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!

Chinoiserie in Ming....and more

It's been so nice to finally get back into the studio over the weekend, and I definitely made the most of it. I've got some new blue and white paintings on the go, and yesterday I finished the first of them. I was commissioned to paint an antique chinoiserie plate to add my my client's collection, and here it is:

 'Chinoiserie in Ming'

watercolour and pencil on paper

210mm x 297mm (8.3" x 11.7")

original sold, prints for sale now on Etsy

I've often been asked whether my Chinoiserie series would ever be available in other colourways. Another client of mine collects vintage china in red, as does my lovely mum (I'll share some pics soon of her huge collection) so it was logical that these followed:

  'Chinoiserie in Pink'

watercolour and pencil on paper

210mm x 297mm (8.3" x 11.7")

 prints for sale now on Etsy

 'Chinoiserie in Ruby'

watercolour and pencil on paper

210mm x 297mm (8.3" x 11.7")

prints for sale now on Etsy

And that's not all.....check out my Etsy shop over the coming days for lots more new goodies, in all sorts of glorious colours. If you 'like' my Facebook page, or follow me on Twitter, you'll be the first to know whenever a new painting is added. So pop on over, I'd love to see you there!

And before I forget. I will make sure I reply personally to each and every one of you that commented and messaged me recently. I've read and appreciated every one, so thank you and I'll make sure I reply over the coming week. Another twenty or so hours in each day would be rather handy right now!

The latest in Denim

..paintings, that is. Two new prints just listed in my Etsy shop:

'Seaweed in Denim'

watercolour on paper

8" x 11" (210mm x 297mm)

for sale on Etsy

'Sea Coral II in Denim'

watercolour on paper

8" x 11" (210mm x 297mm)

for sale on Etsy

I'll be adding more in this colourway soon, so I'll keep you posted.

See you tomorrow,

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,

Beat the heat

It's another scorcher here in sunny Qld today. The past few months have been anything but typical weather-wise, but the typical heat and humidity have now arrived with a vengeance. The crew and I spent most of yesterday in and out of the pool, and that's my plan for today too. Paint - swim - paint - swim....sounds pretty good to me.

I'm not the only one who enjoys a refreshing dip. My studio assistant Darcy adores it. But we have a small problem - the entry.

here he is - on guard at all times

source

I hope you're paying attention Darcy. This is how it's done. You need to run and jump at the same time. Maybe the adorable Cooper could teach him a thing or two. Darcy uses this method...

source

...but always manages to fall in head-first. And once in, he won't get out. I didn't manage to get a photo of Darcy yesterday as I was too busy trying to get him out of the pool, so I'm using these for illustrative purposes only. Hope he takes note and learns a trick or two.

source

There will be devouring of mango iceblocks by the truckload today too. And as for the painting, I'm working on a request for peonies and ginger jars - two of my favourite things.

 carolyneroehm.com

 carolyneroehm.com 

source

Hope your day has lots of loveliness in store for you too.

Pretty in pink this Valentine's Day

Morning all, how are we this fine Valentine's Day? I do hope your day will be spent reclining on a bed of roses, scoffing choccies by the boxful. But if not, I hope this little bit of pink confection brightens your day a little:

'Study in Honeysuckle'

watercolour and gouache on paper

210mm x 297 mm

prints now for sale in my Etsy shop

I'll be spending the day on some new paintings, but first up this morning I'm meeting one of my lovely blog friends for coffee. I'll share all the goss with you tomorrow!

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!

And now for something completely different.....

Thought you might like a sneak peek at a little something I'm working on.....although if you like my Facebook page, you'll know all the goss already. Here's a snippet...

Nothing like a shot of bright colour to shake things up a bit!

*** Sale on Etsy***

Until midnight tonight, I'm having having a huge sale in my Etsy shop - buy two prints, and receive a third absolutely FREE! Here's a few of the prints on offer:

So pop on over here to check it out - it's my little Christmas present to you all!

Kerri xx

***and now for the fine print...as this discount offers a savings of $25 on your total order, it can't be used with the 20% off discount - sorry!  ***

Vintage school chalkboard

Years ago, I was lucky enough to stumble across an old school blackboard, complete with easel, at a garage sale. I snapped it up for the princely sum of $5, and I've used the easel ever since in my studio. The chalkboard, however, has sat in my shed until yesterday. I've decided it's time to have a more organised system for keeping track of all my paintings on order, and as I'm a very visual person, I need to see it in black and white.

  

When I first bought it, I'd planned to paint the frame, but now I think I rather like it in all its shabby glory. I'm planning on hanging it on the wall, so that I can still use the easel for my larger artworks, and the chalkboard will be used as a visual diary of sorts. And as it's about to rain yet again, once I've finished my orders for the day, I'll get back to work on a painting I'm actually keeping for myself, which is something of a rarity now days. I have a large, blank wall behind the sofa in our family room, and I've earmarked a 3' x 6' canvas for the space. Once it's presentable I'll give you a look, but for now I can tell you it will be something of a hybrid between these:

'Nautilus' 

Mixed media on canvas (sold)

 'Drift'

Mixed media on canvas (sold)

'Drift II"

Mixed media on canvas 

(you can check out more of my paintings over here and here, if you're interested)

...with a few surprises thrown in. Oh, and before I forget, the lovely Mara, of Home Shabby Home, recently shared some pics of her new home office space. And hanging on the wall is my painting, 'Fresco'! Take a look:

By the way, I also wanted to thank everyone who sent birthday and anniversary wishes my way, you're very sweet :) We spent a lovely couple of days up Noosa way, and in spite of the terrible weather, it was such a lovely break.

Right, back to the coal mines for me. Have a great day everyone,

*all images and artwork copyright Driftwood Interiors*