by Patsyfox on November 25, 2011
I’m a broken record about many things – and you can say that again (cough). But of the many things I’m known to harp on about, being time-poor is surely on the highest rotation. It seems everything I do is done in a rush, and always finished with the thought next time I’ll do it properly. I even sleep in a rush!
For example, these drawings were done in a rush (admittedly they’re demos), I’m currently drinking a champagne in a rush, and any minute from now I’ll be running with a complete lack of dignity for the gate to catch a plane to Hong Kong, where I’m being paid to go for the weekend and shop. I could leave you thinking I’m somehow lucky for that, but seriously, spending other people’s money is even more stressful than spending your own. Really. Particularly when done Supermarket Sweep-style. Fast and imperfect? I can do that. Fast and perfect?………….
by Patsyfox on November 14, 2011
I know a guy in Sydney who earns a little cash on the side from a man who pays him to let him smell and lick his cowboy boots. True story.
I particularly love people like this because it makes me feel so freaking normal. Because of course I love shoes too. A lot. Not lick-them a lot…although I have licked my black patent boots, but only to clean them. Did I say that out loud? I think I should stop talking now.
by Patsyfox on November 1, 2011
Is it bright in here or is it just me?
There’s many things I could have done with this 4-day weekend (thank you Melbourne Cup). Things that might have resulted in some lovely drawings, books being read, a garden free of weeds, I could have even contemplated the ironing. But nah, I decided to take myself on a tour of Melbourne bars and gigs, squeeze as many of my friends as I could into 4 nights of careless drinking-like-we’re-on-holidays, and give myself a headache marathon. So effectively, I was either creating pain, or experiencing it.
Is this what they mean by life balance?
by Patsyfox on October 20, 2011
Just when I thought the uber-lovely Carla Coulson couldn’t raise any higher in my humble Melbourne-based esteem (that she got the image now gracing my “about” page from this wooden model still amazes me), she did.
I drew the above illustration live in front of a packed room of diners at Comme restaurant during the last L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival. I sat side of stage sketching the model in the fantabulous Toni Maticevski dress, as he sat chatting to Carla and Harper’s Bazaar editor Edwina McCann, the drawing then being gifted to Carla to take home to Paris. I had about 15 minutes. No pressure.
Even when someone tells you they can’t wait to put it on their wall, you can’t help but wondering if a degree of politeness is involved. Enter the Nov/Dec issue of Inside Out magazine, and there I am, wall-centrale, with a credit to boot. Carla, I love you just a little bit more.
by Patsyfox on October 6, 2011
Scarier than the sight of Frankie thrusting her hairy arse as close to my face as she could, is the thought that it’s a year already since the last Illustrators Australia 9 x 5 exhibition, this year titled Rapture.
What’s the 9 x 5? The idea stems from the 1890 Cigar box exhibition held in Melbourne by the Heidelberg artists. Illustrators Australia members are sent a 9 x 5 piece of cigar box wood on which to create any illustration we like. The result is a group exhibition of around 80 works, all for sale on the night via a silent auction. You can view the works online from sometime today, and also place bids for the auction.
Opening night Friday 14th October from 6pm (auction at 8pm). Gallery open Sunday 16th October 10am-3pm
Where? Space 39, Level 2, 39 Little Collins Street, Melbourne Vic
See you there, I’ll be the one with a drink in both hands – it is Friday night after all.
by Patsyfox on October 2, 2011
Are you a lapsed artist unsure of what chaos might reign if you pick up your pencils again? Or have you not picked up your pencils since kindergarten? Are you a fashion student needing a bit of help or polish on your fashion illustrations? Or are you hoping to gain entry into a fashion course? Perhaps you work in the fashion industry and need help visually communicating your ideas? For any of these reasons and so many more, you might like to know that The Patsyfox Drawing Salon new term of Fashion Illustration classes is beginning in 2 weeks.
Introduction to Fashion Illustration suits those with some drawing experience and skill, through to those who haven’t touched a pencil since primary school. The 8 week term covers all the most important principles of Fashion Illustration, teaches you how to get started, and inspires you with the very best examples of illustrators’ work.
Creative Fashion Illustration is a unique continuing advanced level of Fashion Illustration. Each week brings a new challenge, watch your skills grow. The most amazing work is produced!
Who am I to teach you? I design by day and illustrate by night, teaching Fashion Illustration at RMIT city campus, and taking Fashion Illustration workshops for the NGV International, and the Bendigo Art Gallery – as well as the very special boutique classes of The Patsyfox Drawing Salon. Learn more about the classes here, and see some of the previous gorgeous photos and student work here.
Want to sign up or just know more? Email me at salon@patsyfox.com
This term was a while in the planning, but to prove I haven’t been idle, here’s some of my most recent demo drawings – unfinished, remember…(Including the one above – “Textures – fur, tweed, fishnets, shine”)
Loose brush and ink; Manstyle
Think outside the colour box
Collage & mixed media
Create a bodyline
Drawing the light: Illustrating onto black media
by Patsyfox on September 26, 2011
A funny thing happened Sunday morning as I performed my well-honed ritual of making coffee/brushing my teeth/gazing into the mirror and wondering why I’m looking so much like Keith Richards when I’ve never even had a drug habit: It was Frankie, crazy in love with me instead of trying to scare the bejesuz out of me by jumping out from behind doors, cupboards, or wardrobes. Given I’d spent the guts of the weekend indoors achieving multiple ridiculous drawing deadlines, at first I put it down to bonding. Then I noticed the annoying whining, and strange posture. “Oh Frankie, are you constipated? Why are you wrapping yourself around my leg and sticking your arse in my face?”
Oh. God. In a flash the wise (read: ignored) words of the vet came back to me – “Love, best you get her back here for desexing in the next 2 weeks or she’s going to go on heat and you’ll have every tom from the northern suburbs at your door.” What? He expected me to do something before I absoutely had to??
Suffice to say my karma is to have a cat walking sideways around the house simultaneously performing both down-face and upward dog, while howling the blues. Oh, and pole-dancing on the kitchen chairs like she was born for it. She’s a 10 month old cat for godsake, and she’s got more moves than Carmen fricking Electra. Jesus wept.
Counting the minutes until 8am on Friday when I can drop her at the vet, say goodbye to her womb and the sight of her furry arse. Seriously Frankie, put-it-a-way.
by Patsyfox on September 13, 2011
Not counting ex-boyfriends, I rabidly collect approximately 7 different things.
Make that 8, because issue #2 of the utterly beautiful Collection Magazine has just hit the shelves here and around the world, and I’m hooked. And not just because I’m in it.
Launched during this year’s L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival, I stumbled upon the opening soiree because basically I am an openings whore. I’ve never been more pleasantly surprised (*). The magazine is based in Melbourne and brought to you by two of the loveliest and most charming women called Tess and Magda – amazing to find such down-to-earthiness considering this is the most deluxe and high quality magazine you’re likely to find. Each issue comes in a black hardcover, is printed onto the most delicious thick paper stock, and each page perforated for easy removal and framing, sticking, etc.
You can buy it locally at Readings in Carlton, Magnation stores, or online. It’s also stocked around the world.
Oh yes, did I mention there is a feature on me in Issue 2?
*Well maybe once before.
by Patsyfox on September 7, 2011
I hate to brag*, but slinking around the fun opening of this year’s The Brunswick Show on Saturday night, I couldn’t help noticing that the increasingly talented Jaclyn’s paintings were surely the highlight. Natch! Same bloodline! You have to admit looking at this lot though, no-one puts a broken heart into paintings quite like she does. You can check out more of her work here at her brand new website/blog, or here where she works, and even see what she used to look like when I drew her here…
As for the show – the work of 100 artists is always worth a look. It’s free, it’s on until 13th September, located at Donkey Wheel House, 673 Bourke Street Melbourne, just near Southern Cross Station. Just do it.
*Lie
by Patsyfox on August 25, 2011
Any of my friends could tell you that after shoes, alternative medicines are responsible for the majority of my credit card debt.
And I love to self-diagnose.
Pity this week I discover that the “condition” I’ve been hitting with a DIY cocktail of herbs/vitamins/minerals/et al is actually a product of said cocktail. Huh? Yes, it did my head in also. Chicken/egg etc.
Someone seriously needs to confiscate my Encyclopedia of General and Alternative Medicines book.
