by Patsyfox on July 22, 2013
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)
by Patsyfox on July 13, 2013
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.
by Patsyfox on July 7, 2013
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
by Patsyfox on June 19, 2013
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
by Patsyfox on June 10, 2013
One step further along the path to Crazy-Ol’-Cat-Lady-Town, I now have myself a crocheted cat-eared beanie – best ten bux I ever spent. Seriously – how can someone hand-crochet this just for me for ten dollars?? I’m suggesting turbo-charged fingers. The fact it travelled all the way from Phoenix Arizona makes it even better.
Thank you Etsy, thank you ColourKittens. You can check out her store here, it’s puurrfect.
by Patsyfox on May 31, 2013
The awesomeness bus that is 2013 just keeps driving down my street, and the latest little treasure it’s dropped off is the launch of my collaboration with the wonderful Note Couture – a collaboration that came about after meeting the lovely Julie when I spoke at the Creative Womens Circle in the hallowed ground of the mega-fabulous Frankie and Swiss. What a day what a very great day that was.
Much like the luxurious delight of having clothes made especially for you, I suspect that having stationery hand-made just for me with my own personalised messages is going to propel my level of snobbishness into the stratosphere. Will I ever settle for Officeworks again? I doubt it, and why would I?!
If, unlike me, you’re able to think of anyone but yourself, then what better gift could you give to the woman who has it all? Here’s a little sneak preview, but for the full range check it out here. Warning – this may be life-altering…
And why not upgrade to the tasty deluxe editions?
by Patsyfox on May 28, 2013
Allow me to introduce the very first Look Of The Week… And what better way to start than by featuring one of my lovely design students, wearing the cool designs of one my RMIT teaching colleagues? No better! So say hello to Clementine, soon to be thrust into the wide world of fashion where you will undoubtedly hear from her. And while you’re there say hi to the fabulous threads of Chorus, a newly launched label by Cassandra Wheat (ex Victor & Rolf) and Louise Fauvrelle.
Pieces of Chorus are fast filling my cupboards and some are getting such a flogging I’m surprised they don’t go on strike. What can I say? Chorus believe that looking dressed up and feeling relaxed needn’t be mutually exclusive – hoorah! If a piece of clothing can be worn all weekend at Golden Plains and then (albeit dry-cleaned) to a fashion week event then I say “Piece of clothing – Marry me”. I can even gloat in the knowledge that the pieces are not just designed but also made in Melbourne, and form part of “projects” as opposed to the slavishly-followed seasons of mainstream fashion. I rest my case.
Get on board via their online shop, or go see them at their studio shop in Collingwood…
by Patsyfox on May 22, 2013
This week in Melbourne there seems to be some sort of Eurovision Song Contest fever. I try each year to get on board with it, but honestly, I prefer to watch it with the sound turned down, but that’s just me! It’s another story altogether though when it comes to the costumes – what’s not to love about them? Where else would you get the chance (post high school pantomimes) to wear crazy outlandish outfits that look like they come from the land of sparkles? Nowhere!
So imagine how much fun I had researching and illustrating a sticker book of Eurovision Song Contest costumes to celebrate its 30th anniversary – men and women! Endless joy!
These very fun re-usable sticker books are the modern version of the old school paper doll books, and feature both a girl and a hot guy for you to dress up and mix’n’match outfits. Now available from SBS stores…and…right here for three lucky readers! All you need to do is email me at the contact address to the right and say give me that book, give it to me now. It’s that easy – I’ll pull names out of a hat and contact three lucky folk to get mailing addresses, the lovely folk at Hardie Grant Publishing will post you your winning copy and soon enough it will be on your doorstep. Entries close next Sunday 26th May, get to it…
Naturally ABBA makes an appearance in the book..
by Patsyfox on May 14, 2013
If you think you may be at a loose end this Sunday 19th, or if you fear a repeat of today’s Melbourne-weather-effort where a rocking sunny day turned into a hail storm in less time than it takes to read that sentence, then get with the program and come fashion drawing with us!
Super Sunday at The Drawing Salon this time features a live model, but not just any slouch – we have the gorgeous Courtney of Bil Donovan Masterclass fame. Woop!
Appx 2 places left, first in, etc..
by Patsyfox on May 11, 2013
In the craziness that is 2013, I seem to have developed the habit of completely forgetting fairly important things…Like booking a model for a live drawing session? Anyone? The list doesn’t stop there and the things forgotten become more monumental, but that will do for now. Modus operandi is to pick up the Bat Phone and phone a friend, and those damn legendary friends of mine have come through every time… Thank you Bronwen of Fleck Photography for downing tools and posing for my class, thereby giving me the chance to draw her again – the first time being how we met. Aaaaw, bless.
