Lucy Fekete

Mario: Portrait of a Portrait

2012-01-07T01:55:00.000-08:00

Starting the year by finishing my first commission for 2012!

For something different, I was requested to do this painting outside my usual cartoony, exaggerated "Lucy" style. A challenge - but I thought I'd give it a go. Below is the finished result (and below that, preliminary "study" sketches)

Coloured caricature commission

2011-11-30T05:13:00.000-08:00

CHECK-ME-OUT! Feelin a bit proud. Feelin a bit "I'm totes awesome". Feeling just too damn cocky to be honest. Yay me!

Below is a full colour commission I've just recently completed. Please bare in mind I'm still very VERY new to the world of digital illustration, so my skills are like that of a young child compared to the masters who do this professionally.

Still... I think what I've been able to achieve is still pretty great, and I can only go up from here. Go me! (Am now grinning like an idiot)

Conundrum In Deed : Band logo design

2011-10-19T19:16:00.000-07:00

Conundrum In Deed is an exceptionally talented band based in the UK. Their (beautiful, insightful and exceptionally clever) lyrics are expressed in a musical styling that is a fusion of folk, progressive and psychedelia. So they approached me to design a logo that could concisely represent their music.

Initially I was inspired on the idea of an "impossible object" (cos that to me says "conundrum" right?). So I pitched the impossible cube shape - which they liked. Though their brief needed to include "psychedelia" with amorphous organic intertwining patterns (ie. vines, tentacles and bit o' paisley.)

Bandmate Greg Shields, inspired by the concept of an impossible object then suggested "An impossible cube rusting away in the middle of a psychedelic forest, with bare ground and in the middle of the cube a single 'Holy Flower'* wilting in the middle". *('Holy Flower' being the name of one of their songs).

Following that suggestion is a quick step by step look into how I came up with their final logo design...

Basic outline...

...followed by rough colour...

...FINAL LOGO!!

The band love the logo (WOOT and a pat on the back to moi!)

Already a fan has commented on their new logo as being:

"The love child of Escher and a tripper at Woodstock" (Tee hee, awesome!)

To hear some of their music, click here

(My personal favorite song of theirs is "Laughing Man")

Just doodling around

2011-10-09T07:17:00.000-07:00

These are me "doodles" (a selection of them anyway). You know, the kind of doodles you do when waiting on the phone or while sitting in a waiting room..... or when you should be working etc. etc.

(click on images to see larger)

Meet Wilber the Dragon

2011-09-07T22:04:00.000-07:00

Beginning at the end of 2010 I was approached to illustrate a children's book, which is something I'd never been asked to do before. However it has always been something that I've been interested in pursuing - so to have this opportunity just 'drop into my lap'...

well I didn't need to be asked twice.

Over the following months I submitted one illustration a fortnight, and in recent weeks that changed to two a week. Today, this very afternoon, I handed over the final illustration (so excitement!) Now it will be sent away to be professionally published and I'm really looking forward to seeing the completed result.

I've included a couple of sample illustrations below to "whet the appetite"

The book will be officially launched some time in early 2012 and from what I've been told by the author, Bronwyn Heeney, will be toured at book expos globally. Next year will also be the Year of the Dragon, so fingers crossed this book gets a noice bit o interest and publicity.

Lady Viper: The Snake Charmer

2011-08-24T07:53:00.000-07:00

Legend and popular myth says that daughter and sole heir to Scottish Lord and Lady McInnes, Aileana McInnes (a.k.a. Sideshow’s Lady Viper), was born into a family bloodline once cursed by faeries hundreds of years ago during the ‘Great Faerie Battle of Scotland’. A conflict that started over land ownership. The curse states that, “Any women carrying the seed of a McInnes, will die during childbirth”.

Lord McInnes, like many of his ancestors, sort ways to break the curse once and for all. It was rumoured he even sort the controversial help of an Irish Banshee.Whatever the mystical bargain may have been, it seemed to have worked… at first.

Lady McInnes succeeded in giving birth to their beautiful healthy daughter, Alieana, and happy they all were until Alieana’s 6th birthday. On the day of the birthday celebration Alieana became violently ill, her complexion changed and her nose began to recede and disappear altogether. Concerned for her health, Lord and Lady McInnes uprooted from Scotland’s north to warm sunny southern Spain. They noticed an instant difference in Aileana's health, although sadly her nose never recovered, and with age her skin became more green and reptilian.

Shortly after the family settled in Spain, tragedy once again caught up with the McInnes family. Aileana's parents and head butler Manny Marcos Ratón disappeared under mysterious circumstances while on a picnic trip – rumours speculate that it was yet another consequence of the ‘McInnes Curse’. His son, Señor Manuel Miguel Ratón a.k.a “Squeaky”, succeeded Manny Marcos Ratón.

“Nowadays I live at the family home in Spain for seven months of the year with my butler and faithful confidant Squeaky, and Santos my beloved green tree python. The rest of the time I’m touring with the Sideshow. I’ve never returned to the old family estate in Scotland. I’m told no one lives there anymore, although I’ve heard through the grapevine that some people believe the faeries have staked claim on that land again. Good for them”.

Aileana McInnes a.k.a Lady Viper

Little Miss Noelle Et'All: The Three-eyed Midget

2011-08-24T07:48:00.000-07:00

A tiny figure but a big presence, Noelle flashes a brilliant smile from the top of her custom made high stool, with extra ‘booster’ books, designed to make her eye level with most normal sized people, or humans... because Noelle is not human.

‘Mon père was a Faery, ma mere Unyuk* (*Pronounced: oón-yuk) which iz like a type of one-eyed Troll. I am what you call ‘hybrid’ of ze two, as you see with my extra eye and my gift for talking to spiritueux and seeing ze future. Unfortunately, because of my muddled appearance, I do not fit in ze world of faery, nor do I fit in with ze unyuks.

“My spiritueux guides encourage me to join ze human world, which I did, though sadly in doing so I vill never see mes parents again. I cannot return. Fortunately I find a place for myself in ze community of ze Sideshow. Now zey are ma famille.”

She smiles, a twinkle in her eye, “I found ze Sideshow, they did not find me. Now they would be lost without me”.

She suddenly sighs wearily to herself, "My ‘ed getz so crowded with all ze visions and ze spiritueux voices talking at me all ze time. Zey never stop. I mean, I am use to et, but I still get tired. I paint because et is ze only time I can make my ‘sight’ and mind quiet .The spiritueux and ze visions do not disturb me when I sit in front of a blank canvas. Perhaps et is because they are so interested as to what I might paint or maybe et is because zey can not second guess me. Or maybe both?”

She suddenly bursts into laugher that sounds like crystal prisms in the wind, “Do you want to know my real name? I tell you. Mon nom réel est Pluie Noelene Willowglitter. Willowglitter is mon père family name. Ma mere.....well, she just liked ze name Noelene”. Noelle shakes her head and wrinkles her nose, “Me, I do not like name... not at all. So I change it to Noelle – so iz like ‘Leetle Mz, Noelle Et’all’*, iz clever non?” *(Little Miss Know It All)

The Hummingbird Sisters

2011-08-24T07:37:00.000-07:00

Meet Lulu and June Hummingbottom, the conjoined twins of French Canadian amateur Genetics Scientist Judy Hummingbottom and Anglo Canadian World Famous Pianist Lewis Hummingbottom.

Talented and gifted singers, the girls can sing Opera, Jazz and Yodel. With such an impressive talent and a striking look, it was no surprise that the Sideshow found them and quickly offered them top billing! Part of their act is to dress up as an Angel and Devil; Lulu as the Angel and June as the Devil. Off stage their personalities are to the contrary. Lulu admits she is the cheeky loud one with "an Encyclopaedia of Vices" while June tries to avoid bad habits.

Lulu: If it's frowned upon cos it's 'naughty' or 'inappropriate' I probably indulge myself. Drives June crazy. What’s that saying about the cheese again?

June: As different as chalk and cheese.

Lulu: Yeah, that’s it! We’re as different as chalk and cheese.

Black. White. Yes. No. Dark. Light. Dog. Cat. Night. Morning. Elvis. Beatles. Rolling Stones. Beatles. Lady Ga-ga. Beatles. VODKA MARTINI! English breakfast with a spot of milk or earl grey with a slice of lemon. Steak and chips. Vegetarian Sushi. Australian Football, cos I like the tight shorts on the “Aussie blokes”. You are such a pervert. I’m personally not interested in spectator sports. I prefer the visual arts. I’m particularly impressed by… Yep, I’m all for gay marriage. Huh??... I mean, I feel it’s a basic human right. Right? Come on, it’s a complex debate, you can’t leap in and say “Yes” like that, it’s not that simple. However, having said that, I suppose I support the right for same sex marriage also. Really? Since when? *Rolls eyes* I’ve always felt that way, you knew this already. *Sighs* you just don’t listen. Hey did you know, when we were young I was the first to learn how to talk. When June eventually decided to start talking, she could only speak in French!! Weird huh? You’re a bit of a ‘freak’ eh lady? Well you know what they say Lulu? It takes one to know one.

Miss Universe: World's Largest Tattooed Lady

2011-08-24T07:25:00.000-07:00

Miss Universe is the Sideshow’s popular and adored Fat Tattooed Lady. Her body is covered by royal blue intricate tattoos that contrast her pale smooth skin so that she is reminiscent of a large human Ming vase. Off stage she goes by the name Mei-Xie, which in Chinese means beautiful and elegant. Mei-Xie is the only child to Ting-Ting and Ma Sun. Despite being an only child she is very generous, caring and infectiously likeable.

“Growing up as a child I desperately wanted a brother or sister, so I made lots of friends instead. When I didn't have a friend to play with I loved to write and read poetry - though my biggest passion is to dance. Believe it or not, I’m an accomplished ballet dancer and I’m truly very good at it. It helps me to relax so I dance as much as I can. Though more importantly it keeps me in shape!” she laughs.

“Why is my stage name Miss Universe? Well D’uh! Cos I’ve got a big round belly of course!” (Laughing again) “Actually, not true. I’m called Miss Universe because of my tattoos. Back when I first started getting ink done, I used to get a lot of star constellations, because I love astronomy. You can’t really see them so much anymore because they are hidden amongst all the other tattoos - but I know they are there".

“The world is such a beautiful place, despite the bad things that happen, there is so much to be inspired by. I had a tradition I started years ago where I would get a tattoo whenever someone or something inspired me - as a reminder or keepsake. Needless to say I’m inspired a lot!”.

When asked if there was any part of her body that was not covered by a tattoo, she giggles “Cheeky! That’s a secret!”

(original painting for sale, for enquires please leave a message/comment via this blog)

Venus: The Bearded Beauty

2011-08-24T07:19:00.000-07:00

Daughter of two high school teachers and the eldest of six siblings, Venus, the Sideshow's Bearded Beauty was originally christened Eden Grace Harper as named after Mount Eden in New Zealand where she was born.

As a young child and well into her teens, she was always academically gifted with an aptitude for Chemistry. To equal her natural brilliance was her beauty, which instead of a blessing Eden felt was a curse. Her beauty was so flawless, even from an early age that people were intimidated by her or perhaps too shy to speak to her.

"I was always very lonely as a child and again as a teen. It was horrible. People would just stare at me their mouth opening and shutting like a fish out of water. They would always stare but never speak or utter a word to me"

When Eden turned sixteen, fed up with the curse of loneliness her beauty caused her, she dosed her face in a chemical she had designed to treat dogs with alopecia hoping to cover her appearance and creating the beard that now grows on her face today.

"It's a strange thing, people were still staring at me but in a different way. They now stare at me with child like curiosity, which is great because with curiosity comes questions followed by conversation and then friendship. Having a beard was the best thing I could have done for myself"

Being so academically gifted, you'd expect that Eden would have discovered a cure for her famous whiskers long ago, and it may surprise you to learn that she has.

"I knew how to get rid of my beard the moment I grew it, but I don't want to. It's a part of me and that's the way that I like it"

The Amazing Crab Girl

2011-08-24T07:07:00.000-07:00

The first thing you’ll notice about Ingrid Havstrøm, better known as Crab Girl, is she lives up to her stage name. She’s surly, aloof and … well crabby. But she also has a lot of warmth and humour for people close to her, her “Sideshow family”.

Ingrid joined the Sideshow, possibly around age nine, as a young runaway. She had run away from an orphanage on the southern coast of Norway just outside Kristiansand. Her unusual physical appearance and her insistence and determination on staying meant that she was swiftly and legally adopted by the Sideshow.

The orphanage where Ingrid came from is situated on shoreline overlooking a beach where she was first found. “There she was, this tiny child, all of about three. She was completely naked and abandoned on the beach and looking very distressed” says Governess Aakvik. “I remember how my staff and I were initially quite alarmed by her unusual appearance.What kind of child has a crab claw as a hand?”

“She was a very shy little thing, though once she trusted you she was terribly affectionate. She’d curl up on your lap like a wee kitten, she was very cute – but like a stray kitten she was very timid and her moods would swing quite abruptly. She always had an unpredictable temper and she never really got along with the other children, which is why we suspect she ran away to be with the Sideshow.”

“We have no idea where she came from and who her birth family is, to my knowledge she has never confided that information, or maybe she does not remember. The other children would tease her and say that her father was a drunk sailor who had it off with a crab because he was so drunk that he could not tell the difference between a crab and a mermaid.”

“We called her Ingrid Havstrøm, because Havstrøm means ‘ocean current’ which we felt was very fitting to her nature”.

SOLD!

Another arrogant artist interview

2011-07-28T21:30:00.000-07:00

(to read a larger image, click here)

"Goils of the Sideshow" will accompany BeinArt's "The Sideshow" exhibition @ For Walls Gallery on level 1, 34 Franklin Street (on top Miss Libertine) Melbourne CBD. Opening night; 6pm Aug 3rd and then running until Aug 26th.

Participating artists include the exceptional talents of Curran James, Kaitlin Beckett, Trish Leone, Nina Maskiell, Samara Owens, Basak Savcigil, Michael Anderson, Levene Wong and more.

Free entry.

(For a cheeky wee peek of "Goils of the Sideshow" Click here)

Poster Concept: Adelaide Fringe 2012 (mark two!)

2011-07-17T19:47:00.000-07:00

"Tour of the Unexpected" is the theme for the 2012 Adelaide Fringe poster competition. I have decided to edit, re-design and re-submit my original 2010 Adelaide Fringe poster entry. Why? I believe my original poster concept marries well to the appointed 2012 Adelaide Fringe theme, allow me to tell you why...

Firstly my rational is; I imagine a "Tour of the Unexpected" would expose the human senses to experience things that are new, exciting and different - hence "Tour of the Unexpected" = "Adventure and Fun for the Senses". Whoa! That's like was my original poster concept!.... Yippee!! It totally works! (Totes! Fur shiz! Defo!)

Next allow me to introduce the "Sense"* characters from my 2010 poster (*"Sense" being short for "Human Senses" and "Nonsense"): There is "Snob" the Nose, "Pitch" the Ear (Pitch thinks he's a pirate), "Kneed" the Hand, "Blink" the Eye and "Blah Blah" the Mouth.

For them, when Fringe is in town they get excited, because Fringe is an opportunity for them to experience and be exposed to what they normally wouldn't in their everyday life. Fringe is an adventure for them to go out and to do, to be and to feel the unexpected, thus once again coming back to my (winning) point of "Tour of the Unexpected" = "Adventure and Fun for the Senses"

Annnnnnnnnnnd so that's why I've re-edited and re-submitted these quirky wee Sense personalities to the Adelaide Fringe, and I wish them the best of luck.

Psst! Also, at the risk of sounding foolishly superstitious, the Adelaide Fringe's 2012 logo uses the same colours of my original 2010 poster. For me, that was a sign that these wee Senses needed to be re-introduced to the Fringe. (It's a sign I tells ya! A SIGN!! Totes. Fur shiz. Defo)

If you are interested in submitting a poster design for the 2012 Adelaide Fringe, click here

Sexing up the Surrealist Circus Freaks

2011-06-30T09:05:00.000-07:00

(WARNING: Blatant self promotion.... but someone's gotta do it!)

Australian Visual Artist and Humorist, Lucy Fekete (that's moi), will be proudly featured in the BeinArt Surrealist Art Collective group exhibition The Sideshow, opening at For Walls Gallery in Melbourne CBD on 3 August.

The Sideshow will incorporate BeInArt Surrealist Art Collective’s top ten selected entries from the 2010 Sideshow competition alongside Fekete’s winning entry, “Silly Fat Cow and Two-faced B***h”. Together with this diverse collection of surrealist artworks, Fekete will also be exhibiting her sexy and hilarious series Goils of the Sideshow.

(check out my quote...)“My style is distinctive and attractive and my work is very accessible. Even people who wouldn’t normally like or care much for visual art enjoy looking at my paintings.” Fekete says, “I put a fair bit of humour and pop reference into my art which I think appeals to a wide audience. The Goils of the Sideshow will be no exception, as each painting has a specific back-story for each pin-up girl character that intends to entertain and hopefully amuse my audience. These ‘Goils’, while physically different, they are each uniquely beautiful and sexy to look at and I’m very proud of them.” (Pretty good quote huh? Tickets anyone?)

Opening night for Goils of the Sideshow and The Sideshow will be held from 6pm, 3 August and commence until 27 August on top of Miss Libertine at For Walls Gallery; level 1, 34 Franklin Street, Melbourne CBD. Gallery hours 9am – 5pm Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm Sat/Sun. Free entry.

(click images to see larger)

Magnormos presents the Melbourne premiere of: The Hatpin

2011-05-16T21:06:00.000-07:00

(click on image to see larger)

A large feather should be sitting proudly in the cap of Magnormos, who's production of "The Hatpin" opened Monday night in Melbourne.

"The Hatpin" is a relatively new and exciting Musical written and developed in 2006-2007 by James Millar and Peter Rutherford. The exciting part - and this is the part that personally sold me into wanting to see the show in the first place - is this Musical was inspired upon actual people and historical events that took place in Sydney Australia around 1890's, events so dramatic that it literally changed Australian law into what we know today.

The genre, think of themes similar to Clint Eastwood's "The Changeling" and a dash of Tim Burton's "Sweeny Todd: Demon Barber of Fleet Street" - it's a dark story, and I'm a sucker for a bit of dark mystery. However let it be noted there are moments of true tenderness and beauty, accompanied by a smattering of humour - so just a heads up, you may be in store for an emotional roller coaster ride.

The casting is superb! Each character is strong and well defined right down to the Ensemble. Samantha Morely is infectiously lovable as the free spirited Harriet Piper. Sophie Collins is fabulous as Agatha Makin, a character I feel she makes reminiscent of Walt Disney's Ursula from "The Little Mermaid", and Emma Jones as Clara Makin is... extraordinary.

The singing is consistently good and strong. I've personally been known to switch off during Musicals when voices sound all too similar and generic, but the voices in "The Hatpin" will keep you at the edge of your seat, which I feel is a credit to Music Director Sophie Thomas - and keep an ear out for Thomas' violin as it effortlessly captures the emotion of the moment and will make you wilt inside.

To date this is one of the strongest productions that Magnormos has ever had the pleasure to undertake and congratulations to them for hosting the Melbourne premiere of "The Hatpin", they delivered and a bag of chips!* It was superb acting, singing, musical direction, costumes and lighting. This production is an exciting credit to all persons involved.

The Hatpin

16th - 28th May 2011

Theatre Works, St Kilda

www.magnormos.com

*(actually a box of delicious choccies on each seat, compliments Schocolate).

Can you Yodel?

2011-05-13T19:47:00.000-07:00

Meet Lulu and June Hummingbottom, the conjoined twin daughters of French Canadian genetics Scientist Judy Hummingbottom and renowned Anglo Canadian Pianist Lewis Hummingbottom. The twins are talented and gifted singers specializing in Opera and Jazz, and they can Yodel too!

Part of their act is to dress up as an Angel and Devil, Lulu as the Angel and June as the Devil, however off stage their personalities are to the contrary. Lulu admits she is the cheeky loud one with an "Encyclopedia of Vices".

"If it's frowned upon cos it's 'naughty' or 'innapropiate' I probably indulge myself. Drives June crazy"

- Lulu Hummingbottom

This has been yet another sneaky preview of the 'Goils of the Sideshow' as part of The Sideshow exhibition, grand opening 7pm Wednesday, August 3 at 6:00pm until August 26 at Miss Libertine
34 Franklin St

Melbourne, Australia

Squeaky clean?

2011-03-30T01:10:00.000-07:00

Señor Manuel Miguel Ratón, or "Squeaky" as he is more fondly referred to by his mistress, is the head butler and number one confidant to Lady Aileana McInnes (aka. Lady Viper, a Pin-up Girl of the Sideshow). He is one of thirty-six siblings born on the outskirts of Barcelona to the Ratón family and comes from a long proud line of Butlers and Housekeepers. His father, Manny Marcos Ratón, worked for the late Lord and Lady McInnes (Lady Viper's dear mother and father) for many years until his untimely and most tragic death alongside his employers where he was succeeded by Squeaky.

This terrible accident is one that is not too often spoken about, but it's all too intriguing and suspect. Let's just say "there is a lot more to the story" on how Aileana McInnes became sole heir to the McInnes family fortune and name... but you'd have to come to the Sideshow exhibition @ For Walls Gallery opening Aug 3rd 2011 to find out the full details. (Hosted by beinArt Surrealist Collective)

("Squeaky" Above and Lady Viper Right.
Click on images to see larger)

Venus: The Bearded Beauty

2011-02-26T23:11:00.000-08:00

Daughter of two high school teachers and the eldest of six siblings, Venus, the Sideshow's Bearded Beauty was originally christened as Eden Grace Harper as named after Mount Eden in New Zealand where she was born.

As a young child and well into her teens, she was always academically gifted with an aptitude for Chemistry. To equal her natural brilliance was her beauty, which instead of a blessing Eden felt was a curse. Her beauty was so flawless, even from an early age, that people were intimidated by her or perhaps too shy to speak to her.

"I was always very lonely as a child and again as a teen. It was horrible. People would just stare at me their mouth opening and shutting like a fish out of water. They would always stare but never speak or utter a word to me"

When Eden turned sixteen, fed up with the curse of loneliness her beauty caused her, she dosed her face in a chemical she had designed to treat dogs with alopecia hoping to cover her appearance and creating the beard that now grows on her face today.

"It's a strange thing, people were still staring at me but in a different way. They now stare at me with child like curiosity, which is great because with curiosity comes questions followed by conversation and then friendship. Having a beard was the best thing I could have done for myself"

Being so academically gifted, you'd expect that Eden would have discovered a cure for her famous whiskers long ago, and it may surprise you to learn that she has.

"I knew how to get rid of my beard the moment I grew it, but I don't want to. It's a part of me and that's the way that I like it"

You can see Eden aka. Venus: The Bearded Beauty and more at the Sideshow exhibition @ For Walls Gallery opening Aug 3rd 2011. Hosted by beinArt Surrealist Collective

Progress of Crab Girl

2011-02-21T03:54:00.000-08:00

The step by step under painting of Crab Girl.
Please note, the below images are strictly STRICTLY under painted images only. To see this painting finished... well, you'd just have to come along to the The Sideshow exhibition promoted by BeInArt Surrealist Collective @ For Walls Gallery Aug 3rd 2011

The Sideshow opening 3rd Aug @ For Walls Gallery

Miss Libertine, 34 Franklin Street, Melbourne, Australia

The reappearance of Crab Girl

2011-02-01T06:08:00.000-08:00

Beautiful, mysterious and aloof, Crab Girl is famed for being one of the Sideshow's most complex, unusual and fascinating performers.

The art of unbelievable mind-blowing dramatic bending, flexing and twisting of the human body is what you'd expect from the most talented of contortionists right? And Crab Girl certainly does deliver...
in spades!

Though what makes her so very VERY unique to her contemporaries is the unavoidable fact she has a crab claw where her right hand should be;

"I was born this way. I dunno. And no I'm not related to that Lobster Man whatshisfaceguyman ok!"

"What? Yes I am left handed. Why? Huh? Why are you saying that it's lucky I'm left handed?!"

As interviews go she'll do few and far between, but I think that adds to her mystique. Though where she won't do interviews she will do performances, appearances and portrait sittings - if you care to note the preliminary canvas outline above (yes that's right preliminary as in NOT finished).

Previously she appeared in the Erotic Grotesque exhibition @ 696INK in July - Aug of 2010 and she is now due to make a new appearance as part of the Pin-Up Goils of the Sideshow exhibition running alongside The Sideshow @ For Walls Gallery later this year - so keep your eyes and ears open for details on that one!

"I Love Crabby Women" and "Silly Fat Cow and Two-faced B****h"

Both will be appearing in the Pin-Up Goils of the Sideshow and The Sideshow later this year at For Walls Gallery

(click any of the pictures to view a larger image)

Australia day in Coogee 1 year on

2011-01-26T23:24:00.000-08:00

Australia (Jan 26th) 2010, I was in Coogee (in Sydney) with a bunch of lovely people sharing a BBQ and Vanilla vodka under the stars. It was such a beautiful evening that it's permanently etched into my mind forever and naturally made me inspired to capture the moment on canvas.

Please note, these are only progress shots and the painting is still a long way from being complete.

To view larger, please click on any of the images below

This image below was my very first outline attempt, which I was very unhappy with. I felt it was too static and boring...
so I painted over it.

People's choice award winner 2010 (woot!)

2010-12-13T04:42:00.000-08:00

So I did it. This painting (which I hold so dear to me) won the People's Choice Award for the 2010 Cancer Council Art Awards.

Eydie's made me do it!

2010-11-13T01:39:00.000-08:00

click on image to see larger

Last night I happened upon this rad (yes that's right, I'm using the word "RAD") wee bar in East Brunswick, situated on the tail end of Lygon Street.

Named Eydie's after 1950's singer Eydie Gormé, it was peculiar to me that this bar had that "clean and brand new" look, yet also managed to have a whole lota personality. The 1950's inspired furnishings were unpretentious and remained stylish, and the music selection was retro without being cliche. The entire bar atmosphere was warm and welcoming which I think was mostly credited to the really friendly bar staff.

I guess I must have really enjoyed my experience at this bar that I felt compelled and inspired to whip up my own little logo to mark the evening. In case you're curious to check it for yourself :

86 Lygon Street

East Brunswick

VIC 3057

Open from

Mon - Wed 5pm - 12am

Thu - Sun 4pm - 1am

(Ha! And maybe if you fall this bar the way I have, you can always join the Facebook group!)

Eureka!!

2010-11-12T14:00:00.000-08:00

Image property of the Bendigo Historical Society

Today I am both proud and pleased to announce that m
y 2010 illustration of "Margaret Kennedy and Julia Farrell start The Rush" was officially acquired by the Bendigo Historical Society. Of all the potential homes this work could have, the Bendigo Historical Society was the most fortunate, and I feel best and happiest place for it to go.

Bon Voyage my dearest-largest-to-date-watercolour-illustration-depicting-Margaret-Kennedy-and-Julia-Farrell-panning-for-gold-at-the-rocks-where-what-is-now-known-as-the-city-of-Bendigo.

You will be missed... but I will come visit.

The Australian Premiere of Liz Lochhead's Blood and Ice

2010-11-06T22:30:00.000-07:00

One summer Mary Godwin (Kellie Tori), her lover the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley (Eoin O’Connell), and her step-sister Clare Clairmont (Lauren-Anne Kempster) joined Lord Byron (Luke Lennox) and John Polidori at Lake Genoa in Switzerland. During this trip, by way of entertaining themselves, Lord Byron issued a legendary challenge to see who could write the most terrifying ghost story.

T'was here that Mary created... Frankenstein (oooh boogie boogie).

The play looks back at this summer and switches to other events from some years in the future when Mary is haunted by her own creation, by her guilt at events and scandals that surrounded her romance with Shelley, and the many tragedies that followed.

I confess that even before I sat down I had a pretty good idea I was going to like this production - you see I'm one of those people that has a morbid curiosity with things like ghost tours or the origin of Vampires or the true identity of Jack the Ripper etc etc. So to see a play that explores the origin of Mary Shelley's classic tale of Frankenstein was exactly my cup'o'tea.

Within the first scene I was swept up in the emotion and charm of a young Mary and her lover Shelley, and there I remained immersed until the play's final scene. The lighting and sound was dramatic and atmospheric, the costumes and props effective, but for me it was the the acting that remained so strong that the show was satisfyingly addictive.

@ Chapel Off Chapel, 28th Oct - 13th Nov 2010

Performed by Kellie Tori, Eoin O'Connell, Lauren Smith, Lauren-Anne Kempster, Luke Lennox and Charlie Ranger

Directed by Jennifer Innes

My favorite caricatures (and commissions)

2010-09-23T15:55:00.000-07:00

(Click images to view larger)

Silly Fat Cow and a Two-faced B

2010-08-31T04:47:00.000-07:00

A painting idea that I've had dancing around in circles in my head for many many years.

I'd often wondered what people would look like if name calling or insults could be literal, for example, what would a silly fat cow or a two-faced bitch really look like? Perhaps something like the circus-freak-show-clowns that live in Tinsel Town? I'll admit within this painting there is a wee homage to Ms. Spears (whom I'm actually fond of) and Ms. Hilton.

And in hindsight *pauses to think* I think I should have made the cow orange (as in "fake tan orange")

Moore in "Beyond first impressions"

2010-08-20T14:32:00.000-07:00

Field have accepted my portrait into their upcoming show "Beyond first impressions: What changes once you get to know me".

I'd submitted my painting of Richard Moore because I had admired the way he had stood his ground in authorizing the screening of Jeff Daniel's documentary "10 Conditions of Love" at the 2009 Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF). To me, I felt this was an important reminder to people in Australia that we are lucky to have as much freedom as we do in this country, and this I felt met the theme criteria of the Field exhibition.

Eureka!!.... oops not quite.

2010-07-17T17:06:00.000-07:00

Image property of the Bendigo Historical Society

Margaret Kennedy and Julia Farrell start The Rush

Earlier this year the Bendigo Art Gallery announced The Paul Guest Prize for drawing.

I was excited by this news for a number of reasons, I'd visited Bendigo the previous year to view the touring 2009 Archibald exhibition and I had throughly enjoyed the weekend away indulging in the history of this once famous gold rush city. I was also keen to rise to the challenge of breaking out the old watercolour pencils giving myself a break from painting...

but if I'm really honest, the real selling clincher was the $10,000 prize money - Ha! I mean why not give it a go right?

There was no appointed theme for the competition which suited me. I'd already been inspired by a small slice of Bendigo history; allegedly in 1851 two women, Margaret Kennedy and Julia Farrell found gold which was picked up by a newspaper journalist which was how the gold rush got started in Bendigo. There is not much documentation on this story but I found it quite interesting all the same.

Painstakingly drawn - seriously, it took ages - on A1 drawing board with layer upon layer of watercolour pencil I illustrated my interpretation of Kennedy and Farrell finding gold. Surrounding them are ghost or shadow images of a number of future iconic structures to Bendigo, ie. Bendigo's talking tram, the Town Hall and the entrance to the Chinese Museum.

Below: Bendigo fountain on Pall Mall and the Chinese Museum entrance,

Bendigo's talking tram, lookout tower, the Town Hall

Images property of the Bendigo Historical Society

Click on any of the photos to view larger

My entry was unsuccessful. Am I disappointed? Totally!

I put a lot of care and thought into this work - as I do with all my work. Though I had really tailored my concept for Bendigo specifically thinking that it would appeal to the judging panel at the Bendigo Art Gallery. Obviously it didn't work, and maybe that's even the reason why it wasn't selected because it was TOO "Bendigo".

In all honesty, the images I have don't really do the work justice.The pencil work is so fine and there is so much small detail that it was actually a very difficult work to photograph. To see this work in the "flesh" is quite vibrant and impressive. I'm proud of this work.

Image property of the Bendigo Historical Society

click on photo to view larger

696INK: Erotic Grotesque

2010-06-20T05:28:00.000-07:00

The painting above (painted by moi) will appear in the upcoming Erotic Grotesque exhibition at gallery 696INK. I call it "I Love Crabby Women"

Artists participating in 'Erotic Grotesque': Ashlee Duggan, Rev "Blood Painter" Mayers, Mark Powell, Dale Keogh, Beau White, Curran James, Jason Jacenko, Elspeth McIntosh, Matthew Turner, Sally Hanreck, Meg Woodsworth, Wendy Olsen and more

Cancer Council Victoria 2010 Arts Awards ‘Lost and Found’

2010-06-07T19:49:00.000-07:00

Cancer Council Victoria has selected my painting of Mum for their 2010 Arts Awards. I’m really proud to be included in this exhibition for so many reasons, one of the biggest reasons is it’s a very personal, sentimental and emotional painting to me.

The exhibition will open on Sunday 11 July 3-5pm @ 120 Collins Street Melbourne and run until the Friday 30 July.

As part of the exhibition there is a people's choice award. For any of you who might like to show your support, please click here to vote. Voting finishes November 2010.

Thank you :)

Moore painting publicity.

2010-05-19T01:27:00.000-07:00

After not getting into the Archibald earlier this year, my entry of Richard Moore WAS in actual fact selected by the Salon de Refusés, aka Hidden Faces of the Archibald. But for personal reasons I refused the Refusés.

I'd posted the painting on my blog, and shortly there after I was contacted by someone who wanted to do a profile piece on me and my entry of Richard Moore for the RMIT Alumni online newsletter. I was very flattered and accepted the opportunity to share my painting to a wider audience.

(click here to read profile)

Archibald Portrait Prize Submission - Mark Two!

2010-03-16T18:31:00.000-07:00

One lesson learnt from last year's submission - paint someone actually known in the Arts, Letters and Sciences and NOT yourself (unless am actually known and highly regarded in one of those areas..... hmmm, obviously not quite yet).

Learning from my mistakes I chose to approach Richard Moore, Executive Director of the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF), who has been responsible for overseeing operations of Australia’s largest annual film festival from 2006 - 2010. Being a generous man and a man of good humour who indulges a good coffee, he agreed to sit for me.

In 2009 he authorized the screening of Jeff Daniels’ controversial documentary 10 Conditions of Love, a film about the Uyghur activist Rebiya Kadeer. The film was shown in the face of intense pressure from Han Chinese activists, including the Chinese Consulate.

My main motivation for approaching Richard Moore was I admired the way he stood his ground in the screening of 10 Conditions of Love despite pressure inside and outside Australia. Australia is a very privileged country to have the right of free speech and I think Australians should be reminded of this. I call the painting Speak Freely as in, "Permission to speak freely, Sir!" and as Australians.... we can!

Click on picture for a larger image

My entry into the Archibald for 2010 was unsuccessful. Which is only a shame because I so dearly wanted to share the painting's message to live and nation wide audience. I'll admit I'm a little disappointed at the outcome. I'm a little bruised and a little battered, but I'm all the more determined too.

Fingers crossed I may be selected for the Salon de Refusés aka. Hidden Faces of the Archibald.

696INK: Grand Opening Group Show (Featuring work by ME!)

2010-03-01T15:12:00.000-08:00

Jon Beinart, creator of Toddlerpedes and founder of BeInArt Surrealist Collective asked me (via Elspeth) to submit my Maam Alian works into 696INK’s grand opening group show.

This was very flattering... so I am.

This visual art and tattoo gallery, although small, is an amazing place with really exceptional works by many truly amazing artists. Included in this group show will be Elspeth McIntosh, Jon Beinart and Jason Jacenko and many more kick-arse artists.

Details: Friday 5^th of March, 6pm – 696 Sydney Road, Brunswick, VIC.

Email 696ink@gmail.com to be on the mailing list.

Above flyer artwork by Jason Jacenko.

Poster Concept: Adelaide Fringe 2010

2010-02-27T01:00:00.000-08:00

For a bit o fun I entered the Adelaide Fringe 2010 poster competition in September last year.

Having attended the Fringe before, I felt it to be a Festival that offered a lot in terms of fun, entertainment and atmosphere. Thus my concept was based upon the idea of “Adventure and Fun for the Senses”.

The outcome? Well I didn’t win… this time.

I realise I missed a very important detail – it was the Fringe’s 50th year. A very important milestone and very important marketing angle for the Festival. Silly Lucy. So I appreciate the relevance of the winning entry.

(I still feel my poster is pretty cute though)

Archibald Portrait Prize Submission – Mark One!

2009-10-16T01:30:00.001-07:00

2009 was my first attempt at submitting a piece into the coveted and highly respected Archibald Portrait Prize run by the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Having left it too late to find an appropriate candidate ("An Australian citizen renowned in the Arts, Sciences or Letters"), I chose to use myself as the subject. This unfortunately was an inappropriate choice as I am not yet a "renowned" person within the Australian Arts community… yet.

Although unsuccessful in being short-listed this time, it was a fantastic exercise to paint to a large scale and hit a tight deadline. I'm really pleased with the final result - I think the way I've painted my hands is beautiful.

Inspired by 2008 Archibald Prize winner Del Kathryn Barton, I chose to paint what I was personally most passionate about.: drawing, painting, my friends and my family.

First EVER Exhibition

2009-08-28T05:54:00.000-07:00

CONGRATULATIONS!

Yes, congratulations to me!

Congratulations to me for finally exhibiting for the first time EVER!!!

Finally after much support and gentle but persistent nagging from friends and family, it was very appreciated nagging by the way, I finally got my act together and teamed up with fellow artists Emma Kirsopp and Elspeth McIntosh to create the exhibition Mammalian.

Here is the ultra rad flyer/invite we sent out. I'm very proud of it

(Thank you Emma)

Here is the show's title and our names printed on the window of Hogan Gallery.

Very exciting indeed.

When I first approached the theme of Mammalian my mind went completely blank, I had no ideas, I was stuck. So I asked a number of friends what they thought of when they heard the word “Mammalian” and the main response I received was “Boobies!”

A friend, Greg Shields, cleverly made the suggestion of “Ma’am” and “Alien”. I thought, “Brilliant! A female alien made of boobies!” And that, folks, is how the character of Maam Alien came about.

She’s a sexy, sassy, strong superhero come pin-up girl presented in the format of a comic book series with influences from pin-up artists Gil Elvgren and Bill Ward and the wonderful comic artist Albert “Asterix” Uderzo. Imagining that the Maam Alien series could be pitched to a viable publisher, I have put together a folio of potential comic book covers, painted on canvas to illustrate how her series would look.

Click on any of the photos to view larger

My intention is that you laugh and be entertained by her and her adventures.

One commission, two commission, three commission MORE!

2009-04-30T23:29:00.000-07:00

Below is a selection of past painting or portrait commissions I've had in the last two years.

Click on any photos to view larger

Some are wedding presents, some are birthday presents and some are just personal and special gifts.

Flirty Fleur

2008-11-01T04:19:00.000-07:00

A lot of my work is inspired by my friends and people I know. Fleur is someone I've known seemingly forever. However, unlike most of my subjects, Fleur actually asked me to paint her - "when are you going to paint me?" .... so I did:

Click on the photo to view larger

This piece is called "Flirty Fleur" as I intended it to capture her very social personality. Is she toasting the viewer or accepting a free beer that happens to be coming her way?

Mum

2008-07-01T01:38:00.000-07:00

This is a very personal piece. It’s a tribute to my mother who passed away from bowel and liver cancer in 2002. She was a strong and beautiful woman whose love was unconditional and everlasting.

Click on the photo to view larger

In this painting her spirit is represented in the form of a Ghost Gum with strong branches that support the family she made for herself – My dad, my sister and myself.

Represented on the ground below is the unfortunate “family politics” that occurred as a result of her passing.

We still mourn her and miss her everyday.

Comics and "Drawing Jams" and Astérix

2008-03-03T20:19:00.000-08:00

Something that I would like to do more of is comic book/strip art.

It's an art form I really enjoy and admire. I learnt to read as a child with comic books and magazines - which is how I became a big fan of Astérix and Mad Magazine, two publications that I feel have influenced my drawing style.

It's a dream of mine to one day have enough really good work that I could publish my very own graphic novel *sigh*.

This fantasy is further fueled by, what I call, "Drawing Jams" with talented cartoonists such as Ben "Hutcho" Hutchings, David Blumenstine and Nick "Lark" Zihrul. Three comic book artists with very different and distinctive styles, but all very focused.

They're very inspiring really *double sigh*

The strip I did below was essentially an exercise to test my "line work". I wanted to do something that was fine lined and looked finished. I'm pretty pleased with the result (and I think you can also see the Uderzo influence)

A dark piece and yes a bit gross, I call this strip DIY Heartbreak and I dedicate it to anyone who's ever had their heart broken.

For me though, this strip was more about wanting something so badly but feeling I have no control on its outcome: "Fine! I'll save myself the wait of disappointment and stomp on my heart right now! That'll save us all a lot of time! That'll show 'em!! So there!!" (etc. etc.)

*triple sigh*