Macaroon Painting cont...

I must have been unconsciously sending out vibes for macaroons as my prayers were answered!! We had a dinner party the other night and our friends bought us over a big box of macaroons from renowned patisserie Adriano Zumbo! How cool is that? We hadn't seen them for a while and they had no idea I was painting them! Needless to say, it provided much needed inspiration for the painting (and my belly).

Do something different today!

Looking forward to my trapeze class this weekend. I love it even though I am scared of heights!!!

Miss Peacock has arrived!!

I would like to introduce you to a good friend of mine - the fabulous Miss Peacock. Miss Peacock loves living the good life - shopping, reading, painting in her manicured garden, having high tea with friends, a spot of bollywood dancing and travelling to exotic destinations. Her 'joie de vie' and unique sense of style combine to create her signature look – fresh, charming and full of personality!


Her new range of stationery and giftwrap is now available in my online boutique

Macaroons

The painting I am currently working on is inspired by my visits to Paris, in particular indulging in the occasional couple (or more like 10) macaroons. There are so many delicious flavours - I have to try them all. My favourite places to eat these are Laduree and Pierre Herme - they're the best. The only downside to painting these is that I want to eat one now except I am yet to find a patisserie here that makes good ones.

Starting out

Painting in the flavours

Adding texture and the start of many layers of colour to be added

Detail

Work in Progress

Some updated pictures of the first painting. All I need to do now is to get it stretched onto a frame and do some embroidery onto it and it is finished. I feel like I am getting into 'the zone' which feels great - a place where I get totally absorbed into my work, forget to eat and lost track of time!  Next painting is French Macaroons inspired by my recent trip to Paris.

Noticed I've changed the teapot, teacup and bowl.

Prepping the background layers of colour

Choosing the stitching threads - which colours?

Hardest thing is manouvering the canvas under the sewing machine!

I am not the best sewer

Stay tuned for a pic of the finished painting later

Prawn Saganaki!!

I made a resolution this year to cook a new recipe every week from either one of my cookbooks or from one of my magazine subscriptions such as Gourmet Traveller. I especially like recipes that are easy to follow, look like you've been slaving over a stove (when you haven't) and taste delicious!! Enjoy Prawn Saganaki with fresh oregano, tomato and fetta. I loved it so much I made it twice, once for a dinner party and the other for a friend's birthday as part of a spread. Here is the recipe.

image from Gourmet Traveller

Nicola Cerini

Last weekend, one of my best friends (and iconic designer extraordinaire) Nicola Cerini exhibited her new range of products at the LifeinStyle Show. Nic and I met at RMIT over 20 years ago studying textile design and I think we're the only 2 of our year still designing textiles!!

The First One

The first painting for a show is always the hardest. I've been looking at this all week and nothing has happened! 7 weeks and counting......

Craft for Health Interview

I was asked to write about how I got into painting and what inspires me by Kathy Peterson, a well known health, design and craft expert in the States. Her blog features similar type stories from artists all over the world - you can read about it here.

Happy Days!!

I may be a bit late but I have just discovered that one of my favourite stores Anthropologie now ships to Australia! A pity I am not buying anything for the home anymore.....

PS> I discovered a fabulous show called Man Shops Globe which follows Anthro's creative director Keith Johnson shopping around the world searching for new ideas & inspiration for the studio. I think this would be my dream job. In Australia, if you have Foxtel it is on Monday nights at 6.30pm on Ovation.