shopper's BEAUTY

A few little beauty illustrations for Canadian retailer Shoppers Drug Mart, including make up smears, lips and face chart!

See the final product below.

dior NYMPHS

In light of the current pandemic, most fashion houses have been forced or chosen to forgo physical shows this Couture season, opting to present their designs through editorials, live-streams of audience-less shows, or - in Dior’s case - a film!
Directed by Italian film-maker, Matteo Garrone, ‘Le Mythe Dior’ presents Maria Grazia Chiuri’s A/W 20/21 Haute Couture collection as a Pre-Raphaelite fantasy; a fairytale where mermaids, maidens and nymphs frolic, swim, and kiss within a magical forest as two Dior porters roam the woods, carrying an enormous doll house - miniature versions of Dior creations enclosed inside, enticing each character.
I was completely enchanted and just had to draw my own version.
While the film itself has been called out for its lack of diversity (and rightly so as there was room to include POC within its cast of characters) I thought it was such an incredibly beautiful take on ethereal mythology.
I figured I could expand upon the cast within my illustration!
So here you have it - two nymph-like beauties, draping themselves over the most heavenly gown, entwined in forest vines.
Please be sure to watch the film below and enjoy it for yourselves!
(I am utterly in awe of the miniatures themselves, the craftsmanship is something to be admired.)

Images via Dior

pig + PEPPER

I started this illustration not long after the birth of my son, back in 2019.
It’s taken me quite a while to finish it - I blame the intricacy of those Jean Paul Gaultier ruffles - but it feels somewhat fitting to be finally sharing it now, in a COVID-19 world.
If anyone exemplifies the position we find ourselves in right now, it’s Alice. As we all sit at home in self-isolation we’re turning to books, films, music, games; anything to stir our curiosity and escape the reality of the outside world and this virus. So, what better time to fall down the rabbit hole?

Pig + Pepper is a somewhat forgotten chapter of Alice’s story as it’s often left out of film and animated adaptations. But the story goes thusly; Alice finds herself walking into a scene of complete chaos at the home of the Duchess. A cook with a predilection for far too much pepper is involved in quite a violent display with the Duchess herself, throwing pots and plates around the room, while a baby screams incessantly from the Duchess’ lap, in protest perhaps of the lullaby she’s singing, shaking it violently at the end of every verse. All the while pepper floats through the air causing everyone to sneeze. Still with me?
Alice then snatches the wailing baby from the Duchess and runs away from the house. The baby’s cries turn to grunts, and suddenly it transforms into a pig before her very eyes! Why? I don’t know…it’s Wonderland. *shrugs*

It’s certainly not my first take on Alice, and probably not my last. But, as soon as I saw this cascading confection on the runway during Jean Paul Gaultier’s Spring 2019 couture collection, I knew I just HAD to dress our beloved Alice in it. It’s so her, no? Just add a tiny Prada head band and set.
I also had to include a tiny little nod to the door mouse. Squint and you might see it!
I think the Mad Hatter’s tea party could be calling my name…

Anyway, I hope you like it, and I hope you’re all doing your best to stay healthy, happy, and curious in these crazy times!
BIG LOVE to everyone out there on the front lines, risking their health to save others. THANK YOU x

Illustration by John Tenniel – ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,’ published in 1865.

POPPIES

"All across the meadows, many poppies blossomed, and they were so hypnotic and brilliant in colour they nearly dazzled Dorothy's eyes. "Aren't they beautiful?" the girl asked her companions, as she breathed in the spicy scent of the big, bright flowers."

– The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, L. Frank Baum.

As children we all imagine climbing through the back of our wardrobes into Narnia, falling down a rabbit hole into Wonderland, or getting swept up by a hurricane and landing with a giant thump in Oz.
Dorothy and her companions have long been a source of wonder to me. It wasn’t enough to create one interpretation of this gang, I had to dive in again – this time into a giant field of poppies.

”As she walked on her eyes grew very heavy, and soon she felt she must sit down to rest and to even sleep.”
– The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, L. Frank Baum.

Like Dorothy, I also found myself stepping out of black and white and into a world of full colour! It was a completely different way of working for me - and I enjoyed it so much.
(I’ve dabbled with client work previously, but never took the leap in my own work until now.)

In a nod to the Dorothy of L. Frank Baum, her shoes are not the shimmering ruby slippers we’ve come to know and love, but heels in the original silver - courtesy Prada, complete with blue bow!
Fun Fact: Dorothy’s shoes were changed to the famous ruby slippers in order to show off the brand new technicolour film for the 1938 release.
I also chose to focus only on the Cowardly Lion and Dorothy as those familiar with the story will know that the Tin Man and Scarecrow weren’t affected by the poisonous poppies - not being 100% human/animal/vegetable/mineral - and carry the two out of the fields before they fall asleep forever.

These sleepy beauties are my first new print of 2019 - just sneaking in before the end of the year.
As mentioned previously, my print shop is changing and from now on print releases will be a little more limited and available in one size/edition only.
So with that I give you the latest offering: “Poppies” is available in an edition of 20 prints only - in a lovely large A2 size - the best way to appreciate all of those tiny poppies in detail!
To purchase a print visit the shop here: www.birdyandme.com/shop
(For a sneaky pre-Christmas 10% discount use code: XMAS19)

Scroll on for more…

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.

CAROLINA HERRERA / FIERCELY FEMALE

Last year I was asked to create a portrait of the classically chic New York-based, Venezuelan designer, Carolina Herrera, for Sourcebooks’ annual all-female-illustrated Fiercely Female calendar for 2020!

It was such a pleasure to be involved in such an empowering project that celebrates so many wonderfully inspiring and iconic women across all fields! Some of the WOW women featured this year include Aretha Franklin, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Lucille Ball, Josephine Baker and Valentina Tereshkova.

You can pick up a copy of the calendar in all good bookstores now!
For more information visit the Sourcebook page here: www.shop.sourcebooks.com

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

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.

the NEW TREND

Image via OneTwo Agency

Recent work for OneTwo Agency for an event celebrating the first birthday of fashion retailer, The New Trend, which specialises in bringing luxury International designers to the racks of Australian consumers. The brief was to incorporate this stunning Philosophy Di Lorenzo Serafini polka-dot dress. Engulfed in a cloud of wisteria, this girl was used on invitations and coffee cups for the event.

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