An exciting MAY!

7 months ago (also the last time I had a hair cut), I left my day job and started freelancing as an illustrator and photographer full time!  I'm still going and it's the most amazing change I've ever made in my life. I feel so lucky to have such a supportive group of creatives, family and friends around me, and a special mention to my greatest supporter and love of my life Mr Shane Hannan.

I've been having a little break from my blog so that I can put all of my time into launching my new Illustration and Photography websites!!  Lots of exciting things are in the works for the future...
But in the meantime! A few things have happened that are too exciting not to blog about.

May has been a magical month for me with lots of exciting projects and adventures...

I entered a brand spanking new illustration in the YEN Art Awards Competition. This one is pretty close to my heart and will be for sale on my online shop soon...


Princess Polly got me to illustrate a whole wall in their new Indooroopilly store!! I took a few Instagram photos on opening night and it was packed with people. It's pretty special to think that I can go and see my illustration at my local shopping centre whenever I like.


My favourite shop Sunday Social asked me to photograph their new Autumn / Winter Look Book.
We had an amazing day at the beach with perfect weather. Make sure you visit the store in Winn Lane if you are in Brisbane or head over to the online shop: sundaysocialstore.bigcartel.com
Models: Thea, Penny and Jesse,
Styling by Jess and Thea,
Makeup by Penny
Hair by Jenni

As a little bonus I got to have a bit of a shopping spree! I was in my element!! I'm really serious when I say Sunday Social is my favourite shop!

Forkmyfood invited me over to be an official taste tester for her raw, vegan dessert blog post.
It was my lucky day.
This is what I got to taste:
White chocolate, strawberry, lemon cheesecake,
Home made almond milk
Raw hazelnut chocolate
Coconut & cashew icecream
 (Photo by Photo by forkmyfood. )


Pommy entered in the Winn Lane dog show and won BEST IN SHOW!! What a little champ!! (And I took around a million dog photos, in a dog happy delirium ). I've been thinking that this might have been the best day of my life... and that maybe I am destined to be a dog photographer. haha


My childhood friend got married in Clare Valley, which totally made my heart melt!  I illustrated a portrait for the newly weds.



Just a few things going on at the moment that have put a big smile on my face and made it all worth while...

Christmas is coming: DIY Gift Wrapping

 How to make your own wrapping paper:

This year I wanted to avoid tacky Christmas paper and do something a little more economical and enviro friendly. So I experimented with some potato stamps on brown paper today.

If you have already wrapped all of your Christmas presents... then I commend you for being super organised and winning at life. If not... and you are looking for something crafty to get you in the Christmas spirit, then please follow on:

Step 1.
Listen to "Santa baby" (or James Brown) to help get you in the mood:

Step 2: What you will need
Potatoes
Brown paper
Paint (I used only white, but you can use other colours)
Twine
Cutting/carving tools of your choice: knife, skewer, apple corer, lino cutting tools
Sponge
Twine
Scissors
Sticky Tape


Step 3:
Draw some designs in a note book.
Then experiment with your designs by stamping them onto a scrap piece of paper to see what works.
Try carving into the potato or cutting out shapes.
In the end I found it easiest to cut out simple shapes rather than carving intricate designs.



Step 4:
Coat your sponge with paint and dab onto the potato stamp. Carefully place it on the brown paper (it's harder to print on the shiny side of the paper). Leave the stamp to sit for a moment and then careful lift it off. They can be very slippery. Start stamping your pattern!


I found it much easier to break down my designs into multiple simple shaped stamps. For the ferns I used a single thin line of potato and then one leaf shape repeated.
To create a Christmas tree I just used a simple triangle and rectangle. You could do something really intricate by cutting multiple triangles in different sizes and a small circle for all of the baubles.


Step 5:
Once your paper has dried, start wrapping your gifts! Finish off with some pretty twine. You could add a sprig of rosemary as a final touch. (Mine died...due to lack of care)

Post Exhibition

We need a post exhibition debrief.
Last night I had an exhibition of my new work as part of the RAW:Brisbane showcase at Oh Hello in Brisbane.  I had my own little space to set up and was given a fence to display my art on.
Thank you to everyone that came along and supported me on the night and to any one who took the time to stop and have a look at my work! :)   It felt really good to create this body of work.

I created a "Spring Collection" for the event.
Hand painted bunting with water colour spring patterns
Colourful star lights
roses
A card stand filled with my range of greeting cards
water colour & pencil
flora and fauna
homely loves
Heart felt messages

My current inspirations need to be acknowledged: Lizzy Stewart, Charlotte Trounce, Leah Goren, Anke Weckmann and Kelly Thompson.

Ok be prepared to have your eyes filled with multiple images of my new artwork.... haha

Oh! And I got a new hair cut for the event. It feels sooooo good to have fresh hair.




Playing with an old lens from a recently discovered/remembered family SLR camera. It is exciting because the old lens works with my DSLR and my new lenses work my the old SLR. Lots of fun to play with.


"I love my little home"



I like to draw a rough mock up before I work on the final piece.


 The post exhibition aftermath...

Birds in Love


You are Loved - SOLD


Be true to your self


Mysterious Night Bird - SOLD


Have Courage


I love my little home


Flora & Fauna (separate or as a set)


You are my home


Tea for me


Fantastic Fox


Rose-tinted glasses
  


If you missed out on the exhibition I will have one of each print available on my online store and a few original artworks.
http://www.emilynelsonart.bigcartel.com/

If you have any inquiries about work for sale get in touch on my facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Emily-Nelson-Art/151941871500030