New in my Etsy store!

For all of you who've asked, prints of my 'Pink Orchids in Vintage Blue' are now available in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/102602823/pink-orchids-in-vintage-blue-new" target="_blank">Etsy store</a>...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSSnxuX4O62KwUMtfpmx3kNU2ITyqOsLEu2Nkl9rQ9d0NP6So8C7BSGNU7D8WM-dMYyq-XzHZRwn_OL9VspKyoSSFJ9tP9Z06W_JJGbilIQnLN6a3QRunw1CqbTk8zwH4irm2D2kNNsiK/s1600/25D6029E-BB3D-11E1-A019-95BD73053CB6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSSnxuX4O62KwUMtfpmx3kNU2ITyqOsLEu2Nkl9rQ9d0NP6So8C7BSGNU7D8WM-dMYyq-XzHZRwn_OL9VspKyoSSFJ9tP9Z06W_JJGbilIQnLN6a3QRunw1CqbTk8zwH4irm2D2kNNsiK/s640/25D6029E-BB3D-11E1-A019-95BD73053CB6.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">'Pink Orchids in Vintage Blue'</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">11"x14" image size on A3 paper </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">for sale here in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/102602823/pink-orchids-in-vintage-blue-new" target="_blank">Etsy store</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you're a liker of my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/originalartbykerrishipp" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>, you'll already know about this new addition. To be the first to know about new work, as well as exclusive previews and sales (!!!) <a href="https://www.facebook.com/originalartbykerrishipp" target="_blank">head on over</a>....you just might find a bargain or two (and if you don't pick up on all those hints, there's just no help for you!)</div><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

New in my Etsy store!

For all of you who've asked, prints of my 'Pink Orchids in Vintage Blue' are now available in my Etsy store ... 'Pink Orchid...

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All that glitters...

...is often gold, but sometimes silver too. I've just had some of my pieces framed, and thought I'd share a few pics of the finished works. My fabulous framer has done an amazing job, so here's a look at what's new:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7ebVkhOGhhMsK8i4W_XAG8IM_x9xoya9aMfWmc1tSVgiCWU3LWKxJZImODl-MfMHrA2AfpWsvSXxCfDoaFFLsvsTXo1MnO1Cf1JSQhHkNA3-ZrM43EzDG320e2nt_ra9K_7U3Nk2zxbj/s1600/pink+orchids+in+blue+watermarked+resize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7ebVkhOGhhMsK8i4W_XAG8IM_x9xoya9aMfWmc1tSVgiCWU3LWKxJZImODl-MfMHrA2AfpWsvSXxCfDoaFFLsvsTXo1MnO1Cf1JSQhHkNA3-ZrM43EzDG320e2nt_ra9K_7U3Nk2zxbj/s640/pink+orchids+in+blue+watermarked+resize.jpg" width="456" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;">'Pink Orchids in Vintage Blue'</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;">original watercolour on paper</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394;">30cmx42cm </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">...and here's a print in silver:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvIyOmz1rlEmNLBMJAXThsnNXI9IuNnWhFCw3-iC5NyZmKauE5gPRnjhMdE6T5fW6h2zIRxM2OW7LbETcp2UKPwHkkFrlJ0x0-w52-30hyUWeE7W1TBRsbrY3JVWeA-KpXNB3JzgPPVgQ/s1600/pink+orchids+in+silver+bamboo+watermarked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvIyOmz1rlEmNLBMJAXThsnNXI9IuNnWhFCw3-iC5NyZmKauE5gPRnjhMdE6T5fW6h2zIRxM2OW7LbETcp2UKPwHkkFrlJ0x0-w52-30hyUWeE7W1TBRsbrY3JVWeA-KpXNB3JzgPPVgQ/s640/pink+orchids+in+silver+bamboo+watermarked.jpg" width="540" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">This is now hanging in Mum and Dad's newly-renovated bathroom - I'll share all the pics soon</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">These pieces are commissions for a lovely client in Rockhampton. Teacups and Louis chairs.....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGCr8oGaFIy8NChevE7s4cY0o_C86v6xKv7RewCHroD1JITDd3VDNq3u4LYRkmBNwA_XQdCWsq-b_fm2iZ4R6DjrecnF5vbEJqmzIxPsEpUioY4br2A1_e8YTJcta1nVZ9XGmz6iBEc_Gm/s1600/louis+chair+watermarked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGCr8oGaFIy8NChevE7s4cY0o_C86v6xKv7RewCHroD1JITDd3VDNq3u4LYRkmBNwA_XQdCWsq-b_fm2iZ4R6DjrecnF5vbEJqmzIxPsEpUioY4br2A1_e8YTJcta1nVZ9XGmz6iBEc_Gm/s640/louis+chair+watermarked.jpg" width="532" /></a></div>'Maddalena'<br />original watercolour on paper<br />40cmx50cm<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPO_Hsob5qUg3lRgQr5kD3Xip1Y1KIpj047WAkFJx6o38HtFqXEsmrrA8vFHNBqLbsizudFF5fC66y8SaGevS2U2aGqq8_YPzp-pnDxv7ytNiWgdr0OYcmVdNq2UhbEwVpiqNg17ZqylPE/s1600/teacups+watermarked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPO_Hsob5qUg3lRgQr5kD3Xip1Y1KIpj047WAkFJx6o38HtFqXEsmrrA8vFHNBqLbsizudFF5fC66y8SaGevS2U2aGqq8_YPzp-pnDxv7ytNiWgdr0OYcmVdNq2UhbEwVpiqNg17ZqylPE/s640/teacups+watermarked.jpg" width="476" /></a></div>'Divertimenti'<br />original watercolour on paper<br />40cmx50cm<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And look at this gorgeous orchid! My eldest daughter works part-time in a florist, so we're never short of beautiful blooms. This orchid is a stunner, and I think it would make a great subject for my next painting....</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEqSWI-gVXEcMKVz0t6tbuiKgotcNQ5eKSuD_xx2LfMucnqwOx5XwXyksdTZ88rAZRgbBnHH_Z1y05O3VmnLAKqbVem05WF2EiCpcbux7Mpg1zZY9NTzg2AjmXF6ORXzH3U3cBc6Mva4eh/s1600/cattleya+watermarked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEqSWI-gVXEcMKVz0t6tbuiKgotcNQ5eKSuD_xx2LfMucnqwOx5XwXyksdTZ88rAZRgbBnHH_Z1y05O3VmnLAKqbVem05WF2EiCpcbux7Mpg1zZY9NTzg2AjmXF6ORXzH3U3cBc6Mva4eh/s640/cattleya+watermarked.jpg" width="490" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><br />Pretty, no?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

All that glitters...

...is often gold, but sometimes silver too. I've just had some of my pieces framed, and thought I'd share a few pics of the finished...

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You mean it's been two weeks.......?

...since I posted last? Good grief. The best laid plans don't always come to fruition, do they? Time has slipped away from me yet again, but there's been a lot happening. Mum and Dad's bathroom is almost done - just the shower screen and plantation shutters to go. Once it's all ready I'll do a full post...promise! In the meantime, the lovely folks at <a href="http://homes.ninemsn.com.au/real-living" target="_blank">Real Living Magazine</a> were kind enough to feature my abstracts in their May issue, out now. You might recognise a few, but there are also a couple of new prints - take a look:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbxrbt-QqsZtSSZ94qerwu69aX56cAYZ_crmjjaK3h-z0QHhYAC1nKjkEB38gqbRCBs1rJ5GwztS6LHOq_qV8y7mfXM7ZcNYZDZog1O3EBnEXU_isVQMpy6JcpVsWzMB2Mh7QmkvsLdMMe/s1600/IMG_0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbxrbt-QqsZtSSZ94qerwu69aX56cAYZ_crmjjaK3h-z0QHhYAC1nKjkEB38gqbRCBs1rJ5GwztS6LHOq_qV8y7mfXM7ZcNYZDZog1O3EBnEXU_isVQMpy6JcpVsWzMB2Mh7QmkvsLdMMe/s640/IMG_0004.jpg" width="497" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">New print 'Resist'</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">in <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/97501632/abstract-watercolor-resist-in-turquoise" target="_blank">Turquoise</a> as shown, and also </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/97501801/abstract-watercolor-resist-in-fuchsia-11" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Fuchsi</span>a</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHe4himfhkTLytg5EwO8GIpO6g59ByF2OwMujt_yf2AUbUWzRQa5q9S1BPtLN3V2isEwhzumOZ1XkHeu6YRRZie1jeS1Jg07Wdiij_MPhI2BIO3svnf2nDBPI28uBeNkWJN0ll4UnVOLS9/s1600/ombre+in+turquoise+watermarked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHe4himfhkTLytg5EwO8GIpO6g59ByF2OwMujt_yf2AUbUWzRQa5q9S1BPtLN3V2isEwhzumOZ1XkHeu6YRRZie1jeS1Jg07Wdiij_MPhI2BIO3svnf2nDBPI28uBeNkWJN0ll4UnVOLS9/s640/ombre+in+turquoise+watermarked.jpg" width="466" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/97501632/abstract-watercolor-resist-in-turquoise" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">'Resist' in Turquoise</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJcXtbQxFuaFWcCBmNXD4JgZOUlVjUUE8J6HnYdn-G2DphKCaNYvAuIjXADHy7B13ldnuPvqsQVO_MVS_WiW5LL45a35pnQRTvqF3xnQijKjxoqfxb0TeAnp8p6mNP3piQW1icXwihZvtW/s1600/ombre+rose+watermarked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJcXtbQxFuaFWcCBmNXD4JgZOUlVjUUE8J6HnYdn-G2DphKCaNYvAuIjXADHy7B13ldnuPvqsQVO_MVS_WiW5LL45a35pnQRTvqF3xnQijKjxoqfxb0TeAnp8p6mNP3piQW1icXwihZvtW/s640/ombre+rose+watermarked.jpg" width="466" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/97501801/abstract-watercolor-resist-in-fuchsia-11" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">'Resist' in Fuchsia</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcbesmpAKdWZESKGXgS_mDDkeJq6crPcLk907cc4-DHhLDDfXR04JtVRFuZeyE8odmccqF-m16-HE3JwWzXbBPJMsI1J-j8C70NPIlwO7AlCGac5FzUGvQApgYcAXnriqJAzIpsgmsMsI9/s1600/scan+real+living+may+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcbesmpAKdWZESKGXgS_mDDkeJq6crPcLk907cc4-DHhLDDfXR04JtVRFuZeyE8odmccqF-m16-HE3JwWzXbBPJMsI1J-j8C70NPIlwO7AlCGac5FzUGvQApgYcAXnriqJAzIpsgmsMsI9/s640/scan+real+living+may+12.jpg" width="490" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">From left to right - <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/86753607/abstract-watercolor-all-that-glitters-11" target="_blank">'All that Glitters',</a> the new print <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/97501941/abstract-watercolor-plume-11-x-14-as" target="_blank">'Plume'</a>, and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/86670064/abstract-watercolor-equinox-rising-11x14" target="_blank">'Equinox Rising'</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJnI1ESkHiA_ZJBFWA9cswqS6nBP2EZExesibPzRl5MC8f5lYHwkf0_Za2y184yj4xSJps3Kon-g47ug7kCVwZL8vx3EGoPpaxCoTV6ox4e5yGRPg_K2_MC_LZq64-LAbmYDB3zlT84zPZ/s1600/plume+watermarked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJnI1ESkHiA_ZJBFWA9cswqS6nBP2EZExesibPzRl5MC8f5lYHwkf0_Za2y184yj4xSJps3Kon-g47ug7kCVwZL8vx3EGoPpaxCoTV6ox4e5yGRPg_K2_MC_LZq64-LAbmYDB3zlT84zPZ/s640/plume+watermarked.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">'Plume'</div><div style="text-align: center;">listed <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/97501941/abstract-watercolor-plume-11-x-14-as" target="_blank">here in my Etsy store</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">and one more for good measure....</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaKlWSoN55Arb9czwAQrT0EnRB5uRRzzStYuqNnR2geqs94T9hWQLj-y-X62g5J0TBSQn4b28hBybmPFSc05YdDpX33w_SVbofhrkfKXwvlVjsql5JzoXthixEZ6FIHGKTzNWpCSbbNyvp/s1600/fusion+watermarked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaKlWSoN55Arb9czwAQrT0EnRB5uRRzzStYuqNnR2geqs94T9hWQLj-y-X62g5J0TBSQn4b28hBybmPFSc05YdDpX33w_SVbofhrkfKXwvlVjsql5JzoXthixEZ6FIHGKTzNWpCSbbNyvp/s640/fusion+watermarked.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/97908169/abstract-watercolor-fusion-11x14-new" target="_blank">'Fusion'</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/97908169/abstract-watercolor-fusion-11x14-new" target="_blank">here on Etsy</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There's many more new paintings in the works, and I'll share them as soon as I can. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">See you soon (seriously, would I lie to you?)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

You mean it's been two weeks.......?

...since I posted last? Good grief. The best laid plans don't always come to fruition, do they? Time has slipped away from me yet again,...

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Plumes, paintings.. and Interlopers

I'm always on the lookout for a pretty feather. Living in a rural area, there are often lots to be found. My chicky babes are starting to moult, which means feathers galore. And our spectacularly coloured wild birds - rainbow lorikeets, galahs, cockatoos, and rosellas to name a few - often leave behind a lovely gift.<br /><br />Lately, a little kingfisher has taken up residency in one of our gum trees. For those who aren't familiar with them, kingfishers are similar to mini kookaburras, but with lovely blue plumage. I'm hoping to find a feather left for me, but until then I've taken some artistic licence and painted my own version:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_KhJxosfPdrDaS8yV1pXTObeGdFoI3J0xDmi3vuetn_5sKPbSgWMDj16aZnqVLU69lB3DIjeceEQhzulNno9zCMqT7Au7AEVCZaS8WFwgn1dsblbL6vVZ9cvQergX8qM0s1oxIWavot9C/s1600/blue+feather+watermarked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_KhJxosfPdrDaS8yV1pXTObeGdFoI3J0xDmi3vuetn_5sKPbSgWMDj16aZnqVLU69lB3DIjeceEQhzulNno9zCMqT7Au7AEVCZaS8WFwgn1dsblbL6vVZ9cvQergX8qM0s1oxIWavot9C/s640/blue+feather+watermarked.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">'Kingfisher'</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">watercolour on paper</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">210mm x 297mm</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">original sold, prints available in my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/92647593/feather-print-kingfisher-8x10">Etsy store</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Speaking of artistic licence, sometimes paintings seem to take on a life of their own. One of my goals for the year is to leave some time each week just for creating - no set plan, no set ideas, just playing around. I'd been asked to paint some peacock feathers, and I have quite a few on the go, but this one took an unexpected turn. Instead of the usual brilliant blues and greens like the others I've done, this one is a study in white. Black & white is always a winner in my book, so why not white peacock feathers with a twist? This one is painted using gouache and ink for something different:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnICiqtawnpdu8Ozxgo49HaTtY9t8F5ZzwW8FAou_Ao4wngQZFUaw7TPWMP7UTMjrOK5FqWBYHkwxrCzONSc-X8mUtuap-vk4ZPXqTBn6F4Xi1wmCJbXTV0HsIGbmCwBLV3gRDKVTQCzQK/s1600/white+feather+b&w+watermarked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnICiqtawnpdu8Ozxgo49HaTtY9t8F5ZzwW8FAou_Ao4wngQZFUaw7TPWMP7UTMjrOK5FqWBYHkwxrCzONSc-X8mUtuap-vk4ZPXqTBn6F4Xi1wmCJbXTV0HsIGbmCwBLV3gRDKVTQCzQK/s640/white+feather+b&w+watermarked.jpg" width="448" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">'Plume'</div><div style="text-align: center;">Gouache and ink on paper</div><div style="text-align: center;">210mm x 297mm</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I've decided to release a limited number of original watercolours over the next few months, as well as more limited edition prints. As a rule, I tend to sell prints only, unless they're commissions. As I've had so many enquiries, please feel free to send me an email if you'd like to know when these are released, and I'll add you to my mailing list. I'm also planning on some regular newletters, so drop me a line if that interests you as well.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here's a few of my collection of feathers that are likely to make an appearance in a painting over the next few months. The white feathers (with the lovely yellow tint) are from our white cockatoos. They nest in a massive gum tree (commonly known around here as the Nursery Tree, as it seems every critter sets up shop in its many hollow branches), and every day I find feathers on the ground. So pretty. The darkest ones are from my hen, Gladys, who, along with her cronies, sits outside my studio while I paint:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZ7dLndVdsFm_FJ5eJdiXrz-0l4uiVuIXJwzHehV8_myWKxYvHkDtPYOMR6v7nVyGsHQ7bFA9tW-qJYDHfkK4iuj9gt6HHERgAV_D6NqFLnCJGkI2bjgxO3ApTt9uiLbWMkB0QTob3Ley/s1600/feather+collection+resize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZ7dLndVdsFm_FJ5eJdiXrz-0l4uiVuIXJwzHehV8_myWKxYvHkDtPYOMR6v7nVyGsHQ7bFA9tW-qJYDHfkK4iuj9gt6HHERgAV_D6NqFLnCJGkI2bjgxO3ApTt9uiLbWMkB0QTob3Ley/s640/feather+collection+resize.jpg" width="442" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sadly, we're down to only three chooks nowdays. The Mr calls the henhouse the retirement village, as our guys seem to live longer than any others I've ever known. Our oldest (and sweetest) girl, Doris, died last year at the ripe old age of 13, which is pretty good going in chook years. Only one of the girls still lays, bless her, but I wouldn't be without them - their entertainment value alone is well worth it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjljwQW_n2C0Ai95WTtfd6gLtiiZtDnSCpisTUWWt7nPG2rPTPhYhETmw4Nq2lVU6fKNphtdy4oKj9YHRpIoi7_yZzEoQivznFEdzt2KOUfUq2x4-yWu-1EZ2j-6_crS_SZaIcDjRTh0Nqa/s1600/chooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjljwQW_n2C0Ai95WTtfd6gLtiiZtDnSCpisTUWWt7nPG2rPTPhYhETmw4Nq2lVU6fKNphtdy4oKj9YHRpIoi7_yZzEoQivznFEdzt2KOUfUq2x4-yWu-1EZ2j-6_crS_SZaIcDjRTh0Nqa/s640/chooks.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">our sweet Doris on the right, along with Hot & Spicy (the black and gold Wyandottes) and Gladys. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We seem to have a bit of mexican stand-off happening atm. The Interlopers (the newbies from next door) have taken to visiting our place, which is not taken too kindly by our lot. Don't need a chicken whisperer to know what they're thinking - the body language speaks volumes. Will try to get a good shot if I can - priceless.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So after a terribly rambling post, that's it for me. I'm off to finish a commission for a lovely lady, so I'll see you next week with all the deets. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Have a good one,</div><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>

Plumes, paintings.. and Interlopers

I'm always on the lookout for a pretty feather. Living in a rural area, there are often lots to be found. My chicky babes are starting t...

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Tangerine Tango...and friends

I'm sure you all know by now that <a href="http://pantone.com/">Pantone</a> has declared Tangerine Tango the colour of the year for 2012. Bold and bright, it's no shrinking violet (pardon the pun), and a little can go a long way. It works beautifully with pink and aqua, and it's found its way into quite a few of my paintings lately. I'm working on this piece at the moment, with more to come.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5cITRBi2bG_DJ5w3ZK3c2esSTL-QuYIbkK6U24SDaq1FAZLLm_rnOOO7mQ1kvyzKOhTRb37MaKsHykK64Uec0gdKSkWITWcllV48_p2Ae8o9zZFTX8jUsO_WtlzzgERGlp8NEIgDICDao/s1600/sunset+strip+watermarked+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5cITRBi2bG_DJ5w3ZK3c2esSTL-QuYIbkK6U24SDaq1FAZLLm_rnOOO7mQ1kvyzKOhTRb37MaKsHykK64Uec0gdKSkWITWcllV48_p2Ae8o9zZFTX8jUsO_WtlzzgERGlp8NEIgDICDao/s640/sunset+strip+watermarked+.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">'Calypso I'</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">mixed media on canvas</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">12" x 12" (30cm x 30cm)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">tangerine and hot pink - always a killer combo</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">SOLD</span></div><br />I'll be adding some smaller originals on canvas to my Etsy store in the new year, but if anyone is looking for pieces in time for Christmas, this and its friend (it's part of a small diptych, but is also designed to stand alone) are available now. Feel free to email me if you'd like more information.<br /><br />I've also just used this fabric for a client in the pink colourway, and paired it with shades of green and aqua - very fresh and summery. But it looks equally lovely in tangy tangerine...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ399TQAjjUQfw4Ujz4s9T9z7vcexCqZlc0pZkS4D5UL4encmFDV_RIT68YSyjmFCUX_gMCYgw9w1D3_hyYw1Gg7vDyQmNz_Q2IqhfmtWHxgXdS33dkL71R4A_SPF693sa56fe72jOh463/s1600/ThibautHotPink2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ399TQAjjUQfw4Ujz4s9T9z7vcexCqZlc0pZkS4D5UL4encmFDV_RIT68YSyjmFCUX_gMCYgw9w1D3_hyYw1Gg7vDyQmNz_Q2IqhfmtWHxgXdS33dkL71R4A_SPF693sa56fe72jOh463/s640/ThibautHotPink2.jpg" width="446" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Orange works wonderfully with turquoise too. You may remember how Lauren from <a href="http://porterdesigncompany.com/">Porter Design Company</a> framed my <a href="http://www.driftwoodinteriors.etsy.com/">turquoise sea plant paintings</a> with vivid tangerine orange mats for her room in the Stately Homes by the Sea Showhouse:<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDXeVF6q6pJYMSadLqfMt3kOVbRhRqNFPfracCQNMH1WrW_J5KZozVzfsDiwBjXPfhKuH6A-Tn5wRseB7Hf_wrzYxB5nJ_SQsvZeDf69yR9UYmgeFkPItybJ_F6qO2ERPzUBOgPjk1XvzW/s1600/Untitled+picture.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDXeVF6q6pJYMSadLqfMt3kOVbRhRqNFPfracCQNMH1WrW_J5KZozVzfsDiwBjXPfhKuH6A-Tn5wRseB7Hf_wrzYxB5nJ_SQsvZeDf69yR9UYmgeFkPItybJ_F6qO2ERPzUBOgPjk1XvzW/s640/Untitled+picture.png" width="446" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">...and maybe I was ahead of my time - earlier this year, I released a number of my prints in...wait, that's right....Tangerine!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-k9X8pdKmFTheW9keNVJsfC5-isiPPEGmyscxfPtgKotaOZHdco1cgWi09q98ON12pjACut7k5BJH0ijiuszKDtSUWySef6aVO8WjfGkn1uu-_wgO5iJUjTzbJPFvtl76UPioIaJGJRa/s1600/sea+plants+in+tangerine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-k9X8pdKmFTheW9keNVJsfC5-isiPPEGmyscxfPtgKotaOZHdco1cgWi09q98ON12pjACut7k5BJH0ijiuszKDtSUWySef6aVO8WjfGkn1uu-_wgO5iJUjTzbJPFvtl76UPioIaJGJRa/s640/sea+plants+in+tangerine.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Prints are all available here in my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/70875936/seaweed-in-tangerine-print">Etsy store</a>.</div><br /><br /><br />I think it would make a great addition to any holiday table - even this snippet really makes an impact:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65u6bd7bsRFqT8Bu47n4KiebW7MnJqR_uKrkJkhotRnO4iIJfsaQO7fSwQcChasccpgfRKRRThMfetJphT2PX55TMvHVcqLK9fS1nm3rEKFfcq3ljmKb-cd72FHwshgLXigCorGtK_ooX/s1600/white-turquoise-orange-table-setting-decor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="582" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65u6bd7bsRFqT8Bu47n4KiebW7MnJqR_uKrkJkhotRnO4iIJfsaQO7fSwQcChasccpgfRKRRThMfetJphT2PX55TMvHVcqLK9fS1nm3rEKFfcq3ljmKb-cd72FHwshgLXigCorGtK_ooX/s640/white-turquoise-orange-table-setting-decor.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thelennoxx.com/">The Lennoxx</a></div><br />..and packs quite a punch in these vibrant bedrooms:<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDKECc6RwWjNBf7tOtaWmeIGikY00YZ2PmmK2-pmn2Oc2on4pXwpC8xBg70uhyphenhyphenuK_bFFO_Hv_xb-ir1TzvvnahDjatNSAQOIfbLguWi6otRfrXRZpeLVjNTLzW5yVamhaCfOIBOCnz6In/s1600/Bali_Bedroom_Architectural_Digest_June_2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDKECc6RwWjNBf7tOtaWmeIGikY00YZ2PmmK2-pmn2Oc2on4pXwpC8xBg70uhyphenhyphenuK_bFFO_Hv_xb-ir1TzvvnahDjatNSAQOIfbLguWi6otRfrXRZpeLVjNTLzW5yVamhaCfOIBOCnz6In/s640/Bali_Bedroom_Architectural_Digest_June_2011.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://architecturaldigest.com/"> Architectural Digest</a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia408bGIwAlFkixnxhBIopjawsY3Blij7uAL1op1HdHdDDGD5TIEc3Pr-Qfv9hjhalFW4iqe1DdfyN0PUCW4ACw5nmH19sR5nAJ6o04ZAcY5C-P36tDpffTxiLqMVTRR0HO6azAnf0D_JS/s1600/orange.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia408bGIwAlFkixnxhBIopjawsY3Blij7uAL1op1HdHdDDGD5TIEc3Pr-Qfv9hjhalFW4iqe1DdfyN0PUCW4ACw5nmH19sR5nAJ6o04ZAcY5C-P36tDpffTxiLqMVTRR0HO6azAnf0D_JS/s640/orange.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.insideoutcolouranddesign.com.au/">Via</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So, are you loving Tangerine Tango, or, like my mum, do you absolutely hate it? Did Pantone get it right? Love to know what you think.</div><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>

Tangerine Tango...and friends

I'm sure you all know by now that Pantone has declared Tangerine Tango the colour of the year for 2012. Bold and bright, it's no sh...

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A snippet of my day....

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ZuXd7r3iXUvgRsq9jv88ffMLp8klg-pnQK5cTL8PxjhZ1vP7OAO5cDyNZ-k1UfSBzQZuNlBEu-DlgyvBwQ5ja0Fpxy-Bk98hmncQ7lyT7Rjm1nvEnUACtwFdAYmWYvzmk9Vg9tqGtNsu/s1600/in+progress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ZuXd7r3iXUvgRsq9jv88ffMLp8klg-pnQK5cTL8PxjhZ1vP7OAO5cDyNZ-k1UfSBzQZuNlBEu-DlgyvBwQ5ja0Fpxy-Bk98hmncQ7lyT7Rjm1nvEnUACtwFdAYmWYvzmk9Vg9tqGtNsu/s640/in+progress.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Just a little something I've been working on....<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

A snippet of my day....

Just a little something I've been working on....

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New in Blue

I know I've said it a million times before, but I just can't go past the classic blue and white combo. Beachy or traditional, dramatic or dreamy, there's a blue to suit every mood. I'm working on lots of new and exciting paintings, and first cab off the rank is a piece in a lovely new shade of blue - French blue to be exact. Here she is:<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPu04QIfeUjD-Ss7hcfqZB8OraZgtPjIMZe1KB6M7aHv9DPV3oO0m7IELwzI3Jr2ip0mHefB8FZST50y44LlNLvAELQzyzr2zczQBrUfX46boEhi7Fs4VM5ydk_g_T7-j33wq2pfPBLl3J/s1600/seaweed+french+blue+on+white+background+watermarked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPu04QIfeUjD-Ss7hcfqZB8OraZgtPjIMZe1KB6M7aHv9DPV3oO0m7IELwzI3Jr2ip0mHefB8FZST50y44LlNLvAELQzyzr2zczQBrUfX46boEhi7Fs4VM5ydk_g_T7-j33wq2pfPBLl3J/s640/seaweed+french+blue+on+white+background+watermarked.jpg" width="626" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">'Seaweed II in French Blue'</div><div style="text-align: center;">210mm x 297mm (8" x 11")</div><div style="text-align: center;">for sale <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/85459830/seaweed-ii-in-french-blue-new-colour">here in my Etsy shop</a></div><br /><br />ooh, and look how lovely she looks in Sig Bergamin's stunning beach house (allow me a little creative licence, ok?)<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBrMbQNlWunKYojmdGsycFMueC8QbN5nDh7GvKd1s-YS2ZthniDd0gmoe5pAPgfh4zEVHJ2GIZ9tvGNYhW5nSqfu1Fb7FJJ23M1Md-SCiZXdJ5ood51b5BJkPL5vT1MQ0QDbkdaxU2N-xd/s1600/my+art+in+sig%2527s+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBrMbQNlWunKYojmdGsycFMueC8QbN5nDh7GvKd1s-YS2ZthniDd0gmoe5pAPgfh4zEVHJ2GIZ9tvGNYhW5nSqfu1Fb7FJJ23M1Md-SCiZXdJ5ood51b5BJkPL5vT1MQ0QDbkdaxU2N-xd/s640/my+art+in+sig%2527s+room.jpg" width="556" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> original photo of Sig Bergamin's work courtesy Elle Decor magazine</div><br /><br />I've just about finished a large version of this piece in denim blue (actually, I think the denim would look even better in Sig's place!) and also, I have a raspberry version on order too.<br /><br />Over the next couple of weeks, I have some really exciting new pieces to share with you all - some are new additions to my existing range...think more of my blue and white series, new sea corals, butterflies and feathers... and others are brand-spankin' new paintings in new styles and designs. Can't wait to share them with you all - of course, I'll reveal all as soon as they're ready.<br /><br />Catch you soon,<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

New in Blue

I know I've said it a million times before, but I just can't go past the classic blue and white combo. Beachy or traditional, dramat...

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The eagle has landed....

It's been a mammoth few weeks. As you can probably tell, my poor little blog has taken a back seat to everything else that's been going on. But even though there's been precious little blog action, I've been painting like a woman possessed! For those of you who follow me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/originalartbykerrishipp">Facebook</a>, you'll have seen a sneak peek of the biggest painting I've done for quite a while. This bad boy is 1.5m x 3m long (around 5' x 10') - a real statement piece. The canvas was custom-stretched, specialist art transport was needed due to its sheer size....but it was totally worth it. I absolutely love it, but more importantly, my gorgeous client Helen loves it too. Here it is:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9nxQLMVV6jEgN8rwoVkiNnW2s24eq3qD-kgTQUl3917Y3aqP2BJ_b7zniZ30syGrB8Y4EHEPHJkHiLyR3o1zsyBndHPCBJ1oHa3x33vw6YWZDRnAgp2JkwI5IrLxMN8tXQXI3mIxIA0n/s1600/helen+final+watermarked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9nxQLMVV6jEgN8rwoVkiNnW2s24eq3qD-kgTQUl3917Y3aqP2BJ_b7zniZ30syGrB8Y4EHEPHJkHiLyR3o1zsyBndHPCBJ1oHa3x33vw6YWZDRnAgp2JkwI5IrLxMN8tXQXI3mIxIA0n/s640/helen+final+watermarked.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">'Equinox'</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">mixed media on canvas</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">1.5m x 3m</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">private commission</span></div><br />We did plan to have it delivered and hung all on the same day, but there were a few hiccups which meant it was only hung today. I'll be heading over next week to get some lovely in-situ shots, and I'll post those as soon as I can. I'm so looking forward to seeing it in place in Helen's beautifully restored Queenslander - very exciting!<br /><br />Thanks for bearing with me lately. Even though my usual blogging routine has been completely thrown out the window, I have lots of original commissions on order, as well as some new paintings of my own. For all the news, sneak peeks and previews of new work, you may want to head on over and 'like' my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/originalartbykerrishipp">Facebook page</a>. I'd love to see you there!<br /><br />Have a great weekend everyone,<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div></div>

The eagle has landed....

It's been a mammoth few weeks. As you can probably tell, my poor little blog has taken a back seat to everything else that's been go...

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A blank canvas

You might remember in my last post I mentioned I was about to start on a commission for a lovely client? Well, I thought this might be the perfect time to share a little of how I go about painting a commissioned work - before I forget all about taking pics along the way.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNhto6ANqJykmGd3wavItxFvNVWoFr8MUcA3dn2pHXWZjJYqJvTbovUIzEQPXn-tOFBngDDPutmA-wMFjCITzS5NFAqKqizqmXhfwLCMCpSI8qjLqtwkmbi_8Lp91hAURZxaNrDoLSQMt/s1600/h+canvas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNhto6ANqJykmGd3wavItxFvNVWoFr8MUcA3dn2pHXWZjJYqJvTbovUIzEQPXn-tOFBngDDPutmA-wMFjCITzS5NFAqKqizqmXhfwLCMCpSI8qjLqtwkmbi_8Lp91hAURZxaNrDoLSQMt/s640/h+canvas.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">here she is...a nice (big) blank canvas</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>My lovely client, H, spoke to me about creating a painting for a large wall in her beautifully renovated Queenslander. If possible, I like to visit the client on-site - that way, I can get a feel for the space, the light, and the bones of the room itself. This painting will make a real statement - at 3m x 1.5m, it's a large piece, and will be on view from the minute you walk in the front door.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7Z4ifZ9KS1EyyEZwO5hZwpZYYeLJ8Qq3GK5gi2KOJtC8pgvip6g7uVA2ZqGZhSyRoNDZX5zWOh0fEZcm1PAAPbhD5aXo3y2rtOMjpOAObEcuQxXP0duhrvsBhL44YtY8frVwfgzYjJBu/s1600/h+wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7Z4ifZ9KS1EyyEZwO5hZwpZYYeLJ8Qq3GK5gi2KOJtC8pgvip6g7uVA2ZqGZhSyRoNDZX5zWOh0fEZcm1PAAPbhD5aXo3y2rtOMjpOAObEcuQxXP0duhrvsBhL44YtY8frVwfgzYjJBu/s640/h+wall.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br />We then had a chat about her ideas, what colours she'd like included - and just as importantly, any she definitely <i>didn't</i> want. She has a great mix of traditional and modern in her home, as she's retained the original charm and character of her Queenslander, but she's also included some clean, modern elements too. To complement the original VJ walls, she chose a traditional, full-blown floral curtain:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddYkVBZndf2QVoydE5VDXqZ5wPiCjFZDwPBlHHLNhAYbMTXSomsGDlmQ1VTD3JIojp9mqgCaTXcCVw99plqzVwELw0zUd70YTm4rjZBaWAr_x3aFlTiUHSXYclQqXoRuPM5vyMukrHZwV/s1600/h+curtains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddYkVBZndf2QVoydE5VDXqZ5wPiCjFZDwPBlHHLNhAYbMTXSomsGDlmQ1VTD3JIojp9mqgCaTXcCVw99plqzVwELw0zUd70YTm4rjZBaWAr_x3aFlTiUHSXYclQqXoRuPM5vyMukrHZwV/s640/h+curtains.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br />..and picked up the olive green from the pattern, using it as an accent wall colour in the central hall, and also for the glass splashback in the kitchen. Elsewhere is a natural white, keeping things nice and airy.<br /><br /><br />So, after discussing the options, we decided on a modern abstract design, incorporating the raspberry, red/pink and olive green from her curtains, as well as some complimentary tones. Once that was sorted, I sent through a series of mock-ups of my ideas, to make sure we were on the same page, and also to provide a visual of what I'm thinking. I've found this really helps both me and the client - I'm a really visual person, but I realise not everyone works that way. By doing so, it really helps to iron out any misunderstandings before we're too far down the track.<br /><br /><br />So, that's enough from me - I have painting to do. I'll post more pics once the piece is all signed, sealed and delivered. Can't wait to share the finished painting with you all - and I have to say, it's a lot of fun to be working on such a large scale piece again. Supersizing isn't always a bad thing you know :)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

A blank canvas

You might remember in my last post I mentioned I was about to start on a commission for a lovely client? Well, I thought this might be the p...

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Pimp my pic

As soon as I finished my latest painting, I couldn't help myself...these rooms were ripe for the picking.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjnq8mcHfV9Pm3u6TreIIPAudDyl8xY3SupQ6cn7mTbZHENhXzDEcj0s4WnMzP3XCW2qLSsEfUbPvaXoOeWN90fNMMxJ1jxOUnr8Tmr6g1tQcwVNqkAN_40YeCRIUg4GW_x-lsWX92jGg/s1600/nate+berkus+via+decorpad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjnq8mcHfV9Pm3u6TreIIPAudDyl8xY3SupQ6cn7mTbZHENhXzDEcj0s4WnMzP3XCW2qLSsEfUbPvaXoOeWN90fNMMxJ1jxOUnr8Tmr6g1tQcwVNqkAN_40YeCRIUg4GW_x-lsWX92jGg/s640/nate+berkus+via+decorpad.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">love your work <a href="http://www.nateberkus.com/">Nate</a>, hope you don't mind that I've done a little redecorating for you. I thought my latest 'Petit Papillon' would work perfectly in your living room. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqPYufveXha12ZtVLryc4slgnCSdiNoMffaRJO-LMVuzYNV7wjzLNuxFQFGgkPB0SNjDI1IhiztStMLZHLwkJTSuIxMJCxeJUb6KrVZofnd5jFgYYCpAyeYh4ugrGm7_8d3rq0qBd4lLQ/s1600/black+butterfly+watermarked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqPYufveXha12ZtVLryc4slgnCSdiNoMffaRJO-LMVuzYNV7wjzLNuxFQFGgkPB0SNjDI1IhiztStMLZHLwkJTSuIxMJCxeJUb6KrVZofnd5jFgYYCpAyeYh4ugrGm7_8d3rq0qBd4lLQ/s640/black+butterfly+watermarked.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">'The Monarchist'</div><div style="text-align: center;">watercolour on paper</div><div style="text-align: center;">210mm x 297mm (8" x 11")</div><div style="text-align: center;">prints for sale now in my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/78893582/the-monarchist-new-butterfly-painting">Etsy</a> store</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">...and ok, so maybe I couldn't stop at one.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxGn-KDmGPnSLmAE4eKvpuhCXWESVdrJALZdEldVGBWVDnK3GWRj7oFrweJ-1vbeqRWADXROlWGrxhO7WTtOMimzKy9VBzue07rkk7xkz6wPd9D0oA-8BwRoqncHO8Hk4jYkn-oGGW4aE0/s1600/Black-White-Stripe-Upholstered-Bedroom-Walls-HTOURS0207+%252B+butterflies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxGn-KDmGPnSLmAE4eKvpuhCXWESVdrJALZdEldVGBWVDnK3GWRj7oFrweJ-1vbeqRWADXROlWGrxhO7WTtOMimzKy9VBzue07rkk7xkz6wPd9D0oA-8BwRoqncHO8Hk4jYkn-oGGW4aE0/s640/Black-White-Stripe-Upholstered-Bedroom-Walls-HTOURS0207+%252B+butterflies.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">original pic courtesy <a href="http://www.countryliving.com/homes/house-tours/decorating-with-yellow-0207">country living</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As you can probably tell, I'm still on a bit of a black and white kick at the moment....but as we all know, that can change in the blink of an eye. Fickle, me? Definitely.</div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

Pimp my pic

As soon as I finished my latest painting, I couldn't help myself...these rooms were ripe for the picking. love your work Nate , hope you...

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Curiosity Shop

It probably comes as no surprise that I love vintage books. My favourites are those on natural history, and I love scouring dusty old bookshops for these treasures. And I guess it's a natural progression that some of my favourite painting subjects come from nature. I'm preparing for a solo exhibition later this year (very exciting! I'll share all the deets soon) and now that I'm almost rid of this rotten flu (three weeks and counting) I've been experimenting with some new ideas. Here's a look at a little watercolour study I've just finished:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71Ssumx3FOz8eKJW4YfsqhjM_9JehC3EF7GqrbJ_X3SQB1OTVPtg3j-dsUMRvk35tuM2CjO97m9rnZLSjl89eJGfWvhgBXSGNSaeuD8fMW9AlcUh5_rjOqfCdj_JyX-cxcZ27NGy538EI/s1600/fuze+butterfly+watermarked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71Ssumx3FOz8eKJW4YfsqhjM_9JehC3EF7GqrbJ_X3SQB1OTVPtg3j-dsUMRvk35tuM2CjO97m9rnZLSjl89eJGfWvhgBXSGNSaeuD8fMW9AlcUh5_rjOqfCdj_JyX-cxcZ27NGy538EI/s400/fuze+butterfly+watermarked.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">'Petit Papillon'<br />watercolour on paper<br />210mm x 297mm (8" x 11")<br />prints for sale now in my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/78643319/petit-papillon-new">Etsy shop</a></div><br />This is the first in a new series, and there are lots more to come. The colours are so gorgeous, and as well as these beautiful blues, there will be vibrant yellows, oranges, black and white - something for everyone. To me, these look best en mass, and I'll be framing the originals with simple, streamlined black frames to really make the colours pop. There are quite a few surprises that I'll reveal closer to the exhibition date (think big, bold and beautiful!), so if you'd like me to add you to my mailing list, drop me a line or message me, and you'll be the first to know.<br /><br />I've found a few pretty pics to give you an idea of how you can use paintings like these to make a real statement.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4adNXDcwPX6VcF0WexCnB_siahCUaWKFzvtUPRAcWfZwvw0MaI5RxqyA5rk8bOmISqxqHSnJioZgVgRZWiVDE1g8zgcP0J0kDA4MeZAh2oK5uB8KhOlbBH9McZ92JZ_AYQ5Y8hQpVNNRR/s1600/decor8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4adNXDcwPX6VcF0WexCnB_siahCUaWKFzvtUPRAcWfZwvw0MaI5RxqyA5rk8bOmISqxqHSnJioZgVgRZWiVDE1g8zgcP0J0kDA4MeZAh2oK5uB8KhOlbBH9McZ92JZ_AYQ5Y8hQpVNNRR/s640/decor8.jpg" width="470" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">via <a href="http://decor8blog.com/">decor8</a> - so pretty</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWdQgEFqSjdl5K3LcQksGDSfUOCEmSfjqtwc_VYx9ZXNW-MxcIteZ7ZYH0ucaGKT7ZSWTQGcSllmeN84dqkZA3_Od71avmrYZpcFGAp22Ss8gEHwzIAtR12V23A9oKbm2WaxtFfy1kmIkC/s1600/ballard+designs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWdQgEFqSjdl5K3LcQksGDSfUOCEmSfjqtwc_VYx9ZXNW-MxcIteZ7ZYH0ucaGKT7ZSWTQGcSllmeN84dqkZA3_Od71avmrYZpcFGAp22Ss8gEHwzIAtR12V23A9oKbm2WaxtFfy1kmIkC/s640/ballard+designs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://ballarddesigns.com/">source</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcWU46tQGhY-5GtiZnrhDNk6jLd9w-j36sGO9RmPzuTJg-oATCxitS-Ai11juPHDIuE1CE7LQjFRitG-fxdqG2UP3EDfVhrpPloBwmMW9AXnczqWJx5wyJyu33KKR66BwGvsfE8MunDqUJ/s1600/by+Daniella+Helayel+on+dailymail.co.uk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcWU46tQGhY-5GtiZnrhDNk6jLd9w-j36sGO9RmPzuTJg-oATCxitS-Ai11juPHDIuE1CE7LQjFRitG-fxdqG2UP3EDfVhrpPloBwmMW9AXnczqWJx5wyJyu33KKR66BwGvsfE8MunDqUJ/s640/by+Daniella+Helayel+on+dailymail.co.uk.jpg" width="462" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">source</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TH1hQqqWdEWxOcW5ZRBE6fZjtiEOrKI_LNR5QaVZNOSy3OqAiTjRPXjH3495694LPva0n3A7HC8fv_luxjO9xgEmYovJyc6GsRkUkM1Qw_7XulHFUCQxjk7z9gsXXPAwe4pkLXr7WAKT/s1600/dr-with-butterflies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TH1hQqqWdEWxOcW5ZRBE6fZjtiEOrKI_LNR5QaVZNOSy3OqAiTjRPXjH3495694LPva0n3A7HC8fv_luxjO9xgEmYovJyc6GsRkUkM1Qw_7XulHFUCQxjk7z9gsXXPAwe4pkLXr7WAKT/s640/dr-with-butterflies.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> more restrained and curated</span></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH76U9A9ReA8Zjx7s1tPww9jqgOZFTY0ibmuNmG4-AzlMB2z3EsH6LRWqb6gBr0wFKGJIiPcKr9wLZ0_QJHX6XE9gLiZtcMsR2kqi_7eMa68hbHyLxqFtzneCxl_VU5g-oCpxkOT8Ot6GQ/s1600/martha.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH76U9A9ReA8Zjx7s1tPww9jqgOZFTY0ibmuNmG4-AzlMB2z3EsH6LRWqb6gBr0wFKGJIiPcKr9wLZ0_QJHX6XE9gLiZtcMsR2kqi_7eMa68hbHyLxqFtzneCxl_VU5g-oCpxkOT8Ot6GQ/s640/martha.png" width="510" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">via my good friend Martha....and look, there are some <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/75055615/collected-new-watercolour-painting">feathers</a> too.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZB75jjBy75PrXtSOacGOLOCl3Lv2Oaojx-Qx703b-ugBOagwEvZZ-h2KfdzZOAzmSqQM2PwXBojmHt3yiliLwtDJ83NiymiWhyphenhyphenF5GEogLBqWl9cOqhsyp4Amw-MH_a7RSDoLptybB8DF/s1600/sr+gambrel+the+hamptons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZB75jjBy75PrXtSOacGOLOCl3Lv2Oaojx-Qx703b-ugBOagwEvZZ-h2KfdzZOAzmSqQM2PwXBojmHt3yiliLwtDJ83NiymiWhyphenhyphenF5GEogLBqWl9cOqhsyp4Amw-MH_a7RSDoLptybB8DF/s640/sr+gambrel+the+hamptons.jpg" width="598" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Now I realise these aren't butterflies, but the repetition and symmetry is what really works here, and those prints could be any subject - botanical, sea plants, specimens....you get my drift. By Stephen Gambrel</span></div><br /><br />Thanks for everyone who emailed over the past few weeks - I'm back in the land of the living again, and I really appreciate your concern. On track again and looking forward to getting stuck in to some new projects - can't wait!<br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

Curiosity Shop

It probably comes as no surprise that I love vintage books. My favourites are those on natural history, and I love scouring dusty old booksh...

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