Meow

Cora Blimey

I stayed up rather late last night. No, not partying, who do you think I am? I created this drawing of superbabe fashion model Cora Emmanuel. I'm not one of those people who swoons over natural light when it comes to art, for some reason I just can't concentrate during the daytime. I get impatient and end up unhappy with whatever I produce. I like drawing once the sun's gone down, and there's just the city lights outside, and my art desk is lit by only a lamp and the glow from a reference image on my computer. I spent about four hours on this drawing which seems excessive looking at the image above as I type but first of all I'm my own worst critic, and second of all my camera hasn't picked up all the tones on her face that are visible in person. Actually it was the first time in years I've got a cramp in my hand while drawing.

Anyway, she's for sale in my Etsy store now. Hope you're all having a wonderful weekend, despite the weather for you Wellingtonians.

PS: I know, the title of this post is probably the lamest I've ever done. But Cora, cor blimey, Emmanuel, I couldn't not. Also, thinking of post titles is pretty much my single biggest challenge when it comes to blogging. I almost wish I'd started just numbering them.

Humpday Happiness

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Fancy

A few posts back I couldn't come up with a good answer for my favourite celebrity couple. Well duh, it's quite obviously got to be Aaron Paul and his ridiculously beautiful fiancée Lauren Parsekian. Also yay for all the Homeland Emmy wins, I am so excited for season two!

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Three Little Letters

Dear Aaron Paul,

I started watching Breaking Bad because I grew up watching Malcolm in the Middle, and everyone told me Bryan Cranston's acting diversity was incredible. It's true, and as much as I'm growing to loathe Walter White as the show nears its finale, Bryan's performance floors me every week. But for me, your portrayal of Jesse Pinkman is what makes the show. And it's not because of the 'yo's and the 'bitch'es, or the babe alert factor (at least, not primarily), but because I don't even have to be watching a full episode to get a knot in my stomach and tears in my eyes when Jesse Pinkman's having a breakdown.

Dear casting director of Bachelorette,

Despite being bitterly disappointed by the film itself, I thank you for putting Kirsten, Lizzy and Isla in a movie together.

Dear Miranda Kerr,

It's a bit cruel of you to be lounging around in the same frame as my neighbourhood. It's so exciting how many celebrities have been brought to my city by The Lord of the Rings and now The Hobbit. But why can I never seem to cross paths with any of you?

T shirt from Redbubble
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Recent Work

Hey everyone, above are some portraits I've been working on over the past few days. I'm auctioning them on Trade Me (NZ only, sorry overseas friends!) You can view all the listings here, and don't forget to like my Facebook art page if you haven't already! Thanks so much, hope you all have a brilliant weekend.

Celebrity Crushes

I saw this question/answer "tag" on YouTube and decided to bring it over to the blogosphere. Because personally, I would rather look at photos of babes than a 20-something gushing about said babes. It's pretty much the lamest Q&A post that a supposed adult can do, but I'm not really up to using a lot of brain power, okay? Give me a break, haha. Let me know if you feel like being cheesy as me and fill this out yourself.

1. Who is your oldest celebrity crush?

Giancarlo Esposito, who is 54. Although really, I haven't seen him in anything other than Breaking Bad - haven't got to his Community episode yet, and watched The Usual Suspects several years ago now. So I guess it's all about his character, Gustavo Fring. Do not Google that name if you haven't watched Season 4!

2. Who is your youngest celebrity crush?

These age questions are tricky! I've realised I don't really like many celebrities who are in their 20s, so the only person I can think of off the top of my head is Zac Efron. Cringe, right? I can't say I've really seen any of his work and enjoyed it, but I watched his appearance on Graham Norton today on YouTube and he was pretty charming.

3. Which celebrity is number one on your "meeting list"?

Ryan Gosling, mostly to make people jealous.

4. Which celebrity are you convinced you're in love with?

And here we have the lamest of questions. I'll go with Michael Fassbender, duh.

5. Who would be your "same sex" celebrity crush?

Abbie Cornish.

6. What band do you think is the hottest, in your opinion?

I don't know, The Strokes?

7. Who is your favorite celebrity couple at the moment, or of all time?

I really loved Seal and Heidi. Now, I just don't know! Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams were adorable.

8. Who has the nicest body in your opinion?

Fassben... duh.

9. Has anyone ever compared you to a celebrity?

When I was at school I got an Alexis Bledel comparison a couple of times. And yeah I was skinny enough for that, almost, but I still had my trademark squinty eyes, so I don't know what those people were thinking. Also my dressmaker for a school ball went on and on about looking like Katie Holmes - this was around the start of her relationship with Tom - and started calling me Katie by mistake on the second fitting.

10. Which celebrity do you think is very "unique" but still gorgeous?

Lizzy Caplan, when her eyes look crazy round.

Rufus on Ellen

Rufus was on Ellen last week (the episode aired here today but I totally cheated and watched it online. I am too impatient). Watch the whole performance here, and check out the video for the song if you're a Helena Bonham Carter fan. If you're not familiar with his music and this song isn't your cup of tea, I strongly urge you listen to the rest of the album, or better yet his earlier work - Release the Stars is probably my favourite. I have to confess I've bought the Out of the Game single on iTunes, but have only been listening to the album itself online so far... I'll definitely buy it when I'm back on my feet financially. Also on my shopping list will be a pair of those floral pants...

I need to start buying Lotto tickets so we can go see him again in Australia this September. Wish me luck.

Lazy reviews

Shame (2011)

In New York City, Brandon's carefully cultivated private life - which allows him to indulge his sexual addiction - is disrupted when his sister Sissy arrives unannounced for an indefinite stay.

I'd been very much looking forward to seeing this, as you can probably guess. Carey Mulligan was troubled but beautiful, Michael Fassbender was at times vulgar but still gorgeous, and they are both fabulous actors. But oh my word, this film was a snore. Perhaps I'm growing out of my affection for moody films in which not-a-whole-lot-takes place. Perhaps I watched it on a less-than-ideal day. But I won't be giving it another go.

Fish Tank (2009)

Everything changes for 15-year-old Mia when her mum brings home a new boyfriend.

Admittedly, again Fassbender was babein' (perhaps his best, besides as Archie Hicox in Inglourious), but I loved the film itself. I thought the girl who played Mia was brilliant, although I'm not sure how much of a stretch from real life the role was for her (I Facebook stalked). This film reminded me a lot of All or Nothing, but with far more attractive actors (although thinking about it I probably don't watch many films set in English housing estates and that's probably the only shared theme). I'm clearly no film reviewer, and I really don't know how the pros write so much without giving away film plots. To be clear - I loved this film, but overall it is not a light nor cheery plot. But you should watch it, and I definitely will be again.

Hunger (2008)

Irish republican Bobby Sands leads the inmates of a Northern Irish prison in a hunger strike.

Like Shame, this was directed by Steve McQueen, but I appreciated this offering a heck of a lot more. Fassbender's scary weight loss and an amazing single shot of over 15 minutes of dialogue are two well publicised reasons why you should see this film. It's intense and brutal, and especially disturbing to an ignoramus like myself who only did some Googling to learn about the conflict and hunger strikes after watching it. I definitely recommend it, though probably won't be in a great hurry for a second viewing myself - too unsettling.

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Fassbender

These are old news now, you say? Do you care? I really don't.

Has anyone seen Shame? I don't go to the cinema very often at all any more, but I think I'll have to make an exception this week.

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Aimee Mullins: How My Legs Give Me Super Powers

Judy Greer at the Oscars

Monique Lhuillier

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Mette Lindberg

This advertisement has been on TV for a while now, but I never paid much attention nor bothered to Google the song until now. My new I-wish-I-could-be-you crush.

One week until Christmas! More posting of substance this week, I swear.

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Gotye & Kimbra

I'd never heard of Gotye before this song. I've listened to a bit more of his music on YouTube since, though it's not really my thing so far (by all means, recommend me something though). But this song, with Kimbra of all people, I'm crazy about. I'm really looking forward to Kimbra's debut album next month, and I absolutely hope she blows up- I think she'll be someone New Zealand can be genuinely proud of. I often feel we're a nation of rather negative people when it comes to our musicians' success, so it's quite fantastic to have hardly seen any bitter comments on her videos and websites that mention her.

Check out this song below, when you have a spare four minutes. And if by some crazy reason you don't like it, link me something better because I'd love to hear it!

Katy Perry

Ever since I first saw Katy Perry being interviewed (by Ellen DeGeneres) I thought she was a bit of a fruit loop, though a beautiful fruit loop to be sure. I adooore Russell Brand though, so she's gradually earned a lot more of my respect and I now think she's pretty damn cool. I normally prefer brunettes to blondes, but in her case I really love her new look, and I really really love that dress.

(And, as you know, I love high res images of celebrities. You can see pores? I feel so much better about myself!)

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Andrej Pejic

This ridiculous babe is male model Andrej Pejic. Yes, male. Those of you who are fashionably inclined are probably well familiar with his ability to be incredibly good looking as either a male or a female, but he was new to me this week after an article on Stuff.

I'm going to go and clean the damn kitchen and cook something 'hearty' for dinner. Then maybe Google some substantially more... voluptuous... babes, to feel better about myself.

Oh, and I've been working away on my second Monthly Painters' Challenge submission, though it is proving quite difficult. I've got my interpretation of the topic down, and I'm well underway with painting, I'm just having difficulty with my technique. I definitely think I'll switch to a different medium next month. All for a technical challenge, but will be nice to create something I'm really happy with visually too.

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I'm just gonna leave this here...

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Duchess Catherine & Princess Eugenie

I swear my Middleton madness will die down soon... maybe... they're just so damn lovely! It's usually the highlight of my working day when a new story about them pops up. The two photos above are from the recent Epsom Derby.

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Michelle Keegan

The above images are of Coronation Street actor Michelle Keegan wearing Ariella Couture by Kyri at the UK Television Awards a couple of weeks ago. Not afraid to admit I love that show, thought I don't get to watch it all that often.

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Ridiculous levels of glamour.

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