SNOW WHITE

December 07, 2018 by Kelly Smith in ILLUSTRATION, SHOPPING

In typical ‘Me’ fashion, I began this illustration almost two years ago! YIKES.
I finished the pencils on Snow, and then sat her on my ‘work in progress’ pile, a little mentally exhausted at the thought of having to draw her seven small companions. The only problem is that I then completely forgot to finish her!
It was only recently that I picked it back up, determined to complete my take on the beloved tale of ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,’ written by the Brothers Grimm.
My version depicts Snow as a confident, radiant Italian goddess - decked out in the finest garb this side of Milano - and surrounded by seven tiny men in the clearing in the woods that they call home; complete with forest creatures, wildflowers, oranges and lemons. Because, let’s face it, it’s not ALL about that apple.
Once again, I wasn’t overly interested in portraying the Prince, as he’s a bit of a background player in this story, and I preferred to keep the focus on Snow, herself.
Plus, who needs a Prince when you’re a #KWEEN surrounded by little Italian men in tailored suits?!

’Snow White’ has been added to my shop as a limited edition print of 40 A3, and 15 A2 prints, respectively. Click here to shop: www.birdyandme.com.au/shop

You can also find some of my favourite Snow inspired images below:

Carola Remer, photographed by Camilla Akrans, Vogue Germany, 2011

Yan Xu, photographed by Shxpir, Harper’s Bazaar China, 2013

Natalia Vodianova, photographed by Cuneyt Akeroglu, S Moda, 2018

Snow White, photographed by Irving Penn for Vogue, Dec 1946

Beverly Peele, photographed by Bruce Weber, Vogue, 1991

Shalom Harlow, photographed by Francois Nars, X-Ray

Gemma Ward, photographed by Steven Meisel, Vogue Italia, 2005

a NUTCRACKIN' CHRISTMAS

November 01, 2018 by Kelly Smith in ILLUSTRATION, SHOPPING

It creeps up on us earlier and earlier every year, but even more so for those of us that need to prepare for the retail season. That’s right - Christmas is less than 8 weeks away!

My Christmas cards have become something of a tradition for me, and this year I wanted to combine one of my very favourite stories / ballets into the design. It’s been on my mind for so many years now but I hadn’t had the chance to fully dive in. So, in the same vein as my fairytale series, I present to you my take on ‘The Nutcracker.’
We see Clara, having magically shrunken down to the size of her gifted Nutcracker doll (the disguised Prince of The Land of Sweets), dancing and battling the night away in order to break the curse placed upon him by the evil (but still cute) Mouse King.

As a child I particularly loved one of its many animated variations, 1990s ‘The Nutcracker Prince’ but have since, of course, grown to appreciate its more original format in Tchaikovsky’s ballet.

It’s also a subjected that has enamoured both the fashion and beauty industries, with many a spectacular Christmas editorial for the likes of Vogue, W, M.A.C Cosmetics, and more…
You can find some of my favourites below. (Tim Walker certainly loves a ‘Nutcracker’ theme!)

For now though, I do hope you enjoy my version! I decided on a fresh green palette this year.
As usual, cards are available in very limited quantities, and once sold out will not be re-stocked.
Also, for the first time ever, I have made a VERY small print run of 10 limited edition prints for the Christmas décor enthusiasts that like to have something special to bring out once a year!
You can find both in my store now: www.birdyandme.com.au/shop

Karen Elson photographed by Tim Walker, Vogue UK, 2008

M.A.C Cosmetics ‘Nutcracker Sweet’ campaign, photographed by Tim Walker, 2016

Marion Cotillard photographed by Tim Walker, W Magazine, 2012

Natalia Vodianova photographed by Paolo Roversi, Vogue Russia, 2014

Shani Zigron photographed by Gustavo Papaleo, Vogue India, 2012

Paolo Sebastian 2018/2019 collection, Inspired by ‘The Nutcracker.’ via Vogue Australia

WONDERLAND

September 12, 2018 by Kelly Smith in ILLUSTRATION, SHOPPING

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

the SWAN PRINCESS

June 08, 2018 by Kelly Smith in ILLUSTRATION, SHOPPING

Re-visiting an old classic with a new take on 'The Swan Princess.'

Whether you know the story from its various incarnations such as 'The Swan Princess,' or Tchaikovsky's 'Swan Lake,' you are no doubt familiar with the tragic heroine Odette. Cursed by an evil sorcerer (aren't they always) Odette is transformed by night into a beautiful white swan.
A young prince, Siegfried, happens upon Odette one night in the forest and becomes enamoured by her, his love the secret to breaking her curse.
Act III sees the sorcerer deceive the prince by introducing him to his 'daughter,' Odile, the 'black' swan and a doppelgänger for his beloved Odette. The princes falls under her spell, inadvertently ruining Odette's chance of freedom.

The ballet itself is so incredibly beautiful, and the image of the heartbroken swan-girl is iconic.I have delved into this tale previously, but wanted to tackle it again to incorporate more detail; both the black and white swans, the enchanted forest, and that beautiful crescent moon.

'The Swan Queen' is available in my print shop now in a limited edition of 40 A3 prints and 15 A2 prints only.
You can find her here: www.birdyandme.com.au/shop

Keep scrolling for more 'Swan/Odette' inspired imagery!

Kate Moss photographed by Steven Klein for W Magazine

Crista Cober photographed by Kristian Schullerfor Harper's Bazaar Turkey

Letitia Costa photographed by Mario Testino for Vogue Paris

Caroline Trentini photographed by Arthur Elgort for Vogue US

CINDERELLA

December 02, 2016 by Kelly Smith in FASHION, ILLUSTRATION, SHOPPING

The latest in my fairy tale series, and perhaps one of the most widely treasured - 'Cinderella'!

For so many of us, 'Cinderella' (told by the Brothers Grimm and, perhaps most famously, Charles Perrault) is synonymous with Walt Disney's classic animated film. Along with 'Snow White' it was one of the studio's very first in a long line of fairy tales.
We're so familiar with that 'Bibbity Bobbity Boo' scene, the stunning score, and that beautiful scenery (envisioned by the wonderful concept art of Mary Blair).

While Disney's version is so vivid in our memories, I wanted to focus less on the ball and the Prince, and more on Cinderella herself.
Of course those shoes makes a precious cameo, but it's all about that glorious gown and the transformation from rags to ravishing beauty. The birds and mice are getting her dressed and she's just about to throw that god-damned broom away.
In true fashionista style, our Cinderella proves that sometimes all it takes to improve your day is a killer pair of heels and a beautiful dress! Sure, you might have to sweep a few floors, but you'll feel pretty darn good doing it.

'Cinderella' is available now in a limited edition of 40 A3 prints, and 15 A2 prints, in my store here:
www.birdyandme.bigcartel.com
I hope I've done her justice!

View some of Disney's original 'Cinderella' concept art by Mary Blair (because I love it so much!) and a gif of THAT transformation below.

THUMBELINA

November 01, 2016 by Kelly Smith in ILLUSTRATION, FASHION

I can't describe how inspired I was by last week's visit to the Viktor & Rolf exhibit at the NGV in Melbourne.
One gown in particular struck a huge cord with me, along with this quote the boys had left on the wall at the exit;
"We design clothes that look like they were made by the birds in Cinderella."
UM, YES!
I feel like this idea encapsulates everything that is so whimsical and beautiful about fashion - and, in particular, Haute Couture.
These gowns are less about wearability and so much more about the fantasy of a character or mood, lending themselves so beautifully to that sort of suspension of disbelief we adopt when we read our favourite fairy tales. Which is exactly what I'm trying to achieve with this series of work.

Currently working my way through my favourite childhood stories, that quote paired with the stunning ribbon gown from
Viktor & Rolf's 2005 'Flowerbomb' collection really resonated when it came to my next effort - 'Thumbelina.'
It's probably quite clear to everyone how much the story and concept of 'Thumbelina' influences my work - just in my approach to scale, alone!
So, when tackling my illustrated version of this little lady I wanted to bring her into the world of fashion and have her 'mother' be a Parisien dressmaker; one who would create a gown for her from scraps of fabric and off-cuts from the floor.
Of course this particular gown was unbelievably fitting to my idea and as soon as I saw it in the exhibition I knew it was The One.
The mouse is also a nod to one of my childhood heroes, Beatrix Potter. After all, the mice in the building would no doubt help Thumbelina's mother stitch this beautiful gown!

I think this has to be my new favourite of the series <3

See more 'Thumbelina' inspiration below:

Lily Cole by Tim Walker for VOGUE Italia, 2005

Andressa Fontana by Amanda Pratt for Karen, Issue 12