my first market...

Last weekend I set up stall and tried my hand at selling a few of my most recent illustrations and zines amongst some Central Coast and Newcastle creatives at the Youth Street Art Markets, run in collaboration with DRUMfest 2010. With a skate park in the foreground and the sound of drum workshops behind me it was a lovely mix of culture to be surrounded by all day + perfect weather.

Setting up stall was a small feat, taking an entire week finishing illustrations, cutting and pasting mounts, folding and stapling an army of zines so I am completely exhausted. Best of all, I used the opportunity as the perfect excuse to make a visit to the Centenary Antique Centre (29 Centenary Rd, Newcastle). I walked out with some bits to aid my table presentation - a bundle of 1950's floral fabrics, small wooden boxes (which I lined with wrapping paper scraps) and a wooden milk crate with well worn yellow paint.

Just quietly, with a few original paintings left over, lovingly hand mounted and packaged I should have some appearing for sale on etsy by the end of the week.

Here's to floral fabrics and humble beginnings

C is for Chanell xox

goodbye look see...

Earlier this month I was lucky enough to be included in the Look See 2010 exhibition, Newcastle, Australia. Surrounded by handfuls of wonderfully creative types like Beci Orpin, WEBUYYOURKIDS and Mike Watt. I entered with three little peanut shaped people - Frank, Gloria, Alfred (detail below).

But sadly it's coming to an end. If you haven't seen these wonderful works, come along tonight 07.05.10 to Suite 40 Level 1, Market Square Hunter Street Mall, Newcastle from five o'clock onwards.

Here's to bitten nails and second chances.

C is for Chanell xox

raw alchemy...

Lucky me, today was a lazy lunch with Bee and Jay at Raw Alchemy cafe, (774 Hunter Street, Newcastle). I nibbled at an antipasto pizzeta and a mug of mocha (wishing I took some snaps, but was in too much of a rush to eat). Perfect for the wet and windy weather we've had this morning. 

Chalk sketching @ Raw Alchemy, (detail)

Also somewhat in love with their chalkin' while talkin'  idea. A chalkboard table top and a tray of coloured chalks makes for a bit of afternoon scribble play. Now for this afternoon, it's Housemate Baking Day with anzac biscuits and triple choc brownies lined up. A superb food day for sure.

Chalk sketching @ Raw Alchemy

Here's to novelty buttons and spotted stockings.

C is for Chanell xox

a chain of flowers...

Crossing off another item on the to do list this Monday mornin' bright and early. Completed today, is a letter of many thanks to Craig, the owner of Chain of Flowers, a long timing running blog for the 80's loving wild haired, hi-topped and eyeliner + lipstick wearing Cure-obsessed. 

It's part of a project being collated into a hand made book with contributions coming from fans of The Cure worldwide. My mother and I have been working on this piece together and it's being sent off with wishes for a safe arrival to Salt Lake City, Utah. But shhh, for now it's a secret. So no telling.

Here's to pink champagne and merry-go-rounds.

C is for Chanell xox

a train ride to telarah...

At precisely 11:15 am on Tuesday morning, a bumpy ride on the express service to Telarah suddenly left Miss Mulligan with unsteady hands to hold her cup of peppermint tea.

Thankfully the warm drops of wasted brew made perfect bath water for Jackson and his big boned rubber ducky Garreth, whose appetite for strawberry scented soap suds could not be quenched.

But in the pairs excitement, the soapy suds sopped over the bath tub and onto Barnaby's new hair-do, styled at the mens barber only hours earlier that day. Oh what a day!

Here's to red ribbons and coin laundries. 

C is for Chanell xox

big team scribble time...

Chances are, if you have an eye and an ear out for super awesome cute as a button scribbles you've already heard of Oppy. But have you heard of her latest Scribble Project? It's a group collaboration, everybody get's a train carriage template to doodle on and the finished results get thrown together into a zine. Best of all, all profits go to UNICEF.

This is my first submission to the cause (predictably, there will be more to follow).

Email 300 dpi TIFFS to hello.oppy@gmail.com

Submissions close 16th February 2010.

Here's to thai takeaway and potted posies.

C is for Chanell xox

a new home...

I've been welcomed to a new humble abode, tucked neatly into a little mint green and navy blue box in the city of Newcastle. But the most notable of all is the enjoyment of being in a new environment and the excitement that comes with discovering it's quirks. 

• The ginger 'Do not feed' cat who wanders over the fence for daily trips. 

• An overwhelmingly large bushy tree by the balcony which filters the perfect amount of light for an 8am rise.

•  The crooning busker who seems to be fixed permanently to the corner of Hunter and Thorn St.

•  The ever mysterious 'Bear' who now appears via iTunes and his extensive collection of Andrew Denton interviews.

• Seventeen (rather steep) steps on the staircase between myself and the fridge.

 I like quirky Newcastle.

Here's to dainty dishes and balcony kisses.

C is for Chanell xox