Belle Bijou

This new painting has been a long time coming. Sometimes, I start four or five paintings at once, and then finish them when the mood takes me. But as bright colour has been the order of the day lately, it was nice to put the finishing touches to this piece.

'Belle Bijou'

watercolour and gouache on paper

8" x 10"

prints now available in my Etsy shop

I thought it would be fun this time to add some wallpaper to the room as well - what do you think? I'm thinking of adding another version without the wallpaper as well, for those who want to add this to their other 'Interior Portraits'.

Now that I have my internet back (for how long who knows, but I'm trying to make the most of it while it lasts) I'm planning on spending some time catching up on all my blog reading. I've missed all your news over the past few days, so I'm looking forward to reading all your posts. 

See you soon,

Kerri

A new painting sneak peek...

As I've had no internet (again) for the past few days, this post will be short and sweet. Here's a sneak peek at some new paintings I've been working on - and as you'll see, these are just a little bit different to what I've been doing lately:

'Serendipity II'

Mixed media on canvas

650mm x 850mm

sold, commissions welcome

This one is a commission I've just finished for a lovely client, who asked for bright, bright and more bright! It was so nice to work big again, with such happy colours.  More to come in these abstract works on canvas, in different colourways, so stay tuned. 

Thanks too, for your fabulous advice on our stay/move/demolish dilemma - you've all been really helpful. We're meeting with an architect friend soon to go through our options, so I'll keep you updated.

Have a great weekend everyone, and I'll see you next week.

Interactive design

Ok guys, I wonder if I could ask a favour? I'm working on some new pieces for my Etsy shop, and have a few questions for all of you design divas out there.

Remember my 'Bouquet in Flow Blue' painting? It's been one of my most popular designs, and I've had a lot of requests for more in this series. So, I have around half a dozen new paintings in the works, but need to decide on a few details before adding them to my shop. Here's a reminder:

'Bouquet in Flow Blue'

available here

So, my questions are: would you like to see more variety in flower colours in this series? Or different blue and white china, different flowers, but all in the same colour? Or maybe both? I'm leaning towards both at the moment. I've just finished one new blue and white vase, but haven't added the bouquet yet. Here's a mock-up of how some roses and peonies in orange would look:

'Blue Willow Bouquet'

a work in progress!

Any and all suggestions will be gratefully received. I've already had some lovely readers offer advice, which I've taken on board, so you'll be seeing some hydrangeas (thanks Letitia), orange flowers as requested by Judy, and more 'wild' offerings, thanks to Kerry!

So, it's over to you guys. What would you like to see? Can't wait to hear your thoughts!

My good friend Martha Stewart...

..has featured my blue and white paintings in her little magazine. Just sayin'.

the iPad edition launched today, and it's sensational as always. Couldn't love it any harder if I tried.

A few months ago, I woke to an email from the lovely Scott, an editor for Martha Stewart Living Magazine. He said they loved my blue and white paintings, and would I be interested in sending some to New York for a feature in the magazine? Oh, and they had to be there in under four days. After I picked myself up off the floor, of course I said yes, and then spent the next few hours in a state of panic. Did I mention it was December? Or that the US had extra security in place for checking mail over the holidays? Anyway, I sent them on their way, and today I saw the end result. So thrilled. The editors used large-scale prints for the shoot, and I'm pleased to say they're now available in my Etsy shop:

'Ming in Indigo'

20" x 28" (510mm x 710mm)

available here

'Dynasty in Ming'

20" x 28" (510mm x 710mm)

available here

'Ginger Jar in Ming'

20" x 28" (510mm x 710mm)

available here

My paintings were part of a feature on blue, and the whole story is stunning - take a look:

So thank you Martha (and of course Scott!), I'm thrilled beyond belief to have my work featured in such an iconic magazine. It was sooo worth the nervous breakdown! Still pinching myself :) 

Have a great day everyone,

By the way....

.. my original sea coral painting is now available in Denim. Over here on Etsy.

'Sea Coral in Denim'

watercolour on paper

210mm x 297mm

for sale on Etsy

Sorry for the lack of posts, but I promise I'll make it up to you very soon.

Enjoy the rest of your day,

Spring has sprung

In spite of the fact that Autumn has just arrived here in Oz, the sun is blazing and it seems very summery to me. That's probably why I've had flowers on my mind. And the fact that I've had lots of requests for paintings of them. Of course, I aim to please, so here's a look at my latest offering:

'Bouquet in Flow Blue'

watercolour on paper, 8" x 8"

prints available now in my Etsy shop

Oh, and I've just listed the first prints of this abstract too. I've listed two sizes so far (A4 and A3 sizes or approx 8" x 11", and 11" x 16") and I'll be adding large-format prints on canvas very soon as well. If you need any more information, feel free to drop me a line.

'Sway'

watercolour on paper

visit my Etsy shop for details, or email me for more info on custom sizes

Happy Spring to those of you in the northern hemisphere - I'm sure you're all looking forward to some sunshine!

Have a wonderful day everyone,

Quick weekend update

I've just listed five new paintings in Charcoal over in my Etsy shop.

'Sea Coral III in Charcoal'
watercolour on paper, 210mm x 297mm (8" x 11")
copyright 2011

'Sea Coral IV in Charcoal'

watercolour on paper, 210mm x 297mm (8" x 11")
copyright 2011

'Sea Fan II in Charcoal'
watercolour on paper, 210mm x 297mm (8" x 11")
copyright 2011

'Sea Fern III in Charcoal'
watercolour on paper, 210mm x 297mm (8" x 11")
copyright 2011

'Sea Coral II in Charcoal'

watercolour on paper, 210mm x 297mm (8" x 11")

copyright 2011

To take a better look, head on over to my Etsy shop, or check out my Facebook page, where you'll find these and more of my artwork.

Happy weekend all,

Just a little bit cheeky......

You might remember this post, when I mentioned I was working on a commission for some large abstracts? Well, I finished another one today, which I'll show you in just a minute. Being the impatient soul that I am, I can't wait to see photos of my work in situ, but sometimes it can take quite a while. So, I thought it would be fun to redesign some rooms with the click of a button, all via the wonders of PhotoShop (seriously some of the best money I ever spent, in spite of the fact that I'm a complete novice!) Ok, ready to take a look at my virtual designs? Let's go.

My client sent a picture of a room (designed by the very talented Elizabeth Bauer and featured in the June/July issue of Lonny magazine) as a guide to the colour palette she'd like in her painting. Which then gave me the idea to 'virtually' hang the artwork in that same room. So here it is, albeit hung horizontally this time....

...and the original room, via Lonny magazine. I love Elizabeth's use of bright colour, and after all - who wouldn't enjoy living in such a happy space?

the original via Lonny

And here's the actual painting, in detail... 

'Sway'

mixed media on canvas

750mm x 1000mm

private commission

And then there was no stopping me! Here's a room I love, from Canadian House and Home, tweaked to feature a piece from my 'Into the Blue' series.

...and the original

who needs windows anyway?

And one last one - I added my 'Sea Coral III in Denim' to this room which was featured in the now-defunct Metropolitan Home magazine (although I do love the original abstract)

www.elledecor.com/met-home/

So, what do you think of my virtual designs? Of course, this was just a bit of fun and in no way am I suggesting that the original rooms aren't fantastic - I love all of them, which is why they've been saved in my inspiration files. But it's a great way to picture artwork in situ, particularly large pieces, and I think it can be a valuable tool when you're decorating a room. 

Right, I've done enough 'virtual' work for one day - better do some of the real stuff!

Baroque 'n Roll, baby!

Thought you might like to see my latest Interior Portrait - 'Baroque 'n Roll".

'Baroque 'n Roll"

watercolour and gouache on paper

210mm x 297 mm

for sale now on Etsy

It very nearly ended up in the garbage actually - let's just say this one has been something of a problem child. I guess it was to be expected - children of famous parents are often rather difficult. For that reason, I'm not sure I'll be offering prints this time; it will probably remain a one-off. Oh, and my inspiration? This marriage between Anthropologie and Missoni.

via anthropologie 

Somehow I'm not surprised the ginger jar/peony painting I'm working on now is being much easier to get along with!  

The next instalment

Just popping in for a quick hello this morning to share the latest painting in my new 'Interior Portraits' series - 'Abstract Ikat'. If the mood strikes you can check it out over in my Etsy shop.

'Abstract Ikat'

watercolour and gouache on paper

210mm x 297 mm 

Although it was a little time-consuming, painting the ikat pattern was very therapeutic - my version of meditation. I'm having a ball with this series, and have lots more to come. Think cabinets, chairs, mirrors, consoles....they're all due to make an appearance very soon.

If you have a favourite room, real or imagined, that you'd like immortalised, I'm now offering custom commissions. Feel free to drop me a line for all the deets.

Righto, no rest for the wicked. Obviously that means I have a busy weekend ahead :) Hope you all have a great one, and I'll catch you next week.

Bright and breezy

Yesterday, I shared a snippet of the first painting in my new 'Interior Portraits' series. As promised, here's the full picture:

'Interior Portrait'

watercolour on paper

210mm x 297mm

You're probably thinking this is a bit of a departure from my recent paintings, and you'd be right. But that's what I love most about art; I can indulge in all my design loves, without hammering a nail or spending a fortune on new furniture. If I'm loving orange, it turns up in my art. In the mood for soft, dreamy blues? Paint it. Beach, boho, traditional, moroccan - straight onto canvas. Which suits my fickle nature down to the ground. This piece is also a case of art imitating art - the abstract canvas in this painting is actually a large piece I'm working on for a client, so it managed to make an appearance here as well. 

The original inspiration for this painting came from a room I've long admired, designed by none other than Brisbane's own Anna Spiro. It's been stashed away in my inspiration folder for ages, and I love the use of bright colour, stunning artwork, and of course, a crisp white background to showcase each unique piece in all its glory.

 what can I say - love it!

The best part of this style is that I can incorporate favourite pieces into the painting. Chairs, sofas, cushions, wallpaper - the sky's the limit. My inspiration folder is full of possibilities - here are just a few:

Maybe you have the perfect piece for my next painting? I'd love to hear your suggestions!

My home office....plus a new painting

Remember a while ago, when I mentioned I was working on my home office? Well, there's been progress. The desk has arrived (which is actually an interim option, but that's another story) and I've started to gather some bits and bobs to pretty up the space. Take a look:

What's that you say? Why yes, that is a new painting you see there! 

It's the latest in that delicious denim blue, my current favourite colour.

Yep, terrible pic, I know, but you get the idea.

Camera batteries died mid photo shoot :( This painting is the same blue as Sea Coral in Denim (even though it doesn't look like it) 

Yep, that's the original Sea Coral in Denim, all framed up.

'Sea Fern III in Denim'

watercolour on paper, 210mm x 290mm

I've just finished this painting, and prints have just been listed over at my Etsy shop. 

I'm quite smitten with this colour actually, and all of my sea fan/coral prints will soon be available in this lovely denim blue....not to mention the on-trend favourite, honeysuckle pink, and more.

Oh, and btw, next on the list is supersized artwork! A very savvy someone (I'll spill the beans soon on just who that someone is!) suggested going large for these works, so who am I to argue? Stay tuned for paintings that will definitely make a statement - I'm talking 1-2 metres square here. Can't wait to show you!