I came across these old vintage Coca Cola advertisements and found them rather fascinating. Usually vintage artworks make me feel nostalgic and dreamy but these seemed to ’smack’ me in the face with a feeling of reality, reality at how much life has changed when you compare these with the current Coca Cola advertisements!

In other news, I’ve been working on my large drawing still, and still SO much more to do on her; I’m working on an oil painting too, not sure how it will turn out, so don’t be surprised if I don’t share it in the future, fingers crossed it turns out okay; and I’ve been busy with commissioned artwork so no artwork to share at the moment. Hopefully soon but :)

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PS. Here is a photo my bro Jono took of Charlie on my bed the other day! I love this pic of her :) You can see more of his awesome photos including ones from India and Sweden here.

Drawing in bed is a good idea until you knock over you pencil shaving container and have to vacuum your bed before you go to sleep! Also, here is a peek at the drawing I’ve been working on. She has eyelashes now! Still a long way to go with her. Am finding it a challenge at the moment to fit in time for drawing :( Life is a bit crazy busy. Hopefully this weekend will be very productive :)

Happy Friday!

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While surfing the internet for reference pictures of ‘bonnets’, I came across the work of Harrison Fisher.
I think I died and went to heaven. I am in love! They are so beautiful.

Harrison Fisher was born in Brooklyn, NYC but spent most of his youth in San Francisco untilhe tued 21 years old. He then moved back to New York where he began his highly successful career as a magazine illustrator. Harrison Fisher never married, but his “secretary,” Kate Clemens, was also his lifetime partner.

His great grandfather, grandfather and father were all artists. His work began appearing in newspapers when he was only sixteen when the San Francisco Call newspaper began buying his sketches. During the 1890s, Harrison studied at the San Francisco Art Association and the Mark Hopkins Institute of Art. Soon he became a staff artist for the San Francisco Call, and later for the San Francisco Examiner, one of the largest newspapers in a chain owned by William Randolph Hearst.

In 1897, Fisher transferred to New York City, and within weeks became a staff artist for Puck Magazine. Fisher made a name for himself in the history of American illustration due to his talent in painting beautiful women. His “Fisher Girl” and, more specifically, his “American Girl”, became the epitome of beauty in America during the first quarter of the 20th century. She was feminine and beautiful but also independent and strong.

“The American Girl has found no more facile pencil than that wielded by Mr. Harrison Fisher. He has succeeded in creating a beautiful type distinctly his own.” ~ Ladies’ Home Journal, 1910.

“I love to draw.” ~Harrison Fisher.

On a very sad note, his paintings were valued very low as it was explained that illustrations had already been paid for and were published and therefore “are practically of very little value”. Fisher himself believed that they had little resale value. Some one hundred and thirteen pictures were appraised at $565 and fifty-three pen and ink drawings were valued at $159.

After his death, a relative kept a few paintings and burned over nine hundred of his remaining artworks, at his request.

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Illustrations for Sophie Hill, That Vintage. Visit the Etsy Store and Blog.

Recently, I completed these illustrations for the lovely Sophie Hill
and her adorable jewelery collection, That Vintage.

Some of Sophie’s gorgeous, gorgeous pieces…

That Vintage…  Etsy Store ::  Blog

Also :: That Vintage is turning 2 on Valentines Day!
For the next two weeks (Sunday 31st January – Sunday 14th February) absolutely EVERYTHING in store gets shipped for FREE! Plus you’ll also score an extra surprise gift with your order! Hip hip! HOORAY!

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PS. There will be a couple more illustrations for That Vintage coming soon :)

Desktop Magazine launched it’s brand new website today and thank you very much to them and
especially Jo Spurling, for the feature on my girls!

Visit Desktop here.
See my feature here.

A few pics, from my Diana Mini, taken at my Nan’s house on a recent visit :) …

Charlie Girl!

Nan and Pops Lawn Bowls medals. Framed and hanging in their hallway.

Teapots on Nan’s kitchen bench.

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Here’s a peek at the drawing I’m working on for an upcoming group exhibition, 22, at The National Grid Gallery in Sydney. The show will feature work from 22 international female artists. The show will open on the 18 June, so I thought I better get in early and start drawing cause I’ve chosen to create a larger than normal piece and it is going to take agggeesss! Challenges are good, right?

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On Sunday, Charlie and I picked up our new bike! My lovely friend, Chris (works at Ray’s Bicycles, Brunswick) helped me and added an extra basket for Charlie to sit in. Charlie and I went for a half hour ride around the shady streets of Fitzroy… I think I’ve found my new form of relaxation and exercise! I’ve got a little attachment for the tow bar of my car, so I can take my bike places too. Might have to find some nice cycling trails surrounding Melbourne. Let me know if you know of any :)

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1. My brother Jono.  2. The infamous Trav.

1. A sunset somewhere! 2. A pretty rose bush, somewhere too! Can’t remember where they were taken.

1. Me and Step at her sister’s birthday party at Cookies Rooftop Bar (Swantston St, Melbourne).
2. My cute little Charlie looking as cute as ever!

The above photos are from my first roll of film I developed at home. Over my holidays I bought all the chemicals and bits n pieces needed. It was actually pretty easy! This was a 400iso slide film, can’t remember which brand, cross processed in C41 chemicals. I taught myself from the following YouTube video…

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