{ botanical beginnings }

One of my first projects for this year is a botanical illustration which I've been working on (amongst other things) over the last couple of weeks. As soon as this one came up, I decided I wanted to do something Australian and as a result have developed a new-found obsession with gathering, buying and stalking out every kind of native flora I can! Thought I'd share some of the bounty that have been giving my home and sketchbook a workout over the last little while.

As you can see, in the end I decided upon this grevillea.... although not as bold and fabulous as some other things I could have chosen; the detail, intricacy and softness of these natives have a real beauty when you stop to take a proper look. It's funny, I actually used to not like these flowers at all (and many natives in fact); but I think I'm developing a new found appreciation for my things in nature that I used to gloss straight over.

Aside from this exercise being a great justification for me nicking roadside flowers and spending inordinate amounts of time in florists, I've really been enjoying tacking something a little different, and trialling and learning with new techniques and approaches. 

It's still in progress but I hope you enjoy a few images of the workings in the meantime. I look forward to sharing the completed piece with you in a week or two!

Pip x

{ happiness 101 }

Go to your happy place.

Be good to yourself.

Spend your time with those who deserve you, and you them.

Take perspective.

Savour the simple things. 

Do what you love. 

Live your truth!

Hello everyone and happy 2013. It's been a while since my last post and now Christmas, New Years, and the holidays are all distant memories - 2012 is done and dusted and the new year is now well and truly underway!

This started off as typical early January post. I picked out a few snaps from my holiday for a bit of a new year, new start type message. But when I lined them up I realised that these images represented more than just my holiday; they summed up the simple things that I know make all the difference to my state of mind - perhaps a 'checklist'  for happiness. 

I thought that the serendipity of these things aligning was worth sharing with you - so here it is! Of course it's not exhaustive, is very light-hearted, and it goes without saying are other things to do and be in order to feel full, well-rounded contentment in life. Don't take me too seriously (I'm not taking myself that way either!) - but I figure that engaging in these little things, as often as you can, absolutely cannot hurt in setting you up for all the weird and wonderful challenges you've set for yourself in 2013. So here goes:

1. Go to your happy place

For me it is the beach (how did you guess!). We try and go once a week even if only for a quick swim and a coffee. If it's possible to get away for a whole weekend this is the dream - a weekend at Straddie leaves you feeling you've had a whole week off, and been a million miles away. Just about cures anything; so this year we're going to put the dates in the calendar and book the barge so that there are no excuses not to go.

2. Be good to yourself

Be good to your body - it's the only one you have! I am a terrible sleeper so for me, setting my body clock to get up early and exercise is the absolute key and everything flows on from there. Eat well and exercise. Know the things that make you tired and unhappy and stressed and avoid them - it's not selfish as it makes everyone around you happier in the end, too!

3. Spend your time with those who deserve you, and you them.

This is simple - and actually, recognising who those people are is often half the battle won. Don't be a sap of people's energy, and don't let people sap yours.

4. Take perspective.

A slight overlap with the first one as getting away is often the best way to do this. But whether it's time out, time away or just an open-minded conversation with a person of different opinions is a good way to put you outside of yourself (and for me, this often means a reality check!)

5. Savour the simple things

For Pip - this is reminding myself how lucky we are to live in this sunny, clean, safe and stunningly beautiful country called Australia. Wherever you are in the world there are always small joys to be had.

6. Do what you love

Surf, draw, paint, play with flowers, cook, re-arrange your linen cupboard..... get your kicks any which way you can, it's not indulgent to weave things you love into your daily life - it's healthy!

7. Live your truth

Since I started in this new direction with my art, people often say how great it is that I am 'living my dream'.  Then in a recent conversation with a lovely & smart girl she instead referred to it as my 'truth'.... I decided that this I far preferred! At the risk of me losing you entirely with this wanky and cliched garb - I have to say that I've really started to believe that you can make your life what you want, you just have to recognise it then never let it linger far from your thoughts. Of course this doesn't mean you must to quit your job and buy a vineyard in the south of France - but I think if you can one by one, get rid of the routines, people and things in your life that 'jar' with you; then know, focus on and pick up those that 'mesh' with you, then surely you'll be heading in the right direction - right? 

NB - the last picture - yes, that's a little Okanui motif which I painted and had framed for my parents place at the beach for Christmas. This will seem entirely daggy and kitsch to some but to anyone that knows my parents this is so 'them'.... in fact I'll confess that in days gone by, they have been known to stroll down the beach clad in matching Okanuis! But while this painting is a bit of fun for the beach, it's actually more about them doing their own thing and being true to who they are. They don't follow the crowd, they run their own race and are good, honest people. They (and the Okanuis!) remind me that I owe it to myself and to them to be the best and truest version of myself that I can possibly be! 

Well. That was longer than I expected and I now feel very preachy and naive more than anything! But hopefully you'll forgive my ramblings and we can pass it off as new year enthusiasm.... and if even one tiny snippet is worth something to someone then that's made my day. 

Have a great week. I look forward to seeing more of you all in the year ahead!

Pip x

All images by Pip Boydell taken on my iPhone. 

{ the emperor }

Introducing to you The Emperor. What do you think of him?

He's a little different to my other subjects and it was definitely a challenge to capture the essence of these amazing creatures, but was a lot of fun and now sits as the latest addition to my collection of works in at Black & Spiro. Being something new and different I thought I would share the development of this one with you.... let me tell you there are many scales on one fish! 

... early pencil & ink... 

... many washes of colour...

... I postponed the eye until right at the end, this detail is small yet always so important to get his character right!

The final product ready to head off to the framer.

I must say, every time I paint something like this I gain a greater appreciation for Mother Nature and the design inherent in our world. The perfect mosaic of the scales, the fine, deft fins and the brilliant and pearlescent colour of the Red Emperor is amazing. I've already got a few bites (mind the pun!) for some more fish commissions so you may see some more here in the new year.

'The Emperor' - watercolour & ink available at Black & Spiro in Brisbane.

And finally, here's the final product all framed in a beautiful pinkish oak timber. By the way he is for sale so if you'd like the details email me at pip_boydell@hotmail.com.

Well with only days to go until Christmas, it is certainly all systems go here but I promise to post again before the 25th comes. There now I've said it - I will have to make it happen! Until then, I hope you all have a productive and happy lead into Christmas and out of the hectic year that's been' and I'll see you again soon.

Pip x

{ tutti frutti }

'Passionfruit'  - original illustration & watercolour

'Watermelon' - original illustration & watercolour

'Dragonfruit' - original illustration & watercolour

Nothing screams Summer like fruit!

If you haven't noticed, I have a bit of a penchant for anything remotely fresh and summery and Australian; plus fruit and colour are both trending in a big way right now so I was not surprised to find myself doing these three matching numbers for my recent collection at Black & Spiro.  

Since drawing and colour have become a bigger part of my life it's natural that I pay a lot more attention to the the details in things; and it sounds such a cliche but I am truly awed and inspired by nature and what it can create. Take that dragonfruit for example - what an amazing concoction of colour, shape, and detail Mother Nature thought up there. I often imagine the early explorers chancing upon such things as they made their way through the tropics. Imagine finding this curious looking thing, slicing it open to find that white flesh speckled with tiny black seeds - only to discover that it's delicious, too!  It's the perfection - and imperfection - that I love in these things. The way the pineapple leaves curl are never the same; yet the tiny concentric circles of the kiwifruit seeds are never out of place. Between all these shapes and patterns and of course the brilliant colours, painting these was like living in a big juicy fruit salad - in a good way!!!!

So here are some more shots of these along the way and then also as they hang. You'll have to mind my pics of the framed pieces (very difficult to snap front on with tthe indoor/ glass combo - big flashes get the better of me every time!) - but hopefully you can see. By the way - to anyone searching for the PERFECT blonde timber, I have found it in American Maple. It's one of the hardest light coloured timbers you can lay your hands on which makes for long-lasting and nice sharp edges. Only trick is it comes from - well, yes, America - and is not the most economical one out there - but I can so to me it's worth it!

Again, each of these framed originals are available for sale. If you are nearby Black & Spiro pop in to  rooms to see them for yourself, but if you're else where and interested please email me with any enquiry at pip_boydell@hotmail.com. 

Have a happy weekend - only two more between this one and Christmas! See you again soon.

Pip x

All images and artwork copyright Pip Boydell 

{ petals & rafia }

The last few weeks I've kept my local coffee shop in good business from many late nights up drawing and painting. There's been a heap of fun Christmas commissions which I'm shipping off all over the place, and then I've also just recently completed a little collection of works that went up on the walls of Black & Spiro on Saturday to coincide with the shop's 'Christmas Flea'. 

The two I'm showing you here are both ones that have been a long time in the making; you know those things you start and intend to finish much sooner than time actually permits?

'Hoard of Hydrangea' 

Hydrangeas are everywhere at the moment. I absolutely love the variegated colour and that no two heads are the same, and although I've done quite a few single bunches as commissions I've been wanting to do something to capture all this colour in the one piece for quite some time. Although it's not totally huge, there were certainly a lot of petals to paint!

Then there's this pair of Rafia Chic lace ups.... as their name suggests they are indeed totally chic and I've been coveting them for my feet for far too long so figured I better just draw them, instead. 

'Rafia Chic' illustration...

.. and on the walls. How great is that wallpaper contrast.

{BY THE WAY..... both of these two pieces are available for sale so if you're interested and would like pricing and information, email me at pip_boydell@hotmail.com }

So here's some more pics from the weekend - it really is the most bright and beautiful way to kick off the new season and stock up on Christmas treats, treasures and beautiful things. Highly recommend heading along if you're around for the next one!

It was a fabulous but sweltering hot day, and at the end of it Anna very generously sent me home with (not one but two) of these beautiful bunches November lilies and some fresh herbs - gorgeous! It's all made for a gorgeous scent around the house on these warm nights and lots of delicious Vietnamese cooking. Thank you Anna!

Well today has been an absolute scorcher in Brisbane, something like 39 degrees. I'm glad the sun has gone down but I must say I love it. I'll post again soon with the other pieces from the weekend, in the meantime hope everyone is gearing up for Christmas!

See you soon, 

Pip xx

All images taken by me on my iPhone