Kaili Ittensohn Art & Illustration

Corel painter+Wacom Tablet=pretty darn cool!

2011-11-02T14:30:00.003+10:00

This won't be exciting to anyone else, but I'm going to share anyway! I was lucky enough to be able to borrow a wacom tablet from a family member some time ago...and for the first time this morning, I used it! Wow! Let me just say that Corel Painter + Wacom Tablet = Pretty Darn Cool! I haven't used corel painter or a tablet before, so I was very impressed! Yes it is a bit hard to get used to, and its a little bit slow trying to figure out all the brushes and tools, but even for a first time amateur like me, it was MUCH faster than traditional painting... WOW, just WOW! I'd love to keep practicing and getting better at this digital painting thing. What do you think? Do you like it or prefer the old paints better? If anyone can point the way to some good Corel Painter tutorials, I would be very appreciative!

While I was drawing with my new tablet (notice how I've already started calling it "mine") my little daughter Lily gave me a makeover. Don't you just love my new accessories!

A new collage illustration

2011-10-13T14:15:00.001+10:00

I need to make up for my lack of blogging lately, so here is another post and another painting for the week!

When your painting a new piece, there is always that moment when you don't know if its going to work out or not. But you push through and hopefully it all comes together like you hope. Sometimes it doesn't and you have to rework your sketch,colour palette or idea altogether until it does work! This painting was the exception though, because all the elements came together nicely, and it was such a joy to paint.

I decided to paint selected elements separately, before cutting them out and bringing them together as a completed collage. The effect is a 3 dimensional, which I really like!

Thank you so much for all the lovely comments too. I love comments! Please don't be shy! Every comment boosts me up and makes me smile :D Makes me feel like maybe I've got a good thing going here :) I will try to keep up the regular posting too. After my break, I've got so many of ideas and my enthusiasm to share is brimming over!

Kaili x

Home is Where the Heart is...

2011-10-03T17:09:00.000+10:00

Hello everyone!

This is the first painting that I've felt brave enough to show you in a while! The truth is I have been busy painting and drawing secretly, but hadn't yet felt that anything was worthwhile showing, that is, until now.

My new painting 'Home is Where the Heart is' will be going up for auction this Sunday at Zak's school fete. All proceeds from the auctions, raffles and stalls will go to raising money for new equipment and technology. I really love this little painting so I am little bit sad to part with it so soon and also a little bit nervous that no one will put a bid in! I guess if no one buys it I can take it home very happily with me :)

Hope your all having a wonderful week!

Kaili x

Inspiration Week

2011-09-13T12:50:00.001+10:00

I've run into lots of inspiration this week. Here are some things that really resonated with me!

This video shared by Amy Ng on Pikaland:

Ira Glass on Storytelling from David Shiyang Liu on Vimeo.

These lovely quotes that I wrote out and now sit on my desk whenever I need a boost:

And this blog post written by children's illustrator Jannie Ho.

What inspires you? I would love to know!

A Cat named Scraps

2011-08-11T13:26:00.004+10:00

Hellloo! Its been a while, hasn't it? We are so overdue for a catch up!

Zak received a talking assignment to speak about pet animals to his prep class. Unfortunately for Zak and Lily we don't have any pets (though they would dearly love to have a dog named Scraps and a cat named Scraps - yes they want to have two pets with the same name). So we found some old boxes and made cardboard pets instead! They are almost just as good as the living, breathing variety and the kids had so much fun making them!

A day in the life of a blue slug

2011-05-31T21:06:00.006+10:00

The Blue Slug from Kaili Ittensohn on Vimeo.

This is a short 2 minute animation I made for a uni assignment....I just finished it today!! Lucky you, get to see it before my tutor does ;)

It was made with plasticine and cardboard and other bits and pieces I collected from here and there.

1000 photos and endless hours later, I found it to be somewhat frustrating and painful, but I am very happy with how the finished animation looks. I hope you enjoy this little slug's adventure!

PS. After this assignment, I am finished studying for a while! I'm looking forward to painting again! (Hopefully I remember how to!) I've got so many ideas floating around, it will be great to see what I can make of them.

Mother's Day Feature

2011-05-10T14:19:00.007+10:00

Happy Belated Mother's Day to all the wonderful mummies out there! I hope you all had a wonderful day!

They Draw and Cook featured my recipe on their front page as part of their line up of yummy mother's day inspired recipes. I was so very excited!

If you haven't seen it yet, here is a video, showing a sneak peek of the book, which is due out later this year. I am so excited to be a part of this great collaboration of talented artists. If you want to pre order the book, you can do so now from Amazon for only $13.43. (Its normally 19.95)

And here is a sneak peek of Nate showing of the book:

Looks great doesn't it! I can't wait to get my copy :)

Chicken

2011-02-24T13:38:00.002+10:00

Yes, I'm still here! (Goodness I haven't blogged in such a long time! I'm sorry about that!) I lost my mojo for painting over the holidays, but thankfully I gave myself a kick in the pants, and started painting again this week.

I've made a list of goals that I want to accomplish this year: they include many things like health & fitness, family, spirituality and creativity. One of my specific goals is to finish my children's illustration portfolio. And to accomplish this, I've set myself a task of one painting per week, until I have a complete portfolio of work that I'm happy with. This is my illustration for this week! I hope these poor chickens can get out this frightful muddle they are about to wake up to!

I've also set myself a task to blog once a week too. So I'll see you back here next week, with a new painting.

Looking forward to seeing you then! xxx

After the deluge

2011-01-20T18:30:00.002+10:00

For all those who have sent me emails and messages, thank you. While my home city and state has experienced the worst natural disaster in its history, my family and I were very lucky to be well away from the danger zone and we are safe and sound. Unfortunately countless numbers of people have lost everything including loved ones. After the deluge and devastation, it has been heartwarming to see how a whole city of people, literally thousands of volunteers have pulled together to help neighbours and strangers. Its amazing how out of such devastation, the very best in people are found.

Dave (left) and friends volunteering at the disaster zone.

Birds Nest

2010-12-12T16:13:00.001+10:00

More Forest Folk

2010-12-10T11:22:00.002+10:00

I kept thinking of the Hollies song "He ain't heavy, he's my brother', while painting this one. Instead I was singing "He's not scary....he's my friendddd..." :D

She Wore Butterflies in Her Hair

2010-12-10T10:01:00.001+10:00

Hello lovely readers,

Thankyou so much for all you lovely comments on my last post! I have been excitedly creating for the last couple of week and have 3 new paintings to show you! This little lady, is the first lass in a group of girls I've come to call 'the forest folk'. Stay tuned for more forest friends

xxx

On being authentic as an artist.

2010-12-07T10:54:00.006+10:00

Artistically, I have been in a funny place for quite a while. Being consistently unhappy with my work, had me fearful of picking up a pencil or paintbrush. I have come to realize that for a long time I had been creating art from an unauthentic place. A while ago, I put myself in a box with a label and only created art that was appropriate for that box. Everything was great for a while and I enjoyed positive responses to my illustrations (for which I am most grateful). However I had stopped myself from growing artistically. I had created my box, and I wanted to stick with it. If I felt like painting something different, I just simply didn't allow myself to.

Well as it was bound to happen... I dried up. I tried to paint and couldn't. I fretted and stressed but the art just couldn't be pushed. Two weeks ago I was chatting to my sister on the phone (also an artistic soul) and we ended up having a 3 hour phone conversation. Her advice to me, as well as some great advice from my dad, has been key. I realized I needed to throw that box away, and allow myself to be creative in all avenues.

This week I've been painting for no real purpose except for my own enjoyment! Feels wonderful!

I realize that this may mean departure from a style that has garnered me followers. I hope that my new work does not disappoint but will instead, delight and surprise you, as it has done for me.

Sketchbook

2010-11-29T07:32:00.004+10:00

Sketchbook, how I do love thee. No pressure, just a pencil and some watercolours. It is lovely to sketch without expectations. (PS. Can you spot the new blog banner roughs? I'm thinking I need a bloggy makeover soon!)

A future as an animator?

2010-11-28T14:05:00.007+10:00

This is by no means an exciting video. It doesn't even come close. It is however, made by me and is my first delve into the world of animation, which qualifies it be worthy of a blog post.

For animation class, I had to create a short film of a little robot going for a stroll. Let me just say that for the most part, I found this to be excruciating. You think that with my dad being an animator for all of his professional working life, and me being his daughter I may have inherited some sort of animation gene that would have made this a breeze for me. But ah no! I discovered that this was not the case at all.

Animation class quickly became the bane of my existence, and I had trouble keeping up. I was also horrified to discover that the teacher didn't appear to like me very much! Shock horror! I'm usually an excellent student and generally well liked! Not this time. Every time I would raise my hand to ask a question (usually regarding how to use the required software), I could see his exasperated eyes burn with impatience. I quickly learned to not ask too many questions and instead I turned to my fellow students and a very kind and helpful assistant teacher to get me through the course. While I thoroughly enjoyed drawing my robot character and his little world, I did not enjoy the actual animating part. Did you see the spelling mistakes in the film? I tried to fix it before sharing this video with you, but quickly remembered... I have no idea how! So no... I don't think a future in animation is very likely for me. I'm happy to stick to illustration! :)

Brilliant Oliver Jeffers.

2010-11-25T17:48:00.002+10:00

Oliver Jeffer's videos. The best illustrator in the world!

MSIT Creative Industries Exhibition Night

2010-11-24T21:25:00.003+10:00

I just got back from MSIT Creative Industries Exhibition Night and am happy to report it was a great success! Lots of people came to support the multitude of talent on show from the students of Graphic Design, Animation and Photography.

I was also very excited and very surprised to win "Best Traditional Illustration" category! Hooray hooray hooray! And an extra lovely bonus was the prize! Free art supplies from Oxlades! SO very appreciated.

I have 2 weeks left of study and I will be finished. I'm looking forward to spending more quality time with the family (and of course getting back to more painting!)

Finito!

2010-11-03T19:50:00.003+10:00

The final illustration finished today! It measures 15x22 inches. You can see my flickr set to see the all the WIP shots.

Also Nate and Salli have published my recipe illustration on They Draw and Cook! You can see the final version I submitted with handwritten instructions on their website :)

More WIP of Alice in Wonderland

2010-11-02T16:13:00.005+10:00

Alice in Wonderland is coming along nicely (apologies for the poorly lit photos). This is an assignment for the visual arts component of my graphic design course. Although I enrolled in graphic design to learn software, I have to admit my favourite subject is the one where I get to use traditional materials. As much as illustrating on computers is fun, I much prefer to potter around with my paints. The look, the texture and the "imperfections" of real paint, real pencils, is something I truly love. Maybe its because I'm still new to using software and I don't know all of its capabilities, but I think my first love will always be traditional materials.

My course is almost over. I have 5 weeks left and 10 assignments due! (I am quite calm on the surface but I am quietly freaking out about it.) I apologize in advance if you don't see too much of me on here. Any free time outside of Zak and Lily is spent buried in books, or paints, or photographs or some sort of computer software trying to keep my head above assignment due dates. I am looking forward to when it is over, so I have some sort of free time again. I will continue to pop in when I can and share what Im working on, as well as Alice when she is finally finished!

This is Zak and Lily dressed up for trick or treating on Halloween :) Hope your night was fun!

Behind the scenes..

2010-10-25T12:29:00.007+10:00

Im sorry for being absent on the blog front lately, but I've been very busy behind the scenes! I went back to school for the first time last week, and I was a bit overwhelmed at the amount of work and assignments that have piled up while I've been away. Since I'd missed out on all of the basic software training, I've spent the last few days trying to teach myself how to use Adobe Illustrator so I can catch up. Above is one of four postcards I have designed for an assignment due next week. I drew it free hand with a mouse, and I need more practice. It is not my usual style or my strongest, but I'm quite happy with it considering.

I've also been making progress with my Alice in Wonderland illustration. I've scanned and enlarged my sketch in photoshop, printed, stuck them together and put them onto my light box (made by wonderful clever husband) for the final sketching phase, which is now completed. The first layers of paint have now been layed down (photos to come as promised!)

I also had my wisdom teeth out the other day and oh the pain! I don't remember it being this bad last time. I am dosed up on pain killers to get through the healing phase. Hopefully it will settle down soon, but it has slowed me down a bit and kept me at home.

Thanks for all your great comments and for continuing to visit and see what I'm up to!

Until next time,
Kaili x

My illustration for 'They Draw and Cook'!

2010-10-11T21:18:00.003+10:00

Do you follow the amazing blog "They Draw and Cook"? (Lets just call it TDAC for short) Its full of delicious recipes rendered creatively by artists and illustrators. I've been a fan and follower, since it first launched, and after putting it off for months and months and months, I finally got my paints out and illustrated a filipino noodle dish given to me by my mum. The above pictures are the two illustrated versions I submitted. I was waiting until it got posted on their site to share it with you, but Nate and Salli have been quite busy; inundated with 150 submissions in the last 3 days! Wow! So I thought I'd go ahead and post it here.

I used paints and pencils, with some final touch ups in photoshop. Huge thanks to Nate for the lovely comments he had about my submission. What a nice guy! Nate also let me know I was the first Australian illustrator on TDAC! Woohoo!!)

TDAC is going to be turned into a wonderful book, to be published by Weldon Owen Publishers. 100 illustrated recipes will be chosen (I not-so-secretly hope one of them is mine!) Either way it will definitely be a book I will be adding to my library once its available!

The Philippines

2010-10-02T16:38:00.004+10:00

Hello lovely people!

Dave and I arrived back from our trip to the Philippines early Tuesday morning. It was a wonderful, overwhelming, amazing and humbling experience. I thought I had prepared myself for it to be extremely different to Australia, but these last two weeks surprised me in ways I didn't expect.

When we frist arrived in Manila, together with my mum and brother, I was shocked and distressed at how poor and run down it was, and the conditions that a lot of the people live in. Despite this though when you reach beyond the city metropolis, the island provinces are of amazing untouched beauty. Despite the lack of material possessions and basics that we take for granted, such as clean running water, the people are so happy, friendly and welcoming.

My own family live in Santa Rosa, which is about an hour and half drive from Manila. They were amazingly gracious and so kind. They live simply, and without "luxuries", and yet are so willing to give. David and I spent our first night in their home on one of the only beds they owned (and when I say bed, it was actually the base of a bed with no mattress).

Then together with 12 members of the family, we flew to the island of Samar, to visit my Aunty and Uncle from France, who have a holiday house in a village by the water, called Punta Maria. Their house is amazing but they also live very differently to what I was used to. For example while there, we had cold showers, pumped our washing water from an underground bore and washed our clothes by hand. We also had no television or internet connection or phone line (luckily Dave and I bought a cellphone to call our children back home). We travelled 30 minutes to and from a town called Barongan to buy fresh food from the markets almost everyday, with 8 of us piled onto a motorbike and side cart at the one time. It was amazingly fun, and I got to see so many villages this way. Most of our time was spent talking, swimming, eating, snorkelling, fishing, and being outside.

At the end of our stay in Punta Maria, we decided to drive 3 hours to see the village that my mum grew up in. We discovered that it is no longer a village, but a bustling busy town! I got to visit her childhood home, which is now in abandoned and needs demolishing. We visited the school she attended and the university she graduated from. It was nice to see where she lived and learned and meet her childhood friends. I am extremely grateful for those 5 to 6 days that I spent living with my filipino family, getting to know them, and experiencing their culture and company.

After our island getaway Dave and I flew back and spent some time alone together in Makati, which is the CBD of Manila. It was a nice relief to be staying a beautiful hotel, with a bed, running hot water, and air conditioning! We saw the amazingly huge malls that they have in in Manila and did a bit of shopping! I visited the apartment complex that I lived in as a baby before before moving to the Australia at two years old.

The last two weeks have left an indelible impression on me. It was an experience with a country and culture that is familiar and foreign to me at the same time; a place to which I am connected to through family and history. We plan to go back again in the future, when the children are older, so they can see where our family has come from. For now though, we are so very happy to be home, to be reunited with our little ones, to have hot showers, toilets that flush and a bed with a mattress to sleep on.

Happy weekend everyone!

New Illustration Project and Giveaway Winner!

2010-09-10T16:43:00.005+10:00

In between being crazy busy, I've been preparing various concept sketches for an illustration project I'm working on! The theme is "Alice in Wonderland" and I've decided to go with the concept above. This is just a colour rough, to give me a plan for when I do my final piece, which will be a much larger size (about A3). I'm really excited to do this project, as I love the Alice in Wonderland story, and it's going to be great to put my own spin on it! I will be posting some work in progress pics as I go, so you can see how the final painting evolves.

And the winner of my original painting "Little Red- Who's afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?" is Kim from Soggy Dog Studios! Congratulations Kim! And thankyou everyone for the amazing support, and for suggesting me to your friends. I will have more fun giveaways in the future!

And as for my secret news that I mentioned in my last post? Well I was talking with a potential client to illustrate a children's picture book. However when we met to discuss the contract, it was different to what I expected and I couldn't agree to the copyright terms. I am very happy with my decision to walk away from it though, and I wish them the best in finding another illustrator.

I'm off very soon to the Philippines folks, only 3 days to go!! Yay!!

Just a bit excited!!

2010-09-03T22:58:00.003+10:00

In just ten days I'll be leaving on a jet plane bound for the Philippines! Yup, the country of my birth! My mother is filipino and it will be my first time back, since moving to Australia 24 years ago. Family from all over the world, in Australia, America, Switzerland and France will be flying over to reunite and celebrate my nana's 80th birthday. Dave and I will be there for two weeks, mainly staying at my Aunty and Uncle's house which just happens to be a beach front property on a remote and secluded part of the island!! We will stay in the capital city for a few days and then catch another plane to Samar Island. It's then a four hour bus drive to my Aunty and Uncle's property. Remote indeed! There are no phone lines, and the nearest town is 40 mins drive away, However I am told that it is paradise, and if you heart desires it, you can sleep on the beach all day, and eating coconuts and freshly caught fish! I could get used to that! Unfortunately Zak and Lily are not coming with us. I'm going to miss them terribly, but they are happy to be having a holiday of their own staying at Grandma and Granddad's farm (Dave's parents). I'm excitedly juggling all the arrangements to be made, as well as assignments due for school, and the family.

Today I also found out that I was featured in an Etsy Treasury! This has never happened to me before, so this made my day! Thank you Paula for including me in your super cute cuddly curation!

And since this a post all about exciting news, I do have something really wonderful to share. But I can't reveal just yet. Does this picture give you a hint?

Collage Kids

2010-08-30T17:36:00.000+10:00

Scissors + Glue + Scrap Paper = Super happy cute kids! Gosh I love these little munchkins x

Mrs Henny Penny

2010-08-30T10:53:00.001+10:00

This is Billy and his new chicken, Mrs Henny Penny. I hope everyone is having a great day. Thanks for stopping by!

Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?' Original Painting to Giveaway!

2010-08-19T11:04:00.005+10:00

Who's afraid of the big bad wolf? Obviously not Little Red, she seems to be quite oblivious to being followed to Grandma's house!

To celebrate opening my ETSY SHOP and FACEBOOK PAGE I am giving away this darling little painting to a new home!

So to participate, you just have to:

1. Become a fan of my facebook page

2. Suggest my page to your friends!

3. Then write to me on my facebook page, letting me know how many friends you suggested.

The more suggestions you make, the more entries you get to win! So if you make 100 suggestions, you get 100 entries! Make sense?

For more entries blog about this giveaway and leave a comment for me below.

When 500 fans are reached, I will randomly draw a winner. It doesn't matter if you live on the other side of the world, or in my neighbourhood, I will post your little painting out right away, with postage and insurance costs covered.

Okay ready? Set! Go!

Good luck everyone xx

Kaili xx

Etsy Shop Reopened!

2010-08-18T22:59:00.004+10:00

Perhaps you've noticed the little sidebar to the left showing my E tsy Shop has reopened? Well it has! At the moment I have 4 original paintings for sale, with more original paintings to be added; and prints on the way soon. I'll be having a giveaway to celebrate (Psssst, the prize will be an ORIGINAL PAINTING!!) So keep your eyes peeled for upcoming posts. It might be worth your while :D

A WIP from my messy desk

2010-08-18T14:37:00.002+10:00

Yesterday while taking the kids for a walk near some bushland by our house we started to talk about the three little pigs, a story I have taught them last week. They love to recite the verses:

"Little pig, little pig, let me in!"

"Not by the hairs of my chinny chin chin!"

As we were walking home, I looked back at the bush and I could see a wolf hiding behind trees following us home. I freaked out just a little bit before quickening my pace, and hurrying the kids along.

....Okay so maybe I didn't really see a wolf, and it might have just been my overactive imagination, but its nice to know that my imaginative thoughts can help spur some new painting ideas.

Little Red being followed through the forest. Check back tomorrow for the finished piece!

Welcome Spring!

2010-08-13T13:13:00.002+10:00

Spring is almost here! I'm not a winter person, I get cold if there is even the slightest breeze or chill. So with September round the corner, I'm looking forward to warming up and spending more time outside. What's the weather like in your part of the world I wonder?

A little bit of France

2010-07-26T15:17:00.009+10:00

I've had a lot of lovely french encounters lately.

Last month I got to meet my french cousin Julie and her fiance Jeremy for the first time. I had such a great time, and I loved listening to her stories of life in the south of France. That's Julie in the middle, with me on the left and my sister Natasha on the right.

Then this month, I also started a book club, and our book for this month is 'Lunch in Paris'. It is part love story memoir and part cookbook.

And lastly my friend Marielle, and her husband, Philippe recently launched their french gourmet business Deliss. Dave and I went along to the French Festival two weeks ago to sample their beautiful almond crossaints and chocolate truffles. So yummy! This photo was taken at the French festival with my sister-in-law Kathy and these two mademoiselles.

So with french inspiration everywhere, these two little french cuties found their way onto canvas last night. It's called"Mon Bel Amie" which translates literally to mean "My beautiful friend".

And just another bit of exciting news to boot: I've started a course in Graphic Design and I'm excited to say I'm loving it! Very exciting!

Thanks for your patience! I'm sorry to have been away from blogging for so long. Hopefully it wont be as long till my next post!

xxx

Lily the Ballerina

2010-06-30T16:52:00.003+10:00

More illustrations for children! I read somewhere that as an illustrator for children's books, you need to be able to show that you can draw a character's likeness more than once. Makes sense! I had that in mind when I did this one. I planned to do more poses of the same ballerina girl, but I found that I didn't have much room on my A4 size paper, and I didn't want to cramp it all up. Also alot of my smaller brushes are wrecked, so I couldnt have painted much smaller than this.

Im disappointed in the lack of quality in my images. Im afraid I don't have a proper editing software, so I am uploading to flickr to adjust the contrast, and then downloading it here onto the blogging platform, Unfortunately after scanning, uploading and downloading, the image loses its detail and quality. I'm hoping to find some good and cheap editing software for my Mac computer. If you know of any, let me know! I'm still a newbie when it comes to Mac software.

I am working on some different ideas for illustration friday's theme, "satellite". I only have a couple of days, so Im not sure that I will be able get something in on time, but I hope to!

Thanks for all the encouraging comments on my little foxes. They are a bit special, and I loved reading all the nice things you had to say! xx

Foxy Snuggles

2010-06-29T11:17:00.009+10:00

This cuddly painting was done with my illustration portfolio in mind. Aren't they cute all snuggled up? More animals and characters to come!

I am trying to paint and draw everyday, even if its just doodling in my visual diary for a little bit. I find it really helps to get the creative juices going.

I have been buying quite a few children's books lately!

My favourite children's illustrators at the moment are Oliver Jeffers. Anna Walker and Axel Scheffler. I also love the work of Vanessa Bradley Newton, Jannie Ho, Paige Keiser and Eric Barclay. Quite an array of different styles, but I love each one.

What are your favourite children's books and who are your favourite illustrators? What do your children love to read? I'd love to know about them!

A different take on creative genius

2010-06-22T00:02:00.003+10:00

I was way behind the eight ball when I finally decided to read Eat Pray Love. I am currently in India, about a third of the way through (no not me really in India, just in the book).

As I read it, I find myself saying things like "Yes, I understand! I've been there!" or (directed to Dave) "Honey we are going to live in Italy, just so I can see this fountain/find this restaurant/eat that pasta". Last night, I found myself looking up where my nearest Yoga course for beginners class is located! To summarise, I am loving this book. It keeps me reading until my eyes hurt from tiredness.

So anyway, when I accidentally came across this video of Elizabeth Gilbert talking about creativity I knew I had to watch it. It came at the right time too. I had just spent the last couple of hours painting, not really getting anywhere and feeling a bit put out over it. Simply put, after watching this video, it made me happy, and marvel yet again and Ms Gilbert's insightfulness. I have decided to post it here too, just in case there are some other creative souls who haven't watched it yet.

It's worth the time! xx

A career in illustration

2010-06-17T10:42:00.006+10:00

I painted this piece last night with my portfolio in mind. I'm not sure if it will make the final cut.

If your an aspiring illustrator, I have found these links very useful and inspiring.

Zero 2 Illo (A blog for aspiring illustrators & the 12 week challenge to do it!)

Paige Keiser (Illustrator Paige Keiser and how she became a children's book illustrator)

Living the Creative Dream (A blog by Holli Conger and the journey she took to make her illustrating dream a reality)

I will add more links as I find them.

I hope your having a great week everyone xx

Little Masterpieces

2010-05-29T00:32:00.005+10:00

Look at these gorgeous munchkins. They make me smile and laugh everyday. The other day we painted some little "masterpieces". I truly am inspired by their creativity and what they come up with! And they had so much fun!

Kaili x

A whirlwind afternoon in Melbourne

2010-05-25T09:36:00.006+10:00

I had a fabulous time in Melbourne. I was flown there by Mattel to film some toy reviews for them. But I had an afternoon of free time, so I did manage to squeeze in some sight seeing of this beautiful city. Dave served a two year mission for our church here, so he has a soft spot for this place and many wonderful memories also. I love it here because of its beautiful old buildings, the charming alleyways and trams, the amazing food, and the art and culture scene here is so diverse and vibrant. We have always talked about one day moving from our home in Brisbane to live here. We even have a suburb picked out! Who knows, maybe one day we will decide to act on all that talk. For now here are some photos of our whirlwind afternoon in Melbourne. I will post the videos from Mattel as soon as they launch them on the website! xxx

'I love books!' (a little painting)

2010-05-15T15:00:00.003+10:00

Hello friends! I love to read, which inspired this little painting about my love of books. When I was a little girl, I would ride my bike to the the local library that we had on Bribie Island. It was a tiny thing, and didn't have much of a selection, but I always was able to find at least 3-5 books that I would read over the weekend. I used to stay up all night reading just so I could finish my books.

I just finished "The War of Art' and it was a very interesting and insightful read. I really enjoyed the first two parts especially. I found a lot of myself in those pages. So if your the creative type, I recommend putting it on your reading list!

Look what came in the mail today!

2010-05-12T13:18:00.006+10:00

Two books ordered from the Book Depositary in the UK (I buy from there, because they have great prices and free international shipping).

The first being "The Handmade Marketplace" (above). I know many of you artists and crafters out there have heard about this book.

The second book is "The War of Art" by Steven Pressfield, the writer and best selling author behind 'The Legend of Bagar Vance'. It sounds like a heavy title right? However, after being recommended this book by my friend and illustrator Allison, and researching it more, I realised this book is for all people wanting to reach their best potential in life.

Kaili xxx

What you can make with your dad's old art stuff

2010-04-15T10:09:00.013+10:00

One of the great things about having a dad who is an artist is being able to raid his old art materials. You can find a treasure trove of things! I found this:

A vintage speedball cutter! Yay!

I had to check that this baby was still good to go.

After a close inspection, all the cutters looked to be in pretty good nick.

So it was time to get a carving! I cut some cute babuska dolls in some lino, and inked them with a pretty girly colour. Aren't they cute?

And soon they were adorning some sweet baby shower invitations I made for my friend.

So that's what you can make with your dad's old art stuff! I loved making these cute stamps.

What things have you made today?

xxx

Goals and Dreams

2010-04-13T14:39:00.011+10:00

I think its so important to have dreams and goals, no matter how small they may seem. I have given myself some new creative goals. They aren't fancy or extreme, but to me, they are quite exciting and give me something to aim for.

Also, it was so nice of the ever lovely Holly Becker to feature some of my paintings on her personal blog, Haus Maus. I know I got some lovely new visitors and followers as a result, and I just wanted to say "Hello!" And thank you so much for your awesome comments! I loved reading them all!

I hope you enjoy my newest painting. Its all about the comfort that can be found in the arms of a loved one. Until next time, have a great week xxx

Friendship

2010-04-08T13:34:00.013+10:00

"We have been friends together

In sunshine and in shade"

~Caroline Sheridan Norton

The best of friends, are the ones who you can make yourself at home with, explain nothing, but talk about everything, enjoy laughter and silence, bask in sunshine and endure the rain. I have been lucky enough to have a few of those friends in my life.

Thanks for your support! It means so much xxx

Happy Snaps

2010-03-02T11:43:00.015+10:00

Just been testing out our new SLR camera (YAYYY!) Most of its functions are way over my head (I had no idea it would be so confusing) but I love it regardless.

Inspiration Mood Board

2010-02-05T15:31:00.012+10:00

This is the inspiration/mood board I did for BYW

Although this was rushed, it still represents what I would what my blog is about: Art, Illustration, Family and Inspiration. As it was quite large, it didn't photograph very well, so I took two different pictures of the one board. All the illustration were done by me. I hope you enjoy!

Kaili x

Welcome

2010-01-30T01:06:00.009+10:00

It's 1am here and I'm still up. I'm thankful for all the support and friends I have found since I started blogging just under 1 year ago. I'm very blessed for the encouragement I have received as I showed parts of my life, my family, and my art with you.

After thinking it over some more, I have decided to keep blogging. It really is something I enjoy doing. I believe this will be an exciting year and I'd like to be able to continue to share it with you. Having said that I have also decided to delete my older posts. This year is a new beginning for me, and well, I felt it was time to start afresh. So... thank you for continuing to read and sending me your great comments. Welcome to my (kind of new) blog.

Kaili xx