A Few Favourites

I only found out how to do this recently, so I thought I'd show you a few of my favourite prints I've found on etsy over the past few weeks.

Oh the Beards! the Beards!

I thought I'd share with you my newest etsy purchase. It is a screenprinted artist book by Linocutboy (Nick Morley) entitled 'Beard Book.' It was produced to accompany the exhibition "Nick Morley's Amazing World of Beards" that took place at the Permanent Gallery in Brighton, England.

I've always loved beards. My dad died when I was very young but I remember he had a huge 70's beard, and apparently when I was little I'd just go and sit on bearded men's knees. I don't do this anymore, but I do still have a bit of a fascination with facial hair. So when I saw this book on etsy I decided I had to have it.

I think, today, this is my favourite beard


and look at these old bearded sea dogs!

So, check out Nick Morley's etsy shop for his other works and support beard loving artists!


and yes, my Jeremy has a beard, a nice big orange one!

And a Few Pigeons

The other favourite of Tuesday's drawing session was the crested pigeon.
He was very handsome with his top knot plumage.

Today it's Galahs

I haven't been to the museum for a while so I thought I'd better book myself in again and get back to drawing. One of the birds this week was a Galah. A lovely Australian bird with a soft grey back and a gorgeous pink face and underbelly.


The drawings below were an experiment to see if I could draw the galah by building up layers of loose lines, instead of initially drawing an outline and filling in.


I like the build up of 'scribbles.' I might take this drawing further and experiment with making it into a hard ground etching. All the etchings I am making from my drawings will be revealed in an exhibition in October / November. Then I will post them on here and on my website.

Markets markets Markets

Well done to the market goers who still come out when it's a bit chilly. And WELL DONE to market stall holders who stand tough even though they can't feel thier toes!

Whenever it gets cold at Rose Street Artists' Market I just think of my trip to Russia and I can no longer complain about my market experience. In Russia the market stall holders where out in mid winter, -30C degrees (-22F) and sweeping the snow from their wares. Mind you they did have a warm shed at the back of the market where you could buy vodka!

Here is my market stall at Rose Street Artists' Market

And here is the lovely Christina (my rose street stall neighbour) at the Skirt and Shirt Market, at the Abbotsford Convent, selling her one off handmade bags and stylish reversable skirts.

And this is a brooch I couldn't sell because I wanted to keep her, so, she's now mine and I wear her on my coat. Her name is Odette and she whispers sweet songs in my ear as I cycle to market on a Saturday morning.

Great Opportunity for Melbourne Makers

Anna just sent me this info about a seminar of talks for artists/ makers about making a career from your work. We are both booked in for 29th August, it's only $35 and looks like it has a very interesting lineup of speakers. Have a look!

Newly Listed Etchings

Although I made this "Four Goats" etching a month or so ago I hadn't got round to listing it on etsy, but I did today, probably because I should be vacuuming or washing the dishes or twenty other things that should take priority. Well , I don't feel guilty, so there!


I also listed this etching of a rather vain peacock. It is the only one I have left but it is taking up room in my small living room / workshop / study / print store, so I thought I'd give it a go on etsy too.

Gum Tree Blossom

I was at the Abbotsford Convent Maker's Market today, slightly hungover without deserving to be, when I looked down and found this pretty little gum tree blossom. I thought it so pretty that I wanted to recreate it with my felt and thread and make it into a brooch, and so I did.


I love the exotic looking plants and flowers and blossoms here in Australia, some are quite extraordinary looking.


Now I'm going to see Mama Mia with Christina so I'd better get on my bike and dash.

Seagulls

Last week I was in East Gippsland with Anna visiting her mum's two lovely goats. We took a day trip down to Lakes Entrance. It was a windy day and the deep grey storm clouds were gathering in the distance, threatening us with a drenching. Along the wall by the harbour a line of seagulls stood, equally distanced so as not to intrude on each others begging ground, hoping for a chip or two. When they realised no chips were coming their way they opened their wings and were immediately carried backwards by the strong gusts and skillfully played on the air currents. It looked fun. I wanted to be a seagull.