TOKYO

in ,

Just touched down in TOKYO!

It's no secret that Japan is one of my favourite countries in the entire world and I'm so excited to be starting off my adventure with the bright lights and floral scents of Tokyo + Kyoto.
While I might have JUST missed out on sakura season, I'm bound to be blown away by the azalea and wisteria that will be in full bloom this week. Not to mention the sartorial choices of the cos-playing, colour-loving, Harajuku Girls. KAWAII!
P.S I wish I had the guts to take my hair to this colour...

"I'M OUT, BABY!"

in ,

...as a man that looked a lot like Patrick Swayze once said during a Summer in the Catskills.
Only I haven't been fired for dancing too dirty, I'm off on an overseas adventure for the next 4 weeks!

While my shop will be closed for the duration of my break (you can purchase prints in-store at Signed & Numbered) I will be updating my blog and social media channels with highlights of my trip!
I made sure to build up a wee portfolio of new work to post while I'm away - suited to each city I visit - so do keep your eyes peeled and follow the hashtag #birdytravels to catch up on what you might have missed.

For now, though, it's Sayonara, Ta Ta, Au Revoir and Arrivederci from me!

HOW I SPENT MY SUMMER VACATION...

in

Well, hello 2016!

I'm finally back at my desk after a lovely and long Summer holiday - the best part of which (aside from Christmas and New Year) was spent in this beautiful little slice of paradise, with my husband and friends.
Goremans Road is a property in the Byron Hinterland, a lush tropical wilderness full of sunshine, birdsong, and sparkling water. I don't think I've ever had such a relaxing break. It could have been the clear blue skies and rustling palm trees.......or maybe it was the endless supply of Mojitos. I guess we'll never know!

I hope you all had a wonderful break over the holiday period - I'm excited to see what the coming year is going to bring!

AMERICAN WOMAN

in

Just a quick post to say 'Ta-Ta' as I'm about to head off to America for a much anticipated holiday!
There will be a few updates here and there (some exciting things on the horizon) but for the most part I'll be taking a few weeks to zone out, have fun, and soak up all that the good ol' U-S-of-A has to offer. No doubt I'll come home full of inspiration and many a Yankee-inspired post!
If you have any tips or suggestions feel free to leave them in the comments section below! I'd love to hear them.

ALSO - my shop WILL remain open while I'm away, however please note that any orders placed after October 5th will not be posted until November 2nd.
Apologies for any inconvenience caused.

For now, though, it's FAREWELL from me!
You can keep up with my adventures on Instagram where I will (try) to post highlights of my trip.

PARIS

in ,

So, a few things happened last year;
I went on a honeymoon, I discovered Airb'n'b, and - I started to 'pin'.
I've had a pinterest account for a few years, but never really got into it - until now.
After spending time overseas in the most beautiful spaces, I found myself bitten severely by the interior bug. I fell in love with our surroundings, from quaint Parisian apartments to minimal Berlin lofts, and the vast and varied ways that interiors differ from city to city.

Paired with a recent burst of home renovations and DIY projects, I decided to focus all of this enthusiasm into a new series of works, depicting the home interiors of some of my favourite cities in the world.

First up is Paris. Because, well, Paris.

I think if I could live in any city in the world, interior-wise Paris would be it.
I go gaga for large windows and flower boxes. For filtered sunlight, white washed walls and parquet floors. For ceiling roses and cow hide rugs. For thick coffee table books and gorgeous vintage handbags. This, to me, is the ultimate space.

Stay tuned for the next city - again it's one of my most-loved in the world.
Do you have a favourite city when it comes to influential design?

Image Credits: Kelly Smith

GLAMOUR

in ,

Earlier in the year I had the pleasure of working on an editorial illustration for Glamour Russia.

When I received the initial brief from my agent my eyes popped at the words "French" "actresses" "Marion Cotillard" "Léa Seydoux" "Audrey Tautou" "Charlotte Gainsbourg" - basically, they had me at hello!
I'm such a huge film fan, and a bit of not-so-closet Francophile and, while I admire the style of every actress featured, three of them just happen to be some of my all-time favourites.

The brief was to illustrate the four of them, sitting together, on a Parisian street. I took a little inspiration from the beautiful exterior of Café de Flore and had a whole lot of fun pouring through images of each lady's personal style.

Amazingly for me, the magazine came out while I was in France on my honeymoon, which made it all the more exciting. I had even just recently visited the home of the late Serge Gainsbourg, father to Charlotte. The exterior is an homage to the actor/musician, covered on every square inch in grafitti and artwork from his fans. Incredible.

LA MAISON FAVART

in ,

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