{ prints available & recent work }

The First Picking - watercolour on paper completed for the 2014 Brisbane Mango Auction

Detail of The First Picking

Hello! These days my posts are so few and far between that I never quite know where to start so I thought I would take the chance to update you on a couple of things all at once...... starting with these ripe and juicy looking mangoes above.  

Last week I was lucky to have one of my pieces auctioned off as part of the 2014 Mango Auction, held at the Rocklea Fruit Markets here in Brisbane. It's an inaugural event that has turned into a bit of an institution amongst the fruit and produce community; with the symbolic 'first tray of the season' always fetching big dollars to go towards their chosen charities of Diabetes Queensland and Life Education Queensland. 

These are both vital contributors to the future health and wellbeing of our state's kids, and this year's auction was a big success with the first tray sold for $30,000 - (yes that's right, $30K for a tray of mangoes!). The other items (including my painting) fetched another $18,000 which brought the grand total raised on the day to $48,000.

It was such a positive event to be a part of - not only do the proceeds go to deserving causes, but I'm also so passionate about supporting our local produce growers & sellers, so it was really wonderful to be able to contribute in some way to this worthy event. 

'Grevillea - Loopy Lou' - prints now available through Museum of Brisbane

Another thing I'm pleased to let you know is that I have some new prints now available! The above piece - 'Grevillea - Loopy Lou' - has been released as a limited edition print through the Museum of Brisbane, and is available through their gallery shop in site at the MOB near Brisbane City Hall. The prints are A4 size and just $20; and can be purchased by contacting the shop directly by phone on +617 3339 0810 or email info@museumofbrisbane.com.au.

A commission - Jane & Tom's Sugarcane

In the spirit of my very patriotic post I thought I'd finish it off with none other than some North Queensland sugarcane! This piece was a commission I completed recently as a wedding gift - from sisters to their sister (and new brother); who all grew up in the northern part of our state where this cane abounds. The newly married couple are childhood sweethearts and just lovely people, who celebrated their wedding day in their hometown with a beautiful night under the stars, in a big open field. It's always so nice to be able to create something that has meaning and memories for the giver and receiver.

Well thanks for stopping by, I will post again soon as I have some new work coming to Black & Spiro later this week.

Pip x

{ design for mirabel 2014 }

Island Banksia - watercolour on paper 

This is a piece I did recently that featured in the 'Design for Mirabel' event held in Melbourne a few weekends ago. It is an annual benefit held in Melbourne showcasing the work of ten high profile Australian designers, and my great supporter, friend (and now sister in law!) Anna Spiro was asked to decorate a room for the event.

Image courtesy of Anna Spiro's Instagram

Anna put such a beautiful room together - her amazing way of bringing vintage, modern and classic pieces together in a surprising and just-plain-beautiful way never ceases to amaze! From all reports it was a wonderful opening night and weekend; plus all proceeds of sales went to the very worthy Mirabel Foundation. It was a pleasure to be able to contribute to such a great cause.

Thanks for stopping by!
Pip x

{ an australian icon }

If you're Australian then these boots will need no introduction. 

To everyone else,  it's a pair of R.M. Williams boots; and these proudly adorne the feet of Australian men from cattle stations to rugby games to weddings and boardrooms alike. So there wasn't a moments hesitation when a friend commissioned me to to create this piece as a gift to her RM-wearing husband.

I painted these a little while ago but thought I would share something different for a change, and also some progress shots of these with you.... The initial intention was actually to be a black & white ink drawing; however they just didn't feel finished without that signature rich reddy brown licking the glossy leather. It was such a pleasure to brings such an Australian icon to life, and knowing that they live in such a lovely and happy home makes it all the sweeter. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Pip x

{ flowers, flowers, flowers }

Gosh it's been a long time since my last post! There's so much I could share that I don't know where to start... but here are a couple of lovely flower commissions I've had the privilege to work on in recent months. 

I never tire of painting fleurs as beautiful as these!

Pip x

{ new exhibition work: redcliffe city art gallery }

Frangipani on Fruitboxes II - watercolour & gouache on paper

Frangipani on Fruitboxes I - watercolour & gouache on paper

Laying Pandanus - watercolour & gouache on paper

Birds of Paradise - watercolour & gouache on paper

Hanging Gumleaves - watercolour & gouache on paper

I am so excited to now share my latest work with you, which is currently exhibiting in the foyer space at the Redcliffe City Art Gallery during the month of March. The space is dedicated to emerging artists from the Moreton Bay area and surrounds, which is in the south east corner of our 'sunshine state'. It's a very temperate, sunny and beautiful part of the world and as as such I wanted this work to have a distinctly Queensland feel to it.

Having been born and lived in Queensland for most of my life, I am enamoured by the beautiful native flora that surrounds us as well as the vivid - almost blinding -  Australian light. I think it's this presence of light and colour that I am always trying to capture in my work, and for me, the combination of the beautiful washes of brilliant watercolour on clean, crisp white backgrounds is my way of taking the world around me to paper. To me, these folds of pandanus, floating boughs of gumleaves and of course the cheeky pops of the fruitbox colour feel just like a summer afternoon at home; with the easterly breeze rolling off the bay.

If you happen to be in the area then these works will be displaying at the Gallery (470- 476 Oxley Ave, Redcliffe) until the end of this month. Artworks are also for sale with all enquiry to me at pip_boydell@hotmail.com.

Thanks again for stopping by.

Pip x

All images original artworks copyright of Pip Boydell 2014

{ adventures with hydrangeas }

Happy 2014 to everyone! Again it's been such a long time since my last post, but I thought I would start this year's posts off with a piece I did at the end of 2013 as a wedding gift to my best friend and her now husband. It's a collection of things very much 'everyday' on their own; but together, they represented the beautiful adventure that their life together will be. I hope it can be part of their family and home for the many years of wonderful ahead.

See you soon.
Pip x