peep SHOW
Earlier in the year I collaborated with one of my all-time favourite creative humans, soul-mates, et al, Charli Burrowes of Me Oh My, on some illustration and typography work for her newest collection of tees and lingerie!
Inspired, as ever, by naughty-but-nice Bardot-style girls living in a Wonderland world; creatively speaking we share the same brain.
For the graphic tee we wanted to do something that encapsulated the above while also paying homage to the ultimate fashion artist, illustrator extraordinaire, René Gruau! From the late 40’s and beyond Gruau has been responsible for some of the most iconic images for fashion houses such as Dior, Balmain, Balenciaga, and Schiaparelli, along with US editions of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar.
Such a favourite of mine, his illustrations for Dior of women bursting forth from bouquets exploding with colour and bloom inspired me to contemplate my own variation on this theme, resulting in the first graphic art tee for one of Charli’s collections.
Dubbed ‘For Me? Yes, You!’ the tall-tee is a further nod to the sultry-but-sweet sentiment employed by the collection; wear it to bed, or as a thigh-skimming dress with knee high socks!
The tee sold OUT of its first run on launch night, but is available for pre-order for the rest of the week - due to ship in early Jan 2021.
The second group of garments, comprising a classic tee and silk knicker, bear the hand-written slogan “Do you suppose she’s a wildflower?” which any Wonderland-enthusiast would recognise from the conversation Alice has in the garden of live flowers.
These, too, are available now for purchase and pre-order here: meohmystore.com
I hope you love them as much as we did creating them.
As she does before every release, Charli poured her entire heart and soul into the most phenomenal short film to launch the collection. All pieces can be seen on the model and muse, Beth, as she bumps and grinds her way through her red-light district flower shop.
It’s a John Waters-meets Sofia Coppola-meets Wes Anderson feast for the eyes!
Please watch the entire thing below and scroll on for more inspiration behind the artwork!
INTIMATE
Introducing a new print into my store - 'Intimate ' aptly titled and inspired by the small luxuries of flowers, lace, and perfume.
Available in a very limited quantity of 25 only.
To go to the shop and give her a place in your home, click here: www.birdyandme.com.au/shop
THE FLORIST
I think I have a problem at the moment of coming up with the most intricate concepts for new works that ultimately end up taking me weeks, if not months, to finish, whereby I end up constantly pausing them to start something new.
Which is exactly what happened this week. Growing a little tired of the tedious details of my current illustration, as well as the freezing cold weather we've been experiencing Down Under, I thought I'd try to hurry Spring on a little bit with a floral-themed piece.
I'm no where near done with the Thumbelina-sized girls just yet (will I ever be?) and I thought it would be lovely to have one carrying an enormous bunch of blooms.
I've titled this one 'The Florist' because, well, sometimes I just think it would be the most wonderful job in the world - surrounded by beautiful flowers all day long. Can you even imagine?
'The Florist' is available in my store now in a limited edition of 30 A3 and 30 A4 prints until sold out.
You can plant her in your home visiting the nursery here: www.birdyandme.bigcartel.com
Now, back to client work as well as that complicated piece I've been putting off...
WELL, COLOUR ME HAPPY!
If you don't understand this post's title reference, then you'd better go watch Pretty Woman the very second you close this window!
I channeled my inner Julia Roberts when I finally laid eyes on my illustrated cover for NEXT magazine's February issue which celebrates the current wave of popularity toward colouring books for adults.
I LOVED this concept when it was described to me by the Art Director of the magazine, and jumped at the chance to have my little lady stripped bare for all.
This whole colouring craze FASCINATES ME. Where did it originate? Why did it become such a THING? As a friend recently put it to me, is this what grown-ups have been waiting for their entire adult-lives? A socially-acceptable creative outlet?
I guess to someone like myself, who basically does the aforementioned for a living, (and is also enrolled at the Peter Pan school of adult-ing) it's easy to forget what it's like to have a job that doesn't allow you to express yourself creatively in any way.
I mean, once you leave school you're essentially sent out into the dark abyss that is adulthood, with its myriad of challenges and general life problems that we're immune to as children. And, while it's not ALL doom and gloom - most of the time it's pretty damn cool - it's definitely not as much fun as being a kid can be. I mean when else do you get to spend 6 hours a day pasting glitter on to cardboard?
I kind of love the idea that this whole craze has become a metaphor for adding a little colour and fun to our daily lives - as well as to a black and white sheet of paper.
After all, why should kids have all the fun?
If you're reading this from New Zealand, and you happen to pick up a packet of pencils to colour this baby, I'd LOVE to see your pics of what you end up with!
Funnily enough colouring my illustrations is always the part that takes me the LONGEST time, as I agonise over how much to use, where to place it, when to pare it back or make it bolder. So I'm very intrigued to see how everyone else uses it here...
If you post your pics, add the hashtag #birdycolour so I can find you on Instagram!
HAVE FUN! x
GRANDIFLORA
I'm so excited to finally share my collaboration with the incredible Erin Flannery.
I first discovered Erin's work whilst clicking through a random website in 2007, where someone mentioned the amazing paintings of a local QLD artist. I clicked on a link and found myself immersed in a world of graphic, minimalist, black and white ladies.
I keenly followed her progress, and over the past 8 years (during which a new-found love of colour emerged) we have become pals - no doubt due to the magic of the bloggosphere, in which it's so easy to connect to your peers and become "internet friends" as we like to call ourselves.
To cut a long story short - my love for her work knows no bounds.
I have acquired a few of Erin's pieces over the years and each has a special place in my home.
As such, it became a no-brainer that I should ask her to collaborate with me on the special print above.
Lending her immeasurable brush skills to my pencil work, we have come up with our 'Grandiflora' print - one gorgeous lady with an incredible nest of colour bombed florals in her hair!
I can also think of no better time to post about it than today - the happy first day of Spring.
I mean, wouldn't it be great if we were all going about our business with a swarm of colourful swirls and stripes zig-zagging their way around our heads?
Limited to an edition of 50 only ( + a very special edition of 10 custom gold-leaf embellished prints) you can purchase your very own A2 reproduction via ours shops here:
www.birdyandme.bigcartel.com
-OR-
www.erinart.net
I'm just so happy to finally share this print with you all, it's been a long time in the making!
I hope you love it as much as we do.
x
P.S For a little more insight into our collab - head to Almost Famaus for a Q+A with both Erin and myself.
TRIUMPH BEAUTY-FULL WINDOWS
Earlier this year, I worked on quite a big project with design and art-direction agency, Neighbour UK,
for Triumph lingerie.
I illustrated what felt like squillions of individual blooms to be grouped into floral clusters - which have since been used to create floral window wonderlands in Triumph stores around the globe!
Peonies, roses, lilacs and more...
The images above were captured at the Triumph store in Milan, Italy. I love!
Illustrazioni di Kelly Smith has a nice ring to it I think....
If any of you happen to see the windows while you're out and about I'd love for you to post to Instagram and tag me in them!
Huge thanks to Neighbour for providing the imagery for this post and for asking me to be a part of such a lovely project.
x
LA PETITE FLEUR
I haven't had a lot of time to work on new prints lately due to my workload (so many exciting things to come!)
but I've been plugging away slowly on this piece for about a month or so now, in between client projects/approvals.
It's so nice to finally be able to share the finished illustration with you!
A product of my love for all things décor, floral and Thumbelina-inspired, this brand new print is available for pre-order in my store now!
She may just be my new favourite lady; giving some serious Vogue vibes in her Dior/Valli-inspired gown.
For those of you in the Northern Hemisphere, Spring should just have sprung, so this one's for you, you lucky rascals.
If the Australian weather is anything to go by, my next girl might be wearing thermals and a LOT of angora....
Limited to an edition of 50 A3 prints only, you can order her here:
www.birdyandme.bigcartel.com
ALPHA-H
I recently had the pleasure of working on a beauty illustration for Australian skincare giant Alpha-H and their '15 Years of Liquid Gold' celebration.
I was first introduced to this product way back in my high school years and it quickly became the only (after many futile attempts with other products) saviour to my blotchy, teenaged skin.
I still use this product - every two to three days - to cleanse and rejuvenate my skin, but it's funny to think back on that awkward time while I sit here typing this post - all grown up and blemish free! Thanks Liquid Gold!
As a super special birthday treat, Alpha-H are offering my readers 10% off their entire range online until the end of the month! (31/3/15)
Simply enter the code KELLYLOVESAH during checkout. Huzzah!
For more information on Liquid Gold, and the celebratory events surrounding its anniversary, visit the website here: www.alpha-h.com
SARA ET LE FRENCHIE
It's been a couple of years since our last collaboration, but I recently had the pleasure of working with the crazy talented Zanita Whittington again!
Our latest venture features the always stunning Sara Donaldson of Harper & Harley, a whole lot of paint splatters, and Archie the French Bulldog. Hence the Parisian spin on the title of this post! Isn't he just the cutest?
I had so much fun getting messy with these images.
To see behind the scenes footage of the shoot, check out episode 7 of Fashion Bloggers which is airing on the Style Network in Australia, along with E! in the US, UK and Asia.
You can also read more about Zanita and her vision for the shoot in her interview with Lucky Magazine here.
Credits:
Photography: Zanita Whittington
Illustration: Kelly Smith
Model: Sara Donaldson & Archie
Make-Up: Christabel Draffin
Hair: Frankie Endersbee
Styling: Sara Donaldson
LA MAISON FAVART
As you may have noticed (due to the large lack of posts on my blog) I was a little bit absent for the month of April. This was due to my traveling around on my honeymoon!
A large portion of our time was spent in France, including a brief fling in Paris where we were so lucky to stay at the beautiful La Maison Favart.
La Maison Favart is a ridiculously beautiful boutique hotel in the heart of Paris, a short stroll from Opéra, Place Vendôme, and Tuileries, named after Charles-Simon Favart and Justine Duronceray. Their romantic history starts thusly;
Favart was the director of the Comic Opéra and became captivated by Duronceray during a stage performance of Les Fêtes Publiques. They were married on the 12th of December that very same year. And so began the incredible story of the most famous couple in the history of Parisian theatre; Monsier and Madame Favart.
Here's hoping some of their famous love story rubs off on us!
I was so pleased to be able to collaborate with the hotel on this illustration. After photographing every nook and gorgeous cranny for inspiration, I settled upon the Breakfast Room - my favourite! Every morning began with a croissant and a hot cup of tea, surrounded by sunshine and that glorious pink upholstery. Sadly without the perfectly tousled Parisian tresses and cascading gown. Le sigh...
I could hardly do it justice, but I do hope you like it as much as I do.
P.S YES that is a bathtub in the floor. And, who doesn't love a bath in the floor?
DEFINITELY NOT THIS GUY, that's for sure. Especially when paired with Champagne.
Cheers!
If you're fortunate enough to be traveling to Paris in the future, visit La Maison Favart's website here for more information: www.lamaisonfavart.com