BABUSHKA LINO PRINT

I thought I would post a few images of my Babushka print that I did last year.  I made it for Art Club during the 'Russia' theme.  I was sorting out my artwork this week and getting things organised and dust free - and came across this one again.  I think I would like to make a series of Babushka's.  I think this lady doll seems a little stern?!  I coloured it by hand using watercolour paints.  Hope you like!

A new project

Here are some photos from my most recent lino cutting project.  It is half of a collaboration project that my husband and I are creating for 'Around The Kitchen Table/Art Club' this month.

Here are some photos from today and yesterday.  The final should be done in the next week...cough cough...hurry up husband!!!

Using the head template on tracing paper to draw the pattern for the lino design...

This is where I started cutting...

More cutting.  I enjoyed cutting today as I was sat in the sun listening to some podcasts.  The sun is great for heating up the lino and it makes it much easier to cut...

Test prints in blue...

This is a lino that I've been working on for about a year...no joke!  It's quite funny I think, as whenever I get bored (hardly ever) I do some cutting on this lino.  I took a print from it today while all the inks were out as I wasn't sure if the textures in the background were going to show up - they did - hooray!  Who knows when it will get finished, but it's always good to have background projects in my opinion.

Victoria Night Market

Last night I had a 'first'!  I went to the Suzuki Night Market In Melbourne.  I'm a little appalled at myself for only having just made it along.  I've heard so many good things about it - why did I not visit before now?!  Oh Lordy, it was good!  It was a feast for the eyes and ma belly!  Melbourne just has the best markets in my opinion and last night was great.  There was music, cool stalls, the atmosphere was electric and the people were having a great time.  Just perfect!  

In the end I ate Mexican quesidillas and drank the most sublime sangria....pictured below.  Delicious!

Some good looking paella...

The light coming in from the roof was lovely...

I must find a good sangria recipe, this stuff was so good.  Tonnes of cinnamon and orange and just the right amount of red wine goodness!

KINGS OF CONVENIENCE

I love this Norwegian band 'The Kings of Convenience'. I have done since the first time I saw their video clip for 'I'd Rather Dance With You' way back in 2004.  I saw the video on MTV at a friend's boyfriend's house one afternoon and immediately went out and found as much as I could about these two.  I have been a fan ever since.  

A few years ago I was luck to see them play in Barcelona at the Poble Espanyol.  The whole night was completely magical.  It was a warm summer night, we were drinking Spanish beers and as the sun went down the fairy lights came on and these guys played about 3 hours of pure loveliness!  

They are playing at the Laneway Festival in Melbourne next Sunday the 3rd of February which I am going to - whoopee!  I can't wait to see them again!  Frankie magazine did an interview with Eirik here.

Collaboration

Hello.  As you may know already, I am part of an online group called 'Around the Kitchen Table', which is often called 'Art Club' by my friends and I.  You can see the blog for it here.  This month's theme is 'Collaboration' and I was lucky to be able to collaborate with the very talented Lauren Turner. Lauren sent me a copy of her gorgeous poem all the way from London to Melbourne (via the internet) after I had put out a plea asking if anyone would like to collaborate with me.  When I read the poem I immediately had ideas as how I would turn this into an illustration as the poem is so visual.  It was great timing that the etching course was also last week so I combined the collaboration theme with my learning, et voila!  Hope you like our collaboration!

Poem written by Lauren Turner and illustration by Gillian Nix.

The original print was done with a white border....

'Hare', Gillian Nix, 2013, etching plate measures - 14.5 x 19.5cm, hand printed

Geelong Figures

Last week I was in Geelong having a picnic down by the waterfront as part of my special birthday day out (which was totally lovely).  These fantastic wooden sculptures were in the park and I took a few photos.  I didn't realise but there are actually over 100 of these wooden bollards scattered along the Waterfront of Geelong, which represent local history and characters.  They were made by artist, Jan Mitchell, more information here.  Aren't they just fabulous!

White Light/White Heat - Lawless

This week I watched the film 'Lawless' and loved it.  It was quite violent and gruesome - not my usual reasons for liking a film, but it was so bloody that it left me thinking about it for days after watching it!  It's directed by John Hillcoat (who also directed The Proposition) and the screenplay was written by Nick Cave.  Guy Pearce's character is incredibly bad and creepy and he plays it so well.  It's well worth checking out!

Today I'm enjoying listening to the soundtrack, including this little cover of The Velvet Underground's White Light/White Heat,  sung by Ralph Stanley in this version....

Oh, he's so scary...especially the hair!!!