A FASHIONABLY FESTIVE CHRISTMAS

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This year's Christmas card has been a whole lot of fun to draw!
I openly admit to being a fanatical lover of Christmas; someone who will look for any excuse to get the tree up as soon as possible. In recent years I have been pining for a pink Christmas tree, resplendent with its frosted white and gold decorations. My husband, understandably, does not share my affinity for the girly pink tree. So this year I took a leaf out of the clever Sally Spratt of The Lust List's book and decided that if I can't have one I'll draw one.

So here it is, in all its coppery, blush, glory: a babe with party curls and a pretty pink tree to call her own. As always, this year's Christmas Cards are a limited run, so get in quick!

Available in my shop here: www.birdyandme.bigcartel.com

ALSO - as a special holiday treat - every print order* in my store from now until Dec 10 will receive a free card. YAY. Gift sorted!

*Card included with print purchases only.

MEN'S HEALTH

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It's not often that I get to draw ze fellas! But when I do, oh it's fun.
I recently illustrated three variant clipped styles for Men's Health magazine and their feature with Remington for Men’s Health Survival of the Fittest; whereby participants could make a quick 'pit-stop' during the event to get their manly manes buzzed + styled by the Remington team.
I mean, when you're up to your shins in mud, sweat pouring down your brow, it's nice to know you'll be looking semi-decent for that photo-finish and post-race beer! Right, boys?
You can read all about it in the November issue of Men's Health UK.

SPRING INTO CHANEL

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Ever since I spent a week of my honeymoon strolling through the picture-perfect streets of Paris, surrounded by the freshest of Spring flowers, I have been aching to do an illustration based on one of the most beautiful cities in the world, incorporating one of the most beautiful fashion houses in the world. Yep, you guessed it. CHANEL.
Who wouldn't be inspired after passing that iconic storefront at 31 Rue Cambon...?

You might also remember the Chanel pop up flower stall that appeared in London's Covent Garden last year. I couldn't think of a more beautiful back drop for the illustration...

I'm hoping to get more of my Paris-inspired illustrations onto paper very soon, but for now I hope you like 'The Flower Cart' and the accompanying progress imagery and holiday happy snaps!

'The Flower Cart' is available to purchase as an A3 giclée print, limited to an edition of 50 only, in my store here:
www.birdyandme.bigcartel.com

Last Image Credit: vogue.co.uk

UNITED WE STAND

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It is with much excitement that I share these images of the 'United We Stand' campaign, created in partnership between Mount Franklin and Samantha Wills, in support of the McGrath Foundation, who work tirelessly to raise funds that are used to employ Breast Care Nurses around Australia.
Running throughout September and October to coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the campaign includes specially designed Mount Franklin products along with a limited edition t-shirt, available from samanthawills.com, from which $30 of each sale goes directly to the McGrath Foundation.
I am so honoured to have been asked by Samantha once again to bring her amazing creative vision for these bottles to life, and even more so to be a part of such an important and empowering campaign.
"United We Stand" draws its inspiration from Jane McGrath herself, and the foundation's motto that "Together We Can Make a Difference."
Samantha's vision was for an illustrated Warrioress that embodied the strength of femininity, and the power that our relationships have to build us up and support us in times of need.
 Through the sale of these products, and the spread of this message, we, united, can all do our part to help and, in turn, raise awareness for regular breast checks.
You can find much more information on the Samantha Wills website here, where she will be posting regularly about all of the supporting products available, including a special limited-edition jewellery range.
You can also donate directly to the McGrath Foundation here: www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au
Again, I am so proud to be involved in this beautiful partnership and even more so to help spread the message in any way that I can.
So buy a specially marked bottle, drink up, and keep checking those breasts!
While you're at it - get yourself a tee, some jewels and support the campaign in style.

Image credit: B+W campaign photograph by Scott Ehler.

McGRATH FOUNDATION GET TEA-GETHER

I am so proud to be working with the incredible McGrath Foundation for the second year in a row, who work tirelessly to support women, and their families, dealing with the effects of breast cancer.
While there is some more McGrath news to add next week, for now I want to share the re-vamped imagery for the "Host Your Own High Tea" campaign, which this year has been re-named "Get Tea-Gether".
Simply order a (free) kit online and you'll receive everything you need to jump-start your own fundraiser at home.
Host a high, morning, or afternoon tea / a bridal shower - or ANY shower, and help raise funds to support the McGrath Breast Care Nurses!
For more information on how to register please visit the McGrath Foundation's website here:
www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/getteagether

EPOCA THE SHOP

It might be the first day of Spring in Australia, but today's post brings with it the arrival of Autumn/Winter
and the new look book that I worked on for Tokyo label Epoca.
Based around three key trends, I created a few illustrations of the collection, including a little lace render for the cover.
It was such a fun project - especially with the 'less in more' concept to the illustrations, which I have been favouring lately.
Thanks to Takeshi from Zoology for involving me!

GLAMOUR

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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.

A NEW WEBSITE...

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They say that change is as good as a holiday, so I thought that it was time to give a much needed update to my blog and website.

It has been a sad state of affairs with my current site consisting for over a year of a lonely little landing page that linked to my many various social media platforms and agency representation.

Blogger has served me well over the years, but I welcome this new, much more condensed, space to call home - from which you can read, shop, and view my illustrations.

One day I hope to create a website that fully encapsulates my work and all that is associated with it. But until that time...this little block of white it shall be.

Please bare with me as I make much needed updates over the next week...

- Kelly

LA MAISON FAVART

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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