded with a rather fabulous contortionist to draw.  Thank you Doctor, I am healed.

Whatever you do, don’t let anyone tell you that I’m not the most indecisive person on the planet.  Really?  You think you’d give me a run for my money?  Have you ever wasted an entire afternoon getting dressed/switching everything off/getting in and starting the car…then switched if off/come back inside/changed/ REPEAT..?  That’s right, I didn’t think so.  I’d be embarrassed except I think the day I drove to work in my slippers was worse.

Well nice to know my indecision extends to and permeates my artworks, which is why I painted two versions of this saucy minx for the recent Ethics of Style exhibition, then drove the framer ’round the bend trying to decide which one to frame.  Lucky for me and perhaps for you too that both versions will be available as fine art prints in my store.  Phew.

Grab one of the last spots!  Relax and draw with me in the beautiful leafy surrounds of the Light Factory Gallery in Eltham.  Find out or better understand what makes a fashion figure just so, and play with inks and brushes to create the free and expressive illustrations we’ve loved throughout fashion illustration’s history.  More info here..

Red feathered pointe shoes by George Gross (fineliner, ink)

Aside from a pony, the thing I asked for most in my childhood was ballet lessons.  Was it the tutu?  Probably.  I got to live out that fantasy many years later, at a completely inappropriate age, at a White Party, but that’s another story.

A far more civilised way to become part of the ballet community (stretches the truth) was to take up the opportunity to illustrate some of the magnificent pointe shoes created by a range of talented designers for the Create Project, put together by  The Friends of the Australian Ballet SA.  A fabulous fusion of ballet and fashion, my original artworks were auctioned at the cocktail fundraiser event, and some prints will be available in my store.  Stay tuned for the book coming out later in the year, and in the mean time check out some of my first illustrations.

Colour explosion pointe shoe by Tiff Manuel (gouache paint, metallic paint, ink, pencil, collage)

Pointe shoe by Sass & Bide (ink, gouache paint, pencil)

Scary and delightful pointe shoe by Di$count (ink, gouache paint, pencil, charcoal)

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There’s nothing like a bit of al fresco painting to help you experience the seasons (read: freeze your arse off) and meet the locals.  Having lived in Northcote for (coughs) some years, I thought it time I took part in one of its festivals.  So when the call for entries in this year’s Northern Exposure Arts Festival came my way, I screamed a whole-hearted I’m in!  Even better, when I saw the potential canvas of my favourite Northcote store (and supplier of all my coolest vintage furniture over the years) – Retro Active – was on offer, I slammed my flag in the ground.

I’m not one for halves, and paste-ups sounded too easy so this week, while sporting what used to be a mild cold, I set up paint buckets and brushes on High St Northcote and went for it.  A black cat winds its tail menacingly up her leg causing bats and swallows to erupt and take flight from her fur. The classy folk of Retro Active were as enthusiastic as I was, and we hope the lovely lady of Fur will fly will be left to live on the street for a long time to come.  Which brings me to my question:  She needs a name – any suggestions?  She kind of looks like a Lola, but also as if she was once in the French resistance, so…

Busting a yoga move on the job – I love a bit of multitasking.

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Just one week until the new term of classes begins at The Drawing Salon, with Introduction to Fashion Illustration.  It would be remiss of me then not to show you some of the fabulous work from the last term.  Another bunch of supremely lovely peeps, and some gorgeous work produced.  Some were a little shy to show you, but here’s a taste from some that weren’t.  You can see more at www.facebook.com/TheDrawingSalon, or in the official Student Gallery – work from people with some or none drawing experience.

Thank you lovely students for your gorgeous work, great company, and fabulous feedback.  You sparkled, as usual!

Spaces still available in the new term…

Fur & Shine by Heather Kirkpatrick, Erika Sebiatto, Emily Snjaric

Collage & mixed media in action by Erika Sebiatto

Masquerade, created especially for The Ethics of Style.

If I’m to include Pimp my M.U.F., then this Sunday will mark the opening of my third group exhibition this year – I told you, this is a wonderful year!

The Ethics of Style at The Light Factory Gallery in Eltham is my first chance to show my work beside the lovely and talented Kerrie Hess, amongst other talented luminaries, and if you’d like to pop into the opening drinks this Sunday, you can say hi to both of us.

The six original works I’m showing are all for sale, as are prints of all works – a super preview before they hit my own online store.

We hope to see you there!  X

Night Out, Gold Fever

Dior Couture, Manteau

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