pig + PEPPER

I started this illustration not long after the birth of my son, back in 2019.
It’s taken me quite a while to finish it - I blame the intricacy of those Jean Paul Gaultier ruffles - but it feels somewhat fitting to be finally sharing it now, in a COVID-19 world.
If anyone exemplifies the position we find ourselves in right now, it’s Alice. As we all sit at home in self-isolation we’re turning to books, films, music, games; anything to stir our curiosity and escape the reality of the outside world and this virus. So, what better time to fall down the rabbit hole?

Pig + Pepper is a somewhat forgotten chapter of Alice’s story as it’s often left out of film and animated adaptations. But the story goes thusly; Alice finds herself walking into a scene of complete chaos at the home of the Duchess. A cook with a predilection for far too much pepper is involved in quite a violent display with the Duchess herself, throwing pots and plates around the room, while a baby screams incessantly from the Duchess’ lap, in protest perhaps of the lullaby she’s singing, shaking it violently at the end of every verse. All the while pepper floats through the air causing everyone to sneeze. Still with me?
Alice then snatches the wailing baby from the Duchess and runs away from the house. The baby’s cries turn to grunts, and suddenly it transforms into a pig before her very eyes! Why? I don’t know…it’s Wonderland. *shrugs*

It’s certainly not my first take on Alice, and probably not my last. But, as soon as I saw this cascading confection on the runway during Jean Paul Gaultier’s Spring 2019 couture collection, I knew I just HAD to dress our beloved Alice in it. It’s so her, no? Just add a tiny Prada head band and set.
I also had to include a tiny little nod to the door mouse. Squint and you might see it!
I think the Mad Hatter’s tea party could be calling my name…

Anyway, I hope you like it, and I hope you’re all doing your best to stay healthy, happy, and curious in these crazy times!
BIG LOVE to everyone out there on the front lines, risking their health to save others. THANK YOU x

Karl Lagerfeld and Natalia Vodianova photographed by Annie Leibovitz for Vogue Dec' ‘03

Illustration by John Tenniel

Jean Paul Gaultier H/C Spring ‘19

WONDERLAND

A subject I can never quite put to bed, ‘Alice in Wonderland’ has once again provided inspiration for my latest illustration and print in my Fairytales & Fables series.
It didn’t ease my fascination to recently visit the ‘Wonderland’ exhibit in Melbourne’s ACMI centre.
To see so many iterations of Lewis Carroll’s famous story, along with original artworks, manuscripts and various animation stills, was a treat beyond all others!
(Scroll down further for a few images from the exhibition.)

With a brain abuzz with Wonderland magic, and feeling inspired by a particular chapter in ‘Through the Looking Glass’ - ‘The Garden of Live Flowers’ - I decided to portray Alice in a garden bed surrounded by oversized, talking blooms.

'How is it you can all talk so nicely?' Alice said, hoping to get it into a better temper by a compliment. 'I've been in many gardens before, but none of the flowers could talk.'

'Put your hand down, and feel the ground,' said the Tiger-lily. 'Then you'll know why.

Alice did so. 'It's very hard,' she said, 'but I don't see what that has to do with it.'

'In most gardens,' the Tiger-lily said, 'they make the beds too soft — so that the flowers are always asleep.'

This sounded a very good reason, and Alice was quite pleased to know it. 'I never thought of that before!' she said.’

– Lewis Carroll.

Of course in this version we see Alice in all of her sartorial splendour with a little nod to the extraordinary impact she has had on the fashion and beauty industries via an imagined Diptyque scent Wonderland which would, of course, be used as a vase in its namesake habitat.
(As I, myself, do with my own empty vessels at home.)

I hope you like this latest ‘Alice’ illustration.

Prints are available in limited quantities in my shop here: www.birdyandme.com.au/shop

L-R Concept Art by Walt Disney Studios, Original Pencil Sketch by John Tenniel

le JARDIN

A new personal work for my folio and store!

Inspired by the song 'Golden Afternoon' from my forever favourite, 'Alice in Wonderland' this piece is all about lazy sun-kissed days spent amongst the flowers and fluttering creatures found in any garden.

You can find prints here: www.birdyandme.com.au/shop

ALICE IN GUCCI-LAND

Gucci Pre-Fall 2016

Viktor & Rolf, Photographed by Annie Leibovitz for Vogue US, 2003

Photographed by Margaret Zhang for Seduce

Photographed by Alexandra Sophie for Vogue China, 2016

Given my love of Lewis Carroll's Alice, there was no question I would have to continue the series with her adventures 'Through the Looking Glass.'
The chief inspiration behind this piece was this incredible Gucci gown.
As soon as I saw it I immediately pictured it on our Queen of Curiosity. I mean, if ever a dress was made for its subject...

Taking place after she fell down the rabbit hole, 'Through the Looking Glass' sees Alice pulled into the 'other' room, where everything is back-to-front and the inhabitants have a flair for poetry!
While Wonderland was all about flamingos, rabbits and mad tea parties, the looking glass takes us into a giant game of chess and Alice's determination to become a Queen.
Those familiar with the tale, will also remember that the Tweedles first appear in 'Through the Looking Glass', and not 'Wonderland' as is commonly believed, so I had to include them in my version.

If you've not read the book, you can A) DO IT! NOW! or B) catch one of the many film adaptations, including this one from the BBC starring Kate Beckinsale and a whole lot of mad British fashions (take particular note of the supermodel flower bed.)
I also hope you enjoy some of these looking glass inspired images!

'The Looking Glass' is available to order now in my shop in both A3 + A2 sizes here: www.birdyandme.bigcartel.com
(Limited to a quantity of 40 + 15 respectively.)

150 YEARS OF ALICE

My favourite of favourites.
As a child Walt Disney's 'Alice in Wonderland' was one of approximately 5 movies we owned on BETA video. Remember BETA? It came before VHS. Remember VHS? It came before DVD. Remember - never mind. You get the picture.

Along with 'Sleeping Beauty', 'Pinocchio', and 'The Wizard of Oz' I watched it over and over and over again. I read the story books, I devoured the mini-series' (fun fact - there's a slightly terrible but kind-of-amazing 1980s adaptation of both 'Alice in Wonderland' and 'Alice Through the Looking Glass' that stars Sammy Davis Jr as the Caterpillar!)
I've been Alice-obsessed for most of my life, and I have still yet to meet a print edition that I didn't buy. Friends have even lugged precious copies back from overseas travels. See image above.

So, of course there was no question that I would need to pay homage (again) to the most curious of dreamers, Alice, on this, the 150th anniversary of her very first publication.

A Very, Very Un-Birthday to you Alice, darling, dear.

If you would like your very own Alice, I have added her to my print shop, in two sizes.
Limited editions of 40 A3 prints, and 15 A2 prints only.
Click here to purchase.