Self Portrait

A couple of months ago I signed up for the Art House Co-op self portrait project. They shipped me out a tiny little canvas and I set about painting a self portrait. I knew it probably wasn't going to be a good idea but I used watercolor anyway...turns out I should have listened to myself, it really doesn't behave very well on canvas!

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Snail Mail Monday

I haven't had a lot of time to send snail mail since we moved to San Diego, but last weekend I set aside some time to paint a few cards for friends and family. The weather was beautiful, and we'd just picked up a little folding outdoor table, so I sat out on the balcony, soaking up the sunshine.

Do you ever paint or draw postcards while you're away on holidays? Or maybe keep a travel diary?

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Photo a day: May

I've decided to participate in the Photo A Day project run by Fat Mum Slim (seeing as I spend my life on Instagram these days anyway). Are you doing it?

Here is the list for May, and you can find me on Instagram as @Illustrateur

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Stationery love

We only had three suitcases each, in which to put all our worldly possessions, for our move from Australia to San Diego, California. This meant that a lot of art supplies and stationery had to stay behind.

Unless you're new to the Brown Paper Bunny blog you know how much I love to send and receive mail, so I've been searching for good places to buy pretty stationery and writing supplies. Last week I popped over to the Kate Spade store in Fashion Valley and treated myself to some pretty cards.

And on the weekend I came across a cute little store called Ink, which is a short walk from our new place. I picked up these goodies, including the cutest bird cards by Susie Ghahremani (who is now a local San Diego illustrator).

If you're interested in swapping a bit of mail art, send me a message on Twitter and I'll send you my new address.

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 I'd love to hear from you, come keep me company on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, or YouTube. And don't forget you can also subscribe to the Brown Paper Bunny email

Drawing class

Before we'd even moved from Australia to San Diego I'd been looking for a drawing or illustration class to take once we arrived. I enjoy taking classes because they force me to try new things I might not otherwise, and without being pushed I find it is easy to fall into a particular style and not challenge yourself enough.

I didn't have much luck finding any illustration classes that weren't part of a university degree, but I did find a drawing class at the San Diego Art Department.

I started class a week ago and thought I'd share my latest drawing attempt. So far our teacher has us drawing different angles of sculptures and busts, but I think next week we're drawing a still life of some sort.

When is the last time you took a class, workshop, or just tried something really different....and what was it?


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Home

We've been living in San Diego for a couple of weeks now, and are starting to get settled in. We've bought the important pieces of furniture and are trying to make the new apartment feel like home.

I was able to bring most of my 'art wall' with us from Australia so at least the office / studio is looking a little more colorful.

My art wall features the beautiful work of Katie Rodgers, Charlotte Vallance, Sepialepus, Catherine Campbell, Jeannine Saylor, Jessica Gowling and Effie Dee.

What sort of things make your place feel like home? I'd love to see. Post a photo to Instagram and tag me (@illustrateur) or on Twitter (@BrownPaperBunny) or post a pic directly to my Facebook page. 

Leaving on a jet plane

Image courtesy www.missivemaven.com

I'm sorry for being so quiet on the blog front lately, but we've had some exciting news that has taken over our every waking minute!

We're leaving Australia for San Diego, California, and soon! We are due to leave in 32 days, which doesn't leave us long to finish up at our day jobs and pack up our lives before flying out.

I promise to get straight back to blogging as soon as we are settled, and if you have any tips or information about San Diego I'd love to hear it (I've only been there once, briefly).

If you are one of my regular mail-art buddies, I'll be sure to send you a change of address card, but until then my mailbox will have to remain sad and empty.

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Avatar

A friend at work wanted a line drawing avatar for use around the place, so I whipped this up last night. Then I was feeling the itch to do some watercolor, so I colored it in.

Which one do you prefer?

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Shorty Awards

Are you feeling generous today? Nominate www.fashion-illo.com for a Micro-Blog Shorty Award.

Why do I think the blog deserves to be nominated? Because, without agenda, it aims to build community, encourage sharing, and showcase the work of student, aspiring, and established fashion illustrators from around the world.

Plus, it's just getting started, and every bit of help counts!

You can fill out your nomination here: http://shortyawards.com/special_awards/microblog and be sure to tweet about it afterwards! (That's how they create the shortlist).

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Cup art

I've had a ceramic Starbucks travel cup for the past couple of years, that I lugged back in my suitcase from New York, but unfortunately it met an untimely end recently. So on another trip to New York I picked up a new mug. This time a stainless steel one that you can slip paper into. I felt like it needed a little prettying up, so I had fun doodling with watercolors. I also added my name and favourite order, to keep it easy for the guys at my local cafe.

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