Magic Jelly

The Holiday Season is Sneaking Up...

...& I'm not very organised so far. I've learned from experience that if you don't have your inventory & marketing plans for the holiday season well under way by mid-year, it's time to start panicking. Am I the only one who's always disorganised & having a nervous breakdown by October?

Anyway...here's a sneak peak at one of my new pieces that will be stocked in my shop for the holidays, & I have a couple of new gocco prints underway, as well as some small-format originals. Aaaaand somewhere within the next couple of months, I'll be moving house too. I hope I get everything finished!!!

A Big Dose o' Cute

A friend of mine is lucky enough to own a lovely little farm in the hills, with alpacas & sheep & goats. He took this photo last weekend on a gloriously sunny winter's day...

You Win Some, You Lose Some...

Packaging design I did last year that, for one reason or another, didn't get to see the light of day. Here's your chance, little illustration, bask in the sunshiny glory of blog exposure!

Remember Me?

It's been a long time between drinks, as they say...about 5 months in fact. I've been cloistered away for so long, working on design projects, that I feel like I've dropped off the face of the earth as an artist & that Magic Jelly has faded into obscurity. Possibly, biannual blog posts aren't helping my cause!

I really miss doodling & daubing & goccoing & steel rulers & x-acto knives & bits of old paper & glue when I'm stuck at the computer all day! In my spare moments I've been working on some new stuff - the little collages you see above are among the new pieces I have on the Magic Jelly production line (hmm, why is TypePad making the thumbnails blurry - blah). These are about 85% complete. They're collaged on canvas (8x8x1-3/8") & I still have to design a pattern for the edges (similar to my Iris collages) & then print them, stain them with tea, glue them, & then give everything a couple of coats of matte acrylic varnish. Then, I can finally stick them in my Etsy shop, & hopefully by then, my brand spanking new online shop that I'm setting up too!

I have a couple of gocco print designs at the sketch stage, a couple of half-done paintings, and a new piece that's going to be part of a series that I hope I can get finished for the holiday season (the packaging for this series is very exciting!).

Argh...feeling overwhelmed... I guess I'd better roll up my sleeves & get back to work! Just wanted to pop in & say "Hi, how're you doing? I'm still here." I'll leave you today with a little treat for all the Film Noir lovers out there...this montage has been so skillfully put together, it's fab!

It's the Little Things...

Way back in '07 I blogged about my childhood tin of plastic treasures that my sister & I called our Little Things Box. We each had an old toffee tin crammed with tiny trinkets that we treasured & traded - much like the tin Amelie finds. I still collect little toys & keep them in vintage cigar boxes.

Imagine my surprise & pleasure to be approached last year by the beautiful Chinese magazine Little Thing to do an interview for their section called Little Paper Magic in the very first issue. They kindly sent me a copy late last year, & I've only just taken a few pics to show you - particularly timely because the theme of this post is all things tiny...

Giveaway Time!
I'm holding a little giveaway of the collages on canvas you see above. They're seriously small - about 2.25 x 3.25" each & come with their own miniature easels.

If you'd like to win the collage on the right, featuring my little illustration of a Death's Head Moth, all you have to do is be a subscriber to my Mailing List - I'll be drawing a name randomly - & to win the collage on the left, featuring Li'l Mary puffin' on a giant stogie, I have devised a little contest...

Just leave a comment here on my blog letting me know you'd like to enter, & provide a link to a picture of something intriguingly small - something little, tiny, miniature, diminutive, eensy-weensy - you get the idea! If it's a photo or artwork of your own, great, but it can also be a link to something you found tinily appealing whilst browsing the internet, that's fine as well. I'll pick a favourite next Monday, & the winner gets the mini-collage! I'll draw the name of the Mailing List winner the same day too.

Can't wait to see your pics of little things!

Long Time No Blog!

Hello Strangers!  I can't believe I haven't posted since last September! Wow, that time went fast... Dang it, I missed the holidays & the new year...

I think I needed a Blog Break. Any of you who are also self-representing artists or crafters know how overwhelming it can be, not only making your products, but handling all your own marketing & promotions, answering emails, taking care of admin duties, etc. It's never-ending! Not that I'm complaining, I'd much rather be busy than sitting around twiddling my thumbs, but sometimes it's just necessary to take a holiday, even if it's just a break from blogging or emailing or shipping, or even from making stuff.

I've temporarily closed my Etsy shop while I concentrate on a B.I.G. project that's taking way longer than I'd hoped. But it's very exciting & I can't wait to tell you all about it! Stay tuned...

The Paper Chase
Thanks to all the generous people who posted bundles of paper to me - I received way more than I ever expected - I really appreciate it! I'm going to close the Paper Chase Project for now, due to my current workload being a little on the heavy side. To those people who have not received their collages yet, please accept my apologies for taking so long, but rest assured, I haven't forgotten you & I'm taking the opportunity while my Etsy shop is on hiatus, to finish the last of the collages & pop them in the post.

I'm also rather behind with my emails at the moment too (I'm not what you'd call a prompt emailer at the best of times!), so if you've written to me & are wondering why the hell I haven't written back, please be patient, I'm ploughing through my inbox as fast as I can!

Art Fights Fire
Mosey on over to the Kaotic Kraft Kuties blog & read all about a fab fundraiser for the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal. There's amazing art being raffled - including my modest li'l contribution above, which is a collage on wood panel - & the draw is being held at the Outré Gallery in Melbourne on the 25th of February. There's still time to buy a raffle ticket - it's such a worthy cause!

The Bushfire Appeal shop on Etsy has been going like gangbusters too. I donated a few things myself, which have now sold, but the shop is still very well stocked with goodies generously donated by wonderful Etsy sellers. So far the shop has raised an incredible $13,500! It's truly heartwarming to witness the generosity of the people who've organised this fundraiser, & all those who've donated & bought. So if you're in the market for something unique & wonderful, & would like to support a very worthy & needy cause, go buy something!

Now that I've dusted off my blog, I think I'll start posting more regularly again. I just installed TypePad's new TypePad Connect feature, so my comments are all spiffy looking & threaded now. I think it means I can reply directly to commenters & they can receive email notification when I do - much better communication! You can even install Connect on non-TypePad blogs, it seems.

I bought some eensy-weensy ultra-cute little canvases on tiny easels today (I just love small-scale things!) & I'm going to make some mini artworks on them for a Blog Giveaway in the next few days - so watch this space.

Until then, toodle-loo my friends! Stay warm or cool, depending on where you are...& go eat some chocolate or hug a kitten or something!

We Have a Winner!

Thank you to everyone who participated in my Favourite Shoes print giveaway - what a response! I had so much fun reading everyone's shoe stories.

Stories of love & loss...hope & regret...disappointment & serendipity...

How come shoes evoke such bittersweetness? We hang so much significance on our shoes don't we? They come to represent phases of our lives & carry such strong memories.

Anyway, enough rambling... Drum roll please...

The winner of the Favourite Shoes giveaway is Johanna of Good Girls Studio whose dire tale of disintegrated Dr. Scholl's combined the perfect blend of tragedy & comedy. I totally identified!

I gave away a second Favourite Shoes print to one of my Mailing List subscribers in a random draw. The name I pulled from the Purple Velvet Fedora was Natalie of Naked Tile.

Congratulations girls - I hope you like your prints!

Thanks again to everyone for your wonderful, poignant shoe stories! This was such a fun contest, I'll make sure to have another one soon!

Print Giveaway - Tell Me About Your Shoes!

I was so happy with the Favourite Shoes print that I made another edition in my favourite colour combo du jour - red & pale blue - & it's now for sale in my Etsy shop.

It's difficult to decide which edition I like best, but I'm really in love with the card stock I used this time, it's a lovely eggshell colour with little red & blue flecks, & looks just like a speckly bird's egg. It suits the print so well!

Anyway, I thought I'd have a little contest & give away a print. All you have to do is post a comment here in my blog giving an anecdote, or description, or even a link to a photo or artwork about your favourite shoes.

I don't really feel a burning need to win one of my own prints, but I thought I'd get the ball rolling with my own shoe story...

My sister Josella thinks I have some kind of super-turbo memory, but really (really) I can't even remember my own phone number. I do have some little snippets from the past that I vividly recall though, & one involves my favourite shoes.

I remember walking down King William Street (main street through the centre of Adelaide) with my mum when I was about three or four years old. I know it was near my birthday (in October) because it was mild, late-spring weather. It was a balmy & rainy late afternoon that grew so dark the street lights came on & they reflected in the wet roads & pavements, which reminded me of a poem I had a particular love for at the time (see below).

I was wearing my favourite outfit - a purple & magenta paisley silk smock dress with swirly brass buttons (I'm talking 1971...my mum always dressed Jo & I in these ultra-short dresses, this one was no exception), little white ankle socks, & shiny black patent mary-janes. I loved those shoes. They had buttons instead of buckles - just like my Favourite Shoes print (which is based on a pair of shoes I own now, with extra fancy embellishments)

I remember walking along the shimmery, rainy street (the acoustics change when it rains like that - the traffic was all echoey) holding my mum's hand, & in the other, clutching a brand new colouring book & box of crayons she'd just bought me. Penny Lane by The Beatles wafted from a shop doorway.

It was just one of those perfect happy moments. I loved my shoes, I loved the day & my new colouring book, & I loved my mum. :)

And have a look - I still own the book with the poem about rainy streets in it that the day evoked in my four-year-old mind...

There are other shoe anecdotes of note that I could have shared...such as the time I set fire to a total stranger's brand new trainers with a flaming marshmallow at a party...but that one's not nearly as picturesque, & anyway, it isn't about my shoes.

So, if you'd like the chance to win a Favourite Shoes print, feel free to share your shoe story. I'll pick my fave in a week's time & announce the winner. Make sure your comment links back to you so I can contact you if you win & get your address!

New Gocco Work

EDIT: Last Wednesday was my 1 year bloggiversary! Yay me!

Here's the new work I've just finished for the Gocco Exhibition at the Here Gallery in October. It's all been bundled up & shipped off now. I made the Favourite Shoes print in an edition of 50 & it will be available in a boxed portfolio with prints from all of the other participating artists too. I get a set myself - can't wait! I think I might make a second edition of this design in different colours - I'm quite happy with how it turned out!

And here's the girl from a few posts ago that started as a sketch in my Moleskine. I've made two mixed media pieces on 6x12x1.5" canvas. I thought I'd show you the canvas sides too because I think they worked out rather nicely. I printed up a few extras on various types of paper to incorporate into some future pieces I'll be selling in my Etsy shop.

In other news, I was featured on Design Sponge last week as part of their Regional Roundup series on Australian designers. Hooray!

I was also approached by the fabulous ezine Design This Design That to take part in their Illustration issue, but I was so busy I forgot to send back the interview answers! I'm really disappointed that I missed out, because it really is a great issue, but I'm still featured in the Etsy Treasures section, which is nice. Go take a flick through- it's loaded with amazingly talented illustrators.

Gocco Exhibition

Some of my work is going to be featured in this fabulous exhibition of Gocco artists, Even Dwarves Started Small, being held at the Here Gallery in the UK (& look, one of my pics is on the flyer!). It's shaping up to be a great show (I wish I could attend!) - here's the list of artists...

Arctic Circles | Jill Bliss | Simon Dovar | Rob Flowers | Imakethings | Yellena James |Xtina Lamb | Magic Jelly (that's me!) | Mark Pawson | Nigel Peake | Peskimo | Aaron Sewards | Lucie Sheridan | Julie West | Jazmin Velasco

From the press release:

For over 25 years, the Print Gocco screen-printing system has been used in Japan. The small plastic device is a self contained screen printing set-up, consisting of an exposure unit, pre-coated screens and inks. Originally marketed for making greeting cards and sold in toy stores, appreciation for the Gocco system has grown amongst artists who cannot afford, or don’t have the space for a traditional screen-printing equipment.

We feel that the accessibility of Print Gocco reflects our own DIY ethos in running a gallery, and so have chosen to celebrate our Fifth anniversary with a group show of Gocco based artwork. To accompany the exhibition, we will be releasing a portfolio of Gocco prints, produced in a signed and numbered edition of 50, collected in a custom made presentation box.

We’ve selected artists who look beyond the limitations of the device, to show that it can also be used to produce fine art works. Those involved are from a range of disciplines; textile design, fine art, illustration, graphic design, and animation.

I Haven't Been Swindling Your Paper - Honest!

Can you believe it?  It was in July that I started the Paper Chase! Some of you may have been wondering if I was ever going to make & send the promised collages, or that maybe I'd skipped town with all that paper. Well, fear not, I'm still here & I'm busily collaging.

I've received 36 packages of paper so far, & although I'm still more than happy to accept people's parcels, I just want to let you all know that it might take me a while before I can post back the collages - I've had a much bigger response than I expected.

Thanks to everyone who's participated so far - I hope you can be patient with me! I've uploaded all the packages I've received to the gallery, but have yet to write the descriptions to the most recently received ones & link to the lovely people who sent them. Hopefully I'll finish updating everything this afternoon.

Here are the first six collages (and the finished stamp that I put on the back of each collage) - I hope the recipients like them! I'll be popping them in the post on Thursday!

I made Collage No.1 for artist Rosa Murillo. You can take a look at the selection of paper she sent me right here. I love Rosa's work & I hope she likes my little collage! The square of paper with the masked woman stamped on it is from a legal document from the 1880s that Rosa sent. The paper has a beautiful crinkly texture that I didn't want to lose by gluing it down, so I cut a little window in the backing card. When you hold it up to the light, that section is kind of luminous - it reminds me of a watermark on a dollar bill.

 

Collage No.2 was made for Smoobage who sent a big pile of amazing vintage 7" record sleeves. I really love the muted, drab colours.

 

Caroline of Peaseblossom Studio sent me some beautifully aged pages from a French dictionary. Collage No.3 reminds me of an 18th century entomological expedition to an exotic island somewhere.

 

Collage No.4 was made for High Desert Diva who sent me a lovely collection of vintage stamps & labels & things that you can take a look at here. I made a green & purple collage for her!

Moving on to Collage No. 5...Mandy sent me a really nice letter with her parcel of paper. She thinks the lining of envelopes are really beautiful (I agree with her!) & sent a little collection to me - I wanted to make her a collage that somehow incorporated their intricate patterns. I think this collage has something to do with the migratory habits of a big brown moth - he flies to Dublin each summer to stay with relatives apparently.

Lastly, one that I just finished this morning - Collage No.6 that now belongs to Joanne, aka Shaving Kit, who sent me a really colourful collection of paper. I wanted to give her collage a storybook feel...

So that's it for now! I may not be able to get started on the next batch of collages for a week or so, since I'm finishing up on some gocco prints that I need to post off to the UK for an exhibition, but I'll keep you posted on any further Paper Chase developments!

May I Rant About Digital Art Please?

I've started digitally "inking" the sketch from my last post in Illustrator & thought you might like to take a look at my progress. You can see from the scan of the original sketch (acting as template) that I've made a few adjustments...eyebrows lower, eyes smaller, nose narrower, jawline fuller...but basically it's the same gal! Eventually, she's going to be gocco printed on vintage paper & become part of a mixed media piece. I'll show you when it's done!

Anyway, the painstaking task of vectoring my sketch got me thinking about digital art & its reputation amongst traditional artists.

I hang around the Etsy forums waaay more than I should (when I'm supposed to be working!) & have been frustrated on a number of occasions by peoples' attitude towards digital art. I'm referring to the viewpoint that digital art is somehow less legitimate than traditional art. What's particularly frustrating, is when the people who hold this opinion know nothing about digital process whatsoever.

There seems to be this misconception that digital art is just a few mere magical mouse-clicks away! Also that it's somehow inferior because it's not "handmade" (the Etsy catch cry) & is "cold" & "soulless".

Well, I can tell you now, I use the same pair of hands, set of eyes & brain to make digital artwork as I do when using paint, ink or pencil. Furthermore, digital techniques are not as intuitive as putting pencil to paper - it's not so easy to just pick it up & hit the ground running - it took me a very long time to fully grasp the technical aspect of making pictures digitally & to finally be able to accurately render the ideas in my head. This is all contrary to the commonly held opinion that digital art is somehow easier to make than traditional art, that it takes less time, talent & skill.

And back to the "handmadeness" aspect again... Despite the fact that I've just argued that in its own way, digital art is just as "hands on" as traditional art, I just want to add that technique & craftsmanship are only part of the picture when it comes to making art. What about the more cerebral considerations: developing your concept, making your colour choices, composition, subject matter, & all those other decisions you make about how best to render your ideas? I think, especially on Etsy, with its fixation on "handmade", that some artists get so caught up with the craftsmanship of making art that they forget the conceptual side is equally important. Maybe if they considered this, they'd start to understand that computers are no different to any other tool.

I guess part of the reason digital art still gets a raw deal is because it's still relatively new, but why not embrace whatever tools & technologies are at hand? Once upon a time, the camera obscura was seen as the devil's work, & there are techniques & media embraced by the art world these days, that were once considered too "lowbrow" or commercial.

I'm a believer in using whatever it takes to communicate your ideas, whether it be a charred stick on a cave wall or a MacBook Pro.

Aaahhh...Fresh Sketchbook!

First page of new Moleskine...

Accidental Beauty & Organised Chaos

Maybe beauty is too grand a word for accidentally organised clutter, but even so, I thought these little dogs (picked up a few weeks ago from a flea market) I'd put to one side of the hellish mess I call my work table, made a nice little arrangement deserving of a photo! The collage on canvas behind them is a little work in progress - I must get around to finishing it!

The piccie below is another accidental arrangement from a few months ago. I was idly fidgeting while talking on the phone & made this little scene on my desk. The thing the tinsel tree is sticking in is a grubby lump of blue-tac with the word 'please' pressed in it from my 'please do not bend' stamp. Notice my blog on the screen behind it?

I've been flat-out busy lately, but for all those involved in the Paper Chase, I am madly collaging the nights away & will update the gallery & post some of the finished collages hopefully this week! Last count, I think I'd received about 30 packages!

What else have I been doing lately? Well, I've listed some new things in my Etsy shop. I thought I'd try & justify the extravagant purchase of stamp making equipment by making some to sell as well as for myself. I'd like to expand the selection, but here's what I've got for starters. I'm granting buyers a license to use them commercially, & all the designs will be exclusive to the range. I'm also gradually taking product photos so I can list a whole lot of buttons, magnets, keyrings, etc. The multi-packs that I've listed so far seem quite popular!

I'm also making hay while the sun shines (ie. using my gocco before supplies finally run out) by doing some new gocco prints, including some pieces for a gocco exhibition in October that I'll tell you all about later.

I'll be back to post about the Paper Chase later in the week!

It's All in the Details

I want to make the Paper Chase a little bit special, so I designed this stamp to print on the back of all the collages I make.

I also uploaded a new batch of photos to the gallery - I've received 20 packages so far!

I'm pretty busy with work at the moment, so making the collages is purely an after hours activity, but I'm slowly getting through them & still happy for any new people to join in!

I've had such an incredible response, I had to devise a little system to keep all the packages in order & make sure I don't mix any up. I'm not what you'd call naturally organised or efficient.

Thank you so much to everyone who's participated so far - I've been totally blown away by how generous & thoughtful people are!