Brain Fart

What is the driving force behind my artwork?

I have been a doodler and self taught crafter since I was a kid. But as I got older I became static in my creativity. Then in my early 20s I got back into painting as a way to kick depression that kept settling in. Those early paintings were very simple and incorporated a lot of dark colours. Then I felt a need to start drawing and painting bright and happy pieces. After all these years I need to keep myself busy with art projects. Art has become my medication. And the more I do the better I feel.

As for process it really does vary. Sometimes an idea will come to me in a matter of minutes and I know exactly what I want to do. Other art ideas stew for months and even years before I formally put pencil to paper.

Inspiration comes from movies, music videos, books, listening to music and other artists. Seeing what other artists are doing helps my own development, because sometimes I see a piece of art and say, “I never thought of doing it like that.” I make a mental note of that particular effect, and later on it is something that I might experiment with in my artwork. I am a massive fan of SHAG and years back I did a series of pictures which were heavily influenced by his style. Since then I would say that SHAG is still an influence but I have stripped back a bit so that my work is still ‘very me’. These days I am also inspired by the likes of Catalina Estrada and Tom Bagshaw.

My style is still evolving to this day. And I do not think I will always be satisfied with what I do. When I finish a piece of art I think, “That was great! But with the next piece of art I can do it so much better”.

Leave a comment and tell me what drives and influences your art?

Something For The Gwendo

I just completed this illustration, which is to go on the wall of my baby's room. The walls need a bit of decorating in there, so I decided I would design something bright and colourful that I could hang up.

Here are two fashion illustrative efforts for today. For a person who doesn't spend a lot on them, I am fascinated by shoes.

Emjie Zine Issue 2

Don't you just love progress. This Saturday just gone I posted to Sticky Institute ten copies of my latest zine... Emjie Zine - Issue 2, 2009.

This issue has a lot of great stuff inside - artwork, funny articles plus a DIY piece. So the next time you are in Melbourne check out Sticky Institute and have a look for Emjie Zine - Issue 2.

Where is Sticky Institute?

Degraves Subway

Shop 10 Campbell Arcade

Melbourne Vic Australia

When is Sticky Institute open?

Mon to Fri 12-6pm

Sat 12-5pm

Illustrated Sunday

Yesterday I worked on the following Derwent and pen illustrations.

I just love the smell of Derwent pencils!

Enchantment Under the Sea

Distracted

This morning I had intended to be working on the production of my latest zine. Instead I distract myself by reading other people's blogs. Naughty, naughty girl. I should probably set myself a limit to my blog reading time each day so that I don't let my own artwork slide. It is difficult when there are just so many interesting people out there.

These are the blogs I was following today:

• Green Bean Baby
  
• Love You Big
  
• Prudence Pouts
  
• The Card Tree
  
• A Cup of Jo
• La Pomme

Hello! It's Meet Me At Mikes!: Unfortunately....

Hello! It's Meet Me At Mikes!: Unfortunately....

Here is my response to a funny quote activity brought to my attention by Pip of Meet Me At Mikes... I simply googled "Unfortunately Melissa" - and collated quotes that began with these words. Following are some of the unfortunate quotes that I pulled up.

• Unfortunately Melissa has nothing else to say.
  
• Unfortunately Melissa doesn't have time to look after her own pets because she is training every day.
  
• Unfortunately Melissa can't stop thinking of how bad Jerry looks naked.
  
• Unfortunately Melissa was blind-sided - but she’s better off not being with someone that doesn’t care for her the way she deserves.
  
• Unfortunately Melissa is frequently adulterated with other lemon-type aromas like Lemongrass.
  
• Unfortunately, Melissa or Molly will get hurt.
  
• Unfortunately, Melissa says her son’s attempts at crawling may just be to get away from his big brother!
  
• Unfortunately Melissa’s head would be the only thing I hit all day.
  
• Unfortunately Melissa didn't make it through to the final.
  
• Unfortunately Melissa remained scared.
  
• Unfortunately Melissa has missed something.
  
• Unfortunately Melissa didn't grow up with a paintbrush in her hand.
  
• Unfortunately Melissa couldn't keep all her food in her mouth and off her chin.
  
• Unfortunately Melissa is wearing yellow
  
• Unfortunately Melissa's words had little effect.
  

Definitely Not A Possum

This is a lot off topic from art, but... last night M-Boo and I were sitting down to watch Veronica Mars when (pause for dramatic effect) we felt an earth tremor. The whole house shook. At first I thought someone or a very large and fat possum was running across our roof. M-Boo half expected someone to fall through the ceiling. Then we became quite aware that the walls were also shuddering and there was a vibration coming up from the ground up. It was my first earth tremor, so I was justly spooked by the experience.

My Favourite Things #1

This book is my most favourite art book. It is loaded with illustrated goodness by Josh Agle, or, otherwise known as SHAG. I love SHAG's colour combinations and the romantic image of the beatnik and tiki sixties that he creates. And it is fun to work out what is going on in his art - there is always a story being told.

I first came across the art of SHAG at Outre Gallery in the city of Melbourne roughly five years ago. Since then I have been a massive fan of his work and generally that of low brow art. I hope to one day own a SHAG print or even a painting (if I save my pennies).

This post has been a response to Mike's Week of Favourite Things.

Piper the Wino

Last night I worked on this photo that I took of my cat Piper quite recently. I have been playing around with Photoshop lately, pushing what I already know about the computer package. This photo is a product of that experimentation.