Introducing Maria Masi-Edwards part II

As you know, I am a big fan of Maria's label 'avian'. 
Maria had her second collection showing here in Sydney at the house to a select group of friends and followers.
This collection was for 'Super Vixens'.  Edgier and more rock and roll than the first collection but no less attention to fine fabrics, craftsmanship and detail.  Think Blondie, the Cure and the Clash - less trash.  A saucy and playful collection for grownups: silk and scrumptious fabrics, enough animal print to unleash your inner cougar but well made and practical enough to wear anywhere (the skirts were reversible - crazy animal print one side, plain and coloured denim the other).

Also on show was a selection of Ms A'Marie DaisyJaw's latest prints which fitted the theme beautifully.
Watch these names - they will be going places.

You heard it here first.

 Maria explaining her inspiration.

 A'Marie's prints were a drawcard.

 Loving those capes!

 The super vixen at work.

 My camera did not do justice to these fab clothes - all exclusives!

Mango Frooty images featured

Well how about that!

My work is featured in an online magazine from Argentina: http://issuu.com/pluzultra/docs/issue17/63

Thank you Jeronimo Laborde!

Gabby Malpas at the Sydney Art Show 14 - 16 October

Come and say hello if you are coming to the Sydney Art Show at Darling Harbour from Friday 14, until Sunday 16 October.  I'm on stand D17.

I have put a sneak preview of works for sale on my website here.  There will be a large number of unframed works (some brand new), and all at special prices for the show.

And for those of you who want an original Gabby Malpas for under $5 - I will be selling watercolour Christmas cards for $15, per set of 5.  Each card is a one off and made along the theme of:
'The colours of a Sydney Summer'

Hope to see you there.

Mobile pouches

OK, so hot on the heels of the Mango Frooty Choiceland and Aussie destination bags are my selection of mobile phone pouches. All are made of two thicknesses of stiff fabric for protection and have old mother of pearl buttons fastened with an elastic loop.  Some have old mother of pearl buttons, other have little plastic tikis as decoration.

Lately we've been having a bit of aussie/kiwi sports matches so in the spirit of things I have named the selection of pouches made from Vintage Mambo fabric (2nd from left and last on right), with tikis: 'The bros love breadstealers' bags.

Geddit?

They're $12 each and will be onsale at the Kirribilli Markets this Sunday, 9th Oct.  Perfect Xmas presents and to send overseas in a little envelope for about $2.

Too offensive?  please let me know

Blacktown City Art Prize

 'Dog day afternoon' - highly commended.  Yay!

Being a newbie to Art prizes, I was surprised at how well presented and at the calibre of works on show at the Blacktown City Art Prize.  I had received a call on the Friday afternoon to ensure I was attending.  I was planning to go and have a look but was starting to go off the idea with the thought of Friday afternoon Sydney traffic which turns most of the motorways and all roads west, into a car park.

Him indoors took me on the motorbike.  We made it there in under an hour.

I got a highly commended award for watercolour of which I am well chuffed!

Mango Frooty bags - tried and tested

Since my quest to make the perfect Mango Frooty bag, I road test them.  I took one of my 'choiceland bro' bags on our holiday to Cambodia earlier this month.  I had it with me daily.

It did beautifully - not too heavy and just the right size to carry around water, spare shoes, things for the day and with room to put unexpected purchases into.  It was also exotic enough to be seen in some nice places.

As you can imagine, it was very hot and sticky.  I got it home and it looked in need of a good wash so I put it in a bucket with a bit of napisan (decided not to risk the spin cycle in the washing machine with the tiki!), and it came up looking as good as new - in fact, I think the colours on the teatowel are now brighter than before.

So I can definitely vouch for these bags being: wash and go!

Art prize selections

 'Goodbye dear heart, the last goodbye': watercolour and collage on sewn paper.  Unframed size: 57cm x 110cm

'Dog day afternoon': watercolour and collage on sewn paper.  Unframed size: 57cm x 110cm

With the current financial climate, art sales are slow.

So for the last couple of months I have been applying and submitting entries to Art competitions around Australia to raise my profile but also to try and give my patrons a return on investment so to speak. 

Here are two entries that have been selected for Art Prizes:

'Goodbye dear heart...', selected as a finalist for the Heysen Centenary Art Prize 2011, Hahndorf , SA and 'Dog day afternoon', selected for inclusion in the Blacktown City Art Prize 2011.

ArtShine Interview

Today I had an interview published on the ArtShine website.

I met Vinh Lam at ArtSydney in 2009.  He's a lovely bloke, supportive, non-pushy and quietly achieving.   True to his word, 2 years later we have an article on yours truly.  It's here

Kirribilli Market - Blog writeup

After two dismal efforts at Kirribilli markets so far, I was  pretty disheartened.  But as my stallholder chums and friends have said: I can't give up just yet, I have to keep trying.

So yesterday, I received the kick I needed to keep on keeping on, with a fantastic writeup from food maestro and 'art enabler' Roz MacAllan.

Thank you Roz MacAllen for your kindness and generosity.

For those of you who missed the link to Roz' blog - it's here.

Markets and other stuff: Madam Charli

Apologies.  I haven't posted for nearly a month but I have not been completely idle.

Unfortunately painting has taken a bit of a back seat with paid work on plus I've turned my attention to the Kirribilli Markets to promote and sell my bags.  So far it's been very slow but I must not give up and I have met some lovely new friends.
I will be there again at the end of September and during October - Please drop by and say hello.

I also produce USB keychains for my chum Carolyn Harli of Madam Charli fame.  Carolyn sources the crystal fabulous USBs and I add beads and clasps for a truly one off USB with enough bling to grace any fashionista's lappy.

Only at Madam Charli's.