{ breton chic }

Image via Pinterest

  

Image via Another

Image via Esquire 

Image via Ocean Prep

Favoured over time by icons like Picasso, Hemingway, Hepburn and James Dean, the Breton shirt has long been a French wardrobe staple. But it's not just a pretty stripe - the design was actually introduced by an Act of French Parliament in 1858 as the official uniform of the French navy, and it was said that the distinctive block stripe would make it easier to spot seamen who had fallen overboard. Cute, hey! So while I don't so much have a need for it in its lifesaving capacity, I've always loved anything breton and find this blue & white combo and heritage so chic and iconic. 

'Breton Shirt' - by Pip Boydell

 Image courtesy of Absolutely Beautiful Things

I had been itching to paint something like this for a while, so I feel quite chuffed that this one I recently completed is going to an extremely well-styled home itself. I painted this for Anna from Absolutely Beautiful Things and it is going to live in her gorgeous beach house at Straddie. I'm sure many of you are familiar with Anna's beach getaway (above is as it appeared a while ago in Country Style, and   another glimpse here) - so I'm so very pleased that it's going to such a lovely home, no less by the sea!

I've had a really big few weeks and have lots of paintings completed that will popping up in various places soon, some of which will be for sale. I'll keep you posted on all of later this week, but do look out if you're interested in purchasing, as there are some new and different things and possibly some of my favourite pieces yet!

See you soon.

Pip 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

{ reach the beach }

Summer lovin. Via Summertime & American Honey

Lots of shells. Also from Summertime & American Honey

White broderie with a tan. Via trop-ical

Way to spend a day... kayaking in the shallows! Via w-a-v-e

Coconut gelati/ everything. Via Martha Stewart

Avo on crunchy fresh bread. Via w-a-v-e

Lounging like a lizard in the sun. Via prettystuff

Panama hats. Via say YES to hoboken

Afternoon kips. Image via w-a-v-e

Collecting shells on an evening walk. Image via Aspiring Homemaker

It's now less than two weeks till we break for Christmas and head off for our annual beach holiday. I can't wait. These images are what a beach holiday is to me.... sunkissed cheeks, long afternoon kips, coconut everything, late lunches and long walks on the beach at dusk. The weather forecast is looking pretty grim however I am being optimistic and dreaming of a summer that looks and feels like this!

Flinders Beach, Stradbroke Island (on any given day). 

xx