a botanical CHRISTMAS
2019 Christmas cards are here! With less than 7 weeks until Christmas, now’s the time to get in early with your holiday greetings to be sure they reach your loved ones in time for the festive season.
This year’s design is a spin on my ‘Botanist’ print - a nod to an Australian Christmas. Sadly there are no Winter Wonderlands to be found, but instead it’s a botanical-filled holiday here in the Southern Hemisphere with the scent of eucalyptus in the warm Summer air.
This year’s cards are available to purchase as a set of three (3) in my store, along with a very limited edition print. As always, every print order comes with a free card to gift to your intended (or keep for yourself!)
Click over to the shop here to order.
SNOW WHITE
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
CHRISTMAS SALE
Son of a nutcracker, it's that time of year, again!
I'm kicking off the festive season with 20% off everything over $50* in my store with code XMAS18.
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
Postage within Australia is FREE.
To shop 'til your snowballs drop, visit my store here: www.birdyandme.com.au/shop
*Excludes gift vouchers and cards.
a NUTCRACKIN' CHRISTMAS
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
Karen Elson photographed by Tim Walker, Vogue UK, 2008
Vogue Korea
Shani Zigron photographed by Gustavo Papaleo, Vogue India, 2012
Paolo Sebastian 2018/2019 collection, Inspired by ‘The Nutcracker.’ via Vogue Australia
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
spring TWINS
As Winter wraps itself around us down here in the Southern Hemisphere, my news feed (and brain) is filled with images of European Springs and Summers...flower stands in London, Paris and New York overflowing with beautiful blooms.
It's those same said blooms that have made their way to Australia, and my mantle piece is filled with the last of the imported peonies for the season! I'll have to make the most of them until October, when they burst out with our own Spring.
It's perhaps a bit of wishful thinking / wanderlust that led me to create these two blooming beauties. Although, let's be honest, flowers are never far from my mind - or pencil.
I wanted to convey that sense of Spring and the fantasy of filling our arms - or market bags - with as many flowers as we can carry! I'd also like this bike. So...y'know. Draw what you love / covet, I guess!
These sistas as available in my shop now in limited editions of 50 A3 prints only - signed and numbered by me - until sold out.
Buy one, buy both, keep one, gift another to a friend - they're a special pair and now that I offer free postage in Australia and flat rates worldwide - it's probs a good time to double up ;)
Click here to shop: www.birdyandme.com.au/shop
LA PETITE FLEUR
Pretty as a *powder-pink Dior* picture...
Just 9 prints left in the edition of my Thumbelina-inspired 'La Petite Fleur' before she's sold out forever!
To make her yours, visit the shop here: www.birdyandme.com.au/shop
Don't forget that Australian orders now ship free + International postage is offered at flat rates.
the SWAN PRINCESS
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
Tim Walker for Vogue UK
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
the BOTANIST
You'd think I'd be getting tired of the botanical illustrations by now, buuuuut - no such luck!
I decided to draw a little companion to my 'Florist' girl over the last week, because I clearly can't enough of these tiny people.
This is 'The Botanist' - very nearly titled 'Botany Bae' to the now broken dreams of my husband and friends.
But that's an Aussie in-joke.
This green-thumbed beauty is available in the same sizes and quantities as her (now sold-out) sister! (30 A4 & 30 A3 prints.)
To be honest, I think I like her even more than her floral twin!
You can pick up a print here: www.birdyandme.com.au/shop
P.S The second artwork in the image above is by the amazing Pippa McManus.
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