{ hello pretty colours }

Brights are all about. I went to a very fun and colourful bridal shower lunch on the weekend - this was the fabulously set table with bright blowsy roses, chevron stripe table runners, gold detailing and feather headdresses to boot. Looked amazing.

Then I happened upon my sister Harriette's immaculately-arranged-always-vignetted lounge room where she had these huge hibiscus flowers sitting front-and-centre..... 

I had to paint some of these before Summer is out!

I am, however, starting to feel a bit flowered out at the moment so I welcomed the chance to paint a Chanel No.19 for a lovely client in Hong Kong which I have just shipped off.  I love this crisp and light wash of this green in this one - but I must say, painting all these gorgeous bottles does nothing for narrowing the field in my eternal quest for  that signature scent!

Images 3, 4 & 5 - both images and artworks copyright of Pip Boydell

See you soon.

Pip xx

{ brand love }

Amazing paper quilling by artist Julia Brodskaya

Racing through Monaco. Image from this Tumblr 

'Beneath the Parisian Sky' campaign 

I'd die for this Hermes bathroom by Jonathon Adler. Look at that wall hanging. Image from here

Pony tail chic via my Pinterest

Classic vignette from Savvy Home

To cycle in style. Image via encore a minute 

I love love everything about Hermes - they have a knack for staying fresh and vibrant and keep you wanting for more; whilst remaining one of the true artisanal fashion houses still left in the world. Of course their pieces and collections epitomise understated style; but have you ever noticed that wherever that telltale orange or the little horse and cart motif pop up - whatever it is - just hits the mark, too? Here are just a few things from my 'Hermes' file which I find to be a never-ending source of inspiration. Have a great Monday. 

Pip xx

{ san francisco }

Last year my little sister and her boyfriend packed there bags for a year long adventure in the US of A. Not long after landing they settled in San Francisco where they are now living and working and having the time of their lives. I've still never been to this wonderful city but am dying to get there. I miss Sarah a lot (she is the baby - but also the wise one! - of our family), but fortunately  she's an industrious and creative little thing with a blog for us to check in on her beautiful photos and daily musings. I thought I would share some with you here. 

There are thousands of pictures, stories, articles and movies about this beautiful and iconic city, but I love to see it go by through the perceptive and ever-curious little eyes of my sister.

 All images from well for the main reason

So a big hi to Sar and of course Cameron too. Two thumbs up!

xx

{ back to the drawing board }

After a very long and relaxing summer holiday I am now back home, back to work really energised to get back into painting. I've just completed a couple of botanical commissions and other bits and pieces, and then I'm also starting on some new subjects that I've been looking forward to painting for a while. 

Here's a glimpse of my latest agapanthus...

And some words I did in gold leaf. This one makes me smile. 

On a sad note for me I've already managed to make my workspace a bomb-site in just a matter of days - it seems no matter how hard I try I just cannot keep it tidy! I put it down to efficiency as I don't believe it's worthwhile to spend half an hour of good painting time setting up and packing up each day... this is why I need a real studio! Speaking of, I just love everything about this gorgeous space below which belongs to Sydney artist Cherie Curchod. Her art for one is divine, but that desk and the light flooding in - and what's more, this place (located on Sydney's Pittwater) is only accessible by boat - what a dream.

Image via Dustjacket Attic 

In other dreams, I am still clinging to the memories of lazy beach days while I can...

Home Beach @ Stradbroke (taken by my friend P)

Tea Tree @ Noosa

... but for now, it's back to this!

Hopefully see you soon.
Pip xx

{ happy new year! }

Happy, happy new year to everyone! 

This is just a short post to check in for the new year and to thank you for your support in the year just passed - particularly over the last month or so, through which my posting has been sporadic to say the least!

At the moment I'm enjoying a few very rejuvenating weeks away at the beach, but from mid-January I will be back on board and getting stuck into 2012. Already it's feeling like a great year so I'm looking forward to sharing the journey with you all. 

See you in a few weeks.

Pip xx

PS. This image is a snippet of the latest window drop I painted for Black & Spiro.... I'll be sure to show you a full pic later this month!