Factual Friday: Wherefore Art Thou

27.1.12

ink & watercolour illustration, 7.25" x 7.25" [18.5 x 18.5cm] BROWSE PRINTS

There's rarely a deep and meaningful reason why I draw a certain subject matter.  "Ooh, that's pretty!" is usually enough.  And I remember clearly having that thought years ago over this gracious old dame on Ann Street, Brisbane.  She provides one of many delightful little heritage flourishes amongst the standard office blocks in the middle of the CBD.  We can safely say she was home to the School of Arts at one time, but I know little else of her history.  So about all I can offer you for now is, "Ooh, that's pretty!"  and procure some appropriate attire.  I feel smocks are in order for our visit.  And Singapore Slings on the upstairs verandah to counter the colonial humidity.  And on that note...

Happy Factual Friday to you!
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Francophile Friday: Scootering Da Rocco

20.1.12

ink & watercolour illustration, 8.75" x 7" [22.5 x 18cm] ACQUIRE PRINTS 

When I sit down to illustrate without a specific project, I often have no idea as to what I'm going to draw.  At times like that, I'll resist the urge to spin the bottle and instead, will open my tear-sheet ring binders or the inspiration folders on my laptop, skim through my Pinterest boards, and gaze at the overflowing mood board next to my desk {and invariably think to myself that I need a much larger one, then daydream about gilt frames and somehow ending up wondering what Hugh's wearing today ... and not regaining consciousness until the best drawing light is dwindling fast.  Damn it.}

Today, my eyes alighted on a photo sent to me some months ago by Pop Culture Nerd and taken when one of her loved ones was in Paris ~ she thought of me when she saw it.  Thank you, my sweet!  I loved it and filed it away to wait for little lights to flash over it when the time was right ~ which turned out to be today.   And for those of you who are smitten with both Paris and Italy, Da Rocco Trattoria in the 7th arrondissement is made for you... a taste of both worlds.  {And the reviews look excellent!}  The sidecars are waiting and the red wine is breathing discreetly.  We can relax elegantly in trousers so it doesn't matter from which angle the paparazzi catch us.  And on that note...

Happy Francophile Friday to you!
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Factual Friday: Treasury of Brisbane

13.1.12

ink & watercolour illustration, 8" x 7.75" [21 x 19.5cm] BROWSE PRINTS

I was ever-so-gently reminded recently that it might be quite nice to don my ambassadorial hat again and show you a little of my local slice of heaven.  As my week turned out to be shorter than the length of my To Do list, I donned my white cotton gloves {oh, the humidity} and rustled discreetly through my archives {always better to rustle discreetly through such things} and came up with this: a piece of heritage architecture whose facade connects us to a genteel place and time.  The subject for today is Brisbane's Treasury Building, now home to the Treasury Casino and Hotel.  {I shall not weep for its lost virtue.  The council thankfully made it rewardingly irksome to insert said casino into said lodgings and required all manner of retention of heritage colour schemes and trims, skirting and architraves, yin and yang, Sonny and Cher... what was I saying?}  If you look at the Casino's website, you'll see that a sizeable bauble of street sculpture has been added since I drew my illustration once upon a time. 

Anyhoo, here we are.  Gambling for the weekend in glamorous surrounds.  Or we could engage ourselves more productively with some fine dining and live music.  Better dust off the cleavage and choose from this, this or this {my personal favourite}.   Kir Royale, anyone?  And on that note...

Happy Factual Friday to you!
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Venerdi in Venice: Florist by a Whisker

6.1.12

ink & watercolour illustration, 7" x 8.75" [18 x 22.5cm] BROWSE PRINTS

Happy New Year!  Special delivery for our weekend in Venice.  Our little kitty is just applying one last fluff of the flowers before he pulls on a plump red satin hand-plaited and tasselled rope to ring the doorbell.   No need to change out of your silk pyjamas.  A cat always appreciates the value of such fineries.  Thank you to dear Danielle of VenetiaMicio for the beautiful inspiration.  We visited nearby another day, but views like this are worth returning to, and it's been a while since Venice graced us with her beguiling beauty.  And it's not every day one's flowers are delivered via boat.  Or a kitty cat.  And on that note...

Happy Venerdi in Venice to you!
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