Where I reside!
The smell of paint spray cans in the air, art being created on every corner, that was Art Town. Our little live drawing session in the Cylk store was a lot of fun, and possibly the last chance I’ll get to draw the lovely Courtney Flanagan before she’s absorbed into the wide world of international fashion modelling – it was a good good day..
If you’re cruising down Chapel Street Sth Yarra tomorrow (Sunday) between 12pm to 2pm, consider dropping into the Cylk store at no. 497, where myself and three other lovlies from the Patsyfox Drawing Salon will be hanging out and drawing the lovely and ascendant Courtney Flanagan. You can just say hi, watch over our shoulders, or sit down in the hot seat and have a draw! Live fashion drawing – it’s good for your health.
This event, and the one next week where I’ll be drawing on-the-spot fashion portraits, are part of the excellent Art Town festival. Get involved!
As any of my students could attest, I’m a BIG fan of practice-makes-perfect. This was never more true than in the case of liquid eyeliner, which has caused me more I-didn’t-know-at-the-time embarrassing moments than any other item of make-up: There was the plain old drawn-badly/eyes not matching timeS, the annoying brands that don’t set properly when dry so at some point after leaving the house – and unknown to you – leave a mirror reflection on your upper eyelids, causing you to look like a demented clown when you look down or blink…Or my favourite, the time I was applying the eyeliner and was interrupted by a phone call, after which I shrieked “oh my god look at the time!”, grabbed my bag and left the house, not realising for 3 hours that I had one winged eye and one blank. Yes that’s right – I dare you to maintain dignity in that situation..
My point being that by the time I did this lovely bunch of eye illustrations for L’Oreal Paris, I had the technique damn near sorted… You can find this page in the latest issue of Elle magazine.
I never thought I was much of a traditionalist but in matters of the Melbourne Fashion festival, previously L’Oreal, now Virgin Australia (VAMFF) it appears I am. For the 5th year in a row, I will be holding a fashion illustration workshop as part of the Cultural Program.
The Spirit of Fashion Illustration is a one-day workshop (10am – 4pm) to be held on March 15th at the home of The Patsyfox Drawing Salon – Frankie and Swiss. During the morning we’ll explore just what is Fashion Illustration, and how do I draw a foxy fashion figure? Then after lunch we’ll cut loose with some classic black ink fashion illustration. Fun, lamingtons, and fabulous drawings to take home are guaranteed.
I guess I should have told you about it sooner because there are only 2 places left…
I guarantee you, I can teach you to draw! And if ever there was a time it’s next Wednesday 5th March when for the first time ever, a second group of Introductory Fashion Illustration classes will commence. Classes are always kept small for quality at The Drawing Salon, but this time will be even smaller so it’s an ideal opportunity to get lots of one on one attention.
Want to know more? Just ask me!
For anyone who ever doubted the supremacy of cats then let me share with you the fact that this little guy outsold all my other postcards last weekend at Supergraph, and came a dead heat for best print. Take that puppies! Meoow.
For those who didn’t make it, it was a very super Supergraph weekend – I loved seeing so many friends old and new, students past present & future, and knowing for sure that I can keep my cool and keep drawing when surrounded by a curios mob. I fear nothing! Except maybe a repeat experience of thinking I was going to lose my left leg, having had the genius idea (note sarcasm) of going to see Bruce Springsteen directly from Supergraph – with standing tickets approximately 9 miles from the stage – and seeking relief by hoiking myself up onto a barrier and not moving for 2.5hrs, thereby completely losing the feeling in my left leg! It’s true, it happened, I didn’t lose the leg but the feeling is still making its way home to me. Gee I miss it.
Here’s some pics…
I was giving love for free at the Valentines Day opening bash.
The free love continued with free demonstrations and drop-in classes.
Supergraph also saw the launch of my new collaboration with Jaclyn Rehe – more on that later.
Patsyland! Featuring my new line of greeting cards and postcards. (They’ll be in my store next week…)
While other people were busy doing nothing over summer, I was working like a beaver on crack planning and preparing for the first ever Supergraph graphic design and art fiesta!
Supergraph takes place in the beautiful old Exhibition Buildings over the Valentines Day weekend 14th, 15th, 16th February. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill design fair or market, it’s an interactive experience. There will be a variety of artists and illustrators, busy making work and selling their wares. I will be launching a new line of greeting cards and postcards!! And finally unveiling to the world my brand new secret limited edition scarf project collaboration with the wonderful Jaclyn! As well as selling limited edition fine art prints, and open edition digital prints.
But that’s not all! At 11am and 2pm each day I’ll be holding a FREE demonstration/drop-in class for just a few lucky folk, where I’ll show you how to construct a foxy fashion figure, and render it in marker pens. BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE! All weekend I’ll be agony-aunt for artists as Dr Pencils – have a question or problem about an aspect of illustration? Come see me and I’ll help you out: Feedback, problem solving, technique advice, How do I draw a hand? How do I get the watercolours to blend like that? What’s weird about my drawing? I’ll tell you.
There will be super Supergraph-only prices for all products including signing up for classes at The Patsyfox Drawing Salon, but only for the three days… Please come say hi! I’d love to meet you.
X
I’ve drawn all sorts of people, most of them models, but I was completely taken with this most beautiful little girl Amelie who I drew for her mother last week. Look at that profile! I was moved to say she is almost as pretty as a cat. And that’s saying something.
Yes of course I have more pressing work to do today, but since when has that kept me on track? It’s bloody hot in Melbourne so if I’m going to be cowering inside and resorting to tinned food rather than leave the house, the least I can do is draw for pure pleasure!
And after all, it’s Kate Moss’s birthday, and she’s a 40yr old smoking’ hot bunny. So I drew her more than once..
