Lucky

I'm sure many of you are familiar with Canadian artist Lucky Jackson but in case you are not - she creates the most stunning appliquéd/embroidered artwork, and is currently working on a very impressive 365 project.

I'd admired a portrait Lucky did of Tim Gunn prior to this project for a long time - I think he's hilarious on Project Runway, and really loved the fabrics she'd used - I wanted it on my wall! A couple of months ago I finally decided to enquire about purchasing the piece, and find out what shipping would cost to send it to New Zealand.

When Lucky got back to me after getting a quote, she said she had looked at my blog in the meanwhile and come across this video I did about my disease, ankylosing spondylitis, and the injected medication I take to treat it, Humira.

I was pretty amazed when she revealed in her email that she not only has the very same autoimmune disease as I do, but she is also prescribed Humira.

She went on to say how helpful she had found my video, and that she wanted to gift me the portrait as thanks - needless to say I was blown away by her generousity, and ridiculously excited to receive it! It also happened to be the day before my birthday when I got that email, and while I had a lovely birthday, it was very difficult to top that!

Thrilled.

So this post is mostly to say a huge thank you to Lucky for her generosity, and to encourage those of you who are uninitiated to take a look at her gorgeous work.

What I love about this exchange, almost as much as the artwork itself, is the fact that discovering Lucky shares my struggle with ankylosing spondylitis clearly illustrates what a hidden disease it is - it gives great weight to the 'but you don't look sick!' mission. Lucky's creativity, and particularly productivity, in her 365 project was already so impressive to me as an artist but now - knowing first hand what a hurdle AS can be - I am floored.

Thanks Lucky, for such a wonderful gift, and for giving me permission to share this information about our AS. To say you're an inspiration for me to persevere in my creative endeavours is a massive understatement!

Terry O'Neill

The Leeds Gallery is currently showing Terry O'Neill's celebrity photographs. The magic of the internet means we can all pretend to be there. If I had a few spare thousand in the bank... well, I'd have a really difficult time choosing just one print.

Kevin Van Aelst

Cardboard Box, 2008

Driving at Night, 2009

One Heart Beat, 2008

The Ocean, 2010

Kevin Van Aelst website.

Caroline Wang of Coco Draws

Caroline Wang is the 28-year-old illustrator behind Coco Draws. She's based in Southern California, and sells her ridiculously cute illustrations online through her Etsy store. I'm sure those of you who are fashionably-inclined will especially appreciate them, as many of her works depict classic designer pieces, as well as popular beauty products.

Caroline set up a new blog earlier this year to accompany her shop, and on it she showcases her illustrations- each accompanied by a little write up about her admiration of a fashion item she's drawn, or memories she associates with a particular garment.

Caroline told me that she doesn't have any formal artistic training, and has been teaching herself Photoshop over the summer. She uses pen to draw out her illustrations and then colours them digitally, which means some prints are available in several different colours.

Below are my three favourite designs from the Coco Draws store, be sure to go and check out all the other prints Caroline has on offer! I'm definitely thinking the Longchamp bag needs to be on my wall in the near future.

Coco Draws Etsy.

Coco Draws blog.

Coco Draws Facebook page.

Early hours.

It was a beautiful sunny day today, and I spent it being very, very lazy. I even had a nap this evening, and now it's just after midnight and I'm wide awake... oops. I've found lots of great stuff online, so I thought I'd share a few of my favourites.

Beautiful photography by Christopher Jonassen, including this series of 'worn-out fryingpans'. Did it fool you?

Pleeease take me to Sweden to see this awesome rabbit sculpture by Florentijn Hofman.

I'm crazy about this incredible coloured pencil jewellery by Maria Cristina Bellucci. For once in my life I wish I could find a similar item on Etsy, as these seem to be exhibition pieces only. Regardless, I did find these earrings to add to my favourites list.

Embroidered toast by Judith G. Klausner.

If you're anything like me, after clicking your way through a good few hours of links to get here, you need to watch this deleted scene from Miranda July's new film, about avoiding distractions.

Back and forth. Forever.

Cybele Malinowski

Go away. I'm serious- go scroll through Cybele Malinowski's photography before I get carried away and start posting everything she's ever shot.

Cybele Malinowski blog.

Ultra Shoes

I splurge on books and tattoos and overpriced lunches, definitely not fashion. However, if I ever do feel compelled to spend over $40 on a pair of boots (seriously, I am an embarrassment... the most I ever spent on footwear was $100 on a second-hand pair of boots from Hunters & Collectors... which I should definitely show you sometime), Ultra Shoes on Manners Street will definitely be my first stop. Their shoes look beautiful, but more importantly, their window displays are always extremely cool. I usually only walk Manners Street on my way to work, and always admire their new display. I decided I absolutely needed to share some photos on here when I saw their latest René Magritte inspired window. Ma-gic!

Apologies for the reflections, there are actually dozens of Golconde men suspended in the window, it's just very difficult to photograph when attempting to be discreet.

Ultra Shoes website.
Ultra Shoes Facebook page.

Katharina Poblotzki

I don't have much to say, other than I've loved her work for a while, and this is the greatest. I've been sick all week, but finally feeling a little better this evening. I'm hoping this weekend won't be a waste. MPC number two tomorrow, go and like the page if you haven't already!

Katharina Poblotzki website.
Katharina Poblotzki blog.

Pierre-Emmanuel Godet

Today I discovered the artwork of Pierre-Emmanuel Godet, a Frenchman who appears to be living in Barcelona, Spain (according to his Etsy). He has 70 original drawings for sale in his shop, and I think they're all fantastic- the little linked illustrations that make up each portrait really set his work apart from similar stencil-effect works I've seen in the past. Step back from your screen a little to appreciate how great they would look on your wall!

I think these illustrations would make brilliant gifts, as there are so many different celebrities to choose from, you're bound to find someone's favourite.

Steve Jobs

Marilyn Monroe

Kate Middleton

Pierre-Emmanuel Godet website.
Pierre-Emmanuel Godet Etsy.

Chris Sisarich

To be honest with you, I figured New Zealand's Next Top Model judge Chris Sisarich was purely New Zealand's feeble attempt at filling the ANTM Nigel Barker role. After Googling them both today I am floored to discover that not only is Sisarich an incredible photographer, his work appeals to me far more than that of Barker himself.

Yeah, yeah- I'm probably ten years behind everyone else on this one, I apologise. But if you aren't familiar with Sisarich's work, head over to his website and check it out. Like me, Kiwis will probably recognise heaps of his work from ad campaigns. The below image was apparently shot in Toronto, but there are some incredible NZ images on his website for overseas readers to check out. Links below or click the image.

Chris Sisarich website.
Chris Sisarich blog.

Susanne Kerr

I was fortunate enough to view two of Wellington artist Susanne Kerr's works recently. The detail in both pieces was just incredible- and after seeing a whole lot more of her work on her Facebook page, she can easily become one of my favourite artists. Hope my favourites below inspire you as they did me! I just wish you could all see her work up close- every mark she makes is just so exact and precise.

20% chance of rain, 2010

Symmetry, 2010

Doodle, 2009

Containment (detail shot), 2010

Airing the dirty laundry, 2010

Only a matter of time, 2010

Susanne Kerr website.
Susanne Kerr Facebook page.

Joshua Petker

Joshua Petker uses colours in a way that makes my jaw drop. And the prints he has for sale through his website are the reason I won't allow myself to have a credit card.

Joshua Petker website.
Joshua Petker prints for sale.

Miss Aniela

Admittedly it is six in the morning and I've already been up for two hours, but I just saw this photograph in artist Christie Wright's album of inspiration and it. Is. Amazing. Captivating, even. I want to stare at it all day, but unfortunately it's almost time to start work, and I'm not sure how my colleagues would feel about a flailing, levitating woman in rather small underpants.

Happy Tuesday!

Miss Aniela website.
Miss Aniela blog.

Link: How to steal like an artist

I posted one of Austin Kleon's newspaper blackout artworks last year. A week ago he published this blog post, which has only just come to my attention on Twitter.

It's going viral, so check it out while it's hot. I absolutely love it, it's brilliant. So many sentences made me nod enthusiastically as I read them. I wanted to quote from the post, but I just couldn't choose a sentence, so anyway- stop wasting time here and just go read it, right now. All of you- artists, writers, those who doubt they have a fiber of creativity within them. Go!

Tracey Potter

I have just come across the artwork of Tracey Potter, and I absolutely adore it. Potter is based in Queensland Australia, and has a lot of work for sale through her Facebook page. Below are my favourite images from an album on her page which documents the progress of her My Little Dear painting. There are more than 30 other albums of work to drool over when you have the time. I think I have found the inspiration I needed to make me pick up my paintbrush again.

Tracey Potter blog.
Tracey Potter Facebook artist page.