It's that time of year, again!
YAS. This Christmas nut is super excited, and I'm kicking off the festive season with 20% off everything* in my store with code XMAS17.
Code is valid worldwide from now until midnight AEST November 20th.
Please also note that cut-off dates for Christmas delivery are as follows:
Australia, Dec 14
International - Nov 20
To shop 'til you drop, visit my store here: www.birdyandme.com.au/shop
*Excludes gift vouchers.
To shop limited edition prints like 'La Petite Fleur' above, click here: www.birdyandme.com.au/shop
With postal services running slower at this time of year as they struggle to keep up with demand, it's always best to get in quick if you need to send some festive love via snail mail, and don't forget - every print order comes with a free Christmas card! Gift sorted.
Delivery cut-off dates are as follows:
Australia, Dec 14
International - Nov 20
To shop 'til you drop, visit my store here: www.birdyandme.bigcartel.com
As someone who personally wishes it could be Christmas all year long, even I am well aware that it seems pretty soon to be flogging Christmas cards before October is even through.
However there are only 8 WEEKS until Christmas!
Which means NOW is the time to start getting organised - especially for those of us who love to send our festive cheer via good old snail mail - as postal services will only slow down from here on in (in fact, my Christmas delivery cut-off times are now listed in my store.)
I had a play with my illustration of 'The Florist' to come up with this little lady because this year "I'm Dreamin' of a Floral Christmas" just like the ones Bing Crosby used to know. But, you know, with more flowers...
These cards are SUPER limited, only 100 produced in total, and will come FREE with every print order in my store while stock lasts.
There are also a very few sets of 3 available to purchase on their own.
Visit my store here: www.birdyandme.bigcartel.com
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.)
Rapunzel, Rapunzel, conditioner's worst nightmare!
Such a popular print this year, and one of my favourites to have worked on.
I'm now down to my last 3 A3 prints before she is forever sold out in that size, and only a handful of A2 prints remain.
Give Rapunzel and her cascading mane a home by visiting the shop here: www.birdyandme.bigcartel.com
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...
Another new print has been added to the shop.
Created last year for the 'Les Petit Fours' exhibition, 'Titania' is inspired by the couture shows of John Galliano and Giambattista Valli, along with the character of the same name from William Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream.'
Limited to a very small edition of 25 A2 prints only, including one very special framed metallic print, 'Titania' is available to purchase now.
www.birdyandme.bigcartel.com
High on a ladder in a Grand Château, amongst a sparkling crystal chandelier and the cascading wisteria and ivy that weaves its way through the large wooden doors, stands Rapunzel.
Although traditionally famous for her golden locks, in my imagination she is a raven-haired beauty, resplendent in a cascading confection of ruffled pink Giambattista Valli tulle.
As a child I had a curious fascination with the story of Rapunzel. While, to a young girl, that mane of glorious hair is the epitome of fairy tale fantasy, the original story is quite sinister - especially the end that sees the Prince blinded by the jealous witch. There was definitely always something a little bit frightening about it, but it captured me none-the-less.
My interpretation focuses on the fashionably-glamorous side of the woman at the heart of the tale rather than the twisted roots of the original.
Fun fact - I started this illustration almost 6 months ago...which is CRAZY. I had almost started to lose track of how long it had been taking me to complete it.
I don't know if it was the minute details, or the constant stopping-and-starting between client projects. As most creatives would understand, you can sometimes lose the enthusiasm for something when it starts to becomes a bit stagnant. But, little by little, I pressed on and finally - I finished! My Mount Everest. I have to say that I'm so glad I kept going as I love how she turned out, and I feel a real sense of accomplishment with this piece. (Although I may not do anything quite so detailed for a while...)
She is the latest in my storybook series, and available in my store now HERE.
I hope you love her as much as I do!
View more Rapunzel-style inspiration below via some of my favourites:
Lily Cole by Tim Walker, VOGUE UK, 2005
Kate Moss by Alasdair McLellan, Another Magazine, 2016
Magdalena Jasek by Maurizio Bavutti, Harper's Bazaar China, 2015
Guys! Guys! Guys!
Today is the 25th of November, which means that there's exactly ONE MONTH UNTIL CHRISTMAS!
*No sh*t, math whizz!*
To celebrate this v.exciting nugget of information, this Christmas-nut is pulling on its ugliest holiday jumper AND taking 20% off everything in the shop for one week* only!
Simply head to www.birdyandme.bigcartel.com, make your selection(s) and then enter code word XMAS2015 upon checkout to apply the discount.
As an added bonus, all prints ordered between now and December 14 will come with one FREE Christmas card. Huzzah! Gift sorted.
Happy Shopping x
*Ends Midnight Tuesday, 1st December*